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Braxton University: : Halo & Bentley
When a hustler meets the anime geek…
She wasn’t looking for love—just a way to make it through school and hold her world together.
He wasn’t supposed to fall for anyone—especially not her.
Halo Hendrix keeps her head down. A quiet psych major with too much on her plate and not enough peace. Bentley “Banz” Reed walks the line between the hood he came from and the future he’s fighting for.
A tutoring session during spring break was only supposed to save his scholarship.
But it ends up saving them both—until secrets, choices, and circumstances threaten to pull them apart.
At Braxton University, love isn’t easy.
But some hearts are worth the risk.
She wasn’t looking for love—just a way to make it through school and hold her world together.
He wasn’t supposed to fall for anyone—especially not her.
Halo Hendrix keeps her head down. A quiet psych major with too much on her plate and not enough peace. Bentley “Banz” Reed walks the line between the hood he came from and the future he’s fighting for.
A tutoring session during spring break was only supposed to save his scholarship.
But it ends up saving them both—until secrets, choices, and circumstances threaten to pull them apart.
At Braxton University, love isn’t easy.
But some hearts are worth the risk.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2025
108 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 24, 2025
This was decent, but the FMC just didn’t have enough depth for me. She felt very one-dimensional, and for a 17-chapter book, we barely got to know her. Heavy topics were introduced but quickly brushed aside in favor of a neat happily-ever-after. I get the struggling college student angle, but sis didn’t have any real hustle like okay you uber here and there and tutor, you don’t have no hobbies no friends you a loner WELL GO GET A CONSISTENT PART TIME JOB cus clearly the tutoring not enough. Like girl… it’s a college town, Publix is hiring lmao or something.
The ending was too clean like, thats it? All that buildup for a bow-wrapped finale that didn’t feel earned. The romance lacked spark. No butterflies, no cute dates, no “I’m kicking my feet and giggling” moments. They were attracted to each other, sure, but in love by 40%? With what foundation?
Also… I’m so over the “I’m not like other girls” FMC. It’s tired. And calling other women “females” like it’s a slur? Please. The casual disdain for anything “ghetto” rubbed me the wrong way too like ma’am, you’re just as broke, just quieter about it. Especially when that’s where her man was from that’s the stuff that he allowed around him so if you hate it how’d you end up with him??
Overall, the story was fine but it didn’t give what it could’ve.
The ending was too clean like, thats it? All that buildup for a bow-wrapped finale that didn’t feel earned. The romance lacked spark. No butterflies, no cute dates, no “I’m kicking my feet and giggling” moments. They were attracted to each other, sure, but in love by 40%? With what foundation?
Also… I’m so over the “I’m not like other girls” FMC. It’s tired. And calling other women “females” like it’s a slur? Please. The casual disdain for anything “ghetto” rubbed me the wrong way too like ma’am, you’re just as broke, just quieter about it. Especially when that’s where her man was from that’s the stuff that he allowed around him so if you hate it how’d you end up with him??
Overall, the story was fine but it didn’t give what it could’ve.
July 26, 2025
4.25 ⭐️ This was so cute! I was rooting for them!! I loved Halo. I wish we got to know more from her family's side. She was quiet and laid back but stood on business! I want more 😭😭
July 27, 2025
oohhh
I really enjoyed this book. Halo and Banz are such a cute wholesome couple. Glad they got the ending they deserved. I will say that there were a lot of errors like missing words or incorrect words, and that did trip me up in my reading trying to figure out what it was really supposed to say. Other than that, good job!
I really enjoyed this book. Halo and Banz are such a cute wholesome couple. Glad they got the ending they deserved. I will say that there were a lot of errors like missing words or incorrect words, and that did trip me up in my reading trying to figure out what it was really supposed to say. Other than that, good job!
July 25, 2025
ATP I need to enroll in this college because this story was good as hell.
November 25, 2025
2.75 Stars
I have mixed feelings about this.
At times, it was very repetitive with Bentley and Halo talking about their feelings. I enjoyed their transparency and communication, but after a few scenes/chapters that dragged of this, it started beating you over the head with “my peace” and “my heart cracked” and “there was no way I was letting her go”. We could have arrived at other/more “plot-advancing” scenes faster if some of that was cut down.
The typos and inconsistencies, especially in the second half, started getting unforgivable. For example, in one scene, Bentley kneels in front of Halo and put his head on her stomach and then she leans forward and kisses him. In the next sentence, he “walks over and helps her to her feet”…stuff like that.
That said, the story has good bones and had its moments. I did enjoy the love story between these two and wanting to be better versions of themselves for the other.
I have mixed feelings about this.
At times, it was very repetitive with Bentley and Halo talking about their feelings. I enjoyed their transparency and communication, but after a few scenes/chapters that dragged of this, it started beating you over the head with “my peace” and “my heart cracked” and “there was no way I was letting her go”. We could have arrived at other/more “plot-advancing” scenes faster if some of that was cut down.
The typos and inconsistencies, especially in the second half, started getting unforgivable. For example, in one scene, Bentley kneels in front of Halo and put his head on her stomach and then she leans forward and kisses him. In the next sentence, he “walks over and helps her to her feet”…stuff like that.
That said, the story has good bones and had its moments. I did enjoy the love story between these two and wanting to be better versions of themselves for the other.
July 28, 2025
Halo and Bentley 🥰
I've been loving the HBCU reads lately and came across this one. This is my first read by Koya and after this I'll be checking out more from her catalog. I really enjoyed Halo and Bentley, it started off rocky but the universe had other plans for them and despite an unfortunate event, haters and trust issues these two still came out on top. I love me a good HEA and this one goes to show that there may be detours in life but with focus, determination and the right people in your corner you still can arrive at your destination.
I've been loving the HBCU reads lately and came across this one. This is my first read by Koya and after this I'll be checking out more from her catalog. I really enjoyed Halo and Bentley, it started off rocky but the universe had other plans for them and despite an unfortunate event, haters and trust issues these two still came out on top. I love me a good HEA and this one goes to show that there may be detours in life but with focus, determination and the right people in your corner you still can arrive at your destination.
July 23, 2025
Braxton
Very cute. I met my husband at our HBCU too and my first born was a a y at my law school graduation. This book brought back so many memories. I love how Halo stayed true to herself even when painful and I love how Banz transitioned into Bentley. College years are such a magical time.
Very cute. I met my husband at our HBCU too and my first born was a a y at my law school graduation. This book brought back so many memories. I love how Halo stayed true to herself even when painful and I love how Banz transitioned into Bentley. College years are such a magical time.
July 21, 2025
Halo & Bentley
This story was great. I love the trials and tribulations. They made such a great couple. I think Rich had something to do with Bentley getting caught up. A lot of people did not like their relatio ship. Everyone needs to read this book. Koya loved it.
This story was great. I love the trials and tribulations. They made such a great couple. I think Rich had something to do with Bentley getting caught up. A lot of people did not like their relatio ship. Everyone needs to read this book. Koya loved it.
September 11, 2025
Loved it
This was a beautiful college love story. It brought me to tears. I never thought that they would have gotten back together since Bentley broke Halo's heart twice. I am so happy for them and the family that they created. Great Read!
This was a beautiful college love story. It brought me to tears. I never thought that they would have gotten back together since Bentley broke Halo's heart twice. I am so happy for them and the family that they created. Great Read!
July 19, 2025
loved!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2025
Halo and Bentley
Campus love can be beautiful and painful! However when you find the one that is worth it all its a beautiful thing! A great story! A must read!
Campus love can be beautiful and painful! However when you find the one that is worth it all its a beautiful thing! A great story! A must read!
July 21, 2025
Cute
I loved it. I love Bentley and Halo. This was a cute little campus love story. I'm really glad that they made it because he didn't play about his Lo.
I loved it. I love Bentley and Halo. This was a cute little campus love story. I'm really glad that they made it because he didn't play about his Lo.
August 28, 2025
I really enjoyed Banz & Lo's story. 🙂
September 8, 2025
Just awwww
I'm tired of crying right along with Halo! You make me wanna do college over..LOL.
Love is beautiful and painful. Beauty from ashes!
I'm tired of crying right along with Halo! You make me wanna do college over..LOL.
Love is beautiful and painful. Beauty from ashes!
September 11, 2025
Worth fighting for !
Halo & Bentley had all odds stacked against them but it all worked out . I love this book one of my new top reads. ❤️
Halo & Bentley had all odds stacked against them but it all worked out . I love this book one of my new top reads. ❤️
November 8, 2025
beautiful short story
This book was so raw and emotional.. I loved and hated the drama they went through but love came through for them lol I loved it 🧡🧡
This book was so raw and emotional.. I loved and hated the drama they went through but love came through for them lol I loved it 🧡🧡
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews