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Irehide
Even the Longest Winters Must ThawIn 1968, as the Civil Rights Movement blazed across America, another war raged in the shadows—a battle of the soul, more destructive than any fought in the streets. Florence Witkins spent her life fighting for a future the world refuses to grant her. She passed the bar exam, worked tirelessly, yet found herself trapped in a storm of discrimination, shackled to menial tasks at the law firm where she should be practicing law. Across town, Ben Mayfield, raised in privilege but burdened by expectation, had long abandoned the idea of love, choosing instead to focus on a quiet rebellion—stealing his father’s law firm from under him and reshaping it for a new era.
When their paths crossed, it wasn’t a love story. It’s something messier. Riskier. They were two people on opposite ends of power, pulled by something tender and dangerous. Florence didn’t know how to be loved without shrinking. Ben didn’t know how to love without saving. Florence, trapped in the storm of her past, wondered if love was even possible when she’s never learned how to love herself. Ben, for all his ambition, realized he couldn’t save a princess who wished to remain in her tower.
Will their love be strong enough to weather the forces determined to tear them apart? Irehide is a tale of forbidden love, resilience, revealing what it truly means to love against all odds. This is not a fairytale. It’s a reckoning. And maybe, if they’re brave enough—a beginning.
DeAndrea Pete is a bold new voice in literature and the founder of MistressDLLC, a brand born from her commitment to women's empowerment, resilience, and unapologetic self-expression. At 24, she holds a degree in Animal Science and lives a life enriched by travel, advocacy, and the loyal companionship of her four beloved animals. Irehide is her powerful literary debut—a fearless exploration of survival, self-reclamation, and truth-telling that signals the beginning of a vibrant new journey in authorship.
When their paths crossed, it wasn’t a love story. It’s something messier. Riskier. They were two people on opposite ends of power, pulled by something tender and dangerous. Florence didn’t know how to be loved without shrinking. Ben didn’t know how to love without saving. Florence, trapped in the storm of her past, wondered if love was even possible when she’s never learned how to love herself. Ben, for all his ambition, realized he couldn’t save a princess who wished to remain in her tower.
Will their love be strong enough to weather the forces determined to tear them apart? Irehide is a tale of forbidden love, resilience, revealing what it truly means to love against all odds. This is not a fairytale. It’s a reckoning. And maybe, if they’re brave enough—a beginning.
DeAndrea Pete is a bold new voice in literature and the founder of MistressDLLC, a brand born from her commitment to women's empowerment, resilience, and unapologetic self-expression. At 24, she holds a degree in Animal Science and lives a life enriched by travel, advocacy, and the loyal companionship of her four beloved animals. Irehide is her powerful literary debut—a fearless exploration of survival, self-reclamation, and truth-telling that signals the beginning of a vibrant new journey in authorship.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 25, 2026
Irehide is a novel that's been out since October 2025. i saw the cover on NetGalley and, although I am not doing many ebooks this year, the cover and the premise drew me in! I'm very appreciative of the author and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy to read and review for you!
Irehide sits firmly in the historical fiction/romance genres, but it really more firmly falls into that odd genre "women's fiction". This is most assuredly a book that so many book clubs would enjoy as there are so many themes and relevant ideas to unpack- set within a very engaging romance between two somewhat broken characters, Florence and Ben.
With no Spoilers- (hopefully) Irehide is set against the backdrop of 1968 America, a time of great change and strife. Our main characters are essentially two sides of a coin, with their determination to be more than the status quo bringing them together.
Florence is an ambitious young black woman who is making her way in a world that would rather minimize her to an expected stereotype. She's determined to not settle in life, even as she knows this determination may make her life more challenging. Despite her determination, Florence, like many people, experiences lots of second guesses, as opportunities present. She's walking on a tightrope as she navigates her life.
Ben, on the other side, has been raised with all advantages, and all expectations placed on him. He sees the injustice in the world and is determined to use his position to balance out some of this- regardless of the costs to his personal and professional life. A new veteran of the Vietnam war, he's faced a lot and is ready for change. He makes many mistakes attempting to be a changemaker, and in many ways, finds himself also walking on a similar tightrope- though decidedly with a more cushioned fall- should he fall.
As this pair orbit each other, coming closer and closer with each rotation, I was on the edge wondering the age old question- Would LOVE be enough to overcome backgrounds, social expectations and norms, and personal forces designed to pull them apart?
Obviously you'll want to read to find out!
I can say that the ending was quite satisfying.
This is a well crafted novel - that does contain some minor pacing issues which were easily overcome. Recommended if one is looking for historical romance with nuance, book club reads, indie authors or just a good story in a somewhat unique time setting.
Trigger Warnings: racism, sexism, bullying, violence (not a complete list- be responsible!)
Irehide sits firmly in the historical fiction/romance genres, but it really more firmly falls into that odd genre "women's fiction". This is most assuredly a book that so many book clubs would enjoy as there are so many themes and relevant ideas to unpack- set within a very engaging romance between two somewhat broken characters, Florence and Ben.
With no Spoilers- (hopefully) Irehide is set against the backdrop of 1968 America, a time of great change and strife. Our main characters are essentially two sides of a coin, with their determination to be more than the status quo bringing them together.
Florence is an ambitious young black woman who is making her way in a world that would rather minimize her to an expected stereotype. She's determined to not settle in life, even as she knows this determination may make her life more challenging. Despite her determination, Florence, like many people, experiences lots of second guesses, as opportunities present. She's walking on a tightrope as she navigates her life.
Ben, on the other side, has been raised with all advantages, and all expectations placed on him. He sees the injustice in the world and is determined to use his position to balance out some of this- regardless of the costs to his personal and professional life. A new veteran of the Vietnam war, he's faced a lot and is ready for change. He makes many mistakes attempting to be a changemaker, and in many ways, finds himself also walking on a similar tightrope- though decidedly with a more cushioned fall- should he fall.
As this pair orbit each other, coming closer and closer with each rotation, I was on the edge wondering the age old question- Would LOVE be enough to overcome backgrounds, social expectations and norms, and personal forces designed to pull them apart?
Obviously you'll want to read to find out!
I can say that the ending was quite satisfying.
This is a well crafted novel - that does contain some minor pacing issues which were easily overcome. Recommended if one is looking for historical romance with nuance, book club reads, indie authors or just a good story in a somewhat unique time setting.
Trigger Warnings: racism, sexism, bullying, violence (not a complete list- be responsible!)
November 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
wowww 🥺 Irehide was nothing like what I expected.
This story is sooo raw and real. Very emotional in a way that sneaked up on me. Florence’s journey hit me the hardest. She’s strong, stubborn, hopeful, exhausted, hurting, resilient and the writing makes you feel every bit of it without ever dragging you. 🤍
The Civil Rights backdrop is so vivid that it feels like you’re right there with her. Feeling all the pressure, fear and the push to dream anyway.
Ben ❤️🩹 his softness, quiet rebellion, need to love and protect without taking her agency. I loved their dynamic sm.
The whole book has this stormy, aching beauty to it, it’s about love, self-worth, identity, and choosing yourself even when the world tries to shrink you.
It’s not a fairytale romance, it’s something deeper and heavier, but written in a way that genuinely pulled me in.
A powerful, emotional, hopeful read. I’m really glad I picked it up 🥺
wowww 🥺 Irehide was nothing like what I expected.
This story is sooo raw and real. Very emotional in a way that sneaked up on me. Florence’s journey hit me the hardest. She’s strong, stubborn, hopeful, exhausted, hurting, resilient and the writing makes you feel every bit of it without ever dragging you. 🤍
The Civil Rights backdrop is so vivid that it feels like you’re right there with her. Feeling all the pressure, fear and the push to dream anyway.
Ben ❤️🩹 his softness, quiet rebellion, need to love and protect without taking her agency. I loved their dynamic sm.
The whole book has this stormy, aching beauty to it, it’s about love, self-worth, identity, and choosing yourself even when the world tries to shrink you.
It’s not a fairytale romance, it’s something deeper and heavier, but written in a way that genuinely pulled me in.
A powerful, emotional, hopeful read. I’m really glad I picked it up 🥺
November 12, 2025
"Irehide" by DeAndrea Pete is a gripping historical romance set in 1968. Florence Wilkins, a determined Black woman, battles racism and inner demons while chasing her future during the Civil Rights Movement. The story is emotional, powerful, and beautifully written.
What I loved:
- Florence is a strong, relatable heroine
- 1960s atmosphere feels real
- Perfect blend of love, struggle, and hope
A must-read for fans of women's fiction and historical drama. Indian readers will connect with themes of resilience and identity.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
#Irehide #HistoricalFiction #ARCReview
What I loved:
- Florence is a strong, relatable heroine
- 1960s atmosphere feels real
- Perfect blend of love, struggle, and hope
A must-read for fans of women's fiction and historical drama. Indian readers will connect with themes of resilience and identity.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
#Irehide #HistoricalFiction #ARCReview
December 7, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Irehide is one of those books that stays with you because it is not just a love story. It is a reflection of how heavy the world can be when you are a woman who is expected to fight for every inch of space you take up. Florence’s journey hit me especially hard. As a woman of color, I recognized so much of what she goes through in the workplace. It is painful to admit how little has changed even today. We still have to work ten times harder than our white colleagues just to be seen, let alone respected. Watching Florence shrink herself in order to survive felt familiar in a way I wish it did not.
The setting of 1968 adds a powerful backdrop, but the emotional truths feel timeless. Florence’s exhaustion, her desire to be valued for her mind, and her fear of being loved wrongly or not at all felt incredibly real. Her dynamic with Ben is messy and complicated, and I appreciated that the author refused to turn it into a fairytale. Ben cares for her, but he has his own blind spots and a tendency to slide into savior mode. Their connection is tender and vulnerable, but it is also full of questions about power, privilege and the weight each of them carries.
What stood out most for me was how honestly the book tackled the difference between wanting to love someone and actually being equipped to do it in a healthy way. Florence’s journey toward self worth is the heart of the story, and it is written with so much care and truth. The romance is not neat or easy, which is exactly why it works.
I really liked this book. It felt honest and raw, and it gave voice to an experience so many women of color understand all too well. I appreciate how boldly it addresses resilience, identity and the kind of love that requires both people to grow. This is a strong debut and I will absolutely be watching for what the author writes next.
Irehide is one of those books that stays with you because it is not just a love story. It is a reflection of how heavy the world can be when you are a woman who is expected to fight for every inch of space you take up. Florence’s journey hit me especially hard. As a woman of color, I recognized so much of what she goes through in the workplace. It is painful to admit how little has changed even today. We still have to work ten times harder than our white colleagues just to be seen, let alone respected. Watching Florence shrink herself in order to survive felt familiar in a way I wish it did not.
The setting of 1968 adds a powerful backdrop, but the emotional truths feel timeless. Florence’s exhaustion, her desire to be valued for her mind, and her fear of being loved wrongly or not at all felt incredibly real. Her dynamic with Ben is messy and complicated, and I appreciated that the author refused to turn it into a fairytale. Ben cares for her, but he has his own blind spots and a tendency to slide into savior mode. Their connection is tender and vulnerable, but it is also full of questions about power, privilege and the weight each of them carries.
What stood out most for me was how honestly the book tackled the difference between wanting to love someone and actually being equipped to do it in a healthy way. Florence’s journey toward self worth is the heart of the story, and it is written with so much care and truth. The romance is not neat or easy, which is exactly why it works.
I really liked this book. It felt honest and raw, and it gave voice to an experience so many women of color understand all too well. I appreciate how boldly it addresses resilience, identity and the kind of love that requires both people to grow. This is a strong debut and I will absolutely be watching for what the author writes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2026
Irehide surprised me in the best way. I went in curious, but not totally sure what kind of experience I was signing up for, and I ended up getting pulled into a story that felt both imaginative and grounded at the same time. It’s one of those books where the world feels unfamiliar, but the emotions absolutely are not.
What I loved most was how personal the story felt. Even when the plot leans into bigger ideas and unfamiliar territory, the characters keep everything anchored. Their fears, hopes, and choices felt real, which made it easy to stay invested. I wasn’t just following what was happening. I cared about who it was happening to, and that made a huge difference for me as a reader.
The pacing worked well for my reading style. It gave me space to sit with certain moments without dragging, and when things picked up, I was fully along for the ride. There were a few spots where I wanted just a bit more clarity or depth, which is why this lands at four stars instead of five, but it never took away from my overall enjoyment.
One line that stuck with me and really captures the tone of the book was:
“Survival isn’t about being unbreakable. It’s about learning how to bend without disappearing.”
That felt like the heart of the story to me.
Overall, Irehide is thoughtful, immersive, and emotionally engaging. It’s the kind of book that stays in your head after you finish, not because it’s loud or flashy, but because it quietly earns your attention. I’d absolutely recommend it to readers who like character driven stories with depth, heart, and a touch of the unexpected. Four stars from me.
What I loved most was how personal the story felt. Even when the plot leans into bigger ideas and unfamiliar territory, the characters keep everything anchored. Their fears, hopes, and choices felt real, which made it easy to stay invested. I wasn’t just following what was happening. I cared about who it was happening to, and that made a huge difference for me as a reader.
The pacing worked well for my reading style. It gave me space to sit with certain moments without dragging, and when things picked up, I was fully along for the ride. There were a few spots where I wanted just a bit more clarity or depth, which is why this lands at four stars instead of five, but it never took away from my overall enjoyment.
One line that stuck with me and really captures the tone of the book was:
“Survival isn’t about being unbreakable. It’s about learning how to bend without disappearing.”
That felt like the heart of the story to me.
Overall, Irehide is thoughtful, immersive, and emotionally engaging. It’s the kind of book that stays in your head after you finish, not because it’s loud or flashy, but because it quietly earns your attention. I’d absolutely recommend it to readers who like character driven stories with depth, heart, and a touch of the unexpected. Four stars from me.
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