Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Memphis

Rate this book
MEMPHIS
I’ve been a fighter all my life. I never back down.
I don’t fold.
But him?
One touch from him and my resolve instantly disintegrates.


BO
You might call me mean, evil, maybe even diabolical.
I’ll take all that because I only care about her.
Nothing and no one else.
She’s all that matters, and I’ll do anything to make her mine…again.

Memphis is an erotic dark romance with elements of suspense.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2025

474 people are currently reading
503 people want to read

About the author

Alexandria House

44 books4,058 followers
About the author
A true southern girl, Alexandria House has an affinity for a good banana pudding, Neo Soul music, and tall black men in suits. When this music-loving fashionista is not shopping, she's writing steamy stories about real black love.

Verve Romance: @msalexhouse

Instagram: @msalexhouse

TikTok: @msalexhouse

Facebook: Alexandria House

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
699 (54%)
4 stars
419 (32%)
3 stars
132 (10%)
2 stars
20 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
Profile Image for JBucky.
453 reviews32 followers
January 4, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ Memphis is in my top favorite FMC’s!!!! She was such a BADASSSSSSSSSSS! & she was funny AF!

So boom, when a hit was put out on your sister you have to make a deal 🤝 with a man you consider to be the DEVIL 😈 himself! Not only that, but he’s also your boss! & Bo didn’t give AFFFFF about anything but Memphis, OKAY!?

I loved Bo & Memphis’s relationship, the good, bad & ugly! The banter was TOP TIER!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book & thought I was looking forward to Memphis’s book the most, but getting to the end I can tell that Umber’s book is going to be a TIME, truly!
Profile Image for April.
596 reviews177 followers
December 18, 2025
Listen! Bo’s crazy ahh can kidnap and bully me any day of the week because whew! Bo was bat sh*t crazy in the most unhinged, addictive way possible and I loved every second of it.

This audiobook was a full experience. The alternating timelines were such a nice touch, giving the story depth while slowly peeling back the layers of Memphis. I really enjoyed diving into the backstory of how she became an assassin! It added grit, emotion, and made her character stand out even more!

The narration was top tier! Two of my absolute favorites per usual, Wesleigh Siobhan & Winston James nailed it. The emotion, the pacing, the delivery, everything hit exactly how it should!

If you love unhinged love, forced proximity, mixed with a little second chance romance, this one’s for you! Thank you Tantor Media and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

Publication 🗓️ : 12.16.25

Professional Reader200 Book Reviews
Profile Image for Antoinette (_literaryaura_).
442 reviews89 followers
January 6, 2025
3.75 Stars

I really enjoyed this second chance romance, the feigned enemies and the witty banter. Bo was just as unhinged if not more than Ray and he did not play about Memphis. I can’t wait to see what Umber has for us.
Profile Image for Toya  Davis-Stokley.
2,550 reviews100 followers
February 19, 2025
I haven’t read an Alexandria House book in a minute, and had forgotten just how damn good her reads are! I laughed out loud and enjoyed Lilith’s showdowns with Ray, but this here was the ish! Whew!!

Memphis and Bo were as toxic as hell, with their love hate relationship, but you couldn’t help but enjoy the journey they took us on. I wondered what Bo had done to Memphis, and how had he hurt her, for her to spew so much hatred toward him. She loved being in his presence but hated that she did. Chile, just a mess! Bo didn’t give a damn. Her anger, fighting him, cussing him out none of it. He was and is all about Memphis period! Anyone who stood in the way of his woman could catch a hot one, family included! The love Bo had for Memphis was obsessive, yet tender. He would do anything for her. It took a month of Sundays before it was revealed why they were separated, but it all made sense once we found out. Bo did what he felt was best, although it broke both he and Memphis while doing so. 💔

Bo’s family is straight trash! Especially his momma! Ughhh…. The conniving, and manipulative things she put into play to get her way….. just evil! 😤🤬 However, Bo would let nothing stand in his way this time, as he got his King back. These went through a lot, but the love they shared was palpable. 😍

The incident with Bo was suspect, cause how did that happen? 👀 Now Memphis is out for blood. The culprit and mastermind behind it all was shocking! Now Umber! Gurl…… that revelation almost blew my damn head off my shoulders, cause huh???? 🤯 But she living in the woods, with a composting toilet! How could this be? I cannot wait for her story; cause sis got some splaining to do! Loved this one!! 👍🏾👍🏾
Profile Image for cajareads.
336 reviews
February 13, 2025
1.5⭐️

Saw someone talked about this book on TT and the premise of the story got me intrigued but what I didn’t know is that this was also a second chance romance and while I don’t hate this trope but I just hated how this turned out in this book.

So the mmc, Bo and the fmc Memphis worked for the same agency. Well he’s the boss (he took over his father after he died) and she’s one of his assassins. They met when they were in early 20s and they got together pretty fast after that. They were smitten with each other but then she found out he was betrothed to another woman and it was arranged by their fathers as part of promises(?) but he didn’t want anything to do with it. He was gonna fight for them until the b!tch mother threatened Memphis’s family and Bo got married to the OW that same day. He told Memphis about the marriage immediately after that (but not about the threat) and Memphis wasn’t going to be his mistress or his side chick so she told him to get lost and their intimate relationship ended there.

Now, here’s what I didn’t like about how things turned out after that. They were separated for almost 30 years! Yes you read that right. They’re now in their 50’s (well Memphis is in her late 40s) and you guessed it; they weren’t celibate during the separation. I mean yes 30 years was a long damn time but then we readers found out he also slept with his (ex)wife from time to time out of duty. Yeah, so much for not wanting to marry the OW huh. He also slept with other women, all throughout the entire years he was missing and pining over Memphis (rolling my eyes). One thing that made me read this book till the end was that Memphis didn’t stay celibate (thank god) and she’s a tough chick.

They got together again after she asked for his help when she received the news of a hit on her sister. He’ll help her for an exchange of.. well you guessed it, her body. So she had to accept the deal which was sh!tty tbh. I was already pissed off after halfway through the story and it soured even more after Memphis got diagnosed with blood cancer. This woman just couldn’t catch a break huh.

All the dramas in this book was quite entertaining but I didn’t like how his family got away with so much sh!t they did to both Memphis and Bo. Like, they were the reason why they broke up but all was well with them in the end.

I found the writing to be corny at some parts and the mcd were in their 50s but acted like they’re still teenagers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte'.
393 reviews167 followers
December 16, 2025
ready for book 3

Alexandria House definitely knows how to write a book that will have you laughing, emotional, and on fire! I can’t wait to read Umber’s story because Lilith and Memphis definitely gave me a ride like none other!
Profile Image for Kameel.
1,063 reviews292 followers
December 24, 2025
2nd read was the newly released audiobook narrated by Wesleigh and Winston
Profile Image for Ashley.
162 reviews5 followers
December 12, 2025
⭐ Audiobook Review: Memphis by Alexandria House from Netgalley

Listen… Alexandria House did not come to play with this one. Memphis is the second installment after Lilith, and whew, sis is MEAN. Like, contract-killer, sharp-tongued, “I dare you to breathe wrong around me” mean. And honestly? I loved every second of it.

Memphis has been tangled up with her boss for over 20 years in the most toxic, delicious back-and-forth situationship. He left her high and dry once married somebody else for family ties (ugh, men)—but never stopped pining for her. And despite all her disdain, Memphis never stopped loving him either. The tension? Off the charts. The drama? Chef’s kiss.

This book is messy in the best way:
- 🔪 Contract killers instead of mafia dons (fresh twist, thank you).
- 💔 Family ties that choke harder than a silk scarf.
- 🤯 Alliances rising and falling like we’re watching Game of Thrones with better romance.
- 🔥 Twists and turns that had me clutching my earbuds like, “Wait, WHAT just happened?”

And let me just say this: Wesleigh. Is. That. Girl. 🎤 She knows how to voice a character like no other. The way she slides into Memphis’s sharp edges and then flips into the boss’s tortured devotion? Flawless. If Wesleigh is narrating, I don’t even need to read the blurb I’m pressing play. Period.

Bottom line: If Lilith was the appetizer, Memphis is the full-course meal with extra spice. It’s dark, it’s twisty, it’s toxic love at its finest. And I ate it up.
Profile Image for Tsholonki .
443 reviews7 followers
June 25, 2025
A dog in heat? Nope, that's just Bo. There's a lot of coitus in this book like a a scary amount.
Profile Image for ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn.
1,947 reviews104 followers
August 25, 2025
Ok, so here's the thing about the Three Kings series by Alexandria House....
The covers? Gorgeous. Perfection.
The tease of romantic suspense from the Queen of Black Romance? Enticing. Gotta Have it!
But I'm not sure if her "dive right in and get it" works for me and the romantic suspense Ms House is throwing down in this series. Don't get me wrong. I'm enjoying these kickass women and the men that are obsessed, protective and feral for them, but I might've enjoyed it more if I waited for the audio.

Memphis is book 2 in the series and is the oldest of the King sisters. She's been living a secret life from her family that only Lilith has recently found out about and lets just say Memphis's mean personality translates perfectly for her job. And her boss, Bo. Well, Memphis has met her match and he's not going to let her go this time.

What is with these King sisters being “kidnapped” by their men?! Locked up and forced to love the men that love them? WTH?? But for real, Memphis and her man, Bo have history. Like YEARS of history and now they are finding their time. But not without plenty of shooting family members and taking out people that are messing with the business.

This story is fast and furious when it comes to linking up (even if it had been years) and with plenty of shooting and kinda hate to hate/love. The banter is hilarious, yet dark between Bo and Memphis and I was here for it. Bo is obsessed and for him, it "has always been Memphis". Memphis is way slower to come around cuz she been hurt by the man that she thought was hers. But she still is down to get d*cked down by Bo. I loved seeing Memphis cuss her man out and him take it, because she knows he's the one that messed up. And thankfully we got to understand what transpired with the past thrown in with the present. If it weren't for those parts, I don't know if the story would've worked for me. I had to understand the past to get with the present and it worked for this two crazy MFers.

This is a fast paced book that is quick to read with some crazy family antics. And that ending? Well, lets just say that I'm very intrigued with the final King sister, Umber. What is she going to bring to the whole King clan and the business that Lilith and Memphis are involved in? It's going to be crazy!
Profile Image for BarbieTheeReader&#x1f380;&#x1fae6;.
349 reviews18 followers
December 22, 2025
4.5 stars
"I got the job done, like I always did."
"And like the obedient pet I've become for her, I did."
"You can hate me, I don't care as long as I get to love you, I just want to love you."

Okay this series has me in a chokehold! I really enjoyed this story. This story is a quick spicy read, I really enjoyed the the past bread crumbs that are sprinkled in the story to match the story telling with the current events! Memphis really intrigued me during Lilith's book and I am so glad she has her own book! This story has funny diabolical banter but still has those heartfelt real moments between Bo and Memphis. Bo's possessive attitude and demeanor when it came to Memphis was hot as heck and sexy as heck!!! I really liked their vibe and connection, they both have dominant personalities and truly matched each other's strong personalities and vibes! Memphis truly is a force to be reckoned with, she truly held her own and I enjoyed reading her story. The way the author was able to dive deep into grief and how grief and mourning is never a finished feeling but a marathon of emotions was stellar, the way the author approached the topic of grief was stellar. I really enjoyed the drama and the familial tension because it pulled back additional layers to get to know Bo and Memphis history! The voice narrators did amazing, oh gosh they truly brought Bo and Memphis to life, this is a treat to listen to, please listen to it if you are able to!!
Profile Image for perfectlyamberb.
617 reviews28 followers
February 9, 2025
Never too late for love

Book 2 in the Three Kings series was an interesting one. Memphis and Bo had a complicated history, and I enjoyed the backstory between them. Memphis had so much hatred and love for Bo, and honestly, it was warranted, and his blackmailing her to be with him wasn't helping, but I'm glad they could finally put the resentment behind them and talk about their feelings; they had already lost so many years together because of outside sources and stubbornness. His family was so awful, and I feel like Bo was too nice to them. I can't wait for Umber's story.
Profile Image for Bookaholic__Reviews.
1,150 reviews151 followers
December 22, 2025
Memphis is so damn feisty! Love her! And honestly the banter between her and Bo, had me absolutely dying. I'm really glad they worked things out, they are pretty cute as a couple. I need more from these two!

The narrators were fantastic!

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Mrs Tee Booktique.
948 reviews13 followers
January 3, 2025
Anything Ms House writes gets my immediate attention. I was impatiently waiting for the drop of this book. All current readings were PAUSED! And honey it was not in vain! I feel like I experienced an episode of a suspence drama. The past and present at the same damn time is always a hit to me. Cause how did Memphis end up hating Bo? Memphis’ recruitment into The Agency convinced me she’s been a bad ass! The development of their start and end made it all make sense. The passion that kept their souls tied kept the pages HOT!

The setup for Umbers story was an awesome plot twist and had me excited about the King sisters.
Profile Image for Dannie Johnson.
96 reviews2 followers
December 22, 2025
Unhinged. Bo has lost his ever-loving mind. He is not quirky or misunderstood. He is obsessive, unfiltered, a little scary, and completely locked in on Memphis. And the thing is, Memphis matches his energy every time. He acts up, she acts right back. No flinching, no backing down, no pretending she’s above it.

What really worked for me is that Bo and Memphis are grown grown. This is not young love drama. This is years of history, bad decisions, regret, and feelings that never fully died. You feel all of that in the way they talk to each other. The tension isn’t cute. It’s heavy. It’s loyalty mixed with anger and love that never let either of them breathe. Memphis is sharp, controlled, and dangerous, but Bo knows exactly how to get under her skin, and she lets him every time.

The dual timelines helped a lot because you get to see how Memphis became who she is and why their breakup hurt the way it did. Some parts slowed the pace, which is why this landed at four stars for me, but the payoff was worth sticking it out. The audiobook especially brought it home. Wesleigh and Winston....Top tier narration!!! Bo sounded just as obsessed and unhinged as he reads, and Memphis’s quiet, simmering anger came through loud and clear.
Profile Image for TheReaderVert .
803 reviews29 followers
November 20, 2025

Enjoyable read that's missing the spark and magic of Book 1

Memphis didn't wow me in Book 1 but I was intrigued to see how this book would roll out and the cover art is gorgeous. So with a why not shrug I bought and read. The best ever in this book is Bo. He's the type of delulu MMC I love. He's an "I'll burn the world down for you...and mean it" murdery Head Honcho and his just is way of talking was funny and refreshing. He had no qualms saying he was pussy whupped and wanted to die eating. What a man, what a man. Memphis wasn't horrible. They call her mean but her brand of just calling it what it is was fitting. The biggest hold up for me was the "Then/Now" flashback order the first half of the story uses. For me it stifled the flow. The sex was kind of raunchy but unlike Book 1 we didn't get details, a quick tongue in the ass here and licking of bloody cheek there. Also, the whole sub-plot focus on the Assassin for Hire business and backstory felt really rushed. With everything going down I felt vindicated that I was right about Umber.
Profile Image for Carolyn Norman.
770 reviews7 followers
February 3, 2025
Memphis is the second book in The Kings Series. Memphis is the sister of Lilith, an assassin for The Agency, and forever in love with Bo, her handler and the HNIC.

This is basically Memphis and Bo’s love story. It’s shared in a then and now telling so we learn how they came to be. Why they broke up and why it took Bo almost 30 years to get back to her. On that level it’s a 5 ⭐️ read.

But it seemed lacking. Yes, there was some agency action. Yes, there was Bo’s family and their back and forth. There was even a twist at the end but it wasn’t as startling as the one in Lilith. That’s what made it a 4 ⭐️ read.

So while I enjoyed the book, I wasn’t all encompassed in it and unable to put it down. It was a satisfactory read. Now I wouldn’t tell you not to read it. I just was expecting more after Lilith.
Profile Image for Dayla.
10 reviews2 followers
December 16, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ Wesleighhh!!! The narratress you are! To be able to narrate as each sister while flawlessly capturing their dissimilar personalities is pure talent. Although Memphis and Bo’s complex relationship stressed me out, Bo never ever played about that lady and he ate that one little thing 🤣 This was a well structured dual timeline book which explores a deeper connection between the two MCs. A House never disappoints with the humor, drama, spice and suspense… come get your baddies chain Ms Author!
I deducted 1/2 star for a technicality in chapter 27, the last 2 lines of Bo’s POV skips, overall a great performance from Wesleigh and Winston! A huge thank you to Tantor Audio/RB media, NetGalley and A. House for this ALC 🤍
Profile Image for Monique.
429 reviews17 followers
December 19, 2025
First of all, the Audiobook🔥Wesleigh Siobhan can do no wrong and really brought our MMC to life. Memphis was a mean ol thing, especially when it came to Bo. She kept giving him her ass to kiss. Rightfully so though because he played in her face. Real bad. She carried her disdain but also her love for a good 20+ years. Their chemistry was undeniable though, propelled by all that tension and love that couldn’t be expressed. There was a decent plot with lots of family drama. And the twist at the end…yeah imma need the 3rd sister’s book ASAP!

Also I love that these are seasoned characters (late 40’s & early 50’s).
Profile Image for Gemini.
1,663 reviews
December 21, 2025
Loved It

I’m not a fan of dark romance, so the previous book didn’t work for me. I was hesitant to read this one. I’m so glad that I finally took it from my TBR. Alexandria House wrote TF outta this story. The tension between the lead characters was so good. Their backstory was deep and layered. Their sex scenes were ::chef’s kiss::. All of the other assassin agency drama was juicy. I loved the way Memphis didn’t let anybody play in her face. The way she kept her foot on Bo’s neck had me applauding. The ending had the perfect set up for Umber’s story. I can’t wait to read it.
Profile Image for Autumn.
108 reviews
January 4, 2025
I enjoyed this read. I wanted a little more when it came to who did it and why. Enjoyed learning how Memphis became who she is and her journey with Bo. Of course, Alexandria delivers on the crazy family, and Bo's is definitely crazy. Knowing what I know now of Umber, I'm excited to read her story. Overall, it was a good story.
Profile Image for Tisha.
1,236 reviews
February 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️

I definitely enjoyed book 2 more! Bo and Memphis were an interesting story, filled with twists and turns. The imperfections of them added flavor to their union.

But the question is: will Umber get her own story?
Profile Image for Melissa.
583 reviews70 followers
December 24, 2025
Yall know I’ll eat up a second chance any day
Profile Image for Kimyatta Walker.
181 reviews5 followers
September 24, 2025
Memphis…

I don’t actually have words for how I feel. Enjoyed the story…a little suspense….and lots of surprises. There were so so many times I thought I knew something or was puzzled then when the puzzle was unpuzzled I was shocked! This is a lil different for AHouse…but I like it! I want more!
Profile Image for Yasmine.
336 reviews16 followers
January 3, 2025
I'm sad to say that Memphis was disappointing to me. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't what it could've and should've been imo. The biggest issue I had with this book is the fact that Memphis and Bo do nothing but fuck the whole story. No exaggeration in the least. They literally have sex from the beginning to the end. If this was a novella that wouldn't be an issue but this is a 313 page book. On top of that this is a mature romance. The characters are 47 and 54. I'm sorry but there's nothing enjoyable about two very grown characters doing nothing but screwing like college kids. There was no growth in their relationship to me because it was mostly physical.

Another thing I didn't like about the book is the constant flash backs. This story is mostly told from what's happening in the present and what happened in the past. The flashbacks wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't so many of them and it didn't occur majority of the story.

Where the book really lost me was the blood cancer diagnosis Memphis got but we didn't see her going through treatment, Bo being shot by an intruder and the wrap up of finding out who did it being lackluster as hell, Umber randomly revealed to be a FBI agent at the end, Bo's mom doing the most for literally no good reason etc. It seemed like Alex House spun a wheel and decided to throw a bunch of random off the wall shit ideas into the book that made no sense. The only thing positive I'll give this book is the humor. The story was funny as hell but that's all it had going for me personally.

I'm going to read Umber's book because it'll be the last one but Memphis didn't live up to the expectations for me unfortunately. Lilith was great but this one was just eh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for V. Rena.
1,660 reviews16 followers
March 18, 2025
Definitely twins... Superb storytelling

I enjoyed getting the backstory of Memphis and Bo while it was told in sections. Their love is real and has been for years but entities and jealousy kept them a part. I love how Bo did what he needed to her back into his life full time. I love seeing them in action but also when they are vulnerable to and with each other. But Umber though! That's a total surprise and can't wait to read her full story. The King sisters are some badazz women that deserves all the love that they can get. Bo and Memphis are definitely twins, completely made for each other.

The author has a way of weaving the now and past so intricately. The storytelling is superb and the characters are amazingly good. I love the love, laughs, vulnerability, heartache, and surprised elements throughout. The story shows how your perception of things is not always the only perception and that other things you're not privileged to can be at play. Bo played the game until he found a way to get the prize that he truly wanted... Memphis. The drama shows that everything is not black and white but there's plenty of shady areas in between. I recommend this story and series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.