Ginika's Bridesmaids: Book Three

Ginika's Bridesmaids #3

by Adesuwa O'man Nwokedi

Beautiful, alluring and a lover of the good life, Ife has always used men to get what she wants. She has gained notoriety as the courtesan of a wealthy man and is satisfied with the luxuries that come with it. Having recently detangled herself from Olumide, her longtime lover who strung her along for years, she looks forward to living life on her own terms. Until her path crosses with Diekola, a charming widower who comes along and sweeps her off her feet. But as her heart starts to open to him, her reputation, and ensuing blackmail from the most likely of people, come in the way. Does a woman with a past like hers deserve to find love?

Genres: Romance

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 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

[IyanuOluwa Olorode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay.… So the first time I came across the pseudonym The Fertile Chick, I thought to myself this has to be the funniest and catchiest pseudonym I've ever seen.

Little did I know that this woman can spin tales like she was born to do it.

This is not my first book by the author, but it is first I will be reviewing.

So, Ife's story was released a few days into my first semester exams, and after my exams, I downloaded the book as a treat to myself. Long story short, five hours after the said download laden with laughs, frowns, hisses and plenty of tears, I could only say two words.

Mad o.

Yes, it was that good.

Spoiler alert. I'll be sharing a few things about the book I loved.

Before I do that, I have to say a few things about the author. The Fertile Chick was made to write television series because the seamless flow of characterization right from The One is totally unbelievable. Honestly, I'm dubbing her the Shonda Rhimes of Nigerian Romance Novels.

Secondly, she made experience first hand the life of the creme de la creme with her expert description and detailing. Honestly, through her books I saw firsthand how the 1% lives.

Thirdly, the one and only I dislike about the author is that she puts a The End right where you're all smiles and hoping for scenes with wedding bells, baby showers and the like.

So about the book...

Ife's story is the third in the Ginika's bridesmaids series and will probably not make a lot of sense if you don't start from The One in my own opinion.

So Ife is to wrap the broken spitfire into a couple of words an ex-runs girl/currently a kept woman who is also hopeless romantic at heart. Yeah, quite an odd combo. She's broken and battered and 'forced' into the life of runs by the man she loves. Her love for him endures (which made me hate her in the beginning) till she is almost maimed by his wife.

Long story short, she finds love with a man that seems so perfect her imperfect self is unworthy of his love. And Diekola pulls through but loving her with her imperfect history.


Things I learned from the book.
1) I love referencing movies and books and I'll be making reference to the movie Faith, Hope and Love. Everybody is imperfectly perfect. We all have our backstories and scars and wounds we hope to God no one ever finds out. Just like Ife had. And just like Diekola. Humans tend to shine the light on imperfection and forget the snippets of perfection in another. Ife, in addition to being the trashy skank everyone knows she is, is sweet, kind and loyal to her bestie Isioma. Diekola, the twenty-first century prince charming, too had his warts. No one is perfect. And we should stop judging because our imperfection are a different shade of imperfection. (If that made sense)
2) Friendship might not be magic and rainbows. It might not also be instantaneous. You know someone is your friend when in the moment you least expect them to they display loyalty.
3) Quoting Lilo and Stitch, Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. Sometimes, we feel like we are undeserving of our families and push them away. Sometimes, we just need to embrace them. On the other hand, being in a family is to love one another unconditionally and in spite of heartbreaks and disappointments. An enduring love may just be what that prodigal son needs.
4) We can spare ourselves a whole bunch of heartache is we listen to the multitude of positive counselors that abound, particularly our parents. Ife would have spared herself a lot of pain and abuse if she had listened to her parents and sister.


I can write a lecture about this book with good, rich and deep it is. The plot is well thought out and organized and flows seamlessly. Thank you for this book.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS MY FAVORITE IN THIS SERIES. Ife and Diekola’s love story is my absolute favorite!!!! I love love love love love this book. And I might not read the other two books in this series in fear of having another favorite. I don’t want to share the space I’ve given this book in my heart with any other book. 😭😭😭


There are so many life lessons, my favorite being that we can avoid/escape so many pains and heartbreaks if we listen to the people in our lives—our parents and siblings. Ife wouldn’t have gone down this hellhole if only she had listened. I love how the friendship between the girls was imperfect yet beautiful. We offend our friends but at the end, they are our friends and they love us just as much as we love them. God! I love these girls so much (except Ginika but this isn’t about her so I won’t say much).

[Amaka Azie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man!
This writer made Me root for a gold digger and “former” runsbabe!
That takes skill.
I’m usually one who despises the idea of women sleeping with married men, or any man for money.
But because of how well told this story was, I could identify with Ife and wanted her to truly win!
This is an author I’m highly impressed with.

I read this from Bambooks.

[Munis Bukola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cringed so much, The sex tape just crowned it for me ….. 5 people at onceeeee ifeee you take the crownnnnn😂 how diekola can get past that history still beats me.

[Dakid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ife deserves all the love. Isioma is a horrible friend.

[Morayo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fact that I was subjected to Isioma and Karibi’s thoughts and feelings in Ife’s book upset me and my homegirls.
With that being said, I liked that there was no third act break up and I loved how the story and romance progressed. Diekola the man that you are, Ife I dey your back any day.
Isn’t it funny that men are allowed a revolving door of women but God forbid a woman have a past
Olumide did not suffer enough, I wanted him under the jail. What a wretched fellow
I’m curious to see how Ife and Diekola progress as a couple in the next two books. I love them both as individuals and I’m rooting for them

[Rama · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Ara and Isioma’s stories, I thought I had seen enough about Ife’s character and wasn’t really enthused by the fact that she too had a whole book written about her but reluctantly I thought to try and wow…the writer is good. I finished 216 pages in one sitting🤭☕️📚

[Mololuwa Mustapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

With each sequel I read, it gets better. One thing this book made me realize is that people shouldn’t be so quick to judge others and condemn them until they see things from their perspective. Before reading this book, I didn’t like Ifedayo so much because of her 'lifestyle'. But after reading it, while there are no concrete excuses for some of the things she did, I could understand why she did them. I really enjoyed reading Ifedayo and Dieko’s story!

[Dorcas Eduk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried
No....I cried 😭😭😭
This book touched me
Since starting this series and reading ife walking up to the girls I already knew her story was going to be a long one
You did justice to this book
You're now my new favourite African author

[Just_a_book_lover♊❤❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one is unworthy of love😍😍😍💜

[Chika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I found Ife to be annoying. I wish she would’ve stood in her truth instead of trying to push people away. It would’ve gotten us the point faster.

[Chichi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was easily one of my favorite reads in recent time. I really enjoyed this one, especially after the 50% mark.

At first, I didn’t care much for Ife. Didn’t care much for the male love interest, Diekola, either. His patience under the circumstances didn’t feel realistic to me, and for the longest we didn’t really know him, and didn’t get his pov at all. But as time went on and he opened up to Ife, I began to understand why he was so patient and persistent with her for so long despite her rudeness and obtuseness. And she could be that in spades. Which was why I didn’t like her in the first part.

But, about halfway through she became a lot more honest with herself about why she behaved the way she did instead of blaming everyone else for the consequences of her own actions. I appreciated that. And the drama in this book kept me on my toes! I was so curious about how a specific plotline would be wrapped up but I just had to stop guessing at point cause the author was always 10 steps ahead which made for such an entertaining read.

I loved how real this book felt, like the story of certain people in Lagos, funny enough. Overall, I had so much fun reading this book. The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is because the beginning wasn’t my favorite, and the way the romance aspect of the book came to an end gave me whiplash. One second he wasn’t there, the next he was, then it was “the end”. I generally dislike books which end like that, just tugging on my heartstrings with no real culmination. The resolution with her friends was so beautiful and wasn’t abrupt, meanwhile the actual romance which was a major focal point was so rushed, no epilogue whatsoever. Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

[Sasi’s Escape · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me wanting to fight the author because Ife (the main character) didn’t need a love story she needed a story of healing through intense therapy. She read as a deeply damaged character groomed from a young age by an unfortunate ex who was still controlling her well into her adult years. Honestly I found it hard to get into the aspect of her finding her true love because I felt like so much of her past coloured her present and a lot of it was left unresolved. It’s still a 5stars because it is so well written like all the other books in this series and the subtle details that connect all the books while still giving each individual story the depth it needs

[Oluchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t buy the romance between Ife and Diekola. I dislike the insta-love trope, you rarely see it done well, and this isn’t an exception. This man’s wife died 9years ago and he sees Ife and is immediately gone? Despite her past and the feelings of his family? There wasn’t any tension on his side? We didn’t get to see him work through any complicated emotions? The book made him out to be a saint and I’m sorry, that’s very unbelievable.

As usual, I enjoyed the style of writing. Ozioma really redeemed herself in this book (I’d thought her annoying and tactless in book 1) and I’m really looking forward to reading her story next. Female friendships will save you!

[Ifeoluwa Shobande · Rating 5 out of 5]

It still wasn’t clear if I’d dreamed that moment to life, and my eyes remained half open, just to make sure the kiss, and him being there, weren’t a figment of my imagination.
But the warmth of his breath, the stirring of every single nerve there was in my body, the unfurling of all my senses, the levitation that felt like we were floating in air, were proof that this was no dream. My love had returned to me.

And this time, I was never, ever letting go. No matter what the rest of the world had to say about it.

She has everything 😍 she could ever think of but lost everything to a fools man.

Thank you, Adesuwa O'man Nwokedi, for the

[Kerry M · Rating 4 out of 5]

First let me deal with Isioma and her horrible friendship. Girl was suddenly acting better than Ife because of her bland man and their mild romance. She was horrible to Ife and I'm so glad Ife started being close to Ozioma because what do you mean Miss Cindrella was being Judge Judy to my girl? She knew who she was when she was still wearing torn clothes ugh she annoyed me so much with that comment.
I loved Ife, I forgive her for the foolishness she did as a young girl but she grew up and found the greatest love. She is my top 3 favourite character in this series🫶🏾 Isioma, when I catch you??!!!

[e d u · Rating 5 out of 5]

ifeeeeee!!! and my diekola papiiii 🤭🤭. i was honestly so pleasantly surprised with how much i enjoyed this book. i wasn't expecting that at all, and after that dumpster fire that was isioma, it was exactly what i needed. everything was a hit. i loved ife to bits, and rooted for her sm, loved the drama, even loved oga rahim hehe, and ofc the romance with diekola papi. i loved his character sm, even more than karibi, & i loved karibi graham-hart. diekola made me want to go find my own older man 😅. my best book so far! on to ozi's!!

[Faith Naankwat · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my first read, I didn't like this book at all. I promised never to re-read, but I did, infact I am writing this review after my fourth re-read.
Ah Ife!!! How many times did I call your name?! Why's there someone you have a past with everywhere for God's sake?!!
I didn't like her character so much, maybe I did in the previous books not in hers though, but at least I tried to understand her , foolish as I thought she was after reading her own POV, keyword being'tried'.
Anyways, glad she got her happily ever after because honestly I didn't think she would.

[Bimpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Ara was might favorite in this series but ife has taken that spot. I love love love this book. I love how it emphasizes that family will always be there no matter how far you think you’ve strayed. I love how fiercely Diekola loves Ife, I love how welcoming Ife’s family was to her. The fact that her nieces knew of her melted my heart. I absolutely loved the full circle moment between Ife and Ozi.

[BernieMck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, part of an excellent series, follows five friends in Nigeria as they navigate through challenging situations on their quest to find their soulmates. Each book in the series focuses on one of the five friends. Ifedayo, is that woman who depends on men, to keep her living, a life of luxury; Married or single doesn’t matter. What her family and friends think, doesn’t matter. Nothing matters, until it does. This whole series is a must read.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice read. I think I am now eager for Ozioma's story. But why is Diekola's surname, Holloway? There's no indication in the story that either his parents aren't Nigerian na. Let's talk about Ife for a bit, what manner of obsessive lust got her giving up her life for Olumide who had never showed any care or concern or even love for her? Rahim I could understand, but Olumide was a stupid idiot all through. It was a good read, thank you Adesuwa 😊

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book I was looking forward to reading the most in the series, and I was not disappointed in the least.

I loved that Deokola was this beautiful, understanding man who refused to give up on Ife. I cried when she went back to her father and he was so accepting and loving despite her being away for so long and making so many bad choices.

I give this book all my stars ⭐️

[Doshia Sheyin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book so much. Ife and Diekola's story is one that is sooo beautiful. Irregardless how they met wasn't the best but they found love so deep that nothing else mattered. I love how he refused to budge no matter what he heard and how he loved her and didn't care about her past. This is one book that shows love conquers all.

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ife's story is the epitome of a true life story. From a humble background, heading to campus where she is meets Olumide, who takes advantage of her love for him and exploits it. She is faced with a life filled with promiscuity that only leaves her empty. Not until she meets Diekola doesn't this emptiness end. This is my best of the 5 Ginika's Bridesmaids

[Tolulope Soremekun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adesuwa has delivered yet another outstanding hit in the Bridesmaids series! Ife's story was beautifully woven, showcasing her journey from a troubled past to an unexpected and fulfilling future. The storytelling was truly captivating, keeping me engaged from start to finish. I can’t wait to dive into the next book!

[Abena Ampomah Nuako · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series just gets better as it moves on and I really liked this one. When I started reading the booking, I said Ife had issues. And Adesuwa really takes you through all the feelings with this book. Ife and Diekola's story is beautiful and his understanding, patience and love is awesome. I like😍

[Nere Onaiwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book me wonder- how did Ife loose herself? How did she get trapped in this kind of life that seemed to spiral out of control? It made me sad for her.

I was quite happy when she decided to make a change for herself.

[Hafsat Ibraheem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ifedayo. She's the real definition of I ate my cake and still have it. I love Diekola too because it takes a real man to stay with that kind of babe even after knowing her past. Diekola has moved into my list of book boyfriends I adore😂.

[blessing :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this might be my favourite out of the series so far

[Enifome · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my best book in the series. Diekola is a man.