What do you think?
Rate this book
Strum My Pain
Lusanda is a self-proclaimed playboy who has his life already planned for him. He has no time nor the inclination for love. He prefers playmates that know the score − to have a good time with no strings attached. When a passionate night with a dark beauty comes with the possibility of complications, he has no choice but to chase after her.
As they find each other again, it becomes a battle of wills and passion between the two. With so many obstacles in their way and deep-seated layers of pain, will they be able to find love and strum each other’s pain away, or will they succumb to the pressure of expectations?
As they find each other again, it becomes a battle of wills and passion between the two. With so many obstacles in their way and deep-seated layers of pain, will they be able to find love and strum each other’s pain away, or will they succumb to the pressure of expectations?
243 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2020
16 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 16, 2020
Romantic fiction meets general suspense thriller with a dystopian twist merging New Adult protagonist dealing with challenges which come with adulthood.
Strum My Pain is so difficult to categorise. The narrating is by two different voices, Ndoni, 22 and trying to carve her own space in the established world of her older lover, Lusanda. A world which is not only filled with histories from a life lived before her but, includes a futuristic parallel universe with heaps of imaginative scenarios. Lusanda lives and operates in both these settings.
All these elements add a fantastically unique range to the plot and the twists make for a great reading.
Lusanda, an heir to The Twelve Kingdoms, meets Ndoni, a young woman who dreams of leaving home for good and establishing an independent life for herself, and things ricochet from that one encounter.
Ndoni, driven by childhood trauma, is adamant that she remains independent while Lusanda, also battling his own traumatic history and running away from an age-old tradition, is determined to capture and retain the love of his life.
Pumza explores the conundrum that Ndoni finds herself in by centering her experiences. This by no means reduces Ndoni's narrative as just Women's Fiction. She is damaged and struggles with "feminine ways". Though jaded, she is definitely not a damsel in distress. She is calculative not in a conniving manner but as a sense of self-preservation.
She is broken but still gets picked which adds a deeper counter-narrative to "Pygmalion".
If you enjoy Lee Child, Jojo Moyes, Nnedi Okorafor and Stieg Larsson, you will enjoy reading Strum My Pain.
The snag for me was that there were some vignettes which ended abruptly and could have been better with purposeful development.
Most of the characters are from Pumza's first two books, Unspoken Truth and Ravaged Souls.
Do not be fooled by the jacket and the commercial appeal of the cover. Strum My Pain is a great contribution to the archiving of stories from young African voices.
Strum My Pain is so difficult to categorise. The narrating is by two different voices, Ndoni, 22 and trying to carve her own space in the established world of her older lover, Lusanda. A world which is not only filled with histories from a life lived before her but, includes a futuristic parallel universe with heaps of imaginative scenarios. Lusanda lives and operates in both these settings.
All these elements add a fantastically unique range to the plot and the twists make for a great reading.
Lusanda, an heir to The Twelve Kingdoms, meets Ndoni, a young woman who dreams of leaving home for good and establishing an independent life for herself, and things ricochet from that one encounter.
Ndoni, driven by childhood trauma, is adamant that she remains independent while Lusanda, also battling his own traumatic history and running away from an age-old tradition, is determined to capture and retain the love of his life.
Pumza explores the conundrum that Ndoni finds herself in by centering her experiences. This by no means reduces Ndoni's narrative as just Women's Fiction. She is damaged and struggles with "feminine ways". Though jaded, she is definitely not a damsel in distress. She is calculative not in a conniving manner but as a sense of self-preservation.
She is broken but still gets picked which adds a deeper counter-narrative to "Pygmalion".
If you enjoy Lee Child, Jojo Moyes, Nnedi Okorafor and Stieg Larsson, you will enjoy reading Strum My Pain.
The snag for me was that there were some vignettes which ended abruptly and could have been better with purposeful development.
Most of the characters are from Pumza's first two books, Unspoken Truth and Ravaged Souls.
Do not be fooled by the jacket and the commercial appeal of the cover. Strum My Pain is a great contribution to the archiving of stories from young African voices.
November 17, 2020
Strum my pain, my long awaited treasure.
This third installment is just full of something the previous two books didn't have thriller and suspense. I read it within a day, because I just wanted to see how everything will work out for the charming, secretive Sanda and the beautiful Ndoni.
I must say it was so good to read about not your typical caramel, tiny waist kind of woman that I've read about, no offense my light skinned people . This one was as dark as they come and her beauty was just radiating on her without even trying to enhance it. How far does one go to protect someone they claim they don't love? Hmmmm, it was such a thrill to watch each one of them realising that.The emotions when these two were together were so palpable. Pumza (the author) captured those moments beautifully however I feel robbed when it comes to Sanda's parents, I don't think they did all they could to have a good relationship with him. I must say this one finished when I was still expecting so much more. Well who knows, there might be a continuation, wedding perhaps I don't know. I'm going to sit here and wait.
This third installment is just full of something the previous two books didn't have thriller and suspense. I read it within a day, because I just wanted to see how everything will work out for the charming, secretive Sanda and the beautiful Ndoni.
I must say it was so good to read about not your typical caramel, tiny waist kind of woman that I've read about, no offense my light skinned people . This one was as dark as they come and her beauty was just radiating on her without even trying to enhance it. How far does one go to protect someone they claim they don't love? Hmmmm, it was such a thrill to watch each one of them realising that.The emotions when these two were together were so palpable. Pumza (the author) captured those moments beautifully however I feel robbed when it comes to Sanda's parents, I don't think they did all they could to have a good relationship with him. I must say this one finished when I was still expecting so much more. Well who knows, there might be a continuation, wedding perhaps I don't know. I'm going to sit here and wait.
November 16, 2020
Love will always humble you, Sanda thought he's not capable of loving someone like how his friends have been around him, not knowing that it's because he hasn't met who was tailored for him. And I loved how they showed that family is who treats you as such not necessarily someone who's blood related to you. They were there for each other more than their families where there.....I liked Ndoni's attitude she didn't fall victim of her circumstances, instead of letting her circumstances break her she let them motivate her to work extra hard to get out that situation. She handled the situation as if she choose it herself.... As for 12 kingdoms I was saddened by how parents were willing to sacrifice their kids just for them to stay in power. Melo was just a pawn to the end game she wasn't that important to his father. She was as important as her ability to execute the mission if she fails she's useless....
November 2, 2020
I was enjoying the book until we got to the 12 Kingdoms 😴
November 16, 2020
I have to say after reading SMP I did not want it to end. I love Lusanda and Ndoni and I selfishly expected more and felt it was rushed in some places. Who would have thought Lusanda, a certified player, would end up madly inlove and wanting marriage.
His childhood story is just heartbreaking and for him to have been able to turn his life around is just amazing. Noone deserves to see and experience what he has.
Ndoni on the other hand also suffered some growing up pains. I love how she was determined to do better and excel. Her story should be a motivation to a lot of young girls.
I love how she got to love herself as well.
This was another great read from Pumza Shabangu.
His childhood story is just heartbreaking and for him to have been able to turn his life around is just amazing. Noone deserves to see and experience what he has.
Ndoni on the other hand also suffered some growing up pains. I love how she was determined to do better and excel. Her story should be a motivation to a lot of young girls.
I love how she got to love herself as well.
This was another great read from Pumza Shabangu.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2023
I enjoyed this book,The powerful friendships and love here is visible from beginning to end. I love how the book centres around friendship, family and the reference to mental health. Ndoni his been through soo much without any healing and she believes Lusanda is her healing. These people are not only friends but family. I could not put it down for a while but there were places were I felt the book took more of a fantasy route but the love story of Lusanda and Ndoni has been my favourite in all the series but there are some areas were I feel like the author lost me for a while but I love the book soo much I read it the whole night and I can't wait for more from the author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2022
I had to google the word strum at the end of the book just so I can understand the title. Anyways the book is about a young orphaned girl from a village called Vryheid who was abused by her guardians. Like any other ambitious girl from the bunduz, she went to varsity and thought that all will be well but it turned out life was a lot hard after accepting firm offer. She had to work while studying and that put a strain on her studies. She lost her bursary and was forced to go back home but before that, she was fortunate to spend a few nights with a handsome stranger who caught feelings at their first interaction but chose to downplay them. Reality struck and she had to go back home. It wasn’t easy but she managed to get on her feet with the help of her guardian angel. God’s favour was upon her because she reconciled with the strange man and discovered something that could change her entire life. Adjusting to the new reality of her life wasn’t easy but she was not one to give up. Just like the girl, the man also have demons of the past that haunted him.
The book in general was really interesting and I couldn’t put it down. The abuse really broke my heart, especially when it happened to the guy. It is a really great book but I felt like it is a sequel. I was overwhelmed by the number of characters introduced whenever Lusanda's name was mentioned. I would like to know from the author if there is any other book before it. But overall, I loved it.
The book in general was really interesting and I couldn’t put it down. The abuse really broke my heart, especially when it happened to the guy. It is a really great book but I felt like it is a sequel. I was overwhelmed by the number of characters introduced whenever Lusanda's name was mentioned. I would like to know from the author if there is any other book before it. But overall, I loved it.
April 28, 2025
Strum my Pain
Strum My Pain is a beautifully nostalgic journey that tugs at both heartstrings and memory. Having first encountered this story on Facebook Diaries, I was instantly drawn to its raw emotion storytelling. Now, reading the Kindle copy, the experience feels even richer and more intimate.
The story delves into deep emotional story about love, loss, and healing abd childhood trauma. It is all conveyed with a tenderness that feels both personal and universal. The characters are vividly drawn, each carrying their own wounds and hopes, and it's impossible not to see reflections of oneself in them.
What makes Strum My Pain truly special is how it brings back the emotions I felt during those first reads online. There's a warmth and familiarity to it, like rediscovering an old song that once meant the world to you. The transition from Facebook to hard copy and soft copy hasn’t dulled its impact; if anything, it has made the story even more powerful.
For anyone who cherishes stories that echo long after the last page, Strum My Pain is a must-read. It’s not just a book — it’s a memory revived, a feeling rekindled for us Strummers
Strum My Pain is a beautifully nostalgic journey that tugs at both heartstrings and memory. Having first encountered this story on Facebook Diaries, I was instantly drawn to its raw emotion storytelling. Now, reading the Kindle copy, the experience feels even richer and more intimate.
The story delves into deep emotional story about love, loss, and healing abd childhood trauma. It is all conveyed with a tenderness that feels both personal and universal. The characters are vividly drawn, each carrying their own wounds and hopes, and it's impossible not to see reflections of oneself in them.
What makes Strum My Pain truly special is how it brings back the emotions I felt during those first reads online. There's a warmth and familiarity to it, like rediscovering an old song that once meant the world to you. The transition from Facebook to hard copy and soft copy hasn’t dulled its impact; if anything, it has made the story even more powerful.
For anyone who cherishes stories that echo long after the last page, Strum My Pain is a must-read. It’s not just a book — it’s a memory revived, a feeling rekindled for us Strummers
November 17, 2020
A bit more fast paced than her previous book but I instantly feel inlove with the main character of the book, Ndoni. Pumza touches on an issue which many black communities shy away from or are sometimes quite oblivious to it..colourism. It has your boy meets girl, boy becomes knight in shining armour vibe but the one thing I loved about it is how her character constantly kept her resolve of being who she is despite the circumstances she finds herself in. Her strong persona and yet vulnerability of how she looks and how the world perceives her made it all the more so relevant to what most dark skinned girls go through. Pumza depicts Ndoni's character as one of many girls who dont see the "light" in who they are because of who they were told to be unless they are fortunate enough to go outside of the environment they find themselves trapped in. Loved the humour and the action packed life of Lusanda who in the previous books remained both a mystery and a pillar of strength to his friends. Basically worth the read.
October 13, 2025
Black Pearl
I read Strum My Pain in one sitting — that alone should show how powerful this book is and how deeply it cultivated me. The storyline had me hooked from the start, but what truly stood out was how Pumza captured the pain of abuse and then turned it into a moving journey of healing, self-love, and transformation.
Ndoni’s growth was incredible to witness. Seeing her slowly begin to believe she was worthy of love was so powerful. And Sanda? Oh man. The way he loved her so selflessly, constantly reassuring her that she was beautiful until she started to believe it herself — it was everything. That kind of love is rare, and it was portrayed so beautifully.
This book took me on a full emotional rollercoaster. I cried — and it’s been a long time since a book broke me open like that. Strum My Pain tore down my walls and left a lasting mark.
Well done, Pumza. A heartfelt, unforgettable read. Solid 5 stars.
I read Strum My Pain in one sitting — that alone should show how powerful this book is and how deeply it cultivated me. The storyline had me hooked from the start, but what truly stood out was how Pumza captured the pain of abuse and then turned it into a moving journey of healing, self-love, and transformation.
Ndoni’s growth was incredible to witness. Seeing her slowly begin to believe she was worthy of love was so powerful. And Sanda? Oh man. The way he loved her so selflessly, constantly reassuring her that she was beautiful until she started to believe it herself — it was everything. That kind of love is rare, and it was portrayed so beautifully.
This book took me on a full emotional rollercoaster. I cried — and it’s been a long time since a book broke me open like that. Strum My Pain tore down my walls and left a lasting mark.
Well done, Pumza. A heartfelt, unforgettable read. Solid 5 stars.
October 27, 2020
When the heart wants what it wants. This is a love story of 2 different people from 2 different worlds yet with so much similar painful life experiences and having that desire to be loved. Ndoni is an orphan in an abusive family setup whilst Lusanda has childhood traumas that keep torturing his peace of mind. We get to meet other characters from the first 2 books and how they intertwine together. It's such an easy read, no much thinking needed especially in this heat. The story is told from a two different people's points of view- Ndoni and Lusanda's which comes out beautifully. It celebrates friendships(every gal needs a Vuyo👊🏾🥰), relationships, royalty, and the importance of family. It also brings out issues of abuse, child abuse in training camps, and the value of mental health. Would gladly recommend it.
November 16, 2020
A beautiful love story coming together, my absolute favorite love story. Witnessing the roudy play boy that I read about in the previous books, falling in love like that, was amazing. And at the same time he brought a huge change in Ndoni's life who had everything hard growing up in the hands of family. This was a beautiful story that ended too soon for my liking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2020
I'm still currently reading because wow! I never want to stop reading about my favorite couple Ndoni and lu make things to be done to the max!! ❤️It still breaks my heart how Ndoni was treated and everything that she being through.. Anyway I'm still enjoying my read. A biggest shout out to Pumza Shabangu I love you. ❤️❤️Thank you for blessing us with your talent.
November 7, 2021
Really enjoyed the book. What i liked from the characters is that they did not wallow in self-pity because of how they grew up, i really appreciated that Pumza did not put us through the torture of a person feeling sorry for themselve, as for Ndoni i really admired her strength...
This was my 1st read by Pumza and i must say, i'll be buying more of her books
This was my 1st read by Pumza and i must say, i'll be buying more of her books
February 10, 2022
This was my first ever purchase and God knows I didn't regret it. Read the book in one night, I just couldn't put it down once I started reading. It's captivating and the suspense keeps you on your toes, you just want to know what's going to happen next. I cannot wait to buy its Sequel ❤🥳
August 27, 2023
Beauty in Brokeness
This is a well written story about imperfection, pain, family drama and love. Worthwhile read. The author touches on these topics with sensitivity and some parts of the stories were relatable.
This is a well written story about imperfection, pain, family drama and love. Worthwhile read. The author touches on these topics with sensitivity and some parts of the stories were relatable.
October 10, 2024
Pumza at it again
Your storytelling is unmatched.I have fallen in love ever since I have dicovered your books. Your wit,humour always have me hooked from the first page. This book is about resilience,perserverance and learning self love despite being told differently.
Your storytelling is unmatched.I have fallen in love ever since I have dicovered your books. Your wit,humour always have me hooked from the first page. This book is about resilience,perserverance and learning self love despite being told differently.
March 9, 2025
I finished the book within a day. I simply had to find out who Lusanda is and the kids were.
Beautifully written book, I love how the strength of friendship is portrayed in this second book and how trauma and fear can cripple one from living life to their fullest.
Beautifully written book, I love how the strength of friendship is portrayed in this second book and how trauma and fear can cripple one from living life to their fullest.
November 16, 2020
Lusanda is a whole vibe and crush! I enjoyed and was sad when I was finished reading it
January 2, 2025
Between the three Lu’s, Lusanda is my favourite. I feel like the song he was talking about is Cold water by Major Lazer cause it perfectly describes the essence of his character.
August 1, 2021
What a beautiful written story of Sands and Ndoni.
Taught me that beauty is from within and not outside.
Two people with traumatic childhood backgrounds who came together to create a beautiful love story. I was so hooked and I was glad that the other characters' stories from the previous books were concluded in this book e.g., Vuyo and Luxolo.
Welldone Pumza
Taught me that beauty is from within and not outside.
Two people with traumatic childhood backgrounds who came together to create a beautiful love story. I was so hooked and I was glad that the other characters' stories from the previous books were concluded in this book e.g., Vuyo and Luxolo.
Welldone Pumza
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews