SPLENDID EXPERIENCES

1. Wisani and the Bafokeng Brothers – Thandi Moagi

• Cliffhanger  
  • 4 Stars  

“You don’t love him – you love the danger.”

Wisani and the Bafokeng Brother follows Wisani, a struggling Wits sociology student from Soweto who carries a burden that resonates with so many people who come from the township – having to be responsible for the family’s income. 

She crosses paths with a dangerous underworld family while doing research for her degree. She meets Mohapi and falls deeply, even with the red flags she picked up. 

Someone needs to do a study on why a woman will see red flags in a man and still go all in and fall deeply.

“…a beautiful mistake, I’m willing to make.”

Thandi did a brilliant job at making one understand why girls fall for bad boys. The way Mohapi shows up for Wisani, I even melted. Thandi did the most with the Bafokeng brothers characters.

The storytelling is gripping. I was transported and got lost in Wisani and Bafokengs Brothers world. The writing is rich, I felt the tension and emotion between Wisani and Mohapi and the brothers. 

Thandi Moagi reminded me why I love reading South African romantic fiction – the settings feel familiar, the characters are relatable, and there’s something special about seeing our stories come to life on the page.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book!

2. Yesteryear – Caro Claire Burke

• Twisted  
  • 4 Stars 

“What did I just read?!?” was my initial reaction after I finished reading Yesteryear. 

• Did I enjoy reading the books? YES!
• Did I think the premise of the book was crazy? YES!

Natalie is a social media influencer who promotes traditional gender roles, Christian teachings, and farm life. She lives on Yesteryear Ranch with her husband and children. 

One day, Natalie wakes up in what seems like the year 1855, where she recognizes no one and must learn to live without modern society.

This book…its witty, its thought provoking, it left me in wonder…

What I want to ask Caro Claire Burke is how she even thought of bringing to life Natalie Heller Mills character – Natalie is not normal, she’s unhinged.  

“My name is Natalie Heller Mills, and I was perfect at being alive.”

3. Our Perfect Storm – Carley Fortune

• Ordinary
  • 3.5 Stars 

I was so looking forward to reading Our Perfect Storm but sadly, this book did not land with me, it was just ordinary. 

A friends-to-lovers story trope with all the misunderstandings, unresolved feelings, missed opportunities between Frankie and George. 

As I was reading the 1st chapter, I already knew that Frankie’s relationship with George was a problem. The girl is getting married to Nate but is more concerned about George showing up, she acts like a petulant child and her closest friends have to keep reminding her to smile. Granted she has a special childhood bond with George but her behaviour just put me off. 

There were some good moments in the book, George was a likeable character. However the overall direction of the plot felt disjointed at times. It was missing the Carley Fortune depth to how one connects with the characters. 

Carley still does a stellar job at making you fall in love with a place without being there. Tofino seems like a magical place one must visit. 

One Golden Summer and Every Summer After are still my favourite Carley Fortune books. 

4. Divine Arrangements – Takalani M 

• Pleasant 
  • 3 Stars 

Divine Arrangements was a pleasant read. I started it on Friday afternoon and was done by Sunday morning. The story was simple and easy to follow with moments of drama – relationship and family drama. 

The story opens the day before Rendani’s and Aaron’s wedding, and already there’s chaos. Aaron, her fiance, wants to call off the wedding. On the day of the wedding, Aaron seems tense at the altar and pulls a runaway bride stunt on Rendani. 

Rendani moves back home to Venda for a fresh start. She ends up living with her grandmother – by far my favourite character in the book. I loved her way of life and the knowledge she imparted to Rendani. 

“Waking up everyday and knowing you can live off your own land? That is wealth.”

As Rendani starts building her life, she meets Fhumulani Makungo, he’s divorced and has questionable views about marriage.

The two fall in love. As they are about to embark on their new journey, Rendani’s fathers business takes a terrible turn which unfortunately is linked to Rendani. She is then forced to choose family over love. 

With all the twists, turns, drama…love eventually wins.

5. A Love That Heals – Catherine Phiri

• Easygoing
  • 2.5 Stars 

I read it and finished it. The style didn’t quite resonate with me, though I can see its appeal. 

A Love That Heals is a love story about healing, faith, trust and forgiveness. The story follows Thandaza, a girl from Polokwane who moves to Johannesburg looking for greener pastures for her and her adoptive Gogo who she loves dearly.

She meets Steven, a restaurateur who falls in love at first sight and adores her. 

As the two start spending time together, they grow together in love with Thandaza playing an important role in helping Steven deal and heal with his family dynamics. 

A well-meaning South African romance with a wholesome message. It just lacked the emotional depth between the characters that I usually look for in romance novels.

There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good story and August gave me a few worth remembering.