shanaepraystoo's reviews
874 reviews

Bound by A Gangsta's Love 2 by Miss J.

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I wanted to like Bound By A Gangsta’s Love 2 way more than I did. The story about Makani and Gino was engaging and fun with the best spicy scenes,  but I quickly grew bored with the POVs from Eric Carter/Sergio Blackwell and Piper. I wanted to hear more from Reed, Saylor, and Blair. Book 1 was about Makani but Book 2 of the series was more about Gio and I didn’t like that. All in all, though, the story is solid and well written, some of the dialogue was shippable, but for the most part ok. I recommend this series to anyone who likes urban literature and dark romance.
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Bound by A Gangsta's Love by Miss J.

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

While I am aware of Endiya Carter's romance books, I haven't had the opportunity to explore her other books written under her pen name, Miss J. After reading Bound By A Gangster's Love, I see that the subject matter between Endiya Carter and Miss J is totally different. 

Bound By A Gangster's Love is a dark romance that is spicy and full of drama. I was hooked from the very first page. I don't typically like weak FMCs and the FMC, Makani, in Bound By A Gangster's Love is 100% one of the weakest I've ever read about...ever. However, it was clear that she'd undergo a serious change throughout the book and that is part of what kept me interested. I am excited to see how she grows as a character and I want to see how her relationship with the MMC, Gio, blossoms. 

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a bit of drama and can handle the content warnings. The book is triggering but I believe there will be a positive payoff in the end. 
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Here With You Forever by BriAnn Danae

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-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

4.25

Here With You Forever by BriAnn Danae is my favorite type of short book - engaging, fast paced with developed characters and a strong message. While the FMC Leerah wasn't my favorite, the MMC Cree really shines and carries the story. Unfortunately, I think there is so much more that could've been explored but it isn't,
for example, I wanted to learn more about Cree and his mother
. Because I was left wanting a bit more from Here With You Forever than what I received, I give it 4 stars. That said, I still recommend the book and think the love story between Leerah and Cree was well-written and I'm happy that they got their own story in the Evermore Series. 
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Heat Of The Moment by BriAnn Danae

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

Mostly drama free and light, Heat Of The Moment by BriAnn Danae is a fast paced romantic story about how a dare from a friend and the willingness to live outside of one's comfort zone can lead to a new life. The story is cute. I finished it in one day because it was so engaging. I am excited to read book 2. 
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For The Night by Rae Lyse

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

4.5

For The Night is another really hopeful yet painful romance from author Rae Lyse. As I've come to expect from Rae Lyse, there are well written and diverse who are lovable yet complex. The story unfolds in a way that only Rae Lyse can tell a story and the characters are a world away from me and what I know, but I feel for them and want the best for them (even the genuinely unlikable ones, the ones you're not supposed to root for).

In For The Night, we meet recently divorced elementary school teacher Venus who can only be described as a hot mess.
Rae Lyse writes Venus in a way that makes you feel pity and sometimes shame for her. I mean, Venus has let her ex-husband, his awful mother, and his affair change her entire perception of herself mostly because she made a man the center of her world. Then we learn that Venus misses someone she never knew - her mother, who died in childbirth - and you understand her a lot differently.
If you had any space for another complex character, Rae Lyse brings in heartbroken Anthony aka Nuney, who I could best describe as a 24 year old man grieving the loss of boyhood, which comes with a whole host of problems for him, his daughter Toriana, and, ultimately, Venus.

With this slow burn Rae Lyse tells a story of self-love and confidence, second chances, breaking generational curses, and finding the beauty in the most mundane parts of life. Of course, there's an emotional investment in the story, and reading For The Night takes a bit more time, but if you're looking for a romance story with the ultimate payoff, I highly recommend all the books in the Sun Series by Rae Lyse, but especially For The Night, it is her best work in the series - highly recommend.
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Camp Lanier by Sylvester Barzey

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Very boring with an unlikable FMC.
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen

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emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

5.0

I was really impressed with InstaLove by Danielle Allen, so when I saw that she was releasing Curvy Girl Summer, I was very excited to read it. And boy oh boy did it live up to expectations! I absolutely fell in love with Aaliyah and Ahmad; I wanted to fight Uncle Al; I wanted to be friends with Nina and Jas; and I was sooo grateful for Nana. I sure wish that I lived across the street from Onyx! 

Curvy Girl Summer is a fun and engaging summer story. I really really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the next Danielle Allen book.
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Sensual Abduction by Rosè Dior, Kimberly Brown

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dark funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense 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

4.0

The characters in Sensual Abduction are well written and well developed. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Nala, Ahmad, and their families. Ahmad was the right amount of grumpy and tough for me. I highly recommend this one. 
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Drown In It by T'Lyn

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Though highly recommended, I found Drown In It by T'Lyn to be pretty typical...not particularly hype worthy. The author indicates that it is an erotica, but to me, it's more of an urban novella with spicy scenes. I appreciate that T'Lyn added a bit of storyline, especially with regard to the MMC, Rakeem aka Rock. The quick paced short story is entertaining and engaging, so I wouldn't say don't read it, but it's definitely for those who appreciate urban fiction way more than romance or erotica. 
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Leak it: An Erotic Novella by A. Blossom

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adventurous lighthearted 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? No

5.0

Leak It by A. Blossom is a fast paced, lighthearted erotic novella with diverse and complex characters. Black women writers are exploring Black women's sexuality and pleasure in a new way that is challenging for the female characters in the books and also for me as a Black woman reader. Leak It fits the bill for sure with challenging characters and a FMC trying her best to live life on her own terms.

In Leak It we meet Naomi Honey, a kindergarten teacher trying to live her best life after a painful divorce. A chance encounter brings her to Houston and Harlem, twin brothers who like to have fun. And Naomi desperately needs some fun.

One of my favorite quotes in Leak It comes from Bailee, the FMC Naomi's best friend:
Don't worry about what anyone thinks about you or your sexuality. It's not for society to decide.
The novella is more than I expected as it explores societal critiques, sexuality, self-love, self-definition, and sooo much more, all within 124 pages. I wish the story was full length but I am satisfied with what I read. I highly recommend the book. 
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