Your Tomorrow Was Today

by Oyindamola Dosunmu

A woman’s evocative chronicle of modern womanhood, navigating love, family, and the radical desire to remain child-free in a patriarchal world.

Karen has spent years building an independent life in the city, far from her fractured family, leaving no room for love—until she receives news of her mother’s sudden death. The devastating news unravels her carefully curated life as Karen grapples with painful memories and the sister she left behind a decade ago.

As grief, memories, and long-buried resentment reemerge, Karen’s troubles have only she’s pregnant, her secret affair with a younger colleague is exposed, and Omo is gravely ill.

In the face of cultural expectations surrounding love, duty, and motherhood, Karen finds solace in The Women’s Group—a circle of fierce, resilient women who challenge her to confront the truth: forgiveness isn’t always mutual, and love can take unexpected forms.

Set against the vibrant landscapes of contemporary Lagos City and Eastern Nigeria, Your Tomorrow Was Today is a poignant journey of feminist reckoning, exploring autonomy, identity, and the choices that shape us.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Novels

380 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2026

About the author

Oyindamola Dosunmu is a writer and HR professional. Her debut novel, Your Tomorrow Was Today, was named a finalist for the Black Lawrence Press Immigrant Writing Series. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and their delightfully lazy cat, Bob Chunky Tamales.

Reviews

[BookOfCinz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your Tomorrow Was Today is a spellbinding book that explores grief, love, family, sisterhood and what it means when a woman decides to not lean into a patriarchal society.

The book opens with Karen who is at the cusp of a major promotion at her job she has worked at for years, climbing the corporate ladder. She understands what it means to learn the hard way and decides she will not put herself in harms way again. To do this, she has removed herself from her family, gone no contact, barely have a romance life and is solely focused on building a soft life for herself. That is until one day she receives a call saying her mother passed away and now she must face all she left behind.

Set in Lagos City, the author did a brilliant job of showing us, what we lose as women when we decide to not sit snugly into a patriarchal society. It was an insightful, sad at time but also moving to see how Karen would not back down. Some parts of the book moved a bit slower than I’d like but over this was an exception read.

[Bria Celest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one really sat with me. Your Tomorrow Was Today is quiet but heavy in the way life can be heavy, especially when you are carrying grief, family expectations, and choices that don’t come with easy answers. I loved how reflective it was and how much time it spent in Karen’s head as she navigates returning home, complicated relationships, and figuring out what she actually wants versus what is expected of her. The writing feels tender and intentional and there were so many moments that felt painfully real.

It did move a little slower for me at times and leaned more introspective than plot driven, which is why it landed at four stars instead of five. But honestly that slowness also works in its favor because it mirrors the emotional weight of everything Karen is dealing with. This is one of those books that doesn’t rush to wrap things up and trusts the reader to sit in the mess. Thoughtful, emotional, and very much for readers who like character driven stories that linger after you close the book.

[Latoya (jamaicangirlreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A family torn apartment by lust, betrayal, lies and secrets. One woman's journey to self-discovery, living in her truth, fighting a patriarchal system daily, embracing her feminism in the height of cultural expectations.

A sister forced to chose between her family, her husband or her dignity. A country that allows its women to feel like their lives would have been better if they were born a man. That as women, their ideas, their knowledge, their life choices, their bodies, their goals means nothing to the world, if its not connected to or supported by a man.

We follow sisters Karen and Omo, their partners Bid and Tunde and their loyal cousin Uloma in a heart wrenching journey through survival, tragedy and the long road to forgiveness.

None of these women were winners when you really consider the decisions they had to make to bring peace in their own lives. But I understood Karen's anger. I understood her inability to accept what her sister Omo had to offer in the way of an apology. I admire Karen's strength as she stood in her truth of deciding how she wanted to live her life as a woman, even as she's being grossly chastised for her choices.

The concept of found family is profound in this book as we see Karen learn to trust a community of women that she would have never dreamed of walking the same paths with.

This storytelling is raw, bold and powerful and told in a way that will make you feel completely immersed in the characters worlds. Dosunmo spares no feelings, so be prepared for your comfort to be pushed to it limit. I would love to see more readers experiencing this story, its simply stunning. It will stay with me for a long long time.

[Arien Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. My heart will be feeling this one for a while.

This book is heavy and emotional. It deals with complicated family dynamics, systemic and cultural oppression, and navigating complex grief. This is a great read for anyone looking for a heart felt journey where choosing to heal despite circumstances is a core message. It’s written with beautiful prose and the way religion is manipulated to support the patriarchy hit close to home.

I highly recommend this novel.

[Grace (graceisbookedandbusy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Book Review✨
Your Tomorrow Was Today - Oyindomola Dosunmu

Thank you so much to @oyindamola and @silverdrivepress for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This book was an incredible story of womanhood, family, and healing from trauma. I found Karen so relatable and easy to root for. I thought the switch between timelines was easy to follow and added to the character development really well.

The relationships in this book were complex, believable and well fleshed out. The setting of Nigeria was very relevant in the cultural commentary, specifically the treatment of women in professional careers as well as in marriages and relationships. I appreciated the trigger warning which was present in the actual chapter that it occurred. I haven’t seen that before and thought it was a nice touch.

4/5⭐️ This is a strong debut and I can’t wait to see what this author does next!

Fun fact: my mom lived in Nigeria with her family when she was in middle school.

[Ojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review available at https://littafi.com/book-reviews/afri...

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women’s autonomy has always been under threat, but as the tide of global misogyny rises to flood levels, novels like Oyindamola Dosunmu’s Your Tomorrow Was Today feel more critical than ever. In Your Tomorrow Was Today, Dosunmu vividly explores complicated questions of choice, cyclical trauma, and what it means to be child-free in a patriarchal world through the life of one Nigerian woman – Karen – and the refracting circles of people and problems she encounters throughout her life.

From the moment the reader meets Karen, two things are clear: she has it all and enjoys none of it. Despite being draped in all the trappings of success – an impressive job, a beautiful apartment, a closet full of designer clothing – the life Karen has built in Lagos is defined by determined detachment, haunted by the precarity of the past Karen is trying desperately to leave behind. But despite her best efforts, it all comes rushing back in the moment tragedy strikes; Karen’s mother dies, and suddenly she’s forced to deal with her estranged sister, Omo, and the devastating secret they share.

Already drowning in suppressed memories, familial obligation, and societal norms, Karen’s struggles have just begun: Omo is gravely ill with no means to pay for treatment, her affair with a younger co-worker, Tunde, is on the precipice of being exposed and – most terrifyingly – she is pregnant in a country where abortion is illegal and motherhood is seen as a woman’s most outstanding achievement. Struggling between the girl she once was, Adesuwa, and the woman she had to become to survive, Karen is forced to find a true sense of self, liberated entirely from others’ expectations.

Moving gracefully through a myriad of perspectives while jumping between the past and present, Dosunmu lays bare the cyclical nature of matriarchal trauma, the constantly looming threat of men’s violence, and the impossibility of achieving perfection (whether that be as the perfect mother, the perfect wife, or the perfect victim) in a patriarchal society built on sowing seeds of inadequacy in all elements of women’s life.

Your Tomorrow Was Today is a novel that refuses comfort in favor of complexity. Every character is rife with texture and tension, capable of both tender care and crushing harm. In particular, Omo shines as both a deeply sympathetic and a disappointing figure who embodies the corrosive nature of internalized misogyny. These characters would shine even brighter if Dosunmu employed some more indirect means of development. There are a few instances of expository writing that slow what is otherwise a momentous journey. But Dosunmu’s masterful use of descriptive language and firm grasp on emotionality draw the reader right back in.

Set against the shimmering backdrop of contemporary Nigeria, Oyindamola Dosunmu’s Your Tomorrow Was Today is a fascinating exploration of autonomy, family, and what it truly means to heal in a society that deems women selfish for doing so. It is a love letter to women courageous enough to be ‘selfish’ anyway. This novel will resonate not just with fans of contemporary fiction but with anyone tired of running from their past and/or having others’ ideals define their future. Your Tomorrow Was Today is an ode to the power of choice that leaves the reader eager for Dosunmu’s next novel.

[Hope Etuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Omo said, “I’m not a part of my father’s family because I would be married off one day, and I’m not part of my husband’s family until I give him a son—then who do I belong to?” I felt it deeply. That question mirrors the internal conflict so many women live with—one that demands reflection, yet offers no easy answers.

As I turned the last page of Your Tomorrow Was Today by Oyindamola Dosunmu, my mind was crowded with thoughts. There is so much contained within these pages, which makes this a solid and impressive debut.

The book brings to light the disservice done to women in both corporate and domestic spaces. The question of womanhood lingers throughout. It highlights the many challenges women face in their homes, especially those unfortunate enough to be married to promiscuous men. Women are often forced to swallow tired justifications like, “It’s in men’s nature to cheat,” “What will happen to your children?” or “Where will you go?”—sentiments that truly grate on my nerves.

Your Tomorrow Was Today gives voice to a call-out of a deeply patriarchal society. Beyond patriarchy, the novel explores expectations placed on firstborn daughters, grief, sibling rivalry, betrayal, and choice.

The story follows two sisters, Karen and Omo, whose carefully buried truths begin to surface after the death of their mother. As is often the case, the truth refuses to stay buried, even when both women would rather it did.
The author moves seamlessly between the past and present, revealing how fractured the sisters’ relationship is—and I often found myself reading in a quiet rage.

For Omo, the eldest, the crushing weight of expectations reduced her to a shadow of herself. Still, this does not excuse what she did to her sister, Karen. Karen’s life, in turn, becomes shaped by the trauma and hurt she endured, and my heart truly broke for her. Another character who mirrored men and their expectations of women—aside from the other men in this book I’d rather not dwell on—was Tunde, Karen’s love interest. He got on my nerves when he became overbearing, trying to force his choices on Karen, particularly in matters concerning her body and her mental and emotional well-being. I found myself deeply upset by this, as it reinforced how even “love” can become another site of control.

The book explores rich themes such as abuse in its many forms, feminism, abortion, grief, and healing. I especially appreciated the inclusion of therapy and how it was woven into the narrative to shape the characters and the story.

While I enjoyed both women’s journeys, I felt the book dragged slightly toward the end, which slowed my reading pace. That said, so much happens that going further would mean venturing into spoiler territory—which I’ll avoid. Just know this is a book I still recommend and genuinely enjoyed reading.

[Ezioma Kalu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen is a stubborn woman. I like strong, stubborn female characters in books, because in a world that expects them to cower and be soft and humble, they choose to be the other way around.

When she loses her mother, she refuses to go home to pay her last respects. Even though she is engulfed by grief, she stands her ground and just sends money instead. Her action surprises most people, especially her lover, Tunde but I understand her.

Grief doesn’t have an arithmetic formula, and it tears people from inside out. You don’t dictate the level of unraveling it does to you, you don’t have a say as you become undone by its touch. In Karen’s case though, there is a blast from the last that chases her far from home and she has refused to revisit it.

Now back to Karen and her lover Tunde. Their relationship is a funny one because it’s giving “women in male dominated areas.” They’re colleagues at work who have sex from time to time, but for Karen, the relationship would not move past that situation.

She doesn’t want to commit to Tunde, and he finds it difficult to understand why. He claims to be in love with her and even wants to marry her, but she only enjoys the sex and nothing more. I like the fact that she takes agency of her body and does whatever she chooses, but her commitment issues stems from a deeper wound, her past.

This book explores the themes of womanhood, trauma, grief, abuse, resilience and strength. Why do most women shield their husbands when they abuse their wards, instead of calling them out? Why is victim blaming a thing? Why would you blame a child for seducing your husband, when your husband is an adult who rapes and takes advantage of her?

Some scars never truly heal. They creep up on you even in your adulthood, in form of commitment issues and isolation. Karen has been through so much in her life, that she channels all her pain and trauma into becoming a very successful career woman who would do anything to ascend the career ladder.

I like the fact that she puts herself first and doesn’t let her emotions becloud her judgment when it comes to her goals. I really enjoyed reading this book and I am sure you will, too.

It’s set in Lagos and Anambra, and I like the fact that the author goes from the present to the past to give us a clear understanding of the plot and the characters’ different journeys.

[Onyeka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from the author.

I read this as a buddy read - 6 chapters a day. The first 1-3 days felt like a drag, with the author’s affinity to adjectives slowing down the pace of the plot. That being said, the climatic chapters (25-35 or so) were worth the wait. It felt like gist and I couldn’t put the book down. Oyindamola does the book a disservice, however, by concluding the book in endless soliloquies and social critiques, filling up her word count with endless musings on choice and expectations. As much as it resonated, it felt oddly placed and unnatural. Particularly given that some musings oddly mentioned critical nuggets, central to characters’ arcs, that then fell flat / lacked a tie back to the plot / story. My favourite scenes were the office drama ones involving Stephanie, Tunde and Mr Majekodunmi.

In ‘Your Tomorrow was Today’, Oyindamola Dosunmu follows two estranged sisters - Omo and Karen / Adesuwa - following the death of their mother. We learn of what caused their rift, how they’re grieving the loss of their mother, and how they’re healing from the trauma of their past. It touches on sexual abuse, gender inequality, and toxic relationships. It’s confronting and a genuinely fascinating exploration of Nigerian society through the lens of class, gender and culture.

[Zainab Balogun · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️⭐️
Your Tomorrow Was Today follows two sisters with a fractured relationship who are forced to work things out after their mother’s death.

I received this as an advance reader’s copy, and while I appreciate the opportunity, I have to admit I’m not the right audience for it.

The book tackles important themes: women in abusive marriages, sexual abuse, and gender inequality in corporate spaces, particularly in Nigeria. I appreciated what the story was trying to say, but the execution didn’t work for me.

The narrative felt too straightforward and obvious. What seemed intended as a plot twist dragged on for so long that by the time the real reason for the sisters’ estrangement was revealed, it was exactly what I’d expected from the start. The dialogues also felt forced, and the timeline jumps didn’t flow smoothly.

The writing style was more verbose and wordy than necessary, which made it harder to connect with the characters. I couldn’t find my way into their stories, and the predictability left little room for imagination or surprise.

That said, I wish the author all the best in her future endeavors.
This one didn’t work for me, but it might resonate with readers looking for family drama centered on difficult topics.

[Tony Heck · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He said he loved her; maybe that was true, but Tunde was a man. They were lulled from birth into the politics of gender elitism, expecting submission as an expression of a woman’s love. But women were not born to serve. They were not chattel, inanimate things prodded and provoked.” Through this snippet from the novel, Your Tomorrow Was Today, by Oyindamola Dosunmu, we experience the suffering and triumphant spirit of the main character, Karen, as she refused to be left defeated. As people attempt to demean her life based on gender and age, Karen maintains a steady focus on what she needs and deserves, refusing to sink into these purported obligations that others try to place upon her. Your Tomorrow Was Today provides an emotional portrayal of the physical and emotional harm that can exist within families and escalate into the most heinous acts, along with the painful but necessary realization that victims are not responsible for the violence done to them. Through Karen’s resilience, the novel affirms that strength is not submission and that refusing blame is an act of survival.

I received an advanced complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Boundbywords · Rating 5 out of 5]

We just entered the month of February and this novel has already made it into my top five books of the year 2026. This book charmed the hell out of me in so many ways.
Your Tomorrow was Today is a challenging and hopeful novel set in Lagos City and Eastern Nigeria that follows Karen, a successful, determined, and intelligent woman grappling with a past set on destroying her future. At it’s core, is an exploration of the struggles Nigerian women endure living in a patriarchal and misogynistic society by examining internalized misogyny, reproductive rights and autonomy, gender bias, and domestic and sexual violence. The writing was stunning, multilayered, vivid and very much eloquent. The author captured the stark reality of what it is to be a woman in today’s society when she writes, “He said he loved her; maybe that was true, but Tunde was a man. They were lulled from birth into the politics of gender elitism, expecting submission and an expression of a woman’s love. But women were not born to serve. They were not chattel, inanimate things prodded and poked as one liked”. Thank you to the Book Sirens and the Publisher for the Advanced Readers Copy.

[Uzoamaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 3.5 stars read for me
Thank you for the chance to read the ARC of this book.

My my, what a rollercoaster ride with sisters Adesuwa/ Karen and Omo with their cousin Uloma. I enjoyed being immersed - going to Lagos, Awka, Azondizuogu etc by the descriptive language so I understood the smell, taste and sight though at times it felt too much.

I read this book as a buddy read, reading 6 chapters a day though at the end of some days I left wanting more. Having gone more than ½ way through I feared the author would rush to end it but I loved the delicate way the writer includes self-care and therapy in understanding the importance of a community and accountability in one's healing and grieving journey. Karen left not needing or desiring an apology from the ones who had hurt her but in growing to love herself more, learning to know who she is, what she likes and dislikes even at her grown age of 34 I saw that it was never too early to start NOW.

In this book, Karen starts on a journey of grief - her mother, her childhood/ early adulthood, her life/ work, her relationship with her sibling and family and ends on a discovery of self. Learning to stand on her own but still enjoy the bond with others; knowing who she is showed growth through the pages so I like how this was written. Her rebirth as Karen from Adesuwa was a way to strip herself of previous hurts and pain that the men in her life played a part to bringing was shown well too.

There were so many memorable quotes and I loved the part Uloma played in all this - starting from the sidelines to emerging. It pleased me to read her reaction when she heard half the story from Omo and her response to Karen afterwards though it was discouraging to read how in every mirror men were the same and how women were conditioned to accept or embrace their ways..

[Merisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up late last night to finish this one because I couldn’t put it down.

This is Dosunmu’s debut and it packs an emotional punch. There are so many layers of complexity to this story about grief, betrayal, complicated family dynamics, love—romantically and self, professional aspirations, what it means to set boundaries, and forgiveness. It is a raw and honest story that takes place in Nigeria and forces the reader to think about religion, patriarchal, and societal norms.

Karen’s story was not an easy one to read. Please check your trigger warnings before reading, but I do recommend this powerful story to those who like emotional reads with a strong FMC that answers the question: What happens when you decide to stop choosing others and choose yourself?

Thank you to the author and @silverdrivepress for reaching out to me and gifting this copy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute must read, it didn’t rely on dramatic twists or high-stakes action. Instead, it builds its power through introspection, subtle shifts in perspective, and a deep exploration of the self. The themes, time, identity, longing are handled with nuance, and the writing felt like a conversation with the reader’s own inner world.
What stood out most is the emotional texture. The author doesn’t tell you how to feel, but creates space for you to feel it.
This is a book for readers who appreciate depth over drama, and who find beauty in quiet revelations. It’s not trying to impress, it’s trying to connect. And it succeeds.

[Jennifer Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to say I enjoyed reading this book and I did enjoy it but there was no joy, it was a very sad story, unfortunately shared by many. It read very well which I enjoyed and I enjoyed Karen’s bravery and strength, she resonated with me on many levels. We differ in our child free status, mine being not by choice but the pain is shared nonetheless. Then I wonder did she really have a choice? Choice is certainly complex. The author captured the intricacies of these harrowing life changing experiences extremely well, I wonder how much is fiction? I would love to know how Karen’s life progressed, I feel like she is only just beginning…

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not an easy story to read. Normally triggering issues don't bother me, but I had to read this one very slowly, so be sure to check the listed triggers before delving into this story. This was such a well written and engaging story, full of tears, heartache and eventual healing. It tackles a variety of difficult topics and family drama. This story will stay with me for a while.

[Tinuke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a very compelling read, examining the misogyny, sexism and social dynamics still prevalent in many societies today.
I think this would make a great conversation starter in book clubs or among women wanting to explore certain inequalities with their daughters.
The story itself is well plotted, I like that it felt familiar, yet I couldn’t see where it was going. This made for a great first read of 2026.

[Nemereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I think it’s a great debut

[Carla bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️I didn’t enjoy the book.

[Shofstet]

I bought this book because it takes place in Nigeria, a country I know little about. The plot was difficult, tragic and sad. When I finished the book, I felt that something was missing.

[RensBookishSpace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something about the aunts and uncles in so many of the African books I’ve read truly drives me crazy.

This book started out very strong. Karen is a successful woman with a past she’s carefully blocked out, until her life begins to unravel after she receives the call that her mother has died. From there, she’s forced to reckon with everything she’s tried to forget.
Told across past and present timelines, which I always love, the story slowly fills in the gaps of her life. I was surprisingly invested in the love interest, and that’s saying a lot because I usually don’t enjoy romance in my books.
Around the 70% mark, the story began to drag for me and felt like it was moving more to make social commentary than to push the narrative forward. I’m still not sure how I feel about the way it wrapped up or whether I agree with Karen’s choices, but it was a soild debut nonetheless.