Jane Igharo's books are some of the most well-written romance I've come across. Her characters are relatable and well-developed. Where We End & Begin is another favorite to add to my already growing list!

I like a second chance romance but this was a little off the mark for me. I was trying to really get drawn into the story but there was just something that kept me from being fully drawn in. I liked the idea of it and the setting. I was not a huge fan of a twist at the end of the story, but reading other books by this author, maybe I should prepare myself for this twist in her books. Overall it was good but not my favorite of hers.

I'm someone who book covers speak so much to me that if I love the cover? I'm reading and it's very simple.

if you are a fan of second chance romance, dual timelines and high school sweethearts and forbidden love? you will want to read this.

duni and obinna were high school sweethearts when they were separated by their families. 12 years pass and they reunite at a friend's wedding in Nigeria. the dual timelines really allow you to understand everything they've gone through and the events to led to the present.

loved loved reading about a new culture and how the differences in society allowed their families to influence the actions of their children. did I cry? yes.

this story has so many levels to uncover and you truly get everything. it's an experience reading this book as you navigate their love story and everything it took to get to where they are now.

would recommend this book to EVERYONE <3

Honestly? Too much angst for me. This book was a classic case of "Good book, wrong reader," which is absolutely nobody's fault. It just wasn't for me, but I'm sure many who enjoy higher-drama romances would love it!

This was such a suprise. I loved it way more than I thought I would. The beginning didn’t fully catch my eye but as I kept going I loved it more and more.

Thank you so much Berkley Romance for my eARC, all opinions are of my own.

This is my third book by Jane Igharo and I will continue to read every other book that she publishes.

Igharo has an ability to make every trope I thought I hated enjoyable. And this book was no exception!

Dunni and Obinna’s story was full of sweeping romance, complicated families, culture, love, and complex characters from all levels.

This story is told in present and flashback up to a point where the stories catch up as this is a second chance romance💕. And those twists!!!

I also love Igharo’s descriptions of setting and establishing the mood perfectly. The pacing is also timed beautifully!!

Do I think that you should go into this story expecting to be “just” a romance? (and I use that carefully) No. I think that this is more of a family story with a dually center romance.

I think it is perfect for those who don’t normally read romances and want to venture into the genre. Also perfect for book clubs!!!

I highly recommend reading this one!!

Things I liked: fantastic work building the setting, interesting side characters, always down for a second chance romance

Things that didn't work: dialog clunky in places, the characters really needed to just talk with each other

This story is sweet and gives itself room to breathe. But I have one major hurdle with romance novels. I need them to pivot on more than the characters just avoiding talking about their feelings. Dunni and Obinna are great for each other, but the avoidance of talking through their past and their issues really hurt the story for me.

A story of depth and heart. I love second chance romances, because their past together lays a good foundation for a relationship. It was great to see where they both went and how they find their way back to each other. Really well done!

I've had Jane Igharo's books on my shelves for awhile now, so with the release of her third title, I decided to plunge in and binge all three books this month. Initially, I thought these books were a series, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the theme that brought the books together was the Nigerian heritage of the characters. I loved learning about Nigeria and their strong cultural traditions. The audiobooks were fantastically narrated and I appreciated the accents, cadence in their voices, and the correct pronunciations of new words (I always butcher them in my head).

Igharo writes beautiful and complex stories that deal with very difficult life circumstances, and Where We End & Begin is no exception. In this second chance romance, Dunni and Obinna haven't seen each other in 11 years. The pair reconnect at a wedding, but now their lives are in completly different places, with untouched history that has left permanent marks on their lives.

There were parts of the book that was hard for me to read, because I honestly didn't know how I would have responded in the same situation. The heroines in Igharo's books are incredibly strong, but at times, it feels like their troubles are almost insurmountable. They each face the pressure of familial expectations while trying to find their own way in life. It's hard to like some of the characters, because their actions are so morally gray at times.
You definitely have to be in the right frame of mind in order to consume the heavier topics.

The book features well done flashbacks with almost lyrical writing. I enjoyed Ties That Tether and Where We End & Begin more than The Sweetest Remedy. My one complaint in all three books was the way traumatic experiences were used to pull the main characters together in the end, rather than the characters work for their HEA.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing and NetGalley, for the advanced reader copy.

This is a second chance and forbidden romance for high school sweethearts Dunni and Obinna. Dunni is forced to leave Nigeria to attend college in America instead of staying and going to college with Obinna. She ends up building a life for herself in Seattle but returns to Nigeria twelve years later for a friend's wedding and sees Obinna. I appreciate how Dunni and Obinna were able to reconnect and work through many miscommunications and secrets throughout the book.

Rating 4.5/5
Plot 4/5
Spice 3/5
Writing 5/5
Character Development 5/5

[I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book]

“Where We End & Begin” by Jane Igharo is a star-crossed lovers, second chance romance between Dunni and Obinna. Dunni hasn’t seen her high school boyfriend, Obinna since she left Nigeria to go to school in America. Although the two were separated, they vowed to meet again. Twelve years later, they still haven’t seen each other. Dunni works as a geneticist in Seattle and is engaged to a man that she has no true feelings for, but her parents approve of. When she returns to Nigeria for a friend's wedding and runs into Obinna. Dunni knew Obinna as shy and awkward, however, he is now confident and classy. Although they have grown up, they still have an undeniable connection between them. As they catch up, Dunni is reminded of the future she once planned with Obinna, however when secrets are revealed, and the actions of their past bring challenges, Dunni questions if this all-consuming relationship with Obinna is what she wants or if she should go back to her life in America.

Gosh, this book is filled with so much angst and emotion! If you love second chance, forbidden love, and all-consuming passion, this book is for you. I loved the dual timelines and I loved seeing the characters grow individually as well as together. The tropes were soo good and overall this was a real and raw and emotional read!

2.5 Stars

Dunni and Obinna were childhood sweethearts until Dunni left Nigeria to attend College in America. They always thought they would be together but sometimes in life the plans change. Dunni has a successful life in America, and everything appears to be good on paper. She is invited back to Nigeria for a friend’s wedding when she runs into Obinna and the same sparks they once share seem to start to ignite again.

I’m mixed on this review if I’m being honest. The author starts the story off by flipping between the present and the past giving us glimpses of the couple when they were young and in love to the present day of fighting feelings. I’m normally a sucker for this because I want to get an idea of the chemistry and love that the couple previously had. However, in the present day, I’m not sure if it translated as well. Sure, the chemistry is there. Dunni and Obinna are hot together. However, they still seem a bit childish. Character growth is lacking.

What I love is that the author always paints a rich culture with vibrant characters. This book is the same. There is so much to explore in this book besides the romantic elements. Dunni’s need to live her life as her parents see it. This is typical behavior of a Nigerian family.

While I was not fully sold on this story, I was invested until the author throws in a major plot twist to the story almost at the very end which left me stunned. It is something that one of the main characters also didn’t know and it left me feeling a bit perturbed that we, the readers, weren’t aware of this from the very start. Not to mention I hate this particular trope or storyline. Reminds me of a bad harlequin novel to be honest. For that alone, I couldn’t wait to finish the story and be done with the book.

Overall, if you like a contemporary romance full of culture, this book is for you.

~ Samantha

This latest Jane Igharo does not disappoint. For fans of Ties That Tether, Where We End & Begin has a lot of the romance and more drama. I highly recommend!

One day I will read a book where there are no earth shattering secrets between people that should share important information with one another. But today was not that day.
I was immediately drawn into this fated love story of two young people from different “sides of the track”. A rich girl and a poor boy fall in love but their mother’s, who I may add are BOTH traumatized, forbade them to see one another.
The story is deeper than just star crossed lovers though. This is a story about family, love, the importance of communication and honesty, and how the choices we make can and will affect others.
I really enjoyed this book and truly think it would make an amazing book club choice!

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗗 & 𝗕𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗡 is the third book I've read by Jane Igharo and it may be my favorite yet.

Dunni and Obinna, former high school sweethearts from different social classes, are reunited when she arrives back in Nigeria for a friend's wedding (a great cameo from 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱𝘆!). Obinna broke Dunni's heart after she left for college in the U.S., and despite the fact that the two haven't spoken in the 12 years since, the pull between them is impossible to ignore. Told through dual timelines, this second-chance romance shows the sweetness of first love and how the secrets and complex dynamics within a family has repercussions on everyone involved. Tori Danner's narration is perfection, and I loved listening to Dunni and Obinna's story unfold.

Thanks to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook, to Berkley Publishing for the e-ARC.

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.

Book Review…Where We End & Begin by Jane Igharo

Before leaving to America for college Dunni and Obinna vowed to find their way back to each other one day. Twelve years later, and their vow is a thing of the past. While returning to Nigeria for a friend's wedding they run into each other. 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.

It was a nice second chance romance! I really liked Dunni's character and Obinna the complimented each other. The romance between Dunni and Obinna was one that I enjoyed especially Dunni you could tell and feel how much she loved and cared for him but with Obinna for some reason I didn't feel the same with him. But other then that it was a good book! Thank you Let's Talk Books, Berkley Books and Jane Igharo for sharing this book with me!

2.5 stars. On paper, this book should be everything I love. Star-crossed lovers, decades-old family secrets, first loves, dramatic reunions — all the best melodrama tropes. Sadly, the way those tropes are used did not work for me. I was perfectly ready to fall in love with this book, but I found the grown up version of the hero completely unsympathetic. A tale of fated lovers requires me to believe in the characters' love, and I simply don''t believe in his. At all. Which is a real shame because I did like the young version of him we see in flashbacks. However, this may all be down to personal preference because the characters certainly ticked some "Big No" boxes for me. And on the positive side, I very much enjoyed Igharo's prose, which is warm and beautiful without being overdone.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this evocative, atmospheric second chance romance. I loved the way the author intricately entwined Nigerian culture into the plot and explored the social class structure to develop the personalities of the hero and heroine.

Dunni and Obinna’s story is one of immediate connection. From the moment they meet, they feel an affinity that seems undeniable. As teenagers still bound to the strictures and mores of their parents, their love seems doomed. Dunni is encouraged to seek out boys of her own economic class and Obinna’s mother tells him getting caught up with Dunni will bring him nothing but trouble.

Their love story is thwarted by Dunni’s parents, and they don’t see each other again for 12 years. It is a bittersweet reunion, and Dunni doesn’t trust the urbane playboy Obinna’s has become. He’s convinced she forgot about him and made her life in America.

But Dunni is keeping secrets from Obinna’s, and as they reconnect and realize that their feelings are just as strong, she struggles with the burden of her truth.

I loved the elements of predetermined fate and superstition Dunni’s grandmother brought to the story, and the descriptions of Nigerian food and what certain dishes meant to Obinna and his family.

This is a character-driven romance perfect for readers of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

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.