ebonyessencebookshelf's reviews
337 reviews

Sanctuary: A Noire Immortals Story by Alexandria House

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funny lighthearted 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? N/A

4.0

“Her voice was like warm oil sliding over sore muscles.”

Baby, if i ever meet someone that has me thinking of their voice like this I’ll definitely be doing some transportations. Take me to my African God or Goddess right now 🥵. This was such a fun second chance paranormal read. Alexandria’s pen just doesn’t miss. She gave me just enough to feel full but damn sure wanting more. Temple had be cracking up literally out loud. she stole the show. Temple and Sam are so it for each other and he was not letting up off the gas. Things had to happen a certain way because learning of their backgrounds about who they truly are only made them better this time around. I would love a longer book. If we’re being all the way honest this could be a good plot to bring to tv screens.
Anything for Angel by Kenya Moss-Dyme

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thank you Kenya Moss-Dyme and the ladies of BWW for the opportunity of reviewing an ARC copy. 

At the end I was like “say what now?!” Damn sure had me fooled. Yea with these twins i didn’t see that coming. I had to chuckle a little bit. I liked the flash backs the author gave us to show just how deep their connection/relationship  was. Once again the dating app was shaking things up. The siblings and Laurale all had different objectives. With Laurale i was shocked but couldn’t be mad. I feel her. What a ride 😮‍💨😂. 
Wait For U by Shvonne Latrice

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funny hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Shvonne Latrice, ma’am you have taken me on another crazy ride. This book had me shaking my head, jaw on the floor and laughing from all the twist and drama going on. Khari has definitely grown from the first book when it comes to Couture but damn it took a lot 😂. Now couture had me a little upset with her acting slow. Like girl you know what you and Khari did. I get why but still Khari was never letting up of her. 

Boy ol boy, Leland tried to make us feel bad for him but yet he was just another snake. No better than his parents. Hell him, kea and Marley are all in the same boat of delusional land. And those two ladies were dragging it. Like stand the hell up. No way no man should have y’all this down and out desperate as all get out. 

At the end of the day these two were honestly meant to be. I’m glad those people got theirs and these two get a happy ending. Lastly, Couture might of pissed me off sometimes but she is going to ride for hers. Both scenes with kea and Marley were chefs kiss. I was like “talk your shit boo!”
Laz and Znia: Intimate Affair by ML Bash

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.5

“I want to lick this pussy forever, Z.”
“Something changing doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad.” 
“You have to know the difference between a no because they want you to fight for them, and a no because they mean that shit and you need to move accordingly.”

When i think of insta love being done right this is what i mean. Laz is so adorable with his shy self but yet you know he plays no games. Love how attentive he is, not afraid to ask questions, and goes for what he wants when feeling comfortable. Baby Znia did just that. She is this head strong, confident, open book, stripper of a woman that has every bit of sex appeal. She turned Laz out. They both made each other feel welcomed. She was able to coach him because he wanted to learn. You can tell he’s a lover and has no problem being a protector either. He didn’t want to change Znia. They might have had a little hiccup but they pulled through with communication. Lastly, i think it’s important to point out how Znia finally met a man she can be soft for and knows he wouldn’t want it any other way. 
The Perfect Profile: The Dating App Horrors Series - Book I by Toni Larue'

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Thank you Toni Larue and the ladies of BWW for this amazing ARC. 

New to me author. 

Honey, the ending had me like “well damn i didn’t see that coming.” I truly thought i knew what was going to happen. 

Dallas isn’t new to being a little sinister. So now that it comes to the matter of his health along with his career being jeopardize, he takes things in his own hands with ease. While others go on dating apps for a hook up or love, Dallas is stalking his way to keep his future intact. He won’t let anyone get in his way. You got to be more careful out there folks 🤣. 

This a good balance of suspense/thriller to keep one guessing and thinking “oh hell naw!”
Losing Sight by Tati Richardson

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5

4.5 - “I know i need you. I’m going to come home to you.” 

This was a really cute mature read with both the MCs being 40+. We have Gideon wanting to love again and Tanika finally realizing what she’s been missing. Outside of finding love there’s so much more that comes with this story. You have grief, issues with a parent, A1 friend group, the spice is very much hot, career drama, and them being sneaker heads sealed the deal. 

I love the story around the glasses giving magic/paranormal aspect and what they do for Tanika. It’s like the opposite of rose colored glasses. Not only is she having issues seeing at her sports reporter job but has yet to notice there’s more to life than work. Until these glasses also make her see certain people for who they are. Gideon is ready to move on but maybe not as soon as he thought. Sometimes things happen or people come into your life showing you how much you haven’t let go. In order to love this new phase in your life completely you must cherish what you had and know there’s never any replacing it. While making room to fully embrace the new path that has been set. 

Favorite scene was the talking dirty phone sex. Is was funny and cute. (You’ll see what i mean when you get there.)

Thank you Tati Richardson and Row House by Spotify Audiobooks for an ARC.  Jaime Lincoln Smith and Charlie L Wood did an amazing job with the audio.
Faded Memories by Christina C. Jones

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I don’t mind a book that’s gets right into the thick of it and that’s what happens here. 

Love the way Christina wrote katari leaving to family that actually loves and supports her to start a new life. After her ex husband was on some bs it was time to find what moves her and get back on track. Then when she bumps into an old flame, Derrick, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Derrick was on his moment too!! Yes ma’am. 

We are left to our own imagination to guess about the beautiful life they’ll have. 
Trickin' Is A Treat by BriAnn Danae

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

A quick in and up out of there read. Aleesa making wishes on a night with magic at an all time high was cool to read. There was a nice spice scene with Rich. I wish we got a little more about him besides being a willful trick. At the end of it all I’m not made at the read. She got some good d**k and money to help her life and dreams move forward. 
Technical by Alexandria House

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense 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? No

5.0

“One thing about it, I ain’t letting no one make Stevie feel uncomfortable. Especially in her own home.”

Alexandria be writing!! This book was so good. The sex scenes be making me feel 🥰🥵🔥😈. My girl suck the soul out that boy 😂. Alexandria gonna make sure we never starve for a good sex scene and characters that have a story to tell. 

Baby the way Dray went up for Stevie and little dray is what the hell I’m talking about. Had me over smiling hard as hell. Both of them deserved this kind of love after everything they both went through before each other and after meeting. I’m so happy that Stevie had this musical side to her. Dray made sure his woman got right because clearly music is her passion as well. 

One thing for sure and two things for certain,  Alexandria is going to make sure us readers are ready to lay hands on the MCs family. Stevie dad and stepmom pure trash. The fact that woman was okay with how he treated his daughter let me all i needed to know. Now OG was pissing me off from jump. Can’t stand how family/people think they are entitled to something ,$$$, they didn’t help get. I’m so happy Dray was smart with what he did to let them all know at that bs “intervention” what was up. Family or not wrong is wrong. 

Anyways another great read. Listened on hoopla. 
Sensual Abduction by Rosè Dior, Kimberly Brown

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dark funny tense 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? No

4.0

“”What if i fell for you?” he asked. “Am i safe?” I smiled. “The safest place in the world.””

Now why was smiling so much during this book. Seeing Ahmad with his OCD, which i totally understand, change into this loving and caring figure was one of the best parts. I loved watching these layers of him come to life and learning more about his family. As well as things within that circle starting to become better with his parents. Rabbit was such a gem and the bond between these two was the best. 

Nala i couldn’t image dealing with a boy like slim. Yea it was messed up how things came about but being kidnapped seemed to be the best thing to happen. My girl not only got her life back but also fall in love along with get back on slim. She was a fighter through and through until she had a soft space to land. The banter with her and Ahmad was cute. Really enjoyed this more than i thought i would. 

Physical book with audio on audible.