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Hearts Won't Break

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When Gabi Anderson left Brooklyn when she graduated high school, she never thought that she would return home with her tail tucked between her legs and a newborn baby. Freshly divorced, Gabi didn’t think she’d see the inside of her childhood bedroom ever again. Part of her knew her marriage was over before it started. When she found the first broken condom in her BMW, she should have left. Instead, she decided to stick it out, and it landed her back in Canarsie, Brooklyn. With a brand new baby, a new position at a prestigious law firm, and judgmental parents, Gabi doesn’t know if she’s coming or going.

Taj Berkshire is the youngest Black partner at the law firm. He’s handsome, smart and has the job that some of his colleagues have been trying to get their entire career. Everything is perfect in Taj’s life, except his love life. His fiancée left him at the alter two years ago, and his heart still has a bitter sting to it. Women are something to do, not for getting to know. When Gabi Anderson is put on a high profile case with him, he has no choice but to get to know the beautiful single mother with the natural hair.

106 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2023

208 people are currently reading
107 people want to read

About the author

Jahquel J.

165 books3,594 followers

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5 stars
304 (64%)
4 stars
107 (22%)
3 stars
52 (10%)
2 stars
7 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Brisace.
487 reviews
September 6, 2025
Hearts Won’t Break was a solid, heartfelt read. Gabi coming back home as a single mom felt so real, and I loved how Jahquel showed her trying to juggle her new baby, a demanding career, and her family’s opinions. She was strong, but you could feel the weight on her shoulders.

Then there’s Taj. On the outside, he’s this successful lawyer with everything together, but underneath he’s still nursing heartbreak of his own. The way he and Gabi connected two people who weren’t really looking for love but found it anyway made their story feel natural. This one was steady, emotional, and gave me a reminder that even after broken hearts, love can still find its way back around.
Profile Image for Jite.
1,318 reviews73 followers
July 18, 2025
okay.

The instalove-est of instalove stories but with a great premise. Gabrielle is back at her parent’s house recovering from an emotionally traumatic marriage when she meets Taj, a high flying divorce lawyer at her firm. But their mutual attraction mirrors her previous relationship with her toxic husband and she doesn’t trust it. Meanwhile, Taj is vehemently off love until the second he meets Gabi.

For me, I think Taj came on too strong given he was Gabi’s boss. He came on too strong too quickly and I don’t think Gabi was at the stage of healing to be in love with anyone. For these reasons, this didn’t sit well with me and it was hard to trust their budding HEA. That said, a good premise and for a short, good execution.
Profile Image for Tenika Glover.
798 reviews3 followers
March 23, 2023
The Happiness They Both Deserved!!

Gabi doesn't want to disappoint anybody. Safar and his people thought she was going to move back to California because he promised her the house, money, and the nanny so she could study for the bar. Safar always had an agenda. I feel he didn't want Gia, he wanted her to please his mama. She was going be in a trick bag. Gabi mama couldn't Safar or his parents. Taj wouldn't let anybody get close to him when they brought up being in a relationship. Melanie really did a number on him. Taj knew from the moment he seen Gabi in that office he wanted her. She chose herself.
Profile Image for 'The Book Queen'.
6,017 reviews112 followers
April 2, 2023
Slow but sweet

Although the story was slowly paced, I enjoyed the way the story did not drag, nor did I feel the need to skim. I liked Taj Berkshire, but for some reason, I cannot recall his description. Oh well, anyway, he was the standout in their story. Gabi was sweet and a pushover for her no good trifling husband until, she'd had enough. Enough should have happen long before the latex in her car. I wish more time between the new couple was spent being a couple. Overall, the story was uplifting.
Profile Image for Denetta Banks.
3,808 reviews22 followers
April 16, 2023
Cute

A cute little read, with likeable characters. The title of this book describes the story within. With a realistic storyline that's lot of people go through. A ex husband that wants to control the relationship that his parents want more then he does with his child. A child that he is not really interested in. A ex wife that finally realizes that if she's not happy, her child won't be either. Definitely a story with a message.
Profile Image for Keyerra Johnson.
222 reviews2 followers
December 15, 2025
3.5 stars rounded down.
Gabi kinda irritated me at the beginning, but she definitely got better by the end. Thank heavens. Because this was a short story, I don't have too much to say about the characters, outside of Safar and his people being assholes. Taj was coo and I'm happy he was no longer the grinch about love. LOL Gabi had his heart beating again, although the timing confused me a bit.
Overall, good quick read.
Profile Image for Judith Sims.
927 reviews11 followers
April 13, 2023
Very good!!!

This one was short and sweet. I loved how Gabi met her true love in the same way she met her ex-husband, she almost let him get away but she caught him. Safar was the worst but you can't fault a person when you continue to let them do what they wanna do in a marriage!!! Loved it!!!
169 reviews
August 15, 2023
This Book was Okayy

I feel as though it was a little rushed! She lost ambition after having a baby and was about to reconsider her ex -husbands offer at the expense of money. She didn’t have a coming to moment until he announced his engagement! She wanted a better life for her and Gia and to be independent but didn’t wanna take the bar! Make it make sense smh I was over HER!
Profile Image for TACORA MCCLUNEY.
2,524 reviews12 followers
May 8, 2025
Gabi and Taj

I'm glad Gabi chose to stay where she knew she would be loved and appreciated and not listen to the empty promises of her ex husband. I love how her parents had her back no matter what. Taj was really a good dude that was done wrong by the woman he wanted to spend his life with. I'm glad he and Gabi found each other.💓💓
Profile Image for Jacqueline Brice.
460 reviews4 followers
March 19, 2023
Awesome love story!

Its about time Gabi pur her foot down with those people. She deserved that happiness and Taj was just the man for the job.

Thank you for being a wonderful author and giving us awesome book! 💖💖
Profile Image for Syretta Hines Adams.
2,363 reviews5 followers
March 21, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Good read. Taj gave up on love until he met Gabi. Safar was such a selfish man who thought he could bribe her with money. I'm so glad she stood up for herself. And went after her man.
Profile Image for Tarsha Woods.
1,221 reviews
April 11, 2023
Mend

We all experienced a broken heart at one point in our lives. We can either hold onto the heartache allowing our hearts to turn into stone or find happiness that will chip away the hardening that started when our hearts were broken.

Jahquel J. I need more on Gabi and Taj.
765 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2023
Good read

The book flowed well. Although I would have loved to haveore of the relationship foe Taj and Gabi. I was happy with the ending. Overall everyone deserves a second chance at real love.
63 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2023
never disappoint

First let me say I love Jahquel she’s a dope author who continues to give her readers refreshing books to read be it a novella or a novel she delivers. I haven’t read a book yet that I didn’t like this one is no different. Read the book it’s a excellent read.
Profile Image for Raquel Rodriguez.
227 reviews
June 29, 2023
Yess Gabi

Loved this . Her ex husband made me so mad. Glad she held to her word and didn’t fall for his BS . Taj gonna make her happy and push her to take the bar.. like always great job
9 reviews
July 22, 2023
A love story!!

This book was soooo good. I love a good love story and the way Taj and Gabi found each other after heartbreak is beautiful. This book reminds you that it is possible to find love after heartbreak if you open up a little. This is a must read!!
Profile Image for Ladii Zig.
1,192 reviews24 followers
October 22, 2025
Enjoyed

This was an enjoyable read. Taj was a good man whom Gabi deserved. Safar sucked as a husband and father and with his new marriage I just know it won't work. Whatever Taj and Gabi build I know it's going to last because of communication and honesty. Goodread
Profile Image for Lisa Mayers-McGruder.
1,158 reviews16 followers
March 21, 2023
Taj and Gabi

Aww I loved this book. I loved me some Taj. He knew what he wanted and he wanted Gabi. Gabi finally realized the same!!!
Profile Image for jennifer williams.
1,699 reviews18 followers
April 10, 2023
Jahquel

Another great book. I love all of your work. You are definitely a beast when it comes to the pen game.
920 reviews
May 6, 2023
😍😍😍😍😍

Whew Lord Taj ! ! ! I’m glad Gabi came to her senses and went and got her man ! ! ! Safar next need to be his karma ! ! !
Profile Image for Ondria  Bacon.
554 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2023
Not enough

I wish this hadn’t ended like this. It was such a beautiful story but there should be more. The ending leaves so much to think about. I need more.
Profile Image for MARCY JACKSON.
67 reviews2 followers
July 5, 2023
I WANTED MORE!

Lovrd it. It was a good read that left me wanting more. I'll definitely check for Jahquel J's other books.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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