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The Princess & The Piper
"The third instalment of the Harvard series is far from a fairytale."
The Princess...
High society heiress, medical protégé, Oyama Sisulu's bedside manner is cold and aloof, has been since she was a fifteen-year-old rebelling against the truth of her birth, her parents' separation and being suddenly thrust into media scrutiny. One stolen night out, completely robs her of her innocence, gives her Amandla and catapults her into a world of sexual violence, one she manages to keep away from her family and struggles with on her own until she meets Sipho, the Pied Piper who draws her out with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows, one rainy winter day.
...and the Piper.
Sphola was just a gangly young man, when a big fancy car stopped by his Kota stand. His life about to change through the kindness of a rich stranger, but he only had eyes for her fifteen-year-old princess who sat stonily in the car, not even sparing him a glance. Sphola spurred up to be the kind of man that she would sit up and notice, worked himself out of his ghetto Kota stand to a children's fast-food chain while neglecting his role in his son's life. Grown-up Sipho unlike Sphola the gangly teen, doesn't have to work hard to get the attention of the girl who has had his heart since she was fifteen, but what will it take for him to break down the walls that she has barricaded around her heart? Will he fight her demons at the expense of his spiritual gift?
The Princess...
High society heiress, medical protégé, Oyama Sisulu's bedside manner is cold and aloof, has been since she was a fifteen-year-old rebelling against the truth of her birth, her parents' separation and being suddenly thrust into media scrutiny. One stolen night out, completely robs her of her innocence, gives her Amandla and catapults her into a world of sexual violence, one she manages to keep away from her family and struggles with on her own until she meets Sipho, the Pied Piper who draws her out with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows, one rainy winter day.
...and the Piper.
Sphola was just a gangly young man, when a big fancy car stopped by his Kota stand. His life about to change through the kindness of a rich stranger, but he only had eyes for her fifteen-year-old princess who sat stonily in the car, not even sparing him a glance. Sphola spurred up to be the kind of man that she would sit up and notice, worked himself out of his ghetto Kota stand to a children's fast-food chain while neglecting his role in his son's life. Grown-up Sipho unlike Sphola the gangly teen, doesn't have to work hard to get the attention of the girl who has had his heart since she was fifteen, but what will it take for him to break down the walls that she has barricaded around her heart? Will he fight her demons at the expense of his spiritual gift?
347 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
10 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
Busisekile Khumalo
15 books377 followersBest-selling author of The Harvard wife, Nomaswazi, Lola's Heart and Fallen Candle
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 14, 2023
B this time you have done it. Oyama’s journey broke my heart. So much pain and heartache. At times I would put the book down just to get away from her pain. Just to be thinking about it. You really tore at my heart strings. Sipho really came into her life and rescued her from herself and helped her navigate this journey she called life
January 21, 2022
When she was 15, she was raped by her father's friend in a club. Yes, she was drunk but did he have to rape her? Over the years, she is angry, not just that she was raped but angry at how her body betrayed her then and everytime the thoughts and dreams of that night visit her. The night she found herself on those cold tiles on VIP toilets still haunts her, years later. The rape that resulted in her giving birth to a child she later left for Havard University to be raised by her parents.
For me, it was how messed up she was as a result of that experience. She does not understand how she wakes up wet whenever these dream visit her. She does not understand how she loves rough sex when it's one thing that turned her life upside down.
When Oyama meets Sphola, (the Piper) she knows she loves him but she can't let him in. She does not know how to love. She does not even think she deserves love. Hers is to have sex and later curl up and cry as her memory takes her back to the time.
The author also let's us in on Sphola with his ancestoral journey. He is the vessel through which his ancestors talk or convey messages. Sometimes the journey and expectations frustrate him. When he finally get closer to Oyama, a lot is expected of him. It's not a walk in the park. Both have layers and layers to be peeled.
Like the author has said it in the beginning of the book "healing is messy, it is not a one size fits all." It's a journey that only you can take. Other people can try to walk with you or support you, but you have to feel the walking, every step is important. Oyama tried it all but not even counseling could help.
It's sad how men have violated women and at the end, they walk free and women are expected to move on. They have to deal with the aftermath on their own. Because of the physical strength that God gave men, they have a right to pin women down or on walls to get what they want. It does not matter that they say No. To them, No means Yes, because of their physical strength. And because of women emotional strength, they have to let go and move on. It's not like they did not like it, they have to deal. How the experience makes them feel, it's not a perpetrators concern. When we see these women go astray because of their experience, they are judged. No one will point out that she was not like this, but the experience changed her.
But some do find healing, but it's a journey. Some never recover. Some find ways to live with the pain. Some days are better than others. The triggers will always set you back.
Themes touched in the story: rape, abandonment, love, healing, and many more.
A story of love, patience and determination. Even the healer needs healing at some point. I am happy our couple allowed themselves to be bare to each other. They peeled each other as their love grew. They became each other's support system.
What a journey!! ... The Havard series!!!
For me, it was how messed up she was as a result of that experience. She does not understand how she wakes up wet whenever these dream visit her. She does not understand how she loves rough sex when it's one thing that turned her life upside down.
When Oyama meets Sphola, (the Piper) she knows she loves him but she can't let him in. She does not know how to love. She does not even think she deserves love. Hers is to have sex and later curl up and cry as her memory takes her back to the time.
The author also let's us in on Sphola with his ancestoral journey. He is the vessel through which his ancestors talk or convey messages. Sometimes the journey and expectations frustrate him. When he finally get closer to Oyama, a lot is expected of him. It's not a walk in the park. Both have layers and layers to be peeled.
Like the author has said it in the beginning of the book "healing is messy, it is not a one size fits all." It's a journey that only you can take. Other people can try to walk with you or support you, but you have to feel the walking, every step is important. Oyama tried it all but not even counseling could help.
It's sad how men have violated women and at the end, they walk free and women are expected to move on. They have to deal with the aftermath on their own. Because of the physical strength that God gave men, they have a right to pin women down or on walls to get what they want. It does not matter that they say No. To them, No means Yes, because of their physical strength. And because of women emotional strength, they have to let go and move on. It's not like they did not like it, they have to deal. How the experience makes them feel, it's not a perpetrators concern. When we see these women go astray because of their experience, they are judged. No one will point out that she was not like this, but the experience changed her.
But some do find healing, but it's a journey. Some never recover. Some find ways to live with the pain. Some days are better than others. The triggers will always set you back.
Themes touched in the story: rape, abandonment, love, healing, and many more.
A story of love, patience and determination. Even the healer needs healing at some point. I am happy our couple allowed themselves to be bare to each other. They peeled each other as their love grew. They became each other's support system.
What a journey!! ... The Havard series!!!
November 12, 2021
The 3rd book in The Harvard Wife series...The story is about Oyama and Sipho's love,their family dynamics,overcoming challenges, patience and a dive into the spiritual and cultural world and practices.We first met Oyama and Sipho a.k.a Sphola in The Harvard Wife..
#Sipho
In this book we got to meet and get to know him better, his gift,their friendship and love life few years after they met.Now an established businessman running a successful franchise with several branches across the country.He's
also a spiritual man with a gift that he sometimes struggles to make peace with especially when the ancestors are quiet when he needs them the most .His love for Oyama is still very much alive as she's also the motivation behind his successful business and financially stable life, even the ancestors approves of her.
But is the love strong enough to conquer the past that threatens to consume her everyday life ?Will he be able to help restore his Nokwindla's wounded soul back to life ..?🤷🏽♀️
#Oyama
The now matured Oyama who was first portrayed in The Harvard Wife as a spoilt brat you'd love to hate is now a responsible and caring daughter and sister.Although the brutal incident changed and shaped her young life and the perspective she had of herself and life itself,it didn't stop her from achieving her dream of being a doctor and living her life and making the most out of it.
I truly felt her pain when reading this book, it was like I was going through it with her,the nightmares about that brutal night,the rape she suffered in the hands of an ex,the guilt she felt thereafter..sadly her plight is no different from what most women,young and old go though daily around the globe.The part where she mentioned how she felt betrayed by her body and disappointed at herself because whenever she dreams of the night she was violated she always caught herself in the throws of ecstasy and fulfillment instead of the opposite really got to me,i can only imagine why she'd feel like that ..
I loved how caring,matured and responsible she had become despite the demons she was dealing with,it was truly admirable that she also wanted to be a better mother to her daughter, a far cry from what her biological mother Candice ever was to her.I also loved how supportive she and Sphola were of each other when they finally hooked up,the intensity of their love and friendship and their level of commitment...even Sphola's mother with her stinking attitude couldn't break.
The trip to Zim,the places mentioned in the book and the way of life in the rurals took me down memory lane,it reminded me so much of my first trip there.The cleansing in the river and how they connected to their ancestors made me reminisce about the traditional ceremonies we used to have back home while growing up in the village.Sometimes living in the city and adopting the modern lifestyle can make one forget a bit about the rich and beautiful culture we have as Africans...authors like MaKhumalo always revives one's spirituality in that regard and that's why I love her work so much
Three occurrences stood out for me about her current relationship with Daniel:
When she went to tell him that she was being threatend and followed by her baby daddy/rapist and he took action...that was a first for me
Two when he finally sorted his former friend for terrorizing his daughter,I was like okay now he's really trying his hand at this fatherly thing...
And then lastly when she faced the disciplinary committee, he was there by her side not only as her father but as her legal representative.He took off his minister coat and became a lawyer and supportive father to her,I loved the way he handled the disciplinary committee...Love him or hate him,but in this book I saw improvement from the selfish narcissist we were introduced to in The Harvard Wife.
And then the ending was beautiful and on point.I truly loved walking this journey with Oyama and Sphola⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#Sipho
In this book we got to meet and get to know him better, his gift,their friendship and love life few years after they met.Now an established businessman running a successful franchise with several branches across the country.He's
also a spiritual man with a gift that he sometimes struggles to make peace with especially when the ancestors are quiet when he needs them the most .His love for Oyama is still very much alive as she's also the motivation behind his successful business and financially stable life, even the ancestors approves of her.
But is the love strong enough to conquer the past that threatens to consume her everyday life ?Will he be able to help restore his Nokwindla's wounded soul back to life ..?🤷🏽♀️
#Oyama
The now matured Oyama who was first portrayed in The Harvard Wife as a spoilt brat you'd love to hate is now a responsible and caring daughter and sister.Although the brutal incident changed and shaped her young life and the perspective she had of herself and life itself,it didn't stop her from achieving her dream of being a doctor and living her life and making the most out of it.
I truly felt her pain when reading this book, it was like I was going through it with her,the nightmares about that brutal night,the rape she suffered in the hands of an ex,the guilt she felt thereafter..sadly her plight is no different from what most women,young and old go though daily around the globe.The part where she mentioned how she felt betrayed by her body and disappointed at herself because whenever she dreams of the night she was violated she always caught herself in the throws of ecstasy and fulfillment instead of the opposite really got to me,i can only imagine why she'd feel like that ..
I loved how caring,matured and responsible she had become despite the demons she was dealing with,it was truly admirable that she also wanted to be a better mother to her daughter, a far cry from what her biological mother Candice ever was to her.I also loved how supportive she and Sphola were of each other when they finally hooked up,the intensity of their love and friendship and their level of commitment...even Sphola's mother with her stinking attitude couldn't break.
The trip to Zim,the places mentioned in the book and the way of life in the rurals took me down memory lane,it reminded me so much of my first trip there.The cleansing in the river and how they connected to their ancestors made me reminisce about the traditional ceremonies we used to have back home while growing up in the village.Sometimes living in the city and adopting the modern lifestyle can make one forget a bit about the rich and beautiful culture we have as Africans...authors like MaKhumalo always revives one's spirituality in that regard and that's why I love her work so much
Three occurrences stood out for me about her current relationship with Daniel:
When she went to tell him that she was being threatend and followed by her baby daddy/rapist and he took action...that was a first for me
Two when he finally sorted his former friend for terrorizing his daughter,I was like okay now he's really trying his hand at this fatherly thing...
And then lastly when she faced the disciplinary committee, he was there by her side not only as her father but as her legal representative.He took off his minister coat and became a lawyer and supportive father to her,I loved the way he handled the disciplinary committee...Love him or hate him,but in this book I saw improvement from the selfish narcissist we were introduced to in The Harvard Wife.
And then the ending was beautiful and on point.I truly loved walking this journey with Oyama and Sphola⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 1, 2021
Oh my word. Where do I even begin? I want this review to be devoid of any spoilers to someone who may read it so hear goes: You always manage to amaze me each and every time with your writing skills and this was no different. I literally read the book in one day cause I couldn't put it down , it was 'unputdownable'- someone once referred a Sydney Sheldon book as this and I use this word on this book as well without any reservations. I now understand why this story took longer, it wasn't supposed to be a rushed affair at all. I love how you tackled blended families , African tradition, ancestors, black love , healing, hurt 🤕, rape issues, fatherhood issues, abandonment issues , depression, suicide, how Africans are all connected- issues that are usually swept under the carpet in our culture. I love how you bared it all. Our African traditions and being a vessel for the ancestors is shunned but I love how you tackled this issue and showed us a side which is usually kept from us, the purity of it all , being pure of heart and simply connecting with our ancestors. It was so beautiful to see the Piper interacting with his grandfather even though he had passed to the afterlife . This was so beautiful for me and it was so good to see the Piper's journey, it was good seeing him make his own mistakes and learn from them! It was also wonderful for the Princess to support the Piper through his calling even though she was not a spiritual person herself - this showed me that when you love someone , loving them comes so effortlessly and you take an interest in what they care about as well. All in all the characters were as real as they could be and I especially loved how you peeled them layer by layer to reveal their vulnerabilities and deepest fears which we all sometimes have but usually don't have a safe space to air them out. The safe space you just created for the healing to take place and all the things they went through were just a wonder to behold. My God there were instances where I literally shed a tear and instances where I laughed out loud ! Thank you for telling our own stories and giving us representation. Healing is important , indeed pain demands to be felt and I felt it. But there's light at the end of the tunnel - this was a story of healing , love and hope. A story of taking each day as it comes. A story of facing our demons and confronting them head on - asking the demons what brought you here and making sure they leave for good. A story that had to be said and a story we didn't know we'd been missing all this whole. To healing, love, hope and light 🕯️ Like Beyonce's statement in Lemonade forgiveness "If we're gonna heal, let it be glorious" So we're gonna heal and we're gonna start again. Thank you for this Busi
November 25, 2024
Yoh! Khanime ndinibalisele!
You’re fifteen when your world flips upside down. You’ve grown up believing you’re the cherished daughter of a loving mother, only to discover she’s not your mother at all. Instead, she’s your father’s wife—a woman who’s stayed in a cold, loveless marriage, all because of you. Your real mom? Oh, she was just another one of your father’s affair, and she gave you away like an afterthought.
The betrayal cuts deep. You love the woman who raised you, but the guilt of being the reason for her pain consumes you. So, you make a choice—an irreversible, heartbreaking choice—to end it all. But life has other plans. You’re found just in time and rushed to the hospital. Physically, you survive, but emotionally? You’re shattered. Gone is the sweet, bubbly Oyama; in her place is a sullen, guarded teenager.
Still, you press on. Your rebellious streak never touches your academics, and that’s something, right? But life doesn’t let up. Just as you’re trying to piece things together, you meet your biological mom. She’s glowing, pregnant with your sister—a living reminder of everything you’ve missed. For the first time, you see yourself in someone else, the shape of your nose, the curve of your smile. But knowing she gave you up? It’s enough to build a wall so high, even she can’t climb it.
Fast forward to New Year’s Eve. You and your sister-that’s-not-really-your-sister, Lola, are stuck at one of your dad’s formal minister balls. Bored out of your minds, you sneak out, deciding to make your own fun. You end up at a club, where a smooth-talking family friend sweet-talks the bouncer into letting two underage girls in. What could go wrong, right?
Everything.
The night begins as a blur of drinks and music, a rare taste of freedom. But it spirals into a nightmare. That same family friend—the one who vouched for you—drags you into the shadows. He takes something from you that can never be returned. You’re left curled on the floor of a dingy bathroom, broken and terrified.
But he’s not done. He threatens to kill you and your family if you breathe a word of what happened. He demands you erase any trace of the night—burn every bridge that could lead back to him. And now, you’re left holding this unbearable secret, your entire world forever tainted.
What do you do? How do you survive when the people meant to protect you are the ones who hurt you the most? Would you confront the truth, no matter the cost? Or bury it deep, hoping it never resurfaces?
A couple of years later, Oyama is all grown up and raising her beautiful daughter, Amandla. Yep, you read that right—she kept the baby. She was ready to terminate, but when the moment came, her heart wouldn’t let her go through with it. Keeping Amandla, however, was the final nail in the coffin of her already fractured relationship with her father. Now, fresh out of Harvard just like her mom, Oyama is back in Johannesburg, ready to take on her residency, find a job, and give Amandla the life she deserves. Her mission? To be a better mother than the one who birthed her.
But let’s talk about Candice—her biological mom, who’s now pregnant with her third child with Oyama’s father. Oyama doesn’t hold back, calling her out every chance she gets. The tension is real, and the bitterness runs deep. The book doesn��t shy away from showing the long-term effects of the trauma Oyama endured at fifteen. Her nightmares are vivid and horrifying—each one a different replay of that devastating encounter with Mhlangula. And the self-loathing that follows? It’s worse every time, cutting deeper and deeper.
Enter Sipho—or Sphola, as he calls himself now. Remember the young boy who once sold kotas and had a shy crush on Oyama when she was 15? Well, let me tell you, he’s not that kid anymore. Sipho has grown into a tall, undeniably handsome man, rocking an Uzzi hoodie that somehow smells basic yet intoxicating on him. And those glowing beads he wears? Oyama can’t help but notice how they light up when they touch—a small, magical detail that makes him even more intriguing.
But Sipho isn’t just any guy. He’s been searching for his Nokwindla, the one meant for him. With his spiritual gifts, he’s not supposed to indulge in earthly desires, but Oyama? She tests every ounce of his restraint. Their connection is electric, their chemistry undeniable.
This isn’t your typical enemies-to-lovers trope. Oyama and Sipho were never enemies, nor were they high school sweethearts. Their story is messy, layered, and full of misunderstandings. Sipho sees Oyama as an annoying little thing in his POV, while Oyama sees him as grumpy and brooding in hers. But through all the tension and miscommunication, something deeper blooms—a complicated love that’s both healing and transformative.
This is more than a romance. It’s a story about finding love in the cracks of brokenness, about two people navigating their own scars while learning to trust each other. It’s about Oyama’s journey of self-acceptance and Sipho’s battle between duty and desire.
So, tell me, who doesn’t love a romance where the grumpy guy and the feisty woman slowly find their way to each other? This one is a must-read—a tale of healing, misunderstandings, and the kind of love that makes you believe in second chances. Would you root for Oyama and Sipho? Or do their worlds clash too much to come together? Dive into this heartfelt, magical love story and decide for yourself. While you can read it as a standalone, I do advise you to start with the first book in order to understand Oyama better which is the Harvard Wife
This story is raw, gripping, and utterly unforgettable. It dives deep into betrayal, the scars of abuse, and the unbreakable will of a young girl trying to navigate a world that’s failed her at every turn. It’s not an easy read, but it’s an essential one—a heart-wrenching exploration of survival and the complexities of family dynamics.
This is a story that will linger in your heart long after the final page. Dive in and let it challenge everything you think you know about resilience and love.
You’re fifteen when your world flips upside down. You’ve grown up believing you’re the cherished daughter of a loving mother, only to discover she’s not your mother at all. Instead, she’s your father’s wife—a woman who’s stayed in a cold, loveless marriage, all because of you. Your real mom? Oh, she was just another one of your father’s affair, and she gave you away like an afterthought.
The betrayal cuts deep. You love the woman who raised you, but the guilt of being the reason for her pain consumes you. So, you make a choice—an irreversible, heartbreaking choice—to end it all. But life has other plans. You’re found just in time and rushed to the hospital. Physically, you survive, but emotionally? You’re shattered. Gone is the sweet, bubbly Oyama; in her place is a sullen, guarded teenager.
Still, you press on. Your rebellious streak never touches your academics, and that’s something, right? But life doesn’t let up. Just as you’re trying to piece things together, you meet your biological mom. She’s glowing, pregnant with your sister—a living reminder of everything you’ve missed. For the first time, you see yourself in someone else, the shape of your nose, the curve of your smile. But knowing she gave you up? It’s enough to build a wall so high, even she can’t climb it.
Fast forward to New Year’s Eve. You and your sister-that’s-not-really-your-sister, Lola, are stuck at one of your dad’s formal minister balls. Bored out of your minds, you sneak out, deciding to make your own fun. You end up at a club, where a smooth-talking family friend sweet-talks the bouncer into letting two underage girls in. What could go wrong, right?
Everything.
The night begins as a blur of drinks and music, a rare taste of freedom. But it spirals into a nightmare. That same family friend—the one who vouched for you—drags you into the shadows. He takes something from you that can never be returned. You’re left curled on the floor of a dingy bathroom, broken and terrified.
But he’s not done. He threatens to kill you and your family if you breathe a word of what happened. He demands you erase any trace of the night—burn every bridge that could lead back to him. And now, you’re left holding this unbearable secret, your entire world forever tainted.
What do you do? How do you survive when the people meant to protect you are the ones who hurt you the most? Would you confront the truth, no matter the cost? Or bury it deep, hoping it never resurfaces?
A couple of years later, Oyama is all grown up and raising her beautiful daughter, Amandla. Yep, you read that right—she kept the baby. She was ready to terminate, but when the moment came, her heart wouldn’t let her go through with it. Keeping Amandla, however, was the final nail in the coffin of her already fractured relationship with her father. Now, fresh out of Harvard just like her mom, Oyama is back in Johannesburg, ready to take on her residency, find a job, and give Amandla the life she deserves. Her mission? To be a better mother than the one who birthed her.
But let’s talk about Candice—her biological mom, who’s now pregnant with her third child with Oyama’s father. Oyama doesn’t hold back, calling her out every chance she gets. The tension is real, and the bitterness runs deep. The book doesn��t shy away from showing the long-term effects of the trauma Oyama endured at fifteen. Her nightmares are vivid and horrifying—each one a different replay of that devastating encounter with Mhlangula. And the self-loathing that follows? It’s worse every time, cutting deeper and deeper.
Enter Sipho—or Sphola, as he calls himself now. Remember the young boy who once sold kotas and had a shy crush on Oyama when she was 15? Well, let me tell you, he’s not that kid anymore. Sipho has grown into a tall, undeniably handsome man, rocking an Uzzi hoodie that somehow smells basic yet intoxicating on him. And those glowing beads he wears? Oyama can’t help but notice how they light up when they touch—a small, magical detail that makes him even more intriguing.
But Sipho isn’t just any guy. He’s been searching for his Nokwindla, the one meant for him. With his spiritual gifts, he’s not supposed to indulge in earthly desires, but Oyama? She tests every ounce of his restraint. Their connection is electric, their chemistry undeniable.
This isn’t your typical enemies-to-lovers trope. Oyama and Sipho were never enemies, nor were they high school sweethearts. Their story is messy, layered, and full of misunderstandings. Sipho sees Oyama as an annoying little thing in his POV, while Oyama sees him as grumpy and brooding in hers. But through all the tension and miscommunication, something deeper blooms—a complicated love that’s both healing and transformative.
This is more than a romance. It’s a story about finding love in the cracks of brokenness, about two people navigating their own scars while learning to trust each other. It’s about Oyama’s journey of self-acceptance and Sipho’s battle between duty and desire.
So, tell me, who doesn’t love a romance where the grumpy guy and the feisty woman slowly find their way to each other? This one is a must-read—a tale of healing, misunderstandings, and the kind of love that makes you believe in second chances. Would you root for Oyama and Sipho? Or do their worlds clash too much to come together? Dive into this heartfelt, magical love story and decide for yourself. While you can read it as a standalone, I do advise you to start with the first book in order to understand Oyama better which is the Harvard Wife
This story is raw, gripping, and utterly unforgettable. It dives deep into betrayal, the scars of abuse, and the unbreakable will of a young girl trying to navigate a world that’s failed her at every turn. It’s not an easy read, but it’s an essential one—a heart-wrenching exploration of survival and the complexities of family dynamics.
This is a story that will linger in your heart long after the final page. Dive in and let it challenge everything you think you know about resilience and love.
November 6, 2023
This series was a great weekend read.
I loved how stories of different characters are intertwined into the 3 books, and the focus on specific characters on each book where in the end they all join together.
This book taught me that everyone has their own fair share of problems, and that sometimes the best way to deal with trauma is to learn how to live with it. The books took me through an emotional journey over a short space of time which I feel like had been pending for almost a year.
I am just falling deeper and deeper with relatable South African novels.
I loved how stories of different characters are intertwined into the 3 books, and the focus on specific characters on each book where in the end they all join together.
This book taught me that everyone has their own fair share of problems, and that sometimes the best way to deal with trauma is to learn how to live with it. The books took me through an emotional journey over a short space of time which I feel like had been pending for almost a year.
I am just falling deeper and deeper with relatable South African novels.
September 9, 2021
“I’m catching some bad boys vibes with him, but that could just be wishful thinking on my part.”
Oyama –“I fly solo” She has endured so much pain that her heart automatically build walls to protect it self from having to take more. Detached with her feeling is the only way she knew how to cope. Pain repeatedly finding it’s way back to her as if it has met it’s home. That thought of attraction as she felt that the first time attracted more of the others that she had to endure alone. Misjudged by people who see nothing but a spoiled child who has never had to work for anything in her life. The struggle she has faced brought me to tears. Her family has no idea how deep her struggling are but yet everyday she gets up and fight her battles.
It took that first night of that cruel and inhumane act that has made her believe she is unworthy of love.
Sphola -“You make it sound like you hate my name.” I have to give it to him that he is focused and loyal to his goals. He has that soft love which displays his patience throughout the book for the woman he loves. The kind of a man who wants to make up for the past even though he wasn’t in the picture.
“Do you know that you just cost me my retirement fund.”
I am looking forward to the next book.
“I look into his eyes and I realise that he would go to the ends of the world for me. “
Oyama –“I fly solo” She has endured so much pain that her heart automatically build walls to protect it self from having to take more. Detached with her feeling is the only way she knew how to cope. Pain repeatedly finding it’s way back to her as if it has met it’s home. That thought of attraction as she felt that the first time attracted more of the others that she had to endure alone. Misjudged by people who see nothing but a spoiled child who has never had to work for anything in her life. The struggle she has faced brought me to tears. Her family has no idea how deep her struggling are but yet everyday she gets up and fight her battles.
It took that first night of that cruel and inhumane act that has made her believe she is unworthy of love.
Sphola -“You make it sound like you hate my name.” I have to give it to him that he is focused and loyal to his goals. He has that soft love which displays his patience throughout the book for the woman he loves. The kind of a man who wants to make up for the past even though he wasn’t in the picture.
“Do you know that you just cost me my retirement fund.”
I am looking forward to the next book.
“I look into his eyes and I realise that he would go to the ends of the world for me. “
December 9, 2021
I may not have read the first book The Harvard Wife but Busisekile makes sure that you are covered in every way possible.
The life journey of Oyama isn't an easy one but with her family being behind her and being there for her is awesome and everyone deserves to have that kind of relationship whether by blood or by adoption. She thought she didn't deserve to be loved as she has too much bagage and the person that falls for her might not be able to tolerate or handle that but at the end of the day everybody deserves to be loved and she did get that at the end.
Sipho may have doubted himself but with the help of his guids he knew that he has found his one and only. I love the way their relationship was even though he was rejected but he never gave up and the guilty feeling that he had for not being there for was understandable because as a man you do everything and anything to be in the life of the one you love even if you get rejected. Their love was so effortless and the fact that Oyama decided to be there for him for a change.
This book got me drooling 😍🥰. Job well done Busi you never disappoint.
The life journey of Oyama isn't an easy one but with her family being behind her and being there for her is awesome and everyone deserves to have that kind of relationship whether by blood or by adoption. She thought she didn't deserve to be loved as she has too much bagage and the person that falls for her might not be able to tolerate or handle that but at the end of the day everybody deserves to be loved and she did get that at the end.
Sipho may have doubted himself but with the help of his guids he knew that he has found his one and only. I love the way their relationship was even though he was rejected but he never gave up and the guilty feeling that he had for not being there for was understandable because as a man you do everything and anything to be in the life of the one you love even if you get rejected. Their love was so effortless and the fact that Oyama decided to be there for him for a change.
This book got me drooling 😍🥰. Job well done Busi you never disappoint.
April 18, 2022
I first met Oyama on the Havard wife when she learnt that Mpumi is not her biological mother, she is hurt and cuts her wrists. At 15 she and her Lola go to a club and gets rapped by her father's friend. That experience haunts her for life, not only was she violated and has to live with the shame she also falls pregnant.
I love how the writer developed her character from that wildlife partying girl to a woman who wanted to be in her daughters life full time and take her of her. She grew up and started letting her biological mother in.
She is afraid of love because she is so scarred from what happened to her in the past, until Sipho comes and break her walls down. These two find each other and help each other heal and go through life together as she is a doctor and he is a businessman who also on an ancestral journey.
The third installment of the Havard series is lekker!
I love how the writer developed her character from that wildlife partying girl to a woman who wanted to be in her daughters life full time and take her of her. She grew up and started letting her biological mother in.
She is afraid of love because she is so scarred from what happened to her in the past, until Sipho comes and break her walls down. These two find each other and help each other heal and go through life together as she is a doctor and he is a businessman who also on an ancestral journey.
The third installment of the Havard series is lekker!
June 20, 2022
Emotionally taxing
Ì knew Oyama's journey would be greusome but I didn't think it went that deeply dark. The rollercoaster emotions this stpry takes you through especially about cruelty of humankind
And then the side shocker being the near divorce of papi and mami. I need the full story behind that
Ì knew Oyama's journey would be greusome but I didn't think it went that deeply dark. The rollercoaster emotions this stpry takes you through especially about cruelty of humankind
And then the side shocker being the near divorce of papi and mami. I need the full story behind that
January 9, 2023
This has honestly been one of the hardest but most healing book I read. The book is 3 part of the Harvard Series and telling the story from Oyama perspective.
It looks at the journey of rape survivor and let us into how she view the world post the trauma.
It looks at the journey of rape survivor and let us into how she view the world post the trauma.
December 31, 2021
I loved this and of course .. "my body betrayed me"..
Great read!
Great read!
March 4, 2022
I loved reading this book
March 21, 2023
Enjoyed
May 31, 2025
A captivating read. A true unconditional love story. I felt every emotion.
November 8, 2022
the princess and the piper
I Ike the book and the love story between Siphola and Oyama.
The description of the sex house that Oyama went to, was a bit long and I didn’t quite like that .
Either than that beautiful book again from the author
I Ike the book and the love story between Siphola and Oyama.
The description of the sex house that Oyama went to, was a bit long and I didn’t quite like that .
Either than that beautiful book again from the author
July 23, 2023
Good morning Superstar Author ❤️❤️
Firstly, I'd been avoiding reading the book because I have to study but yesterday I decided to bite the bullet and get started. Little did I know that even though I started during my lunch break, I'd finish the book right before midnight. *IT HAD ME HOOKED!!*
Your writing is excellent. I was thoroughly captivated, I couldn't put the book down.
I love how Oyama grows throughout the book in all areas of her life and how she eventually finds true peace and love.
Your descriptions? 🙆🏽♀️🙆🏽♀️
I honestly could visualize everything and my heart broke when she recounted her rape incidents.
The sex scenes? Let me say it like this... it's like watching sex scenes on a show in the lounge scared that someone might walk in on you 🙈, that is how vivid and descriptive your scenes were. I felt like I was watching them in real time.
Overall, this was a really beautiful way to end Oyama story.
Lastly, that snippet I read at the end, let's just say I am waiting impatiently 😂😂
Busi, thank you so much for sharing your gift with us. You are incredibly talented.
Firstly, I'd been avoiding reading the book because I have to study but yesterday I decided to bite the bullet and get started. Little did I know that even though I started during my lunch break, I'd finish the book right before midnight. *IT HAD ME HOOKED!!*
Your writing is excellent. I was thoroughly captivated, I couldn't put the book down.
I love how Oyama grows throughout the book in all areas of her life and how she eventually finds true peace and love.
Your descriptions? 🙆🏽♀️🙆🏽♀️
I honestly could visualize everything and my heart broke when she recounted her rape incidents.
The sex scenes? Let me say it like this... it's like watching sex scenes on a show in the lounge scared that someone might walk in on you 🙈, that is how vivid and descriptive your scenes were. I felt like I was watching them in real time.
Overall, this was a really beautiful way to end Oyama story.
Lastly, that snippet I read at the end, let's just say I am waiting impatiently 😂😂
Busi, thank you so much for sharing your gift with us. You are incredibly talented.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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