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One Good Reason

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Lawton Harvey, aka Dutch, has only been serious about one thing most of his life, making money. He came up in a world where there were no such thing as perfect love stories. To him, true love doesn’t exist, so it’s always easy for him to distance himself from any woman who desires to get too close. With a closed mind and guarded heart, Dutch move through life with tunnel vision, and that is perfectly fine for the lifestyle he chooses to live.

Talitha Howard is used to the strained relationship with her mother, and the constant battles she has to fight. She’s accepted the lack of a relationship with the woman who birthed her, and the twisted fate the universe has given her. But when one of the few people who have poured into her all her life becomes ill, Talitha is left heartbroken, and having to make difficult decisions. Decisions that have the possibility to make or break her.

Dutch’s heart lies in his bank account and Talitha’s is dedicated to the one person who rescued her from a world of pain. They both have their individual battles, but all they need is one good reason to trust in one another. However, trust is like walking on thin ice in the winter; once its broken, there may be no repairing the cracks.

442 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2024

349 people are currently reading
191 people want to read

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Unique

77 books65 followers
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5 stars
580 (69%)
4 stars
180 (21%)
3 stars
58 (6%)
2 stars
7 (<1%)
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4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Mrs..
5,986 reviews105 followers
March 5, 2024
Interestingly, this was good

Although the story took me over the river and through the woods, I did no make it to.... Never mind. Anyway, this couple took me through it and back again. Sidenote: I was a little grossed out by the older lady grooming... Overall, this was a fairly good story.
Profile Image for ReadnliftwithShar.
1,854 reviews
February 24, 2024
4.5⭐️One Good Reason is a great book! I enjoy stories that have me stuck and eager to see the outcomes for the characters. That happened with this book; the first chapter had me hooked. Lawton and Talitha’s journey was complicated and layered but also enjoyable and engaging. I had a good understanding of the character's backgrounds. I quickly learned why they were hesitant to be in a relationship and how they overcame those challenges while dealing with intense family issues. It was a complete story for me.

Lawton was the perfect person for Tali, and he caught me by surprise with his actions throughout the book. He was always generous with his money, but I didn’t expect him to be so attentive and kind. The way he handled Tali’s situation was nothing short of amazing, and I Stan a protective man!

Tali’s story was heartbreaking at times; she was guarded and cautious but also had a nurturing spirit. The things that she had to endure with her family were intense, and she handled it well. I adored the relationship she had with her grandmother.

What I loved most about this book was seeing both characters face their past experiences and set firm boundaries with the ones who hurt them. They had more in common than they thought in the beginning. By forming a solid bond, they were able to be vulnerable and face many challenges. Was it a perfect relationship? No. However, I think with their complex backgrounds, they did the best they could. The author did a great job balancing the heaviness with romance and comedic relief. The pacing of the story was good, and the drama was timely. I just loved the cat-and-mouse game between Law and Tali because it was so clear they wanted each other. Gema manifested the happily ever after for these characters, and it was just what they needed. Good Job!!

** arc copy, all thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for DOMINIQUE Davis.
495 reviews30 followers
March 3, 2024
4.5 out of 5 stars. This was a slower paced read than I’m used to from the author. Talitha is dealing with past trauma and family drama all while trying to care for her elderly grandmother and plant her feet in her new Job. Lawton is trying to find someone to run his youth center after his relationship with his ex ends and she abandons her position. Talitha seems to be a perfect fit for the job but she also seems to be a perfect fit for Law. These two meshed so well together and I really enjoyed this one.
Profile Image for Sandra (Book Loves) Atueyi.
708 reviews22 followers
May 1, 2024
Family drama

One Good Reason by Unique is a great read and interesting read. Unique did an amazing job. This book was recommended by other readers. It’s well written and phenomenal page.

Talitha and Dutch have the strange relationship with their own mothers. Talitha is dealing with her family problems and depression but her grandparents show their unconditional love and support for her. Dutch is dealing with his trauma issues and abandonment issues by his love ones. Tali and Law are working at Youth Center. Tali and Law are good fit for each other. Adele and Law’s ex girlfriend need to move on their lives and take their L. My condolences to Tali and her family for losing her grandmother.

Good Read:
Book Nerd
Family issues
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Profile Image for _dulcekk.
609 reviews3 followers
August 27, 2025
layers!!

what a ride. Lawton & Talitha were a vibe that neither of them knew they needed. I loved how their relationship grew although they struggled to communicate with one another when their feelings developed. Talitha’s family was a HOT mess and so unbearable! The trauma she endured was sad however, the work she did to heal and push through showed her resiliency. Gema, Talitha’s grandma was such a jewel! Lawton was a troubled man who swore off falling for a woman but boy did this tables turn… Talitha came in like a wrecking ball & he had no choice but to succumb to it all!
Profile Image for Takeah Latimore.
Author 3 books22 followers
March 12, 2024
A Darn Good Reason

This book snatched me out of a reading slump! These characters! The storyline! The EVERYTHING! This story touched on important topics in the Black community (TW: SA / grooming), as well as the traumas that come along with those things. I absolutely loved Tali & Law; their chemistry was out of this world. Then there was Gema 🤣🩵. That fireball kept me weak! I will be adding this one to my bookshelf & diving deeper into Unique’s catalog because THIS is how you tell a story 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Profile Image for perfectlyamberb.
617 reviews28 followers
July 7, 2024
slow burn

This was an interesting read because both Dutch and Tali had some issues. I was both intrigued and annoyed by both of them but they were good characters and I liked how they came together. I loved Dutch’s slow progression into love. It was subtle and he didn’t shy away from it. Tali’s issues with her family were entertaining and infuriating because her momma was pure evil. I did find it interesting that the book choose to focus more on Tali and her abuse issues and kinda sweep Dutch’s under the rug. If you like a slow burn romance this one is a hit.
1,206 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2025
Dutch was an interesting book. B I think he should have told Talitha about Adele. I was not feeling how he lied by omission. She should have been passed way longer than she was. The other thing is Dutch definitely should have told T about his illegal activities before he arrived and impregnated her. I don’t think that was fair and wish it was addressed in the book.

Over all I enjoyed the story and getting to know Dutch. I love how these books intertwine and build on what is a supporting character in other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
438 reviews5 followers
May 3, 2024
Law and Tali💕

Whew. This was heavy and the character development was great! Talitha and Law were two people carrying deep trauma. However, their love blossomed beautifully and organically. Both moms were a mess, but Tali’s mom took the cake. She was pure evil. Her uncles and aunts were worth much either, just disgusting. Now Gema was a GEM! Everyone needs a Gema. Adele was a narcissistic predator and I hate how Law enabled her. The lady was deranged.
Profile Image for Tina.
957 reviews156 followers
February 26, 2024
4.5 😜😍🤗😅😪

Check Content Warnings

Trope: Black Love, workplace, close proximity, family drama, grief

Enjoyment: 4.5⭐

Character development: 4 ⭐

Emotional: 4 ⭐

Sweet: 4 ⭐

Romance: 4 ⭐

Heat\steam: 3.5 ⭐

Intrigue: 4 ⭐

Action: 1 ⭐

Violence: 1 ⭐

Story\plot: 4 ⭐

World Building: 3.5 ⭐

Enjoy!!!

Profile Image for Shahtia Gay-hairston.
3,419 reviews26 followers
February 28, 2024
1 Good Reason

Good read. The beginning drew me in right away. Seeing his ex go crazy put everything in perspective quickly. Tali didn’t seem like she made any kind of impression on Law when they first started working together which made me more curious. Law was such a complicated guy. His need for therapy and reasoning was cringeworthy to me at times.
Profile Image for Brownskinnedreader.
183 reviews40 followers
September 8, 2024
3.5 Stars


I liked this book however I found Talitha to be annoying and spoiled. Now, she has been through a lot and you can never tell someone how to heal from their trauma. However, she was blessed enough to have her grandparents raise her from a young age. They showed her true love and affirmed her right to have love for herself. She works with kids that are usually stuck in their situation and never get out. So I hated the way she would through fits when things didn't go her way.

Lawton also got on my nerves towards the end of the book. How is he going to be mad at her after she held that secret. He was the one who reiterated that he didn't want kids and that his mind would never change. She just replaced his ex at work because his ex quit after he wouldn't commit. She gave him 6 years and he wouldn't commit, so why would Tali feel he would change for her after a few months. She was preparing for him to walk away because one of the main things he said he didn't want was happening. Although they didn't always wrap it up he still never came out and said his mind changed and that's on him. Then he runs to that leathery chick Adele after everything went down. After she threw that fit about him and Tali dating I would have cut the friendship off there. Honestly, he should have cut it off when they ran into her in Miami and she tried to shade her then.

The writing was good in this book but my feelings for the characters was off hence the 3.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tenika Glover.
789 reviews3 followers
May 30, 2024
Love Wasn't Part Of The Plan For Neither!!

Talitha got dealt a bad hand when she was younger. Imagine telling her boyfriend was touching her and mammy took her boyfriend side. She should have put hands on her mammy. Sorry not sorry. Gema is and was a truly a God send and loves Talitha. The family tried to say Gema wasn't in her right mind but she was perfectly sane. She doesn't like certain family members. Lawton was with a woman for six years and thought she could change him or he was willing to change for her. Lawton was messing with Adele because he was looking for the love of his mama. Lawton gave Talitha his time, his money and his love, but she wasn't receptive of his love. Time and time again he showed her that he loves her. Talitha got caught up in a lot of mess deal with her family. She loves her kids at the community center and she mad because she couldn't save that one. It took Lawton walking out on her to realize she loves him and Mrs. Jesse gave her the business. Talitha made Lawton do what he wasn't willing to do with Dahlia. Gema was a visionary because she saw their future.
Profile Image for Tracy - loves to read .
1,013 reviews
June 12, 2024
Be right there

Tali had a hard upbringing and a traumatic experience in her childhood that shattered her relationship with her family especially her “egg donor”. She only had her grandmother Gema who saved her and loved her unconditionally. She wasn’t appreciated for all of the many things that she did to make their lives easier and she never received the love and support she deserved from them. Gema was the only one.

Law was a rich, successful, black man. Any need, want or desire - he could provide or make it happen through his connections. He too had a rough upbringing that lacked love and support from his mother.

These two become boss and employee and then more. They were to each other what no one else had been in each other’s lives. I enjoyed the build up, the push and pull, and the story as a whole. They were deeply hurt and that hurt shaped the people they became. I loved how he had her through thick and thin.
This was a good read
145 reviews3 followers
February 25, 2024
From the beginning the storyline had my attention. I’m thinking why is this woman going on a rampage. Lawton a youth center owner by day a kingpin at night. Then Talitha the drama unfolds with her being a caretaker for her Gema Miss Bertha Mae not the main character but to me she is will actually yes everything revolves around her. There’s a lot to unpack Adele, Dahlia, Talitha’s egg donor, and Lawton’s egg donor. The suspense of it all I this book took me on a wild ride and it did. Both fmc and mmc have trauma, abandonment issues, trust issues, and so forth. Obviously it only makes sense for their love story to be slow burn which I tend to avoid, but these characters you can’t. I believe the saying it takes the right person to make you want to change and these two were what each other needed.
Profile Image for Amber Ganaway.
783 reviews12 followers
February 29, 2024
AWESOME read ❤️

This is only my second read from you Unique and I’m definitely here to stay. I loved everything about this read from beginning to the end. Talitha and Lawton both had past traumatic experiences that made them set their minds in not having true live or anything genuine with a significant other. Tali family was the absolute worst besides Gema and Papa Joe! Her mother disgusted me to the fullest and the siblings wasn’t to far off smh. Now, Lawton felt unworthy, unloved and abandoned by his mom, that he latched in to a predator that knew she was wrong on every level. But even with those issues, I’m glad that he genuinely loved his brother and was always there for him.

Through all the bumps in the road, (losing Gema broke my heart btw 💔) understanding, better communication and pure love shined and I am here for it. Great job!!!
Profile Image for Lennie.
112 reviews
May 2, 2024
I REALLY enjoyed this book!!!

Talitha has had a traumatic thing happen to her and the one person that was supposed to love her and protect her failed to do so. she went through life only know unconditional love from her grandparents. she went through life shutting people out and having a wall around her heart. that’s until she meets Lawton…

Lawton’s relationship with his mother was not great. so he had to find his mothers love in someone else which resulted in him making some questionable choices. he goes through life not wanting anything to do with marriage and children. that’s until he fell in love with Talitha.

i love how Lawton fell in love with Tali and he fell hard. this book gave me the feels! it also made me cry bc why did that have to have to Gema😭🥺🥲 yeah that had me shedding some tears fr ngl. i absolutely loved this book!!!
1,193 reviews9 followers
February 28, 2024
Loved Loved Loved

Unique, you did that with this standalone! I was on an emotional roller coaster. Certain parts brought me to tears! Love me some Gema, she was truly a blessing to Talitha, be ause her mama wasn't ish!
Talitha and Lawton were truly meant to be. They both suffered abuse, emotionally, psychologically, and physically! Bith had a shell around their hearts. However, you knew the love was there, Lawton was giving and doing things for Talitha that he never did for Dah!
I loved the ending. You truly have to love yourself in order to allow others to love you! Lawton was able to reach that point before Talitha! Relationships had to be mended while others had to be a distant memory!
447 reviews4 followers
June 11, 2024
One Good Reason

Oh my goodness, I'm in love with Law. He was man determined not to fall in love, get married, or have children, but Tali was his change. Dahlia told him that a woman was going to come along and she did. Tali is a sassy country girl who didn't mind giving you the business. She kept herself closed off because of past tragedies. And her people were too much, especially her trifling mama. Her grandmother was her heart, though. Law was there every step of the way.

This was a beautiful story about childhood trauma and learning to make amends with it as an adult. Trauma affects people in different ways, and you have to how to navigate it.

And I'm glad Law gave Adele's old ass the boot.....bye Felicia
Profile Image for Tracey.
1,075 reviews4 followers
June 18, 2024
WOW🔥🔥

Absolutely amazing, from beginning to end. Gema was very wise and people took it for a joke but she knew what was happening and once her baby Tali found the right person that would love her the way she wanted/needed to be loved Gema went home. Tali mother was just sick and disturbed. As for her other uncles and aunt they just wanted to do the bare minimum looking for a payout but was surprised when all the paperwork was pulled out. Lawton and Talk were dealing with issues from their path but through everything they managed to find peace and happiness. Great love story.
Profile Image for Denetta Banks.
3,772 reviews20 followers
March 9, 2024
In Love

I am in love with the male characters in this well written book. The title definitely describes the story with. This author is delivered a five star read that touch a part of me that I have forgotten about. From the wrong characters that were dealt such hard upbringing to the soft side they found with each other, really reeled me in. I can't wait for more from this author. She really has a great writing style that makes the reader feel as if they are right there with the characters.
839 reviews4 followers
July 5, 2024
A Good Reason

This was an excellent story with relatable characters and content
The author did a great job exploring dysfunctional family dynamics and how it can impact you from childhood to adulthood
Law and Tabitha were not looking for love but it found them
The road wasn’t easy to their HEA but it was so worth it
Gema and Ms Jessie were two people that had both their backs and they were an excellent addition to the story
Overall you will definitely enjoy this story and I can’t wait to read the next installment
Unique you did a fantastic job!
Profile Image for Kay Dupree.
162 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2024
When the time is right.

I don’t think I ever wanted 2 people to find forever in each other so bad. Gema was the realest, truest character ever. She spoke her truth and loved loudly.

Talitha dedicated her youth to her best friend and grandma needed. Love was never apart of the plan. Law was simply broken and refused love. This book is so beautiful and to see the challenges and growth was amazing to read.
61 reviews
October 11, 2024
Very entertaining

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I dock one stare because the middle 50 pages or so were a little boring with all the tech school prep and there was a lack of closure with some of the characters. (The aunts and uncles, the mother and her ‘husband, Dahlia, etc.). I also didn’t like that she never found out about his illegal businesses; that seemed like a big miss.
33 reviews
March 1, 2024
Great Read

Loved this book. I found it during a reading funk where I couldn’t find anything to hold my attention and finish. I didn’t read the synopsis or anything just downloaded and jumped in and I’m so glad I did. This is my first book by the author and I’m going back to read the rest of her catalog. I loved every page. 5 stars.
Profile Image for Michelle.
301 reviews5 followers
March 2, 2024
WOW!!! 😍😍😍😍

This book had ALL THE FEELS!!! Mom issues to the max. An organic love story. ❤️ Gema was my heart, too!! Gema was the BEST PART of this entire story. The author did an awesome job!! Highly recommended!

Side note: There are some grammatical errors. It happens. Please don't let you miss out on an amazing story!!
264 reviews7 followers
March 17, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was so good. We had time to see their relationship grow. Law and Tali both deserved love. Tali’s family was trash and they didn’t deserve a dime. Gema was a true grandmother, she was filled with a lot of wisdom. Law was bae the entire book. He truly showed his love for Tali.

Ms. Unique, awesome job!
Profile Image for ashley.
890 reviews17 followers
March 23, 2024
3.75 good read

It took a minute to get going, but once it got going. The story got really good. It's pretty deep. The pace is not slow but it's not fast. A lot of healing a lot of trauma. A lot of family issues that caused a block in the main characters find in love in the end. They get it right.
Profile Image for Yolanda.
22 reviews
March 24, 2024
LOVED

Where do I start this book had me on a roller coaster ride from start to finish. I loved how the other delved into the childhood traumas of Tali and Law and how they can affect them as adults. Tali's family had me wanting to jump in the book and whoop their a**** but in the end LOVE prevailed and both Law and Tali were able to find love through all the pain!
Profile Image for Tarsha Woods.
1,211 reviews
March 31, 2024
Trauma

We are not our experience sometimes we have to go through a storm to receive the sun’s brightness. Love will find us where you least expect to encounter the fullness of life.

People are in our lives for lessons, seasons or lifetimes God will reveal each person when the time arrives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews

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