What do you think?
Rate this book
The Crossfire
Loving the depraved parts of a person isn't easy.
Chayanne Bailey learns the hard way - terrified, shaking, yet enthralled by a Jamaican don. She's focused on school while heeding her grandmother's warnings to remain a sweetheart, but the line blurs by tantalizing him.
Favio Welsh is a consequence of another person's actions - cold, ruthless, demanding. He's trying to make it big in the business industry, but he's plagued by demons from his past. The torment has corrupted his soul dark, yet it's bewitched by a mesmerizing her.
As their forbidden romance intensifies, it becomes an enigma to those around them. Clashing in a storm of lies and deceit, loyalty is tested, bonds are broken, and lives are lost. When love is all they have left, only time will tell if it withers or withstands the burgeoning tension.
Chayanne Bailey learns the hard way - terrified, shaking, yet enthralled by a Jamaican don. She's focused on school while heeding her grandmother's warnings to remain a sweetheart, but the line blurs by tantalizing him.
Favio Welsh is a consequence of another person's actions - cold, ruthless, demanding. He's trying to make it big in the business industry, but he's plagued by demons from his past. The torment has corrupted his soul dark, yet it's bewitched by a mesmerizing her.
As their forbidden romance intensifies, it becomes an enigma to those around them. Clashing in a storm of lies and deceit, loyalty is tested, bonds are broken, and lives are lost. When love is all they have left, only time will tell if it withers or withstands the burgeoning tension.
- GenresRomance
530 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2023
29 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Stephens
3 books51 followersJamaican author creating worlds with words.
I write YA as Adajay Brown.
I write YA as Adajay Brown.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 30, 2023
me like yuh temper man, yuh different, yuh nuh regular a who did tell yuh say me love man weh press trigga?this part of the song played over and over in my head when i was reading this, it represents chichi and favio so much! TC was a captivating and hysterical read. the book is set in jamaica (authentically representing the culture!!!)…ugh, it’s definitely 1 of my top 5’s of the year!
chayanne was so funny, intentionally and unintentionally. obviously the doll nufi deh yaso! the circus or standup needs her. she’s a sunshine character done right, when i started reading her pov i didn’t want to stop. i admired the buoyant attitude she retained regardless of any situation that she was put in. favio was actually something else, i like him but at the same time a part of me can’t stand him his italian tongue had me in a headlock and then on top of that he encouraged chichi to learn??? his grumpiness was comical and cute but sometimes scary. one of the core moments for me was him fine dining chichi. i did the most when i read that scene
a wholesome friend group is one of my weaknesses and this one brought me to my knees. chezzy, yolo and chichi reminded me how lovely girl friendships can be and no me can’t forget dirt boss, trav. he was my favorite!
the writing was eloquent and originated some relatable moments/descriptions. the characters were complex and flawed which added to the enjoyability of the book. i kikikkied and kaakaed my way through some chapters…every twist had me gasping, bursting my brain and rotting from anxiety. TRUST i had the time of my life reading though…and the title drop was just yum
chayanne was so funny, intentionally and unintentionally. obviously the doll nufi deh yaso! the circus or standup needs her. she’s a sunshine character done right, when i started reading her pov i didn’t want to stop. i admired the buoyant attitude she retained regardless of any situation that she was put in. favio was actually something else, i like him but at the same time a part of me can’t stand him his italian tongue had me in a headlock and then on top of that he encouraged chichi to learn??? his grumpiness was comical and cute but sometimes scary. one of the core moments for me was him fine dining chichi. i did the most when i read that scene
a wholesome friend group is one of my weaknesses and this one brought me to my knees. chezzy, yolo and chichi reminded me how lovely girl friendships can be and no me can’t forget dirt boss, trav. he was my favorite!
the writing was eloquent and originated some relatable moments/descriptions. the characters were complex and flawed which added to the enjoyability of the book. i kikikkied and kaakaed my way through some chapters…every twist had me gasping, bursting my brain and rotting from anxiety. TRUST i had the time of my life reading though…and the title drop was just yum
January 7, 2024
Firstly this is my first Patois reading book and I loved it. This book follows the FMC called Chayanne who falls in love with a forbidden male called who Favio who she knows is no good for her but love is love.
This book is set in Jamaica and has a good feel for the island setting.
This is a spicy book with a age gap, forbidden romance, grumpy to sunshine characters and mafia ties.
This was a good read for me and I loved it. The only thing is I wanted the ending to be different, but everyone deserves a happily ever after right?
This book is set in Jamaica and has a good feel for the island setting.
This is a spicy book with a age gap, forbidden romance, grumpy to sunshine characters and mafia ties.
This was a good read for me and I loved it. The only thing is I wanted the ending to be different, but everyone deserves a happily ever after right?
January 18, 2024
Amazing
Coming here from wattpad and let me say the book is even
better than I remember. 10/10. Such a good read I couldn't put it down. Very descriptive and a page turner. I loved every moment of Favi and Chichi's crazy, unconventional journey.
Coming here from wattpad and let me say the book is even
better than I remember. 10/10. Such a good read I couldn't put it down. Very descriptive and a page turner. I loved every moment of Favi and Chichi's crazy, unconventional journey.
January 17, 2024
LOVED this book!!!
February 25, 2025
When I say I loved the writing and story plot overall, that is an understatement. Truly was so happy and proud to see patois used so heavily and represented. I have never read a Jamaican based book, set in Jamaica, with the main charcaters and the author from there as well.
I smiled, I gasped, I laughed, I teared up reading Chayanne and Favio's story. Some twists and turns that put me on edge! My anxiety was all over the place. Favio was crazy and Chichi just as much. The mafia, the love, the anger, just everything wow. Miss JB Stephens yuh shot! Mi rate yuh bad. Beautiful to see their growth and while a happy ending so many times I wasn’t sure if they’d make it. I didn't want the story to end. You saw the beautiful, the ugly, and everything in between. Favio didn't lie when he said he would show Chayanne the worl. Just loved!
I found this book from Jada's tik tok page and saw it was on Libby offering a free read of the first 11 chapters. I read it on the train and was hooked. I originally planned to buy the book but couldn't wait so bought it on the Kindle to read the same night. I read it within a day and half. I was on edge to know what happened next lol. But wow I really enjoyed. To also see the storylines of the friends, family, and others. This showed love is not linear and nowhere near perfect. But when you find your person you really will do anything to live an eternal life with them (even if not in the best ways).
The old sayings and parables had me smiling thinking of my own elders who have said the same exact phrases. To be able to identify the places mentioned I was happy. I knew reading the first few chapters that this would personally be one of my top reads thus far and even for the year.
And the note he wrote for Chayanne omg! To be loved and to love hard. Favio really loved her so much and at times it wasn’t portrayed the way we usually see love but that’s what made it special between them two. I was on the verge or tears and screaming because whew the plot was plotting bad. Again so many twists and turns.
I couldn’t stop smiling during the epilogue. A good time jump too because it was 4 years later plus in the book it spanned over almost 3 years. I really like to see how the characters grew over time as they had monumental experiences throughout. Like who Favio was by the end of this was so beautiful to see. He was always caring and protective but the journey to the end proved it much more. And the title drop and very last sentence! Mannnn what ugh I truly can't say it enough personally I loved every word, chapter beginning to end. Mi happy fi Chayanne truly.
Finishing the book I was ready to read it all over again the very next day! Truly I can’t rate this book enough it holds a special place for me.
P.S.- Loved the playlist! Felt the songs matched the story and characters well.
I smiled, I gasped, I laughed, I teared up reading Chayanne and Favio's story. Some twists and turns that put me on edge! My anxiety was all over the place. Favio was crazy and Chichi just as much. The mafia, the love, the anger, just everything wow. Miss JB Stephens yuh shot! Mi rate yuh bad. Beautiful to see their growth and while a happy ending so many times I wasn’t sure if they’d make it. I didn't want the story to end. You saw the beautiful, the ugly, and everything in between. Favio didn't lie when he said he would show Chayanne the worl. Just loved!
I found this book from Jada's tik tok page and saw it was on Libby offering a free read of the first 11 chapters. I read it on the train and was hooked. I originally planned to buy the book but couldn't wait so bought it on the Kindle to read the same night. I read it within a day and half. I was on edge to know what happened next lol. But wow I really enjoyed. To also see the storylines of the friends, family, and others. This showed love is not linear and nowhere near perfect. But when you find your person you really will do anything to live an eternal life with them (even if not in the best ways).
The old sayings and parables had me smiling thinking of my own elders who have said the same exact phrases. To be able to identify the places mentioned I was happy. I knew reading the first few chapters that this would personally be one of my top reads thus far and even for the year.
And the note he wrote for Chayanne omg! To be loved and to love hard. Favio really loved her so much and at times it wasn’t portrayed the way we usually see love but that’s what made it special between them two. I was on the verge or tears and screaming because whew the plot was plotting bad. Again so many twists and turns.
I couldn’t stop smiling during the epilogue. A good time jump too because it was 4 years later plus in the book it spanned over almost 3 years. I really like to see how the characters grew over time as they had monumental experiences throughout. Like who Favio was by the end of this was so beautiful to see. He was always caring and protective but the journey to the end proved it much more. And the title drop and very last sentence! Mannnn what ugh I truly can't say it enough personally I loved every word, chapter beginning to end. Mi happy fi Chayanne truly.
Finishing the book I was ready to read it all over again the very next day! Truly I can’t rate this book enough it holds a special place for me.
P.S.- Loved the playlist! Felt the songs matched the story and characters well.
January 18, 2024
As a Jamaican, 5-stars! I have been reading Jamaican wattpad books since 9th Grade. This is my first physical Jamaican romance book (although I read it before on wattpad) and I am inlove. Chayanne is so toxic and sometimes I have to be like "wahm to you likkle girl, wah kinda problem u ave??" but I see where she comes from sometimes...not to mention Favio. If an award was to be given to the most toxic couple, they'd get it! Di amount a time dem "leff" and deh bck was crazyyyyy (well, to Chayanne dem did leff, not to Favio lmaoooo) Chayanne is a likkle yamhead and bwoiii mi affi wonder but muma have standards and boundaries and I love how she stands on that! Sidetrack a bit, I loveeeee Yolanda and in the end when she saw Ren?? I was so excited!!! A mi likkle girlfriend dat mn! But aside from ChiChi and Favi's toxicity, their love and bond? Unbreakable. And I loved that. Mi did vex yf when mi a read and read and see seh e book soon done! kmttttt. Definitely rereading! Mi need Favi fi come cack me up someweh nd dealid me case😩😩😩 Needs me a Favio Welsh. And the fact he is Italian!!! Cream! Jada ate w this book and left no crumbs!
December 5, 2023
The crossfire
the crossfire is a great Jamaican book, the love the characters, the plot and how the characters love grow overtime
the crossfire is a great Jamaican book, the love the characters, the plot and how the characters love grow overtime
March 21, 2024
Favio "Slitta, Favi" Matteo Welsh is a one of a kind
Chayanne "Chichi, Fiore" Arya Bailey is one in a trillion
This is my first Jamaican book and I'll take my hats off and run bare foot wid my Jamaican flag flying high because mumma hangle dis. She put pen to paper and mek some of the johncrow Dem feel like hummingbird.
I read this book in the span of 3 days.
She had me so captivated and interested in the characters I had to keep skipping the pages to know what came next.
Let's get to me and how I view the characters
His daddy was a bitch. Her dad was a bigger bitch but in the end they came around.
His brother was the biggest pussy in the book and I think he wanted what Favio has under sights.
Her not biological brother had the guts to stand up to Favio and I respect that about him.
His mom couldn't really understand Favio as much as she tried and it caused some issues in their relationship
Her grandmother raised her and she raised her good BUT chichi love man too much and it cause her grandmother's life and almost her's. Badman- I mean business man yuh want business man yuh get.
Chezzy did wishy-washy fi true🤣🤣 and love play two face
Asia gone but not forgotten RIP mi G
Yolo is wifey that's all I'd say and if her telling chichi to give bun to Favio was ever done, everything woulda get fuck from the get go 🤣🤣
In the end I love that chichi got to finish school and get the life she deserves and Favio as well. I love that he got the piece of mind he wanted
Also
CHICHI TOO FUCKING CRAVEN CUZ IF SHE NEVA GUH KFC THAT NIGHT SHE WOULD HAVE REACH HOME EARLY AND ALL DID FUCKERY WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED
but the story was magnificent tho 😁
Book review
I love how the flow of the book was steady and not rush or overwhelming. I loved how the characters had developed over the course of the book and how some relationships can be built and broken due to different circumstances. I loved the representation of the Jamaican culture of how life is for the youths in the inner cities of the country.
Miss J. B. Stephens come get you flowers girl you earned it
Chichi and Slitta were firing shots at each other and I was lucky to be in THE CROSSFIRE
Chayanne "Chichi, Fiore" Arya Bailey is one in a trillion
This is my first Jamaican book and I'll take my hats off and run bare foot wid my Jamaican flag flying high because mumma hangle dis. She put pen to paper and mek some of the johncrow Dem feel like hummingbird.
I read this book in the span of 3 days.
She had me so captivated and interested in the characters I had to keep skipping the pages to know what came next.
Let's get to me and how I view the characters
His daddy was a bitch. Her dad was a bigger bitch but in the end they came around.
His brother was the biggest pussy in the book and I think he wanted what Favio has under sights.
Her not biological brother had the guts to stand up to Favio and I respect that about him.
His mom couldn't really understand Favio as much as she tried and it caused some issues in their relationship
Her grandmother raised her and she raised her good BUT chichi love man too much and it cause her grandmother's life and almost her's. Badman- I mean business man yuh want business man yuh get.
Chezzy did wishy-washy fi true🤣🤣 and love play two face
Asia gone but not forgotten RIP mi G
Yolo is wifey that's all I'd say and if her telling chichi to give bun to Favio was ever done, everything woulda get fuck from the get go 🤣🤣
In the end I love that chichi got to finish school and get the life she deserves and Favio as well. I love that he got the piece of mind he wanted
Also
CHICHI TOO FUCKING CRAVEN CUZ IF SHE NEVA GUH KFC THAT NIGHT SHE WOULD HAVE REACH HOME EARLY AND ALL DID FUCKERY WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED
but the story was magnificent tho 😁
Book review
I love how the flow of the book was steady and not rush or overwhelming. I loved how the characters had developed over the course of the book and how some relationships can be built and broken due to different circumstances. I loved the representation of the Jamaican culture of how life is for the youths in the inner cities of the country.
Miss J. B. Stephens come get you flowers girl you earned it
Chichi and Slitta were firing shots at each other and I was lucky to be in THE CROSSFIRE
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
I fucking LOVED everything about this book!!!!
The Jamaican culture, proverbs, language, myths and daily thought process of the average Jamaican was displayed superbly throughout this book.
The author did an immaculate job describing places, scenes, emotions and people. Enough so that since I’m in St. James I literally got up this weekend and drove my dumb ass to Steer town the next parish over and walked in St. Ann’s Bay while I read, ate a cheese patty from the Juici Beef in Annotto Bay and sat in Steer Town Square for a few minutes and just smiled. It was so refreshing to see a perfectly done Jamaican dark romance that I teared up for a moment.
Mind you, Favi and Chichi ah 2 bludclaat mad ppl way make Zade and Adeline look like Disney character tpc 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ but me love dat!!!! And when Favi chop off Dayshawn head and leff it in front ah Chezzy TV and Chichi decide say alright she nah wile him and send him Patrizia head right back, me did affi drop ah grung and laugh and say Yeah man, dat is it!! THAT is love!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Me dying fi see Trav and Chezzy story and Yolo and Renata story cuz me know dem deh ago hot and empty nuh fuhk!!! 😩😩😩😩
Anyways, thank you so much to this author!!! As an avid dark romance reader it was refreshing fi see a raw born Jamaican mad gyal wid a well proper look good bad man ah don ip the place like 2 star!!! You’re owed my utmost respect!!!! Me affi get a physical copy fi me trophy shelf me nah go lie!!!!!
The Jamaican culture, proverbs, language, myths and daily thought process of the average Jamaican was displayed superbly throughout this book.
The author did an immaculate job describing places, scenes, emotions and people. Enough so that since I’m in St. James I literally got up this weekend and drove my dumb ass to Steer town the next parish over and walked in St. Ann’s Bay while I read, ate a cheese patty from the Juici Beef in Annotto Bay and sat in Steer Town Square for a few minutes and just smiled. It was so refreshing to see a perfectly done Jamaican dark romance that I teared up for a moment.
Mind you, Favi and Chichi ah 2 bludclaat mad ppl way make Zade and Adeline look like Disney character tpc 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ but me love dat!!!! And when Favi chop off Dayshawn head and leff it in front ah Chezzy TV and Chichi decide say alright she nah wile him and send him Patrizia head right back, me did affi drop ah grung and laugh and say Yeah man, dat is it!! THAT is love!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Me dying fi see Trav and Chezzy story and Yolo and Renata story cuz me know dem deh ago hot and empty nuh fuhk!!! 😩😩😩😩
Anyways, thank you so much to this author!!! As an avid dark romance reader it was refreshing fi see a raw born Jamaican mad gyal wid a well proper look good bad man ah don ip the place like 2 star!!! You’re owed my utmost respect!!!! Me affi get a physical copy fi me trophy shelf me nah go lie!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
The Crossfire was my book club pick for June and honestly i was very hesitant to pick it up. I wasn't sure i would like it but turns out i had nothing to worry about.
This is a Jamaican Dark Romance that follows Chayanne and Favio as they navigate their relationship in an emotionally intense, funny often toxic tale about what happens when a girl falls in-love with a Jamaican 'Bad-man'.
I had so much fun reading this and Chayanne's point of view being written in Patois made it even funnier.
The book was originally published as a Wattpad story so i think because of that the flow was different than what i'm used to. So the addition of several new conflicts, sub-plots and characters towards the end of the book was new for me and caused it to drag a little towards the end.
Despite that, it was endlessly entertaining and definitely worth the read.
This is a Jamaican Dark Romance that follows Chayanne and Favio as they navigate their relationship in an emotionally intense, funny often toxic tale about what happens when a girl falls in-love with a Jamaican 'Bad-man'.
I had so much fun reading this and Chayanne's point of view being written in Patois made it even funnier.
The book was originally published as a Wattpad story so i think because of that the flow was different than what i'm used to. So the addition of several new conflicts, sub-plots and characters towards the end of the book was new for me and caused it to drag a little towards the end.
Despite that, it was endlessly entertaining and definitely worth the read.
February 25, 2024
Definitely a 5 star read!
As someone from Jamaican heritage, I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I loved the characters and the storyline. Favi & Chichi's relationship was so tumultuous. I honestly thought the relationship wouldn't turn out the way it did. I would have never guessed that this book started on wattpad because the book is amazing. Also, I love that the book was written in Patois!
Sidenote: We need more published jamaican romance novels because now I'm going through withdrawal 😩
As someone from Jamaican heritage, I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I loved the characters and the storyline. Favi & Chichi's relationship was so tumultuous. I honestly thought the relationship wouldn't turn out the way it did. I would have never guessed that this book started on wattpad because the book is amazing. Also, I love that the book was written in Patois!
Sidenote: We need more published jamaican romance novels because now I'm going through withdrawal 😩
March 12, 2025
I don’t know where to start bc I loved this book so much!!! This was an epic by all definitions. These characters will stay with me for ages and I’m so grateful to have read this story.
It was very long but I wanted as much time I could get with these characters. Even the minor characters like Yolo were so memorable!!!
I could write an essay on the incredible way proverbs and language are explored as themes but for now I’ll just say CHEFS KISS!!!!!
Purchasing everything this author writes from now on.
It was very long but I wanted as much time I could get with these characters. Even the minor characters like Yolo were so memorable!!!
I could write an essay on the incredible way proverbs and language are explored as themes but for now I’ll just say CHEFS KISS!!!!!
Purchasing everything this author writes from now on.
September 2, 2024
Absolutely beautiful! This book was so well written it’s crazy, I loved how the author really spent time to develop every aspect of the book. I love the growth of each character.
Absolutely the biggest fan of quality of the work and just how every chapter got a different emotion from me. All the smiles, laughs and even the anxiety for what’s to come. I absolutely loved this masterpiece and can’t wait to experience more literary worlds from this amazing author.
Absolutely the biggest fan of quality of the work and just how every chapter got a different emotion from me. All the smiles, laughs and even the anxiety for what’s to come. I absolutely loved this masterpiece and can’t wait to experience more literary worlds from this amazing author.
May 2, 2025
Crossfire for the action!
Loved how authentic this book was! It’s a rough Jamaican romance. It doesn’t miss any of the key features of life but shows cross culture very well.
If you’re from the Caribbean or are descendants and love an alternative romance then this book is it!
I can’t wait to discover others books by the author!
Loved how authentic this book was! It’s a rough Jamaican romance. It doesn’t miss any of the key features of life but shows cross culture very well.
If you’re from the Caribbean or are descendants and love an alternative romance then this book is it!
I can’t wait to discover others books by the author!
June 30, 2025
This book was definitely a wild card for me. I was very confused with different parts of the story, I almost lost the plot LOL. But there were enjoyable pieces, it is very spicy and very Jamaican sometimes too Jamaican?
In the end, it was an average plot and I did enjoy it and learned to like the characters.
In the end, it was an average plot and I did enjoy it and learned to like the characters.
May 23, 2025
3.5 ⭐️I lovedd how entertaining this story was but I don’t like when the romance becomes so toxic to the point where I don’t even want the main characters to end up together. Lowkey chichi and trav should’ve ended up together
December 18, 2023
One of the best books I’ve read ❤️❤️❤️❤️
February 4, 2025
Loved it. Have been wanting to read since wattpad, and now I've finally got to,it lived up to the expectations.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews