Two exes, an accidental run in, and one night in a tattoo shop.
It's been almost seven years since Nalo and Cori have last seen each other. Their untimely breakup sent them on their separate ways, and fear has kept them apart.
Now, with both women being in the same room with each other after so long, and after a loved one being lost, they must rehash the past and discuss what caused the rift in their relationship. But what both women have realized through it all, one thing remained the same: the love they shared.
Can their relationship make a comeback after one grief-stricken night together, or are they better off leaving things in the past?
I loved this sorry and I loved the writing! It was well described and well written.
The book begins with our MC, Cori, who is driving in the rain and running late. She enters a tattoo parlor where we find out she wants a tattoo that's meaningful to her for deep reasons.
Suddenly, Cori sees that the tattoo artist who is willing to stay late and take her, is her high school ex girlfriend, Nalo, who she hasn't seen in many years.
When they reconnect, a spark ignites. It's like time never stopped... but it has. Can Cori and Nalo get back their old flame without getting burnt in the process? Why did Cori and Nalo break up? What will happen now that they've reconnected? Those questions will be answered in this FF, Short Story second chance romance set in the fictional town of Lanthem, Alabama.
Come back is book 1 of a 4 part FF stand alone series by new author Terri Roland whom I love!
Thanks for the opportunity to preview this short story. I truly appreciated it and am happy with this great story!
Another great installment from Ms. Ronald’s short and sweet stories.
Grief stricken and searching for a way to commemorate a recent loss, Cori finds herself on a rainy night at a tattoo shop where she runs into an old flame, Nalo.
They waste no time picking up where they left off all those years ago and learn that love can be just as indelible as the ink Nalo gifts her.
Their reconciliation happens quickly but sometimes it be like that when two people are on the same frequency.
They sort of just fell back into place. Life doesn’t always make it convenient to be with the ones you love and I liked that they were able to make it happen, even if it took several years. They had grown and gotten over their hang ups, fears and cleared the air.
It’s well written and the characters are fully fleshed out. Though I know it can be difficult to find diverse book covers that depict black lesbian love, I do wish the cover repped the story a bit better as there aren’t many books that cover this dynamic.
Regardless, this is a good rep of just how natural and beautiful it can be when two black masc presenting women openly love. Look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next. Pick this up for a quick, spicy read.
As a black lesbian I hate giving stories about black lesbians low ratings but I just couldn’t get into this book, the writing style wasn’t great and even for a novella I felt like things happened way too fast. There was no chemistry between the characters, nothing about this felt believable to me.
I love Terri's writing, it's so fluid, it makes you connect very quickly and easily with the story and its characters, and "Come Back" would be no different, Cori and Nalo are captivating characters, the chemistry between the two is so instant that you really wonder how it took so long for them to meet again, but at the same time, even though it's a short story, it makes you think and reflect on the issue of time and that sometimes a distance is necessary so that something better can happen. arise in your future. Come Back is a fun, light story that will definitely hold your attention.
Talk about running into the right person at the wrong time…or maybe she was right on time. This novella is real life. She ran into her ex at the tattoo shop she was rushing to get much needed ink. Years before fear broke them up but second chances are something else. Terri Ronald’s writing is engaging, with well-developed characters. The pacing is perfect, and the narrative keeps you hooked from beginning to end. You’ll love this one if you’re into heartfelt romances and stories of personal growth after facing fears.
Come Back is the first book I've read by Terri Ronald. It's also the first lesbian romance I've ever read, and it did not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style of how Come Back was written. It made me feel like I could relate to the characters. I know this is the beginning of a series so i'll have to wait until the next book releases to see what's going on with Micah. While I wait I'm going to read Terri's other books.
Can two studs find their happily ever after? Well one of them didn’t think they could. Fast forward seven years and they meet again mostly by chance. Sparks are still there. Love is still there. Has it been too long?
This is a prequel. I look forward to getting more in the full novel! Well written and had me rooting for the MCs.
Thank you, Terri for this ARC and the opportunity to review your book! 🫶🏽❤️
Second chance romances are one of my favorite tropes! After reading the blurb I was excited to read this.
The book starts off with Cori driving in a storm to a tattoo shop to get a tattoo in remembrance of her father after he died a month prior. When she gets there she sees Nalo works there which was her high school ex. She agrees to do her tattoo even though they are closing. Their relationship didn’t end well 7 years prior and u can feel the tension when they first see each other. The author did a great job giving us the backstory. I felt all the hurt and emotions they still felt but most of all, the love they still had for each other. The chemistry was definitely still there between them.
They talk about everything and Cori apologizes for how she treated Nalo because she was in the closet. She basically erased her from her life which is harsh. Blocked her on all social media. I love how understanding and caring Nalo was. So much emotion expressed between the two. I absolutely loved this book. Once I started, I finished it in one setting. This is a prelude so knowing there will be more books to come is exciting! Oh and the spice was 🌶️🔥🥵🤌🏽
Firstly, thank you, Terri, for this #ARC and the amazing opportunity to review your book.
This short story is brilliant. It follows Cori, who wants to get a tattoo and is running late and who happens to be the artist happy to take her on after closing time, but her ex Nalo.
Cori and Nalo's chemistry is fire, and the connection is palpable and sweet. It's clear that even after 7 years of being apart, their love for each other has not died. The story is entertaining and keeps you wanting more.
I'm so glad this is a prelude to a series as I am desperate to read more from not only these two but the other characters me tinned in the book, too. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more from Terri.
Couldn’t finish this book. Wanted to love it. I understand it is a short story, but it moved entirely too fast for my liking lol. Haven’t seen your high school sweetheart in 7 years? Immediately get inmate!
This story was the perfect length with effective character and tension building. I adore the sweet reunion of a first true love in addition to addressing topics of grief, self esteem, and artistry. I did wish there was more of an w on the characters’ emotions when reunited. Also as this story is a romance between two Black studs, the cover doesn’t appear to be representative. Overall I would read more from this author.
I enjoyed the realness of the story it's a new genre for me but I like discovering new Authors, exploring a new world and it's all about the storyline for me. I will always love a story that keeps me hooked. I'm looking forward to reading her other books. I was challenged to step out of my comfort zone with the Fifty Shades series and I haven't stopped since!
Second-chance romance in a tattoo shop?- Yes please.
Cori and Nalo were high school sweethearts... until they weren't. Now, years later, a chance meeting at a difficult time for Cori, bring them back together to sort out their past.
I loved their connection. It was so good - the type of story that makes you want more.
Come Back is the perfect start to an upcoming series. Cori and Nalo get a second chance at love with each other, hopefully they get it right this time around. I hope to see more of them in the future books of this series.
5 stars. Terri Ronald did the damn thing with this one! I loved it. A second chance romance between two studs! HELL FUCKING YES! Cori lost her father a month ago and wants to get a tattoo to remember him by she drives in a storm to an all Black tattoo shop not knowing that that’s where her high school ex girlfriend, Nalo works. Cori and Nalo haven’t seen each other in years as Cori was ashamed of her sexuality and completely cut Nalo out of her life. Nalo ends up doing the tat for her and while there is so much tension and hurt feelings between them the sexual tension is definitely there as well. They hook up in the tattoo shop and it. was. HOT. But they also talk things out which I loved. They were really able to lay everything on the table.
I adored how Cori apologized and took responsibility for hurting Nalo. They have such great chemistry and the love between them felt real. While this was hot it also had a lot of heart and emotion to it. I also loved Cori’s bestie Micah. She was hilarious and knew how to keep her foot on Cori’s neck. Overall, this is definitely my favorite thing I’ve read from this author and I would highly recommend it.
*Arc provided in exchange for an honest review from the author
A shame that the story isn't longer, waaay longer.
Considering the length, the story felt complete, didn't feel quite rushed as it may sometimes, but at the same time didn't feel like it's enough. So I'm really hoping I get to revisit these folks. And even though we don't get much of a chance to know them in-depth, they show they are clearly three-dimensional, complex characters.
And one gotta love some stud4stud representation. I wish there was more stories with this combination