Darriel Clark
- 46
- reviews
- 9
- helpful votes
- 98
- ratings
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The Landlord
- By: Brandon Massey
- Narrated by: William Wells
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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When Cam and Desiree Woodson find the luxurious rental home in a quiet, suburban Atlanta neighborhood, they believe they've discovered the perfect place for their growing young family—and for their tight budget, the price is too good to be true. But what starts as a bargain soon turns into a nightmare when the landlord's unusual lease terms become more suffocating than they ever imagined...
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Engaging story
- By Juliana C on 07-08-24
- The Landlord
- By: Brandon Massey
- Narrated by: William Wells
Love and Hated this book! I needed more of the ending
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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At the End of It All
- By: Rae Lyse
- Narrated by: Jakobi Diem, Wesleigh Siobhan
- Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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At twenty-one, Ason ‘Ace’ Williams Jr. knows all about inevitable endings. He’s formerly famous, a popular rapper’s muse, the son of a three-time NBA champ, and a little… complicated. After a disturbing scandal and loss rocks his world, he’s left to deal with both in a city that doesn’t quite feel like home. It’s a place filled with old family friends he’s never met, reminders of all the endings he’s had to endure, and even worse—he’s stuck there after his dad takes a job no one ever imagined him taking.
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True Love
- By Teichnique George on 11-21-23
- At the End of It All
- By: Rae Lyse
- Narrated by: Jakobi Diem, Wesleigh Siobhan
Brilliant. That’s the only way to describe this audiobook.
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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Beautiful Broken Love
- By: Shanora Williams
- Narrated by: Aure Nash, Sean Bassett
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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It’s been months since her dreams of forever were brutally shattered. Seven long months since her husband and soulmate, Lew, died in her arms, leaving her to carry on. Alone. And Davina Klein-Roberts still isn’t sure how to move forward. To escape her anguish, Davina throws everything into work, pushing Golden Oil Co., her self-built skin care line, to become a viral success. Now she’s poised to clinch a major endorsement deal too. But it’s bittersweet without Lew by her side.
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Great storytelling.
- By Book Freak on 06-20-25
- Beautiful Broken Love
- By: Shanora Williams
- Narrated by: Aure Nash, Sean Bassett
This book is an absolute must-read and easily earns a well-deserved ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
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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Restore Me
- New Haven, Book 1
- By: J.L. Seegars
- Narrated by: Bianca Drew, Winston James
- Length: 18 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Sloane: Dominic Alexander is my late husband's best friend and the last man that I should want. For the last ten years, he's taken a sick pleasure in making me feel paper thin, like my existence is of no consequence to him at all. But now, things are different. After a drunken night, and a surprisingly sexy act of heroism, he's started to be . . . nice. Treating me like something other than the embodiment of his annoyance, which would be nice if it didn't make me feel things I swore to never feel for another man after my husband died.
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wish they used a different female voice actor 😩
- By Brandi Spencer on 12-14-22
- Restore Me
- New Haven, Book 1
- By: J.L. Seegars
- Narrated by: Bianca Drew, Winston James
story of love, pain, and growth that keeps you hooked
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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The Boyfriend
- By: Freida McFadden
- Narrated by: Victoria Connolly, Robb Moreira
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She’s seen it all: men who lie in their dating profile, men who stick her with the dinner bill, and worst of all, men who can't shut up about their mothers. But finally, she hits the jackpot. Her new boyfriend is utterly perfect. He's charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Sydney is swept off her feet. Then the brutal murder of a young woman—the latest in a string of deaths across the coast—confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them.
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So obnoxious
- By JDSanDiego on 11-09-24
- The Boyfriend
- By: Freida McFadden
- Narrated by: Victoria Connolly, Robb Moreira
Wasn’t worth the hype!
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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Hostile Takeover
- Blackwood Billions
- By: Christina C. Jones
- Narrated by: Wesleigh Siobhan, Winston James
- Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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For Nalani Stark, legacy matters… maybe more than most things. Important enough that when that legacy — inextricably tied to her mother’s memory - is challenged, she’s forced to consider even the most undesirable options… Such as a match made in hell with Orion Sterling. The heir to the competitor she grew up being warned about. Orion is a man well-accustomed to getting exactly what he wants. Other than opportunities to grow the family business, he’s moved by very few things.
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character development
- By Isisbryan on 02-20-24
- Hostile Takeover
- Blackwood Billions
- By: Christina C. Jones
- Narrated by: Wesleigh Siobhan, Winston James
LOVED THIS BOOK!
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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Do Not Disturb
- By: Freida McFadden
- Narrated by: Holly Adams, Daniel Thomas May
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Quinn Alexander has committed an unthinkable crime. To avoid spending her life in prison, Quinn makes a run for it. She leaves behind her home, her job, and her family. She grabs her passport and heads for the northern border before the police can discover what she's done. But when an unexpected snowstorm forces her off the road, Quinn must take refuge at the broken-down, isolated Baxter Motel. The handsome and kindly owner, Nick Baxter, is only too happy to offer her a cheap room for the night. Unfortunately, the Baxter Motel isn't the quiet safe haven it seemed to be.
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Good story
- By Ana Camp on 10-24-22
- Do Not Disturb
- By: Freida McFadden
- Narrated by: Holly Adams, Daniel Thomas May
Definitely enjoyed this
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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Curvy Girl Summer
- By: Danielle Allen
- Narrated by: Wesleigh Siobhan
- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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Aaliyah is determined to celebrate her thirtieth birthday with a boyfriend. And after a failed blind date, the local bartender, Ahmad, suggests she joins a dating app. Filled with lies, catfish, and fetishizing, the wild world of online dating makes Aaliyah think she’s in over her head. And she is. But with her two best friends and a protective bartender by her side, what could go wrong?
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True love triumphs over trauma
- By S. Holmes on 07-02-24
- Curvy Girl Summer
- By: Danielle Allen
- Narrated by: Wesleigh Siobhan
Ehhhh, it was okay
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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Thief
- By: B. Love
- Narrated by: Zuzu Robinson
- Length: 4 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Luca Kareem and Riana Santee made an exchange a little over eight years ago - a heart for a heart. Riana had no problem relinquishing her heart to Luca, but Luca preferred spreading his love and his body thinly to almost every attractive woman he came in contact with. After a year of warring for a place in his heart, Riana finally gives up, but when Luca leaves her, he takes her heart with him. She becomes a heartless, emotionally detached hit-woman, stealing the hearts of men in her path just for fun.
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The Stupidity Was Real In This Book!!!
- By Annette Williams on 08-17-20
- Thief
- By: B. Love
- Narrated by: Zuzu Robinson
Totally unexpected read
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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Until I Met You
- By: Monica Walters
- Narrated by: Ja'Air Bush, Winston James
- Length: 5 hrs
- Unabridged
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The night Jennifer Monroe meets Vance Etienne, the father of a young woman in her life, she knows he's her one. But somehow, she finds herself thinking of the past with her ex-husband more often than she should. There's no doubt about what Vance and Jennifer feel for one another. Can they let the hurt of the past go to focus on their future? Will their pasts be willing to release them from its grasps to pursue an intentional and all-consuming love?
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WOW
- By KG on 10-26-22
- Until I Met You
- By: Monica Walters
- Narrated by: Ja'Air Bush, Winston James
I love, love
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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