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📖 Book Review: It Started With I Do by Amaka Azie

Have you ever felt neglected, disappointed, or made to feel like you’re not enough — to the point where you start questioning your choice of a life partner? That moment when you doubt everything, including the very existence of your relationship?

This is where we meet Udoka and Iriah. Two people trying to navigate love, marriage, expectations, and identity.

Udoka is a man struggling with balance. A perfectionist and perhaps even an extremist — driven by the desire to measure up, especially because of the family he married into. In his pursuit of success and validation, he overlooks the one thing his wife desperately needs: attention, affection, and emotional presence. Small gestures, big gestures — they all matter. That’s a lesson we can all take home.

Iriah, on the other hand, wants what many women long for — to be seen, cherished, respected. But even she must confront her own struggles with trust and dependence.

I loved the way Amaka weaved in supporting characters like Anuli and Etim — voices of reason and wisdom. They stood as pillars, helping this couple find their way back to each other.

The story also touches on parental expectations — how families often feel entitled to choose our life partners. But who really lives that life? Who wakes up every morning with the consequences of those choices? That’s the real question.

This book is rich with themes of:

  1. Hurt and healing
  2. Self-esteem and ego
  3. Acknowledgment and acceptance
  4. Connection and forgiveness

It’s a reminder that marriage or partnership isn’t just about love — it’s about building together, being seen, being supported, and doing the work.

The retreat chapter almost broke me. Amaka, you really pulled on my heartstrings there.

And can we talk about that powerful moment from Iriah?

"This isn’t about any of you. It’s about me."

That was a full-circle moment of strength, ownership, and freedom. She truly owned my heart.

Even couples like Wale and Simi — though their story ended differently — found healing and closure. That too is love.

Final Thoughts:

This isn’t just a love story — it’s a story about people. Flawed, beautiful, growing people.

It’s about choices, voices, pain, and the courage to build again.

🔖 Rating: 4.5/5

💬 My TBR just keeps growing… but this one was worth every page.

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