Mackenzie Levi Smith is New York’s most sought-after celebrity photographer, focused on her studio, Divine Expressions, and too busy for distractions. Then comes Jackson Porter, a world-famous painter with talent and attitude to spare. When they are paired for the Visionaries exhibit, their creative clash sparks undeniable chemistry. Heated debates turn into late nights and stolen kisses as passion blurs into something real. Beneath their tension lies shared grief, vulnerability, and the longing to be seen. As the exhibit nears, they discover that love, like art, is messy, and sometimes the masterpiece is born from chaos.
This is a debut and I have to say it didn’t read like one. We got two very complete characters and a complete story. There was tension and angst and love, just everything I love when it comes to a forced proximity workplace romance. I can’t wait for the next and I hope it’s Angelou and _ _ _ _.
I absolutely loved Jackson & Mackenzie’s love story. Started as enemies-to-lovers, being in forced proximity. I’m happy Mackenzie didn’t allow her past to keep overpowering her future. I’m happy that Jackson saw through Natalie’s bs. Jackson didn’t shy away from his emotions and went after what he wanted. Thank you DH for a beautifully written story. Can’t to see more of them in the future.
When creative opposites are forced to work together, sparks are bound to fly, and that’s exactly what happens with Mackenzie and Jackson. I absolutely loved everything about this story. For a novella, it felt incredibly full and satisfying. The character development, the slow burn, the forced proximity, the dialogue, every element and more was done so well.
For a debut, it didn’t feel like a debut at all. The writing was confident and engaging, and I loved how the author planted little hints to set up the next story. I’ll definitely be following this series!
I loved the book, it was a great little novella. They were two forces placed together who were bound to collide, and when they did they both created beautiful chaos.
Mackenzie was set on being closed off to love, and anything that could taint her image/career. Jackson was self-aware, but needed something or someone to bring him back to life. Together they made art, they made chaos, they made love… Even when Mac got in their way, there was nothing that could hold back the love between them.
DH Renfroe really showed out with this one. I’m still sitting here shooketh that a book under 100 pages had me grinning, kicking my feet, and clutching my chest like that. Like—how did she manage to give full character arcs, tension, and real grown-folk emotion in novella length? That’s talent, baby. Mackenzie and Jackson? Whew. That’s that “two storms colliding and somehow making sunshine” type of love—-AND I WANT IT! The chemistry jumped straight off the page—messy, magnetic, and deliciously chaotic. You could feel every push and pull between them. One minute they’re creating art, next they’re creating chaos, and somehow it’s all still love. What really gagged me though is how complete it felt. I’ve read 400-page novels that didn’t touch me like this. It’s giving masterclass in efficiency and emotion. DH Renfroe didn’t waste a word—just intentional storytelling from top to bottom. If this is how she’s starting her pen game? Oh, I’m locked in.
A just about perfect bite sized love story featuring 2 hard heads that seem intent on not letting love win! What do you get when you have 2 artists that are thrust together for an exhibition? Disagreements, sure. Creative differences, of course. But underneath it all, maybe just a smidge of magic for Mackenzie and Jackson. It won’t come easy. Mackenzie is distrustful of men after her fiancée did her wrong. It’s been years but she’s thrown herself into what she can trust: her undeniable talent and building her career. Jackson is dealing with a different kind of heart ache and is convinced that forever is not for him. He’s not actively looking g for it but seems to believe that the kind of love his parents had isn’t possible now. That’s the set up for these creatives (she with photography and he with paint) to not only work together to make something magical and impressive, but it might also allow them to see the possibility of “more”. Beautifully written. The emotions were real and believable. The arguments were genuine and the sexy sexy times and the reverence it held was reflected on the page. Will definitely read more from this author!
Bayybbbeeeee… this little novella swept me right up into its arms. The sensuality, the tenderness, the way love was held so intentionally on these pages… Whew. It sat soft in my chest the whole time I read it.
Creative Differences gave me the same emotional heartbeat I feel every time I rewatch Really Love on Netflix and you KNOW that’s one of my favorite films. That quiet, vulnerable Black love… that artistic, intimate unraveling between two people who see each other clearly? Renfroe captured that energy effortlessly.
This story is beautiful, grounded, and emotionally rich in a way that made me pause just to feel it. A true gem for anyone who wants Black romance that’s sensual, vulnerable, and grown.
Definitely one I’ll be recommending again and again
For this to be D.H. Renfore’s first release, she did an amazing job crafting a story that felt full and layered—even as a novella. The writing pulled me in, and the storyline kept me entertained the whole way through.
Mackenzie and Jackson were so uniquely them—two people trying to piece themselves together while figuring out if those missing parts could be found in each other. I just know Ms. Della was up there in the pearly gates working overtime on those two, lol!
Mackenzie did get on my nerves a bit with all the comparisons between her past and present, but I get it—she needed that reminder to trust her instincts.
First I am shook this is the authors debut. She did a phenomenal job writing this story. Mackenzie and Jackson’s story was real. Our photographer FMC has built a fortress around her heart and our painter MMC is closed off and brooding. The tension and angst *chefs kiss* a few moments ai wanted Mackenzie to get it together but it all ended very happy in the end! Go read the book you will have no regrets!
Mackenzie & Jackson got me out here in my feelings! This 79-page read gave us so much yearning, banter, and heat, I ain't even know what to do with myself. I was mad it ended, but I already know this is just the start for the Porter brothers. Definitely hoping Angelou is next cause l'm tryna see what he's got going on. I'm crossing my fingers for more of Mac and Jack in the next books🤞🏾
I love a good slow burn. You could feel the tension between Jackson and Mackenzie before they even made it into the same room. But once the flame was ignited it burned furiously and sexily. I look forward to what’s to come from the Porter Brothers. Nina and Angelou 👀
I love when I get a full story in a novella. DH did a great job writing the miscommunication trope. And I just loved seeing the couple fall in love. Can’t wait for book 2. Hopefully I don’t have to wait long
Mackenzie’s company Divine Expressions is doing amazing. She’s the most sought out photographer the world. However she feels something is missing. A project pairs her with the world famous painted Jackson Porter. Either sparks will fly or it’ll be a major disaster.
Creative Differences was a beautiful romance novella. For this to be the author’s debut, it was written very well and as if this author has been writing. This novella packed a good amount of romance and plot.
This definitely exceeded my expectations. I loved the way Jackson and Mackenzie's relationship unfolded. I literally felt all the emotions through the ups and downs. 10\10 for sure!
4.5! Wow the writing was beautiful! I could really feel the love and connection between the two characters. Had the perfect amount of spice. They were a couple you were really rooting for. Absolutely loved the ending. I can’t wait to read Nina’s story
Mackenzie, girl I get it but Damn! Thank goodness for Pop Porter and Nina! We love a man with the strength and intention to love us aggy girls. We know we’re unreasonable but hey.
Creative differences such a beautiful love story, first of all I love when authors have fun with their titles and stories. This book had a few of my favorite tropes, workplace romance and a little forced proximity. Both main characters had preconceived opinions about each other and their craft. While they are both different, they both are very passionate about their craft, and when they are forced to work together, both having different reasons why the project is important to them, tension rose, sparks fly, and walls slowly come down.
This story follows the FMC Mackenzie who is a photographer, and the MMC is a painter. For this to be a short story it felt complete. I could feel the angst, both their walls coming down and allowing themselves to fall. I also love when a book takes on a project and you get to go on this journey of them creating something.
I can't wait to read book 2, for this to be a debut novel I can't wait to read more from the author in the future.
A great novella filled with the perfect balance between angst (from the forced proximity) and tenderness (from the sexual tension).
And what I most appreciated about this book were the relationships that were displayed between the MMC and his brothers and father. Black men deserve safe places too, and it was beautiful to see this in motion throughout this book.