Saige Lawson has no time for love—not with two kids to raise, a degree to finish, and a dream to chase. But when a reckless driver crashes into her car, she’s forced to deal with the cocky, inked-up Damarion “Mari” Hayes, a man who refuses to be just another problem in her life.
Damarion sees right through Saige’s walls, and he’s not one to walk away from a challenge. But between her untrustworthy ex, a toxic mother, and the weight of her past, trusting him won’t be easy.
I really enjoyed this heartwarming novella! It pulls you in from the very first page, and the fast-paced romance keeps you engaged. He knew exactly what he wanted and played no games. Huge congratulations on your debut, this is just the beginning!
The story was cute and warm…almost fluffy but i there was a lot introduced that was never elaborated on. I.e. Jemma was playing the slots but what’s her actual deal? Who is this lady that takes care of Darius? And who is paying her? How come the “star witness” wasn’t in court? I feel like the author jumped from scene to scene without introducing it to us & there’s a lot of scenes. The book is full of big moments but there’s no lead up to them.
I don’t think the fmc ever broke down and cried. Overwhelmed tears..sad tears.. happy tears.
There’s no build up. There’s no setting the scene.. the plot was good but there’s all we got.
I really tried to give this book a try. I made it 43% in and just couldn't finish. The story/plot jumps around. There is no true on page chemistry between the two characters. Random characters that don't tie into the story... it almost feels like each chapter is a small story of its own and pieced together to make a story... maybe I need to keep reading, but as of now, it's a DNF. Maybe I'll circle back another time.
This was a cute love story with an only a couple sorry people. Trevon and Jenna could get ran over by a truck and I would laugh. Saige was a single mom trying to make a way when Mari crashed into her changing her life in more ways than one.
I have so much I want to say…. I really wanted to like this book. It’s has literally been all over my timeline. So I decided to give it a chance but I didn’t like this. Idk the story lacking for me and everything felt rushed. There were some errors and sometimes the details got a little jumbled. This book was a short read with it being less than 200 pages. But that didn’t stop the book from being repetitive. I swear we got the same scenes EVERY time with the same dialogue. It was boring and I skimmed the rest of the book. Me giving this book 3 stars to honestly just be generous.
First I just want to say that it was a pleasure and a joy to be an ARC Reader for this book! The areas in which the author touched are those that are lived daily in the real world - mentioning of autistic spectrum, relationships and 2 chance at love!
The life Saige lived was of unhappiness! Having a disloyal cheating husband and non exists of a mother! Let’s not forget becoming a single mother! Oh can’t forget she takes care of her brother who autistic! Let’s not even get on her mother 😡! My girl has the world on her shoulders and fights everything and everyone alone. Until 🥰…..
Saige life will start changing once my guy Damarion aka Mari 🥰 steps in to play. It takes a car accident to bring the two together. Listen when I say Mari wasn’t playing about her from the first day, I mean just that, he wasn’t play. This man handle business. The connection the two had was beautiful but at the same time both are very guarded! However with the work, effort and communication anything can happen and babe did it 🥰!
The kids!! Look I loved them down! Very observant and Saige protector 🤣! Oh they have no issue with speaking their minds 🤣! That husband though! Just trifling at its finest! Her cause all actions that went against him! This guy was playing checkers while Saige is learning how to play chess with all her pieces on the board (her support team)!
I promise there is so much in the read and it’s beautiful! Look forward to see what’s next from the author 🌹🌹🌹🌹
Trifling baby daddies always have the utmost audacity !
The way I wanted Saige to win from page one. She truly deserved some ease/peace in her life. Between that baby daddy and her raggedy mouthed mama, my girl was going through it. But here comes Mari to save the day. The step daddy trope has never been my go to but it really worked here. Mari’s relationship with the kids was just as important as his relationship with Saige.
I can’t lie tho, about 70% in I started to get annoyed with Saige. While I understood why she was so guarded, I wanted her to let that ish goooooo and that lean into and on her man. He literally proved himself worthy.
Minor issues with editing but nothing that deter to from recommending. Oh and the entire book the MMC is called Mari but there was 2 chapters toward the end his full name was used. I wonder if that was purposeful 🤔
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ def read and support an amazing indie author !
Author’s debut. First I love the cover. I hate when the mcs are described one way yet the cover is totally different people. Especially when they have prominent features. The fmc Saige and the mmc Damarion meet during a fender bender. Mari stepped out his car giving BDE but Saige was standing on business. Mari gave no room for misinterpretations cuz he wanted Saige something bad. Saige better than me cuz I would’ve folded soon as he called me Lil Mama 🤣. This is a cute love story with family drama and a jealous bitter BD. Speaks on family member with disabilities. Fast paced with short chapters. Also I’m a sucker for a playlist and song recommendations. I enjoyed reading.
I saw a lot of myself in Saige. I loved that she was able to grow and finally feel safe enough to open up and get everything she deserved. Mari played no games when it came to her and I absolutely loved that. With the right amount of spice & drama, it was hard to put this book down. Beautifully written!
ARC review: One of my favorite tropes is a step parent/the parent that stepped up but especially when it’s mennnnnzzzzz. We meet Saige who is a divorcée with two kids, Ariyah & Roman, working part time & going to school full time while her ex husband is being typical. Ya know, a deadbeat once the marriage is over 🙄🙄 As Saige is leaving from school, Mari crashes right into her *cue Beyonce* and thus, our story begins.
This is definitely an insta love type situation on Mari’s behalf lol. I enjoyed the characters a lot even tho Saige got on my nerves sometimes. But her feelings were somewhat valid so, I’ll let her cook. I liked Mari’s arrogant attitude because it showed up when it was needed most. Sometimes the flow of the book, FOR ME, felt a little off but overall I enjoyed the book & would rate it 4⭐️s .
Saige went through so much in her relationship with her ex husband causing her to be untrusting of men and finding them to be unreliable, that is until she meets Mari. He helped her see that there are good men out there and she doesn't have to handle everything herself. Once she fully let him in she was able to see that she could trust him and that he was not her ex. He was someone who was a man of his word and would always have her back. He also fit in well with her kids and brother too. Who would have thought that something as bad as a car accident would leave to finding someone to truly love you. This was a good debut novel from Ms. Campbell and I looking forward to see what she comes out with next.
Colliding Into His Arms by C.M. Campbell was such a relatable and heartwarming read for me. Saige and Damarion (Mari) have the cutest, most unexpected meet-cute, and from there the chemistry just keeps building.
Saige reminded me so much of myself before I met my husband. I’m a wife and mom to a blended family, and my husband (much like Mari) came into my life like a tornado, rearranging everything in the best way possible.
Newly divorced and raising two kids, Saige isn’t quick to accept Mari’s help. She’s convinced he’ll leave her and the kids high and dry like her ex did. But Mari proves over and over that he’s nothing like her ex. Saige doesn’t make it easy, and I loved watching her walls slowly come down.
The tension with her ex who doesn’t like Mari “taking his place” despite being an absentee father added an extra layer of drama. And Saige’s character growth was such a pleasant surprise. Even as a strong, independent mother, she still had room to grow, and Campbell wrote that journey beautifully.
This was my first read from C.M. Campbell, and I loved it. The spice was just right, not overpowering the story but adding the perfect amount of heat. I can’t wait to dive into more of her work.
I received this book as an ARC, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own!
I enjoyed Saige and Mari’s story! Initially I thought Mari was intense, but his personality, and protective nature grew on me and I fell in love with his character. I totally understood why Saige was the way she was, people often took advantage of her so even when she was shown better it was hard to accept it!
I also loved Darius character! His personality reminded me of my daughter! She may have Autism but nothing gets by her and that’s how he was! Once he gave his opinion he was done with it!
Things moved fast in this book! While I loved the main characters for each other, things were instant and for me personally I wanted to slow it down just a smidge!
I also loved the songs attached to the chapters, it set the tone for the chapter for me! I listened to some as I read!
C.M. Campbell is a new to me author! And I enjoyed this read! It kept me on my toes and gave me a little bit of anxiety when it came to her ex and her mother (who both can go to hell)! I can’t wait to read more from her in the future!
It was enjoyable. There were a few times that I felt like was rereading a section word for word. For example when Mari went to visit his parents he mentioned how his mom was wrapped up in a blanket and when Saige met them it was written the same exact way. Also i’d like to know what Jazmine Sullivan song that is. I couldn’t find it. Anyways I wish Saige would have sought therapy after her divorce but seems like she was finally looking into for herself and the kids. Jemma was trifling. Seems like a lot of people with that name usually are. 😂🤷🏾♀️
The following are all the thoughts I had while reading this book so it may contains some spoilers:
Did it mention how long between Saige and Trevon divorcing and Saige meeting Mari? I would have liked for it to be at least two years.
When they were talking and Mari said “You still think I’m playin’ with you, huh?” is exactly why you should take time for yourself after ending a relationship. Seek therapy! Love on yourself. Work on yourself.
Trevon is trifling but you keep going to see Mari. Who is watching the kids. I’m thinking Trevon is but here he is at Mari’s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Who would have thought getting into a car accident could lead to meeting a man that came in and made everything better. Saige was carrying so much on her plate she didn’t know how to allow anyone to just help. She’s a single mother with a ain’t shyt ex husband and has a sorry ssa momma. Saige was strong because it was the only way she knew how to be. Too many things and too many people counted on her.
The day Saige met Mari he stepped like the big dawg he was and I was here for it. The way Mari came in and didn’t let up off Saige, yes because again here for it. Now I’m not saying this was a predictable read because it wasn’t. Saige didn’t always essentially make things easy for Mari. They had their ups and downs despite the attraction and the easiness between them. I just loved how they could talk things out, work things out, and the willingness to figure it out together even with forces trying to tear them apart.
This was the cutest little story and I enjoyed it and all the things it touched on, showed, and shared.
You definitely came out swinging for your debut!!!! Loved this story, it definitely hit home and was very relatable.
JEMMA!!!!!!! Needs to be put tf down. But she definitely represents a lot of mothers out there, thankfully not mine omg. I was happy Saige was standing up for herself with her.
Mari? A MAN okay A MAN. I love how he recognized her strength and it wasn't a damsel in distress tale. He saw a real one holding it down and wanted to carry it with her. Saige taught him how to love and show up for the people he loved as well.
Saige? I love her. A WOMAN okay A WOMAN. I love her. Handling business okay. I loved her journey of accepting help and love and feeling deserving. Literally I love her. I loved how even with all she had going on, she held space for Mari as well.
Trevon? He is so many men and he deserves what he got lol.
This was a really good book. Well written, everything was really vivid. I felt all the emotions reading this!
Saige, a single mother of two is navigating life after her ex-husband. On an already hectic day, Saige & Mari ends up crashing “literally” into one another. Who would’ve imagined what crashing into Big Daddy Mari would have entailed. This was A READ! There are heartfelt moments, growth & healing, minimal drama (Saige’s mom Jemma & ex-husband Trevon…. DIABOLICAL), and SPICE! Big Daddy Mari… Mr. Smooth Operator exuded BDE energy!. Mari proved to Saige that he wasn’t leaving/letting up… he stood ten toes down behind Saige & her kiddos, and also Saige’s brother Darius! He knew they were apart of her and there was still NO hesitation in pursuing her! Saige found her worth again despite all the foolery & I was delighted to see her BOSS up on her mom & ex-husband! Saige to Mari- “You made me feel safe enough to rest” - WHEW…YES, YES!
First I’d like to state that I LOVE an independent woman, but mannnnnn I really LOVEEEE when a man steps in & is a whole mannnnn!! From jump Mari was not coming up off of Saige at all!! He didn’t even let her little prickly attitude detour him from pursuing her mean self!! That woman has so many gotdamn walls up it would’ve been easier for that man to just walk away, but he continued to apply major pressure & knock all those down!! Then the little ex husband acting tough, yeahhhhh, had to little boy him REAL. QUICK!!!! This book had all the things needed. A FMC on top of her stuff, taking care of her responsibilities. A MMC that was determined to get the woman he needed & wanted & applied all gas, no breaks. Found family, just the right amount of drama!! LOVED! IT!!
I felt for my sista girl, Saige, who basically lives to hold everyone’s world together while slowly forgetting to pour into herself. Her head is in the books and her main focus is caring for her two children and autistic brother, living on autopilot. She just needs a break and for someone to step in so she doesn’t have to carry the weight of responsibilities on her shoulders alone. Then, she meets Mari, not on the greatest terms; however, he was everything she longed for.
This was an instalove, step daddy trope. Mari stepped in, showed up and showed out.
The pacing is quite fast, so there’s no real build up of the chemistry besides attraction.
Trevon. The ex-husband and baby daddy antics (along with Saige’s horrible mom) consumed a bulk of the story, so the romance at times fell into the shadow of the story.
Overall, it’s a good read. I’m happy for my girl, Saige!
I knew this book was going to be good! I just knew it!!
This is my first time reading this author and I am a fan. The storyline and character development was very good. I love everything about Saige and Damarion. They literally ran into each other and the rest is history.
I love it when a man is strong enough for the both of them. Mari knew that Saige needed him to help carry the load. She had been doing it on her own for so long until she didn't know how to receive it. But Mari didn't let that fear deter him. He stayed the course even after run ins with her raggedy mama and raggedy baby daddy.
Mari is a man's man. He doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the the walk as well.
This is a cute story. I like Damarian ‘Mari’ he is a nice man and likable. This is a story of an instant attraction for this man when he meets Saige after a car collision. Mari is a man who goes after what he wants. He knows that Saige is attracted to him and he uses that to his advantage. This man is supportive and serious from the beginning. The author makes sure we know that there is a reason Mari is the type of man he is. His actions do not completely feel out of character for him. We see his soft spot and care through his mother and who is physically ill and he makes sure that she knows that he wants to help her. We see that Saige is fearful of counting on people through her relationship with her ex husband and her neglectful and selfish mother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Whew this story really resonates with me! Saige is a single mother who works hard to provide for her family! She is surrounded by people/family who are just weighing her down mentally, emotionally and physically! She is a trying mama but she is tired of always being the strong one !!! Her mother and her ex husband whewwwwwww they irritate my entire soul!
As if things aren’t worse enough she ends up in a car accident and her car gets totaled! I guess you gotta read the book to find out the many trials and tribulations she endures to finally find peace, happiness, security and unconditional love!
I am a first-time reader for C.M, and I have to say I really enjoyed this read, so much so, I stayed up all night to finish it. The characters were beautifully written - well rounded grounded really well in reality, but so very tangible and enjoyable. We all want struggling single moms doing it on their own to find them a Mari and make life so much sweeter. I loved to hate the villians in this story they were trash for sure - come on, Jemma, what's up, really?
Car Accident change both there lives for the better
Mari bought that heat Saige was Afraid because Ex husband Trevon took her through a lot he was Emotional and Narcissist Couldn't handle her moving on UninstallHer mom was just as worst Saige was right mom was jealous of strength stand on there own without her ...
But once Saige let down her guard she actually got the chance to see what pure love look like ...
I’ve been following Miss camp on IG for a minute now so to see this book come into fruition, I’m like a proud sister. And the story? *chefs kiss* I was rooting for everything good for Saige and Damarion. Their love story start very unconventional; a literal parking lot car crash. This crash blossomed into the sweetest love filled with protection and safety. Such a beautiful story of redemption. 5 stars without a doubt!
This was a cute story by a new author (to me) as I’ve never read any of her books. Honest feedback - whereas I loved the story - ima lover girl through and through - I felt like it was rushed. Things happened so fast. I also wanted more moments with Darius. I don’t know what it was about this brother, but I really liked him. I enjoyed the story. I mean who doesn’t love a good love story where the woman finally gets her soulmate!! Overall, I loved the book!!
This was my worst read to date. There was absolutely no character or story development. The reader has to fill in the gaps and assume a lot. It’s like a main idea with no supporting facts or anything. The idea behind the story is great, but there are A LOT of errors in the book and the writing is mediocre at best.
A lot of the chapter are like two pages long and there’s a ton of repetition. I hate I don’t enjoy this as I really wanted to like it