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Intentional Foul
Malcolm
Jhae has always belonged to even before she knew it.
From the first time I saw her in my mother’s living room, she became my quiet obsession. I studied her. Moved into her building. Patiently waited for my moment.
Now it’s here.
She tries to resist, but I don’t back down. Not when it comes to her.
The only piece I miscalculated on my chess board was my mother, The Queen, and her best friend. One wrong move and I risk putting the women I love at odds and destroying a friendship.
But I’ve already Jhae is the endgame. I hope my mother understands because I’m not letting her go.
Jhae
I didn’t see him coming.
Malcolm, my best friend’s son, is all grown up and dangerously focused on me.
For a year, he’s been showing up, sitting close, speaking softly, asking advice on how to secure his Music Note. Funny he forgot to mention that I am Music Note. And the moment I learned the gifts from MSJ was him? Everything shifted.
He’s bold. He’s relentless. And now, I don’t know if I want to stop him.
But one move could wreck my career, my peace, and the bond with the only woman who’s ever truly had my back.
Jhae has always belonged to even before she knew it.
From the first time I saw her in my mother’s living room, she became my quiet obsession. I studied her. Moved into her building. Patiently waited for my moment.
Now it’s here.
She tries to resist, but I don’t back down. Not when it comes to her.
The only piece I miscalculated on my chess board was my mother, The Queen, and her best friend. One wrong move and I risk putting the women I love at odds and destroying a friendship.
But I’ve already Jhae is the endgame. I hope my mother understands because I’m not letting her go.
Jhae
I didn’t see him coming.
Malcolm, my best friend’s son, is all grown up and dangerously focused on me.
For a year, he’s been showing up, sitting close, speaking softly, asking advice on how to secure his Music Note. Funny he forgot to mention that I am Music Note. And the moment I learned the gifts from MSJ was him? Everything shifted.
He’s bold. He’s relentless. And now, I don’t know if I want to stop him.
But one move could wreck my career, my peace, and the bond with the only woman who’s ever truly had my back.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2025
65 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 24, 2025
The twins are too much fun. I did not expect Malcolm to trick Jhae into a relationship. I was surprised Malcolm's mom acted the way she did about Malcolm and Jhae. They were grown. Yes, Jhea was supposed to be his mom's best friend, but I think she overreacted to the relationship. Anyway, the story was good. Now, let's see what Marquise has to say. Twin number two.
September 20, 2025
The age gap wasn't big enough for all that carrying on
This book was just okay for me. They really acted like Jhae had 20 years on him. It definitely shouldn't have taken Niecy all that time to figure things out. I mean every time you was looking for your bestie she was with your son. You're supposed to be so smart, but somehow that flew right over your head. okay. Lol
This book was just okay for me. They really acted like Jhae had 20 years on him. It definitely shouldn't have taken Niecy all that time to figure things out. I mean every time you was looking for your bestie she was with your son. You're supposed to be so smart, but somehow that flew right over your head. okay. Lol
December 31, 2025
DNF. This one didn’t work for me. The storyline with Malcolm and his secret wife Jhae felt way too close to the first book, just without the emotional weight or buildup that made the original story compelling. It almost felt like we were being dropped into the middle of something without being given a reason to care first.
Jhae being Niecy’s best friend wasn’t even the main issue. The problem was that their relationship didn’t feel convincing. We knew Malcolm had a crush on her, but that alone isn’t enough to carry a whole book. Jhae was barely present in book one, so jumping straight into their marriage and conflict felt random and rushed.
After spending so much time dealing with Niecy’s stubbornness and emotional back-and-forth in the first book, this story just felt like more resistance without the payoff. There wasn’t a strong build, no real tension that pulled me in, and no clear reason to stay invested.
Jhae being Niecy’s best friend wasn’t even the main issue. The problem was that their relationship didn’t feel convincing. We knew Malcolm had a crush on her, but that alone isn’t enough to carry a whole book. Jhae was barely present in book one, so jumping straight into their marriage and conflict felt random and rushed.
After spending so much time dealing with Niecy’s stubbornness and emotional back-and-forth in the first book, this story just felt like more resistance without the payoff. There wasn’t a strong build, no real tension that pulled me in, and no clear reason to stay invested.
September 27, 2025
His Music Note!!
Malcolm was and is in love with Jhae. Everybody knew it. He got advice from his pops and Dr. June. Anissa disregarded his feelings as a teen age crush. She was obviously to them she saw how bossed up on Colby. She was hurt and betrayed by Jhae's actions because she looked to her as a little sister. Marquise, Ivey,and India was in the plan. Jhae knew she going to lose her friendship and sisterhood with Anissa, but the heart wants what the heart wants no matter how hard you try to fight it. Jhae tried make it seem their difference was ten to fifteen years. Malcolm everything Jhae wanted in a husband, he is a protector and provider especially when he bought her masters and funding her dream to start her own record label. She taught him the basic of sex once he learned it was on there. The way he took up for her.
Malcolm was and is in love with Jhae. Everybody knew it. He got advice from his pops and Dr. June. Anissa disregarded his feelings as a teen age crush. She was obviously to them she saw how bossed up on Colby. She was hurt and betrayed by Jhae's actions because she looked to her as a little sister. Marquise, Ivey,and India was in the plan. Jhae knew she going to lose her friendship and sisterhood with Anissa, but the heart wants what the heart wants no matter how hard you try to fight it. Jhae tried make it seem their difference was ten to fifteen years. Malcolm everything Jhae wanted in a husband, he is a protector and provider especially when he bought her masters and funding her dream to start her own record label. She taught him the basic of sex once he learned it was on there. The way he took up for her.
October 6, 2025
The age gap wasn't big enough for all that carrying on🤦🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️
This book was just okay for me. They really acted like Jhae had 20 years on Malcolm. It definitely shouldn't have taken Niecy all that time to figure out if she wanted to accept that Malcolm was a grown man and was going to stay married to Jae. Their union was solid even without Niecy’s approval. In my opinion, Neicey should have saw Jhae as more of a little sister. The age gap wasn’t that deep in my opinion, Neicey did the most and it was really uncalled for. The only thing that frosted my cookies was when Neicey said she knew about them but was waiting for Jhae to say something. My thing is, why didn’t Neicey just go to Jhae or Malcolm? I also didn’t like that they didn’t truly resolve the issues at hand at the end. The ending was rushed and incomplete which left me with a great deal of questions.
This book was just okay for me. They really acted like Jhae had 20 years on Malcolm. It definitely shouldn't have taken Niecy all that time to figure out if she wanted to accept that Malcolm was a grown man and was going to stay married to Jae. Their union was solid even without Niecy’s approval. In my opinion, Neicey should have saw Jhae as more of a little sister. The age gap wasn’t that deep in my opinion, Neicey did the most and it was really uncalled for. The only thing that frosted my cookies was when Neicey said she knew about them but was waiting for Jhae to say something. My thing is, why didn’t Neicey just go to Jhae or Malcolm? I also didn’t like that they didn’t truly resolve the issues at hand at the end. The ending was rushed and incomplete which left me with a great deal of questions.
September 17, 2025
*** ARC REVIEW ***
Baby ion know who this man is but this is NOT sweet, cute, nice, polite Malcom from his parents book. Listen Malcom told Jhae & us that he grown as FAWK & he gone do whatever he wanna do & be with whoever he wanna be with. I was just shocked by how different Malcom was in this book compared to in his parents book. Like this cannot be the same man lol. Of course I enjoyed this book & the way Elle wrote this book showed me that she can write an unhinged MMC & that she can show growth in her character development (not that she hasn’t done that before but the difference in Malcom previously compared to this Malcom is drastic). She gave us another side of Malcom that we hadn’t seen & I appreciate that. Now on to Marquise because I think Erin is about to pay him dust.
Baby ion know who this man is but this is NOT sweet, cute, nice, polite Malcom from his parents book. Listen Malcom told Jhae & us that he grown as FAWK & he gone do whatever he wanna do & be with whoever he wanna be with. I was just shocked by how different Malcom was in this book compared to in his parents book. Like this cannot be the same man lol. Of course I enjoyed this book & the way Elle wrote this book showed me that she can write an unhinged MMC & that she can show growth in her character development (not that she hasn’t done that before but the difference in Malcom previously compared to this Malcom is drastic). She gave us another side of Malcom that we hadn’t seen & I appreciate that. Now on to Marquise because I think Erin is about to pay him dust.
November 4, 2025
Overall I enjoyed this but the 3rd act made a 4 star book a 3. Anissa because touted as the big bad wolf for 200 plus pages got old, fast. Like I get it, we get it, OKAY!! And then for her to act that way about to grown ass people it feel in small part it retconned her character because ewww. And then the epilogue only serving to set up Erin and Marquise was lowkey a disservice to the reader. Nothing gets resolved. And to say you knew but still got angry is weird. The book also had the same grammar error in multiple parts. The phase “your music note” is used interchangeably with what should be the phrase “you’re [my] music note” Also I think the nickname was slightly overused.
September 21, 2025
loved it!
Malcolm is lowkey crazy but he showed up for Jhae! I appreciated that she didnt give in too easily. And enjoyed the progression of their relationship. This book was well written, entertaining, and had a bit of angst. Ive been nervous for the Mom finding out since the end of Book 1 lol. I do wish the climax happened a little sooner in the book. The resolution of the storyline was pretty quick compared to the pacing of the rest of the book. But great read. Ready for Marquise!
Malcolm is lowkey crazy but he showed up for Jhae! I appreciated that she didnt give in too easily. And enjoyed the progression of their relationship. This book was well written, entertaining, and had a bit of angst. Ive been nervous for the Mom finding out since the end of Book 1 lol. I do wish the climax happened a little sooner in the book. The resolution of the storyline was pretty quick compared to the pacing of the rest of the book. But great read. Ready for Marquise!
November 12, 2025
Loved it!
It was hard for Malcolm to keep his feelings for Jhae hidden. Only his twin and Ivey knew and when one drunk night lead to a marriage he knew then he had her. Jhae was afraid to love Malcolm out loud because of her friendship with his mom Anissa. Boy did they go through a lot but in the end everyone just has to accept it or walk away. Feelings were truly involved and Anissa felt betrayed but in the end it all worked out. Loving this series and this family, The Shaw- Jeffries!!
It was hard for Malcolm to keep his feelings for Jhae hidden. Only his twin and Ivey knew and when one drunk night lead to a marriage he knew then he had her. Jhae was afraid to love Malcolm out loud because of her friendship with his mom Anissa. Boy did they go through a lot but in the end everyone just has to accept it or walk away. Feelings were truly involved and Anissa felt betrayed but in the end it all worked out. Loving this series and this family, The Shaw- Jeffries!!
September 20, 2025
Exceeded my expectations!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
This was truly an amazing read! Malcolm character dynamic was so unexpected and exceeded my expectations! He was so possessive with a dominant reserved side. Jhae did not stand a chance not falling in love with him.
I honestly love all author Elle Madearis writing! She truly makes the reader feel the emotions of her characters!
Read this now! 💖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️|🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
This was truly an amazing read! Malcolm character dynamic was so unexpected and exceeded my expectations! He was so possessive with a dominant reserved side. Jhae did not stand a chance not falling in love with him.
I honestly love all author Elle Madearis writing! She truly makes the reader feel the emotions of her characters!
Read this now! 💖
December 4, 2025
Ummmmm??? This whole story pissed me off. I really can’t stand how nobody cared that this lady had no family and still everyone pushed her to risk an important relationship to her in favor of being married to a man who literally tricked her into it… proceeded to gaslight her that Niecy would get over it……And then when she actually did lose her friend they continued to gaslight her and say their relationship would heal??? Glad she got some dick I guess 🙄😐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2025
Complex Love
I love this family! I was shocked to find out that Malcolm was in love with Jhae and how strongly he pursued her. I felt so sad for Jhae when she realized she would lose her husband or her best friend. However, she had to choose regardless. Fantastic book! I can’t wait to read Marquise’s story.
I love this family! I was shocked to find out that Malcolm was in love with Jhae and how strongly he pursued her. I felt so sad for Jhae when she realized she would lose her husband or her best friend. However, she had to choose regardless. Fantastic book! I can’t wait to read Marquise’s story.
December 7, 2025
Good Read
This was a good read but I was so ready for Jhae to tell Anissa the truth. I get her reason for being afraid to tell Anissa but it had to be done. Malcolm was that alpha and took control of the situation. Glad he and Jhae can love each other out loud. Can’t wait to read Marquise’s story.
This was a good read but I was so ready for Jhae to tell Anissa the truth. I get her reason for being afraid to tell Anissa but it had to be done. Malcolm was that alpha and took control of the situation. Glad he and Jhae can love each other out loud. Can’t wait to read Marquise’s story.
September 20, 2025
a must read
this book was well worth the wait when i finished the first book i was so eager for this one to drop besides who would’ve thoughtttt. this story was beautiful and this man truly earned his woman! i will be diving head first into the next book right nowwww
this book was well worth the wait when i finished the first book i was so eager for this one to drop besides who would’ve thoughtttt. this story was beautiful and this man truly earned his woman! i will be diving head first into the next book right nowwww
September 23, 2025
hmm
I was interested in the story. But honestly Neicey should have saw Jhae as more of a little sister. The age gap wasn’t that deep in my opinion. But I didn’t like they didn’t truly resolve in the end. I can see Erin is gonna give a run for money.
I was interested in the story. But honestly Neicey should have saw Jhae as more of a little sister. The age gap wasn’t that deep in my opinion. But I didn’t like they didn’t truly resolve in the end. I can see Erin is gonna give a run for money.
October 1, 2025
Good story
Elle never disappoints. This story was a chaotic ride. This story tells how secrets and lies destroy relationships. Malcolm and Marquise are hilarious
Elle never disappoints. This story was a chaotic ride. This story tells how secrets and lies destroy relationships. Malcolm and Marquise are hilarious
January 20, 2026
im to overwhelmed to even complain about this book
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews