Flooding the River is a third person nonlinear narrative about a Nigerian American woman named Lolah. As a protagonist, Lolah is indecisive, and a reflection of the old saying that to be seen one must first show up. The novel is broken into three sections that use scenes from the past and present to detail how Lolah makes the hard decision between two love interests. Lolah tries to balance being in love with NNAMDI, who she meets at a writing seminar, and complicated feelings for CHI, the son of her aunt's best friend. Lolah’s problem is one of certainty. Each section of the book adds new layers to the fullness of Lolah’s relationships with the two men, while also examining her relationships with others around her, including her mother and her Auntie Kay. This book captures how relationships frequently unfold in ways we cannot imagine, and shows us that the means are just as important as the end. Faced with sacrifice, loss, and heartbreak, through Lolah, her mother, and her Auntie Kay we see three stories that show the reader there is no one way to be an African woman in love.

These characters show how love is learned and unlearned and passed down generation after generation; and yet even through hardship love is really meant to be sweet, hopeful and even triumphant.