Ginika's Bridesmaids: Book Four

Ginika's Bridesmaids #4

by Adesuwa O'man Nwokedi

Loud and gregarious, Ozioma has always been the life of the party. But just as passionately as she embraces the good life is how much she also longs for a husband. And finally, at 37, she meets Onochie. Handsome, rich and Igbo, he ticks every single box on her wish list. A wedding is imminent, and she couldn't be happier. But as family opposition rears its ugly head, unexplained sparks start to fly with her longtime best friend, Banji, who is the exact opposite of anything she has ever wanted in a husband...leaving her with the decision of whether to follow her head...or her heart.

Genres: Nigeria

358 pages, ebook

Published September 24, 2021

About the author

The Writer, who became an Engineer, who became an Investment Banker, who became a Fertility Spokesperson, who became…a Writer.
That has been the journey of A. T. Nwokedi, aka The Fertile Chick. A self confessed hopeless romantic, when she is not creating new characters, she devotes her time to creating memories with her husband and their three children.

Reviews

[Amaka Azie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Enjoyed this story. This is a wonderful friends to lovers romance.
Ozioma had a dream man, Onochie. However, that dream man kept putting her down because of her weight.
By the time she realised that he wasn’t any good for her, the one man who actually made her happy, also her best friend, Banji was left heartbroken.
Well written, emotional and completely difficult to put down.
Love the authenticity of the Nigerian culture that was portrayed throughout the story.
The fight scene in Ozioma’s village was HILARIOUS 😂

[blessing :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this babe really needed common sense slapped into her a’times but she did well osheyyy!!!
relationships always consist of compromise but there’s boundaries and some lines that are never meant to be crossed. i’m glad ozi used her head in the end

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has rendered me speechless, so much to unpack. I didn’t expect it to be as heavy as it was.

[Oluchi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have a lot to say, none of it good. I’ll be back.

[Tolulope Soremekun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterpiece in the Bridesmaids series. Knowing Ozi's endgame right off the bat didn't diminish the storytelling in any way. I was entertained from start to finish. Ozioma stressed me, though. I thought Ife from book 3 did. Little did I know what Adesuwa had in store for us with Ozi, the drama Queen. That rumble in the jungle scene was so epic. In all, it was a very satisfying read.

[Dakid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ozi was a bit annoying.

[Abena Ampomah Nuako · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally done with Ozi and her foolishness😁. This book took me the longest after she ditched Dbanj but i plowed ahead later. But Ozi had some level of heartlessness that was scary😱. Adesuwa delivered in this one as well. No author has made me read their books one after the other like I have these series😍. The love-hate emotions was real in this book as well😂. I liked it so cheers to IKIGAIs🥂

[Munis Bukola · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was too hard to read. From Book 1, I knew I didn’t like Ozi. How low does someone’s self-esteem have to be for them to be insulted, mocked, laughed at, and publicly or privately humiliated, yet still stay in the same place and actually proceed to marry the perpetrator?

She had someone on the sidelines who literally worshiped the ground she walked on, and she ditched him because “he’s from another tribe.” Not only is she loud, selfish, judgmental, and fat, but she’s also tribalistic.

After everything, when she realized her "Prince Charming" wasn’t actually interesting and she was lonely, Ozi had the audacity to say, “For the first time since marrying Onochie, the tears returned. And I wept. I wept over the realization that I had traded true love for mere fantasy.”
Stay with your fantasy Biko, you guys deserved each other .

[Mololuwa Mustapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this sequel at first, but as I kept reading, it really grew on me! The plot is so different from the other books, and I love that! Plus, those insults? They're seriously on another level - so deep, yet so funny. Absolutely enjoyed reading it!

[Chidera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ozioma didn’t actually have to go through that

[Chichi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was well written literally, I’ll give the author that. But I have so many thoughts. Honestly, I skipped a good amount while reading. I found the main character, Ozioma, unbearable to read and this is one of my main issues with single pov books. When the main character is intolerable and you make the entire book her thoughts, that in my opinion is a recipe for disaster and this author CANNOT tell me she didn’t know Ozioma was an unbearable person. Some may say she got better, but to be stuck in her head “24/7”? Absolutely not.

I generally have a fierce dislike for pushover characters, especially those who are loud and masquerade as tough people, and Ozioma fit all this to a T. In the one and only book by this author I’ve read, the second book in the series, I actually did like her. She was honest with Ife and gave her a reality check when necessary. So imagine my surprise seeing her turn into a Welcome doormat all because of a man. All because she felt less than for being single and 37 and being plus-sized. What?? And the fact that this plot line wasn’t rounded up until the end, to the author I ask, What were you hoping to achieve with this book? Body positivity? Mere inclusivity? Because this book didn’t feel written with compassion or respect for the bodies of Ozioma and women who look like her.

What sort of message are you sending when a woman is insulted, thoroughly abused, by almost everyone around her (with the ones not doing the abusing rationalizing it for the sake of being a freaking wife (her own family!)) and just lays down to take it all? She’ll flare up one minute, and be back to her vomit like a ruminant animal the next minute. What was your plan? Because this book never read like something coming from a place of love, AT ALL.

We didn’t get enough chapters of Ozioma being loved properly, just constant negativity from left, right and center. The message cannot be said to even be self-love because Ozioma didn’t love herself till the very end, otherwise she’d never have stood by and taken the insults rained on her person.

How can a man tell you that the only reason he didn’t end things with you after seeing you for the first time irl is because he was already emotionally invested?? How can he tell you that the reason he didn’t touch you wasn’t to be chaste, but because he doesn’t find you attractive?? How can he tell you after losing weight that now he desires you because you are NOW all he wants in his woman?? What the f**???? And you STILL married that animal?? Yes I know this is fiction, but this book had me so heated.

And the actual love story didn’t even come until I was too jaded from the emotional abuse, until I was too disgusted with the spinelessness of the main character at moments that mattered, and her overzealousness when she needed to exercise discernment. Pacing could have been better. And the abrupt ending is a signature of this author, I suppose. Because after all the second hand embarrassment we went through with Ozioma, we didn’t even get to properly enjoy the reunion.

Another signature apparently is fmcs that make foolish, avoidable decisions, and overly/unrealistically patient mmcs. Because I genuinely do not know what about Ozioma got Banji so hooked. She didn’t have a very likable personality. She talked way too much and could be so local at times, her overly animated character was endearing until I realized that she was all bark and not a single bite. Just noise. She was insensitive toward him for the longest (that whole calling him her “Kid Brother” thing pissed me off so bad), and she constantly undermined him and his feelings, acting like he was beneath her despite him repeatedly telling her how he truly felt. Even in the beginning of their relationship, the good was constantly being tainted by her bad behavior in public, and eagerness to denounce him. Oh, and she was tribalistic.

This was truly a lot, gonna go look for a palate cleanser now.

[Kerry M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ozioma was kind of annoying to be honest. She had the perfect right there and she was crying blood about a man who was not even attracted to her? And she couldn't take responsibility for her actions she just wanted to be lazy and I felt like she was not putting any effort into herself then got angry when people called her out on it. I mean she was puffing cigarettes like a chimney and drinking like fish then gets mad when people hand it to her straight? Nah girl was wild and for her age she should have known better. I loved her in Ara's book. I loved the storyline however and Banji is a perfect man🥹

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your dream man may be completely different from your ikigai. Pray not to confuse both maka depression is real.

Ozi my girl, as soon as you gave that wine cup to Onochie, I felt like going into the book and slapping you with all my might. Poor Banji, innocent lover boy, pining over a woman who obviously had no idea what she really wanted at a whooping 38 years old. Obviously showing that age in no way equates with self awareness and Wisdom.

In real life, if Banji were my brother, he would heal from Ozioma's love. Let her go find her rich igbo boyfriend. We ain't no pun in your foolishness 🤣 😂

Anyway just joking 🙃 🤪 all is well that ends well.

[Doshia Sheyin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ozioma is that friend we all need. She says the truth the way it is and is just so forward. I was disappointed in her for using tribe as an excuse as to why she couldn't be with Banji. It shows us that love shouldn't be hard work and that it's the little things that matter. I hated how she still went back to Onochie after all the body shaming, if he couldn't love her as she was what made her think changing will. I was so upset about it but I'm happy she got back to her senses.It was a lovely read.

[BernieMck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of a really good series, that takes place in Lagos. All of Ozioma’s siblings and the people in her friends group, are married, and now she’s a bit desperate for her turn. Her fiancée’s intentions are questionable, even though he checks all of her boxes. Her best friend, no longer wants to be, her best friend. There were times when I wanted to strangle the protagonist, but in the end, all was good. I enjoyed the shenanigans in this book, very very much.

[Dominion Jaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely didn't expect Ozi to have sooooo much drama. I'm definitely impressed because I'd initially wanted to skip this book with the thought of "the story won't be interesting cause she'll end up with her best friend anyways" but wow.

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ozi!!Ozioma is the bubbly and very loud lady. The story is like an old and true love story. Her quest for searches for a man to call her has been nothing but a great journey that brought her back to her bestie Banji. True friendship can really turn into 👍 love.

[Abisola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for the friends to lovers trope.

[Dorcas Eduk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew Ozi was drama and I wasn't disappointed
Wowwww
This book had me on choke hold since I started it
Nice one

[e d u · Rating 4 out of 5]

banjiiiiiiiiiiii!! – ozioma was excessively dramatic for no reason. realistic. but dramatic – but, banjiiiiii!!! i want one of him for meeeee 🥺. best. book. boyfriend. ever.

[Kodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far, my best book in the series.

[nini⭐️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Banji is a very patient man.

[Abigail Ufondu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the funniest in the whole series. Love it so much

[Chika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ozioma’s Love Story

As cliche as Ozi’s story was, I found myself waiting to see what would happen in the end. I’m glad she finally found love.

[Oghale · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited and glad that Ozioma finally found love!

[Nere Onaiwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oziomaaa was making me having small high bp. I really felt for Banji. It was like she was using him for trips and fun.
As usual it ended quite well.

[Ifeoluwa Shobande · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have a bias against this woman ozioma, she is very loud, way too loud for me liking. So I did not like the story very much.


Thank you, Adesuwa O'man Nwokedi

[Adeola · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
The FL was insufferable and had internalized misogyny, how was anyone able to finish this?

[Sonia's Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Ozioma right from Book 1 when her character came to light. Though she's loud, she's a very lively person and doesn't shy away from the truth. She's plus-sized and I can relate because I am, though not on the higher side. I understood her struggles—receiving body-shaming comments leading to insecurities, and it resonated with me. But, I was angry at Ozioma too, because it took so long for her to realize the mistake she'd made. The signs were glaring babes. She was being selfish, fr and thank God, she got what she wanted. And Onochie, I didn't know what his problem was, but I won't dwell on him because he's insignificant.

I rooted for Banji; he's a great guy, and I'll say this for the umpteenth time: don't mistake your spouse for your best friend oo. 🧏 And funny how it's my wonderful ladies that do this thing. I know it's not every guy that comes into your life you date, but pay attention to the one that stands out. You never can tell.
"But he's my best friend and I don't want to ruin things for us..." Is it your enemy you're supposed to marry?

Overall, this was an interesting read with enough gbas gbos. 😂 And my favourite character, Zinny! I love that woman. ❤️🫶

[IyanuOluwa Olorode · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fertile Chick is an author that tugged at my heartstrings from her first work I read. And with each novel, I fall deeper in love with her writing.
I sooo love The Fertile Chick. On my previous account, I dubbed her the Shonda Rhimes of Nigerian Romance Novels. Her work with Ginika's Bridesmaids series is beyond laudable. The books are like five parts of one whole (six if you count The One) fitting seamlessly like a well orchestrated machination.

Now, Ozioma.

This book is amazing on a whole different level. It follows the life of Ozioma, a happy go lucky big, bold and beautiful woman in search of the one. Against the backdrop of her age and the fact all her friends and siblings are married, she's excited to have found the One. Except the One comes with a family distantly (or closely) related to the devil and her bestie wants to JP from the friend zone.

I love the friends to lovers trope and The Fertile Chick did not disappoint with a new angle to the trope.

I honestly don't want to spoil this book for those who haven't read it. And if you haven't, take it from me the broke bookworm and foodie who used her sharwama money to renew Bambooks subscription that this story is worth the read. It gets a whopping 5 stars from me. It would have gotten more if Ozioma hadn't annoyed me so much.

I have never felt a man's pain the way I felt Banji's. Like early Christmas momo, I was weeping for a Christmas character.

But even more than the beautiful story, Ozioma is filled with lessons and that makes it even more special.

First, never try to change yourself to suit the checklist of a guy/girl. It will end in ata gungun tears or depression or both.

Second, family matters more than anything. I loved the rumble in the jungle. Your family will always have your back and Ozioma's siblings beating up Uju and co was my favourite part of the novel. It reminded me of my siblings. It feels amazing to belong to a family.

Third, I think it's reminiscent of The One - checklists are subject to the heart and gut.

Thank you for a beautiful story that a review can't do justice to.