I finally got around to reading the series. After reading this again, I still feel the same…
ARC Review 4/20/2023: Queen Jessica took us on one hake of a ride with this crew. Whew, Chil, the emotional roller-coaster, the heartbreak, the need to choke and shake some sense into folks, lbvs. Most importantly, the friendships, unbreakable family bonds, unconditional love, and the importance of seeking help for past hurt, loss, and trauma. Know that I have NOT read books one and two, but I was so invested in these characters, and outside of putting it down for work, school and mommy duties, my face was glued to my tablet, lol.
My faves: Messiah & Tory, Shauka & Yaz❤️.
I wanted Sariah to truly get more than that beat down from Najia🤷🏾♀️. Her and her dude were really out here doing Shauka like that guy, and his ain’t ish wife did Fantasia🤬. She knowingly went into a full-blown "relationship" with this man, knowing she was still in her current one just to gain access to his money to take care of the next ninja😳👀🤔. It's Tristen saying, "I ain't her ex, I'm her right now ni**a," then having ALL the receipts to back it up for me🤣🤣🤣. But at the same time, my heart broke for Shauka😔. That's what happens when we call ourselves settling and ignoring them red flags that are flying high.
SHAUKA & YAZ: The love him and Yaz had for each other, man. I'll always believe the best lovers are the ones that start as friends and grow from there. These two had their issues, and I'm proud Yaz stood firm on her decision to leave until he dealt with his trauma.
MESSIAH & TORY went through it. They were my favorite cause through it all they stayed true to each other. He made the sacrifice he made for his family but stayed firm in his decision to tell her she didn't have to. That man right there knew what he had in Tory and let it be known that he'd be selfish asf to not allow her to be loved and taken care of like she deserved cause he wouldn't be able to anytime soon. Tory tried, but Sis knew her heart, soul, and body belonged to Messiah, and I was glad she didn't go there with that guy. These two couples deserved a happy ending more than anybody else🤷🏾♀️
That JAH & FAYE🤦🏾♀️. These two played all day, and they needed some time apart. I was pissed that she continued to allow that bih Mia to have so much control over her relationship. She had every right to be mad and hurt by his betrayal, but if you say you forgive someone, forgive and take the steps to move past it. That toxic ish she was displaying, then to compare him to her ex😔. I don't blame him for walking away, even if he only did it to give her time to breathe and get her mind right. That ish almost backfired, but he went and got his girl🥰. The sacrifice he decided to make at the end of the book, shows his growth as a man❤️
Najia🙄 & Nardo😍. I DID NOT LIKE HER FOR HIM! Now let me say this, I empathize with her when it came to that trauma cause the Lord knows I still have triggers from mine. She didn't want help. She clung to it like a second layer of skin in and allowed it to dictate how she lived her life. She was selfish asf. Nardo was the man women like me pray for, read about, dream about. He gave of himself so effortlessly when it came to her. He was truly heaven sent, flaws and all. I hated that he didn't truly allow himself the chance to truly love and be happy with Laila. I guess the heart wants what it wants🙄. I wanted Najia to really witness the next woman benefit from everything she took for granted cause she fumbled that ish out of Nardo's heart🤬. I was happy that Najia finally got her ish together and got that help she needed.
These couples have an amazing support team and really showed us that you have to hold yourself accountable for your screw ups. Tomorrow ain't promised to us, so live, laugh, and love while you can.