He thought he was marrying the love of his life.Then betrayal got in the way.Or was it fate?
On the night before his wedding, Blaise should’ve been at his bachelor party tossing back drinks, smoking cigars, and preparing to walk down the aisle. But, instead, he was barely tipsy, pissed off, and banging on his friend’s door in the middle of the night.
Bree had no idea what was going on when Blaise showed up at her apartment furious and ready to fight the world. At first, she was nervous and worried for everyone involved. Then, her only concern became him. His hurt was evident, and she was determined to be there for him in every way that she could. But that was a lot easier said than done, and from the looks of things, one night wasn’t going to cut it. Little did Bree know, her need to console him would open a door that her heart wasn’t quite ready for. But everything happens for a reason.
See what happens when two friends recognize that their path to true love always included each other. Will they stay on the journey and see how much their love is truly meant to be? Or will a new form of betrayal creep in and ruin everything they believe?
I love a good friends to lovers story & this did not disappoint. Genesis had a lot of audacity throughout this book. Blaise and Bree are best friends and have been fighting their feelings for each other for years. Everyone saw the love between them. Brees mom was straight trash so was Blaise dad. Blaise and Bree falling in love with each other was too cute. Sugar Marie was absolutely the best 🥰
You better be ready for this one. This friends to more story had me in my feelings. Blaise found out some nasty news at his pre-wedding dinner party. His bestie Bree, also found the man she should've been with all along, that same night. The friends will have to overcome Bree's insecurity about relationships, and her mother's recklessness with her heart. Blaise's task was gut-wrenching. The ex got the karma that was in store for her behavior, along with the vile actions of her accomplice. Genesis needed to Exodus to the nth power. Overall, this story will make you angry, cry a bit, and then rejoice in the end. You need to read this one, I promise!
I really enjoyed this story. This author hasn’t written a story that was a miss for me yet and I’m hoping that never changes. Every book I’ve read has been completed in almost one day because I can’t stop reading it and this one was no exception.
I loved the friendship and bond that Bree and Blaise had before finally accepting that they were meant to be more than friends and were perfect for one another. Bree was annoying at times with her hard stance on why relationships are not for her especially since her opinions weren’t based on her own experiences but were based on the experiences of others. I’m glad that she came around though and it was beautiful to see.
Genesis was a mess and had the audacity to gaslight Blaise and I was not here for it at all and finding out who she cheated with had my mouth standing open like wtf!
But I enjoyed Sugar Marie, Junie, Jaleel and Tahiri. They were amazing secondary characters. I loved how Sugar Marie called Bree out when she was wrong and told her when she was full of it and helped Bree to not avoid things she didn’t want to deal with.
I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next from this author.
First read by this author, and she brought her A game! However, I was not ready for this messy drama! Whew! I love the friends to lover's trope, so this was right up my alley.
Blaise got the surprise of his life after his rehearsal dinner, learning that not only had his fiancé cheated on him; but with HIM! I was like, damn they going straight for the jugular huh? 😡 Blaise runs straight to his best friend Bree, as she is the only one, he wants to deal with at that moment.
Bree! She is a great friend to Blaise, but she got more issues than a little bit! Mommy abandonment issues, and relationship phobia, due to all the negative influences she has been exposed to. Bree has always held a love for Blaise, but kept it close to the chest, as she believed all relationships were doomed to fail. But, when she is comforting Blaise over this breakup, feelings are brought to the surface quickly.
Genesis was a whole mess, with her lame excuses for why she stepped out! Then to hit so close to home showed she just did not give a damn about Blaise at all! 🤬
I loved Sugar Marie and her no-nonsense approach to her granddaughter. She was gone get Bree right, whether she wanted to hear it or not.
Blaise and Bree had a beautiful friendship, and everyone could see there was more there, but the two of them. They were going to ride that friends train til the wheels feel off! Blaise had also been keeping his feelings undercover, but when the opportunity presents itself, he is all in. Bree….. well, not so much. Blaise had his work cut out for him trying to get Bree to agree to try a relationship, as her fear was palpable; but it was so worth it in the end. Will definitely be checking out the author’s catalog. Great read! 👍👍👍
Blaise and Bree friendship was everything but something was missing. When Blaise finds out that his fiancée cheated on him with his father, he turns to his friends for that shoulder to cry on! You’ll have to read to find out what happens!!
Quick read!! I love how Blaise and Bree’s friendship evolved into a relationship. I was happy to see them get what they finally have been wanting. At times Bree was a little stubborn and stuck in her ways but it was nice to see her eventually change for the better.
The betrayal in this book was a lot. I felt bad for Blaise because he was trying so hard not to hurt his mom with the news. That fiancé was a real piece of work. You gotta be a special kind of deviant to cheat with your fiancé father. Delusional for thinking things would still work out and jealous because she knew from the start Bree was a problem. Blaise didn’t play about Bree and vice versa. I like they were able to be vulnerable with each other. Rated a 4 because I didn’t feel like Bree’s situation with her mom and sister fit in the story. I found myself wanting to skim those pages. But it was a decent read
It was a decent story. I just didn't like the FMC, Bree. I understood she was dealing with abandonment issues bc of her mom, but she was terrible to her sister, Junie. She treated her like she was incapable of making her own decisions. Then, had the audacity to act like it was something wrong with Junie aspiring to be a makeup artist instead of a vet. Meanwhile, Bree made a living in the beauty industry, too, as a braider.
My first read from this author and she didn’t disappoint
Genesis and Blaise’s dad(does he even have a name) had ALL THE AUDACITY. Their existence in this book drove me up a wall because how y’all want this man to just move on from y’all wrongdoings? AINT NO FORGIVENESS!!!
I felt so sorry for Blaise’s mom.
Bree and June’s mom TRASH!!!
Oh and Bree’s friend, I can’t even think of her name. She was giving hateration.
Anyways!! On to Bree and Blaise… I’m a sucker for friends to lovers. They had good connection and lots of spice. The ending was perfect for them!
Blaise and Bree were the perfect type of friends-to-lovers that I needed. Just enough angst to ensure there wasn't a dull moment, and the drama opened up pretty crazy, but it played out well over the full story! This was my first read by this author, and I'm looking forward to reading more!
first of all the cover does NOT match the book… this isn’t an urban romance. it’s a contemporary black romance… that’s VERY spicy 😭 Jesus christ these are some horn dogs!🤣 some of the scenes had me like dang calm down😩🤣
Anyway… this was a friends to lovers romance and it ALMOST made sense except as SOON as he found out his fiancee cheated on him (WITH HIS FATHER) he jumped in bed with his best friend🤣 like they wasted noooo time. There was a ton of drama in the book which made it interesting but that’s pretty much the extent of the plot💀😭 The narrators were OK… not my fave for the characters 🙃
I’d just read this if you’re looking for a really quick spicy read with a bit of drama!🤣
3.5 This book falls into the corny, immature and rushed category for me. The storyline had so much potential but it felt undeveloped. Bree’s response to conflict was extremely immature and selfish. I didn’t care for her communication style/ lack thereof. I didn’t mind her and Blaise getting together, but it just felt rushed. Bree was so against love on a Monday, by Monday at lunch she could see herself marrying Blaise. It didn’t feel realist to me.
I would have loved to see Bree give Blaise time to recovery from such and awful experience, I think her showing up as a friend and things developing from that would have helped the story line.
The “resolve” came at 98% and it didn’t truly wrap up all storylines
This book definitely served up a cute friends to lovers story. Which is one of my favorite tropes. But it was also dripping in drama. The messy situation that Blaise was thrown into had me clutching my pearls. Then it got to be even messier. I couldn’t wait to see how that situation was going to work out. I kept rolling my eyes at Bree because she was so spoiled. Then I had to admit that I act like her. She was very relatable for me. It was nice to see Bree and Blaise mature and become closer. Their chemistry was great. They definitely gave off soulmate vibes. Their wild story made for a very entertaining read.
Superrrr cute!! Not gonna lie though, Bree was a little too stubborn/stuck in her ways that it became a little annoying. Also, the ending ended so abruptly to me without an epilogue. lol Other than that, I enjoyed the reading experience and I definitely need me a Blaise! lmaooo
Wow! Genesis has more nerve than a toothache! She warns Bree, to stay away from Blaise, her soon to be groom, because she feels Blaise is secretly in love, with Bree. Could it be that Genesis is feeling guilty herself, because she is hiding a dangerous secret of her own?
I enjoyed this romance. Bree and Blaise had a dope friendship but the romance was even better. Tacos 🌮💙 and the way they understood one another made me wonder what took so long lol!
I wanted to give this 5 stars so bad, but that ending. I mean I have so many my questions. About Blaise's mom and dad. There was no epilogue. I just needed to see a glimpse into Blaise and Bree future.
Cute friends to lovers read. I enjoyed both lead characters and especially the side characters. I didn’t expect to laugh this much but there’s so many funny moments through out.
I would definitely love to see more of these characters
Blaise and Bree whew what a whirlwind to love. I honestly think they both were already deeply in love with each other. Bree had to open her heart all the way up. Blaise had to get Genesis out of the picture permanently before they could become a couple. Speaking of Genesis she was low down for being with Blaise's father. Of all the people she could have been with his father shouldn't have been in her peripheral. She did Blaise a favor because she practically put him right in Bree's heart where he belonged. I was surprised at Blaise's mother I thought she was going to take her husband back. She was deeply hurt and let him have it. The proof is in the recording. She had her three kids and leaned on them for emotional support. Now Bree and Junie's mother was just sorry all she cared about was her career and a 'come up.' Junie wasn't dumb she used her mother to gain leverage in her own career. Bree was distraught about Junie's move but she finally understood why. Blaise is finally getting his happily-ever-after with Bree. She is going to be the real Mrs. Monroe who cherishes his love. The water was troubled for a while but the rip currents are over now for Blaise and Bree.
This is a 2.25 book for me but I'm not rounding up my stars for it. I finished this book only so I could see how Blaise's subplot ended. I liked pretty much every side character more than Bree and Blaise. They were both barely tolerable. Bree was incredibly difficult to handle. The romantic pacing was odd. Within the first like 10% of the book, Blaise had a wall of text outpouring his feelings for Bree in a manner that felt much more like a Grand Gesture than set up. Subsequently, all other romantic beats felt somewhat flat and inevitable. Even the "climactic" (?) ending. The midpoint - the turning point in their relationship - is also a moment of what I'm going to call somewhat dubious consent. It did not work for me as a romantic turning point at all and almost made me dnf. I truly despised the final pages of the book. Some of the most cringe sex and dialogue.
All of that being said, the side characters were true stars and I loved every second they were on the page.
Overall, it was a quick and easy read. I'm curious enough to read another by the author to see if I might like something else better.
4.25 ⭐️. I loved Blaise and Bree’s story. I did hope this would’ve been a no breakup situation with them but I’m glad it was short lived and forgivable. Be careful who you pillow talk with because soon as some people get the opportunity they spreading the business. Genesis you dirty dirty dog. How you treat that man like that ten fold then be mad at him for moving on? Just loud and wrong. Loud and wrong. I hope Zaya heals from that pain because she damn near lost a good friend pushing her trauma onto the wrong people. At first I was mad at Junie when it came to their mother because Bree was obviously hurting for good reason. Why try to push that relationship onto her, but I am relieved she’s not completely naive to her mother’s doings. Now for Daddy dearest, I hope you stub your toe. You let a bruised ego ruin years of marriage and the relationship you have with your children. Of all people your son’s fiancé?! Y’all ass whooping was a long time coming. Now I need a story for the siblings. Especially Jaleel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
AC Taylor’s Been About You pulled me in from the first page. It’s not just a love story—it’s a raw, emotional journey that feels deeply personal. The characters, Jace and Layla, are so real they practically step off the page. They’re flawed, they make mistakes, and they love fiercely.
What struck me most was the authenticity in the storytelling. Taylor doesn’t sugarcoat the complexities of love, pain, and healing. She gives us a relationship that’s messy but worth fighting for, and that felt so relatable. Layla’s resilience and Jace’s vulnerability hit me hard—I saw pieces of myself in their struggles and triumphs.
The pacing was spot-on, keeping me hooked without feeling rushed. Taylor’s writing isn’t overly flowery, but it’s powerful in its simplicity. Every word feels intentional, and every scene serves a purpose.
If you’re into stories about second chances, deep emotional connections, and the kind of love that makes you confront your own baggage, Been About You is a must-read. It’s a reminder that love isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.
What I was expecting and what I got do not compare but in the best way! Friends to lovers is in my top 3 favorite tropes and I liked the first AC Taylor book I read buy when I tell you I loved this one.. Baby I LOVED it!!
This book was messy! I was not expecting the rehearsal bomb and definitely wasn't expecting the confessions of what it really was. The audacity of Genesis and that trfilin daddy!! Genesis could really kick rocks with open toe shoes.
Bree and Blaise though!! I loved their friendship. The tacos thing was super adorable and I love that they had that bond. One and done, we're a safe space, we talk things out. It gave them the best foundation. Their relationship was meant to be type effortless. I loved everything about them! Props to sugar Marie all for getting Bree out of her own way. She was the epitome of a "praying grandmother."
Blaise and Bree had so much drama - past and present - that shaped their lives and relationships especially their thoughts and feelings about love. Their experiences of love from their families - watching it and receiving it. Bree wanted no parts of it and her past bad experience was getting in the way of what she was currently feeling. Blaise was having a right now immediate crisis and it was a devastating for him to wade through. They both were each other’s rock through all the drama. Through out this book I felt like I was apart of each moment! I was covering my mouth with my hands and saying “I know you lying” and ready to throw hands the next. I wanted to console with a hug and at some point roll my eyes in exasperation. That’s the skills of the author with this story because she pulled me in. Excellent read!
I saw that word being used in several reviews and I agree. This story was messy. But as for the friends to lovers aspect- I found it enjoyable. The chemistry between Bree and Blaise was evident.
Overall- the characters in this story were flawed, which I liked. None of us are just one thing. Bree was too protective and annoying with how she handled her sister Junie. And Junie was flaw for how she withheld important news with Bree. And she was flaw with trying to push Bree regarding their mother.
Genesis was wrong for all the things. Zaya needed therapy to help heal. Blaise’s dad was wrong for all the things. And Blaise did best he could with the cards he was dealt.
Bree needed therapy more than anything. While I understood how her mother’s abandonment influenced her outlook on life, she was too darn pessimistic about everything from love to her sister’s life to her mom and everything in between. I truly don’t even think that she was ready for Blaise, but that’s life. Now on the to good stuff. Blaise was definitely bookbae material. He was empathetic, caring, and definitely worthy of love. What Genesis and his father did was sickening, and for the both of them to expect him to just forgive them was wild. They both got what they deserved.
The book was fine, it was a quick and easy read. I just felt like everyone gaslighted Bree and she was always in the wrong for how she felt. Now, some of her actions and responses were too far BUT how is she wrong for still being upset with being abandoned?? (and we never saw an apology for that abandonment, in fact we saw repeated behavior) or for being upset about being lied to by her sister?? Bree wasn't without fault but we never got to see others take accountability for their actions. Everything they did was "justified" because it was a reaction to something she did or would do. Nah.