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The Blacker Berry
Amari Emerson is done with love. As a Black woman in her 30s, who is both plus-sized and dark-skinned, she’s well aware of how little society thinks of her, and would rather be the fifth wheel among her friends than subject herself to the horrors of the dating world. She hardly ever thinks of the fact she’s been single for a year, following a breakup that had made her question her very worth. Her thoughts are put to better use in pursuing her dream position as an affordable housing developer, her comfortable home, her loving family, and incredible—interfering—friends. The only thing she could complain about, and does after a long night out, is the level of noise coming from the house being renovated next door.
Leo Reyes, owner of Lion Construction and Renovation, finds Amari to be feisty and a touch annoying when they first meet. That annoyance is soon fused with an unwilling admiration upon discovering they may soon be working together. Before even he is aware of his true feelings, he's asking her out on a date. He didn’t think he had any intention of asking any woman out, what with the family business on his shoulders. But his Dominican parents, especially his mother, have been pressing him to start supplying grandchildren, and Amari’s straightforwardness is more attractive than he can deny. If he can just get past the walls around her heart, he believes they might find something special.
But family can be can both help and hindrance. Leo begins to suspect something about his mother that might put his newfound relationship in jeopardy and will have to decide what's the best way forward. On the other hand, Amari will need to weigh whether what Leo offers is enough, or if she deserves more.
Leo Reyes, owner of Lion Construction and Renovation, finds Amari to be feisty and a touch annoying when they first meet. That annoyance is soon fused with an unwilling admiration upon discovering they may soon be working together. Before even he is aware of his true feelings, he's asking her out on a date. He didn’t think he had any intention of asking any woman out, what with the family business on his shoulders. But his Dominican parents, especially his mother, have been pressing him to start supplying grandchildren, and Amari’s straightforwardness is more attractive than he can deny. If he can just get past the walls around her heart, he believes they might find something special.
But family can be can both help and hindrance. Leo begins to suspect something about his mother that might put his newfound relationship in jeopardy and will have to decide what's the best way forward. On the other hand, Amari will need to weigh whether what Leo offers is enough, or if she deserves more.
Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
33 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 14, 2023
Wow…
I LOVED this book! And what I loved most about it was that it was not at all what I expected. It wasn’t the “Wow is me. No one loves me” darker skinned trope. Not was the “strong, angry, black woman” that seems to accompany these types of stories. It was a good romantic, love story FIRST, with a small and delicate lead up to the conflict. We weren’t hit over the head and bombarded with it. It was a smooth and seamless ride to the climax of the story. Another thing that I liked was that the author didn’t attempt a happily ever after ending by having the mother completely change or accept Amira at the end. The author simply chose to focus on the main characters and where they were in that moment.
I would definitely read another book from this author.
I LOVED this book! And what I loved most about it was that it was not at all what I expected. It wasn’t the “Wow is me. No one loves me” darker skinned trope. Not was the “strong, angry, black woman” that seems to accompany these types of stories. It was a good romantic, love story FIRST, with a small and delicate lead up to the conflict. We weren’t hit over the head and bombarded with it. It was a smooth and seamless ride to the climax of the story. Another thing that I liked was that the author didn’t attempt a happily ever after ending by having the mother completely change or accept Amira at the end. The author simply chose to focus on the main characters and where they were in that moment.
I would definitely read another book from this author.
December 12, 2023
This book is the whole package: masterful writing that allows you to completely lose yourself in a juicy, satisfying romance. At the same time, this story doesn't shy away from the risk and vulnerability that are always involved when it comes to finding love in a flawed world.
A.J. Rozen is a master of delicious detail. She writes vivid, engaging scenes and likable, well-developed characters you can't help rooting for, and who you wish you could hang out with! Both heroes are solid and successful on their own, making for a satisfying partnership, and the secondary characters are just delightful. The challenges to the partnership come from both internal and external sources, giving the story heart and depth.
A.J. Rozen is a master of delicious detail. She writes vivid, engaging scenes and likable, well-developed characters you can't help rooting for, and who you wish you could hang out with! Both heroes are solid and successful on their own, making for a satisfying partnership, and the secondary characters are just delightful. The challenges to the partnership come from both internal and external sources, giving the story heart and depth.
June 23, 2023
If you’re looking for a slow burn, real world romance that pays off with some classy spice in the bedroom, then this book is for you! Both protagonists are people you feel like you could meet in your city, with complex problems that rear their heads in the worst ways. Tackling authentic problems in the black/brown/second generation immigrant communities, these two lovers will need to overcome their personal demons if they want to find a future together. Rounded out with a cast of memorable secondary characters, you’ll be rooting for the couple to get together (and into the bedroom!).
July 3, 2023
Fantastic first book by this author
This book covered not only the topics of love, family, and friends, but deleted into issues around colorism against darker hued American Black women, particularly from those in the Afro-Latino community. A timely subject handled with just the right touches of fearlessness, humility, and even some laugher (Rissa don’t play about her friends! lol).
I can’t wait to read the author’s next book.
This book covered not only the topics of love, family, and friends, but deleted into issues around colorism against darker hued American Black women, particularly from those in the Afro-Latino community. A timely subject handled with just the right touches of fearlessness, humility, and even some laugher (Rissa don’t play about her friends! lol).
I can’t wait to read the author’s next book.
April 25, 2024
A cute read
The main female character had some very relatable characteristics. I like that the book show cased Afro Latina descent well. This demographic is under represented. I like that both characters we're mostly mature when encountering life hurdles. This book was very inclusive with certain events and people of today. I wish it had more sex scenes.
The main female character had some very relatable characteristics. I like that the book show cased Afro Latina descent well. This demographic is under represented. I like that both characters we're mostly mature when encountering life hurdles. This book was very inclusive with certain events and people of today. I wish it had more sex scenes.
August 1, 2023
Yezzzzzzzzz
Being a black female, it wasn't enough that you had to deal with the everyday racism, but when you deal with it in your own race,well to me it supersede normal ignorance. Sister nailed it with this book.
Being a black female, it wasn't enough that you had to deal with the everyday racism, but when you deal with it in your own race,well to me it supersede normal ignorance. Sister nailed it with this book.
September 18, 2023
I enjoyed this book so much. I'm not what you would call a "reader" however, once I picked this up I did not want to put it down until the end. Like a good movie, I will read this again within the next couple of days. Well done - looking for what is coming next A. J. Rozen.
September 25, 2023
No spice
This was basically just ok, pretty much boring, it took me forever to read because I kept falling asleep. All the back and forth, either you gonna take him back or you not, to dragged out. And did the mother ever apologize. Even if she did I wouldn't trust her ever.
This was basically just ok, pretty much boring, it took me forever to read because I kept falling asleep. All the back and forth, either you gonna take him back or you not, to dragged out. And did the mother ever apologize. Even if she did I wouldn't trust her ever.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews