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Pulse: An All Or Nothing Love Affair

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Where there's a pulse, there's life, and there's purpose. Asani Powell knows this all too well. Life has knocked the wind out of her, leaving her gasping for air, causing the smallest tasks to feel like insurmountable challenges. The ones closest to her have wounded her the deepest, shattering her spirit and moving on as if nothing happened. Despite life's harsh transitions, Asani is forced to find her pulse again.
Haise Backwood, a man who has been fending for himself since the tender age of fifteen. Haise had learned to navigate a world that often showed him no mercy. Abandoned and hardened by life's trials, he had carved out a place for himself with sheer willpower and grit. His resilience becomes a lifeline for Asani, who finds solace in his unwavering strength.
Together, they navigate the turbulent waters of pain, abandonment, and betrayal, discovering that love can indeed spring forth from the most broken circumstances. Asani and Haise's story is one of finding peace, healing, and wholeness in each other’s arms despite the scars they carry. Their story is one of raw emotion and unfiltered truth, where the essence of love is tested against the scars of the past.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2024

35 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

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Aja Cornish

38 books76 followers

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5 stars
57 (58%)
4 stars
28 (28%)
3 stars
9 (9%)
2 stars
3 (3%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Rashawnda.
1,391 reviews1,148 followers
June 24, 2024
The title of this book is fitting because a pulse is exactly what Haise was for Asani! Asani was mature for her age. At just 17 years old she was the primary care giver for her mother all while maintaining a high GPA in school. She definitely didn’t look like what she’d been through and despite her trauma had a bright future ahead. After enduring both mental and sexual abuse at the hands of her father, Haise steps in and provides a peace that Asani didn’t think possible.

Despite Haise being all Asani could dream of and more, she was the only one that could rid herself of the demons that she battled with! It was all or nothing with these two from day one and even though tough life decisions caused them to go down different paths, there was never a doubt that these two would end up right where they belonged!

Haise was a stand up guy!!!! Like I LOVED him and the way he showed up for Asani! Whether it was financially, emotionally, mentally or physically he was ALWAYS there! If Asani couldn’t trust or depend on anyone or anything else she knew Haise would forever and always have her back. I hate that this was a novella because I wanted soooo much more from these two! I hope that this isn’t the last we will see of them and that we get more from them in the future because I feel like there is still so much more to be said!
Profile Image for Erin Rae.
374 reviews23 followers
June 19, 2024
3.75 ⭐️ I liked the story. Haise came through like a knight in shining armor and pulled Asani out a horrible home situation. Since then they’ve been together. Haise & Asani are both young and while Haise has an opportunity to go live his life & make something of himself, Asani is still stuck on what happened to her so she tells Haise to go live.

I would’ve loved to feel some angst between these two while they were apart. It’s missing something. Can’t put my finger on it.

Also the author included an R.Kelly song in the book while the book touches on some triggers like pedophile & sexual assault 🥴🤔
Profile Image for Crimson.
612 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2025
Beautiful

What a beautiful love story🥰!! Thank you so much for your beautiful words. This was a very fast paced story. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the very end. Is it bad that I wanted more? I hope to see them later in other stories. Y'all just read the damn book.
Profile Image for perfectlyamberb.
630 reviews29 followers
June 19, 2024
sweet

I really enjoyed this. It was a quick read but very sweet. Haise was bae for real. The way he loved and protected Asani was everything. There were times that she frustrated me but I definitely could empathize with her situation. I do wish that she poured a little more into Haise though. At times it really felt like he was the only one giving his everything to the relationship. I wanted Asani to get herself together and fight for him especially after she pushed him away.
Profile Image for Courtney L..
60 reviews
July 5, 2024
Love it

This was such a beautiful love story. I loved how this couple made it through everything together. Would definitely recommend reading.
25 reviews
June 19, 2024
All Or Nothing

This story was definitely different for me but it was a good one. I honestly surprised myself that I loved it. This story follows Haise and Asani who had crushes on each other and one night the unthinkable led them together and inseparable. Haise saved Asani and vowed that it would always be ‘All Or Nothing’ when it came to them and he meant that. Asani was being a brat and worked my nerves a lil bit but Haise stood on big business and meant every word the same. This story was short yet sweet and definitely a page turner. This is definitely a 5 ⭐️ worth diving into 🤎
2 reviews
June 20, 2024
This was an amazing coming of age story. It drew me in from the very first page. My emotions were all over the place with this story, but I was rooting for Haise and Asani. I'm so glad they got their happy ending.
Profile Image for Monique Spicer.
447 reviews3 followers
July 2, 2024
An Endless Love

I just loved how Haise loved Asani. He knew exactly what he wanted and made a plan and stuck with it. Even though they hit a few ups and downs everything was the way it should have been in the end. True love always will prevail.
Profile Image for Shahtia Gay-hairston.
3,450 reviews26 followers
June 19, 2024
Pulse

I loved the overall message in this story. It did start off heavy but it also drew me in quickly. Haise was a godsend and in the end, Asani was his as well.
1 review
June 20, 2024
Great read. My heart hurt for Asani I. The beginning, but I'm so glad brighter days cam for her and Haise. I want more because the story was so well written. Will recommend
6 reviews
June 21, 2024
outstanding

A very beautifully written love story. An easy but alluring read. I picked it up this book and 2 hours later was done. Bravo…
128 reviews5 followers
June 21, 2024
tarabattlecoxson

Omg ! I loved this book . The bond of love they had for one another was so real and true ! I appreciated the way his father admitted his mistake and gave Kaise his props on becoming the man he was ❤️❤️Great job
Profile Image for Coyy_Be_Reading.
15 reviews
July 18, 2025
I loved this book so much there was a lot of moments that left me like wtf . But it was in a great way. Definitely happy it ended how it did.
40 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2025
this book was so good

I really enjoyed this short story,although a short it was full of plot and pager turners. I love the MMC real bad he never folded on his love . I felt so bad for the MWC at first but so glad she got the ending she deserved. This was a great pallet cleanser.10/10
Profile Image for Shuerray.
82 reviews5 followers
July 14, 2025
this book was so dang good

When I tell you this Author do not miss she deserves all her flowers. This book was so dang good This book made me realize sometimes all trauma bonding is not bad. The feelings I got when this couple did the work to fix themselves before entering into a relationship was so beautiful. This book was so realistic and relatable. 5⭐️
Profile Image for Macy Allen-Lowery .
166 reviews
July 11, 2024
Ajaaaaaaa.

Step to the front of the line. This was a beautiful,real, time heals and reveals all type of story. I enjoyed it from the beginning to end. But I expected nothing less from you. When I tell you Alani and Haise really had a true friendship bond from the beginning to the end I mean it. I don't like book spoilers all I will say if you aren't triggered easily which she gives you a heads up before you even start. You will love this story. It was traumatic in ways but way more love ,healing and spicy than anything. Now let me listen to this Playlist while I cook my hour late dinner bc of this book lol 😆 😂
Profile Image for LORY WALLACE.
15 reviews
November 23, 2024
five out of five

When a love is meant to be, there’s nothing you will experience that will be able to separate you from where you heart is.

Timing is everything! The book touches on the importance of allowing things to happen when they’re suppose to. Even if that means separating for a period of time to ensure both has done the work necessary within self for something greater.
Profile Image for Lexus Bostic.
124 reviews
January 23, 2025
great read

This was my first book that I read of Aja’s and I am very pleased. This book was so real and raw and I love how realistic this story was you would think this was real life.
Profile Image for sharonda thomas.
24 reviews2 followers
January 17, 2025
Refreshing

This is different and enjoyable without all the craziness, it is straight to the point and not all of the typical flim flam,
Profile Image for The Urban Fiction Librarian.
385 reviews46 followers
July 2, 2024
WHEW!!!! Asani, baby the cards in life you were dealt was shitty. You’re 17, getting ready to graduate high school, yet you are the one taking care of your mother while your BAN for a daddy is literally putting you through it. How you could still walk around with a light and a smile, only GOD. You were so strong until you weren’t. You were doing and dealing with more than any adult much less a child should have to bear in any lifetime. Then one night, everything changed. Who knew your crush would also become your savior, protector, and friend. That night when everything changed for Asani, Haize never knew that they would become who they became to each other. When Haize said she was never going back to her home the night he walked in on what was happening, Asani never went back. He told her it was them and them only. Not no it’s us against the world type thing BUT an all or nothing type of thing. Despite any feelings they may have had for each other, they developed a friendship that turned into a love so deeply rooted, I didn’t think ties could be so deep. Yeah people talk about soul ties, but this wasn’t that. But how do you love someone who can’t love them selves. Asani struggled a lot, even after escaping her father, after Haize showing her no one would hurt her, even after graduating high school, and despite Haize’s gentleness and care with her. Asani struggled so bad. Asani should have been in therapy immediately after leaving her parents home but instead she drank, sulked, and pretended as if everything was okay. Then when she found out what happened to her mom, she fell so deep into a depression, Haizes love for her couldn’t fix it or help her. Y’all I was toe up. I thought it was here that Asani was selfish af. Because she and Haize talked about so much for their future and about their dreams that I didn’t understand how she was willing to give it all up for guilt and depression. But they say no matter how much a person loves you and wants better for you, if you don’t want it for yourself, it won’t matter. Haize leaves after getting the opportunity of a lifetime and said he’d be back because it was ALL or NOTHING with them. Y’all I was hurt because I thought they were done. In that time Asani fell deeper into the darkness. Then one day, she saw her father and I think it broke her down even more and while going through that breakdown she met a woman who helped her through it all. I mean between Haizel and an unforeseen light shining on her, Asani stopped all the bad habits she developed and she got it together. She signed up for school and she even went to see Haize. Y’all their love was so deep it really reminded you of a Pulse. Haize said it best, how can I leave or move on without a pulse, I’d be dead. The bond, the connection, and the love Haize and Asani had for each other was WHEW. Now yes I felt like Asani, was selfish at one point so I was glad when she finally saw that the way things were going wasn’t for the better. After the 2 years of Haize being gone, it was him coming back and standing on business you hear me. Baby that man was a man of his word EVERY single time. If he said it he meant it and Asnai needed that. He needed her. She was his peace even when she pushed him away. WHEW!!! Aja this was so beautifully written. Yes, I cried y’all but I been an emotional wreck off and on so don’t mind me. Just read the story and then come back so we can talk about it.

Love,
Prettygirlsmil3thebookworm
Profile Image for Treasure.
433 reviews7 followers
June 24, 2024
Another 5 star read by Aja Cornish!!
Don't hesitate to read this soulmates ,trauma binding love story.

Haise and Asani have been dealt a bad hand, when it come to life and family,both of them have experienced trauma that should've shattered their lives. Instead they become each other safe haven and powered through life. Haise has made it his core duty to build a life of love, laughter and peace for him and Asani. He gets an life changing opportunity handed to him that will mean that, he will have to leave Asani for two years to chase his dreams. How will Asani cope without him , he is the only person she has, since leaving her parents house. All Haise knows is grind hard and keeping his promise to Asani . its an all or nothing love affair!
Read the book to see how the story unfolds.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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