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Salt & Pepper
As a DC native, Chris “Boom” King worked to ensure his people weren’t overlooked in his hometown’s ever-changing landscape. He happily volunteered his time, reinvested his capital, and remained committed to his wife of nineteen years–until a betrayal like no other forced him to relocate to Houston for a hard reset. One where no new friends or relationships became his mantra.
Then he received a call asking to help…her.
Nia Hobson is an independent go-getter, notorious for prioritizing the needs of others over her own. The early childhood learning center she founded in Houston’s Third Ward is her pride and joy. But much like the on-again, off-again relationship she’s been stuck in since college, it sparks just as much heartache as it does hope.
A chance encounter forces these two together. And that innocent interaction births an opportunity for something so much more. But will the damage from their pasts be too much to overcome in this new season?
Then he received a call asking to help…her.
Nia Hobson is an independent go-getter, notorious for prioritizing the needs of others over her own. The early childhood learning center she founded in Houston’s Third Ward is her pride and joy. But much like the on-again, off-again relationship she’s been stuck in since college, it sparks just as much heartache as it does hope.
A chance encounter forces these two together. And that innocent interaction births an opportunity for something so much more. But will the damage from their pasts be too much to overcome in this new season?
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2025
49 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐️’s
September 27, 2025
Grown and sexy! I enjoyed witnessing a couple in their 40's and 50's finding and experiencing love.
Chris "Boom" King hauled ass from DC after his wife played in his face! 🤬 Left her, his family and friends, thriving and lucrative business, everything to find peace. Moving to Houston was just the change he needed, while he licked his wounds. Chris was coasting along, laying low, and healing, while avoiding love and relationships. Until he gets a call from his boy Jon and sees her....
Nia loved the kids. Her center in the 3rd ward was much needed and appreciated in the community. She had the love of her parents, and an awesome friend group, but her personal life was trash. Her on again off again boyfriend was mostly absent, and non-committal. Then she needed help one evening and Jon sent him...
They were both stuck when the looked at the other but tried to play it cool. Chris who had sworn off love, wondered why this stranger was making him think about their future. Nia wondered about this fine man, who appeared out of nowhere, and wondered what if.
Chris was all in from the beginning, telling Nia he was here for her whenever, wherever. While Nia was enjoying his focus on her, his intention, and care, she also wanted closure from Shaq. She got on my nerves a bit with that immature behavior, but Chris did not flinch, cause that was his woman. Really loved this read!! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
Chris "Boom" King hauled ass from DC after his wife played in his face! 🤬 Left her, his family and friends, thriving and lucrative business, everything to find peace. Moving to Houston was just the change he needed, while he licked his wounds. Chris was coasting along, laying low, and healing, while avoiding love and relationships. Until he gets a call from his boy Jon and sees her....
Nia loved the kids. Her center in the 3rd ward was much needed and appreciated in the community. She had the love of her parents, and an awesome friend group, but her personal life was trash. Her on again off again boyfriend was mostly absent, and non-committal. Then she needed help one evening and Jon sent him...
They were both stuck when the looked at the other but tried to play it cool. Chris who had sworn off love, wondered why this stranger was making him think about their future. Nia wondered about this fine man, who appeared out of nowhere, and wondered what if.
Chris was all in from the beginning, telling Nia he was here for her whenever, wherever. While Nia was enjoying his focus on her, his intention, and care, she also wanted closure from Shaq. She got on my nerves a bit with that immature behavior, but Chris did not flinch, cause that was his woman. Really loved this read!! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
December 30, 2025
I’ll admit, about 40% in or before I was in the brink of DNF’ing. I usually like a slow burn but this felt like it was dragging and not really saying much. I stuck with it and it got better. Once the ball started rolling, we were really moving.
I loved the way the MMC was written, and older 49/50 year old man, he didn’t play games, he was intentional, believed in sitting on someone’s couch and he knew what love could be, he was just slightly closed off from the idea but for good reason. The FMC is a 40 something self starter and business owner who knows what she wants too. Their dynamic was refreshing from reading so many younger couples. I truly came to enjoy this read and found myself smiling through some of the banter and way the writer added personality and fun.
The pacing was a bit slow but the story and the writing was nice. Don’t expect this to be a whirlwind of a journey, it’s more like a Sunday drive, with a few bumps in the road. Easy, enjoyable, nice moments, good music, a few potholes but an overall easy Sunday drive. A nice end to a long work week, you get me?
I loved the way the MMC was written, and older 49/50 year old man, he didn’t play games, he was intentional, believed in sitting on someone’s couch and he knew what love could be, he was just slightly closed off from the idea but for good reason. The FMC is a 40 something self starter and business owner who knows what she wants too. Their dynamic was refreshing from reading so many younger couples. I truly came to enjoy this read and found myself smiling through some of the banter and way the writer added personality and fun.
The pacing was a bit slow but the story and the writing was nice. Don’t expect this to be a whirlwind of a journey, it’s more like a Sunday drive, with a few bumps in the road. Easy, enjoyable, nice moments, good music, a few potholes but an overall easy Sunday drive. A nice end to a long work week, you get me?
January 17, 2026
3.5 this is slow burn. I enjoyed the fact that the main characters are 50 and 42.
January 19, 2026
Let me be very transparent.
Anytime I read a romance novel written by a man, I hold my breath. I never know which way it’s going to go. That said, I genuinely enjoy reading romance from a male perspective. I love seeing how men experience love and intimacy through their own lens. Men and women don’t love in wildly different ways, but there are small, significant differences in how love is shown and how it’s received and those nuances matter. So while I’m cautious, I’m also open.
With that being said, I’m really glad this was a BeeSpoke HTX January Book Club pick, because I’m not sure I would have stumbled across it otherwise and I’m so glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The pacing was solid and intentional. It didn’t feel dragged out or overly dramatized. One of the things I appreciated most was seeing a man who was okay with accepting where he was in the moment. I don’t think women always realize that men take heartbreak just as hard as we do sometimes even harder. Men are taught to be providers, protectors, strong, and steady. Vulnerability isn’t always a space they’re encouraged to explore, so when they give that part of themselves to someone who didn’t deserve it, it can take a long time to recover if they ever do. That perspective felt honest and grounded, and it really worked for me.
What also surprised me was learning that the author isn’t from Houston. As a true H-Town girl up, down, round, round, I could clearly picture the spaces and places he named. That level of detail made the story feel lived-in and authentic. And yes, there was a little jab about crab cakes. I’ll let him have it. I’ve been to Baltimore and DC, and I’ll admit the East Coast does have Houston beat in that category.
Her on-and-off boyfriend had been living in the same city, while she believed the distance in their relationship was because he lived out of state most of the time. That alone is a hard no. But what truly took me out was the fact that her mother knew he had been living in the city for the last six years. Six. Years. And still allowed her daughter to believe a version of events that protected him instead of her.
As a mother, that was mind-blowing to me. I couldn’t imagine knowing that truth and not stepping in. Encouraging your daughter to stay emotionally invested in someone who was actively withholding honesty, presence, and commitment while dressing it up as “he’s good on paper” or “he’ll be able to provide” is wild. A woman should be amazing in her own right. A partner should magnify her life, not quietly mute or delay it.
I also loved the camaraderie and friendship circle the MMC stumbled into after moving to Houston. As a Houstonian with friendships that go all the way back to grade school, that part felt incredibly authentic. Houston friendships tend to last, and that longevity, the loyalty, the showing up, really came through in the story.
This book was Black.
It was love.
It was grounded.
Yes, there were problems but not every story needs gutter-level chaos to be compelling. And while I do love a good RICO case or a dramatic shootout, this story didn’t need that. It was beautifully written, emotionally steady, and refreshing, especially coming from a male perspective.
Kudos to this author. Thank you for this voice.
It was different, it was grounded, and it’s definitely one I welcome.
Anytime I read a romance novel written by a man, I hold my breath. I never know which way it’s going to go. That said, I genuinely enjoy reading romance from a male perspective. I love seeing how men experience love and intimacy through their own lens. Men and women don’t love in wildly different ways, but there are small, significant differences in how love is shown and how it’s received and those nuances matter. So while I’m cautious, I’m also open.
With that being said, I’m really glad this was a BeeSpoke HTX January Book Club pick, because I’m not sure I would have stumbled across it otherwise and I’m so glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The pacing was solid and intentional. It didn’t feel dragged out or overly dramatized. One of the things I appreciated most was seeing a man who was okay with accepting where he was in the moment. I don’t think women always realize that men take heartbreak just as hard as we do sometimes even harder. Men are taught to be providers, protectors, strong, and steady. Vulnerability isn’t always a space they’re encouraged to explore, so when they give that part of themselves to someone who didn’t deserve it, it can take a long time to recover if they ever do. That perspective felt honest and grounded, and it really worked for me.
What also surprised me was learning that the author isn’t from Houston. As a true H-Town girl up, down, round, round, I could clearly picture the spaces and places he named. That level of detail made the story feel lived-in and authentic. And yes, there was a little jab about crab cakes. I’ll let him have it. I’ve been to Baltimore and DC, and I’ll admit the East Coast does have Houston beat in that category.
Her on-and-off boyfriend had been living in the same city, while she believed the distance in their relationship was because he lived out of state most of the time. That alone is a hard no. But what truly took me out was the fact that her mother knew he had been living in the city for the last six years. Six. Years. And still allowed her daughter to believe a version of events that protected him instead of her.
As a mother, that was mind-blowing to me. I couldn’t imagine knowing that truth and not stepping in. Encouraging your daughter to stay emotionally invested in someone who was actively withholding honesty, presence, and commitment while dressing it up as “he’s good on paper” or “he’ll be able to provide” is wild. A woman should be amazing in her own right. A partner should magnify her life, not quietly mute or delay it.
I also loved the camaraderie and friendship circle the MMC stumbled into after moving to Houston. As a Houstonian with friendships that go all the way back to grade school, that part felt incredibly authentic. Houston friendships tend to last, and that longevity, the loyalty, the showing up, really came through in the story.
This book was Black.
It was love.
It was grounded.
Yes, there were problems but not every story needs gutter-level chaos to be compelling. And while I do love a good RICO case or a dramatic shootout, this story didn’t need that. It was beautifully written, emotionally steady, and refreshing, especially coming from a male perspective.
Kudos to this author. Thank you for this voice.
It was different, it was grounded, and it’s definitely one I welcome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this read. I’m not sure if I’ve read many romance books written by men, but the way he wrote the MMC, I’m sure every woman wants him! I also enjoyed that the main characters were a little older and exploring new love, with the FMC being 42 and the MMC being 50. You would think they would have it together but, the FMC definitely still had some growing to do. Occasionally, her actions made me feel as if she was younger than the age given in the book. But overall, I enjoyed reading about the two of them. I will say, I felt like we saw a full resolved of the FMC issues, but it felt as if we brushed through the MMCs woes in a more simplified way. It never felt fully resolved to me, but either way I felt a little vindication in his response to his ex.
Also, I hope the author gives us stories in the future for the secondary characters. I’m fully invested in what happens in the future with Blake and Prentice, and I loved Jonny’s character and would enjoy seeing more of him.
Also, I hope the author gives us stories in the future for the secondary characters. I’m fully invested in what happens in the future with Blake and Prentice, and I loved Jonny’s character and would enjoy seeing more of him.
December 30, 2025
Salt & Pepper
A grown love story. Chris aka Boom aka DC and Nia Pretty Girl was a dope story from start to finish. They were both reasonably cautious about trying again and it made so much sense as to why. I love how Chris stood on business and took care of himself mentally as well. And Nia being able to trust and lean on someone who meant what he says, was golden. I loved seeing David Marcus again and the reference to The Pearl was superb. This is a great read and with the right amount of steam. Go pick this up!
A grown love story. Chris aka Boom aka DC and Nia Pretty Girl was a dope story from start to finish. They were both reasonably cautious about trying again and it made so much sense as to why. I love how Chris stood on business and took care of himself mentally as well. And Nia being able to trust and lean on someone who meant what he says, was golden. I loved seeing David Marcus again and the reference to The Pearl was superb. This is a great read and with the right amount of steam. Go pick this up!
September 23, 2025
I liked this story alot. It was nice having the characters be in my age range (40-50s) with realistic drama. Although I will say Nia still being insecure over a dude at 42 was a little annoying. Chris had layers to him which was good.
Also, I loved the DC references being from Baltimore. And the shoutout to Author DL White,by tying in The Pearl was a nice Easter Egg.
I hope Jonny and Blake each get their own stories.
Also, I loved the DC references being from Baltimore. And the shoutout to Author DL White,by tying in The Pearl was a nice Easter Egg.
I hope Jonny and Blake each get their own stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2026
Great Read!
I absolutely love the “seasoned” characters! I truly felt like it was easier to connect with the maturity of the MMC, matched with the vulnerability of the MFC. Then the added pettiness and humor. Chefs kiss!!
I absolutely love the “seasoned” characters! I truly felt like it was easier to connect with the maturity of the MMC, matched with the vulnerability of the MFC. Then the added pettiness and humor. Chefs kiss!!
November 25, 2025
Chris King is a grown man
First time reading this author. I like it. Based in Houston. Chris King was a grown man. If you can tell me what to do, then you can tell me what to do.
First time reading this author. I like it. Based in Houston. Chris King was a grown man. If you can tell me what to do, then you can tell me what to do.
November 26, 2025
This was my first read from Jsin and I thoroughly enjoyed Salt & Pepper. This story follows Chris (AKA Boom AKA DC) and Nia as they navigate love after failed relationships. It was real, raw, and relatable. I loved that DC didn’t play about Nia. The book came to a graceful ending,but I was so engaged I want more from DC and Nia!
January 24, 2026
It was almost a DNF book for me, but I pushed through. There were so many parts that didn’t make sense. There were so many scenes thrown in that didn’t make sense. It was easy to get confused while reading based on different scenarios that didn’t tie together.
I did appreciate how the characters were older and more established.
I did appreciate how the characters were older and more established.
October 12, 2025
I really REALLY love when Jsin releases a book. I call him my literary bro for a reason. He likes to pretend he is not a romance writer and Ima need him to WAKE. UP.
I also love when I see growth and depth in an author's work as time goes on. Salt & Pepper seems a cut above, even from A Cross to Bare, which I believe he put out last year. His writing continues to strengthen, to pluck at the heart strings and pull deep emotion from the reader. Also makes me argue WITH the book, LOL.
Boom & Nia are the kind of couple I really like reading about-- thrown together, got no reason to really feel for each other... but they DO and watching them fall is such a treat. A chance encounter hate to see Jsin coming!
Also... I was pleased to see that he included a setting from one of my books, which is the ultimate compliment. I'm so honored and honestly tickled every time I think about it.
Graham is a writer that NEEDS to be on your permabuy list ASAPTually.
I also love when I see growth and depth in an author's work as time goes on. Salt & Pepper seems a cut above, even from A Cross to Bare, which I believe he put out last year. His writing continues to strengthen, to pluck at the heart strings and pull deep emotion from the reader. Also makes me argue WITH the book, LOL.
Boom & Nia are the kind of couple I really like reading about-- thrown together, got no reason to really feel for each other... but they DO and watching them fall is such a treat. A chance encounter hate to see Jsin coming!
Also... I was pleased to see that he included a setting from one of my books, which is the ultimate compliment. I'm so honored and honestly tickled every time I think about it.
Graham is a writer that NEEDS to be on your permabuy list ASAPTually.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews