What do you think?
Rate this book
Crenshaw Kings #5
Kiss It Better
Analicia Chase at one point had it all, a great family and a loving, talented boyfriend. But with the death of her father coming shortly after the loss of her boyfriend's dream, along with his usual tenacity, and a recently developed strained relationship with her sister, things have been rough. They only worsen when a stranger comes into her life, throwing it completely off course. With everything around Analicia crumbling by the day, defeat begins to consume her. That is until she's given an offer she can't refuse... but should. When she steps up to the plate, entering a world unfamiliar to her, it threatens everything she thought she knew and wanted out of life. But when life gives you lemons, sugar, and even the pitcher, you'd be a fool to not make lemonade. However, when jealous, tireless, traitorous exes are thrown into the recipe, said lemonade can turn sour quickly.
Bashar Compton, the handsome, intelligent, lawyer with thug appeal has always known two things; that he would become a criminal defense attorney and that he would spend the rest of his life with his high school sweetheart and baby's mother Nixi Andrews. But when Nixi pulls an inconceivable stunt, he is fed up. Having sacrificed his peace, desires, sanity, and even sometimes his loved ones for the better part of fifteen years, Bashar decides to do something he never thought his heart or mind could fathom... force his once upon-a-time true love to get right or get lost. This is a lot of change for a man who has had the blueprint for his life drawn up since he was a kid, and when a beautiful, sane woman comes into his life by happenstance, it makes things even more difficult. But what Bashar doesn't realize is that Nixi isn't ready to give up and is willing to do whatever is needed to rekindle with the one man she knows she can't live without. The same man who has no doubt loved her through all of her antics and irrationalities. And in her defense, her baby daddy has always given in to her.
In this romance filled with love, unquestionable chemistry, and a healthy dose of insurmountable betrayal, Analicia, Bashar, Nixi, and a few others find out what happens when you take the path of most resistance to find happiness.
*This is a standalone novel and can be read on its own. However, for the full experience, start with The Marriage Favor*
Bashar Compton, the handsome, intelligent, lawyer with thug appeal has always known two things; that he would become a criminal defense attorney and that he would spend the rest of his life with his high school sweetheart and baby's mother Nixi Andrews. But when Nixi pulls an inconceivable stunt, he is fed up. Having sacrificed his peace, desires, sanity, and even sometimes his loved ones for the better part of fifteen years, Bashar decides to do something he never thought his heart or mind could fathom... force his once upon-a-time true love to get right or get lost. This is a lot of change for a man who has had the blueprint for his life drawn up since he was a kid, and when a beautiful, sane woman comes into his life by happenstance, it makes things even more difficult. But what Bashar doesn't realize is that Nixi isn't ready to give up and is willing to do whatever is needed to rekindle with the one man she knows she can't live without. The same man who has no doubt loved her through all of her antics and irrationalities. And in her defense, her baby daddy has always given in to her.
In this romance filled with love, unquestionable chemistry, and a healthy dose of insurmountable betrayal, Analicia, Bashar, Nixi, and a few others find out what happens when you take the path of most resistance to find happiness.
*This is a standalone novel and can be read on its own. However, for the full experience, start with The Marriage Favor*
514 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2024
618 people are currently reading
631 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 388 reviews
June 18, 2024
Nixi’s crazy train pulled into the station and said all aboard 🥴 good lawd that’s a lotta crazy!!
I’ve been anticipating Bashar and Nixi’s story since book one because even at the age of 14 we knew a few sandwiches were missing from Nixi’s picnic basket. Bashar and Nixi have been tied at the hip for 15 years and the relationship was a toxic, one sided, hot 🍑 mess! She’s done everything in her power to control and isolate Bashar from his family and have him solely dependent on her and based off numerous threats of suicide, Bashar has given her more than the benefit of the doubt by staying with her for as long as he has.
He’s finally grown some balls and left Nixi and it only took her crazy tail self kidnapping and dropping their one year old off in the hood. Thankfully she was in good hands because unbeknownst to Bashar she was in day care the entire time 😒. Analicia was the mother figure Brisa needed so even though she had no idea just how looney Bashar and Nixi’s situation was she had no problem stepping in at just the right time and this was despite her own drama that she had been dealing with!
This book started out REALLY strong and I had such high hopes but as the story progressed it was clear that outside of the “crazy” narrative, the author didn’t really know what to do with these characters.
The misses for me:
The story started to get repetitive after a while. Descriptive characteristics of the characters became repetitive. We were constantly being told what Bashar looked like what he smelled like how tall he was and the same for Jarrio. Why?
There was a CONSTANT comparison of Jarrio and Nixi as Bashar and Leeci’s relationship progressed! Once their quirks were established why did we keep needing to read about them. It was “when I was with Nixi abc” or “when I was with Jarrio xyz”. We couldn’t enjoy the couple for what they were and what they were establishing because Nixi and Jarrio were constantly thrown into the mix.
For there to have been 497 pages there was minimal development amongst Bashar and Leeci as a couple. They went from resisting each other to saying “I love you” in a matter of pages. Where did that come from?! There was no build up, no getting to know each other. Every conversation centered on Brisa, Nixi or Jarrio. Even when they had dates it was a comparison of what they got from each other that they didn’t get in previous relationships.
Rayland and that whole storyline pointless
Trixi and that storyline pointless and somewhat predictable
Jarrio and what happened to him at the end… pointless and also out of place for the type of character he was portrayed as. It just didn’t fit. I would’ve expected that from Rayland not Jarrio.
Leeci sister and her drama pointless unless it’s setting the tone for her to reappear later in the series.
I was way more excited about the 3 pages of Cemone and Yolani as well as Asif and Leeci’s sister than I was about Bashar and Leeci.
It was great catching up with the crew and Shakur and Presley’s wedding was the highlight of the story. This is definitely my least favorite book in the series and I hope the rest of the books don’t follow this same pattern.
I’ve been anticipating Bashar and Nixi’s story since book one because even at the age of 14 we knew a few sandwiches were missing from Nixi’s picnic basket. Bashar and Nixi have been tied at the hip for 15 years and the relationship was a toxic, one sided, hot 🍑 mess! She’s done everything in her power to control and isolate Bashar from his family and have him solely dependent on her and based off numerous threats of suicide, Bashar has given her more than the benefit of the doubt by staying with her for as long as he has.
He’s finally grown some balls and left Nixi and it only took her crazy tail self kidnapping and dropping their one year old off in the hood. Thankfully she was in good hands because unbeknownst to Bashar she was in day care the entire time 😒. Analicia was the mother figure Brisa needed so even though she had no idea just how looney Bashar and Nixi’s situation was she had no problem stepping in at just the right time and this was despite her own drama that she had been dealing with!
This book started out REALLY strong and I had such high hopes but as the story progressed it was clear that outside of the “crazy” narrative, the author didn’t really know what to do with these characters.
The misses for me:
The story started to get repetitive after a while. Descriptive characteristics of the characters became repetitive. We were constantly being told what Bashar looked like what he smelled like how tall he was and the same for Jarrio. Why?
There was a CONSTANT comparison of Jarrio and Nixi as Bashar and Leeci’s relationship progressed! Once their quirks were established why did we keep needing to read about them. It was “when I was with Nixi abc” or “when I was with Jarrio xyz”. We couldn’t enjoy the couple for what they were and what they were establishing because Nixi and Jarrio were constantly thrown into the mix.
For there to have been 497 pages there was minimal development amongst Bashar and Leeci as a couple. They went from resisting each other to saying “I love you” in a matter of pages. Where did that come from?! There was no build up, no getting to know each other. Every conversation centered on Brisa, Nixi or Jarrio. Even when they had dates it was a comparison of what they got from each other that they didn’t get in previous relationships.
Rayland and that whole storyline pointless
Trixi and that storyline pointless and somewhat predictable
Jarrio and what happened to him at the end… pointless and also out of place for the type of character he was portrayed as. It just didn’t fit. I would’ve expected that from Rayland not Jarrio.
Leeci sister and her drama pointless unless it’s setting the tone for her to reappear later in the series.
I was way more excited about the 3 pages of Cemone and Yolani as well as Asif and Leeci’s sister than I was about Bashar and Leeci.
It was great catching up with the crew and Shakur and Presley’s wedding was the highlight of the story. This is definitely my least favorite book in the series and I hope the rest of the books don’t follow this same pattern.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2025
I've been eating this series up. The turn of events that unfolded was .... wow lol. BASHAR is runner up for book bae #2
June 16, 2024
Update: After some time it’s a solid 4⭐️ for me! So good! Loyalty can be a catch 22! 4⭐️!
I knew we had a lot to unpack with how book 4 ended with Nixi running off with her and Bashar’s daughter. Never did I imagine Nixi would snap like this?!? Nixi literally led Bashar to the love of his life in Leechi who was dealing with a similar story of being loyal to someone out of history and years together. That part is what sold this story to me was the character development and the parallels between Bashar and Leechi. I believed them when they said they healed pieces of each other by bringing them together. Bashars final moments with Nixi were heartbreaking and Leechi’s reaction to him coming home 🥺❤️. Their love was so easy once they both chose to participate in being together. Jarrio was so stupid and spoiled omg. Nixi is finally at peace and will stay there. This book was just good! Also loved follow-ups from all the other couples and new updates on the remaining siblings 👀. Cemone’s book is about to be a messy Zesus episode but I’m ready! Also who is Ms. Lowkey and what’s up with Yolani? Lol Asif, has me intrigued because what’s up with his new business, was he checking for Stazi too 👀, and is Low loyal? Unique is such a wild card but I feel we don’t have enough for a story yet. Then we have Princess Banks who I feel will close this series out with a bang! Overall each story gets better and better and I’m waiting anxiously for the next drop!
I knew we had a lot to unpack with how book 4 ended with Nixi running off with her and Bashar’s daughter. Never did I imagine Nixi would snap like this?!? Nixi literally led Bashar to the love of his life in Leechi who was dealing with a similar story of being loyal to someone out of history and years together. That part is what sold this story to me was the character development and the parallels between Bashar and Leechi. I believed them when they said they healed pieces of each other by bringing them together. Bashars final moments with Nixi were heartbreaking and Leechi’s reaction to him coming home 🥺❤️. Their love was so easy once they both chose to participate in being together. Jarrio was so stupid and spoiled omg. Nixi is finally at peace and will stay there. This book was just good! Also loved follow-ups from all the other couples and new updates on the remaining siblings 👀. Cemone’s book is about to be a messy Zesus episode but I’m ready! Also who is Ms. Lowkey and what’s up with Yolani? Lol Asif, has me intrigued because what’s up with his new business, was he checking for Stazi too 👀, and is Low loyal? Unique is such a wild card but I feel we don’t have enough for a story yet. Then we have Princess Banks who I feel will close this series out with a bang! Overall each story gets better and better and I’m waiting anxiously for the next drop!
June 18, 2024
🫶🏾
Once I finish a Compton brothers book, I think, “This is my favorite brother.” However, I think it depends on which brother I am reading. For now, Bashar’s book is my favorite. He has the perfect combination of street and book knowledge. And to me, that is such a deadly and sexy mixture, but it worked well. Not only was he essentially a corporate thug, but he was also a phenomenal father. Analicia was the perfect partner for Bashar.
Shvonne is an expert at penning crazed characters, but Nixi irked me the entire series, especially in this book. In my opinion, it took too long for Nixi to sleep permanently. She played herself and had too many chances to take her loss. But not only was Nixi cray, but her sister was as well. And their mama had me side-eyeing her too many times. I couldn’t believe my eyes! Whew!! 🥴🙅🏾♀️
I adored Bashar and Analicia together. Their chemistry dripped off the pages, and the buildup of their relationship was well executed. Bashar upgraded Analicia in ways her ex couldn’t possibly do. Truthfully, I wanted to cheer for her ex until he became crazed, too!! Like what was with these exes 😂😩Overall, I loved this read, and I can’t wait for Cemone because I know he’s about to CUT UP!! Another great addition to the series!❤️
Once I finish a Compton brothers book, I think, “This is my favorite brother.” However, I think it depends on which brother I am reading. For now, Bashar’s book is my favorite. He has the perfect combination of street and book knowledge. And to me, that is such a deadly and sexy mixture, but it worked well. Not only was he essentially a corporate thug, but he was also a phenomenal father. Analicia was the perfect partner for Bashar.
Shvonne is an expert at penning crazed characters, but Nixi irked me the entire series, especially in this book. In my opinion, it took too long for Nixi to sleep permanently. She played herself and had too many chances to take her loss. But not only was Nixi cray, but her sister was as well. And their mama had me side-eyeing her too many times. I couldn’t believe my eyes! Whew!! 🥴🙅🏾♀️
I adored Bashar and Analicia together. Their chemistry dripped off the pages, and the buildup of their relationship was well executed. Bashar upgraded Analicia in ways her ex couldn’t possibly do. Truthfully, I wanted to cheer for her ex until he became crazed, too!! Like what was with these exes 😂😩Overall, I loved this read, and I can’t wait for Cemone because I know he’s about to CUT UP!! Another great addition to the series!❤️
June 18, 2024
3.5 Stars
This was my least favorite in the series. By the end, I was really bored. Other than the proposal and the wedding just about everything after what happened to Nixi (IMO) was unnecessary. I didn’t feel like there was any real chemistry between Bashar and Leeci. Their relationship was so lackluster even with the drama of Jarrio and Nixi.
This was my least favorite in the series. By the end, I was really bored. Other than the proposal and the wedding just about everything after what happened to Nixi (IMO) was unnecessary. I didn’t feel like there was any real chemistry between Bashar and Leeci. Their relationship was so lackluster even with the drama of Jarrio and Nixi.
February 2, 2025
Big Bashar…..not the little one
I get why the bookies loved Bashar so much. He was much gentler than I was expecting but man he was suffering with Nixi’s nut ***. I tried to give her grave because of her mental illness but it didn’t really work. Leeci was making me mad because I didn’t get the Jarrio loyalty, it was clear she ain’t love him…..and then the 🍆 was trash. Like girl….LEAVE HIM. I love a nanny romance though and Basjar and Leeci just felt right. I didn’t like Trixi but she ain’t deserve that. I feel like Stazi will pop up in the future and I hope she’s smarter the next time we see here. Cemone up next!
I get why the bookies loved Bashar so much. He was much gentler than I was expecting but man he was suffering with Nixi’s nut ***. I tried to give her grave because of her mental illness but it didn’t really work. Leeci was making me mad because I didn’t get the Jarrio loyalty, it was clear she ain’t love him…..and then the 🍆 was trash. Like girl….LEAVE HIM. I love a nanny romance though and Basjar and Leeci just felt right. I didn’t like Trixi but she ain’t deserve that. I feel like Stazi will pop up in the future and I hope she’s smarter the next time we see here. Cemone up next!
June 22, 2024
Repetitive
I’m so conflicted about this book. Reading the series in order and you see a pattern and I’m over it. The author is consistent with the drama and there’s only one way to solve a problem with this family.
The story wasn’t bad just repetitive and that became tiresome.
I’m so conflicted about this book. Reading the series in order and you see a pattern and I’m over it. The author is consistent with the drama and there’s only one way to solve a problem with this family.
The story wasn’t bad just repetitive and that became tiresome.
August 25, 2025
4.5
I really like this book as well. I think 3 is still my favorite but this one for sure is the winner-up. Analicia was just a star in the whole story, dealing and putting up with everyone shit. I just felt so sorry for Bashar for the decisions that he had to make. I see the Crenshaw boys don't have an issue with offing any one. But that mfn Nixxi.
I really like this book as well. I think 3 is still my favorite but this one for sure is the winner-up. Analicia was just a star in the whole story, dealing and putting up with everyone shit. I just felt so sorry for Bashar for the decisions that he had to make. I see the Crenshaw boys don't have an issue with offing any one. But that mfn Nixxi.
May 23, 2025
Bashar & Analicia ❤️ Love this series because it’s LA based. Despite that the book was a tad boring. Listened to the audiobook to help me finish the book. Nixi was a coo coo bird 😵💫
June 10, 2024
Amazing
This book had displaying all type of emotions from happiness to anger some parts had me cracking up. Bashar definitely is definitely in the running for book bae 2024. I would definitely recommend this book
This book had displaying all type of emotions from happiness to anger some parts had me cracking up. Bashar definitely is definitely in the running for book bae 2024. I would definitely recommend this book
June 6, 2025
Bashar Gets His Peace
"If I ever wanted to know the cure for a broken heart, shit a broken man, I learned it was Analicia Chase."
Bashar's love story has been simmering on low since Book 1, so getting the pot off the stove knew this was going to be epic like Lequay's orrrrrr
The Good
#NannyxBossTrope #SunshinexGrump
Shvonne Latrice didn't pull punches. Leeci was a decent leading lady. It's nice seeing the trend of women with real jobs and realistic goals. Leeci, being in a dead end relationship and already close to Bashar's child, was a wise narrative choice. She really was a beacon, and her light shining threw helped catch Bashar out of his anguish.
My Traps on first read
🤫At the time, I was disappointed by the incredible slow burn pacing. I thought they took forever to get together, and there was too much back and forth from Bashar. honestly, this needs to be savored. don't rush through. Don't expect an instaI'mPuttingPressureOnYourNecktoBeWithMe story.
🤫The villain turn some characters took was really shocking. I just didn't believe their villany. At the time, the story felt oversized for the plot, but that's the beauty of re-reading. On re-read, I noticed this is a quieter, more internal, softer story, but it fits their romance so well because both had heavy relationship PTSD to work out.
My Joys from the reread
#LawyerThug
🤌🏾Through the re-read a time was had. I caught Bashar's dry serious humor. His kind heart and smart mind. He had a lot on his plate but he still recognized the gem he had for his nanny Ms. Leeci. I loved watching how Bashar was different from his other brothers, and Shvonne excels at making sure each brother is very distinctive from the other
#SlowburnRomance
🤌🏾I enjoyed the story pace much better. It definitely made a lot of sense for this specific couple. They needed the time after ending long-term relationships to figure it out. Yeah a lot of things that I thought slowed the narrative pace down actually on reread I truly enjoying and note that the pace is just right for the trauma both characters received. It just really clicks and makes sense.
#mentalhealthmatters #deluluOtherWoman
🤌🏾Each brother seems to have his delulu hangers-on that won't go away. Usually its funny to laugh at their weird antics or see their comeuppance. This here was a whole nother ball of wax and it was presented very well and realistically. Mental Health rep. From Bashar's tears to therapy to Trixi, upon re-reading many things I took at face value for several characters were hints of how their story would end. Foreshadowing was skrong (not strong).
#Healing
🤌🏾Shvonne was willing to take it there and go deeper. The parallelism between Nixi and Jarrio leading their fates was so poetic. The way both Leeci and Brashar had to heal from broken relationships
#internalconflict
🤌🏾The relationship struggles are also very realistic. When you enter a relationship as a teenager and it lasts post-college years, you get saddled with the "you gotta hang in there"isms. Its this illness that makes you think, the years put in and the "growth" you think you've seen means you entitled to keep sticking it out. You feel you will catch that early relationship butterlies. You feel you are giving up on something you've invested long hours into and you don't want to be a quitter. Both Basher and Leeci having this illness fits their relationship to a T.
Overall: I loved Bashar. The story was so sweet and telling. I loved watching their cute family come together. I enjoyed them both getting their worth with bomb nasty smex. 😋
"If I ever wanted to know the cure for a broken heart, shit a broken man, I learned it was Analicia Chase."
Bashar's love story has been simmering on low since Book 1, so getting the pot off the stove knew this was going to be epic like Lequay's orrrrrr
The Good
#NannyxBossTrope #SunshinexGrump
Shvonne Latrice didn't pull punches. Leeci was a decent leading lady. It's nice seeing the trend of women with real jobs and realistic goals. Leeci, being in a dead end relationship and already close to Bashar's child, was a wise narrative choice. She really was a beacon, and her light shining threw helped catch Bashar out of his anguish.
My Traps on first read
🤫At the time, I was disappointed by the incredible slow burn pacing. I thought they took forever to get together, and there was too much back and forth from Bashar. honestly, this needs to be savored. don't rush through. Don't expect an instaI'mPuttingPressureOnYourNecktoBeWithMe story.
🤫The villain turn some characters took was really shocking. I just didn't believe their villany. At the time, the story felt oversized for the plot, but that's the beauty of re-reading. On re-read, I noticed this is a quieter, more internal, softer story, but it fits their romance so well because both had heavy relationship PTSD to work out.
My Joys from the reread
#LawyerThug
🤌🏾Through the re-read a time was had. I caught Bashar's dry serious humor. His kind heart and smart mind. He had a lot on his plate but he still recognized the gem he had for his nanny Ms. Leeci. I loved watching how Bashar was different from his other brothers, and Shvonne excels at making sure each brother is very distinctive from the other
#SlowburnRomance
🤌🏾I enjoyed the story pace much better. It definitely made a lot of sense for this specific couple. They needed the time after ending long-term relationships to figure it out. Yeah a lot of things that I thought slowed the narrative pace down actually on reread I truly enjoying and note that the pace is just right for the trauma both characters received. It just really clicks and makes sense.
#mentalhealthmatters #deluluOtherWoman
🤌🏾Each brother seems to have his delulu hangers-on that won't go away. Usually its funny to laugh at their weird antics or see their comeuppance. This here was a whole nother ball of wax and it was presented very well and realistically. Mental Health rep. From Bashar's tears to therapy to Trixi, upon re-reading many things I took at face value for several characters were hints of how their story would end. Foreshadowing was skrong (not strong).
#Healing
🤌🏾Shvonne was willing to take it there and go deeper. The parallelism between Nixi and Jarrio leading their fates was so poetic. The way both Leeci and Brashar had to heal from broken relationships
#internalconflict
🤌🏾The relationship struggles are also very realistic. When you enter a relationship as a teenager and it lasts post-college years, you get saddled with the "you gotta hang in there"isms. Its this illness that makes you think, the years put in and the "growth" you think you've seen means you entitled to keep sticking it out. You feel you will catch that early relationship butterlies. You feel you are giving up on something you've invested long hours into and you don't want to be a quitter. Both Basher and Leeci having this illness fits their relationship to a T.
Overall: I loved Bashar. The story was so sweet and telling. I loved watching their cute family come together. I enjoyed them both getting their worth with bomb nasty smex. 😋
June 14, 2025
My issues:
What’s up with these mothers giving their daughters bad advice?? First it was Teyaira mama now it’s Nixi and Trixi mama. No wonder all these batches are cuckoo for coco puffs!
Also, Analicia sister is giving her some dumb ass advice. I don’t need these type of mamas and sisters in my life!
Now, I’ll admit by the end of the book, I came around to Anastazia. She’s been dealing with a lot thanks to her bum ass husband and I’m definitely rooting for her and Asif to finally get their moment.
As for Bashar sexy lawyer ass…finally got rid of Nixi crazy ass. The way he provided and loved on Analicia was amazing to read.
I’m so happy Analicia finally saw Jarrio bum ass for who he was.
In order… Prime, Lequay, Bashar, Khari, Shakur (As much as I want to put Shakur before Khari I can’t…he gets major points taking away from being with Teyaira)
What’s up with these mothers giving their daughters bad advice?? First it was Teyaira mama now it’s Nixi and Trixi mama. No wonder all these batches are cuckoo for coco puffs!
Also, Analicia sister is giving her some dumb ass advice. I don’t need these type of mamas and sisters in my life!
Now, I’ll admit by the end of the book, I came around to Anastazia. She’s been dealing with a lot thanks to her bum ass husband and I’m definitely rooting for her and Asif to finally get their moment.
As for Bashar sexy lawyer ass…finally got rid of Nixi crazy ass. The way he provided and loved on Analicia was amazing to read.
I’m so happy Analicia finally saw Jarrio bum ass for who he was.
In order… Prime, Lequay, Bashar, Khari, Shakur (As much as I want to put Shakur before Khari I can’t…he gets major points taking away from being with Teyaira)
August 26, 2025
Bashar x Analicia 💙💍
There was definitely ALOT going on in this book. Good story with some parts that made it longer than necessary. 🤔 I didn’t see the point of Trixi doing all that she did but maybe just to prove that they may have all been crazy in that family 🤨🧐 we definitely took the scenic route with getting rid of Nixi.
Although Analicia & Bashar both should have taken some time after ending each of their relationships, they seem to have had an instant connection that grew even more through all the crazy ex mess. Hell people move on in real life faster than them so it’s all good.
Bashar definitely should have left Nixi where she was when he was 14!! At 14 he should have NEVER been dealing with her manipulation and mess. Being in denial led Nixi to her final resting place.
Audiobook/e-Book 📚🎧
There was definitely ALOT going on in this book. Good story with some parts that made it longer than necessary. 🤔 I didn’t see the point of Trixi doing all that she did but maybe just to prove that they may have all been crazy in that family 🤨🧐 we definitely took the scenic route with getting rid of Nixi.
Although Analicia & Bashar both should have taken some time after ending each of their relationships, they seem to have had an instant connection that grew even more through all the crazy ex mess. Hell people move on in real life faster than them so it’s all good.
Bashar definitely should have left Nixi where she was when he was 14!! At 14 he should have NEVER been dealing with her manipulation and mess. Being in denial led Nixi to her final resting place.
Audiobook/e-Book 📚🎧
June 9, 2024
YES YES
OMFG this was sooo damn good. Omg Nixi was sooo delusional and her family is part the blame. Baskar has finally found peace and I love that for him. This was a good @$$ read. I could not do anything until I finished.
OMFG this was sooo damn good. Omg Nixi was sooo delusional and her family is part the blame. Baskar has finally found peace and I love that for him. This was a good @$$ read. I could not do anything until I finished.
May 18, 2025
3.75 Nixi, Trixi, and Jarrio worked my nerves!
July 25, 2025
Nixi and her family annoyed me so bad but I loved the Compton family all together 🥹
December 6, 2025
Literally the best series I’ve ever read. On to Cemone!
June 10, 2024
YALL ever read something so good you don’t wanna read anything else for the week. This probably my favorite family series but this one was too good. I really liked how we got to know Bashar and see him blossom into a deserving main man. Like he was too funny, talking about her lil motorcycle. Both characters stayed in situations too long out of loyalty to something that was not serving them. I will say idk if Analocia sister deserve a Compton cus sister was sooooo annoying. Like she was the weak n*gga advocate alliance lmaoo like girl if you take up for Jamal again ima scream. I’m glad she apologized but still whew I wanted to sock her. I ain’t never celebrated a death the way I celebrated that one hoochies demise. Like Chile something was wrong with EVERY WOMAN in Nixi family like idk them genes was a MESSSSS.
October 25, 2025
Analicia x Bashar
I love a crook in cufflinks and code-switching Bashar was the epitome of that. Shvonne paired this detail with the nanny trope and delivered a banger!
This book follows two people who were previously in long term relationships that no longer served them. Both lacked experience in dating, true intimacy and being valued by their mate. Through each other,they learned what being happily in love truly felt like.
This was an immersive reading experience and the narrators gave a stellar performance! I’m gong to miss Tony Isabella in this series.
4.5 ⭐️
I love a crook in cufflinks and code-switching Bashar was the epitome of that. Shvonne paired this detail with the nanny trope and delivered a banger!
This book follows two people who were previously in long term relationships that no longer served them. Both lacked experience in dating, true intimacy and being valued by their mate. Through each other,they learned what being happily in love truly felt like.
This was an immersive reading experience and the narrators gave a stellar performance! I’m gong to miss Tony Isabella in this series.
4.5 ⭐️
July 13, 2024
Took me a while to read cause I was getting out of a book slump which I still think I am in. Unfortunately I didn’t really enjoy this book like the others but it was still good. I’m not sure the drama was way too much for me like Nixi and her sister and Leeci ex boyfriend was just too much drama for me.
October 2, 2025
Update 10/2: had to update my rating bc I was clearly tripping when I first read this. I have read the books in this series so many times it’s ridiculous.
This entire series is everything. And lowkey, Shvonne needs to write a masterclass about character development!
This entire series is everything. And lowkey, Shvonne needs to write a masterclass about character development!
November 30, 2025
2nd read was the audiobook
July 24, 2025
Lawyer BAEEEEEE ! He is such a man.
Also I think I have a new found love for nanny trope. If it’s gonna be done….this is how it should be
Also I think I have a new found love for nanny trope. If it’s gonna be done….this is how it should be
November 24, 2024
By far the best one yet!
I’ve enjoyed this series quite a lot but have often struggled with the emotional intelligence of the heroes and the judgement at times of the heroines. Not here. Bashar, whose common sense I’ve doubted as a peripheral character in previous books, is the GOAT of this series and well deserving of the excellent Leeci. If you’ve followed his tough time with Nixi and her mental illness and worried about how the author will salvage things, worry not, this story is everything and the best one in the series. Bashar and Leeci are well-suited, sensitive, smart, equally emotionally intelligent and the epitome of soft love after emotional hardship.
The one thing I will say is that mental illness is not treated perhaps with the sensitivity that one might want- it’s very reminiscent of Lisara’s ex’s outing in book one. Because the character ain’t ish, their very pertinent issues become part of their villainy as opposed to separate from them; because they’re unsympathetic characters, their issues of internalized homophobia or untreated enabled mental illness becomes treated without sympathy in the book and something to mock. This gave me pause but I also think is authentic to the realities of how the characters as described in the book would react and address these issues so I was a bit conflicted because I got it, but I also wanted them to be a little more mature.
Overall, I don’t know how she did it but this author turned Bashar’s book which I wasn’t particularly excited to read into my favourite of the series so far and Bashar into my top hero in this Crenshaw King’s world- yes even over Lequay. Looking forward to the last four books in the series.
I’ve enjoyed this series quite a lot but have often struggled with the emotional intelligence of the heroes and the judgement at times of the heroines. Not here. Bashar, whose common sense I’ve doubted as a peripheral character in previous books, is the GOAT of this series and well deserving of the excellent Leeci. If you’ve followed his tough time with Nixi and her mental illness and worried about how the author will salvage things, worry not, this story is everything and the best one in the series. Bashar and Leeci are well-suited, sensitive, smart, equally emotionally intelligent and the epitome of soft love after emotional hardship.
The one thing I will say is that mental illness is not treated perhaps with the sensitivity that one might want- it’s very reminiscent of Lisara’s ex’s outing in book one. Because the character ain’t ish, their very pertinent issues become part of their villainy as opposed to separate from them; because they’re unsympathetic characters, their issues of internalized homophobia or untreated enabled mental illness becomes treated without sympathy in the book and something to mock. This gave me pause but I also think is authentic to the realities of how the characters as described in the book would react and address these issues so I was a bit conflicted because I got it, but I also wanted them to be a little more mature.
Overall, I don’t know how she did it but this author turned Bashar’s book which I wasn’t particularly excited to read into my favourite of the series so far and Bashar into my top hero in this Crenshaw King’s world- yes even over Lequay. Looking forward to the last four books in the series.
May 3, 2025
Shvonne, you nailed it with the title this was perfect for the story.
Whew, after reading this, I don’t even know which brother I want anymore! Bashar? That man was serious. We love an intelligent man with a hood mentality. I can see him now whew!
Now Nixi? She was definitely mentally ill. Baby girl was not letting up on Bashar for nothing. I actually felt bad for her. If her family had gotten her the help she needed early on, instead of forcing her onto Bashar, she might’ve turned out differently. But nope she was just as delusional as her mama and sister. She got exactly what she deserved.
As for Miss Analicia, I truly loved her, but she was way too comfortable with Jamal in the beginning (inside joke his sorry self). Bashar stepped in and showed her exactly how a man is supposed to treat a woman, even though he was still healing from his past. Their chemistry was everything. And the way she loved on that baby girl? Beautiful.
This book is hands down my second favorite in the series!
Whew, after reading this, I don’t even know which brother I want anymore! Bashar? That man was serious. We love an intelligent man with a hood mentality. I can see him now whew!
Now Nixi? She was definitely mentally ill. Baby girl was not letting up on Bashar for nothing. I actually felt bad for her. If her family had gotten her the help she needed early on, instead of forcing her onto Bashar, she might’ve turned out differently. But nope she was just as delusional as her mama and sister. She got exactly what she deserved.
As for Miss Analicia, I truly loved her, but she was way too comfortable with Jamal in the beginning (inside joke his sorry self). Bashar stepped in and showed her exactly how a man is supposed to treat a woman, even though he was still healing from his past. Their chemistry was everything. And the way she loved on that baby girl? Beautiful.
This book is hands down my second favorite in the series!
July 20, 2025
This story is a reminder that you don’t have to “cling to a mistake just because you spent a long time making it.” Both Bashar & Analicia were in long term, since high school, relationships that weren’t serving them anymore,and for their own reasons they’re reluctant to end them. Once they both finally reached their breaking points, they saw how good it can get, in each other….once they stopped trying to fight it lol. I loved Bashar and Analicia. Their chemistry. Their friendship. The way they both would/could crash out over the other. Chef’s kiss.
If the author is not gonna do ANYTHING ELSE she is going to write delusional side characters that just will NOT let the MCs go. Astronomical levels of delusion.
Also, Cemone’s book is next and he’s been my least favorite brother so far, even over Khari. So I’m essentially reading his book with an attitude and hoping he has some character development in his book. I’d skip it and go straight to Asif’s book but I don’t want to miss any world building.
If the author is not gonna do ANYTHING ELSE she is going to write delusional side characters that just will NOT let the MCs go. Astronomical levels of delusion.
Also, Cemone’s book is next and he’s been my least favorite brother so far, even over Khari. So I’m essentially reading his book with an attitude and hoping he has some character development in his book. I’d skip it and go straight to Asif’s book but I don’t want to miss any world building.
October 24, 2024
Listen! I know a floral arrangement hates to see Bashar coming! 😂😂 I knew about 10% in that this was going to be a 5-star read for me. This book made me laugh more than most stand-up shows. There was an aspect in the story that I totally did not expect at all! The characters, as usual, are very well developed, and the writing is really good. I’m side-eyeing the author for being able to write such a convincing crazy character. I was on the edge of my seat! The romance was ROMANCING. I had to stop reading a few times to call my boyfriend because I was feeling the love from the book.
Big Bashar… not the little one. Loved the cameo of my favorite brothers and my husband, Lequay. A must-read!
Big Bashar… not the little one. Loved the cameo of my favorite brothers and my husband, Lequay. A must-read!
December 8, 2025
This series just keeps getting better and book 5 did not disappoint. Bashar and Analicia were both stuck in messy, draining relationships with their high school sweethearts, and I loved watching them slowly find healing — and a real sense of peace — in each other.
Now listen… Nixi and that whole family? CHAOS. I couldn’t believe half the things they were doing. And Trixie? She played stupid games with her wild sister and absolutely lost.
Jarrio (a.k.a. Jamar) was the definition of a spoiled man-child, taking full advantage of that girl and giving nothing back. He got what he deserved.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
Now listen… Nixi and that whole family? CHAOS. I couldn’t believe half the things they were doing. And Trixie? She played stupid games with her wild sister and absolutely lost.
Jarrio (a.k.a. Jamar) was the definition of a spoiled man-child, taking full advantage of that girl and giving nothing back. He got what he deserved.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
February 5, 2025
Bashar's Heart!!!! That's the whole review right there in two words. Shvonne Latrice has a knack for creating dynamic male characters that are loving, hard, troubled, and passionate (and I love it!!). Latrice's male characters lead the narratives with dominant energy (which is so needed for the flow and passion behind the plot and characters). The Compton guys and Prime are unforgettable and demand your attention -- especially through Audible. Shvonne Latrice, you acted up on this one!! From the mental health drama to the story of love redemption for Bashar, it was worth every minute.
September 20, 2025
4/5
— Bashar and Analecia were the perfect match. They both stayed in tired situations out of loyalty which had not been serving them. I was happy Bashar found peace and real love. My heart is whole, Brisa deserved the love and nurturing from a mother figure, which Analecia provided for her.
— I like a good nanny romance — step mama, lol.
— My nerves were shot with Nixi, Trixi, Glenda and Jarrio. Anastazia was annoying too.
— Bashar and Analecia were the perfect match. They both stayed in tired situations out of loyalty which had not been serving them. I was happy Bashar found peace and real love. My heart is whole, Brisa deserved the love and nurturing from a mother figure, which Analecia provided for her.
— I like a good nanny romance — step mama, lol.
— My nerves were shot with Nixi, Trixi, Glenda and Jarrio. Anastazia was annoying too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 388 reviews