Daughter in Exile by Bisi Adjapon

Let's start off by stating that the author and Lola, the protagonist, have roots in Africa and America. The author also has a Nigerian connection, whereas Lola's third country is Senegal, so she speaks French, is college educated, and she initially has high hopes for herself. At the center of this novel is Lola's impression of America before she comes, and what the reality is for an immigrant with education but a lack of a visa as well as financial help this is no paradise. Lola makes a couple of errors when it comes to love, each of which yields her a child, and narrows her options as a result. The most moving moment in the book is when she is speaking with a woman she met in Senegal and bemoans the vast chasm between how Americans and the world depict America as a land of plenty and opportunity, even when they themselves have not had that experience. It is just hard. The story is good but not perfect. There is almost too much packed in and not enough time to unpack it all, but a good read.