These Letters End in Tears

Shortlisted for the 2025 British Book Awards for Debut Fiction Book of the Year

Set in Cameroon, where being gay is punishable by law, this is the heart-wrenching story of forbidden love between two young girls, one Christian, the other Muslim—both rebels against an unforgiving society.

While chasing a rogue football, Fatima crosses paths with Bessem and the instant attraction between the two propels them into a life-changing romance. Despite an atmosphere of threat due to the criminalisation of same-sex relationships in their home country of Cameroon, Fatima and Bessem persevere in living out their love. All seems to be going well, until one day tragedy strikes, and Fatima disappears…

Thirteen years later, Bessem is now a university professor, keeping her sexuality secret but bonding with her equally-closeted friend Jamal and the queer community around her. But Fatima still haunts her. A chance encounter with people from her past pushes Bessem to finally go after the truth of her lover’s whereabouts.

Told mostly through unsent letters, These Letters End in Tears powerfully charts all the different ways that love, despite all odds, can persevere.