blackromanceconnoisseur's Reviews (110)


Sugary Sweet

This book was so sweet because I just got to enjoy the couple as their attraction grew and their love blossomed . Which is different because often times in Romance the couple doesn’t get together or back together until like the last chapter or two in the book. If you’ve been reading dark romance or romance with a lot of heavy trauma elements, then this is the perfect book to follow up with because it’s pure and sweet.

Need part two yesterday.
I’m so interested to see how the Author is going to spin this story. Santana isn’t your typical knight in shining armor and I really don’t know how he can redeem himself after what he did and what his actions caused. One could argue that it was Robert’s actions that were the cause of all of this and Maverick’s order but no matter how you slice it Harmony and Mel suffered because of all of them.

& The Karma!! Santana has been giving licks all his life now he’s on the receiving end, from Keisha, to Harm, to his sister, to Polo—whoo! “it’s Karma baby” -Quentin from the Best Man.

Harmony deserves a happy ending, she also deserves vengeance because the cost was steep for her and her family.

Started With Promise…

A simple way to sum of this book up would be: it’s not giving what was supposed to be gave… but I don’t want to do simple because I’m irritated by this book.

Amira is a character that has strength and original thoughts deeply repressed, but we never truly got to really see the real her. At the beginning, we sitting here reading about how her boyfriend gave her a self-help book written by his ex girlfriend so she can learn to be whatever the f— to impress his parents (because who she is isn’t good enough??). And worse than that she thanks this man…..I repeat, she thanks this man for attempting to make her like his blonde Blue eyed ex girlfriend. I will blame it on the trauma— still the bar is deeply entrenched in hell because ain’t no way. She also talks about how she keeps her 4C hair in a sew-in (because that’s what Dr Abuser likes..) , which the sew-in isn’t a problem, do what you want with your hair BUT when it comes to trying to fit into European standards of beauty or just the lack of love for yourself, it’s weird and sad.

The wedding scene, my thoughts:
Quick question, are women really that stupid? Are we dumb? I could’ve sworn the day before her wedding he pushed her down some stairs
,so why is she making excuses for saying no to marrying him??

Waylon. What happened to the Waylon that was in chapter 9 and 10?? He seem to have some emotional intelligence, he seemed ruthless to everybody EXCEPT Amira. I know we’re talking morally gray “hero” but when it comes to the heroine at some point he gotta stop being a villain with her…

His trust issues and inability to communicate his thoughts and his feelings properly was too much. How does Waylon go from being a man that can pick up on indicators that something is wrong with a woman that he just met to a man that can’t communicate what he’s trying to do or where he’s trying to take this relationship or why things are the way they are??

I mean the violence, it is what it is—he supposed to be ruthless, all right do your thing but the strip search…excuse me I didn’t realize I was under arrest?

A Whole Man

That Dark Place

Trauma recognizes trauma; people who’ve been through something are often able to spot another person that has experienced trauma and I think this enables an ability to provide a judgment free safe-zone.

This was a heavy read, as I continued to read this book it got heavier and lighter at the same time. One of the things that stood out to me is when you are dealing with a person that has experienced trauma you can provide a judgment free space while maintaining accountability— support without enabling. I can’t be your rehab but I can be the partner that walks with you while you heal.

This book was realistic, the characters felt like people you’d know in real life. The pace, developments and setbacks felt real. At this point, I might be rambling but I think this was a great way to include Black mental health advocacy in a work of fiction. The accurate depiction of therapy, showing that you won’t reveal all of your life‘s issues and traumas in one session nor will it be solved quickly. And showing that it is more than OK to let go of people that can’t be a part of the life you’re creating for the healed version of you—even if they are blood.

I loved that this depicted characters the had mental health struggles but were still worthy of relationships and love. They still had people in their lives that were willing to meet them where they were and people who were accepting of the growth and changes they were making.

Dope book, I enjoyed and I’d recommend it to others (just be sure to check the Trigger Warnings).
emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Read This

I was nervous going into this read knowing that it’s a socially taboo subject/relationship and the Author was alll gas no brakes😳🤭. First Chapter, I was like ooo this is going to be messy but the way Jahcin handles everything—that man is undisputedly the backbone of the family/friend circle & is the biggest reason why I had faith that this could work. He supported everyone even when it hurt him. He was levelheaded and wise, & holding everyone accountable (can you tell I’m a fan😅). Honestly, I was so damn proud M’Siya, that selfish man tried to break her & she didn’t play his games and she STOOD ON everything she said!  This was so well done, a real love story with the right amount of drama and maturity. Loved this story, definitely recommend it.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Love Again

I couldn’t even blame Juvia for being so guarded, trusting the wrong man will do that to you. Her ex husband had no but audacity and disrespect. Desmond was such a caring and supportive man, I loved that how he always wanted to help Juvia. She was at her lowest and he chose to meet her where she was at. She had to let him in and let herself love again and I like his the Author captured Julia’s internal struggle. Sweet book.

Catching Up In the CCJ Multiverse

How could I not give this book 5 Stars!? This was a cinematic experience. I’ve been intrigued by Ace since reading Ante Up. & The Author’s request had the beginning was an easy one to oblige because the characters were so interesting & the was no shortage of suspense or action in this book. I’m mad that I didn’t read this sooner. Reading now so I can know what’s going on in “No Longer Afraid”.