At a young age, Promise is molested by her uncle, and her life is never the same again. She grows up to be promiscuous, using sex to meet basic necessities and luxuries of life. She's intrigued to meet Ope, a Christian man who practices celibacy, and in her attempts to make him fall, she falls in love...
But married life is not all she dreamed it would be. Their chemistry in bed leaves much to be desired, and Promise soon loses the fight against her sexual urges. Convinced that they can never work, she wants to leave, but Ope doesn't believe in divorce. In her struggle for freedom, she discovers the depths of her own wickedness, as she seeks to break the man she once loved fervently.
Broken is a story about broken people who break others, and the divine power of love that conquers all.
The novel "Broken" is a very interesting one. The author made it easy for readers to read by using simple words and sentences. I enjoyed every bit of the novel.
The novel talks about how the pain of past hurts and rules many lives. It simmers, it stifles, and sometimes it shuts a person completely down. However, God heals hurts. He is waiting and ready to touch our deepest pain if we will let Him. In a sense, His healing is another divine exchange, in which we offer to Him our hurt and He offers to us His healing. Psalm 147:3 states, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (or sorrows)".
Broken! This book had me all in my feelings trying to follow Promise's journey. I screamed and I cried about how broken she was but here comes Ope, patient and loving to the end. The story is an humbling reminder of the Love Christ has for us. I enjoyed reading Broken because it's a reminder that no matter how far gone we are, God is willing to bring us back home.
The author took themes rarely written about in books and wrote it thoroughly and carefully that it tugged at my heartstrings. I loved that the story centred on the saving grace and the love of Christ that beautifies even a broken life. I'm happy that Promise and Ope met with God at various points which in turn results in a beautiful love story.
I strongly recommend it to anyone that has been broken and feels there's no way out, this book was so reassuring about the unbroken love of God.
Gosh!!! Broken broke me in ways that are too personal for the internet. But it certainly did a number on me. It pushed me to tears at different times, reminding me again of the parable of the Lost Sheep. Similar to the story of prophet Hosea but gosh, so so personal!
Well done Ufuomaee. You write beautifully. It's my time reading you and I must say how impressed I am! You certainly took us on a short but deep dive into the world of the Broken.
We are in a broken world, we are in one way broken and we break others and it looks normal but it is not. Broken is a book that helps you see the true intentionality about the love of God for us that we are really not deserving and except our broken self we have nothing to offer but he still loves us. When Jesus visited Promise he just proved that perfectly.
_Oh the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God_
_*Oh it chases me down, fights till I’m found*_
I don’t think we got the correct information. I think Ope is the writer of this song because what a love! Talk about unconditional.
A captivating story on how love can mend a broken person.
“We live in a broken world and none of us can heal ourselves. None of us can unbreak what has been broken. And because we are broken, we go on to break others”
Only Jesus can restore our brokenness. Redemption is possible with God
Broken is a captivating novel that explores the profound impact of past hurts on our lives. The author's use of simple, concise language makes for an effortless read. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book.
I found 'Broken' deeply resonant, reminding us that no matter how lost we may feel, God's redemptive love can guide us back home. A truly uplifting read. I’m hooked !
This book is enlightening and eye opening. The journey of Promise and Ope shows no man is too broken for GOD to save. It shows that God specialises in mending the broken hearted. Also, it also tests our faith and asks the question how far can you go for GOD. It also shows how our selfish desires can alter God's plans for our lives. I could go on and on but then you just have you read it for yourself.
I consider the book interesting to read, and the storyline is quite simple to follow. The author also used very simple words and sentences that made it easy to understand the story. I love the plot, and the narration that goes from Promise to Ope and vice versa except at the point where Promise returned from Ibadan to Lagos with ‘Ope’ (Jesus), and the return of the real Ope later in the evening till Promises’ narration in Chapter 12, the twist there didn’t really connect well. It was too simplified, the author did not capture the reactions that are supposed to occur when compared to what could have happened in reality.
The author struggled to draw the line between teaching morals and being sexually graphic. At a point, I didn’t know whether the book was a Christian novel or an erotic novel. The sexual descriptions in the first 2 chapters made the book look too erotic, and can easily put off a reader who is not used to such.
There are also a few editorial errors that hindered smooth reading. I had to go back a few occasions to read a line again to clearly get the image a character was trying to portray. Again, I feel the book lacked a bit of depth in illustration and expression. You want to come out from a book with a few lines that may sound philosophical, but can be used to address peculiar scenarios in reality – I call it, 'take home phrases. '
In all, it is a good read, with a lot of lessons for those struggling with abuse from the past, and accepting genuine love from others.
Promise (or Missy), the main character, suffers a detailed and graphic child abuse from age 9 from her uncle and it breaks her. It’s even more hurtful because he can easily move on with his life, with a wife, and plans to build his own family without even thinking twice about it. He isn’t remorseful and feels no guilt, but Promise is left hurt all over again, and it affects her future, turning her into a sex addict.
The first few pages were way too graphic, without warning, that you decide whether to stop right there or keep reading. I took a few days after reading the prologue, then came back to the book, and good thing I did because it was a nice story.
I like how the story starts, you think it’s just a long narration by Promise, but then, it’s like a therapy session and you suddenly feel there are other people in the room with you when the counselor responds a few pages into the chapter. That was a nice touch.
So many emotions.... anger, disgust, joy, tears, relief...... it goes on and on. Broken is deep! This book reflects God's love. No matter how broken, He can restore. An opening and it was straight on a path of destruction. Atrocities upon atrocities but love! God's love triumphs always. Every step gradually pushed her to God's redeeming love and her peace restored; her healing perfected. The devil destroys but God restores. It's painful to realize that in the world today, this happens especially to innocent boys and girls. Their lives wrecked by those who are supposed to be their pillar of support and solace. Thank you for this touching eye opener, for parents to be watchful and observant of their children and those around them. Ope is truly a believer, steadfast in his belief even when it seemed all hope was lost. A human example of how God loves us even when we turn our back on him. An awesome read!
Wow! I'm speechless. I'm overwhelmed. I'm crying. My heart is overflowing. My mind, blown away.
This was such a beautiful story, heart wrenching at the start, but beautifully beautiful nonetheless. A masterpiece. A must-read.
My repetitive choice of words is probably proof of how much this book hit me.
I loved the author's unique style of telling the Hosea Gomer story from a fresh perspective. And it was Nigerian! Gosh, I'm so so impressed.
And I was blessed. The spiritual value of this powerful book cannot be quantified. I was deeply reminded of God's unending love. I was reminded of how no one is past God's redemptive grace. I think this is one of those books that leave a lasting impression. Ope and
I am really grateful to God for the author's life and how God has blessed her with this gift of writing to be a succour to many lives. More grace to your hands, ma'am.
This book is truly a masterpiece! It reminds me of Cory Asbury's song "Reckless Love" — about how God goes above and beyond to redeem us. Promise was indeed broken, but it took God's redeeming love to restore her. Special shoutout to Ope, the devoted and caring husband, who, by God's grace, never gave up on her. One of my favourite themes in the book is forgiveness. I love how it's portrayed and how it unfolds throughout the story. Thank you, Ufuoma, for allowing God to use you as a vessel to share this powerful message.
A beautiful story about unconditional love and redemption!
I wasn’t expecting a story that would remind me that no matter how broken you are God is ever ready to make you whole. Promises story is at times hard to read but a harsh reality of what People face in the world. This story also reminds us that the devil doesn’t play fair so don’t ever think being on his side will be better than the saving grace of God.
I wouldn't say the beginning was exceptional for me but then the end wasn't expected,liked the little twist, it made it all unique. Broken is a beautiful emotional piece,loved the fact that yes God gives us second chances. However I would like if the writer could put more description at the setting, not just the sensitive scenes, I think it would help readers imagine the scene better and make the story line less forward. Thank you for the beautiful story.
Okay.... I must confess, this book is soo amazing.
I read more than half of it in one sitting. I loved how the Author communicated through her characters. They felt so real and passed across strong emotions.
I can see how Promise can be related to us, Christians. Then Ope as God and Tony as Devil.
This is a novel that depicts God's love. I loved every bit of it.
"Broken" is a story of most young girls in Nigeria or Africa as a whole whose past hasn't healed. I am happy that meeting people who can help with your healing process can go a long way. A broken childhood or teenage hood without healing can mess up a bright adulthood and make you think there is no wonderful future. But thank God and bless partners with patience. I will recommend this book for everyone. 🥰
The author, in this book, in a definitely entertaining and captivating way dealt with salient relatable themes. I appreciate that fact that the sanctity of the marital institution is promoted especially in this generation where it seems like divorce is the order of the day . Also the issue of Christian being unequally yoked with unbelievers, how the grass always seem greener at the other side. I recommend for everyone that wants to know or be reminded of the overwhelming love of God.
This book!!! Reading this book for the second time made me realize how deeply broken people can unknowingly hurt others. What I loved most was how, despite everything, Ope and Promise managed to pull through. Ufuomaee’s storytelling is always something to commend. The way she narrates is simply FANTASTIC!
Broken is a story of relentless love and redemption. Touching on difficult issues like sexual abuse and human trafficking, the author painted a picture of God's unconditional love for mankind, despite our depravity, reflected in a man's love for his promiscuous wife.
Broken is a deep book. It portrays God's unconditional love for us despite how far we run for it. The writer did a good job depicting how we stray as sinners and how God is ever ready to welcome us and show us his love.
This book is so beautiful the writing style I absolutely love,the book brought out different emotions in me this book is just wonderfully written and i learnt a lot from broken it is just so sad that people actually go through what promise went through Broken is a book i would recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
When anointing meets with intelligence- that's the description of Ufuomaee's books. The first time I came across her book, I couldn't drop it till I finished it and it was the same while reading "Broken", I read it at a go. Broken is a book that speaks about redemption, I went through a lot of emotions while reading the book from being intrigued to being scared and finally being amazed at how far God can go to rescue a soul from damnation. God bless you ma'am for this book.
PS: May God remove from our way and deliver us from all the "Uncle Bills" and "Tonys"
After reading BROKEN the second time, I realized I only gave it a 5 star rating without dropping a review. This is a beautiful read, this book had me on the edge of my seat. It was a rollercoaster of emotions but I enjoyed it. I’ve read books about redemption but this is totally different, it’s safe to say you’ve cracked the code to writing beautiful redemption stories that one won’t forget in an hurry.
I loved this take on a contemporary Nigerian Hosea and Gomer retelling. It felt real. Ope's pain gave a glimpse of what Hosea could have experienced. And Promise's stubbornness...was on a whole different level.
The persevering love definitely could only have been inspired by God.
How Tony maltreated Promise reminded me of how the devil lures us in with the temporary pleasures of sin, but in reality, he doesn't have your best interests at heart.
It's a good read that shows forth the brokenness of man sexually.