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Blake University: HBCU Series-Lyrie and Bleu
In the prestigious Black community of Cove City, Georgia, two Blake University alumni are about to be honored at their university's Heritage Ball—but past events and a looming current threat have the potential to taint the upcoming celebration and destroy everything their families built.
Lyrie Jacobs-Stallings was once a platinum-selling R&B artist with three albums, international tours, and Grammy nominations. Now 40, married to her college sweetheart and running "Lyrie's Everything" café, she would say she has a wonderful life. So, when she learns she's being honored at her alma mater and Rhythm & Blues Magazine wants to feature her story, her current quiet and happy life may be headed for chaos—again.
Bleu Stallings, CEO of the multi-billion-dollar Stallings Real Estate empire, never stopped loving the woman who disappeared from his life after college. Forced to move on without her, he focused on building the family empire. When fate aligned and Lyrie came back into his life—along with trials and tribulations—he wasted no time strategizing to fix the problems and reclaim her. Now he too has learned he is being honored at the Heritage Ball alongside his wife. What should be a time of celebration is riddled with his wife's concern about past mistakes and their impact on her reputation, and anonymous letters threatening to expose a deadly family secret.
Set against the backdrop of Blake University's prestigious HBCU legacy and Cove City's affluent Black community, this dual-timeline romance explores how love endures through trials and tribulations, proving that some storms only make love stronger.
Lyrie Jacobs-Stallings was once a platinum-selling R&B artist with three albums, international tours, and Grammy nominations. Now 40, married to her college sweetheart and running "Lyrie's Everything" café, she would say she has a wonderful life. So, when she learns she's being honored at her alma mater and Rhythm & Blues Magazine wants to feature her story, her current quiet and happy life may be headed for chaos—again.
Bleu Stallings, CEO of the multi-billion-dollar Stallings Real Estate empire, never stopped loving the woman who disappeared from his life after college. Forced to move on without her, he focused on building the family empire. When fate aligned and Lyrie came back into his life—along with trials and tribulations—he wasted no time strategizing to fix the problems and reclaim her. Now he too has learned he is being honored at the Heritage Ball alongside his wife. What should be a time of celebration is riddled with his wife's concern about past mistakes and their impact on her reputation, and anonymous letters threatening to expose a deadly family secret.
Set against the backdrop of Blake University's prestigious HBCU legacy and Cove City's affluent Black community, this dual-timeline romance explores how love endures through trials and tribulations, proving that some storms only make love stronger.
Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 31, 2025
When A Man Loves A Woman
Just when I thought a book in this series was a beautiful story and then I happen on this one!!!…As much as I enjoyed the others, I LOVED LOVED this one soooo much!!?…
This book truly touched on the complexity of leaving home and journeying on your own!!!…Living with no rules and defying the expectations your parents have for you to live YOUR DREAM, not theirs!!!…
My heart broke with every page for Lyrie!!!…The naivety oozing from Lyrie, opened the door for Tracey to take advantage of her at every corner!!!…
Lyrie hit rock bottom and my heart ached for her!!!…
Bleu was the true definition of when you truly love a woman, there is no room for another!!!…I love how even in the beginning, he and Lyrie were able to share their hopes and dreams and he always encouraged her to live hers and out loud!!!…When she lost her way, he looked for her and I screamed when he found her!!!..Not his Lyrie, but his Bird!!!…
He displayed so much strength and he helped Lyrie rediscover the person she lost on her journey to stardom and after her light dimmed!!!..
He stood in for her until she was able to see her own sparkling spirit!!!…
This book was written so beautifully and not a rock was left unturned to show just how far we can lose ourselves when life shifts things for us and chasing our dreams!!!…
I still don’t know how to feel about Lyrie parents!!!…
Just when I thought a book in this series was a beautiful story and then I happen on this one!!!…As much as I enjoyed the others, I LOVED LOVED this one soooo much!!?…
This book truly touched on the complexity of leaving home and journeying on your own!!!…Living with no rules and defying the expectations your parents have for you to live YOUR DREAM, not theirs!!!…
My heart broke with every page for Lyrie!!!…The naivety oozing from Lyrie, opened the door for Tracey to take advantage of her at every corner!!!…
Lyrie hit rock bottom and my heart ached for her!!!…
Bleu was the true definition of when you truly love a woman, there is no room for another!!!…I love how even in the beginning, he and Lyrie were able to share their hopes and dreams and he always encouraged her to live hers and out loud!!!…When she lost her way, he looked for her and I screamed when he found her!!!..Not his Lyrie, but his Bird!!!…
He displayed so much strength and he helped Lyrie rediscover the person she lost on her journey to stardom and after her light dimmed!!!..
He stood in for her until she was able to see her own sparkling spirit!!!…
This book was written so beautifully and not a rock was left unturned to show just how far we can lose ourselves when life shifts things for us and chasing our dreams!!!…
I still don’t know how to feel about Lyrie parents!!!…
September 10, 2025
cute story
This was a cute story. It wasn’t overly dramatic, didn’t have any drugs, there were no b’s and h’s. No hidden babies, no hidden baby mamas, no cheating etc. It was black love at its finest. It was a story about trials and tribulations. The reason for the 4 stars is because idk it seemed rushed a little bit but at the same time kind of boring. There was something missing. But it was still good, idk really know how to explain it.
This was a cute story. It wasn’t overly dramatic, didn’t have any drugs, there were no b’s and h’s. No hidden babies, no hidden baby mamas, no cheating etc. It was black love at its finest. It was a story about trials and tribulations. The reason for the 4 stars is because idk it seemed rushed a little bit but at the same time kind of boring. There was something missing. But it was still good, idk really know how to explain it.
September 21, 2025
This story was nothing like how I thought that it was going to be. It was a beautifully imperfect love story that was masterly told over a twenty year span. This book gave love, betrayal, success, addiction, redemption, community activism, family bonds, and so much more. I really wanted Tracy to reap those evil seeds that she planted towards Lyrie. I’m glad that Bleu and Lyrie got their HEA but I really wanted them to have kids to expand their legacy.
August 17, 2025
Oh, I was not ready.
Alumni tales with this one. I enjoyed the journey and rebuilding of Lyrie.
This book showcased how true love never dies even with years of separation. Also, how it is your overjoyed friend who leads you to a path that takes everything from you. The jealousy lasted longer than the friendship. Even years later.
Alumni tales with this one. I enjoyed the journey and rebuilding of Lyrie.
This book showcased how true love never dies even with years of separation. Also, how it is your overjoyed friend who leads you to a path that takes everything from you. The jealousy lasted longer than the friendship. Even years later.
September 13, 2025
Love Always Wins
Lyric parents were to hard on her. They wanted to live their dream through her and she wasn’t having it.
These two saved themselves through thick and thin for each other.
Sometime times shit happens, but the love was strong. Bleu needed her.
Please give us more!!!!
Lyric parents were to hard on her. They wanted to live their dream through her and she wasn’t having it.
These two saved themselves through thick and thin for each other.
Sometime times shit happens, but the love was strong. Bleu needed her.
Please give us more!!!!
November 24, 2025
Loved the Blake U alumni angle & following this beautiful love story from present day to HBCU flashbacks. We follow all life’s challenges of this couple as their lives intertwine with family & friends. For a novella, we truly get to enjoy this love story with all the challenges this young couple face both together & separately.
August 20, 2025
Loved it
This book brought me to tears. I am so happy that Lyrie had Bleu and his family. He never gave up on her and their love. I am also happy that she is singing again. The world missed her voice. Great Read!
This book brought me to tears. I am so happy that Lyrie had Bleu and his family. He never gave up on her and their love. I am also happy that she is singing again. The world missed her voice. Great Read!
July 30, 2025
This has me very teary eyed. Such a beautiful story! Great job ❤️
August 21, 2025
This story was beautiful 😍
This is my favorite one so far! It was so touching and shows love knows no boundaries. Truly a beautiful love story.
This is my favorite one so far! It was so touching and shows love knows no boundaries. Truly a beautiful love story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews