emquegeeaye's reviews
409 reviews

MISUNDERSTOOD by Lucinda John

Go to review page

lighthearted medium-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? Yes

4.0

Solid storyline. Medium to fast paced read. Loved the female and male main characters. Even tho there is debauchery between the 2 mains dare I say it felt very wholesome? I just feel like the author took her time with the progression of these character's love story mainly because they were teenagers. They did just jump into bed with each other and I never realized I liked that until now. It just felt like she handled this story with care.
Losin' Control by Ladii Nesha

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

This book was so freaking good! I was sad, happy, mad, I swooned and I laughed... A LOT! I loved this story and it's progression and the characters and their development. This story had a twist I did not see coming at all! Marley the fmc, to me Marley was just cool and easy. She gave me the vibes of what I think So Lange Knowles personality would be...just chill. But Czar, my man, my man, my man! I loved Czar from the word go. I loved the way he came for Marley. He knew he wanted her and he stopped at nothing until he got her. I loved his character. He's a fierce protector of the things and ppl he loves bc of his childhood and I kinda hated that for him but it did shape him beautifully. Loved Harper, Romeo, Nova, Sammy, Biggie, Shortie, Pooh and Uncle Goose. I'm still undecided on my feelings for Jaxon. I understand what happened but I just feel like there really was something more with him and Pam. And Pam, hated her. She was awful. Downright awful to Marley. Wasn't the best to Harper either but she tolerated Harper more and I wish that would've been elaborated on a little more. Why the favoritism if you can even call it that? Bc she did Marley so bad you'd think Marley somehow wronged her. Also didn't like Cain. I felt bad for Ada bc she was young and naive and just wanted to be a good mom and protect her baby but she unknowingly created a trauma bond with Czar and that burden was heavy on them both. Now I will say I was mad when Marley went back to Benny. That was just dumb to me. The man never changed. And she was back in a position she should've never been in. I couldn't and wouldn't go back to a past love. That ship has sailed and I habe mourned the loss.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Southern Belle 2 by Diamond Johnson

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I would give this book 4.75 stars. This was a really good book. The growth of the character is what you want to see in every book. Rudy really leveled up and I'm so happy for her and her kids. I still love Iris and think everyone needs a friend like Iris 🫢🏼 Not gonna lie I was surprised at how Zacardi went out and I was also glad that Rudy didn't let that affect her. Glad some of the relationships were mended and glad some weren't. And Tweety, I still don't know what I want to say about her. I don't want to say that she deserved what she got bc she kinda got off easy compared to Rudy and I wished she had suffered a little like Rudy. And that made me wonder why didn't he treat Tweety or his assistant like he treated Rudy? Bc he really put Rudy through it! Overall good story with a good ending. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Southern Belle by Diamond D. Johnson

Go to review page

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

4.75

Really good story. Different than what I expected. I think it was because of the cover. I'm not a synopsis girl so just going off the cover I thought it would be some Jim Crow era story about racism πŸ˜† but it was in modern day. There are a lot of triggers, which the author does forewarn you about so please be mindful. That didn't bother me but the story was hard to read at times bc of what the main character was going through. I just wanted to save her. I don't care for her husband or honestly anyone in her family outside of maybe her kids. But I do however love her friend Iris. She is a true friend indeed. The story is really good. It holds your attention and can at times make you wonder what people are dealing with behind closed doors. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Holy Grail by Charae Lewis

Go to review page

slow-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

4.0

Lessons From a Hidden Treasure: An Interlude by Antoinette Sherell

Go to review page

emotional funny sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Good book. Enjoyed reading more about Treasure and Pierre's story together and their backstories. This was a nice lil interlude to keep me trapped in "a hood love story" and wanting more. I was extremely pleased with the progression of Pierre. He grew so much and wanted to do better and be better for himself, his kids, his parents and his lil Birdie. And I was happy that Treasure didn't let her burgeoning relationship deter her from going after her education. Now gimme one on Los and one on Relic and that's all I need!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
In Sickness and In Health: What Did You Vow? by Lakisha Johnson

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Loved this book but I really do love all of Mrs. Johnson's books. I don't consider myself the most Christiany Christian and I haven't been to church in years but I thoroughly enjoy the messages in her books. The scriptures and utilization of therapy outside of every black person's go to of "you don't need therapy, you need to go to church". She incorporates them both. Now to the story, I've been where Jade was as a caregiver for my husband and it strained our relationship so bad I contemplated leaving. But I stuck in through. You never really know how an accident or illness can affect a person but it doesn't just affect that person, it affects the caregiver as well. You don't get to rest and nobody ask how you're doing. Because you're doing what your vows said to do. It's a difficult situation to navigate but I'm happy things worked out for Alex & Jade. They turned something tragic that was meant to break them into something beautiful.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Wreckless Love by Nina.

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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

Whew! This was a good, slow burn. You habe to just take your time with it and fully digest it. It was intense. I even cried in some. And I am not a cryer. My tears were tears of hurt and pain. Wreck and His have played a game of cat and mouse from their very first introduction and you get all of that here. Their story was very well put together and the way the universe does things all I could do was shake my head. This love story was beautiful, insightful, thought provoking and "wreckless". Wherever this story goes I can't wait to see it because I love all of the Porters and love reading their growth. This book was extremely well written and put together. The storyline was storylining! And the growth and character development is top tier!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Lemon Pepper: Where Love & Grief Meet by Nina., Nina.

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful slow-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

This book was beautiful! Absolutely beautiful. Sometimes love can come out of a dark place like grief. But not a trauma bond type of love. A true, genuine, from the deepest depths of your soul, one of a kind love. And that's what I felt even as a reader. The love poured off of the pages. I loved Benz and Daun and how they loved and cared for Busy and Tyler. A true unconditional, parental love even though they weren't biologically their children. I even loved the dogs πŸ˜‚ I loved their story and how they came to be. Shout out to the universe and Arli and Travis πŸ˜‰. I loved the community, family, love and care of Pepper. Makes me want to get a "P" tattoo and I ain't even from Pepper. Now to my real favorite.... Oak! My Oaky Pokey....he is amazing! Every time he graced a page my heart smiled. I loved how he loved and how his family loved him. He was a beautiful, well written character and I love to see it. I don't want to give too much away bc I want everybody to read this book bc it was just beautiful. A beautiful love that grew from grief. And I loved the incorporation of lemons honestly. Lemons symbolize love, light, they cleanse, detoxify and have healing properties. All traits that Benz and even Oak carried. Maybe that’s why they were drawn to each other and had the beautiful friendship that they did. And also probably why Daun was so drawn into her as well. He saw this qualities and his mind & body knew he needed to cleanse, detox and heal.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
No Woman No Cry by Rita Marley, Rita Marley

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad slow-paced

5.0

The storytelling was so good. I felt like I was at my mawmaw's house curled up on the couch having "girl talk" which consisted of her telling me all about her childhood and life as though I've never heard it before. Just from the way she speaks you can tell she still loves and respects bob very much. And I love that for her. She endured a lot! More than most women this day in age are probably willing to put up with but she loved her man so who am I to judge. But these women some of them, mainly Esther Anderson were so low down and disrespectful. Whew she deserved a good dragging. I loved Mrs. Marley's aunty Vie! But the way this woman was treated after Bob's passing was downright despicable. Peter and Bunny saddened me and I'm just an observer. It probably tore her up. Don Taylor was trash. Idk bow to feel about Cindy. She seems to still love and adore bob and he probably cared very much about her but he clearly was leading her on, and that came out of her mama's mouth so she had to have told her mama what he was telling her. But he wasn't leaving Rita and Rita wasn't leaving him.