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I'll Make You Love Me

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Age ain’t nothing but a number until Philomena Brandt finds herself falling in love with someone almost half her age. Jamir is everything she didn’t know she needed, but loving a man who is only two years older than her son causes a mental hurdle Mena isn’t sure she can overcome.

Jamir could care less about the year he was born, the year Philomena was born, or the gap in between. He is determined to show Mena that he is all the man she needs. He’ll make her love him, even if he have to put up with a few of her insecurities. He’s secure in himself and his feelings, and he’s ready to bring the heat.

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2023

145 people are currently reading
103 people want to read

About the author

Shay Davis

2 books3 followers

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5 stars
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37 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Antoinette (_literaryaura_).
442 reviews91 followers
August 10, 2024
If you’re having trouble sleeping… this might do it.

This is an age gap romance and the main female character will not let you forget it. Her thinking and talking about the difference in her and Jamir’s age was boringly repetitive!!! She’s 42 and he’s 26. We get it! He’s young, two years older than your son. 🤦🏽‍♀️ All of Mena’s whining and issues with the age difference makes her appear as the younger of the two.

Jamir’s a young man who owns his own business and has had his eyes on Mena for over a year. He finally gets up the courage to let her know he wants her and for more than sex. Jamir in this book is like Ice-T’s acting in Law & Order, I’m not convinced. He just doesn’t do it for me. He was acting like a thirsty simp. The only half way exciting part of the book was Jamir’s nasty a$$ sucking on them crystal eggs.
Profile Image for *Ebony I*.
1,413 reviews155 followers
August 31, 2023
😒

This book was not ready for release. The idea of the story was cute, but it lacked execution. Editing was needed.. there were misspelled words and repetitive concepts throughout. The word finance was used in place of fiance 😭 I swear my head was hurting.
This was an age gap story with the fmc Mena being older than the mmc Jamir by 16 years. She had reservations because he was only 2 years older than her son. The main issue is their love wasn't believable. I wasn't buying what they were selling. It felt forced and overall it lacked cohesion. They both kept repeating their concerns over and over...he was in love with her and wanted her to accept him as her man and she was hesitant because he was young and it didn't seem feasible. When I tell you this was the longest 139 pages ...it just crawled along. Listen reclaim your time and just pick another book.

Profile Image for ReadnliftwithShar.
1,859 reviews
August 27, 2023
pressure!

4.5 ✨This book epitomizes the phrase, “he’s a good man, Savannah!” The way I wanted to shake Mena throughout the book. Like girl, please let this man love you! I really liked this book- Jamir was all in from the jump. He wanted Mena and was determined to get her. I mean, he took her to the Virgin Islands for their first date. Okay!! 😮‍💨🫶🏾this is the energy we love to see. The story moves quickly, it is an age gap, minimal drama- just really easy to read. And Shay didn’t leave us hanging with the spice! Whew Lordy! 🔥I enjoyed it!
Profile Image for readingsprints_and_chaisips.
481 reviews11 followers
September 4, 2025
This book reminds me of Ms. V’s Hot Girl Summer by AH Cunningham.

The age gap is 16 years. He is 26 and she is 42! The age gap is a lot. I didn’t like her for him. I don’t like when the men are younger because the women little boy them. And if you need to treat them like that to stay away from them, you shouldn’t be with them. She was acting like a child while sonning him! I’d have left her kiddish ass alone 🤦🏾‍♀️. And Ashley mind your business, IYKYK.
Profile Image for Tina.
959 reviews157 followers
November 12, 2023
3.5 😍😜🤗

I really enjoyed this story; I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Trope: Black Love, age gap, hero falls first, single mother

Enjoyment: 3.5

Character development: 3 ⭐

Emotional: 0

Sweet: 3 ⭐

Romance: 3 ⭐

Heat\steam: 3.5 ⭐

Intrigue: 3 ⭐

Action: 0

Violence: 0

Story\plot: 2.5 ⭐

World Building: 2.5 ⭐

Enjoy!!!

244 reviews4 followers
August 26, 2023
I got some broke stuff that needs fixing

Listen…Ain’t nothing like confident man! Y’all are going to love Mena and Mir and be out there looking for a maintenance man. I absolutely adored this story. Shay flipped it and gave us an older woman younger man situation and Mir is a confident fine azz thunda cat who knows what he wants in a woman. His sexy azz is fixing all kinds of thangs for her and around her while trying to show her he wants her.

Mena is a lil judgy and apprehensive but the need for him is growing and burning her up inside. Everytime he’s around “fixing shit” she can barely contain herself and when Mir finally handles her physical maintenance, Mena can’t help but give into her body telling her bisssh yaaasss, you better get all this good man before the next one, that’s a whole azz man trying to love you the right way.

I enjoyed this story, it’s a romantic, sexy, funny and a beautiful love story that’s says age ain’t nothing but a number and everyone deserves to be loved so forget what people think and go with what you know you feel. #lifelesson
Profile Image for Rashawnda.
1,391 reviews1,125 followers
August 31, 2023
🎶 I may be young but I’m ready…..to give you all my love🎶…..This was the tune Jamir was singing but it fell allllllllll the way flat! He was singing in the key of desperation!! 🥴

I haven’t read many age gap love stories but if they’re anything like this one, I’ll pass and sadly my decision has absolutely nothing to do with the age gap itself. This age gap love story between Jamir and Mena was a unique age gap love story!….. you see what I did there 😐Why on earth did every other page have to tell us that we were reading an age gap romance! If they weren’t bringing up their ages, they were making comments like “I’m old enough to be your mother” or “you’re my sons age”. Whyyyyyyy?!?! What was the reason?!? *in my Cardi B voice* This was something we knew from the synopsis. It really took away from the story and I wanted it to end before it began!

Now the story starts a year and some change into them knowing and liking each other romantically and Jamir is finally ready to take things to the next level. What level is that?! I have no idea because since we didn’t get to experience the year and a half of them interacting with each other there is no chemistry nor a genuine connection that was felt between the two characters. He constantly tells her that she has his heart but they won’t be crossing the lines of sex until he has her. Well how can this happen when we know nothing about these two. We didn’t get to share in this year+ build up so it left me wondering what brought these two to this moment. The only time stories like this work is if we have flashback moments of their earlier moments together and we didn’t get that in this story.

On page Jamir was the perfect guy! He was protective, a business owner doing EXTREMELY well for himself, nurturing and had the biggest heart but somehow I still felt like something was lacking when they interacted with each other. He seemed like a simp that would get push back as head of a household. It’s like looking at a resume and having the perfect candidate that meets all the requirements and then some but when they get to interview it’s a let down.

When an older MFC presents in a story, there is a certain level of maturity that’s expected and Mena behaves more like a woman in her 20’s instead of her 40’s. She was hella indecisive, giving off mixed signals and a bit too eager Bever 🥴🤦🏽‍♀️ all at the same dämn time. On the one hand the age difference was a problem then in her next breath she can over look it. Her son finding out was a concern but then she’s the parent. The back and forth was exhausting and she was too old by her own admission to be playing these games.

Lastly why did we have a “4 years later” epilogue? I would’ve expected them to be further along in their relationship than they were after 4 years. I didn’t connect with this story or these characters at all. The story really felt forced. Their banter was cringy and it didn’t make me want more. Shay usually knocks it out of the park but this one missed every mark! I say sit this one out ladies 🤷🏽‍♀️
Profile Image for NubianJoí .
2,105 reviews9 followers
September 9, 2023
Simba’s Grown

Okay, Simba…you’re gown😻👏🏿👏🏾👏🏽🤣😂‼️Kudos to Ms. Shay Davis! Thank you for sharing and availing yourself to scrutiny with this literary contribution of artistic expression! “I’ll Make You Love Me” was a great concept and a fantastic read. No, the book wasn’t perfect. However, the concept a seventeen year age difference it’s inconceivable. Our culture condones, endorses & celebrates men (and their sexual proclivities) with younger women irregardless of the age disparities. Conversely, women have to navigate the same “ideals” image and her identity to the approval of: with family members, friends, colleagues, church members, society and or strangers’ whether she’d exhibited appropriate behaviors/stereotypes from adolescence through their golden years. ..but especially women after forty years old and definitely menopausal women we don’t exist. Nor does our sex appeal or sexuality! More so, I have a brother and several first cousins (which are all within my peer group) that are also sixteen/seventeen plus years older than me. Dating, courting, relationship & romance are all subjective. Honestly, if a chocolate gown, groomed & Gucci Guilty Simba opportunity presented itself (💦🪭🤣)with no pretense, (oh heck yes‼️😲) I’d consider it 🍽️👀🫣‼️Thereafter, Prophet is cool with Jamir in a relationship with his mother. Furthermore, Jamir & Mena (fictional or reality) if he/she adds value to your existence, makes you giddy, brings you joy and if you see a potential future commitment with your cougar or Simba bae cherish every moment 🥰🤎🖤🤭‼️Who cares about someone else’s opinion! Meanwhile, can somebody please do a welfare check on Prophet😂🤣🤭🫣🤷🏾‍♀️⁉️
1,071 reviews8 followers
August 30, 2023
Age ain’t nothing but a number

I really enjoyed this story and this couple. I’m still not completely sold on the older woman/younger man trope especially when the age difference is well over 10 years but when I read books as well written as this one, I start to appreciate the trope a little more and will continue reading them on a case by case basis.

In this story, Jamir was that man. He was such a sweetheart and knew what he wanted from the beginning and made his intentions known and I loved that. He wasn’t trying to play any games with Mena and applied pressure from the start. He showed with his actions and words that for him, age really wasn’t nothing but a number and I think he was able to successfully get Mena to see his side of things. Mena was understandably hesitant about embarking on this relationship with a man so much younger than herself but I liked that she didn’t completely push Jamir away and that she finally got out of her head about the age difference and allowed his actions to speak for himself. Mena was a little frustrating though with her internal battles and tended to act like the younger one in the relationship. I was happy to see them get to their happily ever after even though I wasn’t really feeling part of that epilogue, but I loved that we were given an update on this couple through the epilogue. Now I’m looking forward to seeing what will come next from this author because she hasn’t disappointed me yet.
Profile Image for Jessica Terry.
Author 38 books40 followers
September 16, 2025
There was a lot I liked

There were a few things I dug about this. I loved Jamir's intention and maturity and how he wasn't playing around when it came to his feelings for Mena. And especially after getting some of his backstory.

I appreciated how he didn't just roll over and let what Mena did go. He admonished her and demanded respect while still being respectful himself.

There were several moments that made me chuckle, which is always a great thing.

I will admit though, that I wasn't quite as high on Mena. She read as quite immature at times, despite her constant (CONSTANT) reminders about her age. I could understand the hesitancy to a degree, but the repeated indecisiveness and contradiction got a tad wearing.

There were also some editing issues throughout that were too noticeable to ignore but thankfully didn't ruin the experience.

I love a good age gap story and for the most part, I enjoyed this.
Profile Image for TrueBookJunkie.
640 reviews16 followers
August 29, 2023
The perfect age-gap love story. Jamir and Mena couldn't have been more different, but that seemed to take their chemistry to higher levels! I trust Shay Davis to always come through with a great read, and I was not disappointed in the slightest. Jamir was definitely BDE, and I enjoyed all he gave😏. Mena was more cautious, which was understandable, but she finally let go and enjoyed the ride... literally😂.
I felt some of the drama could’ve been avoided if Mena had just gotten with the program, but I understood her struggles; however, Jamir did not! He was on go this entire book and seeing a man go after what he wanted was everything. Shay Davis gave us a nice mix, making this book a lighter read, and I loved that. I would love to see a book for Prophet in the future because he is giving book bae material!
222 reviews1 follower
August 28, 2023
Jamir and Philomena

This book was the truth in the best way. The way Jamir came correct to Mena from the beginning made me want to evaluate my circumstances. He was always transparent with her and so when she couldn’t let go of the age gap between them. I was scared for a sister for real because poured his heart out to with actions and the simple things he did for her. Mena got caught up in her head and I almost missed that blessing.
Profile Image for Stacy Boddie.
121 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2023
Loved it

You did it again Boo. Even though Mena was working my nerves with her indecisiveness I'm glad she came around.I love how Jamir didn't let how he grow up deprive him of how to treat and love a woman ❤️. The heart wants woth heart wants and I loved heck age aint nothing but a number.
Now you know you need to follow up with if a baby is conceived and what's up with Prophet.
8 reviews
October 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book

I liked it was outside of the usual books I read. And finally a book with no struggle love 😀. Despite being younger, Jamir knew what he wanted, articulated it and executed the hell out of it! I loved that for Mena. Although, she was a bit irritating constantly reiterating their age difference. Jamir was definitely the more mature one in their courtship.
Profile Image for Verlana Munn.
2,026 reviews40 followers
September 13, 2023
You Better Know Who Your Working With

Shay Davis, you know you give us so food for thought. It seems that most of us who have been in Mena shoes usually react the same way. Oh, but baby Jamir came with the correct assignment.
Is it the double standard for me, or does it really matter anymore? The heart wants what it wants.🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
1,014 reviews5 followers
November 4, 2023
Feels Like Love 💛

Amir Hunter knew what love felt like. It was the way he felt whenever he looked at Philomena. As the maintenance man of her struggling business, he had watched her long enough to know that his feelings were real. He now had to convince her and to get her to overlook the fact that he was only twenty-six years old.
Profile Image for Camisha Crisp.
745 reviews18 followers
August 27, 2023
Jamir is a grown man!!

This was definitely a sweet, sexy, romantic, and nasty love story ! Jamir was intentional about how he moves with Mena from the beginning. Mena almost let fear keep her finding the love of her life! This is an enjoyable and engaging love story!
Profile Image for Shades N Pages .
1,002 reviews26 followers
August 27, 2023
This is a fast paced age-gap love story and enjoyed it. Nothing gets me better than a man who knows from jump that he found his forced. It took a while for mena to get over the age thing but once she did, it was smooth sailing from then. If you like quick uncomplicated stories this is for you
Profile Image for Tasha Millner.
443 reviews4 followers
October 5, 2023
I’ll make you love me

Mix a younger man with an older woman and watch the sparks. Mena met her match in Jamir despite the age difference. Jamir pulled out all the stops to win her heart and Mena almost lost him behind her self doubt. Glad they found their way back.
58 reviews
October 18, 2023
I loved it

Jamir was not playing about getting his girl. I’m just glad that mena didn’t really give him too much push back when it came to loving him. It was a very good love story.
560 reviews
April 10, 2025
Yassss

Omg this was so good!!!! Jamir was 26 and Philomena was 42. He knew he wanted her but she was letting the age difference get in the way.

He didn’t let that stop him and showed her just how much of a grown man he was ❤️❤️🙌🏾🙌🏾
Profile Image for YOLANDA V BALL.
469 reviews13 followers
August 28, 2023
OWYM

Loved it 💯! As always beautifully written story. Jamir was not playing when it came to getting Mena! Age ain’t nothing but a number💯💯💯💯💯
49 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2023
that’s a MAN

Omg Jamir is a strong black KING!! I love him, and Mena cracked me up! She did stress me a little but they got it together. Definitely recommend you read it!
Profile Image for Helen Clark.
1,056 reviews4 followers
September 2, 2023
Great

Myself, said thus was one entertaining read. Love doesn't care when it comes to age. I loved the build of the relationship so near, yet so far.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
200 reviews12 followers
February 26, 2024
Love for the win!

Jamie was pure alpha male. I love when a man k was what he wants and doesn't stop until he gets it! Mena didn't stand a chance
Profile Image for tayara tate.
927 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2025
So good

Loved everything about the situation and the whole story. Age ain't nothing but a number for this lovely couple. Definitely worth the read.
18 reviews
September 2, 2023
Unexpected

Jamir was not playing. He knew what he wanted and he went after it. Age is nothing but a number when you have the right mindset.
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