Jaxon Hart is a world-renowned musician who has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the industry. Offstage, however, he's an unapologetic heartbreaker, leaving a trail of emotional wreckage in his wake.
His life takes a sharp turn when his estranged father dies, leaving him as the unexpected guardian of his 12-year-old half-sister, Mila, whom he's never met. Thrust overnight into single parenthood, Jaxon faces the very thing he's spent his life avoiding: vulnerability. This forces him to confront his fear of genuine love and meaningful connections.
Enter Hadassah "Dash" St. James, the dedicated head of Mila's charter school. Her love for children mirrors her commitment to her job, but a shadow of past trauma has dulled her once-bright spirit, sealing her heart away. Yet, she meets someone who can see through the mask she wears, someone who understands her in a way no one else has.
As Dash aids Jaxon and Mila in adjusting to their new circumstances, they, in turn, help her to rediscover her vibrancy and joy.
Brought to you from the writer and creator of the award-winning fiction podcast Unmasked, “This Time It’s Love” unfolds as a beautifully told story about healing, love, and the transformative power of family.
Taccara, widely known for her contemporary romance novels and award-winning fiction podcasts, has amassed a devoted following of over 100,000 readers and listeners alongside her husband, Kenyon, using the power of storytelling. A former relationship coach, she now effortlessly weaves lighthearted charm with brooding, complex heroes, crafting romances that delve into the shadowy depths of love while balancing humor and heart in perfect harmony.
Writing as T.L. Martin, award-winning author Taccara Martin immerses readers in the captivating world of dark romance—and occasionally, rom-coms featuring brooding, enigmatic men.
While staying true to the witty banter and deep emotional themes her readers love, she weaves in adventure, suspense, and an irresistible touch of spice.
Passionate about portraying healthy relationships, Taccara draws endless inspiration from her own love story. Married to her "forever book boyfriend," Kenyon, she credits the safety and security of their relationship as the wellspring of her creativity and romance-driven narratives.
To learn more about Taccara, explore her award-winning fiction podcasts, or sign up for her mailing list, visit TLMartinWrites.com.
Okay so first and foremost I want to say that this story was really good and interesting. I do wanna say that I had a few issues only bc it was just a pet peeve of mine.
Now I loved Dash. She was so strong and smart and determined and I love that for her! I love that for any women, but there were times she lowkey upset me.
I understand she was hurt and grieving and needed to work on herself, but I did not like how she threw all the issues at Jax. Especially when she threw his childhood traumas back in his face and THEN made him apologize for how HE reacted (he was kind of avoiding her and brushing her off) and then when they were going to talk about it she basically brushed him off with sex. I didn’t like that bc if it was the other way around she wouldn’t like that.
I also had an issue with the proposal thing. Wanting him to do it more properly is one thing but it triggered me when she said “get a reversal vasectomy and I’ll marry you.” Of course she probably meant a gest, I think but he really went and did it and then proposed to her right after his surgery at their home. I think it triggered me bc it kind of reminds me of when men say things like “get and abortion and I’ll be with you.” And I also respect a man who takes accountability and responsibility to protect himself from having kids.
Idk I felt like it was manipulation but I don’t think that was Dashs’ intent bc Jax definitely wanted her babies but I just feel like that could’ve have been left out😭
But other than that the whole book was amazing. From dealing with grief, trauma, friendships, relationships, and family, it was so well put together!
I saw this book on TT and took a chance in downloading it. Originally it started out slow, but it was picked up. MMC was in a situationship when his bio-father is killed, and he becomes the legal guardian of his younger sister he wasn't aware of. The situationship goes bad and he decides to have one last night of fun. The last night unexpectedly turns into the love of his life. The 90% of the story are these two dealing with their past trauma and working to build their new relationship.
I love how the author tackles the importance of healing from past trauma and the importance of mental services. The author also tackles moving in from grief and the importance of healthy relationships.
This book was good but too long. It had a lot of unnecessary stuff. The whole storyline with Remy could’ve been completely cut out or just been a summary about his past. It didn’t need to go on for chapters on end. Dash… Dash was on my last nerve throughout this book! She was such a hypocrite. She kept pointing out that Jax needed to work through his childhood trauma and how he handled relationships with women in the past yet she wasn’t doing the work the heal from the grief of losing her husband and son. Every time she did something to throw this in Jax’s face all I wanted to do was tell Jax to leave her alone because she was trippin for real! I am so glad he called her out on her mess (but it was at like 97% into the book!). There were some really great moments in this book that gave me all the feels and I think with some editing this book could’ve been a 4/4.5 star read. I’d definitely be willing to try books by this author in the future.
This is a story of heartbreak, betrayal, and love. Jaxon Hart meets his match as a playboy musician with Remy. Their relationship was on fire at first. Unfortunately, it fizzled out. It was upsetting that she gave up their relationship because he wanted to care for his little sister Mila. That’s a big commitment on a man’s part and I hated to read she wasn’t supportive. Her loss though. Ones trash is another’s treasure.
I loved the lusty relationship Jax and Dash developed. Wow! It got pretty hot and steamy. Jax tries to hide it from Mila, but the attraction is undeniable. This is a slow-burn romance that is quite longer than I would prefer. It was still great, not for those who like a clean romance.
Despite a couple grammatical errors, this book had me enthralled. The storyline was beautiful and contained very well-written characters. I appreciated Hadassah’s evolution throughout the novel, even when it hit too close to home. 4/5 stars. This is my first time reading from this author and I’m sure I’ll be looking for more of their work.
Delightful romance between two people who have to deal with their own personal issues before being able to open up to each other and allow themselves to love and be loved.
Let me start by saying, I can’t believe this book had me siding with a man!! But, I loved Jaxon’s story and how he stepped up and was willing to make the necessary changes for the women in his life. Loved how we got to see the rawness of the characters.
I really, really enjoyed this book! The author’s description of the characters and the introduction to all them really reels the reader in and makes you feel attached to them in the best way. The story took me through so many emotions and really had me invested in Jax & Dash’s love story. I couldn’t put this down!
I truly appreciate it when an author shares their talents with the world. And I want to be respectful of that when I offer a review. I enjoyed this book until I was about 60% in. Dash and Jaxon had a one night stand that turned into something more. Now both of them had past tragedies in their lives and Dash was always throwing this in his face about what he wasn’t doing. I really didn’t care for this mfc at all. She finally owned her own stuff but at the end. By this time, she still wanted him to do more. And we didn’t have closure with his prior relationship.
It was an ok read for me but I was rooting for him to find someone else not have a HEA with her.
I've never been married yet so thank God I have never become a widow before. I lost a boyfriend in college that felt like the end of the world. Again completely different. However in the last few years I lost my father and I remember telling my mom who's in her early seventies like "girl you're still young enough, who's to say you don't have another 20-30 years left? there's no way that comfortably I would tell you that you wouldn't be able to have a second chance even if it's for a brief moment at love". She's absolutely against it. The irony is that had my father been the one that was still here and my mother passed it's a hard no for him in any chick sniffing around. Lol. Either way reading this book just gave me a lot of different insights on what I'm almost feeling and how for that first year I don't think I gave her the grace that she deserved. It was truly because you just don't want to see the person that you love being in pain, even though you're experiencing that grief too. I felt so much like Jaxon in that sense that he didn't feel comfortable grieving the loss of his father or the relationship because he had his sister there and then also because he was trying to shoulder her the grief and the grief Dash was experiencing as well, and that was me. I was shouldering everyone's grief, mom, siblings, nieces and nephews. But this book definitely gave me a broader insight on the thought process that she was going through, my mom that is. Losing a father and losing a husband or two entirely different scenarios the same emotions even the same impact but it's just tweaked a little bit different. Reading this book from Dash's standpoint as well as Jaxon's standpoint it just brought me back to kind of the tug of war that me and my mom went through for those first years after my dad passed. It was very cathartic, I definitely said a few tears which even 3 years later I don't know if I just truly had like a big breakdown after my father passed. So I'm sure in my therapist mind this book did what it was needing to do and I truly loved it.
This was different then other books I read. I enjoyed the book even though it started very slow. I found myself frustrated with Dash a lot. Jax didn't shut her out after she hurt his feelings. He called multiple times for days and she ignored him so he stopped. I was glad when she finally realized she needed to work in herself and wasn't grieving in a healthy way; it just took too long for her to be there to me. The ending was rushed. The book started slow and after everything we went through with the characters we didn't get a get-back moment with Remy. Why would they get in a relationship when they were supposed to be healing? That seems counter productive since they had so much work to do. It also wasnt clear gow they got to that point in their relatuonship. Also, after 462 pages, we deserved to see their life with a baby. Are they staying in Cali or ATL. I'm open to maybe getting Corrine's story and then we can Easter eggs into Jax and Dash's relationship.
People always say you can't tell people how to grieve and that's not entirely true. People can choose their own way to grieve but not when it's unhealthy, toxic, and causes harm to others.
This Time It’s Love swept me off my feet in the best way. From the very first page, I was hooked by the rich, complex characters who felt real enough to see in these streets IRL.
The chemistry between Jackson and Dash had chemistry that was....Electric. And the way Taccara drew out the tension between them, was FIRE! Every glance, every near-miss, every moment of vulnerability built toward something so intimate and powerful, I found myself holding my breath.
But my favorite part was the love scenes which were tasteful yet intense. They lit up my imagination and took me places I didn’t expect, in the best way.
TL Martin writes romance that takes you on an unforgettable emotional journey. She is a true gem of an author!
If you love character-driven stories with heat, heart, and the kind of slow-burning tension that makes your chest ache (in a good way), This Time It’s Love belongs at the top of your reading list.
I just finished the book....🥹🥹🥹 OMG. I love Jax and Dash. I love their story. OMG, I felt me in the story... I'm at a loss for words.... man... these characters ....arrrhhh... Chefs kiss. You, my love, have a GIFT. AHHHHH, THIS WAS AMAZING 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🥰🥰🥰
I felt all the emotions, hard....OMG I was soooo invested.... I'm still sitting here FEELING all of the things. I love love, and this book was full of it! Self-love, platonic love, familial love, romantic love, lustful love, mourning love, joyful love, foul love, old love, new love... PURE GENUINE LOVE🥹🥹🥹🙌🏾🙌🏾....I'm full and empty all at once... THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY
60% through this book and had to come on to share my thoughts so far.
1. The plot is interesting. Not knocking it at all. I'm here for Dash and Jaxon and whatever they have going on.
2. Poor Mila. Poor Dash. Poor Jaxon. Life be lifing!
3. Why is this book so long? For no reason. I'm enjoying it, but it feels like it's dragging🥴
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back after reading. I still have the same question: Why is this book so long? Certain parts could have/should have been cut. My review remains the same as I enjoyed the overall plot. The way the author touched on grief, therapy, relationship woes, journey through parenthood, I felt this book deep.
I was completely captivated by every character in this book. Jaxon, Dash, and Mila truly hold a special place in my heart, and even the side characters felt richly developed—well, except for Remy and the congresswoman, of course.
This was my first time reading anything by this author, and I was impressed by how she delicately portrayed the grief each main character was experiencing. Each of them is at a different stage in their journey, but the way it was handled felt so genuine and beautifully portrayed. Excellent work 5/5
I absolutely loved this book! Lately have been reading novellas but to read a full novel and enjoy the ride was refreshing. I was getting irritated Dash because she was hypocritical in pointing out all of Jax’s flaws without recognizing that she too had A LOT of baggage! I’m so happy their story worked out and I loved their development. Dash’s love for Mila was so heartwarming. Their sibling bond was sooooo special! Great book!
I enjoyed the overall plot of the story, but the FMC was so annoying. She had no accountability whatsoever and always found a way to place the blame on Jaxon even when she was clearly in the wrong!!! It was so annoying every little inconvenience turned into her verbally attacking the MMC. Jaxon had so much patience with Dash and his overall character development throughout the book was great . I’m glad he was able to speak with a therapist to to help manage some of his childhood traumas.
I finished it. It was not my favorite. I felt like there was too much inferred on-page about things that happened off-page. They had a connection but they were only in the same setting about 10 times throughout this entire almost 400 page book. It makes you feel like they love each other but you don't see it with your own eyes. I wouldn't be able to re-read this book. 3.5 stars
This was a good read. I read a different book by this author and I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm happy that I gave this book a chance. It's a story that's well-written and I could feel their emotions. I love that the characters were human and that everything wasn't perfect.
This book was a 3.5 for me, it was quite long with some parts and backstories unnecessary. Overall I really liked it but would’ve liked them to have more time together being happy and overcoming their personal issues slightly sooner. I probably would still recommend as it’s overall a good read.
The emotions that I felt reading this had my attention from start to finish. Processing emotions, realizing that you need to work on your inner self, self growth I loved it.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. It was slow burn and when everything falls into place the book is over. There were really sweet moments and endearing moments.
I liked this book. It really kept me interested in these two main characters. The emotional pulls and their mental health they both went through to finally get to their happiness.
I am happy that both Jaxon and Hadassah both chose to seek therapy for healing. And for healing themselves. Not anybody else. I loved how it ended. I definitely liked this book better than book 1.