Prettier Women: An African American BBW Romance.

by Shantel Davis

Apollo's scars run deeper than the one across his cheek. He doesn’t believe in second chances—not for himself at least. Haunted by his past , he’s built walls around his heart so high, no one dares to climb them. That is, until Bambi strolls into his life. Unpredictable, and carrying her own baggage, she flips his world upside down.

What starts as a business arrangement turns into something neither of them expected. Bambi’s fire challenges Apollo’s ice, breaking down barriers he swore would never fall. She’s a single shot of chaos in his meticulously ordered life, and for the first time in a long time, Apollo feels alive.

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2024

About the author

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/s...

Reviews

[Rashawnda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beauty and the Beast meets Pretty Woman!! Absolutely loved this story! Shantel has such a unique way of brining her stories to life!!! 4.5✨’s

[Dahyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bambi x Apollo

Why did I love this so much? I love a grumpy ninja whose undoing is a woman. Apollo was traumatized, broken, and scarred...literally...until BBW Bambi came a gave him a reason to smile, live, and love and a Christmas he'll never forget.

P.s I need to know what happened to those panties

[*Ebony I* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happiness for the Grump

Listen why was this so good!

Apollo and Bambi are both at a crossroad in life. Apollo is tired of the lonely unfulfilled life he has been living. Bambi is struggling to make ends meet and she is looking for a way to reduce this stress. 

I love when an author writes the story so well that you can feel what the mcs are feeling. From their first interaction you knew that their connection was going to be special. 

I love stories where the Grumpy mmc slowly lets his guard down and allows himself to love and be loved. That was Apollo. 

I loved the Epilogue ❤️

P.S. This was approaching 5 stars but really needed to be edited.

[Annette Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apollo found out the hard way you can’t keep playin’ in a woman’s face time and time again and expect her to forgive you just because, you apologized and said you wouldn't do it again for the one millionth time. He lied and cheated one time too many so, Belinda channeled her inner Al Green’s ex-wife and taught his azz a lesson he won’t eva forget. Life is lifin' for my girl Bambi. Being the sole provider for herself and her younger sister is taking a toll. Her job as a parttime waitress barely covers their bills and it definitely doesn’t pay for Nica’s expensive medication. Bambi’s neighbor has a temporary cure for her financial strife but, she’s not gon’ like it. Sis is gon’ have to leave her morals at the door and be prepared to do somethin’ strange for a lil change. This book was a really good read. Prettier Women could’ve easily been a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Apollo was such a grump but, when Bambi wrapped him in her thick thighs and started singin’ low in his ear, that man just melted and became putty in his Songbird's hands and I loved that for him. 😊😊😊😊 I, too, would love to what Apollo did with those panties but, he told me, Dahyana, and Bambi that ain’t none of our concern. Those panties are where they at and we need to mind the business that pays us. I hear you Apollo. Ion want no smoke. 😏😏😏😏

[Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte' · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ain’t no Hallmark holiday Christmas story but baby is it worth every second absolutely… there are a few grammatical errors like (3) but don’t come with no mess because the story will sweep you especially if you like the unconventional romance. Probably going to be my favorite Christmas romance of the season. So good!

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come on now Shantel! You have such a way of writing about broken people that make us fall in love with them, and root for their happily ever after.

Bambi, a young woman trying to make ends meet, and take care of her ill sister, is faced with a difficult decision regarding her come up. Going through with it for the sake of her family, she meets Apollo and her world changes in an instant.

Apollo, a shell of the man he once was, drowning in shame and grief of his past actions, hides from the world. He doesn't believe that he deserves happiness and pushes people away with his grumpy demeanor. However, when he encounters Bambi, there is something about her that calms him, makes a tiny chip in his heavy armor, and allows him to rest comfortably.

Their meeting was unorthodox, but the connection is immediate. Bambi didn't look and Apollo like the other women did with pity and disgust, she held lust in her eyes when she looked at him. Apollo was able to begin to let his guard down and find some semblance of happiness again when he was with Bambi, that no other person was able to accomplish. They both had hella baggage, but together they worked. I was rooting for them the entire way.

I do wish there was a bit more to their story, as I would have loved to experience more of this couple. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice, easy read. I enjoyed seeing the tension & chemistry build between Apollo and Bambi ❤️

[perfectlyamberb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and sweet

This was a cute and creative take on the pretty woman trope. Apollo was so tormented, and him running across Bambi by chance turned his whole life around. She was so supportive and just what he needed to come out of that mental cage he placed himself in.

[Kay Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique Voice

This author is like none other. So gritty, so visceral, so clutch-my-pearls! I thoroughly immersed myself in this tale. I cared about the main characters. I gasped, I cried, I laughed. What a ride!

[SUNSHIINE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apollo and Bambi. Uhm Bambi off the bat gave birdbrain to me. Although I did feel for her circumstances. I just could not make it passed that. Apollo also as a character did not scratch any type of itch. He was guarded, which I understood for his circumstances. But I just didn’t get him. He seemed angry. Even with his Brother. Although therapy was considered at the end. I hate that the people around him didn’t want to help him. And Bambi being 22 and he was 35 was also kinda wild. She was so young. Missing out on life to sing a grown man to sleep. And Bambi sister Niko was 19. And they treated her like an adolescent. The spice was good if you looked passed the age gap.

[Luv , Lish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Apollo and Bambi!!!! Was how they met a little taboo. Yes but from the first time they met each other you could feel the connection and I’m glad they just went with it. I love a good grumpy MMC especially when they’re open to letting the right one in. Bambi was that girl she was caring honest and didn’t mind putting Apollo in his place when he was wrong and also didn’t hold back when sticking up for him when people were being rude. I loved that for him. And the spice was the cherry on top. This was my first time reading from this author and I’ll definitely will be back for more!!!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

True love

Apollo and Bambi story was touching. Apollo was a man of many words but never spoke of them. He loved him some Bambi. But Bambi loved her some Apollo
She loved his scares and all. I'll leave the rest for you guys to figure out
His brother was overprotective of him also funny everyone was good for each other. Kiddos for Shantel who writes about plus size women.

[Kia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet

Such a cute story with a twist on arranged relationships/marriage troupe. Apollo had some serious demons that made him feel undeserving of love. While Bambi was trying to stay afloat. They didn’t realize how perfect they are together until the chemistry was too much. Overall a cute romance with a HEA.

[Nickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bambi ❤️ Apollo

Grumpy or nah? Apollo was amazing man of few words and I loved that for Bambi. He was honestly flawed and knew how to communicate his feelings with her. Ngl, little sis was a bit much. But Aamon wasn’t 🤷🏾‍♀️
A good story! HEA no cheating MMC and FMC. But we Al wanna know what happened to the panties!? 😂🤣😂🤣

[JM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fave!

This story made my heart happy! I loved experiencing the transformation of Apollo as he and Bambi fell for each other. The instant support and dedication proved how love can be found in the oddest of situations. Great read!

[Ashanti Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. They were just vibing. Unconventional start with Insta love. Grumpy/sunshine romance around Christmas time. No extra over the top drama. Hea. Definitely Recommended.

[Tanya LaTasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickie Romance

I love them!! She had him at hello, or was it him that had her at hi. Either way, this was a quick romance with enough drama to make it believable and the character relatable.

[Keywanna Revell · Rating 5 out of 5]

BBW fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Awesome

Wow one app changed both of there lives
He was dealing with what his ex he blamed himself for what happened blocking himself for finding happiness....

I recommend this I don't want to give up to much

[Mymymikka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty Women 🎶

It gave Pretty Woman meets Beauty and the Beast vibe with a touch of Sing to Me energy. Romantic, grown, and full of heart; it’s about love, healing, and finding your worth. I ate this book up!

[Amby Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prettier Women by Shantel Davis is a quick, refreshing novella with an age-gap dynamic and a protective alpha male lead.

Bambi’s willingness to sacrifice for her family makes her easy to root for, and Apollo’s guarded but possessive energy adds an interesting contrast to the story.

The pacing is smooth, the drama is balanced, and the story feels complete without dragging things out. Shantel Davis continues to prove she knows how to deliver a satisfying romance in novella form.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️

Apollo and Bambi, loved their story. They met at the perfect time when they both were lost. Their story was very sweet, no drama and a fun read. Great job.

[Fantasea · Rating 5 out of 5]

no drama?

Good feel good read especially during the holiday season.

Lowkey wanted a little drama but content and enjoyed the book either way.

[Eulene Guillory · Rating 5 out of 5]

whew

Don’t know how.. don’t know why.. but I do know this was a short masterpiece.. utterly amazing read.. minus the annoying grammar issues this was 5 ⭐️

[Akire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed this story through and through

[Parkway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short read. It's time to end my evening on a happy note with my reading. Good Night!

[Megan Lomax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply beautiful

I really enjoyed myself here.. keep them coming please. I will be checking out your catalog. I love a feel good book

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Apollo & Bambi … an unexpected love. I loved the drama free route their relationship took. While starting out unconventional, it turned into a truly beautiful love story and I love that for the couple. Bambi helped heal Apollo in ways unexpected and encouraged him to be a better man which everyone around him recognized. I love how she had all this power but never used it against him in a negative way, all she ever did was uplift and encourage.

[Su · Rating 1 out of 5]

nothing really moves me here

[Jahda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although they were an unorthodox pairing, I adored Bambi and Apollo.

[Tranese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it

Shantel delivers another knock out. Two people, flawed, in more ways than one, find peace with each other. I do feel like more should've been seen between the sister's, but other than that great story.