whitneydaniell

by: Lola Akinmade Åkerström
published: October 24, 2023
genre: Contemporary Fiction
401 Pages, E-Book
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Kemi, Brittany-Rae, Muna, and now Yasmiin are still trying to find solid footing in Sweden—and Sweden still isn’t making it easy. This sequel picks up right where In Every Mirror She’s Black leaves off, except this time we lose Muna’s perspective and gain insight into Yasmiin’s world, a woman who had quietly existed on the margins in book one.

Synopsis

In the aftermath of In Every Mirror She’s Black, four Black women—Kemi, Brittany-Rae, Yasmiin, and Muna, by way of Yasmiin—continue navigating their lives in Sweden, where racial and cultural isolation still shadow every step forward. Yasmiin, a Somali refugee with a traumatic past, is determined to redeem herself through love, motherhood, and her devotion to Muna, who is recovering from a suicide attempt. As she builds a new life with her husband and son, she quietly becomes Muna’s anchor.

Meanwhile, Brittany-Rae peels back layers of secrets surrounding her husband Jonny’s past and struggles to escape the gilded cage of his wealth. Kemi, once a rising star in corporate America, grapples with the devastating realization that her role in Sweden is performative and stagnant. With overlapping journeys of survival, reckoning, and self-discovery, In Everything Is Not Enough is a deeply human exploration of womanhood, trauma, and the constant fight for space and self in a world that demands so much but offers so little in return.

Character Summary

We met Yasmiin when Muna moved from Solsidan into a Stockholm suburb. A Somali refugee with a brutal past, Yasmiin came to Sweden with hopes of building something better, only to be taken advantage of by a white businessman named Bosse, who exploited her body in exchange for her freedom. But Yasmiin swore that would be the last time. She later fell for Yagiz, a flawed but tender Turkish man who gave her a sense of safety. They married and had a son, Mehmet.

After Muna’s suicide attempt, Yasmiin is listed as her next of kin and steps into the role of caregiver with love and determination. With support from Mattias, Yasmiin helps Muna uncover what really happened to Ahmed, finally giving Muna some peace.

While Yasmiin rebuilds herself and clings to the idea of self-worth and redemption, Brittany-Rae is still fighting to free herself from her husband Jonny’s suffocating wealth and influence. Her search for the truth about Maya Daniels—Jonny’s late ex-girlfriend—leads her deeper into her husband’s complicated family. The more she uncovers, the more she realizes she has to leave Sweden entirely. But Jonny’s money and power make that easier said than done.

Kemi, meanwhile, remains stuck in professional and personal limbo. Despite returning to the U.S. being on her mind, her boyfriend Tobias isn’t on board. She’s still technically employed at von Lundin Marketing, but she knows the truth—she was a DEI hire, meant to be a brown face on a website. Once a high-powered marketing executive with an eye on the c-suite, Kemi now finds herself aimless, her ambition crushed by a company and country that was never built to hold her success.

And with her pride bruised and her momentum stalled, Kemi makes one last desperate move, walking into the lion’s den to reclaim power in a fight she can’t possibly win.

My Final Thoughts

I really disliked Kemi in this book. Honestly, I didn’t care for her in In Every Mirror She’s Black either—her smug, sanctimonious attitude toward Brittany was a lot. But here? I outright loathed her. I could rant about how her archetype grates on me, but let me stay focused because this book? Still a hit.

Lola Akinmade Åkerström does it again with powerful, nuanced storytelling. In the first book, Muna’s story drew me in. This time, Yasmiin stole my heart. I loved the duality of her husband Yagiz—imperfect, yes, but fiercely loyal and loving. I kept bracing for the Tyler Perry-style plot twist where he turns out to be a monster, but thankfully, that moment never came. Instead, he embraced Muna and supported Yasmiin without complaint. Yasmiin’s love for Muna was so raw and redemptive; I adored how open she was about her past shortcomings and how committed she was to being there now.

Brittany’s storyline was emotionally complex. I kept thinking she was in danger, that someone was going to betray her—Eva, Amani, Vicky—but thankfully, none of those fears came true. I appreciated that her path to freedom didn’t require more trauma. And I especially loved how Åkerström handled Jonny—he wasn’t a villain, just a man on the spectrum, misinterpreted by the world around him. It was refreshing to see that nuance.

This book was excellent, and I’m so glad I got my hands on it quickly. Libby holds can be ruthless! Definitely read this one while the first is still fresh in your mind.

Can you read this book without reading the first one?
Technically, yes—the opening chapter does a solid job of summarizing past events—but honestly? No. You really need to read them in order to fully feel the weight and evolution of these characters.