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Rhythm #1
Rhythm & Design: A Platinum Chocolate Romance
A soulful architect. A gospel-rooted musician. A love built to last.
Rhythm & A Platinum Chocolate Romance is a powerful story of purpose, passion, and divine timing.
Claire Baldwin is used to building beauty from structure—dreaming in blueprints, raised among silver spoons and Ivy League expectations. Focused, brilliant, and untouchable, love was never part of the plan. Until one almost-mistake in her youth taught her the price of giving too much to someone who offered too little.
Oliver Jamison Graham, the son of a revered pastor, walked away from the pulpit and into the chaos of the music industry. Between neon stages and lonely hotel rooms, he searched for something sacred—something real. Music filled his nights, but his faith kept whispering him home.
When Claire and Oliver’s paths collide again, it isn’t just chemistry—it’s destiny. But building a life together means facing the the pasts they’ve tucked away, the faith they’re still figuring out, and the families who’ve prayed them into purpose.
Together, they’ll navigate ambition, intimacy, trust, and spiritual alignment in a romance steeped in grace, humor, and honest love. Can two people from different rhythms create a design strong enough to stand?
If you love later-in-life second chances, clean-but-steamy romance, emotional depth, and characters who wrestle with faith as fiercely as they fall in love—Rhythm & Design will leave you breathless and blessed.
Rhythm & A Platinum Chocolate Romance is a powerful story of purpose, passion, and divine timing.
Claire Baldwin is used to building beauty from structure—dreaming in blueprints, raised among silver spoons and Ivy League expectations. Focused, brilliant, and untouchable, love was never part of the plan. Until one almost-mistake in her youth taught her the price of giving too much to someone who offered too little.
Oliver Jamison Graham, the son of a revered pastor, walked away from the pulpit and into the chaos of the music industry. Between neon stages and lonely hotel rooms, he searched for something sacred—something real. Music filled his nights, but his faith kept whispering him home.
When Claire and Oliver’s paths collide again, it isn’t just chemistry—it’s destiny. But building a life together means facing the the pasts they’ve tucked away, the faith they’re still figuring out, and the families who’ve prayed them into purpose.
Together, they’ll navigate ambition, intimacy, trust, and spiritual alignment in a romance steeped in grace, humor, and honest love. Can two people from different rhythms create a design strong enough to stand?
If you love later-in-life second chances, clean-but-steamy romance, emotional depth, and characters who wrestle with faith as fiercely as they fall in love—Rhythm & Design will leave you breathless and blessed.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2025
About the author
Long Temple
33 books6 followersI am LongTemple—author, survivor, and the creator of the Platinum Chocolate Universe.
I write stories about love that doesn’t rush, women who refuse to disappear, and people who survive the fire and still reach for joy. My work lives at the intersection of romance, psychological truth, resilience, faith, and survival—where desire and dignity walk side by side, and healing is just as essential as happily-ever-after.
I’m a daughter of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and my stories carry the rhythm of the streets that raised me—layered, unflinching, and deeply human. One of the core pillars of my work is the exploration of dysfunctional yet unbreakable sibling love. In Flip and Run — A Platinum Chocolate Sibling Saga, I tell the story of siblings fighting to survive systems that fail them while standing guard over each other anyway. Their bond is forged in hardship, loyalty, sacrifice, and survival—imperfect, fierce, and protective in ways only siblings who grow up fast can understand.
That story continues in Just Run — A Platinum Chocolate Psychological Saga, which turns inward and forward at once—examining trauma carried in the body and the mind, and what survival costs long after the danger has passed.
My contemporary romance roots live in the Ebony M. Elite Series, which should be read in the following order: Caramel and Steel, Searching for Platinum Chocolate, and When the Chat Paused — A Platinum Chocolate Romance, the continuation of Caramel and Steel. Together, these three titles form a complete Ebony M. Elite box set—stories of sisterhood, later-in-life romance, laughter, longing, and the courage to begin again.
Faith, calling, and spiritual legacy shape another corner of my universe. Rhythm and Design and Rhythm’s First Lady — A Platinum Chocolate Romance: A Spiritual Awakening form an ongoing two-book series centered on purpose, marriage, and love shaped by service, surrender, and growth.
I also write about dissociative trauma—the quiet fracturing of self that occurs when survival demands disappearance. Between Grace and Fire — A Platinum Chocolate Psychological Saga and Luxuries and Lies — A Psychological Saga explore identity fragmentation, survival masks, and the spiritual and emotional reckoning that follows when the mind learns to split in order to endure. Both titles are scheduled for release on February 24, 2026—inviting readers to stay tuned for the next evolution of the Platinum Chocolate Universe.
These stories were written over years of living, observing, and surviving. Some were drafted long before illness ever entered the room; others were born in hospital silence. While undergoing chemo and radiation therapies, I finalized certain books and found myself writing new ones—sometimes weak, sometimes in tears, sometimes with a feeding tube in my stomach while hunger haunted me. Still, writing fed me. These stories became my lifeline, my refuge, and my proof that creativity can carry you when your body is tired but your spirit refuses to rest.
The Platinum Chocolate Universe is a living body of work—stories filled with mature, complex, unapologetically Black characters who love deeply, fracture honestly, and rise anyway.
And because story doesn’t have to end at the final page, I also create adult-themed coloring books designed as immersive companions to my novels—an experience meant to please the senses and awaken the creative spark hidden within.
I don’t write fairy tales.
I write earned love, psychological truth, and survival with tenderness.
Welcome to my world.
Welcome to the Platinum Chocolate Universe.
I write stories about love that doesn’t rush, women who refuse to disappear, and people who survive the fire and still reach for joy. My work lives at the intersection of romance, psychological truth, resilience, faith, and survival—where desire and dignity walk side by side, and healing is just as essential as happily-ever-after.
I’m a daughter of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and my stories carry the rhythm of the streets that raised me—layered, unflinching, and deeply human. One of the core pillars of my work is the exploration of dysfunctional yet unbreakable sibling love. In Flip and Run — A Platinum Chocolate Sibling Saga, I tell the story of siblings fighting to survive systems that fail them while standing guard over each other anyway. Their bond is forged in hardship, loyalty, sacrifice, and survival—imperfect, fierce, and protective in ways only siblings who grow up fast can understand.
That story continues in Just Run — A Platinum Chocolate Psychological Saga, which turns inward and forward at once—examining trauma carried in the body and the mind, and what survival costs long after the danger has passed.
My contemporary romance roots live in the Ebony M. Elite Series, which should be read in the following order: Caramel and Steel, Searching for Platinum Chocolate, and When the Chat Paused — A Platinum Chocolate Romance, the continuation of Caramel and Steel. Together, these three titles form a complete Ebony M. Elite box set—stories of sisterhood, later-in-life romance, laughter, longing, and the courage to begin again.
Faith, calling, and spiritual legacy shape another corner of my universe. Rhythm and Design and Rhythm’s First Lady — A Platinum Chocolate Romance: A Spiritual Awakening form an ongoing two-book series centered on purpose, marriage, and love shaped by service, surrender, and growth.
I also write about dissociative trauma—the quiet fracturing of self that occurs when survival demands disappearance. Between Grace and Fire — A Platinum Chocolate Psychological Saga and Luxuries and Lies — A Psychological Saga explore identity fragmentation, survival masks, and the spiritual and emotional reckoning that follows when the mind learns to split in order to endure. Both titles are scheduled for release on February 24, 2026—inviting readers to stay tuned for the next evolution of the Platinum Chocolate Universe.
These stories were written over years of living, observing, and surviving. Some were drafted long before illness ever entered the room; others were born in hospital silence. While undergoing chemo and radiation therapies, I finalized certain books and found myself writing new ones—sometimes weak, sometimes in tears, sometimes with a feeding tube in my stomach while hunger haunted me. Still, writing fed me. These stories became my lifeline, my refuge, and my proof that creativity can carry you when your body is tired but your spirit refuses to rest.
The Platinum Chocolate Universe is a living body of work—stories filled with mature, complex, unapologetically Black characters who love deeply, fracture honestly, and rise anyway.
And because story doesn’t have to end at the final page, I also create adult-themed coloring books designed as immersive companions to my novels—an experience meant to please the senses and awaken the creative spark hidden within.
I don’t write fairy tales.
I write earned love, psychological truth, and survival with tenderness.
Welcome to my world.
Welcome to the Platinum Chocolate Universe.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 11, 2026
I liked that the relationship was a slow burn and faith-based, and I liked that the MCs were straightforward with their communication (no miscommunication trope as they were clearly about each other) and they had individual focus on their career paths, but this book was missing something. It also fast forwarded over the years, which didn't allow for me to journey through the characters transitions. Additionally, there were no structured paragraphs on the KU version which made it difficult for me to enjoy. I only read it for book club, but this wasn't for me. Unsure how to rate.
One enjoyable part I liked:
Her: I want to be close to you. I want to root where we can grow.
Him: Come home.
One enjoyable part I liked:
Her: I want to be close to you. I want to root where we can grow.
Him: Come home.
March 13, 2026
With my busy schedule, I should have finished these 285 pages in no more than 3-4 days. It wasn't the story or flow that bothered me, it was the the cover cut off awkwardly with a paper cutter; it was the Table of Contents in bold at the bottom of page 3 with the actual context on the following page; it was the change in typeset from Times New Roman to Trebuchet MS for no apparent reason; it was spacing from a novel format to that of a poem; and it was the poorly used italics. All of this culminated into one word: distracting. Simultaneously, I was a BETA reader for another author's forthcoming novel, and all I could think while diving into this book, "Rhythm & Design", was that this novel was more like a later stage drafted manuscript, pending editing, in desperate need of a BETA reader, than a published novel. It was not quite ready for mass publication.
With that said, my review of this romance novel is a bit jaded, yet positive. It was a nice, easy slow burn. Nothing riveting. The lines and dialogue were actually beautiful and meaningful at times, even poetic. Character development was moderate, but sufficient. One could grasp the content of a character in short order, and where they fell in the hierarchy of significance. Only two characters, Robert and Donovan, brought a bit of drama to the whole book, and both lasted a hot second.
The title was appropriate. The two main characters were Oliver, a musician (rhythm) and Claire, an aspiring architect (design). Oliver is 6 years her senior, but the age difference was insignificant as adults, but may give some readers pause since the attraction began when she was an adolescent if not earlier, and he, a grown man. They both have meddling parents with expectations that would make any offspring cringe, especially Ms. Sheila, Claire's mother. The reader gets wind of Sheila's intentions from the word go.
To summarize, the book was sweet in the best way. It was nothing earth shattering, or heart stirring. It was a safe, PG romance. The building of this relationship between Claire and Oliver was almost too good to be true, yet some women would love the patience, courtesy, care and drive that Oliver brings to the table. Claire, as well, is a woman of integrity and drive with focused intentions, fueled by great parenting, good moral character, and educational advantages.
2.75 stars.
With that said, my review of this romance novel is a bit jaded, yet positive. It was a nice, easy slow burn. Nothing riveting. The lines and dialogue were actually beautiful and meaningful at times, even poetic. Character development was moderate, but sufficient. One could grasp the content of a character in short order, and where they fell in the hierarchy of significance. Only two characters, Robert and Donovan, brought a bit of drama to the whole book, and both lasted a hot second.
The title was appropriate. The two main characters were Oliver, a musician (rhythm) and Claire, an aspiring architect (design). Oliver is 6 years her senior, but the age difference was insignificant as adults, but may give some readers pause since the attraction began when she was an adolescent if not earlier, and he, a grown man. They both have meddling parents with expectations that would make any offspring cringe, especially Ms. Sheila, Claire's mother. The reader gets wind of Sheila's intentions from the word go.
To summarize, the book was sweet in the best way. It was nothing earth shattering, or heart stirring. It was a safe, PG romance. The building of this relationship between Claire and Oliver was almost too good to be true, yet some women would love the patience, courtesy, care and drive that Oliver brings to the table. Claire, as well, is a woman of integrity and drive with focused intentions, fueled by great parenting, good moral character, and educational advantages.
2.75 stars.
February 18, 2026
Claire and Oliver's journey is so soul stirring, that I was hooked from the first page and hated to see it end! Absolutely loved Claire and Oliver and the trust and respect they shared with one another.
Oliver is a popular singer and entertainer. Unfortunately, his Pastor father is not thrilled about Oliver's choice of career. Meanwhile, Claire attends Yale on a free ride, and she is on track to become a successful architect like her dad. Of course there is a stalker and Donovan is plotting to sabotage something very important to Claire.
Incredible story!!
March 7, 2026
This was a solid romance but a little too perfect.
May 5, 2026
A Platinum Chocolate Romance delivers a heartfelt and emotionally layered love story that balances ambition, faith, and vulnerability with striking ease. At its core, the novel explores what it means to build a life—not just professionally, but spiritually and emotionally. Claire Baldwin and Oliver Jamison Graham are both compelling in their own right, and their journeys feel authentic, shaped by past wounds, personal expectations, and a quiet longing for something deeper.
Claire stands out as a particularly well-crafted protagonist. Her precision as an architect mirrors the careful way she guards her heart, and the novel does a strong job of showing how her past continues to influence her present. Oliver, on the other hand, brings a contrasting energy—rooted in music, faith, and an internal tug-of-war between purpose and passion.
What elevates this romance is its treatment of faith—not as a backdrop, but as an active, evolving force in both characters’ lives. Their relationship is not just about chemistry, though that is certainly present, but about alignment—emotional, spiritual, and personal. The novel doesn’t shy away from the complexity of love shaped by belief systems, family expectations, and the courage it takes to confront one’s past.
While the story occasionally leans into familiar romance tropes, it does so with sincerity and warmth that make it feel fresh. The blend of “clean-but-steamy” romance is handled with care, offering intimacy without overshadowing the emotional depth.
Claire stands out as a particularly well-crafted protagonist. Her precision as an architect mirrors the careful way she guards her heart, and the novel does a strong job of showing how her past continues to influence her present. Oliver, on the other hand, brings a contrasting energy—rooted in music, faith, and an internal tug-of-war between purpose and passion.
What elevates this romance is its treatment of faith—not as a backdrop, but as an active, evolving force in both characters’ lives. Their relationship is not just about chemistry, though that is certainly present, but about alignment—emotional, spiritual, and personal. The novel doesn’t shy away from the complexity of love shaped by belief systems, family expectations, and the courage it takes to confront one’s past.
While the story occasionally leans into familiar romance tropes, it does so with sincerity and warmth that make it feel fresh. The blend of “clean-but-steamy” romance is handled with care, offering intimacy without overshadowing the emotional depth.
March 3, 2026
Childhood crush rekindled. Architecture‑themed romance. Faith and family ties.
Rhythm and Design had a promising setup, but the story never quite came alive for me. The narration told me what the characters felt instead of letting me experience it through them. Claire and Oliver are pleasant enough, but their relationship has no real depth. I never understood why they liked each other beyond a childhood crush and parents nudging them together. The conflict with her coworker was predictable, and nothing truly pulled the couple apart or pushed them together in a meaningful way. It felt like watching two people politely date instead of falling in love.
Some of the dialogue and metaphors just didn’t land for me, even though I understand the author was trying to connect the architecture references to Claire’s profession. Lines about “the foundation of our relationship” or “blueprints with a heartbeat” felt corny instead of romantic.
This was a quick read, and I appreciate the author’s heart and intention. I can see what she was trying to build, especially in the themes of purpose, calling, and family. But the story felt emotionally underdeveloped for me.
Rhythm and Design had a promising setup, but the story never quite came alive for me. The narration told me what the characters felt instead of letting me experience it through them. Claire and Oliver are pleasant enough, but their relationship has no real depth. I never understood why they liked each other beyond a childhood crush and parents nudging them together. The conflict with her coworker was predictable, and nothing truly pulled the couple apart or pushed them together in a meaningful way. It felt like watching two people politely date instead of falling in love.
Some of the dialogue and metaphors just didn’t land for me, even though I understand the author was trying to connect the architecture references to Claire’s profession. Lines about “the foundation of our relationship” or “blueprints with a heartbeat” felt corny instead of romantic.
This was a quick read, and I appreciate the author’s heart and intention. I can see what she was trying to build, especially in the themes of purpose, calling, and family. But the story felt emotionally underdeveloped for me.
February 16, 2026
I’d give this one a solid 3.75. I’m a sucker for references to cities and states in the northeast, and pictures painted of the spaces I frequent and grew up in, featured in a story. There was a cute and quaint love story nestled in here. Still, besides that, this fell a little flat for me.
March 14, 2026
Although I am not a romance fan, this book was just OK. The age difference between the two protagonists was questionable. I’ve never read a book before where both sets of parents were so invested in their children getting together. I guess there’s a first time for everything.
March 30, 2026
a true live story
When the transformations are good, the family is supportive and the love is real, we wait for something terrible to happen. A great love story. Even if a little idealistic. Still felt real.
When the transformations are good, the family is supportive and the love is real, we wait for something terrible to happen. A great love story. Even if a little idealistic. Still felt real.
February 28, 2026
This was a good fast pace read that is different from my typical genre. I enjoyed reading this book with my book club and supporting a black woman author. I would classify this experience as a Comfort read, which is also a first for me. The plot was very easy to follow and there wasn't difficult to follow the storyline.
I enjoyed going the journey of love developing between Claire and Oliver. I wasn't for sure if the love between them would authentically build since their parents had curated their future before they even noticed one another. I can say that I felt a little annoyed by Claire's mother inquisitiveness of the process in which Claire and Oliver's relationship progressed. At the same time, I can understand that she was curious and wanted the best for her daughter.
I enjoyed going the journey of love developing between Claire and Oliver. I wasn't for sure if the love between them would authentically build since their parents had curated their future before they even noticed one another. I can say that I felt a little annoyed by Claire's mother inquisitiveness of the process in which Claire and Oliver's relationship progressed. At the same time, I can understand that she was curious and wanted the best for her daughter.
April 30, 2026
Endearing and Inspiring
This was such a gentle romance. The establishment of the main characters’ love story was done in such a eloquent way.
This was such a gentle romance. The establishment of the main characters’ love story was done in such a eloquent way.
April 11, 2026
The characters were too perfect and nearly one-dimensional in that perfection.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews