Dunni hasn’t seen her high school boyfriend, Obinna, since she left Nigeria to attend college in America. Before their devastating separation, they vowed to find their way back to each other one day.
Twelve years later, and their vow is a thing of the past. Dunni works as a geneticist in Seattle and is engaged to a man she doesn’t love but one her parents approve of. Her future is laid out for her, and everything is going according to plan until she returns to Nigeria for a friend’s wedding and runs into Obinna. The shy, awkward boy she loved as a teenager is now a sophisticated, confident man. Things have changed, but there’s still an undeniable connection between them.
As they rediscover each other, their days filled with desire and passion, Dunni is reminded of the beautiful future she once planned with Obinna. But when devastating secrets are revealed and the reckless actions of their past bring new challenges, she’s left questioning everything, including if the love that consumed her as a teenager is still worth holding on to.
Release Date: Sep 27, 2022
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
Dunni and Obinna were childhood sweethearts until Dunni left Nigeria to attend College in America. They always thought they would be together but sometimes in life the plans change. Dunni has a successful life in America, and everything appears to be good on paper. She is invited back to Nigeria for a friend’s wedding when she runs into Obinna and the same sparks they once share seem to start to ignite again.
I’m mixed on this review if I’m being honest. The author starts the story off by flipping between the present and the past giving us glimpses of the couple when they were young and in love to the present day of fighting feelings. I’m normally a sucker for this because I want to get an idea of the chemistry and love that the couple previously had. However, in the present day, I’m not sure if it translated as well. Sure, the chemistry is there. Dunni and Obinna are hot together. However, they still seem a bit childish. Character growth is lacking.
What I love is that the author always paints a rich culture with vibrant characters. This book is the same. There is so much to explore in this book besides the romantic elements. Dunni’s need to live her life as her parents see it. This is typical behavior of a Nigerian family.
While I was not fully sold on this story, I was invested until the author throws in a major plot twist to the story almost at the very end which left me stunned. It is something that one of the main characters also didn’t know and it left me feeling a bit perturbed that we, the readers, weren’t aware of this from the very start. Not to mention I hate this particular trope or storyline. Reminds me of a bad harlequin novel to be honest. For that alone, I couldn’t wait to finish the story and be done with the book.
Overall, if you like a contemporary romance full of culture, this book is for you.
~ Samantha
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