July 11, 2022
High school sweethearts reunite at a friend’s wedding in Nigeria in this emotional second-chance romance from Igharo (The Sweetest Remedy). Wealthy Dunni Damijo and poor Obinna Arinze broke up when Dunni left Nigeria for college in America, but they took an oath that they’d find their way back to each other. A lot has changed in the past 12 years, however. Dunni lives in Seattle where she’s engaged to a man chosen by her mother, while Obinna has worked hard to become a successful land developer in Lagos. Still, when they see each other again, there’s no denying that feelings remain. Obinna was raised by a struggling single mother after his father abandoned them and never believed he was good enough for the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Now he realizes that his finances never mattered to Dunni—and that he never should have let her go. Meanwhile, Dunni, who’s struggling to take back control of her life from her parents, worries that Obinna’s insistence that they should be together stems from a feeling of obligation to their teenage vow rather than true love. Through flashbacks, Igharo cleverly shows the couple at their highest and lowest points, making it easy to root for their undeniable connection. This is a heartwarming treat. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary.
Starred review from August 1, 2022
When Dunni and Obinna first meet in high school, they instantly connect, but their class differences jeopardize their burgeoning relationship. Despite this and their respective family's attempts to split them up, their love and devotion for each other blossoms. When Dunni's family decides to send her away from Nigeria to study in the United States, Dunni and Obinna make a pledge to stay together no matter what. But heartbreakingly, Dunni never hears from him again, and she's forced to move on and make a new life for herself in Seattle. Twelve years later, Dunni arrives back home in Nigeria for the first time since they parted. By chance, they're reunited at a friend's wedding and are unable to resist rekindling their passionate love affair. But will the years apart, resentment, betrayals, and shocking discoveries keep them apart once again? VERDICT With storylines that explore family trauma and immigration struggles, this deeply emotional and epic romance from Igharo (The Sweetest Remedy) will appeal to readers who enjoy the second chance trope, along with fans of Bolu Babalola and Alyssa Cole.--Migdalia Jimenez
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Starred review from July 15, 2022
A wedding in Nigeria reunites high school sweethearts, giving them a second chance at love. Twelve years ago, Dunni left Nigeria to attend college in America. Even though her mother viciously disapproved of her relationship with her boyfriend, Obinna, Dunni had plans for the future with him, and he was meant to join her as soon as possible. Instead, he completely ghosted her. Now, Dunni lives in Seattle, where she works as a geneticist and is engaged to a man she knows she doesn't love but who has her mother's approval. She hesitantly travels back home to Lagos for a friend's wedding, where it turns out Obinna is also a guest. Their chemistry hasn't waned at all, but if there's to be a future for them now, they first have to confront the past. Igharo's lush storytelling takes readers on an emotional roller coaster. Told through alternating timelines that focus on Dunni in the present and Obinna in the past, this beautifully crafted, heart-achingly romantic tale plays with juxtapositions--poor and rich; superstition, religion, and science--and the ways they twine together. Family ties are essential to the characterization of the leads, and these relationships are insightfully and thoughtfully explored. The realistically flawed characters make mistakes, and there are consequences but also forgiveness. The story doesn't shy away from heavy situations and hurtful relationships, but at its core it's about how incredible support and love can be. A passionate and empathetic story of how relationships define a person and a love that was meant to be.
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Starred review from September 15, 2022
Igharo (The Sweetest Remedy, 2021) brings her cultural expertise and experiences to bear in this emotionally charged, dual time line, second-chance romance set in Nigeria and the U.S. Yoruba Nigerian Dunni and Igbo Nigerian Obinna meet at an elite secondary school in Lagos, where Obinna is a poor scholarship student. The connection between them is instantaneous and indelible, much to the disapproval of their mothers. Before graduation, they make a blood pact to always be true to each other and feel a seismic shift in their relationship. To please her parents, Dunni goes off to America to get her PhD in genetics, with the promise that Obinna will soon follow. But he does not answer a single email, text, or phone call, nor does he leave Nigeria. Twelve years later, Dunni returns to Nigeria for a friend's wedding. Despite being engaged to a respectable man back in Seattle and despite Obinna's betrayal, she finds that the magnetic pull to Obinna is still strong. Old resentments and memories mingle with new responsibilities and desires that muddle their feelings while ensnaring them anew. Is old love still worth investing in? Igharo's masterfully nuanced writing delineates the detailed emotions and thoughts of her protagonists and makes for a superbly memorable read.
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