With All Due Respect, My Love

by Precious Osikha

Call me Fay.I’m brilliant, grumpy sometimes, but always in control, even when my life feels like chaos. I built my law firm from scratch, and I definitely don’t have the patience and time for distractions.

I’m Ray. Smart, calm, and sunshine in a suit (or so they say). I just got a job at Fay’s firm, and somehow, I’m about to challenge everything she thought she knew about the law, herself, and maybe even love.

She swore she didn’t need someone like me but when defenses start to falter and hearts are on trial, two questions must be can two opposites find common ground? Can love still find its way in the chaos of everyday life?

This is a swoony legal romance full of witty banter, yearning, and slow-burn chemistry.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2025

About the author

Popularly referred to as the Grandmaster of Storytelling, Precious Osikha (Precious Pen) began writing as a child, with her earliest storytelling memories dating back to age eight. However, her mother insists she actually started at six, and recent proof suggests she might be right. She still keeps her childhood journals and diaries, serving as reminders of her early passion for writing.
Born and raised in Edo State, Nigeria, she is a versatile and innovative writer known for her ability to write across multiple genres, including romance, thriller, fantasy, children's literature, and nonfiction. She is also known for seamlessly blending themes within her works.
Fondly called the Queen of African Thrillers and Twist and Turns, she has a unique storytelling style that often incorporates psychological depth, cultural nuances, and relatable characters.
Her stories explore themes such as cultural diversity, identity, social issues, and social injustice, all wrapped in compelling narratives that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
She is a legal practitioner and the founder of Precious Pen Kreations, Africa's number one writing brand for professionals, celebrities, and leaders across the globe. Through her Kids Writing Academy, she teaches children how to write and publish books, while her School of Writing has helped adults in Nigeria and beyond birth their intellectual properties and published assets.
She also runs one of the fastest-growing global communities; PPK Read and Write Africa (PRAWA), dedicated to helping writers, readers, and talented creatives thrive.
Precious is a K-Creator (K-Influencer and Honorary Reporter) for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, South Korea, and a recognized Creative Writing and Storytelling Tutor at the SEE HER ELEVATE PROJECT, organized by Nigerian singer Simisola Ogunleye (Simi).
Her book White Whispers was shortlisted for the BookHouse Prize in 2020, while Dodo Island and Other Stories was shortlisted for the Akada Children's Book Festival in 2024. She is an award-winning author, screenwriter, book trailer creator, visual/video artist, voice-over artist, and entertainer; a true bundle of talents.

Reviews

[Mabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every character and the emotion they carried. Fay and Ray take their time, but their journey toward trust feels honest and earned. I also loved the poetic style of the writing, which gives the story a soft rhythm and makes their final moment of vulnerability even more touching. And who wouldn't love the supporting characters?

[Chikamso Christabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

With All Due Respect, My Love is a tender and emotionally grounded romance that has the perfect blend of vulnerability, tension, and character growth in a way that keeps you invested from the very first page.

I enjoyed how the author blended different themes into this book and it still did not deviate from romance . Themes like Sickle cell awareness, body positivity, grief, and the way it’s not the regular set in Lagos or Abuja type of story.

The chemistry between the FMC and MMC when they began to get along, the way they had a lot in common, really did it for me.

This book taught me that you never know what one is going through on the inside.

The dialogue was relatable (and just so you know, you’ll learn legal terms while reading this book 🤪). This is the type of book you read at a go because it’s so captivating from start to finish.

The writing style was simple and the way she ended the chapters with a word and started the next chapter with the same word. I’ve never seen such in a book. It was brilliant 👏.

If you enjoy romance that focuses on emotional maturity, accountability, and healing, this book delivers beautifully.

Precious Osikha really proved why she’s called the “Grandmaster of storytelling” for a reason.

A complete 4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ibitamuno Diepiriye · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐ **Review: *With All Due Respect, My Love* by Precious Osikha**

First of all, let me start by saying this before anyone gets excited —
**I liked the book. I really did.**
But calm down, I’m not framing the cover and hanging it in my living room. 😂

We follow **Fay**, a brilliant, grumpy, always-in-control lawyer who built her law firm from scratch. She doesn’t do distractions, emotions, softness, or anything that smells like romance. Basically, she’s the CEO of Mind Your Business Inc.

Then **Ray** arrives — new hire, calm energy, sunshine in a suit, **short king**, and apparently on a personal mission to ruin Fay’s emotional stability with kindness. How dare he.

Their dynamic is slow-burn, witty, and full of “I don’t like you… but also don’t go anywhere.”
Plus-size slightly taller woman + shorter man representation? **We love to see it.** No mockery, no slapstick — just romance. Beautiful.

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❤️ What worked for me

• The chemistry — steady, teasing, satisfying
• Fay’s personality — she’s brilliant *and* flawed in a way that feels real
• Ray challenging her professionally AND emotionally (respectfully chaotic)
• The office/legal backdrop added structure and stakes
• Banter that felt natural, not try-hard

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🤨 What didn’t fully land for me

• Some plot beats felt familiar — I wanted a little more originality in the conflict
• The emotional turning point could have been *messier* (give drama, give fear, give almost-self-sabotage!)
• Ray was a little too perfect sometimes — sir, make one bad decision, I’m begging
• I wanted more consequences when feelings got involved

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🧾 Final thoughts

This is a warm, enjoyable, swoony legal romance with refreshing representation, good pacing, and characters you can root for. It gave what it promised — I just personally wanted *more depth and more emotional chaos* before the payoff. (Yes I love chaos. When it's in my life 🤣)

I’m rating it ** 4 stars**

[Chinaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I even started this book, I asked the author what brand label it belonged to and she told me it was part of the *Holiday Skies Collection*. So from the beginning, I was expecting something warm, cozy, and heart-soothing. And honestly, it delivered exactly that energy for me.

I really enjoyed how the story stayed soft, intentional, and comforting while still exploring real personal battles. Fay came in with her fire and her attitude, and yes, she was a lot at first, but that actually made her interesting to me. Her rough edges made sense once her layers opened up. It wasn’t hostility for vibes. It was her history, her fear, her pressure, her need to be in control. Watching her soften at her own pace felt very true to life.

I also liked that the romance did not rely on loud chaos or dramatic explosions. This book chose emotional gentleness over messy theatrics, and I respected that. The growth in the story was subtle but meaningful, especially for characters who are used to carrying everything inside. Sometimes healing is quiet, and that quiet was beautiful to read.

I didn’t see Ray as “too perfect”. His flaws were not the dramatic kind, but the heavy, silent kind. Responsibility, fear of failure, and the constant pressure to be strong for everyone around him—those are real struggles, even if they don’t show up as loud mistakes. I appreciated him for that.

Overall, the book gave me exactly what the label promised: a warm, cozy, steady romance with heart, representation, soft healing, and characters who felt grounded in their own realities. It is the kind of story you read with calmness, not chaos, and I loved it for that.

A beautiful, comforting read for me.

[Blessing Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is honestly soooo good, like I can’t even read emphasis enough😩

This book took me on a whirlwind journey, emotional and powerful. I loved how this book explores themes of friendship, romance, trauma and healing.

Ray and Fay’s connection was so beautiful, I loved how gentle Ray was with Fay, like he knew how to handle her feelings and her grumpiness, it was so sweet to read, trust me I blushed all through. Two lawyers, finding love and comfort with each other despite all their emotional struggles and personal issues was so satisfying, they held each other so well.

I loved Clara and Fay’s friendship, two different complex characters, building something so real and unique. I loved the way the author explored the awareness on sickness cell, the ignorance of parents, the emotional pain it causes and the forever fear. Everything in this book was done so beautifully, and I couldn’t be more satisfied. The romance? Amazing🥰 The banter between them? Hilarious😂

I highly recommend this book, for the lovers of legal romance that’d leave you blushing and smiling all through.

[Enoma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book, and I want to commend the author for a job well done. Three major things stood out for me among many others. First, the book shed light on the societal pressure placed on both men and women. Second, it handled the issue of sickle cell with care and clarity. Third, it explored the reality of loving a woman who has more than a man in a thoughtful and honest way.
Each time I read from this author, her stories always address real issues in a meaningful way. There is always something unique about her work. I loved the way the words flowed. I loved the uniqueness of the names she used. I also loved the legal world in the story because it gave me a chance to understand and appreciate it. The language was wonderful too. Afenmai is such a beautiful culture and seeing it represented made the story feel even richer. Overall, the book was interesting, beautiful, and deeply satisfying. So beautiful.

[Bookrianaesthetic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just devoured this book in under 12 hours. I was blown away by this captivating legal romance. As a newbie to the genre, I was curious to see how it'd play out, and I was hooked.

The story's unique twist had me swooning, a wealthy female lead? Yes, please.
Fay's sassy attitude had me giggling, especially that 'turn around' moment? Chef's kiss.

And Ray? Ugh, he's the perfect blend of calm, sweet, and deliciously flawed. Loved how he's not portrayed as a perfect man, refreshingly real.

The language, proverbs, and cultural vibes were spot on, transporting me to the heart of Nigeria. Everything about this book is just wow.

First time reading Precious Osikha, and I'm OBSESSED. Can't wait for more.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

With All Due Respect, My Love is a beautiful blend of humor, emotion, culture, and healing. Fay is chaotic and flawed in the most human way, while Ray is gentle, thoughtful, and deeply real. The book touches on trauma, societal pressure on both men and women, sickle cell awareness, grief, family bonds, plus-size confidence, and the Nigerian legal world. The writing is soft but powerful. The romance is slow and meaningful. Everything came together in a warm, unforgettable way. Highly recommended.

[Chika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fay started this book like a hurricane. Loud, stubborn, dramatic, defensive, and honestly exhausting in the funniest way. At first I kept asking myself, “Why is she like this?” but that was exactly what made me keep reading. The author wrote her in a way that feels real. People lash out when they are carrying something heavy, and Fay’s attitude was a shield. Watching her soften gradually was one of the best parts of the story. What started as irritation turned into admiration, and eventually love. Beautiful character development.

[Anastecia Chekwube · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time, they say gives meaning to life. And in Fayowa and Raynald’s story, their truth shines through. It takes time, but everything becomes meaningful when they finally find each other after the toughness, the societal expectations, the challenges, the pain, and the trauma.

Sometimes, all we really need is that one person who can see beyond what we hide inside, someone who understands us and helps us see the light at the end of every trial.

Thank you for this uplifting law romance. It is a gentle reminder that life has purpose when we have the right people in our corner

[IK Osas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book highlighted something we don’t talk about enough: the pressure on men. Ray’s journey showed the silent battles men fight on their own. Financial pressure, responsibility, expectations, and the constant fear of failing the people who rely on them. His struggle was raw and relatable. It reminded me that men also deserve softness, help, and understanding. Very powerful message wrapped inside a romance.

[Tessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fay’s POV shows the burden many women quietly carry. Be strong but not too strong. Be successful but not intimidating. Be soft but not weak. Be everything but don’t complain. The author captured the pressure women feel to keep their lives perfect, even when they are breaking inside. Fay was messy, emotional, brilliant, and overwhelmed. And that honesty made her journey so relatable. Women will see themselves in her.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing that stood out for me in this story is how the author gently and respectfully addressed sickle cell. It was not over-dramatized or used for pity. Instead, it was portrayed with understanding. The emotional weight it carries in families, relationships, and decision-making was captured with empathy. I felt seen, educated, and moved. This alone made the story meaningful for me.

[Dele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say this: the banter in this book is elite. Fay and Ray argue like two people who were destined to fall in love but needed to fight first. The courtroom scene had me laughing. Their back-and-forth is sharp, playful, chaotic, and sweet all at once. The chemistry builds slowly and beautifully. This is the kind of slow-burn tension that keeps you smiling long after you close the book.

[Praise Abraham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so this book is soooooo good. I'm only just about halfway done but WOW!

I didn't expect a legal romance (first time trying this subgenre by the way) to have me this hooked.

Will update my review once I'm done reading.

For now, I think Ray and Fay are the perfect definition of opposites attract, because mehn...

[Grace Ileri · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's something about the way Precious Osikha writes romance. You will keep turning the page till you get to the end. You can feel all the vulnerability and emotions of the characters.The characters are real complex humans you can relate to.
With this author, you can never predict what you'd get. But you are always sure to be served delicious books.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly came for the cover, but I left with a heartfelt story that surprised me in the best way. I loved that the story wasn’t chaotic.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fresh and interesting story. Thanks to the author for throwing light on the societal pressure men faces daily.

[Bolanle Temidayo · Rating 4 out of 5]

From blending legal jargons to exploring legally crafted figures of speech, Precious Osikha did great. Only a brilliant lawyer who is also a skilled writer could do this. Kudos 👏