** REVIEW IS FOR BOTH SAINT BAPTISTE BOOKS I&II **
Book One in this series is Soul Ties. It was super long and had me on an emotional roller coaster. It follows Sienna, Jahad, and HIS wife (forgot her name). Long story short Jahad goes to a sex club for some relief since he can't fk his wife who is on bed rest during her HIGH RISK pregnancy. He hooks up with Sienna and they have an instant connection. A few days later she shows up at his house as the new birth doula for his wife. The entire book pissed me off. They were fucking in the kitchen while his wife was upstairs, and they acted like this shit was justified. At first, I couldn't stand his wife but, in the end, SHE was the only one I was happy for. SPOILER, Jahad & Sienna end up together. And I was like WTF!?! I was NOT happy for them. I NEVER liked Jahad. I did feel a bit of empathy for Sienna but empathy doesn't mean I liked her or was rooting for her. I truly believe that it's not another person's place to keep YOUR partner faithful. But the DISRESPECT was so strong I wanted to snatch that chick up and beat her ass for the wife I didn't even like.
Saint Baptiste (I&II) is about Jahad's baby brother Saint and Sienna's bestie Nyoki both of which, readers are introduced to in Soul Ties. With that said THIS CAN BE A STANDALONE READ if you so choose. BUT due to the introduction of the entire Baptiste family as well as others I would recommend reading them in order. Come find me so we can talk shit on Jahad and Sienna together when you are done.
I really liked both Saint and Nyoki in the first book and was excited to see their story, which picks up 3 years AFTER Soul Ties. I originally did not realize it was told in 2 parts, so when I saw that book 1 was a quick read, I ASSumed it was just going to be their situationship becoming something more.
Yeah, No... I was soo wrong. This was an incredibly emotional story. Both of them are dealing with trauma and grief which results in one being emotionally closed off and the other feeling unworthy of love.
Triggers: Childhood trauma including physical and sexual abuse, a slow death of a parent, forced interaction with abuser, and suicidal ideation.
Our girl goes through it. And while YES, her situationship with Saint is a part of it, her personal journey is mainly about healing from the abuse and guilt brought on from her sexual abuse as a child.
Miss. Candice does a fantastic job showcasing each individual journey of self-awareness and healing with an emphasis that another person can't heal you. You have to put in the work yourself.
Saint on the other hand is dealing with the death of his father, adjusting to the transition as leader of the family (They are a Haitian Mob Family), dealing with feelings of abandonment, processing his feelings for Nyoki, and some other shit.
I loved this couple sooo much more than the Jahad and Sienna. HOWEVER, I will say that in the first book they were always talking about Sienna exuded calm and was super likable and I wasn't feeling it or her. BUT in this book, she was incredibly likable and IF I didn't know her story I would have really liked her.
She was an amazing friend to Nyoki.