Title: Broken and Unspoken: A Story of Strength and Healing
Author: Adanna Okpalanma-Chika
Year of Publication: 2024
Number of Pages: 201
You’re not exactly sure how to label Broken and Unspoken. Is it a memoir? A biography? Maybe both. But that doesn’t really matter because once you start reading, you’ll find yourself pulled in by a story that feels honest, real, and deeply human.
At the heart of the book are two people: the therapist (who also wrote the book) and her client. What makes this book stand out is how their two stories are told side by side. The author doesn’t just talk about healing, she shows it, through both her own journey and that of the woman sitting across from her.
Usually, what’s said in therapy stays there. But this time, with the client’s full permission, Adanna Okpalanma-Chika lets us in. And what we find is a story that brought healing not just to the one who lived it, but to the one who listened. Now, they’re both sharing it with the world, hoping someone out there might feel less alone.
The book is written in simple, honest words. You can hear both voices, the therapist and the client, clearly, and their stories flow together naturally. There’s deep pain in this book. The kind that begins with losing a mother, and then being blamed for that loss simply because she died giving birth to you. It’s heartbreaking. But it’s real. And the way the author tells it makes you feel every word.
At first, the pace is slow. You might wonder why the client is in therapy at all. But little by little, the pieces come together. And when they do, you’re faced with painful truths, about childhood trauma, abuse, loneliness, and the struggle to feel worthy of love. The book opens up hard conversations like emotional and physical abuse, sexual violence, grief, betrayal, and the long road to healing.
Sometimes, the emotions in the book feel heavy and repetitive. You may feel like putting it down but then, something pulls you back in.
At first, you didn’t get it. You thought, Why doesn’t she just leave? Why is she still there? You might even feel frustrated. But as the story unfolds, you begin to see the fear, the shame, the silence and suddenly, you understand. Leaving an abusive relationship isn’t simple. And this book helps you see why.
The therapist also shares her own struggles, which makes her feel real not like someone with all the answers, but someone still learning too. That honesty makes the book feel even more powerful.
If you’ve ever lived through trauma or PTSD, this book speaks to something deep inside you. It doesn’t just tell a story; it reflects your own. You might find moments of comfort, or even quiet healing, in the pages.
Still, just when it feels like things are getting better, something else happens. The emotional ups and downs can be draining. But even in the darkest parts, there’s a soft, steady reminder that healing is possible. That light does come.
There’s a part of the book that may confuse you. Most of the story is told in past tense, but sometimes it shifts into the present, especially during the therapy sessions. You might have to pause and re-read to keep track but it’s worth it.
By the end, the book starts to feel more like a self-help guide. In fact, if you jumped straight to the last few chapters, you’d find some of the most powerful lessons waiting there.
When you finish Broken and Unspoken, you might look at your own life differently. You may notice wounds you’ve ignored. But more importantly, you’ll begin to see how healing can start. And you may finally understand why speaking to someone, a therapist, a guide can make all the difference.
This book is for anyone who’s tired of hiding pain, and ready to find peace, power, and purpose again.
About the reviewer
Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies Event and the Publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and to help other women have the same in their lives. Email: titi.oyemade@gmail.com Social: @tiipreeofficial
