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Forest Girl
Esi Afriyie has been in love with Michael Yaw Badu since childhood. When he receives a scholarship to study in America, all hope seems lost ... until he returns to Ghana ten years later. An arranged marriage contracted by their families makes her dreams come true, but does the reality of being Mrs. Michael Badu live up to the fantasy?
Michael may have married Esi, but he is in love with someone else—Forest Girl, a mystery woman he encountered just once in the forest. His heart belongs to her, and he doesn't need his beautiful wife awakening his carnal desires. He is even willing to sacrifice his marriage for another encounter with Forest Girl.
Reality is not what either Esi or Michael imagined. Esi is disillusioned; Michael feels trapped.
Will Michael give in and allow his heart to discover a love that was always meant to be, before it's too late?
Michael may have married Esi, but he is in love with someone else—Forest Girl, a mystery woman he encountered just once in the forest. His heart belongs to her, and he doesn't need his beautiful wife awakening his carnal desires. He is even willing to sacrifice his marriage for another encounter with Forest Girl.
Reality is not what either Esi or Michael imagined. Esi is disillusioned; Michael feels trapped.
Will Michael give in and allow his heart to discover a love that was always meant to be, before it's too late?
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2018
About the author
Empi Baryeh
11 books60 followersEmpi Baryeh is the award-winning author of Most Eligible Bachelor (Book of the year - 2017 Ufere Awards). She writes sweet and sensual African, multicultural and interracial romance, which happens to be her favourite genres of romance to read. Her interest in writing started around the age of thirteen after she stumbled upon a YA story her sister had started and abandoned. The story fascinated her so much that, when she discovered it was unfinished, she knew she had to complete it. Somehow the rest of the story began to take shape in her mind and she's been writing ever since. She lives in Accra, Ghana, with her husband and their two lovely kids.
Subscribe to her newsletter for book news and giveaways: http://www.empibaryeh.com
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Subscribe to her newsletter for book news and giveaways: http://www.empibaryeh.com
or visit her blog: http://empibaryehauthor.blogspot.com/
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 22, 2018
Michael Badu was an ass.
Whew! Okay, had to get that out… I’m better now.
The premise of what would happen if a modern man was forced to accept an arranged marriage got my attention quickly. While I’m not from a culture or have a family tradition of such things, I’ve always felt sorry for the perspective wives because they had little… or NO say in whom they were to marry. So, let’s put the shoe on the other foot! HA!
I felt bad for Michael in the beginning. Away for ten years getting an education and honing his agricultural skills, he even misses his father’s funeral. When he finally returns to his village, his mother informs him of his late father’s dying wish—for Michael to marry… and he picked out the girl.
Michael was furious, and I was right there with him. Marry someone he didn’t know? Who does that? Oh, cultures who believe in arranged marriages.
Tradition was a major part of this read, and it didn’t take long to understand its importance or significance. However, Michael was willing to ignore the tradition in favor of his personal freedom, or at least he tried to. He wasn’t prepared for the lengths his family were willing to go to see his father’s dying wish honored.
My heart went out to Michael’s uncle, Sekyerε, for his unenviable position as never being the ‘accomplished’ son, but still—seeing Michael married increased his social position, so I had no problem with Michael continuing to resist. But, mercy, when his mother took to her sickbed, I was through. Time to plan a wedding.
Yet, while all of this back and forth went on, Esi Afriyie, the intended bride was told nothing. She didn’t find out until after the families had decided.
So, why, again, am I feeling sorry for Michael?
Of course, since Esi’s been secretly in love with Michael for most of her love, the marriage isn’t a problem for her… she’s getting her dream man!
But marriage to Michael was not a dream. While he was ‘drawn’ to Esi, there was also Lena (UGH!), the noncommittal girlfriend, and ‘Forest Girl’, the ragged girl he’d met in the woods.
Forest Girl. A brief look into her eyes while helping her cut wood and Michael’s world is knocked off its axis. So much so, he’s willing to marry to make his mother happy and string Lena (UGH!) along a while longer until he can find this soulmate again. Forest Girl will complete him.
I rolled my eyes hard through six chapters as Michael wallowed in self-pity… and male entitlement. Esi was sweet, kind, and beautiful, but he couldn’t love her… she wasn’t Forest Girl. Lena was intelligent and sophisticated but not interested in commitment… and she wasn’t Forest Girl. Seriously, Michael?
While she was prepared to be a good and faithful wife, Esi refused to be a disrespected doormat, and this read went in a new direction.
Hello? Michael? This is Reality Check!
And if Esi’s shift in attitude wasn’t enough, Michael’s best friend, Osei, was right there to call him on his crap! “Go to the dead and sue your father!” I screamed! Go, Osei!
In the end, Michael had to remove his pride and ego from the equation to see what had always been right in front of him. NICE! Still not sure how I feel about Michael, but as long as Esi is happy, I’m good!
Forest Girl is an enjoyable read, steeped in Ghanaian culture and tradition, (they drink a LOT of water). Emotions run high and there are some intense scenes, but the author did a masterful job of pulling it all together in the end and leaving me with a smile, and you’ll smile too! Take this journey.
Enjoy!
Whew! Okay, had to get that out… I’m better now.
The premise of what would happen if a modern man was forced to accept an arranged marriage got my attention quickly. While I’m not from a culture or have a family tradition of such things, I’ve always felt sorry for the perspective wives because they had little… or NO say in whom they were to marry. So, let’s put the shoe on the other foot! HA!
I felt bad for Michael in the beginning. Away for ten years getting an education and honing his agricultural skills, he even misses his father’s funeral. When he finally returns to his village, his mother informs him of his late father’s dying wish—for Michael to marry… and he picked out the girl.
Michael was furious, and I was right there with him. Marry someone he didn’t know? Who does that? Oh, cultures who believe in arranged marriages.
Tradition was a major part of this read, and it didn’t take long to understand its importance or significance. However, Michael was willing to ignore the tradition in favor of his personal freedom, or at least he tried to. He wasn’t prepared for the lengths his family were willing to go to see his father’s dying wish honored.
My heart went out to Michael’s uncle, Sekyerε, for his unenviable position as never being the ‘accomplished’ son, but still—seeing Michael married increased his social position, so I had no problem with Michael continuing to resist. But, mercy, when his mother took to her sickbed, I was through. Time to plan a wedding.
Yet, while all of this back and forth went on, Esi Afriyie, the intended bride was told nothing. She didn’t find out until after the families had decided.
So, why, again, am I feeling sorry for Michael?
Of course, since Esi’s been secretly in love with Michael for most of her love, the marriage isn’t a problem for her… she’s getting her dream man!
But marriage to Michael was not a dream. While he was ‘drawn’ to Esi, there was also Lena (UGH!), the noncommittal girlfriend, and ‘Forest Girl’, the ragged girl he’d met in the woods.
Forest Girl. A brief look into her eyes while helping her cut wood and Michael’s world is knocked off its axis. So much so, he’s willing to marry to make his mother happy and string Lena (UGH!) along a while longer until he can find this soulmate again. Forest Girl will complete him.
I rolled my eyes hard through six chapters as Michael wallowed in self-pity… and male entitlement. Esi was sweet, kind, and beautiful, but he couldn’t love her… she wasn’t Forest Girl. Lena was intelligent and sophisticated but not interested in commitment… and she wasn’t Forest Girl. Seriously, Michael?
While she was prepared to be a good and faithful wife, Esi refused to be a disrespected doormat, and this read went in a new direction.
Hello? Michael? This is Reality Check!
And if Esi’s shift in attitude wasn’t enough, Michael’s best friend, Osei, was right there to call him on his crap! “Go to the dead and sue your father!” I screamed! Go, Osei!
In the end, Michael had to remove his pride and ego from the equation to see what had always been right in front of him. NICE! Still not sure how I feel about Michael, but as long as Esi is happy, I’m good!
Forest Girl is an enjoyable read, steeped in Ghanaian culture and tradition, (they drink a LOT of water). Emotions run high and there are some intense scenes, but the author did a masterful job of pulling it all together in the end and leaving me with a smile, and you’ll smile too! Take this journey.
Enjoy!
May 31, 2018
5 Cranky Stars
Michael Yaw Badu has an arranged marriage waiting for him when he is done with his education. When he comes back to his village from his time in America, he learns that he will be marrying Esi Afriyie. Unbeknownst to Michael, Esi has been in love with him since childhood. Michael is in love with another woman, the enchanting Forest Girl that captured his heart after a brief encounter in the forest. Will he let Esi go so he can find his Forest Girl?
This story is magical. Not because of the fairytale romance, but because for once a story gets it right about love and marriage. Marriage isn’t always hearts and rainbows, sometimes it’s conversations and being there to hold your partner’s hand when they are scared or when they need you.
There are not enough words to describe how much I loved this story. The author painted a vivid picture with her fantastical storytelling. She crafted a story that made you fall in love with the characters and their stories that they had to tell. There were moments where I ugly cried because of what happened between the characters, and I hurt because I knew they were hurting. I would definitely recommend this story to others.
Michael Yaw Badu has an arranged marriage waiting for him when he is done with his education. When he comes back to his village from his time in America, he learns that he will be marrying Esi Afriyie. Unbeknownst to Michael, Esi has been in love with him since childhood. Michael is in love with another woman, the enchanting Forest Girl that captured his heart after a brief encounter in the forest. Will he let Esi go so he can find his Forest Girl?
This story is magical. Not because of the fairytale romance, but because for once a story gets it right about love and marriage. Marriage isn’t always hearts and rainbows, sometimes it’s conversations and being there to hold your partner’s hand when they are scared or when they need you.
There are not enough words to describe how much I loved this story. The author painted a vivid picture with her fantastical storytelling. She crafted a story that made you fall in love with the characters and their stories that they had to tell. There were moments where I ugly cried because of what happened between the characters, and I hurt because I knew they were hurting. I would definitely recommend this story to others.
June 20, 2018
Esi is one of the sweetest characters that I’ve encountered in a long time. An educated woman from the village who knows how to handle herself and make the most of any situation she’s placed into. A strong woman who held a long time unrequited love for a man she would end up marrying. Once she married Michael her strength grew and I appreciated her character even more for having to endure what she did while still keeping the faith that everything would work out (even though I had my doubts).
While Esi was confident about what she wanted, Michael was lost and searching for what he thought would be his anchor. Because of this uncertainty, some of his actions during the story annoyed me. By the end of the book he had grown into a better person, I believe his true unstressed self, and that’s always a good thing to happen to a hero.
A lovely romantic sojourn to Ghana.
While Esi was confident about what she wanted, Michael was lost and searching for what he thought would be his anchor. Because of this uncertainty, some of his actions during the story annoyed me. By the end of the book he had grown into a better person, I believe his true unstressed self, and that’s always a good thing to happen to a hero.
A lovely romantic sojourn to Ghana.
July 19, 2018
Forest Girl is Empi Baryeh’s third romance book to be set in Ghana, and it can only get better and better. Empi knows her characters well, perhaps because she is from Ghana herself and she knows our lore and tradition, which are generously woven into the beautiful story that is Michael and Esi’s arranged marriage. I mean which man would agree to an arranged marriage even in a traditional setting? And a modern, US educated man at that. And yet Michael yields to pressure from the ghost of his father whose dying wish was for his son to marry a suitable girl chosen by him. Never mind that he has a ‘modern liberated’ girl friend, never mind that he hates the whole arrangement. Never mind that he had fallen for a mysterious Forest Girl, despite the very loud existence of his girlfriend. And never mind that Esi has been in love with him for a long time.
The beauty of this book is that the author managed to maneuver the ups and downs, surprises, twists and turns of this unusual relationship, keeping the reader in suspense till the end.
To be honest, both characters got on my nerves; Michael, for not willing or being able to make up his mind as to whom he wanted; Esi for being too sweet and trusting. But as the story developed, Esi, an educated girl from the village, proved that she could stand her own ground, especially when it became clear that she might be sharing her husband with Lena, Michael’s girlfriend. She refused to be treated like a doormat.
One significant feature about Forest Girl, among many, is that the reader is made aware that marriage is never a bed perfect, more so an arranged one. The author does a very good job here; dealing with infidelity in marriage and the presence of an imaginary woman, ingredients that no new wife should contend with in her marriage. Both characters grow to confront their limitations and Michael especially grows into the man he is supposed to be.
Forest Girl is well researched, the diction and editing, flawless. The flavour of Ghana and for that matter, Africa, permeates it. Rich customs and traditions, local foods, snippets of local dialect, well imbibed local drinks, lush and harsh scenery of village life are a fine blend that set the tone in this novel, Forest Girl.
The only problem I have with Forest Girl is that I would have loved to know the outcome of the job interview Esi attended. This however did not detract from the story or the development of the plot in any way.
Forest Girl is a truly lovely romance journey into Ghana that I urge all lovers of romance to take. 🙂
The beauty of this book is that the author managed to maneuver the ups and downs, surprises, twists and turns of this unusual relationship, keeping the reader in suspense till the end.
To be honest, both characters got on my nerves; Michael, for not willing or being able to make up his mind as to whom he wanted; Esi for being too sweet and trusting. But as the story developed, Esi, an educated girl from the village, proved that she could stand her own ground, especially when it became clear that she might be sharing her husband with Lena, Michael’s girlfriend. She refused to be treated like a doormat.
One significant feature about Forest Girl, among many, is that the reader is made aware that marriage is never a bed perfect, more so an arranged one. The author does a very good job here; dealing with infidelity in marriage and the presence of an imaginary woman, ingredients that no new wife should contend with in her marriage. Both characters grow to confront their limitations and Michael especially grows into the man he is supposed to be.
Forest Girl is well researched, the diction and editing, flawless. The flavour of Ghana and for that matter, Africa, permeates it. Rich customs and traditions, local foods, snippets of local dialect, well imbibed local drinks, lush and harsh scenery of village life are a fine blend that set the tone in this novel, Forest Girl.
The only problem I have with Forest Girl is that I would have loved to know the outcome of the job interview Esi attended. This however did not detract from the story or the development of the plot in any way.
Forest Girl is a truly lovely romance journey into Ghana that I urge all lovers of romance to take. 🙂
September 16, 2019
Lately I find that romances no longer hold the thrill they once did for me. But Forrest Girl broke through my jadedness. True, it featured the stereotypical ‘sophisticated man, naïve girl’ plot line, but it was charmingly written and you got invested in the characters without even realizing it.
I found myself sympathising with the heroine Esi through her struggles to make Michael finally realise what was staring him in the face all along. Needless to say, Michael was not my favourite character, but he was not inherently bad, just indecisive. The dilemmas he struggled with highlight the point that not everything in life is straightforward, especially matters of the heart.
I did enjoy the ‘boot on the other foot’ scenario where the man, rather than the woman, was forced into an arranged marriage against his will. I think the author’s handling of this premise was superb, making it not just plausible, but leaving the reader’s emotions to run the gamut from hostility to sympathy.
As for Michaels ethereal forest girl, we are all guilty at some point or other of being as blind as he was, yearning for some unobtainable perfection, while all along, everything we need to live happy, successful lives is right there within our grasp. Although the happily-ever-after ending was expected, it was still a relief to see him accept it and embrace the love that was waiting for him.
As a Nigerian, I particularly enjoyed the glimpses into Ghanaian life that Forest Girl afforded me and noticing the similarities and differences between it and my Nigerian culture.
My verdict? A well-written African romance with some (seriously) steamy scenes!
I found myself sympathising with the heroine Esi through her struggles to make Michael finally realise what was staring him in the face all along. Needless to say, Michael was not my favourite character, but he was not inherently bad, just indecisive. The dilemmas he struggled with highlight the point that not everything in life is straightforward, especially matters of the heart.
I did enjoy the ‘boot on the other foot’ scenario where the man, rather than the woman, was forced into an arranged marriage against his will. I think the author’s handling of this premise was superb, making it not just plausible, but leaving the reader’s emotions to run the gamut from hostility to sympathy.
As for Michaels ethereal forest girl, we are all guilty at some point or other of being as blind as he was, yearning for some unobtainable perfection, while all along, everything we need to live happy, successful lives is right there within our grasp. Although the happily-ever-after ending was expected, it was still a relief to see him accept it and embrace the love that was waiting for him.
As a Nigerian, I particularly enjoyed the glimpses into Ghanaian life that Forest Girl afforded me and noticing the similarities and differences between it and my Nigerian culture.
My verdict? A well-written African romance with some (seriously) steamy scenes!
April 6, 2019
It was dull and boring, downright not credible. A man would never act as this author describes him. He would have discarded his fantasy long before Michael did and made his life with his new bride work. And the tug of war between the two characters went on for far too long, their giving and taking deeply boring after just a few scenes. If I give it a 3 stars, it's only due to the very interisting cultural aspects that left me fascinated. I loved the setting and, having grown up in Nigeria myself, it was like getting back to my roots, except that I learned a whole lot more in the process.
September 12, 2020
Kept me on the edge of my seat
I was so mad thru the entire book. How could you not know it was her, all this time. I definitely enjoyed this book. Will most certainly look into the authors catalog.
I was so mad thru the entire book. How could you not know it was her, all this time. I definitely enjoyed this book. Will most certainly look into the authors catalog.
August 11, 2019
Forest Girl gave me one of the most incredible experiences of dramatic irony I have ever had--that literary device which makes the audience fully conscious of something crucial which characters themselves have no idea about. Though it fits cleanly into the genre of a romance novel by employing many of the usual tropes that romance readers enjoy (thoroughly love-struck characters; sweet sex scenes; wild exes and the like), it also turned out to be significantly different from any romance novel I have ever read--the dramatic irony being only one of the factors that made it so.
The book was agitating, suspenseful and exasperating in the most engaging ways. The author, Empi Baryeh, has an uncanny way of making me hate and love Michael (the male primary protagonist) simultaneously. Additionally, Esi (the female protagonist) turned out to be significantly more complex than I initially assumed of her, which was a pleasant surprise for me, as well as a series of rude awakenings for her.
There's a peculiar fairytale feel to Forest Girl, particularly in its portrayal of love as something deep and intrinsic; something the intellect has little control over and maybe sometimes even interferes with. Nevertheless, it is very much rooted in a real world, employing a fascinating intersection between Ghanaian urban and rural settings, where neither is necessarily valued higher than the other and where characters situated in urban areas are no more or less complex and nuanced than those situated in rural ones.
At the end of it all, though, Forest Girl is certainly a romance novel and if you happen not to be particularly fond of the genre, I fear you might not enjoy it as much as someone who does. In its own league of books, however, it is certainly worthy of accolades.
The book was agitating, suspenseful and exasperating in the most engaging ways. The author, Empi Baryeh, has an uncanny way of making me hate and love Michael (the male primary protagonist) simultaneously. Additionally, Esi (the female protagonist) turned out to be significantly more complex than I initially assumed of her, which was a pleasant surprise for me, as well as a series of rude awakenings for her.
There's a peculiar fairytale feel to Forest Girl, particularly in its portrayal of love as something deep and intrinsic; something the intellect has little control over and maybe sometimes even interferes with. Nevertheless, it is very much rooted in a real world, employing a fascinating intersection between Ghanaian urban and rural settings, where neither is necessarily valued higher than the other and where characters situated in urban areas are no more or less complex and nuanced than those situated in rural ones.
At the end of it all, though, Forest Girl is certainly a romance novel and if you happen not to be particularly fond of the genre, I fear you might not enjoy it as much as someone who does. In its own league of books, however, it is certainly worthy of accolades.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews