Nigerian-French author Ayo Deforge is set to release her second novel, Under the Rain, on December 1, 2025, through Witsprouts Books, the literary imprint of Witsprouts Global Ltd.
Deforge, who first gained recognition for her debut novel Tearless, has carved a reputation for delivering poignant narratives that examine the inner lives of her characters. With Under the Rain, she brings to the forefront the difficult choices people make in the name of love—and the consequences that echo years later.
At the heart of the story are Bolaji and Shola, childhood friends bound by affection but separated by a medical revelation: both carry the sickle cell trait. While Bolaji is ready to give up fatherhood to stay with Shola, she chooses a different path—relocating to the United States and marrying someone else. Years later, the two meet again in Nigeria, and the encounter forces them to confront buried feelings and the enduring impact of decisions made long ago.
Born in Lagos in 1982, Deforge began writing poetry in her early teens, often as a way of processing personal loss. She studied French at Lagos State University and later moved to France in 2012. Her short stories and essays have appeared in notable publications including Litro Magazine, Brittle Paper, and Kalahari Review.
Her first novel, Tearless, released in 2023, was shortlisted for both the Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Fiction and the Chinua Achebe Prize for Fiction in 2024.
Witsprouts Books, founded by cultural advocate and media entrepreneur Tope Akintayo, has become a platform for emerging and established African voices in literature. With titles like The Year of Free Birds and Love Grows Stronger in Death, the imprint continues its mission to spotlight stories that reflect the richness of African identity, experience, and imagination.
The book will be available in both print and digital formats through Witsprouts Books and major online and physical retailers.
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
