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Braided, Not Bound
I came to the salon for a new style…
but somehow, I’m sitting here questioning my entire life.
Two lovers. One heart. And a hairstyle I swore I’d never get.
I’ve spent years keeping it all together—hair laid, smile fixed, life picture-perfect.
But these braids? They’re pulling more than my edges—they’re pulling truths I’ve been too scared to face.
At Crowned and Covered, healing starts at the sink…
and this time, I’m not leaving the chair the same woman who walked in.
but somehow, I’m sitting here questioning my entire life.
Two lovers. One heart. And a hairstyle I swore I’d never get.
I’ve spent years keeping it all together—hair laid, smile fixed, life picture-perfect.
But these braids? They’re pulling more than my edges—they’re pulling truths I’ve been too scared to face.
At Crowned and Covered, healing starts at the sink…
and this time, I’m not leaving the chair the same woman who walked in.
26 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2025
12 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 25, 2025
”You are braided, not bound.”
We’re back in the chair at Crowned and Covered. Here, we meet Lashae, the sharp bob wearing real estate agent and interior designer living a double life. She’s bi-sexual and doesn’t know how to tell her boyfriend that she’s fallen in love with, Shyna. 🫣
Kyle and Lashae together made me want to throw up because there is nothing like a man that is too clingy. 🚩 Lashae told this man she wanted to stay at her house and this fool said “okay, I’ll come over, too.” WHAT? 🙄
For the small amount of time that we got to see Lashae and Shyna interact, I thought they were so cute together. They clearly loved one another! But I do wish that we saw a little bit more of their relationship play out in the end.
Side note: Lashae’s mama and daddy sounded like a piece of work! Ugh.
As always, the salon talk and community was such a highlight again. Netra is doing such a good job capturing the essence of Black women in the hair salon.
All in all, another cute short story in the Sunday Crown Sessions series for Black women centered on love, healing, community, and embracing who you’re meant to be. 🫶🏽
My rating: 3.5/5. ✨
We’re back in the chair at Crowned and Covered. Here, we meet Lashae, the sharp bob wearing real estate agent and interior designer living a double life. She’s bi-sexual and doesn’t know how to tell her boyfriend that she’s fallen in love with, Shyna. 🫣
Kyle and Lashae together made me want to throw up because there is nothing like a man that is too clingy. 🚩 Lashae told this man she wanted to stay at her house and this fool said “okay, I’ll come over, too.” WHAT? 🙄
For the small amount of time that we got to see Lashae and Shyna interact, I thought they were so cute together. They clearly loved one another! But I do wish that we saw a little bit more of their relationship play out in the end.
Side note: Lashae’s mama and daddy sounded like a piece of work! Ugh.
As always, the salon talk and community was such a highlight again. Netra is doing such a good job capturing the essence of Black women in the hair salon.
All in all, another cute short story in the Sunday Crown Sessions series for Black women centered on love, healing, community, and embracing who you’re meant to be. 🫶🏽
My rating: 3.5/5. ✨
September 24, 2025
Looks like each book in the series is the story for each of the ladies that come to the Salon on every Sunday and their back story. No I need you to remember it’s a short story so the characters development is minimal not to in depth just enough to get the connections.
May 14, 2025
“Take the freedom to embrace the woman you want to be—not the one everybody else expects you to be.”
Got me rooting for a cheater hahaha Sorcery! Loving the set up of this series and can't wait to see whose story is up next💕
Got me rooting for a cheater hahaha Sorcery! Loving the set up of this series and can't wait to see whose story is up next💕
May 4, 2025
You are Braided and not Bound
You are Braided and not Bound…. Whew baby! Again although short it is still filled with much needed wisdom and love!
You are Braided and not Bound…. Whew baby! Again although short it is still filled with much needed wisdom and love!
July 22, 2025
I love her intentionality with this sweet baby hair. I do hope she find her freedom and do what’s best for her.
October 3, 2025
Liked the story. Well written. I like short stories but I do wish it was a bit longer to make the story feel complete
September 11, 2025
💇🏾♀️💅🏾
Lashae is stuck. She’s in a relationship with Kyle that she don’t really want to be in but really in love with Shyna.
I totally understand not wanting to disappoint your parents but at the end of the day it’s your life and they just gotta accept it. They not gonna always be happy with the decisions you make.
This is really super short. You get a glimpse of Lashae’s dilemma that have you wanting more. I hope she lives for her.
3.5⭐️
Lashae is stuck. She’s in a relationship with Kyle that she don’t really want to be in but really in love with Shyna.
I totally understand not wanting to disappoint your parents but at the end of the day it’s your life and they just gotta accept it. They not gonna always be happy with the decisions you make.
This is really super short. You get a glimpse of Lashae’s dilemma that have you wanting more. I hope she lives for her.
3.5⭐️
July 7, 2025
I NEEDED MORE OF THIS ONE!!
Yes I know this was a short story but this one just hit home for me and has me in here tearing up and nodding my head.
Lashae is one I hope to see more of in the future (this is anew to me author so if I’m behind in her catalog my apologies)
The ladies in the salon poured into her and I truly hope she heard what they were saying because I did! She doesn’t owe anyone but herself happiness. Trying to make someone else happy above yourself will never work. She can’t live her life for others, not her parents, not Kyle, not Shyna, nobody else. And the reason for Senae choosing braids as her new hairstyle - CHEFS KISS!!!
Yes I know this was a short story but this one just hit home for me and has me in here tearing up and nodding my head.
Lashae is one I hope to see more of in the future (this is anew to me author so if I’m behind in her catalog my apologies)
The ladies in the salon poured into her and I truly hope she heard what they were saying because I did! She doesn’t owe anyone but herself happiness. Trying to make someone else happy above yourself will never work. She can’t live her life for others, not her parents, not Kyle, not Shyna, nobody else. And the reason for Senae choosing braids as her new hairstyle - CHEFS KISS!!!
April 13, 2025
OMG, y’all!!! First of all, can we pause and talk about this COVER?! Jaw. Dropped. It is EVERYTHING! This book? Whew, snatched my soul like a TSA agent on a power trip—I couldn’t put it down! The story follows triplet queens, Stormi, Rayne, and Skye, who grew up watching their mom endure an abusive relationship. But, one day Stormi said enough was enough!
Fast forward 16 years, the girls are professionals by day—living their polished, successful, regular lives—but by night? They’ve got a secret operation dismantling men who dare harm women and children. Love is definitely NOT on their radar. Their hearts? Locked tighter than Fort Knox. That is, until the beautiful Stormi crosses paths with Niles, a handsome ex-homicide detective with baggage of his own (hello, murdered girlfriend trauma). But the sparks flying between them? SIZZLING. Is Stormi ready to put down her walls for this man, or will Niles’ past come stomping right into her present like an unwelcome guest?
Let me stop spilling tea—y’all NEED to read this book, when it comes out! This one is a certified 5-star chick, and I was OBSESSED with Stormi from the jump. The twists? Ugh, so unexpected—Netra, girl, those cliffhangers?! Plural, because YES, there were multiple! I need the sequel like I need my next glass of champagne—quick, fast and in a hurry!!
Fast forward 16 years, the girls are professionals by day—living their polished, successful, regular lives—but by night? They’ve got a secret operation dismantling men who dare harm women and children. Love is definitely NOT on their radar. Their hearts? Locked tighter than Fort Knox. That is, until the beautiful Stormi crosses paths with Niles, a handsome ex-homicide detective with baggage of his own (hello, murdered girlfriend trauma). But the sparks flying between them? SIZZLING. Is Stormi ready to put down her walls for this man, or will Niles’ past come stomping right into her present like an unwelcome guest?
Let me stop spilling tea—y’all NEED to read this book, when it comes out! This one is a certified 5-star chick, and I was OBSESSED with Stormi from the jump. The twists? Ugh, so unexpected—Netra, girl, those cliffhangers?! Plural, because YES, there were multiple! I need the sequel like I need my next glass of champagne—quick, fast and in a hurry!!
April 15, 2025
Calm After the Storm was such a great read. Netra really drew me in with this one. Stormi was a bada** fmc from the jump ok! Truth be told I wish this book was longer 😅 (that’s my only negative comment). There was a love triangle, forbidden love, drama, violence, plot twists and even some personal growth shown with Stormi. By the end of the book I wanted more! More of Stormi and her sisters. Definitely more of Niles.. like who wouldn’t want more of him. 🗣️Siri play “Whatta Man” by Salt-N-Pepa.
I really hope this continues as a series. I think Rayne and Skye both deserve to have their story told. It’ll be interesting to know how a set of triplets who all experienced the same upbringing all turned out so differently. Netra definitely has a new fan and I will be looking out for what she comes out with next!
I really hope this continues as a series. I think Rayne and Skye both deserve to have their story told. It’ll be interesting to know how a set of triplets who all experienced the same upbringing all turned out so differently. Netra definitely has a new fan and I will be looking out for what she comes out with next!
April 20, 2025
ARC REVIEW
This is my first read by Netra Antoinette and man was this a ride! In this we meet sisters Stormi, Rayne, and Skye under unfortunate circumstances. We then jump years into the future and see that these girls have promising careers by day but at night it’s something else.
One day Stormi meets Niles and it’s instant sparks. Once these two cross paths the story literally takes off. There are several twists and turns that kept me wanting to see what was going to happen on the next page.
What I loved about this is book is that it held my attention the entire time while reading. I loved the sisterhood between them and how they were always there for one another. Netra was able to keep you guessing until the end and I can’t wait to see what happens next with these characters.
Now it’s time to go back and read Netra’s previous works! Great job!
This is my first read by Netra Antoinette and man was this a ride! In this we meet sisters Stormi, Rayne, and Skye under unfortunate circumstances. We then jump years into the future and see that these girls have promising careers by day but at night it’s something else.
One day Stormi meets Niles and it’s instant sparks. Once these two cross paths the story literally takes off. There are several twists and turns that kept me wanting to see what was going to happen on the next page.
What I loved about this is book is that it held my attention the entire time while reading. I loved the sisterhood between them and how they were always there for one another. Netra was able to keep you guessing until the end and I can’t wait to see what happens next with these characters.
Now it’s time to go back and read Netra’s previous works! Great job!
January 23, 2026
Girl code & Motto ”what said in the salon stays in the salon” ….🤐🤦🏾♀️‼️Meanwhile, “Braided, Not Bound (Sunday Crown Session) - Book 2 (4.50 ⭐️’s) was an interesting revelation. Lashae, is was the proverbial black butterfly. She needs the confidence to live life unapologetically Lashae. Consequently, the new braided style like black butterflies symbolize profound transformation, rebirth & new beginnings. Goodbye 👋🏾 to self deprecation, judgements, opinions & or dark chapters of placation. Rather, welcome to the birth of positivity, self affirmation, accountability & integrity. Embrace the versatility, mysteries, elegance & strength of a new hair do & a better you. C&C presents authentic beauty, brains & braids Lashae 🥰🦋🤭‼️
April 26, 2025
Soft. Healing. Unforgettable.
In this ARC I met Lashae—35, a real estate queen with a presence that turns heads. Her look? A sleek middle-part bob, polished and perfect, just like the life she’s carefully built. But at Crowned and Covered, something gentle starts to unravel.
Lashae went for a new style… but found herself sitting in the chair, facing truths she didn’t expect.
She has two lovers. One heart. She's been holding it together but at the sacrifice of not being the version of herself she truly wants to be. And those braids? They’re giving new hair, who's this!
At Crowned and Covered, healing doesn’t ask for permission. It begins softly—at the sink, in the silence, in the stillness. And the woman who leaves the chair is never quite the same.
The words that stuck with me:
“You are braided, not bound.”
This story is tender and true. Senae wraps around you like warmth, like peace, like love.
Five stars, easily. I can't wait to see what's next!
In this ARC I met Lashae—35, a real estate queen with a presence that turns heads. Her look? A sleek middle-part bob, polished and perfect, just like the life she’s carefully built. But at Crowned and Covered, something gentle starts to unravel.
Lashae went for a new style… but found herself sitting in the chair, facing truths she didn’t expect.
She has two lovers. One heart. She's been holding it together but at the sacrifice of not being the version of herself she truly wants to be. And those braids? They’re giving new hair, who's this!
At Crowned and Covered, healing doesn’t ask for permission. It begins softly—at the sink, in the silence, in the stillness. And the woman who leaves the chair is never quite the same.
The words that stuck with me:
“You are braided, not bound.”
This story is tender and true. Senae wraps around you like warmth, like peace, like love.
Five stars, easily. I can't wait to see what's next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
Braided, Not Bound
Netra Antionette
Sunday Crown Sessions Book 2
Lashae is a woman with not only a plan, but tenacity. She prides herself on her ability to follow through with any plan she wants to execute. Things aren’t in order anymore. She’s created quite a conundrum for herself.
Her affection for more than one person has led to a cross-road. She has to choose between what is expected of her and what she desires.
#readandtellwithshantel #netraantionette #sundaycrownsessionsseries #braidednotbound
(My Little Pony Secret Xscape)
Netra Antionette
Sunday Crown Sessions Book 2
Lashae is a woman with not only a plan, but tenacity. She prides herself on her ability to follow through with any plan she wants to execute. Things aren’t in order anymore. She’s created quite a conundrum for herself.
Her affection for more than one person has led to a cross-road. She has to choose between what is expected of her and what she desires.
#readandtellwithshantel #netraantionette #sundaycrownsessionsseries #braidednotbound
(My Little Pony Secret Xscape)
May 4, 2025
This was a 3.5 stars for me.
I was happy that we were able to get the back story as to how Lashae was in the situation that she was in; however, I was hoping to see more of the conversation at the salon as to what she was going to do about her predicament. The ending said that all the ladies had stories and we would see what they had to say so hopefully we will get a resolution to this story in a later book.
I was happy that we were able to get the back story as to how Lashae was in the situation that she was in; however, I was hoping to see more of the conversation at the salon as to what she was going to do about her predicament. The ending said that all the ladies had stories and we would see what they had to say so hopefully we will get a resolution to this story in a later book.
January 25, 2026
🥹🥹🥹
Crazy how liberating a woman can feel just from a new hairstyle. I love how Lashae was able to go into a safe space and not be judged for what she had going on. Those ladies poured love into her. I love that. I just want to know: WHICH ONE? I feel like I know, but I need to see it on paper LOL
Crazy how liberating a woman can feel just from a new hairstyle. I love how Lashae was able to go into a safe space and not be judged for what she had going on. Those ladies poured love into her. I love that. I just want to know: WHICH ONE? I feel like I know, but I need to see it on paper LOL
May 2, 2025
Only though both are just 26 pages each it sticks some real gems to you. Loving yourself, following your heart and embracing the power to chase your fulfillment.
——— Lashae is caught in a tug of war but hopes of it not defeating her.
——— Lashae is caught in a tug of war but hopes of it not defeating her.
May 9, 2025
Love Lashae
This story resonates with me for so many reason. Our hair often the only thing we can control in our lives; Lashae's bob is the perfect depiction of controlling what we present. Enjoyed her story.
This story resonates with me for so many reason. Our hair often the only thing we can control in our lives; Lashae's bob is the perfect depiction of controlling what we present. Enjoyed her story.
June 26, 2025
Nice meeting the First Lady of friends who their hair done at the local salon on sundays. Although I know it was a short story I felt this one needed more. It was just too short with no kind of resolution.
November 22, 2025
I really enjoyed the love,inspiration and support that the salon’s sisterhood gives to one another. A safe space for women to relax and express themselves along with being emotional is very refreshing and uplifting to read about. Having a new and different hairstyle was relatable as well. 4.5 ⭐️
January 2, 2026
This is a story about a woman who has been told who she’s supposed to be from her career to her partner and she’s afraid of making the decision that will make her happy because of the consequences she will face because of it.
April 30, 2025
Braided not BOUND
NOW NETRA! I want more need more of Lashae story for the outcome. For this to be a short series it is filled with so much and I am loving it so much.
NOW NETRA! I want more need more of Lashae story for the outcome. For this to be a short series it is filled with so much and I am loving it so much.
August 25, 2025
Best story ever
I literally live this book
It's easy to read an understand
The author has a heart of gold
Kudos 👏
I literally live this book
It's easy to read an understand
The author has a heart of gold
Kudos 👏
September 6, 2025
beautiful
This short story was packed with so much wisdom. The advice had me tearing up—like wait, why am I crying? Netra, your pen game is crazy.
This short story was packed with so much wisdom. The advice had me tearing up—like wait, why am I crying? Netra, your pen game is crazy.
December 18, 2025
Braided Not Bound!
Sister, Netra this was just enough to still give that punch with your words! I’m truly enjoying these short stories.
Sister, Netra this was just enough to still give that punch with your words! I’m truly enjoying these short stories.
August 28, 2025
Yaaasssss!!!!
I absolutely love the fact of how each hair style is selected based on what each woman needs mentally. Emotionally, and physically. Trying new hairstyles to give a different mindset is so relatable and rooted in the culture of black women. This book represented freedom to choose, and I was so here for it. On to book 3 I go!
I absolutely love the fact of how each hair style is selected based on what each woman needs mentally. Emotionally, and physically. Trying new hairstyles to give a different mindset is so relatable and rooted in the culture of black women. This book represented freedom to choose, and I was so here for it. On to book 3 I go!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews