blovesthelove | romance books

A black woman with purple hair, glasses and a tan headband is holding a book.

A place for book reviews and more!

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

Stay Updated

Follow Brandan!

#blovesthelove

I already knew I was going to enjoy this book, number 3 in the series, because I really enjoyed books 1 and 2. Hell, I reread book 1 every couple months! But, per usual, I got sidetracked and read some other books. However, when I needed a palette cleanser, I knew @msalexhouse was the way to go.
•
This book focuses on Nolan, one of the McClain brothers, and Brigette, actress and best friend/assistant to Jo. (Side note-This is definitely a series that it helps to read in order to provide context to the overall dynamic between the brothers and the surrounding friend circle.) Going into this book knowing the types of women Nolan has dated and then seeing his apparent interest in Brigette, you already know it’s about to be a messy, good time.
•
I’ve said before that when I know nonsense is coming, the second hand anxiety can make me slow read a book. This was definitely the case here because you KNEW someone from Brigette’s past was going to cause problems. It was well handled and written, as I knew Ms House would do, but it didn’t lessen the angst.
•
While you come to a Ms House book for funny banter and laugh out loud one liners, you stay for the sexy sexy times. Because babee!! Once it gets on and poppin’, it stays there!
•
Be mindful of the trigger warnings, but this is another winner. Also, not one to keep making the same mistake. I’ve already started book 4, which is Neil’s book. 😏

4 out of 5 stars/Highly recommend

#blovesthelove
#romancestagram
#romancebookrecs
#blackbookstagram
#alexandriahousebooks

This is my 3rd book/novella by @authormikojanel and it’s another winner. This also might be my first black poly romance and I love that for me! I’m all for diverse romance representation 😏
*
What made this book so lovely was that there was never any jealousy or spite from the partners involved. Quincy and Denise are happily married but the decision to engage with Nikki was made by both of them. True, Denise was the one who mentioned being curious about being with a woman but Quincy never shamed her for that thought or considered himself inadequate. It was more of, this is something my wife wants to try, so if the opportunity presents itself, we’ll see.
*
And babee! An opportunity was right next door! One of the benefits of a novella is that we get to the sexy sexy times quick fast. And Ms Miko has a way with words, positions, creativity…all the things. And it wouldn’t be an engaging story if there wasn’t some drama, but thankfully we’re dealing with adults who know how to talk through feelings. Imagine that!
*
All in all, another solid addition to Ms Miko’s catalog. And there’s a nice Easter egg for those of us that read and remember her first novella 🤫

4 out of 5 stars/Highly recommend

#blovesthelove
#romancestagram
#romancebookrecs
#blackbookstagram
#romancereviewer

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 💁🏽‍♀️
•
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😏
•
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

#blovesthelove
#romancereadersofinstagram
#blackbookstagram
#romancebookrecs
#hoodlove

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.
•
This is a novelette. The author warns you at the start to not start whining about the length or any follow ups!
•
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!
•
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

#blovesthelove
#romancereader
#romancebookrecs
#blackbooklovers

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.
•
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 😬
•
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

#blovesthelove #blackromance #romancereviewer #romancereviews

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.
•
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.
•
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. 😘

#blovesthelove #helovesme #brafitting

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.
•
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).
•
Convoluted and improbable? Totally but we don’t read romance because the situations make sense 😏
•
It’s still a decent book and I’m not mad that I reread it.

3.5 out of 5 stars/Recommend

#blovesthelove #novella #reread

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.
•
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.
•
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

#blovesthelove
#romancereadersofinstagram
#blackbooksofinstagram
#romancebookrecs
#blinddate

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!

#blovesthelove
#romancereadersofbookstagram
#blackbooksoftiktok
#romancebookrecs
#bookstagram

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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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

#blovesthelove #romantasybooks #monsterromance #novella

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

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!

​