The Crossover. Kwame Alexander. 2014. HMH Books. 240 pages. [Source: Public library.] In my younger days, I might not have willingly picked up a book that centered a teen boy, let alone one that also centered basketball. If The Crossover were a book I chose to pass on, I would have done myself a true disservice. I enjoyed this book; so much so that I read the original 2014 release as well as the graphic novel published in 2019. While told from the perspective of Josh “Filthy McNasty” Bell, The Crossover is actually about him and his twin, Jordan “JB” Bell.  They’re just shy of thirteen, and the book sees a shift in their relationship as their individual priorities change.  The two are stars of their school basketball team, their father a former international basketball champion whose own career was cut short and their mother an assistant principal at their school. Although almost identical except for their hair, their paths are diverging in the face of academics, dating, and everything else that comes with being on the cusp of their teenage years. What immediately jumped out to me is that Alexander writes entirely in verse.  The arrangement isn’t just linear on…

Seasoned. Delaney Diamond. 2020. Garden Avenue Press. 326 pages. [Source: Public Library] Delaney Diamond is back with another summer romance, and I was ready and waiting for it. I was immediately taken with her style with my introduction to her style with Johnson family a few years ago. I was more than overdue to get away with her latest, Seasoned. Seasoned is actually a set of three stories, each following a different woman in a close-knit trio. Each woman is having her own struggles with love. Thrice-divorced Renee is a bit of self-proclaimed HOA enforcer and finds herself locked in a battle of wills with her bothersome — yet handsome — neighbor. Adelaide is unwillingly closer to her ex-husband when they have to figure out how to support their young-adult son. And Jackie still pines to add motherhood to her accomplishments that already include being a successful entrepreneur; will an old flame derail her plans? Renee was initially unlikable for me. Despite her attempts to keep property values high and the neighborhood livable, I thought she was the neighbor from hell. The battle of wills between her and Clive was interesting to see unfold, though. Both were stubborn as hell,…

Wrath. Victoria Christopher Murray. 2021. Simon & Schuster. 384 pages. [Source: ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley.] Absolutely loved all of these characters!! Let me start by saying, I’ll be needing a Sisley and Kareem prequel because there seems to be plenty to tell in that redemption story. The main characters’ back story played a vital role in the dynamics of Chastity and Xavier’s relationship and I appreciated how the supporting characters were used to further enhance your understanding of their perspective and subsequent decision making. I love how VCM did a spin on people’s use of scripture to support what they may innately want to do…the notion that there’s a scripture for everything (good and bad) was clearly shown. The ending took me by surprise … but it was delightful stray from the expected. Additional favorite points: • Bryce knowing and calling Xavier on his BS – too often in stories like this, you find friends that border on being accomplices. I appreciated that it was a clear depiction of how men MUST hold one another accountable and encourage each other to do better. • The underlying theme that it’s not how people see you, but how you see yourself….

Quarantined: A Collection of Shorts. Sabrina B. Scales. 2020. 79 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] I can’t remember how many days we’ve been in quarantine-life, but I do appreciate that authors are putting their spin on love these most dire of days. My latest quarantine read is the new release by Sabrina Scales, which features three shorts with a string of connection between each. My favorite of the three shorts was the first one, which featured a nice forbidden love between Jabari and his best friend’s younger sister, Nicki. She’s had eyes for him since they were kids, but the question is whether the two can pursue something without damaging the relationship they each have with her brother, Courtney. If Jabari feels familiar, it’s likely because his character seems was based on DJ D Nice’s “Club Quarantine” instagram sets. The second story featured Courtney and his on-again, off-again, hidden in plain sight, secret love affair with ex-girlfriend Milo. It sounds complicated because it is. Their affair is best described as a case in which nothing has to be explained because it’s understood. Except that the two clearly are not on the same page. It’s amusing to see them stumble through figuring…

Me + Somebody’s Son. Christina C. Jones. 2020. 84 pages. Warm Hues Creative. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ve likely seen the saccharine-sweet photos of blissfully affectionate couples with the caption “me and somebody’s [son/daughter].” And honestly, who wouldn’t want to be boo’d up doing cute stuff with bae? Haven. She’s down for mutually beneficial hook-ups, but attachments aren’t her thing — once bitten, twice shy. So while she’ll gladly find someone to enjoy for the night, she has trouble getting them to get the hell on the next day. And when she crosses paths with August, the friend of a college ex, she swears him off. He’s literally the definition of smashing the homeys, and is just enough temptation to make her consider breaking her rule. Trouble. To say Haven and August are cute doesn’t do them justice. They were so enjoyable to read because they never compromised who they were and their filters were more or less nonexistent. They were always natural with each other, and their ability to go with the flow was entertaining. Their banter as Haven played hard to get and August let her, was genuinely hilarious, and I loved every second…