Sinful Pleasures

by Tonia Obiajulum Okonji

Before the Secrets. Before the Distance. Before Everything Fell Apart…



Daniella Onuoha knows her parents are hiding something. The last thing she wants is to be sent away in the middle of their cold war; especially at Christmas.



Thrown into the overwhelming heat and chaos of Lagos, Daniella feels out of place and longing for home. Then there’s Demola; sharp-tongued, infuriating, and impossible to ignore. He pushes all her buttons and makes her blood boil, but somehow, he also sparks something deeper inside her.



She hates his smart mouth and sarcastic jokes. Yet, the more she tries to resist, the more drawn she becomes. Because sometimes, the thinnest line between love and hate is all it takes to set a heart on fire.



But holiday flings rarely survive real life. And when reality comes knocking, so do choices that will haunt them for years to come.



Set seven years before their second-chance reunion, this prequel is a steamy, slow-burning, emotional journey into first love, heartbreak, and the complicated truths we carry into adulthood.

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2025

Reviews

[Ninna Orji · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is worth every minute of your time. you'd not even want to put it down till your done
excellent storyline. I love love eettttt♥️♥️♥️

[Tracy Cress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book… couldn’t put it down 🥵

[Estar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinful Pleasures was such a pleasant surprise. It was beautifully written, emotionally honest, and completely absorbing from start to finish.

What I loved most was the simplicity of the storytelling. The writing is clean, but it still hits hard. It’s short, yes, but not in a rushed or underdeveloped way. It’s short because it knows exactly what it wants to say, and it says it well. Every chapter moved the story forward. Every scene felt intentional. Not a single page felt wasted.

The romance was nice to read; whirlwind, passionate, chaotic in the best way. I was completely caught up in the thrill of first love. The sneaking around, the risks, and the heart pounding moments that feel like the world might end if one thing goes wrong. The chemistry was so good, but what really got me was the emotional core beneath it all.

Beyond the romance, the story also touches on family drama, expectations, and heartbreak. It’s layered, but never heavy handed. And everything just flows… from the plotting to the dialogue to the character dynamics.

Then came the ending… and yeah, I almost threw my phone. I was not ready. I almost arrested the author in my mind, lol. But knowing there’s a book 2 coming gives me hope and I’ll definitely be looking forward to it.

If you love fast paced romance that’s packed with emotion, tension, and characters who feel real, definitely give this a try.

[Nwankwo Mercy Oluomachukwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 solid stars

I absolutely loved reading Sinful Pleasures! From the first page, Tonia Obiajulum’s beautiful writing style drew me in, it is effortlessly addictive.

Let’s talk about Demola. Whew! That man is sexy, cocky, annoying... and absolutely irresistible. 😩🔥 I didn’t like that he left Daniella in such a vulnerable moment near the end (not me almost throwing my phone 😭), but somehow, he still owns my heart. I get it, Demola. I really do.

The romance started off feeling like pure tension and lust, just sex with no strings but slowly evolved into something deeper, something more emotional 🥺 And when that passion hit? I was hooked.



If you love steamy Nigerian romance stories with enemies-to-lovers tension, unforgettable characters, and writing that slaps, then this is your next read. Trust me.

📚 Can’t wait to dive into Forbidden Pleasures next!

[Aadoraah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinful Pleasures is a scorching, slow-burn coming-of-age romance that perfectly captures the ache, thrill, and recklessness of first love. Daniella and Demola’s dynamic is equal parts chaotic and magnetic—tension-filled banter, stolen moments, and emotional landmines that hit way too close to home.

Tonia Obiajulum Okonji writes with emotional depth, wit, and a spice level that sneaks up and wrecks you. If you love enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and complicated boys with soft centers, this one’s for you.

🔥 Steamy. Sharp. Addictive.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Jenyreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
“Short, sizzling, and refreshingly Nigerian — I devoured this in one sitting!”

Sinful Pleasures is the kind of story that grabs you from the first page with its sharp dialogue, instant chemistry, and a female lead who owns her voice. Daniella was everything — bold, witty, and so confidently Nigerian. She didn’t just carry the story; she commanded it.

Diemola? He tried to act emotionally unavailable, but his heart didn’t get the memo 😏 Watching him slowly unravel was one of my favorite parts. Their banter felt natural, and their chemistry was fire.

I loved how unapologetically Nigerian the setting and language were — it made everything more alive and relatable.

The only reason I’m giving this 4.5 instead of 5 is because I wanted more. Just a few extra chapters to fully explore the emotional shift would’ve made it perfect.

Still, this was a fantastic novella — fast-paced, flirty, full of spice and heart. Definitely a win for lovers of bold love stories.

[Ndigwe Ifunanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, it was something I don't usually find in other books, this natural and relatable theme, Tonia's enemies to lovers plot was superb. I can't wait to read the sequel cause I'm busting with curiosity, y'all should really read this book, you'd love it, I don't want to add any spoilers so yeah. Kudos to Tonia Okonju🔥🔥

[caesura the book girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve not read something spicy and steamy as this in a while
It’s worth every single minute spent on it,I don’t want to be a spoiler coz experiencing it yourself is just the best❤️🤭⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[IJ O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please don't ever stop writing...