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Peachtree Cove #0.5
About Last Night: A Captivating African American Small Town Romance
Falling for her brother’s best friend was never part of the plan…
Single mom Joanne Wilson’s dream is finally coming true. After years of struggling, she’s opening up her own beauty salon and her stress levels are through the roof. So when her little brother flakes out on helping her prepare for the grand-opening party, she’s about to snap…until he sends Devante, his best friend, in his place. Love ’em and leave ’em—that’s what they say about Devante, and drama is the last thing Joanne needs right now. So why, after just one touch, is her heart racing?
Devante Thompson has had a crush on Joanne ever since they were kids. And now that she’s finally free, it’s his chance. But when they’re caught sharing a breathless kiss during her grand-opening party, everyone in town starts talking…and Joanne is furious. She’s worked too hard to lose everything for one reckless—and unforgettable—moment. But Devante is determined to prove to Joanne that he’s ready to be her man and he won’t let her go without a fight.
Single mom Joanne Wilson’s dream is finally coming true. After years of struggling, she’s opening up her own beauty salon and her stress levels are through the roof. So when her little brother flakes out on helping her prepare for the grand-opening party, she’s about to snap…until he sends Devante, his best friend, in his place. Love ’em and leave ’em—that’s what they say about Devante, and drama is the last thing Joanne needs right now. So why, after just one touch, is her heart racing?
Devante Thompson has had a crush on Joanne ever since they were kids. And now that she’s finally free, it’s his chance. But when they’re caught sharing a breathless kiss during her grand-opening party, everyone in town starts talking…and Joanne is furious. She’s worked too hard to lose everything for one reckless—and unforgettable—moment. But Devante is determined to prove to Joanne that he’s ready to be her man and he won’t let her go without a fight.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 31, 2024
A quick read included in The Secret to a Southern Wedding audiobook, I don't regret listening to it, it was fun, even if I'm personally not a huge fan of pairings where the woman is older than the man.
November 11, 2023
A cute little novella about Joanne who at 45 years old is finally getting her life to a great place. Her grown son is on his way to a successful career and she is finally opening her salon. On the night of her grand opening party her little brother's best friend 35 year old Devante finally admits his feelings.
What ensues after is a cute little romance where I liked both people and wholey supported all the way. I love the town of Peachtree Cove and I look forward to continuing the series.
I highly recommend this series!
What ensues after is a cute little romance where I liked both people and wholey supported all the way. I love the town of Peachtree Cove and I look forward to continuing the series.
I highly recommend this series!
August 16, 2023
Cute and Spicy
Synithia Williams definitely delivered with the cute, spicy page turner. This quick read was impossible to put down. A must read.
Synithia Williams definitely delivered with the cute, spicy page turner. This quick read was impossible to put down. A must read.
February 22, 2024
Now THIS is how you do years of pining! Devante has made it onto the LIST of top male leads for me! What a MAN!
April 1, 2024
3.5 stars.
Short and sweet set in Peartee Cove.
Short and sweet set in Peartee Cove.
August 29, 2023
Quick Summary: A hot & spicy OWYM romance
My Review: About Last Night by Synithia Williams is a short novella associated with the Peachtree Cove series.
About the Book: This was a quick 79-page read about a single parent empty nester who decides to act on her feelings toward her younger brother’s best friend. Their special age ain’t nothing but a number coupling was the talk of the town…until it wasn’t.
About the Characters:
The male lead was determined to get his dream woman. He had been pining for her for years. He certainly didn’t give up on shooting his shot. (Good gravy!)
The female lead might have been a little shy about things in the beginning, but she quickly changed her tune. (Okaaaaaay!)
The son was incredibly supportive. He understood that his mother had needs, especially after having put him first for so long. He wanted her to find happiness. I love that he was so accepting of her new relationship.
Other: Although the leads were familiar with one another, there seemed to be a weird dynamic between them. The perception they had about what existed between them versus what was desired by them was not in sync, in a sense. It’s rather hard to clearly describe.
Extra Point 1: The single mom’s mother was so small town nosy and rigid. She needed to sit down and mind her business. The way she came off was classic.
Extra Point 2: The male lead’s sister was a powder keg that I was totally here for when it came to dealing with the self righteous woman of judgement who tried to stir up mess.
My Final Say: Kaboom! This little firecracker of a book packed quite a punch. 💣 It could have easily been flipped into a novel.
Rating: 3.95/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes
#libraryreadbonus
My Review: About Last Night by Synithia Williams is a short novella associated with the Peachtree Cove series.
About the Book: This was a quick 79-page read about a single parent empty nester who decides to act on her feelings toward her younger brother’s best friend. Their special age ain’t nothing but a number coupling was the talk of the town…until it wasn’t.
About the Characters:
The male lead was determined to get his dream woman. He had been pining for her for years. He certainly didn’t give up on shooting his shot. (Good gravy!)
The female lead might have been a little shy about things in the beginning, but she quickly changed her tune. (Okaaaaaay!)
The son was incredibly supportive. He understood that his mother had needs, especially after having put him first for so long. He wanted her to find happiness. I love that he was so accepting of her new relationship.
Other: Although the leads were familiar with one another, there seemed to be a weird dynamic between them. The perception they had about what existed between them versus what was desired by them was not in sync, in a sense. It’s rather hard to clearly describe.
Extra Point 1: The single mom’s mother was so small town nosy and rigid. She needed to sit down and mind her business. The way she came off was classic.
Extra Point 2: The male lead’s sister was a powder keg that I was totally here for when it came to dealing with the self righteous woman of judgement who tried to stir up mess.
My Final Say: Kaboom! This little firecracker of a book packed quite a punch. 💣 It could have easily been flipped into a novel.
Rating: 3.95/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Series: Yes
#libraryreadbonus
September 7, 2023
The Secret to a Southern Wedding by Synithia Williams
Peachtree Cove #1
About Last Night
Peachtree Cove #2
12h 59m narrated by Adenrele Ojo, 382 pages
Genre: African-American Romance
Featuring: Mothers & Daughters, Doctors, Obstetrician, Medical Setting, Georgia, Florida, Wedding, Homecoming Trope, Parent With New Love - Opposed Trope, Step Siblings Trope, Enemies-to-Lovers Trope, Tricenarians, Sexagenarians, Bar Owner, Transgender Pregnancy, Sex-Detailed, Bonus Story: About Last Night
Rating as a movie: NC-17 adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "How Bizarre" by OMC, "No, No, No" by Destiny's Child featuring Wyclef Jean, "Big Bad Mamma" by Foxy Brown featuring Dru Hill, "Crush on You Remix" Lil' Kim featuring Lil' Cease
My rating:
TSTASW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🍑👰🏾♂️🤵🏿♂️
About Last Night: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌌
My thoughts: 📱8% 59:24 Ch. 5 - The story is okay, but the narrator has mispronounced how and lager, 🙄 I'm trying to ignore it. I Step Siblings are in my top 3 dislikes so a lot of grace if it goes that way.
📱34% 4:21:45 Ch. 16 - I'm going to have to force this one down. It's just not vibing the way I need it to.
TSTASW takes a while to heat up but once it does it's great. As the story goes along the drama intensifies and I was surprised by the ending. The novella, About Last Night, was so much better than the novel, I found myself laughing a few times. My only problem was I didn't recognize the characters from the main story. I kept reminding myself it wasn't her cousin. I feared this book was going to be just a pretty cover but it had a pretty good plot and snappy dialogue. I think the murder was a different take on the 3rd act.
Recommend to others: Yes. I thought this was going to just be okay but the author delivered.
Peachtree Cove #1
About Last Night
Peachtree Cove #2
12h 59m narrated by Adenrele Ojo, 382 pages
Genre: African-American Romance
Featuring: Mothers & Daughters, Doctors, Obstetrician, Medical Setting, Georgia, Florida, Wedding, Homecoming Trope, Parent With New Love - Opposed Trope, Step Siblings Trope, Enemies-to-Lovers Trope, Tricenarians, Sexagenarians, Bar Owner, Transgender Pregnancy, Sex-Detailed, Bonus Story: About Last Night
Rating as a movie: NC-17 adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "How Bizarre" by OMC, "No, No, No" by Destiny's Child featuring Wyclef Jean, "Big Bad Mamma" by Foxy Brown featuring Dru Hill, "Crush on You Remix" Lil' Kim featuring Lil' Cease
My rating:
TSTASW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🍑👰🏾♂️🤵🏿♂️
About Last Night: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌌
My thoughts: 📱8% 59:24 Ch. 5 - The story is okay, but the narrator has mispronounced how and lager, 🙄 I'm trying to ignore it. I Step Siblings are in my top 3 dislikes so a lot of grace if it goes that way.
📱34% 4:21:45 Ch. 16 - I'm going to have to force this one down. It's just not vibing the way I need it to.
TSTASW takes a while to heat up but once it does it's great. As the story goes along the drama intensifies and I was surprised by the ending. The novella, About Last Night, was so much better than the novel, I found myself laughing a few times. My only problem was I didn't recognize the characters from the main story. I kept reminding myself it wasn't her cousin. I feared this book was going to be just a pretty cover but it had a pretty good plot and snappy dialogue. I think the murder was a different take on the 3rd act.
Recommend to others: Yes. I thought this was going to just be okay but the author delivered.
March 10, 2024
This was included as a bonus novella with The Secret to a Southern Wedding and is also set in Peachtree Cove. Here we follow Joanne and Devante. Joanne is finally opening the hair salon she's dreamed of opening for decades. And Devante, well, he's had a crush on Joanne, who is ten years older than him, since he was a teenager. They have a hookup (which is mentioned in The Secret to a Southern Wedding) and we see how their story and journey as two entrepreneurs trying to find their way together begins. Short and sweet.
August 8, 2023
And what a night it almost was!
This novella touched on what many in society considers taboo a relationship between an older woman and a younger man! It is so sad that some people living in small towns also function with equally small minds. Joanne fought through decisions she made in the past that others may have frowned at but her tenacity saw her open her dream business and it seems its off on a successful note! Her relationship with her younger brother's best friend caused the ire of her mother and the town's mean girl until she was put in her place! If everyone practiced the "mind your own business" calling, this world would be in a much better condition! Misery truly does love company and if you don't think so look closely at the next person gleefully spreading rumors about someone else!!!!! I enjoyed Devante and Joanne's story very much!
This novella touched on what many in society considers taboo a relationship between an older woman and a younger man! It is so sad that some people living in small towns also function with equally small minds. Joanne fought through decisions she made in the past that others may have frowned at but her tenacity saw her open her dream business and it seems its off on a successful note! Her relationship with her younger brother's best friend caused the ire of her mother and the town's mean girl until she was put in her place! If everyone practiced the "mind your own business" calling, this world would be in a much better condition! Misery truly does love company and if you don't think so look closely at the next person gleefully spreading rumors about someone else!!!!! I enjoyed Devante and Joanne's story very much!
January 19, 2026
Listened via hoopla
“It means I want to date you. Exclusively you. It also means I want to be there to support you. That I laugh with you on good days and hold you on bad days. That I stand next to you as you continue to grow and become even more amazing. That I can take care of you without smothering you. That I hold you in my arms and make love to you. That’s what i mean when i say i want to be your man.” Baby Devante said that!!
This was a really cute, spicy, sensual, and passion filled read. I like reading age gap with the woman being older. Joanne tried to fight it because men from her past weren’t the best. She is also opening her own hair salon. However, Devante was not letting up. Joanne has every right to protect her heart and needed to be reminded she is worthy of love too. He is a grown man now and the little boy crush is over. He also has his own career and only have eyes for her. These two were absolutely adorable.
“It means I want to date you. Exclusively you. It also means I want to be there to support you. That I laugh with you on good days and hold you on bad days. That I stand next to you as you continue to grow and become even more amazing. That I can take care of you without smothering you. That I hold you in my arms and make love to you. That’s what i mean when i say i want to be your man.” Baby Devante said that!!
This was a really cute, spicy, sensual, and passion filled read. I like reading age gap with the woman being older. Joanne tried to fight it because men from her past weren’t the best. She is also opening her own hair salon. However, Devante was not letting up. Joanne has every right to protect her heart and needed to be reminded she is worthy of love too. He is a grown man now and the little boy crush is over. He also has his own career and only have eyes for her. These two were absolutely adorable.
September 29, 2023
A Sweet Love Story
Devante and Joanne were an unlikely couple. Joanne was ten years older than Devante. He had been crushing on her since he was a kid. She’s his best friend’s big sister. It wasn’t until he saw her friend introduce her to another man, that he decided to make his move! It was on and popping after that. No one in that town had a problem with them seeing each other. Well, except for a few busybodies! Forget them!! All in all, I enjoyed this book! On to A Southern Wedding next! Thank you Ms. Williams for another great read!! 🔥❤️
Devante and Joanne were an unlikely couple. Joanne was ten years older than Devante. He had been crushing on her since he was a kid. She’s his best friend’s big sister. It wasn’t until he saw her friend introduce her to another man, that he decided to make his move! It was on and popping after that. No one in that town had a problem with them seeing each other. Well, except for a few busybodies! Forget them!! All in all, I enjoyed this book! On to A Southern Wedding next! Thank you Ms. Williams for another great read!! 🔥❤️
February 8, 2024
It's a 2.5 rating. It was an "okay" book for me but I did feel like an outsider reading this book. I think it was probably because I didn't see much of the character development.
About Last Night tells the love story of Devante and Joanne, a single Mum who just hit it big with opening her hair salon. Devante is Joanne's little brother's best friend and they're attracted to each other even though he's nursed a crush on her since he was a teenager. It's kind of a forbidden romance given the ten years age difference between the both of them but I guess, love always finds a way 😍
About Last Night tells the love story of Devante and Joanne, a single Mum who just hit it big with opening her hair salon. Devante is Joanne's little brother's best friend and they're attracted to each other even though he's nursed a crush on her since he was a teenager. It's kind of a forbidden romance given the ten years age difference between the both of them but I guess, love always finds a way 😍
April 24, 2024
A girl boss moment novella set in the same timeline as The Secret to a Southern Wedding. It's one thing to date a man 10 years younger, but its another to make it the entire basis of your reservations and conversations. I totally understand that being a big deal, but the references to this being a crush the younger guy had his whole life when they were family friends takes this into dicey territory until they squish they explain themselves halfway through. The salon really is the basis of all the drama!!
August 20, 2023
Great novella
I love a small town series and having Ms.Williams as the author is bonus! We meet Joanna as she is opening up her new salon. Her brother sends over his best friend Devante to help with getting set up. Unbeknownst to Joanna, Devante has always liked her even though he is younger than her. I loved how they got to their HEA but you’ll have to read this book to find out. Loved it!
I love a small town series and having Ms.Williams as the author is bonus! We meet Joanna as she is opening up her new salon. Her brother sends over his best friend Devante to help with getting set up. Unbeknownst to Joanna, Devante has always liked her even though he is younger than her. I loved how they got to their HEA but you’ll have to read this book to find out. Loved it!
January 30, 2024
4.5⭐️
What a really cute novella! It was a reverse age gap and little brother’s best friend. Devante has always had a crush on Joanne growing up and he finally gets his chance to become something more to her. Joanne has always focused on her family and career but when she opens her new business, she’s ready to start dating again. Devante jumps on the chance to become her man and they live happily ever after. It’s a super quick read but very enjoyable!
What a really cute novella! It was a reverse age gap and little brother’s best friend. Devante has always had a crush on Joanne growing up and he finally gets his chance to become something more to her. Joanne has always focused on her family and career but when she opens her new business, she’s ready to start dating again. Devante jumps on the chance to become her man and they live happily ever after. It’s a super quick read but very enjoyable!
July 2, 2023
About last night...
This was the first book that I've read by this author. It was quite the page turner. The writer's ability to draw in her audience was simply exhilarating.
I found myself gasping and catching my breath right along with Joanne and Devante. 5/5 hands down! I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
This was the first book that I've read by this author. It was quite the page turner. The writer's ability to draw in her audience was simply exhilarating.
I found myself gasping and catching my breath right along with Joanne and Devante. 5/5 hands down! I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
July 17, 2023
Lovely
Fantastic short story of Joanne and Devante. His unrequited love was just so refreshing. Loved the heroine's ambition and enthusiasm for making her life a success while being a great single Mom. Job well done on creating an unlikely into a most likely love between an older woman younger man.
Fantastic short story of Joanne and Devante. His unrequited love was just so refreshing. Loved the heroine's ambition and enthusiasm for making her life a success while being a great single Mom. Job well done on creating an unlikely into a most likely love between an older woman younger man.
February 28, 2024
So I got this as a bonus in the Southern Wedding book and have to say it was fabulous. The events take place simultaneously with the Southern Wedding and flowed so naturally. The big takeaway here for me was it's never too late and you're never too old for love because you never know when or from where it will come. Beautiful romance, great narration.
November 10, 2025
This was such a fun novella and the perfect follow up to The Secret to a Southern Wedding. This author's writing is so comforting in a way. You feel relaxed and at home when reading her stories.
Joanne and Devante's story was so good. It was funny, drama-filled, and romantic. Each of the characters grew and faced their doubts and nah sayers head on. I loved it!!
Joanne and Devante's story was so good. It was funny, drama-filled, and romantic. Each of the characters grew and faced their doubts and nah sayers head on. I loved it!!
February 23, 2026
This was a quick read but honestly I was rooting for them from the moment the story started. It may be the forbidden romance lover in me. The writing was well done. I can't believe how much I was rooting for them. Williams does a good job of wrapping up a storyline and give you a happy for right now that you can interpret however you like. Gives you the option to choose your future.
April 4, 2026
This book was a surprise short story at the end of The Secret to a Southern Weddjng.
I didn’t know this novella would be at the end and it’s felt like a strange transition because due to some of the details shared about Amani, this story appears to take place before The Secret to a Southern Weddjng.
I didn’t know this novella would be at the end and it’s felt like a strange transition because due to some of the details shared about Amani, this story appears to take place before The Secret to a Southern Weddjng.
July 19, 2023
I love a good small town romance and I’m definitely down for age gap too. Joanne and Devante was such a cute beginning to what I know will be an amazing series. I loved it from beginning to end and I can’t wait for more
October 3, 2023
Quick read and a sweet love story
Devante crush stood the test of time and turned into love. Joanne and Devante both did not let the town gossip keep them from finding success and love as a couple.
Devante crush stood the test of time and turned into love. Joanne and Devante both did not let the town gossip keep them from finding success and love as a couple.
May 11, 2024
Joanne and Devante were so cute. She is his best friend's older sister that he always had a crush on. When she is ready to date again and let's him know, he immediately shoots his shot.
This book was wonderful.
This book was wonderful.
December 18, 2024
I listened to "The Secret to a Southern Wedding" and this was at the end - it felt like a random placement at first since it had nothing to do with the previous story, but then characters from the previous one made appearances.
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July 1, 2023Small Town & Rural Fiction, Contemporary Romance, African American & Black Romance
Miniseries
Peachtree Cove
Miniseries
Peachtree Cove
July 7, 2023
I loved this story.
.
.
October 28, 2023
Good read
Good read, I liked the characters and storyline. Joanne is ten years older than Devante, and her brother’s best friend. This is their journey to love and happiness.
Good read, I liked the characters and storyline. Joanne is ten years older than Devante, and her brother’s best friend. This is their journey to love and happiness.
April 8, 2024
Not bad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews