This book follows low-level enforcer Ken Swift as he navigates his troubled romances, a fraught relationship with his daughter, and a spiraling contract job. While the story shows promise with intriguing plot points, excessive and unrealistic dialogue and unresolved plotlines left me feeling lost. Proceed with caution, especially if racial slurs are a concern.
Category: Romance
While We Were Dating
Jasmine Guillory's "While We Were Dating" follows the unexpected romance between Ben and Hollywood star Anna Gardiner. Their flirtation during an impromptu road trip blossoms into a steamy affair, challenging Ben's aversion to the limelight. With familiar characters and Guillory's passionate storytelling, this novel offers a refreshing take on love without "struggle love" tropes, perfect for black women readers.
Zora Books Her Happy Ever After
Zora, a dedicated bookstore owner, finds herself caught in a love triangle after meeting charming author Lawrence and his thoughtful friend Reid. As she navigates their competing affections, she realizes that first impressions can be deceiving. Despite some pacing and dialogue issues, the book offers a delightful and brisk read, perfect for a lighthearted escape.
Honey Girl
Grace Porter, a stressed-out PhD graduate, impulsively marries a stranger in Vegas, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and messy adulthood. "Honey Girl" struggles to find its narrative purpose, with shallow character development and unengaging writing. While it may not appeal to everyone, it could still serve as an unconventional start to Black History Month reading.
Waiting to Exhale
Terry McMillan's "Waiting to Exhale" captivates with the intertwining stories of Bernadine, Savannah, Gloria, and Robin. Abridged on Audible, the characters' struggles and desires grip listeners. Bernadine faces abrupt single motherhood, Savannah seeks true love, Gloria juggles business and motherhood, and Robin's persona intrigues. Despite the abridgment's brevity, the audiobook offers a tantalizing taste of the novel's power.
This Could Be Us
Kennedy Ryan's "Before I Let Go" sequel weaves a captivating love narrative, focusing on Soledad's journey from a stay-at-home mom to a successful influencer. With emotionally rich characters like Judah and deep introspection, the story resonates profoundly. The writing, carefully composed and healing, is a breath of fresh air, pulling readers out of slumps. Although the narrative could explore certain relationships more, the book proves to be an outstanding and inspiring read.
The Hookup Plan
by: Farrah Rochonpublished: Aug 2, 2022genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction368 Pages, PaperbackGoodReads Link Previous Books in this Series:The Boyfriend Project #1The Dating Playbook #2 I. Characters The final installment in this series follows London, a pediatric surgeon, and, Drew a partner with a consulting firm hired to review the operations and finances of the hospital where… Continue reading The Hookup Plan
The Dating Playbook
by: Farrah Rochonpublished: Aug 17, 2021genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction384 Pages, PaperbackGoodReads Link Previous Book in this Series --> The Boyfriend Project #1 This review is going to be easy because it's pretty much going to mimic my review of book #1. I. Characters This story follows Taylor and Jamar - or Diesel Dixon, as he… Continue reading The Dating Playbook
The Boyfriend Project
by: Farrah Rochonpublished: Jun 09, 2020genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction345 Pages, PaperbackGoodReads Link Cute, quick read. I love a good, trauma-free romance. I. Characters Samiah and Daniel are a cute pair. I love the representation of black women in STEM because we're often not front and center on the brochures of these tech companies. Samiah is… Continue reading The Boyfriend Project
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
by: Tia Williamspublished: Feb 6, 2024genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction352 Pages, E-Book ARC Courtesy of NetGalleyGoodReads Link Tia. Tia. Tia. I love a good love story but, I am missing something with this one. Something just wasn't coming all the way together for me. I. Characters One thing I cannot discredit about this book is the… Continue reading A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
whitneydaniell 