THE LEX LIST: MARCH WAS LIT (BOOKS + REVIEWS)

The Lex List 

Sistah Girls, March was EVERYTHING!

In March I finally got the chance to read multiple authors that I’ve never read before. I also found a new author with a story that has captured my undivided attention. Well, I didn’t find her, my book bestie Lissa-Marie did!

Random fact: Three of the books I read in March featured twins. Therefore, be prepared to get double ladies cause each set are some strong alpha males LOL!!!

4.5 STARS for I Wanna be Down by AshleyNicole (NEW TO ME AUTHOR)
“I wasn’t lying on New Year’s when I told her I’d already fallen for her and was waiting for her to catch up.” -Dash

Sesali finds herself on a beautiful journey, going from friendship to love after meeting mega music producer Dash Dean.

Always being one to go after what he wants Dash sets his sights on Sesali and decides she will be his. Only, Sesali isn’t looking to date or have a relationship, so Dash quickly changes course.

Enjoying her conversation Dash says let’s be friends… and it works until the two realize that there is so much more developing between them.

My Thoughts
I Wanna Be Down is my first read by Ashley Nicole and I am so glad I chose this.

It was the perfect slow burn romance that I needed after coming off a heavy read. Overall, I really enjoyed the writing style, it never felt rushed and the characters got a chance to get to know each other through conversation via facetime.

This provided a high level of angst that brought the two characters to a high swell that was followed by doses of drama via the friendships in the story keeping my attention. Great job AshleyNicole!

5 EMOTIONALLY CHARGED STARS for Soul Crush: Soul Series Book One by Gabriela Ge (NEW AUTHOR ALERT!)

“My mind was at war with my heart, but the war was over, and the winner was clear.” – Arabela

Arabela Hilaire goes from rags to riches after the death of her father, a father that abandoned her and her older brother when she was a child.

While slowly becoming acclimated to her new lifestyle Arabela has a run-in with Kain Karter an up-and-coming boxing sensation.

Although their first encounter is far from nice because of Kain being an A**hole, he finds himself getting a second chance when Arabela unknowingly misplaced her prized possession, her art book.

The art book gives Kain the opportunity to ask Arabela out, problem is, she wants NOTHING to do with him.

My Thoughts

From what I understand this is Gabriela Ge’s first book. 5 Stars because Ge takes her time flushing out her characters. I usually don’t prefer a lot of descriptive monologues; however, in this story, it works. In this story what is not said can be more important than what is mostly said.

These two (Arabela and Kain) are in a battle with themselves on a total ME vs ME tip. They’re also holding some deep traumas and secrets.

Note: the book delves into some heavy content and may trigger readers. Gabriela Ge tackles certain topics that may create strong reactions in readers. I can’t wait to start book two which is already out with book three to follow soon. READ THE BOOK! You will not regret it!

3.5 STARS for Ledge (The Domino Effect Book 1) by Grey Huffington (New to me author)

“…I am damaged. I am nothing. I am scraps. I am bits and pieces and no matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to put me back together.” -Halo

In book 1 of The Domino Effect series, readers are introduced to Ledge and Halo. Months after the death of his mother Ledge discovers a secret, a man he never knew existed, his father.

And his father is a man with a reputable name in his city, a name he and his twin have heard of before. Halo has suffered from agoraphobia since the age of 14, she’s literally a shut-in and fears coming outside of her apartment.

Halo has one friend, her neighbor, Kamber. After a TON of time & convincing Kamber talks Halo into a night out. A night out that leads Halo to Ledge.

A one-night stand leads Ledge to his future. In his pursuit to happiness, Ledge finds out Halo is shut in her apartment but the way he sees it is she’ll have to let him in… eventually.

My Thoughts

Halo is one of the sweetest female leads I’ve read in a while, she holds an innocence that pulls readers in immediately.

This was my first read by Huffington and I enjoyed it. I thought it was a really sweet romance with a very interesting twist when you add in the agoraphobia facing off with the female lead. Also interesting is the twist on how Ledge and his twin brother are now being introduced into this very prominent family.

Now, I really want to read the dad’s book first before I get to the other siblings because that whole backstory is something else. 

4 Stars for Lucid Dreams by Ladii Nesha

“He was bad news, but it was too late for her to run. Hunter was intrigued, even if she didn’t want to admit it out loud.” – Thoughts of Hunter

Twin brothers Nite and Dai have been taking risks and living dangerously ever since a tragic loss in their childhood steals both their Mom and Dad from them.

Life has not been easy for Hunter, in fact, life has been a struggle since birth. Her father hates her. Her baby’s father is a deadbeat. And her brothers only acknowledge her when they need money.

When Hunter meets the twins, she initially bumps heads with Nite and his nasty attitude yet despite that Nite finds himself eventually pulled in by the beauty.

Falling for Hunter while trying to outwit the man who put him and his brother in the game becomes a challenge. The stakes are high, but it’s a challenge he is willing to take even when the consequences look grim.

My Thoughts

HOLY FREAKING CRAP! Ladii Nesha takes readers on a wild ride in a tale with multiple twists that will make readers laugh one minute and then have their hearts dropping the next minute.

I always enjoy her releases and Nesha lives up to the high expectations I have for her each and every time. I don’t know how she does it but she has a wild creative streak that I am a happy recipient of and because of it I am always looking forward to her next release!

4 STARS for Product Of The Street: Union City Book 1 by E. Bowser (NEW TO ME AUTHOR ALERT)

“I didn’t run.” – Shandea
“Then what do you call hopping on a flight and not coming back for six years?” -Lennox

Sisters Shandea and Tali are getting a one-way ticket out of Union City. And oh boy do they go out with a bang well at least one sister does.

Coming back was never a part of the plan, yet here they are back in Union City. While the sisters do not plan to stay long, the men they left behind are refusing to let them get away this time.

Henny can’t believe his eyes when he spots Tali in his hospital. After letting her get away he took over Union City, LITERALLY, he and his crew run the city.

His best friend Oz feels the same way about Shandea. The sisters realize they may be in over their heads and falling prey to the city and all the grimy reasons they left it behind in the first place. So, will love make them stay this time…

My Thoughts

More. I need more. Product of the Streets is a fast-paced story with multiple characters and multi-layered storylines. E. Bowser combines romance, suspenseful action, and mystery with good comedic timing.

If you enjoy reading Natavia, Desiree or Ladii Neesha, you will most definitely enjoy this book.

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.

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