Reviews

When I Think of You by Myah Ariel

megfang315's review

2.0

uh this was so angsty... maybe i should have realized when kennedy ryan (whose work is very intense for me to read) was quoted on the cover. i couldn't find myself rooting for them to get back together either, even though i am a sucker for a second chance romance ):

imanadero's review

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

I really enjoyed this! Maybe it's because I love a second chance romance. I loved the backdrop of the film industry. In some ways, it reminded me of Kennedy Ryan's "Reel" (which is my FAVE), but it was still pretty fresh and felt believable. Sometimes, the characters' decisions did not feel like those in their late 20s/early 30s and the "evil ex" felt stereotypical. Nonetheless, i really enjoyed the movie production aspects including the hero's parents' romance. 

This Is medium spiced with just enough tension so that their reunion felt just right.

Overall, it's a quick and enjoyable read!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent and Racism

tayllorde's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.75

chasingthepage's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

shrineofyourlies's review

emotional 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? Yes

5.0

brandece1's review against another edition

5.0

When I Think of You has been one of my most anticipated new releases since I fell in love with the cover and even more after I saw an interview with the author. Right from the dedication knew that I would love it. I did read this one with my ears and I have to say I loved the narrator and I now want to read everything she narrates. This one had such a fun premise, and I loved that this was not the typical office job co worker romance, but filmmakers. I adored both Kaliya and Danny, and their second chance romance (the flashbacks were much appreciated), and I also loved the inclusion of Danny's parents love story.  Kaliya's friendship with Neha felt very relatable/realistic. This has literally does everything I love about romance. It is sweet, steamy and had so much emotion (MS rep, TW for death of a parent, workplace racism/harassments and mentions of Jim Crow south) but also managed to be funny (like old school Black love romance movie vibes). I would love for this one to blow up, because the entire time I was reading this I was just hoping one day it would be made into a movie. 

sleepingsaha's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.25

The narrator was so excellent! I was rooting for Kaliya and Danny and it was interesting to learn about the movie-making business while finding out how their love story developed. I think maybe one or two side plots could have been eliminated but, overall, I thought all the characters were compelling and I kept wanting to see how it all ended! 

melifoo's review

4.0

Kaliya and Danny be still my heart! I love a good second chance romance and this one was done so well. It also highlights the inequity found in the workforce for Black women specifically. It was raw and real and dealt with so many topics, and did it WELL. The only thing I would have liked is a dual POV, but that's just a personal preference.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher!

itsoteric's review

emotional hopeful 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

3.75

There's a lot I liked about this book, but I found the jumps in time threw off the pacing for me. And I do wish we'd had Danny's POV.

There's some great characters here, perhaps my favorite being Danny's mom, and plenty of twists and turns. It just felt like it could have been a little more than it was.

yalia_'s review

4.0

ARC Review ✨ Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Pub for letting me read this book early! I request this book solely off the amazing cover, it’s so beautiful and gorgeous. This book didn’t disappoint I was hooked from the beginning!

This is a great debut novel! I really love second chance romance because It’s amazing to see the characters feel grow while being apart and come back together! I liked seeing a black woman in film, it’s not something I used to reading in books! Something else I really enjoyed in the book was Kaliya did a lot of growing and really found her purpose in the end!

The book fell short to me because I really believe it’s important to have dual POVs instead of just one. I felt I couldn’t really connect to Danny’s character since we didn’t get that POV. The pacing at the end went really fast to me and I think that’s a common theme in romance novels honestly. Overalls a great book and I’m excited for everyone to read this book!

Pub Date: April 16th!