Confessions of Nairobi Women Book Two

by Joan Thatiah

Genres: African Literature, Short Stories

156 pages, Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Naisinkoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3 Stars

This book is a continuation of the previous book Confessions of Nairobi Women.

While the stories told felt like they had quite the common themes with the stories of the previous books, I enjoyed the authors writing style which felt like it had ebbed and morphed with this book compared with the previous one.

As a woman who has lived in Nairobi majority of her life, I found the stories relatable, sincere and not made up. Women do go through a lot in this Nairobi.

I would definitely recommend this book.

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 2 out of 5]

'I started thinking about killing my husband ten years ago.'

As always, Joan Thatiah knows how to start a good story.

However, much like with Confessions of Nairobi Men, this left me feeling decidedly underwhelmed.

I feel like this author would knock fiction out of the park.

While the short stories have intriguing premises, there's not enough depth to them for the reader to get fully invested, and as always, there's little wiggle room for embellishment when you're relaying someone's story.

[Faith Gathigia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hard time reading this book because of how raw and painful some of the stories were. Men are scary fr😭😂

[Mitchelle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get your box of tissues ready, that's all I'll tell y'all.

[Y_thera ❤️ Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some women are lost in the fire,
Some women are built from it🌸 Joan T.

[Gesare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the first one, this book is raw and deeply emotional. Every story pulls you in and reminds you just how complex, painful, and resilient women’s lives can be. Some confessions left me stunned, others heartbroken, and many filled me with so much empathy for the women behind these stories. It’s an honest mirror of love, trauma, survival, and strength, and I truly hope the women who shared their stories find love, healing, and light 🤍.

[marlene ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure if I should rate this book, considering it’s based on the real experiences of various women. Ultimately, I decided to give it 3 stars. While the stories are important and deeply emotional, the writing felt slightly shallow at times. I wish the book had delved deeper into the women's experiences, as many stories felt incomplete.

Reading this was heartbreaking because it's not fiction—it’s the harsh reality for so many women. Some of the stories even reflect fears I’ve carried myself, which made them hit even harder.

The men featured in these stories infuriated me. How can someone assault a minor, let alone their own daughter, and live with themselves?

It’s exhausting to live in a society where so many men behave so vilely, objectifying women and denying them respect if they don’t meet some impossible standards. And before anyone says, “not all men,” please understand how tiring that phrase has become in the face of these overwhelming realities.

[Joyleen Cheronoh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading this book 2. It was intriguing, each story had scenarios I could relate to. What women go through are mostly triggered by people around us. It has shown past events that happen to women while young contribute to how one would turn out. It is really unfortunate that I may have judged the women I see on some streets negatively. They could have been forced by circumstances and they are also trying to survive. It has also portrayed and felt sad of what men can do to affect the women in their lives. It is quite sad. I salute all the women that have gone through difficulties at life, they are brave, and I hope they keep being themselves till everything works out in their favour.

[Daisy Gathoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories were touching, inspiring, but some of them were just too short, they could suffice content for a full abook also I was not surprised by any of the stories, I guess being a Nairobian woman I felt I related to some of the stories either through experience, surroundings, environment, the news etc. No negative review on my end because they're true stories. Good job telling them

[Caren Kanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tears were shed!
These stories quite literally tore my heart out of my chest.
Like how can these horrible stories be true. What a cruel world we live in

[Renee Njagi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this immediately after completing Confessions of Nairobi Women Book one.The book was underwhelming since i felt like the story or the narrative was repetitive. It didn't leave me reflecting as much as the first book did but the stories were still quite impactful and emotionally triggering.
"Hate isn't a strong enough word" and "No wonder I want it all the darn time" were the stories that carried the day for me. That level of cruelty and pain caused by the same people who were meant to protect them is simply unfathomable to me. Makes me wonder how these people were able to exist in their own skin after doing such despicable things to their own children. Some of these individuals must have been really broken to get to a point where they were sexually violating and brutally abusing their own kids.
I should have spaced Book 1 and 2, maybe, I would have the enjoyed Confession of Nairobi women Book 2 more.

[Mercy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Book 1 was a mirror to struggle, Book 2 felt like a slow, heavy exhale — still painful, but somehow more introspective. The stories here carry the same weight, but there’s also growth, reckoning, and in some cases, quiet redemption.

I felt the emotional tone deepen — the characters seemed more aware of their choices, more reflective about what life has turned them into. There’s still betrayal, exploitation, and survival, but there’s also a tender search for meaning: a sense of “How did I get here, and how do I move forward?”

What stood out most in this volume is the complexity — the reminder that no story is ever just one thing. These women are flawed, fierce, loving, and lost all at once. Their strength doesn’t always look pretty, but it’s real.

Together, both books left me sitting quietly for a while — thinking about Nairobi itself, how it holds so many untold stories just like these. The kind that haunt you a little, because they could easily belong to someone you know.

[Shiru Ndichu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have binge-read this book in a day. I would say my heart is really heavy reading these stories, knowing that they are not fiction but people’s lived - through experiences. I am born and raised in Nairobi and reading this book made me realise how blessed I am to come from a loving home. It has made me realise what a blessing I have to have loving and supportive parents. It felt like I have been living in a different Nairobi from the one I was reading in these stories. These stories have made me realise how important it is to be empathetic to others, people have lived through rough experiences and are just trying to make it through a day at a time. It has made me not be judgemental of people and to be kind. Oh man, what a read!

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books!

[Samuel Chege · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book II of the Confessions of Nairobi Women felt a slight dip. The confessions had one or two theme, domestic and/or marital violence and alcohol/substance abuse. And in most cases, the victims went from worse to worst. The initial confessions felt rushed and would flip the last page of the story severally wondering, 'is that it?' Joan explained that Book I was too triggering and that she set the emotions aside. Well, Book I was great, memorable even. I liked the adrenaline rush in it. It set the bar up there. Honorable mentions, 'The Downward Dog' and 'She Hated Being a Mother' were my favourite.

[Tesha Magira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, enjoyable read—it took me just two hours! I appreciated the inclusion of a story touching on mental health, especially how genetics can play a role. I found most of the stories lighter compared to Confessions of Nairobi Men and Confessions of Nairobi Women: Book 1 Idk if it's cause it actually is lighter or maybe I had expectations which were met.

One story stood out to me The downward dog —it reminded me of Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad. It’s eye-opening (and unfortunate) to realize that such situations actually happen in real life. Overall, it’s a good read, and I’d recommend it!

[Njeri Kinuthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is straightforward to read, even for someone who usually struggles to finish books like myself. However, the stories within are truly devastating, heart-wrenching, and challenging to digest. Some narratives made me gasp, evoking profound empathy for the women depicted. It's unsettling to realize the deep traumas people carry, and I wonder if some will ever fully recover. These stories were true confessions, reminiscent of scenes we witness in movies. Whew!

[Caroline Njung’e · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good read on women who have gone through such traumatic experiences and the painful decisions they have had to make to overcome their own trauma. It breaks my heart because it does not matter the background these women came from they all had dreams but a turn of circumstances changed those dreams.
In reality every woman has a story to tell these were just a few of true factual stories told.

[Collins Hinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life – a journey where we start with elaborate plans, picturing a future that unfolds just as vividly as we imagine. But as we grow older, we realize life isn’t as black and white as we were led to believe. Circumstances shift, and we encounter both good and bad moments that force us to adapt. Along the way, we’re faced with decisions we never anticipated. Having read the stories of these women, I can only sympathize with the challenges they faced and the choices they had to make.

[Bellz · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading the 1st women confessions and the male one, I was a little underwhelmed by this sequel. The first two books are extremely memorable. The stories are still impactful but they did not have the oomph and punch like the first one. Some stories felt rushed without context, nevertheless, it is a good read and an easy one.

[Hope Dorah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life experiences shared by these brave women were hard to read ... but as mentioned by the author Joan, healing from trauma, shame, and or wreckless decisions begins with sharing. The stories
enhanced my empathy towards strangers and gave me a deeper level of gratitude for my life (particularly the blessing that is my lovely mother). Thanks Joan x.

[Wendy Kagwima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of the confessions was so so so triggering. I cried on some stories. It's so sad that we are all really going through things in this Nairobi behind the smiles, behind the beautiful dresses we wear. Very unfortunate for some of the women who shared their stories. Oh, life!

[Susan Amu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike book one I found the stories in this book better but nothing like the men’s confessions. The stories in this book were very triggering and I am now left thinking about the childhood traumas that we all carry around with us.

[Ivy Mukabwa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is it just me or was half these story from this book were borrowed from the first one? I feel like the author tweaked a few stories especially towards the end! Between the 3 confession books, I think ‘confessions of Nairobi men’ is the only one that lived upto the hype

[Wamuyu Mathenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ended up buying book 2 barely 24 hours after getting book one. Such great story telling - Joan really makes the stories come alive for the reader. The stories are gut wrenching & and a constant reminder that everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's similar to book 1 in so many ways, but the themes on this one were heavier, I was balancing tears. Truth is, there's a lot you can take from these women's stories. One thing for sure is that you can be lost in a fire or be built from.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

An engrossing read much like the 1st book but the themes were a little repetitive. At some point, it felt like I was rereading the same stories with different personas. Nonetheless, this was a captivating, easy read.

[Patty Mbua · Rating 5 out of 5]

The women stories are so heavy! I'm not sure if it's cause I'm a woman too, but yoh! May God help every one of these women. The books are great as always! Joan did great with these books. I am done with the whole series. I'm looking forward to a new book! 🥳

[Veronicah Ngaru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very emotional heeh! enjoyed all the stories, what you haven't resolved in your life can become an obstacle in the work that you put in. I hope they get to heal someday.

[Eelyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was left wondering why there were no positive confessions. Stories of the women who also had triumphed but were operating incognito.

[Liz Mbithe · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories 😔😔😔