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Note Worthy
“You don’t make it easy to love you, do you, Kitty?”
Six days to the music festival that will make her career as an events planner, Kitty’s meticulously scheduled life is thrown into chaos by the reappearance of charming but irresponsible Wezi, her deceased brother’s best friend.
It’s been two years since he vanished and abandoned her when she’d needed him most. She should be fuming. Right? But Wezi’s always been her weakness, and maybe this time, things will be different.
Six days to the music festival that will make her career as an events planner, Kitty’s meticulously scheduled life is thrown into chaos by the reappearance of charming but irresponsible Wezi, her deceased brother’s best friend.
It’s been two years since he vanished and abandoned her when she’d needed him most. She should be fuming. Right? But Wezi’s always been her weakness, and maybe this time, things will be different.
Published July 9, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 7, 2021
Kitty has a difficult choice to make
If you’re looking for a quick but very romantic contemporary tale, Note Worthy is ideal. Despite its compact size and fast pace, there are plenty of interesting plot twists and developments that keep you entertained and turning the pages.
The Opening
The opening introduces the two main characters, Kitty and Wezi, within the very first paragraph along with hints of a strong conflict. The setting is also established in some detail so that we understand exactly where we are and what is happening. There are some great initial hooks that encourage the reader to read on.
The Characters
Kitty is the main viewpoint protagonist of this short romance novella. She is instantly likable because of her initial psychological pain, and this appeal only increases as the novel progresses and we discover she has suffered a terrible loss in the recent past.
She is sweet and humble as well as insecure and self-deprecating. She cannot comprehend why someone as talented as Wezi might possibly be interested in her. Her physical imperfections (from her viewpoint) only serve to endear her even more to the reader.
Wezi is handsome enough to be a model and a talented enough musician to be a pop star. Yet he is also down-to-earth in a way that helps it easy for readers to identify with him and even feel sympathy at times. Every guy should want to be him and every girl to be with him.
Josiah is the “Edgar Linton” to Wezi’s “Heathcliff”. He provides a striking contrast to the other potential love interest in this story. Where Wezi is common and from a working-class background, Josiah is educated and wealthy. Where Wezi is wild and exciting, Josiah is an oasis of sensible stability. They are poles apart.
The other less important characters are sketched well enough to bring the story to life. Most notable are Kitty’s sick but still alert and perceptive elderly father and Wezi’s ex-girlfriend, Felicia. I love Felicia. She’s such a typical pop diva.
Kitty’s interactions with her friend and work colleague Lillian and their conversations about their work enable this short romance to pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test. Part of this story highlights the difficulties faced by a young woman who wishes to assert herself, be taken seriously in business, and retain independence.
The Plot
From the very first paragraph, the conflict is apparent and the narrative fast-paced. The plot falls between two distinctive tropes. It is a second chance romance because Wezi was a part of Kitty’s life two years ago but disappeared on her. It is also a tough choice romance because Kitty can choose between staying with stable and reliable Josiah or running away with risky but talented Wezi.
Though the tropes are tried and tested, there are lots of nice surprises and twists within this short tale. I can’t go into details without providing spoilers but the plot is gripping and Kitty’s dilemma both understandable and interesting. The resolution is very satisfying.
The physical aspect of the relationships are both romantic and, at times, steamy. The heat does get a little explicit at one point, but only up until the bedroom curtains are drawn. So, this story does include naughty bits, but not enough to offend most readers, I believe.
The Setting
The story takes place in Lusaka, the crowded capital city of Zambia. There is just enough detail provided to help the reader visualize this busy urban area without slowing down the pace of the story.
I was surprised to find the scenes so familiar. Because this story is set in a tiny, landlocked nation in southern Africa, I expected something more exotic from my British viewpoint. However, most of the locations could have been in any city in Europe or America.
The main locations are Kitty’s father’s house, her apartment, the studios of a music production company, and the festival grounds for a large festival—the Keystone Music Festival—that sounds somewhat like the Glastonbury Festival held in England every year and featured in the film Bridget Jones’s Baby.
Wezi does come from a poor background, which enables the author to reference the struggles of poorer peoples in Zambia. However, I was a little disappointed that this story was so focused on only the elite of Zambian society. Other than Wezi, all the characters belong to Lusaka’s upper class, and he has been adopted into their circles long before the beginning of this story.
The Prose
Dhasi Mwale writes beautiful prose. Her narrative is crisp and clear, so it’s always easy to understand what’s going on. It also provides enough information to immerse the reader so that we really feel like we’re there in the middle of the action.
The only real issue I noted with the prose was a small formatting issue. There are places within the narrative where there is a clear scene break due to a passage of time but there is no written transition. In such places, a gap between the paragraphs would make the time-lapse clearer.
My Opinion
For such a short novella, this contemporary story is very romantic and cleverly constructed. I found it to be quite the page-turner. It easily earned 10 out of 10 from me which will be reflected as 5 out of 5 on Amazon and Goodreads.
Notice:
I received an advance review copy for free, but this review is my honest opinion of the book.
If you’re looking for a quick but very romantic contemporary tale, Note Worthy is ideal. Despite its compact size and fast pace, there are plenty of interesting plot twists and developments that keep you entertained and turning the pages.
The Opening
The opening introduces the two main characters, Kitty and Wezi, within the very first paragraph along with hints of a strong conflict. The setting is also established in some detail so that we understand exactly where we are and what is happening. There are some great initial hooks that encourage the reader to read on.
The Characters
Kitty is the main viewpoint protagonist of this short romance novella. She is instantly likable because of her initial psychological pain, and this appeal only increases as the novel progresses and we discover she has suffered a terrible loss in the recent past.
She is sweet and humble as well as insecure and self-deprecating. She cannot comprehend why someone as talented as Wezi might possibly be interested in her. Her physical imperfections (from her viewpoint) only serve to endear her even more to the reader.
Wezi is handsome enough to be a model and a talented enough musician to be a pop star. Yet he is also down-to-earth in a way that helps it easy for readers to identify with him and even feel sympathy at times. Every guy should want to be him and every girl to be with him.
Josiah is the “Edgar Linton” to Wezi’s “Heathcliff”. He provides a striking contrast to the other potential love interest in this story. Where Wezi is common and from a working-class background, Josiah is educated and wealthy. Where Wezi is wild and exciting, Josiah is an oasis of sensible stability. They are poles apart.
The other less important characters are sketched well enough to bring the story to life. Most notable are Kitty’s sick but still alert and perceptive elderly father and Wezi’s ex-girlfriend, Felicia. I love Felicia. She’s such a typical pop diva.
Kitty’s interactions with her friend and work colleague Lillian and their conversations about their work enable this short romance to pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test. Part of this story highlights the difficulties faced by a young woman who wishes to assert herself, be taken seriously in business, and retain independence.
The Plot
From the very first paragraph, the conflict is apparent and the narrative fast-paced. The plot falls between two distinctive tropes. It is a second chance romance because Wezi was a part of Kitty’s life two years ago but disappeared on her. It is also a tough choice romance because Kitty can choose between staying with stable and reliable Josiah or running away with risky but talented Wezi.
Though the tropes are tried and tested, there are lots of nice surprises and twists within this short tale. I can’t go into details without providing spoilers but the plot is gripping and Kitty’s dilemma both understandable and interesting. The resolution is very satisfying.
The physical aspect of the relationships are both romantic and, at times, steamy. The heat does get a little explicit at one point, but only up until the bedroom curtains are drawn. So, this story does include naughty bits, but not enough to offend most readers, I believe.
The Setting
The story takes place in Lusaka, the crowded capital city of Zambia. There is just enough detail provided to help the reader visualize this busy urban area without slowing down the pace of the story.
I was surprised to find the scenes so familiar. Because this story is set in a tiny, landlocked nation in southern Africa, I expected something more exotic from my British viewpoint. However, most of the locations could have been in any city in Europe or America.
The main locations are Kitty’s father’s house, her apartment, the studios of a music production company, and the festival grounds for a large festival—the Keystone Music Festival—that sounds somewhat like the Glastonbury Festival held in England every year and featured in the film Bridget Jones’s Baby.
Wezi does come from a poor background, which enables the author to reference the struggles of poorer peoples in Zambia. However, I was a little disappointed that this story was so focused on only the elite of Zambian society. Other than Wezi, all the characters belong to Lusaka’s upper class, and he has been adopted into their circles long before the beginning of this story.
The Prose
Dhasi Mwale writes beautiful prose. Her narrative is crisp and clear, so it’s always easy to understand what’s going on. It also provides enough information to immerse the reader so that we really feel like we’re there in the middle of the action.
The only real issue I noted with the prose was a small formatting issue. There are places within the narrative where there is a clear scene break due to a passage of time but there is no written transition. In such places, a gap between the paragraphs would make the time-lapse clearer.
My Opinion
For such a short novella, this contemporary story is very romantic and cleverly constructed. I found it to be quite the page-turner. It easily earned 10 out of 10 from me which will be reflected as 5 out of 5 on Amazon and Goodreads.
Notice:
I received an advance review copy for free, but this review is my honest opinion of the book.
January 4, 2022
Note Worthy is a delightfully love story of a tortured Katenekwa who is torn between two men: Josiah, the safe and reliable one & Wezi, the wild, chaotic one that makes her burn with desire. Not helping is the fact that she had to woo Felicia, Wezi’s ex-girlfriend to play in a concert which will help her job.
Despite the presence of tragic elements caused by the death of Katenekwa’s twin, we see Katenekwa develop in other aspects of her life except for the one place where she needs healing, her heart. After two years of disappearance Wezi, her late brother’s best friend turns up and stirs those emotions she’s been hiding from and more.
It’s a light, short read. It’s the first book in which I had a crush on one of the characters. there is this affecting blindness to Wezi’s love that Katenekwa has that pierces the soul and in some ways make you want to root for her.
Despite the presence of tragic elements caused by the death of Katenekwa’s twin, we see Katenekwa develop in other aspects of her life except for the one place where she needs healing, her heart. After two years of disappearance Wezi, her late brother’s best friend turns up and stirs those emotions she’s been hiding from and more.
It’s a light, short read. It’s the first book in which I had a crush on one of the characters. there is this affecting blindness to Wezi’s love that Katenekwa has that pierces the soul and in some ways make you want to root for her.
February 14, 2021
The author manages to make the reader feel as awkward as the protagonist does when she is being awkward, that being amplified by how confident she otherwise always is. It's a story that doesn't waste the reader's time and gets to the point rather quickly without feeling rushed. It's witty, emotional, and gets tense when needed.
February 14, 2021
It's a great book
February 14, 2021
Current read. Definitely worth it.
June 26, 2021
Note Worthy is a beautiful story. You'll fall in love with rockstar Wezi and his Kitty. 😍
July 4, 2021
Short, sweet and effective. The right balance between the slow burn and the drama. I really enjoyed this journey with Katenekwa and Wezi.
November 12, 2021
This was a lovely read. A cute friends to lovers romance.
February 4, 2023
Nobody sabotages Kitty’s love life quite like the woman herself and you hate to love it but you do. She likes to call the shots. Says it all should goes in black and white. Enter: free-spirited, face-your-feelings Wezi. No big deal, just the love of her life that ran-I mean got away, now back in her life to stay. Making her question everything all at once. Making her face her uncomfortable truths all at once. This one’s for the light-angst lovers. Read in one sitting.
I will say that Madam Kitty can be something of the anti-hero constantly sabotaging her own happiness like she does. I love that so much! Kind of over female-centered stories limited by the goal of the likeable heroine. The way Katenekwa’s story gets told like it is with the goal of sharing her authentic very human experience is liberating to me.
I will say that Madam Kitty can be something of the anti-hero constantly sabotaging her own happiness like she does. I love that so much! Kind of over female-centered stories limited by the goal of the likeable heroine. The way Katenekwa’s story gets told like it is with the goal of sharing her authentic very human experience is liberating to me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews