Onyi Nwabineli, "Allow Me to Introduce Myself" in conversation with Iris Mwanza.

About the Book: 

As a child, Anuri’s life was chronicled and monetized by her influencer stepmother. Now an adult, she’s finally broken free. But when her stepmother starts preying on her young half-sister, Anuri decides she must stop the cycle of abuse. Really Good, Actually meets City of Likes in a stunning page-turner about overcoming toxic family, reclaiming identity and, ultimately, hope.

Growing up, Anuri’s life was chronicled and monetized by her entrepreneurial stepmother, Ophelia, as part of her online empire. At twenty-five, Anuri has broken free and survived an intensely public childhood—just barely. She is trying to forge a life for herself, but it’s not easy when she is recognized by strangers everywhere she goes.

Outward appearances would leave anyone wondering why Anuri spends much of her time insulting men online for money, battling the call of alcohol, running from a PhD application, and reminding herself that she is now allowed to choose her own clothing. Wounds heal slowly and Anuri clings to her grandparents, her friends, her love for her five year-old half-sister, Noelle, and revenge—the latter two driving her to wage a legal campaign to have her likeness ripped from Ophelia’s control once and for all.

But when Ophelia starts preying on Noelle to keep her empire afloat, Anuri feels compelled to protect her sister from the life of public scrutiny she was forced to endure. Anuri’s solution is to fight for legal guardianship. In retaliation, Ophelia, Noelle’s mother, limits Anuri’s access to her sister. Ignoring gentle advice from her therapist, from her friends, and even from her lawyer, Anuri escalates her efforts and spirals.

About the Author:

Onyi Nwabineli is a Nigerian British head-wrap aficionado. Born in Benin, Nigeria, she grew up in Glasgow, the Isle of Man and Newcastle, and now lives in London. Onyi is the founder of Black Pens (black-pens.com), a writing retreat for Black womxn, and cofounder of Surviving Out Loud, a fund that provides fiscal support for survivors of sexual assault. Her debut novel, Someday, Maybe was a Good Morning America and Book of the Month Club Pick. Onyi-Nwabineli.com.

About the Conversation Partner:

Iris Mwanza is a Zambian-American writer. As Deputy Director the Gender Equality Division of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she leads strategy and investment for the Women in Leadership portfolio, and she has previously worked as a corporate lawyer in both Zambia and the US. Mwanza holds law degrees from Cornell University and the University of Zambia, and an MA and PhD in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. In addition to her work at the Foundation, Mwanza serves on the Supervisory Board of Care International, and on the Board of Directors of World Wildlife Fund-US.