Staten Island Love Story II

A Staten Island Love Story: Welcome to Shaolin #2

by Jahquel J.

Secrets are revealed in more ways than one.
The truth always has a way of revealing itself.
What happens when everyone is hiding something from the other?
When relationships and bonds are tested in more ways than one.
Will these relationships end before they could fully start?

Genres: Audiobook, Urban

310 pages, Paperback

Published February 12, 2025

Reviews

[Jahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm I don’t like nobody!!

[Pookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star x Karter, Lennon x Wahkeem and Skye x Mo

Messy, Messy, MESSY!!!!! The pages were littered with the mess! Whew chile…reading this book was like being a fly on the wall and watching someone else’s drama unfold. An urban soap opera is a better description! Lies, deception, jealousy, cheating, loss….it’s all there!

Then the way Jah was throwing those curve balls, she should have been a pitcher for a baseball team! She had me going to more recent series I’ve already read to piece some things together. Now some things were making more sense…..MESSY!

Jah is so creative and talented and the character development is top tier. The way she has intertwined these multiple series is mind boggling and I’m here for it!

[Kandiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I’m tense reading this book. The drama is juicy the characters are well rounded. I only hate that Wah and Lennon are not being held accountable. They are gaslighting Arika. Sure, she’ll probably be a cheating villainous bitch in the next book, but they have been and are currently playing in her face. Lennon knows she’s out of line and she doesn’t care. I want to root for her but I can’t. Wah should have proposed to Arika or convinced her to move the gaslight her every time she’s right. He keeps saying “I really love my wife” but if I had to choose I wouldn’t choose her. These two are the villains. Star is spoiled. It’s annoying. Lennox … trash. Mel… young and dumb and in over her head in this new life. I hope everyone pulls their stuff together.

But seriously, I hope there’s accountability for Lennon and Wah and Arika doesn’t have to be a conniving snake for them to get their happily ever after bc of course they’ll skip off into the sunset by the time this is all said and done.

[Antoinette (_literaryaura_) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Kalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the Vanducci family! ❤️
However, the poor editing is very frustrating.

[📚MekaG Readz📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

IKYFL!!!!!

Jahquel gently held my hand while pushing me straight off the cliff!!!! I’m hanging on for dear life. This story, these characters and these cliffhangers. My edges done up and left me!

[ReadBoldlySis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girrrrrrrrrrrrl

WTF!!!! That ending left my mouth literally hanging open! I’m loving this series! I can't wait to start book 3!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

And so the plot thickens! I like the story lines, but some of them are a bit too obvious lol.

I love that we have some trans rep in this book! And the ending?! OPE

[Keesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby it’s going down on Staten Island! Jah threw everything into this one. Every time I think she can’t shock me I find myself reading with my jaw dropped.

[Melissa Earle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait!!! What?!!!

Now that I've picked my mouth up off the floor.... OMG!! That Ashland is the absolute worst! She needs her hindparts beat soon very bad! Jah, of course you did the doggone thing with this one. I'm going to need part 3 like tomorrow, Sis! I don't want to read anything else until you give us part 3! Please don't have us wait too long.

[Shai Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drama filled!!!!!! Lennon a home wrecker Star is stupid and so is Carter and sky girllllll just gone head and head out if you ain't gone help yourself just run away and Lennox need to call it of he don't wanna be a married man!

[Jaleesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

JAHQUEL

I’m so glad I don’t have to wait for book 3!!! I ate this one up as well but I have to take a moment to acknowledge the Skye/Mo storyline. I’ve never read this in an Urban Fiction and it’s so refreshing. If only this was the norm in real life. Mo definitely my favorite. Lennon and Wahkeem…..JUST LOVE EACH OTHER. OMG.

Ok off to book 3!

[MissP.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so happy that I decided to give pt2 a chance because it didn't disappoint. I can def say that the book was messy asf and the characters had growth and that's the main reason why I rated the book so high. The ending was insane ! I'm about to dig into pt3 (the final book)

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drama.

[Jailai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so happy to see some things get resolved between some of them in this book!

[Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHE got 2 WHAT????????
Jah is making my blood pressure HIGHHHHHHHHH

[mellie_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just messy and cheating and mix up lol

[Whit Gittens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking right up where book 1 ended, Sky’s story was so sad. My heart ached for her and everything she had to go through to be this confident strong woman. Mo surprised me didn’t expect his reaction to be that way. Learning his background was eye opening as well. Lennon really just needs to be alone. Lennox needs to leave men alone. Star and Karter both need to stop playing games. These cliffhangers will be the end of me

[Alenda Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought book 1 was jaw dropping and then you hit me with book 2!! All i know is ASHLAND THE "THOT" needs her Aspirin dragged for the old and the new. SHAI has me wondering what her end game is after all is she is friends with ASHLAND. "DANGER WILL ROBINSON" CONFUFU EVERYWEHRE!! STAR STAR needs a little more time to mature. She is really a good friend... I need her to SING LIKE A BIRD... SORRY NOT SORRY MEL need to sit her HOT ASS Down somewhere at the same time she has not been taught a dayum thing so school is in session. SKYE needs to take that verse from "Bobby Womack's song" when skeletons come out of your closet and chase you all around the room and tell MO EVERYTHING QUICKLY!!!! I do not want to see her lonely and suicidal. LENNOX is just grimy and i would not trust him with my dog if i had one. What am i missing with him why is he the way that he is?? LENNON & WAH i hope they get it together before its too late. I have so much more to say but i am going to save it for Book 3 cause i know its COMING IN HOT!!!

[Tammy Christine Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what the hell

Star and Carter in a relationship he may have Ashland pregnant now family secrets are coming out. Lennox Star brother has a baby with him. Melanie Carters sister is having affair with Star's Aunt no good cheating and abusive husband. Skye is in a relationship with Mohammad. Skye skeletons and her past keeps coming out the closet. Lennon is in love with her best friend Waheem and they crossed the line and slept together. Arika wife of Waheem at recent miscarriage she trying to get him to leave Staten Island and moved back to Alatana to get him away from Lennon. Waheem is a love triangle caught between two women he loves them both. So much darma and pain. Lennon finally broke up with Lark come to find out he cheating on her with other women. Is Lennox ready to marry Shai are end up losing her in the end. Can't wait to find out what will happen next with Vanducci-Cromwell family.

[Tazja Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the heck is Ashy’s…I mean Ashland’s story because she just has to feel relevant…Mel and the abuser though…Nash is Richie…whew chile

[BossyLadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

For real, Lennon and Wah are trifling af. Eff them. I'm not rooting for them at all. Arika does not deserve this shit and rather than being adults and not pursuing anything until they were free, they decide to hook up behind Arika's back. What's more. They gaslighted Arika at every turn pretending to just be friends meanwhile confessing their love for one another. I am too done with them.

I'm worried about Skye. That dude Ricky is too close. I hope she let's Mo know what's going on.

The Mel & JaMel storyline is giving me the creeps. Why is a 19 year old sexting his old ass. Not looking forward to this development.

Ashland is a nutty chick but I can't wait to see what drama she brings I the next book.

The drama in this book was chefs kiss.

[Cassandra Jerido · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nope…Not Feeling It!!!

For some reason, Ms Jahqel J seems to think that a jaw dropping cliffhanger can make up for all of the BS before that. Unfortunately, it doesn’t! Where is the character development? Here it is book 2 of the series and they’re still making all of these dumb decisions. All of the characters make the stupidest decisions and then want to play victim. There is no accountability among any of them. Then after making all of these crazy decisions we have to suffer through chapter after chapter of them whining about their decisions that they made. It’s too much. I’m starting to hate this series. It feels like a waste of time.

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

The editing of this book was so poor that it often made the story difficult to follow. Referring to Giovanna as Vita. Karter switching to Carter or Mr. Vanducci was crazy! Skye knocking on Skye’s apartment door towards the end of the book was just….come on! There were so many more errors but these just really showed lack of attention.

Also….
Arika - annoying but valid
Whakeem - IKYFL
Lennon - IKYFL
Lennox - are you even really in this book?
Lark - goofy
Von - messy
Star - meh
Karter - big dummy Lamonte!
Vita - the worst
Mel - silly
Giovanna - a real one
Rahkeem - the realest
Skye - cinda-fuckin-rella
Mo - a RN
Ashland - Sunshine (cause she must have best 🐱 in the world!)

2.5⭐️

[Samara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly dislike Wahkeem. I was ready to toss my iPad after this line, “I would end my marriage before I ended my friendship with Lennon.” Like does he even hear himself?! Arika is only acting jealous and insecure because HE gave her reasons to be! Wahkeem is definitely leader of F Boys international cause he can’t be serious. Gosh I hope in the finale Arika handles what needs to be handled.

I’m happy that Lennon finally came to her senses with Lark but she’s still stupid & now a homewrecker. That girl is slow slow.

[Qiana Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

the story is good but the editing is awful

This story just felt rushed and overly detailed in places. The editing really does the book a disservice. The wrong names, grammar, spelling…it gives me a headache.

[Lizzy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

HUH🤔🤔🤔

I’M SO OVER ASHLAND MESSY COMMUNITY 🐱 HAVING AZZ AND LENNOX TOO
I HAD A FEELING RICHIE RICH WAS GONNA RESURFACE BUT DAYYYUUUMMM
I DON’T TRUST MIKEY
I FREAKING LOVE KARTER AND STAR BUT SHE ALSO NEEDS TO GROW TF UP🤷🏽‍♀️
SHE’S TOO CHILDISH AND SHE’S SO USED TO THAT TOXIC ISH SHE DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE A REAL MAN
LENNON HAD ME DO PROOF OF HER WHEN SHE FINALLY STOOD UP TO LARK COMMUNITY🍆 HAVING AZZ. NOW SHE’S OUT HERE PLAYING STELLA GOT GET GROOVE BACK BUT SHE’S DOING IT THE WRONG WAY. SHE SHOULD’VE LEFT VON IN TARGET ANNA I’M NOT EVEN GONNA GET ON HER AND WAH🤦🏽‍♀️. DAMN IF THAT ISH WASN’T MAGICAL💦 ❤️‍🔥
ARIKA IS THAT CHARACTER THAT DOESN’T KNOW WHEN TO STFU🤷🏽‍♀️! IF EFF UP A WET DREAM WAS A PERSON. LIKE I WANTED TO FEEL BAD FOR HER THEN SHE’S OPEN HER MOUTH AND MY EMPATHY WENT AWAY. SHE’S IN LOVE WITH THE IDEA OF THE MAN THAT SHE WANTS WAH TO BE AND HAS BLOCKED OUT THE MAN THAT HE IS. SHE KEEPS SCREAMING FAMILY BUT DOESN’T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIS. LIKE SIS YOU JUST SUFFERED A LOST AND YOU’RE BACK ON BS MAKING PLANS WITH YOUR MOMMA WITHOUT CONVERSING WITH HER HUSBAND FIRST. THEY NEED AN A ANNULMENT AND FAST
I STILL CAN’T STAND VITA🤷🏽‍♀️. ALL SHE DOES IS TALK IN CIRCLES AND NEVER TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HER ACTIONS. THE WAY SHE TREATS KARTER🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
AND I WAS RIGHT ABOUT MEL LIL WANNA BE GROWN AZZ🤬🤬🤬
I HOPE WE FINALLY FIND OUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED BETWEEN RAH, G, AND VITA
I LOVE NO AND SKYE TOGETHER, SO HAPPY THEY’VE MOVED PASSED THE MIAMI BS. BUT SHE NEEDS TO TELL MO EVERYTHING

[L. Boogie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Wahkeem trying to compare Arika’s friendship with her female bff and his with Lennon, a woman he’s in love with and wants to sleep with. Tuh

He’s mad about the type of marriage he has when he only proposed bc Lennon was pregnant by her boyfriend. Both Wah and Lennon are FOS trying to make Arika the bad guy knowing their relationship is mad inappropriate.

Lennox is something else. Another male doing a good woman dirty. And not Wah saying if he’s gonna waste Shai’s time he should let her go. He needs to take his own advice .

Lennox laughed. “Bro, you’re in love with Lennon and trying to preach to me about being faithful.” EXACTLY

“I would end my marriage before I ended my friendship with Lennon.” And then turns around and call his wife jealous. As if she doesn’t have a reason to be.

I love how vulnerable and open Karter is with Star

Star crazy if she thinks Shai should choose them over her friends. They wouldn’t do it for her either

Ashland is such a pestilent

Wah and Lennon suck.

Let her know you don’t stand for that trifling mess, G. You also need to let your hoe son know the same.

I cannot believe Mel. She’s trash if she knows who Jamel really is. We already know he’s a disgusting sack of shit.

I feel bad for Karter but that’s what he get for sexing without standards

There was so much going. I either can’t stand or indifferent about everyone except for Karter, Rah and G.

[Vanity La’Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars

I had to circle back and review this one after finishing book 3 because whew… book 2 sucked me in and got messy.

Things I loved:

-Rah; I loved him more and more in this book.

-The way the found family handled Skye. They were so supportive after what happened in the last book

-Mo became my fave in this one. The way he stepped up and his presence throughout? Yeah, he won me over. And he gives BDE.

-Star is still so me-coded. She was my favorite in book 1, and I still love her here.

-Karter is slowly growing on me—even though I still don’t quite get how this strong pull toward Star really cam about, I liked him a little better in this book and when he calls her Ms. Vanducci.


My one & only gripe & Why the first book got 5 stars and this one 4:

- Wahkeem and Lennon… Omgggggg puhlease wrap it uppppp !!!
They’re on a one-way ticket to hell with gasoline draws on, and I want a front-row seat. The more this series goes on, the more trash they both become. Wahkeem should have left Arika alone, and Lennon was being petty and INSUFFERABLE. Girl… go get tested now but anyways...


Final thoughts:
I got way too comfortable with the first book because this one turned up the drama fast. Everyone’s storyline had me knowing it was about to get treacherous in book 3 , and by the way it ended? Yeah, things are only getting wilder from here.

[Crissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book picks up where the previous book left off with everyone dealing with the huge bomb Ashland just dropped and Skye devastated that her secret was revealed in such a public way. We get to know more of Skye's history and what led to her dealing with Mickey. We also get more of Mo's upbringing with his parents which was a bit of a surprise when it comes to the training his dad made him do. We get more of Lennon dealing with the foolishness with Lark, but I will say that I love her and Wah friendship, is that's what you want to call it. I'm sorry but Arika needs to go with all of that jealousy, pettiness and drama. Airka and Ashland should be best friends because they go so well together. Lennox needs to grow up, hopefully soon. However, when Ashland drops another bomb, I'm about done with Lennox and his foolishness. Mel is definitely doing something shady. I'm loving Star and Karter, but we'll see what happens with them. I absolutely love Rah and Gia! The love and support they have for their family and those they consider family is limitless. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series to see how everything wraps up.