A Nollywood Christmas

by Tomilola Coco Adeyemo

Genres: Romance, Christmas

292 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s almost 2am and I finished A Nollywood Christmas in one sitting. I had serious déjà vu because this is exactly how I read A Very Gidi Christmas too 😂 There is something about Tomilola Coco’s books that makes them impossible to put down once you start, and this one was no exception.

Did I love this book? Absolutely. The story is beautiful, interesting, and emotionally powerful. The characters’ backstories were especially well written and added so much depth to the story.

I really loved Tai. Even though I feel like he settled in the relationship because of how deeply he loved Anu, I still loved him. He is genuinely kind, respectful, and polite. You know those people who are just… nice. That’s Tai. I honestly feel like there’s a real person behind his character!

I also really loved Anu. She is confident on the outside while quietly breaking on the inside, which made her such a relatable and well written character. She is a strong representation of a first daughter, constantly enduring so her siblings do not have to. While I don’t think she deserves Tai, I do think she deserves to be loved by him. I don’t even know how to explain that contrast properly, but I just want good things for her. I truly hope they last because whew.

That said, as much as I loved the book, I did get a bit exhausted by the constant back and forth between Tai and Anu. At some point, I was almost annoyed because it felt like too much LOL. I also feel like we need a sequel just to confirm that these two are actually still together. I need peace of mind, please.

Overall, this was a really good read. It didn’t move me the same way A Very Gidi Christmas did, but it was still a beautiful, engaging story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Rayo Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading A Nollywood Christmas,we meet Anu Fashoranti, a boss lady in her forties—confident, knows what she wants, and goes for it (including men). A big girl in her own right, but beneath the strong woman persona lies a girl struggling to accept and move past what happened many years ago on Christmas Day: childhood trauma that has shaped who she is—emotionally unavailable, closed off: “I’m not in for love and relationships!”

And while this is a love story, Anu’s story, the way it was written and displayed to us, the readers, was amazing! It was raw, it was imperfect and full of flaws. Anu’s story was moving, emotional, and I began to understand who she is! I read a particular line—the 3rd paragraph, page 71—I read it over and over because I couldn’t believe what I just read. WTF... it made me close the book and clutch my chest.

And Tai! Having Tai as a nickname for Taiwo is genius 😅. Tai was the calm, the constant. He had issues he was battling as well, but he had eyes for only Anu. He wanted to be her friend and supporter while his emotions were raging! Whenever he spoke Yoruba (surely you know what I’m talking about 😅), my cheeks were burning. 😅 I love that he didn’t push; he allowed Anu to find her way back to him on her own terms. I love that Anu healed properly before anything.

I love the chatter about Nollywood; it made the story come alive, and I can definitely see Nollywood Christmas on TV. Overall, I loved Anu and Tai; their chemistry was instantaneous. The way therapy was woven into the story was amazing. And to all the strong girls out there, I hope and pray that you meet a person you can be vulnerable with and yet safe.

Don’t walk, RUN to read this book! And if this is how A Nollywood Christmas is, I can’t wait to read A very Gidi Christmas!!

[Sonia's Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐
I enjoyed this story much!!
I just couldn't put it down for long...from gushing over its beautiful cover to the brilliant writing by the author. I love! 💕

FULL REVIEW 👇

Guess who's best in judging a book by its cover...ME!! When I saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to get it and with all the hype around its release, FOMO was killing me so badly, lol.

I loved "Sugar Daddy Chronicles" and I carried that same energy into this book—I wasn't disappointed. The story follows:
✨ Anu Fashoranti, a smart and confident lady in the Nollywood industry who knows exactly what she wants for herself. However, she's not into love because of childhood trauma.
✨ Taiwo "Tai" Smith on the other hand is the "Jim Iyke" in the industry, except that he has had his fair share of life's problems, relationship included.
Their relationship is complicated, hot, and incredibly swoony.

Anu is a go and get it babe and I love how the author presented her—it goes to show that behind every fine smile and elegance, there are layers of imperfection. Also, I'm not judging, but how was she comfortable with a "no strings attached" relationship? I hail her, fr! Someone like me who is scared of heartbreak "can't fitn't" oo. 😭😂 I can relate to Anu being the first daughter, seeing her parents fight all the time, till the last straw, and the effect it had on her...that was a lot, fr.

Taiwo "Tai" Adedamola Smith...the man that you are!! I had issues with his POV shaaa—they were short and written in the third person narrative. Reading it didn't sound personal, like he wasn't the one telling his story. I love him and I love how he loved Anu.

However, I didn't like how the story ended and I hope Tai didn't settle...🥲

That Temi is a w!tch oo. I got angry anytime I read scenes she was featured in.

In conclusion, I enjoyed this story so much—the side characters, the spice, the Nollywood feel, and Christmas themes were all spot on. I highly recommend this story. I'm looking forward to reading "A Very Gidi Christmas" and more books by Tomilola.

[Tomilola Coco Adeyemo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biased. Of course.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Nollywood-Chri...

[Adeyinka Adeleke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Nollywood Christmas by Tomilola Coco Adeyemo

Five stars from me because this book touched me in places I didn’t even expect.

What I loved the most about this story is how deeply flawed the characters are in a way that feels so real. Anu Fashoranti is not some perfect romance heroine. She is carrying grief, guilt and trauma from her past, and you can see how much it holds her back from actually living. Tomilola wrote her in a way that showed her pain without making her unlikeable. You could tell Anu was not okay, but she still felt so human and relatable.

Tai too. His struggles with addiction, the pressure he carried from being a child star, the shame and the guilt. There were moments where I genuinely connected with him because it made sense that someone with that background would turn to addiction as a coping mechanism. Tomilola handled that really well.

This is something she does so well as a writer. She writes flawed characters with so much tenderness that you can see the mess and still feel compassion. I remember how much I connected with "BG" in her debut novel, "A Very Gidi Christmas". That same realness is here again, and I'm in awe.

And honestly, the romance was beautiful, but what I really loved was that if you removed the romance, the book would still stand. Anu’s relationship with her siblings, the abuse she witnessed, her grief, the journey of healing. Then Tai’s family drama, his parents, the emotional pressure of fame. All of that made the story feel full.

Now the older woman, younger guy dynamic was giving everything it needed to give. I loved that Anu was a woman who knew what she wanted and went for it. Her confidence in her sexuality was refreshing, especially in a culture where women get judged for even admitting they have desires. I liked that Tomilola didn’t shy away from that conversation because it is true. Women have sex. Women enjoy sex. And they shouldn’t be shamed for it.

This book made me laugh out loud so many times. It made me emotional too. It was such an enjoyable read from beginning to end.

A solid five star read. I loved it.

[Muhsinat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the hardest part of love is believing you deserve it.

ANC is an emotionally layered love story that explores the aftermath of pain and how the past quietly shapes our present. At its core, the book explores how love has a way of forcing us to confront the very things we’d rather avoid.

At forty, Anu neither dates nor does Christmas. On the surface, she’s a boss babe who has everything figured out but as the layers are peeled back, we meet a woman deeply scarred by childhood trauma that has left her guarded, resentful and emotionally closed off after years of surviving instead of healing.

Tai, a former star, is trying to rebuild his acting career after it went downhill. He carries scars of his own shaped by guilt, shame and the pressures of fame. His journey & struggles highlights the often unseen cost of fame and the quiet work of healing BTS.

After a one-night stand, both characters are forced to confront unexpected emotions when they end up on the same project. What follows isn’t the usual meet-cute holiday romance. IMO ANC was more about healing, self-reflection and emotional growth than romance.

One of the things I loved about this book is how it challenges the idea that love alone is enough. Tomi tackles heavy themes—grief, shame, guilt, addiction—giving the story a raw and honest edge. The characters are flawed and messy but I empathised with them even when their choices frustrated me.

There were moments Anu tested my patience because she kept pushing Tai away. Still, I understood her fear. Freeing yourself from the hold of the past can be complex and trauma has a way of convincing you that keeping your walls up is strength, when sometimes true courage is choosing vulnerability and trying again.

The Nollywood backdrop was another highlight for me. It added drama and depth while highlighting the blurred lines between perception and reality—how we present ourselves vs who we truly are.


This is not your typical holiday romance but it’s definitely worth picking up. It is an emotionally layered story about vulnerability, healing and allowing love in even when it feels terrifying.

[Ezioma Kalu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anu Fashoranti does not date. She doesn’t do commitments. She isn’t the type to indulge in any form of romance. She likes to have sex though. Lots of it. However, she doesn’t ever get past that, because what’s the fun in commitment?

She is a badass commissioning editor in Nollywood and everyone wants to work with her, and so she meets Tai Smith, a rising superstar in the movie industry. They have sex on the first night they meet.

While reading this book, I thought Anu was the only one with baggage, but I was wrong. These two have a lot of baggage from their respective pasts. But Anu clutches hers close to her chest and refuses to let go.

She lets her grief engulf her and she doesn’t want to step into the light and see how beautiful the other side of the world is. She is afraid of committing to anyone because of what she has experienced. She doesn’t like Christmas because of what it has come to mean in her life.

At some point I thought she was doing too much. But the rawness of her character depicts how flawed and complex we are as humans. And just because you don’t understand someone’s pain doesn’t mean they have to throw it all away and act glamorous so they can be likeable.

The characters in this book are very much flawed and very much human. They are also relatable in the ways they behave, talk and act.

I enjoyed this book. The Nollywood production aspect, the friendship, the romance and of course the steaming sex scenes. I am recommending this very beautiful Christmas book to everyone who wants to read. This is the book for the season.

[Chidalu Iduma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nigerian romance, and I love a romance story that’s set in a city other than Lagos. Let’s get into the synopsis first.

Set in Ibadan, it follows Anu Fashoranti, a forty-year-old commissioning editor who avoids dealing with her past, and Ta(iwo) Smith, a shining star who’s gone into obscurity and is trying hard to find his way back into the limelight.

Both characters cross paths and one night fling between them plunges them into a trajectory of chaos, power dynamics, and sexy happenings.

One thing I loved about this book was the infusion of Yorùbá language in the characters’ dialogue. This is something we rarely see in Nigerian literature, especially among contemporary fiction. I appreciate the author for that.

Another thing I loved about this book is the yearning: the desire to desire and be desired. I love the character between both characters and how the boss-employee dynamic comes into play, with the subtle heat and tension between them.

One statement that stood out for me in this book was: ‘I know it is difficult because of what happened to you, but our people say, if you close your eyes because you want to avoid terrible people, you will lose sight of good people.’

I loved it to the point I was trying to finish reading on time. This one comes highly recommended.

Exploring the themes of love, workplace romance, traumatic pasts, healing amongst others, this is the perfect Christmas romance to get into.

[Turning Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anu is a high-achieving editor who thinks she has her life in Lagos under control until she’s sent to Ibadan to salvage a film production. After a "no-strings" night with a gorgeous stranger, she walks onto her set the next morning only to realize he is Tai Smith, her lead actor.

What I Loved:
The Maturity & Realism: This isn't just a fluffy Christmas romance. It deals with heavy themes - Anu’s trauma surrounding her mother’s death and Tai’s history with addiction and his past as a gigolo. Their baggage felt real, and their healing wasn't overnight.

The Chemistry: The "forced proximity" on set was top-tier. The tension was thick from page one, but it was the emotional vulnerability they shared during the South Africa trip that really sold the romance for me.

The "Villain" Drama: Temi was the ultimate "delulu" ex. Between the spiritual beads and calling Anu an old mama, she was a mess! Watching Tai finally set firm boundaries and block her was so cathartic.

The Ending: I appreciated that they didn't rush into a traditional marriage. Choosing therapy and a one day at a time commitment felt much more authentic to Anu’s character growth.

Final Verdict:
Tomilola Coco has a way of writing characters that feel like people you actually know. If you want a story that balances Nollywood glamour with deep, soul-searching emotional work, pick this up. It’s a beautiful reminder that you have to heal for yourself before you can fully show up for someone else. 📖🇳🇬

[Blessing Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fast read, very beautiful and intriguing.

Anu is a soft but still very guarded, she had been through a lot and had always believed love and attachment isn’t for her until it came crashing in an unexpected way. Anu is shaped by grief, loss and the painful memories of her parents toxic marriage.

Tai came into her life in the moment where she didn’t feel she needed someone, a familiar face from her past that she never expected, one night of sex turned into something they both never expected.

Tai’s patience and love for Anu was really heartwarming, u loved how Anu slowly started opening up get heart and letting go of her fears and past. Both characters are flawed and I loved the characters development, the way they communicate, and handled healing in the most genuine way. I loved the real relationship between Anu and her siblings, she had so much responsibilities on her shoulders as the first daughter and I could relate to that.

This story explores trends of love, grief, toxic marriage, family, friendship, and growth. Anu and Tai’s relationship gave off older woman’s and younger men vibes and I absolutely love it. We dived into the world of Nigerian culture and Nollywood, it was so beautiful.

Anu and Tai really stressed me so much with their back and forth, but it was later worth it. A very emotional and unforgettable read.

[Eniola Praise Oladejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anu Fashoranti is that girl confident, successful, and thriving in the Nollywood industry. But when it comes to love? She keeps things strictly no strings attached. No romance, no emotional attachment.

And Christmas? She hates it.
It brings back memories she’d rather forget.

Then comes Taiwo Adedamola Smith (Tai) a rising star in Nollywood and a familiar face from her past. What starts as a one-night thing slowly turns into something more… something neither of them planned for.

I really liked how the book explored the Nollywood industry and touched on themes like past trauma, healing, and a reverse age gap romance. Anu’s character and her emotional walls were especially interesting to see.

However, the story felt a bit too fast paced, and at some point, it became quite predictable. I could already tell what was going to happen next, which took away some of the excitement.
Still, it’s a decent, easy read if you’re in the mood for something light with a touch of drama and romance.

[Samuella Adu-Aryee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the style of writing, the characters and everything in between... Coco your writing has a way of sucking one in in a beautiful way... ❤️😍😍😘😘😘😍 When I read your book I felt like I had taken a mini vacation from reality into Ibadan and Lagos from Ghana 🇬🇭. I loved this read.. Big ups 😍📖😘😘

[Aisha Feranmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7

[Biose Falade]

I love how easy to read it is

[Ashley Onyeka Egbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love the way he waited for his woman to work on herself

[diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

a light fluffy read for the beginning of a hot London summer. Idk, maybe the view at Richmond added to it being nice?

[Honna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh man! After inhaling A Very Gidi Christmas last year, I leaped into A Nollywood Christmas with high expectations.
Unfortunately, I was not able to rank it more than 3 stars.