Title:  The List

Author: Yomi Adegoke

Reviewer: Titi Oyemade

Year of Publication: 2023

Number of Pages: 372               

Category: Fiction

Finding “the one” today can feel almost impossible. When love finally arrives and marriage plans begin, it feels like winning something rare. But in Yomi Adegoke’s The List, that certainty is shaken by a disturbing question: what happens when the past resurfaces, and love becomes difficult to defend?

This is not a comfortable novel. It is intense, draining, and deliberately unsettling, and that discomfort is its strength.

Just a month before Lola and Michael’s wedding, Michael’s name appears on a viral list accusing men of sexual and physical assault. In another story, it might be brushed off as social media drama. Lola, however, cannot ignore it. She is outspoken, principled, and publicly committed to holding men accountable. Now, those same beliefs turn inward, threatening both the man she loves and the values she has built her identity on.

Adegoke wastes no time easing the reader in. The story opens in chaos, offering no clues or reassurances. Almost immediately, you are forced to choose between two uncomfortable positions: believing Lola, whose life is rooted in justice, or trusting Michael, who insists on his innocence. The tension is deliberate and effective.

The novel mirrors real-life debates. Some readers will silently hope Lola walks away; others may grow impatient and wish she would simply move on. These conflicting reactions are the point. The story is messy, emotional, and unresolved, leaving no one untouched.

Adegoke’s writing is clear and sharp. Sometimes it feels a bit too polished, which can slow the story. But as the tension grows, the writing becomes more natural, letting the emotions and drama take the lead.

The main question, will they go through with the wedding? takes a long time to be answered. This can test your patience. It feels like the author is doing this on purpose, pushing readers to either keep reading despite the uncertainty or skip ahead for answers. Many will feel tempted to do so.

Emotionally, the story never slows down. One moment you judge, the next you feel sympathy. What once felt certain begins to feel doubtful. Adegoke does not make things easy, pushing readers to think about their own views on truth, love, feminism, and responsibility.

Jackie initially appears to fit the familiar “angry ex” stereotype, but this assumption is carefully dismantled. What unfolds is disturbing and unexpected, revealing how easily love can slip into obsession.

The List does not offer easy answers or clear solutions. Instead, it shows how easily relationships can fall apart when private matters are judged in public. It makes you question whether love can survive such pressure and whether it should.

This is a book that sparks arguments, and leaves you uneasy long after you finish reading. It is not a comforting love story, but a reflection of modern relationships. In the end, The List is challenging and hard to forget.

About the reviewer

Titi Oyemade is an experienced book reviewer with a strong focus on Nigerian authors. She has reviewed over 300 titles by Nigerian writers across fiction and nonfiction, offering clear, thoughtful insights that highlight themes of culture, identity, and society. Her reviews are known for their clarity and for helping readers connect deeply with African stories. Email: [email protected]