Just Kickin' It

Greenbrook Lovers #2

by Danielle Brooks

Desni

Another Valentine’s Day is here. Typically it’s me and my homegirl Kennedy out on the town doing a Galentine’s celebration, but this year, she’s booed up, and I’m reluctantly preparing to do Lover’s Day by myself until Damian hits me and says let’s hit the town. Spending Valentine's with my homie from high school was not what I had in mind, but neither was how the night went…

Damian

With Savannah, my on-and-off situationship, out of town for a hosting gig in Damask, aka Black Hollywood, I was set to spend Valentine’s Day watching All-Star Game pre-weekend specials until I found out that Desni was spending it alone. I’m cool without company, but Desni had been doing “Galentine’s” with Kennedy for the last couple of years until this year now that Kennedy has a man. It didn’t sit right for me to let my homegirl spend Lover’s Day alone, so I told her to get dressed and let’s ride, but I didn’t expect the journey we would take tonight…

50 pages, Paperback

Published February 13, 2024

Reviews

[Fatimah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is exactly what I needed this Valentine’s weekend!! 🥰❤️🩷🤍😈

[*Ebony I* · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Tease

Desni and Damian have known each other since high school and have remained friends over the years. When Damian realizes they are both going to be alone for Valentine's Day he sets out to show her a good time. Their time together reveals some uncovered feelings. These friends went to lovers and then it ended 😫😫 She said it was a prelude, but we definitely needed more because this was a tease.

['The Book Queen' · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute story.

[Rashae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ - damnnnn I want more from these two characters, but a novella is a novella☺️

[hannah :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

the ending was sooo disappointing omg! like how do you go back to normal after all that?? like i wish it was a full book for them man!!
just found out it’s a series OH WE UPPP IM EXCITED NOWWW

[Narrha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was short and sweet, but OMG !!!! I need more 😭. Ugh Desni and Damian have to get the chance to develop !!! Friends to lover to friends then nothing Lolol I need more. 3.5/5 ⭐️.

[Megan Thee Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desi and Damian should definitely be more! I feel like if Damian really told Desi how he felt then she would return the same sentiments but she is scared of getting hurt, let down, rejected, and not being enough. I would like to see their chemistry blossom into a full story. Overall, enjoyed the book and will read more by the author.

[Shamoya Radcliffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 best friends single with no plans for valentines, what could go wrong

I love with 2 friends think they can cross that intimacy line and everything goes back to normal lol. I can't to see where they go from here.

[Ebony Essence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Alright Now…

Dang just leave us wanting more then LOL! I enjoyed these two very much. The connection of just having a good friendship through the years was beautiful. Even though this is a novella the passion and curiosity between them was evident too. Old feelings from both sides start to take over and they let the night lead from more than just friends. The spice was very interesting. Danielle did a really good job of developing Desni and Damian. Ready to read more about them.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect palate cleanser! I absolutely loved Desni and Damian—their chemistry was amazing! Even though it was a novella, a valentines day one at that 🥰I found myself wanting more. The mutual pining was top-tier, and the spice? Whew, it was spicing for sure! One night, no titles dynamic had me hooked. “I had to make the best of the one-time opportunity not to be best friends, but that nigga that fucks her right.” Baby 🥵 I can’t wait to read more from Danielle!

[Matieka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want more!

I definitely want more to this story. Good plot and great characters. Loved that we got a little backstory on them. Hope there is more to their story :)

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Kickin' It by Danielle Brooks is the perfect book to read to get you ready for Valentine's Day!! This is a short and sweet, but don't worry because if you want more, their story continues in the Belafonte & Friends series!!

Desni finds herself out of a Galentine's Day celebration since her friend now has a beau. When her friend Damian gets wind, he decides to take her out. His on again, off again girlfriend isn't in town/in the picture so he decides to treat Desni to a special night.

Friends, right? Well...back in high school there maaaaay have been a little attraction. Is it still there?

This was such a fun novella and I loved learning their backstory. It's also sucked me in and I will now be continuing their story!! This is a perfect spicy read for February!

[Breana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did someone say best friends to lovers? Oh, we’re listening… and we’re hooked.

Just Kickin It is a short, sinfully spicy Valentine’s Day novella that gives us just a taste, a cruel addictive taste, of Desni and Damian’s story. And trust us, once you’ve had a bite, you’ll be begging for the whole damn meal. Desni and Damian have always been a slow-burn waiting to explode. This isn’t your typical Valentine’s Day fluff. It’s tension wrapped in silk, desire masked by banter, and just enough vulnerability to leave your heart aching right alongside your hormones. This story doesn’t give you resolution — it gives you temptation. It sets the stage for the full Desni & Damian story, and if this is the prelude, we’re in for an emotional, erotic wildfire. I absolutely ate this up and can’t wait to see how their story unfolds!!

[Treasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

***********ARC********Review****************
This is Desni and Damian story
Desni has had a crush on her high school crush Damian since high school. She even wrote him anonymously letter on one of the Valentine’s Day . Years later Damian ask her to spend valentines evening with him as they are both single and have no plans. What they didn’t know, was that it would sparks old feelings.
They agree for just 1 night only, not to be bestie but lovers instead

[Olivia Gloria Perez · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Because tonight is about you & only you. Settle into that thought.”




• very steamy valentine novella; didn’t like how it went from having a crush on your bestfriend to just being together for one night & go back to being friends.

• would’ve liked a build up; not just I like you, wanna hook up & go back to being homies?

• it was an okay read; something quick to get through; if he liked her too, why agree to just one night? And he was too aggressive as well for me!

[Rissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now girl…you know we need the rest…

Um where is the rest…the author needs to do a wraparound and revisit these characters. I get it is a novella but the ending is very abrupt and readers are basically left with questions on how the characters ultimately ended up. No HEA…just nothing…I don’t like that.

Other than that I enjoyed the characters and the story. However the author should seriously consider a book 2.

[Ajae Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick read

I enjoyed this book. The felt the connection between desni and Damien throughout the book. I know it was a novella but I do wish it was longer. Because that ending left me feeling unsatisfied. But overall I enjoyed this book. And I love that the characters have Locs. I was just saying I wanted to read more book with the fmc having Locs. Great job Danielle

[CheKesha Simms · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I need more!!!

This friends to something got me wanting and needing more!!! The spice level was on habanero. To know your fine bff was sitting on a pot of gold that you got to discover and experience for one night is bananas! This novella was amazing and definitely got me feeling like the MMC wanting more!

[Bradley Book Bites · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Kenderella and Friendsgiving, I needed the back story to Des and Dame and wowwwww!!! I don’t know why they are playing around. The suspense is killing me. They are literally soul mates they are the only ones who can’t see it. I loveeeeeddddd it. Short, sweet and sexy back story! 5 stars.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️. Thus a story of two longtime friends who unexpectedly spend Valentine's Day together. The night takes an unexpected turn.

Short and cute. It definitely had my attention from the jump. Would have been a five star if it weren’t for the few typos.

Recommend and I will be reading the next book in this world.

[Nessa Riley · Rating 2 out of 5]

What??????

I need answers like what happened to the rest of the book. The book was going, so good, and then it just abruptly ended 🤷🏽‍♀️🤔 like why? Just why? I felt so cheated out of this book that the lazy ending was not it

[Meagan Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Be Continued??

Please tell me this is not the end of their story. Des & Dame got a thing goin on and we need to know how they work this out. This novella was great just like the other two in this series! Whatever Danielle Brooks writes, I’m reading.

[Vonetta Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

We got a snippet of what went down between high school friends Desni and Damian on Valentine's Day in Kenderella but this novella provides the full story. It was short and spicy but gave just enough to have you wanting to know where these friends go from here and I cannot wait to see.

[KiKi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute quick read. The writing was engaging and I enjoyed the characters and banter. The miscommunication trope sometimes makes me want to rip my hair out but because it was a novella, it wasn’t too stressful and my edges will live to see another day😂

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. I didn’t really feel it gave much but presume it’s just the beginning of something from other books that Danielle Brooks has as a series.

Friends who have a crush on each other for the longest sleep together for one night. That’s pretty much it lol

[Starlequinn Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww

This was kinda cute. I love friends to lovers but dang why did it end like that lol there was a few word choice icks I didn't like but the overall story was cute. Nicely written too!

[Nickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come on Bestie!

This is the reason I love this author cause she always makes you want MORE!? ❤️❤️❤️
Like, can they be a couple already?! 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Why is ol’ girl even relevant!?
Dame and Des were the only one’s stopping the progress of something more 🤭🤭🤭 ugh…

[VicBeReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! Loved this novella, the story of friends with lots of sexual tension who indulge for one night only. Ms Danielle can write a love scene like no other!

[Carmen Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yaaassss

I loved this short spicy read so much. Especially the spice and the ending. Perfect for a lunchtime read or pallet cleanser. Can not wait to read more of her catalog.

[Chichilovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you set out to read a Novelette and now you want more.. This was a good friends to lovers quick read.