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Soulful Seas Duet #1
Whisper Waves
Your deceased loved ones are only a whisper away.
They are still here, still with you, even though you cannot see them.
Unlike me, I can see them just fine.
People call me weird, crazy even, but I only want to help the souls who are trapped in between and the loved ones they leave behind.
Until my good intentions get me locked away and leave me broken and traumatized. So much so, I swear to never talk to a spirit again.
But a road trip through the country—driving away from a home that has nothing left for me—and a night spent in the arms of tequila, helps me find myself in the embrace of a strong and handsome fisherman with ocean blue eyes.
The same ocean blue eyes his three brothers have, including the one who is a ghost.
He needs my help, but can I leave the shadows of my shackles behind to ensure he will find the light?
They are still here, still with you, even though you cannot see them.
Unlike me, I can see them just fine.
People call me weird, crazy even, but I only want to help the souls who are trapped in between and the loved ones they leave behind.
Until my good intentions get me locked away and leave me broken and traumatized. So much so, I swear to never talk to a spirit again.
But a road trip through the country—driving away from a home that has nothing left for me—and a night spent in the arms of tequila, helps me find myself in the embrace of a strong and handsome fisherman with ocean blue eyes.
The same ocean blue eyes his three brothers have, including the one who is a ghost.
He needs my help, but can I leave the shadows of my shackles behind to ensure he will find the light?
448 pages, ebook
First published March 3, 2024
1626 people are currently reading
6045 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 673 reviews
May 3, 2024
*4.5* This story begins with a smoking hot one-night-stand. I was initially apprehensive, because I can’t stand a manwhore, and Nash certainly fits the bill. But to my surprise, the author weaves these characters, in such a way that every single one of them is distinct and likable. Deep thinking and emotionally intelligent characters help make the story feel very realistic.
FMC - Sloan (30) car mechanic, can see/talk to ghosts
Nash (25) the youngest of the brothers, womanizer
Hunter (33) the gentle giant, nurturer
North (35) the oldest, grumpy a-hole
Lio (5) North’s son
Saylor (30) you’ll just have to read about him…
Surprisingly unique, I am so used to reading RH with immature characters and basic dialogue. This story was highly entertaining with mature characters, plenty of humor, and an FMC, who is just the right amount of strong, snarky, soft, and intelligent.
Contemporary paranormal
Multiple pov
Duet, book 2 is already out
Set in Maine, USA
RH (no mm)
Hurt/comfort
Grovel
Found family
Even though this is classified as a reverse harem, Sloan is only with two of the men individually in this story. You’ll only get a few intimate scenes, but they’re HOT.
The little ghost pictures at the top of each chapter set the mood. So cute!
As a parent, the last part of the story wasn’t credible to me. Parents will do whatever it takes to make sure their children are ok, even believing the unbelievable. I understand why this was put into the story, it creates massive conflict, but it made me think those men weren’t kind of parent/uncles I thought they were.
TW: Side character suicide, mental institution.
FMC - Sloan (30) car mechanic, can see/talk to ghosts
Nash (25) the youngest of the brothers, womanizer
Hunter (33) the gentle giant, nurturer
North (35) the oldest, grumpy a-hole
Lio (5) North’s son
Saylor (30) you’ll just have to read about him…
Surprisingly unique, I am so used to reading RH with immature characters and basic dialogue. This story was highly entertaining with mature characters, plenty of humor, and an FMC, who is just the right amount of strong, snarky, soft, and intelligent.
Contemporary paranormal
Multiple pov
Duet, book 2 is already out
Set in Maine, USA
RH (no mm)
Hurt/comfort
Grovel
Found family
Even though this is classified as a reverse harem, Sloan is only with two of the men individually in this story. You’ll only get a few intimate scenes, but they’re HOT.
The little ghost pictures at the top of each chapter set the mood. So cute!
As a parent, the last part of the story wasn’t credible to me. Parents will do whatever it takes to make sure their children are ok, even believing the unbelievable. I understand why this was put into the story, it creates massive conflict, but it made me think those men weren’t kind of parent/uncles I thought they were.
TW: Side character suicide, mental institution.
December 12, 2024
oh brother, I didn't realize the fmc would quite literally be the REPLACEMENT for the dead wife.
The fmc, Sloan (30) who can see ghosts, goes to a little town in Maine to spread her grandmother's ashes there as per her wishes. Her van breaks down and she's broke so she's stranded there for the time being. In there, she meets these brothers who are pretty much the most sought after bachelors in that little town:
⊹ ࣪North (35) his son Lio (5) the one with the dead wife, Jessie.
⊹ ࣪Hunter (33)
⊹ ࣪Nash (25)
⊹ ࣪Saylor (30) but here's the catch... he's a ghost. No one can see him but Sloan.
She also becomes BEST friends (a little instantaneous, if I'm being honest) with the local restaurant's owner, Tally and her husband, Tim.
The plot intrigued me which is why I was able to finish it, but I didn't really vibe with the writing. The book read too much like a low-budget hallmark movie to me. But I was determined to finish it so I could check out book two since a lot of people spoke so highly of it.
The fmc cried every 5 minutes, which I later discovered was her personality. She was a crier. Which was fine, but the writing was already too dramatic, add in her constant crying, and I was about to go insane.
But whatever, I've read worse books before. Everything was kind of fine until more things were discovered and I was slowly feeling like Sloan was just a replacement for North's dead wife, Jessie. At first, I thought it was just me being a jealous bitch, but when I reached the end, I was more sure now that she was indeed, a replacement.
See, we eventually discovered that Jessie wasn't just North's wife. She was Hunter's best friend too, Nash called her sis, and she was also Tally's best friend. They were a tight-knit group in that town. They used to be a team. And then she died.
Then fast forward 5 years later, Sloan came along. I thought it was weird that Tally and her husband bonded with her instantly. I thought it was just bad writing. Maybe it was just that, but now it felt like they were just happy they found someone to fill Jessie's shoes.
Same with the guys. The author listed it as medium-burn, but it was burning fast as hell if you ask me. Again, I didn't really see why they would be so enchanted by her (so quickly too, it was so icky) and I chalked it up to bad writing, but now it made me think that they just felt like Sloan was the next Jessie.
Jessie, literally said that Sloan was a perfect step-in best friend for Tally. I rolled my eyes so hard.
The only difference between Jessie and Sloan was that Sloan was fucking all the brothers, not just North.
Not really what I was looking for in my RH.
The whole ghost and helping spirits aspects of the book were great. Some moments made me cry. As for the romance, I felt let down. The gut punch at the end wasn't all that either. I think North has an untreated money-related trauma, lol.
Welp. I'm still gonna read book two because it's too late to turn back now. There's a chance I'm going to go insane because Sloan just cannot stop crying.
──────✧ pre-read
Here for a hurt/comfort book 🥹 I've heard there's a gut punch at the end of this and an epic grovel in book 2!!!
Also the fmc can see ghosts and she helps them find closure, like Melinda from Ghost Whisperer 🥹
The fmc, Sloan (30) who can see ghosts, goes to a little town in Maine to spread her grandmother's ashes there as per her wishes. Her van breaks down and she's broke so she's stranded there for the time being. In there, she meets these brothers who are pretty much the most sought after bachelors in that little town:
⊹ ࣪North (35) his son Lio (5) the one with the dead wife, Jessie.
⊹ ࣪Hunter (33)
⊹ ࣪Nash (25)
⊹ ࣪Saylor (30) but here's the catch... he's a ghost. No one can see him but Sloan.
She also becomes BEST friends (a little instantaneous, if I'm being honest) with the local restaurant's owner, Tally and her husband, Tim.
The plot intrigued me which is why I was able to finish it, but I didn't really vibe with the writing. The book read too much like a low-budget hallmark movie to me. But I was determined to finish it so I could check out book two since a lot of people spoke so highly of it.
The fmc cried every 5 minutes, which I later discovered was her personality. She was a crier. Which was fine, but the writing was already too dramatic, add in her constant crying, and I was about to go insane.
But whatever, I've read worse books before. Everything was kind of fine until more things were discovered and I was slowly feeling like Sloan was just a replacement for North's dead wife, Jessie. At first, I thought it was just me being a jealous bitch, but when I reached the end, I was more sure now that she was indeed, a replacement.
See, we eventually discovered that Jessie wasn't just North's wife. She was Hunter's best friend too, Nash called her sis, and she was also Tally's best friend. They were a tight-knit group in that town. They used to be a team. And then she died.
Then fast forward 5 years later, Sloan came along. I thought it was weird that Tally and her husband bonded with her instantly. I thought it was just bad writing. Maybe it was just that, but now it felt like they were just happy they found someone to fill Jessie's shoes.
Same with the guys. The author listed it as medium-burn, but it was burning fast as hell if you ask me. Again, I didn't really see why they would be so enchanted by her (so quickly too, it was so icky) and I chalked it up to bad writing, but now it made me think that they just felt like Sloan was the next Jessie.
Jessie, literally said that Sloan was a perfect step-in best friend for Tally. I rolled my eyes so hard.
The only difference between Jessie and Sloan was that Sloan was fucking all the brothers, not just North.
Not really what I was looking for in my RH.
The whole ghost and helping spirits aspects of the book were great. Some moments made me cry. As for the romance, I felt let down. The gut punch at the end wasn't all that either. I think North has an untreated money-related trauma, lol.
Welp. I'm still gonna read book two because it's too late to turn back now. There's a chance I'm going to go insane because Sloan just cannot stop crying.
──────✧ pre-read
Here for a hurt/comfort book 🥹 I've heard there's a gut punch at the end of this and an epic grovel in book 2!!!
Also the fmc can see ghosts and she helps them find closure, like Melinda from Ghost Whisperer 🥹
May 12, 2024
What an amazing idea destroyed by poor execution and mediocre writing.
As expected, the MMC's follow the standard personalities: (1) The angry one who hates the FMC for [insert dumb reason here] and also hates himself and everyone around him, including his child; (2) the playboy; and (3) the mature/stoic one.
The FMC is supposed to be 30, but she acts and behaves like a 20-21 year old. She allows everyone in her life to treat her like shit and doesn't stand up for herself until the last chapter of the book.
The "angry" MMC treats Sloan terribly. Just awful. And yet, she still loves him because "he's so tortured." Like, how can you even begin to process feelings when that man treats his son like he's invisible?
I doubt that I will read the next book, but I'm hopeful that the author can show maturity in her writing so that a 30 year old woman starts to act like it.
As expected, the MMC's follow the standard personalities: (1) The angry one who hates the FMC for [insert dumb reason here] and also hates himself and everyone around him, including his child; (2) the playboy; and (3) the mature/stoic one.
The FMC is supposed to be 30, but she acts and behaves like a 20-21 year old. She allows everyone in her life to treat her like shit and doesn't stand up for herself until the last chapter of the book.
The "angry" MMC treats Sloan terribly. Just awful. And yet, she still loves him because "he's so tortured." Like, how can you even begin to process feelings when that man treats his son like he's invisible?
I doubt that I will read the next book, but I'm hopeful that the author can show maturity in her writing so that a 30 year old woman starts to act like it.
March 31, 2024
#teamsaylor
but for real…
#TEAMSAYLOR 😩😩 (we can make this happen right?!)
but for real…
#TEAMSAYLOR 😩😩 (we can make this happen right?!)
Read
May 22, 2024Author's who give content/trigger warnings deserve all the damn things...alllllll
#currentlyreading
Chapter 2....tell me you're a manwhore without telling me 🙄
I don’t usually kiss my hookups when I’m done with them, but these lips are addictive, and to be honest, I don’t quite want to be done
Pulling out of her and sitting up, I roll off the condom and toss it into the garbage can next to my bed. It’s nearly full of crumpled notes and condom wrappers.
Even though I do this often, it feels different.
“Shame, I would have loved to take another spin on that ride. I tell you, Hunt, that was premium pussy,” Nash mumbles, nodding to himself,
Ugh the ick is getting stronger 😞
Nash’s usual hit-it-and-quit-it mentality appears to be thrown out the window with this girl only because she doesn’t chase after him like his quick fucks usually do.
His gaze falls to my chest, causing me to instinctively cross my arms over it. The humiliation and anger swell inside me as he speaks. “Get out. Let my little brother have his fun with you until he’s bored of your cunt, for all I care. But you won’t see one penny from us.”
******And that's a wrap 🙄🙄🙄🙄
#currentlyreading
Chapter 2....tell me you're a manwhore without telling me 🙄
I don’t usually kiss my hookups when I’m done with them, but these lips are addictive, and to be honest, I don’t quite want to be done
Pulling out of her and sitting up, I roll off the condom and toss it into the garbage can next to my bed. It’s nearly full of crumpled notes and condom wrappers.
Even though I do this often, it feels different.
“Shame, I would have loved to take another spin on that ride. I tell you, Hunt, that was premium pussy,” Nash mumbles, nodding to himself,
Ugh the ick is getting stronger 😞
Nash’s usual hit-it-and-quit-it mentality appears to be thrown out the window with this girl only because she doesn’t chase after him like his quick fucks usually do.
His gaze falls to my chest, causing me to instinctively cross my arms over it. The humiliation and anger swell inside me as he speaks. “Get out. Let my little brother have his fun with you until he’s bored of your cunt, for all I care. But you won’t see one penny from us.”
******And that's a wrap 🙄🙄🙄🙄
April 2, 2024
4.8 stars.
Fuuuuck…that ending was rough as hell. Ugh. This is why I don’t read incomplete series/duets.🤦🏻 it’s gonna be a long 3 days wait for the HEA these characters are due.
Fuuuuck…that ending was rough as hell. Ugh. This is why I don’t read incomplete series/duets.🤦🏻 it’s gonna be a long 3 days wait for the HEA these characters are due.
June 26, 2025
I DONT KNOW HOW BLAKE BLACK DOES IT BUT I CRY EVERY. DAMN. TIME. I READ HER BOOKS
EXCUSE MEEEEEE
AHHHHHH THAT ENDING?!?
SLOAN BBY I LOVE YOU 😭 “CRYING DOES NOT MAKE ME WEAK” YESSSSS GIRL I LOVE YOUUUUUU
anyways i’ll be immediately starting book 2 because i CANNOT HANDLE NOT KNOWING HOW THIS ENDS
EXCUSE MEEEEEE
AHHHHHH THAT ENDING?!?
SLOAN BBY I LOVE YOU 😭 “CRYING DOES NOT MAKE ME WEAK” YESSSSS GIRL I LOVE YOUUUUUU
anyways i’ll be immediately starting book 2 because i CANNOT HANDLE NOT KNOWING HOW THIS ENDS
March 6, 2024
This book gets everything…all the ⭐️s phenomenal writing and story!!!
I’ll be back to review though once I stop crying and can get the words out 😭
———————————————————-
Whisper Waves. . . Wow where do I begin?
“I turn to look at him, a hint of worry flickering through my mind as I wonder if my impulsive behavior just attracted a potential stalker. At least it’d be an attractive one.”
There is so much I can say about this book but that would be spoiling it. . .
This is hands down my favorite book by Blake Black! 🫶🏻 It’s so emotional and amazing that I couldn’t help but binge read it, only to cry when it was over because I need more!
There is an amazing group of guys (although I’m going to need some good grovel in the second book otherwise I may retract that “amazing” part) and Saylor our ghost!! Who I just LOVE!! 👻
But while the guys are amazing Sloan (our FMC) is my FAVORITE!! I love her! 🖤
It was an emotional rollercoaster but in the best way, and I’m not ashamed to say I was crying with the last few chapters!!
✨Hurt/Comfort
✨Why Choose
✨Traumatized FMC
✨Found Family
✨PNR (ghost!)
“It’s time for me to face my own demons, to heal my own wounds, and to learn to live for myself once more.”
This is a book everyone needs to read (and I’m willing to die on this hill) and I CANNOT wait until I am able to devour book 2!
I’m so thankful to have been able to ARC read Whisper Waves!!
I’ll be back to review though once I stop crying and can get the words out 😭
———————————————————-
Whisper Waves. . . Wow where do I begin?
“I turn to look at him, a hint of worry flickering through my mind as I wonder if my impulsive behavior just attracted a potential stalker. At least it’d be an attractive one.”
There is so much I can say about this book but that would be spoiling it. . .
This is hands down my favorite book by Blake Black! 🫶🏻 It’s so emotional and amazing that I couldn’t help but binge read it, only to cry when it was over because I need more!
There is an amazing group of guys (although I’m going to need some good grovel in the second book otherwise I may retract that “amazing” part) and Saylor our ghost!! Who I just LOVE!! 👻
But while the guys are amazing Sloan (our FMC) is my FAVORITE!! I love her! 🖤
It was an emotional rollercoaster but in the best way, and I’m not ashamed to say I was crying with the last few chapters!!
✨Hurt/Comfort
✨Why Choose
✨Traumatized FMC
✨Found Family
✨PNR (ghost!)
“It’s time for me to face my own demons, to heal my own wounds, and to learn to live for myself once more.”
This is a book everyone needs to read (and I’m willing to die on this hill) and I CANNOT wait until I am able to devour book 2!
I’m so thankful to have been able to ARC read Whisper Waves!!
September 16, 2024
North is literal garbage and ruined a lot of the book for me. He treats the fmc like crap and I'm supposed to believe that she is falling for him??? Can this man even be considered a father? How is his dead wife not be more angry with him? How on earth is he supposed to be redeemed enough to have a part in the harem?
March 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
“You make us all feel. And I’m falling so hard for you right now. There is no turning back anyway. No matter what happens. I promise.”
This newest release by Blake Black is her best yet! I cannot stop thinking about this book. It’s the emotional journey we expect from her, plus some. I cried more than once and have since been thrown into a book hangover where nothing else will do (even writing this review was hard).
My heart absolutely broke for Sloan and the Jones brothers. They are all suffering; all have experienced trauma and need to be healed. I felt like I lived through each of their broken pieces.
These MMCs will make you cheer and rage. I adored Saylor immediately. Who cares if he is a ghost? He gave Sloan his unwavering support. Hunter (and Nash, in his own way) showed promise. I really disliked North. Yes, he is harboring some incredible guilt, but the way he treats Sloan is unacceptable. He will require some serious growth before I will even think he deserves her.
Whisper Waves is a medium burn and spicy why choose romance that starts as a one-night stand with one brother and becomes more.
Part One in a duet, Whisper Waves ends in a cliffhanger (and boy, what a cliffhanger). I cannot wait for Part Two.
Highly recommended!
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Tropes/Features: Found family, hurt/comfort, forced proximity, 30yo FMC, trauma survivors, brothers, alphahole, cinnamon roll, golden retriever, plus-sized MMC, single dad, ghosts, mental health, disability, one-night stand, fwb, enemies to lovers, angsty
POV: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose – MFMMM, medium burn, spicy
Book Type/Ending: Part One of Soulful Seas duet, Cliffhanger
TW/CW: Available in book and on author’s website
🌶️🌶️🌶️½
“You make us all feel. And I’m falling so hard for you right now. There is no turning back anyway. No matter what happens. I promise.”
This newest release by Blake Black is her best yet! I cannot stop thinking about this book. It’s the emotional journey we expect from her, plus some. I cried more than once and have since been thrown into a book hangover where nothing else will do (even writing this review was hard).
My heart absolutely broke for Sloan and the Jones brothers. They are all suffering; all have experienced trauma and need to be healed. I felt like I lived through each of their broken pieces.
These MMCs will make you cheer and rage. I adored Saylor immediately. Who cares if he is a ghost? He gave Sloan his unwavering support. Hunter (and Nash, in his own way) showed promise. I really disliked North. Yes, he is harboring some incredible guilt, but the way he treats Sloan is unacceptable. He will require some serious growth before I will even think he deserves her.
Whisper Waves is a medium burn and spicy why choose romance that starts as a one-night stand with one brother and becomes more.
Part One in a duet, Whisper Waves ends in a cliffhanger (and boy, what a cliffhanger). I cannot wait for Part Two.
Highly recommended!
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Tropes/Features: Found family, hurt/comfort, forced proximity, 30yo FMC, trauma survivors, brothers, alphahole, cinnamon roll, golden retriever, plus-sized MMC, single dad, ghosts, mental health, disability, one-night stand, fwb, enemies to lovers, angsty
POV: Multiple 1st Person POV
Relationship Type: Why Choose – MFMMM, medium burn, spicy
Book Type/Ending: Part One of Soulful Seas duet, Cliffhanger
TW/CW: Available in book and on author’s website
March 13, 2024
DNF - opened with a superficial one night stand; not feeling it. Maybe I’ll try again another time.
January 12, 2026
ꕀ “Sometimes, I feel like the past is a shadow, waiting to swallow me whole if I step wrong.” 💔
I really loved the concept behind this duet; it promised emotional intensity, complicated relationships, and characters carrying a lot of baggage, and it absolutely delivered on that front. From the beginning, it was clear this was going to be a heavy, character-driven story, and I was fully invested.
💔 “It’s strange how a simple conversation can momentarily lift the heavy veil of loneliness and anxiety that has been suffocating me.” ꕀ
Sloan was the standout for me. She was an incredibly strong FMC, not because she was unbreakable, but because she kept going despite everything stacked against her. Watching her endure so much, especially the way North treated her, after everything she had already been through, without completely losing herself made her resilience feel earned and deeply moving. Meanwhile, North was kind of difficult to connect with. At several points, I genuinely struggled to understand how he could possibly be related to the other brothers, since he was such a raging and judgmental ass. Let’s just say his nickname is well earned. And just when it seemed like the story might be setting him up for redemption, the plot took a sharp turn and made it clear that wasn’t in the cards. That moment was jarring, but effective.
ꕀ “The light is there, just beyond the darkness.” 💔
Hunter initially felt like a safe harbor. I loved how he offered Sloan comfort and stability when she needed it most, and his “teddy bear” energy made him easy to trust. That trust, however, made the later plot twist hurt so much more. His actions and words ended up cutting deeper than anyone else’s, and I felt that betrayal on Sloan’s behalf in a very visceral way. Nash was harder to stay angry with. His longing to belong again softened my feelings toward him, even when his choices were frustrating. Overall, the entire group was drowning in trauma; honestly enough emotional damage to keep a therapist fully booked for life.
💔 “I will never want you to leave. I will always want you here. I promise.” ꕀ
Then there was Saylor: a walking, talking green flag. I adored him from the moment he appeared. I’m almost completely confident I know what’s going on with his situation (and have been since around the 40% mark), but I’m holding final judgment until I finish book two. And finally, little Lio was such a bright spot in an otherwise heavy read. He was incredibly sweet, and every scene with him felt like a moment of warmth and relief amid the chaos.
ꕀ “I need her, and I’m not going to question it any longer.” 💔
The ending was emotionally brutal. I swung between tears of heartbreak and tears of rage, unsure whether I wanted to hug everyone involved or yell at them all. I did really appreciate how mature the characters felt throughout the story; they genuinely acted their ages, which made the emotional fallout feel more realistic and impactful.
Spice: 3.5/5
Tropes:
💔 RH ꕀ
ꕀ Forced Proximity 💔
💔 Found Family ꕀ
ꕀ Hurt x Comfort 💔
💔 “Oh. My God…” ꕀ
I really loved the concept behind this duet; it promised emotional intensity, complicated relationships, and characters carrying a lot of baggage, and it absolutely delivered on that front. From the beginning, it was clear this was going to be a heavy, character-driven story, and I was fully invested.
💔 “It’s strange how a simple conversation can momentarily lift the heavy veil of loneliness and anxiety that has been suffocating me.” ꕀ
Sloan was the standout for me. She was an incredibly strong FMC, not because she was unbreakable, but because she kept going despite everything stacked against her. Watching her endure so much, especially the way North treated her, after everything she had already been through, without completely losing herself made her resilience feel earned and deeply moving. Meanwhile, North was kind of difficult to connect with. At several points, I genuinely struggled to understand how he could possibly be related to the other brothers, since he was such a raging and judgmental ass. Let’s just say his nickname is well earned. And just when it seemed like the story might be setting him up for redemption, the plot took a sharp turn and made it clear that wasn’t in the cards. That moment was jarring, but effective.
ꕀ “The light is there, just beyond the darkness.” 💔
Hunter initially felt like a safe harbor. I loved how he offered Sloan comfort and stability when she needed it most, and his “teddy bear” energy made him easy to trust. That trust, however, made the later plot twist hurt so much more. His actions and words ended up cutting deeper than anyone else’s, and I felt that betrayal on Sloan’s behalf in a very visceral way. Nash was harder to stay angry with. His longing to belong again softened my feelings toward him, even when his choices were frustrating. Overall, the entire group was drowning in trauma; honestly enough emotional damage to keep a therapist fully booked for life.
💔 “I will never want you to leave. I will always want you here. I promise.” ꕀ
Then there was Saylor: a walking, talking green flag. I adored him from the moment he appeared. I’m almost completely confident I know what’s going on with his situation (and have been since around the 40% mark), but I’m holding final judgment until I finish book two. And finally, little Lio was such a bright spot in an otherwise heavy read. He was incredibly sweet, and every scene with him felt like a moment of warmth and relief amid the chaos.
ꕀ “I need her, and I’m not going to question it any longer.” 💔
The ending was emotionally brutal. I swung between tears of heartbreak and tears of rage, unsure whether I wanted to hug everyone involved or yell at them all. I did really appreciate how mature the characters felt throughout the story; they genuinely acted their ages, which made the emotional fallout feel more realistic and impactful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spice: 3.5/5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tropes:
💔 RH ꕀ
ꕀ Forced Proximity 💔
💔 Found Family ꕀ
ꕀ Hurt x Comfort 💔
💔 “Oh. My God…” ꕀ
ꕀ “The Lord isn’t on your vocabulary list tonight, pretty girl.” 💔
December 11, 2024
BRB. Diving into book 2…
Ok. I have to hold my judgement until the end of this duet but THIS WAS EXCELLENT. I’m in for the long haul. Who needs sleep?
Ok. I have to hold my judgement until the end of this duet but THIS WAS EXCELLENT. I’m in for the long haul. Who needs sleep?
no-read-pile
December 12, 2024Cha's review says it all.
Not reading...
Not reading...
May 21, 2024
3.5 stars. Review for the entire duet. I enjoyed this, and I think many people will. It didn’t quite make it to 4 stars because I rate 4 (and a very rare 5 stars) when I LOVED a book, will think about the characters again, will add it to my re-read rotation…and this wasn’t that level. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but will forget these characters’ names, and won’t re-read it.
Anyway, this is an RH with “betrayal / grovel” plot, and a light PNR aspect: the heroine can see ghosts. But other than that part, it’s mostly got “small town contemporary” vibes. For a while, nobody else knows that ghosts are real. And there are no other PNR creatures like werewolves, etc. So the paranormal part is very light.
She moves to a small town in Maine, and gets involved with a family of 4 brothers. One of them is a ghost. At the end of book 1, they betray her, and in book 2, they grovel.
There was a lot to like about this: I liked that they’re all in their 30s (except for the youngest brother, who’s 25). That’s rare in an RH, a subgenre dominated by 18-23 year olds! I liked that they had non-standard jobs too. She's a mechanic and the guys are basically fishermen / in the fisherman business. Romance has too many repetitive jobs, like “bakery owner heroine” and “CEO hero." So, this was refreshing.
I was wary about the grovel, because so many books that supposedly have "grovel" have 1 single "I'm sorry, here, I bought you flowers!" scene, and that's it. But this was satisfying. I liked how their grovel actions were bad at first, and then they improved as the guys fumbled their way through it and figured it out. That's what a good grovel should be. And, it wasn't just 1 thing, it was a series of various gestures and actions, which is also what grovel should be. Shockingly, I did come around to liking the most hateful guy, which also happens rarely in RHs.
The ghost aspect meant that this story has a lot of emotions relating to death and loss. And the heroine’s connection with the brothers is pretty tender and sweet. This was a fairly emotional story, and I liked that.
But, another reason why this wasn’t quite 4 stars is exactly that: this is more “it’s me, not the book,” but relationships bore me when they're too sweet. This wasn’t boring, exactly, but it also was a bit sweeter than I prefer. Especially her relationship with Hunter. But that's my personal taste, and I'm sure many people will disagree and love their relationship.
Another reason this isn't quite 4 stars is that it should have been a 3 guy RH, not 4 guys. Nash started out with a strong presence on the page, coming in hot. And then, he got pushed to the sidelines of the story for a while, lost in the shuffle. Hunter was also just kind of There, for a while. This didn’t feel like it juggled the 4 guys well enough. Saylor was great, and I loved how things panned out with him. But he really dominated the story. I don’t mind that, since I liked him, but it felt like an uneven RH. Like, her relationship with him was the deepest, and the other guys were just kind of bonus boyfriends.
But, this was a well done and somewhat unique RH, and I enjoyed it, despite my nitpicks. I can see why this is getting hype. Although it's not my new favorite story, I also don't feel like the hype is undeserved, the way I often feel when I read very hyped books.
Anyway, this is an RH with “betrayal / grovel” plot, and a light PNR aspect: the heroine can see ghosts. But other than that part, it’s mostly got “small town contemporary” vibes. For a while, nobody else knows that ghosts are real. And there are no other PNR creatures like werewolves, etc. So the paranormal part is very light.
She moves to a small town in Maine, and gets involved with a family of 4 brothers. One of them is a ghost. At the end of book 1, they betray her, and in book 2, they grovel.
There was a lot to like about this: I liked that they’re all in their 30s (except for the youngest brother, who’s 25). That’s rare in an RH, a subgenre dominated by 18-23 year olds! I liked that they had non-standard jobs too. She's a mechanic and the guys are basically fishermen / in the fisherman business. Romance has too many repetitive jobs, like “bakery owner heroine” and “CEO hero." So, this was refreshing.
I was wary about the grovel, because so many books that supposedly have "grovel" have 1 single "I'm sorry, here, I bought you flowers!" scene, and that's it. But this was satisfying. I liked how their grovel actions were bad at first, and then they improved as the guys fumbled their way through it and figured it out. That's what a good grovel should be. And, it wasn't just 1 thing, it was a series of various gestures and actions, which is also what grovel should be. Shockingly, I did come around to liking the most hateful guy, which also happens rarely in RHs.
The ghost aspect meant that this story has a lot of emotions relating to death and loss. And the heroine’s connection with the brothers is pretty tender and sweet. This was a fairly emotional story, and I liked that.
But, another reason why this wasn’t quite 4 stars is exactly that: this is more “it’s me, not the book,” but relationships bore me when they're too sweet. This wasn’t boring, exactly, but it also was a bit sweeter than I prefer. Especially her relationship with Hunter. But that's my personal taste, and I'm sure many people will disagree and love their relationship.
Another reason this isn't quite 4 stars is that it should have been a 3 guy RH, not 4 guys. Nash started out with a strong presence on the page, coming in hot. And then, he got pushed to the sidelines of the story for a while, lost in the shuffle. Hunter was also just kind of There, for a while. This didn’t feel like it juggled the 4 guys well enough. Saylor was great, and I loved how things panned out with him. But he really dominated the story. I don’t mind that, since I liked him, but it felt like an uneven RH. Like, her relationship with him was the deepest, and the other guys were just kind of bonus boyfriends.
But, this was a well done and somewhat unique RH, and I enjoyed it, despite my nitpicks. I can see why this is getting hype. Although it's not my new favorite story, I also don't feel like the hype is undeserved, the way I often feel when I read very hyped books.
December 7, 2024
I’m so mad at how this ended!!!
May 25, 2024
When you beg your Betrayal/grovel group for a good recommendation and they deliver splendidly
This review is for the duet Whisper Waves and Ocean Shores
This duet was so satisfying if you love this trope because it hit every requirement
⚜Genre: Paranormal Ghost Romance
⚜Theme: RH contemporary romance
⚜Targeted audience: Adults
⚜Characters: Sloan, North, Nash, Hunter, Saylor
⚜Representation: disability - mental depression
⚜TW: suicide - family loss - forced enclosure - depression - explicit content and more
⚜ tropes: insta love - enemies to lovers to enemies - one bed - why choose -
⚜ POV: multiple first person
⚜ spice 🌶🌶 🌶🌶
⚜ rating: 4.25 🌟🌟🌟🌟🔅
⚜standalone: duet
⚜Ending: cliffhanger for book 1 - HEA with book 2
Sloan is a woman, an excellent mechanic, who has an extraordinary gift of seeing ghosts. However, this gift has put her into a very traumatic situation. Sloan emerged determined yet broken and haunted by what had been done to her.
She arrives at a small town upon the wish of her late Nan where she meets four brothers
the playboy Nash
the grumpy cruel North
The burly kind-hearted Hunter
and the ghost Saylor
We end book 1 with a cruel rejection from the three men
and cue the grovel in book 2
What I absolutely loved about the duet
- The ages of the characters. This is NOT about teenagers. Sloan is 30 years old. One of her love interests is 25.
- The discussion of accepting the RH relationship and the age difference in the small town they live in.
- The Grovel : It is my utmost conviction that the grovel should be in proportion to the hurt/betrayal
A simple "I am sorry" or "I wrote you a letter/song" is not enough
Change should happen
gestures should be presented
public remorse should be shown
and my oh my these men did grovel
What I did not like and these are minor ones
- the story was stretched in some parts
- the forced friendship between Sloan and Tilly. I understand the need to give her a support system, but Tilly was annoying and meddling
other than that, this was delighful
This review is for the duet Whisper Waves and Ocean Shores
This duet was so satisfying if you love this trope because it hit every requirement
⚜Genre: Paranormal Ghost Romance
⚜Theme: RH contemporary romance
⚜Targeted audience: Adults
⚜Characters: Sloan, North, Nash, Hunter, Saylor
⚜Representation: disability - mental depression
⚜TW: suicide - family loss - forced enclosure - depression - explicit content and more
⚜ tropes: insta love - enemies to lovers to enemies - one bed - why choose -
⚜ POV: multiple first person
⚜ spice 🌶🌶 🌶🌶
⚜ rating: 4.25 🌟🌟🌟🌟🔅
⚜standalone: duet
⚜Ending: cliffhanger for book 1 - HEA with book 2
Sloan is a woman, an excellent mechanic, who has an extraordinary gift of seeing ghosts. However, this gift has put her into a very traumatic situation. Sloan emerged determined yet broken and haunted by what had been done to her.
She arrives at a small town upon the wish of her late Nan where she meets four brothers
the playboy Nash
the grumpy cruel North
The burly kind-hearted Hunter
and the ghost Saylor
We end book 1 with a cruel rejection from the three men
and cue the grovel in book 2
What I absolutely loved about the duet
- The ages of the characters. This is NOT about teenagers. Sloan is 30 years old. One of her love interests is 25.
- The discussion of accepting the RH relationship and the age difference in the small town they live in.
- The Grovel : It is my utmost conviction that the grovel should be in proportion to the hurt/betrayal
A simple "I am sorry" or "I wrote you a letter/song" is not enough
Change should happen
gestures should be presented
public remorse should be shown
and my oh my these men did grovel
What I did not like and these are minor ones
- the story was stretched in some parts
- the forced friendship between Sloan and Tilly. I understand the need to give her a support system, but Tilly was annoying and meddling
other than that, this was delighful
May 18, 2024
wow
Wow this was so good. This was spectacular. I feel like my soul is hungover and I need to just. Idk. Cry scream laugh yell hug.
I just knowww he’s ok somewhere. I feel like i completely understand this weird transition situation happening w say.
Wow. I’m so happy book 2 is out already lol
Wow this was so good. This was spectacular. I feel like my soul is hungover and I need to just. Idk. Cry scream laugh yell hug.
I just knowww he’s ok somewhere. I feel like i completely understand this weird transition situation happening w say.
Wow. I’m so happy book 2 is out already lol
April 16, 2024
Do yourself a favor and read this duet
Full transparency, I've read this full duet through KU, then went and bought both books so I can own them and reread to my hearts content. I also did a review for book two and am just now getting back to a review for book one so I'll try very hard to limit my comments to book one, but hopefully what you got out of those first few sentences is that this is a story that you binge and you buy (or at least I did). This duet absolutely gripped me and held me strong. In book one we meet our lovely fmc - Sloan (love her name!) and a group of brother's that will become our main cast of characters. We also meet a few side characters but no one feels like a side character. The world building and character development in this story is so well laid that this story comes to life quickly. There was no slow lead up. I felt snagged almost immediately and couldn't put the story down. I will warn you that the last third of book one absolutely broke my heart. I had a steady drip of tears ready all that goes down. All I'm going to say is thank god for Saylor and thank goodness book two is already out. This duet is in my top 3 reads of 2024. Bravo Ms. Black! You knocked this one out of the park!
☑ RH (MFMMM, no MM, no FF)
☑ Contemporary and PNR (fmc can see/speak to ghosts)
☑ Tropes: Hurt/comfort, grovel, found family, past trauma.
☑ Duet complete! Feel free to binge!
TWs: Details on the suicide of a side character. Force's wrongful imprisonment in mental institution.
Romance: ❤❤❤❤❤ (these guys will make you swoon, especially Saylor and Hunter!)
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶 1/2 (plenty of spice but not the spiciest out there)
Burn:🔥🔥🔥 (med/slow)
World Building: 🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍
Character development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Full transparency, I've read this full duet through KU, then went and bought both books so I can own them and reread to my hearts content. I also did a review for book two and am just now getting back to a review for book one so I'll try very hard to limit my comments to book one, but hopefully what you got out of those first few sentences is that this is a story that you binge and you buy (or at least I did). This duet absolutely gripped me and held me strong. In book one we meet our lovely fmc - Sloan (love her name!) and a group of brother's that will become our main cast of characters. We also meet a few side characters but no one feels like a side character. The world building and character development in this story is so well laid that this story comes to life quickly. There was no slow lead up. I felt snagged almost immediately and couldn't put the story down. I will warn you that the last third of book one absolutely broke my heart. I had a steady drip of tears ready all that goes down. All I'm going to say is thank god for Saylor and thank goodness book two is already out. This duet is in my top 3 reads of 2024. Bravo Ms. Black! You knocked this one out of the park!
☑ RH (MFMMM, no MM, no FF)
☑ Contemporary and PNR (fmc can see/speak to ghosts)
☑ Tropes: Hurt/comfort, grovel, found family, past trauma.
☑ Duet complete! Feel free to binge!
TWs: Details on the suicide of a side character. Force's wrongful imprisonment in mental institution.
Romance: ❤❤❤❤❤ (these guys will make you swoon, especially Saylor and Hunter!)
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶 1/2 (plenty of spice but not the spiciest out there)
Burn:🔥🔥🔥 (med/slow)
World Building: 🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍
Character development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 6, 2024
1. All of the brothers seemed to think it was perfectly ok for Nash to bring home multiple ONS in front of his five-year-old nephew?
2. A lot of things in this book made no sense to me.
a. Why did North assume that Sloan was a gold digger just because she was a waitress?
b. If she was a gold digger, why would she have snuck out the morning after she spent the night with Nash without even sharing her name or finding out his?
c. How could she be a gold digger if she was “way out of his league” (referring to Nash)?
d. Why did Shannon mistrust Sloan?
3. This book was So. Very. Slow. I’m at 46% and nothing has happened.
4. I understand that making vague references to things that have happened in the past to create suspense is popular in romance novels but sometimes, like with this book, it’s so overdone, I’m losing interest.
5. Nash was just so … slimy. The way he was always making sure that everyone knew every time he slept with Sloan made me throw up in my mouth a little.
6. Hunter and Sloan had $ex in the hot tub where Lio could easily have seen them?
7. Cystic Fibrosis is not “rare”.
I was really looking forward to this book because I love romances and I love books where the FMC has some kind of paranormal gift. At 64% the FMC had slept with one of the MMCs, but there didn't seem to be any “romantic” feelings on either side. In fact, the MMC was so smug and slimy that he went around bragging to everyone about taking “another spin on that ride.” And, although the FMC did have the ability to see and speak to ghosts, it certainly wasn't the main focus of the book at this point. The main plot of the book seemed to center around the emotional damage to the MMCs caused by the deaths of Saylor and Jessica.
It wasn’t until 90% that there was some angst and conflict between the FMC and the MMC centered around her paranormal “gift”.
2. A lot of things in this book made no sense to me.
a. Why did North assume that Sloan was a gold digger just because she was a waitress?
b. If she was a gold digger, why would she have snuck out the morning after she spent the night with Nash without even sharing her name or finding out his?
c. How could she be a gold digger if she was “way out of his league” (referring to Nash)?
d. Why did Shannon mistrust Sloan?
3. This book was So. Very. Slow. I’m at 46% and nothing has happened.
4. I understand that making vague references to things that have happened in the past to create suspense is popular in romance novels but sometimes, like with this book, it’s so overdone, I’m losing interest.
5. Nash was just so … slimy. The way he was always making sure that everyone knew every time he slept with Sloan made me throw up in my mouth a little.
6. Hunter and Sloan had $ex in the hot tub where Lio could easily have seen them?
7. Cystic Fibrosis is not “rare”.
I was really looking forward to this book because I love romances and I love books where the FMC has some kind of paranormal gift. At 64% the FMC had slept with one of the MMCs, but there didn't seem to be any “romantic” feelings on either side. In fact, the MMC was so smug and slimy that he went around bragging to everyone about taking “another spin on that ride.” And, although the FMC did have the ability to see and speak to ghosts, it certainly wasn't the main focus of the book at this point. The main plot of the book seemed to center around the emotional damage to the MMCs caused by the deaths of Saylor and Jessica.
It wasn’t until 90% that there was some angst and conflict between the FMC and the MMC centered around her paranormal “gift”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2024
Worst book I’ve read this year.
The writing was atrocious.
I tried to continue with the duet thinking that it’ll be better and I was bored but my god, the writing hurts my eyes, my brain and everything.
I’ll never pick anything else by this author, it’s my second work of her and I feel dumber every time reading her books.
I can’t stop rolling my eyes, and I hate everything about it.
I don’t understand the hype, I don’t support the hype, and for the love of my sanity please stop pushing this type of shitty books.
Anyway, this is only my opinion. Sue me.
The writing was atrocious.
I tried to continue with the duet thinking that it’ll be better and I was bored but my god, the writing hurts my eyes, my brain and everything.
I’ll never pick anything else by this author, it’s my second work of her and I feel dumber every time reading her books.
I can’t stop rolling my eyes, and I hate everything about it.
I don’t understand the hype, I don’t support the hype, and for the love of my sanity please stop pushing this type of shitty books.
Anyway, this is only my opinion. Sue me.
May 19, 2025
I listened to both parts of the Duet last weekend. Both audiobooks are really long, and it took me a day each to finish the Duet, even though I listened in 1.8 x speed.
This duet show so many emotions and makes you want to laugh, cry and shout out to support the heroine Sloane.
It is well written and kept my attention the whole time. But I wished that there was more serious grovelling in the second book.
This duet show so many emotions and makes you want to laugh, cry and shout out to support the heroine Sloane.
It is well written and kept my attention the whole time. But I wished that there was more serious grovelling in the second book.
April 20, 2024
Loved it
October 12, 2024
You ever get sad because you finished a book and it was THAT GOOD 🥹 this is me right now with this book!
I immediately need to read the second duet of this! This book deserves all the stars in the world ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story follows a girl named Sloan who has a special gift. Along the way she meets four brothers and decides to stick around and help them without revealing her special gift.
Every character in this story was likable (except North....asshole 🙄) and the way it ends leaves you teary eyed and picking up the pieces of your heart.
I immediately need to read book two!
I immediately need to read the second duet of this! This book deserves all the stars in the world ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story follows a girl named Sloan who has a special gift. Along the way she meets four brothers and decides to stick around and help them without revealing her special gift.
Every character in this story was likable (except North....asshole 🙄) and the way it ends leaves you teary eyed and picking up the pieces of your heart.
I immediately need to read book two!
May 10, 2024
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH OMFG ?! I need book 2 in my hands ASAP.
October 28, 2024
so good
Slow start but great ending! Blake Black is killing it with these books. Slowly becoming a new favorite author.
Such a good read! Got me crying a few times. Love it!
Slow start but great ending! Blake Black is killing it with these books. Slowly becoming a new favorite author.
Such a good read! Got me crying a few times. Love it!
July 27, 2024
ATE IT UPPPPP! a why choose but it’s basically just the set up and we get to know each brother. also the main girl can sees ghosts and she falls for one 🤭🤭🤭🤭 as i always do with a why choose, i must choose my favorite one. rn saylor takes the cake
February 14, 2024
Where do I even start. This is legitimately I think my favorite book I’ve ever read. Blake babe you are a magician with words.
This book made me laugh, cry, and broke my freaking heart. I legitimately didn’t want it to be over.
Our FMC Sloan has been through some trauma. She is a medium who can see and talk to ghosts. She’s been labeled as crazy so she doesn’t get close to others in order to protect herself. After losing her gran and gaining her freedom again she decides to go on a cross country adventure to make her nan’s wish come true and she ends up in a small town and does the one thing she never does gets close to people.
She meets the Jones brothers North, Hunter, Nash and ghost Saylor. These men have been through some stuff and have some serious trauma. They own a lobster fishing company that they work at together. Hunter takes care of Lio North’s son. Sloan blows into their lives and NOTHING will be the same.
North is closed off, doesn’t trust easily, cold, rude and works too much.
Hunter is kind, sweet, struggles silently, takes care of Lio and is just so amazing.
Nash is the young, playboy, ladies man, sleeps around but only once as he never commits.
These brothers are absolutely delicious and let’s just say watching them fall for Sloan and Sloan falling for them was absolutely incredible and just beautiful.
I legit have no words for how much I absolutely love this story! It’s only the 4th book to ever make me cry. It’s destroyed my heart in the best possible way. I cannot wait for book 2.
This book made me laugh, cry, and broke my freaking heart. I legitimately didn’t want it to be over.
Our FMC Sloan has been through some trauma. She is a medium who can see and talk to ghosts. She’s been labeled as crazy so she doesn’t get close to others in order to protect herself. After losing her gran and gaining her freedom again she decides to go on a cross country adventure to make her nan’s wish come true and she ends up in a small town and does the one thing she never does gets close to people.
She meets the Jones brothers North, Hunter, Nash and ghost Saylor. These men have been through some stuff and have some serious trauma. They own a lobster fishing company that they work at together. Hunter takes care of Lio North’s son. Sloan blows into their lives and NOTHING will be the same.
North is closed off, doesn’t trust easily, cold, rude and works too much.
Hunter is kind, sweet, struggles silently, takes care of Lio and is just so amazing.
Nash is the young, playboy, ladies man, sleeps around but only once as he never commits.
These brothers are absolutely delicious and let’s just say watching them fall for Sloan and Sloan falling for them was absolutely incredible and just beautiful.
I legit have no words for how much I absolutely love this story! It’s only the 4th book to ever make me cry. It’s destroyed my heart in the best possible way. I cannot wait for book 2.
February 16, 2024
You know there are a few books which will linger and stay with you for all time. Whisper waves is that one for me. Say hello to Nash, North ,Hunter and Saylor and the object of their affection Sloan. Our broken spirited medium who is just trying to get by in this life without any more hardships. And then come in the men. Well 3 of them at least. And then what happens in this book is a thing of beauty. I mean I got choked reading this one so much, I can't explain. And then came the waterworks which just did not stop. The pure adoration that's shown on these pages is something else. From being wary of one another to just being a plain ol goof, to the one completely bestowed by Sloan , these men are something else. And the one who is always by Sloans side talking her through everything and calming her .
We meet our found family/besties in this one and yearn we want friends like them as well. Pure perfection.
And that cliffhanger shit, yes it has a cliffy , helloo it's a duet. This one will rock and knock your socks off.
We meet our found family/besties in this one and yearn we want friends like them as well. Pure perfection.
And that cliffhanger shit, yes it has a cliffy , helloo it's a duet. This one will rock and knock your socks off.
dnf-dns
August 3, 2024Did not finish. One of the MMCs is a single dad with a 5 year old son.
🏃💨
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