Nothing Comes Close by Tolulope Popoola

Nothing Comes Close is a story about Lola, a Nigerian woman living in London, and Wole, a mysterious man with a complicated past.

The title, Nothing Comes Close, by Tolulope Popoola, hints at something intense—perhaps love, perhaps loss. The story itself combines more than one genre, leaving something both mild and fast-paced.

Synopsis

Nothing Comes Close is a story about Lola, a Nigerian woman living in London, and Wole, a mysterious man with a complicated past. Their paths cross in a romantic setup: a mutual friend’s birthday party.

What starts out as a casual spark quickly deepens into something more—though not without secrets, betrayals, and personal baggage threatening to derail it all. As the couple navigates careers, friendships, and haunting memories, their story dances between passion and peril.

Premise

At its heart, Nothing Comes Close explores what it means to start over. To forgive. To let someone in despite fear.

The subplots involving secondary characters (like Titi’s doomed love life or Maureen’s fashion dreams) are charming but slightly distract from the main arc.

Is this a romance? A drama? A character study? It flirts with all three but doesn’t fully commit, leaving it an appealing yet enigmatic read for audiences.

Thoughts

Nothing Comes Close is African Literature that blends several other genres, including romance. While fans of more complex works may struggle to be drawn in by the writing style, many readers will find the intriguing characters and paunchy storyline to be appealing.

Writing style and tone

Popoola’s writing appeals to fans of easy literature. The dialogue scenes are the focus of the narrative, and we see the characters mostly through that element.

Although the narrative could be a bit over the top, the conversational tone makes it easy to breeze through pages without realizing how much time has passed.

The author’s knack for capturing casual banter and everyday settings with vivid realism is both refreshing and entertaining.

Characterization

Lola is written with depth. She’s relatable and flawed and has colourful friends who offer diverse perspectives on relationships and culture. Wole, the other main character, leans heavily into the “tall, dark, and damaged” archetype.

While his layers unravel slowly (a good thing), some readers might find his brooding demeanour predictable. That said, the chemistry between him and Lolo feels real—playful, tense, and occasionally electric.

Themes

The novel does more than serve a romantic plot—it tackles identity, migration, trust, and the invisible scars of past trauma.

The story’s intercross-cultural lens attempts to blend Nigerian traditions with British urban life. As a book written by a Nigerian in the diaspora, Nothing Comes Close is written from this perspective, which is reflected in various elements of the book, including setting and dialogue.

Verdict

Nothing Comes Close has moments of brilliance. We get a mixed package, with Lola’s witty reflections, the unspoken thrill and tension around Wole’s past, and some YA-ey, direct dialogue.

If you’re a fan of emotionally grounded stories with cultural flavour and romantic depth, Nothing Comes Close is definitely worth your time.