This book was a character-driven, poetic masterpiece. If it’s not on your TBR please add it‼️ From the very beginning I was immersed into the story there was never a dull moment. With every chapter something wowed me or had me yelling at the pages. The author used her own adoption story as inspiration for the novel and she did a remarkable job with the storytelling.

The most hated character award goes to Hattie and Clarette. I don’t know whose actions were worse because Hattie treated Grace like a maid, abused her, and gave her baby away. Clarette did the most evil thing a person could do to Lolo which changed her life forever. These were women who should’ve been protecting these girls and instead they were belittled and mistreated.

Rae’s husband Roman was a character literally couldn’t take him serious. When the roles were reversed he showed his true colors and couldn’t handle it. “Hell hath no fury like a man that’s been cheated on.” All I can say is the audacity of him!!!

Trigger warnings and themes: neglect, child abuse, rape, adoption, black struggle, survival, abortion, race

The book was beautifully-written, complex, and authentic. The characters balanced well with the plot, were well-developed, and unforgettable. The pacing was perfectly executed, the buildup of tension surrounding their secrets and trauma will keep readers on edge.

Overall, I loved this book Millner’s writing was very engaging and evocative. She didn’t shy away from discussing complex topics. At times it was tough to read the things the characters were forced to go through but it adds depth to the story and allows readers to connect with them on a personal level. I highly recommend you guys give this book a read. It was lengthy and I still wanted more. If anybody gives it a bad rating clearly they need to be reading Dr.Seuss. Special thanks to the author & @forgereads for my gifted copy‼️

I’m not feeling this at all

This book gave sophisticated, grown woman sexy vibes. We get some toxic relationship drama, a political scandal, a deep dive into what being privileged can do for you, and some steamy forbidden romance. But with a cover like this I was expecting something more erotic ya know with a little more spice the nasty kind LOL. Either way I enjoyed the book for what it was really loved the cover a little more though.

We get alternating POVs from Nathan and Rachel where we see chemistry build between the two. I liked that they helped each other realize what they wanted and pushed each other to go after it. Sometimes it takes a different person on the outside looking in to show you all the things you’ve been missing.

I know I’m not the only one who kept getting The Perfect Find vibes while reading this. Maybe it was the age gap and Nathan’s artistic background that forged the similarities for me which wasn’t a bad thing. The character development was very strong, they felt realistic as well as their interactions, and were very diverse. I loved that Rachel was put through so much and never folded. Her original request for 1 million and the house was modest. Matt would’ve been breaking me off half of everything he got. That 15 million his dad offered looked real nice just to pretend we on good terms LOL.

The author did a decent job creating an atmosphere of desire, passion, and discovery but the ending didn’t do the book justice. I was expecting something a little more enticing I guess. But the pacing was fair and I think the character conflict helped it move along. Overall, the book was okay I wouldn’t say it was a page-turner but still worth a read. Special thanks to the author & @grandcentralpub for my gifted copy!!!

Rating: 3.5⭐️

This book gave such an unusual yet darkishly weird, kinky type of vibe. It held my interest for the most part but I was left with to many unanswered questions. Let me just add again this book was really weird asf. I’m still lost on the purpose of it. The characters behavior was so strange and the author never gives a clear explanation for why they do certain things.

Magnolia’s sexual behavior was front and center the entire time and very questionable because we never really get a why. I honestly thought for a moment she was a prostitute. But the further I got into the novel I figured she had sex with random men out of a deep desire to feel wanted.

Be warned all of Magnolia’s sex scenes were raunchy and gave this dirty backwoods sweaty sex vibe. Cotton was also an odd character with an unusual attraction to corpses. Him having Magnolia stay in character as a dead corpse during sex should’ve been her red flag to run. Cause girl WTF!!!

The premise seemed intriguing but turned out to be very creepy and the whole funeral parlor charade was pure madness. Magnolia’s role in “modeling” for the funeral parlor kinda heightened the eeriness of the story. So, if nothing else I can say the author was very descriptive in her writing. She created this dark atmospheric setting with a bunch of lost characters that lacked depth. The time period was also a bit shaky for it to be present day it was giving historical relevance.

Overall, the book was interesting not something I’d recommend or read again but I was briefly entertained. The supernatural elements and spurts of magical realism threw off the pacing. The ending was also a bit rushed it didn’t really tie everything together to make the book make sense. So, I say leave your expectations at the door if you decide to read this!!!

This was an okay read for me but at certain points I found the book to be rather bland. Nothing about it really stands out besides the plus-size and sexuality representation. The characters have vulnerabilities but lack actual depth. I wasn’t fond of the ending either but the author takes us on a journey with Maya as she struggles to rediscover herself and find her footing in the world amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’re given a dual POV from Maya and Ant which gives readers a better insight into their friendship and what both characters think of each other. It didn’t really give romance to me because I didn’t feel any real chemistry between the characters. The romantic aspects were really a sub-plot in the novel. Maya and Ant’s relationship was bound by codependency which was really on Ant’s part. The way the dialogue was written I felt they’d just been friends for so long that after awhile one of them grew feelings. But it was never anything strong enough to build a romantic relationship. Which we kind of see that in one part of the novel where Ant gets rejected by Maya.

Overall, this was decent some readers may find it very relatable. The flow and pacing were really slow so I found myself a little bored at times. This wasn’t a total fav for me but you might enjoy it. Special thanks to the author & #Montlake @amazonpublishing for my gifted copy!!!

Rating: 3.5/5⭐️

The hype surrounding this book was definitely real and as well all know S.A. Cosby never disappoints. If you’re not into crime fiction please let this author change your mind. I have yet to read a book by him that I didn’t like. The vividness, immersive storytelling, and creativity in his writing is always on point. From the start he sets a tone that immediately pulls you in and will have you anticipating what will happen next.

It was a page-turner packed with non-stop action from beginning to end. The pacing was perfect and of course the writing was raw, authentic, diverse, and unforgettable. Let’s not forget the memorable characters he creates. They are vividly developed and I loved everything about Titus!!!

Like most of his novels this one has a dark edge and it’s a little more graphic than the others. We get themes surrounding a serial killer, a school shooting, race, tension within a community, religion, family, and policing. I really love how he includes religion within his books to show readers that the righteous are just as imperfect and wicked as anyone else.

Overall, this was a thrilling experience definitely a must read. It held my attention the entire time and the author always goes into so much depth with the characters backstory to get you emotionally invested. Cosby perfectly crafted a web of deception, dark secrets, violence, and lies to keep readers on edge with this one. If you haven’t read this book I highly recommend you give it a read!!!

This book was absolutely amazing!!! You can never really go wrong with historical fiction. The premise, the way both timelines connected, and to know the author’s inspiration for the novel came from a single photograph. She used a work of fiction to give life to a person with an unknown history and an untold story. I think everything was perfectly executed. It’s a bit lengthy and kind of a slow-burn but the build up was well worth it.

I found the book to be both a heartbreaking yet enriching experience. It’s one of those books you didn’t know you needed. The pacing was up and down but the way it was structured and how the author wove together the timelines it gave the book a suspenseful edge.

While we see Celestine’s life told from his perspective it was Lowra’s timeline that helped fill in the missing pieces. The situation with Agatha inviting Celestine into her bedroom let me know where the book was headed. It also made Lowra’s connection to Celestine and the attic more clear.

Overall, this was a great read. The characters were fleshed out vividly. Celestine was a very humble and brave character when faced with difficulty. I couldn’t stand Agatha or Lowra’s stepmother. I never felt Sir Richards had pure intentions when it came to Celestine. It makes you wonder what his fate would have been had his mother not sent him away with Sir Richard. Lowra and Celestine both had traumatic childhood experiences that had me deeply invested. I don’t think you can really read this without being moved. Definitely a book I recommend!!!

Is it bad that I didn’t completely like the story but I found it rather unique and entertaining. I also thought the author’s futuristic approach to the American prison system was very creative. But let me add that this is the first dystopian novel I’ve actually ever read. So, it took me three tries and thanks to the audiobook I successfully completed the novel this time around. If this isn’t a genre you’re used to reading I suggest using audio because the narrators did an amazing job bringing the story to life.

The novel focuses on two top women gladiators fighting for their freedom within a depraved private prison system not so far-removed from America’s own. It offers a detailed and creative dystopian narrative that explores themes of capitalism, oppression, the prison system, systemic racism, conformity, control, survival, and the dehumanization of inmates.

One thing that kept throwing me for a loop were all of the characters. We get POVs from the main gladiators Thurwar and Staxxx and quite a few side characters so it was easy to get lost in the words of who was who. The writing is descriptive and action-packed. The book had a well-defined plot and a fast pace so if you’re not paying attention you could miss something.

Overall, it was okay I enjoyed it. But I think reading a physical copy and listening to the audiobook would create a better experience. There was really a lot going on in the book so if you’re not into the whole gladiator/Hunger Games type thing then it may not be for you.

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️

Another book for the win!!! I loved, loved, loved everything about this book from the message to all the empowering information within it. The author thoroughly explores sisterhood amongst black women, how we can save space and show up for one another, building new friendships, how we can be supportive friends and create long-lasting bonds.

For those who aren’t aware Dr. Bradford is behind the amazing podcast and IG page @therapyforblackgirls where she offers great resources and advice for black women. Her book empowers black sisterhood and how sacred our sister circles are to us. You may or may not be struggling within your friend groups but this book offers so much insight that it’ll have you looking at things from a different perspective.

We don’t realize how much we actually need our friends or how much it means for us to show up for one another. “The best way for Black women to thrive is through our healthy relationships with other Black women.” I love how she discusses the life stages our friendships go through and how to navigate them when things change up.

In the book she used the tv show “Girlfriends” as a reference for the friend circle and had me watching old episodes all yesterday lol. She mentioned that Black women in groups, sisters tend to fall into one of four roles: the Leader, the Wallflower, the Firecracker, and the Peacemaker. These roles are not at all static or absolute. I think “Girlfriends” was a perfect example of these roles.

Overall, this was amazing a must read for sure. She spoke on so much and a lot of the stuff mentioned are things many of us can relate too. Her writing was captivating, insightful, and again very relatable. Most definitely a book I recommend we should all read. Special thanks to the author & @penguinrandomhouse #ballantine for my gifted copy!!!

There was so much to love and unpack with this book. We’re given authentic perspectives from each sister as well as two daughters of the Marte family. At times it got a little confusing and overwhelming with all the characters. But the slow pacing allowed room for each of them to shine just some more than others. We follow each member between the past and present as they unpack their family history, secrets, and personal issues.

Things begin with Flor she’s the sister that has a gift where she can predict, to the day, when someone will die. When she decides she wants to throw herself a living wake. The sudden decision sparks something within the Marte women. Which takes us back through various points in each of their lives leading back up to where the women are now.

The book was structured rather uniquely with the interview transcripts. I think with there being so many characters and having everyone’s POV it took away from the overall plot. I didn’t feel we got enough from everyone involved because the author tried covering so much.

I did enjoy the magical elements incorporated with certain family members having a special gift. Flor was the seer of death, Pastora could read people’s truth, Camila also known as the forgotten sister had an affinity for herbalism, Ona had the magical vagina which I found that hilarious, and Yadi heiress to a taste for limes.

Overall, the book was great. She covered different themes surrounding family, marriage, sisterhood, sexuality, and motherhood. The ending disappointed me a little cause why did she end it like that I needed more at that point. Special thanks to the author & @eccobooks for my gifted copy!!!

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️