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ebonyessencebookshelf's reviews
323 reviews
She's Got Soul by Aja
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
First read by this author. Listened via hoopla.
Zola and Khalil was a really cute quick read. I felt the author moved the story along well for a novella. Giving just enough to get the picture. Getting a glimpse into Zola’s family life i did enjoy. Also love me some black professional people living wealthy. Zola’s side job as a podcaster was dope and i would tune in. So them meeting this way was cute with the back and forth banter giving a nice touch. Now for me there was some miscommunication and that i don’t care for. Especially when the characters are older. Overall i would recommend.
Zola and Khalil was a really cute quick read. I felt the author moved the story along well for a novella. Giving just enough to get the picture. Getting a glimpse into Zola’s family life i did enjoy. Also love me some black professional people living wealthy. Zola’s side job as a podcaster was dope and i would tune in. So them meeting this way was cute with the back and forth banter giving a nice touch. Now for me there was some miscommunication and that i don’t care for. Especially when the characters are older. Overall i would recommend.
The Deadliest Match by Kiera N. James
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Keira, this book was amazing!! I decided to not read the synopsis and be surprised. That’s exactly what i got. The way Keira developed McKenzie to become this unhinged person was wow! After being done wrong and seeing there’s not much better out there, well who can blame her? To be honest i feel her. The overall plot was dope and yes Keira you got me with that twist. I literally put on my thinking cap like “what the hell now?” Didn’t see that coming. Lastly, that damn Co worker should’ve stayed in her lane.
Twenty-Four Hours : A Paranormal Romance Story (A Blackened Coven Mafia Book 1) by Briyanna Michelle
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? N/A
4.0
For this to Briyanna'S first paranormal this was a job well. Even though the book was short a story was given because people can fall in love fast when it’s the right person. We got to experience them getting to know each other, laugh, miss each other and some spice. Kassidy and Luciano were enjoyable characters. They gave a lot of personality and that plot twist was too funny. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.
Knight: Barron Family Saga by ML Bash
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Paper back and audio from Libby.
“You can leave on your feet or beneath a white sheet, but I’m not discussing or explaining shit.”
ML Bash knows how to write some strong bomb ass MCs. Knight and his entire family were very much energy that i like. However, Knight is really BDE. That whole family is trained to go and i can’t wait to read the rest of the brothers. Overall, with the family i love how supportive they are towards one another. Whether it’s handling business or how you choose to love.
With this being an FFM romance/arranged marriage Nova was truly the perfect woman for him. She was badass, strong, and has sex appeal. Love how we watched her become so comfortable and soft with knight. The right person will bring it out of you. When y’all get to that night club scene though 😉. As Casmi comes in the picture you get to really see the beauty of just how much a gentleman Knight is and how Nova is protective of her. He loves and respects women and takes no bs in harm being done to them. Especially within the rules of their society’s arrange marriage laws. Casmi really had some trauma to work through and the way knight was with her is quite loving. Now i do wish we got a little more of the romance once Casmi came into play. Nonetheless, it was nice seeing how they all were together and then with each other individually.
Other quotes:
“The devil I knew was better than the one i didn’t.”
“Keep your eyes on me or I’ll stop fucking you.”
“All I want is to make you feel safe, seen, and happy, baby. That’s everything to me.”
“We can’t go to war while our house is in shambles.”
“You belong on this dick just like Novalie belongs on this fucking dick.”
The Thing about Home by Rhonda McKnight
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0
“You, Casey Black, did not come from nothing and nobody.”
This book was absolutely wonderful. Being raised in SC I’ve got to experience some things but after this book i want to learn/experience more. From the very beginning the plot took off and now we follow Casey as she takes a break to discover the half of her that was always missing. Family.
Being a model, an influencer and wife is a lot to juggle. When things coming crashing down from her husband and a video of her crashing out takes wind in the media, her taking a break is a must. Love that she went on this journey of finding herself in this new phase of life. Meeting family that embraces her with so much love and care is beautiful. Her grandma aka Granna is the absolute sweetest and was giving Casey listens that will last a lifetime. While in SC she experiences culture, farming, family history, and possibly a new love that makes her old life not that bad to leave behind. It was such a breath of fresh air to watch her discover an old/new passion of hers and you can feel that love for all these new passions just come off the pages. Now that mother of hers was some real work. When a secret gets revealed, it will not only have Casey questioning things but the reader also. Lastly, i loved the back and forth between timelines. We get to learn with Casey how her family becomes who they are today because can’t you know where going, until you know where you came from.
Others quotes:
“I don’t believe in making love wait. Time don’t always belong to you.”
“Tomorrow is a hope. Not a promise.”
Wish I Never Met Her by Tanisha Stewart
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you Tanisha Stewart and the ladies of BWW for this ARC.
This story was about a tale as old as time. Especially when it comes to people like Quincy. Karma always gets the last laugh because why wait until you’re down and out to see what was always in front of you. He had someone who had his back, could laugh with, loved all of him and could be himself with. A lot of people are not willing to wait forever while you play in their face. That’s all right though since karma made sure he met his perfect match on the app.
Now i did predict what happened with the young lady Quincy kept over looking. I loved that for her. However, i wanted more for the ending. I thought Quincy was going to put a bullet in someone due to the kind of book this is 😂. I’m not mad at it though. Still a good read.
This story was about a tale as old as time. Especially when it comes to people like Quincy. Karma always gets the last laugh because why wait until you’re down and out to see what was always in front of you. He had someone who had his back, could laugh with, loved all of him and could be himself with. A lot of people are not willing to wait forever while you play in their face. That’s all right though since karma made sure he met his perfect match on the app.
Now i did predict what happened with the young lady Quincy kept over looking. I loved that for her. However, i wanted more for the ending. I thought Quincy was going to put a bullet in someone due to the kind of book this is 😂. I’m not mad at it though. Still a good read.
Sanctuary: A Noire Immortals Story by Alexandria House
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? N/A
4.0
“Her voice was like warm oil sliding over sore muscles.”
Baby, if i ever meet someone that has me thinking of their voice like this I’ll definitely be doing some transportations. Take me to my African God or Goddess right now 🥵. This was such a fun second chance paranormal read. Alexandria’s pen just doesn’t miss. She gave me just enough to feel full but damn sure wanting more. Temple had be cracking up literally out loud. she stole the show. Temple and Sam are so it for each other and he was not letting up off the gas. Things had to happen a certain way because learning of their backgrounds about who they truly are only made them better this time around. I would love a longer book. If we’re being all the way honest this could be a good plot to bring to tv screens.
Baby, if i ever meet someone that has me thinking of their voice like this I’ll definitely be doing some transportations. Take me to my African God or Goddess right now 🥵. This was such a fun second chance paranormal read. Alexandria’s pen just doesn’t miss. She gave me just enough to feel full but damn sure wanting more. Temple had be cracking up literally out loud. she stole the show. Temple and Sam are so it for each other and he was not letting up off the gas. Things had to happen a certain way because learning of their backgrounds about who they truly are only made them better this time around. I would love a longer book. If we’re being all the way honest this could be a good plot to bring to tv screens.
Anything for Angel by Kenya Moss-Dyme
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you Kenya Moss-Dyme and the ladies of BWW for the opportunity of reviewing an ARC copy.
At the end I was like “say what now?!” Damn sure had me fooled. Yea with these twins i didn’t see that coming. I had to chuckle a little bit. I liked the flash backs the author gave us to show just how deep their connection/relationship was. Once again the dating app was shaking things up. The siblings and Laurale all had different objectives. With Laurale i was shocked but couldn’t be mad. I feel her. What a ride 😮💨😂.
At the end I was like “say what now?!” Damn sure had me fooled. Yea with these twins i didn’t see that coming. I had to chuckle a little bit. I liked the flash backs the author gave us to show just how deep their connection/relationship was. Once again the dating app was shaking things up. The siblings and Laurale all had different objectives. With Laurale i was shocked but couldn’t be mad. I feel her. What a ride 😮💨😂.
Wait For U by Shvonne Latrice
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Shvonne Latrice, ma’am you have taken me on another crazy ride. This book had me shaking my head, jaw on the floor and laughing from all the twist and drama going on. Khari has definitely grown from the first book when it comes to Couture but damn it took a lot 😂. Now couture had me a little upset with her acting slow. Like girl you know what you and Khari did. I get why but still Khari was never letting up of her.
Boy ol boy, Leland tried to make us feel bad for him but yet he was just another snake. No better than his parents. Hell him, kea and Marley are all in the same boat of delusional land. And those two ladies were dragging it. Like stand the hell up. No way no man should have y’all this down and out desperate as all get out.
At the end of the day these two were honestly meant to be. I’m glad those people got theirs and these two get a happy ending. Lastly, Couture might of pissed me off sometimes but she is going to ride for hers. Both scenes with kea and Marley were chefs kiss. I was like “talk your shit boo!”
Boy ol boy, Leland tried to make us feel bad for him but yet he was just another snake. No better than his parents. Hell him, kea and Marley are all in the same boat of delusional land. And those two ladies were dragging it. Like stand the hell up. No way no man should have y’all this down and out desperate as all get out.
At the end of the day these two were honestly meant to be. I’m glad those people got theirs and these two get a happy ending. Lastly, Couture might of pissed me off sometimes but she is going to ride for hers. Both scenes with kea and Marley were chefs kiss. I was like “talk your shit boo!”
Laz and Znia: Intimate Affair by ML Bash
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
“I want to lick this pussy forever, Z.”
“Something changing doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad.”
“You have to know the difference between a no because they want you to fight for them, and a no because they mean that shit and you need to move accordingly.”
When i think of insta love being done right this is what i mean. Laz is so adorable with his shy self but yet you know he plays no games. Love how attentive he is, not afraid to ask questions, and goes for what he wants when feeling comfortable. Baby Znia did just that. She is this head strong, confident, open book, stripper of a woman that has every bit of sex appeal. She turned Laz out. They both made each other feel welcomed. She was able to coach him because he wanted to learn. You can tell he’s a lover and has no problem being a protector either. He didn’t want to change Znia. They might have had a little hiccup but they pulled through with communication. Lastly, i think it’s important to point out how Znia finally met a man she can be soft for and knows he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Something changing doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad.”
“You have to know the difference between a no because they want you to fight for them, and a no because they mean that shit and you need to move accordingly.”
When i think of insta love being done right this is what i mean. Laz is so adorable with his shy self but yet you know he plays no games. Love how attentive he is, not afraid to ask questions, and goes for what he wants when feeling comfortable. Baby Znia did just that. She is this head strong, confident, open book, stripper of a woman that has every bit of sex appeal. She turned Laz out. They both made each other feel welcomed. She was able to coach him because he wanted to learn. You can tell he’s a lover and has no problem being a protector either. He didn’t want to change Znia. They might have had a little hiccup but they pulled through with communication. Lastly, i think it’s important to point out how Znia finally met a man she can be soft for and knows he wouldn’t want it any other way.