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D-Ville Projects #5
Bern and Isley
After tragedy struck when Isley was ten years old, she was forced to leave the only home she'd known and moved to D-Ville projects. She had dreams of moving out of the hood once she became an adult. But when life happened, she settled into a life of caregiving and a stagnant relationship.
After being released from prison, Claybern has his mind set on stacking his bread the legal way and reconnecting with his loved ones. Specifically his best friend, Isley. Although he promised himself he would keep his true feelings for her buried, the task had proven to be nearly impossible. When his realization of how fragile life could be stares him in the face, he's forced to reveal his heart's intentions. Will Isley be receptive of his truth? Or will she walk away from their long term friendship?
After being released from prison, Claybern has his mind set on stacking his bread the legal way and reconnecting with his loved ones. Specifically his best friend, Isley. Although he promised himself he would keep his true feelings for her buried, the task had proven to be nearly impossible. When his realization of how fragile life could be stares him in the face, he's forced to reveal his heart's intentions. Will Isley be receptive of his truth? Or will she walk away from their long term friendship?
- GenresFriends To Lovers
143 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 21, 2025
(2.75) This was a slow burn friends to lovers story. The characters were decent. Both having had gone through a lot and trying to figure out how to get on their feet. I think they took way too long to get together though. But I guess I get it, the risk of crossing the line after 20 years is real. My primary complaint was the fact that there was so much other drama and stuff happening in the book that the romance took a backseat. By the time they got together there were TWENTY PAGES left in the book. So we really didn’t get to see them being in a relationship. The last 87% of the book (again which is only 20 pages) was so rushed with them being a happy couple and both of their businesses thriving. I would have preferred less time focusing on their exes & their ambivalent feelings, and more time on seeing how they successfully navigated their new relationship dynamic and built their businesses.
September 16, 2025
The way Bern loved Isley 🥺💗
That man literally worshipped the ground she walked on!! He did any & everything to show her she was worthy of being loved correctly! Through loss, grief & past traumas Bern showed up & showed out each & every time for Isley !! That’s a good man Savannah 🥰! Their story was too cute!! I love a good happy ending!
That man literally worshipped the ground she walked on!! He did any & everything to show her she was worthy of being loved correctly! Through loss, grief & past traumas Bern showed up & showed out each & every time for Isley !! That’s a good man Savannah 🥰! Their story was too cute!! I love a good happy ending!
November 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐
Friends to Lovers which I don't usually enjoy but Bern and Isley just loved each other so damn much and clearly just wanted the best for each other. Cute novella.
Friends to Lovers which I don't usually enjoy but Bern and Isley just loved each other so damn much and clearly just wanted the best for each other. Cute novella.
October 12, 2025
Book 5 - Bern comes home after being locked up for 5 years and reconnects with Isley, his female best friend of 20 years. They have truly been friends the entire time, but Isley's man don't like their relationship and is jealous. Bern's ex is also jealous of their friendship because Bern will literally do anything for Isley. So much so that it's unbelievable that they're just friends.
I don't mind a good friends to lovers story, but this wasn't good to me. Although I fully supported Isley and her man ending their relationship, the events after all seemed excessive and should've been traumatizing for Isley given her childhood.
It would've been better to get more of Isley and Bern's love story.
I don't mind a good friends to lovers story, but this wasn't good to me. Although I fully supported Isley and her man ending their relationship, the events after all seemed excessive and should've been traumatizing for Isley given her childhood.
It would've been better to get more of Isley and Bern's love story.
August 18, 2026
Best friends to lovers, likeable characters, and an MMC that was always there no matter what. This was a good listen & read.
December 16, 2025
Bern and Isley, Friends to Lovers
Bern and Isley was such an easy couple to fall in love with!!!…
I love the fact that their foundation was so solid and the friendship was so genuine!!!…
Even after being gone for 5 years, they never wavered from their connection!!!…
Snow was a rider and I loved it!!!…Isley was in the dark about the cousin man, but Snow cleared it all up for her!!!…
Unique was about as delusional as they come!!!…Her issue was with Bern and he made it clear that there was nothing btwn them, but she was angry with Isley as if she did it!!!…
Braylah thought she was going to walk away with a half price hairstyle, but she got what she paid for, chopped and braided!!!…
I was happy that auntie made the decision to go back home so that Isley can live her life without the guilt!!!…Isley loved her auntie so much and didn’t want any to see her go, but she got to see her on vacation!!!…
Bern and Isley was such an easy couple to fall in love with!!!…
I love the fact that their foundation was so solid and the friendship was so genuine!!!…
Even after being gone for 5 years, they never wavered from their connection!!!…
Snow was a rider and I loved it!!!…Isley was in the dark about the cousin man, but Snow cleared it all up for her!!!…
Unique was about as delusional as they come!!!…Her issue was with Bern and he made it clear that there was nothing btwn them, but she was angry with Isley as if she did it!!!…
Braylah thought she was going to walk away with a half price hairstyle, but she got what she paid for, chopped and braided!!!…
I was happy that auntie made the decision to go back home so that Isley can live her life without the guilt!!!…Isley loved her auntie so much and didn’t want any to see her go, but she got to see her on vacation!!!…
January 12, 2026
Friends to Lovers
Bern and Isley were friends since childhood but Isley didn't know how Bern really felt about her until years later. Everybody else could see it though. He saw how she was being treated by Marshal but waited and always had her back. Isley was going through it but Bern was there to "provide and protect" as real men should. Marshal and Unique were foul but both got what was coming to them at the end. The relationship between Bern and Isley could've went either way but ended as Bern hoped. Not all friendships to relationships end well but theirs was meant to be. I loved their story.
Bern and Isley were friends since childhood but Isley didn't know how Bern really felt about her until years later. Everybody else could see it though. He saw how she was being treated by Marshal but waited and always had her back. Isley was going through it but Bern was there to "provide and protect" as real men should. Marshal and Unique were foul but both got what was coming to them at the end. The relationship between Bern and Isley could've went either way but ended as Bern hoped. Not all friendships to relationships end well but theirs was meant to be. I loved their story.
October 21, 2025
Good Read!
I enjoy a good friends to lovers story but this one took too long to get to the lovers part and I thought their first sex scene was mediocre. I loved Bern he was such a stand up guy and he didn’t play about Isley. Isley got on my nerves tho, just a little bit lol. I think she took a little too much of Marshall BS. I’m glad they decided to act on those feelings that they tried so hard to deny. And shout out to the home state Arkansas 🤩
I enjoy a good friends to lovers story but this one took too long to get to the lovers part and I thought their first sex scene was mediocre. I loved Bern he was such a stand up guy and he didn’t play about Isley. Isley got on my nerves tho, just a little bit lol. I think she took a little too much of Marshall BS. I’m glad they decided to act on those feelings that they tried so hard to deny. And shout out to the home state Arkansas 🤩
September 11, 2025
Bern and Isley
There was a lot to unpack in this book. Hidden feelings, best friends to lovers, toxic ex's, and a miscarriage. Isley has been through a lot, and to have Bern in her corner was a blessing. Bern showed her how a man was supposed to treat her. I was glad when he told her his true feelings. It was up from there.
There was a lot to unpack in this book. Hidden feelings, best friends to lovers, toxic ex's, and a miscarriage. Isley has been through a lot, and to have Bern in her corner was a blessing. Bern showed her how a man was supposed to treat her. I was glad when he told her his true feelings. It was up from there.
September 12, 2025
Real love
This is one of the top 5 friends to lovers stories I’ve ever read. The fact that Bern was so protective of Isley but also respected when she needed to make her own decisions. He stepped up for her more than her own man. And Marshall got exactly what he deserved too. Highly recommend.
This is one of the top 5 friends to lovers stories I’ve ever read. The fact that Bern was so protective of Isley but also respected when she needed to make her own decisions. He stepped up for her more than her own man. And Marshall got exactly what he deserved too. Highly recommend.
September 13, 2025
Heart eyes!
Claybern, Claybern! Oh I'm gushing. I love the friendship he and Isley possessed. They held each other down through it all and didn't let up. The love was there and they just had to get out of their own way. Took a lot of bs and heartache but baby when the love is there it always prevails. I loved this real bad.
Claybern, Claybern! Oh I'm gushing. I love the friendship he and Isley possessed. They held each other down through it all and didn't let up. The love was there and they just had to get out of their own way. Took a lot of bs and heartache but baby when the love is there it always prevails. I loved this real bad.
September 14, 2025
Bern and Isley (D-Ville Projects Book 5)
This was the sweetest story. I am truly enjoying this series. Also, this is my first time reading this author, and I am a fan.
Bern was the sweetest guy ever. He was definitely on his grown man. He loved Isley with his whole heart. I'm happy that they were able to get together. Friends to lovers is always a good troupe.
This was the sweetest story. I am truly enjoying this series. Also, this is my first time reading this author, and I am a fan.
Bern was the sweetest guy ever. He was definitely on his grown man. He loved Isley with his whole heart. I'm happy that they were able to get together. Friends to lovers is always a good troupe.
August 9, 2026
I wanted to like this because I love a friends to lovers. I think they spent too much of the book apart and not together. Islet was in a pointless relationship 80% of the book. I would have loved to seem develop their romantic relationship. Then the end was rushed and threw them together instead of seeing them build.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
Bern & Isley
Isley had some healing to do but she had the support of her best friends. I kind of figured Aunt Fee was going to move to be near her son. Bern stayed on the straight path and invested in a business. I'm hoping to hear more about this couple.
Isley had some healing to do but she had the support of her best friends. I kind of figured Aunt Fee was going to move to be near her son. Bern stayed on the straight path and invested in a business. I'm hoping to hear more about this couple.
September 11, 2025
My best friend
The way I loved Bern is crazy. He was real and kept it 100 for Isley. They should have been a couple, but the way they loved and supported each other was cute.
I got the Best Friend by 50 cent vibe throughout this book.
The way I loved Bern is crazy. He was real and kept it 100 for Isley. They should have been a couple, but the way they loved and supported each other was cute.
I got the Best Friend by 50 cent vibe throughout this book.
September 14, 2025
Angel
Hmmm, Isley & Bern were D-Ville adjacent affiliate resident’s. They’ve outgrown the people & the D-Ville environment 🤷🏾♀️‼️Meanwhile, Isley & Bern were still a cute couple but weren’t the stereotypical Douglasville project urban mentality residents (compared to the four other installments). Both were goal oriented, progressive thinkers, successful hustlers & entrepreneurial D-Ville anomalies. Nevertheless, “Bern & Isley (D-Ville Projects) - Book 5” journey to love was entertaining, a pleasant read & each other’s angel 🥰.
Hmmm, Isley & Bern were D-Ville adjacent affiliate resident’s. They’ve outgrown the people & the D-Ville environment 🤷🏾♀️‼️Meanwhile, Isley & Bern were still a cute couple but weren’t the stereotypical Douglasville project urban mentality residents (compared to the four other installments). Both were goal oriented, progressive thinkers, successful hustlers & entrepreneurial D-Ville anomalies. Nevertheless, “Bern & Isley (D-Ville Projects) - Book 5” journey to love was entertaining, a pleasant read & each other’s angel 🥰.
September 21, 2025
One of my favorite authors
Bern and Icey had a lengthy friendship before they crossed the line to explore a romantic relationship. He definitely was protective and loving with her. And I'm glad she loved him just as much.
Bern and Icey had a lengthy friendship before they crossed the line to explore a romantic relationship. He definitely was protective and loving with her. And I'm glad she loved him just as much.
September 24, 2025
Bern and Isley (D-Ville projects book 5)
This was a good story and I'm so they dropped that friendship and became lovers. They deserved to be together after the many years of being best friends. Everything worked out for the best.
This was a good story and I'm so they dropped that friendship and became lovers. They deserved to be together after the many years of being best friends. Everything worked out for the best.
October 8, 2025
Good read
Bern and Isley are good friends from elementary school who happen to turn into lovers. Bern is just a stand-up guy because he has been in love with Isley for a long time. Get into it!
Bern and Isley are good friends from elementary school who happen to turn into lovers. Bern is just a stand-up guy because he has been in love with Isley for a long time. Get into it!
March 10, 2026
New author
This D Ville project has brought about new authors, Mandee being one. Her style of writing is entertaining however I felt like there were some gaps missing. Not any that would take away from the story but it would have definitely made it more interesting.
This D Ville project has brought about new authors, Mandee being one. Her style of writing is entertaining however I felt like there were some gaps missing. Not any that would take away from the story but it would have definitely made it more interesting.
October 28, 2025
😍😍😍😍😍
Marshall knew exactly what he was doing when he didn’t pull out ! ! ! Bern and Isley built the perfect relationship for them ! ! !
Marshall knew exactly what he was doing when he didn’t pull out ! ! ! Bern and Isley built the perfect relationship for them ! ! !
October 29, 2025
Another good book to this series
Bern and Isley’s story is just as inspiring as the others in this series. Their friends to lovers move was right on point.
Bern and Isley’s story is just as inspiring as the others in this series. Their friends to lovers move was right on point.
December 16, 2025
Awesome
So happy for them time apart
Only helped them realize they were more than friends found there happiness with one another
So happy for them time apart
Only helped them realize they were more than friends found there happiness with one another
September 5, 2026
If it wasn't for their 20-year friendship, she wouldn't deserve to be with him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2026
I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The Love story was written well. The narrators did a great job it telling this friends to lovers story. Love a good HEA
September 30, 2025
Bern and Isley
This store this store line took forever to get to and I felt like it’s a cat and mouse race. I didn’t think he was ever gonna catch up with Isley. I’m glad the tragedy was able to bring them together and she got to see who Bern which was more than a friend
This store this store line took forever to get to and I felt like it’s a cat and mouse race. I didn’t think he was ever gonna catch up with Isley. I’m glad the tragedy was able to bring them together and she got to see who Bern which was more than a friend
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews