Book review: Happily, Whenever After

Bookie’s book is dedicated to: “All the beautiful daughters of God around the world who continue to hold firm to their identity in Christ, undefined and undeterred by society’s labels, stigmas, limitations, and stereotypes. You are God’s rising star. His glorious light will shine through you.”

For a book that addresses the sensitive and sometimes heavy topic of singleness for Christian women whose “elusive Prince Charming is making them wait for ever”, it is anything but a depressing read. Bookie, a Christian single woman in her 40s, shares her insights and experiences with humour without trivializing their seriousness.

She engages the topic with an understanding of the African context and under chapter headings such as “Why am I still Single?”, “Singleness and Wholeness”, “Sexual Purity – A Myth?”, “Money Matters”, “Singlehood and Motherhood?” among others.

Throughout the book, I came to develop a deep respect for Bookie’s commitment to honouring God’s Word and her encouragement to other single women to do the same in the face of struggles and temptations to conform to the “pattern of this world”. Each chapter ends with a section for reflection and exercises, and a take-away Bible verse.

An added reading joy was the many stories she shared of her own and other people’s real-life experiences which will comfort any single woman with the knowledge that “I am not alone” and inspire confidence, contentment and hope in the face of a difficult situation.

As three reviewers stated on the back cover, they found Happily Whenever After to be “witty, original and authentic”, one that will “heal many hearts” and “truly one of the best books on singleness I have read.” I’m certain you’ll enjoy it too! It is available here: bit.ly/3SiqcGO.