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Where We End & Begin
"Star-crossed lovers get a second chance at romance when they're reunited at a wedding in Nigeria, in a heartfelt novel from the acclaimed author of The Sweetest Remedy. Dunni hasn't seen her high school boyfriend, Obinna, since she left Nigeria to attend college in America. Before their devastating separation, they vowed to find their way back to each other one day. Twelve years later, and their vow is a thing of the past. Dunni works as a geneticist in Seattle and is engaged to a man she doesn't love but one her parents approve of. Her future is laid out for her, and everything is going according to plan until she returns to Nigeria for a friend's wedding and runs into Obinna. The shy, awkward boy she loved as a teenager is now a sophisticated, confident man. Things have changed, but there's still an undeniable connection between them. As they rediscover each other, their days filled with desire and passion, Dunni is reminded of the beautiful future she once planned with Obinna. But when devastating secrets are revealed and the reckless actions of their past bring new challenges, she's left questioning everything, including if the love that consumed her as a teenager is still worth holding on to"--
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2022
113 people are currently reading
14644 people want to read
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August 18, 2022I wrote it, and I think it’s spectacular ;)
July 22, 2022
Wow! I’m crying my eyes out! This angsty, heart wrenching, beautiful story touched me more than I expected! Such a poignant second chances love story moving back and forth to help us realize what struggles Obinna and Dunni went through and how their characters evolved! Keep your napkins close, you’re gonna need them!
An impossible love story because of class of differences and family intervention! At age of 17: Obinna and Dunni deeply in love, bold enough to fight against any obstacles but Dunni’s family thinks otherwise. They decide to send Dunni to the states for education and prevent her to have a slightest chance of happiness with Obinna. But lovers are adamant enough not to let Dunni’s parents come between them. They make plans to have a new life in the states. Obinna will arrive later to live with her. But as soon as Dunni starts her new life in Seattle, she gets ghosted by him. Betrayed and sad Dunni reluctantly moves on her life.
12 years later we see Dunni become a successful geneticist in Seattle,engaged with a man she doesn’t love but one her family approves of! Her life is already mapped out!
But when she flies to Nigeria to attend her friend’s wedding, she encounters with Obinna. Their old flame eventually rekindles. But there are so many secrets and lies around them. When the truth comes out, once again their chance to be together will be threatened!
This is intimate, angsty, heartfelt love story! I think this one is my favorite work of the author! I wish she didn’t make me sob so hard!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
An impossible love story because of class of differences and family intervention! At age of 17: Obinna and Dunni deeply in love, bold enough to fight against any obstacles but Dunni’s family thinks otherwise. They decide to send Dunni to the states for education and prevent her to have a slightest chance of happiness with Obinna. But lovers are adamant enough not to let Dunni’s parents come between them. They make plans to have a new life in the states. Obinna will arrive later to live with her. But as soon as Dunni starts her new life in Seattle, she gets ghosted by him. Betrayed and sad Dunni reluctantly moves on her life.
12 years later we see Dunni become a successful geneticist in Seattle,engaged with a man she doesn’t love but one her family approves of! Her life is already mapped out!
But when she flies to Nigeria to attend her friend’s wedding, she encounters with Obinna. Their old flame eventually rekindles. But there are so many secrets and lies around them. When the truth comes out, once again their chance to be together will be threatened!
This is intimate, angsty, heartfelt love story! I think this one is my favorite work of the author! I wish she didn’t make me sob so hard!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
November 18, 2022
1.5⭐️
Where we end and begin….well, I should have ended immediately when I began this book.
Me to my reflection: you really put yourself through this huh?
The last book I read by Jane Igharo
The Sweetest Remedy was good but I found the writing to be really cringy. It’s sad that I saw this trait again but this time raised to the power 5. I might not have any intentions to read future books because I’m really scared this might be a running theme. I literally had to pause here and there because I had to truly process that indeed certain scenes occurred. There were parts that were truly not funny yet I found myself laughing.
Dunni and Obinna had no chemistry but it was giving extreme insta love. When they do reconnect after years apart, there is not enough tension, but just a quick reconnection and senseless conversations. I was really triggered by some things they did because they *loved* each other.
Throughout the book, we get some things that are supposed to be twists and although I wasn’t expecting them, I found that I didn’t really care for them. They weren’t enough to revive the story.
I guess the only redeeming quality for me would be showing how class differences can affect relationships.
Honestly, some people will eat this shit up. If you are one of those I’m sincerely happy for you! I had the extra 0.5 stars because I felt bad, but I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Where we end and begin….well, I should have ended immediately when I began this book.
Me to my reflection: you really put yourself through this huh?
The last book I read by Jane Igharo
The Sweetest Remedy was good but I found the writing to be really cringy. It’s sad that I saw this trait again but this time raised to the power 5. I might not have any intentions to read future books because I’m really scared this might be a running theme. I literally had to pause here and there because I had to truly process that indeed certain scenes occurred. There were parts that were truly not funny yet I found myself laughing. Dunni and Obinna had no chemistry but it was giving extreme insta love. When they do reconnect after years apart, there is not enough tension, but just a quick reconnection and senseless conversations. I was really triggered by some things they did because they *loved* each other.
Throughout the book, we get some things that are supposed to be twists and although I wasn’t expecting them, I found that I didn’t really care for them. They weren’t enough to revive the story.
I guess the only redeeming quality for me would be showing how class differences can affect relationships.
Honestly, some people will eat this shit up. If you are one of those I’m sincerely happy for you! I had the extra 0.5 stars because I felt bad, but I wouldn’t recommend this one.
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October 24, 2022Second chance romance as a pair of high school lovers (she from a rich family, he a street hawker on a scholarship) are reunited after twelve years.
It alternates 'now' chapters (they meet by chance at a wedding and start to rekindle their relationship, although she's engaged to another man) with 'then' chapters telling us about their falling in love and being separated by their families. There's a lot of 'then', taking us to approx 2/3 of the way through the book.
The problem for me was, that's a lot of '17yos in love' and when they reunite after 12 years, they kind of still felt like 17yos in love. It's very easy to believe they fall for each other at first sight all over again, but because so much page time is given to them being, basically, teens, we don't really get the sense I needed of a dependable adult relationship developing--so the love affair felt wildly emotional, but not really very grounded. Which is fine if you like a wildly emotional love affair, but didn't quite work for me because
If you like high-drama romance with Plot Twists and passionate unreasoning love and dramatic families and soapiness, this will absolutely ring your bell. It didn't quite work for me, but I'm in a very low angst/drama reading place at the moment (and I was still compelled to finish it, so there you go.) Wonderfully depicted Nigerian setting, with some fabulous food and lovely use of dialogue, also very good cover.
It alternates 'now' chapters (they meet by chance at a wedding and start to rekindle their relationship, although she's engaged to another man) with 'then' chapters telling us about their falling in love and being separated by their families. There's a lot of 'then', taking us to approx 2/3 of the way through the book.
The problem for me was, that's a lot of '17yos in love' and when they reunite after 12 years, they kind of still felt like 17yos in love. It's very easy to believe they fall for each other at first sight all over again, but because so much page time is given to them being, basically, teens, we don't really get the sense I needed of a dependable adult relationship developing--so the love affair felt wildly emotional, but not really very grounded. Which is fine if you like a wildly emotional love affair, but didn't quite work for me because
If you like high-drama romance with Plot Twists and passionate unreasoning love and dramatic families and soapiness, this will absolutely ring your bell. It didn't quite work for me, but I'm in a very low angst/drama reading place at the moment (and I was still compelled to finish it, so there you go.) Wonderfully depicted Nigerian setting, with some fabulous food and lovely use of dialogue, also very good cover.
August 12, 2023
Where We End & Begin is sweet beautiful story. Yes the writing is bit choppy but I enjoyed reading the book. Both Obbi and Dunni are romantic. Their journey for HEA has many obstacle.
Miss Igharo certainly has a talent to write. It just sad that she did not bring up the Nigeria culture front and center. There are many twist and surprises on the story. I wish to uave more drama.
4 stars
Miss Igharo certainly has a talent to write. It just sad that she did not bring up the Nigeria culture front and center. There are many twist and surprises on the story. I wish to uave more drama.
4 stars
September 23, 2022
This was my first reading experience with Jane Igharo's books, and it was a phenomenal first. Igharo's writing moved me a great deal. There was so much heartache but also resilience in her characters, and Igharo's decision to slowly, almost cautiously, reveal all of her characters' hidden depths has me considering a re-read right away now that I know everything. Once all the secrets and history are uncovered, these characters and their actions take on new meaning. This story has two parts, the first featuring then and now alternating timelines as the main characters: Obinna and Dunni's relationship is delicately developed while simultaneously leaving the reader to wonder what all went wrong. The second part moves forward in the present, allowing the reader to join Obinna and Dunni on their emotionally complicated journey while pieces of the puzzle begin to be revealed. I am always excited when I find writing that I connect with so much. This is Jane Igharo's 3rd book so please excuse me while I go catch up. Thank you to the publisher for sending me a finished copy to review. This generosity did not impact my rating or opinions whatsoever.
July 28, 2022
Review coming soon.
December 6, 2022
Wow this was all over the place. It was hard for my heart to feel any kind of pain for these characters because they were so contradicting. Just wasn’t what I thought it could have been.
September 29, 2022
4.5 ★
“𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦… 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮—𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘏𝘰𝘸? 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦. 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰. 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮?”
full review coming, but i just love that quote :’)
“𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦… 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮—𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘏𝘰𝘸? 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦. 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰. 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮?”
full review coming, but i just love that quote :’)
November 19, 2022
as soon as i saw "second chance romance by Jane Igharo," i knew it'd be 5 stars. i've read all her books so far, and it's safe to say she writes flawed characters so well. her romance novels are always more than just romance novels. i get so invested in Igharo's characters and the situations they get themselves into, and everything is so realistic and fleshed out. i love how she incorporates Nigerian language and culture throughout her books, and this one was no exception. this was so difficult to put down; i can't wait to see what she releases next!
December 9, 2023
Buckle Up!
It started off great, it really did. Until I realized all of this happened over the span of what ?? 2-3 weeks? Halfway through the book I started we agreeing with Dunni’s mother. These people should not be together. As soon as he arrived at your door you almost lost the one things that means the most to you…shouldn’t that sign be greater than whatever oath y’all took?
Let me preface by the author is an amazing writer- the words she used, the detailed descriptions…amazing. But the plot felt like 3 seasons of a soap opera.
Christoper you deserve better - I would’ve married you. Obviously the better choice😭 Him flying to Nigeria on a whim? Only to stay for like 1-2 days?? Money de ooo
Obinna disconnected the phone and deleted the email account…this man ghosted you for 12 years💀
There’s a difference between losing contact and a man ghosting you for a decade. How did he expect to find you? He really believed that y’all would just find each other eventually? It didn’t occur to him that you could’ve been dead between that 12 years? He never sought you out? And you’re ok with his excuses and explanations? Ok
Every chapter was a fight. My sister are you not tired?!?!
I just couldn’t connect with their love because it felt rushed and not fully developed.
It started off great, it really did. Until I realized all of this happened over the span of what ?? 2-3 weeks? Halfway through the book I started we agreeing with Dunni’s mother. These people should not be together. As soon as he arrived at your door you almost lost the one things that means the most to you…shouldn’t that sign be greater than whatever oath y’all took?
Let me preface by the author is an amazing writer- the words she used, the detailed descriptions…amazing. But the plot felt like 3 seasons of a soap opera.
Christoper you deserve better - I would’ve married you. Obviously the better choice😭 Him flying to Nigeria on a whim? Only to stay for like 1-2 days?? Money de ooo
Obinna disconnected the phone and deleted the email account…this man ghosted you for 12 years💀
There’s a difference between losing contact and a man ghosting you for a decade. How did he expect to find you? He really believed that y’all would just find each other eventually? It didn’t occur to him that you could’ve been dead between that 12 years? He never sought you out? And you’re ok with his excuses and explanations? Ok
Every chapter was a fight. My sister are you not tired?!?!
I just couldn’t connect with their love because it felt rushed and not fully developed.
November 8, 2022
considering that The Sweetest Remedy was one of my favorite reads last year I expected so much from this book or at least that I will like it like Ties That Tether bad sadly that wasn't the case...
I don't mind but it certainly depends on how the author deals with it.. but with I have little patience and leniency
maybe an important thing to point out for all of you who are peeking under the spoiler tags is that
better luck next time.. for me..
loved the audio!!
I don't mind but it certainly depends on how the author deals with it.. but with I have little patience and leniency
maybe an important thing to point out for all of you who are peeking under the spoiler tags is that
better luck next time.. for me..
loved the audio!!
July 3, 2022
I love a good second chance romance and this one qualifies for sure. There was so much yearning between Dunni and Obinna, considering there was 12 years between their last time together and finally seeing each other again. Going back and forth between present and past tense works extremely well in these kinds of romances and I love the way the two are woven together because then we get to see how the past impacts the present in a more immediate way. One of the things I love about Jane Igharo's writing is that she writes about Nigerians, and usually sets her books in Nigeria for at least part of the book. That setting is just completely different from what we see in the average book in the US, and the characters and the setting feels so real - it feels clear that the author knows this culture well.
I was really loving the romance and plot for about 80% of the book, but there is a 3rd act plot point that felt a little OTT, and I didn't love that. I really enjoyed the actual romance, and we get a subplot with her mom that I liked but wish it was a bit more developed at the end.
I was really loving the romance and plot for about 80% of the book, but there is a 3rd act plot point that felt a little OTT, and I didn't love that. I really enjoyed the actual romance, and we get a subplot with her mom that I liked but wish it was a bit more developed at the end.
December 5, 2022
Wow! This was intense yet so tender. Back in Nigeria for a wedding, Dunni stumbles into Obinna, the man she shared a whirlwind romance with twelve years ago. And really, whirlwind is putting it lightly.
Told in past and present chapters, their love is all-consuming, sometimes destructive, and complicated by A LOT of familial expectations in both timelines. With Dunni raised within a wealthy, well-known family in Nigeria, my heart ached for Obinna being bombarded with feelings of inadequacy. Dunni once believing they could overcome anything together, I loved seeing their history slowly unfold—fate giving them another chance in the present.
And the twists! I didn't see them coming. This was incredibly angsty, dramatic, and emotional, which was a nice change from my lighthearted reads. Fantastic on audio too!
(heat level: a few open-door scenes, mild to moderate details)
Told in past and present chapters, their love is all-consuming, sometimes destructive, and complicated by A LOT of familial expectations in both timelines. With Dunni raised within a wealthy, well-known family in Nigeria, my heart ached for Obinna being bombarded with feelings of inadequacy. Dunni once believing they could overcome anything together, I loved seeing their history slowly unfold—fate giving them another chance in the present.
And the twists! I didn't see them coming. This was incredibly angsty, dramatic, and emotional, which was a nice change from my lighthearted reads. Fantastic on audio too!
(heat level: a few open-door scenes, mild to moderate details)
September 5, 2025
Recommended: meh
For lots of Nigerian culture, for a class divide romance, for kind of frustrating characters
Thoughts:
Alright, here are my issues with it in a nutshell:
First and foremost, SHE IS ENGAGED FROM THE START. I hate that. I hate that she cheats and is like "oh I feel so guilty but also so in love with this guy that I'm going to do it anyway." I'm not arguing that this isn't a valid story to be told, or one that doesn't or shouldn't happen. I just hated reading about it because I can't root for a cheater. She was doomed for me from the start.
The conflict is frustrating because it's just both characters being stupid. They each repeatedly talk about how they love each other to a crazy obsessive amount and NEED to be together. They also talk about the barriers they feel keep them from that. But the barriers they name are never explained well by either of them to the other, and it takes until the last chapters for Obinna to finally get his head out of his ass and say "Alright I'll tell you the truth!" Like bro, why the fuck weren't you ALREADY DOING THAT? Dunni isn't much better, but that was an easy example.
This is told in dual timeline narratives with Obinna primarily narrating their youth, and Dunni primarily narrating their current adult selves. The younger versions seem like totally different people, which IS addressed and in some ways is the point, but it just felt too extreme to me. It was hard for me to believe that this girl became this woman even with everything she went through.
I don't think this is really a spoiler because it was very obvious in the "if a gun appears, it will be shot" kind of thinking (no there's no gun just a metaphor), but I'll spoiler tag it just in case...
And this is more obviously a spoiler, although once again it felt very predictable to me from the moment it was hinted at:
So okay, what did I like about this?
The parallels in the writing and scenes mirrored from past to present were nice. They were obvious, but I enjoyed it nonetheless when something from the chapter of their youth was mentioned in current times.
The language and culture of Nigeria, of course. That's a lot of why I keep trying books by this author, despite being underwhelmed more than once now. But boy have I learned a lot and loved getting to see more of the characters.
That's... probably it. This one had a lot of trouble for me, to be honest. Ah well. 😐
For lots of Nigerian culture, for a class divide romance, for kind of frustrating characters
Thoughts:
Alright, here are my issues with it in a nutshell:
First and foremost, SHE IS ENGAGED FROM THE START. I hate that. I hate that she cheats and is like "oh I feel so guilty but also so in love with this guy that I'm going to do it anyway." I'm not arguing that this isn't a valid story to be told, or one that doesn't or shouldn't happen. I just hated reading about it because I can't root for a cheater. She was doomed for me from the start.
The conflict is frustrating because it's just both characters being stupid. They each repeatedly talk about how they love each other to a crazy obsessive amount and NEED to be together. They also talk about the barriers they feel keep them from that. But the barriers they name are never explained well by either of them to the other, and it takes until the last chapters for Obinna to finally get his head out of his ass and say "Alright I'll tell you the truth!" Like bro, why the fuck weren't you ALREADY DOING THAT? Dunni isn't much better, but that was an easy example.
This is told in dual timeline narratives with Obinna primarily narrating their youth, and Dunni primarily narrating their current adult selves. The younger versions seem like totally different people, which IS addressed and in some ways is the point, but it just felt too extreme to me. It was hard for me to believe that this girl became this woman even with everything she went through.
I don't think this is really a spoiler because it was very obvious in the "if a gun appears, it will be shot" kind of thinking (no there's no gun just a metaphor), but I'll spoiler tag it just in case...
And this is more obviously a spoiler, although once again it felt very predictable to me from the moment it was hinted at:
So okay, what did I like about this?
The parallels in the writing and scenes mirrored from past to present were nice. They were obvious, but I enjoyed it nonetheless when something from the chapter of their youth was mentioned in current times.
The language and culture of Nigeria, of course. That's a lot of why I keep trying books by this author, despite being underwhelmed more than once now. But boy have I learned a lot and loved getting to see more of the characters.
That's... probably it. This one had a lot of trouble for me, to be honest. Ah well. 😐
Read
August 28, 2022This was my first Jane Igharo book, which is ridiculous because I also bought her first one, but at least I can say I will definitely be reading more. The writing is really lovely and immersive, I really loved reading the Nigerian setting, and she 100% sold me on these characters being soulmates, which is not easy!
December 4, 2022
I really wanted to like this - the setting is unique and I love a good second chance romance. The plot was very messy and the characters kept making terrible decisions. The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying.
August 28, 2022
Welp. I began this book thinking it was a second chance romance, which it was, BUT it also morphed into a secret baby book by the end of it. A secret that was kept both from the MMC/father of the baby AND from the audience. I like to know ahead of time if a book is using such a trope because real talk, I hate secret baby as a romance trope. It's just not my jam.
Regardless, there are some things I did enjoy about this book. First of all, the setting - it's set in Nigeria and I don't think I've ever read a romance novel set in Nigeria so I very much liked that. I also liked that the book went back and forth between present day, when Dunni, the FMC, is back in Nigeria for her best friend's wedding after a 12 year absence. That's when she runs into Obinna, her secondary school sweetheart/first love.
Dunni and Obinna are the quintessential rich girl/poor boy couple, they met in secondary school (high school), a very expensive, private school. Dunni comes from a wealthy, privileged background and Obinna, who only gets to attend this school due to the scholarship he receives courtesy of Dunni's wealthy father, grew up in poverty with a single mother (his dad abandons the family well before the book begins). Because of their socioeconomic differences, Dunni's mother, with whom she already has a very fraught relationship, does not want Dunni to be involved with Obinna. They still find a way but ultimately, her mother drives them apart and Obinna refuses to keep the relationship going and Dunni goes off to Princeton university. Cut to 12 years later, she's back in her hometown and Obinna is now a wealthy, successful businessman himself.
I just think a lot of the book relied on these two people not being in communication and an honest conversation between them would have cleared up a lot of their issues and the 12 years they spent apart. I will say that when Dunni first leaves for Princeton, she is still desperately trying to contact Obinna and he basically cuts her off. And when Dunni learns that she is pregnant with Obi's baby, she definitely attempts to tell him but again, he's unresponsive and the email she sends him with news of the pregnancy bounces back to her. I dislike secret baby but I do have to say, credit to Dunni for initially attempting to tell him. However, she could have told her father and he easily would have contacted Obi. There were other avenues of getting ahold of Obi and making sure he knew what was happening.
They are both at fault in various ways and the book is really melodramatic and soapy with the storylines - it's very star-crossed lovers, Jack and Rose from The Titanic gets referenced, and there's a subplot in the 3rd act with Austen, their daughter, that is really OTT in terms of plot. It's too much and some of it feels unnecessary. I did like the setting and I love a good second chance romance but I just thought the reason for their separation could have been avoided with some communication. And then when they do meet, Dunni is still keeping Austen's existence a secret and I could kind of see why she might want to suss out what kind of man Obi had become in the interim, but once she basically sleeps with him multiple times (while being engaged to another man), I felt like maybe she should just be honest and she wasn't. Obi only finds out about her when he comes to see her in Seattle after she's returned home. The resolution of all the drama wasn't done with choice and intention, rather, it was done haphazardly and almost inadvertently.
Content notes: off page marital abuse, teenage pregnancy, violence and injury, secret baby, car accident, surgery, hospitalization; on page cheating (MMC and FMC sleep together while FMC is engaged to someone else);
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley, the review is all mine;
Regardless, there are some things I did enjoy about this book. First of all, the setting - it's set in Nigeria and I don't think I've ever read a romance novel set in Nigeria so I very much liked that. I also liked that the book went back and forth between present day, when Dunni, the FMC, is back in Nigeria for her best friend's wedding after a 12 year absence. That's when she runs into Obinna, her secondary school sweetheart/first love.
Dunni and Obinna are the quintessential rich girl/poor boy couple, they met in secondary school (high school), a very expensive, private school. Dunni comes from a wealthy, privileged background and Obinna, who only gets to attend this school due to the scholarship he receives courtesy of Dunni's wealthy father, grew up in poverty with a single mother (his dad abandons the family well before the book begins). Because of their socioeconomic differences, Dunni's mother, with whom she already has a very fraught relationship, does not want Dunni to be involved with Obinna. They still find a way but ultimately, her mother drives them apart and Obinna refuses to keep the relationship going and Dunni goes off to Princeton university. Cut to 12 years later, she's back in her hometown and Obinna is now a wealthy, successful businessman himself.
I just think a lot of the book relied on these two people not being in communication and an honest conversation between them would have cleared up a lot of their issues and the 12 years they spent apart. I will say that when Dunni first leaves for Princeton, she is still desperately trying to contact Obinna and he basically cuts her off. And when Dunni learns that she is pregnant with Obi's baby, she definitely attempts to tell him but again, he's unresponsive and the email she sends him with news of the pregnancy bounces back to her. I dislike secret baby but I do have to say, credit to Dunni for initially attempting to tell him. However, she could have told her father and he easily would have contacted Obi. There were other avenues of getting ahold of Obi and making sure he knew what was happening.
They are both at fault in various ways and the book is really melodramatic and soapy with the storylines - it's very star-crossed lovers, Jack and Rose from The Titanic gets referenced, and there's a subplot in the 3rd act with Austen, their daughter, that is really OTT in terms of plot. It's too much and some of it feels unnecessary. I did like the setting and I love a good second chance romance but I just thought the reason for their separation could have been avoided with some communication. And then when they do meet, Dunni is still keeping Austen's existence a secret and I could kind of see why she might want to suss out what kind of man Obi had become in the interim, but once she basically sleeps with him multiple times (while being engaged to another man), I felt like maybe she should just be honest and she wasn't. Obi only finds out about her when he comes to see her in Seattle after she's returned home. The resolution of all the drama wasn't done with choice and intention, rather, it was done haphazardly and almost inadvertently.
Content notes: off page marital abuse, teenage pregnancy, violence and injury, secret baby, car accident, surgery, hospitalization; on page cheating (MMC and FMC sleep together while FMC is engaged to someone else);
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley, the review is all mine;
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2023
Dang, this love story was A LOT to take in. It read like an endless soap opera. I thought this book was going to be a cute, fluffy second chance romance. Oh, I was so wrong. This story was so dramatic.
Also, beware that the main character is cheating on her fiancé with her former high school boyfriend throughout the book. I did not feel like it was necessary at all. There was enough drama surrounding the relationship between the two main characters so adding cheating to the mix was a bit over the top. Dunni could have just broken up with her fiancé in the beginning as she clearly did not care about him or his feelings while getting involved with Obinna.
Other than the cheating, Igharo’s writing kept its addicting since her debut novel. Even though I do not agree with what the characters were doing, I was still really invested in the family dynamic and looking forward for what is to come next.
The relationship between Obinna and Dunni has no real foundation from the start. They see each other for the first time as teenagers, they find each other beautiful, and bam, they fall in love. It seems based more on physical attraction than anything else. Overall, I don’t really understand why they are so into each other.I tend to like more slow burn and a bit more development in my romance books. Despite that, I really liked that the author wrote chapters depicting the past of both characters, their home life, and everything.
Also, beware that the main character is cheating on her fiancé with her former high school boyfriend throughout the book. I did not feel like it was necessary at all. There was enough drama surrounding the relationship between the two main characters so adding cheating to the mix was a bit over the top. Dunni could have just broken up with her fiancé in the beginning as she clearly did not care about him or his feelings while getting involved with Obinna.
Other than the cheating, Igharo’s writing kept its addicting since her debut novel. Even though I do not agree with what the characters were doing, I was still really invested in the family dynamic and looking forward for what is to come next.
The relationship between Obinna and Dunni has no real foundation from the start. They see each other for the first time as teenagers, they find each other beautiful, and bam, they fall in love. It seems based more on physical attraction than anything else. Overall, I don’t really understand why they are so into each other.I tend to like more slow burn and a bit more development in my romance books. Despite that, I really liked that the author wrote chapters depicting the past of both characters, their home life, and everything.
August 23, 2025
Sucks I didn’t like this one! I really enjoyed the author’s previous two books. But this one fell so flat for me.
The characters were a little cringey and their dialogue was childish. Most of the story had a childish tone to it. I actually really liked the parts that were written in the past, I thought those were well done, but the present day timeline was a hot mess 😂
Overall this book was just badly executed. But it won’t stop me from reading Jane’s new and upcoming releases, because like I said, her first two books were fab. One miss isn’t going to change my opinion of her overall as an author.
The characters were a little cringey and their dialogue was childish. Most of the story had a childish tone to it. I actually really liked the parts that were written in the past, I thought those were well done, but the present day timeline was a hot mess 😂
Overall this book was just badly executed. But it won’t stop me from reading Jane’s new and upcoming releases, because like I said, her first two books were fab. One miss isn’t going to change my opinion of her overall as an author.
September 10, 2022
3.5 rounded up.
Much thanks to PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook and NetGalley for an early digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I enjoyed this second chance at love romance between two Nigerian high school sweethearts with a tragic past. Reunited at a wedding in Nigeria, Dunni and Obinna came from vastly different worlds but realize the original chemistry and sparks between them haven't gone away. Engaged to be married Dunni has to decide if she's willing to play it safe with her heart or go after the one that got away.
I loved these characters' journey back to one another and how the story was told through flashbacks. There's a few twists at the end I didn't see coming and this cover was ABSOLUTELY stunning!! Recommended for fans of books like Seven days in June by Tia Williams or Before I let go by Kennedy Ryan.
Much thanks to PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook and NetGalley for an early digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I enjoyed this second chance at love romance between two Nigerian high school sweethearts with a tragic past. Reunited at a wedding in Nigeria, Dunni and Obinna came from vastly different worlds but realize the original chemistry and sparks between them haven't gone away. Engaged to be married Dunni has to decide if she's willing to play it safe with her heart or go after the one that got away.
I loved these characters' journey back to one another and how the story was told through flashbacks. There's a few twists at the end I didn't see coming and this cover was ABSOLUTELY stunning!! Recommended for fans of books like Seven days in June by Tia Williams or Before I let go by Kennedy Ryan.
September 26, 2022
Y’all, this book was absolutely incredible. I loved every moment. That being said, this book won’t be for a lot of people especially because infidelity takes place.
I loved both Dunni and Obinna. This story follows them in the present where they reconnect and navigate years of feelings as well as flashbacks to the past where we see them fall in love as kids.
In addition to Dunni and Obinna is the complex and strenuous relationship that Dunni has with her mother. Igharo did a phenomenal job portraying how previous trauma can bleed into future generations and affect relationships.
This book left me feeling a whirlwind of emotions. My heart broke for all of the things that kept Dunni and Obinna apart, and for Dunni’s mother as well. There were also several reveals that left my jaw on the ground.
If you love second chance romance and complex family dynamics, pick this one up!
Thank you to Berkley Romance for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
I loved both Dunni and Obinna. This story follows them in the present where they reconnect and navigate years of feelings as well as flashbacks to the past where we see them fall in love as kids.
In addition to Dunni and Obinna is the complex and strenuous relationship that Dunni has with her mother. Igharo did a phenomenal job portraying how previous trauma can bleed into future generations and affect relationships.
This book left me feeling a whirlwind of emotions. My heart broke for all of the things that kept Dunni and Obinna apart, and for Dunni’s mother as well. There were also several reveals that left my jaw on the ground.
If you love second chance romance and complex family dynamics, pick this one up!
Thank you to Berkley Romance for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
April 28, 2023
There was a lot happening in this book, but I was throughly entertained! It has a lot more heart than I was expecting, which I appreciated. Idk if I’ll reread this one day, but it was worth the first run! 🤝
October 7, 2022
I loved Jane Igharo’s first two books so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her latest one, Where We End & Begin and was especially excited to see it was a second chance romance since that’s one of my favorite tropes.
Set in Nigeria, the story follows Dunni and Obinna, high school sweethearts who are deeply in love but come from very different backgrounds. Dunni’s parents don’t think Obinna is good enough for their daughter and so, against Dunni’s wishes, they send her away to university in America and they tell Obinna to stay away from their daughter. Twelve years later, Dunni returns to Nigeria for a friend’s wedding and it is there that she and Obinna are finally reunited. Can they pick up where they left off or has too much happened since then for a second chance to even be possible?
The story is presented through two timelines, one in the past that shows us when Dunni and Obinna first met in school and fell in love, and then one in the present that shows them getting to know each other all over again as adults. I loved the contrast of the sweet, youthful scenes of a first love in bloom versus the intense and sensual moments of two former lovers rediscovering one another. Ultimately, both timelines converge in an emotional roller coaster as we learn not only the exact details from the past surrounding the cruel and heartless way Dunni and Obinna were separated, but devastating secrets are revealed that threaten to once again tear Dunni and Obinna apart. My heart just broke for these two over and over again.
Dunni and Obinna are very easy to root for. They are both very likeable as individuals, but they definitely shine as a couple. From the early days of their relationship to the chemistry they still clearly have as adults, there’s no doubt that they are meant to be together if they can overcome the obstacles that threaten them.
I also very much enjoy this author’s writing style. She fleshes out her characters and makes them feel so real, like I truly know them and their history, and I love the way she depicts the heart-wrenching scenes between Dunni and Obinna in such a way that they are intensely moving and realistic, but never melodramatic.
Where We End & Begin is an angsty, heartfelt romance that is perfect for fans of star-crossed lovers and second chance romances.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Set in Nigeria, the story follows Dunni and Obinna, high school sweethearts who are deeply in love but come from very different backgrounds. Dunni’s parents don’t think Obinna is good enough for their daughter and so, against Dunni’s wishes, they send her away to university in America and they tell Obinna to stay away from their daughter. Twelve years later, Dunni returns to Nigeria for a friend’s wedding and it is there that she and Obinna are finally reunited. Can they pick up where they left off or has too much happened since then for a second chance to even be possible?
The story is presented through two timelines, one in the past that shows us when Dunni and Obinna first met in school and fell in love, and then one in the present that shows them getting to know each other all over again as adults. I loved the contrast of the sweet, youthful scenes of a first love in bloom versus the intense and sensual moments of two former lovers rediscovering one another. Ultimately, both timelines converge in an emotional roller coaster as we learn not only the exact details from the past surrounding the cruel and heartless way Dunni and Obinna were separated, but devastating secrets are revealed that threaten to once again tear Dunni and Obinna apart. My heart just broke for these two over and over again.
Dunni and Obinna are very easy to root for. They are both very likeable as individuals, but they definitely shine as a couple. From the early days of their relationship to the chemistry they still clearly have as adults, there’s no doubt that they are meant to be together if they can overcome the obstacles that threaten them.
I also very much enjoy this author’s writing style. She fleshes out her characters and makes them feel so real, like I truly know them and their history, and I love the way she depicts the heart-wrenching scenes between Dunni and Obinna in such a way that they are intensely moving and realistic, but never melodramatic.
Where We End & Begin is an angsty, heartfelt romance that is perfect for fans of star-crossed lovers and second chance romances.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2022
Traveling back to Lagos, Nigeria, having stayed away for 12 years, for her best friend’s wedding, Dunni runs into the man who broke her heart all those years ago—Obinna. Now engaged with a separate life in Seattle, Dunni couldn’t help but reconnect with the man she loved with all her heart. The irresistible pull leads her down a path she is unsure of following, but there’s no turning back. What is in store for these two former high school sweethearts? What drove them apart years before? Will their undying love for each other be their saving grace?
Wow, Igharo pulled all the stops with this one. WHERE WE END & BEGIN was a powerful journey of love, hope, finding true self, home, and happily ever after. Every chapter, whether it was past or present, really looked into Dunni’s and Obinna’s characters, their fire and chemistry. The strained family dynamics were an added dimension, and everything just flowed seamlessly. I highly recommend to fans of EVERY SUMMER AFTER and SAY YOU STILL LOVE ME.
Wow, Igharo pulled all the stops with this one. WHERE WE END & BEGIN was a powerful journey of love, hope, finding true self, home, and happily ever after. Every chapter, whether it was past or present, really looked into Dunni’s and Obinna’s characters, their fire and chemistry. The strained family dynamics were an added dimension, and everything just flowed seamlessly. I highly recommend to fans of EVERY SUMMER AFTER and SAY YOU STILL LOVE ME.
October 3, 2022
This second chance romance as Dunni travels from America to Nigeria for a wedding for a character I loved in The Sweetest Remedy. I have a feeling this book is going to get me in the feels.
The second chance romance between a rich girl and a boy wasnt good enough. He’s now successful and she’s engaged to someone she doesn’t love but her parents approved. Sounds like a great set up to an emotional romallercoaster tm, tm, tm. Lol you get what I did there?
There was so much past and missed chances for their first chance that we slowly learned about as they reconnected in the present. That twist at the end was intense and unexpected. It made there reunion so much more poignant.
A story that reminds you that you are enough however you are born. Money can get you things but they are just things and they don’t make people better most of the time they make people worse.
Thank you berkleyromance and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest review.
The second chance romance between a rich girl and a boy wasnt good enough. He’s now successful and she’s engaged to someone she doesn’t love but her parents approved. Sounds like a great set up to an emotional romallercoaster tm, tm, tm. Lol you get what I did there?
There was so much past and missed chances for their first chance that we slowly learned about as they reconnected in the present. That twist at the end was intense and unexpected. It made there reunion so much more poignant.
A story that reminds you that you are enough however you are born. Money can get you things but they are just things and they don’t make people better most of the time they make people worse.
Thank you berkleyromance and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest review.
September 27, 2022
Igharo never disappoints and her latest release is so so good!! In keeping with her gorgeous and emotional writing style, the story has a heavier romance vibe, not at all a romcom. I fell hard for these characters and was so invested in their love. I particularly loved their young love chapters!!
What to expect:
•Second chance romance
•Nigerian setting
•Duel timelines
•forbidden love
If I have to be picky, I would say it got off to a bit of a slow start for me. I also felt like the current love story was missing a little something with their chemistry .
If you are a fan of second chance romances like Every Summer After and Love & Other Words, I highly recommend giving it a try!!
What to expect:
•Second chance romance
•Nigerian setting
•Duel timelines
•forbidden love
If I have to be picky, I would say it got off to a bit of a slow start for me. I also felt like the current love story was missing a little something with their chemistry .
If you are a fan of second chance romances like Every Summer After and Love & Other Words, I highly recommend giving it a try!!
February 5, 2024
Honestly this was really beautiful and surprising. I went in sooo blind and ended up crying, laughing and falling in love with them. A second chance romance and two kids fighting for love but getting a little lost along the way. The generational trauma in itself was enough to make my cry. I didn’t know how much I realized i need to see Dunni heal her relationship and Obbina confront his father until it happened. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
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