Acceptable Losses. Nia Forrester. 2016. 226 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Lena and Quentin are work BFFs. For years, they’ve had a standing afternoon coffee date that helps guard them against the strain of being high-achieving black attorneys at their firm.  Where Quentin sees himself as a mentor to Lena, she buries feelings toward him, knowing he is someone whose interest will always be unrequited.  Quentin’s failing marriage hasn’t totally jaded him on love, so he attempts to hook up Lena with his suave and less conventional brother Darius. The two hit it off; so why does Quentin have such a problem with his successful match-up? Most of this book focuses on Lena and Quentin as they navigate their romantic relationships. Lena is open to love, but hasn’t had a great track record or even time to devote to it.  Quentin is in a dying marriage, where neither he nor his estranged wife seem willing to throw in the towel officially. 

The Makeover. Nia Forrester. 2018. 223 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] This book is delightfully messy. Not crudely so, but just enough of a mess to keep my butt glued to a chair to finish.  The Makeover follows best friends Colton and Samantha, who’ve been thick as thieves since they were toddlers. They know each other inside and out, so when they finally decide to explore their mutual attraction, it seems like the next natural step. Surely it should be smooth sailing.  Unfortunately, “making over” their relationship brings more challenges than either of them expected or are prepared for. Colton’s career in the NBA presents its own challenges, since he’s been able to live his life without having to answer for a lot of his actions. Women fall at his feet and he indulges himself.  Sam, a budding lobbyist, is a “good girl” who relishes in her place in Colt’s life – he’s always got her back … as a friend.  Their attempt to move from friends to lovers abruptly makes one thing clear –  they don’t know each other as well as they think. I really enjoyed that Sam was her own person with her own “secrets.” Too often, women in…

In Due Time. B. Love. 2018.  B. Love Publications. 147 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] In Due Time is an interesting story that intrigued me and kept me reading. But at the same time, I was frustrated the entire time because of its protagonist.   Mackenzie and her best friend, Rahim, have a weird non-love triangle thing going on, despite being best friends. Mackenzie dated — and was repeatedly hurt by — Rahim’s cousin Tony. Despite a decade passing, she’s still not over it, to the point where it cripples her ability to be involved with others in what most would consider healthy ways.   It doesn’t stop her from sleeping with Rahim, though.  Instead, she becomes his best friend and while acknowledging her strong feelings for Rahim, she also clings to a sense of loyalty to Tony that won’t allow her to make a go with Rahim. At times, it was hard to get a sense of whether she actually wanted to get back with Tony or if she just couldn’t let go of the idea of him as her first love.   I generally found Mackenzie insufferable. Despite being almost thirty, her maturity and actions are more reflective of a…

Feud. Phyllis Bourne. 2018. Red Lipstick Press. 150 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Sometimes you have terrible neighbors you love to hate. The Lawsons and Bridges have been those neighbors for each other for over 100 years. Their feud is so intense that the families established clauses in wills to reward the descendant with the fortitude (or luck) to outlast the opposiing family. That is how Tate Bridges and Justice Lawson cross each others’ paths. Justice thinks he’s finally got his family’s trust in his grasp since he managed to outlive old man Tate.  Much to his chagrin, a distant neice, Tate Alexandra, shows up in the nick of time to nip his plans in the bud.  What results is a hilarious story about the lengths to which the two will go to ensure their family comes out on top. Of course, there is a major wrench in their plans — a mutual, if not begruding, attraction to one another.  This tension is what makes the book most enjoyable.  It’s entertaining to see just how far they can push each other in the name of winning a feud caused by a dead mule of all things. The two characters are relatable,…

Something Special. Tiffany Patterson. 2018. 329 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] As far as enemies to lovers stories go, Something Special was pretty enjoyable.  It features esthetician Gabriella and her best friend’s cousin Jamal. They hate each other. Can’t spare a kind word or smile for each other. Can barely stand to breath the same air as each other. They probably want each other. However, when a night out winds up with too many drinks in Gabby’s system, Jamal — ever the gentleman — takes her back to his place so she’s safe for the night. And so begins the shift in ow they view each other.  Gabby becomes less flighty in Jamal’s eyes. And Gabby seems Jamal as more than just a judgmental yuppie.  It’s not all sunshine and roses, though. Jamal, a preacher’s kid, has some deeply ingrained views about the virtues of the woman to whom he would commit. And Gabby has a pretty significant secret from her past that’s very much a part of her present. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to see how they get to know each other, especially without sacrificing any of their authenticity. Part of what sticks out for Gabby and Jamal is that they both…