iamcaseyrkelley's reviews
279 reviews

An Inconvenient Cop: My Fight to Change Policing in America by Jon Sternfeld, Edwin Raymond

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

A must read for everyone. This really changes the perspective of how we look at policing. While I think there is part of the American population that fully recognizes the problems within police departments, this book illustrates that the issues we face are deeply ingrained into the fabric of the system.

The author starts the book deeply personal as he shares loss and love during his childhood. This approach offers us a look into the man beyond the uniform and gives a deeper understanding into who he is.

One of my favorite things about the book is how well the story telling is. It doesn’t read like fiction with a bunch of heavy text. It felt personable. I alternated between the audiobook (the author narrates) and the physical copy which gave me a more immersive reading experience. I felt like we were sitting on the deck and he was sharing his life experiences but also giving me insight into a world from a different lens. The author helped me understand that it is much deeper than “a few bad apples”. It is truly a system and then individuals that uphold that system with threats and retaliation for anyone that dares challenge it.

I applaud Edwin Raymond’s courage to tell this story. This was so enlightening. At times it is a difficult read. While “we” have always known some of the things in this book, seeing it in black & white and realizing that it is a strategy is simultaneously frightening and validating. As such, some may need to be in the right head space to read a book that confirms all that we knew and lets us know it is worst than we imagined.

Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon

funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

As a dog lover, this book was all the feels for me. It's the perfect enemies to lovers or grumpy/sunshine trope. Ashanti owns a doggy daycare that is a place that treats pups like royalty. It's even in the name and marketing - Barkingham Palace Doggy Daycare. She has Frenchie Duchesa who ends up going viral with her dog bff, Puddin. Imma call him her boyfriend. She is taking care of her teenage sisters (twins) that cause her to put her personal life aside and focus on the twins and the doggy daycare. Thad is the grandson of Puddin's owner and he is tasked with dog sitting while his grandmother recovers at an assisted living facility where she cannot bring Puddin. He is supposed to pull Puddin from the doggy daycare but Ashanti needs to get him to agree to take Puddin on a press tour with Duchesa to capitalize off of the success of their viral videos. She is at a crossroads with her business and needs this opportunity to help her win a small biz competition so she can buy a larger daycare and expand her business. 

This story could not be any cuter. It made me dive into Farrah Rochon's backlist. I reread The Boyfriend Project series and followed those three up with The Holmes Brothers (8 books) and the New York Sabers (4 books). I am a fan for life.

Bitter and Sweet by Rhonda McKnight

emotional informative 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

5.0

I was incredibly nervous about reading this book. I was introduced to this author from her book The Thing About Home. I loved that book so much that it was my number 1 read of 2023 out of 190 books. So this book had some big shoes to fill because TTAH set the bar extremely high. I procrastinated cracking this one open for fear of disappointment. Now that I have finally read it, WTH was I waiting for?

This book was so good and was extremely well-written. I am a huge fan of dual timeline stories especially those that are based in historical facts. I loved the drama of the two estranged sisters as they navigate their relationship. The forced proximity opens up the path for healing and is reminder of the importance of forgiveness. The author explores the role of Black women and the impact of society’s divisions caused by Jim Crow. This is a story of reckoning and redemption illustrated as a multi-generational saga. We learn about the Gullah Geeche culture and the impact on South Carolina history.  This is. a beautiful lesson in history, faith, and relationships.

This book has solidified Rhonda McKnight as an auto-buy author for me.

The Ancient Nine by Ian K. Smith

informative mysterious 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? No

5.0

fast by Millie Belizaire

5.0

I decided to finally read this after seeing it from all my favorite Black booktokers. I wasn’t sure what to expect from it but it lived up to every last review I saw. Although it is a very heavy read, it is so well written and such a captivating story. I could not stop reading but I also couldn’t stop crying. The way the author connects the readers to the characters feels personal. I wanted Caprice to find peace and protection but more importantly love. This was a 5 star read in the first few chapters when I was already so connected to the characters that I cried uncontrollably. My only complaint is that after waiting far too long to read this story that I can never reread it and experience it for the first time again.

The Godmother by Jane E. James

2.0

I received this book via NetGalley for an honest review. I went into this book blind. I requested it because the cover and title felt like a psych thriller which is my favorite genre. There wasn’t a single likable character in the book. I rarely guess the twist and since I did in this case, I wouldn’t really call it a twist. Without going into too much to avoid spoilers, the way Zoe handled the situation with Joe was beyond ridiculous and lacked logic. I am in the US so I only know about how evidence is collected here. But I can’t imagine that blood tests aren’t a way to collect evidence in the UK. All of these adults being manipulated by teenagers was unbelievable. Between Gabriella, the phone, the CCTV footage, I could not believe how stupid these adults were.

Lastly, the author’s note kept referring to a book called My Secret Son. Was that the original title or is she referring to a different book that she has written.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, and Miscarriage

Minor: Rape

Never Say Never: An Urban Crime Thriller by Toni Larue'

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Newly Discovered Author

I found this author because one of my favorite booktokers (adoseof.books) recommended this book.  I was deeply engrossed and anxious to know what happened. I will definitely read more from this author.

Work Song by Danielle Allen

5.0

Tati and Wes are my new favorite Danielle Allen couple. I love the way this author makes the male main characters so raw and vulnerable with their emotions. When they love a woman, you can FEEL it through the pages.

Sounds Like a Plan by Pamela Samuels Young, Dwayne Alexander Smith

4.0

I received a NetGalley copy for an honest review.

For starters, Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith is one of my all time favorite books. As a result, this book was something I automatically wanted to read. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was a mystery with Black PIs. I used to love both the Easy Rawlings and Tamara Hayle series by Walter Mosley and Valerie Wesley Wilson respectively so this is something that is filling a void in Black literature. While I thought some of the timing of the coincidences were not realistic given the size of LA and traffic to get from point A to point B, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I rarely figure out the twist or solve a mystery but I was able to assume a little of the ending. I think because I have been reading a lot of romance lately, I wanted more of a spark between them or maybe for something to happen. But I also think it was a good idea to limit it because it could be an unnecessary distraction for true mystery fans.

I believe that this would be a good television series with each episode being a different case to solve. I would watch it!

Out of Body by Nia Davenport

4.0