130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿 

The Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association

Brief Description
‘I absolutely loved this… I don’t think I’ve ever related to a story more… I laughed and cried… A really great read!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sade Sodipo is ready to meet ‘the one’ and finally fulfil the Nigerian Dream. So far God hasn’t performed that little miracle quite... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

‘I absolutely loved this… I don’t think I’ve ever related to a story more… I laughed and cried… A really great read!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Diverse Later in Life Inspirational Christian Romance Novel for 2026

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

‘I absolutely loved this… I don’t think I’ve ever related to a story more… I laughed and cried… A really great read!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sade Sodipo is ready to meet ‘the one’ and finally fulfil the Nigerian Dream. So far God hasn’t performed that little miracle quite yet, but it’ll happen this year for sure. Especially if her mother, two best friends, younger sister, and all those in the unofficial Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association, have anything to say about it.

She might love her job, have great friends, and even own her own home, but according to the meddling aunties, this is why she’s still single at 50.

What if her prayers for the perfect man have got lost? Or maybe Sade’s happy-ever-after is right on time…

A must read romance novel for anyone looking for inspirational, kisses-only romance which looks at themes of faith, culture, and love.

Readers are loving The Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association:

‘Oh give me more of these Aunties please. Can I shrink them and carry them in my pocket at all time to just bring out and make me cackle… Adore this… Fun, adorable and hilarious… Touched all the good places in my soul… I loved it so much’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A must-read for anyone who believes love doesn’t have an expiration date' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Sade’s story made me laugh, made me ache, and made me proud … a feel-good, soul-touching story with Nigerian aunties, romance, and plenty of wahala.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'So funny and flirty!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Made me laugh, reflect, and cheer for a protagonist who chose herself and her values, even when it was hard.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A soulful, engaging read with just the right amount of wahala.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I loved how Nigerian it made me feel. It was all so relatable’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A warm, witty and refreshingly grown-up story about love, family and the pressures of cultural expectations … A heartfelt and engaging read, full of charm and relatable moments.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I absolutely loved this book. I’m a 36 yr old Christian, 1st gen Nigerian in the USA, single woman and I don’t think I’ve ever related to a story more.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'That’s what I appreciated most about this story: it’s romantic, yes, but it’s also deeply grounded in self-respect, boundaries, and community.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Sade is such a departure from typical characters in contemporary books – she is a very successful Black woman who is 50.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘No ordinary love story… Sade's journey will strike a chord — and the nerve — of anyone who's done time in the singleton trenches.’ Chioma Okereke, author of Water Baby

'Utterly charmed by this poignant and witty exploration of love, singlehood, and the Nigerian matriarch.' Frances Mensah Williams

'Sometimes reflective, sometimes sobering, but always hopeful, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association is an artfully rendered celebration of love, heritage and the essence of belonging.’ Callie Browning, author of The Girl with the Hazel Eyes

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008703301

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 July 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: One More Chapter

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Ola Awonubi was born in London to Nigerian parents. She grew up and attended school in Brighton and lived in Nigeria before returning to England in 1992. An avid reader, she enrolled in writing classes and went on obtain an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East London. Her short stories have first prize in both the National Words of Colour competition and the Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2009. This is her first historical novel.

More from Romance

View all
  • Grim Tidings
    New Release
    Grim Tidings
    'Infinity stars. I smiled, laughed, squealed with delight, wept, and then smiled again' ★★★★★'This book ripped my heart out, trampled on it, put it back together, and still had amazing smut' ★★★★★'Fun, witty, sexy and made me cry at the end (in a good way, don't worry)…B.K. Borison has written one of my favourite reads of the year' ★★★★★ A...
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates
    A hilarious, swoony and downright terrifying horror romance in which a cinephile gets caught in the middle of a murder spree at a speed-dating event and must use her encyclopedic knowledge of the rom-com and horror genres to make it as a real-life Final Girl. When cinephile Jamie Prescott attends a speed-dating event, she expects to meet some mediocre men...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Wild Wicked Mate
    New Release
    Wild Wicked Mate
    From #1 New York Times bestselling author Laurie Gilmore, comes a brand new small-town romance set in the quirky town of Maple Hollow! The closer the proximity, the stronger the spark… Phoebe never expected to fall in love, and especially not with the annoyingly handsome werewolf she’s been hanging out with for years.Theo has spent his life comparing himself to...
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2699
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    The Keeper
    He can resist any woman in the world...except for the one he shouldn't want. Famed goalkeeper Noah Wilson doesn't do relationships or complications. The only thing the grumpy single dad wants is to do his job and spend more time with his daughter. Unfortunately, his bachelor status has made it impossible to find the right nanny for her. With the...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Song of the Sirens
    New Release
    The Song of the Sirens
    A sweeping romantasy debut about sisterhood, rebellion, and the danger of forbidden love, featuring ancient immortal clans, hidden spells, morally grey love interests, and a war that threatens to fracture the realms – for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Penn Cole and Victoria Aveyard. Exiled to the mortal realm of Asterra for a crime their mother committed, Siren sisters Adriana...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • My Dreadful Darling
    New Release
    My Dreadful Darling
    My darling, it is you who is dreadful. Reverie Adams has only one goal in life: to keep her head above water with her father's sinister legacy weighing on her shoulders. But she's no stranger to drowning—it is her very first memory, after all, and if her demons have their way, it will also be her last. Even with the...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Fever Dream
    From #1 New York Times bestselling author Elsie Silver comes a small-town, forbidden, rivals-to-lovers romance, the first book in the brand-new Western romance series Emerald Lake. Limited copies with sprayed edges!Professional bull rider Emmett Bush is not looking for love. He’s looking for a paycheque to save his family’s farm from bankruptcy. So when he agrees to be the leading man on...
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Midnight Curfew
    New Release
    Midnight Curfew
    The Jaeger family return in the brand new queer, dark romance from New York Times bestselling author Penelope Douglas, in which two rivals must fight their forbidden and burning attraction to one another. Summertime is quiet in southern Florida. In the humidity, the streets are empty, and the nights are still—perfect for a little mischief while the police aren't looking....
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell
    New Release
    I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell
    What could go wrong on a road trip to Hell? ⭐ corporate hell vibes ⭐ only one bed ⭐ a road trip through the underworld ⭐ forced proximity ⭐ slow burn romance 'A delirious, clever romp of a book. Best time I've had with a book in ages!' JENNA LEVINE Brie Benson lives life in survival mode, right down to...
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Christmas Staycation
    Christmas Staycation by Meghan Quinn: Nothing says Merry Christmas like fake fiancés, family pressure, and accidentally falling for your ex's brother... Nolan never met a spotlight he didn't like. As a major league baseball player with a filthy mouth, an ego the size of the North Pole, and zero interest in behaving, he's perfectly happy breezing into Christmas in Kringletown...
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Psychotic Obsession
    From USA Today bestselling author and TikTok sensation comes the steamy, emotional dark romance spin-off that everyone is talking about!'Filled with TENSION, HEARTBREAK and ELECTRIC CHEMISTRY. This one will tear your heart right out of your chest before tossing it back in and sewing you up' No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Brynne Weaver'Leigh Rivers is THE QUEEN OF...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    Backorder
    Ships early November
  • A Married Little Christmas
    New Release
    A Married Little Christmas
    Step into Christmas with Abby and Maya Jimenez - a special hardback packable of swoon-worthy novellas, recipes to make and illustrations.
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.