shanaepraystoo's reviews
911 reviews

Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.

Marked as DNF @ 24%. I don't know if I'm reading a novel or a stageplay. Why is there sooooo much dialogue in a dual POV romance story?

Maybe I Love You by Briyanna Michelle

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lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.5

Maybe I Love You by Briyanna Michelle missed the mark entirely for me. I had no investment in the characters and, despite his beautiful language, vulnerability, and wealth, there was something about Donavan that just didn't make him swoon worthy to me. And I wasn't really buying Ivory's attraction to Donavan either. I appreciate the LGBT+ representation and the discussion around the FMC Ivory's sexuality, but it all felt so rushed and I didn't finish the book with a broader understanding of the character. I also didn't like the Acacia-Vera connection/storyline. If the book were just a tad longer with more developed characters and some tension and angst (you have a MMC who has been pining for his best friend for years, you have an FMC who has been left at the altar, you have a FMC who has been denied by her father because of his homophobia), I would've appreciated the story a lot more. Unfortunately, I don't recommend Maybe I Love You, but book 1 of the Undeniably In Love series is decent.

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Bullet: A Forbidden Romance by Wynta Tyme

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fast-paced

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

1.5

Bullet by Wynta Tyme is book 1 of an 18 part book series on the BLP Motorcycle Clubs.

I was thoroughly unimpressed with this writer and this story, therefore, I will not be reading the rest of the books in the series.

I found the author's writing style to be awful, there was no character development, the characters were stereotypical and unlikable, and the pacing was all off. The story unfolded in such a weird way that I felt like I was in the middle of this series and not in the very beginning. The sex scenes were bland, the reveal of the feud between the two characters' families was handled carelessly, and the author describes things so randomly ("Her curls were cut in the style that Meg the Stallion wore her curls in" - what style is that????) that it's just so easy to lose faith in the story.

And if all of that wasn't enough, on page 65, I read the following during a sex scene between the MMC and FMC:

Crystal seemed to be tighter than a frog's booty hole.

What in the fuck is that sentence doing in a book?

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Smoke Signals by Danielle Brooks

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lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

When I started Smoke Signals (Fire Company 143 Book 1), I was all in on the story because it starts off so strong, specifically the first 30% had me sucked in and I was really enjoying the story. Somewhere around the 55-70% mark, the story took a turn for me - mostly because of the FMC Nina. Talk about an irritating character. I just didn't find her likable. Even her friend Joni was sick of her sh*t lol.

I really kept reading for the MMC Denzel. He was open, vulnerable, honest, and dreamy - just what you want in a book bae. His character really shines. Unfortunately, the book isn't that long, so there's very little character development with Denzel and readers only get a glimpse of Thandie. I would've appreciated a little more angst in the story but it would've turned this instalove summer fling romance into something totally different: a true slow burn.

Anyway, I enjoyed the story of Nina and Denzel mostly and I recommend Smoke Signals to anyone who enjoys low angst, relaxing, light hearted, fast-paced romance stories. I'm excited to read book 2 and hope there's more info about Joni and Tevin plus Deacon and Vanessa...the author really leaves us hanging with the last couple.

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INEVITABLY LOVE by Love Belvin

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Inevitably Love. by Love Belvin is another 5-star book from the über talented writer. I am a huge Love Belvin fan because she writes full and complete stories with relatable characters that you can connect with, no matter your reality or current circumstances. Hayden and Ishaan are two very troubled characters, yet you want the absolute best for them despite their bad decisions. This makes for a challenging story that can get really dark and emotional.

I loved the character development for both Hayden and Ishaan. I think this is essential to storytelling and Love Belvin hits the mark every single time. Unfortunately, I am reading Love Belvin's work out of order, so I don't completely know the story of the Jacobs' or the Zyads, but I loved learning the bit that I did learn about Rayna and Sundriya. While many of her books are connected, even if only slightly, Love Belvin does a good job at relating characters without giving away the story involving those characters.

I also hope there's a book about Shi-Shi and Jas because I'm interested in them, too. Oh, and Brielle - such a short segment featuring this character but the interaction she had with Ishaan made me want to know more about her character, too.

Though lengthy, which is to be expected with any Love Belvin book, the story[ies] of Hayden and Ishaan together and separately unfolds at the perfect pace, there's the right amount of action, nothing ends quickly or without explanation, and you get the ending you've been pining for - Love Belvin always rewards her readers.

When I finished In the Meantime..., Book 1 of the 'Complicated Series,' I didn't expect to love it as much as I did and the cliffhanger had me STALKING Love Belvin's website and Facebook group looking for updates regarding book 2. The minute book 2 of the series, Inevitably Love. released, I moved it to the top of my TBR (putting down a new K. C. Mills release - unheard of!) and it was 100% worth it.

I highly recommend 'The Complicated Series' to all fans of Love Belvin, but also to anyone seeking a slow to medium paced romance novel with some dark elements, drama, and just the right amount of spice. You won't be disappointed.

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20 years of Separation by Shey Marie

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fast-paced

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

2.0

I got 20 Years of Separation by Shey Marie through BRAE, a Black literary event designed to promote Black literature. Unfortunately, 20 Years of Separation had a better synopsis than book. I was more intrigued by the idea of the book, but the execution isn't there for me.

There are inconsistencies within the story. For example, the FMC, Shadeur, is a 41 year old woman who was drinking Casamigos in her 20s. How? The Casamigos brand is only 11 years old. Do some research when you're exploring "period pieces" in your books.
There's very little exploration of the relationship between the MMC Phendi and his best friend/FMC's husband Trendt. The author made this a focal point of the story that actually affects Phendi's reconnection with Shadeur, yet there's no information about their bond or how they connected.
The affair between Jagger and Shadeur was poorly written and didn't advance the story at all.
The sex scenes are so boring the book could've been closed door and you wouldn't have known any different.

I just didn't like this book and I don't recommend it.

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Snowed In Love With You by Shvonne Latrice

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emotional funny 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

4.25

I have tried to read books from Shvonne Latrice before, specifically the Crenshaw Kings series, but with the series being so lengthy, I couldn't commit to it...I'm a mood reader. Don't judge me.

Anyway, I downloaded Snowed In Love with You during one of those Black romance book events a few months ago but I didn't get around to reading it. Now I'm mad that no one recommends this book because I could've read this really cute story a long time ago!

I really loved Thandie and Hezekiah! Snowed In Love with You is wayyyy too short. Yes. I said it. Typically I accept whatever authors give us with their books but not this time...I have to express my discontent lol. I wanted so much more from these two. The story is engaging right from the first page, the book is well-written, and the characters are very well developed -- everything I need to get sucked into a book. And boy oh boy did I get sucked into Snowed In Love with You. I highly recommend this to Black romance readers everywhere.

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Fortunate to Have a Billionaire's baby by : Nikqua

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.

DNF'd @ 34% - I couldn't connect with the characters or the storyline. Remington wasn't believable to me as a threatening gangsta or as someone who'd be attracted to a woman with self-esteem as low as Enslei's. But I do like the character names a lot and think the book is for those who love urban fiction and FMCs whose relationships make them stronger (that's not my cup of tea).

A Matter of Principal by Troinetta Nichole

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 54%.

DNF'd at 54%. I am not a fan of the FMC and the story is losing me. Bailing before I end up in a reading slump.

Maids of Honor: Nurina by Connie Easton

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lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

In Connie Easton's Maids of Honor: Nurina readers are introduced to some of the staff at Maids of Honor, a provocative cleaning company that hires beautiful women to clean the houses of the rich and famous wearing little to nothing for a whole lot of money.

Maids of Honor: Nurina is very fast-paced and right away readers meet Nurina, one of Maids of Honor's most senior housecleaners and the company's newest client, retired baseball player Maverick. There's a lot of sexual tension between these two characters and they're quick to act on it, ultimately leading to HEA that I didn't expect in a book that's less than 90 pages.

Though the story is very engaging and a bit entertaining, Maids of Honor: Nurina missed the mark for me in many ways.

First, I think the book is gaining popularity because folks keep saying that it's spicy. I mean...I guess, but after you've read some truly spicy books, this story comes off as a bit tame. I mean the dialogue between the main characters is there, but that's about it. Second, I wasn't a fan of J or Krys. Third, Maverick wasn't presented the way I thought he would be as a retired baseball player and widowed single father. Fourth, there wasn't much character development and this really shows when the FMC flees the MMC because she's not prepared to handle her strong feelings for him. Fifth, the story is too fast paced for there to not be a timeline. I think that in addition to the dual POV, the author should've let readers know how long Nurina and Maverick were in contact, it would've given me as a reader more space to get invested in them and their relationship.

All in all, I recommend this book to any fans of Connie Easton; fans of erotica; and anyone looking for a quick read that they finish in one day.

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shanaepraystoo's reviews 911 reviews

shanaepraystoo's reviews
911 reviews