Applying Pressure: A Love Story

by Shvonne Latrice

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD."— Proverbs 18:22

Myomi Ford has been unlucky in love since she experienced her first crush. Although in a new relationship, she has an unsettling feeling that her current man Xion is just like the others. But without proof, she is left wondering, suspecting, and predicting, which has naturally caused a rift in her relationship. All the beauty has ever wished for was for someone to be about her and love her as deeply as she loved them. At the moment, however, that seems impossible to find.

Enter Ocean Pendrell, the handsome, talented, skyscraping quarterback for the Los Angeles Gremlins. He's forward, with a no-nonsense personality, and most of all, persistent.

Growing up with an irritable and spurned grandfather who harbors a great hatred for women, Ocean has been taught to use women for what they've got then toss them out for a brand new one. Living by such a motto has been no issue at all until he runs across the beautiful Myomi, who is unimpressed with his celebrity, but, more importantly, a taken woman. Ocean quickly realizes that Myomi is the woman God has purposefully placed before him. From there, he sets out to advance what he believes is God's will, building a blissful and happy life with her, free of any haters, distractions, roadblocks, and … current significant others. Going to astonishing lengths to be sure he and Myomi end up together, Ocean grants Myomi's wish to find a love so deep and that is meant only for her.

In this love story filled with secrets, betrayal, and obsession, Myomi will learn the true meaning behind being careful of what you wish for. Will Ocean go too far, ruining what could've been a great love? Or will his plan to catch Myomi in his web of love tangle her so profoundly that she has no choice but to fall for his extraordinary charms?

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Sports Romance, Urban, Dark Romance, African American, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published December 19, 2023

Reviews

[Jahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sideeye SIDEEYE , I’m thinking Ocean was gonna give BDE no his ass was just crazy lol. Giving Joe 2.0 I couldn’t even tell you why I kept reading but this was entertaining because it just didn’t make sense.

[TANISHA LEONARD · Rating 1 out of 5]

Issa No for me

I’ve read every book by this author and this is probably the worst book yet. I guess she was trying to urbanized the show “YOU” and I can’t deal. There is nothing cute about stalking. Ocean needs to be checked out and let’s be real no sane woman would want a man doing all this for her. He had cameras in her bedroom, house, and office! I couldn’t even finish the book 🤦🏾‍♀️ I was really looking forward to a new release from Shvonne and she definitely disappointed me.

[Sharon Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have called this man your book bae… lmfaooo I have words for you! I like my book men a little unhinged but baby what do you call this? This man was not crazy. He was a lunatic and past insane. 🤣 & Myomi girl! You didn’t stand up long enough for me after the revelation. He would’ve been as good as gone👮🏽‍♂️. I did enjoy the story though, it kept me interested. I also liked the bestfriend and his friend little story. However, it was a bit predictable.

54 highlights of me telling this man to basically BFFR.

[Symone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, Ocean needs to be locked away in solitary.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid read, but let’s talk about Ocean for a second. Myomi already liked you, bruh you didn’t need to be out here doing the absolute most. Like, sir, relax. And don’t get me started on Myomi acting like all the weird stuff happening around her was just random. Girl, none of this mess started until Ocean waltzed into your life. Coincidence? I think not! But overall, it was a good book… even if both of them were getting on my nerves!

[Wind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ocean is certifiably unhinged like full on psycho vibes. He’s manipulative to the max, and while I get the whole applying pressure concept when you're pursuing someone, this man took too far. Honestly if this is what pressure looks like you can keep it!
Myomi is just as chaotic as Ocean. And let’s be real who lets their man act that wild and disrespectful toward their boss without blinking? The drama was entertaining but whew the toxicity was off the charts.

[Cassandra Jerido · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst Book Ever!’

Ocean was so rude, so uncouth, so ignorant that it turned me off. There was nothing attractive about his behavior.

[JBucky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

They say there is somebody for everybody & Ocean & Myomi BELONG together, cause HUH 🤔!?

The man needs medical help & until then needs to be locked away, cause HUH 🤔!?

All that wasn’t even necessary 😅, like HUH 🤔!?

The storyline was actually decent, but that man was touched by the devil .. cause ……… HUHHHHHHHHHH 🤔!?

[BlackBookVibes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting..... 🤔

3 1/2 satrs....Ok, I love a dark romance but this one had some plot issues and lacked character development that made the book fall flat. The whole time I kept thinking "why" is Ocean doing all this killing/stalking and the only thing I could recall was Myomi was a challenge and not like other girls. That's it... that's all. I was searching for more like maybe past issues or tiggers or emotional compatibility.... nope she just turned him down and he like that and wanted her. Myomi and Ocean love wasn't really sparks, it was technically manufactured by him but it slowing grow a little. I wish the character's background were more developed, i couldn't grasp who he was and why he had to propensity to murder.

Travie and Kinsley storying had me intrigued. I found myself more focused on them. Travie actually getting to know Kinsley and falling for her when he didn't want to was my favorite part. He was struggling.... but them lies caught up and she made him work for that 2nd chance!

I would recommend this book if you are into darkish urban romances.

[Mia Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lol

I don't think I want a love like Ocean, lol. I want everyone to stay alive. This was a little crazy, but I enjoyed it though. Happy for Kinley and Travie.

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 4 out of 5]

🥷

Entertaining story, moves fast with a hint of suspense and lots of blood shed. Ocean is a QB in the NFL, he is a known hothead with a short temper. Myomi is in PR and has her eyes set on reeling Ocean in as a client. The instant attraction was evident from their first encounter. Ocean quickly shows how far he will go to get Myomi to be his; if you need an example of, “by any means necessary” Ocean provides this. The lengths he went to get Myomi had my jaw dropped. I was interested in seeing how things would end for these two, I wish we got to see more of them as a couple after all was forgiven.

[Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte' · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Ocean did not give me butterflies but he was surely unhinged… I love a good unhinged man 😂😂😂

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like Ocean AT ALL. There was nothing redeeming about him. I did not want him to win. I love me an aggressive, possessive ass book bae. But he was just a dickhead. I don't see why someone would be ok with a man disrespecting everybody he comes across just because he can, as long as he doesn't disrespect her. He had no arc whatsoever, so the book seemed to just be about shocking readers with his crazy ass antics. I liked the best friend and Travvy much better. At first I was annoyed with their POV's being included, because it just seemed tossed in. And it still was. Like even though they were both important secondary characters, their relationship was irrelevant to the plot, which was Ocean's nutty ass going to all the lengths he did to get Myomi. Considering that, I should not have been more interested in those two than I was in the main characters.

And Myomi was way too fucking calm when she found out ALL the shit he did! She was acting like they were just having a spat.

The book was definitely entertaining, but it wasn't a love story.

[Jaleesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I am so torn on this book. Let's start with Ocean is UNHINGED. While reading this story I found myself asking what is his issue I had to remind myself this is a book and he's not an actual person. While I enjoyed the story overall it left some things to be desired. I didn't really understand why Ocean was the way he was. I needed more background on him and I feel like that would have helped me connect more with his character. Also, the sports aspect was a little frustrating for me. I'm a football fan, and some things were so unrealistic it took me out of the story at times. Like the #1 QB in the NFL is not going to get on a postgame interview and drop F bombs, lol. I did enjoy watching Ocean and Myomi "fall in love". I also enjoyed the subplot with Kinley and Travie. I was fully invested in them and could definitely go for more of those two. As for Ocean and Myomi, i just have to say I wish them luck and I hope some therapy is in their future because they both need it. This book made me react so I'll definitely be reading more from this author.

[Jeanette H.]

And the most unhinged MMC is definitely Ocean. Sir WTF. 😳

[Jamee Douglas · Rating 1 out of 5]

That’s a no for me

While I can appreciate a love that is so passionate it makes you do things you’ve never done before, I can’t appreciate the toxicity that is Ocean. Standing up and fighting/protecting your love is one thing, but unnecessary killing,stalking, cameras, again a big no for me. Ocean was certifiably insane. 🤦🏾‍♀️ This is my first and probably only read for this author. It was too much!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stalker to lovers is not a trope that I expected. 😂😂😂 I do not ever in life want that Ocean kind of love. Just leave me alone.

Giving this 3⭐️ because although Ocean is certifiably insane and his obsession was on the side of being committed, the story was a fun listen. I got a good laugh out of this Tubi movie like book. I actually kind of liked Travi and Kenley’s story.

[Nay · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I seen Ocean compared to BDE Demon I had to read. Demon was a saint compared to this unhinged psychopath. Only one killing was justified. She just made a Joe2.0 but made him black only difference was he didn’t have wondering eyes like Joe.

[Taees_Cozy_Corner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay yall, this is hard for me. I always struggle with sharing a review if I didn’t enjoy the book. I don’t want a page full of book I read that were only good because for me, a picky reader I read just as many books that I don’t enjoy. So I am deciding to share those books as well. I will always be respectful to the author because I understand this is someone work and they have feeling too. It’s never my intent to be rude or hurt anyone, just want to give my honest opinion.

Now with that said this was a complete no for me. Honestly I am surprised I continued to listen it because i discovered early on I was not interested I just hoped it would get better. I am all for an unhinged man but Ocean was a childish killer. Instead of him taking no for an answer he went out his way to make Myomi feel she was in danger in order to need him. Now he was good to her and did truly want her but the way of going about it was just not cool. The thing that really was a disappointment was how he kept killing people who did any little thing to her and never considered how it would affect her. The man she went on a date with and his aunt, like seriously?? He goes missing after being out with her then the aunt goes missing after confronting her, you don’t think detectives will look at her as a suspect? This to me showed his age and immaturity. Then he force his friend/employee Travis to date Kinley( Myomi best friend), to get information on her to use to force her to love him. That wouldn’t have been so bad but he didn’t care about her friend. Kept calling her out her name (B*tch) and telling Travie to just use her and ghost her. Like dummy that’s ur girl best friend, you don’t care if she’s hurt? Myomi was so ditzy she refused to see how all these things started after he showed up. She was convinced her man would never !!!

Travie and Kinley story was so crazy. He lied about everything like how did he plan to move forward with all the lies 😒..

[Ambra | ambreadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
- This was an entertaining story. I was invested to see how the story would end.
- Ocean was a psycho for sure. He was definitely giving Joe (from You) vibes. He applied more than pressure to secure Miyomi’s heart.
- I enjoyed Travie and Kinley’s subplot too. Travie was a lil loco himself too, lol.

[Crystal Luckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pressure was real...

Ocean had his sights on Myomi and wouldn’t let anything or anybody stop him from having her. Myomi just landed a contract with Ocean Pindrell, one of her biggest clients, and she wasn't going to let him ruin that with a relationship. When Ocean should Myomi how she should be treated and what her life would be like with him, she caved a little, until crazy things started happening in her life.

Now, don't get me wrong, what Ocean did to get Myomi was diabolical, but he really loved her. Myomi knew what she deserved from a man, and seeing what Ocean did to win her was cute to watch. This story had my jaw on the floor, my gutt busting at the seams with laughter and my heart swelling for their love.

Also, what I didn't know I needed was the love story of Travie and Kinley. Travie was just doing his job. He didn't realize he would meet the woman of his dreams. Kinley was such a great woman and friend, and she and Travie were perfect for each other.

This was my first book but this author and I can't wait to get into her catalog.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually I want a book to be longer but I wanted this one to hurry up and end. This was “You” but with melanin. I only kept reading because I’m nosy and so that I could find out how Myomi and Ocean were going to work after finding out how he really was. I like my MMCs a little unhinged BUT I like them unhinged for a reason and I feel like Ocean did a lot of things that were truly unnecessary, so it made him seem crazy and unstable. Idk how I felt about the FMC either. I gave her the benefit of the doubt even though it took her a little too long to put things together. But then she didn’t stand on business long enough for me after the reveal. I read this because TikTok kept saying Ocean was bae…he might be somebody’s but not mine. lol

[Shakeria Sharie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shvonne is one of my favorite authors, so it was hard for me to leave a three star review. I love that all her male characters are toxic and crazy, but this was just too much. I didn’t feel any growth in this book it just kept going and ocean didn’t even seem appealing or sexy. There wasn’t any build up just crazy people.

[Tamiklia Parker · Rating 1 out of 5]

18%

I tried to get into this book but I couldn’t make it. No way is stalking is applying pressure. And yes he were stalking. Ocean went way beyond normal actions. I only made it to 18% because I couldn’t understand why the book was moving so slow and most of it centered on ways to invade her privacy. The camera in her house was too far and no where near attractive. I gave up.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unhinged, not in a good way.

[Latazia · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★
_____

❥ Ocean was a MANIAC! That man had me dying laughing every time he opened his mouth. Sometimes I feel like he took things too far in certain circumstances but he stood on his word every time.
❥ I kinda loved Kinley and Travie for some reason more than Ocean and Myomi. Their relationship seemed more real to me honestly and I was shipping them even though Travie pissed me off.
_____

I didn’t know this was a stalker romance going into it so I don’t think I was prepared for the chaos this book brought. This book will definitely keep you entertained and turning pages. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stalker romances for sure.

[JazzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ocean is unhinged

3.5 Ocean is the definition of unhinged because everything he did to get the FMC was wild. He was killing people and getting stuff done on the field. He was not stopping until he had the FMC even when she had a boyfriend. Travis situation was crazy....like spying for this friend wad crazy. This book kept me entertained start to finish.

[Fatimah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ocean definitely applied pressure but it was certified nut case pressure! He was a psychopath & definitely took things beyond crazy. Myomi & Kinley didn’t stand on business at all. Travie should have got jumped by Carsyn and Kinley if you ask me.

Favorite Quote- “Only a scared man lies, and I ain’t scared of much. I only fear God.”

[Lee Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shvonne calling this a love story is actually WILD! Ocean is certifiable! Like I've read some unhinged men but Ocean Pendrell takes the damn cake. Idk if I'm intrigued or disturbed but it was a great time.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dude was off his rocker but so Myomi 😂😂