Preview
  • Wahala

  • A Novel
  • By: Nikki May
  • Narrated by: Natalie Simpson
  • Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (662 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Wahala

By: Nikki May
Narrated by: Natalie Simpson
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.19

Buy for $25.19

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

"Contemporary female friendship goes glam in this lively debut novel with remarkable depth." -- Washington Post

"Great fun and extremely smart." -- npr.org

NAMED A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2022 BY Vogue * Marie Claire * Glamour * Essence * Oprah Daily * Entertainment Weekly * Bustle * PopSugar * CrimeReads * and more!

An incisive and exhilarating debut novel following three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group—the most unforgettable girls since Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha.

Ronke wants happily ever after and 2.2. kids. She’s dating Kayode and wants him to be “the one” (perfect, like her dead father). Her friends think he’s just another in a long line of dodgy Nigerian boyfriends.

Boo has everything Ronke wants—a kind husband, gorgeous child. But she’s frustrated, unfulfilled, plagued by guilt, and desperate to remember who she used to be.

Simi is the golden one with the perfect lifestyle. No one knows she’s crippled by impostor syndrome and tempted to pack it all in each time her boss mentions her “urban vibe.” Her husband thinks they’re trying for a baby. She’s not.

When the high-flying, charismatic Isobel explodes into the group, it seems at first she’s bringing out the best in each woman. (She gets Simi an interview in Shanghai! Goes jogging with Boo!) But the more Isobel intervenes, the more chaos she sows, and Ronke, Simi, and Boo’s close friendship begins to crack.

A sharp, modern take on friendship, ambition, culture, and betrayal, Wahala (trouble) is an unforgettable novel from a brilliant new voice.

©2022 Nikki May (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Editor's Pick

I’m looking for wahala in 2022
Wahala is the Nigerian word for “trouble,” and Nikki May’s debut is exactly the kind of trouble I want to be getting into this year. Inspired by a lunch with friends, May’s Wahala follows Ronke, Boo, and Simi—three Anglo-Nigerian best friends who are navigating the personal and professional chaos of their mid-30s. Their decades-long bond, however, starts cracking when a new woman—Isobel—infiltrates the group. This debut is drawing comparisons to Sex and the City, but I’m getting major Big Little Lies vibes, which has me beyond excited to get lost in London with these women. Natalie Simpson is a new narrator for me, and as the chapters alternate between Ronke, Boo, and Simi, I’m eager to hear the nuances she brings to each character. —Katie O., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Wahala

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    365
  • 4 Stars
    191
  • 3 Stars
    74
  • 2 Stars
    21
  • 1 Stars
    11
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    465
  • 4 Stars
    101
  • 3 Stars
    23
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    288
  • 4 Stars
    189
  • 3 Stars
    80
  • 2 Stars
    25
  • 1 Stars
    11

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great narration

Initially I thought I would have a hard time understanding with the strong accent but after the first chapter I was so hooked and the accent wasn’t a problem. I could not put this book down and was sad when it ended, hope there is a sequel.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

I can’t get no satisfaction

This book doesn’t really pop off until the end. It’s engaging enough but just as you’re getting into these dreaded awful characters like Boo and Simi YUCK, the ending happens and it leaves you about a satisfied as a limp…….eggplant! How could this writer do that to us? Read at your own risk of dissatisfaction! The only glimmer of redemption is a sequel. Which for the revenge factor alone (along with the food descriptions) I might read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing read!

I loved this book from beginning to end. Entertaining and suspenseful towards the end. Must read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Started off strong,but ending was abrupt

The book started off a little slow but then picked up and became very interesting. Then the ending was abrupt and not very satisfying.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyed this book

It was submerged into a different culture and it was a breath of fresh air. Highly recommend

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Immersive

I loved the journey of the three friends, getting to know them so well and feeling like I was right there with them. Learning so much about their culture and their experience being multicultural was an added bonus and the author did a fantastic job of showing it for those of us who are not familiar, yet keeping within an amazing story.

I didn’t know what to expect at all going into this book and it blew me away. Between the friendships and the psychological thriller aspect, I don’t know if any other book can compete. Fabulous must read book.

That ending… wow!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very disappointing: A credit wasted

As a Nigerian, when you read a Nigerian story, you have the unparalleled advantage of knowing your way around the story. It is a lot easier for you to pick holes here & there. So putting together loads of Nigerian sounding names & siting scenes in Nigerian cities, isn't enough to make it feel like a Nigerian tale. It felt more Western than Nigerian in most ways. Sadly this tale was one big Wahala on its very own.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loveeeeeeeed it.

Five stars. Hand down. Best book I’ve read in a while. I will be waiting for the next release from this author.

I typically don’t write reviews but I am so pleased I had to. I did not want it to end.

The story was soo well written. I knew something was off a few minutes in but I just couldn’t place it. Even though I knew something was gonna happen. I had no idea what until the very end. It was so detailed I felt like I was watching a movie.

I recommend to anyone who loves a little drama.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Great book until the ending.

The story was refreshing but the ending was utterly rubbish. Seriously. It was quite riveting but the end was just... you won't get closure at all. There is no happy ending. No justice. It's like a cold case.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting story

Lots of characters to keep track of at times but the story was fresh and interesting

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!