Real Men Knit. Kwana Jackson. 2020. Berkley. 336 pages. [Source: public library.] Real Men Knit caught my eye months before its release for a few reasons: The title – a statement like “real men knit” is somewhat provocative, given that knitting is seen as a feminine craft, despite is origins The content – one of my primary hobbies is crocheting, so anything that centers fiber arts is worth checking out The cover, depicting a dude in Timbs. Nuff said. The book is a glimpse into the life of the four adoptive sons of “Mama” Joy, the matriarch of the Strong family and owner/operator of Harlem-based Strong Knits. She dies suddenly and the brothers have to decide whether to keep the small shop open. The least responsible of the brothers — perpetually underemployed playboy Jesse — is the most motivated to keep it running, and is lucky to have the help of Kerry. For her part, Kerry is a family friend who grew up with the brothers and has sought refuge in Strong Knits since she was young. Kerry’s also juggling her part-time job at the shop while hoping her career in art education jumps off at a local community center….

#Catfished. AshleyNicole. 2020. 107 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Who, in the year of our Lord 2020, is still getting catfished? Kardea is. She’s been talking to “Magnus” for two years, long distance, but has somehow missed the classic red flags that made the MTV show famous. She’s just been stood up by “Mag” when she runs into him in a local coffee shop. Big shocker — it’s not him, but local barber Emiel, whose photos “Mag” has been lifting from Instagram. Kardea and Emiel partner to figure out who’s behind the fake persona, but find (not surprisingly) that they have a mutual attraction and more than a little bit of chemistry. As the two sleuth their way to the truth, there’s a healthy dose of drama mixed in with their antics. While I had my suspicions about who was behind the catfishing, there were some twists I didn’t see coming. It made for an interesting story that I found easy to read and hard to put down. While this book is a romance, it’s just as much a comedy. I was both shocked and amused that this story had more love triangles than I could keep track of. Then, I…

Controlled Chaos. Christina C. Jones. 2020. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] More please. That’s it. That’s the review. Jokes aside, Controlled Chaos was a provocative departure from what I expected, which is saying a lot. Jones does erotica well, so to see her step out in this direction here was dope. My greatest critique is simply that I didn’t get more time with these characters because I’m greedy like that. The newest installment drops in on Andre Clarke, one third of the trio of brothers behind 81st & Clarke. The food critic who popped up as a thorn in his side in Collision Course returns as a more constant presence in his professional and personal life. For her part, Drew is just trying to live her best life, not under the thumb of someone who has to be in control all the damn time. In reality, Drew’s desire to take the reins and Andre’s need to let go is what brings them together and makes them work. My interest was piqued with the introduction of a “hyper-exclusive underground” club where Drew and Andre meet, unwittingly. It’s discreet (what happens here, stays here a la Las Vegas), and caters to a range of…

Collision Course. Christina C. Jones. 2020. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] CCJ is back with a new series and I’m loving the first installment. This novella features Addison Clarke, a reformed playboy who has his eyes set on Samara Holloway. The two met at the (in)famous Arch & Point club where Samara was a popular dancer. They hooked up once before she left town to follow her dreams in Vegas. But she’s back after nearly a decade, and Addison makes sure their paths collide as frequently — and passionately — as possible. Although short, this was a really enjoyable read. Addison and Samara have a playful banter that is flirty and filled with tension. She’s clearly trying to keep him at arm’s length and Addison just knows they have something more to explore. Samara is well-connected with beloved characters like Nubia Perry, Kora Oliver, and Nashira Drake — she fits in well but sticks out with an distinct identity and career. Addison, as one-third of a notable local family (his cousins are those Drakes), is trying to show her that he’s grown up and can be taken seriously as more than a hook-up. The fun is seeing how, if at all, he…

f*ck and fall in love. Nicole Falls. 2019. 71 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Ugh! I loved everything about this novella, except that I’m not still reading about Jane and Nigel. Jane has the (un)fortunate task of serving as a local marketing rep to her parent company’s quarterly meeting. While there, she has the lucky fortune of meeting Nigel, a bouncer at a rooftop bar. Throwing most of her caution to the wind as a result of some highly impressive cocktails, they have a quick fling before she hops a plane home. But then she has to fly back to New York. Again, and again. This is a short and mostly sweet story about some out of town d*ck, essentially. But it’s cute, funny, and enticing all in one. I very intentionally did not read anything about the f*ck and fall in love before it, so I could avoid projecting my own expectations and assumptions on it. I didn’t know what to expect, and I was not disappointed. Frankly, with a title like f*ck and fall in love, I was sure I’d be treated to some sexy scenes. And while it definitely has the characteristics of a romance, it also offers…