Smoke Screen: Four20 Bae

by Kimmie Ferrell

Raphael:

To most, I’m the black sheep of my family. Owning Weed the People, an upscale marijuana dispensary located in the heart of D.C., hasn’t helped clean up my image. I don’t care. My main concern is growing my business. Until a chance encounter brings me face-to-face with the one that got away, twice. Ashlynn Harrison is smart, funny, caring, beautiful, and the newly appointed chief vintner of Harrison Family Vineyards. Under the guise of partnering with HFV to create a cannabis-infused wine, I’m determined to show Ashlynn why the third time's the charm.



Ashlynn:

I spent the last five years traveling the world, learning how to be a better winemaker while running away from the pain of heartbreak. Now, I’m back home as HFV’s newest—and first woman—chief vintner. With much to prove and my work cut out for me, a collaboration with Raphael Reed sounds tempting, much like the man himself. It could also set me apart from the vintners before me. However, with our not-so-complicated complicated history, working together could have us on Cloud Nine or cause more than one relationship to go up in smoke.

Four20 Bae... When couples burn together from one end to the other.

Make sure you check out all the stories in this multi-author series:

Smoke in Love by Elle Wright
Smoke N’ Stroke by Aja
Smoke Before the Release by Kelsey Green
Smoke After Hours by Sherelle Green
Taste the Smoke by Sheryl Lister
Smoke Screen by Kimmie Ferrell
Touch of Smoke by A.C. Arthur
Smoke & Mirrors by Angela Seals
Embers and Smoke by Tiye

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2024

Reviews

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wine and Smokes

I had no idea there were so many ways to use a product like this. The long story short... This Four20 addition was about a Wine maker and a Cannabis enthusiasts company coming together to promote a new brand of entertainment into the DC- Maryland market. The couple embarked on a business venture which evolved into their second chance romance. The April 20 reference was once again was tastefully done. A good story.

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smoke Screen is a second-chance romance story about Ashlynn and Raphael. On the night of NYE, the two found themselves at the same party. Fortunately for Ashlynn, her best-friend ditched her, allowing Raphael to unknowingly save the night. While the book is short, it packed a punch and gave me all the feels. There was sexual tension, witty banter, close proximity, mention of chronic disease, and the chemistry was perfectly depicted. I got a good laugh at Ashlynn hiding under the table at the party - because at her big age, that was so funny and dramatic. lol. The laugh out loud moments were timely and helped ease the tension between them but it also showed how comfortable they were with each other. Raphael was a man on a mission and he made sure Ashlynn knew he was coming correct and taking back what was *his*. I loved the idea of the cannabis infused wine, which allowed the two to work together. It also allowed them to set boundaries and talk about what went wrong with their relationship in the past, so they could move forward. I enjoyed this one.

**arc copy

[Shameka Erby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raphael and Ashlynn have been destined from the beginning. But life tore them apart twice already--once, when Raph’s ambitions crumbled, and once again so Ashlynn’s ambitions could grow. But Raph is back for the third time, offering to collab with her on a marijuana infused wine, but really ready to show his “Dream” that their greatest partnership is still their love.

Real life aside, I’m a sucker for spinning the block in a book, lol. Raph had my attention from the beginning. The darkness he climbed out of showed in his intent and in his conversation. He’d never been afraid to tell Ashlynn what she meant to him, but this time it mattered, and that showed in the writing. Ashlynn was funny and understandably wary, but she knew that man was hers like she knew the sky was blue, and I loved seeing her walk in that confidence. The RA rep gave the book added emotional weight and him taking the time lo learn to care for her was lovely. The idea of crafting a cannabis infused wine was something I never read before and it was a nice change of pace. Raph’s work to tout the medicinal benefits balanced nicely with his grown and sexy smokers vibe and it was nice juxtaposition. I loved this. I really did.

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third times the charm

I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end. Ashlynn and Raphael were made for each other. It may have taken them multiple tries to get it right, but when you have a love as strong as they shared, it surpasses all time and space and fate will eventually bring you back together. I loved the sexiness of this couple and how they were able to finally have the necessary hard conversation and mostly how they allowed their connection and chemistry to redevelop organically and without forcing it. I loved how this author embraced the theme and had it all throughout the story and a way that this couple bonded. This short read is definitely worth reading.

[Geri Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashlynn and Raphael…A Love That Never Leaves!! 🔥🔥

I love second chance romances and this was a great one! Raphael had to devise a plan to get Ashlynn back, so he put together a backup plan where they would collaborate together on a project. Raphael stated it was like setting a screen in the game of basketball, but in the military, it was referred to as a “smokescreen!” I loved the analogy and I loved the story!!

This was a great read and another hit in this series!! I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it!! Kudos, Kimmie! 💜

[NubianJoí · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Munchies

Hmmm 🤔, other than “the munchies” Ashlynn & Raphael’s story was disjointed for me 🥴‼️More so, eight chapters later I didn’t get it, the pretense between the two. Also, did Ashlynn & Raphael proceed with the cannabis infused wine business venture ? …”Smoke Screen: Four20 Bae” - Book 6 of the anthology series was a mediocre read (3.5). I guess the nostalgic meals, cannabis laced canoodling and the road trip snacks was impetus to rekindle a once private love affair. …good luck 🤷🏾‍♀️‼️

[Helicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like these are the eeason im obsessed with the friends to lovers trope. It's a short book , but it was written so well and the author managed to give a full great story in 158. I absolutely adored Raphael and Ashlynn's story. Raphael stood on business and did what needed to be done to get his friend and lover back. Ashlynn managed to not to annoy me trying to fight what they had. This might just be my favorite book from the Four20 Bae series.

[Vondetta Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love can find a way

Ashlynn never looked forward to being home for fear she could encounter the love of her life who broke her heart. However on a New Year eve her flirting only led to her missing him. Raphe knew she could possibly be at the New Year celebration but he didn't like what he saw. He stalked Ashlynn until he could get a taste of what he craved. Could she possibly give him another chance. Great read with a sexy couple.

[Lee Holden, E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great read, I enjoyed the characters and story. Ashlynn was Raphael’s sister’s best friend, as well both families being close. They reunited after five years to work on a collaboration of cannibus infused wine. This is their journey to reconciliation and forever love.

[Mariann · Rating 4 out of 5]

all over the place

I liked it but it seemed all over the place as far as the plot goes. We were here and there then we were over here and for me it ended too soon or maybe not the ending I expected.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I thought it was interesting, relatable, and informational😊; There's even a recipe included. You may even find yourself reminiscing about some of those back-in-the-day recollections that were shared. Smoke screens are intentional.

[Leigh-Anne Ford Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting back your forever!

Love the book! This story was written very well and the characters were funny, loving and engaging. As we see time does not stop true love and will always find it way back to the ones who deserves it! The healing that medicinal marijuana gives helps so many people.

[Nicole Baker grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Reaf

I enjoyed reading Smoke Screen. Ashlynn and Raphael were true soulmates and didn’t know it when they were younger. The time they were apart just prove that love out ways time. I definitely recommend this book.

[KAREN MCCRAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Raphael and Ashlynn's story

When they thought no one was looking they feel in love. It took them years, time wasted to find their way to forever. I really enjoyed it.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

This was such a vibe. Being a DMV native, I really loved all the feels of home. And I'm a sucker for a second chance romance. Definitely a great read.

[Tommie Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Have Always Had Love For You

This was such a wonderful romantic story!
Ashlynn and Raphael Had to grow up to appreciate the love they had for each other.

[Cel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was ok, the chapters were too long and it became too redundant to me I lost interest

[Lily Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC

I loved this book for so many reasons. Top three are:
-The friendship between Dream and Raphe
- The love they have for each other
- The research Ms Kimmie obviously put into her work. I really want Weed The People to be a thing.

Bonus: the little getaway fun.

I laughed, I cried, I learned new things and *connection lost*.

P.S. Raphe loves Dream and me only so find you a new bookBae.

P.P.S. 5/5 do recommend!

[Linda Epps - Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third time was the charm for Ashlynn and Raphael. They were able to honestly look back on their past mistakes and not make them again. Glad they finally had their HEA.