shanaepraystoo's Reviews (925)

This was my first book from A. Blossom and, outside of a few errors, Finding My Bodyguard was pretty good. I thoroughly enjoyed the love story of Monroe Iris and Dr. Royale London. Unfortunately, I don't think the chemistry was as strong as it could've been with just a little more time - the book is so fast paced that the attraction between Monroe and Royale wasn't developed enough to me. Outside of that, the story is strong and very engaging! I finished it quickly. If you like mafia romances, this one is pretty good and I recommend it. 

Simply put, Keep It Shut is a must read for anyone struggling with their thoughts and actions. If you desire to be a more positive or optimistic person who chooses their words carefully and wisely, this book is a must read! 

Dark Matter is not my typical read. The book is sci-fi, a thriller with a mystery component. Blake Crouch may have introduced me to a new genre because I absolutely loved Dark Matter. The characters are well written plus the story is cohesive and thought provoking. Dark Matter will have you thinking about life in a whole new way. I’ve got to get an Apple TV subscription so that I can watch the television series. I highly recommend Dark Matter for anyone looking for an engaging thriller, mystery or sci-fi book. The audiobook is also really good! 

Bow Down: When A BBW Submits by Authoress Masterpiece is my first read from the writer. The story is just...ok. I found that there was a loosely strewn together plot with a lot of sex scenes. Bow Down: When A BBW Submits delivers as an erotica but the stereotypical characters and chaotic story leave much to be desired. As far as erotica novels go, this is one of my least favorites...but if you're a fan of the urban fiction and erotica genres then you will probably like it.  

When A Gangsta Wants You by Jade Jones was mostly OK. 

Pros: The story is engaging and easy to follow. In the world of urban fiction, you can never downplay how significant that is.

Cons: There were too many twists and turns in the story that were largely unexplained.

Did Nova's parents really try to sell her to Master? Why did Master try to kill her parents when he was obviously cutthroat enough to have taken her? Why would Maloni want Master dead when all she had to do was cheat?? How did Master make things right with Sensation? Who was Sensation's mother? Why doesn't Nova get along with her sister?

 
This will be my last read from Jade Jones, her books have wayyyy too much drama for me - there were fight scenes and everything! That's too much for my romance-loving heart. I do recommend When A Gangsta Wants You for any diehard urban lit readers. 

In Love, From Scratch, readers learn more about Draymond, who's mentioned only a few times in Love, Under Contract (book 1 of the Martin Brothers Series), and his love interest, Amaya. The characters are fully developed in this dual POV romance story about work-life balance; having the strength and wisdom to pivot; and learning to accept love. Draymond is caring, communicative, creative, and rich af -- everything you want in a man. Amaya is smart and unrelenting, a very relatable FMC for me...probably the first FMC I could really relate to. I felt so full at the end of Love, From Scratch because the ending was perfect. I am so excited for book 3 in the series. 

I really enjoyed Nina High's book Love, Under Contract. The book wasn't perfect but the story was engaging enough that I was eager to read book 2, Love, From Scratch. Nina High did even better with Book 2 of the Martin Brothers Series. If you're looking for a feel good romance story with the perfect MMC and an engaging storyline, I highly recommend Love, From Scratch - it is the perfect summer read. 

Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️

Love, Under Contract is my first book from the author Nina High and I really really enjoyed the story and the characters! Charisse and Dru are atypical Black characters and they're the perfect pair in Love, Under Contract.

In Love, Under Contract, we meet Charisse a struggling school teacher Charisse and Dru, a workaholic whose mother has promised him the family business if he settles down. A mutual attraction and shared needs, leads Dru to propose a marriage of convenience to Charisse - she'll no longer struggle because he'll pay her to be his wife - and he'll get the family business because he'll get the wife he needs. 

The FMC, Charisse, is relatable and down-to-earth...just what you want in a female lead in a marriage of convenience romance. While the MMC, Dru, is sexy, smart, rich, and generous...everyone's dream. My favorite interaction between Charisse and Dru happens when flies Charisse to her dream vacation in Puerto Rico, then surprises her by flying out her two best friends Porsche and Lily:

I want to hear a man say that to me right now. 

Though the pacing and storytelling felt a bit off at times for me, the book grabbed my attention right from the first page and it's pretty fast paced. I couldn't put it down, so I finished in about 2 days. 🤭

With Love, Under Contract we get a dual POV book about mother-daughter relationships; finding balance in life and relationships; and found family.

The characters are lovable and the story is very engaging for the most part. And I am really excited to read the other 2 books in the series. If you're looking for a lighthearted marriage of convenience romance and you enjoy the found family trope, you'll really enjoy Love, Under Contract.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

There is an additional chapter available exclusively for those who subscribe to the author's email list. I don't feel that the final chapter adds much to the story, but it does show the FMC, Charisse, confronting her mother and sister (Yanique), explaining more about Yanique's relationship with Byron. I think this chapter could've been added to Love Under, Contract and the author could've given readers a bonus chapter about Charisse and Dru's honeymoon instead.

Kimberly Brown always writes really dynamic characters and engaging stories. She's a truly gifted romance writer and her books always leave me searching for her next read. Rhythm's Blues is no different. The story features a strong, smart FMC who is easy relatable. You want the absolute best for her. Brown's MMCs are always top-tier, loving, attentive, and PAID...Channing fits the bill entirely. The secondary characters are even fun, too, like Rhythm's mom and dad. Plus Kimberly Brown does a great job at taking on serious issues, like dementia as seen in Channing's grandmother, Grams, and Grams' relationship with her daughter/Channing's mother, Ms. Watson. If you're looking for a captivating romance novel with a little drama and a few emotional moments, I highly recommend Rhythm's Blues. I was hooked from the very first page and finished the book in less than 2 days.   

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

In She a Baddie, we meet Chris Rossmore and Isobel Taylor, Black excellence on full display. Chris and Isobel have been friends ever since popular Isobel saved geeky Chris from being teased mercilessly in high school. Chris and Isobel have always loved one another, but neither acts on the brewing attraction because they value their friendship too much. When Chris has to fight for the role of CEO at his family's company, Rossmore Wineries, and Isobel finds herself facing the same career-related challenges at her family business, Taylor Made Hair, the two work together to achieve their goals. Along the way, the two realize that they want a relationship and do the work to actualize it - finding true happiness in this happy for now-style friends-to-lovers fake-dating romance.

The story is entertaining for a quick read. Author Monique Fisher kept me engaged from the very first page. And even got some chuckles out of me...some parts of She a Baddie were really funny. Chris is the perfect MMC, smart, rich, and supportive - I'm looking for my Chris Rossmore right now! Isobel is a great FMC, too, she's smart, quick witted, self-confident, and fashionable, just an all around great female character. 

A few of the cons: 1) Unfortunately, for me, some of the dialogue between the characters is a bit immature, but the characters are young. 2) Some of the sex scenes and the confrontational scenes near the end of the book felt rushed. 3) I think Monique Fisher might've tried to do too many things with this really short story - friends to lovers, fake dating, estranged father-son relationship, and BDSM...that's a lot in 129 pages.  

I've only read one other book by Monique Fisher, Hot for Teacher, and it was so good that I decided to read her other books whenever I could: enter She a Baddie. I was expecting a full length novel, but I think this is more of a novelette at just 129 pages. It was an enjoyable quick read and I will read more of Monique Fisher's books for sure! 

This is my second read from Tacarra and, while I really liked the first book I read from her titled Khan's Choice, this short story, Courtesy of Duval County just didn't cut it for me. The characters were pretty stereotypical and the story was just really unlikely. I really enjoyed the synopsis and thought the premise was cool, but reading this love story just felt really rushed and I think more could've been done to establish the relationship between the FMC, Janelle/Nellie, and the MMC, Shariq/Frost. 

Courtesy of Duval County is mostly engaging with likable characters. The book is relaxing, occasionally funny, and it offers an escape. I recommend this short story to established fans of Tacarra.