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SAINT BAPTISTE 2: the finale
Saint Baptiste fell in love. That was never part of the plan. His relationship with Naoki was supposed to be purely physical. He never intended to feel anything for her, but from the moment they locked eyes four years ago, he felt something. At the time, he didn't realize was that the feeling was love. Uncertain how to handle his emotions, he put up walls and tried to maintain control—the one thing he didn't have with her. In focusing on his ego, he did the very thing he never wanted to ignored the 'fragile' label only he could see and mishandled her. By the time he was willing to embrace his feelings for her, he feared it might already be too late.
After years of untreated trauma, Naoki Childs finds herself trapped in a whirlwind of emotions. She's stuck in a cycle, unable to dig herself out of the hole she's in. The saddest part is that she can't find a mask to hide behind; all her pain is on the surface. The remedies she once relied on no longer work, and she feels herself sinking deeper every day.
After years of untreated trauma, Naoki Childs finds herself trapped in a whirlwind of emotions. She's stuck in a cycle, unable to dig herself out of the hole she's in. The saddest part is that she can't find a mask to hide behind; all her pain is on the surface. The remedies she once relied on no longer work, and she feels herself sinking deeper every day.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2024
About the author
Miss Candice
118 books649 followersFor as long as Miss Candice could remember, writing has been her passion. In the beginning, she wrote poetry. Later on in life, when she was about thirteen years old, she was introduced to fanfiction.
The Coldest Winter Ever was the first urban fiction book she read. It wast then when she took Fanfiction to another level. She perfected her writing skills, and began to write Urban fanfiction. At first, writing was something she did in her spare time. Something that was therapeutic to her. Never in a million years, did she think she would become a published author, although it has always been a dream of hers.
Now, at the age of twenty-eight, she's penned over ten bestselling novels with many more to come.
In addition to writing, She's also CEO and founder of Miss Candice Presents.
http://www.authormisscandice.com
The Coldest Winter Ever was the first urban fiction book she read. It wast then when she took Fanfiction to another level. She perfected her writing skills, and began to write Urban fanfiction. At first, writing was something she did in her spare time. Something that was therapeutic to her. Never in a million years, did she think she would become a published author, although it has always been a dream of hers.
Now, at the age of twenty-eight, she's penned over ten bestselling novels with many more to come.
In addition to writing, She's also CEO and founder of Miss Candice Presents.
http://www.authormisscandice.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
June 12, 2024
This book is named Saint but it should have been Naoki. This book was a deep dive into her trauma and her journey to self love…then it jumps to an epilogue 5 years later. This was just okay to me - I didn’t feel like there was a real plot or even dialogue between the characters - it was mainly internal.
June 13, 2024
This book perfectly defines Authors writing for themselves and not the readers.
Saint 2 really broke my heart for multiple reasons. Mainly because we never got to see Saint and Naoki as a couple outside of sex and drama. After all of the push and pull, they only get together in the epilogue? I feel…slighted.
We didn’t get to see the journey of their “fall.” Sure, Saint saw Naoki under her “mask” and expressed his love for her. But after pages and pages of each of them having inner dialogue, I wanted to see them share the reasons for their trauma, with each other. They already told us over the span of two books why they were guarded.
This book should’ve been titled: Naoki and Saint’s Diary.
Saint 2 really broke my heart for multiple reasons. Mainly because we never got to see Saint and Naoki as a couple outside of sex and drama. After all of the push and pull, they only get together in the epilogue? I feel…slighted.
We didn’t get to see the journey of their “fall.” Sure, Saint saw Naoki under her “mask” and expressed his love for her. But after pages and pages of each of them having inner dialogue, I wanted to see them share the reasons for their trauma, with each other. They already told us over the span of two books why they were guarded.
This book should’ve been titled: Naoki and Saint’s Diary.
June 13, 2024
dnf…
June 13, 2024
Disappointing
I waited patiently for part two and I'm sad to say how disappointed I was. It didn't match the series in my opinion. This was a journal for expressing some trauma and deep hurt. I couldn't get thru most of the book without flipping pages. Again, this didn't align with the Soul Ties Series, but I see many say they write for themselves not the fan base so I will leave it at that. Read for yourself and form your own opinion.
I waited patiently for part two and I'm sad to say how disappointed I was. It didn't match the series in my opinion. This was a journal for expressing some trauma and deep hurt. I couldn't get thru most of the book without flipping pages. Again, this didn't align with the Soul Ties Series, but I see many say they write for themselves not the fan base so I will leave it at that. Read for yourself and form your own opinion.
March 2, 2025
At first my reaction was annoyance and disdain for this book. Then I realized how this is so many women and men battles within themselves based on their past traumas. I think for me it’s was hard because people were there for Naoki, showing up and loving her and she just refused to see it. Refused to try to let anyone in or get any help. I think it’s the therapist in me but I really don’t understand why people don’t seek help when they know they have these walls. She was very conscious of her mask building daily, hell multiples times a day, but instead of seeking help she just let herself be swallowed. Idk I understand the realistic aspect of this but it definitely was annoying. Then the misunderstanding or not communication is killing me. Yall been messing around for 4 years and your just not acknowledging what u knew you felt so long again. You kept going knowing u fell for Saint? You never even tried communicating with me to see if there was a possibility for things to grow with yall. Ugh. Then the ending killed me. U took me through all this shit to only give me 10 minutes of their happiness that’s wasn’t even explained a little. Throw it away
June 12, 2024
I wanted to love it
I loved the first two books. Waited impatiently for this one. It wasn’t the same. Didn’t hit the same. Made me question was it the same author. A scene that could have been written in two pages, was expanded to be 20 pages. So much unnecessary words. And the writing was different and confusing. I was very disappointed and wish the series would have ended as strongly as the other two books
I loved the first two books. Waited impatiently for this one. It wasn’t the same. Didn’t hit the same. Made me question was it the same author. A scene that could have been written in two pages, was expanded to be 20 pages. So much unnecessary words. And the writing was different and confusing. I was very disappointed and wish the series would have ended as strongly as the other two books
April 24, 2025
3.5/5 ⭐️
— This book fell a little short for me. I feel like we were all immersed in Naoki’s journey the whole book. We didn’t get much of her and Saint.
— This book fell a little short for me. I feel like we were all immersed in Naoki’s journey the whole book. We didn’t get much of her and Saint.
June 22, 2024
This book took me thru it
OMG when I say this book had me all over the place that is an understatement. Every once in a while I come across a book that makes me do some self reflection and this was one of them. The masks….we all wear them at some point to hide pain, disappointment, discomfort, or traumatic past experiences. Naoki had one for them all and then some. For her to go thru that from childhood to adult hood made me hurt thinking about every little girl or hell even the little boys who grow up without real love from the people that are supposed to protect the. Naoki and Saint represented those lost souls who somehow came together to create something beautiful but the masks kept them from seeing it.
Saint Baptiste was not who I originally thought he’d be. He was so much more. At first I thought he was just a playboy but when he finally stepped into his true self..wow. His childhood trauma and the masks he wore made it all make sense and I couldn’t help but to love him and root for his happiness. If you thought Soul Ties with Jah and Sienna was a roller coaster, you’ll more than go for a ride with these two. So buckle up and get ready and take the ride with them. You won’t be disappointed.
OMG when I say this book had me all over the place that is an understatement. Every once in a while I come across a book that makes me do some self reflection and this was one of them. The masks….we all wear them at some point to hide pain, disappointment, discomfort, or traumatic past experiences. Naoki had one for them all and then some. For her to go thru that from childhood to adult hood made me hurt thinking about every little girl or hell even the little boys who grow up without real love from the people that are supposed to protect the. Naoki and Saint represented those lost souls who somehow came together to create something beautiful but the masks kept them from seeing it.
Saint Baptiste was not who I originally thought he’d be. He was so much more. At first I thought he was just a playboy but when he finally stepped into his true self..wow. His childhood trauma and the masks he wore made it all make sense and I couldn’t help but to love him and root for his happiness. If you thought Soul Ties with Jah and Sienna was a roller coaster, you’ll more than go for a ride with these two. So buckle up and get ready and take the ride with them. You won’t be disappointed.
May 15, 2026
Saint Baptiste by Miss Candice was such a raw and emotionally heavy read that it genuinely had me sitting and thinking throughout. I absolutely devoured Naoki’s story. While I’m usually not a fan of self-sabotage storylines, her journey peeled back so many layers and reflected the reality of women who have experienced similar emotional wounds and trauma.
One thing I really appreciated was how the author was able to touch on several emotionally damaging topics while still crafting a story that felt beautiful, meaningful, and full of heart. The emotional depth in this book was undeniable, and I found myself deeply connected to Naoki and rooting for her happiness the entire time. I was so glad she got her happy ending because after everything she endured, she deserved it.
The reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me is because the ending before the epilogue felt very abrupt and somewhat unfinished. While the epilogue did help clear up some lingering questions, I still felt like the relationship itself wasn’t fully addressed in the way I expected or hoped it would be. I wanted just a little more closure emotionally between the characters before everything wrapped up.
Overall though, this was still a powerful and beautifully written story.
One thing I really appreciated was how the author was able to touch on several emotionally damaging topics while still crafting a story that felt beautiful, meaningful, and full of heart. The emotional depth in this book was undeniable, and I found myself deeply connected to Naoki and rooting for her happiness the entire time. I was so glad she got her happy ending because after everything she endured, she deserved it.
The reason this wasn’t a full five stars for me is because the ending before the epilogue felt very abrupt and somewhat unfinished. While the epilogue did help clear up some lingering questions, I still felt like the relationship itself wasn’t fully addressed in the way I expected or hoped it would be. I wanted just a little more closure emotionally between the characters before everything wrapped up.
Overall though, this was still a powerful and beautifully written story.
June 19, 2024
This is not a love story, so if that's what you're looking for, move around.
"Saint Baptiste is therapy. Saint Baptiste is the depiction of true love. Unconditional love. I hope you love it as much as I do". - Miss Candice
And did!!!
What can I say about Saint Baptiste & Naoki?
Let Jah and Saint tell it...
Jahad - “How was the fall fré?”
Saint “Tumultuous, my nigga,”.
Till the very end, Miss. Candice kept us wandering if these 2 were ever gonna make it. Or if the timing would ever be right.
I feel like Saint's character took a lot of h8 on book one. He simply wasn't the villain some made him out to be, in my opinion. Baby Baptiste felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and shoes not too big for him to fit but forced on him, and they just didn't fit.
Q- Who's running the family?? It's clear Jah didn't jump back in. So the cousin?
That's sit down with the brothers was long overdue and necessary. I was beginning to think we wouldn't see Jah.
Naoki, Naoki Naoki! That girl was hurt. That girl was broken, Self sabotaging and a reflection of soo many of us. I just wanted to reach out and hug the little girl in her and tell her she was worthy!
At one point, I have to say I was frustrated as hell because she started off saying she caught feelings for him and when he reciprocated, she turned tail and ran.
In the end, the truth was she couldn't receive love because she simply wasn't ready.
"Saint Baptiste is therapy. Saint Baptiste is the depiction of true love. Unconditional love. I hope you love it as much as I do". - Miss Candice
And did!!!
What can I say about Saint Baptiste & Naoki?
Let Jah and Saint tell it...
Jahad - “How was the fall fré?”
Saint “Tumultuous, my nigga,”.
Till the very end, Miss. Candice kept us wandering if these 2 were ever gonna make it. Or if the timing would ever be right.
I feel like Saint's character took a lot of h8 on book one. He simply wasn't the villain some made him out to be, in my opinion. Baby Baptiste felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and shoes not too big for him to fit but forced on him, and they just didn't fit.
Q- Who's running the family?? It's clear Jah didn't jump back in. So the cousin?
That's sit down with the brothers was long overdue and necessary. I was beginning to think we wouldn't see Jah.
Naoki, Naoki Naoki! That girl was hurt. That girl was broken, Self sabotaging and a reflection of soo many of us. I just wanted to reach out and hug the little girl in her and tell her she was worthy!
At one point, I have to say I was frustrated as hell because she started off saying she caught feelings for him and when he reciprocated, she turned tail and ran.
In the end, the truth was she couldn't receive love because she simply wasn't ready.
June 19, 2024
I was privy to information about the author, and the journey that was writing this book, so that definitely informs my review. I'm not a critic, I'm just a girl who enjoys reading, and knows what I like. This conclusion (maybe???) satisfied in places, and frustrated and others. I thought much more connected to the people, Saint and Naoki, but I felt like I was left wanting more when it came to the love story. This was more of an individual journey story for Naoki, and for Saint, so, if you're looking to see more into their love story, and it's conclusion, you won't get that here. We do see how they end up, but we don't get to sort of revel in that ending. What Miss Candice has here is an emotional journey for two individuals who are learning how to grapple with their inability to step over themselves again and again.
June 17, 2024
Emotional
This book pulled different emotions from me. Naoki bothered me sometimes, but I understood it was how journey was supposed to go. So much had happened to her and every time she self sabotaged herself, I wanted to read through my kindle and hug her. Saint made me mad a few times, but I enjoyed seeing his growth. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I recommend checking it out.
This book pulled different emotions from me. Naoki bothered me sometimes, but I understood it was how journey was supposed to go. So much had happened to her and every time she self sabotaged herself, I wanted to read through my kindle and hug her. Saint made me mad a few times, but I enjoyed seeing his growth. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I recommend checking it out.
June 22, 2024
Slow paced
Ok….so unfortunately this was one of my leastfavorite reads so far this year. Not much of anything happened in this book. It was more so each of them going through the same repetitive thoughts in their heads. When it said that the story was going to be heavy, I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that. I would have liked to see the how that conversation went before she left. Overall, it was just too slow.
Ok….so unfortunately this was one of my leastfavorite reads so far this year. Not much of anything happened in this book. It was more so each of them going through the same repetitive thoughts in their heads. When it said that the story was going to be heavy, I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that. I would have liked to see the how that conversation went before she left. Overall, it was just too slow.
March 3, 2025
Danggggggggggg Naoki had gone through it in the worst way! Her childhood trauma definitely molded her into the broken woman that she was. Saint also was trauma filled from having to grow up to fast. This book started off amazing & finished exactly how I needed it to.
Favorite Quote- “I thought God was punishing me, but what he really wanted me to do was love myself. To accept myself... and to let go of the ugly shit I kept buried.”
Favorite Quote- “I thought God was punishing me, but what he really wanted me to do was love myself. To accept myself... and to let go of the ugly shit I kept buried.”
June 16, 2024
10 ⭐ hands down!!!
Miss Candice, you've once again out did your self.
Saint and Naoki had me all over the place. I didn't think they were gonna make it. It took alot for Naoki to find her self but she did it. Good read
Miss Candice, you've once again out did your self.
Saint and Naoki had me all over the place. I didn't think they were gonna make it. It took alot for Naoki to find her self but she did it. Good read
December 16, 2025
Saint really grew on me, I didn't think I would end up liking him more than Jadah, but I did by the end of part 2. Both Naoki & Saint had things that they needed to work on and I'm glad that Saint gave her space to work on what she needed to work on. Hearing the full back story to what Naoki went through was so heartbreaking but also made so much sense why she was guarded. I wish I got more of them together at the end, while we got answers to most of the questions the ending felt a little rushed.
October 28, 2024
GREAT READ
Whew, what a read. Saint & Naoki were both dealing with traumas that were preventing them from truly giving their all to each other. This book was an emotional rollercoaster because you get so connected to the characters that you feel their pain. Time apart was definitely needed for Saint & Naoki to get the necessary healing for them to come back together. Glad things worked out for them because they were deserving of the same love those around them had. Highly recommend reading.
Whew, what a read. Saint & Naoki were both dealing with traumas that were preventing them from truly giving their all to each other. This book was an emotional rollercoaster because you get so connected to the characters that you feel their pain. Time apart was definitely needed for Saint & Naoki to get the necessary healing for them to come back together. Glad things worked out for them because they were deserving of the same love those around them had. Highly recommend reading.
March 25, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
May 26, 2026
🥃 Book Review: Saint Baptiste 2: The Finale
"The Barrel Had More to Give — But They Called It Done"Author: Miss Candice
Genre: Urban Fiction / African American Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Trauma Healing, Emotional Unavailability, Situationship Comes to a Head, Self-Love Journey, Love Isn't Enough Without Healing
Format: Purchased Copy — Kindle Edition (294 pages)
Series: Soul Ties / Baptiste Universe — Book 3 / Saint Baptiste Finale
Drink Pairing: Hibiscus Rum Sour
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (The heat stepped back so the healing could step forward)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5) — "I See What You Were Trying to Do. I Just Needed More."
🥃 The Pour
I want to start by saying this: I believe Miss Candice wrote this book with her whole heart.
I can feel it in every page. The intention is there. The care is there. The love for these characters is absolutely present. And I think that matters — I think it counts.
But reading with my heart and reviewing with my head are two different things, and this is a review.
Saint Baptiste 2: The Finale closes out a story I was deeply invested in. After everything Book 1 set up — the tension, the Pandora's reveal, that cliffhanger that had me scanning my Kindle app for a sequel before I even finished the last page — I came to this finale ready. Ready for Saint to be brought to his knees. Ready for Naoki to finally, finally be chosen the way she deserved. Ready for these two to stop circling each other and just land.
What I got instead was something different.
Something quieter. Heavier. More interior than I anticipated — and not entirely in the way I needed it to be.
🥃 Character Distillation
Naoki first. Always.
And honestly? This book belongs to Naoki. Every page of it. This is her memoir more than it is their love story, and I've been sitting with that ever since I turned the last page.
Naoki Childs is a woman drowning in wounds she's been carrying since childhood — wounds she masked so expertly for so long that when the mask finally stopped working, she didn't know who she was without it. Miss Candice goes deep into that experience. The trauma is not packaged neatly. It is not rushed toward healing for the reader's comfort. Naoki's pain sits in the room fully, and there is something honest and even courageous about that choice as a writer.
I respected it. I also, at points, needed a break from it — because the internal monologue is heavy and relentless and the pages kept turning without enough air between them.
And Saint.
My Saint, who I watched carry the weight of a name that wasn't built for him, who tested my patience in Book 1 and earned my genuine interest by the end of it — Saint takes a step back in this finale. He is there. He names his feelings. He shows up. He does the thing he could not do in Book 1.
But I needed to see him do it with Naoki. Not just in his own head. With her. In scenes. In dialogue. In moments they built together.
That's what was missing for me.
🥃 What I Savored
Naoki's healing arc, taken seriously — Miss Candice did not let her heroine arrive at peace cheaply. The road was long and uncomfortable and messy, and there's integrity in that. Naoki's journey from hiding behind her masks to standing in her own truth — "The Birth of Bloom" — is real. I felt her. Even when she frustrated me.
Saint finally being seen — When this book peels back the layers on Saint's own trauma and his own emotional immaturity without excusing it, I was grateful. His accountability lands. His love, when he finally names it out loud, lands. The man grew. Quietly, but he grew.
The epilogue gave me what I came for — Five years later, and Saint and Naoki are them. Together. At peace. Happy in a way that felt earned. I cried. I'm not going to pretend I didn't. I just wish I hadn't had to wait until the very last pages of a 294-page book to get there.
The series as a whole stands — Taken together, Soul Ties through Saint Baptiste 2 tells a complete story about two families, generational trauma, broken people trying to love each other correctly. That is something. That is genuinely something.
🥃 What Needed More Aging
This book needed a third installment — and it didn't get one. I'll say it plainly. The story of Naoki's healing journey and the story of Saint and Naoki falling into each other correctly are two separate books worth of material. Compressing both into one finale meant that one had to give way to the other. The healing won. The relationship lost. And as a romance reader, that left me holding a glass that wasn't quite full.
Too much time in their individual heads, not enough time in the same room. Four years of history between these two people and I needed to witness them. I needed conversations. I needed them to sit with each other's trauma instead of sitting beside it in parallel chapters. The push-pull that made Book 1 crackle — even frustratingly — needed a payoff in shared scenes, not parallel internal monologues.
The pacing is uneven throughout. Some scenes breathed too long and some moments that deserved pages got paragraphs. The time jumps, by the final act, started to feel less like stylistic choices and more like the story rushing toward an ending it hadn't fully earned yet.
The epilogue is beautiful and too short. I waited the entire series for Saint and Naoki to be together — really together, chosen, unguarded — and I got it in the final pages. I want to be grateful. I am grateful. I also wanted about fifty more pages of it.
🥃 The Finish
I will not tell you this series isn't worth your time. It absolutely is.
Soul Ties is a masterpiece of its genre and I stand behind that. Saint Baptiste Book 1 is a solid, spicy, complex setup that delivers on tension. And Saint Baptiste 2, for all that it left me wanting — it closes the loop. It gives Naoki the dignity her story deserved. It gives Saint a reckoning. It lands.
It just didn't land the way I needed it to.
This is a 3-star book in a series I still recommend without reservation. Read it for Naoki. Read it for the closing of a story you've been invested in. Read it for the epilogue that will make you exhale after holding your breath for three books.
Just know going in: this is Naoki's healing journey first, and a romance second. If you can meet it there, you'll find something worth your time.
I won't be rereading this one. But I'm glad I finished the series.
🥃 The Drink Pairing
Hibiscus Rum Sour
Because this book is the Birth of Bloom. It's beautiful. It's deep. It's got layers of pain underneath something stunning. And it ends sweeter than where it started — you just have to wait longer than you expected for the sweetness to arrive.
Dark rum — 2 oz
Hibiscus simple syrup — ¾ oz
Fresh lemon juice — ¾ oz
Aquafaba or egg white — 1 oz
Club soda — to top
Dried hibiscus flower — garnish
Method: Combine rum, hibiscus syrup, lemon juice, and aquafaba in a shaker. Dry shake first — no ice — for a full 15 seconds to build that frothy top. Add ice, shake again. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with a slow pour of club soda. Garnish with a dried hibiscus flower floating on the foam.
It's gorgeous to look at. It's complex going down. It's a little more tart than you expected and the sweetness arrives late. But there's something undeniably beautiful about it — and you drink the whole glass anyway.
Recommended for fans of the Soul Ties universe, stories that center Black women's healing without apology, and anyone willing to sit in the discomfort of a love story that had to fix itself from the inside out before it could be anything at all.
"The Barrel Had More to Give — But They Called It Done"Author: Miss Candice
Genre: Urban Fiction / African American Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Trauma Healing, Emotional Unavailability, Situationship Comes to a Head, Self-Love Journey, Love Isn't Enough Without Healing
Format: Purchased Copy — Kindle Edition (294 pages)
Series: Soul Ties / Baptiste Universe — Book 3 / Saint Baptiste Finale
Drink Pairing: Hibiscus Rum Sour
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (The heat stepped back so the healing could step forward)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5) — "I See What You Were Trying to Do. I Just Needed More."
🥃 The Pour
I want to start by saying this: I believe Miss Candice wrote this book with her whole heart.
I can feel it in every page. The intention is there. The care is there. The love for these characters is absolutely present. And I think that matters — I think it counts.
But reading with my heart and reviewing with my head are two different things, and this is a review.
Saint Baptiste 2: The Finale closes out a story I was deeply invested in. After everything Book 1 set up — the tension, the Pandora's reveal, that cliffhanger that had me scanning my Kindle app for a sequel before I even finished the last page — I came to this finale ready. Ready for Saint to be brought to his knees. Ready for Naoki to finally, finally be chosen the way she deserved. Ready for these two to stop circling each other and just land.
What I got instead was something different.
Something quieter. Heavier. More interior than I anticipated — and not entirely in the way I needed it to be.
🥃 Character Distillation
Naoki first. Always.
And honestly? This book belongs to Naoki. Every page of it. This is her memoir more than it is their love story, and I've been sitting with that ever since I turned the last page.
Naoki Childs is a woman drowning in wounds she's been carrying since childhood — wounds she masked so expertly for so long that when the mask finally stopped working, she didn't know who she was without it. Miss Candice goes deep into that experience. The trauma is not packaged neatly. It is not rushed toward healing for the reader's comfort. Naoki's pain sits in the room fully, and there is something honest and even courageous about that choice as a writer.
I respected it. I also, at points, needed a break from it — because the internal monologue is heavy and relentless and the pages kept turning without enough air between them.
And Saint.
My Saint, who I watched carry the weight of a name that wasn't built for him, who tested my patience in Book 1 and earned my genuine interest by the end of it — Saint takes a step back in this finale. He is there. He names his feelings. He shows up. He does the thing he could not do in Book 1.
But I needed to see him do it with Naoki. Not just in his own head. With her. In scenes. In dialogue. In moments they built together.
That's what was missing for me.
🥃 What I Savored
Naoki's healing arc, taken seriously — Miss Candice did not let her heroine arrive at peace cheaply. The road was long and uncomfortable and messy, and there's integrity in that. Naoki's journey from hiding behind her masks to standing in her own truth — "The Birth of Bloom" — is real. I felt her. Even when she frustrated me.
Saint finally being seen — When this book peels back the layers on Saint's own trauma and his own emotional immaturity without excusing it, I was grateful. His accountability lands. His love, when he finally names it out loud, lands. The man grew. Quietly, but he grew.
The epilogue gave me what I came for — Five years later, and Saint and Naoki are them. Together. At peace. Happy in a way that felt earned. I cried. I'm not going to pretend I didn't. I just wish I hadn't had to wait until the very last pages of a 294-page book to get there.
The series as a whole stands — Taken together, Soul Ties through Saint Baptiste 2 tells a complete story about two families, generational trauma, broken people trying to love each other correctly. That is something. That is genuinely something.
🥃 What Needed More Aging
This book needed a third installment — and it didn't get one. I'll say it plainly. The story of Naoki's healing journey and the story of Saint and Naoki falling into each other correctly are two separate books worth of material. Compressing both into one finale meant that one had to give way to the other. The healing won. The relationship lost. And as a romance reader, that left me holding a glass that wasn't quite full.
Too much time in their individual heads, not enough time in the same room. Four years of history between these two people and I needed to witness them. I needed conversations. I needed them to sit with each other's trauma instead of sitting beside it in parallel chapters. The push-pull that made Book 1 crackle — even frustratingly — needed a payoff in shared scenes, not parallel internal monologues.
The pacing is uneven throughout. Some scenes breathed too long and some moments that deserved pages got paragraphs. The time jumps, by the final act, started to feel less like stylistic choices and more like the story rushing toward an ending it hadn't fully earned yet.
The epilogue is beautiful and too short. I waited the entire series for Saint and Naoki to be together — really together, chosen, unguarded — and I got it in the final pages. I want to be grateful. I am grateful. I also wanted about fifty more pages of it.
🥃 The Finish
I will not tell you this series isn't worth your time. It absolutely is.
Soul Ties is a masterpiece of its genre and I stand behind that. Saint Baptiste Book 1 is a solid, spicy, complex setup that delivers on tension. And Saint Baptiste 2, for all that it left me wanting — it closes the loop. It gives Naoki the dignity her story deserved. It gives Saint a reckoning. It lands.
It just didn't land the way I needed it to.
This is a 3-star book in a series I still recommend without reservation. Read it for Naoki. Read it for the closing of a story you've been invested in. Read it for the epilogue that will make you exhale after holding your breath for three books.
Just know going in: this is Naoki's healing journey first, and a romance second. If you can meet it there, you'll find something worth your time.
I won't be rereading this one. But I'm glad I finished the series.
🥃 The Drink Pairing
Hibiscus Rum Sour
Because this book is the Birth of Bloom. It's beautiful. It's deep. It's got layers of pain underneath something stunning. And it ends sweeter than where it started — you just have to wait longer than you expected for the sweetness to arrive.
Dark rum — 2 oz
Hibiscus simple syrup — ¾ oz
Fresh lemon juice — ¾ oz
Aquafaba or egg white — 1 oz
Club soda — to top
Dried hibiscus flower — garnish
Method: Combine rum, hibiscus syrup, lemon juice, and aquafaba in a shaker. Dry shake first — no ice — for a full 15 seconds to build that frothy top. Add ice, shake again. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with a slow pour of club soda. Garnish with a dried hibiscus flower floating on the foam.
It's gorgeous to look at. It's complex going down. It's a little more tart than you expected and the sweetness arrives late. But there's something undeniably beautiful about it — and you drink the whole glass anyway.
Recommended for fans of the Soul Ties universe, stories that center Black women's healing without apology, and anyone willing to sit in the discomfort of a love story that had to fix itself from the inside out before it could be anything at all.
July 13, 2025
** REVIEW IS FOR BOTH SAINT BAPTISTE BOOKS I&II **
Book One in this series is Soul Ties. It was super long and had me on an emotional roller coaster. It follows Sienna, Jahad, and HIS wife (forgot her name). Long story short Jahad goes to a sex club for some relief since he can't fk his wife who is on bed rest during her HIGH RISK pregnancy. He hooks up with Sienna and they have an instant connection. A few days later she shows up at his house as the new birth doula for his wife. The entire book pissed me off. They were fucking in the kitchen while his wife was upstairs, and they acted like this shit was justified. At first, I couldn't stand his wife but, in the end, SHE was the only one I was happy for. SPOILER, Jahad & Sienna end up together. And I was like WTF!?! I was NOT happy for them. I NEVER liked Jahad. I did feel a bit of empathy for Sienna but empathy doesn't mean I liked her or was rooting for her. I truly believe that it's not another person's place to keep YOUR partner faithful. But the DISRESPECT was so strong I wanted to snatch that chick up and beat her ass for the wife I didn't even like.
Saint Baptiste (I&II) is about Jahad's baby brother Saint and Sienna's bestie Nyoki both of which, readers are introduced to in Soul Ties. With that said THIS CAN BE A STANDALONE READ if you so choose. BUT due to the introduction of the entire Baptiste family as well as others I would recommend reading them in order. Come find me so we can talk shit on Jahad and Sienna together when you are done.
I really liked both Saint and Nyoki in the first book and was excited to see their story, which picks up 3 years AFTER Soul Ties. I originally did not realize it was told in 2 parts, so when I saw that book 1 was a quick read, I ASSumed it was just going to be their situationship becoming something more.
Yeah, No... I was soo wrong. This was an incredibly emotional story. Both of them are dealing with trauma and grief which results in one being emotionally closed off and the other feeling unworthy of love.
Triggers: Childhood trauma including physical and sexual abuse, a slow death of a parent, forced interaction with abuser, and suicidal ideation.
Our girl goes through it. And while YES, her situationship with Saint is a part of it, her personal journey is mainly about healing from the abuse and guilt brought on from her sexual abuse as a child.
Miss. Candice does a fantastic job showcasing each individual journey of self-awareness and healing with an emphasis that another person can't heal you. You have to put in the work yourself.
Saint on the other hand is dealing with the death of his father, adjusting to the transition as leader of the family (They are a Haitian Mob Family), dealing with feelings of abandonment, processing his feelings for Nyoki, and some other shit.
I loved this couple sooo much more than the Jahad and Sienna. HOWEVER, I will say that in the first book they were always talking about Sienna exuded calm and was super likable and I wasn't feeling it or her. BUT in this book, she was incredibly likable and IF I didn't know her story I would have really liked her.
She was an amazing friend to Nyoki.
Book One in this series is Soul Ties. It was super long and had me on an emotional roller coaster. It follows Sienna, Jahad, and HIS wife (forgot her name). Long story short Jahad goes to a sex club for some relief since he can't fk his wife who is on bed rest during her HIGH RISK pregnancy. He hooks up with Sienna and they have an instant connection. A few days later she shows up at his house as the new birth doula for his wife. The entire book pissed me off. They were fucking in the kitchen while his wife was upstairs, and they acted like this shit was justified. At first, I couldn't stand his wife but, in the end, SHE was the only one I was happy for. SPOILER, Jahad & Sienna end up together. And I was like WTF!?! I was NOT happy for them. I NEVER liked Jahad. I did feel a bit of empathy for Sienna but empathy doesn't mean I liked her or was rooting for her. I truly believe that it's not another person's place to keep YOUR partner faithful. But the DISRESPECT was so strong I wanted to snatch that chick up and beat her ass for the wife I didn't even like.
Saint Baptiste (I&II) is about Jahad's baby brother Saint and Sienna's bestie Nyoki both of which, readers are introduced to in Soul Ties. With that said THIS CAN BE A STANDALONE READ if you so choose. BUT due to the introduction of the entire Baptiste family as well as others I would recommend reading them in order. Come find me so we can talk shit on Jahad and Sienna together when you are done.
I really liked both Saint and Nyoki in the first book and was excited to see their story, which picks up 3 years AFTER Soul Ties. I originally did not realize it was told in 2 parts, so when I saw that book 1 was a quick read, I ASSumed it was just going to be their situationship becoming something more.
Yeah, No... I was soo wrong. This was an incredibly emotional story. Both of them are dealing with trauma and grief which results in one being emotionally closed off and the other feeling unworthy of love.
Triggers: Childhood trauma including physical and sexual abuse, a slow death of a parent, forced interaction with abuser, and suicidal ideation.
Our girl goes through it. And while YES, her situationship with Saint is a part of it, her personal journey is mainly about healing from the abuse and guilt brought on from her sexual abuse as a child.
Miss. Candice does a fantastic job showcasing each individual journey of self-awareness and healing with an emphasis that another person can't heal you. You have to put in the work yourself.
Saint on the other hand is dealing with the death of his father, adjusting to the transition as leader of the family (They are a Haitian Mob Family), dealing with feelings of abandonment, processing his feelings for Nyoki, and some other shit.
I loved this couple sooo much more than the Jahad and Sienna. HOWEVER, I will say that in the first book they were always talking about Sienna exuded calm and was super likable and I wasn't feeling it or her. BUT in this book, she was incredibly likable and IF I didn't know her story I would have really liked her.
She was an amazing friend to Nyoki.
May 2, 2026
It seems this author likes for everyone to be miserable before she gives them a happy ending.
We get a whole book of them miserable and not being together and then get a little bit in the epilogue.
All of these bitches just sit in their head with all their problems and complain when they can go to therapy and express themselves. Everyone is so emotionally immature even in Soul Ties it was the blind leading the blind. For all these individuals to be the age they are they should’ve grown by now. I was so fucking tired of these long as complaining fests about their problems and no ones their for me I’m all alone. At this point you’re choosing to be. Also what was the fucking point of saying Sienna was her best friend and she didn’t even use her. Didn’t confide in her or nothing just sat there and wallowed like a dummy. Naoki irked my fucking nerves this whole book.
I sat here and struggled through this horrendous book and didn’t even get the satisfaction of reading Saint and Naoki’s emotional talk where she tells him all about her past and they kiss and make up. Disappointing.
We get a whole book of them miserable and not being together and then get a little bit in the epilogue.
All of these bitches just sit in their head with all their problems and complain when they can go to therapy and express themselves. Everyone is so emotionally immature even in Soul Ties it was the blind leading the blind. For all these individuals to be the age they are they should’ve grown by now. I was so fucking tired of these long as complaining fests about their problems and no ones their for me I’m all alone. At this point you’re choosing to be. Also what was the fucking point of saying Sienna was her best friend and she didn’t even use her. Didn’t confide in her or nothing just sat there and wallowed like a dummy. Naoki irked my fucking nerves this whole book.
I sat here and struggled through this horrendous book and didn’t even get the satisfaction of reading Saint and Naoki’s emotional talk where she tells him all about her past and they kiss and make up. Disappointing.
September 30, 2024
The Birth of Bloom
What🥴⁉️ You’ve got to be kidding me‼️ This book/series was a waste. Where was the plot & character development for the entire book/series 🥴⁉️ “Saint Baptiste II: The Finale - Soul Ties - Book 3” was a disappointment. The series, characters, & their storylines were convoluted & frequently contradicted themselves 🤦🏾♀️. Sadly, the background stories of both Naoki & Saint was a disjointed amalgamation of anger, neglect, brokenness & self deprecating destructive behaviors‼️ …yet readers should believe, Naoki miraculously bloomed into a superhero with only a “TikTok account, daily vlogs, morning routines & self-love affirmations.” ..evolved into the birth of bloom! STOP THE MADNESS🥴‼️ It’s not plausible the power of loving yourself was/is the miracle elixir to rectify twenty five years of self loathing that a medical professional couldn’t solve…I’m confused & disappointed with the book/finale🥴. This series was utter insanity! I expected better, but I’m glad its over 🤷🏾♀️‼️
What🥴⁉️ You’ve got to be kidding me‼️ This book/series was a waste. Where was the plot & character development for the entire book/series 🥴⁉️ “Saint Baptiste II: The Finale - Soul Ties - Book 3” was a disappointment. The series, characters, & their storylines were convoluted & frequently contradicted themselves 🤦🏾♀️. Sadly, the background stories of both Naoki & Saint was a disjointed amalgamation of anger, neglect, brokenness & self deprecating destructive behaviors‼️ …yet readers should believe, Naoki miraculously bloomed into a superhero with only a “TikTok account, daily vlogs, morning routines & self-love affirmations.” ..evolved into the birth of bloom! STOP THE MADNESS🥴‼️ It’s not plausible the power of loving yourself was/is the miracle elixir to rectify twenty five years of self loathing that a medical professional couldn’t solve…I’m confused & disappointed with the book/finale🥴. This series was utter insanity! I expected better, but I’m glad its over 🤷🏾♀️‼️
February 13, 2026
Saint and Naoki’s story wasn’t what I expected — but it completely held my attention. It went much deeper into their trauma and emotional wounds than I was prepared for, and there were moments that honestly made my heart ache — especially for Naoki. I found myself wanting to reach through the pages and hug her.
While I wish we’d gotten more time to truly sit in their love story — rather than just a glimpse in an epilogue that jumped five years ahead — I still appreciated the journey. We experienced their struggles, their self-discovery, their intense chemistry, and the powerful realization that they had fallen in love. Watching that unfold made me grow to like Saint far more than I expected.
The character growth for both of them was beautiful and meaningful. Even when the story leaned heavily into desire and emotional healing, it never lost sight of their transformation. I just found myself wanting a little more time with them once they finally arrived at love — because by then, I was fully invested.
Overall, this was an engaging, emotionally layered read that stayed with me
While I wish we’d gotten more time to truly sit in their love story — rather than just a glimpse in an epilogue that jumped five years ahead — I still appreciated the journey. We experienced their struggles, their self-discovery, their intense chemistry, and the powerful realization that they had fallen in love. Watching that unfold made me grow to like Saint far more than I expected.
The character growth for both of them was beautiful and meaningful. Even when the story leaned heavily into desire and emotional healing, it never lost sight of their transformation. I just found myself wanting a little more time with them once they finally arrived at love — because by then, I was fully invested.
Overall, this was an engaging, emotionally layered read that stayed with me
June 20, 2024
Soul Ties
This was definitely different but in the most calming way. I really can't remember if the other stories were written like this one with more inner thoughts than actual conversation. But I liked it, gave more details, it showed the characters in a different light for sure. Oki was complicated but in the sense of not knowing exactly who she was. Taking the words of others and living in that truth, and honestly that was Saint as well. He was pushed into the his lead position buy still handled it in a way that was commendable. I feel like the way these two were when around each other is what made me really love them. The way time doesn't matter, other people don't matter just makes me smile. Healing was definitely the main heading for this because it was needed to really be able to enjoy each other's love.
This was definitely different but in the most calming way. I really can't remember if the other stories were written like this one with more inner thoughts than actual conversation. But I liked it, gave more details, it showed the characters in a different light for sure. Oki was complicated but in the sense of not knowing exactly who she was. Taking the words of others and living in that truth, and honestly that was Saint as well. He was pushed into the his lead position buy still handled it in a way that was commendable. I feel like the way these two were when around each other is what made me really love them. The way time doesn't matter, other people don't matter just makes me smile. Healing was definitely the main heading for this because it was needed to really be able to enjoy each other's love.
January 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Saint Baptiste 2: The Finale
I’ll be honest, at first this book had me a little frustrated because I was ready to fully dive into Naoki and Saint’s love story. I wanted the romance, the connection, the payoff. But as the story unfolded, I realized this wasn’t just about them falling in love with each other.
This book is really about self-love, healing, and doing the internal work before you can show up fully for someone else. Once that clicked, everything shifted for me. The story became deeper, more intentional, and far more impactful than I expected.
By the end, I appreciated the journey just as much as the destination. Saint Baptiste 2 is more than a romance it’s a reminder that loving yourself is the foundation for loving anyone else. That message stayed with me long after I finished the book.
Saint Baptiste 2: The Finale
I’ll be honest, at first this book had me a little frustrated because I was ready to fully dive into Naoki and Saint’s love story. I wanted the romance, the connection, the payoff. But as the story unfolded, I realized this wasn’t just about them falling in love with each other.
This book is really about self-love, healing, and doing the internal work before you can show up fully for someone else. Once that clicked, everything shifted for me. The story became deeper, more intentional, and far more impactful than I expected.
By the end, I appreciated the journey just as much as the destination. Saint Baptiste 2 is more than a romance it’s a reminder that loving yourself is the foundation for loving anyone else. That message stayed with me long after I finished the book.
March 13, 2026
Good Characters, Missed Opportunities
into Saint’s story expecting that same emotional pull, but this one didn’t hit like I thought it would. The constant push and pull between Saint and Naoki started to feel unnecessary, and the story felt like it was standing still at times.
I think the biggest missed opportunity was the three-year span of their relationship. That could’ve added so much depth. I wanted to see Saint loving Naoki through her healing journey and helping her realize her worth, but instead the story skips ahead and suddenly they’re together with kids.
I did enjoy the characters, and seeing a glimpse of Saint’s bad boy gangster side was cool. I just wanted more layers and emotional buildup. I’m still invested in the series, but this installment definitely left me a little conflicted.
into Saint’s story expecting that same emotional pull, but this one didn’t hit like I thought it would. The constant push and pull between Saint and Naoki started to feel unnecessary, and the story felt like it was standing still at times.
I think the biggest missed opportunity was the three-year span of their relationship. That could’ve added so much depth. I wanted to see Saint loving Naoki through her healing journey and helping her realize her worth, but instead the story skips ahead and suddenly they’re together with kids.
I did enjoy the characters, and seeing a glimpse of Saint’s bad boy gangster side was cool. I just wanted more layers and emotional buildup. I’m still invested in the series, but this installment definitely left me a little conflicted.
July 1, 2024
Honestly, I’m unclear how I feel about this book. I cried a few times so it hit emotionally. I do feel like she told and didn’t show about some crucial aspects of the story. For instance, mercy. I also feel like Naoki and her mother might’ve needed a confrontation. Wish we could’ve been with Naoki separately, and with Saint, on the healing journey. Also, Saint is just suddenly the deepest dude? Feel like we needed to see that evolution and growth of him. I liked the themes of healing and self accountability and unpacking deep familial wounds, but the book could’ve and probably should’ve been longer. Reading how clearly Naoki hated herself was also a challenge. Watch my full review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jVO5...
July 10, 2024
Excellent Read!
After reading Book 1, I became deeply engaged and invested in the story. It was an excellent read and a compelling love story. Naoki is a relatable and familiar character, representing a common archetype that many readers can identify with or recognize in their own lives. I appreciated the way the plot unfolded, even though the outcome was predictable, it was executed exceptionally well. The characters had a lot of depth and complexity, and the story addressed important and relevant issues related to cultural ideologies and personal trauma. It was an emotionally impactful journey. I would be interested in reading Blaise's perspective to gain a deeper understanding of his point of view.
After reading Book 1, I became deeply engaged and invested in the story. It was an excellent read and a compelling love story. Naoki is a relatable and familiar character, representing a common archetype that many readers can identify with or recognize in their own lives. I appreciated the way the plot unfolded, even though the outcome was predictable, it was executed exceptionally well. The characters had a lot of depth and complexity, and the story addressed important and relevant issues related to cultural ideologies and personal trauma. It was an emotionally impactful journey. I would be interested in reading Blaise's perspective to gain a deeper understanding of his point of view.
July 19, 2024
HEAVY but worth it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|🌶️🌶️🌶️.75
This story was very much needing to find self love heavy but also was second chance (right person wrong time) too!
I really enjoyed it and so happy Naoki got the love I knew my sister deserved. Saint also went through a lot of reflection that helped him heal as well. During the last couple chapters I did feel like the pace picked up more and felt a little rushed. It didn’t take away how great the story was and how beautiful the ending was.
Since I’m from Detroit I loved all the references and places I could relate to.
Overall this book was so amazing it might put you in a book slump afterwards. I will forever think about this series. MUST READ! 💖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|🌶️🌶️🌶️.75
This story was very much needing to find self love heavy but also was second chance (right person wrong time) too!
I really enjoyed it and so happy Naoki got the love I knew my sister deserved. Saint also went through a lot of reflection that helped him heal as well. During the last couple chapters I did feel like the pace picked up more and felt a little rushed. It didn’t take away how great the story was and how beautiful the ending was.
Since I’m from Detroit I loved all the references and places I could relate to.
Overall this book was so amazing it might put you in a book slump afterwards. I will forever think about this series. MUST READ! 💖
March 12, 2026
This finale was disappointing to me in terms of Saint & Naoki together. It was focused more on Naoki and what she dealt with as a child that caused her to be standoffish from relationships as an adult to get to the point of healing that she needed. due to this I felt like this was more Naoki's book than it was Saint's. He really didn't have a storyline other than what was going on with his father and him trying to hold everything together since Jahad basically didn't want to have anything to do with the father anymore. I was happy that Saint finally came to terms with how he was feeling for Naoki and understood that she wasn't at a point in her life where she could accept his love but once she got there it would have been nice to see them actually be together since we got to see the situationship unfold previously. The overall theme for this book was more therapeutic and healing than it was romance which was okay but not what I was expecting.
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