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A Justified Love Affair
Emmanuel Santiago has thoroughly enjoyed his bachelor lifestyle. With money, a life of luxury, and women at his disposal, he seems to have it all. He has no immediate plans of settling down with one woman and starting a family. Then he meets her. What was supposed to be a one-night stand quickly turns into a love affair that neither of them saw coming. She taps into his vulnerability and without even realizing it, Emmanuel is falling for a woman who should be forbidden.
Racine Bradley thought she had a happy marriage until her husband's ugly truths find their way into her home. She discovers he's been having an affair and now, she wants out. Her husband, however, refuses to sign the divorce papers. Heartbroken and angry, Racine's petty attempt at getting her lick back lands her in Sullivan's Coffee Tavern where she meets a man she has no intention of seeing again after a night of passion and pleasure.
When tensions arise and emotions come into play, Racine finds herself entangled in the web of the temping stranger who is so much more than meets the eye. Emmanuel discovers a side of himself that no one knew existed, not even him. While two wrongs don't make a right, everything growing between these two feels just that. Will Racine and Emmanuel fall victim to an affair that shouldn't have been or will the love grow and prevail through it all?
Racine Bradley thought she had a happy marriage until her husband's ugly truths find their way into her home. She discovers he's been having an affair and now, she wants out. Her husband, however, refuses to sign the divorce papers. Heartbroken and angry, Racine's petty attempt at getting her lick back lands her in Sullivan's Coffee Tavern where she meets a man she has no intention of seeing again after a night of passion and pleasure.
When tensions arise and emotions come into play, Racine finds herself entangled in the web of the temping stranger who is so much more than meets the eye. Emmanuel discovers a side of himself that no one knew existed, not even him. While two wrongs don't make a right, everything growing between these two feels just that. Will Racine and Emmanuel fall victim to an affair that shouldn't have been or will the love grow and prevail through it all?
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Published May 14, 2024
535 people are currently reading
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About the author
Kimberly Brown
52 books1,796 followersKimberly Brown is a South Carolina born and raised author of contemporary/urban romance. She strives to create stories that readers can visualize in their heads as the pages turn. Writing has been a part of her journey since a young age but really became a focal point during her high school years. With the support of her classmates, she began sharing her love of words with others. In 2019 she took her first step towards becoming a serious writer with self-publishing. August of 2021, she made her BLP debut with “Pretty Caged Bird” and is continuing to grow her catalog. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a pending masters in Mental Health Counseling, Kimberly loves to incorporate mental health into her writings as she feels it is not talked about or address enough within the African American community.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
February 5, 2024
One thing KB gon’ do is give us a salacious infidelity storyline and I’m always here for it. Racine is in her get back era. Sis came home from work one day and caught her triflin’ azz husband of eight years f*ckin’ Becky from the Office in their bed. Now, that’s what you call doubling down on the disrespect. Racine does what any woman would do in that moment. She beat both of their azzes until the white meat showed. Nathan and Charlie caught that two piece with a free extra biscuit. Fast forward six months, Racine gets dolled up in her freakum dress every Friday evening and leaves the house lookin’ like a tall glass of sin ready for somebody’s son to blow her back out. But, in reality, she’s just going to her favorite coffee shop to read a book. While she’s heartbroken over Nathan’s cheating, Racine is not quite ready to pull the trigger and jump start lick back season just yet. All of that changes when she walks through the doors of Sullivan’s Coffee Tavern and locks eyes with a handsome stranger rockin’ a Boosie fade. Emmanuel pulls up on Sully for a quick hi and bye and is immediately smitten with the curvy cutie prancing his way. Given her current ‘it’s complicated’ situation, Sully tries his best to talk his twin out of pursuing Racine but, Emmanuel ain’t tryin’ to hear that. “She’s either getting divorced, or that nigga cheated first. Either way, baby is looking to get her lick back and that ass tapped.” 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Emmanuel play all day. He may have been committed to his lifelong bachelor lifestyle but, Emmanuel has finally found his rib and he is hell bent on changing her last name to Santiago the minute the ink is dry on her divorce papers. I loved this book. The title was very fitting because, Racine was 1000% justified in fornicating with Emmanuel. And, baby did she fornicate. Whew! 😏😏😏😏 It was great catching up with Audrey, Sully, Ariya, and the rest of the Santiago clan. A Justified Love Affair came through with all of the second chance feels and, once again, proves why KB is the GOAT in the black Indie literary world.
February 3, 2024
I "one more chapter" myself to death until I looked up and it was 5:30 in the morning. I'm going to be sleepy as hell today but, this book was worth it. I really enjoyed watching the king of no commitment finally fall in love. Well done KB.
February 2, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 Stars…not a bad story…
February 18, 2024
4.5 😜😍🤗😥😍
I really enjoyed this story; 4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Check Content Warnings
Trope: Black Love, one nightstand, guy falls first, found family,
Enjoyment: 4.5 ⭐
Character development: 4 ⭐
Emotional: 3 ⭐
Sweet: 4 ⭐
Romance: 4 ⭐
Heat\steam: 4 ⭐
Intrigue: 4 ⭐
Action: 0 ⭐
Violence: 1.5⭐
Story\plot: 4 ⭐
World Building: 3.5 ⭐
Enjoy!!!
I really enjoyed this story; 4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Check Content Warnings
Trope: Black Love, one nightstand, guy falls first, found family,
Enjoyment: 4.5 ⭐
Character development: 4 ⭐
Emotional: 3 ⭐
Sweet: 4 ⭐
Romance: 4 ⭐
Heat\steam: 4 ⭐
Intrigue: 4 ⭐
Action: 0 ⭐
Violence: 1.5⭐
Story\plot: 4 ⭐
World Building: 3.5 ⭐
Enjoy!!!
January 14, 2025
Racine x Emmanuel
I'll start off by saying I didn't like Emmanuel… at first. I barely liked Racine either. But Emmanuel grew on me, and by the end, his heart won me over. As for Racine, I think my morals kicked in, thinking "we don't fight fire with fire" and all that. But then I thought:The
1. This is a book.
2. He stepped out with a Becky?!
3. Nah, sis, get your lick back tenfold!
4. Someone needs to tag both Becky and Nathan ahh.
Racine was justified, and honestly, I was rooting for her. Do it that sĥịṭ again, girl.
I loved watching (or reading about) Emmanuel mature and fall in love, catering to and loving Racine even before he knew her loved her.
This was a fun read, with lots of love...despite the sucky narrators.
I'll start off by saying I didn't like Emmanuel… at first. I barely liked Racine either. But Emmanuel grew on me, and by the end, his heart won me over. As for Racine, I think my morals kicked in, thinking "we don't fight fire with fire" and all that. But then I thought:The
1. This is a book.
2. He stepped out with a Becky?!
3. Nah, sis, get your lick back tenfold!
4. Someone needs to tag both Becky and Nathan ahh.
Racine was justified, and honestly, I was rooting for her. Do it that sĥịṭ again, girl.
I loved watching (or reading about) Emmanuel mature and fall in love, catering to and loving Racine even before he knew her loved her.
This was a fun read, with lots of love...despite the sucky narrators.
February 3, 2024
This book started off with a bang and I just knew I was in for a spicy read. Emmanuel was a bachelor and he LOVED doing bachelor things. He was nasty in a GOODT way😜 That was until he ran into Racine, despite her not being all the way available he felt a connection to her. He was determined to make her his despite the messy relationship she was in.
Racine's life as she knew it had been unraveling for several months. Realizing her marriage of 8 years was thrown away by her husband. She set out to get her lick back, but ended up actually feeling a connection to Emmanuel.
Unfortunately this book started dragging around the 60% mark. It was overly detailed and felt like a lot of fluff. Don't get me wrong the seggs scenes were good, Emmanuel had BDE, but I don't think we needed this much story. I always want more, but in this case I think we needed less. I think this could have been a spicy novella with less fluff and still ended up with the same outcome. Also the editing could have been tighter..misspelled words along with things being out of order with the flow of the story.
KB is still a must read author for me, I just didn't connect with the book.
Racine's life as she knew it had been unraveling for several months. Realizing her marriage of 8 years was thrown away by her husband. She set out to get her lick back, but ended up actually feeling a connection to Emmanuel.
Unfortunately this book started dragging around the 60% mark. It was overly detailed and felt like a lot of fluff. Don't get me wrong the seggs scenes were good, Emmanuel had BDE, but I don't think we needed this much story. I always want more, but in this case I think we needed less. I think this could have been a spicy novella with less fluff and still ended up with the same outcome. Also the editing could have been tighter..misspelled words along with things being out of order with the flow of the story.
KB is still a must read author for me, I just didn't connect with the book.
February 1, 2024
What do you do when coming home from a hard day of work, you catch your husband of ten years sleeping with another woman? Well for Racine Bradly her respond is “I’m Done”. However said cheating husband won’t leave. So what now? Well imma go put on my best freakem dress and make my husband pay. Enter straight shooter, class clown, best night of your life Emmaunel Santiago.
Emmanuel gives no F’s that Racine is married. To him she is just what the doctor order. Racine tries to push him away but one thing Mr. Santiago is used to is getting his way. There was a maturity happening in this book I don’t know if I’d be cool my exes new partner but because of how parties were upfront with the situation no drama was needed. Racine husband was full of it like he really thought if he kept denying the divorce she was going to turn around and forgive. No sir and mean for a lot of reasons why should she?
This was a definite you should read. Know this book is a spin off from “Expiration Date” which is also a good read.
Emmanuel gives no F’s that Racine is married. To him she is just what the doctor order. Racine tries to push him away but one thing Mr. Santiago is used to is getting his way. There was a maturity happening in this book I don’t know if I’d be cool my exes new partner but because of how parties were upfront with the situation no drama was needed. Racine husband was full of it like he really thought if he kept denying the divorce she was going to turn around and forgive. No sir and mean for a lot of reasons why should she?
This was a definite you should read. Know this book is a spin off from “Expiration Date” which is also a good read.
February 26, 2024
4.5 ⭐
I loved seeing Emmanuel absolutely gone over Racine. Just GONNNEEE. He fell fast and knowing pre Racine he was such a hoe made it so much better.
Loved getting caught up with Sully and Audrey and now I have to re-read their book because I love them so much!!
I loved seeing Emmanuel absolutely gone over Racine. Just GONNNEEE. He fell fast and knowing pre Racine he was such a hoe made it so much better.
Loved getting caught up with Sully and Audrey and now I have to re-read their book because I love them so much!!
May 15, 2024
Racine deserved all this after what she went through with her husband. A justified love affair indeed. Happy reading!
September 14, 2024
Y’all I loved this book so much. Racine, Racine, Racine. Sis was the best FMC I’ve read. If you go low and imma go straight to hell was a person it was Rae. Baby, her husband thought he was gonna make a fool outta her and she beat him at his own game. The way she got her lick back, reminded him what he would never have again, and stood on business. YASSSSSS SIS!!!!
Who would have thought the pretty lady who walks into your brother’s coffee lounge would be someone you decide to pursue despite her little situation. Baby, Emmanuel never expected to pursue a woman who should have been deemed off the market BUT here we are. Emmanuel met Rae and never left her go. He was the perfect man, if ever one existed.
He was soft for her and her only. He was gentle, he listened, he cared, he pampered, and he showed up for her every single time in any way she needed him. His patience was unmatched. He was exactly who she never knew was someone she would need or want. They legit brought the best out of each other and Emmanuel loved her while she healed. Baby the epilogue will forever live rent free in my head. You did that Miss Brown. Loved Manny and Rae down!!!!
Stamped,
The Urban Fiction Librarian
Who would have thought the pretty lady who walks into your brother’s coffee lounge would be someone you decide to pursue despite her little situation. Baby, Emmanuel never expected to pursue a woman who should have been deemed off the market BUT here we are. Emmanuel met Rae and never left her go. He was the perfect man, if ever one existed.
He was soft for her and her only. He was gentle, he listened, he cared, he pampered, and he showed up for her every single time in any way she needed him. His patience was unmatched. He was exactly who she never knew was someone she would need or want. They legit brought the best out of each other and Emmanuel loved her while she healed. Baby the epilogue will forever live rent free in my head. You did that Miss Brown. Loved Manny and Rae down!!!!
Stamped,
The Urban Fiction Librarian
February 2, 2024
I'll have to process it and come back. I'm not sure how I feel about this story. It was ok. 3.5 stars.
October 14, 2024
3.5 Stars
The story was good but the female narrator really did the story a disservice.
The story was good but the female narrator really did the story a disservice.
February 5, 2024
Emmanuel Santiago 😮💨🫶🏾♥️. i am obsessed! he was everything and more. he was sweet, gentle, freaky and all about his woman Racine. i thought his brother Sully was going to be hard to compete with but Emmanuel proved me wrong. this book gave me all the feels.
April 25, 2024
Kimberly Brown knows how to write a damn good lick back book! Because hunni this lick back was EVERYTHING I needed and wanted.
June 17, 2024
Plot:
Originality:
Narration:
Spice:
Action:
Troupe:
Triggers:
Not a bad story. But like most contemporary reads, I found it to be uneventful.
Originality:
Narration:
Spice:
Action:
Troupe:
Triggers:
Not a bad story. But like most contemporary reads, I found it to be uneventful.
April 3, 2025
4.75 stars because this fit the bill as a palette cleanser for other genres I’ve been reading, plus I was thoroughlyyy entertained lol. Some of the spicy scenes dialogue bordered on cringe but for the most part I was giggling and kicking my feet the entire book. 🤭
There was very little conflict for Emmanuel and Racine being together, which I didn’t mind because most of the book was them just enjoying each other and falling in love. 💞
As usual, I love a strong, doting, reliable MMC that rides for his girl unapologetically so Emmanuel was 10/10 no notes for me. He was everything Racine needed and I believe sometimes people can be loved into healing, so it didn’t bother me much that she had lingering baggage in this case.
My only thing was that the epilogue was LOADED. What do you mean a pregnancy announcement (with TWINS), an engagement, and a pre setup wedding all in the same paragraph? lol omgggg 😭😂
I didn’t even realize this was a spinoff until the end actually, so to not have had any prior attachment to the characters beforehand, I really appreciated the storytelling. Racine was a great lesson on what it means to stand on business because Ms. Girl stuck to her guns to the VERY end and never let up. There were several points in the story where I feel like people would’ve typically shown mercy. She brought a certain Kendrick Lamar energy that I find inspirational, I’m
not gonna lie! 😂
Solid book — entertainment value, and fun to read. 🎀✨
There was very little conflict for Emmanuel and Racine being together, which I didn’t mind because most of the book was them just enjoying each other and falling in love. 💞
As usual, I love a strong, doting, reliable MMC that rides for his girl unapologetically so Emmanuel was 10/10 no notes for me. He was everything Racine needed and I believe sometimes people can be loved into healing, so it didn’t bother me much that she had lingering baggage in this case.
My only thing was that the epilogue was LOADED. What do you mean a pregnancy announcement (with TWINS), an engagement, and a pre setup wedding all in the same paragraph? lol omgggg 😭😂
I didn’t even realize this was a spinoff until the end actually, so to not have had any prior attachment to the characters beforehand, I really appreciated the storytelling. Racine was a great lesson on what it means to stand on business because Ms. Girl stuck to her guns to the VERY end and never let up. There were several points in the story where I feel like people would’ve typically shown mercy. She brought a certain Kendrick Lamar energy that I find inspirational, I’m
not gonna lie! 😂
Solid book — entertainment value, and fun to read. 🎀✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2024
If How Did You Get Here was a person
....you get this gem.
What happens when you decide to get your lick back because you found your hubby of 10 years full on cheating on you in your martial bed BUT the lick back decides he likes you enough to wife you, even though you are married AND you found out that the hubby who didn't want kids got the side check preggers....
You keep it together like Rae did. She handled all of the drama and stress of her cheating husband like a real mature woman. It was refreshing to read about a teacher and even more to see her behavior like a emotional BOSS
Emmanuel fell and he fell hard but he stayed a filthy bedroom talker and taker the whole time. He made scenes 🩲 melting 🔥 . The scenes were just right. Even when the story felt a little long it was a breeze to get through. Definitely be reading this author again.
....you get this gem.
What happens when you decide to get your lick back because you found your hubby of 10 years full on cheating on you in your martial bed BUT the lick back decides he likes you enough to wife you, even though you are married AND you found out that the hubby who didn't want kids got the side check preggers....
You keep it together like Rae did. She handled all of the drama and stress of her cheating husband like a real mature woman. It was refreshing to read about a teacher and even more to see her behavior like a emotional BOSS
Emmanuel fell and he fell hard but he stayed a filthy bedroom talker and taker the whole time. He made scenes 🩲 melting 🔥 . The scenes were just right. Even when the story felt a little long it was a breeze to get through. Definitely be reading this author again.
June 4, 2025
Baby! I love me some Emmanuel Santiago! Kimberly is going to give us a wild scenario with some well rounded and developing characters. Emmanuel was applying pressure to my girl Racine but hell she needed that after her bum of husband. He found what he didn’t know he needed or was looking for. It snatched him up so fast he couldn’t let go.
Racine was not playing. That bum messed up and she was DONE! She was talking facts to that bum because old dude needed to understand there’s no coming back.
The way these two started is not ideal for a lot of people but things happen. They’re grown but also i enjoyed how Kim made them become like friends at the same time. Emmanuel really has a good heart and he’s a stepper. Racine just needed to know that there are still good men out here that want to take care of your heart and body.
Everything from their love, families and occupation was well written.
Racine was not playing. That bum messed up and she was DONE! She was talking facts to that bum because old dude needed to understand there’s no coming back.
The way these two started is not ideal for a lot of people but things happen. They’re grown but also i enjoyed how Kim made them become like friends at the same time. Emmanuel really has a good heart and he’s a stepper. Racine just needed to know that there are still good men out here that want to take care of your heart and body.
Everything from their love, families and occupation was well written.
February 1, 2024
definitely justified
Emmanuel…whew. I got chills reading about him. It was sweet watching him fall from Racine. While her situation was messy, she was a sweetheart that was dealt a bad hand by a no good man. I love how their love bloomed in spite of the lingering proceedings. Manny knew what he wanted and stopped at nothing to get her. Rae sure was one lucky woman. Nathan was pathetic. He wasn’t sorry about anything he did, only that she stood on business and left. Charlie was trash.
Emmanuel…whew. I got chills reading about him. It was sweet watching him fall from Racine. While her situation was messy, she was a sweetheart that was dealt a bad hand by a no good man. I love how their love bloomed in spite of the lingering proceedings. Manny knew what he wanted and stopped at nothing to get her. Rae sure was one lucky woman. Nathan was pathetic. He wasn’t sorry about anything he did, only that she stood on business and left. Charlie was trash.
February 3, 2024
A justified love affair
What I loved about this book was Rae. She came in broken and Hurt with all these feelings of a marriage going bad. In comes Emmanuelle, Her peace that she didn't know that she needed. They were very good together Excluding the world out. It was great catching up with the rest of the family and friends. Thank you Ms. Kimberly Brown for giving us beautiful black love .
What I loved about this book was Rae. She came in broken and Hurt with all these feelings of a marriage going bad. In comes Emmanuelle, Her peace that she didn't know that she needed. They were very good together Excluding the world out. It was great catching up with the rest of the family and friends. Thank you Ms. Kimberly Brown for giving us beautiful black love .
February 1, 2024
Emmanuel, my oh my
This man was something else. I love how he respected her boundaries, but still bulldozed them at the same time 😂 This guy was not lacking in BDE and he definitely was the king of backing it up! Bedroom was on fiyah! 😅 My pearls were clutched. That mirror scene? Whew! Ok “Mrs. Bradley!” I have to add, Kimberly Brown has some kind of wicked talent, because why did I feel sorry for that husband? Loved it!
This man was something else. I love how he respected her boundaries, but still bulldozed them at the same time 😂 This guy was not lacking in BDE and he definitely was the king of backing it up! Bedroom was on fiyah! 😅 My pearls were clutched. That mirror scene? Whew! Ok “Mrs. Bradley!” I have to add, Kimberly Brown has some kind of wicked talent, because why did I feel sorry for that husband? Loved it!
February 4, 2025
This was not my favorite from Kimberly Brown, however, I always love the question of morals with each of her books and the internal question of “what’s right/acceptable.” Racine definitely grew on me throughout the book, and I was not a fan of Emmanuel throughout the book, he got me at the end, however.
March 9, 2025
Aww this book was amazing , I had no idea it was a spin off , but I enjoy every moment . I was hope that I get to know more about each family member from expiration date and this book did just that and everyone loved a happy endings. Congrats to those two fine ass twin on getting two beautiful women 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
January 30, 2025
Audio
Good read. Very Entertaining and really kept my attention. I liked both characters. I was rooting for her and I was happy she got her get back.
I always pissed when women don't take what they are owed in court. That ticked me off! lol.
Good read. Will check out more from her.
Good read. Very Entertaining and really kept my attention. I liked both characters. I was rooting for her and I was happy she got her get back.
I always pissed when women don't take what they are owed in court. That ticked me off! lol.
Good read. Will check out more from her.
October 7, 2025
this was spicyyyy , Emmanuel is a player who begins falling for Racine , a married woman who’s separated from her husband . this was sooo good . I loved Emmanuel’s character development & that Racine was able to get her lick back and a happy ending !
December 5, 2025
Sooooo good 😌 I actually loved this storyline a little better than the first one but both books are sooo good I just hate when women hide kids from good men just because of their insecurities…this one was about a women finding her soulmate it the worst way 👏🏽 😂🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2024
Wonderfully written
I like everything about this book. It was well written and the plot was great. It was a true love story. I'm a sucker for a good romance novel.
I like everything about this book. It was well written and the plot was great. It was a true love story. I'm a sucker for a good romance novel.
June 1, 2024
I'm usually not a fan of love affairs, but this one was truly justified!!
July 12, 2024
I enjoyed this book. I was very happy with the ending!
January 26, 2025
This was a great ending to the Santiago family's story. Emmanuel meets Ray when her and her husband are falling apart and he is there to pick up her pieces.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews