HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For my first post of the year, I’m excited to share with you a review of a new release by one of my faves. Actually, it is easy to say Adesuwa O’Man Nwokedi is indeed my fave writer, because I’ve read and reviewed more of her books than anyone else’s…and not simply because she is a book-making machine! She writes enjoyable, clean, romance fiction that appeals to a wide-range of people. Her latest release is worthy of spotlighting because it deals with a topic that I also enjoy reading and writing about – marriage.

A Renewed Kind of Love is the fifth book in the standalone Malomo High Reunion series. It is a story about a marriage on the rocks and a lesson on how to have a successful marriage, no matter what life throws at you.

Morin and Mofe’s marriage follows a common thread, starting with the immence joy of marrying one’s best friend, to the challenges that come from having and raising children and adulting, providing for one’s family and balancing life and work. With busyness, disappointment, discouragement, and misunderstanding, their love wears thin, and when temptation comes in the form of an old flame and mutual friend, Keji, their marriage faces the greatest test they never imagined possible.

He hurt her, she hurt him, they hurt each other. They can’t agree on when it all went bad, but with counselling, deep hurts are unearthed, things that can never be undone or unsaid, and they must decide if truly the love they have for each other is enough…

As usual, Adesuwa grips the reader from the very first paragraph with an interesting scene and weaves a story that keeps you turning the page to know what will happen next.

From the first chapter, I felt like I already knew the end, but I kept reading because I wanted to see how they would overcome these major issues in their marriage. I expected some twists, but Adesuwa took a different route, which reminded me that every story is different, every marriage journey is unique.

I was a bit baffled by Mofe’s character though, the way he was pining for his wife and wallowing in guilt and regret, when I expected him to enjoy his new found freedom uninhibited, especially since he seemed so miserable and angry while they were together. This was the same man who had no qualms spending his ten-year anniversary flirting with his ex-girlfriend and his wife’s former bff, in the presence of all their guests…who orchestrated his whole demise…and even as he kept making wrong decision after wrong decision, oga was pining and wallowing…

Well, I was happy that, in that sense, he wasn’t like most men. His behaviour was also explained later, when they sought marriage counselling and his deep seated pains came to light.

However, I didn’t get Keji’s why. She was needlessly wicked, and even though we eventually learn the reason for her sudden disappearance and maintained absence for 20 years, it didn’t help to understand why she did what she did to someone she supposedly loved. I still hated her guts and wished someone had given her a serious beating!

I understood Morin’s character well, and I sympathised with her experience. However, it was good reading the story from both their perspectives, Morin’s and Mofe’s, even though it took out some suspense, since we knew what both of them were feeling and thinking. My fave part of the story would be the part that Mofe said he loved, when they found their way back in love, even after his disasterous infidelity (I can’t call it a mistake). I also like that she got to pepper him back when a certain man came between them, but I loved that her behaviour wasn’t excused either… They were still married and two wrongs never made a right.

An Adesuwa story won’t be complete without a sixth act! Just when you think it’s wrapping up for happily ever after, new drama arises. However, I really liked the twist at the end. It was a satisfying conclusion. Now, I’m just waiting for the promised epilogue coming out on the 1st of February 2025.

If you’ve read any book by Adesuwa before, then you don’t need me to tell you to go get your copy. And if you’re hearing about her for the first time, where have you been? I’ll just warn you that it’s hard to stop when you’ve started reading a book by Adesuwa. So, clear your schedule, make a hot beverage, and get ready to be entertained and inspired! You can get yours on Amazon, where it is on Kindle Unlimited or check her out at www.thefertilechick.ng.

Well done, Adesuwa! This was a good read! A long one, but well-worth it.

Photo credit: http://www.canva.com

If you liked this post, you might like THE SPOTLIGHT – A REVIEW OF “YOU, ME…THEM!” BY THE FERTILE CHICK

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