A review by shanaetheflyest
Jamaal The IT Guy by Kasha Thompson

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

With Jamaal The IT Guy, I have officially read all of Kasha Thompson's published work and what can I say besides...I'm a huge fan! Thompson writes these really good stories featuring Black men and women in such a unique way. Her characters are lovable, the stories are engaging and hard to put down. That's why I finished Jamaal The IT Guy in less than 2 days.

In Jamaal The IT Guy, we meet Winnie and Jamaal. Winnie is a creative extrovert who comes from a family of tumblers and contortionists. Winnie is in California, looking to establish roots for herself after separating from her family's way of life - looking for something more stable, something that doesn't require travel, living out of an RV, and performing. She's climbing her way to the top at Codeability, the startup everyone's talking about, looking to pursue her passions in communications and marketing, but until then she spends her days as a gofer/assistant to the assistant of the guy who runs the Codeability and pining after Jamaal - the IT guy. Jamaal is smart, funny, and fine as hell! He's grappling with confidence issues, he's risk adverse, and he wants Winnie just as bad as she wants him.

When the two finally get on the same page, the sparks fly and readers get to experience a beautiful, relaxing love story about two diverse characters navigating love of self and setting boundaries; intimacy and vulnerability in relationships; family issues; and achieving goals.

One of my favorite romantic quotes comes from Jamaal The IT Guy, below where Jamaal expounds upon his love for Winnie:

Happiness hides in your smile. In the way you look at me. In our heated debates...in the freckles that dot your nose. In the feel ofyour hand in mine...Happiness is the text messages laced with emojis and GIFs that perfectly encapsulate our conversations. It's the way you say my name after we kiss...it's softer, richer, and filled with so much meaning. You are happiness. Being with you and the life we're creating is my happiness. 

I felt so satisfied after reading Jamaal The IT Guy, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want more. There is so much more that I want to know about Winnie and Jamaal's story, for now I will accept the "happy for now" ending. Thank you to Kasha Thompson for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). 
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