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A Love Worth Forever
Grieving and starting over, a marketing research manager finds herself drawn to the one man she shouldn’t want in this soul-stirring, unconventional romance by BriAnn Danae.
Shyriq Hendricks is no stranger to success. As the heir to a legacy distillery and a man with wealth, status, and discipline, he’s built a life most would envy. But in the quiet moments when he’s not managing his multi-million-dollar empire, he’s aware that something is missing.
Then Nhuri Coleman steps into his life . . .
Nhuri has her reasons for keeping a low profile after relocating to Kansas City for a reset. After a chance encounter with Shyriq—the reserved but undeniably attractive owner of Great Hendrix Distillery—she accepts a job she hadn’t been pursuing, offered by a man who sees her worth before she’s ready to believe in it herself. She expects a steady check and a quiet routine, but what she experiences is undeniable soul-stirring chemistry.
Their early exchanges are strictly professional. But the way he watches, listens, and shows up without expectation catches her off guard. Just as their connection begins to deepen, the sudden death of her father pulls Nhuri back into the past. Shyriq, not one to chase, finds himself wanting more than just her time—he wants her trust. And he learns quickly that loving someone who’s learned to survive alone isn’t about fixing them. It’s about staying when everything else says leave.
Shyriq Hendricks is no stranger to success. As the heir to a legacy distillery and a man with wealth, status, and discipline, he’s built a life most would envy. But in the quiet moments when he’s not managing his multi-million-dollar empire, he’s aware that something is missing.
Then Nhuri Coleman steps into his life . . .
Nhuri has her reasons for keeping a low profile after relocating to Kansas City for a reset. After a chance encounter with Shyriq—the reserved but undeniably attractive owner of Great Hendrix Distillery—she accepts a job she hadn’t been pursuing, offered by a man who sees her worth before she’s ready to believe in it herself. She expects a steady check and a quiet routine, but what she experiences is undeniable soul-stirring chemistry.
Their early exchanges are strictly professional. But the way he watches, listens, and shows up without expectation catches her off guard. Just as their connection begins to deepen, the sudden death of her father pulls Nhuri back into the past. Shyriq, not one to chase, finds himself wanting more than just her time—he wants her trust. And he learns quickly that loving someone who’s learned to survive alone isn’t about fixing them. It’s about staying when everything else says leave.
289 pages, Paperback
Published February 24, 2026
About the author
BriAnn Danae
100 books1,207 followersBriAnn Danae is an urban romance author and native of Kansas City, Missouri. In October 2015, she penned her first novel and since has enhanced her catalog claiming seventy titles to date. She whimsically writes Black love stories with purpose and passion, making you want to go beyond the book and look into her mind as a writer.
As the two-time 2021 Black Girls Who Write award winner for Best Black Book Series and Best Black Urban Romance and KCPCA 2023 Best Author of Kansas City, BriAnn has masterfully crafted her pen. With the talent to navigate between genres, she’s captured the hearts of her readers, making them fall hard in love with her characters. Her writing can be classified as soul-snatching, heart-yearning, chest throbbing, and downright some of the most exhilarating literature one could grace their eyes upon.
There’s a message BriAnn strives to leave with her readers. “I don’t just write to tell a story. I write to paint a picture and give a testimony.”
As the two-time 2021 Black Girls Who Write award winner for Best Black Book Series and Best Black Urban Romance and KCPCA 2023 Best Author of Kansas City, BriAnn has masterfully crafted her pen. With the talent to navigate between genres, she’s captured the hearts of her readers, making them fall hard in love with her characters. Her writing can be classified as soul-snatching, heart-yearning, chest throbbing, and downright some of the most exhilarating literature one could grace their eyes upon.
There’s a message BriAnn strives to leave with her readers. “I don’t just write to tell a story. I write to paint a picture and give a testimony.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
April 24, 2026
4/5
Found myself loving how sassy the mmc was in this one! Seeing the fmc break down her walls and let her feel comfortable to have him take care of her literally left me swooning! Loved this! Hope this is going to be a series and we see Natalia’s story!
Found myself loving how sassy the mmc was in this one! Seeing the fmc break down her walls and let her feel comfortable to have him take care of her literally left me swooning! Loved this! Hope this is going to be a series and we see Natalia’s story!
February 28, 2026
I love a slow burn but not Nhuri and Shyriq making things official at the 95% mark!
From the title A Love Worth Forever I expected more because why didn’t we get to see Nhuri and Shyriq as a couple and see them navigate the struggles and how Shyriq handled being in a relationship differently from his marriage.
This story was mainly about Nhuri, being a support care giver to her sister who has lupus and her niece and her career. Although I enjoyed the story, it could have been flushed out a little better. I wanted to feel the underlying love and chemistry between the two and I didn’t get that. We got the cute flirty banter but it didn’t give a love worth forever.
Overall it was an ok read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for the advanced copy.
From the title A Love Worth Forever I expected more because why didn’t we get to see Nhuri and Shyriq as a couple and see them navigate the struggles and how Shyriq handled being in a relationship differently from his marriage.
This story was mainly about Nhuri, being a support care giver to her sister who has lupus and her niece and her career. Although I enjoyed the story, it could have been flushed out a little better. I wanted to feel the underlying love and chemistry between the two and I didn’t get that. We got the cute flirty banter but it didn’t give a love worth forever.
Overall it was an ok read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for the advanced copy.
April 26, 2026
I was enjoying this book in the beginning but what honestly turned me off was the indigenous racial slur in chapter 7. After that I wanted to DNF. I’m disgusted a BIPOC author would choose to use such an antiquated and offensive term so freely. I pushed through.
The story was solid although a slow burn. I felt like there could have been more backstory to some of the characters and wonder if this will be part of a series. Overall I enjoyed it but the colonizer terminology was definitely a no from me.
Thank you Netgalley and Black Odyssey Media for the advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
The story was solid although a slow burn. I felt like there could have been more backstory to some of the characters and wonder if this will be part of a series. Overall I enjoyed it but the colonizer terminology was definitely a no from me.
Thank you Netgalley and Black Odyssey Media for the advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
Read
March 2, 2026there were cute moments, but slow burn works best for me when the buildup actually puts logs on the fire. it took too long for things to happen. some scenes/conversations just kept going and going and going, and i got bored.
also, we waited too long for them to finally start having motion just shyriq to act a damn fool 90% into the book. let me bonk you on the head one time, sir!
also, we waited too long for them to finally start having motion just shyriq to act a damn fool 90% into the book. let me bonk you on the head one time, sir!
Did Not Finish
February 28, 2026Bored.
Read
March 9, 2026I originally dnf'd this book at 68%. I decided to go back after seeing so many positive reviews and thought maybe it was just a situation of me being a mood reader. I went back to 50% and finished the book and still didn't enjoy it unfortunately. This was beyond a slow burn and I just never felt the connection between the FMC & MMC.
January 23, 2026
Sighs I wanted to love it because I adore this author, but I was honestly a tad bored. This was beyond a slow burn😫. Shyriq was very clear about what he wanted, circumstances aside, and that was Nhuri. And I always appreciate a MMC that isn’t playing games. He did piss me off real bad towards the end though with his man tantrum🙄. Nhuri was smart & nurturing toward her family but was super guarded because of her past. There was a lot of back and forth and flirty banter between them that was fun to witness. This is a well written and generally low angst story about not being afraid to start over after heartbreak. I could tell that Shyriq was a loverboy and i loved the tender moments we got to see with him and Nhuri. And I just REALLY wish we got to see more of them as a couple.
Also I’m used to books written in 3rd person POV but it’s usually still clearly one person’s perspective per chapter. This felt like it was written a bit differently so it took a while for me to latch on to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for the ARC
Also I’m used to books written in 3rd person POV but it’s usually still clearly one person’s perspective per chapter. This felt like it was written a bit differently so it took a while for me to latch on to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for the ARC
March 3, 2026
Cus BriAnn is gonna write a MAAAAN like no doubt about it a FREAKING MAN. She’s also gonna deliver love in all its forms to include the love between black women & their homegirls and the love of siblings. Now this really 4.75 and the .25 off is really only because I felt like the lil issue/hiccup wasn’t placed well enough for me. We have two people and while they slightly hesitant they both act maturely and really don’t seem to have communication issues. While I’m sure it’s the insecurity/ fear or lack of trust that contributed it just seemed out of character for both of them to react so harshly. I think we needed to see more of the hesitation or at least have one more communication issue before the big fight, cus for me it just felt crazy like IKYFL both of yall. I didn’t really understand Nhuri sitting down with her ex at all like even the fact that he wasn’t blocked was also irritating to my spirit. Overall though this was a SUPERB story and I hope maybe we see more of them in the future. Very cute and Shy def had me blushing
January 28, 2026
OH THIS ONE??? Yeah… I loved this book DOWN. 😮🔥📖
Immediate shelf trophy status.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
A Love Worth Forever by BriAnn Danae is a soul-deep, grown, emotionally rich romance that grabbed me from page one and never let go. The grief, the healing, the restraint, the longing—every emotion felt intentional and real. Nhuri’s journey of starting over while carrying unspoken pain was written with so much care, and Shyriq Hendrix? Whew. Quietly powerful, patient, emotionally mature, and deeply intentional. The way he saw Nhuri before she fully saw herself had me swooning in silence.
I loved how this story didn’t rush intimacy. The slow burn, the professional tension, the subtle moments of showing up without trying to “fix” someone that’s where this book shines. It beautifully explores what it means to love someone who’s learned to survive on their own, and how trust is built through consistency, not pressure. The chemistry was undeniable, but the emotional connection was what truly made this story unforgettable.
This is the kind of romance that lingers after the last page. Tender, unconventional, and deeply satisfying. I read this via NetGalley, but trust me I need this on my physical shelf ASAP. BriAnn Danae did that. 💕
Immediate shelf trophy status.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
A Love Worth Forever by BriAnn Danae is a soul-deep, grown, emotionally rich romance that grabbed me from page one and never let go. The grief, the healing, the restraint, the longing—every emotion felt intentional and real. Nhuri’s journey of starting over while carrying unspoken pain was written with so much care, and Shyriq Hendrix? Whew. Quietly powerful, patient, emotionally mature, and deeply intentional. The way he saw Nhuri before she fully saw herself had me swooning in silence.
I loved how this story didn’t rush intimacy. The slow burn, the professional tension, the subtle moments of showing up without trying to “fix” someone that’s where this book shines. It beautifully explores what it means to love someone who’s learned to survive on their own, and how trust is built through consistency, not pressure. The chemistry was undeniable, but the emotional connection was what truly made this story unforgettable.
This is the kind of romance that lingers after the last page. Tender, unconventional, and deeply satisfying. I read this via NetGalley, but trust me I need this on my physical shelf ASAP. BriAnn Danae did that. 💕
March 13, 2026
Y’all already know that BriAnn can do no wrong in my eyes!
This book was a great light read. Can easily be finished in one or two sessions!! I couldn’t recommend this story enough.
I had a chance to receive an ALC and Lacy Laurel did an amazing job bringing the story to life. Great voice if you want to immersive read!
This book was a great light read. Can easily be finished in one or two sessions!! I couldn’t recommend this story enough.
I had a chance to receive an ALC and Lacy Laurel did an amazing job bringing the story to life. Great voice if you want to immersive read!
March 12, 2026
The story was slow burn and fast paced at the same time. The relationship of our couple just started and the book ended. I wanted to see more of them. Good and interesting characters, but needed a little more depth to them. The book was too short. Overall I hat a good time listening! Would love to see more of the characters if this becomes a series.
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC of the book in exchange of my honest opinion!
Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the ALC of the book in exchange of my honest opinion!
March 9, 2026
A good slow burn romance story.
May 10, 2026
actual rating: 4.5 ⭐️
this was such an amazing cute read! the way the characters were with each other really makes me want to read more of BriAnn Danae’s books! highly recommend!! 💗
this was such an amazing cute read! the way the characters were with each other really makes me want to read more of BriAnn Danae’s books! highly recommend!! 💗
March 26, 2026
Dear Readers,
A Love Worth Forever by Briann Danae is a beautifully written love story that felt both heartfelt and real from beginning to end.
The story follows Nhuri, who returns to Kansas City after a breakup to help her sister Natalia with her daughter Raniya., as she battles lupus. While navigating family responsibilities, personal loss, and career setbacks, Nhuri meets Shyriq, a successful whiskey business owner dealing with a divorce of his own. What unfolds is a story about love, timing, and rediscovering yourself while caring for others.
One of the things I appreciated most was how relatable Nhuri was. She embodies the “strong one” in the family—the one who holds everything together while quietly putting her own needs on the back burner. That dynamic felt incredibly real, especially as she struggled between supporting her loved ones and pursuing her own goals.
The relationship between Nhuri and Natalia truly stood out. Their bond, shaped by the loss of their parents, was both tender and resilient. They showed up for each other in ways that felt authentic, especially during Natalia’s health scare. That storyline, along with the emotional support she received, was deeply moving and added another layer of realism to the book.
I also loved how the author touched on workplace challenges. From misleading job descriptions to underpaid positions, it highlighted a truth many people experience—how difficult it can be to find a workplace that genuinely values its employees. That detail made the story feel even more grounded in real life.
The pacing was just right, and the romance felt natural and believable. This wasn’t just a love story, it was a story about growth, self-awareness, family, and learning that the love you pour into others can find its way back to you.
If you’re someone who still believes in true love, intentional dating, and the sanctity of marriage, this book will resonate with you.
I would absolutely recommend this author and look forward to reading more from her.
From Love,
The Letters
A Love Worth Forever by Briann Danae is a beautifully written love story that felt both heartfelt and real from beginning to end.
The story follows Nhuri, who returns to Kansas City after a breakup to help her sister Natalia with her daughter Raniya., as she battles lupus. While navigating family responsibilities, personal loss, and career setbacks, Nhuri meets Shyriq, a successful whiskey business owner dealing with a divorce of his own. What unfolds is a story about love, timing, and rediscovering yourself while caring for others.
One of the things I appreciated most was how relatable Nhuri was. She embodies the “strong one” in the family—the one who holds everything together while quietly putting her own needs on the back burner. That dynamic felt incredibly real, especially as she struggled between supporting her loved ones and pursuing her own goals.
The relationship between Nhuri and Natalia truly stood out. Their bond, shaped by the loss of their parents, was both tender and resilient. They showed up for each other in ways that felt authentic, especially during Natalia’s health scare. That storyline, along with the emotional support she received, was deeply moving and added another layer of realism to the book.
I also loved how the author touched on workplace challenges. From misleading job descriptions to underpaid positions, it highlighted a truth many people experience—how difficult it can be to find a workplace that genuinely values its employees. That detail made the story feel even more grounded in real life.
The pacing was just right, and the romance felt natural and believable. This wasn’t just a love story, it was a story about growth, self-awareness, family, and learning that the love you pour into others can find its way back to you.
If you’re someone who still believes in true love, intentional dating, and the sanctity of marriage, this book will resonate with you.
I would absolutely recommend this author and look forward to reading more from her.
From Love,
The Letters
March 18, 2026
A Lover Worth Forever by Briann Danae
Listen… LISTEN. When I tell you this book had me locked in like my phone on 1% and no charger in sight… I am not playing. I picked this up thinking I was about to casually read a few chapters and next thing I know I’m side-eyeing the clock at 2am like “well… guess I’m not sleeping tonight.”
Briann Danae really put her foot in this one. The characters felt REAL real. Not that surface-level, cute little romance either… I’m talking about the kind of story where you see the flaws, the growth, the tension, the love, the misunderstandings… all of it. And somehow you’re sitting there rooting for them like they’re people you actually know.
And baby the chemistry?? Yeah… it was giving. The banter, the tension, the moments where you’re like “okay now wait a minute…” had me grinning, clutching my Kindle, and shaking my head at these characters like they could hear me through the pages.
But what really got me was the emotional depth. This wasn’t just romance for the sake of romance. It was about connection, healing, choosing someone over and over again even when things get complicated. By the time I got to the end I just sat there for a second like… wow. THAT is what you call a love story.
Five stars EASY. No hesitation. No discussion. Briann Danae absolutely did her thing with this one.
If you like romance with real emotion, real chemistry, and characters that will have you talking to the book like it can respond… go ahead and grab this one. Just don’t blame me if you end up staying up way past your bedtime
Listen… LISTEN. When I tell you this book had me locked in like my phone on 1% and no charger in sight… I am not playing. I picked this up thinking I was about to casually read a few chapters and next thing I know I’m side-eyeing the clock at 2am like “well… guess I’m not sleeping tonight.”
Briann Danae really put her foot in this one. The characters felt REAL real. Not that surface-level, cute little romance either… I’m talking about the kind of story where you see the flaws, the growth, the tension, the love, the misunderstandings… all of it. And somehow you’re sitting there rooting for them like they’re people you actually know.
And baby the chemistry?? Yeah… it was giving. The banter, the tension, the moments where you’re like “okay now wait a minute…” had me grinning, clutching my Kindle, and shaking my head at these characters like they could hear me through the pages.
But what really got me was the emotional depth. This wasn’t just romance for the sake of romance. It was about connection, healing, choosing someone over and over again even when things get complicated. By the time I got to the end I just sat there for a second like… wow. THAT is what you call a love story.
Five stars EASY. No hesitation. No discussion. Briann Danae absolutely did her thing with this one.
If you like romance with real emotion, real chemistry, and characters that will have you talking to the book like it can respond… go ahead and grab this one. Just don’t blame me if you end up staying up way past your bedtime
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The book was enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoyed Shyriq. He’s intelligent, successful, and likable. I’m definitely adding him to my list of book boyfriends. Nhuri, on the other hand, is guarded because of her past and is reserved about dating, especially since Shyriq was going through a divorce. I appreciate an FMC who doesn’t tolerate nonsense, and she certainly didn’t.
The only downside is that I found the book a bit boring. If you prefer a low-stress read, this is the book for you. I would have liked to see more of them as an actual couple in the story, or perhaps there will be more to come—I’m not sure. It’s worth reading, but be prepared for a slow burn.
Arc courtesy of NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media
The only downside is that I found the book a bit boring. If you prefer a low-stress read, this is the book for you. I would have liked to see more of them as an actual couple in the story, or perhaps there will be more to come—I’m not sure. It’s worth reading, but be prepared for a slow burn.
Arc courtesy of NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media
February 10, 2026
This was a very slow burn. I get that Shyriq was in the process of filling and finalizing his divorce, but the progress of them dating and going to the next steps did kind of drag the story. Nhuri was very cautious of how she wanted to handle Shyriq which was understandable due to his marital status, however it seemed like she let her sister’s feelings about his marital status over ride the feelings she had towards him. Shyriq’s temper tantrum made me roll my eyes so hard.
Overall, this was a good read, if you are looking for a slow burn with light spice, this is for you.
Thank you Black Odyssey for the ARC!
Overall, this was a good read, if you are looking for a slow burn with light spice, this is for you.
Thank you Black Odyssey for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2026
I will start by saying this was definitely a slow burn. I’m the first to always say I don’t like slow burns, but this one was done right. Watching the relationship grow between Shyriq and Nhuri was everything I didn’t know I needed. There was no miscommunication, just two adults that knew what they wanted and made sure to let the other know exactly how they felt. Their relationship evolved so naturally, unintentionally, and beautifully. Overall, a solid read, and I enjoyed every moment.
** Thanks NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC **
** Thanks NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC **
April 13, 2026
A Love Worth Forever by Briann Danae was a good slooooooooowwwww burn contemporary romance with a touch of forced proximity. He falls first and he is a protector. Shyriq is a multi-million dollar business owner that is has it all except a little romance. In walks Nhuri who has recently relocated to Kansas City and is in need of a job. Of course Shyriq being a gentleman offers her a job and it blossoms from their. You get to see strong family ties, independence, and the effects of an autoimmune disease. I enjoyed my time and gave the book 3.5⭐️.
March 12, 2026
thankyou net gallery for the advance audiobook arc.
A book filled with workplace romance, drama, i'd say this was fun. got me kicking my feet in the air.
the only thing that ticked me off was the way he behaved after knowing about her ex, that a BIG no no and a red flag. other than that it was a good story.
A book filled with workplace romance, drama, i'd say this was fun. got me kicking my feet in the air.
the only thing that ticked me off was the way he behaved after knowing about her ex, that a BIG no no and a red flag. other than that it was a good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2026
This was a sweet story!
Definitely a slow burn, but I enjoyed it.
I love love love love love the fact that she waited for his divorce to be cleared before moving forward with him.
I love how much she value herself and how much he valued her.
Top tier read
Definitely a slow burn, but I enjoyed it.
I love love love love love the fact that she waited for his divorce to be cleared before moving forward with him.
I love how much she value herself and how much he valued her.
Top tier read
April 1, 2026
GOOD READ
This was a slow burn read that I enjoyed. Two adults who are at a place where they are ending relationships and starting over. They knew what they wanted and let each other know how they felt. Although there was some hesitancy, these characters decided to move at their own pace and when the time was right they became official. Overal, a good read.
This was a slow burn read that I enjoyed. Two adults who are at a place where they are ending relationships and starting over. They knew what they wanted and let each other know how they felt. Although there was some hesitancy, these characters decided to move at their own pace and when the time was right they became official. Overal, a good read.
April 27, 2026
This book was so sweet with little spice 📚
February 24, 2026
A Love Worth Forever is a quiet, emotional slow-burn romance meant to be experienced slowly, not rushed.
I appreciated how the story allows Nhuri the space to grieve a failed relationship without rushing her healing. Shyriq was a refreshing, emotionally mature hero—patient, observant, and present without trying to fix her. Their connection felt intentional, safe, and earned.
This story beautifully reframes love as choosing presence over grand gestures. If you enjoy romances with emotional depth and thoughtful character development, this one belongs on your TBR.
I appreciated how the story allows Nhuri the space to grieve a failed relationship without rushing her healing. Shyriq was a refreshing, emotionally mature hero—patient, observant, and present without trying to fix her. Their connection felt intentional, safe, and earned.
This story beautifully reframes love as choosing presence over grand gestures. If you enjoy romances with emotional depth and thoughtful character development, this one belongs on your TBR.
March 7, 2026
I started reading A Love Worth Forever with extremely high expectations fully expecting it to be a 4–5 star read for me. People talked about how character driven it is, that it’s a slow burn, and how respectful the MMC is. By all objective measures, this book should have been perfect for me. I was disappointed that it never really resonated.
I ultimately stopped around the halfway mark (about 55%), not because the book was bad, but because it wasn’t quite capturing my attention the way I had hoped. This is a well-written story—it just wasn’t the right fit for my personal tastes.
Our FMC, Nhuri, has recently left everything behind to escape an abusive relationship and start over. She has a lot going on—juggling multiple difficult jobs, caring for her sister who has lupus, and trying to rebuild a life with the support of a small but meaningful social circle. The MMC, Shyriq, is a wealthy owner of a distillery. As they get to know each other, casual flirting gradually turns into a job opportunity and the possibility of a relationship.
There were many things this book did well. Most notably, Shyriq is written as a genuinely kind and respectful character, particularly in how he navigates the potentially tricky power dynamic created by both his wealth and the fact that he wants to both employ and date Nhuri. I found Shyriq, Nhuri, and Nhuri’s sister to be interesting and compelling characters.
There were a few reasons the story didn’t fully land for me. First, BriAnn Danae does an excellent job narrating the audiobook in a voice and dialect that feels authentic to the characters and their community. It adds a strong sense of place and identity to the story. Personally, I sometimes struggle to fully settle into narrative voices that are culturally very different from my own, which made it harder for me to stay immersed in the audiobook. This is very much a personal reading experience issue rather than a flaw in the book, and I suspect many listeners will find the dialect a major strength.
Second, Nhuri’s character felt somewhat emotionally flat to me. In theory she has just left a long-term abusive relationship, but she often seemed surprisingly composed and emotionally regulated given that context. While she states that she is romantically interested in Shyriq, that interest didn’t always feel fully reflected in her thoughts and behavior. Although the romance is clearly intended to be a slow burn, it sometimes read more like a relationship developing without much spark.
Finally, while I think Lacy Laurel’s narration fit the tone of the book extremely well and was well performed, the measured pacing combined with the NetGalley audiobook player’s limited playback speed options made the listening experience feel slower for me personally. The available 1.25x and 1.5x playback speeds didn’t quite land in the right place for this performance. This isn’t a fault with the narration, just a limitation of the NetGalley audiobook app.
While this book wasn’t quite for me, it is well crafted and I can easily see it being a favorite for many other readers, particularly those who enjoy character-driven romance with thoughtful, respectful relationships rooted in dialectical terroir and a strong sense of community.
I ultimately stopped around the halfway mark (about 55%), not because the book was bad, but because it wasn’t quite capturing my attention the way I had hoped. This is a well-written story—it just wasn’t the right fit for my personal tastes.
Our FMC, Nhuri, has recently left everything behind to escape an abusive relationship and start over. She has a lot going on—juggling multiple difficult jobs, caring for her sister who has lupus, and trying to rebuild a life with the support of a small but meaningful social circle. The MMC, Shyriq, is a wealthy owner of a distillery. As they get to know each other, casual flirting gradually turns into a job opportunity and the possibility of a relationship.
There were many things this book did well. Most notably, Shyriq is written as a genuinely kind and respectful character, particularly in how he navigates the potentially tricky power dynamic created by both his wealth and the fact that he wants to both employ and date Nhuri. I found Shyriq, Nhuri, and Nhuri’s sister to be interesting and compelling characters.
There were a few reasons the story didn’t fully land for me. First, BriAnn Danae does an excellent job narrating the audiobook in a voice and dialect that feels authentic to the characters and their community. It adds a strong sense of place and identity to the story. Personally, I sometimes struggle to fully settle into narrative voices that are culturally very different from my own, which made it harder for me to stay immersed in the audiobook. This is very much a personal reading experience issue rather than a flaw in the book, and I suspect many listeners will find the dialect a major strength.
Second, Nhuri’s character felt somewhat emotionally flat to me. In theory she has just left a long-term abusive relationship, but she often seemed surprisingly composed and emotionally regulated given that context. While she states that she is romantically interested in Shyriq, that interest didn’t always feel fully reflected in her thoughts and behavior. Although the romance is clearly intended to be a slow burn, it sometimes read more like a relationship developing without much spark.
Finally, while I think Lacy Laurel’s narration fit the tone of the book extremely well and was well performed, the measured pacing combined with the NetGalley audiobook player’s limited playback speed options made the listening experience feel slower for me personally. The available 1.25x and 1.5x playback speeds didn’t quite land in the right place for this performance. This isn’t a fault with the narration, just a limitation of the NetGalley audiobook app.
While this book wasn’t quite for me, it is well crafted and I can easily see it being a favorite for many other readers, particularly those who enjoy character-driven romance with thoughtful, respectful relationships rooted in dialectical terroir and a strong sense of community.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Review
I was excited to read this book because I have read other books by Briann Danae which I enjoyed and the premise sounded good but it wasn't quite what I expected especially based on the title.
When Shyriq first met Nhuri he found her attractive and he couldn't get her out his head although he did not make any moves during their first encounter.. He saw her a few times after that and that is when he decided he wanted to get to know her better but it seemed to be on a more professional level at first than personal which was okay for Nhuri because she was in need of a job at that time. They did spend time together on a personal level too but that seemed to occur much later in the book.
His character seemed very sweet on their first date and supportive when she had some family situations occur but then he switched up real quick when another situation occurred instead of just talking to her like a man and like he was advised to do. Also, there was drama that was thrown into the mix that seemed unnecessary for how the story was going. There was some spice in the book and while I enjoyed it, it felt out of place considering where they were in their "relationship" at that point in time. The ending of the book was nice but it appeared to be more focused on where she was in her career than where they were in their relationship.
I don't mind a slow burn; however, this one seemed really slow and I didn't really get the love connection between the two of them. Overall to me the book appeared to focus more on Shariq's issues with his ex and Nhuri's job, career and family life than it did on the establishment of their relationship with each other. Their first date was nice to see and there was mention of another date occurring and them spending time together after that but it was mainly off page. I would have liked to read about that to feel more of the romantic connection between the characters,
Thank you to Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was excited to read this book because I have read other books by Briann Danae which I enjoyed and the premise sounded good but it wasn't quite what I expected especially based on the title.
When Shyriq first met Nhuri he found her attractive and he couldn't get her out his head although he did not make any moves during their first encounter.. He saw her a few times after that and that is when he decided he wanted to get to know her better but it seemed to be on a more professional level at first than personal which was okay for Nhuri because she was in need of a job at that time. They did spend time together on a personal level too but that seemed to occur much later in the book.
His character seemed very sweet on their first date and supportive when she had some family situations occur but then he switched up real quick when another situation occurred instead of just talking to her like a man and like he was advised to do. Also, there was drama that was thrown into the mix that seemed unnecessary for how the story was going. There was some spice in the book and while I enjoyed it, it felt out of place considering where they were in their "relationship" at that point in time. The ending of the book was nice but it appeared to be more focused on where she was in her career than where they were in their relationship.
I don't mind a slow burn; however, this one seemed really slow and I didn't really get the love connection between the two of them. Overall to me the book appeared to focus more on Shariq's issues with his ex and Nhuri's job, career and family life than it did on the establishment of their relationship with each other. Their first date was nice to see and there was mention of another date occurring and them spending time together after that but it was mainly off page. I would have liked to read about that to feel more of the romantic connection between the characters,
Thank you to Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 9, 2026
ALC Review
📚 Book Title: A Love Worth Forever
✍🏽Author: BriAnn Danae
🎙️Narrator:
📕 Format: 🎧
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨: 3.75
🌶 Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
🕑Quick Take:
Nhuri Coleman is in transition in multiple areas of her life: relationships, her recent move to Kansas City, MO, and a professional shift. She also wants to be a steady presence and support for her sister Natalia and niece Raniya.
Shyriq Hendrix is in the middle of a contentious divorce that seems never-ending. He is also running a family-owned business, Great Hendrix Co., headquartered in Missouri. GHC is the first Black family in Missouri to own a whiskey distillery. Shyriq Hendrix has achieved significant success!
Nhuri and Shyriq have multiple chance encounters, and Shyriq is not shy about expressing his interest or intentions. Nhuri is hesitant because, while she is seeking a fresh start, she is not prioritizing a relationship. How will their connection mature and grow?
✨ Tropes:
- Chance Encounters
- Deliberate & Gentle Love
- Love After Pain & Grief
- Provider & Multi-Millionaire MMC
🎭 Narration:
Lauren Lacy really impressed me with her narration of this novel! I really enjoy a good solo third-person narration. Lacy does a wonderful job of giving each character their own distinct voice, perfectly capturing their personality. Sassy delivery for Nhuri. Steady, low-key, confident tone for Shyriq. The general narration captured reflections of the characters' internal dialogues and emotional depths. She gave an excellent performance in this audiobook.
💭Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed this audiobook version. It was a slow burn with low spice. It also captures the space individuals are in during transition, grief, and healing while making room for love. I appreciated BriAnn Danae shining a light on lupus. Nhuri was guarded and principled for good reasons. I enjoyed Shyriq's directness and that he never wavered in his interest and intentions. Although he was a little broody. Overall, A Love Worth Forever felt soft and gentle, like a courtship romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for the ALC!
📚 Book Title: A Love Worth Forever
✍🏽Author: BriAnn Danae
🎙️Narrator:
📕 Format: 🎧
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨: 3.75
🌶 Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
🕑Quick Take:
Nhuri Coleman is in transition in multiple areas of her life: relationships, her recent move to Kansas City, MO, and a professional shift. She also wants to be a steady presence and support for her sister Natalia and niece Raniya.
Shyriq Hendrix is in the middle of a contentious divorce that seems never-ending. He is also running a family-owned business, Great Hendrix Co., headquartered in Missouri. GHC is the first Black family in Missouri to own a whiskey distillery. Shyriq Hendrix has achieved significant success!
Nhuri and Shyriq have multiple chance encounters, and Shyriq is not shy about expressing his interest or intentions. Nhuri is hesitant because, while she is seeking a fresh start, she is not prioritizing a relationship. How will their connection mature and grow?
✨ Tropes:
- Chance Encounters
- Deliberate & Gentle Love
- Love After Pain & Grief
- Provider & Multi-Millionaire MMC
🎭 Narration:
Lauren Lacy really impressed me with her narration of this novel! I really enjoy a good solo third-person narration. Lacy does a wonderful job of giving each character their own distinct voice, perfectly capturing their personality. Sassy delivery for Nhuri. Steady, low-key, confident tone for Shyriq. The general narration captured reflections of the characters' internal dialogues and emotional depths. She gave an excellent performance in this audiobook.
💭Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed this audiobook version. It was a slow burn with low spice. It also captures the space individuals are in during transition, grief, and healing while making room for love. I appreciated BriAnn Danae shining a light on lupus. Nhuri was guarded and principled for good reasons. I enjoyed Shyriq's directness and that he never wavered in his interest and intentions. Although he was a little broody. Overall, A Love Worth Forever felt soft and gentle, like a courtship romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for the ALC!
March 9, 2026
A Love Worth Forever is a well crafted grounded romance from BriAnn Danae, and I truly enjoyed following Nhuri and Shyriq’s journey. Nhuri Coleman returns home to care for her ailing sister, hoping for a quiet reset, only to cross paths with Shyriq Hendrix while bartending at his friend’s engagement party. Their chemistry is immediate, but both assume it’s a fleeting moment, until life brings them back together in an unexpected way.
I loved how Danae develops their connection with intention. Shyriq, disciplined and successful yet quietly longing for something deeper, sees Nhuri’s worth even before she’s ready to claim it herself. And Nhuri, still grieving and rebuilding, must learn to trust someone who shows up for her without expectation. Their attempts to keep things professional only highlight how natural their bond is, and watching them navigate communication, trust, and vulnerability made the story feel authentic and heartfelt.
This is a tender, romantic read with characters who feel real and layered. I appreciated the emotional maturity, the slow building of trust, and the reminder that love sometimes requires staying steady when someone is used to standing alone. A lovely story.
Note: I received an advance copy from NetGalley
I received an advanced audio copy from NetGalley, and Lacey Laurel did a great job bringing this story to life. Her narration kept the storyline flowing smoothly, and she gave Nhuri and Shyriq distinct voices that made their emotional journeys easy to follow. I especially enjoyed how she handled the lighter moments—Nhuri’s conversations with her girlfriends and Shyriq’s banter with his brother Rush were genuinely funny and felt even more vibrant in audio. Laurel’s performance added warmth, personality, and depth to the story, making the audiobook a strong complement to the ebook.
Note: I received an advanced audio copy from NetGalley
I loved how Danae develops their connection with intention. Shyriq, disciplined and successful yet quietly longing for something deeper, sees Nhuri’s worth even before she’s ready to claim it herself. And Nhuri, still grieving and rebuilding, must learn to trust someone who shows up for her without expectation. Their attempts to keep things professional only highlight how natural their bond is, and watching them navigate communication, trust, and vulnerability made the story feel authentic and heartfelt.
This is a tender, romantic read with characters who feel real and layered. I appreciated the emotional maturity, the slow building of trust, and the reminder that love sometimes requires staying steady when someone is used to standing alone. A lovely story.
Note: I received an advance copy from NetGalley
I received an advanced audio copy from NetGalley, and Lacey Laurel did a great job bringing this story to life. Her narration kept the storyline flowing smoothly, and she gave Nhuri and Shyriq distinct voices that made their emotional journeys easy to follow. I especially enjoyed how she handled the lighter moments—Nhuri’s conversations with her girlfriends and Shyriq’s banter with his brother Rush were genuinely funny and felt even more vibrant in audio. Laurel’s performance added warmth, personality, and depth to the story, making the audiobook a strong complement to the ebook.
Note: I received an advanced audio copy from NetGalley
March 14, 2026
A big thanks to NetGalley, BriAnn Danae, and RBMediaAudiobooks for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
“A Love Worth Forever” by BriAnn Danae 🥃💲💄💼❤️@brianndanae
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🎙 Narrator: Lacy Laurel
📚 Pub Date: 03.10.26
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars
“A Love Worth Forever” by BriAnn Danae (narrated by Lacy Laurel) is a slow burn romance with a lot of heart.
Shyriq Hendrix, who is going through a divorce, is the owner of Great Hendrix Distillery, a company that was started by his great-grandfather in the mid 1940’s. Nhuri Coleman has recently moved back home to Kansas City after a breakup.
Shyriq and Nhuri run into each other frequently, which ultimately leads to Shyriq offering Nhuri a job. Their proximity always highlights their chemistry and attraction to each other. Each Shyriq and Nhuri have their own reasons for being hesitant to trust in a relationship. I enjoyed the strong independent main characters, and I was rooting for them the whole time.
Natalia is Nhuri’s sister who works for Great Hendrix Distillery in Marketing. Natalia is the mom of a six year old daughter, Raniya, and she is separated from her child’s father, Raheem. Though he is a good father to Raniya, Natalia struggles with day-to-day responsibilities due to a chronic autoimmune illness, Lupus. Nhuri is grateful for the opportunity to emotionally support her sister as well as help with her with practical chores.
One of my favourite parts of this book is a strong theme of tight knit family relationships throughout the storyline.
Another aspect of this book that I really appreciate is the discussion around dealing with a chronic illness and the unpredictability of managing daily responsibilities and chronic illness.
“A Love Worth Forever” reminded me that family, relationships and health are truly the most important aspects of life.
#ALoveWorthForever
#BriAnn Danae
#LacyLaurel
#NetGalley
#RBMedia
“A Love Worth Forever” by BriAnn Danae 🥃💲💄💼❤️@brianndanae
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🎙 Narrator: Lacy Laurel
📚 Pub Date: 03.10.26
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars
“A Love Worth Forever” by BriAnn Danae (narrated by Lacy Laurel) is a slow burn romance with a lot of heart.
Shyriq Hendrix, who is going through a divorce, is the owner of Great Hendrix Distillery, a company that was started by his great-grandfather in the mid 1940’s. Nhuri Coleman has recently moved back home to Kansas City after a breakup.
Shyriq and Nhuri run into each other frequently, which ultimately leads to Shyriq offering Nhuri a job. Their proximity always highlights their chemistry and attraction to each other. Each Shyriq and Nhuri have their own reasons for being hesitant to trust in a relationship. I enjoyed the strong independent main characters, and I was rooting for them the whole time.
Natalia is Nhuri’s sister who works for Great Hendrix Distillery in Marketing. Natalia is the mom of a six year old daughter, Raniya, and she is separated from her child’s father, Raheem. Though he is a good father to Raniya, Natalia struggles with day-to-day responsibilities due to a chronic autoimmune illness, Lupus. Nhuri is grateful for the opportunity to emotionally support her sister as well as help with her with practical chores.
One of my favourite parts of this book is a strong theme of tight knit family relationships throughout the storyline.
Another aspect of this book that I really appreciate is the discussion around dealing with a chronic illness and the unpredictability of managing daily responsibilities and chronic illness.
“A Love Worth Forever” reminded me that family, relationships and health are truly the most important aspects of life.
#ALoveWorthForever
#BriAnn Danae
#LacyLaurel
#NetGalley
#RBMedia
February 24, 2026
A story worth reading
Reading this second chance @ love romance was such a good way to start my week. Our main characters are at an engagement party where our MMC is to support his best friend, and our FMC is a bartender. Little does she know, he’s the owner of the whiskey brand that she is suggesting to him when she’s making his drink. For the most part, I loved how there wasn’t so much necessary drama, but I do love how it explores complex relationship dynamics, especially when you have family who may be sick and the pressure that comes with wanting to be there for them. Our FMC chose to put her family over her work, and it cost her, which I really think is unfair, but our MMC is there too, not only to let her know that he’s attracted to her but also to offer her a job. Now, in real life, this is definitely something no one would ever recommend, especially when they had already had established an interest in each other. Also, I was expecting more drama with his ex-wife. What she brought added more layers to the story I wish was explored.
This is a workplace romance, and I kind of wish that she became his assistant first and then they caught feelings for each other because he definitely hired her because he was attracted to her, but also she’s high skilled and really over qualified for the job but needs work and wanted her close. So that’s an interesting take for sure. The author does a great job of making you fall in love with the characters and honestly wanting to know more about them, and there was an opportunity where she could’ve delved deeper with the characters and their background. Like a lot of stuff just with the surface level. Still, I really enjoyed this book, and I am going to go back and look at the other works by the author. Thank you to NetGalley as well as Black Odyssey Media for this arc.
Reading this second chance @ love romance was such a good way to start my week. Our main characters are at an engagement party where our MMC is to support his best friend, and our FMC is a bartender. Little does she know, he’s the owner of the whiskey brand that she is suggesting to him when she’s making his drink. For the most part, I loved how there wasn’t so much necessary drama, but I do love how it explores complex relationship dynamics, especially when you have family who may be sick and the pressure that comes with wanting to be there for them. Our FMC chose to put her family over her work, and it cost her, which I really think is unfair, but our MMC is there too, not only to let her know that he’s attracted to her but also to offer her a job. Now, in real life, this is definitely something no one would ever recommend, especially when they had already had established an interest in each other. Also, I was expecting more drama with his ex-wife. What she brought added more layers to the story I wish was explored.
This is a workplace romance, and I kind of wish that she became his assistant first and then they caught feelings for each other because he definitely hired her because he was attracted to her, but also she’s high skilled and really over qualified for the job but needs work and wanted her close. So that’s an interesting take for sure. The author does a great job of making you fall in love with the characters and honestly wanting to know more about them, and there was an opportunity where she could’ve delved deeper with the characters and their background. Like a lot of stuff just with the surface level. Still, I really enjoyed this book, and I am going to go back and look at the other works by the author. Thank you to NetGalley as well as Black Odyssey Media for this arc.
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