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Darriel Clark

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Love and Hated this book! I needed more of the ending

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-13-25

This was my first time reading Brandon Massey, and I went into The Landlord with high expectations. Overall, the book was okay—it had moments of intrigue, but I felt it fell a bit short of its full potential.

The plot itself is compelling: a struggling writer named Cam finds himself pulled into a sinister agreement with a mysterious landlord offering easy money for questionable favors. The setup had all the ingredients for a gripping thriller, but I didn’t feel the characters were as developed as they could’ve been. I wanted to connect more deeply with Cam and Desiree, but they felt a bit surface-level.

That said, the suspense really picked up toward the end, and the twist was solid. I was genuinely happy for the Woodson family by the close of the story. The ending definitely delivered some of the thrill I had been waiting for all along.

If you enjoy slow-burning suspense with a dramatic final act, The Landlord might be worth a read. I’d consider reading more from Brandon Massey in the future, now that I know his style.

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Brilliant. That’s the only way to describe this audiobook.

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-13-25


From the slow-burn romance to the deep emotional arcs, Rae Lyse delivers a story that’s raw, real, and full of heart. The way she explores human behavior—how people are conditioned to respond to pain, trust, vulnerability—was unlike anything I’ve experienced in a romance. It made this story feel lived-in.

There were so many gems along the way:
Angie’s honest and wise dating advice, Lourdes embracing her feminine side, the sports references, and Ace… Ace’s ability to love, lead, and carry the emotional weight when it mattered most. I found myself rooting for every character, flaws and all.

This wasn’t just a romance—it was about growth, protection, redemption, and the beauty of Black love. I’ll absolutely revisit this one again.

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This book is an absolute must-read and easily earns a well-deserved ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-18-25

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—Shanora Williams can do no wrong! Beautifully Broken is an emotional, beautifully written romance that delivers all the feels.

Davina and Deke’s journey is raw, heartbreaking, and deeply moving. Their story truly embodies the title—Beautifully Broken Love—as they navigate pain, healing, and the unexpected power of love. This book masterfully explores grief and how its weight affects individuals in unique and personal ways.

I found Davina’s character especially compelling. Her self-sabotaging tendencies made me want to shake her at times, but isn’t that the beauty of a well-written character? Some of you have said she had no business dating, and while I almost agree, love has a way of finding you when you least expect it. That conversation with her mother—encouraging her to step out of her own way and allow love to happen—was such a powerful moment.

Trigger Warnings: Death (due to medical illness), suicide.

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story of love, pain, and growth that keeps you hooked

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-26-24

To be completely transparent, Restore Me started off rocky for me. I chose to listen to it on Audible, but the female narration didn’t quite deliver the emotional depth I felt the story deserved. That aside, once I dove into the storyline, it had me on edge in so many ways—good and bad.

The two-week romance timeline drove me insane. Dominic’s toxic personality traits made him feel like one big tease, and Sloane had me so stressed that I didn’t know where to start. Seriously, what was her problem?

That said, J.L. Seegars’ writing style is undeniably captivating. Her ability to paint vivid, purposeful scenes is impressive. Every detail feels intentional, adding depth to the characters rather than fluffing the pages. The way feelings are described in this book is especially noteworthy. Through the first-person point-of-view, you get a clear window into the characters’ emotions, beliefs, and motivations. That level of emotional insight is a powerful tool that truly brought the characters to life.

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Wasn’t worth the hype!

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-14-24

The Boyfriend by Frieda McFadden was, in my opinion, an “okay” listen. I experienced it on Audible, and while I appreciate McFadden’s knack for misdirection, the story didn’t fully grab my attention.

The book weaves between past and present, which I found a bit distracting. In the past storyline, Tom, a young boy, is infatuated with Daisy but is haunted by dark impulses and a troubled home life with an abusive father. The way he imagines seeing Daisy’s blood hints at the unsettling tone McFadden builds throughout. While this adds suspense, it didn’t resonate with me personally.

In the present, we follow Sydney, a 34-year-old woman whose life seems entirely centered on dating. I found her character hard to connect with. She overlooks multiple red flags, and it’s frustrating not to learn more about her depth or motivations. Truthfully, I felt that most of the characters were poorly developed, which made it challenging to care about their journeys.

Despite these critiques, McFadden does a remarkable job with plot twists. She kept me guessing, and I can see why some readers loved the book for that reason alone. The final twist will definitely catch many off guard, leaving you rethinking everything you thought was true.

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LOVED THIS BOOK!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-06-24

backstories, billionaires, crime, and a sizzling arranged marriage trope. But Hostile Takeover goes beyond the usual. The chemistry, the angst, and those “Oh hell no” moments make for a thrilling read. Jones expertly balances scandal, suspense, and heart, with Nala and Orion’s relationship taking center stage in a way that’s both unique and unforgettable.

From the moment Nala shut Orion down in their initial meeting, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. Her sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude had me rooting for her the whole way through. And Orion? Let’s just say, he met his match. Their chemistry practically leaps off the page, making every scene between them electric.

With zero complaints and a solid 10/10, Hostile Takeover left me thoroughly impressed.

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Definitely enjoyed this

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-18-24

This was my first time reading a book by Freda McFadden, and I listened to it on Audible—and wow, I was pleasantly surprised by this thriller! The story follows Quinn, who’s on the run to avoid prison time. Just when she thinks she’s in the clear, an unexpected snowstorm leaves her stranded at the eerie, isolated Baxter Motel. And that’s when things take a wild turn…

What I loved most were the twists and how each character’s perspective added layers to the story. Just when I thought I had figured out who the killer was, BAM—another twist! I found myself literally gasping as I listened. It kept me hooked until the very end.

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Ehhhh, it was okay

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-16-24

After reading Curvy Girl Summer, I found myself with mixed feelings. Aaliyah’s self-sabotaging behavior wore me down, and I often had to push through to continue reading. While it’s totally relatable—who hasn’t struggled with balancing what they want with what their family wants, all while finding love?—her dating life felt deranged at times. Ahmad finally stepped up, but I couldn’t overlook how she ignored so many red flags.

The ending tied up some of my lingering questions, giving more backstory and explaining both Ahmad’s and Aaliyah’s actions. It made for a solid conclusion, but I kept asking myself, what made Ahmad any different from her previous blind dates, besides the obvious physical connection? She jumped straight into something with him without really knowing him.

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Totally unexpected read

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-01-24

As the story unfolded, I wanted to hate Luca, but the truth is, Luca grew on me, though. He slowly became my new book bae because, deep down, he did love her—he just wasn’t ready to show it. Luca & Riana’s story is a wild rollercoaster with plot twists that had my jaw dropping at every turn. But we were left with so many unanswered questions! That cliffhanger?! I need more! What happened next??

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I love, love

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-26-24

I listened to Until I Met You on Audible, and I’ll admit, it was initially hard to connect with the story due to the narrator’s older-sounding voice.

However, once I realized the book was about an older couple finding love again, I was able to embrace the characters more fully. Vance’s past is marked by a serious mistake—taking his daughter’s boyfriend’s life after years of abuse. Jennifer, too, has overcome intense trauma, having endured physical, mental, and emotional abuse from her ex-husband for years.

While this book wasn’t a standout for me overall, it was a quick and easy listen that kept me engaged throughout the day. The storyline intrigued me more and more as I went on. I appreciated the premise of the book, and I have to say—the sizzling sex scenes were on fire!

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