Scan barcode
hugbandit7's review against another edition
3.0
I really like that this series is based on men in a fraternity and shows them in a very positive light. There can be lots of negativity when it comes to fraternities and sororities, so I always enjoy a book that isn't negative.
Imani and Xavier were high school sweethearts that reconnect at a mutual friend's wedding. Xaviar isn't shy about wanting her back in his life and sometimes I thought he was too pushy. But I did appreciate it when he did take a step back. Imani has a secret that will affect Xaviar and really waits too long to tell him. I thought she should have been a little more forthcoming considering the status of their relationship. But it all worked out in the end.
I'll admit to skimming/skipping over the sex scenes. I'm not opposed to them but I think it was the mood I was in that I didn't care to read about them. The scenes were very tasteful from what I did read and I appreciated that fact.
There are some real life issues that Imani and Xavier deal with and I thought it was handled really well (can't give away too much).
An enjoyable read overall.
Imani and Xavier were high school sweethearts that reconnect at a mutual friend's wedding. Xaviar isn't shy about wanting her back in his life and sometimes I thought he was too pushy. But I did appreciate it when he did take a step back. Imani has a secret that will affect Xaviar and really waits too long to tell him. I thought she should have been a little more forthcoming considering the status of their relationship. But it all worked out in the end.
I'll admit to skimming/skipping over the sex scenes. I'm not opposed to them but I think it was the mood I was in that I didn't care to read about them. The scenes were very tasteful from what I did read and I appreciated that fact.
There are some real life issues that Imani and Xavier deal with and I thought it was handled really well (can't give away too much).
An enjoyable read overall.
readerpants's review against another edition
3.0
#rippedbodicebingo: originally read for beach read/beach town, but turned out the whole story wasn't set at the beach, just the first bit!
Characters felt flat and plot was thin: I also got frustrated with the hero AND the heroine a lot. (Especially when he didn't believe her about something important! UGH!!! Drop that guy like a hot potato!)
Characters felt flat and plot was thin: I also got frustrated with the hero AND the heroine a lot. (Especially when he didn't believe her about something important! UGH!!! Drop that guy like a hot potato!)
thaictaff's review against another edition
1.0
I was so excited going into this book. I thought it'd be about a workaholic who had a messy break up with this girl years ago and they end up meeting at their friends' wedding. But honestly, this book was just a mess until I decided that it wasn't really for me and gave up on it.
Firstly, just because this book wasn't for me doesn't mean it isn't for you, so you can read my review and if the things that bothered me about it aren't bothersome to you, you can give it a chance and hopefully have a great experience.
Secondly, trigger warning.
Okay, so let me start out by saying I couldn't care for any of the characters. Xavier was literally the most annoying hero to me. He's described as a saint, I'm not even exaggerating, Imani talks about him like he's God on earth. Look, don't get me wrong, it is admirable when someone takes the time of their busy routine to help children who needs it, but they mention it way too much. I remember being ten pages in and the protagonist said "hearing him talk about his work in such a modest way" and I thought "I just started this book and I'm already done with talking about his charity work".
"Instead of money, my dividends are paid in the success of my mentees." I mean, seriously? Gag.
Another thing is how Imani always has to point out how attractive Xavier is, he doesn't "raise his arm" rather than "raise his muscled arm", it gets tiring after a while.
Now, after Xavier being painted as the greatest guy in the universe, when we finally get to the point where her secret comes out - which by the way was pretty obvious from the start and it just annoyed me that it kept being treated as the most mysterious thing - and instead of him being understanding and being there for her, he! actually! gets! mad! I'm never getting over this, he was such an asshole, you just find out the girl you supposedly love was raped and your reaction is accuse her of lying? Fuck that.
Imani was just annoying and stupid at times. She acted like he broke her heart all those years ago when in reality it was just that they were moving away from each other for college and it wouldn't make sense to continue dating. But then again, she dropped that shit pretty quickly so I don't really understand why it was brought up in the first place.
And that's all I read from this book, I don't know how it ends or if it gets better, I was just done with everything that I didn't care enough to stick around and find out.
I received this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
Firstly, just because this book wasn't for me doesn't mean it isn't for you, so you can read my review and if the things that bothered me about it aren't bothersome to you, you can give it a chance and hopefully have a great experience.
Secondly, trigger warning.
Okay, so let me start out by saying I couldn't care for any of the characters. Xavier was literally the most annoying hero to me. He's described as a saint, I'm not even exaggerating, Imani talks about him like he's God on earth. Look, don't get me wrong, it is admirable when someone takes the time of their busy routine to help children who needs it, but they mention it way too much. I remember being ten pages in and the protagonist said "hearing him talk about his work in such a modest way" and I thought "I just started this book and I'm already done with talking about his charity work".
"Instead of money, my dividends are paid in the success of my mentees." I mean, seriously? Gag.
Another thing is how Imani always has to point out how attractive Xavier is, he doesn't "raise his arm" rather than "raise his muscled arm", it gets tiring after a while.
Now, after Xavier being painted as the greatest guy in the universe, when we finally get to the point where her secret comes out - which by the way was pretty obvious from the start and it just annoyed me that it kept being treated as the most mysterious thing - and instead of him being understanding and being there for her, he! actually! gets! mad! I'm never getting over this, he was such an asshole, you just find out the girl you supposedly love was raped and your reaction is accuse her of lying? Fuck that.
Imani was just annoying and stupid at times. She acted like he broke her heart all those years ago when in reality it was just that they were moving away from each other for college and it wouldn't make sense to continue dating. But then again, she dropped that shit pretty quickly so I don't really understand why it was brought up in the first place.
And that's all I read from this book, I don't know how it ends or if it gets better, I was just done with everything that I didn't care enough to stick around and find out.
I received this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Review also posted at Read. Breathe. Repeat.
scoodle42's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Imani and Xavier meet again at a mutual friends' wedding and the sparks are still there from their high school love. Xavier is all gung-ho to give it another try, but Imani is hesitant. She needs to take it slow, for herself and her dermatology practice she's trying to get off the ground. Also Xavier is running for public office and she has a shame in her past she's been running from that she thinks will affect him negatively.
Okay I'm going start right out with the thing that bothered me most and I'm not going to cover the spoiler because I don't want anyone to be triggered. There is a point in this book where the FMC admits to the MMC (who says he loves her beyond all reason and wants her in his life SO badly), that she was SA'd and he doesn't believe her. That was really icky. So that's the first thing.
Also, it was a second chance romance--but they never explore why he left her all those years ago and broke her heart; they never address why he gave up on them, and he never apologizes for it. For me, that reads like a plot hole. Sorry. Their push/ pull was nice; that part was written well and it kept me interested, but I didn't like the way the side characters in the book acted like the onus was on Imani to just accept this man's love and take him back no matter what. He needed to be shown how to earn her, and everyone was too busy on their "he's a good man, Savannah!" I hated that for Imani. She was working through trauma and deserved all of the grace and patience she asked for.
I know Xavier was bothered by what came out about Imani's past but his first concern should have been her, or else why step to her in the first place? He could have left her alone for all that. Plus, as a character he was little too self-righteous for me. He had a great presence in the community, but that didn't give him the right to dismiss the very real things that were happening to Imani (i.e the clinic break-in and how that tied to her dad, who had died of a violent crime). It felt like he cared about too many other peoples' feelings over hers in a few places. He wasn't the most likeable.
All in all, the writing style was good and the plot interesting enough that you make it to the end.
Okay I'm going start right out with the thing that bothered me most and I'm not going to cover the spoiler because I don't want anyone to be triggered. There is a point in this book where the FMC admits to the MMC (who says he loves her beyond all reason and wants her in his life SO badly), that she was SA'd and he doesn't believe her. That was really icky. So that's the first thing.
Also, it was a second chance romance--but they never explore why he left her all those years ago and broke her heart; they never address why he gave up on them, and he never apologizes for it. For me, that reads like a plot hole. Sorry. Their push/ pull was nice; that part was written well and it kept me interested, but I didn't like the way the side characters in the book acted like the onus was on Imani to just accept this man's love and take him back no matter what. He needed to be shown how to earn her, and everyone was too busy on their "he's a good man, Savannah!" I hated that for Imani. She was working through trauma and deserved all of the grace and patience she asked for.
I know Xavier was bothered by what came out about Imani's past but his first concern should have been her, or else why step to her in the first place? He could have left her alone for all that. Plus, as a character he was little too self-righteous for me. He had a great presence in the community, but that didn't give him the right to dismiss the very real things that were happening to Imani (i.e the clinic break-in and how that tied to her dad, who had died of a violent crime). It felt like he cared about too many other peoples' feelings over hers in a few places. He wasn't the most likeable.
All in all, the writing style was good and the plot interesting enough that you make it to the end.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Gun violence, and Death of parent
shannanh's review against another edition
4.0
The first book in the Brothers of Theta Delta Theta series. Xaviar and Imani were high school sweethearts that ended up going their separate ways after a break up. They reconnect at a friend's wedding and go through a lot of challenges when trying to see if their relationship can be reconciled. I enjoyed the two main characters, as well as the secondary characters, and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
shell74's review against another edition
4.0
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Back to Your Love was a tender second chance romance by a ‘new-to-me’ author, Kianna Alexander. Southern charm was abundant, and our main characters’ complicated pasts and lingering feelings created issues, but their HEA was worth every moment leading up to it.
‘She was the missing piece of the puzzle.
In order for him to be truly happy and at his best, he needed Imani by his side.’
I really had a good time with Back to Your Love, which is the first book in a new series based around a group of men in the Theta Delta Theta fraternity. It was a great bunch of characters, each so unique and who had their own distinct personality, but they all meshed well together and kept things lively. One thing that I loved was how author Kianna Alexander was able to point out the positive aspects of college fraternities, the brotherhood and the support system they can be to one another. Read More
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Back to Your Love was a tender second chance romance by a ‘new-to-me’ author, Kianna Alexander. Southern charm was abundant, and our main characters’ complicated pasts and lingering feelings created issues, but their HEA was worth every moment leading up to it.
‘She was the missing piece of the puzzle.
In order for him to be truly happy and at his best, he needed Imani by his side.’
I really had a good time with Back to Your Love, which is the first book in a new series based around a group of men in the Theta Delta Theta fraternity. It was a great bunch of characters, each so unique and who had their own distinct personality, but they all meshed well together and kept things lively. One thing that I loved was how author Kianna Alexander was able to point out the positive aspects of college fraternities, the brotherhood and the support system they can be to one another. Read More
pages_and_procrastination's review
I am at the end and have decided to dnf this one. I am okay with miscommunication tropes in romance - most of the time it’s simply annoying. But this time, I just couldn’t get behind it. I am not usually one that makes a big deal of what books say to the wider world or bigger issues, but this time I will. When Imani (?) decides not to tell Xavier (?) about her assault because of the gag order, I was all for it. You shouldn’t have to disclose something like that to everyone. She hasn’t even told her parents. When the article comes out with the accusation that Imani had an affair with Gibbons (the man who assaulted her) his immediate reaction is to not believe her claim that it was assault because he deserved to know. Let’s ignore the fact that she warned him away and he continued pursuing her. Let’s ignore the fact that she’s domes everything she could to protect his political career. The women you love just told you she was assaulted -during a time you weren’t even together - and your immediate response is to call her a liar? Hard pass. That didn’t stop me from continuing. What did it was the fact that Imani - who has carried guilt and shame from the assault - starts betraying herself about losing the best thing that’s happened to her because she refused to tell Xavier about the assault. As Xavier is such a great guy- never mind the fact that he had wanted to tell her that he wanted to pause their relationship until after the election or the fact that he doesn’t believe her. I’m sure the happy ever comes and they find out the truth and come back to each other but I can’t get behind it.
maddiewagner's review
3.0
This was a fun quick romance to read. I really liked the characters but some things were off in the book for me. The two main characters meet at mutual friends' wedding after 10 years ...and those friends live in the same town but while the groom makes multiple appearances the bride never does? Also the language was hit and miss for me - sometimes it felt a little stilted. But I still wanted to know what happened to the characters and read it in 3 days.
More...