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Shades of Okoye
I sit, clutching last night's letter from the parole board with unsteady hands. The words melt together as tears form. "Early release," "Harlan McCandles," "impending freedom date." Each phrase strikes malevolent thoughts into the depths of me.
He found a way, like he said he would.
"Wouldn't it be nice... to no longer be everyone's cautionary tale by default?"
Married couple Patience and Obinna Okoye had faith in the justice system once. But Ex-convict Harlan McCandles has just been released from prison and they're expecting him to be unshackled. Ravenous. Seeking for his muse of muses. Yet, Patience is ready with a plan... one that may push her marriage to the brink. A desperate strategy born not just from fear but from something far more personal. Especially when it comes to family. The closer she gets, the more the lines begin to blur between the hunter and the hunted. Will Obinna finally fight for the woman who's known to 'want too much?' Loyalties will be tested, secrets unearthed, and survival is not guaranteed in this chilling psychological reckoning. Discover the long-awaited conclusion to For His Muse Only.
He found a way, like he said he would.
"Wouldn't it be nice... to no longer be everyone's cautionary tale by default?"
Married couple Patience and Obinna Okoye had faith in the justice system once. But Ex-convict Harlan McCandles has just been released from prison and they're expecting him to be unshackled. Ravenous. Seeking for his muse of muses. Yet, Patience is ready with a plan... one that may push her marriage to the brink. A desperate strategy born not just from fear but from something far more personal. Especially when it comes to family. The closer she gets, the more the lines begin to blur between the hunter and the hunted. Will Obinna finally fight for the woman who's known to 'want too much?' Loyalties will be tested, secrets unearthed, and survival is not guaranteed in this chilling psychological reckoning. Discover the long-awaited conclusion to For His Muse Only.
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2025
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Ada Afam
3 books29 followersAda Afam is a Nigerian-American author based in Denton, TX, where she lives with her husband and two spirited dogs. Known for her gripping narratives, Ada delves deeply into the complexities of thrillers and dramatic works of fiction. Her work intricately weaves haunting backstories with explorations of identity, resilience, and the shadowed nuances of human desire.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 25, 2025
Once again Patience has plucked my nerves. Throughout the book I felt that I knew exactly what was happening but the twist it took, fooled me. It had me feeling things for people that I never thought I would. The shades of Okoye are deeper than I would have ever imaged. The lengths all characters take to get what they think is their goal not thinking on what this will cost others and themselves in the end. I am glad that we got to continue this journey to see what the next stages in life held for Patience, Obinna and Harlan and it was more than I ever expected.
DIVE IN FOR ALL THE SHADES!
DIVE IN FOR ALL THE SHADES!
July 27, 2025
Harlan is a cancer, a virus that sank in deep to not only Patience but her network of people.
First hats off to the author for taking feedback and adding chapter number to this second book. I also appreciate how she addressed the length of the chapter with scene breaks. It help me with the flow of the book and was one of my critique from the first book. Now on to the story:
Patience was my girl from book one. And I know that's a controversial opinion but as someone who has been there, in a marriage feeling more like roommates than lovers I felt for her. Throughout the beginning of the book I was a little worried about some of the choices she was making but I feel like Harlan did a number on her. She does the best with what she can and where she is at and as a mom I totally get that. Her and Obi started wearing on my patience midway through with their lack of communication and I was worried for them. Communication is key to a healthy relationship and Obi disconnecting the way he did was rage inducing.
I have a new favorite character, sorry Patience! But Nei is the real MVP of this series by showing up time and time again for her friend. Patience may have felt lonely but she was never truly alone because the people that needed to come through for her did in the end. My heart was broken a few times in this book and it made me reflect on my own life and mistakes. I love when literature hits like that and put up a mirror for self-reflection. Mental health is a disability but it does not have to be disabling.
And finally without any spoilers I am so proud of amazing grace ♥
First hats off to the author for taking feedback and adding chapter number to this second book. I also appreciate how she addressed the length of the chapter with scene breaks. It help me with the flow of the book and was one of my critique from the first book. Now on to the story:
Patience was my girl from book one. And I know that's a controversial opinion but as someone who has been there, in a marriage feeling more like roommates than lovers I felt for her. Throughout the beginning of the book I was a little worried about some of the choices she was making but I feel like Harlan did a number on her. She does the best with what she can and where she is at and as a mom I totally get that. Her and Obi started wearing on my patience midway through with their lack of communication and I was worried for them. Communication is key to a healthy relationship and Obi disconnecting the way he did was rage inducing.
I have a new favorite character, sorry Patience! But Nei is the real MVP of this series by showing up time and time again for her friend. Patience may have felt lonely but she was never truly alone because the people that needed to come through for her did in the end. My heart was broken a few times in this book and it made me reflect on my own life and mistakes. I love when literature hits like that and put up a mirror for self-reflection. Mental health is a disability but it does not have to be disabling.
And finally without any spoilers I am so proud of amazing grace ♥
October 1, 2025
Such a great conclusion to this story. I love when a book is unpredictable and the ending leaves you with your mouth open. The twist at the end made this even better although it was already pretty great. I love that this isn’t a fairy tale because the real world is harsh sometimes and marriage is not easy. It takes hard work and you need love to make a marriage work but we are all human and we make mistakes. Mrs. Okoye unfortunately has to pay a pretty hefty price for that mistake. But if there’s love you can survive anything.
November 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Shades of Okoye by Ada Afam
A moving, character-driven story about love, sacrifice, and the choices that define us.
This book hits you right in the feelers in a few parts and just when you think you’ve recovered, it makes you laugh or reflect all over again. Ada Afam delivers a story that’s heartfelt, funny, and thought-provoking all at once. It really makes you question what you would do in certain situations.
Team Obinna still stands! 💪
A beautiful and emotional exploration of love, loyalty, and how far we’re willing to go to protect the ones we love.
Shades of Okoye by Ada Afam
A moving, character-driven story about love, sacrifice, and the choices that define us.
This book hits you right in the feelers in a few parts and just when you think you’ve recovered, it makes you laugh or reflect all over again. Ada Afam delivers a story that’s heartfelt, funny, and thought-provoking all at once. It really makes you question what you would do in certain situations.
Team Obinna still stands! 💪
A beautiful and emotional exploration of love, loyalty, and how far we’re willing to go to protect the ones we love.
July 24, 2025
Amazingly captivating!!
This sequel by Ada Afam to “For His Muse Only” didn’t disappoint I literally couldn’t put the book down and read from beginning to end in a day and a half. This sequel did a further deep dive into the personalities and struggles of the Okoye and Mcandles families. Thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to see what Ada writes next!!!
This sequel by Ada Afam to “For His Muse Only” didn’t disappoint I literally couldn’t put the book down and read from beginning to end in a day and a half. This sequel did a further deep dive into the personalities and struggles of the Okoye and Mcandles families. Thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to see what Ada writes next!!!
August 10, 2025
Book Two Patience > Book One Patience. A thousand percent.
I'm here for a plotting queen!
Love how the sequel is still emotionally gripping.
And how she slowly makes Harlan her bitch.
Obinna both infuriates me and pulls at my heartstrings all at once. He's a logical man... except when it comes to her.
Didn't not expect to shed tears. I cried a river, Ada!
This was my top indie fav!
Exceptionally well written.
I'm here for a plotting queen!
Love how the sequel is still emotionally gripping.
And how she slowly makes Harlan her bitch.
Obinna both infuriates me and pulls at my heartstrings all at once. He's a logical man... except when it comes to her.
Didn't not expect to shed tears. I cried a river, Ada!
This was my top indie fav!
Exceptionally well written.
August 2, 2025
Darker than the first book, that's for sure. Love how it has much more traditional thriller elements!
November 15, 2025
Another great read! What can I say...Just Amazing. You have to get this book. I can honestly say, that this book can become a lifetime movie.
December 5, 2025
This book shines light on love, mental health, and survival. There is so many twist and turns that you think one thing but then the other thing happens. This book keeps you on your toes.
December 5, 2025
a amazing book
November 30, 2025
what a way to end the patience and Harlan storyline. I know people might hate Obinna in this book but if you analyze all that he and patience went through in the last four years that wasn't really handled then yeah it's a lot and someone was bound to break.
November 28, 2025
This book was written so beautifully and I love every second of it Harlan cycle spider man finally got what he deserves. The author did so well about writing patience, Okoye and how Harlan get out of prison affected her mental health and her husband mental health. This is a an amazing story and I would read this every single year.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews