What do you think?
Rate this book
A Justified Hall Pass
Brielle “Bree” Thomas is a phenomenal product marketing guru. She is a selfless woman who gives more than she receives. Her husband hasn’t made love to her in over a year. Although her best friend thinks it’s spousal abuse, Bree believes if she prays and is loyal in her marriage, things will turn around in her favor.
Walter “Walt” Simmons is a captivating nonconformist. He has very little faith in marriage, religion, or school. He utilizes his popular blog to vent his frustrations which earns him additional revenue on top of his already lucrative position as an advertising executive where he works alongside Bree, his good friend since college. Walt dates, but becomes bored when they nag him about marriage.
When Walt overhears Bree saying she hasn’t had sex in fourteen months, he suggests that she indulge in a Hall Pass. Bree initially dismisses the idea because of her strong Christian background. What happens when Bree gets fed up with her husband’s unresponsiveness to her? How will Walt deal with his newfound attraction to Bree and her consideration of the Hall Pass? Will he make his intentions known? Or will he get stuck on the sidelines while Bree indulges in a weekend of guilt-free pleasure with someone other than her husband?
Walter “Walt” Simmons is a captivating nonconformist. He has very little faith in marriage, religion, or school. He utilizes his popular blog to vent his frustrations which earns him additional revenue on top of his already lucrative position as an advertising executive where he works alongside Bree, his good friend since college. Walt dates, but becomes bored when they nag him about marriage.
When Walt overhears Bree saying she hasn’t had sex in fourteen months, he suggests that she indulge in a Hall Pass. Bree initially dismisses the idea because of her strong Christian background. What happens when Bree gets fed up with her husband’s unresponsiveness to her? How will Walt deal with his newfound attraction to Bree and her consideration of the Hall Pass? Will he make his intentions known? Or will he get stuck on the sidelines while Bree indulges in a weekend of guilt-free pleasure with someone other than her husband?
- GenresAfrican American Romance
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
91 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Denise Essex
24 books72 followersDenise Essex crafts tantalizing romance novellas for Sweet Heat Seekers 💋! Her “A Naughty Rendezvous” title ranked number 2 on Amazon’s best sellers in Black and African American Romance Fiction chart in its first week. She’s published six seductive books since her first title “The College Route” debuted in the Summer of 2022.
Denise refers to her brand as Sweet Heat since she blends sweet relatable characters with steamy heated encounters. Be sure to like and follow her on Facebook at ✨www.facebook.com/DeniseEssex222 ✨ and subscribe to her mailing list ✨http://eepurl.com/h15QoD✨ for sexy surprises, discounted erotic products, and a taste of her latest juicy project 💦💋
Denise refers to her brand as Sweet Heat since she blends sweet relatable characters with steamy heated encounters. Be sure to like and follow her on Facebook at ✨www.facebook.com/DeniseEssex222 ✨ and subscribe to her mailing list ✨http://eepurl.com/h15QoD✨ for sexy surprises, discounted erotic products, and a taste of her latest juicy project 💦💋
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 10, 2024
enjoyable book but i wouldn’t consider what happened in the book a hall pass.
a hall pass can’t be a hall pass if all parties haven’t agreed to it.
bree never talked to lance about the hall pass. granted she found out he was cheating before she got the chance to bring it up. she decided to end her marriage before cashing in the “hall pass” so in my opinion everything after wasn’t a hall pass. it was a separated married woman popping her boochie as she should. get your lick back, sis!
a hall pass can’t be a hall pass if all parties haven’t agreed to it.
bree never talked to lance about the hall pass. granted she found out he was cheating before she got the chance to bring it up. she decided to end her marriage before cashing in the “hall pass” so in my opinion everything after wasn’t a hall pass. it was a separated married woman popping her boochie as she should. get your lick back, sis!
April 8, 2024
Her only husband!
The title of a book can intrigue you to the point that you just have to read the content between the pages. Walter and Chante's thinking of the hall pass was the best move for Bree. Bree was living the life of a single mom as a married woman. Or better yet, Lance was the wife as Walter put it while Bree was the husband. It was shocking that Lance did not even have the decency to tell Bree the truth about his past. She was doing everything in her power to make her marriage work. The more Walter and Bree's friendship was revealed, the more I thought he was more of a husband to Bree and father figure to London than Lance was. Bree, finding out about Lance's past, just pushed her right into the arms of Walter. Walter was the man for her all along. After all the heartache Bree went through with Lance, she got to marry her best friend. Although Walter was not a fan of marriage, he became the husband, protector, and provider that London and Bree needed. He wanted to make sure if, in any case, something happened to him, they were both taken care of. Walter was a real man while Lance was still in his young adult stage. Not only did Walter get to marry his best friend, but he was also the only husband Bree ever had.
A read like this will have you engaged from start to finish. You will want to know how best friends come up with such a risky idea for their co-worker/friend. I love a friend-to-lover troupe, and this book fits it perfectly. So get into it, I suggest it. There is a plethora of secrets exposed.
The title of a book can intrigue you to the point that you just have to read the content between the pages. Walter and Chante's thinking of the hall pass was the best move for Bree. Bree was living the life of a single mom as a married woman. Or better yet, Lance was the wife as Walter put it while Bree was the husband. It was shocking that Lance did not even have the decency to tell Bree the truth about his past. She was doing everything in her power to make her marriage work. The more Walter and Bree's friendship was revealed, the more I thought he was more of a husband to Bree and father figure to London than Lance was. Bree, finding out about Lance's past, just pushed her right into the arms of Walter. Walter was the man for her all along. After all the heartache Bree went through with Lance, she got to marry her best friend. Although Walter was not a fan of marriage, he became the husband, protector, and provider that London and Bree needed. He wanted to make sure if, in any case, something happened to him, they were both taken care of. Walter was a real man while Lance was still in his young adult stage. Not only did Walter get to marry his best friend, but he was also the only husband Bree ever had.
A read like this will have you engaged from start to finish. You will want to know how best friends come up with such a risky idea for their co-worker/friend. I love a friend-to-lover troupe, and this book fits it perfectly. So get into it, I suggest it. There is a plethora of secrets exposed.
October 14, 2024
So good
I did not expect to enjoy this story as much as I did. The hall pass was most definitely justified in this story. Best friends to lovers is a good storyline. In this version, I was reticent at first about a married woman cheating on her husband, even when it was obvious the relationship was well past its expected timeline. The plot twist midway will help you decide. I recommend this story 100%.
I did not expect to enjoy this story as much as I did. The hall pass was most definitely justified in this story. Best friends to lovers is a good storyline. In this version, I was reticent at first about a married woman cheating on her husband, even when it was obvious the relationship was well past its expected timeline. The plot twist midway will help you decide. I recommend this story 100%.
April 21, 2024
4.5 🌟
I wanna first start off by saying omg! This book was so good to me. The best friend trope is sometimes played out or overdone. But this book was not. I like the book traditional route, I love how Bree had a moral coincidence and she was my Christian girl. But the plot twist really shocked me. Her “husband” was trash like you sitting here cheating while Bree is providing your lifestyle and then have the audacity to not be faithful and who you say you are!
But watching Bree and Walt fall in love was everything to me. This book really flowed and they were too cute and I’m glad Lance finally stepped up to be a dad and took on the responsibility he should’ve since day one.
I wanna first start off by saying omg! This book was so good to me. The best friend trope is sometimes played out or overdone. But this book was not. I like the book traditional route, I love how Bree had a moral coincidence and she was my Christian girl. But the plot twist really shocked me. Her “husband” was trash like you sitting here cheating while Bree is providing your lifestyle and then have the audacity to not be faithful and who you say you are!
But watching Bree and Walt fall in love was everything to me. This book really flowed and they were too cute and I’m glad Lance finally stepped up to be a dad and took on the responsibility he should’ve since day one.
May 17, 2024
Ahhh...gets you in the feels
Yes, yes, yes, and yes to all of this. The cool part about this story is how the author just did a fantastic job of laying out the characters. Flaws and all. We truly had a sense of who they were as people, and the journey readers went on to their love and romance had some twists and sweet turns. There are times when a contemporary romance feels too worn through. Here, it was refreshing to see the mix. I liked the banter with the friends. It wasn't too heavy, and the deeper themes are often topics explored in Black households.
The cast of Characters:
✨Bree Bree is a great FMC. She has some vulnerabilities about her marriage and being a mother, and the frustrating scenes with her son and her description of being a mom are so accurate and true to life. Bree is out here hustling as a married, single mom (oof, the oxymoron is not lost on Bree). A woman who marries a shifty man spends a bit of time having to process whether she is married to a "wife-husband," a husband who acts more like a wife. And I oop!
✨Walt was a wonderful, refreshing MMC. He was smart, insightful, upfront, and most of all when homeboy goes all in....he GOES ALL IN! I loved that about him. He didn't waffle or pull back. Nah, he staked his claim and went for it.
✨Densie Essex deserves her well-earned kudos. She layered the hits in the story just perfectly, and even though I would have liked to explore some of those toxic issues more deeply, I enjoyed the ride and the read. It became an unputdownable story. I wanted to know with each page what was going to happen next. One of my little... ah moments happened at the very end. She features a true #BlackLove love story of a real-life couple.
Yes, yes, yes, and yes to all of this. The cool part about this story is how the author just did a fantastic job of laying out the characters. Flaws and all. We truly had a sense of who they were as people, and the journey readers went on to their love and romance had some twists and sweet turns. There are times when a contemporary romance feels too worn through. Here, it was refreshing to see the mix. I liked the banter with the friends. It wasn't too heavy, and the deeper themes are often topics explored in Black households.
The cast of Characters:
✨Bree Bree is a great FMC. She has some vulnerabilities about her marriage and being a mother, and the frustrating scenes with her son and her description of being a mom are so accurate and true to life. Bree is out here hustling as a married, single mom (oof, the oxymoron is not lost on Bree). A woman who marries a shifty man spends a bit of time having to process whether she is married to a "wife-husband," a husband who acts more like a wife. And I oop!
✨Walt was a wonderful, refreshing MMC. He was smart, insightful, upfront, and most of all when homeboy goes all in....he GOES ALL IN! I loved that about him. He didn't waffle or pull back. Nah, he staked his claim and went for it.
✨Densie Essex deserves her well-earned kudos. She layered the hits in the story just perfectly, and even though I would have liked to explore some of those toxic issues more deeply, I enjoyed the ride and the read. It became an unputdownable story. I wanted to know with each page what was going to happen next. One of my little... ah moments happened at the very end. She features a true #BlackLove love story of a real-life couple.
March 2, 2024
This was a fun read. It had the right amount of spice for me. I love a best friend who isn’t ashamed of how they feel about their friend. I love that. But when you add a request for a hall pass in the mix what shall happen…uhm. It was a fun read and I highly recommend this book!
March 4, 2024
This ATEEEEE!!! Miss maam did her thang with this book ohk. The chemisty was there, the drama was there, I ate this book up from start to finish!! This was the best bestfriends to lovers ive ever read!! Like fr it was amazing im bout to dive in to more of her catalog lollll 🤭😂
March 6, 2024
Justified
The friendship between them was beautiful ☺️ I love that they both respected each others takes on marriage to the point they were both willing to change.
The friendship between them was beautiful ☺️ I love that they both respected each others takes on marriage to the point they were both willing to change.
May 10, 2024
⭐️⭐️
5 star concept
3 star characters
1 star storyline and plot, for me this is where things got weird. Overall I loved the concept, the original aspects of the story. When the author began introducing new storylines: Walter and Mason dynamics, Lance’s secret, Bree’s family drama, etc… things got too ridiculous.
For me those random things thrown in there took away from the on page focus of their relationship. And also aspects of the Zanae input was odd and unnecessary. Even the dynamics within M3 didn’t seem to add to the whole story. If anything it all fail short.
I wish the author would’ve focused on the couple and showing us on page how they crossed over into more, show them actually falling in love. Bcuz based on what I read their love was platonic and then one day she had a makeover and all of a sudden Walt sees her differently. Oooook, now what?! When did she begin to see him differently and what made this not just a rebound?!
None of that really happened in front of us. All I read what the author telling me they felt strongly for each other. And the Melina thing was a bit confusing.
I’ll check out more of her work. But this one didn’t thrill me.
5 star concept
3 star characters
1 star storyline and plot, for me this is where things got weird. Overall I loved the concept, the original aspects of the story. When the author began introducing new storylines: Walter and Mason dynamics, Lance’s secret, Bree’s family drama, etc… things got too ridiculous.
For me those random things thrown in there took away from the on page focus of their relationship. And also aspects of the Zanae input was odd and unnecessary. Even the dynamics within M3 didn’t seem to add to the whole story. If anything it all fail short.
I wish the author would’ve focused on the couple and showing us on page how they crossed over into more, show them actually falling in love. Bcuz based on what I read their love was platonic and then one day she had a makeover and all of a sudden Walt sees her differently. Oooook, now what?! When did she begin to see him differently and what made this not just a rebound?!
None of that really happened in front of us. All I read what the author telling me they felt strongly for each other. And the Melina thing was a bit confusing.
I’ll check out more of her work. But this one didn’t thrill me.
July 7, 2024
Woooooo chileeee!
So, you are a woman in a marriage with a man who does not work, doesn't help with the child you both conceived, no household chores or anything. You have not had any marital relations in a year and a half and you are doing all you can to bring the love back to your relationship.
Your friends tell you that you need a hall pass because its not right that you cannot get what you need from your "husband". You tell your friends that you cannot do that and that God will bless your marriage because you are doing all you can to be a good wife and your hubby will come around. You carry that thought all the way home with you and walk in on your man pleasuring himself to a woman on video chat and you are done!
You call your friends like yup, i'm giving myself a hall pass. Yall figure out that with your upcoming business trip, you have the perfect opportunity! Your homegirl gets you a makeover with a new hair style, and all new clothes and when you walk into the office your male bestie of 15 years is all of a sudden acting all weird around you. You both prepare for your trip and he starts blocking all the men trying to get at you and you look at him like why are you doin that, what is the problem?
He looks in your eyes, pulls you close, and...READ THE BOOK!! It was so good. I feel that some places moved a little fast but believe me, I kept up. I did not regret this read at all.
So, you are a woman in a marriage with a man who does not work, doesn't help with the child you both conceived, no household chores or anything. You have not had any marital relations in a year and a half and you are doing all you can to bring the love back to your relationship.
Your friends tell you that you need a hall pass because its not right that you cannot get what you need from your "husband". You tell your friends that you cannot do that and that God will bless your marriage because you are doing all you can to be a good wife and your hubby will come around. You carry that thought all the way home with you and walk in on your man pleasuring himself to a woman on video chat and you are done!
You call your friends like yup, i'm giving myself a hall pass. Yall figure out that with your upcoming business trip, you have the perfect opportunity! Your homegirl gets you a makeover with a new hair style, and all new clothes and when you walk into the office your male bestie of 15 years is all of a sudden acting all weird around you. You both prepare for your trip and he starts blocking all the men trying to get at you and you look at him like why are you doin that, what is the problem?
He looks in your eyes, pulls you close, and...READ THE BOOK!! It was so good. I feel that some places moved a little fast but believe me, I kept up. I did not regret this read at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2024
I loved this story!
Brielle hadn't been loved on by her husband Lance in a whole year! He didn't work and didn't really help in the house! Walter Dizzy Simmons was her best friend and when he found this out him and her other best friend Chante' suggested asking for a Hall Pass! First reluctant but when she caught Lance in a compromising state she agreed and from there she discovered her best friend as more than a friend but also her lover! This story was so touching. Just the things she found out, the hurt, the deception, but in the end she gained a true love! Lance was a cheater and a liar! I loved it! Great read!
Brielle hadn't been loved on by her husband Lance in a whole year! He didn't work and didn't really help in the house! Walter Dizzy Simmons was her best friend and when he found this out him and her other best friend Chante' suggested asking for a Hall Pass! First reluctant but when she caught Lance in a compromising state she agreed and from there she discovered her best friend as more than a friend but also her lover! This story was so touching. Just the things she found out, the hurt, the deception, but in the end she gained a true love! Lance was a cheater and a liar! I loved it! Great read!
March 4, 2024
Sometimes What You Need Is Right In Your Face!
Denise Essex, a good read. Sometimes we lose what we could've had because of what has been embedded in us. Bree was living a whole lie and didn't even know it. She had a best friend that loved her in the right way and Walter made sure Bree knew her worth.
Sometimes parents can have their children thinking they know what's best when in all reality they themselves are miserable. Such a great learning read. I think a best friend like Walter is what most of us needs.🤗🤗🤗🤗
Denise Essex, a good read. Sometimes we lose what we could've had because of what has been embedded in us. Bree was living a whole lie and didn't even know it. She had a best friend that loved her in the right way and Walter made sure Bree knew her worth.
Sometimes parents can have their children thinking they know what's best when in all reality they themselves are miserable. Such a great learning read. I think a best friend like Walter is what most of us needs.🤗🤗🤗🤗
March 12, 2024
Justified hall pass
I enjoyed this book and the friendship and connection between Brielle and Walter. They definitely belonged together and I loved seeing how they interacted. This book started off a little slow for me but it definitely picked up quickly and kept me intrigued. I don’t want to provide spoilers, so I will just say I highly recommend this book and would say that there is more to Brielle’s hall pass than is given in the synopsis making it well worth the read in case anyone is on the fence about the premise behind what a hall pass typically is.
I enjoyed this book and the friendship and connection between Brielle and Walter. They definitely belonged together and I loved seeing how they interacted. This book started off a little slow for me but it definitely picked up quickly and kept me intrigued. I don’t want to provide spoilers, so I will just say I highly recommend this book and would say that there is more to Brielle’s hall pass than is given in the synopsis making it well worth the read in case anyone is on the fence about the premise behind what a hall pass typically is.
April 16, 2024
Fun and spicy read...
Admittedly, I'm not a fan of romance. I picked up the book because I was drawn to the cover and was like okay, if this is a hall pass situation, it's sure to be smutty LOL but I actually enjoyed the love story involved and now I'm just going to lie here in my bed and wait for a man who wants me like that man wanted that woman... But he needs to hurry up because I'm not getting any younger 😒
Admittedly, I'm not a fan of romance. I picked up the book because I was drawn to the cover and was like okay, if this is a hall pass situation, it's sure to be smutty LOL but I actually enjoyed the love story involved and now I'm just going to lie here in my bed and wait for a man who wants me like that man wanted that woman... But he needs to hurry up because I'm not getting any younger 😒
March 4, 2024
Great read
I like the words hall pass. It was such a shame on why Bree needed one. When Bree got that makeover Walter couldn't control himself. I'm glad she chose him for the hall pass after he interrupted her date. He had so much love and passion for her after that. I was glad it was no denial on either end. Lance was just stupid and her parents was trifling. Great read Denise
I like the words hall pass. It was such a shame on why Bree needed one. When Bree got that makeover Walter couldn't control himself. I'm glad she chose him for the hall pass after he interrupted her date. He had so much love and passion for her after that. I was glad it was no denial on either end. Lance was just stupid and her parents was trifling. Great read Denise
March 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I think everyone needs friends like Brielle. While I do think Brielle was justified in what she did I feel like she should have done some other things first, but I think she was valid in what she did. I also love how the author incorporated her other book into this one because I absolutely love that book
April 16, 2024
Amazing
This one right here was it....I loved Walt and Bree love. Platonic friendship turned love is just beautiful. I loved the way they stayed open and honest with each other with their viewpoint. Walter get bump to book husband for me for being vulnerable in his beliefs and really finding common ground with it. This book I'd a fav and I highly recommend
This one right here was it....I loved Walt and Bree love. Platonic friendship turned love is just beautiful. I loved the way they stayed open and honest with each other with their viewpoint. Walter get bump to book husband for me for being vulnerable in his beliefs and really finding common ground with it. This book I'd a fav and I highly recommend
April 22, 2024
I’m so mad i waiting too long to read this book 😩! Any way I have a few nicknames to Walter ! 🗣️ Big Walt not the little one, Big Wizzy Dizzy , Walt Dizzle , etc 😌 ! This was the perfect friends to lover love story 🥰🥰🥰! London omg he is just the sweetest lol baby boy ☺️ I just wanna pinch his cheeks 😅and watch him run in the grass 😂!
June 2, 2024
Loved It
I've been sitting on this one for awhile! I'm not a fan of extramarital affair situations but this story surprised me. Walt and Bree were truly only best friends and the hall pass was warranted due to her shady "husband". Bree deserved a real love and Walt was the man for the job. He turned her all the way out. Lance never stood a chance after Walt.
I've been sitting on this one for awhile! I'm not a fan of extramarital affair situations but this story surprised me. Walt and Bree were truly only best friends and the hall pass was warranted due to her shady "husband". Bree deserved a real love and Walt was the man for the job. He turned her all the way out. Lance never stood a chance after Walt.
March 3, 2024
Hall pass
This book was not what I thought it was going to be in a good way. I really enjoyed it and the different themes it brought up. The romance was soooo cute between the main characters!
This book was not what I thought it was going to be in a good way. I really enjoyed it and the different themes it brought up. The romance was soooo cute between the main characters!
March 12, 2024
cute, funny, not a lot of drama but worth it
cute, funny, not a lot of drama but very much worth a read. im a drama reader so i miss a little bit more drama but it didnt turn me off from reading.
cute, funny, not a lot of drama but very much worth a read. im a drama reader so i miss a little bit more drama but it didnt turn me off from reading.
March 2, 2024
Justified?
Would you ever think a Hall Pass can be justified? Will you should read this book and see. I really enjoyed reading, and we all need us a friend like Walter...
Would you ever think a Hall Pass can be justified? Will you should read this book and see. I really enjoyed reading, and we all need us a friend like Walter...
March 3, 2024
AMAZING!!
I could NOT put this book down! Bre and Walter’s chemistry was unmatched and I’m glad they were able to stop denying themselves of each other!
I could NOT put this book down! Bre and Walter’s chemistry was unmatched and I’m glad they were able to stop denying themselves of each other!
March 9, 2024
This was my first read from this author and I loved it. This was such a beautiful love story and written well. It was a good balance of drama and spice.
March 9, 2024
Perfection
I love a good love story. I also love when a man knows what he wants and goes for it.
I love a good love story. I also love when a man knows what he wants and goes for it.
March 13, 2024
Best ever!
Oh, Denise. I loved everything about Dizzy and his Bree Bree. You've outdid yourself again with this one.
Loved everything about it.
Oh, Denise. I loved everything about Dizzy and his Bree Bree. You've outdid yourself again with this one.
Loved everything about it.
March 18, 2024
Great Read
I enjoy this book. It did take me a little bit to get fully interested but once Dizzy kissed her I was invested and excited.
I enjoy this book. It did take me a little bit to get fully interested but once Dizzy kissed her I was invested and excited.
May 28, 2024
Wow this is my third read from Denise . Bravo sis that was so good and the spice was spicy. The plot twist was definitely unexpected. I really enjoyed this one.
June 7, 2024
yassss Dizzy
Great read and i love.. Love Ilove how the story developed. Sometimes you just have to let life get you where you need to be
Great read and i love.. Love Ilove how the story developed. Sometimes you just have to let life get you where you need to be
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews