Time has passed, but the love and loyalty among these friends have never wavered. Always Us is the final stop in their journey to adulthood from Only You. They all face new problems that stem from their past. Ultimately, will love, trust, and divine connections be enough for them to choose who their heart desires?
It’s the growth for me!!!!! I loved loved LOVED this crew!!! Their journeys weren’t easy but it was worth it!!!
Two minor issues/missed opportunities- 1. When the bar managers name came up as Alexis I thought she would be Simeon’s sister. That would’ve been a nice element to the story since Simeon looked out for Vanity in book 1.
2. What happened to Gabby! I know she was a background character but as Symone’s sister I would’ve expected to see more of her in book 2. We never heard from or about her again!
Anywho that’s my 2 cents! Read the series its THAT GOOD and what I’ve come to expect from Kaylyn!
It took a minute for me to remember some of the details and characters….It hadn’t been that long, I’m not sure why this story didn’t stay with me…but, book 2 was really a good read and now we’re dealing with the characters as adults.
Great read! Yes, I waited to write a glowing review. I was hooked from the first book, first page to the last page of the second book. Just read the damn series.
Always Us was truly worth the wait and the follow-up. I love the way Kaylyn wrote this story- it truly is a testament of how family doesn’t have to be blood to be family. The friendships, relationships, and overcoming of obstacles were penned with great execution. The growth was truly remarkable for the characters, well, except Tequila. Maybe Kaylyn will write a story of redemption for her? All in all, I think Cree & Symone captured my heart because the “Headmaster” was just what my fave needed!👏🏾👏🏾I appreciated that each couple had an HEA and ten years didn’t change nothing but their age! There were great gems throughout the story, as well.
Whew this was a great great read. As I’ve said before, I love when an author doesn’t follow the same drug addicted mother, no father train. This is my first read from this author and I loved it. Now on to the couples. I love that it was filled with sex and cheating and it still held my attention. When I say I don’t read books this long, I don’t because sometimes it’s so much unnecessary mess and it’s a waste of time. Not this one. Everything was relevant and necessary. If it wasn’t. It wasn’t excessive.
Cree and Symone- They were decent. I like that Cree put down, he knew what he wanted. I’m glad a lot of stuff wasn’t dragged out. Like there was stubbornness but not dragged. It was perfect timing. Only thing is, all that jumping and Symone was shocked that she was pregnant, ma’am
Van and Royal- I liked them together. Van was a tough girl and needed to wind it down a little. She had me saying “b-itch, you better forgive him” I get she was angry but she was a little selfish. She softened a little, like towards the end I thought she was going to be stubborn about their pregnancy, but nope, she admitted to herself that she did want to be happy and want their little family. So I was proud of her for that. I expected her to say all this stuff she didn’t mean.
Demir and Yarah- My favorite! They are my favorite because Demir changed a lot from that angry kid when he and Yarah were younger. He had to watch the love of his life pretend to be happy with another man for the sake of her parents. He had to endure hearing his family and friends gush over her engagement ring when everyone knew he was hurting. Like I get they were cool with Yarah but they wanting too much knowing she ain’t want that damn man. I love how Demir didn’t stoop low and allow her to cheat on her soon to be, hell no, Demir said nah, you ain’t about to downgrade me to no side nigga, I need you to dump that nigga and come home. Yaasss. He knew he could’ve got Yarah if he want. He resisted temptation and made her to the right thing. Demir was crazy about her; so it took a lot for him to watch her play house with Preston.
Tequila- She needs to get it together. She was dropping gems for the girls but couldn’t help herself. Constant made bad decisions and never wanted to do better. She had nerve talking crap to Symone, when Symone is the reason her son had a home! Yeah Quila was really tripping.
Only one thing I was confused about was. Alexis. Simeon in book 1 said that was his sister name, so I was sure that was going to be a story line when her name popped up, but it didn’t. So I just figured the author must’ve forgot that part.
I’m about to breeze this Kaylyn catalog and hope I find more!
It was the growth for meeeee!!! I love how they all grew up and came into their own. I loved that they all stayed together! I didn’t know how to feel when I opened the book and it started with Cree but I grew to love him simply because of what he was to Mo.
I’m so glad Rah realized “Percy” (Preston) lol wasn’t it for her. My girl wanted to go home and my boy was waiting with open arms. I loved the growth in Demir especially because he was a hot head fr.
Now my favorites Big Royal and Van Van whew I was so happy they finally got it together, I almost cried 🤦🏾♀️ Royal had to leave for himself and it made him a better man and him leaving also made Van grow into the boss bih that she was.
Tequila 🤦🏾♀️ I knew her ass was no good for Mo in book one. Zayd was so lucky to have Mo because his mammy was still a child in an adult body.
Love the way this was wrapped up. I’ll admit I was a little skeptical after book one but this brought it together and made it all make sense. Great job 👏🏾
This wrapped everything up perfectly. I was so happy that Cree took the time to show Symone how to put herself first. She was always running to the aide of those who needed her. He stepped up big time. Tequila really surprised me. I wanted her to do better for Zayd but that didn’t happen. She was still a complete mess. I am so happy that Yarah realized Preston wasn’t the one for her. Demir may have been hot headed but he was loyal to his people and when it came to Yarah he wasn’t afraid to put any body on their back or in the dirt 🫣🫣. Now Big Royal still don’t play about his Van Van. He was coming full force and was determined to have Vanity. I was happy to see the woman Vanity grew up to be. Royal fought his demons and had to leave to become what Vanity needed. This was just what I needed to get me outta my reading slump definitely a 5 star read.
I loved EVERYTHING about book 2. This was the perfect conclusion, to see the growth of each character.
I love that the story begins 10 years later. The author addressed almost every thing that was of substance from book 1. The healing! Whew… those kids went through it and they all healed in their own way. But it made sense to each character.
Tequila didn’t surprise me. But she was product of her environment. The plot twist, Cree and Zayd. Genius.
Cree and Mo alone were a story I would’ve read over and over. Throw in that plot twist and not only was a surprised, but it added so much more to the story.
There was just so much addressed: addiction, deadbeat parents, forgiveness. And it was all handled so well, the pieces of humor had me actually laughing.
It was simply perfection! I’m happy everyone got what they needed. Gosh I loved these people. Kaylyn is no joke with her pen. Great job, sis.
The Cree paternity was unnecessary. I wish the author didn’t include that arc. Especially the way they made Symone so bratty when he wanted to ge to know the son he was deprived
The way Yarah did Preston is so foul. She didn’t expect him to be upset? Her spoil ass was 100% wrong for that. But I knew at the end of the day he and Nicole would get hurt. Then bc Demir didn’t immediately run to kid her ass when she wanted to reconcile, she got salty.
It’s seems like everyone in the crew annoyed me at some point except Royal.
Over this was a good story and good conclusion. Glad we got to see young love and angst transition into adulthood
I don’t usually leave reviews but I had to this time. So I’m a big fan for Kayln and I’ve almost read all her books since the new year, but this one was the most surprising. The first book was amazing, but to see the growth in all the characters…WOW. The friendship between Demir and Symone was so refreshing because we rarely see male and female friendships that remain platonic and I loved it. The love between D and Rah was just perfect, because you can just tell it was always there. Van and Royal was so pure and the love ran so deep. Cree and Symone!!!! Symone needed someone to put her first and it was so refreshing. All the characters had their own personal issues but the love and friendship they shared was chefs kiss!!! This was such a good read!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book gave me everything I needed! I have not one thing to complain about at all. Nothing to cuss about other than Courtney and Tequila being raggedy mothers. I would have loved to have seen D tell her parents off one good time. Tripp birthday had me in tears Bruhh! I loved their friendships! How they really were each other’s keepers. Even when they may not have know it. I think I especially loved Van and Demirs the most. And Demir and Royals. They would stop the world for each other. This series was a true testament of what family truly is. How it’s not always what you are born into. But the friends you make! Sensational.
You did it again!!! I loved how you told their childhood stories and picked right up in adulthood and there wasnt a big gap in time. I loved the way these ppl loved each other. Royal, insert heart face, was destined to get back with Vanity. He knew what path he needed to take to be the best man he could for her. D, thats my little hard headed brother who grew into a truly man who loved hard. Symone, the mother of the group, im glad she got her happily ever after with Cree, she deserved it after being to selfless and raising Zayd. Now Teqila....she irked my nerves!!! Again, great read, you always give out great stories.
This finale did not disappoint! Rah & Mir had my nerves bad, but whewww... we overcame! Van & Royal ... they were everything! I love how they were so raw with their emotions of love, pain, and understanding behind one another. My girl Mo finally came out on top. Sis had me worried about her for a minute. Kalynn did her thang with this series. She gave us growth, compassion, loyalty, and a circle tighter than a lil rubberband! Lol I highly recommend this read!! 🎉🎊🥳
All the characters in this book deserved the outcome that happened. When I finished the first book I was so speechless and could not ready anything for a week. It was so damn good and the second one was just as good. I was so happy Rah finally came to her senses she knows good and damn well she was made for Demir!! I understand everyone had to grow up and mature. VanVan to I definitely understand her hurt and the feelings of abandonment. I knew she would be a great mother. Big Royal I was so proud of the growth he did and he was man enough to know he had to leave everything behind to get his self right. Cree and Symone deserved to be happy together. Symone was always helping and making sure everyone around her was good. Bijon had her so messed up. Kaylyn thank you for not making me wait a year for part 2 😭.
The kids grew up into some beautiful young mature adults. They all had a past to overcome. I love the teamwork between them. They were there for each other through everything. I wish I had a group like that. They looked out for each other. I love how Van and Royal fought their way back to each other. Mo found her someone not in the group and Cree was everything she never knew she needed. Rah and Mir found their way back to each other. I loved everything about this story. Everyone got their happy ending.
These 2 books were so good. These were my first reads by Kaylyn and I am not disappointed! I will for sure see what the rest of her catalog is about.
I loved all the main characters in their own way but I will say Vanity and Royal’s story had my heart. Vanity’s growth was beautiful but she also provided the comedic relief where needed. Royal being as solid as he was definitely made him Book Bae. The cast overall was great together. However, I need Tequila and Courtney to get their life all the way together …
There was so much pain in the characters lives from youth that they carried to adulthood. Then the love they found in each other a beautiful sisterhood, a bonding brotherhood, loving relationships and an abundance of happiness from those connections.. Book one was their adolescents years and book two was them in their adulthood I loved how that was done. Symone, Demir, Yarah, Vanity and Royal will be missed oh can't forget Cree whoa! can't forget about him although Big Royal was it for me can't wait to read whay Kaylyn gives us next.
When I first began this series I got a little frustrated. I felt like things were dragging and moving far too slow until I realized I was being my usual impatient self. Once I acknowledged it and allowed this writer to do what she does....... lets just say I became completely enthralled with all of these couples and their growth from beginning to end. Bravo!
I enjoyed this story! I love how the friends grew into their own level of maturity, but forever had one another back! The sisterhood and brotherhood was real! Cree was the perfect person for Symone, while Demir and Yarah got their act together along with Vanity and Royal. The family dynamics were well placed. I was please that Vanity mom finally apologized and Rah mama can kick rocks! I love the ending and how everything played out!
I just loved the growth in all these characters, except for that ratchet Tequila! This was an amazing ride with the sisterhood that was bonded between Mo, Rah & Van. I was happy that they learned their worth and didn’t settle no matter what anybody said or thought. Don’t get me started on the men that showed them it was okay to feel safe in their own skin. This was an amazing ending to the rocky journey of life with these friends that turned into family.
I loved the way the book didn’t leave them as teenagers…I loved how Mo, Rah, Van were able to remain friends from teenagers to adulthood let’s not forget the brother hood that Demir and Royal have…I was happy that Van and Royal were able to work out their differences and become one…Demir and Yarah were able to see that they were only for each other (True love always prevails)…Symone finally got her knight in shining armor in Cree!!!
The crew became adults and life changed for everyone. Symone ended raising Zayd and Tequila never got her act together. She found someone he made her learn to love herself as much as he did. Damir and Yahrah couldn't stop loving one another no matter who they were with. Royal and Vanity recovered from him leaving her. Everyone was happy in their relationships and still had great friendships. This was an awesome read!
Kaylyn girl you did it again which honestly I'm not even surprised at this point. Your pen game is strong.
This mirage of friends or honestly I should say family because that's what they are will have a forever place in my book world. To be on this crazy ride of growing up and endearing the challenges of being a teenagers to the challenges of healing as an adult was a privilege.
Big Royal still my favorite! Even Demir got more cool points than he did the first time. He was solid hectic but solid. Yarah is just not my favorite. I really tried to like her but I can't. This was a great ending to these guys stories. Makes me think of my high school friends.
I really enjoyed this series, it was good to see how they all started but was even to see how they ended!!! Everyone had their own issues that needed to be dealt with and I’m glad to see that everything happened how it was supposed to. Blood don’t make you family but the bonds that keep y’all together do!! Great job Kaylyn 💜
This was an amazing story. From the first page to the very last, this story kept my interest. The story story included several complex charactes. They had all faced situations that wound break the average person. Yet they were able to find love and loyalty. Great job Kaylyn, I am looking forward to reading more of your books.
I’m so happy I decided to read book 2. That 1st book took so much from me that I almost didn’t waste my time. Symbol & Cree and Vanity & Royal we’re my favorite and the reason I’m giving this 5 stars. Unfortunately, I’d been over Demir and Rah. At the least they worked things out.
This was an awesome conclusion. Kaylyn staring this story when they were teens and continuing the story when they’re older proving us a complete origin story was everything. I loved that the group tried to navigate their own deep rooted issues while continuing to be there for each other. This was so entertaining. Everyone loves Royal and I do too but Cree ain’t getting enough love! We gotta put some respect on him too. Big Cree was bae.
Absolutely LOVED it! Watching these characters come into their, confront their demons, make amends and find/rediscover love was EVERYTHING. Kaylyn consistently delivers and Always Us gave me everything I needed and more! ☺️💜
I fell in love with this group. You always bring the realness. I was nervous at some points but the ending was everything I hoped for and you didn’t disappoint. Okay well I was hoping for another baby but that’s okay lol.