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scoodle42's reviews
758 reviews
Flaws and All: Elijah and Kehlani by Talena Tillman
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Kehlani defended Elijah in court and as soon as the case was clear, he headed to claim what he always wanted... her.
This romance sucked me in. I was a bit skeptical, but the more i read, the deeper I went in and I wasn't disappointed. It was a whirlwind with Elijah trying to get his life back on track and Kehlani trying to protect her reputation and interests. I liked them for each other. Kehlani was a boss, and she was smart. I loved her. Elijah needed someone like her and he didn't hesitate show her all he brought to the table. When everything popped off, i knew they'd stick beside each other. Things are about to get crazy.
This romance sucked me in. I was a bit skeptical, but the more i read, the deeper I went in and I wasn't disappointed. It was a whirlwind with Elijah trying to get his life back on track and Kehlani trying to protect her reputation and interests. I liked them for each other. Kehlani was a boss, and she was smart. I loved her. Elijah needed someone like her and he didn't hesitate show her all he brought to the table. When everything popped off, i knew they'd stick beside each other. Things are about to get crazy.
Cas and Yas: A Friends to Lovers Novelette by Talena Tillman
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Cassidy came in guns blazing to rescue his best friend Yasmyne from an arranged marriage. He went against everyone to protect her, both her father and his own, all for the love of her. But they're just friends... right?
I love the beginning. The tension of Cas coming and setting things right, standing against the storm for her. It was clearly the actions of a man in love. So for them not to be together was a bit confusing and it muddled the plot. The muddling continued with their arrangement for his daughter. But they did finally get it together, even though there was hesitation I'm glad Yas came around. She was playing the role and it was made for her--why not finally be official? It was okay. Pretty good.
I love the beginning. The tension of Cas coming and setting things right, standing against the storm for her. It was clearly the actions of a man in love. So for them not to be together was a bit confusing and it muddled the plot. The muddling continued with their arrangement for his daughter. But they did finally get it together, even though there was hesitation I'm glad Yas came around. She was playing the role and it was made for her--why not finally be official? It was okay. Pretty good.
Forever My Hitta: Pharoah and Bella by Talena Tillman
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Pharaoh and Bella are married in secret. Bella is a star, her career is massive and she wants to perform and sing... and keep her man. But Pharoah is tired of being a secret, and tired of Bella breaking her promises to put their relationship first. Is he really done with her this time?
I really loved this story. The intense chemistry between Pharoah and Bella, the emotional pull of their relationship, his anger and resentment, her fear and anxiety. The intricacies of her career and what she had at stake were potent and added weight to the story. Add the new addition and all bets are off. I love that Bella wanted to prove she was all in, and that Pharoah still showed up for her in every way possible, even when he was angry. They were some of my favorites from Ms. Tillman.
I really loved this story. The intense chemistry between Pharoah and Bella, the emotional pull of their relationship, his anger and resentment, her fear and anxiety. The intricacies of her career and what she had at stake were potent and added weight to the story. Add the new addition and all bets are off. I love that Bella wanted to prove she was all in, and that Pharoah still showed up for her in every way possible, even when he was angry. They were some of my favorites from Ms. Tillman.
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage
Love's Serenade by Sheryl Lister
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Leigh and Miles decide to run off and make their music dreams come true. They're just friends and are ignoring the one moment they had as more to focus on music. But they both still yearn to relive it.
Okay, I was looking for more period romance and I found it. Plus, you know we stan Sheryl Lister over this way, so I picked it up with no problem. I really lover writing style. Things flow so well, and there's a rhythm to how the story gets told. Leigh and miles had such a gentle love story. I love the way they supported each other, and leaned on each other. Miles was a man with a plan and he wanted his woman back. He built up her trust the way he needed to, and asked her to let him show and prove. He had his fears but he pushed through. Leigh's talent and drive made me admire her. And I love the way she took care with herself and her heart but still wanted to take a chance. The angst when I thought the opps would win and keep them apart!!! I was nervous. Lol. But love prevailed. Good book.
Okay, I was looking for more period romance and I found it. Plus, you know we stan Sheryl Lister over this way, so I picked it up with no problem. I really lover writing style. Things flow so well, and there's a rhythm to how the story gets told. Leigh and miles had such a gentle love story. I love the way they supported each other, and leaned on each other. Miles was a man with a plan and he wanted his woman back. He built up her trust the way he needed to, and asked her to let him show and prove. He had his fears but he pushed through. Leigh's talent and drive made me admire her. And I love the way she took care with herself and her heart but still wanted to take a chance. The angst when I thought the opps would win and keep them apart!!! I was nervous. Lol. But love prevailed. Good book.
The Body Hunter by M. Monique
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Joshua (Body) Hunter and Jazmine Peace meet when she enters a diner where he's having a meal with his friends. All of a sudden there's bullets flying and he shields her only to realize she's pregnant and in labor. He takes her to his family, and as soon as her daughter is born, he makes them his family.
Okay, so M. Monique made me realize that I love when the love at first sight is between the stepparents and the kids. Because Joshua knew the moment he held that baby in his arms and I swooned. He was a natural protector, a firm and self-aware man, who knew his future when he saw it. Jazmine had reason to be skeptical, and scared, but she took a chance and it paid off. I was so proud of how she took her life into her own hands and charted a ne destiny for her and her daughter. I love how she didn't stop Body's bind with their baby girl and let things happen naturally between her and Joshua. Her past was a heavy weight, and finding out Body's involvement in how everything played out was good plot twist. I knew it would cause a rift, but they didn't let it tear them apart. This was short, but still had so much build and I loved that. The context of the characters gave their presence needed layers and even the small bouts of jealousy kept you wrapped up in them. And when Body needed to prove a point... it was proven. They were very hot and very loving and I loved peeking into their world.
Okay, so M. Monique made me realize that I love when the love at first sight is between the stepparents and the kids. Because Joshua knew the moment he held that baby in his arms and I swooned. He was a natural protector, a firm and self-aware man, who knew his future when he saw it. Jazmine had reason to be skeptical, and scared, but she took a chance and it paid off. I was so proud of how she took her life into her own hands and charted a ne destiny for her and her daughter. I love how she didn't stop Body's bind with their baby girl and let things happen naturally between her and Joshua. Her past was a heavy weight, and finding out Body's involvement in how everything played out was good plot twist. I knew it would cause a rift, but they didn't let it tear them apart. This was short, but still had so much build and I loved that. The context of the characters gave their presence needed layers and even the small bouts of jealousy kept you wrapped up in them. And when Body needed to prove a point... it was proven. They were very hot and very loving and I loved peeking into their world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Death and Death of parent
Only We Know by Tucora Monique
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Iman (Blitz) and Avery are lovers in secret, but Iman is fed up with hiding, so he backs away. Now Avery is home, to share her talents at Duke's wedding and she wants to see her man again. But can she finally give HIM what HE wants?
Okay, so this was an age gap romance I was pretty pleased with. I love the push and pull of these two. How Blitz couldn't help but give in, how neither of them could bear to have the door close on the other. The angst and the pining were both very nice. Avery's past and her hesitance in letting Blitz love her fully was understandable and real. But I did think she dragged it on a little long instead of confronting it as best she could. But Blitz was there to catch her when she stumbled which was all she really needed. I was happy when they moved forward. It was a good book.
Okay, so this was an age gap romance I was pretty pleased with. I love the push and pull of these two. How Blitz couldn't help but give in, how neither of them could bear to have the door close on the other. The angst and the pining were both very nice. Avery's past and her hesitance in letting Blitz love her fully was understandable and real. But I did think she dragged it on a little long instead of confronting it as best she could. But Blitz was there to catch her when she stumbled which was all she really needed. I was happy when they moved forward. It was a good book.
Feel Me in the Dark by Tucora Monique
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Preach is the head of his family's crime syndicate but is more than ready to pass the torch. Finley is a court stenographer turned con artist running game for profit with the help of her friends. They cross paths for the wrong reasons, and although Preach should be keeping Finley at arm's length and Finley knows he can't be trusted, they're drawn to each other.
So I love Preach and Finley. Their banter and obvious attraction was cute. The way they met set the scene for the tension of their story and the natural push/ pull of two people trying their hardest not to fall in love. The continuing interactions once finding out they were connected in more ways than the original way added weight to their connection. It was funny watching Finley try to run away from Preach's arrogant insistence and I loved watching him apply the pressure and prove to Finley he'd show up no matter what. Her health issues felt relatable and gave her character great layers, as did her family environment. Preach wearing the crown and having the heavy head gave him some nuance I appreciated. And they were as hot as could be. I loved seeing them come together.
So I love Preach and Finley. Their banter and obvious attraction was cute. The way they met set the scene for the tension of their story and the natural push/ pull of two people trying their hardest not to fall in love. The continuing interactions once finding out they were connected in more ways than the original way added weight to their connection. It was funny watching Finley try to run away from Preach's arrogant insistence and I loved watching him apply the pressure and prove to Finley he'd show up no matter what. Her health issues felt relatable and gave her character great layers, as did her family environment. Preach wearing the crown and having the heavy head gave him some nuance I appreciated. And they were as hot as could be. I loved seeing them come together.
The Dirty Doctor and Her Assassin by Tucora Monique
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Osage is a doctor with her own practice who is the backbone of her family Holding down her incarcerated brother, supporting her grandmother and cleaning up her sister's mess, plus being a single mom while her daughter's father is also imprisoned is a lot for one person. So she supplements her income by patching up street hustlers who can't always go to a legit hospital when they get injured. One night, she gets called up to save none other than Jude Carbine, her long lost childhood connection whom she never forgot. And he never forgot her.
After Safe to Surrender and Feel Me in the Dark, I couldn't wait to meet Jude. I love a hotheaded younger brother. He was just as brash and arrogant as I imagined and I ate it up. I love the way he dictated his own circumstances, even going away from his family. It was misguided but it reflected his need to control his own life. But I do still love his bond with Preach, Duke, and Iman, and how he made amends when it was time and it mattered. He was careless in some places, but it was his emotions getting the best of him, you could tell.
Osage seemed a bit uptight to me and a bit too judgmental of street life for someone who was waist deep in it herself. But she suited Jude--the calm to his storm. Her relationship with her daughter was good reading and I liked the way she handled business. I loved seeing her talent on display but also loved when she opened up and felt like she could relax. They were a good couple and I liked this book so much.
After Safe to Surrender and Feel Me in the Dark, I couldn't wait to meet Jude. I love a hotheaded younger brother. He was just as brash and arrogant as I imagined and I ate it up. I love the way he dictated his own circumstances, even going away from his family. It was misguided but it reflected his need to control his own life. But I do still love his bond with Preach, Duke, and Iman, and how he made amends when it was time and it mattered. He was careless in some places, but it was his emotions getting the best of him, you could tell.
Osage seemed a bit uptight to me and a bit too judgmental of street life for someone who was waist deep in it herself. But she suited Jude--the calm to his storm. Her relationship with her daughter was good reading and I liked the way she handled business. I loved seeing her talent on display but also loved when she opened up and felt like she could relax. They were a good couple and I liked this book so much.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
When A Man... by L'Amour Coulture
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Hero and Halle are in love. But a misunderstanding pulls them apart and Hero decides to use the time to get life where he wants it to be. But he still wants Halle. Can they make it work a second time?
Okay, so I thought I was getting a sweet, second chance romance but this was heavy. The misunderstanding that caused the break up wasn't quite as serious as it was painted, but serious enough and I appreciated that. Hero and Halle moving on was a bit sad though. But Halle's downward spiral really threw me off. I wasn't expecting her life beyond Hero to be quite so tragic and I was a little taken aback. I don't think she needed to have so many things happen to her, tbh. I found that I couldn't be as happy as I wanted to be for their reunion because of all she went through.
Okay, so I thought I was getting a sweet, second chance romance but this was heavy. The misunderstanding that caused the break up wasn't quite as serious as it was painted, but serious enough and I appreciated that. Hero and Halle moving on was a bit sad though. But Halle's downward spiral really threw me off. I wasn't expecting her life beyond Hero to be quite so tragic and I was a little taken aback. I don't think she needed to have so many things happen to her, tbh. I found that I couldn't be as happy as I wanted to be for their reunion because of all she went through.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Miscarriage
Just A Hint Of Thug: Standalone by L'Amour Coulture
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Kenya and Jaq are two business owners who meet by mutual acquaintance. Jaq is looking to achieve the kind of business success Kenya has and she offers to share her expertise, and soon something else is growing between them. But Kenya is in a relationship and her ex won't let go of his financial support so easily.
Kenya and her ex was a heavy and relatable story. Her wanting to unburden herself from someone who isn't doing their part was good and emotional. I love the way Jaq took care of his sister and grandmother and the way Kenya's mother came in to fill the gaps. Jaq and Kenya's ascendance to love was slow, at times a bit too slow, but still good. Jaq was set on her and showed his intention, but Kenya's indecisiveness was grating after a while. And although there were some inconsistencies in the writing that made me feel like it could have used more editing, I enjoyed most of it.
Kenya and her ex was a heavy and relatable story. Her wanting to unburden herself from someone who isn't doing their part was good and emotional. I love the way Jaq took care of his sister and grandmother and the way Kenya's mother came in to fill the gaps. Jaq and Kenya's ascendance to love was slow, at times a bit too slow, but still good. Jaq was set on her and showed his intention, but Kenya's indecisiveness was grating after a while. And although there were some inconsistencies in the writing that made me feel like it could have used more editing, I enjoyed most of it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Domestic abuse