Imagined Love

by Diamond Drake

Jade Caldwell is a hopeless romantic who, despite all of the pain she’s witnessed and ultimately experiences, still believes in love. A coming of age story set in Gary, Indiana, Imagined Love spans the life, love, and heartache of Jade and those closest to her. As unexpected as life, Imagined Love, offers twist and turns that will cause laughter, tears, and the joy which comes after the storm.

Genres: Interracial Romance

301 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2010

About the author

Hello GoodReads! I'm Diamond Drake, the author of Imagined Love, For the Love of Jade (the sequel and 2013 International Book Award WINNER!), and Love's Fool (2012 Editor's Choice). Ever since the first grade I dreamed of seeing my name on the back of a book. To be able to see that dream become a reality has been a huge blessing and I'm SO grateful. The best part of this experience has been connecting with readers and knowing that they're able to feel the same emotions I felt when I wrote, as they read. I LOVE the heartfelt messages and reviews and the impact that my characters have on others. It's amazing and beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you to all who've become fans of my work and especially to those who have become friends. It means the world to me.

Here are a few facts about me . . . I was born and raised in Gary, IN, but I now reside in Stockton, CA with my wonderful husband of seventeen years, my two teenage daughters, and my two German Shepherds. A few weird facts . . . I always write the end of my books first and work my way to the beginning. For some strange reason I write better when Coraline is playing in the background. And I'm deathly afraid of opening a can of biscuits!!! HA,HA,HA. I hate the unexpected pop!

Well, I hope you enjoy my books. Feel free to leave a message or visit me at www.diamonddrakebooks.com or facebook.com/diamonddrakewrites I'd love to hear from you!

Reviews

[Micky Blue Skies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, so I have to honestly say that I was not prepared for all of the emotions I experienced while reading "Imagined Love." I cried. I laughed hysterically at times. I screamed out loud. I cheered various characters on and I even became furious and cussed a few of them out. There were even times when I saw a little of myself in both woman and I think that is what made this story such a great one.

Diamond went above and beyond fleshing out the characters and she did such a superb job that I truly felt like the characters were my friends and family. The way Diamond transitioned from telling us Willa's story to Jade's story was remarkable. You never realized the shift had taken place it was so effortlessly done.

Willa and Jade's story could have been any one of our own. There were times though that I wanted to knock some sense into Jade, but because she was so starved for love and affection she allowed many people to just use her. Her girlfriends and the men in her life almost caused her to lose everything that really mattered too her because of it. but thank God for second chances.

"Iamgined Love" is an inspirational heartwarming and heartbreaking story of love, betrayal, finding your way and getting too bliss. I am so glad to have read this book and I truly look forward to reading the next book Jade's new life. I recommend this book to any YA 18 and older.

[Rabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I think its a perfect example of a writer with passion writing from her own life and experiences. When I read another review it made me shake my damn head over a person that would mark a great book down for stupid ass editing reasons and then give a perfect rating to a book that didn't have one damn page without errors! Like writing dialogue of two different characters on the same line to where you have to reread it just to know who the hell is talking or saying one thing and then completely contradicting it in the next paragraph. That's ridiculous and shows ignorance on the part of the reader! Get that straight before you start trying to call somebody else out! I HATE when people act like their opinion is the law! Diamond Drake you are the bomb and don't let nothing stupid stop you from doing what you do.

[Michelle Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagined Love was so good I really don't know what to say! I started out feeling one way about Dorothea, Willa, Jade, and Miles etc, and ended up feeling completely different about them towards the end. So much went on, that I laughed, felt like crying (a lot!), and at times felt like jumping into the story and hitting somebody. I was definitely on an emotional roller coaster, and rooting for Jade the whole way. Just wow!

[Diamond Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copied from Amazon reviews

Hooked from Chapter 1, December 29, 2010
By MW - See all my reviews
This review is from: Imagined Love (Paperback)
Diamond Drake's ability to capture emotions is extraordinary! I became emotionally involved with the story and its characters. I worried about them, cried, laughed and cheered with them. Just as people are complex in real-life, Drake's characters are complex, no one is who you initially think they are. Any woman can relate to some of the situations Jade found herself in. I was sad when the story ended because I wanted to read more. This book is worth every penny! I'm looking forward to reading more books from Diamond Drake!

A Hard Love to Find, April 1, 2012
By OOSA Online Book Club "O.O.S.A. Gets It Read!" (World Wide Web, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Imagined Love (Paperback)
Growing up in an abusive household is not easy for Jade. She's watched her father abuse her mother for a number of years and her only wish is for her and her mother to be happy and live in a home full of love and laughter.

"Imagined Love" is about a little girl who has an imagination of a fairy tale romance. As she grows into adulthood, she finds herself searching for the man of her dreams that she can marry, have children with, and live in a nice home surrounded by a white picket fence. As she enters into one relationship after the other, she wonders if this will ever happen. She only knows of heartache and abuse and this is what she continues to find in each of her relationships. At one point she finds herself feeling used, worthless, and at her wits' end when her life begins to take a turn for the better.

I really enjoyed "Imagined Love" by Diamond Drake. She takes you on a roller coaster ride through twists and turns with each of her characters not leaving you disappointed. I found myself engrossed in each of their lives and feeling each of their emotions as if they were those of my own. "Imagined Love" will have you laughing, crying, saddened, angry, and feeling the unknown. Go out and get yourself a copy; I highly recommend this book.

Good Story, September 24, 2011
By Wanda B. Campbell "Author and Avid Reader" (San Francisco Bay Area) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Imagined Love (Paperback)
Diamond Drake has written a great coming of age story. You will experience emotions, from heartbreak to triumph, as you journey with Jade from childhood to adulthood. The lessons learned along the way are real and relatable.

Enjoyable Read, September 18, 2011
By Arelia R. Sanders "Arelia R. Sanders" (San Francisco, CA USA)
This review is from: Imagined Love (Paperback)
I truly enjoyed reading Imagined Love . I found my self in various cycles of
emotions crying through the pain experienced by Willa and Jade as their lives
unfold during their quest to be more than what others dictated, and laughing as
Jade discovers her true love does exist.
Turning Pages Bookclub

Loved it!, December 29, 2010
By Marviel - See all my reviews


This review is from: Imagined Love (Paperback)
By Erika Miller, Dot Magazine

Big books are a guilty pleasure for me. I like to be whisked off my feet and carried away by a story. Diamond Drake does just that in her amazing fictional work Imagined Love. The book details the life of protagonist Jade Caldwell who has every reason to be leery of love yet finds herself back in its clutches time and time again.

The book starts off with the tumultuous relationship between Jade's parents. This sets the tone for the love roller coasters that take her and the reader for a ride through every stage of her life. Drake does a great job of infiltrating the sweetness of intimate relationships, the bitterness of heartbreak, and the skill it takes to accept them as a part of life. As one reader put it, "the book is simply healing for those of us who know how complicated life can be".

You will laugh, cry, shake your head at characters that seem so familiar you will think they are your friends, and sigh at knowing that Jade is headed for (another) wrong turn, and there is nothing that could be done to stop her. She wants her slice of the fairytale and Drake pulls the reader in so well, that you want Jade to enjoy that slice too.

This book is one that you fall in love with while it reminds you that it takes courage, love, and resilience to find the right person for you, as did the fabulous Jade Caldwell.

[Patrice Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a detour from my usual suspense and horror novels to read the debut novel Imagined Love by Diamond Drake. Although it's not in the normal sense a thriller, I found each page to be more thrilling than the one before. I could not take my eyes off of this novel centered around some of the most interesting characters I've read about in a long time.

Imagined Love opens with the plot primarily centered around Willa Caldwell. She is desperately trying to make sense of the horrible situation she's put her daughter Jade and herself in. Initially the storyline follows the beautiful Willa then shifts to our real heroine Jade. Jade is wise beyond her years because of the home she was raised in. Although this causes her to be a strong, determined woman, it leaves it's marks on her psyche and she develops issues of her own.

Diamond Drake supplies the reader with a plethora of characters. Some forgettable, but most of them not. These characters introduce a host of contentions but also provide good insight that helps our main characters, Jade and Willa, really tackle the obstacles that are in their way. Matters such as abuse, rape, teen promiscuity, love children, welfare queens, life and death, and severely detrimental relationships. As layer after layer is shed, both Jade and Willa develop and become characters we would like to have a drink with some day just to shoot the breeze with and wonder how they made it through.

Jade takes over the plotline during the second half of the book. I realized once she became the starring character that much of the first half seemed a little rushed because it was really laying down the background to the woman who is also the leading lady in For The Love of Jade (sequel to Imagined Love). Readers are able to sympathize with Jade's struggles because of the amount of depth given to her homelife before becoming an adult. Her trust issues, guilt, and moments of low self esteem are given validation.

Ultimately, I can't wait to read more by Diamond Drake. I have For The Love of Jade on ice right now. I am reminded of all my favorite authors when reading Imagined Love. Readers of Terry McMillan, Omar Tyree, and Eric Jerome Dickey are who I'd recommend this novel to. The exploration of relationships, love, and moving on with Jade is a journey not to be missed.

[OOSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hard Love to Find

Growing up in an abusive household is not easy for Jade. She’s watched her father abuse her mother for a number of years and her only wish is for her and her mother to be happy and live in a home full of love and laughter.

“Imagined Love” is about a little girl who has an imagination of a fairy tale romance. As she grows into adulthood, she finds herself searching for the man of her dreams that she can marry, have children with, and live in a nice home surrounded by a white picket fence. As she enters into one relationship after the other, she wonders if this will ever happen. She only knows of heartache and abuse and this is what she continues to find in each of her relationships. At one point she finds herself feeling used, worthless, and at her wits’ end when her life begins to take a turn for the better.

I really enjoyed “Imagined Love” by Diamond Drake. She takes you on a roller coaster ride through twists and turns with each of her characters not leaving you disappointed. I found myself engrossed in each of their lives and feeling each of their emotions as if they were those of my own. “Imagined Love” will have you laughing, crying, saddened, angry, and feeling the unknown. Go out and get yourself a copy; I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by: Sabrina

[Cassandra Baker-Durham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so conflicted reading this book. There were so many moments of what the heck????? At times I put it down and walked away from it, however it would compel me to come back and finish. The book opens full of drama. Willa comes to the school late to pick up her daughter and so the craziness begins. Jade watches and internalizes the relationships that she sees around her and they shape and determine her future. But isn't that so real life though? That's what I loved about this story, it was so real life. The things that Jade saw in the relationships between men and women, boys and girls and even high school friendships impacted her throughout her formative years. We watch her grow from a child into a beautiful young woman who at times is very unsure of her worth as a woman. We watch her grow, change and mature and finally drop all her shields, force fields and brick walls. We see her learn to develop friendships as well as relationships with the opposite sex. I love a book that can make me feel so emotional and torn and this book did it. Great work Diamond. Looking forward to reading more!

[DeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond Drake's "Imagine Love" was a truly heart-wrenching novel where the characters simply pop off the pages. Growing up ain't easy for Jade, the heroine and it is made even worst by the supposedly role models in this thought-provoking story. In some instances, I laughed so hard that my stomach ached and in others, the tears just wouldn't stop flowing.

Yes, I had to put it down for a bit but it was only because I felt like Drake's Jade and her family were is so many ways me growing up--- always wanting approval yet half-heartenly getting it; and the abuse in the household just hit home and brought me to my knees!

Yes, Diamond Drake can make fiction so real!!!!!!!!!!!!

So read "Imagine Love" and you will see all the ups and downs of a little girl coming of age yet still surrounded by family problems,abuse,friendships,deaths,heartaches,teen angst and eventually true love.

I strongly recommend "Imagine Love" and the sequel, For the Love of Jade.



-- 5 stars across the board. You will love it!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that this wasn't just a mushy love story but also had some drama mixed in to keep it interesting and believable. I really liked Jade and the values she developed even though she didn't have the best examples growing up. Reading this story was like growing up with Jade, sharing in all the monumental events of her life. The whole process of Jade's relocation was very relatable in the aspect of reality, because things didn't just fall into place, there was some struggle and challenges that were unreal. I was a little worried that things wouldn't develop between Jade and Pierce. The relationship between Jade and Landon did have me wondering at times that there was going to be some confessions made before the story ended. I enjoyed the book overall and I'm definitely ready to pick up the story and see what else is in store for Jade.

[Reshemah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get off into this book. I read a few chapters and put it down. It really started to pick up for me once Jade got older. I wasn't to fond of her parents and was happy to read more about Jade. There was so many emotions in this book. One in particular that I will not mention so as to not spoil it, had real tears streaming down my face. When an author is able to bring out the kind of emotions in you that the characters are going through you know they are a great writer. In this book you will have to be prepared for all the ups and downs in Jades's life that will have you rooting for he to finally find true love. I would have given the book 5stars if it would have been able to pull me in from the beginning but it finished with a bang.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what can I say this book has surprised me from start to finish.. I loved this book it had feel of Terry McMillan, Mama , Daniel Black perfect peace with more modern times you see in this book takes you through the life Of mother Willa and daughter jade. How they both struggle through life trust, friendship, heartache, wow this was an amazing story about love how complicated it can be most importantly having self love for self, this book had me in tears at times and then had had me mad at the characters. what i liked most all of the characters felt real I could relate to most of them.. This is a must read first by this author will not be the last.. Job well done

[Jaylis · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister raved about this book and told me I had to read it. So I did and I absolutely loved it. This was very well written, grammatically speaking, and well edited. I was totally involved with each of the characters and I loved or hated them with intensity. Some parts hit home because of my own experiences so it really made me think about my own life and ways that I need to change. This isn't a self-help book but it's hard not to look at yourself in the mirror and realize ways you can grow. I was deeply moved.

[Paganalexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jade grows up being the prisoner of war in the war created by her parents ill advised marriage. Willa and Miles are both selfish and dramatic but some how the writer does a good job of not making them villains. All the characters in this book are so human it can be a roller coaster ride to get through. There are no heroes and heroines just people trying to make it through life. This isn't a romance novel in my opinion. It's classic African American Literature. If you liked Waiting To Exhale, this will be right up your alley.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Imagined Love" would make a good movie! After reading the first chapter, I was hooked! I believe a lot of people can relate to this story. Questionable friendships, jealousy, deceit, heartache & pain, you'll feel a range of emotions while reading this story. There's not a boring moment in this book; as the author did a great job bringing the characters to life.

In the end, sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince!

[Bookloverdojc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I was so impressed that I ordered Drake's other two titles. Those were equally impressive! Imagined Love had it all. It was dramatic, very emotional, funny, and deep. I didn't expect all of that so it was a pleasant surprise. I could relate to the characters and the things they dealt with. A friend recommended this author to me and I'd highly recommend her to others.

[Rabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ain't never cried so much than I did with this book! Jade and Willa went through some s***! I felt like I knew these characters so I cared about them hated some of them and wanted to do some stuff freaky stuff to a few of them especially LANDON. Whew! I loved this book and I can't wait to see what's next from Ms. Diamond.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is well put together and the title suits it well! A beautiful love story not imagined at all! I think we all have imagined love until we wait and let God bring the one He has for us! This is the first book I have read by this author and will not be the last. I do recommend!

[Meredith Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this story. I was up and down with Jade with her relationships with men, her mother & father, and her friends. It had me laughing, feeling sympathy, feeling scared and worried. I can't wait to get my hands/eyes on the next story of Jade

Hey Diamond - two snaps up lady :-) ;-)

[Juanesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I experienced an array of emotions when I opened this book. Diamond throws us into the life of her character Jade and the all of life's ups and downs that she is faced with. I thoroughly enjoyed this and now I'm on to the next part.

[Ti'Africia Lucas- Woodard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what to say about this book besides it was a 10 star read. I cried so much while reading it. Without reservation, I heartily recommend this book.

[Tishonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you this book was good! From start to finish. I haven't read anything this good in a while!

[Jackson Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagined Love tells the story of Jade Caldwell, a young woman from the midwestern USA, and her search for love and acceptance. With her ideals of romantic love heavily damaged by her parents' violent and unhappy marriage, young Jade finds herself turning to her friends for guidance--and some of these people are grossly underqualified to help her. Struggling to escape the legacy of her childhood, Jade is on her own.
The novel starts out focused on Willa Caldwell, Jade's mother, and details her experiences of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Miles, Jade's father. In this first part, Jade herself is a bit player, with only a few lines and very little to suggest that she's the actual focus of the story. When Jade's adolescent struggles begin, Willa largely disappears from the narrative, infrequently mentioned and rarely a party to the occurrences and conversations that make up the bulk of the action. But Willa is never far from the reader's mind, though; knowledge of her tribulations and failures creates constant tension as the reader wonders if Jade will repeat her mother's mistakes.
Throughout the story, a cast of colorful supporting characters helps Jade along her way. Frequently, though, these characters are more obstacles than allies. In Willa's part of the novel, we meet Cicely, a single mother subsisting in public housing with her children whose fathers are...not there. Cicely is a liar and a user, and her relationship with Willa is repeated in the relationship between Jade and CIcely's daughter, Katrina. Katrina is a liar, a user and a backstabber. Alonzo, Cicely's favorite son, is a liar, a user, a player and a rapist. Only Landon, Cicely's other son, proves to be a supportive and positive presence in Jade's life, and this relationship gives Jade the strength she needs to fight the demons she inherited from Willa.
Reading "Imagined Love," it is tempting to classify it as somehow anti-man, a perception driven by the train of losers that Jade rides for most of the book. While only Alonzo is outright coercive, the others resort to whining and promising to get what they want from her--and most of them only want one thing. But despite all these zeroes, Drake provides enough balance in characters like Landon to show that Jade's problem isn't men as a species--it's the type of men she ends up getting involved with. "Imagined Love" does not set out to hate on men or portray them in a negative way. Male readers are called upon, though, to reflect upon their own behavior and how that may have affected other people.
I can't go deeper into the subject matter without spoiling the novel, and this is one that is worth reading. It touches on so many subjects that it would take hours of book club discussions to explore all its implications. Especially noteworthy is Drake's portrayal of how interpersonal dynamics at play with a mother can be inherited by a daughter. Noteworthy also is her demonstration of how the withholding of love and acceptance--which Willa and MIles each do in their own ways--can affect a child's life choices. Even a child as smart and capable as Jade. Drake seems to possess a sensitivity to and understanding of the fragility of young personalities--not just juvenile personalities, but those of young adults as well.
Perhaps the greatest issue raised in Drake's debut novel, though, concerns the forces at work not only on Jade, but on young people out in society as a whole. Despite her health, beauty and professional success, Jade seems to focus on what she doesn't have--a man in her life PERMANENTLY. She worries about getting married, getting engaged, and at times you want to jump in there and ask her if she's interested in marrying this particular guy or if she's really just after the status of being a married person--and the emotional peace she seems to think will come with that. The novel certainly chronicles how an overly intense focus on being in a committed relationship for its own sake can lead to bad choices with potentially devastating consequences. Whether or not Jade suffers those consequences, though, is something you'll have to read the book to find out.
My main criticisms are simple and may have more to do with the genre--with which I'm unfamiliar--than the abilities of the author. The story is told in third-person narration but isn't restricted to Jade's own vantage point, and so it often jumps into the minds and perceptions of another character within the same scene. A lot of authors do it, but I never got used to it in this one. I also felt like a lot of screen time at some points went to the impressions and perceptions of characters who later turned out to be unimportant or only marginally important. For me, this tended to blur the focus and pull attention away from the main event: Jade's development and struggle. Hence the withholding of the fifth star.
Other than that, though, the production quality was first-rate and the dialogue was so effortless and real, it sometimes felt like these people were in my living room. If you're in the market for something heavy and thought-provoking, this one's worth a look

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

********************** I received this book from the author in exchange for an HONEST review************************

Imagined Love is exactly what the titled says. The ladies in this book had a severe case of 'imagined love'. Imagined Love made me want to scream and throw my kindle because of the emotional roller coaster I was on while reading. I dont even know how to give a review without telling most of the story.

The beginning of the book starts of talking about the life of Willa, Miles and a younger Jade back in 1981. Willa and Miles are the parents of Jade and boy are they a wreck!! Willa got on my nerves and I couldnt stand Miles. Oh, and Willa's mom was down right hateful in the way she spoke with her daughter and treated everyone else in comparison to Willa. Miles was abusive, yet Dorethea (Willa's mother) made it seem like it was Willa's fault that he gave her a busted lip. Who does that? Saying "if you kept that mouth shut, he would have to beat you" WTH??? Right out the gate I couldnt stand her. Poor Jade was stuck in the middle of all of this. We get glimpses of how Willa's life was when she was in her early 20's and then it breaks off to when Jade is in middle/high school and that is when things really gets interesting.

Reading about Jade as a teenager warmed and hurt my heart at the same dang time. That girl enabled so many people to use her that I went from feeling sorry for to getting mad at her for allowing people back in her life who abused her friendship. The only real true friend she had through it all was Landon who was her childhood friend's brother, and boyfriend's brother. Jade had the tendency to fall in love with the wrong people. She put up with more than she had to. I also hated Alonzo for how he repeatedly disrespected Jade. After a while I could no longer get made at the boy for being triflin, but had to get mad at Jade for allowing it to happen. After high school Jade moved to California to stay with Landon to make a living for herself and get away from Gary Indiana. Once again, she falls into the hands of the wrong men and gets used like no tomorrow!!!!! This chick didnt know the meaning of being single, she jumped from relationship to relationship looking for "Mr. Right/The One." When she did finally found the one, I couldnt even get excited because she had thought so many of the others were the one. I think that darn Levi, may have been the worse. I sensed his tom fooleries from a mile away. If you have to buy your own engagement ring.................. um sorry but he is not THE ONE!!!!! Landon, was by her side through every heartache and pain. Heck if she would had listen to him at times, she wouldnt have experienced half the heartache she did. Now, that darn Pierce........... whew!!!! He was somthing Fierce!! He was Hott!!!!! I liked him right out the gate!!! I even loved his family. He was the kind of man that Jade needed. I wish we could have read only about their love life instead of all those others. I want more of Jade and Pierce!!

Being that the timeframe of this book ranges from 1981 to 1997, I had to adjust my mindframe that there was no cell phones, emails, and none of the other electronic devices. It did, however, take me back down memory lane with all the song references from the 80's and 90's. There is no movie like the The Last Dragon!!!!! That is the ultimate classic movie!! I was totally grooving with Jade everytime she mentioned Bruce LeRoy Greene, and Laura Charles. I will be watching that movie tonight when I get home. Yep, that means I have it on DVD!!! Anywho, very rarely do I met characters that slick act and talk like I do/did. Even though some of these character got on my LAST NERVES, I still enjoyed reading about them!! I will be reading For the Love of Jade pretty soon so I can find out more about her life with Pierce. Man, was he HOTT!!!!.

[Romance Novels in Color · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagined Love took me on an emotional roller-coaster I was not prepared for. Diamond Drake paints a portrait of a dysfunctional upbringing: domestic violence, mental abuse, rape, absence of love, suicide, murder, and more. From the first chapter I was absorbed with the characters I loved, could tolerate, and then those I disliked. There were times when I became vocal (cheering or swearing) as if I was in the movies. An added bonus..it’s almost as if you received two books in one. In order to fully understand Jade, the author shares Willa’s story about her childhood and the drama filled marriage to Miles.

What child wants to hear their parents refer to them as “the mistake” or overhear conversations about what they life would have been like had it not been for… this is what Jade had to endure growing up. Willa and Miles Caldwell put their only surviving child through unwarranted turmoil because of their own regrets. Although her parents spoke the words of loving her, she often felt like a burden and thought about freeing them from their obligations. After a terrible tragedy, Jade’s view of life changed and she uproots from the only home she knows.

As an adult Jade’s desire to fulfill her fairytale love story intensified and caused her to look for love in all the wrong places. Relationship after relationship, she walked away feeling used and disgusted. As one part of her life became stable she ponders on if she will ever find “the one.” Jade breaks the cycle her grandmother and mother settled for, when she learned how to love herself. It paved the path to her reward that was closer than she could have imagined.

What can I say about the author’s writing skills besides, BRAVO! This is not your typical romance story but one that is realistic and relatable that will keep you captivated with all the twist and turns. If you are looking for a novel that is unpredictable pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed. There is a sequel available titled For the Love of Jade.

-Reviewed by LaMona

[T.A. Beasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagined Love by Diamond Drake is about a young girl trying to not follow in her mother’s footsteps. Willa is married to Miles and they have a daughter named Jade. Willa has learned that their home life is not suitable and decides to leave her husband. When she goes to her daughter’s school to pick her up Willa meets and becomes friends with Cicely. Cicely can relate to Willa’s struggles because she has been through a similar situation. While Willa and Cicely build their friendship so does their daughters. After while Willa decides to give her husband another chance until she finds out he has been keeping a secret that will change their lives forever.

Jade decides that when she is older that she will not endure painful relationships. Jade is in for a rude awaken when she moves to California with a friend. Even though Jade has tried her best to not follow in her mothers’ footsteps when it comes to relationships, time has proven that it has been hard for her to find true love. Jade knows that she can depend on her best friend, Katrina until she betrays Jade and things are never the same. Jade like her mother realizes that she has to take control of her life. Will she succeed? Will she find that one true love?

Imagined Love is about carrying the past into your future. The author does a wonderful job sharing characters that go through everyday problems. Readers will be able to relate to the different emotions and the struggles the main character endures through her journey of growing up. This was interesting and entertaining book to read that caught my attention with the first chapter. I recommend Imagined Love to others.

This PDF copy was provided by the author for review purposes.

Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews

[Christiana Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rape, domestic violence, promiscuity at young ages, friendship, what defines family, toxic relationships, true love...This was an amazing read. This book snatches you right in from the first chapter. I can promise you that there will be at least one character that you can identify with. The characters were very real and the storyline was amazing. I never expect much from books lately, since the great ones are hard to find, but this one left me feeling all types of raw emotions and asking so many questions. The characters are people we meet everyday. I even found myself getting upset and annoyed with some of them as if I knew them personally. There were a few things that I didn't enjoy as much like the fortelling "she would soon learn that not to be true or it would put an end to this forever" ...for me that took away from what could have been great suspense and shocking moments. The dialogue threw me and little sometimes because I could not tell who was talking and the characters did these long monologues which isn't realistic, because no one can talk that long without being interrupted (note for the author) BUT all-in-all I really loved this book. This would be a GREAT book for book clubs or teenage girls to read, because I believe it covers a lot of things that women go through and should constantly be discussed. This book is that bestfriend that always tells you the truth you need to hear, but dont want to hear. Reading about Jade made me as just how much of the past should we hold on to? I felt really sorry for Pierce having to love such a damaged woman. Great title, great book. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly think this book is wonderful. So many emotions and messages about life are brought through this story and these characters. Jade had so many sides and I could definitely see why she felt and believed the things she did as an adult. There were so many ups and downs throughout the book that I felt like an emotional roller coaster and it made me think about all those times that we each go through a huge series of things like this and how much more amplified it feels in life rather than just reading it. I am so glad that Pierce finally entered Jade's life-and Dane too. I think they all needed each other whether they knew it or not because they made each other better people. I will say that I wish the entire story had been completely focused on Jade. I think her parent's relationship could have been brought to light through Jade with no trouble at all. Additionally, I wish the book would have been written completely from Jade's point of view because I think it would have provided even more insight into her as a person and her emotions. I felt like I missed some things and that the story felt choppy at times just because it wasn't written from her point of view where the reader had direct access to her thoughts. Honestly, those are the only issues that I had and that led me to the 4 rather than 5 star review. Otherwise, I think the author did a great job of presenting a real, heart felt story that made the reader think about life and the choices we each make in life, as well as the consequences of each of those choices.

*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cyndi Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good writing worthy of a 3.5 star rating,

First off I have to say I was given this book by the author as part of a R2R group.


Imagined love is the tale that chronicles the relationships ( Friends, Family , Love) of one Jade Caldwell – from child hood to adulthood and the realization of her “real”love. The story switches back and forth between a 3rd part POV and Jades telling of her feelings in her POV. We follow Jades failed tries for lifetime happiness and in the end, are left with the understanding that she finds it. She’s an optimistic child who is exposed to her mother and fathers many attempts to be a family.
The story opens when Jade is about 10 and immediately the reader is exposed the rocky road that is her parents relationship. Immediately, the reader is viewing what Jade see’s of her parent’s relationship(s) and the consequences of their intense love/hate relationship. Then we follow Jade through her YA years and development of her friendships, first love, and her realizations that what she often experiences is “imagined love”.
The writer often uses a preface of date near the beginning of chapters and of major events that serves as a sort of diary to track the many changes in Jade’s life. The language used was strong and the author captures the character vernaculars via dialogue, that for the most part, flowed well. I like the the story and give it an overall 3 stars with a 3.5 to writers' ability to invoke emotions and sympathy for all that Jade goes through.

[Mikaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mikaela:

imagined love (by:diamond drake )

I give this book 5 stars.
"Willa Caldwell jumps in and out of her volatile and sometimes violent marriage seemingly unaware of the affects her actions have on daughter Jade. Lonely and insecure, Jade often falls prey to those eager to take advantage of her desperate need for love and acceptance. And both she and Willa endure heartache at the hands of those who claim to love them most.
As a young adult Jade decides to leave her hometown of Gary, IN, as well as the pain of her past to start anew in sunny California. Sadly, things don’t go as hoped and she’s left wondering if she’ll ever experience real love or if it will always be . . . Imagined Love.

I loved this book so much i went on to amazon.com and got a copy to go on my book shelf . so i could reread it again . i could related to willa because in high school i was in a abusive realtionship . its so sad how her daugther at a young age had to go throw all that .. i love how willa tells it like it is , and makes no excuses for her choices in life. Willa mother was so mean to her . She wanted willa to live like the 1950's where the wife's would stay home and take care of the kids and do what ever the husbands say. willa wanted better for her and jade. I thought that it was nice of cicely to help her out and take them in . but she was trying to put on a show for willla . .


So parts make you so mad. So parts make you cry . This book grabs you from page 1 till the end of the book, everyone from all walks of life can relate to this book. This is a good read.

[Tamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

'You're a good girl...blurred lines...'
This review is from: Imagined Love (Kindle Edition)
Jade Caldwell has watched heartbreak all of her life as she watches her mother, Willa be mistreated by her father. Lies and betrayal splits up their happy family and Jade is stripped from her mother and even though she is with her father, she still seeks her mother's arms and love. Life goes on with trials and tribulations as Jade grows up and meets Katrina and her brother Alonzo, who she falls in love with. Their rollercoaster relationship adds even more turbulence to Jade's already dysfunctional lifestyle. Choices greet Jade on every corner, whether it's with loving and trusting her mother, believing in her friends, giving her heart to Alonzo who she finds herself constantly questioning his intent regarding her love.

Imagined Love chronicles the life of a young Jade from her childhood to her maturing into a young lady that is constantly battling wars of love and allegiance. When life is so unpredictable because everyone is so callous and conniving, can Jade finally relax and trust in anyone? Realistic scenarios lay the element of intrigue within the storyline although at times it drags but the characters' reel you in. There weren't any over the top exciting moments, but the storyline remained consistent as you were lulled into a quiet calm to the very end. I will follow the storyline and read the continuation. 3.88