shanaepraystoo's reviews
900 reviews

Jabari: The Crescent Falls Royals by Charity Shane'

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

4.5

Out of nowhere Charity Shane' has become one of my favorite romance writers. I thoroughly enjoyed her One Eighty series that released in 2024 and then she ended the year at the top of my mind with her beautiful Christmas novel A Christmas Novel. I've been wondering what she'd release in 2025, knowing that I need to explore the rest of her catalog. I certainly didn't expect her to release Jabari: The Crescent Falls Royals and I didn't expect her to release the book so early in the year! I just knew I'd have time to explore her catalog before her next release. Nonetheless, Charity Shane' dropped Jabari and I was eager to read it because the cover was beautiful, the synopsis sounded so good, and she wrote it - that's all I needed to know that the book was going to jump to the top of my TBR. 

Jabari was 100% worth putting to the top of my TBR. I immediately dropped plans to read other books and found myself engrossed in Jabari. I didn't want to do work, I read the e-book every chance I could get - I was even reading while walking on the treadmill at the gym lol. You're immediately sucked into the story, which unfolds so well (especially at the beginning), and the characters are lovable. Jabari is the ideal book bae - generous, rich, funny, sexy. The FMC, Kinnidi, is optimistic, talented, and full of light, despite her circumstances, so you want the best for her. 

Exploring mother-child dynamics, the struggle of dementia, self-worth, and family ties, Jabari is more than your typical romance novel. I highly recommend it.
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The Millionaire Boys Club: Beau by Natisha Raynor

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emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-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

I loved everything about The Millionaire Boys Club: Beau by Natisha Raynor. The age gap trope in Beau is everythingggg. The story is engaging and well written with a clear plot that's easy to follow and grips you. I had so much fun listening to the audiobook, too. I think the narrators did a really good job. I highly recommend the The Millionaire Boys Club series. 
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Seduce Me With Your Lies II by Penny Blacwrite

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

3.0

The Millionaire Boys Club: Koda by Natisha Raynor, Natisha Raynor

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emotional funny medium-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? Yes

5.0

I really loved The Millionaire Boys Club: Koda. It is emotionally challenging with dynamic and relatable characters. Koda might make my 2025 list of book baes. I want my own version of him NOW.
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Seduce Me With Your Lies by Penny Blacwrite

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dark funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m not sure how to rate and review Seduce Me With Your Lies. This book is so different from everything I normally read. It’s definitely entertaining and fast paced with lots of drama and a twist that shocked me! I’m ready to read book 2!
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If You Love Me by Kimberly Brown

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dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

If You Love Me by Kimberly Brown is another great book from the author. It is very different from the rest of the author's catalog, especially since it is more of a romantic suspense, but it shows just how great Kimberly Brown is at storytelling. 
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From Come Over To Come Home by Jahquel J.

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

I really liked Dom Pickens and Wren Michelle, the main characters in From Come Over To Come Home by Jahquel J. They're diverse, complex, and well-written. I also really liked Jru and Sade, the FMCs friends who get their own love stories in books 2 and 3 of the Brookwood series. I recommend the story to anyone looking for a relaxing, hopeful romance story. And the audiobook is pretty good, too!
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All the Smoke by T'Lyn, T'Lyn

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funny relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

All The Smoke is a fast paced and engaging urban romance novel with spice and enough drama to keep you turning the pages. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading about the MMC’s brother — he’s even more interesting to me than the MMC. 
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The Last Sad Love Song by Kimberly Brown

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

Well written romance story with lovable characters and a developed story. I really liked learning about Calliope and Thane. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a funny, engaging story.
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Frosty Beginnings: A Holiday Romance by Lesanda Moore

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lighthearted relaxing 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

3.5

Lesanda Moore's Frosty Beginnings is a low angst, fast-paced forced proximity strangers to lovers HFN holiday-themed romance novella. Though the story is short, there's a decent amount of character development that helps get you invested in the characters. I think I would've appreciated a full length novel about Shatori, the FMC, and Ralph, the MMC. Lesanda Moore is a "new to me" author, but I'd check her catalog out for more low angst cozy romances. 
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