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A Widow's Scars

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Childhood trauma has shaped Saadiq Montclair’s mind into one staunchly against women. He uses them for what he needs, and vows to keep it that way. Even after marriage, he’s dealt another blow, further feeding the monster inside of him. Openly carrying wounds was Saadiq’s way of keeping any woman at a distance. Samara Wise knows firsthand what dealing with a heavily wounded man is like, and she wants no parts of it. Already in a stale relationship, and dealing with her own familial problems, she does her best to avoid the likes of Saadiq. Attaching herself to a man like Saadiq was asking for nothing but trouble. Trouble was the last thing she needed. After a night of partying, things turn dangerous—not by way of violence but by way of passion. These two are destined to find out how to confront their deep-rooted issues whether they want to or not.

116 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2024

147 people are currently reading
199 people want to read

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M. Monique

47 books377 followers

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5 stars
547 (72%)
4 stars
159 (21%)
3 stars
44 (5%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Annette Williams.
1,196 reviews421 followers
November 14, 2023
If we don’t love these heauxs was a person, that person would be Saadiq Montclair. Saadiq experienced his first heartbreak from the woman who was suppose to love and protect him. Vivica was a raging drug addict and she didn’t care who suffered as long as she got her next hit. Unfortunately, the ones who suffered the most were Saadiq and his little brother. A culmination of a painful childhood, anger, and trauma has turned Saadiq into a bitter man who trusts no one. Especially women. As far as Saadiq is concerned, women are the root of all evil. Samara is dealing with her own parental issues. She has a daddy who wants absolutely nothing to do with her because, he doesn’t know how to process his grief appropriately. No matter how hard she tried to force a relationship with this man, he gives her his azz to kiss time and time again. Over the course of eight years, Samara and Saadiq cross paths with one another and their interactions are never pleasant. They pretty much couldn’t stand each other. Samara can look at Saadiq and see the emotional scars he’s packin’ and she wants no parts of him. He reminds her too much of her daddy and one emotionally stunted man in her life is enough. But, even with all the glaring warning signs and red flags, that pesky attraction just won’t go away. Samara knows Saadiq is incapable of loving her but, the temptation to play with fire is stong. A Widow’s Scars was a really good read. Your heart will break for the wounded man Saadiq becomes but, you will be overjoyed when he finally embraces love and finds his HEA with Samara.
Profile Image for Jahda.
1,067 reviews315 followers
January 11, 2024
Due to his severe distrust toward such women, Saadiq had a vasectomy when he was quite young, all because his mother screwed him up. After the primary woman in his life demonstrates that he is not deserving of protection or affection. Additionally, his wife betrays him. Saadiq is resentful of women and would prefer not to invest in them because of his unpleasant past, rage, and trauma. Even though they've crossed paths many times over the years, Samaria and Saadiq's interactions have never been amicable. A hidden desire between the two exists behind the surface tension. Yeoo this man did not give af once Samaria put it on him she was his until he said otherwise. But Samaria knows she's dealing with a guy who can't give her everything, and she's playing with fire. I enjoy reading this book, and I love seeing how Samaria and Saadiq's bond evolves. While reading, Saadiq's heart begins to mend and becomes more receptive to love, to show his transformation.
Profile Image for JBucky.
462 reviews32 followers
November 15, 2024
DISSSSS DA ONEEEEE 🔥🔥🔥🔥

What a great story about healing, forgiveness, and finding/learning to love in the process! It didn’t hurt that some drama & a** whoppin took place during this process 😂🤣.

Either way, this was a very good story & I actually LOVED both Saadiq Montclair & Samara Wise. They both had their own issues & getting to the love part was a TASK, but their character development was TOP TIER & made them both quite enjoyable to me!

This was my first time reading an M. Monique book & may I say 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 VERY WELL DONE!

"THE THING IS, LIL' BABY. YOU HAVE A PUPPET AND A MASTER. WHATEVER THE MASTER DOES, THE PUPPET FOLLOWS. I'ON GIVE A DAMN ABOUT FOLLOWIN' ASS MUHFUCKAS 'CAUSE THEY PLAYIN' THEIR ROLE. THE MASTER... HE GON' GET HIS HEAD SPLIT EVERY TIME HE FUCK WITH ANYTHING THAT'S GOT TO DO WITH ME. HE WANNA BE A FUCKIN' MASTER, HE GOTTA
REAP A MASTER'S PENALTY." Saadiq Montclair
Profile Image for *Ebony I*.
1,415 reviews155 followers
November 20, 2024
Love Heals

I'm a sucker for a mean azz man that heals and that was the perfect way to describe Saadiq. His troubled childhood and non existent relationship with his mother left him scarred and closed to women. His interactions with women as he got older proved that he was right to shield his heart because to him women were some disloyal MFS. Over the years he had random encounters with Samara and he always "felt" her. She definitely left an impression on him. He is now finally at a place where he wants to pursue her even if she isn't quite available. 

Samara too struggled with a lack of relationship with her parent, her father.  Interacting with Saadiq who was also guarded, she knew she should stay far away from him. After one night she could not get him off her mind. Months later Saadiq decides to apply a little pressure to their situation and he slowly starts to change. For the first time ever he wants to make a woman happy. He genuinely does not want to cause her any harm, in fact he wants to keep her safe. 

I loved Saadiq's evolution. The fact that he made sure he was whole for her was the sweetest thing. He was in love before he knew it or could admit it and I loved that for them. 

Editing was needed to clean up the grammatical errors.

Profile Image for Sha Sha.
245 reviews16 followers
November 18, 2024
4.5 ⭐️

From unhinged to healed Saadiq was almost a lost cause until Samara. He wouldn’t let her go and neither would she. Despite her knowing he may not ever love her she had hope. A journey of healing for both led to love after all.
I loved their story ❤️ definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Lisette.
612 reviews43 followers
November 4, 2023
Widow no more

I know doggone well Saadik would be mad to k ow he's being referred to as a Widow. He don't even know that heaux anymore.
I really loved him. He was so grumpy and no nonsense but soft as a marshmallow for his love. She was a balm for him that he deserved and I'm so happy their interactions left such an impression on him. This was such a good story and so well written. It did move fast, but not too fast and it felt realistic to me.
Another certified book bae from M Monique and that's very on brand for this author.
Profile Image for Nikita.
338 reviews17 followers
July 8, 2024
A Widow’s Scars

A Widow’s Scars brought out the toxic relationships and drama but also the love, raw emotions and healing. Samara got what she deserved and that was someone who knew her worth and could show her love. Saadiq was able to heal and let go of the hurt and trauma he went through. These two together though rocky at the beginning was just a beauty in the end.
Profile Image for Toya  Davis-Stokley.
2,563 reviews101 followers
November 10, 2023
Whew… Saadiq was something else! Hurt, grief and trauma had taken the ultimate toll on him, and he was hell to everyone around him! That damn egg donor of his was the devil, then he messed around and married another heifer who really pushed the envelope he was already carrying of women ain’t ish! Saadiq’s wounds felt tangible, as he was really going through it! He listened to no one except his brother and his father. Until……

Samara, a sweet woman, who is dealing with her own wounds of loving a father, who wants nothing to do with her. She continues to try, as she truly believes that people can change, and that he will love her again. Crossing paths with Saadiq gives Samara mixed feelings. As fine as he is, she doesn’t want to deal with another man who is wounded and incapable of love. She knows her worth and will not let this man play in her face. However, her heart and mind are on separate wavelengths, as being around him makes her feel alive.

Saadiq doesn’t understand why he is so drawn to Samara, even when she is cussing him out, and curving him left and right. There’s just something about her, and he wants to find out what it is. Samara had her work cut out for her, because Saadiq was stubborn, stuck in his ways, mean, and just angry! But love will have one changing for the right person! Somehow Samara was able to get through to him and show him a love that he would give his last breath for! I enjoyed Saadiq’s transformation as his heart began to thaw, heal and love!
Profile Image for Ashanti Burton.
649 reviews13 followers
November 8, 2024
4.5⭐️. Past trauma can lead you down a road of destruction and self sabotage or you can heal from it while grateful you lived through it. When is came to Saadiq he was not tryna set himself up to be hurt again. He was slow to trust and fast to curse out. That’s til he met his match in Samara. The story of Saadiq and Samara was a beauty journey of healing, acceptance, grief and love. I enjoyed reading about this couple. I need the same energy for Devyn and a new girl cuz his current girlfriend ain’t it. Definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Shamaya Mickens.
69 reviews2 followers
November 3, 2023
Another great read

Trauma is a mf. I had a love\hate relationship with Saadiq that man trauma was eating him up and although he tried to seek help he wasn't ready for his healing. His hatred for woman was crazy and as good of a woman as Samara was she was too good for him. Samara had her own trauma she was dealing with and being with Saadiq did nothing but remind her of the lack of love her father showed but somehow these two were perfect for each other. I love that their love was enough to help heal them.
Profile Image for Tina.
959 reviews157 followers
December 18, 2023
4 😜🤗😍

I really enjoyed this story; I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Check Content Warnings

Trope: Black Love, forced proximity, found family

Enjoyment: 4.5 ⭐

Character development: 4 ⭐

Emotional: 3.5 ⭐

Sweet: 2 ⭐

Romance: 3 ⭐

Heat\steam: 3 ⭐

Intrigue: 4 ⭐

Action: 1 ⭐

Violence: 3 ⭐

Story\plot: 4 ⭐

World Building: 3.5 ⭐

Enjoy!!!

Profile Image for Simply_YoYo.
467 reviews9 followers
April 22, 2025
Now that’s a novella 👏🏾👏🏾 grabbed my attention and held it until the last word!
Samara is beautiful, and graceful, but my girl ain’t let no one talk crazy to her. Her comebacks were right on point, like did she just cuss me out without using any curse words.
Saadiq was broken by the first woman who should have loved and protected him, then betrayed by one he trusted.
Their meeting and union represented two flawed individuals who are perfectly imperfect for each other.
There was healing, rebuilding of trust, humors, and tears.
Just read it 🥰❤️🫶🏾
It was the way he roller up on her in the club, the teddy bear gift, the hugs when she laid back to chest with him..just loved them!
Profile Image for Shahtia Gay-hairston.
3,444 reviews26 followers
November 4, 2023
A Widow’s Scars

This was a good read. I could literally read about these characters forever. More than anything I love the way ACE was about his sister. Samara and Saadiq shared a similar hurt but her knowing her worth was everything.
69 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2023
unhinged but ima stick beside him

I rarely leave reviews but when the BIG M Monique…not the little one drops a story like this!!! You review that MF’r

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Saadiq and Samara had a beautiful story. I wish we could have gotten another story or more intel on Devyn but nevertheless it was beautifully written. I was hooked with the prologue of I’m being honest and the club scene by chapter 2 I believe had cracking the hell up. This is a story definitely worth checking out, you won’t be sorry. A story that really depicts the wounds and scars that children suffer through at the hands of their parents and what not processing grief looks like as you age. Sometimes it’s easy to tell someone is broken but you never know why and furthermore if it’s worth taken the time to support them through it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Gabbie.
321 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2023
Loved The Healing Journey For Both Of Them

M. Monique will never fail me when it comes to reading one of her books. Saadiq really became a healed man right before our eyes and I love that for him. Whew Ennis and Vivica was a piece of work. Vivica was way worse but Ennis just said ftk frfr and sometimes you gotta let them toxic parents go cause in the end you’ll be hurt the most. I couldn’t find sympathy for Ennis situation at all cause them still your kids that the Lord for Ace. Rajon and Darius was just users. I felt bad for Keva but not really cause I wouldn’t have married that man knowing how he felt but sis wanted to live that soft life. It was sad but it’s the fact that some parents really hate their children enough that they would try to destroy them from becoming anything good because they hate themselves so much. The little pudge made me so happy 🤣.
934 reviews5 followers
November 19, 2024
Honestly everything about this book I should have hated. From Saadiq’s emotionally unavailable ass to his hate for women to that toxic nonsense he had going on. & let’s not talk about the grand gesture at end 🙄 not a fan of those lol buttt despite all that, I liked this

I promise you for like 80% of the book, in my head I was screaming for Samara (love that name btw) to leave his ass. At the same time I couldn’t deny they really did have a genuine connection. ANDDDD Ms Samara had me eating out of the palm of her hand w her COMMUNICATION skills. Sis was speaking my love language. She told Saadiq about himself respectfully & I loved that. She was so damn cooool. Loved her

When Saadiq actually MADE the effort? Yeah I liked that he did that. We love healed, mature & emotionally available men over here

And for such a short book, it more than delivered

3.75 ⭐️
438 reviews5 followers
November 7, 2023
Wounded hearts

So much depth and in such a short story. Saadiq was that guy, but his anger and hurt was at the forefront. He had been burned by the two women that should have loved him, and it was painful to see. Samara was just what he needed and then some. I liked how she didn’t allow him to walk all over her and was willing to let go if necessary. That was all it took for Saadiq to do what was needed to make sure she didn’t have to leave. I’d love more from them, but I feel like Ace and Devyn have a story to tell too.
Profile Image for Jrobin.
138 reviews6 followers
November 14, 2023
In my feelings...

I am going to forever shout it out that M. Monique pen is immaculate. This one is a bit heavy, but the healing in the end made it worth it. To me, Saadiq was set up different; that man ain't have no sense, lol. He was cold-blooded and fought his hardest, but the love of the right woman will always win. Samara had been dealt a rough hand but baby didn't let that stop nothing. She was that girl and didn't let you play about her worth. This book had emotions everywhere, and I devoured it!
13 reviews
November 9, 2023
A talent like no other....

One thing about an M. Monique book is that it will break you, just to put you back together again. I love her stories of rebirth through unconditional love. I want to experience a love like that. There are not too many authors whose catalog I read from start to finish and still feening for her next release. Because I know I can get lost in her words for a little while. Blessings from a loyal reader.
496 reviews
November 12, 2023
Good

This author is gifted, I love her writing.... however, I did not know that this was a novella. Had I known that I wouldn't have bought it. Eight chapters for $6? The way my pockets and mind are set up....its a no go for me.

The story itself was good. What happened to Samara's ex fiance? Is there going be a sequel? Will Ace or Devyn have a story? Will we see the ex in those stories?
Profile Image for Seniqua Williams.
40 reviews
November 20, 2023
short and sweet

I enjoyed this story but this my fav author soo I prefer a little longer reading. I was curious to know more about ace, Devyn and lady.. But with it being a short story I was only given info about the main characters and that was okay. Overall this was a good book with some things I seen coming and others I didn't expect! Although short it's was a little rush but forever men we all grow to love 💗
86 reviews2 followers
November 24, 2023
So much toxicity

There were so many “bad guys” in this book—Keva, Vivian, Ennis, Rock, Rajon, Marni, hell even Phillip tried to stir the pot—- and people needing healing in this book that the redemption arc and love story both felt under developed, to me.

Also, a man whose wife dies is a WIDOWER, not a WIDOW. I kept waiting to see who the “widow” in the book title was or would be.
Profile Image for Lisareadsromance.
639 reviews15 followers
December 28, 2023
Solid

HELL OF A LOT OF TRAUMA FROM SAADIQ PAST. MY mans had been through it with his dusty ass mama and his triflin ass deceased wife...but the person who helped him was exactly what he needed. SAMARA WAS A GIFT FROM THE MOST HIGH, sent to help break down his highly erected walls. Dealing with her own daddy issues she loved that man through his pain and hers and it helped both grow.
786 reviews3 followers
July 12, 2024
Saadiq and Samara

He was dealing with a traumatic childhood and a deceased wife who cheated on him and was pregnant by his enemies cousin. She was seeking the love of a father who refused to give it! She loved Saadiq but refused to give in to him completely until he faced his demons. He had to decide was loosing a good woman worth dealing and healing from past hurts and trauma or continue on letting the past consume you! A good read!
Profile Image for Natoi.
217 reviews
November 3, 2023
Bent not broken!

I loved loved me some Saadiq & Samara they were perfectly imperfect together!! He knew he was messed up but he also knew that she was something special and he couldn't mess it up. Samara wasn't with the mess & met him where he was at but with a great vibe. It was sexy & funny. When a man is a protector you covered.
Profile Image for Camisha Crisp.
745 reviews18 followers
November 4, 2023
my feelings…

Saddiq and Samara’s journey to finding love and forgiveness was so damn good! M. Monique’s gift for writing these complicated but loving black men just always makes me fall more in love with her writing . Samara’s strength and her ability to hold Saddiq accountable for loving her the right way felt so real .
Profile Image for Chameika Jarrett.
116 reviews3 followers
November 5, 2023
Neva eva a disappointment !

There isn't one book, NOT ONE, that M Monique has failed at. You already know that once you hit buy now, you're going to be sitting in a corner until it reads "the end"....then you're sitting somewhere looking like 🥺....please ma'am....give me some more. All of these alpha males and their possessive love😍..even the damaged ones.
Profile Image for Taneka Nelson.
137 reviews
November 5, 2023


Different, but good! I’m so glad that Saadiq met Samara! It just goes to show that the right person can come along and make you a better person. He changed for Samara and released everything negative thing that held him back from love because he essentially couldn’t be without her. He couldn’t see her with anyone else. They needed each other!
69 reviews2 followers
November 5, 2023
Another banger

This lady know she can write some books. The way Samara made Saadiq fall for her so effortlessly was amazing. I love the way she helped him heal. She showed true loyalty from their first encounter. M Monique has a special way of telling stories and helping people heal from things they didn't know they were suffering from
Profile Image for Ko  MAC .
269 reviews3 followers
November 5, 2023
This author never disappoints

I thought maybe Samara wouldn’t want to be with Saadiq because he had a vasectomy and the rumors surrounding his ex wife. I’m so glad he got it reversed though. I’m also glad that they both healed from what hurt the both of them. I wish this book was longer but then again that’s every good book I read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

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