She Loved Anyway

by Athule Mbekeni

Lulama Jeqe arrives in Johannesburg from a small Eastern Cape village with nothing but her mother’s prayers and dreams bigger than her circumstances. In a city that glitters with promise but cuts without warning, she must navigate heartbreak, betrayal, and the complex journey of becoming a woman who refuses to shrink. Through a series of relationships that teach her hard lessons about love and self-worth, Lulama discovers that love is not always gentle, and that sometimes the greatest act of love is choosing yourself. As she builds a career as a creative strategist, Lulama faces the ultimate test when she meets someone who seems to offer everything she’s ever wanted. But she must decide whether love should require her to abandon the dreams she’s fought to build and the independence she’s learned to treasure. Set against the vibrant backdrop of contemporary South Africa, She Loved Anyway is a powerful exploration of modern African womanhood, the price of ambition, and the courage required to love yourself enough to demand the life you deserve. It’s a story about the women who raise us, the dreams that sustain us, and the radical act of choosing your own path in a world that insists you should be grateful for whatever love you’re offered. Raw, honest, and ultimately triumphant, this debut novel speaks to every woman who has ever had to choose between being chosen and choosing herself.

324 pages, Paperback

Published December 4, 2025

Reviews

[Booksoverbreakfast · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautifully and poetically written book; easy to read, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. The captivating storyline pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages to see where it all leads.

Lulama Jeqe transforms her humble beginnings in the Eastern Cape into something extraordinary, seizing the unique opportunities that only Johannesburg can offer. From being a shy student with great potential to a household name, dominating social media and the creative industry, her walk is not without some serious life lessons.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and journeying alongside Lulama as she searches for herself, navigating love, heartbreak, and a few undeserving men along the way.