By Titilade Oyemade

Copyright businessday

Title: Purple Linen

Author: Anita Ebbi

Year of Publication: 2025

Number of Pages: 164

Category: Fiction

We live in a time when podcasts dominate conversations, and in Purple Linen, they take center stage. More than background noise, the podcast becomes a living force in the story. Shaping choices, driving tension, and echoing truths as strongly as the characters themselves.

Purple Linen may not strike you as the most interesting title, yet it stirs curiosity. What was Anita Ebbi thinking when she chose it? That question alone invites you to open the book. The blurb hints at something interesting, though the cover offers little guidance. That uncertainty, however, only adds to its pull.

At its heart, the novel revolves around three female friends, a setup instantly appealing to women readers. And where there are women, there are always men, love, and dating in the mix. Yet Ebbi doesn’t rely solely on familiar themes. From the opening pages, the book establishes itself as an easy, engaging read, one that draws you into the connected journeys of its characters without unnecessary complexity.

You know these women already. The friend who changes boyfriends every two market days? She’s here. The one with the husband everyone dislikes? Here too. And of course, the friend who refuses to believe in love, you’ll meet her as well. Ebbi’s skill lies in bringing them to life with humor and honesty, making you laugh, nod, or sigh in recognition.

Soon, layers of longing, tension, and quiet resilience emerge. The emotional depth of Ebbi’s writing gives the story its heart. Her characters aren’t flat; they struggle, stumble, and hope in ways that feel authentic, drawing you in page after page. It’s hard not to pick a favorite, perhaps because, in one of them, you see a piece of yourself.

If you’ve ever belonged to a girl clique, the novel will feel like déjà vu. The gist, the banter, the dating drama, heartbreaks, sex, and the inevitable wahala. It’s all there, and it feels real. By weaving in these everyday truths, Ebbi transforms her story into something both entertaining and deeply relatable.

Refreshing, too, is the book’s twist on expectations. While fiction often casts men as the ones dodging commitment, Purple Linen flips the script, spotlighting women who wrestle with those same doubts.

Ebbi also dares to tackle subjects rarely touched on in mainstream fiction. From women reluctant to commit, to the often-taboo topic of female masturbation, she pulls uncomfortable conversations into the light with honesty and ease. These inclusions don’t feel forced; rather, they add authenticity to her characters’ lives.

And yes, if Femi or Gerrard annoy you, take it as proof of Ebbi’s skill. Characters that get under your skin are characters that feel real.

The podcast element, however, remains the novel’s most striking device. At times, you may catch yourself listening closely, as though it were a real show you could stream on Spotify. Perhaps it resonates because, like the characters, you too are searching for answers about love, trust, and relationships. The effect is surreal, almost interactive.
Even the fancy restaurant scenes make the story shine. You might want to try them yourself one day.

And, in the tradition of much popular fiction, Purple Linen closes with a happy ending. No heavy questions left dangling, just a light, satisfying close that leaves you smiling, ready to set the book down and drift into a good night’s sleep.

About the reviewer

Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies Event and the Publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and to help other women have the same in their lives. Email: [email protected] Social: @tiipreeofficial