Three is a Crowd

by Chinasa Anaele

340 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2026

Reviews

[Riam Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Is a Crowd by Chinasa Anaele is the kind of book that makes you uncomfortable in the best way because every character feels so human and flawed. The emotional tension between the characters was intense from the beginning, and I kept wanting to know how far things would go. I liked that the story didn’t try to make love look simple or clean — it was messy, emotional, and complicated. Some decisions frustrated me badly, but that honestly made the reading experience even more addictive. If you enjoy Nigerian contemporary romance filled with drama, forbidden attraction, and emotional chaos, this is definitely worth picking up.

[Ann Nwuzor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best debut I’ve ever read.
Oh! how I disliked every main character in this book except Cheta’s friends.
Richard was such a manipulative idiot, annoyed me so much but he didn’t deserve what they did to him.
Kasie’s character didn’t really sit well with me, how could you!!!
Cheta, you can’t even convince me that you were the victim even though I felt sorry for her because she went through so much.
The cheating trope stressed me out so much but I enjoyed reading it as much because the writing style was really good and I had a fun time reading it.Just found myself flipping the pages and before I knew it I was almost done not to say the constant ‘ahhs’ I kept on screaming.
I also love how this book emphasized on female friendships and struggles women face in the society.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished Three Is a Crowd by Chinasa Anaele and one thing I can confidently say is: there was NO saint in this story 😭😭😭

Every single person in that triad betrayed somebody at some point. Richard? Messy. Kasie? Also messy. And our sis? Omo. Why not just break up with Richard first before entering another emotional entanglement? I was stressed abeg 😭

What I really liked though was how realistic the consequences felt. People don’t always get neat, clean endings after complicated relationships. Honestly, them leaving the country made sense because if she had stayed back, the sneers from people who only heard half the story would have been brutal. Nigerians can carry gist on their head for years 😭

And Ada?? MVP. Actual lifesaver. I was genuinely scared Cheta would die at some point and my heart could not take it. Thank God she came back because that part had me anxious.

But beyond all the chaos, betrayal, hurt, and confusion, the story still managed to say something beautiful about love. In the end, true and undying love somehow still won. And maybe that’s why I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

Messy characters. Emotional damage. Bad decisions. But such an addictive read.

[doyin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good, I enjoyed it but the main characters annoyed me a lot.

[tomilovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooooooooo sooo goodddd
I loved the tension so much! Will they? Wont they?
Absolutely yum.
The spice was just right. And i still won’t get the lore behind onyinye and richard ending up together

[Ice Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️s
I’ll give this book its 10s because it deserves. I actually love that it’s very easy to breeze through and the writing is very accessible. The characters had so much soul and even villains did not seem like villains. Though over stimulating, it’s such a new experience and I had fun reading this. I absolutely loved it and will recommend.

[Abubakar Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

‎I finished reading this book last night, and I love it!
‎It's different but different good!
‎It's a messy love story but it's endearing to the hearts.
‎
‎Oooh, I love the way Kasiemobi calls, Cheta 'Nwa'.
‎Their love is unconventional; but to me that's the beautiful in it, because like the author said 'Sometimes the right one comes in the wrong way'!
‎
‎If you're looking for a book, that tug at your morals, make you giggle and sigh lovingly, make you wish to hug close your ride or die friends and also in that same breath want to knock some characters heads.
‎Then, Three is a crowd by Chinasa Anaale is the book for you!
‎
‎You need to experience it❤️
The author did a beautiful job in painting the grey part between right & wrong.
I'm expecting more works from her!

[obessivereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my time to read this book cause it’s not a conventional plot AT ALL. I still think the author was bold to choose such a daring plot. I wasn’t expecting such blatant, in-your-face love story but you see, the thing is that it forces you to confront the characters and the decisions each of them made. Who was wrong and who was right? None? All? Subjective. And that’s what I love about it. It’s a great book. Writing wasn’t complicated and that added to its appeal. Each character was gravely flawed and THAT added to their appeal. 5 stars, honestly. Fuckin good book.

[Vee Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even start? First off all, I think most women have a version of Richard in their lives, which is sad, but if you are fortunate to be enticed by a Kasie, HOLD on to him, ladies! I fell in love with Kasie just from the way he made Cheta feel just by staring at her. Oh, I need me a Kasie.

Apart from my love for the characters, I'm really impressed by how the author managed to keep me hooked from the first page till the end. It was such a beautiful read and, yes, I am her number one fan, just so y'all know, and I can't wait to see more of her works. Kudos, baby girl.

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely blind buy, and it's usually not my style to buy from new authors but I saw the reviews on Instagram and decided to give it a try.

I had to give the first few chapters a chance but at Chapter 3? I just couldn't put this book down.

This book is one hell of a rollercoaster. Ha! Cheta was messy as helllllll. And given that the plot is not something I would fw on a normal day, she gave me a serious run for my money.

Author truly ate. Took an immoral character and turned her into someone I was actively rooting for. Mad stuff, truly.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brilliance of this debut lies in its refusal to offer easy exits.

Anaele captures the quiet violence of a life lived by the script, and the chaotic beauty that emerges when a woman finally decides to write her own ending.

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Lolá · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great premise and storytelling but I didn’t get the resolution I wanted.