ENIGMA: A Winston Hills Novel

by C.M. Barnes

Dr. Layanna James has mastered the art of healing broken hearts—except her own. At forty, she's one of the world’s top cardiothoracic surgeons, but the sudden loss of her husband Angel has left her emotionally hollow and clinging to the routine of a life that no longer fits.

Caleb Black knows grief intimately. A retired pro athlete, he once dreamed of traveling the world with his wife, Maria—until illness stole her from him far too soon. Now grounded in Winston Hills, he finds unexpected solace in the one woman who truly understands his Layanna, his late best friend’s wife.

What begins as comfort between two grieving souls slowly simmers into something neither of them saw coming—desire, laughter, and a connection too strong to ignore. But love isn’t easy when it’s tangled in the past. As Layanna and Caleb navigate their growing feelings, they must also confront long-buried family secrets and the guilt that threatens to pull them apart.

Enigma is a deeply emotional, slow-burning tale of healing, forbidden desire, and the courage it takes to choose happiness—no matter how complicated the path. With steamy passion, honest vulnerability, and flashes of unexpected humor, C.M. Barnes delivers a story where love dares to grow in the cracks of heartbreak.

Genres: Romance, Erotica, African American Romance, Spicy, Why Choose, BDSM, Friends To Lovers

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2025

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLD YA MULEEEEEEEEEEE

This is probably one of the nastiest books I've read in a long time. I was literally clutching my pearls the entire time reading this. I had cross my legs so hard at one point of the book you woulda thought VECNA had got ahold of me the way my legs was twisted up. But not only was it beautifully nasty.. it had all of the emotional depth... the family trauma.. the mental awareness and healing but most of all unwavering love in a way society doesn't always deem as the "NORMAL" but who want to be normal?.. that's boring .. most of all... this book just felt GROWN.

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5
I don’t even know how to rate this one because my jaw is still on the floor!! Literally speechless! This was the SPICIEST book I have EVER read!! I really enjoyed the storyline while reading it. If you’re wanting to read a book about grown characters with kids in college that are trying to find love later in life, this definitely shares that story in a unique way!

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise in the synopsis seems like a touching, emotionally charged book. The author claims it’s a deeply emotional, slow burn. The cover is bland and unassuming. Slow burn where? Bland cover…don’t be fooled! This book is Hoarders level nasty! The hunching is early and often. As a smut connoisseur I am rarely surprised by sexual content in books. However, I can’t even tell you the amount of times I said “oh wow” or sat with my mouth agape while reading this book. At some points I was like damn again?!? All that I’m still gonna read book 2 coming out on 8/8. 😆

[Sihle 🪻🌸🌷🌼🌝 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I knew this was a polycule going in, but I won’t lie , this had so much potential to be an incredible monogamous story, which is probably why I’m disappointed. Not even because it’s poly( I love poly stories), but because everyone keeps talking about being “committed” and “exclusive” while doing the exact opposite. Like… commitment where?? At this rate they’ll keep adding people until it becomes a stadium 😭

The spice was definitely spicy, honestly the entire book was straight up p*rn. But the connections? The Wi-Fi was down. Too much smut and not enough emotional buildup just doesn’t work for me, maybe it’s the demisexual in me. I need to feel why these people are drawn to each other, not just be told they are.

And why is everyone dating everyone?? The parents, the kids, the friends, the exes, the coworkers, it genuinely started feeling weird. Not every relationship needs to turn romantic or sexual. Some boundaries would’ve helped a lot.

[MARQUETTA · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @33%. This is not a slow burn romance. There is no romance. There is No plot. Just sex and more sex. The little bit of dialogue in the story is repetitive and kind of disgusting I hate when couples call each other daddy and mommy. Caleb and Yanna ain’t mourning shit.

[Ju Berrymore · Rating 5 out of 5]

DO NOT LET THE COVER FOOL YOU!! This is one of the most erotic eroticas I've read in a long time! These characters are in their 40s finding love after loss and exploring non-traditional non-monogamy while healing their traumas. Fans of Product of Streets by E. Bowser, The Oath by T.M. Richardson, and anything written by M.L. Bash will thoroughly enjoy this book. I'm excited for more stories from this author and the Winston Hills series.

[LayLay · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lil too freaked out for me. Couldn’t finish lol

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. I had to dive into this to see if the rumors were true. I thought I've read nasty before; how bad could it be right? Wrong, so wrong! This thang was FILTHY... Got damn! 🤯🤯😲 Now, I'm no prude, but I had to skim so parts, cause I ain't bout that life! 😂 Read at your own risk! Have you a drank, a cigarette, and some wipes on hand! Just saying... 🤷🏿‍♀️ Whew! 😜

[Keith Book Korner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would 100%. Recommend this book it is spicy and I mean very spicy so be warned.. It definitely have a good story between all the spice I throughly enjoyed this read
TikTok review coming soon

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sorry but I need a plot. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[Jahda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ALOT! like ALOT of sex … I know everyone grown but this type of grief is crazy. 😬😬 surprised I finished it.

[amirahlynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Update: this author pissed me off on Facebook and im tempted to take away my rating entirely. Stay out of groups for readers if you can’t handle slight negativity about your book. I literally said in the comments of my post that I gave it 4 stars yet she had the audacity to say I can’t “comprehend” what I’ve read. She said that to my direct comment about it being 4 stars, so she was fully aware that I had read and reviewed it but got butt hurt because I was asking other readers if I should finish it in my initial post. I was discussing her book, not hating on it and calling it trash either

Original review:
“There is so much freedom in living life for you, freedom in experiencing the pleasures your heart and pussy desires, freedom in being you unapologetically, you know that right?”

Alright now I have no clue how the hell CM Barnes got me hooked but she did her shit with this book!!! I didn’t even want to continue reading after the prologue. Angels friendship with Caleb was too cute and his love for Yanna was perfect and I just couldn’t imagine it coming to an end. Including Caleb with Maria and baby Cj. This dynamic of all of them together was so perfect in that prologue, I was just gonna put this book down forever😭😂

Spoilers*
I’m so glad I kept reading. But I never read a review letting me know this isn’t a monogamous relationship. We go from them two and then another couple and THEN another woman omg. It got intense. The spiciest I’ve read all year. There’s actual love and adoration in this poly relationship and it made it all the more special. There’s couple therapy, grief therapy, family therapy and heavy conversations that needed to be had and I’m happy the author included those. This could’ve been toxic but instead it was loving and everyone was consenting and in tune with each other the whole time

Minus a star for the whole… sticking tongues in asses… not for me💀

[Teyona · Rating 1 out of 5]

I DNF’d this book, I hate how it was written. It has not actual story line.

[EricaLenise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was recommended to me, and honestly, it was just okay for me. Now, did it give me all the “grown folk” activity on the page that I could handle? Absolutely. 🔥 But I was hoping for a fuller story to go with it.

Because there were so many things happening around the main characters, Caleb and Layanna’s romance felt like it got lost in the shuffle. I wanted more focus on them—their love, their connection, rather than all the moving pieces around them.

It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t give me everything I wanted either.

(3/5)

[KieraBeReading · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 61%. All they was doing was fucking, now I love a good smut, but damn make it make sense. Felt like a waste of time, and I may have lost a few brain cells in the process too 🫠 I need more substance.

[Kandice · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had potential in the beginning, but I need an actual plot

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice lovers gather round 😁

Enigma is super duper spicy, and if that’s what you’re here for, go ahead and clock in because you’re going to get that and then some. Barnes delivers heat on every page, and I even found myself jotting down a few notes for… future reference. No complaints there.

Where I landed a little differently from the hype is the plot-to-spice ratio. There is a plot, but for me it felt very light ....more of a backdrop than a driving force. I went in expecting a bit more story based on the reviews I’d seen, and that’s probably on me. Once I adjusted my expectations, I could appreciate the book for what it clearly wanted to be: a fun, indulgent, high‑heat ride.

I did find a few story elements a bit abrupt, like Lyanna’s best friend suddenly appearing near the end. She wasn’t mentioned during the earlier grief arc, so her late arrival felt more like a plot necessity than an organic part of the narrative. Not a dealbreaker, just something that pulled me out for a moment.

All that said, I enjoyed the book for exactly what it was ..... a spicy escape with enough emotional beats to keep things moving. If you’re picking this up for the heat, you’re in the right place. If you’re craving a more layered plot, just go in knowing the focus is firmly on the sizzle.

[CoCo · Rating 5 out of 5]

They're Nasty, Nasty!

If you're looking for a second chance romance between grownups with enough smut to make you blush, this is the book for you! Lol

[Octavia Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m here for all of this

This book was so good and NASTY!!! Why Choose has become a favorite of mine. And the author created an amazing experience

[Melise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this is some HIGH LEVEL FREAKINGG IM TELLING YA. On top of that there’s a lil plot and it’s kinda good like ohh I was not familiar with your game CM lmaoo but they are FREAKING AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL lmao let’s just say I can see why someone might agree to consensual non monogamy lol they shed a lil light for me. I won’t do it but I COULD SEEE THE PERKS 🤭🤭

[C.M. M. Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

My debut novel is a love letter to myself to write the stories that live in my heart.

[adoseof.adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my MUTHA LUVIN GAWD. I need a cold shower 😂

[Toni Cookies · Rating 5 out of 5]

CM BARNES

Girl I can’t wait to do my review on you!!! You a wild girl! A wild girl!! lol! Get ready to clutch your pearls !

[Jewel Crumbley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lmao, I don’t even know where to start. But this book was a mess. I only read because I saw it was going around on TikTok and it seemed that every person who made a video about it was gagged. At first the smut was cool, then it QUICKLY became repetitive and honestly way too much. I don’t even know if you want to call it smut because clearly the author went past that and is OVERLY freaked out LMAO. And then the “polycule” & smacking in the face stuff….mkay. This book was like 95% extreme erotica, 5% storyline. I will say that the non sexual parts of this book were actually good which is what earned it a 1 star rating. Even though this is probably the first and last book I’ll ever read by this author, I hope they write something without smut and focus on the story because there’s a lot of potential there. It also was super corny at some parts, specifically for me the conversations between those in the “polycule”, and the explanation of what the characters were wearing. Half the time I was trying to imagine these outfits and most of them seemed extremely tacky, just like this book. Read at your own discretion!

[Nica M · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish there was as much thought, care, and development into the entire book as there was into the hunching!

The connection between the characters was lack luster at best. It truly felt like the author was so invested in shocking readers with the s*x scenes that she forgot to develop the rest of the story. It literally got to a point where I was like "AGAIN?......Do something/anything else! PLEASE!!!"

In areas where she speaks of them having these deep conversations it would have been nice to see that on page to make it more believable. He had her cracking up? Well what did he say? We wanna laugh too!

This one is a HARD NO for me.

[Kyla Fernandes · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf at 30 per cent. no plot, ridiculous dialogue, no romance, just sex. had potential for a nuanced story on grief in the first 20 per cent but the scenes and dialogue are repetitive. read like a plot, what plot wattpad story

[Bathabile Ralitsela · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH MY DAYS 😭😭😭😭

I'm So Glad Everyone That Has Read This Agrees On How Spicy It Is. SPICY. 😭😭😭😭

LOL I'm Not Down With Everyone Dating Each Other. Those Kids Were Raised In The Same Circles, They Could Pass On As Siblings, They Have No Reason Being Together. It's One Thing That Yanna And Caleb Got Together.

Why Was The Best Friend Thrown In The The Sexcapades? That's Literally Your Best Friend. 😭😭😭😭 And There's Another Couple In The Mix Too.

Side Note, I Am So Attracted To Ahmir For Some Reason. (Wheeeew!!!)

But Chile, The Book Was Really Erotica At It Finest. 🥵🥵🥵🥵

[Tina Sharane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Phenomenal! All the things and feels!!! C.M. Barnes, ma'am, I absolutely love your pen game and writing / storytelling abilities! And I am excited to dive into the rest of the Winston Hills series, because I am deeply invested in every characters' story that's going to unravel and be told next!

ALSO! Layanna is an extremely lucky woman in every single way and every single position!!! ...Caleb and Ahmir both Daddy imo.

[JazzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

3.5 My first book by this author. Overall I like this book. I found the plot to be interesting and I like the spice.

[Brittni · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF… Too much sex not enough plot.