My Only: A My First, My Last Spinoff

by Brookelyn Mosley

Ayla and Hassani’s marriage faces its biggest test in this deeply emotional love story about second chances, healing, and the power of Black love that’s built to last. Ayla and Hassani Franklin’s love story was built on a rock-solid foundation… best friends first, soulmates always. But somewhere between Hassani designing dream properties in Greene Gardens, a groundbreaking new village, and Ayla holding down the life they built, the blueprint for their marriage has started to crack.

Late nights at the office. Unspoken words. A distance neither of them can ignore. When yet another argument pushes Ayla to her breaking point, she realizes she’s spent so much time supporting Hassani’s vision that she’s lost sight of her own.

Determined not to let their love collapse, Hassani makes a bold move, one that forces them to finally face everything they’ve been avoiding. As they confront their deepest fears and rediscover what first drew them together, a spontaneous getaway pushes them out of their comfort zones, breaking down walls, laying new foundations, and reigniting the passion that once came so easily.

But just as they begin to imagine a future stronger than ever, Ayla reveals a truth she’s been too afraid to voice… one that threatens to shake the very foundation of their marriage. Now, Hassani must prove he’s not just willing to fight for their love—he’s ready to build something even better.

But when love has been weathered by time, distance, and doubt… can it ever be rebuilt to last forever?

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2025

About the author

Brookelyn wrote her first short story when she was a sophomore in high school. Back then she discovered how using her experience as a teen living in Brooklyn to create romantic shorts was just as exciting to her as retail shopping and going on dates. After starting her first semester of college two years later, Brookelyn’s creative writing became more of a hobby and something to do to escape the stress of midterms and finals. Now in her 30s as a freelance writer, penning short stories and novellas is her everything. While her experience with writing has evolved for the better, her undying love for creating fiction remains unchanged. Brookelyn's focus is on creating contemporary women's fiction with characters based in urban settings. Her stories chronicles the emotional journeys and erotic experiences of women today through her characters and the scenarios they're thrown into.

The motivation behind her brand of writing has a lot to do with what she discovered storytelling provided for her - an escape. Her goal with her work is to create characters and urban worlds that offer a great escape for fiction readers looking for a break from the daily grind of adulting and who prefer to relax with good books and short stories. When she’s not freelancing, doing yoga, or showing her husband and toddler lots of love, she can be found sitting at her computer desk, with her legs folded, and a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine) at arm’s reach as she types or edits her latest short or novella.

Reviews

[Erin Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ “No take-backs….forever us” 🤞🏽💍

How did we go from that blissful ending in book 1 to Ayla & Hassani on the brink of a divorce?!?!? 😩 “My Only” was about how they worked through the challenges in their marriage & the love it takes to hold onto that HEA 🥰

Now I have to say Hassani frustrated the hell out of me lol How did you not know what Harper was trying to do!?!?!?? 😡 & Harper played her villain role so good. Conniving, sneaky, calculated & Ayla clocked her from the beginning. She knew she was trouble.

Fav scene was when Hassani’s Dad had to check Hassani 🤭 I was like “yesss get in his ass”!!!! lol

Now I’m on to read the deleted scenes ✌🏽

[Salene Whyte (thee_book_connoisseur_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Aysanni
Brookelyn Mosley delivers an emotional, honest, and soul-stirring continuation of Ayla and Hassani Franklin’s journey in My Only. In this poignant spinoff of My First, My Last, Mosley takes us beyond the fairytale ending and into the hard, necessary work of keeping love alive when life, ego, and silence threaten to chip away at even the strongest foundations.
Built on a friendship that blossomed into deep, enduring love, Ayla and Hassani’s marriage is tested in ways neither of them expected. With Hassani consumed by his dream project in Greene Gardens and Ayla holding everything else together, the emotional distance between them grows wider—and so does Ayla’s quiet discontent. What follows is a raw, beautifully told story about choosing each other all over again.
Mosley doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths. Hassani, though loving, is flawed—often tone-deaf in his attempts to fix emotional rifts with physical affection, and blind to red flags like Harper, whose presence was a sore spot from the start. Harper is the type of character you love to hate: shameless, conniving, and hell-bent on crossing every line. It was deeply satisfying to see her get the cold reality check she deserved.
Janae, another frustrating figure, embodied everything toxic about projecting personal failures into someone else’s marriage. Her meddling and negativity added tension that made you want to scream “mind your business!” every time she appeared.
Yet, the shining light of the story remained Ayla. Her struggle with feeling invisible, voiceless, and overlooked was real and deeply relatable. While her silence often did more harm than good, Mosley handled her arc with grace—watching Ayla find her voice and take up space in her own marriage was incredibly rewarding.
A standout moment in the book was Hassani’s father stepping in with fierce loyalty and cultural authenticity. The Jamaican patois was written flawlessly and added both warmth and fire. His unwavering support of Ayla, his daughter-in-law, showed what generational wisdom and accountability look like.
And of course, Aunt Laurie was a delight! Her scenes brought levity, empowerment, and a reminder that it’s never too late to start again.
In My Only, Brookelyn Mosley proves once again why her pen is unmatched. She crafts real Black love with flaws, tenderness, sensuality, and strength. This wasn’t just a love story—it was a reflection on growth, forgiveness, and rebuilding something better from the ruins of emotional neglect.
Whether you’ve followed Ayla and Hassani from the beginning or are meeting them now, this story is a heartfelt reminder that love isn’t just about finding “the one”—it’s about staying, fighting, healing, and evolving… together.

[Vonetta Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited to get into Ayla and Hassani again but when I read the beginning of this book my heart dropped. However, Brookelyn did a good job at picking up the pieces and showing the realities of marriage. From the beginning when they first said their vows you could feel the friendship and love between them and I felt like I was a guest at their wedding...lol. Although the honeymoon phase was nice, there were things that came up that put some cracks in their foundation. It showed that not everything that appears to be good is as good as you think it is.

Hassani was a little naive when it came to Harper and women know women. Harper was annoying and had a lot of audacity but unfortunately there are many Harpers in the world who actually get what they want but I knew it wouldn't happen with Hassani. Even though he knew he wouldn't do anything to intentionally hurt Ayla, he did and he had to work to fix it to make it better. I liked the different parts of the book in how they correlated to not only his job but to their relationship and how Brookelyn went back and forth from past to present time so you could see how they go to the situation they were in during present time. The book also showed how sometimes you have to go back to the beginning to have a solid and rewarding future. Not only was Hassani intentional about fixing the cracks in his relationship but making it better in what he was building for his family. Overall I enjoyed the book, how it was written, the two of them together and the realistic aspects of it.

[martha fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author does not disappoint

First of all I am a huge fan of My First, My Last. Hassani and Ayla had me in a chokehold immediately. So of course I was looking forward to their follow up and the opening of this book gutted me! Then like an architect, the author made an analysis of the structure, in this case, Hassani and Ayla's marriage, found the fractures and redesign the structure fortifying it to withstand future storms of life. This book was absolutely phenomenal! One of my top reads of 2025. I trust this author's works as she continues to give authentic and realistic love story that resonates. I will continue to support. This was...wow!!!! This author does not disappoint!!! She continues to evolve and deliver!

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent story about how a Happy Ever After still takes work and communication.

[Co Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure and Raw emotion !!

Why don’t men ever listen? Ayla tried to warn his stubborn self about Harper. The unsung hero in the book has to Hassani’s dad. Because my boy was getting out Eli Pope from Scandal reads. My boy had Hassani’s chest hurting. I actually thought Ayla communicated her concerns pretty well. Normally it’s mutual, but he sort of just dropped the ball at times. Beautiful couple.

[Terra Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Home

*****ARC REVIEW*****

There were so many things I absolutely loved about this story! From the outline of the chapters and sections, which mimicked the steps to building that perfect home. And even including obstacles that can come along and derail the best laid plans. Ayla and Hassani first appeared in My First, My Last which was my first BK read and remains one of my faves, to date! So of course I was excited to get a follow-up story for this loveable, but at times frustrating couple.

There were so many gems dropped throughout this story. When things were good, they were very good. But when they were bad, my emotions ranged from heartbreak, to downright anger! Through it all, I trusted BK to lead me to a happy place. I’m an angst girlie, so I was armed to be battle tested right along with this destined pair. The love and support they received from friends and family played an integral role in sustaining their marriage, because when it’s all said and done, it truly does take a village. Very nicely done BK!

[_dulcekk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional Rollercoaster!!

Hassani and Ayla is married and Hassani just got a dream job however, with that comes so much more than either of them could have imagined. Hassani was a fool. He really let me down!! He had my chest beating fast and had me rolling my eyes. Signs were BIG in his face but he was “acting” very delusional! I was happy when him and Ayla took it back to the very beginning and realized what is important and went back to reaching for one another. Accountability and CLEAR communication was a barrier but once resolved it made a BIG difference in their relationship. Papa Franklin was the shake that Hassani needed; I felt that talk off the pages!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great catching up with Ayla and Hassani. They faced a challenge that took me on an emotional rollercoaster that was worth the journey. It was such an awesome story I could not anything until I finished. I loved their village (family and friends) who provide wisdom and support. Hassani's Dad was my favorite. Although Hassani frustrated me most of the book however, he finally realized his mistakes and redeemed himself to me. Brookelyn did such a great job describing the process of building Greene Gardens that i am ready to be a resident.

[BetweentheCoversLiterary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was so good to catch up with Ayla and Hassani but Lord this book almost broke me… But it was so beautiful to see marriage and love written with so much realism and relatability that my mind was blown. I loved this read and I’m so glad that they got the HEA that they deserved. Now that damn Harper yeah hunny it’s on site with you and your raggedy tail you definitely got off the hook because you deserved to be dragged and almost got Hasanni dragged right along with you… Brookelyn never fails me baby when she puts pen to paper it’s always amazing