Carry You With Me

by Alex Husb

London Simmons never expected grief to lead her back to Eli Jackson. Years ago, Eli was the boy across the street she secretly admired. Then life moved on, and he became the husband of her close friend Brandy. London built a life of her own, pouring herself into her bakery and the people she loved, never imagining that one devastating loss would change all of them forever.

After Brandy is killed in a senseless act of violence, London and Eli are left trying to make sense of a world without her. What starts as two people leaning on each other through grief slowly becomes something neither of them planned for. The closer they get, the harder it becomes to ignore what is growing between them.

London struggles with the guilt of falling for the man her friend loved, while Eli is still learning how to move forward without feeling like he is leaving his wife behind. And with Eli’s younger cousin Kam making it clear that his feelings for London are anything but friendly, an already complicated situation gets even messier.

Neither London nor Eli is looking for another chance at love, especially not with each other. There is too much history between them, too many people with opinions, and a woman they both loved at the center of it all. But walking away proves harder than either of them expected.

If they want any chance at a future together, London will have to stop treating happiness like a betrayal, and Eli will have to decide whether holding on to the life he lost is worth risking the one waiting for him now.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2025

Reviews

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
I am actually BEGGING you to read this book if you want a heartfelt read that’s emotional but fast paced and you’ll finish in 24 hours!! Immediately went to see if this author has more books because this one was sooooo good!!!

[Melise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great writing and interesting story but the characters were so immature given their ages. I get that it was a tough choice and something to overcome but it was WAYYYY too much petty back and forth when they needed to see the lady or just stay away from each other. I felt like the problems were a waste of time because they were resolved immediately after they appeared. They kiss, get scared it’s a blow out they stop speaking. They start speaking again just a lot of foolishness for two grown people. I’d read more from this author for sure

[Lizzy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I NEED SOME MORE OF THEM 😁

IDK WHO THIS AUTHOR IS OR WHERE THEY CAME FROM BUT YOU’VE GAINED A FAN. THIS BOOK WAS AN AMAZING FRIEND TO LOVERS/SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE/FORBIDDEN LOVE LOVE STORY. IK, DO MANY STORYLINES ALL IN ONE BUT IT FLOWED SO EFFORTLESSLY. EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK WAS EXCITING I DIDN’T KNOW I NEEDED. HEARTBREAK, FRIENDSHIP, SISTERHOOD, BROTHERHOOD, FAMILY, LAUGHTER, AND A LOT OF LOVE🫶🏽. BUT THE GREATEST ONE WAS HEALING, COMING TO TERMS WITH SOMETHING YOU’VE KNOWN TO BE TRUE BUT WAS TO AFRAID TO ADMIT THAT ISH OUT LOUD BECAUSE THAT FEAR HAS YOU IN A CHOKEHOLD😢💔.

BRANDY WAS CLEARLY AN AMAZING WOMAN, SISTER/FRIEND, DAUGHTER AND WIFE WHO LOST HER LIFE TO SOME DUMB 🥷 WHO DECIDED TO SHOOT IT OUT IN A PARKING LOT 🤬🤬🤬. HER DEATH SET OF A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT CHANGED THE LIVES OF EVERYONE KNEW, ESPECIALLY HER HUSBAND ELI AND SISTER/FRIEND LONDON💔.

LONDON HAD BEEN CRAZY ABOUT ELI SINCE SHE WAS 10, BUT HE WAS 14 AND DEEMED HER UNTOUCHABLE. YEARS PASS AND HE’S BACK HOME JUST IN TIME TO SEE HER OFF TO PROM. THAT NIGHT HE REALIZED THAT HIS FEELINGS FOR HER HAD CHANGED BUT HE WAS ALERT DATING BRANDY. THESE TWO TRIED HARD TO KEEP THEIR FELINE HIDDEN UNTIL THEY COULDN’T. THAT DANG LONDON PISSED ME OF MORE THAN ONCE WITH HER CHILDISH WAYS🙄. I WAS SO HAPPY WHEN HE FINALLY BOSSED UP ON HER AND DIDN’T ALLOW HER TO DISMISS HIM AS IF HIS FEELINGS WEREN’T AS VALID AS HERS. HE SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT FOR CHRISTMAS AND I CRIED WHEN HE VISITED BRANDIE’S GRAVESITE AND TOLD HER HIS TRUE FEELINGS. HIM AND LONDON CHEMISTRY AND LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER WAS FELT THROUGH THE PAGES AND I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THEIR STORY❤️‍🔥

THEIR FRIEND/FAMILY GROUP WAS AN ADDED BONUS, ESPECIALLY KAMS CRAZY AZZ🤣

TOO BAD AMAZON WON’T ALLOW ME TO POST MY REVIEW CAUSE THIS BOOK DESERVES ALL THE REVIEWS, NOT JUST RATINGS.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★

Review to follow.

[Reuben · Rating 4 out of 5]

⋆. 𐙚 𝙲𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙼𝚎 ࿔*:･
╭──────────.★..─╮
• . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁꒰ঌ· 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠·໒꒱ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. •
╰─..★.──────────╯

𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘣 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵, 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘧, 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘪𝘵.

╭──────────.★..─╮
• . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁꒰ঌ· 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐·໒꒱ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. •
╰─..★.──────────╯

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝟺.𝟽𝟻★

╭──────────.★..─╮
• . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁꒰ঌ· 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜·໒꒱ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. •
╰─..★.──────────╯

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚗! 𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚋𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝙸 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚌𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞
𝙰 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚝 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚢 𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝙳𝙴𝙻𝙸𝚅𝙴𝚁𝙴𝙳! 𝚆𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚊 𝚘𝚛 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚖𝚊 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝙰 𝙻𝙾𝚃!
જ⁀➴°⋆
𝘖𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘈𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘏𝘶𝘴𝘣 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵! 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭! ೃ༄*

╭──────────.★..─╮
• . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁꒰ঌ· 𝚂𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚜·໒꒱ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. •
╰─..★.──────────╯

⇄ ◁◁ I I ▷▷ ↻
⁰⁰ ²⁵ ━━●━━━━━━━━ ⁰² ⁰⁸

𝒜 𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇: 𝙻𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚗
𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚗 𝙶𝚛𝚊𝚢
🎵𝙾𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚜 𝚋𝚢.🎵

𝒜 𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇: Eli
𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛, 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚗 𝙶𝚛𝚊𝚢
🎵𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛🎵

[𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕣 𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘]
⚠️𝓞𝓤𝑇 𝓞ℱ 𝓒𝓞𝓝𝑇𝓔𝓧𝑇 𝑄𝓤𝓞𝑇𝓔𝓢⚠️


𝙼𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚚𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜

✿　.　˚　. 　 ˚ . ˚　.　˚　. 　 ˚✿

𝙻𝚒𝚏𝚎-𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚏𝚊𝚛 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚒𝚗 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚊𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚊𝚢, “𝚍𝚊𝚖𝚗, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝’𝚜 𝚊𝚠𝚏𝚞𝚕,” 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜. 𝙸𝚝’𝚜 𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠. 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎.

✿　.　˚　. 　 ˚ . ˚　.　˚　. 　 ˚✿

𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚞𝚜𝚑 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎. 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎… 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎. 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎.

✿　.　˚　. 　 ˚ . ˚　.　˚　. 　 ˚✿

𝙲𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎, 𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎. 𝙵𝚘𝚕𝚔𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚊𝚢, 𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚋𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚎𝚕𝚜𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎.

✿　.　˚　. 　 ˚ . ˚　.　˚　. 　 ˚✿

𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞,” 𝙸 𝚖𝚞𝚛𝚖𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚍. 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍, 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐. “𝙸’𝚖 𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚍, 𝙴𝚕𝚒.” 𝙸 𝚜𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚎𝚣𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍. “𝙸 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞..” 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚊 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚔𝚢 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑, 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚒𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜. “𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚐𝚗𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎.” “𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚋𝚎.

✿　.　˚　. 　 ˚ . ˚　.　˚　. 　 ˚✿

𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛. 𝙵𝚘𝚛 𝙴𝚕𝚒, 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚊𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝. 𝙸𝚝 𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝.

✿　.　˚　. 　 ˚ . ˚　.　˚　. 　 ˚✿

“𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦,” 𝘐 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥. “𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘰𝘰.”

✿　.　˚　. 　 ˚ . ˚　.　˚　. 　 ˚✿

[Natalie James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want it to end!!

I read this book in 2 days because I had to stop myself from getting to the end. Halfway through I had find the author on social media & follow her on everything. This was my 1st read by this author & it won't be my last. I'm usually a very silent reader & barley leave reviews but I couldn't leave this without one. From the 1st page to the last...my God what a story!!

Nothing was left unanswered & yet I want more...I need updates on London & Eli. I can't wait to read Nique & Dex because I know that's going to be a wild story. 5 stars & nothing less!! Ms. Alex you have a new fan & I'll be looking for ALL your new releases!!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tantalizing Tale of Truth

I absolutely loved this book except for one thing but I won’t post it here. It’s something I’d have to tell the author in an email or FB note…cause sis I’m mad. From the dynamic characters and their individual personalities and lives, I was completely engaged.
I don’t know what captured my attention most, the amazing title names for each chapter or what’s to come in not only the book about Dex & Nique or even Kam or Nel.
I’m all in…in the words of Eli and London and can’t wait for what’s in store.

[aminat · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF! i really spoke my mind in my last update about this book but i honestly hate it. I really wanted to enjoy thus one but it was just to crinegy and childish. Seems like a good storyline but the writing is miserable. I wanted to finish it for the sake of my reading goal but alas i only made it halfway through.

Characters are immature. If you like 2010’s wattpad black love story drama written by a 15yr old then this one’s for you but not for me. 2 stars bc I see the potential with the storyline but 1 star for everything else.

['The Book Queen' · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Author Alert

I enjoyed this close friends who become friends-to-lovers in this story. No spoilers... It was good.

[Shonta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy comes in the morning!

Absolutely beautiful story from beginning to end. The story while sad turned into something so endearing and sweet. The characters were funny, sweet, strong, loving, and feisty at times. Heartbreak after such a huge loss was extremely hard on Eli and London. While they were healing London stepped up more and it made Eli grateful and see her, like truly see her. After some back and forth, exes, placeholders, and arguments getting in the way they decided while still holding on to pieces of the past they could move forward while carrying each other into a beautiful future. Loved it A. Husb.

[Shenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carry You With Me was such a beautiful love story centered around grief, healing, and finding love in unexpected places. Two people who had known each other their whole lives found themselves growing closer through the loss of someone they both loved. As the story unfolded, their bond deepened, and they learned that moving forward didn’t mean leaving their loved one behind. Their love for her never faded, even as they allowed themselves to love each other. This book was a beautiful reminder that grief and love can coexist, and sometimes, something beautiful can grow from the deepest pain. I truly loved this story.

[Author Jen Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew

This was a roller coaster of emotions. Raw. Heavy. Absolute. But just the same, Whole. Thus journey for Eli and London was crazy. Dealing with such haste and anxiety while trying to just live and breathe.... it's hard. But they leaned on each and something sparked. The back and forth, trying to navigate feelings was intense but having people surround you that helps you freely explore them without judgment is the best anyone could ask for. This was a great book. I love how it ended and I wanna see what happens with Dex and Nique. 👀

[Natalie Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not understand how this book has a high rating and why people like it so much. These were a bunch of toddlers because they were so childish. This book wasn’t even about their love story it was more about Brandy being dead and them trying to be together because there was no connection other than the author telling us that she had a crush on him since she was ten and her coming to cook and clean after brandy died. They mostly fought and had issues because none of these adults know how to communicate. I hate this book with a burning passion.

[San Lashun · Rating 5 out of 5]

adding this book to my fave lists

This is my first read by this author and I truly did amazing on her debut book. I just loved the story line . Eli was going through such a hard time and we he finally let go it turned out to be a happy ending. London was so afraid about what others thought of her but she faced that fear and I was so proud of her . Alex this is Amazing book . Keep writing .

[Judy Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undeniable Love and Spicy

I really enjoyed this book Eli and London’s friendship for years. London always admired Eli, but he was older than her. He never really paid her any attention until she was sixteen years old and he was twenty. London wasn’t of age so he had fallen for someone. Love is a beautiful thing and sometimes you can’t deny your feelings!! I really enjoyed this read and I recommend it.

[Lyric Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars! Read this if you want a heartfelt (kind of forbidden) Black romance! I will say the reason I couldn’t give this book 5 stars is because the characters were too old to basically worry about what others thought about their choices. I mean.. they were pressed but that’s not to say I don’t understand why. I do. It was just a little aggy for me. I felt all the emotions though (even had some giggles here and there)! I still am rooting for London and Eli. Oh…Author’s writing ? Chef kiss!

[Katrinia “Kat” Justice · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Embrace the Future You Have to Let Go of the Past

Eli and London have known each other since the sand box. London has crushed on him for that same amount of time.

This is a story of love, loss, grief and learning to navigate moving forward while remembering the past.

I loved the journey even though both of them were very immature at times.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful Story.

Great read.
Beautiful love story.
Occasionally HEAVY emotionally, but not in a bad way.

I know there will be a spinoff of some sort because we have to read about the cousins budding romance. Dex is going to have his hands full with (you know who) and her stubborn ass. 🤭

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pulled at my heart so much! It was so heartwarming and healing that just pulled me in. I honestly could not put this down.

The only thing that bothered me was the constant back and forth, them together and then them not talking but also i loved the tension and yearning that caused.

…..I hope that made sense lol, I had a love hate situation with that part is all I’m saying.
Other than that I loved both characters and their journey!

[Teresa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carry You With Me

Excellent book regarding Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and their friendship; I would recommend the book for others to read. Note there are sexual references and some foul language.

[Jessica Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I definitely give the book 5 stars. The book definitely explored love, lost and real life.
The book was easy to get involved in and interested to read more books in the future from this author.

[Margorie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

messy in ask the right ways

Writing a story centered around grief is always a challenge. Add the dynamic of friends to lovers…whew! This was written messily in all the right ways beautifully displaying living after loss.

[kavia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book, definitely some themes i couldn’t relate to and some that i really don’t want to relate to.

Those quote really pulled at my heartstrings

“I had never truly been chosen. Not by Troy. Not by Eli. Not by anyone”.

Also Homewrecker by Sombr kept playing in my head

[Alexus Divine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful love story ! I wanted more of Eli & London to see how it all unfolds once they finally decided to be all in! The story is a testament to doing what makes you happy even if it’s unconventional. When you know , You know! I will definitely recommend this book !

[Kaylynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this book by following the narrator. And I'm so glad I took a listen. The story was so endearing and heartfelt. It rides the line of "taboo" while being realistic. It draws you in to the complexities of love, loss and grief. Great story.

EyeCU Reading Approved.

[Sharika Sellman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story and I understand both sides but when I say London was getting on my everlasting nerves ughhhhh ! I am glad they finally got it together and figured out! This just goes to show you can’t help who you fall in love with no matter how hard you try to resist

[Kenyada Coney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good, I loved it. The rollercoaster of them getting together had me needing more of London and Eli

[jordyneIAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good love story, but they were both annoying and immature at times, i wanted to scream at their ass so much especially her, but love prevails and they finally lived in their truth .

[Eliane Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Alex, for sending me a copy of Carry You With Me.

Carry You With Me is a touching story of two friends who experience a tragic loss of someone they both cared deeply for. For London, she lost her friend, sorority sister, and mentor. For Eli he lost his best friend and wife. As they both grieved, they began to uncover feelings for each other that they both suppressed. This book details the journey and the struggle they face as they acknowledge what they're feeling.

This was a 3.5-star read for me. Alex did a good job of describing the emotions of both characters. I understood and felt the obstacles that they both faced. However, I wish she had given us more drama. It seemed as if the couple's only real challenge was accepting their feelings for each other. I would have loved to see more pushback.

I enjoyed the fact that the book didn't lag and that it kept me invested throughout. Although the book dealt with a heavy issue, Alex wrote this book in a way that tragedy didn't weigh the book down. I believe this is Alex's debut novel, and I feel that she is off to a great start!

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. I wish they would of went to therapy. smh