wildflowerreader 's review for:

Hear My Heart by Tay Mo'Nae

4.5

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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: Yes

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I was entirely consumed with this story. I loved it. I’m so glad I went browsing on Libby for available audiobooks because man was this a solid ass choice. 

This is my first impression of this author’s writing and I can’t wait to read more stories by them.

Nakyra ans Creed were soooo freaking good. I loved them.

Tomato, tomato to Rome, Marisol, and whatever the dad’s name is. Hate, hate, hate!

My singular complaint and it’s a big one, rape. Rome raped Nakyra. No, the act wasn’t violent. No, Nakyra does not name it that. However, that is what happened and not once is it addressed (unless I missed it), and I feel so strongly that it should have. Below is a quote from that scene. This also happens early on in the story.

Proceed with the understanding that it is rape. I’m also flagging it as a spoiler.

“Rome, I said I’m not in the mood.” I moved my face away from his. Ignoring me, he used his knee to spread my legs. “All you have to do is lay there. I’ll take care of everything.” He kissed from my face down to my neck as he fumbled with his pants. His face nuzzled into my neck. His breathing picked up and I felt his dick pressing against my entrance. My eyes squeezed closed when he pushed inside me. Rome’s dick wasn’t the longest but it held a lot of girth. The initial intrusion always hurt and took me a moment to adjust. He pressed his lips into my skin as he pushed fully into me. It hurt at first because I wasn’t wet, but Rome didn’t seem to care.