shanaepraystoo's reviews
887 reviews

Not Finished Loving You by Kimberly Brown

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Not Finished Loving You by Kimberly Brown is another fantastic story from this brilliant romance writer. I have been running through her catalog and I've enjoyed every novel more than the last. It took me a while to pick up Not Finished Loving You but I am so happy that I did, I finished the book so quickly because I just could not put it down! This second chance romance follows college sweethearts turned enemies, Alexis and Jaceon had an unconventional love story and I appreciate the care with which Brown discussed Alexis's grief and the respect for her journey that Jaceon had. Many times you read romance novels and you might feel that you forget what the book is all about shortly after you finish. But these books are actually about teaching you compassion for scenarios you may or may not encounter. Authors like Brown do so much good with their writing. I cannot make Not Finished Loving You a 5-star read for one major reason: the ages of the characters. I think the story would've been more well-rounded and relatable, if the characters were even 5 to 7 years older. While it is a personal preference, I find that romance novels, like this one that have really heavy subjects like divorce, adultery, and death, are better. That said, I'm glad that the ages of the characters didn't deter me from picking up the novel. The story is engaging with lovable and diverse characters. I highly recommend Not Finished Loving You.
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Defensive Stance by Kasha Thompson

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

Another incredible 5 star book from Kasha Thompson...why's she so good at this? No...for real. 

I have been so impressed by her books as of late with Figure of Speech and Sight Unseen both making my list of favorites in 2023, earning 5 stars from me. I even purchased physical copies of the books having read and loved the e-books. 

Anyway, Defensive Stance falls right into the same category with interesting, engaging, and lovable characters. Add in the unique storyline, great writing from Kasha Thompson, and you've got a winner in my book.

There are a few negative reviews for this book on goodreads, partly because the FMC Sloane is such a challenging character to like, however, I think Thompson does a good job introducing her to readers and expounding upon her dysfunctional family dynamic. I would've loved to have met her brothers, seen her interact more with her father, and possibly even gotten to know her mother. The MMC Deck is likable, too, even with his brashness, asocial personality, and grief. 

Defensive Stance is an enemies to lovers/fake dating romance novel with lots of spice. I read the synopsis but I missed that there'd be a fake dating trope, so that was a nice surprise for me. What I thought was going to be just another sports romance turned out to be so much more. 
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Keep Giving Me Love by BriAnn Danae

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I wasn't sure what to expect from BriAnn Danae's Keep Giving Me Love (Unorthodox Love Book 2). And I wasn't quite certain that we needed this novella after Book 1, which was intense and really enjoyable. Book 2 expands on the story of Synovi, a young man on a healing journey who is thrust into a fatherhood role to his two younger siblings. I think BriAnn Danae does a good job at illustrating Synovi's journey and she is respectful the entire time. Torin is one of my favorite FMC's. Many in the urban romance community are in love with Synovi, he's not a MMC I'm completely taken with, but he's certainly not the worst. I recommend the Unorthodox Love series because the characters are developed strongly and the storyline is engaging and inspiring.
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Nothin' Like You by Kimberly Brown

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emotional funny hopeful sad 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? No

5.0

I really liked Nothin Like You by Kimberly Brown. I've thoroughly enjoyed the Jareau Family. Brown has done such a good job with weaving the story of the Jareau family together with lovable and unique characters, which should be hard to do with so many storylines and characters to develop. However, Brown makes it seem easy. Nothin Like You is one of my favorite books in the series and I believe this is the conclusion. If so, Brown ended on a high note with Reese and Corelli. What a fun and uplifting book series celebrating love between all different types of people? I love that Kimberly Brown does not rely on stereotypes and handles triggering subjects with lots of respect (especially in books 1, 2, 4, and 5). I've read many of her books and her writing and storytelling are just getting better and better. I can't say enough good things about Brown as an author or the Jareau Family series.

My ranking of the Jareau Family books:
Strip Me Bare - Book #4
Nothin Like You - Book #5
The Burial of a Player - Book #3
Where Love Blooms - Book #1
Deep In My Soul - Book #2
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Tethered Love by Kimberly Brown

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have read so many books from Kimberly Brown and Tethered Love is by far one of my absolute favorites. Brown really put her foot into this one! The characters are unique and diverse in a way that I long for when reading. The story, though dark, emotional and challenging, is beautifully written and one that I'd immediately recommend to anyone.
The happily ever after was also very welcome, though not even necessary because Brown did such a good job with the characters Malachi, Eliana, and Violet.
My only wish is that this book was longer. Many of Brown's contemporaries would've easily made this book 500 or 600 pages. That's not Brown's style, but for Tethered Love, an emotionally charged dark romance, I think it would've been not only acceptable but beneficial. 
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The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Thank you for Cumming by M.L. Sexton

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lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

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Spiked Hot Chocolate by Rilzy Adams

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I really enjoyed Cosima and Tristan. I wish the story was full length because I enjoyed them so much. The characters were interesting and the writing was very good. 
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Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
I don’t think this could be any more boring if Jamie Wesley tried. And the female narrator is awful!
Strip Me Bare by Kimberly Brown

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad 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

4.75

"The difference a good man could have on your entire psyche..."

That quote sums up just about all that Strip Me Bare by Kimberly Brown is really about. In Book 4 of the A Jareau Family series, we get to learn more about Alaina, the bougie, elusive and mysterious only daughter of the Jareau family.

Alaina is running from an abusive past and lots of guilt, the result of youth, bad decisions, and an even worse relationship. Throughout Strip Me Bare, she is thrown curveball after curveball and is forced to make some very difficult decisions about her identity and the woman she wants to be. 

While Roosevelt is dealing with past hurt, the result of being born to an addict, raised by grandparents he lost in his adulthood, and being a single father after his ex-wife succumbed to an alcohol addiction, he sees something in Alaina that gives him the space to be vulnerable and weak - showing his true strength. 

Alaina meets working class loner Roosevelt, the Jareau family's gardener, and the two build a relationship built on vulnerability, love, and admiration for one another. Together they're able to overcome their individual weaknesses and be the best versions of themselves for one another and those in their orbit.

The relationship between Alaina and Roosevelt is organic and gentle. It is easy to respect and admire as a reader. Kimberly Brown really makes you care about both of them. She writes engaging, entertaining and really funny characters. I am excited for Book 5 of the A Jareau Family Series. 
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