Out of all the things that could cause his life to turn upside down, Adir Bell never thought falling in love would be the catalyst. Known as Dr. Bell to the streets, his days are filled with caring for those whose lives are far less than legal. Along with being a physician, he's a single father raising four young men. Humble, Peace, Bragg, and Kalm are his sons. Although the streets are in chaos, Adir's sons are the only ones keeping him under control. Despite pleas from those who need the old Adir, he is committed to leading his family without reverting back to the part of him he retired once he became a father.
Coco Turner loves her brother, Quilo, dearly. In fact, she's willing to do anything for him. This includes dropping everything and uprooting their lives for what she hopes is the better. She never imagined the love she had for her brother would push her to do the craziest thing she's ever done in her life. Marrying a complete stranger for the sake of safety seemed irrational and flat-out foolish. However, Coco acts first and asks questions later. All to protect her brother.
Adir lays eyes on Coco and immediately deems her, Pretty. Not only is the street doctor changing last names, but he is also changing situations. He is after Coco's heart and is determined to prove to her that, in his hands, she and Quilo are secure.
All change isn't welcomed, though. Outside forces are willing to do anything to bring Adir to his knees. The only issue is, Dr. Bell has never bowed to anyone. Well... No one except Pretty Bell.
4.5 ⭐️ Dr. Bell's reaction after meeting Coco or his "Pretty" was literally "my wife, my wife, my wife". I mean, when the right moment arose to bring Coco and Adir together, the rest was history. Adir, also known as Dr. Bell, was all about action. I adored how he looked out for the boys, his family, and Pretty. I'm not going to lie; this was quite enjoyable for me. Some scenes made me laugh because they were simply random bursts of chaos, but I truly enjoyed it. I loved the twist at the end. It was predictable, but I wasn't expecting it.
A good and solid read. I can’t wait to see who or what’s next in the series. I would love to know if Quilo, Saar and the twins ever develop into something more.
As a longtime fan of M. Monique, I was genuinely excited to dive into Dr. Bell. One thing I’ve always admired about her writing is the distinct style she brings to urban fiction romance—her male main characters are typically lovable, relatable, and grounded in a way that makes you think, “I could actually meet someone like this in real life.” I’ve read every book she’s released, including her collaborations, and I’ve come to expect a certain emotional connection to her characters.
Unfortunately, Dr. Bell missed the mark for me.
In this book, M. Monique seemed to explore a different lane by introducing an unhinged, psychopathic male lead. While I understand the desire to evolve creatively and try something new, this particular character archetype felt out of alignment with what she does best. The charm and authenticity I’ve come to associate with her male leads just wasn’t there. Instead of feeling drawn to the character, I found myself disconnected and, at times, uncomfortable.
There are other authors who specialize in writing unhinged, morally complex male leads—and do it well—but in my opinion, this isn’t a space M. Monique needed to enter. The character of Dr. Bell, despite being a sexy, educated, multimillionaire hustler, lacked the emotional depth and relatability that fans of her work typically fall in love with.
While I respect M. Monique’s willingness to step outside her comfort zone, Dr. Bell didn’t resonate with me the way her previous works have. I hope to see her return to the type of male characters that made so many of us fall in love with her stories in the first place
25% in, I was in Love with Adir Bell 😩😩 He was the head of his family, a fierce protector, a single father, an accomplished doctor and he didn't play about his family at all. We love when a man falls first, and he fell immediately at first sight of his "Pretty." I love the way he stepped in with no hesitation for both her and her brother. He was just such a good man. Coco aka Pretty was doing her best to care for her rowdy brother Quilo. Little did she know the choices she made on his behalf would be the best ones yet.
Beyond the love story there was so much drama, jealousy, betrayal, and death. When everybody is dying, I just side eye because it starts getting unrealistic to me. However, I did appreciate the development of the plot twist. It was predictable but suspenseful at the same time.
Overall, I enjoyed it and can't wait to read Quilo and Saar's story.
I was intrigued with Dr. Bell when he was introduced in double trouble holiday special and walked into this excited to learn more about he an Coco.
Although this story had really great moments I felt that every open area was rushed.. As if the author had so much she wanted to develop but didn’t fully close.
For starters the connection to August and Hendrix is still confusing to me.. I can’t connect the reason he was introduced in the previous story..
Coco and her brothers relationship was strong but the background and introduction to them was rushed and not fully flushed out to me.
Adir and Coco’s introduction was super intense and excited me. His upfront knowledge that she was his wife was beautifully delusional, and I enjoyed that and them as a couple. Which leads me to my reason for feeling underwhelmed overall… all of their big moments to secure them as a couple felt rushed, their interactions were so short which didn’t help me connect the level of intensity they appeared to have for each other. It was just so much going on that was all really good, but overall felt rushed in peacing it together.
I can tell this is an introduction into this new family and although this one didn’t quite meet the mark for me I am still excited to see how this series grows.
Only reason it’s a 4.5 is because it was predictable, the twist of the paternity was a good one but from the wedding scene I could tell who was gonna be the snake. I will say the way she wrote that stadium scene went crazy, no reason my heart was racing like I was in there with them. I told y’all if the author got Monique in the name the pen don’t play games 🗣🗣🗣 I can’t wait to read Antonias & Bianca’s tale
Coco was truly her brother’s keeper. After losing their mother, Coco does all she can to provide for her brother Quilo, and protect him, until she can’t. She is now forced to make a hard decision. In their new town, Coco runs into a stunningly handsome man, and her life changes in an instant.
Adir Bell’s name is familiar around town, as he is known as Dr. Bell, the one who takes care of those who may not seem worthy of quality care. However, to those who “know” Adir is a whole different beast in the streets. When he sees Coco in the coffee shop, he is smitten, and she is immediately dubbed Pretty Bell. He was not looking for love at all, but something about Coco calls out to him, and he is certainly going to answer. When Coco and Quilo get caught up in a scuffle that goes left, Adir comes to the rescue with an offer she can’t refuse.
I loved the Bell family that Adir was born into as well, as the family he created. He loved those boys with his entire being, and it was a beautiful thing to experience. Although their coupling was unorthodox, Adir loved Pretty unconditionally. 😍 I could sense early on who may bring the drama but was a bit surprised at how it all played out. Especially that move by Aunt Maddie. 👀 Adir is not to be played with, and I don’t know why they didn’t get the memo. Loved this introduction to Niceville Shores and can’t wait for more. 👍🏾👍🏾
I love books with family legacies, I like insta love that’s realistic, and I love a man who’s protective. He didn’t have to be but he was — with her and his kids. Like win win for me!!
I love this family already!!! M Monique gone show up every-time!! .
I love , love how m.monique writes it’s one thing to write about family , but to incorporate their every interaction I love that most about a writer the random dialogue between the characters the interaction with one another it takes it over the top every time for me . & she wrote the hell out this book.
This was an arranged marriage story and it didn’t even seem like it . You would of thought they been together forever . Adir & Pretty interaction through out this book you can feel it in the pages ! & my favorite about a book I need to feel it all! Every word!!
This is the beginning and she came like this I know the rest of this series is about to be FIRE.
It’s gun on the hip while Adir operates, it’s the way he is with his PRETTY! & him with his boyssss omg. I was gone off that alone it’s something about them good behind fathers and how the show up for them kids for me !!!
Humble , Peace , Quilo, Saar , Kalm and Bragg! ( I can read about them over & Over! Just love it!
You should give it a chance! This family does not play!
Listen I have zero complaints because I already know how M. Monique is coming. I was locked in with Pretty and Dr. Bell from the moment they locked eyes at the coffee shop. It took me less than two days to finish this and honestly I want more. I can’t wait to see who’s next in the Niceville Shores Chronicles….i hope it’s Bianca and Antonias.
Also that other guy….the real psycho….he needs a name!
M. Monique does not miss and she continues to put up good reads with this one being no different.
We follow the good doctor, Adir Bell, who has one foot in the streets as the head of his family and one foot in his medical practice where he services the ppl of said streets. A devoted father and family man.
Coco aka Pretty, a struggling nurse raising her brother, who is succumbing to the streets, decides that in order to save him she will have to move away from everything and everyone she has ever known. Settling in a new city did not come without challenges, while out with her brother one night she finds out just who runs her new city.
Faves: The tenderness of Adir as a father and a lover Ornery Quilo Peace not being so peaceful Remembering Coco’s name was not really the moniker Adir gave her.
This was my first M. Monique read, and all I can say is—why did no one put me on sooner?! I love it here.
Adir Bell. Yes sir! That man is something serious. Former street dude turned healer, protector, and father to four beautiful boys with names like Peace, Bragg, Kalm, and Humble. He’s a walking contradiction in the best way—tough when he needs to be, gentle where it counts, and completely rooted in love and loyalty. Adir doesn’t just show love—he protects it, nurtures it, and defends it with everything he’s got. And when his peace is threatened, he reminds folks exactly who he is. No loud talking needed.
Then there’s Coco. Strong, real, loyal to her core. She’s doing what she has to do to protect her brother, even if it means marrying a complete stranger. What she didn’t expect? To find a man who sees her heart from day one. When Adir gives her the name Pretty Bell, you feel the shift. He moves like she's the only thing that matters—because she kinda is. The way she embraces the boys and vice versa... Chef's kiss! I love a fire bonus parent.
The connection between Adir & Pretty? It’s instant, but it’s not rushed. It’s deep, safe, and earned. You feel the care in every look, every word, every moment.
What really got me, though, was the family dynamic. Adir with his sons? Had me smiling one second and holding back tears the next. And that little peek at Quilo and Saar? I ate that up!
Top-tier storytelling. Adir Bell? Unforgettable. And me? I’m already looking for my next M. Monique read.
Out of all the things that could shake Adir Bell’s world, love was the last thing he expected. Known on the streets as Dr. Bell, Adir balances a life of complexity: healer to those society has cast aside, and fiercely protective single father to four boys—Humble, Peace, Bragg, and Kalm. Though the streets whisper his name and plead for the man he used to be, Adir remains committed to the man he’s become—a father, a guide, and a protector.
Enter Coco Turner—fierce, loyal, and willing to risk everything for her brother Quilo. When life forces her to marry a stranger for safety, the last thing she expects is to find herself wrapped in the care of a man like Adir. But from the moment he sees her, she’s not just Coco—she’s Pretty. And when Adir Bell sets his mind on protecting someone, nothing will stop him.
This book was so good. Adir Bell is HIM. The way he loves Coco and Quilo? Absolutely beautiful. M. Monique masterfully brings to life a man who is both hard and soft—tough enough to survive the streets, yet tender enough to love without condition. His dynamic with his sons is heartwarming and real, filled with powerful moments of mentorship, respect, and fatherhood.
We also get a glimpse of how Quilo meets Saar, which was such a satisfying addition to the storyline. Every relationship in this book feels intentional and layered—from Adir’s ride-or-die loyalty to his community, to the growing bond between Coco and the Bell boys.
Adir doesn’t just protect—he elevates. His instinct to help, to heal, and to love is the soul of this story. And when forces threaten what he’s built, you’ll see exactly why Dr. Bell has never bowed to anyone—except for Pretty Bell.
M. Monique’s pen is truly undefeated. The writing is sharp, emotional, and grounded in character. She never disappoints, and Dr. Bell is proof of that. A must-read for anyone who loves gritty love stories wrapped in family, loyalty, and resilience.
Dr. Bell?! Baby, let’s talk about how I just fell in love with a street doctor who carries a stethoscope in one hand and gun in the other.
Adir Bell is an all man and I wanted every piece of it. The moment he locked eyes on Coco and renamed her Pretty? I knew it was over for me. This isn’t just a love story. A street king turned soft only for his sons and a woman who didn’t even see him coming.
Coco is a ride-or-die Marrying a stranger to protect her brother? Wild. But the way Adir made her feel safe while the streets tried to snatch his peace?
Excellent storyline, alittle instalove on Dr Bell’s part, the action was 😘 and the characters intertwining with Double the love (that was clever). Hoping all the sons; Humble, Peace, Kalm and Bragg get their own books. I wonder who will be May’s love interest. Haven and Jabari I like them as additional characters. 🥰 A few thoughts : 🩺 I want a peach cobbler now 😂 🏥 DJ and Uncle Duval got off alittle to easy for me. 🚑 I wanted Coco “Pretty” Bell to get active.
Now why would this book end like that?!?!?! OMG! This story was really good. It took me a minute to get into it but once I really locked in, it was on and popping. Dr. Bell is really HIM! I love his swag, confidence, loyalty and devotion to not only his Pretty, but his entire family. He handled business, by any means necessary. Whew this was good. I need more.
If you ever cooked a stew and you put all the ingredients in the pot but it still tasted bitter no matter how much you seasoned it, you can understand how I feel about this book. There were a lot of elements in this book that I enjoyed. I love unhinged MMC, I love found families, and I love a man who is a protector. I think small town settings are adorable and usually, they make me giddy. One of the few downsides is that I am not fond of insta-love unless it is done in a specific way. I am not quite sure if the world building was just lacking, or the instalove of it all just remained off-putting, or if I just didn't resonate with any of the characters, or if all of the above is the issue but this is not one of my better M.Momique experiences. If you do enjoy insta-love and are more fond of spicy and thriller than continuity and strong plots, this is a book you will love
Dr Bell. Dr Bell. Dr Bell. My man. My man. My man. And what a man he was! The way he commanded respect from everyone he encountered👏🏾. His love, loyalty, and leadership to his family was UNMATCHED. And baby, the way he didn’t play about his “Pretty Bell” …would burn the whole world down about her. I also liked Coco/Pretty as an FMC. She was the peace he needed. She also sacrificed a lot before meeting Dr. Bell in having to care for her brother, and as a result she stumbled into a soft girl life and I loved that for her. I’m a sucker for a marriage of convenience, and a “man who stepped up” trope and M. Monique didn’t disappoint. This had the right amount of romance, shenanigans, and tension. I only had a couple of unanswered questions but it didn’t detract from the story moving along. I hope we’re getting more because I need to see Bianca and Antonias getting together!
This book was so good! Adir and Coco (Pretty) were in love at first sight. Adir is the ultimate father, protector, comforter etc. Pretty did not play about her man or her sons. The background for their sons was heartbreaking. This book touched on so many things, my favorite was the rich background of Adir’s family ties and the loyalty they possessed to each other. I can’t wait to read about Adir’s siblings and the rest of the Bell family. If you love a gun toting, grill wearing, double occupation MMC, you will love this.
This was an unhinged, drama filled, insta love story. In one instance, Adir was a loving husband and father, renowned physician, and pillar of the community. In the next, he was a menace in those streets who didn’t bat an eye when it came to protecting his reputation and those he loved.
This book had some high points. with the mystery and mild action, but there were some predictable moments that made it drag a bit. All in all, it was entertaining and I can see myself getting invested in the next installment when it drops.
This was my first read by this author and it did not disappoint! Wheww the love, the drama all of it and then the twist and turns. M. Monique did the damn thing with this story: I want Dr. Bell that is a fine man, a mighty fine man. This book was everything read it now!
lovee a man like dr bell - handles his business and plays no games about his family . i love that he and quilo relationship was able to grow the way it did . he showed quilo he would show up for him every time instead of just saying it . i also liked that he didnt hide the shit he did from coco .. it was like aye this is life and you gots to get w it bc you stuck w me . really hope we get some more of humble somewhere . but yeah great book . unhinged men just do it right 4.5⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
M Monique does it again ! This is my second book that I’ve read in her catalogue and it did not disappoint. I was sucked in within the first chapter and I’m sad it’s over. Aiden is my kinda man … whoooo wee. Sad it’s over.
Damn sis put her soul, toes, hands, feet and HEART in this book. Had me shedding tears dozing off while reading and finished it in less than 24 hours please tell me there’s a book 2 in the making 😭👀
Everything i knew it was gonna be. I loved that Coco was down for whatever but wasn’t naive and Adir was everything i needed him to be. One of fav authors so i might be biased but her stories get me every time. I’m excited for the niceville shore chronicles.