A review by popthebutterfly
When I Think of You by Myah Ariel

emotional lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

 

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own. 

 

Book: When I Think Of You 

 

Author: Myah Ariel 

 

Book Series: Standalone 

 

Rating: 5/5 

 

Diversity: Black American MCs, Black American characters 

 

Recommended For...: adult readers, romance, contemporary, chick lit 

 

Publication Date: April 16, 2024 

 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

 

Age Relevance: 18+ (sexual content, romance, language, alcohol consumption, racism, sex, parental death, grief) 

 

Explanation of Above: This is an adult romance book, so there is sexual content, sex scenes, and romance. There is some alcohol consumption shown in the book. There is some strong language. There are moments of racism. Parental death is mentioned and grief is shown. 

 

Spice: 2.5/5 

 

Publisher: Berkley 

 

Pages: 368 

 

Synopsis: Kaliya Wilson has paid her dues. But all the years behind the reception desk at a flashy film studio have only pushed her movie-making dreams further out of reach. That is, until a surprise reunion presents an opportunity that could make her career, or break her heart…a second time. It’s been seven years since Kaliya’s whirlwind college romance with Danny Prescott went up in flames. While her passions have stalled, his career is taking off. So when the hot shot director reappears to offer her a job on his next production, it’s a shock to the system. Working with Danny may recapture the intensity of their film school days, but trusting him again won’t come as easily. As the pair allows themselves the openness and vulnerability to entrust their deepest truths to each other, the possibility of a true connection draws ever closer. But when Hollywood politics and scandal threaten to sink the production and her career, Kaliya may have to risk everything to do what’s right—even if it means letting go of the second chance love of a lifetime. 

 

Review: This was a really good romance. Read. The book follows Kaliya, our main character. She works kind of works and the movie industry, but not where she wants to be. She works as a receptionist at this big film studio and she is very undervalued at her workplace. Her boss is a big jerk and no one really gives her any notice or anything. But when the director of a really hot project comes in, who is also a guy that she had kind of a thing with back in college, she and him reconnect and things go from there. I thought that This book was really sweet and cute. I like that it focused a lot on workplace romance and rekindling old flames. Book had older characters which you don't typically see in romance, so I was really excited about that. I typically don’t like this, but I thought that the back and forth timeline was really well handled and written. And I also just really enjoyed both of the characters and I enjoyed how well developed both of them were. 
 
 The only issue I did have was that sometimes the pacing was a little off. It was too slow in places or too quick in place. I also felt like there were little gaps of details here and there which you kind of had to fill in as a reader, but I did also have an early copy of this book so it might have completely been healed by now. 

 

Verdict: I really liked this one. Highly recommend.