lylesgirl2020's Reviews (350)

Whewww, this book had me clutching my invisible pearls and whispering “Now what is goin’ on here?!” from start to finish. It was giving danger, drama, and some deep, dark twists that had me stuck to the page like glue.

Khaleel and Riot? Baby…they started off hot and heavy, but it didn’t take long before things got real complicated. Their chemistry was crazy, but so was the chaos surrounding them. Folks in the shadows were moving foul—slick, sick, and out for blood. But what I loved? They pushed through it all. Love still found a way, even when the odds were stacked ugly.

Now let’s talk about Riot and Marlay—that bond right there? More than besties, they were like real sisters. Always riding for each other, always ten toes down. And yes, Marlay got her happy ending too, because period.

Every time I thought I had this story figured out? Boom—plot twist. Had me side-eyeing everybody and asking, “Who sent you?”

If you’re into high-stakes love, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and a story dipped in culture with a touch of hood fairy tale magic—this one’s for you. Trust, you won’t regret it. And let me just say—Wynta Tyme got me in a chokehold! I'm officially a forever fan! The way she spins a story? Pure magic with a side of menace. I’m slowly but surely working my way through her whole catalog like the loyal reader I am, because baybeee—she does not miss!

ARC Review: Sunshine With You by Layna James

Okayyy, so let me tell y’all about Sunshine With You, the second book in the Fort Bender Series. This was my first read by her and babyyy, it will not be my last. I got my hands on this ARC and whew—this story was beautifully written and full of heart with the perfect lil' dash of drama.

This book had everything I needed:

Solid friendships that feel like home.

Just enough spice to make you fan yourself.

Some “wait, what?!” moments.

Random giggles.

Classic sunshine x grumpy energy.

And plenty of “Girl, forget them folks—including Grandpa! Choose you!” moments!

Ashlie, our leading lady, is that girl. Small town roots, L.A. glow-up, degree in hand—but sis is out here ignoring every flag thrown her way. Red and green. Her anxiety? Whew, it’s got her in a chokehold. She lives in her head rent-free, carrying the weight of her family’s expectations, all while lying to herself about not being in love with her best friend’s brother.

Now Hunter? This man right here. Smart, fine, got jokes for days—and he’s been Ashlie’s homie for five years because of his sister Kayla. But the whole time? Man’s been head over heels for Ashlie, just playing it cool. He’s fighting demons of his own but always, always shows up for her. Calms her storms like only he can.

But the gag is—they both suck at relationships and are top-tier actors when it comes to pretending they’re not in love with each other.

Then boom—enter Trevor. He’s feeling Ashlie heavy, and while he's a vibe and all… he ain’t Hunter. Let’s just keep it real. Hunter’s sitting back playing his role until he finally says, nah, I’m done frontin’ and everything shifts!

Oh, and did I mention they’re all in the same wedding?! Yeah. It’s giving messy and magical.

I’ve already said too much, but just know this—Sunshine With You is that book. If you haven’t read Some Kind of Forever (book one), go run it up on KU then follow up with this immediately after!

Rated a strong 4 stars from me. This one’s full of soul, sass, and everything we love about a well-written Black romance. Layna James did that!

I absolutely loved getting more of Aseer and Samora’s story! We only got a lil’ taste of them during his brother’s book, but baybeee, this right here? Gave what it needed to give. Aseer did not play about Samora. He was all in—and I was here for every second of it.

Samora? Whew, that woman is solid. She held Aseer down while he was locked up, and even though she slipped for a quick second while he was away, the love between them still shined through. You could feel it. That connection ran deep, and I’m so glad they found their way back to each other. Their bond was real, raw, and rooted in something strong.

Now let’s talk about that bonus chapter with Nikhol and Acye—chef’s kiss. He was her protector from the jump, and it just made their bond from Into Your Orbit hit even harder. The way he loved that girl? Pure, soft, and unwavering. He loved her like no one else could, and it showed in every word.

This book was everything. The love, the loyalty, the depth—it was all there. A beautiful continuation with characters that truly reflect the culture and heart of Black love. I expect nothing less from BriAnn Danae, always a good read!

Yes, Ayceion!!

Listen, one thing BriAnn is always gonna do is craft a male character that makes your heart melt and your standards rise. She does not miss when it comes to writing a man with depth, intention, and swagger.

Ayce and Chipmunk? Too cute! From the flowers to the matching fits, they stayed on point and in sync. The way Ayceion stayed on Nikhol—whew, that man was locked in from the beginning. Even as a young boy, he was showing her love and care in ways she had never known. That kind of emotional attentiveness? Rare.

Now that flashback? Had me emotional. The layers, the tenderness, the pain—it was all so real. The way Ayceion moved with his intuition, how his first instinct was to protect Nikhol, even at that young age... it was beautiful to witness.

What really made this hit even harder was how it aligned with a convo I just had with some homegirls about mother-daughter relationships, generational trauma, and how being loved through the mess can be the start of real healing. This story tapped into all of that.

A quick read, but it hit deep. Full of love, protection, growth, and cultural richness. Five stars without question.

From rags to riches, baby! This book had me hooked like I was watching my own come-up. And that sisterhood? Whew, Winter and Summer were tighter than some folks with actual blood ties. Real ones. They had each other’s backs no matter what, and I loved that energy

It had everything—family drama, betrayal, love, respect, and that raw friendship that’ll make you wish you had a ride-or-die like that.

Winter and Summer? Sis, they were out here struggling in foster care with folks who only saw dollar signs. But they pulled through. They always did. Winter had to hold it down on her own once Summer found her real family, but don’t worry—she wasn’t alone for long. Enter Crimson.

That man? Whew. Smart, real, blunt—he wasn’t for the fake. And that honesty? It had these other women mad as hell. He wasn’t here for the games, and they couldn’t handle it. But when he and Winter finally linked up, he was ready. She? Not quite yet, but trust, he wasn’t going anywhere.

Crimson and Summer, siblings! Their bond...Tight. They went from strangers to family real quick!

In the end, Winter got her happy ending, and Summer did too. It was real, it was raw, and it was urban through and through. Full of growth, love, and all the realness you need. If you want a book with grit, growth, and heart, this one’s for you.

Buddy Read With my 16 year old & I must say....
For this to be a YA book… I loved it!

And when I say I loved it? I mean it with my whole chest. Like, 100%, no skips, no skips. So let’s get into it—when everything popped off in the beginning and Finn got hit with that injury? My jaw was on the floor. I had to do a double take like, “Did that really just happen? Somebody roll the tape back real quick!”

Then boom—here comes Naomi. And the way she was introduced? Ironic ain’t even the word, but it had me lowkey giggling like, okayyy, universe, I see what you did there.

Now let’s talk about the slow burn. Baby. It was burning so slow I almost threw the book. Like, HELLO?! Do you not see what I see?! I knew what time it was from the jump and they was just... out here clueless. But best believe they finally got it together. Oh they came correct. Trust.

The whole vibe of the book? So stinkin’ cute but in a way that didn’t feel forced. It had heart, it had edge, and it had that kind of romance that’s lowkey but still hits you deep. I’m a sucker for a good grumpy x sunshine dynamic, and with a slow burn?!

Five stars. Easy. Period.

This was my first immersive buddy read with my daughter and my first dark academia experience, and I didn’t know what to expect. I just kept seeing dope visuals and reviews on social media. I tiptoed in like, “Okay, so what’s the hype?” Baby. This book didn’t whisper—it snatched me by the collar and dragged me straight into the shadows with no warning. And I went willingly.

This story was haunting. Stunning. Deep. It gave everything—twists that had me gasping, tension so thick I could slice it with a knife, and a mystery laced with culture, grief, power, and Blackness so rich and alive I felt every single word in my chest. I wanted to highlight entire chapters. I wanted to live in the atmosphere this author created.

And don’t even get me started on Kidan and Susenyos. BABY. That wasn’t your cutesy little “oops we don’t get along” situation. No, that was real enemies to lovers. Blood, betrayal, chaos—and somehow still so much tenderness it broke me. Their dynamic was violent, tender, dangerous, sexy. I was locked in.

The characters? Flawless. Layered. Full of soul. The type of cast that stays with you long after you close the book. Every moment felt intentional. Every line, soaked in meaning. And the Blackness? Woven through every page like a spell. Powerful. Rooted. Beautiful.

Let me make this real clear—I’m OBSESSED. OBSESSED. Who wouldn’t be? Black vampires, layered worldbuilding, messy emotions, sharp teeth, and even sharper writing? Yeah. Give this book ALL its flowers. I can't wait for book two!

Poppa and Quinè = A late-night whisper, like something soft spoken in the dark when the world is finally quiet enough to hear your own heart.

At its core, this story isn’t about the fireworks or grand gestures—it’s about the quiet, intimate spaces where love sneaks in. Where two people, worn down by life and wide awake in the middle of the night, find connection through conversation. Through simply showing up. Brielle didn’t just write a love story—she crafted an experience. One that lingers.

This was her first release, but the way she laid this story bare? It was soulful. Intentional. Two characters who mirrored each other’s flaws, who couldn’t sleep, not just because of insomnia—but because of the weight they carried. Family expectations. Emotional burdens. Silent battles they were fighting alone… until they weren’t.

He’s this hardened man, a little cold, a little distant—until she meets him in the dark and sees him. Talks to him. He doesn’t even realize how much he needed that softness, that emotional honesty. She, on the other hand, is always giving, always present for everyone else—until someone finally stops and says, “What about you?”

The beauty in their story is that nothing felt forced. It was quiet. Real. Messy. Healing. And deeply, deeply human.

Insomnia isn’t just a title—it’s a space. A space where they let their guards down. Where their identities, their truths, their broken pieces were all laid bare. The conversations weren’t just dialogue—they were intimacy. Soul-level. Brielle captured that beautifully.

This wasn’t just romance—it was a slow, careful unraveling of two people learning to love, not just each other, but themselves.
It was tender, cultural, raw, and unforgettable. A reminder that sometimes, love comes when you’re tired, vulnerable, and finally still. And when it does—it changes everything.

Avery and Beau? Whew. Straight fire.

Their love story was a full-blown whirlwind—and not the soft, fluffy kind either. I’m talking messy, complicated, family-drama-will-have-you-side-eyeing-everybody kind of whirlwind. The type of situations only family can drag you into, and baby, the fallout? Life changing.

This story hit every note—it was heartfelt, it was funny, and it was so relatable. The things people will do for love, for pride, for survival? Yeah… this book didn’t shy away from any of it. I was heated at the beginning though—like, the lack of communication had me ready to throw something. But I respect how Avery picked herself up and kept it moving. She didn’t let it break her, and that’s the kind of strength I live for.

This was my first time reading this author, and she really did her thing. I was locked in from page one. The pacing was smooth, the emotions ran deep, and I love when an author lets their characters feel—not just react, but really process and express. That’s what makes the love story believable. That’s what makes me care.

This one was a vibe from start to finish.