What do you think?
Love Rehab 2
Pain was what she knew. Rising like a phoenix is what she did.
After all that childhood trauma, Desiraè Thomas’s life is finally good.
She’s made peace with her past.
Her relationship with her Mom is better than ever.
She’s starting a business.
She and Dre are moving towards marriage and baby carriages.
She has a great group of friends.
And finally, she’s able to breathe again.
Life is good… until tragedy strikes again, and she’s back in the place where it all started.
While she isn’t quite who she used to be, Desirae isn’t quite sure of who she is anymore, once faced with her new normal.
The scariest thing about life is change, but what’s even scarier than that is staying the same.
When old ghosts come back to haunt her and her back is once again against the wall, Desiraè once again has some important decisions to make, making sure that no one else, but most importantly, she, doesn’t get hurt in the process.
Will her old habits die hard? Or will she fight like hell to rise above it all, in a way that only she can?
After all that childhood trauma, Desiraè Thomas’s life is finally good.
She’s made peace with her past.
Her relationship with her Mom is better than ever.
She’s starting a business.
She and Dre are moving towards marriage and baby carriages.
She has a great group of friends.
And finally, she’s able to breathe again.
Life is good… until tragedy strikes again, and she’s back in the place where it all started.
While she isn’t quite who she used to be, Desirae isn’t quite sure of who she is anymore, once faced with her new normal.
The scariest thing about life is change, but what’s even scarier than that is staying the same.
When old ghosts come back to haunt her and her back is once again against the wall, Desiraè once again has some important decisions to make, making sure that no one else, but most importantly, she, doesn’t get hurt in the process.
Will her old habits die hard? Or will she fight like hell to rise above it all, in a way that only she can?
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 11, 2026
I was so mad going into this book
However i enjoyed the ride. There were plot twist that I wasn’t expecting. The characters growth was amazing. The person I hated most turned out to be the person I liked a little in the end. If you don’t change your mind about the characters by the end of the book then what are you really reading for?
However i enjoyed the ride. There were plot twist that I wasn’t expecting. The characters growth was amazing. The person I hated most turned out to be the person I liked a little in the end. If you don’t change your mind about the characters by the end of the book then what are you really reading for?
June 12, 2026
This author is so good with words. An excellent writer, for sure. This was a great follow-up to Book 1. While the first book was full of mess, this one still had its fair share, but the focus was really on Desirae’s growth and elevation. You get to see her soar despite all the trauma she has endured.
Honestly, I felt like I was sitting through one big therapy session. Desirae is the type of character you can’t help but root for. This book showed a different side of her and reminded readers that you don’t have to stay where you started. Better days are coming when you believe, and her support system played a huge role in that journey.
Now, about the mess, I can’t say too much without spoiling anything, but there are definitely moments that will have you shaking your head. There were also a few characters who had me feeling conflicted.
We were introduced to some new characters, including two sets of twins. I said, “Okaaaay, Kia really loves her some twins!” As a twin myself, I was here for it. I love found family/friends.
Her mama was everything in Book 2. I think y’all are going to love her. She held her daughter down every time.
If you’re looking for drama, you’ll definitely get it. More than anything though, this book felt therapeutic. It’s filled with encouraging words, life lessons, and plenty of gems.
Honestly, I felt like I was sitting through one big therapy session. Desirae is the type of character you can’t help but root for. This book showed a different side of her and reminded readers that you don’t have to stay where you started. Better days are coming when you believe, and her support system played a huge role in that journey.
Now, about the mess, I can’t say too much without spoiling anything, but there are definitely moments that will have you shaking your head. There were also a few characters who had me feeling conflicted.
We were introduced to some new characters, including two sets of twins. I said, “Okaaaay, Kia really loves her some twins!” As a twin myself, I was here for it. I love found family/friends.
Her mama was everything in Book 2. I think y’all are going to love her. She held her daughter down every time.
If you’re looking for drama, you’ll definitely get it. More than anything though, this book felt therapeutic. It’s filled with encouraging words, life lessons, and plenty of gems.
March 7, 2026
omggg
Book two in the series was sooo toxic! The back and forth between Shawn and Dre’s characters were exhausting, like neither character was good for Desirae!! I absolutely loved the heavy influence of therapy in this story. It’s like the Rose that grew from the concrete because Desirae had to fight and push her way into success.
Book two in the series was sooo toxic! The back and forth between Shawn and Dre’s characters were exhausting, like neither character was good for Desirae!! I absolutely loved the heavy influence of therapy in this story. It’s like the Rose that grew from the concrete because Desirae had to fight and push her way into success.
September 7, 2025
Whew chile… if you thought Love Rehab by Kia smith was a crazy ride, let me prepare you now — book 2 takes it up another level. And if you haven’t read book 1 yet? Girl, what are you doing? Go read that ASAP so you’re ready for the emotional whirlwind waiting here.
So boom — we pick back up with Desiraè. She’s back with her man Dre, trying to make it work… until it doesn’t. And honestly? Thank God. Because sis finally realized that love alone isn’t enough when you’re not being heard, and Dre? That man was not listening. The slick comments, the dismissiveness? Nah. The growth Desiraè showed in walking away from that situation had me proud. And as for Dre? Whew. Y’all gon’ have to read it, but just know, that man’s unhinged energy is real.
Thankfully, Desiraè moves back home to Chicago for a new job — ya girl graduated, chef dreams in hand, and even got put on the map by her teacher. But of course, where there’s growth, there’s drama… because guess who else is back in her orbit? Yep. LaShawn. The ex who just won’t stay out her DMs. The audacity had me rolling my eyes into next week.
But this time around, Desiraè is determined to rebuild her life and her old hood, so she signs a contract to lease a space and finally launch her first restaurant. And along the way, she crosses paths with a new love interest… Reign. Whew. Loyal to a fault but flawed in his own ways, and to make things even messier? He’s cousins with her first love. Yeah. The drama was drama-ing. At first, Reign tries to deny what’s between them out of loyalty, but the pull is undeniable.
Watching Desiraè navigate this new dynamic while still fighting for her dreams, her peace, and her healing had me on an emotional rollercoaster. By this point, I wasn’t even rooting for any man in particular — I was rooting for HER. For her joy. For her peace. For her freedom after everything she’s been through across both books.
And Kia Smith gave me that. Growth. Lessons. Community. Watching Desiraè get backed by her new friends, her community, and her own determination? Tears. Real tears. Because this was more than a romance — it was about knowing what you want, setting your standards, and refusing to settle. And the way Desiraè learned that lesson had me feeling like a proud mama.
✨ The growth?? Next level.
✨ The community?? Beautiful.
✨ The drama?? Juicy but never overdone.
✨ The spice?? Minimal, slow-burn energy — but honestly, the plot was so strong I didn’t even miss it.
This book gave:
🖤 A heroine who refused to settle
😤 An ex who reminded us why he’s an ex
🫶🏾 A new love interest torn between loyalty and desire
🍳 A Black woman building her dreams as a chef in her own community
🌱 A story about healing, standards, and self-worth
5/5 stars. Kia Smith delivered again. Love Rehab 2 had me up late, highlighter in hand, stressing and cheering all at once. Read book 1 first, then dive straight into book 2 — and then come find me, because GIRL, I need someone to vent with about this damn duo.
So boom — we pick back up with Desiraè. She’s back with her man Dre, trying to make it work… until it doesn’t. And honestly? Thank God. Because sis finally realized that love alone isn’t enough when you’re not being heard, and Dre? That man was not listening. The slick comments, the dismissiveness? Nah. The growth Desiraè showed in walking away from that situation had me proud. And as for Dre? Whew. Y’all gon’ have to read it, but just know, that man’s unhinged energy is real.
Thankfully, Desiraè moves back home to Chicago for a new job — ya girl graduated, chef dreams in hand, and even got put on the map by her teacher. But of course, where there’s growth, there’s drama… because guess who else is back in her orbit? Yep. LaShawn. The ex who just won’t stay out her DMs. The audacity had me rolling my eyes into next week.
But this time around, Desiraè is determined to rebuild her life and her old hood, so she signs a contract to lease a space and finally launch her first restaurant. And along the way, she crosses paths with a new love interest… Reign. Whew. Loyal to a fault but flawed in his own ways, and to make things even messier? He’s cousins with her first love. Yeah. The drama was drama-ing. At first, Reign tries to deny what’s between them out of loyalty, but the pull is undeniable.
Watching Desiraè navigate this new dynamic while still fighting for her dreams, her peace, and her healing had me on an emotional rollercoaster. By this point, I wasn’t even rooting for any man in particular — I was rooting for HER. For her joy. For her peace. For her freedom after everything she’s been through across both books.
And Kia Smith gave me that. Growth. Lessons. Community. Watching Desiraè get backed by her new friends, her community, and her own determination? Tears. Real tears. Because this was more than a romance — it was about knowing what you want, setting your standards, and refusing to settle. And the way Desiraè learned that lesson had me feeling like a proud mama.
✨ The growth?? Next level.
✨ The community?? Beautiful.
✨ The drama?? Juicy but never overdone.
✨ The spice?? Minimal, slow-burn energy — but honestly, the plot was so strong I didn’t even miss it.
This book gave:
🖤 A heroine who refused to settle
😤 An ex who reminded us why he’s an ex
🫶🏾 A new love interest torn between loyalty and desire
🍳 A Black woman building her dreams as a chef in her own community
🌱 A story about healing, standards, and self-worth
5/5 stars. Kia Smith delivered again. Love Rehab 2 had me up late, highlighter in hand, stressing and cheering all at once. Read book 1 first, then dive straight into book 2 — and then come find me, because GIRL, I need someone to vent with about this damn duo.
August 30, 2025
Kia Smith’s Love Rehab duology is raw, heartfelt, and deeply necessary, giving a voice to experiences that are more common than one might guess, yet rarely acknowledged.
In Love Rehab, we meet Desiraè, a young woman forced to grow up too soon while navigating grief, family secrets, generational curses, and survival in a chaotic and turbulent environment. That story ends on a note of hope as Desiraè begins her journey toward wholeness.
Love Rehab 2 picks right back up to show us her growth. While still facing grief and the weight of generational cycles, Desiraè is no longer just surviving. She is learning to thrive and to choose herself. She recognizes her worth and fights to protect her peace.
What makes this duology unforgettable is how real Desiraè feels. For Black women, and for anyone who has carried too much too young, her journey is affirming, validating, and inspiring. As a Midwest girl myself, Kia Smith’s writing feels like home: raw, familiar, and full of resilience. And ever-so CHICAGO (iykyk)!
Stories like these will always be incredibly important. Not only because so many of the overlooked have an opportunity to feel seen, but because these stories are truly tools for women who may not have hit momentum in their journeys toward wholeness and fulfillment.
As someone with many years of experience in therapy, I could see clearly how Kia intentionally weaves important lessons into these stories. There are so many poignant pieces of advice, things I have heard from my own therapists in the past, now crafted into tools for the girlies who have not yet taken that step toward therapy.
This is why Kia’s work is so important. The Love Rehab duology is not just a story, it is a mirror, a guide, and a reminder that healing is possible and that our stories are worth telling.
In Love Rehab, we meet Desiraè, a young woman forced to grow up too soon while navigating grief, family secrets, generational curses, and survival in a chaotic and turbulent environment. That story ends on a note of hope as Desiraè begins her journey toward wholeness.
Love Rehab 2 picks right back up to show us her growth. While still facing grief and the weight of generational cycles, Desiraè is no longer just surviving. She is learning to thrive and to choose herself. She recognizes her worth and fights to protect her peace.
What makes this duology unforgettable is how real Desiraè feels. For Black women, and for anyone who has carried too much too young, her journey is affirming, validating, and inspiring. As a Midwest girl myself, Kia Smith’s writing feels like home: raw, familiar, and full of resilience. And ever-so CHICAGO (iykyk)!
Stories like these will always be incredibly important. Not only because so many of the overlooked have an opportunity to feel seen, but because these stories are truly tools for women who may not have hit momentum in their journeys toward wholeness and fulfillment.
As someone with many years of experience in therapy, I could see clearly how Kia intentionally weaves important lessons into these stories. There are so many poignant pieces of advice, things I have heard from my own therapists in the past, now crafted into tools for the girlies who have not yet taken that step toward therapy.
This is why Kia’s work is so important. The Love Rehab duology is not just a story, it is a mirror, a guide, and a reminder that healing is possible and that our stories are worth telling.
September 15, 2025
This book was a breath of fresh air. I loved that this picked up right where book 1 left us. I enjoyed the FMC Rae’s growth. It was lovely to see where she came from, and where she was headed in this book. I loved the maturity! The ambition! It was so refreshing to have a story that had an ambitious FMC who had goals and didn’t allow a man to alter them or her timeline.
The resolutions weren’t all predictable, but some were to a comfortable degree. I did not guess the moments people would die (but you know how you have that feeling that someone will eventually?), so it left me very surprised and wanting to know more.
All in all, I enjoyed this book even through my reading slump. The versatility of the writing allows for miltiple options when it comes to reading this book (and series). It is a lovely quick read that can either be taken deeply and used as a form of assistance for self reflection when it comes to Dr. Love, or it can be read purely for enjoyment.
The resolutions weren’t all predictable, but some were to a comfortable degree. I did not guess the moments people would die (but you know how you have that feeling that someone will eventually?), so it left me very surprised and wanting to know more.
All in all, I enjoyed this book even through my reading slump. The versatility of the writing allows for miltiple options when it comes to reading this book (and series). It is a lovely quick read that can either be taken deeply and used as a form of assistance for self reflection when it comes to Dr. Love, or it can be read purely for enjoyment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2025
Kia, my Kia. You’ve done it again, girl! Love Rehab 2 had me skinning, grinning, and rooting for our girl Rae as she realizes her dreams, and works to be a woman she and her Gramz (side-eye) could be proud of.
We’re taken through a roller-coaster of grief, ghosts, grit, and a hint of forbidden attraction as we catch up with Rae 4 years after we left her last. She’s grown exponentially from her time in Love Rehab. However, when we grow is usually the time the Universe decides to test us.
And boy, is Rae tested.
One thing I love about this book, like the first, is that it is completely Rae-centered. Her love story is with herself, and recognizing how far you’ve come, and how far you have to go. We meet new characters, have run-ins with some old, and even though the beginning is crazy (side-eyeing you BAD Kia!) the ending will have you cheesing and ready to make a vision board.
We’re taken through a roller-coaster of grief, ghosts, grit, and a hint of forbidden attraction as we catch up with Rae 4 years after we left her last. She’s grown exponentially from her time in Love Rehab. However, when we grow is usually the time the Universe decides to test us.
And boy, is Rae tested.
One thing I love about this book, like the first, is that it is completely Rae-centered. Her love story is with herself, and recognizing how far you’ve come, and how far you have to go. We meet new characters, have run-ins with some old, and even though the beginning is crazy (side-eyeing you BAD Kia!) the ending will have you cheesing and ready to make a vision board.
February 3, 2026
Omg I loveddddd this book. This book picks back up with her and Dre tryna make it work and we get to see Rae continue to grow and work on herself. I loved seeing her growth her friendships and the community around her. Rae had some friends who didn’t play about her. This book shows you love isn’t always enough and that healing doesn’t just happen overnight you have to continue to put the work in but as long as you want better you’ll do better.
November 10, 2025
i love it
Omg omg omg!!!! This book was soooo good!! Will there be a Book 3? I have to know what happens next.
Omg omg omg!!!! This book was soooo good!! Will there be a Book 3? I have to know what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews