In Such Tremendous Heat

THE HOTTEST DEBUT OF SUMMER 2023

Basking in Singapore's non-stop sunshine, low tax rate and crocodile Birkins on every other arm, Dara, Amaka, and Lillian are living the dream - until their carefully constructed lives are upended by a handsome and mysterious new arrival . . .

Dara, a workaholic lawyer, is on the brink of partnership at her firm. Estranged from her mother, and perpetually uncomfortable around her hyper-competitive colleagues, her insecurities threaten to overwhelm her when Lani, a new hire from Geneva, is assigned to work on what should have been her career-making case. Pitted against one another, Dara can't help but see Lani as a threat, ready to take her hard-earned place as partner.

Amaka, a sharp-tongued banker, is in the midst of a painful family breakdown. Thousands of miles away from home, she's doing her best to distract herself with a illicit workplace romance - and hiding a spiralling shopping addiction that's threatening not only her finances, but her very sense of self. An instant attraction to Lani jeopardizes her last shred of stability.

Lillian, a piano-prodigy-turned-housewife, is desperately trying to remain in Singapore after her marriage comes to a messy end. Rather than sell her beloved piano, the last precious reminder she has of her parents, she takes a low-paying job at a language school. A chance encounter with Lani-a man who is inexplicably, impossibly, the spitting image of her late father-triggers a grief she's spent a lifetime suppressing, leading to an obsession that threatens everything-and everyone-around her.

Forced to confront the ghosts of their pasts, Dara, Amaka, and Lillian soon learn that unfinished history can follow you anywhere - even to Singapore.

With a vibrant host of characters set against the lush, wanderlust-inducing backdrop of Southeast Asia, Fadipe's energetic, technicolor prose sucks you into the maddening worlds of Dara, Amaka, and Lillian, and spits you out with more grace, more empathy, and more understanding. A rich celebration of the nuanced complexities of Black womanhood and friendship. -- Lola Akinmade Åkerström, international bestselling author of In Every Mirror She's Black
In In Such Tremendous Heat, Kehinde Fadipe expertly weaves the stories of three Nigerian expats seeking to write their futures in the luxe, moneyed world of Singapore, only to have their lives disrupted by the arrival of a handsome newcomer. The interloper's impact is both unexpected and rewarding, deepening our understanding of this trio of remarkable women as they learn to confront the scars of their pasts and re-examine what truly matters to them. A compelling story of ambition, identity and friendship, this dynamic debut novel is a must-read for every book club. -- Kirthana Ramisetti, author of GMA Book Club pick Dava Shastri's Last Day
Kehinde's debut is a satisfying blend of drama, glamour, and friendship-a stunning and impressive story with bold characters worth loving and rooting for. -- Jane Igharo, author of Where We End & Begin
Unlike anything I've ever read. Slick, agile, and utterly engrossing, this spectacular debut features a set of protagonists so rarely portrayed: Black women expats. -- Taiye Selasi, author of Ghana Must Go
Sizzles off the page. I couldn't put it down. -- Alice Clark-Platts
I had so much fun reading it! In Such Tremendous Heat is going to make your summer sizzle! This page-turner is so unique and immersive, you won't be moving for a while! -- Buki Papillon, author of An Ordinary Wonder
When considered and thoughtful writing meets page-flicking drama you get In Such Tremendous Heat. The vivid storytelling is a masterclass in exploring the impact a new person can uniquely have on each of us, based on our pain points, pasts and passions. I felt like I had been listening in to years of these characters' therapy sessions; thanks to the richness of their inner lives as told throughout the chapters. This book is made for living next to SPF and sunglasses in a summertime basket bag. -- Giselle La Pompe Moore, author of Take It In

Kehinde Fadipe is a RADA-trained actress with stage and screen credits including Misfits (E4), Of Mary (Lesata Productions) and Ruined (Almeida Theatre). She began her writing career in the Royal Court Theatre's Young Writer's Programme while studying English at UCL and she has written and produced a short film, Spirit Children, starring Pippa Bennett Warner and Jenny Jules, which was screened in two international short film festivals. In Such Tremendous Heat is her first novel.

Basking in Singapore's non-stop sunshine, low tax rate and crocodile Birkins on every other arm, Dara, Amaka, and Lillian are living the #BlackGirlMagic dream-until their carefully constructed lives are upended by a handsome-and mysterious-new arrival. Dara, a workaholic lawyer, is on the brink of partnership at her firm. Estranged from her mother, and perpetually uncomfortable around her hyper-competitive colleagues, her insecurities threaten to overwhelm her when Lani, a new hire from Geneva, is assigned to work on what should have been her career-making case. Pitted against one another, Dara can't help but see Lani as a threat: a smug Odysseus ready to take her place.Amaka, a sharp-tongued banker, is in the midst of a painful family dispute. Thousands of miles away from home, she's doing her best to distract herself with a flirtatious workplace romance-and hiding a spiraling shopping addiction that's threatening not only her finances, but her very sense of self. An instant attraction to Lani jeopardizes her last shred of stability.Lillian, a piano-prodigy-turned-housewife, is desperately trying to remain in Singapore after her marriage comes to a messy end. Rather than sell her beloved piano, the last precious reminder she has of her parents, she takes a low-paying job at a language school. A chance encounter with Lani-a man who is inexplicably, impossibly, the spitting image of her late father-triggers a grief she's spent a lifetime suppressing, leading to an obsession that threatens everything-and everyone-around her.Forced to confront the ghosts of their pasts, Dara, Amaka, and Lillian soon learn that unfinished history can follow you anywhere.

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