Woke Up On Mars

by Evelyn Latrice

184 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2024

Reviews

[LaToya Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love me some French and have been saying he has a story to tell ever since I read To The Moon.

This book begins by recounting how Solar and French came to be. French stepped up for Solar in a significant way, and it’s impossible not to love him even more for it. French had his demons, but Solar was grappling with her own issues. She was labeled as “fast,” but she just needed to recognize her worth. French needed to know he was worthy as well.

The second half of the book picks up around the time of their major argument in Beyond The Stars. I enjoyed the on-page therapy sessions and the opportunity to witness these two characters work through their problems.

This family remains one of my favorites of 2024. While I still wish French had a book solely about him, I’ll take what I can get. 🫶🏾

[Sher✩･*˚⁺‧͙ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their story was the one I was most looking forward to 🥹growing up together and them pinning over each other it’s was everything and more definitely my favs now up to the next book

[bookheauxtales · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐

She mentioned in the author's note that this was a novella but she spoiled us with those full length novels and I needed more! 😂
I loved French and Solar's journey to Mars. French's scars have always been alluded to but we finally got to read about his story. It's always good catching up with my family (because yes, I'm apart of they family) 😂

[Carissa G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love French! I loved his character in the previous books and I love him in this book as well! I feel like in all friend groups there is always someone who is the “mama” of the group and in this group French was the “Daddy” of the group! He wanted the best for everyone!

I loved how he loved Solar through everything! And his love for their children! And his love for Qamar (whew the speech at the end from him tugged at my heartstrings and had me 🥹🥹🥹)!

[Taees_Cozy_Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not many books that has ever made me cry, but this here, my poor baby Frenchy!! I love this entire series but this book in particular will definitely stick with me for the long haul.

This story was truly the definition of a person living in their childhood trauma. French was sexually abuse as a child and both his mother and grandmother knew about it. (I have questions because I wonder if I missed something or misunderstood if his mom and grandmother did something to him as well.) Both his mother and grandmother made light of his abuse as if he should be lucky to get some pu*sy. This from people who should love you the most in this world.

Adrian (Frenchy), only wanted to be loved. His trauma caused him to feel unworthy of love and therefore kept himself from truly having the one person he loved, and who has loved him for as long as he could remember. Solar, seeing the pain and desperation in his eyes decides, she's going to save him, and love this baby bird back to health.

French was one of the sweetest characters I've read. All he wanted to do was be loved and to see the people around him happy. He wanted his girl happy and to take care of his kid. He truly saw Solar and all she had done to make sure he was okay; he just wanted to show her the same love and appreciation for the rest of her life. Their story was so beautiful, and gut wrenching. They built a bond on trauma, but they grew into self-sufficient people who just happened to work better together.

I love this story so much. I know my thoughts are all over and there is so much more I want to say but the main point is this book in absolutely amazing, and this series is giving me all the feels.

[Tazja Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book…maaannnnn…this book. Evelyn did a PHENOMENAL job with writing this series and the placement of each story in the lineup. Having this book come third after Luna and Javen and Qamar and Siasia was CHEF’S KISS because it definitely set the tone to fully understand the backstory of Solar and French(Adrian) and I feel like without that, you won’t be able to fully appreciate the journey this book takes you on. I shed so many tears reading this book. The spotlight she put on men’s mental health, BLACK MEN’S mental health and the importance of loving our boys correctly…whew.

She also put the light on sexual abuse against little boys. That’s not depicted enough in books, movies or anything else. She even touched on the bodies reaction in that type of situation battling with what your heart tells you is right.

That second therapy session…I was TORE UP!😭😭
The wedding vows…I was TORE UP!😭😭😭
The reception toasts…TORE UP!!😭😭😭😭

[Jaliesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love and live for all the couples but French & Mf Solar . They are just on a different planet (literally) . I just love them down. & this story truly ground breaking to experience them, I am so wrapped up in them it’s ridiculous.

French and Qamar relationship just omggggggg. I can re read this over and over . Just so freaking bomb!!

This family is Everything! MUST READ!!! I can go on and on. But I leave it here Frenchy & Solar for the win! Mann finally! 🥰🥰

[kiriahsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ French & Solar. I’m glad French got his own story. The growth between the two was 🤌🏾🤌🏾 and we love a HEA!

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 5 out of 5]

After an intense argument between Qamar and Solar in “Beyond the Stars" I was impatiently waiting to see things from Solar's point of view and now I understand Solar better. In "Woke Up on Mars," Evelyn demonstrated a tale of two halves for Solar and French's love story. The first half of the book, readers will experience the two on Venus as two young adults trying to process their teelings. Whilst Mars is the present time, and the couple must acknowledge that their bond is in jeopardy.

The story was fast, as it is a novella, but I did not experience any confusion. The timeline was easy to follow, because in the previous books, there were snippets of the couples home life. By the end of the book, I felt that I had witnessed the unbreakable bond between French and Solar. They endured grief, parental neglect, and relationship woes, while being the best parents to their children.

I appreciated getting to experience the couples counseling being shown on the page; the moments were tense and raw and helped show the vulnerable sides of the characters.
While Dr. Joy had me questioning her intentions as a therapist, she was right. Solar and French were bonded by trauma and codependency – two things that are hard to confront. Solar was “being grown” but it was a cry for help. Solar was trying to process the loss of her brother and the absence of her mother. French was a complex character, with a hard home life that left him feeling less than a man. Luckily, Lunar and his siblings accepted French, and French was able to escape and experience solace within the family. I do not think French’s intentions were to fall for his best friend’s sister, but it was destined. It reminded me of how myself and other young girls in the neighborhood had innocent crushes on the older boys. I enjoyed the angst and emotional pull I had towards the couple. The highs and lows were worth it because it forced French and Solar to date and get to know each other better. I truly enjoyed this book and the escape to another galaxy was just what my reader heart needed.

** arc review

[Shonika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you find solace in the one who knows the ugliest parts of? French and Solar love story was the epitome of good things come to those who wait. Both knowing where their hearts lie but the monkey on their back not allowing them comfort in it. How can the one that completes you also cause you to self sabotage in the fear of not being enough.

I loved how Evelyn avoided taking us thru the whole timeline again but invited us into the most memorable moments of French and Solar journey to display why the love is so deep. This story was fast paced but just as impactful. Great read‼️

[Sharron · Rating 4 out of 5]

French is really that dude. We finally get the story of the father figure and it did not disappoint. Loved the flashbacks in part 1 that took us to current day in part two. Only thing that left me leaving a star off was the confusing introduction of his “cute little friendship” with Lexx and the seeming animosity of the therapist towards Solar. Overall a great addition to series and a recommended read!

[Ambra | ambreadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
— I love me some Adrian “French” Banner, okay! I’ve been wanting his story since his side character in To the Moon and Beyond the Stars. Daddy French. — French and Solar, loved them down. He stepped up for baby Aku and I loved their father-daughter bond. Can’t forget about the bond he shared with his first baby, Qamar.
— French felt like he didn’t deserve love but loved hard, not understanding he deserved it the most. This love story was one for the books.
— I already knew this would be a novella but I wanted so much more and didn’t want it to end.

[Sheana Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

French & Solar were my favorites so I was happy to get into their love story. After Qamar’s outburst and reveal of Solar’s biggest secret, the weaknesses in the foundation of their love became glaringly clear. With the help of Dr. Joy, some soul searching and a well deserved ass whooping French & Solar found their way to Mars. One of my favorite things about this series is how hard the men go for their children and the women they love

[A Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evelyn did it again. Solar and French deserved the happiness they ultimately got. Both of them had an upbringing that wasn't too Kosher especially French. However with sitting on that lady couch and family secrets being spilled, they were able to separate and rebuild what was their ultimate destiny.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love French so much 🥰

I’m so glad we got a novella for him and Solar. I fell in love with everybody from book 1 but something about French has me in a chokehold. Him and Aku. Him and Qamar. Him and Bentley. With all his demons he refuses to see the people around him suffer and he just lives in my heart.

[Jessica D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I want to say is I respect how French stepped up and had Solars back from day one no matter what the situation was. I also love how their love transcended everything that was going on around them and that French took the time to get the help he needed on/with himself to be who he needed to be for Solar.

[T K Vaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful story and the depth of French and Solar’s feelings and trauma was in the front of everything!!!…
I love how they love, protected and fiercely fought for each other as they fought to find their own peace!!!…
So much more understanding came with this book to help understand how they came to be!!!…

[Wind]

The trauma relationship between French and Solar finally grew into something real. French loved Solar but he needed to heal the little boy inside of him. While going through therapy helps boy oh boy did he need to find another therapist.
I do wish we saw the healing between Solar and Stephanie. I think that was needed.
I can’t wait to continue on with Little Lunar’s book.

[SM · Rating 5 out of 5]

These series may have ruined all books for me. I don’t know how I can ever fall in love with characters like I did with these. This book literally takes you to the moon!!! I loved how this one wrapped up the series for all the characters. Standing ovation 👏

[Nelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book is it's own! I love French and Solar bad! They fought for that love story ! I loved catching up with the crew. Looking forward to the next generation 🥰

[Hez · Rating 5 out of 5]

French 🥹❤️

[Bea_random_romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solar and French been taking me through it since
over the moon. I’m glad they are settled into their HEA

[Taryn Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this novella in the series. French was everything that you want in a book boyfriend. I enjoyed how much French loved his woman and his family. I like that the author broke it down where we can see all of the history and flaws so that we can appreciate how these two found love despite all of the issues that they had. The journey was long, but well worth the wait for the reader and the couple. Overall I really enjoy this series and look forward to continuing.

[Anissalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

French French the heart of this family i knew his story was going to be emotional but the way he pulled his self out and loved Solar to no ends! The way Solar loved him to no end! Them being together was a no brainer i was nervous for a second but they stayed on track and i loved it