Sweet Like Sundays

Greenbrook Lovers #1

by Danielle Brooks

Amelia SadeIt's been a year since I've moved into my inherited home in Stonehenge and I finally feel like I found my peace. The home feels like mine, I have my garden, and then there's my neighbor, Ace, to whom I've never said a few words until this month. Who would've thought I would fall in love with him over four Sundays...Aaron "Ace"I've been here in Stonehenge for four years since Pops left the house in my name and moved to Florida. Still not sure if this is my speed, but for the sake of keeping the home in the family, I'm here, in this house, next to this gorgeous woman, Sade, who moved in a year ago. Who would've thought four Sundays with her would change my life forever...What's sweeter than Sundays in April than Sundays in April with you?

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Novella, Fiction

66 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2024

Reviews

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
- Really loved how sweet this book was and if you’re looking for an mmc that is a true gentleman you’ll really love this one. The boy next door trope is one I will always love and this read is a cozy one I didn’t want to put down.
- There were parts of this book that felt a bit over explained. Learning the color of shirt the character was wearing or small details like that weren’t my favorite but I absolutely loved the pacing of the book. If you want a story that’s truly just so sweet, this is the book you need to pick up.
- I finished this book in one sitting because it was such an easy read. It took less than 24 hours! Perfect read for the summer.

[tre be · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ When I saw this stunning cover I HAD TO read this indie romance novella! The cover gets 5 ⭐️ on its own! I love the greenery and the gorgeous melanated couple immersed in each other.

Amelia and Ace are new neighbors who meet and become acquainted over a month of Sundays in April. (I was always a fan of April because it’s a time when everything blooms to life)

At just 66 pages, it packed a punch with both light hearted and heartfelt moments! I do feel like more of the story was dedicated to Ace as a person and things happening in his life. I would’ve liked to have learned more about Sade as her own character, instructing of just in response to her interactions with Ace.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sundays are for rest.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Contemporary Romance | Slow Burn | Found Family
🧩 Tropes: Neighbors to lovers, grief and healing, quiet intimacy, soft spice

This book is exactly what the title promises sweet, like the kind of Sunday that lingers in your heart long after the sun sets.

Ace and Sade are two sides of the same coin: both living in homes passed down from their parents, both quietly surviving life’s curveballs, and both finding comfort in the simple ritual of Sunday chats. What starts as neighborly kindness slowly blooms into friendship, then something deeper, richer, and more intimate.

Ace’s bond with his father is beautifully drawn he calls him every Sunday without fail. So when he misses that call while spending time with Sade, and his father unexpectedly passes, the emotional fallout is raw and real. Ace becomes closed off, and the story doesn’t rush to fix him. It lets him grieve, lets Sade hold space, and lets their connection deepen through quiet understanding.

There’s just a touch of spice perfectly placed, never overpowering. The real heat comes from the emotional intimacy, the way these two characters learn to trust, to show up, and to imagine a future together.

I love that this isn’t a flashy romance it’s a gentle one. A story about ordinary people finding extraordinary love in the quiet corners of their lives. And it’s proof that sometimes, the sweetest stories are the ones that take their time.

[JazzReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

This book was my first read by this author and I love the cover. O like the story overall. I am curious about exploring the other books in her collection.

[Doris Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet 😊

[sweetconnectionswithtoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sade & Ace

This was a short novella, falling in love over 4 Sundays. The waiting to exhale “I hope he’s not watching me walk away” part had me laughing.

Their love was such a vibe ~ all the 90’s music groups that was mentioned in this book was cute!

4🌟/5

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read but worth it.

This was a quick read but good nonetheless. I enjoyed it, a tear jerker, for sure. Definitely worth continuing reading the series.

[Danielle Wright-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sade and Ace are neighbors who fall for each other over 4 Sundays in Apri! I loved they’re genuine curiosity about one another. Oh if I could’ve got a chance hear all of the things they talked about. 😊

This was a short story but it touched on relatable things! 30 something wanting to find love. Dealing with loss. Navigating through routines on a Sunday that gives you a good start to a new week. Might I add, I always enjoy how the author writes black women being loved! Sundays are for resets and being loved is beautiful!


I recommend you read this!

[Brisace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely breathtaking every page radiated with undeniable chemistry. I felt every moment between the characters, like I was living it with them. And when Ace’s dad said, “Life and love are fleeting. Don’t miss out on either one of them,” it hit me right in the heart. Such a powerful reminder to hold on tight to the things that truly matter.

[T.Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet Sunday…

I absolutely adored this novella! It was such a cute and heartwarming story. The blossoming love between Sade and Ace was incredibly sweet, I found myself smiling from start to finish!

I’m usually unsure about novellas because they don’t always leave me fully satisfied, but this one had everything I love, romance, passion, and real/raw emotion. The story also touches on grief in a very real and beautiful way, serving as a lovely reminder that it’s possible to let love in, even in the midst of loss. I loved every single moment of this love story!

[Narrha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was short and sweet. It’s me getting teary-eyed which caught me off guard in the best way lol. Truly an art to write a novella that’s captivating and engaging.

Ace & Sade were too cute. So glad Ace listening to his dad, their relationship was so sweet and it really warmed my heart❤️. Overall 4/5 ⭐️

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ for sure! This was such a sweet, wholesome story, of two adults capable of communicating, falling in love over a few Sundays.

Aeron was such a green flag with big, delicious acts of service and Amelia was a strong woman who knew how she deserved to be treated and could take care of herself. The vibes were there and I could picture myself chilling at Amelia's house on a Sunday afternoon

[Jaleesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Cute

Ok this was cute and then it got a little sad but it ended on a high note. I felt like I got to know Sade and Ace and seeing them get to know each other felt good to read! For a novella it was very satisfying

[Kalisha Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the most gorgeous cover I've ever seen.
I need 600 pages devoted to Ace and Sade. 🥵🥰
First book by this author, but you bet your Papa's Heart Pound Cake I'll be devouring every other book this lovely soul has written.💛

[hannah :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a nice refreshing quick romance to read. i loved reading both their povs and seeing his pov not objectify her. i love a nice black romance and im excited to read another one of her books soon…possibly finish the rest of this series :)

[LaTonya M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet Like Sundays follows our two main characters, Ace and Sade who fall in love throughout four Sundays.

I enjoyed the movie references/ song references throughout the novel. I wanted to love this short novella but throwing in a third-act breakup in a book that’s only fifty pages is kind of insane.

[Ebony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok.

The idea of falling in love in a Sundays seemed. interesting. Sometimes the book felt more telling than showing with very wordy paragraphs. It felt repetitive in some parts and I wish we had gotten more background on Sade. I wasn’t a fan of the ending since it felt a bit rushed. Maybe a mini epilogue would’ve helped. Otherwise a quick short read.

[Angie Baer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit something: I haven’t read many romance books by indie Black authors—not because I don’t want to, but because they don’t always make it onto my radar unless I stumble across them on Bookstagram. Last week, though, one of my favorite bookstagrammers shared a stack of romances by Black authors that we need to be reading. Naturally, I ordered a few, and I just finished the first one.

✨ Sweet Like Sundays by Danielle Brooks—and to say I’m obsessed would be an understatement.

Here’s why:

1. Novella magic – You don’t need 500+ pages to tell a compelling, heartfelt story. This novella is short but so satisfying.

2 Relatable characters – From the very first line, I connected with the main character. This couple completely stole my heart.

3. Emotional depth – I was impressed by how much emotion was packed into such a short story. Nothing over-the-top or dramatic, just real, human emotions that made the story come alive.

4. “From the heart” storytelling – BookTok and Bookstagram are filled with high-drama, swoony romances (which I also love), but there’s something so refreshing about everyday love stories that still tug at your heartstrings.

5. The writing style – Engaging, natural, and beautifully flowing.

6. Family ties – I loved the way parents and grandparents were woven into the story. Their presence added depth, context, and warmth to the romance.

7. That cover! – Honestly, it’s stunning. I kept flipping the book over just to admire it.

I’m already adding more of Danielle Brooks’ books to my TBR—she might just become one of my new favorites.

[The Magical Quill · Rating 3 out of 5]

🪴Audiobook Review: Sweet Like Sundays by Danielle Brooks 🌻 (1hr 45m, Narrated by Audrey Shaunice)

This novella runs like a diary entry. The informalities, slang, and familiar interactions between Sade and Ace sounded personal and described in a way that felt like we were in the mind of the narrator in a very personal way.

It was a short and sweet novella about two neighbors and their growing infatuation with each other. I’m unsure if I would go as far as to say it’s love, but I can say infatuation. There’s a start of something but definitely more to be seen.

The audio was a little different for me. I had to get use to the voice change for Ace. At first, I wasn’t sure I could listen to it for almost 2 hours. But as I listened, I got adjusted and could see and feel Ace’s voice. Ace got more time than Sade, and his point of view, background, and experiences seemed more fleshed out than Sade’s. I felt like she was more of a compliment to HIS story rather than them sharing a mutual story of experiences.

The ending did feel very rushed. I understand that with a novella, you aren’t going to have a complete story per se, but the pacing, even for a novella, was very rushed. It felt like things were thrown in towards the end to give depth to the relationship, but instead, it just felt incomplete, and it didn’t flesh out the relationship for me. Overall, it was a quick and sweet “diary-type” romance story.

[jaeden ᥫ᭡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book as been on my list for a while and when I finally opened it to see it was basically only 4 chapters I just KNEW I’d finish longing for more and wanting more Sundays, but this was near perfection.

I thought the story would take place over a series of Sunday’s with some time in between for their connection to grow but this is one time insta love felt right and organic from the beginning.

Sade, a woman who’s confident and grounded in her home, her emotions, her feelings. She’s fully in control of her energy and the energy she allows into her life. Ace, who’s also confident, a man embracing his relationship with his father and is so unabashedly chivalrous in a way that’s sweet but commanding. They FEEL perfect for each other even in their casual conversations then you add the banter, chemistry, and vulnerability and you’ve got magic.

Ace’s dad was a great side character and provided both commentary and conflict that was natural and helped drive the story. The memories of Sade’s grandparents and their love story helped color her background and provide an example of the love she desires and why she believes in this connection. The elders push our lovebirds to be honest, not holding back from each other and the result was beautiful.

(Also if you know me you know I am not a fan of rain kisses but this one was too perfect to hate. 🥰)

[kymani ✰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

This book was so sweet and cute. I love the old school vibe and love that this book gave because it felt genuine and respectful, not full of lust like many romances are today.

Both characters were enjoyable. Since it is a novella, we don’t get to know too much about them. It was nice we got to see Ace’s interactions with his father, but I would’ve loved to see what Sade’s relationship with her mother was like, we only heard about it briefly. I think there was a lot of telling that sometimes dragged and made the reading boring, i.e. the first chapter.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it! A quick read that you can finish in an hour or less. I wished there was more, a little epilogue, I wasn’t ready to let them go, especially since that third act conflict came along. But I was satisfied with their ending.

Short stories, I don’t think, are for me, but this was adorable. I loved it!

[Sheronda H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of Sweet Like Sundays. This is my honest review of the book. The first chapter did not peak my interest in what was to come with this storyline. I felt there were many run on sentences that made it difficult to read. I understand that the author wanted to give us details and descriptions but it was overwhelming at times. I am quick to not finish a book if it doesn’t not keep my attention, even within the 1st few pages. I continued reading and it did get better for me. It was a cute story of how two neighbors connected into what could turn into love. They had chemistry and seemed like they would be a good fit for each other. I would have liked the book to be longer to see the relationship progress. Maybe, even an epilogue.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ace and Sade…what can I say!

This novella was the sweetest thing. Ace and Sade pretty much fall in love with one another over the course of four Sunday’s. The references to old songs and movies was top tier. Their banter, chemistry, and connection was a breath of fresh air.

I know I always wish there was an epilogue but some stories are better left right where they are. Additionally, I truly got some closure from this because everything they felt closed the book for me—the future of loving one another was enough for me.

This book kind of reminds me of Seven Days In June. If you want a sweet novella that is sure to touch your heart, this is the book!!! 💕

[Bookedupwithsayde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Like Sundays

The title alone had me hooked, but the story turned out to be just as beautiful. I loved seeing the FMC share my name it made the connection even more special. I’m such a sucker for a good love story with instant chemistry, and this one delivered. No games, no back and forth both characters knew exactly what they wanted.

Ace’s storyline with his dad really hit home I’ll admit, I shed a few tears. And the backstory of Sade’s relationship with her grandmother added so much depth and heart.

This book is the definition of a feel-good love story. Watching Ace realize his mistake and run back to his woman had me smiling big.

[Sierra · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some aspects of this short and sweet story that I enjoyed, and some parts where it fell flat for me. It had a strong start for the lovers but toward the end it started to feel rushed and I felt that we lost a lot of the building of their relationship. I would have loved to see a hint more of their interactions between their Sunday dates, build up a bit more of that tension. Also some of the wording did start to feel repetitive-our MMC’ frequent reference to his “beast inside” and a few of the other euphemisms knocked off a star for me. 2.5/5-it was okay, I liked enough to finish it, but probably wouldn’t reach for it again.

[Treasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****************ARC*****review********************
Neighbour to lover
Small town romance
Soft life energy

Overview: the intensity between Ace and Sade is electrifying. What are the odd that you and your neighbour want the same in life?
I love the story , it’s a novella but felt like a slow burn novel. The story transported me to a tropical island whilst reading it.
I felt like thats where the story played off, an ideal holiday read .
The plot twist in their story , had me in utter shock!

Loved it

[Bradley Book Bites · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novella was so beautifully written. I loved the relationship between Ace and his dad and the memories of Sade and her grandparents. I also enjoyed how Danielle discussed the importance of legacy, homeownership and passing down generational wealth. It was beautiful to see how keeping things in your family while being black is important. In less than 70 pages I feel in love with Sade and Ace. It was long enough. Ughhh!!! They were just so smitten for each other. I was here for it all. I wanted a little more back story on Sade like there was with Ace but overall I loved this book.

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short novella which you can finish in one sitting!

This is my first time reading a Danielle Brooks novel and I really enjoyed it. It was nice to have a romance where the MMC was a gentlemen and the female character was just open to the love.

Ace and Sade are just so adorable and to we their romance grow over four Sundays in April is just so easy. Despite the focus a bit more on Ace as a character, the novel had a lot fitted on for the 60 pages.

Overall a nice read and perfect if you want to fill in a gap or a pick me up after a reading slump

[NubianJoí · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loves Garden

Hmmmm 🤔, initially I had reservations approaching my inaugural read of author Ms. Danielle Brooks’ ”Sweet Like Sundays (Greenbrook Lovers - Book 1”. Nevertheless, a good read with compelling characters, organic plot development, respectful & mature content while masterfully confronting complex personal, relationship & social issues. I’ve enjoyed the journey of Ace & Sade’s love garden 🥰🪴‼️

[_dulcekk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love stands the test of time…

Ace & Sade, two neighbors that take a chance on one another, with a simple Sweet Sunday date. However, life happens & Ace becomes distant as he grieves. Sade remains steadfast by recalling her grandmother’s wisdom, remaining hopeful that, that Sweet Sunday date was the beginning of something long lasting between her and Ace.
“I can’t let life or the opportunity to love pass me by.”