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A deep red cover with dark silhouettes of two figures sitting back-to-back on a hill, surrounded by bare trees and a single bird perched on a branch.

Philosophical. Romantic. Therapeutic.

Ooh, Love Where Do You Get the Nerve!

A poetry-flavored tale of unrequited love, inspired by true events

by C. O. Okongo

4.8 from 4 reviews

A quasi-romantic tale of unrequited love that takes us on a ride-along with the narrator as he recounts one of his most consequential early-life experiences. Told through letters and poems addressed to 'Love' and 'April', it is a self-healing writing journey presented with raw authenticity.

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About this book

This quasi-romantic tale of unrequited love takes us on a ride-along with the narrator as he recounts one of his most consequential early-life experiences. In what he labels “the last chapter of our story”, the narrator allows us a front-row seat through what turned out to be a self-healing writing journey. The entries are specifically addressed to love (as a reminder of its hand throughout the predicament) and to ‘April’ (the girl on the other side of the line). This piece, condensed into letters and poems, promises uniqueness in style and narration, presented with raw authenticity and strong emotional detailing.
“A poetry-flavored tale of unrequited love, inspired by true events”

Author's commentary

One of my primary aspirations while working on this book was to weave memories into a piece of art. Writing this was a therapeutic process, allowing me to transform personal heartbreak into something universally relatable through poetry and prose.

C. O. Okongo

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Dear Love, you arrived unannounced, wearing the face of a stranger who felt like home. You promised everything and delivered nothing but a pen and a broken heart. I wrote to you because I had nowhere else to put the noise.

Reviews

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Audience reviews

4.8

4 reviews

  • 5 star3
  • 4 star1
  • 3 star0
  • 2 star0
  • 1 star0

Kelvin Njoroge · Kenya

3 October 2026

A voice that sounds like home

As a Nairobi based reader, I loved how familiar the voice felt. It is not trying to be Shakespeare. It is just a guy being brutally honest about loving someone who did not love him back. That authenticity is what makes it work. Highly recommend.

Brian O. · Kenya

3 October 2026

Honest writing with a strong ending

I am not usually a poetry guy, but the blend of letters and verse made this so easy to sink into. It reads like a conversation you are not supposed to be listening to, but you cannot look away. The last chapter of our story framing hit hard.

Wanjiku M · Kenya

3 October 2026

This book found me at the right time

I finished this in one sitting. The way Chris writes about heartbreak feels like he reached into my own past and pulled out the words I could never find. April could be anyone. She was me, she was my ex, she was every almost relationship I have ever had. Beautiful and painful in the best way.

Austine Okongo · Nairobi

3 October 2026

I'm not usually a poetry guy, but the blend of letters and verse made this so easy to sink into. It reads like a conversation you're not supposed to be listening to, but you can't look away. The 'last chapter of our story' framing hit hard