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Love Between Us
He saved her life—but can she save his heart?
Kim never expected to end up stranded on a mountainside. But when the spunky hairdresser winds up lost on a remote hiking trail after a blind date gone wrong, she has no idea she’s about to be swept off her feet by the most attractive park ranger in town...
Malik Murphy is a rugged and reclusive ranger who prefers the company of the park wildlife to people. But after he rescues Kim from a looming snowstorm—and takes her back to his cabin to brave out the storm together—his awkwardness begins to melt away to reveal a thoughtful and charming man underneath.
Kim thinks that after her close brush with disaster, she’s ready to swear off the Great Outdoors for good. But Malik inspires her to give the park a second chance... and as the pair grow closer, she begins to wonder if getting lost on that mountainside wasn’t the terrible misfortune she first assumed.
When Malik found Kim in the snowstorm, he thought he was rescuing her—but maybe she was the one rescuing him all along...
As a heartwarming sweet romance novel set in the beautiful rural town of Sweetgum Meadows, Love Between Us is a feel-good tale that will delight fans who enjoy sweet love stories.
Kim never expected to end up stranded on a mountainside. But when the spunky hairdresser winds up lost on a remote hiking trail after a blind date gone wrong, she has no idea she’s about to be swept off her feet by the most attractive park ranger in town...
Malik Murphy is a rugged and reclusive ranger who prefers the company of the park wildlife to people. But after he rescues Kim from a looming snowstorm—and takes her back to his cabin to brave out the storm together—his awkwardness begins to melt away to reveal a thoughtful and charming man underneath.
Kim thinks that after her close brush with disaster, she’s ready to swear off the Great Outdoors for good. But Malik inspires her to give the park a second chance... and as the pair grow closer, she begins to wonder if getting lost on that mountainside wasn’t the terrible misfortune she first assumed.
When Malik found Kim in the snowstorm, he thought he was rescuing her—but maybe she was the one rescuing him all along...
As a heartwarming sweet romance novel set in the beautiful rural town of Sweetgum Meadows, Love Between Us is a feel-good tale that will delight fans who enjoy sweet love stories.
Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2025
43 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Imani Price
22 books11 followersClick the 'Follow' button to be notified of Imani's new releases! Imani Price has always loved to read exciting books filled with love, friendship, and excitement! Drawing from her own experiences as an African-American woman, Imani crafts powerful stories that resonate deeply. Growing up, she craved characters she could recognize and connect with. Now, she seeks to provide that very representation, populating her novels with characters of color who lead passionate and romantic lives.
When she's not immersed in creating tales of love and friendship, Imani can be spotted savoring the picturesque vibes of Georgia's mountainous landscapes with her husband and their steadfast German Shepherd, Bounty. An enthusiastic explorer of the great outdoors, the breathtaking vistas of the Georgia mountains fuel Imani's imagination and creativity. With each new book, she aspires to further diversify the romance genre, vividly encapsulating the emotions, triumphs, and challenges of black love.
Currently residing near the beautiful mountains of Georgia, Imani is always engrossed in crafting her next tale. She welcomes readers to delve into worlds where love's power, enduring friendships, and transformative personal journeys intertwine.
For those seeking a heartwarming story told through a familiar yet refreshing lens, journey into Imani's world.
When she's not immersed in creating tales of love and friendship, Imani can be spotted savoring the picturesque vibes of Georgia's mountainous landscapes with her husband and their steadfast German Shepherd, Bounty. An enthusiastic explorer of the great outdoors, the breathtaking vistas of the Georgia mountains fuel Imani's imagination and creativity. With each new book, she aspires to further diversify the romance genre, vividly encapsulating the emotions, triumphs, and challenges of black love.
Currently residing near the beautiful mountains of Georgia, Imani is always engrossed in crafting her next tale. She welcomes readers to delve into worlds where love's power, enduring friendships, and transformative personal journeys intertwine.
For those seeking a heartwarming story told through a familiar yet refreshing lens, journey into Imani's world.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 26, 2023
Good
A good story. Kind of cutesy and sweet. Kim started the story with a level of naivete beyond belief. And the second part, with Lyle, was equally as hard-to-believe. But anyway, this was about a reclusive park ranger who finds his true love—the end.
A good story. Kind of cutesy and sweet. Kim started the story with a level of naivete beyond belief. And the second part, with Lyle, was equally as hard-to-believe. But anyway, this was about a reclusive park ranger who finds his true love—the end.
March 14, 2023
I give this book a 3 out of 5 because it's a sweet story but I prefer repartee and/or more sexual tension between the Hero + Heroine. I would recommend "Love Between Us" for people who love slow-burn, opposites-attract romances and deep character exploration and growth.
The author takes her sweet time describing every scene, situation, and character, but fast-tracks the main characters into a "forced proximity" situation that accelerates emotional intimacy. The Heroine + Hero don't meet until the 3rd chapter (after an agonizingly detailed bad-date scene between Kim and a rigidly opinionated, self-absorbed date in the 2nd chapter that triggered me because I've suffered through too many of them and don't want to relive them! 😫). By the 4th chapter, they have already snuggled-for-warmth on a horse together, cooked together, and are sharing his small cabin in a snow storm...in what can only be described as an extensive sleepover date.
Though they're sharing all of these emotionally-intimate activities, Malik is consciously trying to keep up his emotional guard just in case...even as he keeps revealing more pieces of his personality, heart, and mind to her and makes an effort to get to know her, too (which is more than Mr. Narcissist did earlier!).
For example:
"The smell of cooking food filled the cabin as the two sat at the table, waiting for their dinner to finish. Malik was surprised by how easy it was to be around Kim, this stranger that literally turned up out of nowhere. She was full of life and curiosity, and when she went to stir the pot of chili, she squeezed his hand gently, assuring him she could do it this time. He hadn’t realized until her hand left his, how much they’d been flirting and dancing around their clear attraction. Malik immediately paused, realizing he was walking a thin line and that he didn’t want her to feel pressured or obligated in any way to him. Malik would never take advantage of a woman. In fact, he had tried desperately to avoid women as they almost always became disappointed with him eventually.
Malik remained stiff, trying to create some distance between them as they ate their dinner. He didn’t want to be rude, but he was careful with his words, unwilling to give her the wrong impression. After all, it would do neither of them any good to start something she would later regret. After dinner, Malik showed her his small box full of board games, playing cards, and puzzles. It was something he loved occupying himself with, his granddaddy giving him puzzles to solve at a very young age. After playing a few hands of cards, Kim became interested in a wooden box puzzle that Malik had still not completed.
He was stuck on it months ago and hadn’t come back, getting frustrated at the difficulty of the puzzle. However, to his surprise and delight, Kim was able to figure it out within a few minutes. He watched her in a daze as she explained how it worked, how she was going to move the pieces, and when it was finally unlocked, she handed it to him with a smile.
“I’m pretty good with my hands and solving puzzles,” she shrugged, watching him open the puzzle to reveal the prize within. It was a small copper coin with the word: “Congrats” on it. They both just smiled at the tiny prize, deciding to put away the leftover chili in a Tupperware bowl in the cellar.
"So,” Malik started, curious about her now more than ever.
___
Malik is double-minded and introverted about his attraction to Kim (which requires patience in the reader!) while Kim is single-minded and extroverted about her attraction to him:
"A man with a close-cropped neatly trimmed afro, dark curious eyes, and the body of a god sat astride a brown and white spotted horse. He was wearing a ranger’s uniform and looked far warmer than she did. He and the horse swayed where they stood, the man’s face a mixture of concern, amusement, and disbelief. Kim must have looked the same, standing in snow with her arms wrapped around herself like a mental patient. When she had called for help, she didn’t expect her luck to be this good."
She quickly submits to his leadership out of the woods and into his cabin, in learning how to build a fire, in cooking homemade chili with him, etc. , which is more than I've seen women do with their husbands of decades!
This story is like an African-American version of "Before Sunrise" 🎬 set in snow and wilderness instead of the train in Europe and the song 🎶Inside Out🎶:
🎶 We stayed up all night
Talking to each other,
Whispers under covers
You told me your life
Wasn't always easy,
I said I know the feeling
I told you all about the scar on my shoulder
And you told me you’re terrified of getting older
We stayed up all night
The first night, of a million more ‘cause
I'm gonna love you love you inside out, I'm gonna love you love you inside out
Nothing you say is gonna scare me now, still gonna love you love you inside out
I'm gonna love you love you inside out, I'm gonna love you love you inside out
Nothing you say is gonna scare me now, still gonna love you love you inside out
Ooh ooh ooh, inside out
We laughed til' we cried, made fun of each other, lost in one another
You held me so tight, and it felt like I was home just the two of us alone
Ya said you don't wanna end up like your parents
I said don’t you worry, I’m not gonna let us
We stayed up all night
The first night, of a million more ‘cause
I'm gonna love you love you inside out,
I'm gonna love you love you inside out
Nothing you say is gonna scare me now,
Still gonna love you love you inside out
Ooh ooh ooh, inside out
So what do you say babe, ‘cause I wanna know
Can I be there babe, through your highs and lows
When the lights come off, and the night is done
Everybody’s left, can I be the one
If it’s all I do, I’m gonna love you love .. ohh ohh ohh
I'm gonna love you love you inside out
I'm gonna love you love you inside out
Nothing you say is gonna scare me now
Still gonna love you love you inside out 🎶
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The author takes her sweet time describing every scene, situation, and character, but fast-tracks the main characters into a "forced proximity" situation that accelerates emotional intimacy. The Heroine + Hero don't meet until the 3rd chapter (after an agonizingly detailed bad-date scene between Kim and a rigidly opinionated, self-absorbed date in the 2nd chapter that triggered me because I've suffered through too many of them and don't want to relive them! 😫). By the 4th chapter, they have already snuggled-for-warmth on a horse together, cooked together, and are sharing his small cabin in a snow storm...in what can only be described as an extensive sleepover date.
Though they're sharing all of these emotionally-intimate activities, Malik is consciously trying to keep up his emotional guard just in case...even as he keeps revealing more pieces of his personality, heart, and mind to her and makes an effort to get to know her, too (which is more than Mr. Narcissist did earlier!).
For example:
"The smell of cooking food filled the cabin as the two sat at the table, waiting for their dinner to finish. Malik was surprised by how easy it was to be around Kim, this stranger that literally turned up out of nowhere. She was full of life and curiosity, and when she went to stir the pot of chili, she squeezed his hand gently, assuring him she could do it this time. He hadn’t realized until her hand left his, how much they’d been flirting and dancing around their clear attraction. Malik immediately paused, realizing he was walking a thin line and that he didn’t want her to feel pressured or obligated in any way to him. Malik would never take advantage of a woman. In fact, he had tried desperately to avoid women as they almost always became disappointed with him eventually.
Malik remained stiff, trying to create some distance between them as they ate their dinner. He didn’t want to be rude, but he was careful with his words, unwilling to give her the wrong impression. After all, it would do neither of them any good to start something she would later regret. After dinner, Malik showed her his small box full of board games, playing cards, and puzzles. It was something he loved occupying himself with, his granddaddy giving him puzzles to solve at a very young age. After playing a few hands of cards, Kim became interested in a wooden box puzzle that Malik had still not completed.
He was stuck on it months ago and hadn’t come back, getting frustrated at the difficulty of the puzzle. However, to his surprise and delight, Kim was able to figure it out within a few minutes. He watched her in a daze as she explained how it worked, how she was going to move the pieces, and when it was finally unlocked, she handed it to him with a smile.
“I’m pretty good with my hands and solving puzzles,” she shrugged, watching him open the puzzle to reveal the prize within. It was a small copper coin with the word: “Congrats” on it. They both just smiled at the tiny prize, deciding to put away the leftover chili in a Tupperware bowl in the cellar.
"So,” Malik started, curious about her now more than ever.
___
Malik is double-minded and introverted about his attraction to Kim (which requires patience in the reader!) while Kim is single-minded and extroverted about her attraction to him:
"A man with a close-cropped neatly trimmed afro, dark curious eyes, and the body of a god sat astride a brown and white spotted horse. He was wearing a ranger’s uniform and looked far warmer than she did. He and the horse swayed where they stood, the man’s face a mixture of concern, amusement, and disbelief. Kim must have looked the same, standing in snow with her arms wrapped around herself like a mental patient. When she had called for help, she didn’t expect her luck to be this good."
She quickly submits to his leadership out of the woods and into his cabin, in learning how to build a fire, in cooking homemade chili with him, etc. , which is more than I've seen women do with their husbands of decades!
This story is like an African-American version of "Before Sunrise" 🎬 set in snow and wilderness instead of the train in Europe and the song 🎶Inside Out🎶:
🎶 We stayed up all night
Talking to each other,
Whispers under covers
You told me your life
Wasn't always easy,
I said I know the feeling
I told you all about the scar on my shoulder
And you told me you’re terrified of getting older
We stayed up all night
The first night, of a million more ‘cause
I'm gonna love you love you inside out, I'm gonna love you love you inside out
Nothing you say is gonna scare me now, still gonna love you love you inside out
I'm gonna love you love you inside out, I'm gonna love you love you inside out
Nothing you say is gonna scare me now, still gonna love you love you inside out
Ooh ooh ooh, inside out
We laughed til' we cried, made fun of each other, lost in one another
You held me so tight, and it felt like I was home just the two of us alone
Ya said you don't wanna end up like your parents
I said don’t you worry, I’m not gonna let us
We stayed up all night
The first night, of a million more ‘cause
I'm gonna love you love you inside out,
I'm gonna love you love you inside out
Nothing you say is gonna scare me now,
Still gonna love you love you inside out
Ooh ooh ooh, inside out
So what do you say babe, ‘cause I wanna know
Can I be there babe, through your highs and lows
When the lights come off, and the night is done
Everybody’s left, can I be the one
If it’s all I do, I’m gonna love you love .. ohh ohh ohh
I'm gonna love you love you inside out
I'm gonna love you love you inside out
Nothing you say is gonna scare me now
Still gonna love you love you inside out 🎶
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 27, 2022
great read
Wow this was such a good book. Kim horrible date was actually a blessing in the end. I so happy Malik was able to come out of his shell
Wow this was such a good book. Kim horrible date was actually a blessing in the end. I so happy Malik was able to come out of his shell
January 7, 2023
I've never heard of this author before, and I'm upset with myself for not knowing who she is and the books she's written. I truly enjoyed this romance, from the characters (except for one a hole who shall not be mentioned) as well as the story line and the pace of the story. And the way this story just flowed kept my interest and kept me wanting more. And the growth of both characters was just so enjoyable. If you enjoy sweet, small town romances, I think you'll enjoy this book.
I received a copy of the book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.
I received a copy of the book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.
June 23, 2023
A beautiful love story
This was such a beautiful wholesome love story. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more by this author
This was such a beautiful wholesome love story. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more by this author
February 24, 2023
Opposites can attract
A bad first date left Kim stranded during a crazy storm and just when she thought no one would hear her cry Malik to the rescue. I believe this is my first time I have read a book by Imani price and this was a going intro to me getting to know her. Imani and Malik learn that different life styles isn't so bad and end up as a great combination after a few bumps along the way
A bad first date left Kim stranded during a crazy storm and just when she thought no one would hear her cry Malik to the rescue. I believe this is my first time I have read a book by Imani price and this was a going intro to me getting to know her. Imani and Malik learn that different life styles isn't so bad and end up as a great combination after a few bumps along the way
June 24, 2023
Slow and easy love ❤️
The story moved at a slow beautiful pace and was entertaining
I thought there was some dark secret would be revealed about Malik ,and why he seemed so reclusive. But it seems I was off track. Malik and Kim’s’s Love for each other was slow and easy. I guess it was reflective of where they lived.
Interesting read.
The story moved at a slow beautiful pace and was entertaining
I thought there was some dark secret would be revealed about Malik ,and why he seemed so reclusive. But it seems I was off track. Malik and Kim’s’s Love for each other was slow and easy. I guess it was reflective of where they lived.
Interesting read.
April 4, 2023
Thank the heavens her blind date was all wrong for her , else she wouldn’t have had to be rescued . This is a lovely sweet slow burner romance that keeps the reader wanting to find out if they do or don’t make it . He’s a little backwater and she’s a full on city gal but there’s hope…
I liked the getting to know you stages .
I received an arc of this and my review is my own words voluntary
I liked the getting to know you stages .
I received an arc of this and my review is my own words voluntary
December 1, 2022
Book Review of Love Between Us by Imani Price
Beautifully written small town love story. Both main characters showed growth as the story developed. I truly enjoyed it. Simple, straightforward and genuine. Less is more!
Beautifully written small town love story. Both main characters showed growth as the story developed. I truly enjoyed it. Simple, straightforward and genuine. Less is more!
April 5, 2023
Sweet, slow burn romance. It’s a bit of opposites attract, but mainly a forced proximity (snow storm) kind of romance. Lots of detail, and you get both Kim and Malik’s perspectives. Quick, feel good read!
February 25, 2024
This was a very nice sweet small-town romance. Kim, a professional hair braider, gets lost on a mountain after a horrific date and is rescued by a *gorgeous* park ranger, Malik. Not sure why but I read book 2 in this series first and I enjoyed that one as well. This writer is extremely flexible as the storyline/characters in both books are very different.
There were so many moments that I absolutely loved. When Kim was lost and calls for help, Malik rides up on a horse and she's thinking: Dang, when I called for help, I didn't think I'd get THIs lucky😂 Then when he lifts her up onto his horse. That whole sequence was sooooo good I was hanging on every word it was so beautifully written.
There were just a few things that left me scratching my head. First, I thought Malik and his grandfather lived an isolated existence in nature with no people around but he mentions "grade school." He did not mention homeschooling other than survival skills. So I had many questions regarding how he was prepared to go to college.
Also, I was very surprised by Malik's personality. I just *knew* he was going to be this rugged, grumpy alpha mountain man. But I'd categorize Malik, who smiled all of the time, as solidly beta. Which is fine with me as I like both personality types if they are well-written.
Another thing tho is that while it's nice to think that social anxiety or whatever Malik suffered from could be cured just by being around nice people, that is not the case. Malik had some hurtful experiences while he was in college, but I'm sure there were some very nice people in college too. Still, he graduated and then went up on that mountain to become a recluse like his grandfather.
I can see Malik opening up for Kim, but ONLY her and maybe a few others, not the whole dang town. I didn't see that as a great thing when he was dancing at the party. I felt bad for him. It seemed forced. Like he was doing it for Kim and I didn't like that. I love when a hero sacrifices for his heroine, but not about something trivial like dancing at a party.
Whlie Kim was caring and well-meaning (I really did like her character) from personal experience I can say that it's very hurtful when extroverts try to change introverts because *they* love being around people. I just don't get that mentality. If a person prefers to be alone, respect that, please!
Anyway, this was another great read by this author. I enjoyed it very much and will move on to the next book in the series.
There were so many moments that I absolutely loved. When Kim was lost and calls for help, Malik rides up on a horse and she's thinking: Dang, when I called for help, I didn't think I'd get THIs lucky😂 Then when he lifts her up onto his horse. That whole sequence was sooooo good I was hanging on every word it was so beautifully written.
There were just a few things that left me scratching my head. First, I thought Malik and his grandfather lived an isolated existence in nature with no people around but he mentions "grade school." He did not mention homeschooling other than survival skills. So I had many questions regarding how he was prepared to go to college.
Also, I was very surprised by Malik's personality. I just *knew* he was going to be this rugged, grumpy alpha mountain man. But I'd categorize Malik, who smiled all of the time, as solidly beta. Which is fine with me as I like both personality types if they are well-written.
Another thing tho is that while it's nice to think that social anxiety or whatever Malik suffered from could be cured just by being around nice people, that is not the case. Malik had some hurtful experiences while he was in college, but I'm sure there were some very nice people in college too. Still, he graduated and then went up on that mountain to become a recluse like his grandfather.
I can see Malik opening up for Kim, but ONLY her and maybe a few others, not the whole dang town. I didn't see that as a great thing when he was dancing at the party. I felt bad for him. It seemed forced. Like he was doing it for Kim and I didn't like that. I love when a hero sacrifices for his heroine, but not about something trivial like dancing at a party.
Whlie Kim was caring and well-meaning (I really did like her character) from personal experience I can say that it's very hurtful when extroverts try to change introverts because *they* love being around people. I just don't get that mentality. If a person prefers to be alone, respect that, please!
Anyway, this was another great read by this author. I enjoyed it very much and will move on to the next book in the series.
May 14, 2025
I loved this cozy read. This was my first time listening to an audiobook via Youtube and it was a fun experience. Kim and Malik were kind of a quirky couple but so adorable. I enjoyed their insistence to embrace each other’s hobbies and interest that were different from their own. Also, I have to admit it was refreshing to read a romance without spicy scenes. I definitely plan to read the rest of the books by this author.
April 23, 2023
A definite feel good story of a small town savvy girl, who is swearing off men, and a reclusive park ranger, who is comfortable being alone. The getting to know you stage is endearing and well written. Kim gets Malik out of his shell while Malik teaches her about his way of life and nature. An entertaining clean read. I received this \ARC and voluntarily give my review.
September 13, 2023
Sweet story
Enjoyably action-filled story of small town living. It is full of encouraging themes for positive and clean living and respectful relationships. I could share this story with my youngsters.
I laughed and was reminded of the truth that love overcomes all.
Enjoyably action-filled story of small town living. It is full of encouraging themes for positive and clean living and respectful relationships. I could share this story with my youngsters.
I laughed and was reminded of the truth that love overcomes all.
August 6, 2023
I found this to be a good read. I enjoyed the unique storyline of this read. This will be a good series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 23, 2024
Interesting story. I enjoyed it.
February 28, 2025
There were were moments in this book that I just didn't find believable, but I overall enjoyed this book from start to finish.
March 23, 2025
A cute and sweet romance. I enjoyed Kim and Malik's journey to a HEA.
June 19, 2025
DNF, but seemed like an ok book. I am more into spicy books and this seemed more a slow burn no spice book. but would probably be great for YA audiences
July 17, 2025
Such a cute love story.
November 26, 2025
A cutesy romance with no spice. This is a real deal romantic development. I think the careers are unique.
October 8, 2024
I have all seven books and waiting for book eight. Every book was written beautifully. I enjoyed the love connections that were happening and the small town atmosphere. I am looking forward to book eight.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews