ebonyessencebookshelf's reviews
337 reviews

Prior Affair by Christina C. Jones

adventurous funny hopeful reflective 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

4.5

Listened on audio via hoopla. I loved how they recorded this. 

4.5 - Honey, when Hailey told her mom she would rather face death again than deal with her i said 😲. That mother was something else. Anyways, I liked Hailey and Ellis for each other and that first spicy scene was 🥵. Baby they were NOT hunching but making LOVE. I said “well damn.” You could feel like they’ve known each other. Even the people on their lives could tell something more was there. Hailey was standing on business about herself and didn’t give a damn. Ellis was a sweetheart especially given what Hailey just went through. They were balance, funny and hot. Now my favorite part was learning of Hailey’s family history. I wouldn’t mind reading more about them. The shock on my face when the reveal came was everything. Something’s are meant to be and will keep happening until the task is completed. 

“Do you want to be mad or do you want my face in your pussy?” - Ellis

Sinnamon & Golds by Lady Marie

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Baby i ate this book up. I might need to grab the physical. Talk about having your ex look dumb and hurt is an understatement at thanksgiving. So happy Sinnamon & Golds hit it off at the market. Their flirting and little banter was so cute. Because at the dinner table things got heated. 

Golds was playing no game with our girl. Loved him rubbing that shit in Von face. The bedroom scene was not only genius but the ultimate get back. Them two was too hot to touch 🥵😈. I don’t know about me being at my exs house for such a family oriented day but at least a new beginning can start for these two. 

The Nigerwife by Vanessa Walters

mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

“Shine your eyes. Nothing here is what it seems.”

Libby Audiobook

That quote above was very much true for this book. Secrets and lies come out once you get further into the story. Now outside of that the book was just okay. Some parts i did zone out because it was kind of boring with some small surprises. I did like the aunt and the very end was underwhelming. 

Yours for the Holiday by K. Nicole

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? No

5.0

K. Nicole be having me in love with unhinged men with a soft spot and Krue is no different. I loved how we jumped in the story and things started. Baby that’s my type of read. Krue and Kyro didn’t waste no time. Krue saw what he wanted, Jerrica, and that was all he wrote. That man got the dominance and grit to him that’ll make you weak in the knees. 

Honey he met his match with Jerrica. She had a mouth on her just like he did. She was matching that energy. Her dad being a bum was probably the best thing he did for her. It was cute getting a different side of Krue during the story. My boy had it bad for Jerrica and i love that. It was anything for her ♥️. 

I also very much enjoyed the siblings and can’t wait for their stories. 

Carter and Demi: Sensual Affair by ML Bash

funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

“Why do you look like an angel but suck dick like a demon, Rookie?” 

ML Bash come to the front immediately! Girl i loved the hell out of this book. Carter and Demi just felt so right. Their chemistry was so sensual, sexy and chill for real. I love these characters whole heartedly. The setting, plot and pacing was so on point. 

Demi was about her mission of getting the bag off these wealthy/rich people to help with stuff back at home. She didn’t shy away from that either. Her sexual presence just oozes off the pages using what she got to get what she needed. Now Carter had me in love from the get go. His presence demands respect and authority in the most honorable way. He has that thang about him letting you know he can lead. In the words of Jill Scott “if he tell me what to do, then he can TELL ME WHAT TO DO.” And that’s Carter to the T. Loved that he fell first and peaked game with Demi. Everything he did was touching my heart. What he told her at the strip club in the last chapter had me all smiles. Talk about a man that is a provider and knows what he wants is so sexy. Then to go get it. Carter and Demi were standing on business. 

Can’t wait for Zina’s story because i love her and Demi’s friendship. 

“Shit can get ugly if you want it to, but I’m not about to repeat myself.” 
“I wanted to take his soul just to prove i could.” 
“I’ve decided that you’re mine, Demi, and i want you to catch up.” 

Jack Girlz Atlanta by BriAnn Danae

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Thank NetGalley, BriAnn Danae and Black Odyssey Media for gifting me with this arc in exchange for an honest review. 

From the beginning i was locked in and couldn’t wait to see how this would unfold. Abuse, murder, lies, who to trust and family secrets all happen to take us readers on a ride. 

I loved the sisters and their bond. You can tell they may get on each other’s nerves but the love is there. They become even closer as weird things start to happen that raises their suspicions. This starts their deep dive into their parents and things start to make sense one secret at a time. Matthew Grant is one sick human being who is power hungry, selfish and controlling man that can’t let go. Putting down his own daughters is nasty work. 

My favorite sister is Hazel. From a young age she knew what was up and didn't cave to the bs. BriAnn this book was amazing and i loved the twist and surprises. 

I Think I Might Want You by Christina C. Jones

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Yep i agree this was just okay. Yes i love that both characters were travelers and  had other things going on that added to them besides traveling. However, that’s about it. To me the sisters and their men from the other books made this book more interesting. Some stuff could have been cut out to add more depth. Book 1 is my absolute favorite. 

I Think I Might Need You by Christina C. Jones

hopeful informative lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

Audiobook via hoopla. 

The way this book said “The End” i was like “damn!” Yes i know it’s a quick read and i do like the characters. Hell i even liked the overall plot and how things were laid out. It just stopped so abrupt. I think if certain things got cut out there could have been a more fulfilling ending. Like prime example we didn’t need that interaction at the gym with those girls. That could have gave us more time with the MCs. Overall it was cute. 

In His Possession: Bought by a Black Mafia Prince by B. Love

dark hopeful medium-paced

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

3.0

I don’t know. The book was just okay. I listened to the audio on hoopla. So i can only imagine some of y’all reviews if you read the book. 

There are a lot of triggers in here and the men Scarlett had to deal with after losing her own father were devils. The mother was fighting her own demons and that was straight sad. Happy that a real one came along to be genuine with her and not to take from her like the others. I guess i wanted more mafia business than what we got. Not sure if I’ll move forward with the rest of the series. 

The Marriage Favor by Shvonne Latrice

dark funny hopeful tense fast-paced

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

5.0

“Show me who this dick belong to lisara. Earn this motherfucker.” 

Shvonne!!! Girl you know how to write a messy page turner ass book. I listened on audio but still i was hooked. I couldn’t even get 1% into the book good enough before things started popping off. She hit us with a boom and didn’t let off the gas. Lisara did what she had to and i respect that. I’m glad she was written to not stay by that man’s side. He was a total joke. She was about it too. No punk in her blood. She was going to swing them things. All in all she was just a down to earth woman with a heart of gold. As far as Prime goes he is THAT N***A. I can respect people that stand on their word and you never have to guess. There is a touchy subject regarding Nori and their son. He got on nori for worrying more about lisara than him and their son i said get her ass. When he said “imma turn that pool out back into a crime scene” i hollered. Nori thought shit was a game but girl really needed help. The way Prime and Lisara was getting it in 🫣🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵😈. That bar scene though. Oh yea and when it got to this one scene all i could say was “OH SHIT!”

Khari and couture had me ready to shake them both up. Like girl STAND UP.  Like do your legs not work? Baby girl was too desperate and khari wanted to be a man so bad that he couldn’t realize when he was being used. He definitely needed someone like Prime to set him straight. That sperm donor wasn’t it. By the end of the book i liked him more but still had one eye open. Can’t wait to listen to book two. 

“Mothers always had to figure shit out.”

“This was a queen whose crown had slightly shifted off her head.” 

“You so busy thinking you’re protecting your home from being invaded, when this shit is crumbling from within.”