Any Love - a Ginika's Bridesmaids Spin-Off

by Adesuwa O'man Nwokedi

A decade after overcoming a crippling drug addiction, Tekena’s ‘addict’ label is getting old, especially as he now only indulges in ‘a few’ drinks and ‘harmless’ party pills. Frustrated about not being taken seriously by his family and being unable to raise the money he desperately needs to jumpstart his business, he starts to consider other options.

After her wedding is scandalously called off, Ijeoma is convinced she is paying the price for sins of the past. Fed up of the ensuing gossip and mounting pressure from her family to seek religious intervention for her bad luck, she finds herself receptive when an unexpected proposition is thrown her way.

Friends for a few years, a one-night stand changes the dynamic of Ijeoma and Tekena’s relationship. But when they decide that marriage will solve both their problems, they go for it regardless, with the condition that intimacy will never again be on the cards. But as love, lust, animosity, treachery, a crippling addiction, and a host of other vices take centre stage, they soon realise that conditions are made to be infringed, promises made to be broken, and soul connections...made to be shattered.

Genres: Romance

506 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2023

About the author

The Writer, who became an Engineer, who became an Investment Banker, who became a Fertility Spokesperson, who became…a Writer.
That has been the journey of A. T. Nwokedi, aka The Fertile Chick. A self confessed hopeless romantic, when she is not creating new characters, she devotes her time to creating memories with her husband and their three children.

Reviews

[Morayo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to preface this by saying that I have enjoyed all of the author’s books that I’ve read except this one. Oh I was pissed from beginning to end.
Now, this book deals with addiction and I understand that it is in fact an illness but Tekena was just so unlikeable as a character that I did not give two fucks about his illness. That man could have dropped dead in this book and I wouldn’t have been moved or surprised.
Does drinking and taking drugs also make you a womanizer??
Also these people are meant to be in their 40s and yet they acted like teenagers. Like hope all is well at home?

Now to Ijeoma, oh what a naive babe, not the sharpest tool in the shed … she also pissed me off but I gave her grace but it got to a certain point I’m like my sister in Christ if you don’t jazz up???

Another issue I had with this book was the inclusion of Karibi. It is well known that I detest that man with everything in me. Imagine my shock and horror to discover that he played a prominent role in this book. And yes I understand that Tekena is his brother but for goodness sake can I catch a break?? That’s how he was also in Ife’s book and I was upset.

Also I think the book was a tad bit too long and I simply did not believe in Tekena and Ijeoma’s love story. I’m so sorry to all involved.

Thank you for reading my rant. I will continue reading the author’s work because she’s very talented, I just hated this story so so much. Oh I hated it.

[Amaka Azie]

What a rollercoaster ride!
This is a very realistic take on loving a person with an addiction to alcohol and drugs.
There was no sugarcoating this love story.
It was real and raw.
While reading, you’ll feel all the emotions—anger, disappointment, fury, sadness, forgiveness, and the cycle will continue, but you’ll enjoy it because you’ll keep hoping.
Ijeoma is a better woman than me. Would have not tolerated half of what she did from Tekena, but her character is real, so well written that even while you’re mad at her for accepting Tekena’s behaviour, you’ll understand why.
All in all, I enjoyed this story and would recommend for anyone who isn’t looking for a breezy love story, but one with heavy topics.
Addiction is a sickness!

[Tolulope Soremekun · Rating 4 out of 5]

For once, it wasn’t the female character that had me stressed in one of Adesuwa Nwokedi’s books. Tekena definitely earned multiple imaginary knocks from me. The story felt incredibly real and relatable. While the ending felt a bit rushed and could’ve used more depth, I still found the read enjoyable overall.

[Sonia's Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book to a certain extent. At various points, I felt frustrated, angry, annoyed, and even irritated.

✨ Tekena: Tekena is a playboy and a drug addict who keeps relapsing despite making numerous promises to Ijeoma and his family that he won’t fall back into his old habits. I can’t say I loved Tekena's character because of the stress he caused both Ijeoma and me—I also felt every bit of pain that Ijeoma experienced. She is a good woman. When Karibi mentioned that he hoped Ijeoma wouldn’t take Tekena back, I completely agreed with him. However, at the end of the story, I was happy to see that Tekena was able to go through rehab again and make progress. I must credit him for his efforts in becoming clean. Even in the bonus chapter, he impressed me with his achievements. He is also a hopeless romantic, which was evident in the way he treated Ijeoma. His stubbornness, however, largely stems from his addiction issues.

✨ Ijeoma: At first, I found Ijeoma quite frustrating. If I were to rant about her now, I might give away some spoilers. Nevertheless, I fell in love with her. Despite her own baggage and the pain of being dumped at the altar, she took on Tekena’s struggles as if they were her own. I admired her love for Tekena, even in light of his addiction issues. She deserved better than him. She is a strong woman, and I truly admire her strength. ❤️

Overall, this book took me on a journey—a journey of heartbreak, pain, the struggles of addiction, and ultimately, love. I’m happy that love conquered in the end! Ms. Adesuwa O'man Nwokedi, your writing style is fantastic. I love how you deeply explored the issue of addiction, and I learned few lessons from this story. I highly recommend this book.

[Feyi Aina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adesuwa's pen crafts stories that are rich in words, rich in research and so rooted in reality that you're almost sure the characters are people that you've met somewhere on the surface of this earth. So it is with Any Love.

Any Love tells the story of Tekena, a guy whose refusal to be real with himself is the centerpoint of his own undoing. At some point in time I joined his family in asking him to empty the pockets of his soul, just so we could get to the root cause of why he self sabotages.

His lady love, Ijeoma, "Ijay" as we fondly call her, has baggage of her own and is smarting from the heartache of being dumped at the altar. She just wants to hide inside a supposed fresh start, so people can forget the past and allow her move on .

As the two most unlikely people to ever fall in love, they get married and have their families wondering how the sun could ever rise west of its normal route and what Ijay could ever be doing with a guy like Tekena. But Tekena knows that Ijay is the only reason why he could ever want a change, or start to change. And Ijay knows -- deep down, that she has fallen for him.

Any Love will have you tearing up, screaming loudly and experiencing that gut wrenching feeling you have in the pit of your stomach when something is going collosally wrong and you know it but you can't stop it. It will have you rooting for Tekena and Ijay as they make a series of choices so wrong it pushes them further apart. And it will have your eyes glued to its pages wondering- so what happens next?

I've said enough, probably too much. Please go and get your copy. I read mine as an advanced reader, and I'm still so deeply moved, I'm reconsidering how to craft my characters.

Very well done,

[Blessing Matthew Bitrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any Love by Adesuwa Oman Nwokedi is a deeply emotional story about two people carrying the weight of their pasts while trying to rebuild their futures.

Tekena, a recovering addict still haunted by his past and desperate for a break, crosses paths with Ijeoma, a woman reeling from a public heartbreak and years of guilt. What begins as an unexpected proposition turns into a marriage of convenience, one built on rules, boundaries, and denial. But as love, lust, and old wounds intertwine, those boundaries blur in ways neither of them saw coming.

Adesuwa’s writing shines through every page, tender, sharp, and achingly honest. She didn't shy away from addiction, shame, or emotional messiness; instead, she writes with a vulnerability that grips you from start to finish.

Any Love is about choices, redemption, and the complicated ways people try to love when life has already broken them. It’s heartbreaking, hopeful, and beautifully written, exactly what I’ve come to expect from Adesuwa.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your typical romance novel. Yes, you'll get the tickles and feels, but it delves into the complexities of a broken character, someone morally grey, seeking redemption. I loved every chapter, with my favorite scene being the car chase.
I strongly advise checking the trigger warnings before diving in.
Highly recommend!

[ELLENA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one book that had me hooked from start to finish. I’ve never read anything quite like it—it felt like being on a journey with no rush, just soaking it all in. I think this is one of my best reads from the author, and I really hope more people get to read it.
It explores addiction, family pressure, love, and so much more.

[Mojola Nwaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. So many ups and downs, it felt so realistic and I felt real emotions for both ijeoma and Tekena. I wanted them to work for did not know how it Wally’s all pan out in the end which is what I love about Adesuwas books. Not completely predictable. Excited for the next one

[Jemimah “Stories and Scribes” · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful

I totally loved reading this book. The theme in addiction a heavy topic indeed. The journey of two souls dealing with self sabotage, the expectations of others and taking charge of your life is woven beautifully in this book.

[Ife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read many books by this author and this is my favourite read! I love how well developed the characters are. The story is very human and very heartwarming.

[Oghale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so emotional to read! Teenage and Ijeoma's love story is so beautiful and flawed!

[Nere Onaiwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addiction!!! Gosh- it sure can mess with you. This was one book that made me wonder if the lead characters would make it.

There were some hilarious parts. Like the fight scene in the hospital.

[Chidera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adesuwa writes so beautifully and her works will always invoke emotions for me. But this time I’m happy it’s the guy pissing me off and not the girl