What do you think?
Rate this book
Ready for War
Warrior “War” Davis is ready for anything life has to throw at him, or at least he thinks he is. He’s not a man that should be played with on any level, but love doesn’t care about your position. When love enters the battlefield will it be a fair fight? Life has a funny way of humbling you. When the humbling comes from a person you don’t want to even like, will he submit himself to love?
Blossom “Pea” McCoy has been in battles most of her life, however, her biggest battle is just over the horizon. Will she be able to turn an enemy into a friend to prepare for a bigger nemesis or will her pride lead her to a losing battle? What happens when enemies turn to friends who turn to lovers?
They say love is a battlefield. Let’s see who is truly ready for war!
Blossom “Pea” McCoy has been in battles most of her life, however, her biggest battle is just over the horizon. Will she be able to turn an enemy into a friend to prepare for a bigger nemesis or will her pride lead her to a losing battle? What happens when enemies turn to friends who turn to lovers?
They say love is a battlefield. Let’s see who is truly ready for war!
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2023
410 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Mel Dau
101 books659 followersMel Dau (Melvin’s Daughter) was born in Vicenza, Italy but raised in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She is the baby girl and only girl of three. She has always had a love for books beginning with the Baby Sitter’s Club, R.L. Stine, and Christopher Pike. She dabbled in writing as she grew up but never took it as seriously as she should have.
Mel Dau graduated from from Wando High School, then later matriculated to Benedict College (BSW) and Webster University (MHRM). She is a mother of a teenage daughter, a HR Professional, and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Her love for Urban Literature did not arrive until Mid-2016. Reading over 900 books from 2016 to 2017, she was obsessed with reading--an obsession that helped her cope with her father’s illness and death. In March of 2018, she decided to finally come from behind the wall and submit a short story which resulted in her first Book, Khiaere and Phy: A Charleston Love Story being published under Queens of Lit Presents. Under Queens of Lit Presents, she successfully published 15 titles that were all debuted in the top fifty on Amazon Top 100.
In May of 2020, she was signed to her new publisher B. Love Publications where she continues her growth as an author. Her purpose as an author is to provide her readers’ with her E³ formula, Entertain, Encourage & Educate. She achieved her first #1 Bestseller with her Erotica title, Pet The Kitty. In August of 2020 she founded Mel Dau Publications, LLC to pursue self-published projects. Penning in a lane all her own, her Informational Dramas fulfills her purpose with every release. Her overall desire is to use her fiction catalog to help change at least one person’s non-fiction reality.
Mel Dau graduated from from Wando High School, then later matriculated to Benedict College (BSW) and Webster University (MHRM). She is a mother of a teenage daughter, a HR Professional, and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Her love for Urban Literature did not arrive until Mid-2016. Reading over 900 books from 2016 to 2017, she was obsessed with reading--an obsession that helped her cope with her father’s illness and death. In March of 2018, she decided to finally come from behind the wall and submit a short story which resulted in her first Book, Khiaere and Phy: A Charleston Love Story being published under Queens of Lit Presents. Under Queens of Lit Presents, she successfully published 15 titles that were all debuted in the top fifty on Amazon Top 100.
In May of 2020, she was signed to her new publisher B. Love Publications where she continues her growth as an author. Her purpose as an author is to provide her readers’ with her E³ formula, Entertain, Encourage & Educate. She achieved her first #1 Bestseller with her Erotica title, Pet The Kitty. In August of 2020 she founded Mel Dau Publications, LLC to pursue self-published projects. Penning in a lane all her own, her Informational Dramas fulfills her purpose with every release. Her overall desire is to use her fiction catalog to help change at least one person’s non-fiction reality.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
February 20, 2024
Second read 02/20/2024….newly released audiobook
August 28, 2023
Blossom has gone through a lot in her 30 years. She got pregnant at 15 and instantly had to become an adult to take care of her baby. She was preyed upon, groomed, and mentally and physically abused by her pedophile baby daddy. When Pea has finally had enough of Truth’s abuse, she packs up her shyt and moves out of state. Trustin has started rebelling and keeps getting into trouble at school. When he and his two best friends commit a crime that almost gets them killed, in steps Mr. Warrior Akon Davis. Don’t you just love that name?!!! That’s a strong ancestorial name. When he and Pea meet, they instantly disliked each other and constantly started bumping heads almost from the start. But, that doesn’t stop War from becoming the father figure Trustin needed and the man she wasn’t looking for. War was more than willing to lighten Pea’s load and become her protector. She just had to get out of her own way and accept the help that was being offered to her. Pea meeting War was everything she didn’t know she needed. Theirs was no instant attraction by any means but, the chemistry was definitely there. I loved how effortlessly Keshawn and Chance were welcomed into the McCoy family. The bond between the boys, Pax, War, Yetti, and all the fellas at the auto shop was a beautiful thing to witness. Y’all betta come through with the black boy joy! Pea didn’t have any friends so, it was sweet how Galiana, Tana, Xena, and Frenchie embraced her and brought her into their tightknit crew. Ready for War was a good read. As always, Mel Dau takes you through an arrangement of emotions that will leave you smiling until the end. I can’t wait for her to give us Mauri and Yetti’s story. I need to know how they began and ended so quickly.
June 28, 2023
This book was a mess! BUT I ate it up lol
I don’t have a deep dive review to give this book had so much going on and soo many omg this is ghetto moments but I was entertained! I will say I think there were points towards the end of the book that felt drawn out and not needed to me. A few TW were Sexual Assault/Harassment on page, Rape discussed on page, pedophilia discussed on page (15 yr old with a 20+ yr old), and violence. This was an enemies to lovers trope and everything about War and Peace I enjoyed. As I said there was a lot of unrealistic and ghetto-ish happening in this book but I had fun.
I don’t have a deep dive review to give this book had so much going on and soo many omg this is ghetto moments but I was entertained! I will say I think there were points towards the end of the book that felt drawn out and not needed to me. A few TW were Sexual Assault/Harassment on page, Rape discussed on page, pedophilia discussed on page (15 yr old with a 20+ yr old), and violence. This was an enemies to lovers trope and everything about War and Peace I enjoyed. As I said there was a lot of unrealistic and ghetto-ish happening in this book but I had fun.
May 27, 2023
The writing initially struck me as being a little cheesy, but I eventually came to appreciate War and Peace's Enemies to Lovers cliché. I'm happy that BP was able to connect with family besides her son and father. With War serving as Trustin's father, everything was just effortless he was a real man and took care of business . The fact that there are predators and parents who would sell their daughters makes me upset, and Truth was an atrocious individual just sick.
June 1, 2023
She’s his Peace and he’s her War….. together there’s no battle that they won’t win. It didn’t start out that way and to say their journey was a rocky one is an understatement. I guess you can this can be loosely categorized as an enemies to lovers!
At 28 years old Peace aka Pea aka Blossom Peace is a single mother to 13 year old Trustin who is in need of serious guidance. His sperm donor is a fk boy that preyed on his mother so he had no real role model or example of what a real man is. As a result he hangs with other misguided teens and they fk with the wrong man’s ish! Pea is at her wits end working hard to provide a life for her son. She’s a prideful woman so accepting help doesn’t come easy even when it’s offered from her father who only wants what’s best for his daughter and grandson.
War is a successful business owner and he and his brother Yetti are doing well for themselves. Not only do they successfully run several businesses but their circle of friends is top fkn tier. After crossing paths with Peace and Trustin, War had no idea that he was about to get the family he never knew he needed.
This was the story I never knew I needed. The way War, his brother Yetti and the other men in his life stepped up to mentor Trustin and his friends is what we need more of! Trustin’s sperm donor caused all types of trouble in this book yet War was ready for his âss every single time. I loved the sisterhood that Galiana and the other ladies provided Pea. The emotions will be many reading this one but it is worth the ride. This is a book you don’t want to miss out on!
At 28 years old Peace aka Pea aka Blossom Peace is a single mother to 13 year old Trustin who is in need of serious guidance. His sperm donor is a fk boy that preyed on his mother so he had no real role model or example of what a real man is. As a result he hangs with other misguided teens and they fk with the wrong man’s ish! Pea is at her wits end working hard to provide a life for her son. She’s a prideful woman so accepting help doesn’t come easy even when it’s offered from her father who only wants what’s best for his daughter and grandson.
War is a successful business owner and he and his brother Yetti are doing well for themselves. Not only do they successfully run several businesses but their circle of friends is top fkn tier. After crossing paths with Peace and Trustin, War had no idea that he was about to get the family he never knew he needed.
This was the story I never knew I needed. The way War, his brother Yetti and the other men in his life stepped up to mentor Trustin and his friends is what we need more of! Trustin’s sperm donor caused all types of trouble in this book yet War was ready for his âss every single time. I loved the sisterhood that Galiana and the other ladies provided Pea. The emotions will be many reading this one but it is worth the ride. This is a book you don’t want to miss out on!
May 5, 2023
Come on Blossom Peace! I loved how she was a badass, independent and about her ish, with all that she had been through! I knew when she met War, that they would love hard, with all that arguing back and forth! That unfortunate event turned into a blessing, for all involved. Pea, built a family that was down for whatever behind her! Her sisterhood with the ladies was right on time, and found love with War. Trustin got the love and male guidance that he desperately needed to thrive. I loved how War and Yetti jumped right in to help those boys! Mr. War himself found love beyond his wildest dreams, and a family he didn't know he wanted. He was a bit crazy, but sometimes love will do that to you right? The engine tho War? 😂😂 Whew that tickled me! That piece of ish baby daddy of Pea's, Truth, was ughhhh...... 🤬 How was he not handled way before now? Another great read of the strength and love of family and friends, and resilience. Would love to know more about Yetti and Mauri. What's up with that? 👍👍👍
September 14, 2023
Love over War
I enjoyed War and Peace. They were banging so hard at first, I wasn't sure how it was all going to work out.
Even though War was hell, his momma was even worse. Her guidance in handling Peace, her son, and her son's friends really made a difference in their lives. Peace felt a way about him, but that didn't stop War from being a positive figure in the boy's lives. Ware didn't seem to care about much outside his immediate family until they came into his life. Rarely do you read books that show black men mentoring and building up black boy's that aren't theirs, and it was really nice to see. Slowly Peace and War's relationship shifts, especially when War realizes her fk boy baby daddy Truth was in fact anything but true and was straight up hot trash. War felt the overwhelming need to protect Peace and her son Trustin.
I laughed a lot even though there were so many serious elements of this story. There was a good balance. Once Peace and War become physical this man did not know what to do with himself. Peace had him all the way fkd up and I cackled because she wasn't thinking about him. I lowkey wanted her to have that same type of energy with coward azz Truth. War had so much audacity because he was hotter than fish grease about her attempting to move on, but he was entertaining a bird brain. The way this man was moving stuff that did not belong to him was just too much. He was such a mess. While the play on their names was kind of cheesy, I think the love story was sweet with the right amount of conflict and spice.
I enjoyed War and Peace. They were banging so hard at first, I wasn't sure how it was all going to work out.
Even though War was hell, his momma was even worse. Her guidance in handling Peace, her son, and her son's friends really made a difference in their lives. Peace felt a way about him, but that didn't stop War from being a positive figure in the boy's lives. Ware didn't seem to care about much outside his immediate family until they came into his life. Rarely do you read books that show black men mentoring and building up black boy's that aren't theirs, and it was really nice to see. Slowly Peace and War's relationship shifts, especially when War realizes her fk boy baby daddy Truth was in fact anything but true and was straight up hot trash. War felt the overwhelming need to protect Peace and her son Trustin.
I laughed a lot even though there were so many serious elements of this story. There was a good balance. Once Peace and War become physical this man did not know what to do with himself. Peace had him all the way fkd up and I cackled because she wasn't thinking about him. I lowkey wanted her to have that same type of energy with coward azz Truth. War had so much audacity because he was hotter than fish grease about her attempting to move on, but he was entertaining a bird brain. The way this man was moving stuff that did not belong to him was just too much. He was such a mess. While the play on their names was kind of cheesy, I think the love story was sweet with the right amount of conflict and spice.
September 15, 2023
Yall I haven't hollered while reading a book in quite some time!! But there is a scene in this book that took me ouuuuut!! War had just the appropriate level of unhinged behavior that I deem necessary for an outstanding book boyfriend!! He and Blossom's story was chaotic with the sweetest intentions!! This was a new to me author but I'm sure I wont be passing up any of their work any time soon!!
July 17, 2023
Rating: 3.5/5
This was my first time reading Mel Dau's work and let me tell you, I'll be back. If you're looking for a book with lots of entertaining drama, this is the one for you.
Peace and War lived up to their names because they had beef from the very start. I had moments when I felt like they were both dragging but it was still fun to read. This book literally had everything I need to keep me reading a book; a cute love story, funny moments with lots of drama!
This was my first time reading Mel Dau's work and let me tell you, I'll be back. If you're looking for a book with lots of entertaining drama, this is the one for you.
Peace and War lived up to their names because they had beef from the very start. I had moments when I felt like they were both dragging but it was still fun to read. This book literally had everything I need to keep me reading a book; a cute love story, funny moments with lots of drama!
May 4, 2023
War and Pea 🥰🥰. War and Pea meet when Peas son and his friends break into Wars shop. Papa Pax saves them. War and his brother take Trustin, Chance and Keshawn under there wings. Chance and Keshawn found a family within Pea and Wars. Pea was able to find a family too not just her father and son. I loved Gali friendship as she didn’t let anybody mess with her bestie Pea. Also we need to talk about how trifling and foul Peas mother is that she allowed her teen daughter to have a relationship with a grown man. Truth got exactly what he served fish food.
April 28, 2023
Likable 4.85 *
The story was slightly different, but overall a good read. The author's usual pattern of mentioning the Christanson's et al. was present. As much as I love that crew, it is tiresome for me after a bevy of books. But this time, I was okay with this storyline and the revisit with some of the previous characters.
The story was slightly different, but overall a good read. The author's usual pattern of mentioning the Christanson's et al. was present. As much as I love that crew, it is tiresome for me after a bevy of books. But this time, I was okay with this storyline and the revisit with some of the previous characters.
August 9, 2024
Why did every major event happen off page???? We don’t even see the first time they say I love you, we’re just told it hardened
February 21, 2024
4.5 stars
April 28, 2023
War & Peace
I’m not going to lie when I see Blossom Peace I always read it as one word 🤣🤣🤣. War and Pea butted heads from the start but I needed Pea to get out her own way and when she did she gained a family like no other. I loved the family dynamics in this story because the way War, Pea and Papa Pax stepped up was amazing.
That baby daddy Truth was something else and he deserved everything that happened to him. I felt for Trustin because before War he would have still had that mindset about his momma. Pea reminded me of my mom when it came to sperm donors, my mother never talked bad about mine and raised me not to disrespect him either (I loved that).
Trell ain’t shidd for setting War up like that knowing his wife don’t play 🤣. I am so ready for Yetti and Mauri’s book because I’m trying to see how they end 😱. Like always with a Mel Dau book you have some funny, angry and sad moments but the emotions that Mel puts you in is amazing. It shows how much of a wonderful author she is.
I’m not going to lie when I see Blossom Peace I always read it as one word 🤣🤣🤣. War and Pea butted heads from the start but I needed Pea to get out her own way and when she did she gained a family like no other. I loved the family dynamics in this story because the way War, Pea and Papa Pax stepped up was amazing.
That baby daddy Truth was something else and he deserved everything that happened to him. I felt for Trustin because before War he would have still had that mindset about his momma. Pea reminded me of my mom when it came to sperm donors, my mother never talked bad about mine and raised me not to disrespect him either (I loved that).
Trell ain’t shidd for setting War up like that knowing his wife don’t play 🤣. I am so ready for Yetti and Mauri’s book because I’m trying to see how they end 😱. Like always with a Mel Dau book you have some funny, angry and sad moments but the emotions that Mel puts you in is amazing. It shows how much of a wonderful author she is.
April 28, 2023
👍🏾👍🏾🔥🔥❤️❤️
Couldn’t even give it a title. Such an unproductive day at work because I had to read this!!! So happy I did! Lots a laughs, love and sad moments in this book. And so much family!! Everyone needs a tribe and so happy Peace found hers. I want to see what happens next with the three brothers in college.
Couldn’t even give it a title. Such an unproductive day at work because I had to read this!!! So happy I did! Lots a laughs, love and sad moments in this book. And so much family!! Everyone needs a tribe and so happy Peace found hers. I want to see what happens next with the three brothers in college.
July 9, 2023
banter!
This was a new to me author and I can’t wait to explore the rest of her catalog ! War and Peace were a match. This stories was engaging and they had great chemistry And banter !
This was a new to me author and I can’t wait to explore the rest of her catalog ! War and Peace were a match. This stories was engaging and they had great chemistry And banter !
June 13, 2023
4 😍🔪😋👰
I really enjoyed this story; I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Check Content warnings
Trope: Black Love, single parent, found family, dislike to lovers, workplace (Boss and employee)
Enjoyment: 4 ⭐
Character development: 3.5 ⭐
Emotional: 3 ⭐
Sweet: 3 ⭐
Romance: 3.5 ⭐
Heat\steam: 3.5 ⭐
Intrigue: 4 ⭐
Action: 3 ⭐
Violence: 4 ⭐
Story\plot: 4 ⭐
World Building: 3 ⭐
Enjoy!!!
I really enjoyed this story; I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Check Content warnings
Trope: Black Love, single parent, found family, dislike to lovers, workplace (Boss and employee)
Enjoyment: 4 ⭐
Character development: 3.5 ⭐
Emotional: 3 ⭐
Sweet: 3 ⭐
Romance: 3.5 ⭐
Heat\steam: 3.5 ⭐
Intrigue: 4 ⭐
Action: 3 ⭐
Violence: 4 ⭐
Story\plot: 4 ⭐
World Building: 3 ⭐
Enjoy!!!
April 9, 2024
Something about them gave lame but hey
November 14, 2023
The drama!!!!
As I’ve come to expect from this author, this was drama central. This author has a knack for writing improbably messy plots that are just wacky enough to be plausible. If you’re here for the mess, you will like this one. I don’t think this was as emotionally-charged as the previous two books from her that I’d read but nonetheless, it was pretty solid and engaging. Even though I didn’t particularly care for War and his brother’s brand of misogyny and lack of self-irony, and even though I was pretty ambivalent about Blossom Peace as a character, I still really liked this and it’s a testament to this author’s storytelling that I was in deep even waking up early to read this. I’m officially down a rabbit hole with her work and am ready to read Yetti’s story even though I wasn’t passionate about him as a character.
As I’ve come to expect from this author, this was drama central. This author has a knack for writing improbably messy plots that are just wacky enough to be plausible. If you’re here for the mess, you will like this one. I don’t think this was as emotionally-charged as the previous two books from her that I’d read but nonetheless, it was pretty solid and engaging. Even though I didn’t particularly care for War and his brother’s brand of misogyny and lack of self-irony, and even though I was pretty ambivalent about Blossom Peace as a character, I still really liked this and it’s a testament to this author’s storytelling that I was in deep even waking up early to read this. I’m officially down a rabbit hole with her work and am ready to read Yetti’s story even though I wasn’t passionate about him as a character.
July 19, 2024
This story had all my favorite things; hilarious banter, enemies to lovers, strong female friendships, found family, step daddy being top tier, alittle unhinged behavior of either we go together or we together, and well developed supporting characters.
I loved Blossom Peace’s slick mouth and strong persona, I loved Warrior, literally everything about him. He was with whatever some of this behavior was hilarious! I mean I was laughing like I was watching tv.
The boys development and how War step all the way up for them. I LOVED this book War & Peace ya my favorite couple of 2024 so far ♥️🥰❤️🫶🏾🥰.
I loved Blossom Peace’s slick mouth and strong persona, I loved Warrior, literally everything about him. He was with whatever some of this behavior was hilarious! I mean I was laughing like I was watching tv.
The boys development and how War step all the way up for them. I LOVED this book War & Peace ya my favorite couple of 2024 so far ♥️🥰❤️🫶🏾🥰.
October 25, 2024
This book was amazing! Blossom going through so much within 30 years. After wanting to pretty much murder the man to loving the man sounds like a crazy love story right??? It was indeed crazy and I am so here for it!
Trusten needed guidance and while Poppa Pax was there Warrior was the man he needed for his role model! I love the bond they grew to have. He presented himself great for those boys!
Truth was a literal piece of shit. He deserved every single thing that came to him!
Im so glad they got their happy ending together!
Trusten needed guidance and while Poppa Pax was there Warrior was the man he needed for his role model! I love the bond they grew to have. He presented himself great for those boys!
Truth was a literal piece of shit. He deserved every single thing that came to him!
Im so glad they got their happy ending together!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2023
It’s Okay
I do love Mel returning to a more urban story with this book. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve liked the others, but I enjoy when the Christiansons are involved. I just feel like a lot of things happened off page that we should’ve saw, especially when it came to Trustin’s friends. That really affected the story.
I do love Mel returning to a more urban story with this book. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve liked the others, but I enjoy when the Christiansons are involved. I just feel like a lot of things happened off page that we should’ve saw, especially when it came to Trustin’s friends. That really affected the story.
October 31, 2024
Absolutely loved it. War and Pea met under unconventional terms which caused them to not stand eachother. After one night War was hooked and he made sure Pea was very aware. This story was drama filled, heartfelt and comedic all at the same time. I always love reading books by Mel Dau. Definitely recommend.
June 26, 2023
This book dealt with a very heavy subject. The author did extremely well tackling this with the sensitivity needed and then added a bit of humour to other parts. I usually feel weighed down by books that are heavy but I didn’t feel like that at all. Good job
September 18, 2023
Well
I enjoyed this read. These families were something else. Peace got her peace in that fine War. That Truth was just unreal.
I enjoyed this read. These families were something else. Peace got her peace in that fine War. That Truth was just unreal.
January 11, 2024
When Pea was in a coma I died….like lord. I was way too invested. This book was short, sweet and to the point. Loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2024
This book was excellent. I am so ready for War.
March 21, 2025
3.25⭐️
July 8, 2025
Oh mm gee…War and Peace are both crazy lmao, but I loved how they had family that didn’t play about them.
July 4, 2023
War & Peace
Another Mel Dau banger. I’m always cautious of books that have a little more “hood” in the characters than I think I can handle, but this wasn’t that at all. War was an a**hole for sure, yet so was Peace. I loved that once they stopped playing games, they really had something special.
Mel Dau is always going to bring families together in non-traditional ways, so I loved that the boys were all brothers in spite of their situations.
I definitely want more on this whole crew. Highly recommended. Good read.
Another Mel Dau banger. I’m always cautious of books that have a little more “hood” in the characters than I think I can handle, but this wasn’t that at all. War was an a**hole for sure, yet so was Peace. I loved that once they stopped playing games, they really had something special.
Mel Dau is always going to bring families together in non-traditional ways, so I loved that the boys were all brothers in spite of their situations.
I definitely want more on this whole crew. Highly recommended. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews