The Shadows Between Us: an urban romance of deception

by ShanicexLola

Akeaya Mitchell thinks she has it a loyal boyfriend, a stable life, and the promise of a bright future. But when David starts pulling away, his distant gaze and late-night absences become more than she can ignore. Desperate to uncover the truth, she searches for answers, but what she discovers is more than she bargained for.

David Johnson always plays the game with precision, balancing his loyalty to the streets and his commitment to Akeaya. But when he crosses paths with Tamara Grant—a captivating woman with a past of her own—he’s torn between the life he’s built and the desire for something new. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, David must decide if he’s willing to gamble everything for a chance at true love or if the shadows between them are too deep to escape.

In a chaotic city where love, betrayal, and ambition collide, they fight through a tangled web of desire and deception, teaching them the hard the biggest lies often come from within.

534 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2025

About the author

ShanicexLola hails from the quaint town of Lake Helen, Florida. What began as childhood journaling and poetry soon blossomed into a passion for crafting contemporary romance that honors Black love. Beyond romance, she expands her pen into heartfelt books and compelling scripts, showcasing a creativity that refuses to be confined.

A proud alumna of Full Sail University, Shanice holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing for Entertainment and a Master of Arts in Public Relations. Beyond her literary world, she has built an award-winning career in Internal Communications, where storytelling and strategy meet.

In her downtime, she enjoys caffeine fixes, getting lost in her favorite shows, taking peaceful strolls along Daytona Beach, and blogging on SheIsTreasure, where she and her peers share deep reflections on women’s empowerment.

Reviews

['The Book Queen' · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was long and covered a lot of couples, mixed relationships, strange situationships, and a boat load of deception. It felt like some parts of the story were overshadowed by the levels of who can you trust in the storyline. The ladies were passed around like a funny cigarette too often to be respected. A few unanswered questions were nagging. What was the deal with Lucas's ending, and what about Steven? Was he a friend or a foe to David? He felt more like a foe to me. See what you think. 3.75 stars.

[Crimson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

This book had so many moving parts, but they brought everything together. So many unsuspecting outcomes. Y'all just read the damn book.

[Bianca Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first urban book I’ve read by Shanice & she took me on a ride. Several different plot twists that left me with wide eyes & did not see coming.

[zenith Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I enjoyed this story. David was surrounded with nothing but snakes. I never thought Luke could be so evil. Good story