A Heart to Mend

ABOUT Myne Whitman

Myne Whitman
Myne Whitman is a pen name. I have lived in Nigeria and the UK and now live with my husband in Bellevue, Washington. I volunteer as an ESL tutor for a local charity. I have worked as a banker, a teacher, a skate-hire attendant and in the civil service. I now write full-time.

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Description

A Heart to Mend narrates a love story and a journey of self-discovery. Newly graduated Gladys moves to Lagos and a new job gradually transitions her into an independent young woman. When she meets Edward, a wealthy businessman, she is cynical of his advances but falls in love with him. 

Edward is physically attracted to Gladys but is not ready to give his heart. He is haunted by the past of his illegitimate birth and other secrets. Just as he starts to open up, Gladys finds herself embroiled in a plot to take over his business empire. Their happiness is in jeopardy and Gladys has to find a way to prove her innocence. Will Edward trust her enough to give love a chance? 

In the book, Gladys is a young woman, newly arrived in Lagos and from a deprived background. She had been estranged from her aunt and is a bit cynical of rich people. While still working on her new relationship with her Aunt Isioma, she meets Edward, a wealthy egoist who is surprising kindhearted. She is smitten by his physical looks and his interest in her though she continues to feel he's out of her reach. Edward is highly attracted to her physically but as time goes on, he realizes he may have set up his heart for a fall. He is from a shadowed past and has been deeply scarred by events that happened when he was younger. They are able to surmount this and all other obstacles before them including differing views on premarital sex, social class and contrary advice from friends. Gladys and Edward decide to trust their hearts with each other and begin to prepare for their wedding. This main story line runs through the subplot of growing friendships, family reunions, the Nigerian stock market, business intrigues and a vendetta. The novel details how we can be affected by events from our past and how it may limit our opportunities in the present especially in the area of love and relationships. Gladys obsesses over the divide between her and Edward, while he had barricaded his heart and was not letting anyone in, man or woman. The lesson is that none of us is perfect but we should be able to keep our heart open for that (sometimes one) person who has enough masking tape to cover our imperfections and make an ideal couple.

Nigerian author Myne Whitman has written a captivating first novel that presents the gripping tale of a young woman finding her feet in the world and how her life intersects with that of the wealthy egoist she meets. This main story line runs through the subplots of a tear-soaked family reunion and high-powered company acquisitions.


‘A Heart To Mend’ narrates the relationship between Gladys and Edward and offers a unique reading experience. Direct and action packed, the masterful use of emotion and suspense will keep readers totally engrossed and guessing till the end.


In this contemporary romance novel, the themes of premarital sex, social class mobility, and romantic ups and downs that mark a budding love are fully explored. However, Myne Whitman takes the story even further. Some unnamed people are about to take over Edward’s business empire and Gladys is implicated. Who are these people who want to betray him and destroy their happiness?

A HEART TO MEND will bring tears to the eyes and cheers at the end especially for those who have experienced the search for a career or tumultuous family and emotional relationships. Readers will be pleasantly surprised by the description of Lagos, the Nigerian stock market, and other business intrigues.