ebonyessencebookshelf's reviews
368 reviews

Mr. Down For Whatever by Elle Wright

funny inspiring 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? No

4.0

Listened to the book via hoopla. The writing in this was good and funny. 

I love what this series stands for. Black love, history, and culture centered around Juneteenth. 

Baby Daphne sending that wrong text was probably one of the best things she’s ever done 😂. It just activated the feelings both her and Nero have for each other. I’m glad it was a straightforward romance of two adults liking each other with a little push back but eventually getting right to it. Their spice was hot baby. 

Besides the romance it was good to see the organization of men come together for something great. Learning how things work and the history on how things got started. As well as what they plan to do to make their black communities better. 

Can’t wait to listen to the other books in the series. Hope they’re just as good. 

Dinner at Sam's by DL White

emotional inspiring lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Now this book i liked very much. 

I listened on audio via hoopla. The audio wasn’t bad. Just wish there was a male narrator. 

I liked the writing and the pace in this book very much. The plot/storyline was good. Vanessa came a long way from her past. Got with someone she throught she knew and made a career change.  Only for things to be flipped upside down. No matter what, she did what she had to for those girls and the life she worked towards. Yes she got on my nerves at time and it was predictable that Gibson would find out. She just wanted to start this chapter in her life asap. 

Now GIBSON 🥵 was the star of the book to me. I loved everything about his character. From the way he got on his mother’s nerves, loved helping people in need, wore his heart on his sleeve, and a sexy farmer. The fact he seemed to fall first is so cute. Their spice was so good by the way. Yeah i want me a Gibson. 

Lastly, i loved the families in this book. Vanessa has some really good people in her corner. Even the older lady from the club. Gibson’s bond with his brothers is beautiful. That mother could learn a thing or two from her son. A solid and enjoyable read. 

And Then Life Was Beautiful by Asia Monique

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

5.0

-“You smell like brown sugar and honey.”

This book was so good. Had me rubbing my feet and smiling. I listened to the Audiobook while following with the paperback. Those narrators were perfect. 

Sometimes the simplest and most organic loves are truly the best. With August and Couri that’s what we have. They let things happen naturally between them with no force. Even when August got the surprise of his life and then turned around with another surprise from Courit it never stopped their bond from growing. Who doesn’t love LOVE. These two made me laugh and the spice was 🥵. How they dealt with everything had me applauding them. Communication and partnership. Yes they had a moment but they got right back on track. Oh and let’s not forget about their careers. Couri gets to work with penguins. Love when authors write jobs for characters i have yet to explore in a book. 

Their families were for real EVERYTHING. I cracked up at August and the sister’s name but it made sense to keep things in line. Couri and her niece kali have a beautiful relationship. Everyone seemed to just be really genuine good people full of love, family, peace and business. Yes Helen was dead wrong for what she tried to do but i knew she was hurting. People do messed up things when they’re hurt. 

Lastly, getting the extra povs from January and October was so good. Their personalities came through very well in the book and their bond was strong. As they got older you can tell them girls are going to be alright and nothing can break them. 

Quotes:

-I’ve been craving this since last night, so hold still and let me eat.”

-“Let it be,” I said. “Don’t hide the bad from me; just let it be. I want you to exist openly, without fear of putting too much on my shoulders.”

-“I need you,” he said softly. “And I’ll keep telling you until you believe me.”

Tension by C. Monet

funny hopeful fast-paced

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

3.0

Listened to the audio on hoopla

Dakota and Mariah were just okay. I wasn’t in love with them or their story. For me, I didn’t see what the interviewer saw between them. The way i would have snapped on Dakota so bad about touching my things without asking. He would have been begging for his mother’s return. Mariah didn’t rise enough hell for me. Just because they are married and went on a honey moon doesn’t mean you totally know someone. That’s what they both needed to understand. The insta love could’ve still remained in the story.

There was this one part i felt they both harped on too much. The past is the past. I just didn’t find it that serious but oh well. Yes they had their cute, funny, and spicy moments. Glad there was talk of therapy to effectively commiserate. Loved Dakota sticking up for Mariah with her dad as well. Lastly, i loved what they did for careers and community. 

Quotes: 
-“Feeling lost just means you’re on the verge of finding something great.”
-“Don’t let their questions become your own.”

-“We might not have a history but we will have a future.”

Passion by Monica Walters

emotional 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

2.0

I had high hopes for the book but half way through i was ready to dnf. I loved the narrator's. If Monica's goal was to get emotions and feelings out of me, well the story gets a 5 all day long. The only people i liked was the kids and the lady with the only common sense in the book that Gentry kissed. Boy you wasn’t serious about marriage. 

I was with the instant attraction between Gentry and Giselle. They wasted no time but after that part of the story it was a chop. Giselle should’ve told Clayton if anybody about arranged hearts. If she wanted to be a solo parent then 1) should’ve had him sign his rights over from jump or 2) go to a sperm bank. He was in those kids life for real. Not just babysitting. Prime example of watch who you have kids with and stop being desperate to have kids. Now yes Clayton did some clown ish and some foul ish when kizzie spilled the beans. I wanted to fight him. However, Gentry and Giselle, her especially, are childish/clown behavior too. No matter how good a background check is you never truly know someone and no one should be willing to take that risk with their kids. Mind y’all this stuff happens in a month. So yea that’s not long enough. Gentry strikes me as a man i thought would understand because I’m pretty sure if he had kids he wouldn’t just want any ol man around his kids. Lastly, maybe i missed it but 1) no one was telling Giselle how messed up she was. 2) why did it seem everyone hated Clayton before this marriage. Y'all barely know Gentry but praising him like a king. 

Untouchable by Shon

emotional tense medium-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

3.0

“Nothing is everything with her.”

First things first the audio narrators did what needed to be done. With that being said it was one of the highlights of the story. After a while the story started getting on my nerves. Lulu had me ready to jack her up and even though i loved Pierre and the kind of man he is; i started thinking “where is your back bone?”

Yes i love that they’ve been friends and so close throughout the years. What happened with Lulu referring to her mom and then with her ex i can understand her feelings. However, i wish she never stopped getting help because she honestly needed to let go and grow up. Pierre is a MAN. Protector and would go above and beyond. Lulu made him a SUCKER and i didn’t like that. Yes i adore a man that is open about their feelings but clearly Lulu wasn’t ready to receive them. I think the story could’ve been better if a break happened between them. For her to realize she just can’t treat people a certain way because of her hurt. She was self centered. He needed to realize he is worth so much more than a “fuck” and stop being so available that it gives off desperate. 

People are only going to do what you allow and it’s up to you to change it. Yeah we got a HEA but it took till the end of the book. That timeline could’ve been moved up to really give us readers just how much progress they made. 

Highlights: 

-The conversation Pierre and his younger brother had in the kitchen at their parent’s house. 

-The conversation Lulu had with her dad.  
-Love that her dad is making sure his daughter is wealthy and will be able to carry that on. 

Homeward by Angela Jackson-Brown

emotional inspiring tense medium-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? No

4.0

First read my this author and listened via Libby. Job well done to the narrator

“I was startled by Daddy‘s words. This didn’t sound like my daddy. My daddy was a praying, man whose faith knew no bounds. I’ve heard him say passionate prayers in church that caused other grown men to weep. This person sounded like his faith was weak or maybe nonexistent. This person scared me because my faith was wrapped up in daddy’s and mama’s faith.”

What A Book. WOW! Rose went through so much especially at one particular moment and my heart was broken. Damn near in tears. I loved the mc. Pure authenticity with every emotion and feeling. Her family was amazing. They truly stuck together through it all. One of my favorite moment when Rose’s momma wanted to walk to the field to yell at her. As well as the peach moment in the kitchen. Whole family was such a warm felling. 

The father loved the heck out of his daughters and I’m happy we got to see the vulnerable side. Especially with the charge of black people fighting for our right to vote. The author did a great job of showing the fight but also the ones that were scared. Wanted to leave well enough alone. Because that moment Rose had with the officer would have scared me too. However, glad she got motivated from that moment to push forward to register to vote. We as black people have always deserved better and still do. The fight is never over. 

Embrace: The Arranged Hearts Series by Mya

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

“No other woman has ever made me feel complete like you do.”

First read by this author and listened via hoopla. 

With friends to lovers like this book is why i straddle the fence with this trope.

These two had me laughing a bit. Suvi was talking about Blaze's built and the way she said “d*ck” had me rolling. While this was cute it was also predictable. I was just like “all that money y’all could have saved from this program if honesty about feelings were acted on.” Baby Blaze was all in and ready to get things popping after saying “I Do.” Once again the $$$$. They had each others back and the love was there for sure. I adored that the most. Once the spice started they didn’t let up honey. 

I think it could have been better if they were best friends that literally weren’t in the same town around each other all the time. Then they both joined the program but without the other knowing they did. Then BOOM they both at the alter. 

The Other Lata by Kirthana Ramisetti

slow-paced

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

2.75

Thank you Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for the arc. 

First read by this author. 

I thought it was just okay. The very beginning and a few chapters in afterwards had me excited. “Poor” Lata was a vibe, realistic and fun. As the story started moving towards the middle the pace seemed to drag. While also having a lot going on that could have possibly been cut out. Things got a little interesting when “Rich” Lata came on the scene. Good getting insight on her. I liked the titling of the chapters. Maybe someone more fashion forward would love this book. Wish it would have stayed light, fun, with that exciting feeling throughout. 

The Christmas War Paws by Terreece M. Clarke

funny fast-paced

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

4.0

First read by this author. Listened to the book via hoopla. 

Yea i will definitely be reading more of her work. This book was so fun and cute. I laughed out loud a few times because the banter was hilarious. The characters flowed together so well and the spice could have melted the snow in this book. Loved the snow ball fight and the pranks throughout the book. Especially at  the baking competition 🤣. Francesca and Sebastian are truly made for one another.