Sistah Girls, June was on FIRE! I found a new to me author whom I enjoyed, then I was happily surprised by a new release from author Nina, only to be crushed by a sudden outcome with a character I’ve been following for at least four books now.
Here is what I read and LOVED in June…
5 STARS for Lemon Pepper: Where Love & Grief Meet by Nina (NEW RELEASE)
“Benz hadn’t been touched in a year. The way his full lips engulfed hers felt like they were exchanging spirits. Daun was now Benz, and Benz was now Daun.” -Thoughts of Benz, while caught up in her feelings.
Benz was not looking for love, but she finds it, and it occurs so suddenly that by the time she catches her breath the world as she knows it has been flipped on its axis.
Daun spends his days keeping the promise he made on the night his life changed. And yet, nothing can prepare him for what happens after he meets Benz. Love at first sight? Nope, but there is definitely an intrinsic pull between these two souls.
My Thoughts
A complete 5 Star read! Lemon Pepper was a surprise release. I jumped right into the book. I was immediately drawn to this story and its characters. Oak was a surprise character that had me swooning and rooting for him to succeed.
Lemon Pepper follows two characters after they’ve suffered a tragic loss and what it means to deal with all the pieces that remain. I highly recommend it to all romance lovers!
4 STARS for Prophet and Endi: On My Block by K.C. Mills
“They could both feel the connection brewing that neither wanted to acknowledge. Endi didn’t trust him with any parts of her being, while prophet didn’t understand nor did he like the pull he felt swirling in his chest.” -Thoughts of Prophet and Endi, while caught up in their feelings
Endi and Prophet have more in common than they would ever expect. While attending an invite-only party Endi finds herself captured by Prophet’s lust, a past trauma that has Endi letting Prophet down not so gently.
She’s been there and done that, so she makes it abundantly clear that dating a guy in the streets is not for her.
Be that as it may, Prophet decides to pursue her anyway not knowing their worlds have previously collided in ways that can affect their future.
My Thoughts
KC Mills leads readers to Endi and Prophet’s discovery of one another after a tragedy. The story was easy to follow and keeps the reader’s attention. Endi’s reluctance to deal with a street guy is completely understandable, but the heart wants what the heart wants.
The exposure of secrets and a petty ex-lover try to keep these two apart. Love, drama, secrets, and pettiness keep the pages turning in this urban love story. Check it out!
4 STARS for Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop (New to Me Author Alert!)
“My friend shouldn’t have to tell my sister to be nice to me. That shit is weird as hell, but here we are needing mediation..” –Thoughts of Janelle, sister of the bride…ex-girlfriend of the groom.
Janelle’s plan is to get through these next two weeks and the wedding without setting her sister Amerie aka the bride off; after all, Janelle is the maid of honor.
The problem is her sister does not make it easy, and neither does the best man, Rome, who decides he wants Janelle, even if it’s just for one week. Wait… did I mention that the groom (Arnold) is Janelle’s ex-boyfriend and Rome’s best friend? Yeah, I know, it’s a lot going on here.
My Thoughts
WHEW! The drama! My book bestie Lissa recommended this one to me and it did not disappoint.
Audacity was at an all-time high in this book, but I promise it is worth every bit of presumptive comments and catty sarcasm made by some characters. This was a good quick read!
4 STARS for All He Ever Needed by Tay Monae
“This was uncharted territory for me. Formulas and chemical equations made sense to me, dating didn’t.” -Thoughts of Indigo, while taking inventory of her situation-ship with Silas
Finding a job in her field of study should be the biggest worry for Indigo after finishing her master’s degree.
Unfortunately, one steamy night has placed more on the graduate’s plate. Silas is a wealthy media mogul and a well-known eligible bachelor. Being locked down in any kind of relationship is the last thing he wants…even with life-changing news he continues to fight the inevitable.
My Thoughts
This was such a cute love story. Tae brings these two characters from two different worlds together and somehow things fall in place, even to the dismay of Silas, the story’s male lead, LOL!
Tay Monae is always a win for me. This was such a witty, cute love story! Check it out!
5 CRAZY STARS for The Interlude by Nicole Jackson (Books 2&3)
“It felt like perhaps he was just relieved to finally have me out of his hair. Had me questioning if he’d been wanting a way out anyway.” -Thoughts of Jayah, while in her feelings.
In books 2&3 of this series, Jayah continues to be messy as her past indiscretions sneak up on her with no remorse. Unfortunately, Jayah faces heartbreak before finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
Avion has an extremely hard time getting past a secret Jayah vows to take to her grave.
Is the saying correct, that the truth will set you free? Or will Jayah’s revelation do more harm, which honestly seems to be the trend in her life?
My Thoughts
HOLY SMOKES! You see it coming and still feel alllll the feels as it happens. WHAT AN ENDING!
I’m talking Allll the FEELS! This series was TOTALLY crazy. This series was sad. This series had my head spinning at the sheer AUDACITY once again of its lead character, Jayah. Nicole Jackson is not shy when it comes to making bold moves with her characters by placing them in true-to-life situations which lead to true-to-life outcomes.
Myyyyy goodness. Read the books!
IF YOU’VE READ ANY OF THE BOOKS FEATURED I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS!
For The Curious: Now, I don’t know how others base their ratings but the following is how I base mine and why. The writing style of an author holds major weight for me. Even though I have a few preferences, I’ve decided to go by a template with regard to how I judge a book to avoid being biased.
How appealing are its characters, how well do they develop, plot developments, and how descriptive is the writing or lack thereof? Then I follow it by looking at the author’s ability to properly foreshadow future events, resolutions to major and minor events, and how well the author carries multiple themes and/or plotlines throughout the book.
Basically, judging the story’s overall structure which should be important to any writer, and because of all of this, I am extremely stingy with giving out stars.