Her ex shattered her soul. His ex left him homeless and destitute. Both are struggling to grapple with the pain... but can they find their healing together?
This was too cute! I absolutely adored Kyannah and Kendrix. This was a quick read that came packed with the drama, the laughs, the romance, and a bit of spice. I always think that any book that can have me talking out loud to the characters like they can hear me, is giving me the experience I need!
I loved how the main characters met and came to love each other, especially after what they had both been through in previous relationships. It was realistic and so romantic to see how they both treated each other. From Kendrick doing things for Kyannah that no other man has done, to Kyannah making Kendrix feel things he never felt before. I loved their journey and the chemistry between them. The side characters were so likeable as well. Kendrix’s friends kept me cracking up and I loved how the group came full circle at the end.
This is definitely worth the read, especially if you’re looking for something cute, funny, and with a little drama and spice!
"I Wanna Be the Reason You Smile" follows Kyannah and Kendrix after they've both recently lost relationships in their lives. Kyannah walked in on your boyfriend, Tremaine, cheating with the girl she was told not to worry about. While, Kendrix's ex-girlfriend, Jazzmyne, kicked him to the curb when her baby daddy got out of prison. The chaos in there life leads them both to move into an apartment building where they become neighbors, enemies, friends, and then Kendrix works to become the reason she smiles.
This story was very fast paced but it was cute. If you love a Black urban romance, than this would be right up your alley. I think the characters are easy to care about and the story is entertaining from beginning to end. Great job on your debut, Nisha. Thank you for the ARC in exchange for a review.
Kyanah and Kendrix both experience heartbreak, with the way their recent relationships ended. However, the way they handle themselves is vastly different.
Kendrix is still stunned by Jazzmyne's actions and is more hurt than anything else. He grabs the couch with his boys until he can get himself back together. Kyanah is bitter and angry about her breakup, and is having issues controlling that anger, lashing out at everyone around her.
When Kendrix and Kyanah meet, Kendrix sees an attractive woman, and is cordial while trying to help her. Kyanah on the other hand, with her ex on her mind is lashing out, being mean and rude to Kendrix unprovoked. This game is played a few times when they bump into each other, until she sees him in a different light, and turns down her nasty meter. 😤 Once they get an opportunity to talk, they find that they really like each other, and can possibly pursue something. But trust issues, and messy ass exes keep rearing their ugly heads trying to derail this train before it gets going.
Thankfully cool heads prevail, and they find the happiness they both deserve. Congratulations Nisha on your debut, I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing more from you in the future. 👍🏾👍🏾
Genre: Romance Format: 📱 ARC/ALC/BETA: ARC Series: N Rating: 4.5⭐️ Series rating: N/A⭐️ Publication Date: 7/31/24
I absolutely adored "I Wanna Be The Reason You Smile" by Nisha. This story is a beautiful, heartwarming tale of two broken individuals finding solace and healing in each other’s arms.
This was a beautifully written debut🫶🏾
The writing style is engaging and the pacing is perfect, keeping me glued to the pages until the very end. I enjoyed how Nisha weaved in the themes of healing, forgiveness, and love throughout the story.
This was such a cute love story. Sort of enemies to lovers. Kyannah and Kendrix both got dealt such a bad hand in previous relationships. Both of the Ex’s were trash and their initial first meeting was a bit rough but I’m so glad they were able to find some common ground and eventually start to fall for each other. This was a really good debut.
One day read for me, I couldn’t put it down. The story pulled me in from the beginning. The language is a little vulgar and a little ghetto, but honestly, that’s what made it feel so real. It felt like a true hood love story—raw, emotional, and authentic. They say hurt people hurt people, but Kyanah and Kendrix, they were the exception. I really, really enjoyed this book and can’t tell you how many times I said “I know that’s right!” while reading!
3.5/5 stars - I'm so glad I had the opportunity to be a member of Nisha's ARC team! This was a sweet and enjoyable read. I really liked seeing the early stages of Kyanah and Kendrix's relationship unfold. And the drama with their exes was super messy! Kyanah and Kendrix's relationship wasn't quite insta-love, but it seemed to move quickly. I recommend reading if you're looking for a short, sweet, black romance story!
Thank you Nisha for making me apart of your ARC Team!
Rating: 5 💫 Genre: Romance/Lit Fic Type: 📲📚
This story was so adorable, it had me giggling and rushing my dog to potty so I could get back to this book. I had all the feels. 🥰
Kynanah a Human Resource Officer finds herself full of rage after a messy breakup with her Ex boyfriend Terrance, the one who she gave part of soul too, trying to start over she meets Kendrix who is hanging out with his 2 best friends, Tremaine and Los while moving into her new home. Kendrix who recently had some issues of his own meets Kynanah and these two immediately have issues with one another. After accidentally meeting up in several locations, they finally attempt to let their guards down and they begin to develop a friendship.
Oh these were the 2 most sucking teeth characters I’ve ever met! 🤣😂🤣😂
Will their friendship grow into something else or will their past hurt/trauma hinder them from their destiny?
I don’t like using the word Karma, but Ms. Karma wasn’t no joke for a few people in this story. 🤭
S/N: Because we are women, we desire intimacy, emotional closeness, security, compassion, and respect. While wanting those things, the wrong man can show up in disguise but presenting the red flags that a lot of women have ignored out of loneliness, rejection, being impatient, and not being financially secure. So women settle. We have to remember what Della Reese said, A nighttime of pleasure can bring you a lifetime of pain.
You don’t have to search for the red flags, just stay quiet, pay attention, keep your eyes and ears opened, and you won’t miss one! 🩷
I loved Kendrix and Kyanah's love story. It was so good I could not put it down! This story took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions (sadness, anger, happiness, joy). It is a story of love, forgiveness, acceptance of oneself, and growth! Great Job Nisha!
"I Wanna Be The Reason You Smile" tells the story of two people with a past full of hurt and betrayal. Life has caused their hearts to harden and they have built walls around them to keep other out, afraid of getting hurt again. But what happens when they meet, and sparks fly? Will they be willing to let down their walls and find love at the end of it all?
In this story, we meet the FMC, Kyanah, who is a broken, vulnerable woman. After three years with her ex Terrance, she has found out that he has committed the ultimate betrayal. Now, she is forced to start over while dealing with the heartbreak and mess Terrance has left behind. Then, there is the MMC, Kendrix. Like Kyanah, Kendrix is dealing with heartbreak and pain. His last relationship left him feeling betrayed and played. We follow them as they navigate their past hurts and work towards a brighter, better future.
I loved the chemistry between the two main characters. This was sort of a slow burn but it was done in the best way. There was secret pining, angst, and lots of spice! I also really liked the progression of their relationship from strangers to enemies, to friends to lovers. It was done in such a masterful way! Though Kyanah was broken and very vulnerable at the start of the story, I loved the way her character changed and developed. She really worked on herself and grew her self confidence (great character development). Kendrix was a treasure. He was an all around good guy who gave so much of himself! He was such a gentleman, and at times, it was to his detriment. He was always ready to help someone in need and his relationship with his mom was just so sweet! The secondary characters were also fun and enjoyable and brought comedic relief to the story. And not to spoil much but I loved what happened to the antagonists in the story! It was fun to watch! Overall, I loved Nisha's writing style, her character development and the plot of the story.
I highly recommend "I Wanna Be The Reason You Smile."
What to Expect ~ Enemies to Friends to Lovers ~ Slow Burn ~ Dual POV ~ Infidelity & Betrayal ~ Heartbreak and Grief ~ Sworn off a Relationship ~ Neighbors ~ Forced Proximity ~ Mutual Pining ~ HEA
Girl!! This was such a good read, I absolutely loved it. It was such a relatable story with being hurt and scared to open again but realizing you shouldn’t shut love out completely. I love that they were able to see pasts their pasts & gave each other a chance at love and it working out beautifully for them, and the friend group. It was so good I was sad it ended.
Here are some of the annotations/notes during reading.
Kendrix - Such a nice man taking care of homegirl & her child, I felt so bad for him when he got home and saw the baby daddy there ..
Kyanah - Reading about her and Terrance I wanted to go through the book and shake some sense into my girl. Terrance was nothing but a RED FLAG from the very beginning. Stephanie was a trifling ass hoe, smiling all up in my girls face knowing she being messy behind her back - even tho she don’t owe Kyanah any loyalty but damn girl at least let them break up first! Terrance definitely could’ve let my girl go too! 🙄🙄
Her finding out Kendrix was the kickboxing teacher definitely put the icing on the cake for their steamy start to a romance. I love that they started talking more and often running into each other. 😍
Kendrix lowkey pissed me off getting my girl all hot and bothered than dipping on her! I know the feeling of wanting it so bad just for it to be snatched and dried up in a second. I felt for my girl 🥲 BUT!! I also love that Kendrix wanted things to be right.
Kyanah girl - the attitude coming back crushed me a little because I thought we were making progress ..
Then these 2 trifling bitches just had to make their debut while she’s out tryna have dinner AND while she’s out with her man 🙄
I just loved how everyone was so on board with these two dating and I love they got the happy ending that they both deserved. 💜
Great work Nisha - looking forward to reading more of your work and thank you for giving me the opportunity and access to read tour story early. 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I had the pleasure of reading an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of "Be the Reason You Smile" by Nisha, and I must say, it’s a heartwarming romance novel that tells the story of two individuals who, after enduring painful past relationships, find solace and love in each other. The book beautifully captures the journey of healing and the power of new beginnings.
The main characters, Kyanah and Kendrix are incredibly well-developed. Kyanah is is a strong woman rebuilding and starting fresh after her relationship ends due to infidelity. Kendrix is an honest, hard-working man also in a rebuilding stage of life. Both Kyanah and Kendrix have their own scars from past relationships. From their initial meeting, things are a bit tense and things start off a bit rocky for them. As the story unfolds, they become friends and start to form a connection that feels genuine and inspiring.
Nisha's writing style is engaging and draws readers into the emotional depths of the characters experiences. The dialogue is natural, and the narrative flows smoothly, making it hard to put the book down. One standout moment for me was after kickboxing class when Kyanah let her guard down and just let go of what she had been holding inside. I think that was the first time that we got to really see her and get a sense of her true emotional state.
"Be the Reason You Smile" is a touching story about love, healing, and the resilience of the human heart. It's a perfect read for anyone who believes in second chances and the transformative power of love. I highly recommend this book to fans of romance and those looking for a story that will leave them feeling uplifted.
Rating 3.5 ⭐️ This was a true slow burn and honestly, it needed to be. The pace never rushed, never forced anything and that’s what made it feel real. Kendrix and Kyanah were two people carrying fresh wounds, not fairytale scars that magically disappear once attraction shows up.
Kendrix really stood out for me. He didn’t just say he understood her hurt he moved like it. He wanted to take things slow, not because he lacked interest but because he respected what she’d been through. I loved that when Kyanah struggled to trust his words, he didn’t get defensive or manipulative. He basically said, verify if you need to. That level of emotional maturity is truly rare.
Kyanah’s hesitation made sense. After public humiliation, legal stress and heartbreak, trusting again isn’t something you just flip a switch on. Her guardedness wasn’t drama it was self preservation. Kendrix recognized that instead of making her feel broken for it.
This story felt like life after real heartbreak, not the fantasy version. Healing isn’t linear, trust doesn’t come easy and love doesn’t always arrive loud. Sometimes it shows up quietly, steady and patient and that’s exactly what this book delivered.
Soft, honest and grounded. A good read that lets healing take its time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Enjoyed this debut novel. Both Kyanah and Kendrix had some disrespectful, low-down dirty ex's. How could they (ex's) be so disloyal?
Inspite of the two not knowing each other, this was definitely an enemies to lovers romance. I liked that when Kyanah and Kendrix decided to give a relationship a shot, they took it slowly. It was a slow-burn story. Got to know each other.
I can't believe Kendrix's ex thought that she was gonna slide back in his life, after the way she treated & disrespected him. She tried interfering, but that didn't work out for her. You usually reap what you sow. Actually, both ex's did, cause Kyanah's ex. got his too.
Question, there was a mention of the girl's mother one time. Why mention if she's not a factor? She wasn't even at the Thanksgiving dinner. I thought there wasn't a parent.
Another cute HEA story. Kyanahs attitude towards Kendrix PMO at the beginning of the book. I understood that Terrance did her wrong in the whole relationship, but she was taking it out on everyone besides herself. The red flags were there from the very beginning, and she decided to duck and dodge them. Stephanie was her biggest red flag.
Poor Kendrix was done wrong in his three year relationship with that lady. For her to have her baby daddy in that house for Kendrix to walk in on you with the just finished --cking face was wrong. Then you call him when that man is putting hands and feet on you. Girl, bye, find someone else to do it.
Karma was sweet for both exes, and I was pleasantly, please.. Thank ya author!
I enjoyed reading this book! It was my family’s book club pick for the month of June.
It was an easy read and a good debut for the author. Kendrix and Kyanah both suffered from very bad breakups and she was so guarded. But I loved how they built a genuine friendship over time and took it slow to make sure it was right this time around.
The spice was very minimal so if you aren’t a spice person, you don’t have to worry about being inundated with it.
In addition, I love updates, bonus content, and epilogues so I highly enjoyed seeing them and the friend group one year later and then again three years later. I feel like I got full closure that everything worked out for them all.
***This is an ARC review*** Goodness, this book hit me right in the feels—in the best way. Kyanah & Kendrick had both endured terrible outcomes to their previous relationships and it left them both a bit reluctant to start something with someone new. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey as they gravitated towards each other. This story made me laugh out loud, whisper yell, and fineeee, I got teary-eyed, too. 😆 There was a little spice & it was just right. I am kinda sad I’m done reading it because I liked it so much lol 10/10 highly recommend 🥰
3.5 ⭐️Thank you to Nisha for making me apart of her arc team!!!! Though it was a quick read this book put me through some emotions. The book starts with Kyanah and Kendrix and how they are putting themselves back together after failed relationships. They start off pretty rocking when first meeting (Her moving into the apartment building he's staying at with his friends) but eventually after a few run ins they become cordial and the book only picks up from there.. If you're looking for a quick light read this is the story for you!
I enjoyed every bit of this book! It’s a beautiful story about moving forward, healing and not letting the past dictate your future. Kyanah and Kendrix have both experienced being used and betrayed in their last relationship, but they found exactly what they were looking for in one another. Although their first few encounters with each other left much to be desired, they soon realized that they had more in common than they thought. I Wanna Be the Reason You Smile is a page turner, and I cannot wait to read more by NISHA.
I really enjoyed reading Kendrix and Kyanah’s love journey. They both got dealt bad hands from Terrance and Jazzmyne but they were each other’s balm for their wounds. I felt bad for Jazzmyne but more so for Kanai because he was just an innocent child. Jazzmyne played with Kendrix’s heart for Sky and ended physically battered and bruised. I was laughing when Stephanie’s baby ended up not being Terrance’s baby. I love the fact that Kendrix and Kyanah got their two kids that they wanted on the first go round with twins. Congratulations and job well done on your debut book👏🏽👏🏽
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a cute little story. Though Kayanah got on my nerves most of the story with her illogical attitude. I appreciate this being about regular folks with regular jobs, but it was almost to...clean. No real drama or anything to get through even though they both had horrible break ups. It needed some kind of...action I guess, we all know the romance part took way to long to happen and then even that was just very lax, this was very basic and just cookie cutter, cute lazy day read though.
This was such a good book. Kyannah and Kendrix went through the ultimate betrayal by their exes and were on the path to healing. Their first meeting was a miss as Kyannah was rude to Kendrix and let her bitterness show. They eventually got it right and started dating each other. Their relationship was so cute even with the bump in the road from Kendrix's ex. That girl really tried it but I'm glad they worked through it. This story was so well written and I fell for this couple.
Thank you, Partner @authornisha_blklove, for the #gifted copy.
I really enjoyed reading this story. It touched my heart in so many ways.
You have Kendrix and Kyanah that had one hell of a past. Will they be able to let go and live life to the fullest again? Take the journey down this road and find out. You will love it.
This is a quick and well written book. Engaging. Life lessons. Spicy. Black Romance. So much more.
This is my first time reading a book by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I love it when my brother's show up for us. Kendrix knew Kyanah was the one the moment he saw her. She was damaged and transferred her anger towards him. He was bothered at first, but he decided to stand ten toes down and show her how a real man loves a woman.
The book was well-written, and the characters were great.
So as much as the author tried to make a case for Kyanah, she really did not have any redeeming qualities about herself. I really couldn’t see what Kendrix saw in her. She was mean as hell to everyone even her sister. All of that trauma of her own doing that she was carrying around should have driven her right to the crazy house. She did not deserve Kendrix. No accountability at all just blamed everyone else for her hurt.🤦🏽♀️
I really like this one. It was short, simple, and sweet. The FMC had a reason to be the way she was, and I wasn't mad at her when I found out why she was upset. At the same time, she should've listened to herself about him.
The MMC was cool, getting through his own situation. I liked that it was down to earth, and I could see this situation happening in real life. I liked them together and it was a nice read. I like this one.
This book was the perfect love story! It shows how God can turn pain into something only He can beautifully create. The love between Kendrix and Kyannah was unexpected as they both weren’t expecting it based on their pasts. The obstacles that stood in their way didn’t stop them from believing and receiving true love!
Nisha is a debut author and I am happy that I had the pleasure of reading this because I went through all of the emotions. Jazzmyne and Samantha needed to catch hands immediately. Terrance is pure trash. Kyanah just wanted ppl to be honest and true and poor Kendrix he really was done dirty for real. I loved loved loved the ending. This was a really feel good book.