You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty: A Novel

A Good Morning America Buzz Pick

“A love story like no other, and this one…will have you gripped from page one.” —Vogue

“An unabashed ode to living with, and despite, pain and mortality.” —The New York Times Book Review

A New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and “one of our greatest living writers” (Shondaland) reimagines the love story in this “riveting and emotional exploration of grief and taking a second chance on love” (PopSugar).

Feyi Adekola wants to learn how to be alive again.

It’s been five years since the accident that killed the love of her life and she’s almost a new person now—an artist with her own studio and sharing a brownstone apartment with her ride-or-die best friend, Joy, who insists it’s time for Feyi to ease back into the dating scene. Feyi isn’t ready for anything serious, but a steamy encounter at a rooftop party cascades into a whirlwind summer she could have never imagined: a luxury trip to a tropical island, decadent meals in the glamorous home of a celebrity chef, and a major curator who wants to launch her art career.

She’s even started dating the perfect guy, but their new relationship might be sabotaged before it has a chance by the overwhelming desire Feyi feels every time she locks eyes with the one person who is most definitely off-limits—his father. Can she release her past and honor her grief while still embracing her future? And, of course, there’s the biggest question of all—how far is she willing to go for a second chance at love?

“With tenderhearted characters and an immaculate balance of realistic dialogue and lyrical prose” (BuzzFeed), Akwake Emezi’s vivid and passionate writing takes us deep into a world of possibility and healing. You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty is a “a love letter to the brave choices we make in the name of love, the costs we pay for it, and the glory of the reward at the end” (Marie Claire).

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Published Jun 13, 2023

Average rating: 6.95

407 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

jess.withbooks
Jun 05, 2025
8/10 stars
“And that’s something I’ve learned in the years since, that there are so many different types of love, so many ways someone can stay committed to you, stay in your life even if y’all aren’t together, you know? And none of these ways are more important than the other.”
PSherbinFox
Jul 01, 2024
6/10 stars
The author is def a talented writer. And for that I gave the book a 6/10. But the story could have used some development. I was left with a lot of questions. It felt like the reader got left hanging a lot. If there is a sequel to this book where it all comes together- I may update my review. But as a standalone read- I finished it but wasn't wow'd by the story.
taylore333
May 21, 2024
4/10 stars
I thought it was corny. Feyi had no accountability and just does things because “she’s alive.” I found a lot of things to be unrealistic from the dialogue to the events that took place. The authors descriptive language was over the top and I felt like her writing got lost in the language at times. The characters are flawed, that’s fine, but what was the point of the novel? Pursue love even if it’s messy and traumatizes other people in your life?
TheeLadyBug
Mar 05, 2024
9/10 stars
Love it!
Anonymous
Jun 04, 2025
10/10 stars
Even better the second time

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