blovesthelove | romance books

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We Could've Been by Aubree Pynn

This book is the true definition of “if he wanted to, he would”. Also, you can be so stubborn that you block your own blessings.

Brandan Wilburn-Herbert

Aug 151 min read

Sinful Serenity by Mary C. Kim

This book is EVERYWHERE in my romance groups. Besides people commenting on the absolutely stunning cover (which really “looks” like how the FMC is described), the general consensus was this was the book to read for the sexy sexy times. I enjoyed meeting Serenity and Konflict and I’d even be interested in reading more about some of the side characters. I just was not in the right brain space for this type of book at this time. It happens.

Brandan Wilburn-Herbert

Aug 72 min read

To The Max by Annmarie McKenna

A quick read that was fine. You won't be mad at reading it.

Brandan Wilburn-Herbert

Jul 41 min read

Love Scammed by Rilzy Adams

A novella but this took me too long time to finish. It twas OK but nothing I would want to read again.

Brandan Wilburn-Herbert

Jun 271 min read

The Angel's Sacrifice by S. Alexander

The series is fine. You won’t be mad you read it and might enjoy elements of it. I did appreciate that the women were diverse in culture and careers. We had a nurse, reporter, statistician, witch and scientist. Of the races, black, Asian and white were represented.

Brandan Wilburn-Herbert

May 301 min read

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I was reading another book, it wasn’t keeping my interest, saw this one from @bigpynnie pop up and devoured it in 2 days. I could not put it down! This is my 2nd book of hers in as many weeks. I think we got together now 💁🏽‍♀️
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It’s a good mix of good girl/bad boy, hood politics, family capital D drama and your first grown up love. It’s the right amount of messy where you’re crying as you read, laughing at the banter and then crossing your legs because the sexy sexy times be real sexy😏
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Kamilla and Cairo were made for each other. And having the support of wonderful friends and family only makes it stronger and better.

4.5 out of 5 stars/Highly recommend

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This book is the true definition of “if he wanted to, he would”. Also, you can be so stubborn that you block your own blessings.
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This is a novelette. The author warns you at the start to not start whining about the length or any follow ups!
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It helps, as it usually does, that there’s history between the main characters. Cyanna and Karys are life long friends. They should also be in a relationship together but they’re hard headed!
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The sexy sexy times is quick (it’s a really short story after all) but impactful. We still get our HEA and you’ll also want to beg the author for a follow up! @bigpynnie

4 out of 5 stars/Highly recommend

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Ok, this book is EVERYWHERE in my romance groups. Besides people commenting on the absolutely stunning cover (which really “looks” like how the FMC is described), the general consensus was this was the book to read for the sexy sexy times.
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Welp, it took me over a week to finish. It started off promising and the first chapters were interesting. But, funny enough, once the chapters upon chapters of sexy sexy times started, I got bored. It was a lot, it was inventive, absolutely focused on her pleasure, but gracious. I lost interest and I knew I was over it when I was skipping pages 😬
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I enjoyed meeting Serenity and Konflict and I’d even be interested in reading more about some of the side characters. I just was not in the right brain space for this type of book at this time. It happens.

3 out of 5 stars/Recommend

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Finishing a full book has been a challenge lately. Nothing is holding my attention. I know a lot of it has to do with work and my days going longer than usual. But I also think my tastes “might” be changing, so what I used to love isn’t bringing me the same joy.
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Anywho, flashback to earlier this year. The husband heard me mention that I wanted to get an official bra sizing. So, he got me a gift card to @thirdlove (which I used to buy 3 new bras 🙌🏾) before we both realized they no longer had a brick and mortar store by us. Not to be outdone, he surprised me, on a random Friday morning, with a bra fitting at @trousseaultd where a wonderful woman talked to me, listened to the challenges I’ve had with finding a well fitting and comfortable bra for my body who’s weight has fluctuated quite a bit in the last couple years and made me feel seen. I left with 3 of the most beautiful and well fitting bras I’ve ever had.
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So, even though I’m in a reading slump, this husband of mine brings me joy on the daily. Because there’s nothing better than being seen and heard. 😘

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I read this novella a loooooong time ago. But, randomly, I thought about it the other day and figured it was time for a reread.
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This is a book that starts off one way (a PI on a case because a husband thinks his wife is cheating on him) to it turning into something completely different (wife isn’t cheating but is taking a pole dancing class and now the PI is interested in the teacher).
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Convoluted and improbable? Totally but we don’t read romance because the situations make sense 😏
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It’s still a decent book and I’m not mad that I reread it.

3.5 out of 5 stars/Recommend

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Last week I spoke a lot how it’s been challenging finishing books. This was a novella that took me over 2 weeks to complete.
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It had a good, messy premise. Mutual friends who are dating trick their best friends into a blind date in Turks and Caicos. Thankfully they’re in different rooms, but it say that they’re both annoyed at being tricked is a understatement. They make the best of it, in more ways than 1, but I couldn’t get into it like I thought I would.
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The sexy sexy times was a very good time! It was inventive, collaborative and a good time. It’s just that the overall story didn’t move me.

3 out of 5 stars/Recommend

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It’s been a challenge over here, y’all! I’d appreciate your thoughts on what my next GOOD read should be. Please and thank you!

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This is book 5 in a 5 book novella series. These books…weren’t great but they were saved by its brevity and interesting premise.
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Each book focuses on a different “monster” and the human, female mates that are tossed into their cages. Given how short they are (less than 60 pages), things get moving quickly.
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The series is about a jail that holds monsters, demons and other mythical creatures. The warden believes that they are an abomination and is working to wipe them off the earth after he’s experimented on them. My favorite of the 5 was this 5th book which was about an archangel and the only child/daughter of the warden, man responsible for imprisoning them. I felt that the writing was better, the story made more sense and it helped that the angel appeared most human like.
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As I noted, the series is fine. You won’t be mad you read it and might enjoy elements of it. I did appreciate that the women were diverse in culture and careers. We had a nurse, reporter, statistician, witch and scientist. Of the races, black, Asian and white were represented.

3 out of 5 stars/Recommend

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This was such a feel good book by @kennedyryan1 If you’ve ever gone to an HBCU and/or attending an HBCU reunion, this is like a warm hug. You can tangibly feel the angst and longing between Naomi and Toire, which only adds to the novella.
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4 out of 5 stars/Highly recommend

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I read the first book in this novella series YEARS ago. Somehow I made it back and finished the last 2 over the weekend. This book, Touch of Sugar, is book 3 and you are on go from page 1.
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Because it’s a series and a novella, we’ve already been introduced to the characters in previous books. We learn more about Pru and Xavier here and realize they’ve been circling around each other for years.
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There’s similar trauma on both ends and, as it’s centered around Christmas, the holidays brings up a lot of “feelings”. The banter is fun and, although a very quick read, the author does not skimp on the spice! The sexy sexy time was a good read 😏

4 out of 5 stars/Highly recommend

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A place for book reviews and more!

We Could've Been by Aubree Pynn

Sinful Serenity by Mary C. Kim

To The Max by Annmarie McKenna

Love Scammed by Rilzy Adams

The Angel's Sacrifice by S. Alexander

Stay Updated

Follow Brandan!

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