Under the Influence

by Kimberly Brown

Alanis Kapri is living the American Dream. As the star quarterback of the Carolina Hurricanes, life is luxury. Unfortunately for Alanis, he’s considered the NFL’s problem child. One too many negative press runs have landed his head on the chopping block. He’s been given an clean up his act or be cut from the team. Reluctantly, Alanis agrees to the terms. However, when the team hires him a reputation management consultant, the last person he expected to see was her.

My’Elli Love is the best at what she does. The boss attitude and confidence she possesses came after many years of taunting and whispers. Repairing tarnished images comes with ease when you’ve had to repair your own. As the top consultant of Elite Persona Management, difficult clients are her specialty. However, nothing could have prepared her for the moment Alanis Kapri walked into her office. Face to face with a painful part of her past, My’Elli must come to terms with the old feelings that have resurfaced right along with that pain. As she peels back the layers of Alanis's carefully crafted persona, My'Elli finds herself drawn to the man beneath the headline-grabbing antics.

Alanis is faced with the challenge of changing his image all while seeking forgiveness from the woman he hurt, and dealing with trauma from many years ago. Beneath the cocky exterior lies a man haunted by his past and struggling to find the true meaning of his success. As Alanis and My'Elli navigate the treacherous waters of love, career, and family trauma, they must learn to trust in themselves and each other. Can they overcome the ghosts of their past and the obstacles in their path to build a future together?

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Enemies To Lovers, Sports, African American Romance, Sports Romance, Audiobook

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2024

About the author

Kimberly Brown is a South Carolina born and raised author of contemporary/urban romance. She strives to create stories that readers can visualize in their heads as the pages turn. Writing has been a part of her journey since a young age but really became a focal point during her high school years. With the support of her classmates, she began sharing her love of words with others. In 2019 she took her first step towards becoming a serious writer with self-publishing. August of 2021, she made her BLP debut with “Pretty Caged Bird” and is continuing to grow her catalog. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a pending masters in Mental Health Counseling, Kimberly loves to incorporate mental health into her writings as she feels it is not talked about or address enough within the African American community.

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Reviews

[Annette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Under the Influence was a multi genre read. We got some of everything. Enemies to lovers, second chance romance and, for a lil razzle dazzle, some forced proximity. The year is 2012 and Alanis is the captain of his high school football team. His grades have started to slip so, to make sure he doesn’t lose his eligibility to play, his coach specifically requests My’Elli to tutor him. Where Alanis is the most popular boy in school, My’Elli is the total opposite. She’s a quiet wallflower who doesn’t engage with any of the other students. This gets her labeled as the class weirdo. With the two of them spending so much time together, Alanis and My’Elli start to see a different side to each other and an attraction is born. But, being the attention seeking jock that he is, Alanis finds a way to ruin it and betrays My’Elli in the worst way.

Fast forward 12 years. Alanis is the highest paid quarterback for the Carolina Hurricanes and My’Elli is a highly sought after Reputation Management Consultant. The owners of the Hurricanes have taken notice of Alanis’ bad boy shenanigans on and off the field and he’s on the verge of being cut from the team. They’ve given him an ultimatum. Clean up your act in six months or you’re gone. The Hurricanes have taken the initiative and hired a Reputation Management Consultant and I’ll give you one guess who that is. 😏😏😏😏 When Alanis walked through the doors of Elite Persona Management, he never expected to see My’Elli Love sitting in the conference room.

It's been 12 years since My’Elli has seen Alanis Kapri and, one thing is for certain. She still can’t stand his azz. Forgiveness is not a part of her DNA makeup and sis is a champion grudge holder. But, she refuses to let her personal feelings get in the way of her doing her job. Alanis needs an image makeover expeditiously and she plans to turn her newest difficult client into a choirboy. My’Elli and Alanis had a lot of hurdles to get over. Betrayal, trust issues, and childhood trauma just to name a few. Between My’Elli holdin’ onto a 12 year grudge, Alanis’ rude bad boy behavior, and a strict no fraternization policy they both gave the middle finger to, the odds were already stacked against these two. But, when Alanis finds himself fallin’ in love with his childhood friend, he does what needs to be done to become the man My’Elli can be proud of. Under the Influence was a cute read but, if I’m keepin’ it a buck, it started out kind of slow for me. I was honestly worried I was going to have to DNF it. But, look at God. It turned out to be a really cute book. I loved Alains’ growth, how he owned his mistakes, and how he was willing to put in the work to show he could change. I especially loved the relationship he built with My’Elli’s parents. They gave him the love he so desperately craved and I loved that for him. 🥹🥹🥹🥹 If you’re lookin’ for a sweet palate cleansing read, pick this one up.

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of Drama....

And some good drama too... The story was an enemy to friend to enemy, to lovers story. I know that sounds like a lot, but that's the truth. You'll see what I mean. And yes, the good ones win in the end.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about a redemption story! I loved this book. And to think, I almost dnf because I really did not like Alains in the beginning. But I am so very glad I stuck it out. My'Ellie was just perfect for him and he for her. Her parents were the absolute best.

However:

Dear authors who write sports romance, please, please do a little bit of research on the sport you are including in your book. A quarterback's main job on the field is to throw the ball, bot run the ball. Though they do run sometimes, that is not their primary skill. That is a running back's primary skill. Also, though it is possible, a football score is not 87-63 or ninety something to 80 something. That score would be extremely unusual. Especially at the professional level. Those are typical basketball scores. Just do a little bit of research. It will make all the difference to your sprots fan readers.

I know this doesn't matter to a lot of readers, especially romance readers, but those types of mishaps just yank me right out of the story. So I had to take off a star. But, otherwise this was a fantastic story! Lots of forgiveness, redemption, and healing. I loved it!

Happy reading!

[Kameel · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd read was the audiobook

[Danielle Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m normally not a second chance romance girlie but I enjoyed this!!

Oh and Alanis was carrying on bad in those folks restaurant 🤣 I loved it!!

[readwithtrinnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

[Girl Truss Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance at love!

I loved Alains and My’Elli worked my nerves faithfully but no one more than his momma Ashley and the retard Amber 🤦🏾‍♀️. They definitely had to work towards that HEA the way My’Elli acted through this book 🤣.

[Anayah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really quick and quick read!

It wasn't my favorite book by this author, but to be a sports romance, I enjoyed it. Wanted a bit more depth and moments for chemistry.

Overall 7/10 would recommend.

[Antoinette (_literaryaura_) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m teetering between 3.5 and 4 stars. This was a good read but somewhat the same as the typical second chance romance. Nothing really stood out to me to make it a great read. Still worth the read though.

[Danni Phantom · Rating 5 out of 5]

ahh

This book was so damn good! Made me laugh, cry, swoon! Best book I read this year! Oh and fxck Ashley and Amber

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo Damn Good!!! 😍

Not many authors can have me shed tears while reading their books, this author has such a rare talent and I hope she continues to bless us with her gift.

My and Alanis were everything. Through the betrayal, heartbreak and forgiveness the love definitely shined through.

I loved this book so much!

[Arnell Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimberly Brown has done it again. Like she doesn’t disappoint at all. I am so happy that My’Elli was able to allow Alanis to right his wrong. Ashley really needed to go to the lower room with the heat on 120 degrees. Good job, I loved it 😍

[JazzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

so good

I love Kimberly Brown books and I enjoyed this book. My favorite part was how Alanis bossed up in the restaurant. I love that My’Elli did not make it easy for him when she tried to get back Alanis mama got everything she deserved. Overall a good read. Highly recommend

[Kaylani Gallardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[kiriahsbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good friends/enemies to lovers. Redemption story. Loved both characters. Sports romance.

[Jenae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5…sadly 😭 I love Kimberly Brown…she’s one of my favorite authors but this was mid…Alanis being a bad boy blah blah was really just in words being told to us after the fact…literally no one cares if athletes sleep around so that can’t be the thing that makes him a bad boy…Marshawn lynch literally got out of talking to the press by saying he was just there so he didn’t get fined…idk I just didn’t get bad boy…arrogant sure. Also I feel like the story was originally supposed to be him being a basketball player or the editor nor KB watch football all that much because the scores mentioned are practically impossible and My’Elli not being pregnant week 16 (the regular season is 18weeks) and then being 5 months pregnant at the Super Bowl which is in February doesn’t make a lick of sense but it was originally basketball the scores and timeline would make more sense

[Nena Boone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sports Romance?

This was a cute second chance love story. I am a big fan of the author. However, the inaccuracies of Alanis as a football player annoyed me. It’s mentioned several times that he is the quarterback but then also mentions running the ball multiple times and I believe it also mentions catching the ball a couple times. I mean of course the quarterback can run for a touchdown but he primarily throws the ball! I just feel like if you are going to write about an athlete, it should be accurate, so I was a little disappointed.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was an easy read but my only flaw with the story, was the scores of the football games. Granted this is fiction but the scores were more related to basketball scores not football scores. There will never be a football game were they score 80 points. 🤣

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

Under the Influence by Kimberly Brown (2024)
293-page Kindle Ebook story pages 6-

Genre: African-American Romance, Sports Romance (not really)

Featuring: Author's Note - TW Strong Language, Lewd Sex Scenes, Childhood Trauma; High School Flashback, Second Chance Trope, Friends-to-Enemies-to-Lovers Trope, Football, Exes, Celebrity Management, South Carolina, NFL Player, Bad Boy Trope, Bad Reputation, Public Relations, Reputation Management Consultant, Playing Games, Family Dynamics, Divorced Kid, Mama Drama, Forbidden Love Trope, Media, Author's Links, Author's Bibliography, Publisher's Links

Rating as a movie: XXX

Songs for the soundtrack: "Still Fly" by Big Tymers, “Press Me” by Chris Brown, “I Can Tell” by Jesse Powell, "Magic Stick" by Lil' Kim featuring 50 Cent, "Back To Sleep REMIX" by Chris Brown, featuring Usher and Zayn, "Play No Games" by Lil Jon and The East Side Boyz featuring Fat Joe, Trick Daddy, and Oobie, "My, My, My" by Johnny Gill, "Neighbors Know My Name" by Trey Songz, "Marry Me" by Rasheeda featuring Toya Johnson, "Turn Down for What" by DJ Snake and Lil Jon, "Candy Rain" by Soul For Real, "Under The Influence" by Chris Brown

Books and Authors mentioned: Perfect Peace by Daniel Black, Baby Boy by John Singleton, Friday by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh

Memorable Quotes: “I was young and feeling myself—” “You’re still feeling yourself. That’s the reason you’re sitting in here. You just have to be the center of attention. It’s all eyes on Alanis Kapri or nothing. One would think you didn’t get enough love as a child.” I frowned. “Look who grew a backbone.” “Yeah, I did. Don’t test me, Alanis. I’m not the same My’Elli you knew in high school. ..."

My mother sighed and shook her head. “It’s not your job to fix broken men, My’Elli.” “I’m not trying to fix him. He’s working hard to fix himself and change his ways.” “What if he decides he’d rather stay the same and reverts back to his old ways?” “Then I’ll leave him where he’s at.”

Ninety-seven to fifty-six. That was the final score of tonight’s game.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🏈🦚

My thoughts: 🔖Page 120 of 293 [Chapter] 12 Alanis - Okay the story is very entertaining but I cannot stand the love interest! I definitely am too petty because he wouldn't be getting anything from me. I hate that it has to go this way, she needs other options.
🔖244 [Chapter] 26 Alanis - Is this guy playing basketball because football scores are not that high? If you’re unemployed and broke you get free lunch and breakfast at school, so that was an awkward revelation.

So Sports Romance is hot at that moment and just like Suspense sometimes gets marketed as Thrillers because the market is bigger, I have recently come across a few Romance books that have been marketed as Sports Romance. Publishers know genres better than so I always feel like the incorrect labeling is intentional, and if they care about their coins they will stop incorrectly marketing books for quick sales. Having a love interest who is a professional athlete does not make the book a sports romance. There have been tons of romance books over the last decades that have had a professional athlete as a love interest that were Contemporary Romance, what makes a Sports Romance isn't a LI that plays a sport, but having a plot that is centered around a sport, and this isn't a sports romance. This is only the third book I've read like this and I'm already sick of it just because you're dating an athlete and you go to a game or 2 does not make your book a sports romance if you are not emerged in the team and talking about the sport Then it's not a sports book let alone a sports romance. To add insult to injury it sounds like the author is not familiar with football because they were giving basketball scores at these games and did not actually discuss the gameplay at all. That was disappointing, but sports aside just as a straight romance story I didn't feel like there was enough redemption for these two to become lovers. I didn't believe the love interest when he said he was sorry, he was more like get over it and give me some. This story promoted the idea that good sex makes everything else in the relationship better, that's not a love story and these 2 people were too old to be playing these games. It had a good start but I lost interest in their relationship as it wasn't believable to me. The line between mother and daughter was also a bit inconsistent, 1 minute the mother was talking as if she was a girlfriend and the next minute she was I'm not one of your little friends. I just couldn't. Overall it was okay it had some funny banter.

Recommend to others: It's your call, I think this book could be hilarious for one reader and a major turn-off for another. I'm kinda in between.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alanis and My’Elli BOTH got on my nerves in the beginning of this book. There was so much back and forth with them. They both were giving a little petty and immature and I know it’s just because they had some pent up frustration and unresolved feelings from high school. Once they got that situated though, this was a very sweet second chance romance. I liked the two of them as a couple. It was nice to see how Alanis was able to reform his bad boy ways, and witnessing the broken little boy in him slowly being healed by My’Elli & her parents. She also was a very strong and confident FMC. She was good at her job & really didn’t take any mess from anybody. She folded like origami when it came to Alanis though. She tried to front like she was making him earn her but he didn’t have to try too hard🤣

Were there minor parts that didn’t make sense (the scores of the football games, and the timeline at the end of her pregnancy), sure but whatever, it didn’t affect the story. Also I love when authors drop Easter eggs of some of their other characters. We saw some of the Jareau & Dillinger family in here!

[Cris Criss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chances can happen!

My’elli is a woman on top of the world. She can turn around anyone’s image with the snap of her fingers. Until she has to help her high school something like an ex. Honey she gave Alanis the blues.

I mean he was already tearing his football career apart by his crazy antics. Horrible temper, swapping women and his questionable social media posts. That is until his team and agent hire My’elli and he sees what he could’ve had.

He works hard to turn it around and make amends with her, but doesn’t expect to have to fight his own mama and a past one night stand just to get to and keep his happiness.

This book was something else! I love the way My’elli’s parents showed up for Alanis when he needed it the most.

Kimberly Brown know she can write a damn book!

[Shanae · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Under the Influence” is another great book from the talented Kimberly Brown. As usual, Brown writes relatable and dynamic characters. She is a great storyteller and you can easily get engrossed in her books. “Under the Influence” is no different. This friends to lovers to enemies to lovers second chance sports romances has everything you want in a contemporary romance novel - jokes, interesting characters, funny banter, a little drama, and a happy ending. I recommend this book to all fans of romance, you’ll definitely enjoy this engaging quick read.

[Jaleesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it…..

Listen Kimberly Brown doesn’t write books that I don’t enjoy and this is no different. I loved the overall story, I will say some of the flashbacks slowed things down for me. I didn’t need as many but that didn’t cause me to lose interest in the story at all. Absolutely recommend this one!!!

[Jazz💋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was quietly intense in the best way. The emotions crept up on me, and before I knew it, I was fully invested. Kimberly Brown does such a good job showing how love, loneliness, and vulnerability can blur into something deeper and sometimes unhealthy. The characters felt real, flawed, and relatable, and the romance had depth beyond just chemistry

[wybie lovat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed this book and I thought it was so beautiful. Alanis’ growth had me in tears bc his story really spoke to me. the love story was so cute and i really liked my’elli from start to finish so im glad that the author didn’t ruin that for me lmao

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ I love a sports romance! This one is not the best but it is entertaining. Alanis applies a bit of pressure but My’Elli folds way too easily. I’d still be holding a grudge from their painful past and would’ve required a bit more groveling. He ultimately proved her faith in him right.

[BriAnn Jamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 As Always

Loved It Down . Forced proximity meets , one bed, meets enemies to lovers ! Left no crumbs . I live Alanis . He was so sweet and enjoyed reading how My’Elli family loved on him .

[Chichilovestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

My’Elli grew up to be that girl!!! Yess boo.

Alanis Kapri - changing them player ways for the girl you always had it bad for.

Alanis mother needs to let it go.

Amber got on my damn nervous 😂

Mrs. and Mr. Love did not play about her daughter 🤌🏾🤌🏾

A ring? 😭😭😭🥰

[Mashieka Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG This Was So Good

Ms Brown did her big thing with this one! I absolutely loved this book. It had me cackling one minute and crying the next minute. My only regret is that it’s over.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️

This was a beautiful love story ❤️ I really enjoyed everything about it. Alanis got on my nerves a little but he got it right, loved it, great read! 👍🏾