From Strangers to Lovers
- Robyn & Destiny by Nalo J. Stewart| A Book Review
Genre: Social Commentary/ Suspense with a touch of Romance
Contains: Second Chance, Love Again After Lost
Planning a felony for the first time is never easy, especially when you could lose everyone around you. Yet Robyn and Destiny are determined to commit one or several if it means teaching that person a lesson. However, life becomes complicated as Robyn rekindles her love with her ex-husband and Destiny starts a relationship with a cop.
“Somebody needs to kill that—.”
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
What Makes Robyn and Destiny by Nalo J. Steward A Good Read
- What about your Friends?
I love the friendship between Robyn and Destiny. I love the understanding and support between them. The author does a great job of showing it by the way they argue and reconcile and how well their families intermingle with each other.
2. Iconic Black Women
As a black history buff, I truly enjoyed the historical pioneers that were mentioned in the book. I even learned some new names.
3. Multidimensional Characters
I truly enjoy the different sides of all the characters in the story, from the main characters and their love interests to the villain. Each character and most side characters were humanized and given a relatable personality, even when a character may have committed an act that the reader may not like.
What I Feel Some Kinda Way About
1. Slow Beginnings
The story is slow to get started. While I enjoyed learning more about Robyn’s and Destiny’s lives, I was constantly waiting for the story to get into the thick of it.
2. Up with your Eyes Too Wide Open
This is a personal preference. While I love when books offer a glimpse of today’s social climate in their stories, I felt this book overdid it. Not because it was mentioned throughout the story, for good reasons, but because it covers up the characters’ personalities. The author created prominent characters that are interesting and multidimensional, yet it kinda fade in the background with all the social justice references added into their personalities in such a major way.
3. Transition
There were a couple of scenes where the transition wasn’t clear and I got lost for a moment.
Book Review and Recommendation
Review: 4/5
Recommendation: 3/5
If you want to read my Top Three Things of this book, which contains spoilers, click here.
To check out more books by Nalo J. Steward , click here.
- Who Would Have Thought? by Britt Joni| A Book Review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Contains: Enemies to Lovers
The meeting between Jaleesa Spice and Ancient Truth was anything but great. Neither were the meetings that follow. Yet, who would have thought that Jaleesa and Ancient would find comfort and peace in each other arms as they heal old wounds and look towards the future?
“But yes, she challenged me to live, and for that, I am forever grateful.”
What Makes Who Would Have Thought? by Britt Joni A Good Read
- The Characters
The main characters, Jaleesa and Ancient, are realistic characters with their own problems. We get to see how their problems affect their lives and influence the people that they are. In addition, we see them overcome their issues.
2. Black Excellence
I love that the author shows black characters as business owners and entrepreneurs. It warms my heart to read it!
3. Law
I like that the author took the time to do research about the marijuana and CBC laws in North Carolina and incorporated it effortlessly into the story. I see you, sis.
What I would have liked to See Happen
1. Transition
Honestly, the lack of proper transition from one scene to the next messed with the flow of the story and created confusion for me while reading. Also, the timeline of the events in the story was hard to measure. Thus, I found myself constantly rereading scenes.
2. A Balance of Dialogue and Description
While reading, it felt as if I was reading two diaries instead of a story. There wasn’t enough dialogue between the characters in the story to build good pictures of them. While I am able to read the main characters’ thoughts and see their struggles, it is very one-dimensional because I only am able to gather insights from their opinions instead of from the opinions of other characters.
3. The World Around Them
This goes with point number two. Because of the point of view and how the author told the story, I didn’t get to see a good characterization of the supporting characters. I also don’t see an in-depth look at their businesses and their romantic life.
Book Review and Recommendation
Review: 2.5/5
Recommendation: 2.2/5
Would I try this author again? Yes
*The author had a good plot and characterization; however, it fell short due to the points that I listed above. I think with some editing, this story could be amazing.
If you want to read my personal rant about a subject matter that was found in this book, click here.
To check out more books by Britt Joni, click here.
- An Unexpected Valentine by Te Russ| RAW Valentine’s Short | A Book Review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Theme: Enemies to Lovers | Valentine Romance
Yasmin can think of a few reasons why she hates Nolan Griffin. However, an unexpected Valentine plan, makes her see him differently, slowly changing her heated gaze from one of hate to one of passion.
Nolan can’t understand why Yasmin placed a cold barrier between them, especially when he wants to be closer to her. Yet, a game of topgolf on Valentine’s Day may give him the answer that he is seeking.
“If you win, you can have whatever it is you want.”
What Makes An Unexpected Valentine by Te Russ A Good Read
1. Different Sides of the Character
For a short novella, the author does a great job of capturing the different sides of the main characters. We get to see the feisty and regretful side of Yasmin, and the cold anger and playfulness of Nolan. Seeing the different sides of them allowed us to see what kind of people they are.
2. The Build-up
Going from simmering hot to boiling hot. The chemistry between the two is definitely amazing. You could feel the heat through words and gestures. And when their passion exploded it was dynamite.
3. All in a Day
Even though the story happens all on Valentine’s Day, the author does a great job of showing how an enemy can become a lover in one day.
What I Feel Some Kinda Way About
1. All the Places It Could Go
The book is too short. The story should have been a novel instead of a novella. There is so much more to explore with such amazing characters.
2. A Cheesy Moment
There is a cheesy, yet teachable moment in the book. The moment is needed but I felt that it messed with the flow of the story.
Book Review and Recommendation
Review: 4/5
Recommendation: 4/5
As always check out my Top Three Things, which contains spoilers, by clicking “here” !!!
To check out more books by Te Russ, click here.
To read the book in which we first met Yasmin and Nolan, click here.
- Perfect by Delaney Diamond | Book Two of the Johnson Family | A Book Review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Theme: Second Chance at Romance | Estranged Couple
A perfect marriage was what Cyrus Jackson had hoped for when he married Daniella Barrett-Johnson. However, the truth of a million-dollar secret caused Daniella to leave him. But just because she left doesn’t mean their marriage ended. Three years later, Daniella is beyond frustrated with Cyrus, who is purposely delaying their divorce. She wants out of their marriage for good. She is willing to do anything to get out of it. Unfortunately for her, the only way Cyrus is going to sign on the dotted line if she keeps her promise to him.
“Good for him…no one seemed to consider whether or not Cyrus was good for her.”
What Makes Perfect by Delaney Diamond A Good Read
1. A Woman who Fights Back
Daniella is a strong, independent woman not because she can take care of herself but because she fights for what she wants. When she wanted to leave, she left. When she wants to get a divorce, she fights for it. And when she wants love, she fights for it.
Even when she is backed into a corner, she fights to protect her interest. She doesn’t let money or people’s opinions stop her. That is what makes her strong.
2. Passion and Emotion
From chapter one to the end, it is HOT! I love the passion between Cyrus and Daniella. And passion aside, I think that author does a great job of displaying the characters’ emotions: from Cyrus’s cold anger and Daniella’s happiness while in Costa del Sol to their painful separation.
3. Cyrus’s Code of Honor
Even though Cyrus is a hard man to love and to deal with, he has some amazing qualities.
- He is a man of his word.
- He respects and supports his family and those with whom he is close to.
- He helps others without seeking recognition or thanks.
- He takes his marriage vows and his duty as a husband seriously despite the long separation.
4. Family Matters
As a book that is part two of a series, it does a great job of showing the relationship and progress of the first book’s characters as well as getting the reader interested in the following books’ characters.
5.The Process of the Story
If you read my other reviews, you know that I have a thing about time. This is the first review that I have done where I like the pace of the story. Daniella doesn’t go from telling Cyrus that she wants a divorce to immediately falling back in love with him. The author takes time to show each stage of them falling in love again. From their fighting to a somewhat agreement to their reconciliation.
What I would have like to See Happen
1. More of communication
While I love the romance between Cyrus and Daniella, I feel that they didn’t communicate their difference and expectations well. Misunderstanding and issues were solved through conversations with third-party characters and internal thinking over their partner’s actions.
Book Review and Recommendation
Review: 4/5
Recommendation: 4.2/5
As always check out my Top Three Things, which contains spoilers, by clicking “here” !!!
To check out more books by Delaney Diamond, click here.
