Her Exception. B. Love. 2023. 188 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Shalom and Mecca thought that at 18, they were ready to take on the world and its obstacles together. But when reality dropped into their laps, they ended up on separate paths, each nursing their own confusion and anger at losing the version of forever they’d imagined. Fifteen years later, they’re thrust together when Shalom’s specialized experience is key to Mecca winning the largest court case he’s faced in his career.  Too bad they can’t stand each other, and have an explosively volatile rapport to figure out before they can even consider working together. From its description, Her Exception has all the makings of a great enemies-to-lovers story – high school sweethearts, abrupt and unexplained heartbreak, and forced proximity when they haven’t been able to process the demise of their relationship. Add in the drama of their current partners along with family and friends with their own opinions, and I was certain that this would be a juicy, emotional, and passionate story I couldn’t put down.  While I had high hopes for the premise, its execution fell short for me in terms of the overall plot, character development, and dialogue….

Before I Let Go. Kennedy Ryan. 2022. Forever. 400 pages. [Source: Public library.] Before I Let Go isn’t the first book I’ve read by Kennedy Ryan, but it is absolutely the one that’s solidified her among the authors whose releases I’ll run to. This story of a newly divorced couple finding a new normal is an emotive read that pulls back a curtain on grief and healing. Yasmen and Josiah Wade thought they’d be forever, and those around them looked to them as a model for a successful relationship. The pair had two beautiful children, a growing restaurant, and were truly seeing their wildest dreams come true in all facets of their life togther. But those dreams became a nightmare after back-to-back losses in their family, causing devastating ripples at home and work. Now, Yasmen and Josiah are forced to navigate coparenting kids who have their own new resentments and fears, running a business that was recently on the brink of collapse, and treading into relationships with other people. To say this was all unimagible is an understatement, but it’s the life they’re adjusting to. While the idea of a couple divorcing and coparenting isn’t a novel idea, their close…

A Justified Love Affair. Kimberly Brown. 2024. 295 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] The Santiago family returns in this sequel to The Expiration Date. In it, Emmanuel Santiago finds himself excited by a chance meeting with Racine Bradley at his brother’s coffee tavern. She’s unhappily and unfortunately still married after catching her husband cheating on her in their own bed. She turns to the coffee tavern as a retreat, but it leads to a great opportunity to connect. When she starts to give her estranged husband a taste of his own medicine, Emmanuel is the perfect person for the job. Emmanuel and Racine have an immediate – and intense – chemistry that comes through immediately.  He’s known as a playboy, but their entanglement brings out a side of him that is unfamiliar to those closest to him. It’s clear that Racine doesn’t fall into the same treatment as his situationships, one night stands, etc. This makes for tons of jokes at his and Racine’s expense, luckily from a place of love and affection, if not admiration for her potentially slowing him down a bit.  Nonetheless, at times it feels like so much of a whirlwind that it may be harder for…

Deep in My Soul. Kimberly Brown. 2023. 304 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] The second installment with the Jareau family returns with a deeper dive into a situation first presented in Where Love Blooms. Cartel Jareau has been drawn Adina Harold since he intervened when her husband made a scene in his restaurant a year prior. Adina’s trapped in a toxic, abusive relationship to Dominic, and can’t find her way out. Nonetheless, Cartel remains at the ready to support her, and remains an attentive friend in the meantime. When he literally saves her life after yet another attack from Dominic, it seems like he might finally have his chance to prove that he can be the partner and protector Adina needs. Unfortunately, Adina’s recovery is anything but smooth, and Dominic isn’t so quick to give up his wife. He remains ever present but in the shadows, making sure Adina, Cartel, and the Jareau family know he won’t be easy to get rid of. His character is that of a true villain; unfortunately, he was just as cunning and connected. There’s definitely a dramatic tension where he’s concerned, but it was balanced with a predictable anticipation for me. While reading, I could…

The Expiration Date. Kimberly Brown. 2023. 230 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Serial dater Audrey has a fool-proof system for breaking up with men. On her “expiration dates,” she takes them to her favorite coffee tavern where she can let them down easy and enjoy a spiked hot cocoa for her troubles. That “foolproof” plans works great … until it doesn’t. Sullivan “Sully” Santiago is more than familiar with Audrey’s reputation, having seen it in action for months. And while he’s content to let it continue, he’s not going to let Audrey’s inability to commit mess with his money.  He walked away from an executive level position at the coffee business that made his family billionaires, damaging his relationship with his father in the process. Failure isn’t an option, which Audrey learns the hard way when she gets kicked out after an “expiration date” goes wrong. A chance meeting brings them back into each others’ orbit and the two explore what feels like instant chemistry. All seems to go well until misinterpretation and miscommunication land Audrey with another yet expiration date. Unfortunately, the cut isn’t so clean and the two eventually find their way back to each other with a surprise…