Some feelings hit harder when two men pull them out of you.
Creek Delaney, the school librarian at Sweet Pea Academy, has buried all her past heartbreak and is focused on keeping her students safe, her heart guarded, and her relationship with Zae, her childhood best friend turned lover, steady. But when Ares Knight, the boy who broke both their hearts in exchange for success, returns as the new school nurse, old wounds are opened.
Isaiah “Zae” Bishop has always known he’d do anything for Creek. Even if that includes making room for the only other man who’s ever had her heart. Torn between the past and the present, friendship and betrayal, these three have a second chance at the kind of love they were too young and too afraid to claim the first time.
Love is always complicated. But this time, it’s tangled in overdue feelings.
Author Blossom is an upcoming best selling author born and raised in Saint Louis, Mo. It was there that she developed a love for reading and writing early on. A. Blossom knew she had a passion for writing after she wrote her first story for the girls in her eight-grade class. A. Blossom wants to pen love stories that show black women and men of all skin tones, shapes, and sizes.
When she isn’t writing, Blossom spends her free time with her husband and her two small children. A. Blossom is excited to embark on this journey and invites readers to let love grow. Blossom can be reached on these platforms:
this was quick, cute, cozy, & low angst with plenty of smut, of course. i can see the growth in a. blossom's writing compared to leak it, but it still feels as if there was something missing to me.
Overdue Feelings is a fascinating sip of polyamorous romance that explores the tangled web of second chances and complicated histories. It's a "why choose" that goes down smooth, offering a blend of emotional depth and undeniable heat. This book is a quick, but impactful pour that proves some feelings are worth waiting for, even if they're a little messy.
Creek, the school librarian, has her life with Zae, her childhood best friend, all figured out. That is until Ares, the man who broke both of their hearts, returns. The story skillfully navigates the trio's past betrayals and present-day desires, and the emotional journey is just as compelling as the spice. The author manages to pack a lot of character development and plot into a short read, and the way they explore the freedom of polyamory is both mature and refreshing. The chemistry between all three characters is palpable and adds to the rich, layered feel of the story.
What I Sipped & Savored
🥃 The premise: A well-executed "why choose" with a second-chance twist, making for a compelling read.
🥃 The emotional depth: The characters' emotional journeys and the forgiveness they give one another feel earned.
🥃 The character dynamics: I particularly enjoyed how the author wrote Zae's character and his willingness to embrace a new path to happiness.
What Made Me Side-Eye My Glass
🥃 The pacing: The book moves at a very fast pace, which, while keeping the story moving, could have benefited from a bit more time spent on the characters' emotional healing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75/5) Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (A smooth, full-bodied burn)
Final Pour At 3.75 stars, Overdue Feelings is a spicy and deeply felt romance that will have you rooting for all three characters. It's a testament to the idea that love doesn't always follow the rules and that sometimes, the best things are worth waiting for.
Pairs well with: a glass of a rich, complex bourbon, a quiet evening, and a craving for an emotional and spicy read.
My Rating System: 1⭐️: The book didn’t hold my interest and/or had significant issues that overshadowed any redeeming qualities for me, but generally not my cup of tea. Most likely did not finish the book. 2⭐️: The book didn’t quite resonate with me, and while my experience wasn’t remarkable, I did finish it. It had some redeeming qualities and potential but fell short in execution. Recommendable, though with some reservations. 3⭐️: Good read, but didn’t quite stand out. Still worth recommending to others. 4⭐️: Really enjoyed it and stayed engaged throughout. Would read the book again. Definitely recommendable. 5⭐️: Incredible writing that made me deeply connect with the characters. I was completely absorbed in the world and didn’t want it to end. This book stayed with me even when I wasn’t reading it. I'd gladly reread it and highly recommend it to everyone!
Tropes Second Chance Romance 💔 Friends to Lovers 💞 Workplace Shenanigans 🖋️ Why Choose
This novella might be short, but it packs a full emotional arc and then some. A. Blossom delivers a story that’s tender, spicy, and quietly radical in how it explores love outside the lines.
So in the story we see Creek, Zay, and Ares through a small-town lens and a family-sized microscope.....because let’s be real, sometimes the harshest judgment doesn’t come from strangers, it comes from family and friends. The way this story tackles non-traditional relationships isn’t just about community gossip; it’s about the quiet shame, the second-guessing, and the internalized doubt that can come from people who are supposed to love you unconditionally. And yet, Blossom doesn’t let that bitterness win. She gives us characters who wrestle with desire, identity, and belonging.....and still choose love.
The pacing? Impeccable. The spice? Present and purposeful. The character development? Surprisingly rich for a novella. And the multiple POVs? A gift. Seeing how each character processes love, fear, and judgment adds layers that make this story feel lived-in.
Final Verdict: Overdue Feelings is for anyone who’s ever questioned their worth because of someone else’s narrow lens. It’s a love story, yes but it’s also a reclamation. A. Blossom is officially on my “authors to watch” list, and if you want a novella that respects your time and your heart, this one’s overdue for a spot on your shelf.
This is a quick Why Choose/Second Chance story. I really enjoyed Creek and Zae’s relationship. I will say they shoulda made Ares grovel a little more because 12 years is a really long time but I definitely felt the love between the three of them!
“I want you to be whole, even if that means I have to let someone else have you.” Zae loved him some Creek! If you knew that your mate had always been in love with your ex-best friend but also loved you, could you share your mate so that they felt whole?? That’s the question Zae seems to have no trouble answering. One thing’s for certain, they turned Creek every which way but loose! She was certainly the happiest, most relaxed librarian ever! Despite all the three way hunching, the story matches the cover because it’s actually quite sweet.
This book was amazing!! It shows what’s meant to be will be no matter what tries to stop it! Love is love no matter how it may look! As long as those involved know what’s going on it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else
This was such a heartwarming story of forgiveness and acceptance. This is probably the most wholesome why-choose book I’ve ever read. The way these two Men supported and loved on creek was beautiful.
This book gave me everything angst, second chances, and a love triangle that actually makes sense. Creek thought she had her heart figured out with Zae, her steady and loyal best friend turned lover, but when Ares walks back into her life as the school nurse, all those old wounds and unfinished feelings come rushing back.
What I loved is how real it felt. Zae is the kind of man who loves her enough to make space, even when it hurts, and Ares is the unfinished chapter that never truly closed. It’s messy, tender, and complicated in a way that feels honest. These three are entangled in a past they can’t ignore and a present that demands answers, and watching it all play out was both beautiful and heartbreaking.
A. Blossom really captured how some loves never fade, they just wait like overdue feelings, ready to be claimed.
Creek, Ares, & Zae proved that love doesn’t always look traditional or like what everyone else thinks it should look like. I’ll admit I was not expecting the relationship to be a “threesome”, I thought maybe the guys would take turns being with Creek separately. A. Blossom definitely put her own spin on this poly relationship, and I was here for it! Gigi was so cute and funny, I want to say she was the primary factor in their bond and friendship being rekindled. Great story with a little plot, and definitely spicy scenes…Creek has 2 men…2 lol!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I am a why choose, second chance romance fan through and through and I had high hopes this book. It started out really strong, but it took a weird turn…..almost like it was missing something. It went from 0 to 100 real quick! With all the betrayal, hurt feelings, and unresolved issues, I thought there would have been more build up before they linked up. Still, it was a decent read.
SIS👏🏿YOU👏🏿CAME 👏🏿 THROUGH 👏🏿WITH👏🏿THE👏🏿GROUP 👏🏿ACTIVITY 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿y’all this book was so good Creek , lost love gained a greater love then got that old thing back WHEN I TELL YOU, I was so tickle when Isaiah gave her the OK !! she ain’t even hesitate. She jumped on that thing BABY!! That scene had me so tickle you wrote the hell out this book FRIEND ! You did a good job. I enjoyed your creativity friend.😘😘
I usually LOVE everything by A.Blossom but this book just didn’t do it for me. It felt like it was missing something, and the character chemistry wasn’t there. I love her as an author so I’ll definitely be back but this was just a miss for me 😔
Overdue Feelings was such a cute, quick, and cozy read the kind of book you finish in one sitting with a blanket and a snack. It has all the small-town vibes: coming home, reconnecting with your roots, realizing who actually cares about you, and finding comfort in familiar places and friendships. Very soft, very sweet, very “let me breathe for a minute.”
The vibe felt like a warm hug, and honestly I liked it for exactly that. Nothing too heavy, nothing too dramatic just a gentle story that fills the space nicely.
And listen… the spice? Definitely good. It surprised me in the best way and added the perfect amount of heat to balance the cozy.
If you’re looking for a short, comforting small town romance with a little emotional grounding and a dash of steam, this is a great palate cleanser read.
Let me say I was super excited for this ... but for me it lacked depth and the zest... dont get me wrong it was very poly but the real connection between the characters I didn't get...I usually love love AB books but this one lacked the normal zest and spark to me.
As always A. Blossom delivers, especially when it comes to a why choose. Though we only get a glimpse into the past and the relationship that this trio had once upon a time. She was still able to capture years of feelings, emotions, growth, and love into the pages. All without us having to know the characters every single step of the way. You can feel the history between them in the writing.
Zae….my man! My man! My man! Though he had his own feelings towards his ex-best friend and the relationship that they once had. He was still able to look outside of himself and see that what the three of them have was beyond him and past mistakes.
Dr. Knight, a complex man with familial issues and regret for the mistakes that he made in this past when it comes to his friends and his love for Creek. Talk about longing and want, my boy was down bad. Yet, that’s a man who was ready to take accountability and was not looking to be coddled.
Creek, a school librarian who despite being judged all of her life by those who negatively viewed her friendship, she stood firm in who she was and didn’t cower at the naysayers all the way to the end. Which isn’t hard to do when you have someone like Gigi reminding you to stand firm and forget what anyone else has to say. Live your life!
Such a good read!!! Well deserved 5 stars and I can’t wait to get to the rest of the series.
I liked Creek, Zae, and Ares. The situation presented between Zae and Ares really was unfortunate BUT the comeback was mature, beautiful, and satisfying. The way Creek, Zae, and Ares navigated through their relationship was so good. I felt all the feels whether it was Zae and Ares, Creek and Zae, or Ares and Zae conversing. I didn't need all the history to get a feel for how deep each of them felt for each other. The author did a good job portraying that through the conversations had.
I think Creek ended up being a blessed girl and I loved that for her. She had the opportunity to truly be fulfilled and I enjoyed the journey of her getting there even though the start was sucky. I feel as though Zae held the strongest and demanding personality in the love triangle and seeing it used during the forgiveness scene was definitely my favorite part. Whether it was direction or praise…I was interested in Zae the most.
I really was surprised how Ares handled Zae and Creek from the beginning after all 3 of them reconnecting. I think I might’ve needed a different reason for Ares’ absence though. I still was kind of irritated at the longevity of his absence.lol. I also wasn’t a fan of his parents.
Gigi was my fave. She always provided the encouragement they needed while figuring out.
This author knows how to write a poly romance that will have me living vicariously through the FMC. I really liked the maturity shown by this throuple and especially Zae when it came time to become a throuple. They healed and all got a second chance at friendship and love with each other. I loved that they were able to live unapologetically in their truth, even though it took some years for them to finally admit to what had been building long ago. I loved the encouragement from Gigi for them to live in their truth and I loved that Ares finally chose to live for himself and his happiness and not be so focused on what his parents wanted or expected of him.
This story gave me the second chance romance and friendship with a poly twist. No swords were crossing but the love was unconditional with this trio and could be felt off the page. This trio might be my new favorite poly couple from this author.
Why choose???? This was tastefully done as usual! I must admit they almost caught up with Harlem/Houston/Naomi!!! BUT this ain’t them & I loved every bit of it! Zae/Creek/Ares were those intertwined souls that never fully broke free from one another! Yes one had to leave but it helped create a strong foundation to build upon. Zae had to be the one cause once you see that he technically was the beginning then it makes sense! Now the way Ares had to break free from his folks made me wanna come hit somebody! Gigi was amazing even in old age! I love how they all explored it openly & never shut one another down even when the seat got hot!!! Oh & the spicy 🌶️ was not left out 😉 Great work as usual Blossom & honestly we don’t need a part 2!
A poly romance between 3 friends, 2 guys and 1 girl.. Ares, Zae and Creek has been a trio friendship since 3rd grade.. Creek and Ares crossed the line senior year, in which he broke her virginity, then left for college and never looked behind.. she was broken and Zae was left to pick up the pieces and help her heal.. they eventually ended up being a couple thriving.. until they saw ghost from friendship past on the first day of school and learned the new school nurse was Ares.. it was awkward at 1st, and then they soon resolved and mended the old hurt and got past it.. also, ended up adding Ares into the relationship.. they both loved Creek and she enjoyed both of them loving on her at the same time.. this was a different kind of read for me, but I enjoyed
I enjoyed it, and this was a great start to the Sweetest Lessons series. Creek, Zae, and Ares are all best friends who grow up together. Without spoiling it, Ares moves away abruptly after their senior year for college, which leaves both Creek and Zae devastated. Creek and Zae evolve from friends to lovers, but things shake up when Ares suddenly moves back to town and starts working with them. Given that this book is under 150 pages, the author does a good job of telling a well developed story. We get full character backgrounds and ultimately why certain decisions were made. If it were a full-length novel, I would’ve loved to see Ares grovel more. His actions warranted it imo. It’s a why choose romance , but I really wanted her just to choose Zae. Now the spice was 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. From page one, it’s like wham!
Chiiiileeee!!! This is my 2nd read from Ms. A. Blossom. I've been an avid reader since I was 4yrs old. I have over a thousand books in my life, and when I say I have NEVER read a book like this before!!! The pearls were definitely CLUTCHED!! I was all in from the very first chapter. You know a book is bomb when you're talking to it! 🤭 Ares should have been more upfront with his parents, I loved GiGi, C's feelings were really hurt, but it was something about that Zae 🤔This was a very spicy read! Great job to A. Blossom. I've already hit that follow, and now I'm on to the rest of her catalogue. 🫶🏾
Ares returns to town after being gone for 12 years. Creek and Zae his former best friends are a couple. Tension rises because Creek has always loved Ares and Zae knows it. He acknowledges that the friendship they always had was a bit unorthodox but knows that their relationship was their destiny. He accepts that Ares is a part of their love story and he invites Ares into his and Creeks life. This was an intriguing poly romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Overdue Feelings by Baby!!! A. Blossom is a must-read novella! Don’t let the cute and innocent cover fool you—this story is packed with grown folks business, real emotions, and characters who stay with you.
I’m already adding the previous three Pea Academy books to my TBR because I need more of this world.
And I have to shout out Ms. Gigi—my favorite character. Her wisdom is everything: “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with lovin’ more than one person, as long as you all are honest with one another.” She lived life on her own terms, and I loved every second of it.
Zea is the man. A real man. All man. And made this something really special. Blossom makes up for the sad beginning by making you smile all the way through the rest of it. I’m impressed with the way she managed to flesh out an emotionally heavy situation in so few pages, and it didn’t feel rushed or under developed. I also liked the way there is just enough nuggets dropped to make me want to read the other stories in the series. Not all series like this do a good job of that.
I ought to be shamed at myself the way I really enjoy how A. blossom writes her why choose romances like you can literally feel the love dripping from the pages Ares, Zae and Creek. They just really loved each other from an early childhood and it blossom all way up until adulthood. Even when Ares had to leave, he still held that love for the both of them so coming back to where he grew up to reconnect with his lost love was just epic. I love this story. This was really good.
I really enjoyed this love story !! I definitely love a why choose story , and why this is a love story between three people, it’s also a story about friendships. Friendships ending can be just as traumatic and hurtful as romantic relationships . I loved the way Zae and Ares loved on Creek and I loved the friendship between the three of them. This story is filled with sweetness, love and some downright nastiness !! Such a great read!