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The Cracked Screen
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 2, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
The Cracked Screen by Idolor Olomukoro tells the story of Esohe, a young divorced mother of one working as an advertising and marketing executive at a women’s magazine. Years after her divorce, Esohe decides this is finally the year she opens her heart to a new relationship.
The first suitor we meet is IK, her child’s friend’s uncle. However, she simply can’t get past the cracked screen on his phone when he hands it over for her to type in her number, and she also holds deep reservations about the possibility of him being an Igbo man. At this point, it's worth stating that Esohe does come off as tribalistic here. Yet, I understand where her hesitation stems from: if you’re Nigerian and have lived here all your life, you know how tribes are often wary of one another based on generational stories. The antennae naturally go up, especially in romantic contexts. It’s a systemic Nigerian issue, one where the tone may have shifted over time, but the underlying bias is far from obsolete.
Her next suitor is Eddie, who checks all of Esohe’s boxes. Just as she begins to settle into this new romance, her ex-husband resurfaces out of nowhere, demanding back the family he once abandoned.
The novel beautifully showcases the village Esohe has built around herself, particularly her friends, Jennifer and Alero, whose blunt, candid takes on her love life serve as a grounding, highly relatable sounding board. Then there is her mother, who steps in to help raise her child. Professionally, Esohe is a clear high-flyer; however, when it comes to matters of the heart, she remains a reluctant protagonist right down to the very end. While she expresses a desire for her relationship with Eddie, you can still feel her holding back which is entirely understandable for a woman who has been deeply hurt and is desperate to avoid a repeat performance.
Now, the gorgeous cover might have you expecting a story about online dating. Complete with the image of a cracked phone screen, UI elements reminiscent of dating apps, and taglines like "A digital age romance story" and "Swipe right for drama, left for love," however, that isn't the case at all. Esohe meets all her love interests in person at physical events, never virtually. While I recognize the cover design might reflect the author’s attempt to hook a specific market, as a reader, that was my immediate first thought upon seeing it.
Another compelling element is how the narrative shifts focus away from pure sexual chemistry between Esohe and Eddie, choosing instead to highlight an intimacy that transcends the physical, one rooted in emotional connection and how their lives naturally weave together. Honestly, given the direction of the story, I didn't miss the explicit physical aspect at all and would still comfortably call this a romance.
Beyond the romance, the book touches on family, career, and mental health, but what I appreciated most was its realistic depiction of life after divorce for a woman. It captures the weight of navigating new love while prioritizing a child's safety and well-being above all else. A really thoughtful read!
The Cracked Screen by Idolor Olomukoro tells the story of Esohe, a young divorced mother of one working as an advertising and marketing executive at a women’s magazine. Years after her divorce, Esohe decides this is finally the year she opens her heart to a new relationship.
The first suitor we meet is IK, her child’s friend’s uncle. However, she simply can’t get past the cracked screen on his phone when he hands it over for her to type in her number, and she also holds deep reservations about the possibility of him being an Igbo man. At this point, it's worth stating that Esohe does come off as tribalistic here. Yet, I understand where her hesitation stems from: if you’re Nigerian and have lived here all your life, you know how tribes are often wary of one another based on generational stories. The antennae naturally go up, especially in romantic contexts. It’s a systemic Nigerian issue, one where the tone may have shifted over time, but the underlying bias is far from obsolete.
Her next suitor is Eddie, who checks all of Esohe’s boxes. Just as she begins to settle into this new romance, her ex-husband resurfaces out of nowhere, demanding back the family he once abandoned.
The novel beautifully showcases the village Esohe has built around herself, particularly her friends, Jennifer and Alero, whose blunt, candid takes on her love life serve as a grounding, highly relatable sounding board. Then there is her mother, who steps in to help raise her child. Professionally, Esohe is a clear high-flyer; however, when it comes to matters of the heart, she remains a reluctant protagonist right down to the very end. While she expresses a desire for her relationship with Eddie, you can still feel her holding back which is entirely understandable for a woman who has been deeply hurt and is desperate to avoid a repeat performance.
Now, the gorgeous cover might have you expecting a story about online dating. Complete with the image of a cracked phone screen, UI elements reminiscent of dating apps, and taglines like "A digital age romance story" and "Swipe right for drama, left for love," however, that isn't the case at all. Esohe meets all her love interests in person at physical events, never virtually. While I recognize the cover design might reflect the author’s attempt to hook a specific market, as a reader, that was my immediate first thought upon seeing it.
Another compelling element is how the narrative shifts focus away from pure sexual chemistry between Esohe and Eddie, choosing instead to highlight an intimacy that transcends the physical, one rooted in emotional connection and how their lives naturally weave together. Honestly, given the direction of the story, I didn't miss the explicit physical aspect at all and would still comfortably call this a romance.
Beyond the romance, the book touches on family, career, and mental health, but what I appreciated most was its realistic depiction of life after divorce for a woman. It captures the weight of navigating new love while prioritizing a child's safety and well-being above all else. A really thoughtful read!
February 26, 2026
When I first saw this book cover, I was wowed. I realized it’s a pretty cover with a beautiful story.
I loved reading this book🌚💕
It’s just a cute, causal, sweet read with a little drama 😊
I loved reading this book🌚💕
It’s just a cute, causal, sweet read with a little drama 😊
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews