What do you think?
Rate this book
Ayanfe
Princess Ayanfe is just another pawn in the hands of her father and her brother. Her only duty is to marry the Prince of Irefa, buy the land of Agbo Ode the sea routes and make her father happy. Love has no place where duty is concerned and princesses are for nothing more than marital alliances.
When information reaches her that an accused man might just be innocent, she goes against the laid down laws of their land to investigate the truth. There is the possibility that she might save a life and a greater chance of impressing the captain of her father’s army, Dehinde. Her desire to right this wrong will mean defying the king, upsetting the tribunal council of wise men, and spending time with Dehinde, a man for whom she has developed strong affection. She is determined to find the real culprit and as well hopeful that Dehinde can be persuaded to love her enough to damn all the consequences and save her from an impending marriage.
When information reaches her that an accused man might just be innocent, she goes against the laid down laws of their land to investigate the truth. There is the possibility that she might save a life and a greater chance of impressing the captain of her father’s army, Dehinde. Her desire to right this wrong will mean defying the king, upsetting the tribunal council of wise men, and spending time with Dehinde, a man for whom she has developed strong affection. She is determined to find the real culprit and as well hopeful that Dehinde can be persuaded to love her enough to damn all the consequences and save her from an impending marriage.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2021
6 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 19, 2022
This is one book I was so satisfied with and wished it didn't finish because... I didn't want it t finish.
It's a historical romance set in the past. The era of kings, princesses and warriors. Dehinde is a warrior with everything I love in a romance hero. While Ayanfe a princess that refused to be subjected to the will of her father and the long, aged tradition of Princesses marrying royal bloods.
Now, this story didn't get me squirming because of the princess and Warrior love story alone, but because it was so well written! Every description was vivid. Every voice alive. The main characters were easy to fall in love with and as the two joined forces to fight evil forces and find the truth against all challenges, I fell in love with them more.
Talk about the sexual tension between the two... It was exactly what I needed! So sweet!
There is something beautiful about forbidden romance troop (this book is one) those times the characters long for each other yet couldn't touch... Then they meet in one place and steal some action (you know 😆😆)
In fact. This book has heat.
It has the right conflicts to keep me glued to the story.
The characters are lovable.
The plot worked...
I highly recommend for lovers of Historical romance.
It's a historical romance set in the past. The era of kings, princesses and warriors. Dehinde is a warrior with everything I love in a romance hero. While Ayanfe a princess that refused to be subjected to the will of her father and the long, aged tradition of Princesses marrying royal bloods.
Now, this story didn't get me squirming because of the princess and Warrior love story alone, but because it was so well written! Every description was vivid. Every voice alive. The main characters were easy to fall in love with and as the two joined forces to fight evil forces and find the truth against all challenges, I fell in love with them more.
Talk about the sexual tension between the two... It was exactly what I needed! So sweet!
There is something beautiful about forbidden romance troop (this book is one) those times the characters long for each other yet couldn't touch... Then they meet in one place and steal some action (you know 😆😆)
In fact. This book has heat.
It has the right conflicts to keep me glued to the story.
The characters are lovable.
The plot worked...
I highly recommend for lovers of Historical romance.
August 31, 2023
4.5 stars!
African historical romance at its best! Very well written too!
Give me forbidden love and I’ll perk up with interest, add the rich spoilt princess and common warrior friend of a prince trope, and I’m sold!
This was a stunning read.
Captivating right from the beginning.
The tale follows Ayanfe, a princess who is to have an arranged marriage to a prince with wealth.
She is on a mission to help stop a servant’s father’s execution for a crime he didn’t commit.
Ayanfe needs help to prove the man’s innocence, so she asks her brother’s fiend—warrior/soldier, Dehinde— for his help.
The attraction between them is potent from the outset.
I longed for more scenes of the two of them together.
Because in every scene with Ayanfe and Dehinde, the pages burned with sensual tension.
Loved their fist kiss, the inner struggles of wanting someone you can’t have, the first time the temptation overpowers them… all very good 😊
To be honest, the sub plot was a bit of a drag, although captivating enough to keep me a little interested, I craved more moments with Dehinde and Ayanfe 🫣
Typical romance reader like me 🫣
The ending was so satisfying that I sighed with pleasure!
Loved the epilogue.
This book kept me entertained and I loved it.
Highly recommend for those who like African historical romance with a bit of the who done it genre!
African historical romance at its best! Very well written too!
Give me forbidden love and I’ll perk up with interest, add the rich spoilt princess and common warrior friend of a prince trope, and I’m sold!
This was a stunning read.
Captivating right from the beginning.
The tale follows Ayanfe, a princess who is to have an arranged marriage to a prince with wealth.
She is on a mission to help stop a servant’s father’s execution for a crime he didn’t commit.
Ayanfe needs help to prove the man’s innocence, so she asks her brother’s fiend—warrior/soldier, Dehinde— for his help.
The attraction between them is potent from the outset.
I longed for more scenes of the two of them together.
Because in every scene with Ayanfe and Dehinde, the pages burned with sensual tension.
Loved their fist kiss, the inner struggles of wanting someone you can’t have, the first time the temptation overpowers them… all very good 😊
To be honest, the sub plot was a bit of a drag, although captivating enough to keep me a little interested, I craved more moments with Dehinde and Ayanfe 🫣
Typical romance reader like me 🫣
The ending was so satisfying that I sighed with pleasure!
Loved the epilogue.
This book kept me entertained and I loved it.
Highly recommend for those who like African historical romance with a bit of the who done it genre!
January 7, 2022
Ayanfe is a historical romance that reads like a smooth blend of crime and mystery. It tells the story of Ayanfe, a wilful princess determined to help a wronged warden find justice.
The story begins with the warden’s daughter barging into the princess’s quarters (a punishable crime at the time) asking her to help speak to the king about her father’s innocence and develops into Ayanfe and the captain of the town’s military, Dehinde, coming together to not only solve the crime but discover the kingdom along with the entire royal family were about to be wiped off.
As with historical fiction, reading this felt like watching a movie. The cast, scenery, and language were so prolifically done you would be held in the story.
What tired me were the numerous flashbacks, prolonging of the attraction between Ayanfe and Dehinde, and the repetitions. I might call this a slow burn, but it had action in terms of keeping me eager to discover the killer and the pacing fits for a historical romance.
I recommend lovers of this genre add this to their list.
The story begins with the warden’s daughter barging into the princess’s quarters (a punishable crime at the time) asking her to help speak to the king about her father’s innocence and develops into Ayanfe and the captain of the town’s military, Dehinde, coming together to not only solve the crime but discover the kingdom along with the entire royal family were about to be wiped off.
As with historical fiction, reading this felt like watching a movie. The cast, scenery, and language were so prolifically done you would be held in the story.
What tired me were the numerous flashbacks, prolonging of the attraction between Ayanfe and Dehinde, and the repetitions. I might call this a slow burn, but it had action in terms of keeping me eager to discover the killer and the pacing fits for a historical romance.
I recommend lovers of this genre add this to their list.
September 8, 2022
Wow! That's all I could say after reading this masterpiece. This book took me on a journey. I doff my had for Feyi's penmanship that painted so vivid a story, I felt I was actually within the palace walls with Ayanfe, or riding horseback with Dehinde. And apart from the love story (which was hot hot hot!!!! The chemistry between Ayanfe and Dehinde constantly made my phone emit smoke!), the murder mystery was so intelligently crafted. I love a good whodunnit, most especially one that keeps me guessing. Even though my memory was first taxed with all the names and details I had to remember, I eventually did. And it was so worth it!!!
December 4, 2021
African historical romance at its best. I enjoyed this book. If you like intrigues, a bit of mystery and magic, social status divide, slow burn romance and lots of political tussles, this book is for you.
Feyi did a great job on this. As I read, it felt like I was seeing a movie.
Feyi did a great job on this. As I read, it felt like I was seeing a movie.
June 28, 2025
I honestly can’t bring myself to write one of those average reviews for a book this stunning. Calling it anything less than a masterpiece would be an insult.
This isn’t just a forbidden romance… it’s rich, deeply rooted in Yoruba culture, and yet so incredibly familiar. It pulls at your heart in the most unexpected ways. Honestly, this book deserves a movie adaptation. It’s beautiful, dramatic, heartbreaking, and joyful all at once.
I’m obsessed with Dehinde and Ayanfe. I want them both to myself. Their chemistry, their story, their everything. I love them so much it hurts. Everything about this book, from the pacing to the cultural depth, is beautifully done.
I can’t even say much else. Just read it. Immediately. You won’t regret it.
This isn’t just a forbidden romance… it’s rich, deeply rooted in Yoruba culture, and yet so incredibly familiar. It pulls at your heart in the most unexpected ways. Honestly, this book deserves a movie adaptation. It’s beautiful, dramatic, heartbreaking, and joyful all at once.
I’m obsessed with Dehinde and Ayanfe. I want them both to myself. Their chemistry, their story, their everything. I love them so much it hurts. Everything about this book, from the pacing to the cultural depth, is beautifully done.
I can’t even say much else. Just read it. Immediately. You won’t regret it.
June 1, 2024
Read this book as slowly as I could just so I would not finish it. This is a lovely historical fiction and I'm in loveeeee. Had me in my feelings and I'll be needing some time to recover. I thoroughly enjoyed it especially part 4.
My favorite character is captain Dehinde's father!
My favorite character is captain Dehinde's father!
February 29, 2024
Ayanfe is one book that rocked my world as I read it!
And after reading it, I'm still in my feelings!
Do you know that feeling when you don't plan to fall in love but you end up falling endlessly? That's my Ayanfe story!
This book is wow! I must give the author her flowers! Her mastery in storytelling gave this book a 5star rating for me!
From Dehinde the mighty warrior to Olaori the levelheaded crown prince to the gentle yet strong-willed princess to Alebiosu the best friend everyone needs to the blacksmith the father that needles everything together! Ayanfe the epic book was brought to life! All boxes were checked from romance, to integrity, to family & kinship, to friendship to humour to justice to victory! Ayanfe is truly a page turner!
I definitely didn't go wrong with reading this book and I'm sure you won't either!
While I wait for the book two, make sure to read Ayanfe, I promise you won't regret it!
And after reading it, I'm still in my feelings!
Do you know that feeling when you don't plan to fall in love but you end up falling endlessly? That's my Ayanfe story!
This book is wow! I must give the author her flowers! Her mastery in storytelling gave this book a 5star rating for me!
From Dehinde the mighty warrior to Olaori the levelheaded crown prince to the gentle yet strong-willed princess to Alebiosu the best friend everyone needs to the blacksmith the father that needles everything together! Ayanfe the epic book was brought to life! All boxes were checked from romance, to integrity, to family & kinship, to friendship to humour to justice to victory! Ayanfe is truly a page turner!
I definitely didn't go wrong with reading this book and I'm sure you won't either!
While I wait for the book two, make sure to read Ayanfe, I promise you won't regret it!
February 24, 2024
I read this voluminous book in a matter of days, during a reading slump, and it was totally worth it! I rediscovered my love for reading, savouring the story one chapter at a time. I loved that the chapters were short (for the most part), and this kept me turning the page for more.
Considering this is her first attempt at African Historic Fiction, it was excellent. I also don't usually appreciate this genre, but she hooked me from the get go. The story was so well written, with suspenseful romance, a compelling story of corruption and injustice, and a satisfying resolution at the end.
I can totally see this as a movie. It would be a world-class blockbuster!
Well done, Feyi! I look forward to reading more of your books.
Considering this is her first attempt at African Historic Fiction, it was excellent. I also don't usually appreciate this genre, but she hooked me from the get go. The story was so well written, with suspenseful romance, a compelling story of corruption and injustice, and a satisfying resolution at the end.
I can totally see this as a movie. It would be a world-class blockbuster!
Well done, Feyi! I look forward to reading more of your books.
August 1, 2025
This was a thoroughly enjoyable and impressive read. The longing and simmering tension between FMC Princess Ayanfe and MMC Captain Dehinde, was a constant, compelling undercurrent to their investigation.
What I particularly loved is that their forbidden romance never veered into excessive or emotional gushing. They kept their eyes on the [prize/mission] but their forbidden mutual feelings really elevated the stakes of their shared quest for justice. The mystery itself unfolded at a perfect pace, keeping me completely hooked from start to finish.
What I particularly loved is that their forbidden romance never veered into excessive or emotional gushing. They kept their eyes on the [prize/mission] but their forbidden mutual feelings really elevated the stakes of their shared quest for justice. The mystery itself unfolded at a perfect pace, keeping me completely hooked from start to finish.
July 19, 2022
I enjoyed reading the book. Good dialogue, interesting personalities and an intriguing plot make Ayanfe a rather enjoyable read.
October 20, 2024
It was indeed a very captivating and interesting read. Loved the chemistry between Dehinde and Ayanfe and the message of true love prevailing of the novel.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews