Sweatpants Season by Danielle Allen

Sweatpants Season by Danielle Allen

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Blurb:

He has a big…smile. 
It was the first thing I noticed that day until he stood. His grey sweatpants hung off his hips and I didn’t want to look. I really didn’t. 
I’m a feminist. 
I don’t believe in objectifying men. I don’t catcall men. I don’t ogle the bodies of men. I don’t view men as objects of my affection rather than complex people with feelings, wants, and needs of their own. I don’t treat men the way society often treats women. 
I treat men the way I want to be treated as a woman—with respect! 
So, when Carlos ran into me while I was reviewing my interview questions in the park, it surprised me to see my photography classmate out of context. I was also surprised to see as much of him as I did.
It wasn’t just that it caught my eye. It was the fact that it held my attention.
It wasn’t just that it was large. It was the fact that it was visibly large.
It wasn’t just that it was Carlos Richmond. It was the fact that I am Akila Bishara.
And I am not seduced by anything other than intelligent conversation, witty rapport, and meaningful actions.
I am not seduced by a dick print. 
I am not. 
Seriously, I’m not.

Review + Rating
5 out of 5 stars

Omg. Y’all. Y’ALL. This book was the bomb. It was not what I was expecting. It was everything all at once.

Okay, deep breaths, Jazmen. Deep breaths.

First of all, Danielle, come through with this romantic intense drama!

Akila is me, except she’s gotten what she’s looking for. As an aspiring writer with dreams of writing any and everywhere—I related to Akila on a deep level. It almost brought a tear to my eye when she accomplished her goals. It’s deeper than a reader reading a book, at least in that aspect it was.

She was determined and strong, and every time I heard about her kinky curly hair I rejoiced. Yes, to the natural queens embracing their natural beauty.

I really dug her character. Her headstrong-ness, her sass, and her strength were qualities that leaped off the page and kept me engaged.

And despite that, I found a new book bae.

Carlos. Where do I even start?

Carlos is male perfection without being fully physically described. You feel more of his character before you even get to understand his physical qualities.

Danielle touches on the physical but she doesn’t harp on it and I found myself appreciating that because I essentially fell in love with the soul of the characters and not what they looked like specifically. 

It was pretty genius. 

She created love while making the reader fall in love with her story and her characters and that’s no easy feat. 

This book is passionate and angsty and intense and though my fanning hand is tired, I could not get enough. I went through 80-90 percent of this book, in about 2 hours.

I devoured it and abandoned all sense of responsibility.

I can’t even fully describe what I’m feeling without completely rambling.

But this book is just that good.

The pacing was torturing and sweet. The characters were multi-dimensional and realistic. The plot was thick, yet consistent and perfectly paced.

The secondary characters were supporting and engaging. The romance, whew, Y'all. It was everything I would have wanted without even trying. 

I can’t recommend this one enough—and when you get through, don’t thank me. Just don’t take my man, Carlos. He’s not single. 

Uhkay?

I know this review is probably more rambly than your used to from me. But a good book will do that to you. At least, they do it to me. 

Please pick this one up. It's not one you want to miss!

Last First Kiss by Nicole Falls

Last First Kiss by Nicole Falls

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Blurb:

Despite her own dumpster fire of a love life, Calista Franklin is a hopeless romantic. Unfortunately, her life is filled with an amount of busy that precludes her from dating and finding Mister Right. Her best friend’s sudden nuptials, however, place an unexpected opportunity for love within arm’s reach. 

Kirk Langley is suddenly thrust into being a single parent upon the untimely demise of his brother and sister-in-law. Balancing caring for his six-year-old niece in addition to running his own business leaves little time for dating. But when his closest friend drops the bomb that he’s getting married, Kirk’s forced to spare some time to get to know the maid of honor. 

Neither were looking for love, but their close proximity during the wedding planning process draws Calista and Kirk close, allowing them to find in the other what they didn’t know was previously missing.

Review + Rating
4 out of 5 stars

From book to book, the one thing you can count on with Nicole Falls' books is that they will make you laugh. First Last Kiss was no different. From the first page to the last one, humor is the star of this romantic comedy.

Calista is what I imagine Nicole to be in real life. I could feel more of Ms. Fall's voice in Calista's character. Outspoken, but oddly coy, funny in an unintentional way--and extremely down to earth.

Calista wasn't looking for love but found it in the arms of a man named Kirk. Despite carrying the name of a man we all know to be trifling--that is if you watch Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, and there is no need to pretend you don't. Kirk is suave and attentive, and an all-around stand-up guy.

Taking on the responsibility of raising a child that's not his--and so hands-on, is definitely an admirable trait. Together the two, Cali and Kirk fought the inevitable--and the reader gets to enjoy the journey.

That is one thing Nicole specializes in, bringing two people together despite the circumstances and keeping them together in spite of them.

Calista's best friend is getting married to a man she seemingly just met. Although it catches Cali off guard, she's thrilled for her bestie--and is in full on plan mode--when she's thrust into Kirk's company more often than she intended--because Kirk is her bestie's fiancee's best friend. (Whew, that felt like a mouth full.)

I enjoyed the overall relationships in the novel because if you are an avid reader, you know that secondary characters are just as important as our MC's.

From the outspoken bestie, the not so well physically Mama, to the unassuming but funny fathers, they all played a crucial role in the progression of the story.

I love a good solid black family, and there was no shortage despite the interesting circumstances.

It was a treat to watch it all happen.

Note, this is not a quick moving read by any means, it all happens in real time movement. That is until you get to the end, where things are sped up, and completed with a realistic and smile-inducing HEA.

This is typical Nicole Falls romance, humorous, realistic--and pro-black. I love what she does for black romance, and in black romance. Y'all already know I love me some Nicole Falls. So, do what you know needs to be done--and grab yourself a copy of her latest read--because you know I would never steer you wrong.

Wild Thoughts (Brooks Family, #3) by Delaney Diamond ARC Review

Wild Thoughts by Delaney Diamond

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Blurb:

It started with a little white lie...
Lindsay Winthrop’s weekly podcast on sex and dating has garnered thousands of listeners across the country, thanks to experience with a loving fiancé she’s been with for years. Except, her husband-to-be doesn’t exist, and now she’s in a bind. With a book deal on the line, she has to find a man fast, and Malik Brooks might be just the man she’s looking for. 

If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay away from her... 
A few years ago Malik gave up sex and now works hard as a metal sculptor. In doing so, he’s created enough pieces to fill a gallery, and his vow of celibacy has kept him focused. When a major deal falls through, Lindsay makes him an offer he can’t refuse, and all he has to do is pretend to be her fiance. Sounds easy at first, but after one kiss, he wants more. Then things really get interesting. 

Review + Rating
4 out of 5 stars
* A special thanks to the author for this review copy.*

Wild wild thoughts, wild wild thoughts. When I'm with you all I get is wild thoughts.

Okay, don't tell me when you saw that title, you weren't singing that song in your head. If you weren't, now you are, you're welcome.

Onto the review, this is my first Delaney Diamond novel--and ladies and gents, I was not at all disappointed.

Starting off with that cover, I mean--Hello there chocolate dream. Lean down a little--and let us see those gorgeous eyes.

The cover designer did not come here to play with us--and I believe it deserves a moment of silence.

...

Okay, now that's out of the way, we can get serious.

Malik is every book reader--and woman's dream man. Okay, maybe he's just my dream man. He's quiet and mild tempered. He's an introvert--whose confidence supersedes his quiet storm way of living. He voice vibrates across the room, and he makes an interesting form of art, with his bare manly hands.

Can you say swoon?

Lindsay is a radio relationship/ sex-pert, with a sultry voice, a book releasing soon, and a fake-fiancee to find.

I know.

She talked up this amazing fiancee to her publicists, and now that the book is due for release, she needs to manifest a fiancee quick.

Malik needs a favor, and Lindsay needs to save face. All of this made for an interesting and sexy story.

Delaney gives readers just what they're looking for in a romance, build-up without any foolishness, a romance that is not surface but deep and gripping, and just enough drama to let us know she knows how to write a good story without wrapping everything up in an unrealistic way.

Although Lindsay was a well-written and fleshed out character, of course, Malik was my favorite. When we first meet Malik--he's just a guy who once turned Lindsay down. She owes a friend a favor, she wants to get it done and get out. But Malik, this chocolate God-made creation tears down the walls that time and hurt built around Lindsay's heart.

He was gentle--and downright tantalizing. When he spoke, honey all you wanted to do was listen--and obey. I very much so liked the fact that he was a man with a plan--that was doing all he could to execute it. A man with a plan is a very attractive one.

Lindsay wrote a few checks her behind couldn't cash--but she was strong-willed and determined. I admire women with goals, moving like a boss lady.

When the two came together--it was spicy and explosive and the sex scenes in this were realistic, passionate and perfectly timed without being too long or drawn out.

Delaney did the thing with this book.

I breezed right through it--and I am excited to see more from this author--and you better believe I will bring you all the juicy details here on the blog.

Highly recommend it, and a great introduction to an author that is new to me.

A Holliday Sisters Novellette Series Review

Noelle the First by by Nicole Falls

Blurb:
Despite sharing a birthday with the holiday, Christmas just wasn't Noelle's thing. As a kid she had been in love with the holiday, but adult Noelle just saw it as another day to get through. 

Jay has moved back home after a breakup and is looking to reconnect with his childhood bestie. Cooking up a scheme to get her in the holiday spirit with her sisters, he's determined to bring back to the old Noelle. 

With a combination of nostalgia, Christmas magic and a little bit of mistletoe, Noelle the First is a tale of old friends finding their way back to each other and more. 

Brave Hearts by Nicole Falls

Blurb:
Despite sharing a birthday with the holiday, Christmas just wasn't Noelle's thing. As a kid she had been in love with the holiday, but adult Noelle just saw it as another day to get through. 

Jay has moved back home after a breakup and is looking to reconnect with his childhood bestie. Cooking up a scheme to get her in the holiday spirit with her sisters, he's determined to bring back to the old Noelle. 

With a combination of nostalgia, Christmas magic and a little bit of mistletoe, Noelle the First is a tale of old friends finding their way back to each other and more. Faced with the possibility of losing one of her closest friends, Valora Holliday finds herself 
In the very unique position of offering a solution to his problem and a way for her friend to remain in her life. 

Francisco Mora is blindsided with a clerical error that places life as he knows it in the balance. When Valora offers the perfect solution to get him out of this jam, he’s hesitant, thinking it’ll ruin their bond. 

But, what's a little marriage between friends, right?

Started From a Selfie by Nicole Falls

Blurb:
Despite sharing a birthday with the holiday, Christmas just wasn't Noelle's thing. As a kid she had been in love with the holiday, but adult Noelle just saw it as another day to get through. 

Jay has moved back home after a breakup and is looking to reconnect with his childhood bestie. Cooking up a scheme to get her in the holiday spirit with her sisters, he's determined to bring back to the old Noelle. 

With a combination of nostalgia, Christmas magic and a little bit of mistletoe, Noelle the First is a tale of old friends finding their way back to each other and more. Faced with the possibility of losing one of her closest friends, Valora Holliday finds herself 
In the very unique position of offering a solution to his problem and a way for her friend to remain in her life. 

Francisco Mora is blindsided with a clerical error that places life as he knows it in the balance. When Valora offers the perfect solution to get him out of this jam, he’s hesitant, thinking it’ll ruin their bond. 

But, what's a little marriage between friends, right?

Review + Rating
Series: FOUR OUT FIVE STARS

I am once again completely blown away by this author's works. It's not easy to squeeze depth, romance--true romance, and quality into novellas. It's like trying to get your point across on Twitter--sometimes it takes more than one tweet. But, Falls manages to do so, so effortlessly--that I'm left trying to figure out what sorcery she uses, to pull it off. Because, sis has that juice.

 In book one, Noelle The First, Noelle is the Grinch--hating the holidays--but suffering through them for family, much to her own chagrin. The traditions she once enjoyed, seem lackluster--with both of her parent's now gone.

Unbeknownst to her, her sisters devise a plan, including her long lost friend, Jay to bring back the joy of the holidays--in a twelve days of Christmas-esque way.

 I love the holidays--I think I'd probably remind you of one of the Who's if you'd see me during that time. The decorations, the stores, the lights, the music--all of it--I just love it. So this novel, although not timely--put me in holiday spirit.

It will work for now, even though it's not the holidays. I don't know about you, but, I tend to keep holiday novels for the winter--but this was a pleasant read--in spite of that.

 Because I'll be reviewing three books in one post, I'm just going to talk about the things I liked in the novels, and then give a roundup.

 Noelle--cracked me up, because she kind of reminded me of myself. A hard ass, but sometimes unnecessarily so--questioning things that need no questioning, and struggling to just go with the flow--but all the while keeping a semblance of an open mind.

 She didn't jump into anything quickly--but her apprehension didn't deter the romance that quickly developed.

 Jay was a grown man--but inside was a child that was still crushing on his next door neighbor--but it was really cute. He romanticized the holidays--and I'm still swooning after the finish.

 I think readers will really enjoy getting to know Noelle--her sisters, and watching the romance develop between Noelle, and Jay. Between the nicknames--which by the way are adorable--and the way they interact--you'll be grabbing for book two---before you even finish book one. A solid novella--with all the things you'd look for in a lengthier book.

 Book Two:Brave Hearts Ya'll, what is my beating, bleeding heart? This read really quickly but I absolutely loved it. Valora is about to lose one of her closest friends due to a clerical error on his Visa paperwork. He's at risk of losing his residency in the United States, and on a whim Valora offers marriage as an escape.

When two friends who have never been romantic--find themselves in a romantic situation--all kinds of things happen.

 In a blast to the past, type of story-telling, Valora relays for her sisters the truth behind her and her husband's marriage--and what ensues is both laughter, reality--and down right swooning--at least for me. I swooned.

 It's so easy to imagine you would never marry someone for a green card--but I think the decision would be harder--if you didn't want to lose the person. For Valora--it was that simple.

He was her friend, and she didn't want to see him lose all he worked so hard for.

I absolutely loved getting a peek into how they met, and how they wound up getting married. I don't have much to say on this one, but it was a solid and quick read.

 Book Three: It Started With A Selfie If I had to choose, this was my least favorite of the three--simply because unlike the other novellas, the ending felt a incomplete. I wanted more of their story--I felt like there was more to give.

 Ms. Falls, can you give us a little more of the third Holliday sister?

 I will say I loved how they met. I think I would love being the person that someone finds on social media, hunts down--and falls in love with. I think it's a form of modern day romance.

 This is exactly what happens with the third Holliday Sister, she sees this guy out in public--takes a picture with him in the background--with a hashtag, and gets caught in a simmering media frenzy. The two meet and it's nothing short of romantic.

Of course--it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows--but by the end, despite the fact that I wanted more, I was pretty happy with the story.

 The series as a whole, is humourous, familial, romantic--and all around good reading--but Falls has not failed me yet, so I'm not surprised.

When Worlds Collide (The Collide Series, Book One) By Millie Belizaire

When Worlds Collide (The Collide Series, Book One) by Millie Belizaire
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Blurb:

Sometimes love comes unexpectedly...

Lauren is a spoiled daddy's girl, brought up under the protection of Miami's elite black society. With a law professor for a mother, and a state attorney for a father, she has been raised to understand the law down to its most fundamental form. She's what they call, in every sense of the term, a Good Girl. As her father prepares to take on the biggest case of his career--going against Miami's most notorious kingpin, Silas Montgomery--tensions begin to rise, and our Good Girl becomes Silas Montgomery's newest target. Now on the radar of the most dangerous man in Miami, Lauren's perfect world goes up in flames. Everyday becomes a constant battle to stay alive.

Kain is about as close to Silas Montgomery as most people can get. Unlike Lauren's world of sheltered ease, his world is dark and dangerous. He's been raised by the code of the streets, hardened by life's harshest lessons. Not many people are out here doing Kain any favors. Especially not the kind of favor he extends to Lauren. Protection--that's what he offers her. Protection from the most dangerous man in Miami.

Lauren and Kain's story is tale of love crossing over to the different side of the tracks. Their's is a tale of what happens when worlds collide.

Review + Rating
4.5 out of 5 stars

This book, ya'll.

Okay, so when the author asked me to review this, I'm like okay cool. Sure.

Absent mindedly accepting--not making any judgements.

But y'all, this book was bomb.

Lauren is well off. Her father is the state's attorney general, and her Mama and twin sis are sadity hoity toity types.

Her father is working on his biggest case yet, a case against the infamous Silas Montgomery--when her twin drags her to a party.

At this party she not only comes face-to-face with a dire situation, but she meets Kain.

Meeting Kain and being face-to-face with a death threat--changes the course of Lauren's life. 

Lauren is an integral if not the focal point of this story, but I need to take a second to talk about my man, Kain.

Y'all. YA'LL.

Kain was everything. While I felt the book could have easily fallen into the upper YA genre, Kain was all man.

At only nineteen, his character was goals. He was the epitome of street and sweet.

His fierce and accessing eyes, strong but quiet personality were just what I needed, after not being too pleased with my latest reads.

I've had to DNF a few--but we won't dwell on that.

Kain would say things, and I would feel like I could just slide out my seat like putty.

"How the hell does he set fireworks off in my insides without so much as a change in his intonation? Does he even realize that he’s doing it?"

This quote about sums up my feelings towards Kain. 

I secretly whispered to Lauren, "Me too, Sis. Me too."

I don't want to give too much away, but you will love Kain for both the obvious things and his flaws.

Lauren was a spoiled princess--but she was neither as weak as she thought she was or as oblivious. 

I admired her strength and resolve. Her character was solid--as was all the characters in this novel--and I'm really intrigued to continue to watch her character grow.

Because obvs, after I finished this I immediately pre-ordered book two, outta' support, and sheer need.

This book was good!

It was well-written, really well written. There was obvious attention to detail, pacing, plot and background. Belizaire didn't just write this book, she WROTE it.

I was fully and wholly impressed with the pacing, writing quality, and plot progression. There was nary a flaw. 

I could go on and on with the why's and the how’s, but this is quality reading--with a clear talent at the helm. 

Just pick up the book, you will not be sorry.

If I had more books like these now, I would be a more avid Urban Fiction reader.

Be prepared for that ending though--cliffhangers ahead. And, I was not prepared. 

I was almost, ALMOST, tempted to beg for book two from the author--but I will suffer just a little longer--as the book will be out at the end of the month.

A Sin City Love Affair by Aliyah Murphy

 A Sin City Love Affair by Aliyah Murphy
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Blurb:
They say the truth will set you free, but the truth could cost her everything...

Cherry Turner had a plan—a blueprint, for how she wanted to build her life.
Cherry's plans included Lorenzo, the love of her life, but when he betrays her by marrying another woman, she turns to Quincy to help heal her broken heart.
Lorenzo Washington is a smooth-talking professional baller who can have any woman he wants. Now that his marriage is on the rocks after less than a year, Lorenzo realizes Cherry still holds the keys to his heart and sets out on a mission to win her back once and for all.
When Lorenzo re-enters the picture, Cherry finds herself torn between two men and weaves a tangled web of lies and deceit as she starts living a wildly addictive double-life—one that ends up creating a dangerous love triangle. As passions mount and emotions spin out of control, it becomes clear that one of the parties involved is playing a deadly high-stakes game of all or nothing; and Cherry is left wondering how she ever thought she could walk away from the mess she made unscathed. 

Review + Rating
2.5-3 out of 5 stars

Yeah, so, this book wasn't for me.

Let's just get right to it.

Cherry is with Quincy now. He cherishes her the way she needs to be. He does everything right--makes sure she's happy and taken care of. He's perfect, even if it's boring her to death.

Lorenzo--was once the love of her life--but with the passion came a lot of crazy and heartbreak. Now he's married to someone else, and he's singing a different tune. He wants her back--in the worse way, even though he's technically still married.

*Cheater trigger warning* I know some readers really hate cheating. BUT, there's only one real mutual episode of cheating, kind of. I don't know, you be the judge. Just be forewarned. 

What I liked: Reunited lovers. I always like the stories that allow for past lovers to reconcile and get back together.

Redemption: I like when past lovers who have done wrong, can redeem themselves.

I'm kind of reaching here...I really feel like I am.

What I didn't like: Lack of emotion: While the characters were madly in love with one another, you didn't feel it, as the reader. There was more telling than showing. Showing is key. A character can say whatever they want, but actions speak louder than words--especially in books.

Wording/Grammar: Some of the word choice, vaginas being compared to Krispy Kreme donuts--love being compared to gardeners tending roses, it didn't please my reader's ear--and in some cases both the wording and the grammar threw me off.

I tend to only be bothered by these types of things, when they happen consistently throughout the book. Just, FYI. Do not come for me. 

In my honest opinion, the book has its positives, but the negatives outweighed that for me. Too much time was spent trying to convince myself of the love I was being presented, and the other half of my time was spent trying to understand the author's direction.

The conflict towards the end of the book felt rushed and untimely--not believable.

Things kind of just popped off in an unbelievable way--and the ending felt inexplicable, and rushed--like wayment, how did we get here?

I think I understand what the author was trying to do but pacing and timeliness would have made for a more effective ending and climax.

I'm disappointed that I didn't love this one, but I can't love all the books. 

Worth trying if you're into second chance romances and have no issues with endings that will wrap up the story nicely--even if the pacing is off.

MVP Daddy by K. Sadee

MVP Daddy by K. Sadee
Published: November 7th, 2016
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Blurb:
After being abandoned by her rapper boyfriend, Pop Queen Autumn Robinson has no time for love. She's focused on her family and her money--in that order. She's not looking for a new daddy for her baby and doesn't think she needs any man. 

Too bad, MVP Baahir Jelani Lewis doesn't agree with her.

Review + Rating
4 out of 5 stars

What do a football player and a pregnant pop princess have in common?

Just enough to carry on one of the more romantic loves, I've read this year.

B.J. Falls for Autumn the minute he sees her perform up close and personal. From her chocolate skin to her full lips, he knows she's well out his league--but he can't stop thinking about her.

Autumn is not looking for love. Hell, she's not even looking for a friend. She's pregnant, with someone else's baby. But there's something about B.J., that she just can't resist.

Like I said this was one of the more romantic, romance reads I've read this year, so far.

It wasn't all about hooking up with Autumn for B.J., he was looking to form something solid, and meaningful--and every step he set out to prove to Autumn, he's nothing like her past loves.

I really liked B.J.'s character. As a football player, you imagine someone not only large in stature but also large in personality--and while he was no meek man he was far sweeter than I imagined he would be.

He was romantic, attentive, patient--and just an all-around good guy--and he accepted Autumn's pregnancy like a champ.

Autumn was just as good. Though she had to deal with the constant scrutiny of both the paparazzi and the public--she remained humble and kind.

I admired her character and her openness to accept love--after a devastating heartbreak.

Their love was slow, but just as meaningful. I must admit I was a little worried--that the slow pace of the novel would bother me, after a whole. BUT, once the book picked up, it was consistent--and romantic. 

I shipped, I rooted, and I swooned.

This was well-written, even with the slow pace, this was a outstanding romance--with just enough drama, and all the necessary love--to make the romantic in us happy. Okay, I'm probably talking more for myself. I mean, I love, love.

I'd highly recommend this one. I was thoroughly impressed with its quality, and depth.

Two thumbs up.