What do you think?
Rate this book
Obligated
Chiana Alexander has built a quiet, successful life as a private accountant in Southern Louisiana. After losing her parents in a tragic train accident, she's kept to herself, except her best friend, Amina. But when the infamous St. Jean family-Louisiana's Black Mob-sets their sights on her skills to clean their expanding finances, her world takes a turn.
Juste St. Jean isn't a man who takes no for an answer. When his younger brother Noles and cousin Pierre fail to recruit Chiana willingly, they do the next best thing-abduct her. Held captive in Juste's secluded estate, she's forced to make the only comply.
But the longer Chiana and Juste are under the same roof, the more their fiery clashes turn into something neither of them expected. As the lines between them blur, passion ignites. Both of them turn out to be something more than they'd ever expect .
Juste St. Jean isn't a man who takes no for an answer. When his younger brother Noles and cousin Pierre fail to recruit Chiana willingly, they do the next best thing-abduct her. Held captive in Juste's secluded estate, she's forced to make the only comply.
But the longer Chiana and Juste are under the same roof, the more their fiery clashes turn into something neither of them expected. As the lines between them blur, passion ignites. Both of them turn out to be something more than they'd ever expect .
- GenresAfrican American
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2025
298 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 26, 2025
It wasn't a bad book, but the use of the word smirk so many times almost drove me crazy lol
May 28, 2025
It's like a 3.5 because it was well-written and engaging. However, I didn't really buy into Juste and Chiana. I didn't connect to them or their unorthodox relationship. I wished there was a little more development or backstory to help with that. Or maybe I just didn't like the characters like that???😅 The plot was decent but I wasn't blown away. I read a review that mentioned the constant use of "smirk" and I couldn't unsee it 🤣🤣🤣
July 17, 2025
Great read
I really enjoyed this book. I think this is my first book by this author. I am not disappointed. Great plot and character development. Y'all just read the damn book.
I really enjoyed this book. I think this is my first book by this author. I am not disappointed. Great plot and character development. Y'all just read the damn book.
June 3, 2025
3.5/4
This was good but I feel like a bunch of stuff was introduced and rushed through. While I saw at the end the author said this was an intro to them I just feel like we saw too much of the other couples situations. Then we got the final time skip at the end so I’m not sure where else the story could go. There was also very light build up and tension btwn the kidnapper and kidnapped, I don’t want them fighting for 20 chapters but like dang lmaoo he uprooted ya life miss girl and you bussin 26% of the way in. I will say around 75% is where it picked back up and got juicy again. I’ll def read more by this author. I also don’t really get why Maseon went off the deep end like that, like okay we get it the kitty too bomb but besides that we never saw anything to have him feeling deeply for her or anything. Man was a FWB and just went crazy?? Sorry we needed more build up. I also don’t get why Saint was so sparing like KILL THESE PEOPLE. Man owe you 1million bucks and you say let’s give him a job lmao WTFFF. This why yall books in shambles now yall not bright FBI just looking like oh yeah he’s def getting hit with tax evasion and fraud lmaoo
This was good but I feel like a bunch of stuff was introduced and rushed through. While I saw at the end the author said this was an intro to them I just feel like we saw too much of the other couples situations. Then we got the final time skip at the end so I’m not sure where else the story could go. There was also very light build up and tension btwn the kidnapper and kidnapped, I don’t want them fighting for 20 chapters but like dang lmaoo he uprooted ya life miss girl and you bussin 26% of the way in. I will say around 75% is where it picked back up and got juicy again. I’ll def read more by this author. I also don’t really get why Maseon went off the deep end like that, like okay we get it the kitty too bomb but besides that we never saw anything to have him feeling deeply for her or anything. Man was a FWB and just went crazy?? Sorry we needed more build up. I also don’t get why Saint was so sparing like KILL THESE PEOPLE. Man owe you 1million bucks and you say let’s give him a job lmao WTFFF. This why yall books in shambles now yall not bright FBI just looking like oh yeah he’s def getting hit with tax evasion and fraud lmaoo
October 9, 2025
Whew this one started strong. The setup had me thinking I was about to get a full-on dark mafia romance with tension, danger, and a little Louisiana spice. And at first, it delivered. Chiana minding her business until the St. Jean family snatches her up? Yeah, I was locked in.
But somewhere around that secret kid reveal, the story just lost its rhythm for me 😩 It had real promise in the beginning, but the twist kind of took the air out of everything. The pacing got weird, the tension started to fade, and I found myself side-eyeing the plot instead of fanning myself.
Still, it wasn’t a bad read. The world was interesting, and Juste had all the makings of a fine, dangerous man. It just needed a little more focus to match the heat it started with. (2.5/5)
But somewhere around that secret kid reveal, the story just lost its rhythm for me 😩 It had real promise in the beginning, but the twist kind of took the air out of everything. The pacing got weird, the tension started to fade, and I found myself side-eyeing the plot instead of fanning myself.
Still, it wasn’t a bad read. The world was interesting, and Juste had all the makings of a fine, dangerous man. It just needed a little more focus to match the heat it started with. (2.5/5)
September 23, 2025
I stumbled across this book and the summary alone had me locked in. I just had to see what happened after he... “borrowed” her. Like—THE AUDACITY. She told him no, and he really said, “bet.” 😭
That slow-burn tension though?? WHEW. I kept thinking, “Okay, sis, you gon’ escape, right?!” I was fully expecting her to slip away and make him chase her down. But the way their relationship unfolded? So well done. It didn’t feel forced at all—the chemistry built slowly, naturally, and when it hit? Oh, it hit.
Their dynamic was messy, magnetic, and had me rooting for them even when I probably shouldn’t have been. Chiana was such a well-written character—smart, strong, but real. And Juste? Lord. Once he had his mind set on her, it was game over.
I laughed, I got mad, I definitely blushed more than once—and I couldn’t put it down. From start to finish, this story kept me glued. Definitely recommend if you love a romance that brings tension, heat, and depth.
That slow-burn tension though?? WHEW. I kept thinking, “Okay, sis, you gon’ escape, right?!” I was fully expecting her to slip away and make him chase her down. But the way their relationship unfolded? So well done. It didn’t feel forced at all—the chemistry built slowly, naturally, and when it hit? Oh, it hit.
Their dynamic was messy, magnetic, and had me rooting for them even when I probably shouldn’t have been. Chiana was such a well-written character—smart, strong, but real. And Juste? Lord. Once he had his mind set on her, it was game over.
I laughed, I got mad, I definitely blushed more than once—and I couldn’t put it down. From start to finish, this story kept me glued. Definitely recommend if you love a romance that brings tension, heat, and depth.
December 16, 2025
Good Book
This book was like a movie. I mean, intro, climax, ending, build up all of it. It was so good. Chi and Juste our couple goals. I loved all the intricacy that their relationship had starting from a kidnapping, and then basically building a family together. It was beautiful. The side characters also made the book of Jules and Nia, Pierre and Amina and Saint and Miss Evie. All of these characters have their own little side stories here and there and they make up this entire book and it’s so beautiful and of course, the conflict that was within the book had nothing to do with the couple, but it had to do with the forces surrounding a couple and how they affected their relationship, but all in all shy and used strong this is a real satisfactory book. Highly recommended, a 10 out of 10.
This book was like a movie. I mean, intro, climax, ending, build up all of it. It was so good. Chi and Juste our couple goals. I loved all the intricacy that their relationship had starting from a kidnapping, and then basically building a family together. It was beautiful. The side characters also made the book of Jules and Nia, Pierre and Amina and Saint and Miss Evie. All of these characters have their own little side stories here and there and they make up this entire book and it’s so beautiful and of course, the conflict that was within the book had nothing to do with the couple, but it had to do with the forces surrounding a couple and how they affected their relationship, but all in all shy and used strong this is a real satisfactory book. Highly recommended, a 10 out of 10.
June 23, 2025
Awesome
I really enjoyed just thinking a kidnapping turned into love ..
Chi fought her feelings for awhile but once she stopped fighting it came full circle...
Nia and Jules got dose of his own medicine he didn't like it at all but I'm glad they were able get back to themselves...I bet Jules learned a lesson.
Amina and Pierre I would've liked to see them get married have couple babies too...
Noles I would have liked to see more about him ...
Saint put his foot down with Evie I didn't really care for her at all
Her acting they way she did Chi she never really got to know her but she was dealing with her own battles From gambling almost destroyed her marriage and her family in the process..
Maeson and Able Snake got what was coming to them!!!
I really enjoyed just thinking a kidnapping turned into love ..
Chi fought her feelings for awhile but once she stopped fighting it came full circle...
Nia and Jules got dose of his own medicine he didn't like it at all but I'm glad they were able get back to themselves...I bet Jules learned a lesson.
Amina and Pierre I would've liked to see them get married have couple babies too...
Noles I would have liked to see more about him ...
Saint put his foot down with Evie I didn't really care for her at all
Her acting they way she did Chi she never really got to know her but she was dealing with her own battles From gambling almost destroyed her marriage and her family in the process..
Maeson and Able Snake got what was coming to them!!!
December 31, 2025
Good read.. will see how book 2 turns out
Overall, great read, the St. Jean family were fun to read about. The authors style of took a bit of getting used to as there was no separation of each character’s voice/dialect within the text. This made it very confusing to determine who was speaking throughout the story - that was the one thing I really hated about this read. Juste was a bully who kidnapped Chiana for her accounting skills. Chiana didn’t put up too much of a protest and quickly came down with Stockholm Syndrome lol. Evie was hilarious. I felt bad for Nia and loved Chiana’s bff’s humor.
Overall, great read, the St. Jean family were fun to read about. The authors style of took a bit of getting used to as there was no separation of each character’s voice/dialect within the text. This made it very confusing to determine who was speaking throughout the story - that was the one thing I really hated about this read. Juste was a bully who kidnapped Chiana for her accounting skills. Chiana didn’t put up too much of a protest and quickly came down with Stockholm Syndrome lol. Evie was hilarious. I felt bad for Nia and loved Chiana’s bff’s humor.
January 10, 2026
Unhinged
Chi and Juste develop an unconventional romance after Juste kidnapped her. The cat and mouse attraction unfolded beautifully alongside the introduction to other people from the St. Jean family. Pierre and Amina fight an attraction despite Amina’s constant traveling. Jules and Nia begin to wonder whether their marriage is worth saving. Mama Evie and Papa Saint are too battling issues in their marriage. Through everything, the clan shows a solidarity that is unmatched. I enjoyed the pacing, character descriptions, and overall development of the plot. I laughed, smirked too heavily, and almost cried. Great introduction to the St. Jean family.
Chi and Juste develop an unconventional romance after Juste kidnapped her. The cat and mouse attraction unfolded beautifully alongside the introduction to other people from the St. Jean family. Pierre and Amina fight an attraction despite Amina’s constant traveling. Jules and Nia begin to wonder whether their marriage is worth saving. Mama Evie and Papa Saint are too battling issues in their marriage. Through everything, the clan shows a solidarity that is unmatched. I enjoyed the pacing, character descriptions, and overall development of the plot. I laughed, smirked too heavily, and almost cried. Great introduction to the St. Jean family.
June 25, 2025
good read!
This was a good read. It didnt take long for the story to take off on the early chapters, which i appreciated. I did feel like it kind of lulled in the middle and made me wonder where it was headed. But stick with it because the drama def picks up. The author does a great job with descriptions in this book, making the reader feel like they are in the scene. There were things mentioned in epilogue that I wish we got to see play out on the pages. But other than that its an enjoyable story with great banter and lots of love.
This was a good read. It didnt take long for the story to take off on the early chapters, which i appreciated. I did feel like it kind of lulled in the middle and made me wonder where it was headed. But stick with it because the drama def picks up. The author does a great job with descriptions in this book, making the reader feel like they are in the scene. There were things mentioned in epilogue that I wish we got to see play out on the pages. But other than that its an enjoyable story with great banter and lots of love.
August 18, 2025
Good Story
My first read from this author and I am impressed. This was a really great storyline. Chiana and Juste had a love that endured a great deal of ups and downs. I loved Justen’s family dynamics. A close net family with a ton of disjunction. Isn’t that the norm! I found the kidnapping scene a little unbelievable. Chi had a really smart mouth and attitude for days but she didn’t scream, didn’t call for help, nor did she put up a real fight. Also, there were some grammar errors that were a little annoying but over all this was a good read.
My first read from this author and I am impressed. This was a really great storyline. Chiana and Juste had a love that endured a great deal of ups and downs. I loved Justen’s family dynamics. A close net family with a ton of disjunction. Isn’t that the norm! I found the kidnapping scene a little unbelievable. Chi had a really smart mouth and attitude for days but she didn’t scream, didn’t call for help, nor did she put up a real fight. Also, there were some grammar errors that were a little annoying but over all this was a good read.
January 3, 2026
The book wasn’t bad but something was missing. I wished the author leaned a little more into the kidnapping aspect. It’s almost like why even mention that because they moved past it so quick. That’s what made me want to read the book only to find out after a couple of chapters they didn’t even speak on it anymore.
Also I felt like the book started to drag a little bit. Things moved so easily with Juste and Chiana’s relationship that it felt like random issues that had nothing to do with them kept popping up to pull the story along. Idk. It started off good but it just kinda fell flat.
Also I felt like the book started to drag a little bit. Things moved so easily with Juste and Chiana’s relationship that it felt like random issues that had nothing to do with them kept popping up to pull the story along. Idk. It started off good but it just kinda fell flat.
May 28, 2025
Kimmi’s Read
I really enjoyed this book even tho Chiana got on my nerves fighting with Juste in the beginning it was comical to say the least. Ole Evie darling was a piece of work lol 😆 she tickled the heck out of me. I’m happy her and Saint got it together. Aww Jules and Nia I was relief of their happy ending. I hate Pierre and Amina didn’t get married and have a lot of babies. We didn’t hear too much on Noles.. Maseon and Abel got exactly what they deserved
I really enjoyed this book even tho Chiana got on my nerves fighting with Juste in the beginning it was comical to say the least. Ole Evie darling was a piece of work lol 😆 she tickled the heck out of me. I’m happy her and Saint got it together. Aww Jules and Nia I was relief of their happy ending. I hate Pierre and Amina didn’t get married and have a lot of babies. We didn’t hear too much on Noles.. Maseon and Abel got exactly what they deserved
August 14, 2025
New author to me. Some words were very repetitive and i felt like they were just trying to fill the page. Despite that, I enjoyed the read. It was one of those books that I couldn’t stop reading but only because i needed to know what was gonna happen next. I like that Chianna didn’t give in quickly but it didn’t take long for their story to begin. She loved that lil messy ass family lol. Juste was cool, i didn’t really feel connected to him. We’ll see if i keep reading the series.
June 29, 2025
ummm
It started out good with Juste taking Chiana the accountant. Yes he needed her to help wash money but he also liked her as well. Of course they ended up falling in love. Then it started getting into his momma having a gambling problem and going to rehab. I just felt like the book had potential until it started venturing off into the mom having that gambling problem.
It started out good with Juste taking Chiana the accountant. Yes he needed her to help wash money but he also liked her as well. Of course they ended up falling in love. Then it started getting into his momma having a gambling problem and going to rehab. I just felt like the book had potential until it started venturing off into the mom having that gambling problem.
January 19, 2026
I enjoyed this one. Well written. Completely different from what I normally enjoy and I enjoyed it. I love strong female characters and every single one was just that. I cringed at some conversations but being an urban book, I went with it. All the things I wouldn't accept in real life but love in books were present. It was a good quick weekend read.
June 18, 2025
surprising page turner!
I did not set this book down!!! Your penne ship was beautiful. The love stories and self reflection were REAL. You definitely have a new supporter in me! Great read!!!
I did not set this book down!!! Your penne ship was beautiful. The love stories and self reflection were REAL. You definitely have a new supporter in me! Great read!!!
July 13, 2025
This hit different
This is the first time with this author. She did not disappoint. She brought raw untamed feelings with each relationship that had you on your toes.
I can’t wait to see the next installment of the St Jean family!
This is the first time with this author. She did not disappoint. She brought raw untamed feelings with each relationship that had you on your toes.
I can’t wait to see the next installment of the St Jean family!
August 10, 2025
Loved this book
I love this book from beginning to the end. It was well written loved the characters and how everything came together and it kept my attention. I just hate we didn’t find out how Saint hooked up with his brother’s wife.
I love this book from beginning to the end. It was well written loved the characters and how everything came together and it kept my attention. I just hate we didn’t find out how Saint hooked up with his brother’s wife.
August 13, 2025
I wish we got more....
Juste and Chiana with their family, at times it was too much of the mom's problem, the cheating of the brother and his wife, etc.... I think Juste and Chiana were enough.
Juste and Chiana with their family, at times it was too much of the mom's problem, the cheating of the brother and his wife, etc.... I think Juste and Chiana were enough.
November 13, 2025
crazy family who love hard
This family is one crazy family but they love hard. This book was good and love the relationship building between Juste and Chi. The writing was good and pulled you in. Good read
This family is one crazy family but they love hard. This book was good and love the relationship building between Juste and Chi. The writing was good and pulled you in. Good read
December 14, 2025
Oh I love a good kidnap to love of my life book! Juste was just what Chi needed and they were made for each other. I smiled so hard reading this but I also shed a tear when Juste was distant. So glad they got their happy ending
December 18, 2025
.
She started out as the accountant but he is too possessive of her to stay that way. This is a great story of finding love and family while overcoming loss, pain and hurt. I love how organic the relationships were and can’t wait to read more of the St. Jean family
She started out as the accountant but he is too possessive of her to stay that way. This is a great story of finding love and family while overcoming loss, pain and hurt. I love how organic the relationships were and can’t wait to read more of the St. Jean family
January 8, 2026
I think people rate this high out of pity. Half the reviews expressed dislike but the ratings don’t match. This reads like a script vs a book. It gives directions versus descriptions. Also felt like it dragged which is funny because it’s less than 300 pages.
May 16, 2025
A tornado of emotions
Girl from the first chapter to the last, baby my emotions are all over the place! Read this story now!!
Girl from the first chapter to the last, baby my emotions are all over the place! Read this story now!!
May 17, 2025
Some RNS right here!
July 23, 2025
First read by author, definitely not the last
I fell in love with this book an awesome story and I'm looking forward to reading more.
The book had me the baeeby I read! Great read.
I fell in love with this book an awesome story and I'm looking forward to reading more.
The book had me the baeeby I read! Great read.
July 28, 2025
this book right here???? Yea Juste his thang!!! He did not play about Chi at all. Now his family did piss me off bc why do your father and brother have a cheating kink?!?! His momma was problematic too! But despite of all this, I did love that Juste was 10 toes down behind Chi and never let up
August 16, 2025
Whewww
This is my first time reading one of your books and baebbby I am all in…I loved Chiani and Juste story…now I gotta backpedal to previous books.
This is my first time reading one of your books and baebbby I am all in…I loved Chiani and Juste story…now I gotta backpedal to previous books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews