Description

A group of young, Black British friends navigate their way through the ups and downs of modern London life, in this richly imagined collection of linked stories.

‘Heartachingly beautiful.’ Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

‘Full of heart.’ Taiye Selasi, author of Ghana Must Go

‘Devoured this in one day…suffused with love and warmth.’ Jendella Benson, author of Hope & Glory

These are the people who sustain us through good times and bad.

Meet Niah and her friends. They’re young, they’re smart, they’re part of a tight friendship group determined to make the most of every day. And their lives are about to change forever.

From the tingling excitement of a new relationship to the challenges of online dating, from the shadow of racism in the workplace to the isolation of Covid-19, the stories in For Such a Time as This burst with romance and friendship. This stunning new collection is a powerful snapshot of the relationships – and moments – that make us who we are.

Publisher Review

‘A glittering new voice in the literary firmament.’ Bernardine Evaristo, author of Girl, Woman, Other, Winner of the Booker Prize ‘All the stories are heartachingly beautiful.’ Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? ‘A warm book that opens up before you and beckons you into a world of community, closeness, hope and heart. Akilah’s work is a delight.’ Bolu Babalola, author of Honey & Spice ‘A rich collection of stories that are visceral, thought provoking and convey every human emotion. Shani Akilah is a stunning and exciting new voice and a writer to watch.’ Nadine Matheson, author of The Jigsaw Man ‘Eloquent, accessible, and full of heart, these interconnected stories draw one into an unforgettable group of young Black-British friends. Funny, thought-provoking and deeply moving. An astonishing debut.’ Taiye Selasi, author of Ghana Must Go ‘The paginated equivalent of that first toe dipping into a steaming bath – a sparkling, thought-provoking debut collection full of warmth.’ Onyi Nwabineli, author of Allow Me to Introduce Myself ‘Moreish, tender and thoroughly engrossing… There’s a warm and heartfelt quality to Shani’s writing that makes this collection difficult to put down.’ Jyoti Patel, author of The Things That They Lost ‘For Such A Time As This is a collection that, like its stories, leaves one wanting more… A beautiful, gripping and humorously vivid work.’ Nikki Adebiyi, founder of Bounce Black ‘A bold new collection of short stories from a millennial Black British voice… to read her collection is truly beautiful. Get into it!’ ‘Book of Cinz’, founder of Read Caribbean Month