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Heart Of A Goon
Ever saw a dead body?
I’ll ask again.
Ever saw a dead body walking among us?
I’ve been dead on the inside since my parents were taken away from me, and I was forced to move out the only home I knew.
Never truly ever knowing love or what it felt like. Always witnessing everyone else have what you wished your heart could do.
Love.
That word love could walk up on me, snatch me up, and I wouldn’t have ever known. Me and that word didn’t exist, and I had come to terms with that when I watched them fighting to save my boyfriend’s life, after my brother nearly took it from him.
Again, love was never meant for me… Zoya Caselli.
Even the big dawg eventually got tired too…
There was always love around.
My mother was a single mother to two boys, but there was always enough love to go around. Never being able to leave the house without giving her a kiss on the cheek or saying I love you. Even now, if I hadn’t spoke to her in a few days, she would call to remind me that she loved me.
Physical touch was my love language.
I needed it.
Had to have that shit.
I was Ms. Lawyer’s opposite in every way.
455 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
3312 people are currently reading
1231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 924 reviews
November 12, 2025
Slept on it ‘cause I had some thoughts…
Was it a good story? Yes. But when you start with a four-page author’s note telling readers how “challenging” and layered the book is, my eye is automatically more critical. On top of the STFU and just read my book tone, I kept waiting to have my mind blown or uncover all these supposed “nuggets,” and I’m still waiting.
Zoya is relatable to a lot of women, and I get why people see themselves in her. I understand her attitude and defenses, but there’s not enough self-awareness and way too much coddling from others. She talks wild to people and then acts appalled when they match her energy. At this point, I’m honestly over the Caselli siblings as a whole there’s always some behind-the-scenes chaos that never actually makes it onto the page, and it’s tiring to read. We’re three full-length novels in, and the poor communication (disguised as “protection”) keeps failing them.
And that whole “woe is me, my family dynamic is weird but I won’t do anything about it” thing? It’s exhausting. Everyone’s trying so hard not to hurt each other’s feelings that they just end up causing more pain. I did enjoy seeing Zoya in her professional element it’s refreshing, because Jah often writes these elaborate careers but we only get brief glimpses of them.
Goon, though, is a real one. He’s showing up, putting in effort, and I just hope that’s eventually met with some compassion and softness. Seeing him in his big brother/family-guy role was nice, but for a story that moved pretty slowly, his relationship with Zoya felt rushed. They skipped steps and did a lot without much actually happening. For me it’s crazy being that Zoya has mad shit to unpack certain choices were just odd to me, The cliffhanger didn’t shake me either.
My biggest question and probably my biggest gripe is this: how is it the second time someone got the drop on all of them? The Caselli/Delfernos are supposed to be this elite, untouchable group, but they keep getting blindsided by small-time ops. Who’s slipping? Because how y’all “run the city” but keep getting caught lacking? Make it make sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2025
Let's start from the very beginning.
The author's note. I didn't base my rating off of it, I just thought it was a bit corny. I understand that people are protective of their work. They should be. No one knows what their life was like while also trying to invest in their craft. What's crazy is thinking people are supposed to read books and not write a review on their overall experience of what they just read. There is a line between readers giving constructive feedback vs those who are nitpicking. You have to remove emotion and know what's what.
The repetitiveness. Having the same thoughts and conversations throughout the book. It becomes tiring and makes the book drag a bit. That's what caused me to not rate this as a 5 star read.
I liked Goon. As a Muslim, there were a few parts I read that I wish she would've done a little asking around about. (Pop-tarts and marshmallows contain pork gelatin) But as far as him, he didn't disappoint. He was exactly who we thought he was and I loved seeing him in his element.
I tolerated Zoya. She was unnecessarily mean asf to that man. And she was a liar who took no accountability ... I think her lineage plot twist was a little unnecessary, but for the sake of drama, I understood. Zoya wasn't really likeable to me. I wanted to feel for her, but the victim mentality was just too much.
As another reviewer said the miscommunication aspect of the siblings is annoying. The whole "sweeping it under the rug" mindset is why they will never truly heal.
Now, aside from that, I enjoyed the story.
Menace was still funny asf and the flashbacks made me love him even more.
Capp is still the jack of all trades.
I liked how we got a snippet of Kora's demons and how we got to witness Zoya in her field.
With how Menace and Core moved, I'm not understanding how the ending was what it was. Isn't there supposed to be top notch security and background checks in place? But, I'm curious to see how Menace act a fool.
All in all this was a solid 3.5 for me.
The author's note. I didn't base my rating off of it, I just thought it was a bit corny. I understand that people are protective of their work. They should be. No one knows what their life was like while also trying to invest in their craft. What's crazy is thinking people are supposed to read books and not write a review on their overall experience of what they just read. There is a line between readers giving constructive feedback vs those who are nitpicking. You have to remove emotion and know what's what.
The repetitiveness. Having the same thoughts and conversations throughout the book. It becomes tiring and makes the book drag a bit. That's what caused me to not rate this as a 5 star read.
I liked Goon. As a Muslim, there were a few parts I read that I wish she would've done a little asking around about. (Pop-tarts and marshmallows contain pork gelatin) But as far as him, he didn't disappoint. He was exactly who we thought he was and I loved seeing him in his element.
I tolerated Zoya. She was unnecessarily mean asf to that man. And she was a liar who took no accountability ... I think her lineage plot twist was a little unnecessary, but for the sake of drama, I understood. Zoya wasn't really likeable to me. I wanted to feel for her, but the victim mentality was just too much.
As another reviewer said the miscommunication aspect of the siblings is annoying. The whole "sweeping it under the rug" mindset is why they will never truly heal.
Now, aside from that, I enjoyed the story.
Menace was still funny asf and the flashbacks made me love him even more.
Capp is still the jack of all trades.
I liked how we got a snippet of Kora's demons and how we got to witness Zoya in her field.
With how Menace and Core moved, I'm not understanding how the ending was what it was. Isn't there supposed to be top notch security and background checks in place? But, I'm curious to see how Menace act a fool.
All in all this was a solid 3.5 for me.
November 13, 2025
My fault for being excited.
November 16, 2025
I went into this genuinely excited to finally get Goon and Zoya’s story. We’ve seen their playful, cat&mouse moments in other series and I expected this book to actually center their dynamic. The first few chapters had promise. Then the story veered completely off track.
The constant appearances from past couples became overwhelming. I don’t mind cameos but this was excessive. Capri’s crowning ceremony, the Infernos and crew the Delgatos, it felt like every few moments we were revisiting other people’s love and life stories instead of building the one I came here for. It read more like a promo reel for the rest of the universe than a focused romance. This irked the heck out of me.
Because of that, Goon and Zoya’s chemistry never fully developed. Individually, they were fleshed out well. Their family dynamics, upbringing, cultural roots, all of that was done beautifully. However, it was a challenge for me to connect with them as a "couple". I understood why Zoya would fall for Goon, but I couldn't figure out what she did for him other than the defense/trial, which was her job. Their first conflict also came out of nowhere and was very forced.
The pacing was another struggle. It was marketed as a slow burn but it felt more like filler. Just bloated, repetitive, and sometimes confusing. There were moments where I genuinely didn’t know who was speaking.
What’s disappointing is that the best parts of the book had nothing to do with the romance. Goon’s Jamaican heritage was written with care and Zoya’s sibling relationships were slowly developing. The comedic moments were cool too (Menace and Zoya's weird imagination).
The revelation and cliffhanger at the end...again, wasn’t even about Goon and Zoya. It clearly sets up the opening of next book with another couples' story, which left me feeling like this book wasn’t allowed to stand on its own. I've said it before, the author shines with standalone and I was misguided into thinking this would be one.
By the end, I was relieved to finish. Not because it was all bad but because it was a struggle to get through a book that never stayed focused on the couple in the title!!
The constant appearances from past couples became overwhelming. I don’t mind cameos but this was excessive. Capri’s crowning ceremony, the Infernos and crew the Delgatos, it felt like every few moments we were revisiting other people’s love and life stories instead of building the one I came here for. It read more like a promo reel for the rest of the universe than a focused romance. This irked the heck out of me.
Because of that, Goon and Zoya’s chemistry never fully developed. Individually, they were fleshed out well. Their family dynamics, upbringing, cultural roots, all of that was done beautifully. However, it was a challenge for me to connect with them as a "couple". I understood why Zoya would fall for Goon, but I couldn't figure out what she did for him other than the defense/trial, which was her job. Their first conflict also came out of nowhere and was very forced.
The pacing was another struggle. It was marketed as a slow burn but it felt more like filler. Just bloated, repetitive, and sometimes confusing. There were moments where I genuinely didn’t know who was speaking.
What’s disappointing is that the best parts of the book had nothing to do with the romance. Goon’s Jamaican heritage was written with care and Zoya’s sibling relationships were slowly developing. The comedic moments were cool too (Menace and Zoya's weird imagination).
The revelation and cliffhanger at the end...again, wasn’t even about Goon and Zoya. It clearly sets up the opening of next book with another couples' story, which left me feeling like this book wasn’t allowed to stand on its own. I've said it before, the author shines with standalone and I was misguided into thinking this would be one.
By the end, I was relieved to finish. Not because it was all bad but because it was a struggle to get through a book that never stayed focused on the couple in the title!!
November 13, 2025
Well. Zoya was a self-sabotaging queen, I need sis to go sit on that lady couch and have some real discussions. She had a lotttttt going on and was not leaning on anybody in her support system fr. She has a great circle and I wish she would've utilized it more! Goon, 10/10, no notes. He love Zoya fr bc he gave her hella grace and never stopped showing up for her. I did want him to stand on business a lil harder, but he just couldn't help but fold lol. As for the author, I'm sick of these cliffhangers but I really feel like I'm in too deep at this point so I have no choice but to keep reading and see this never ending universe through😭
November 12, 2025
crashout cliffhangerssssss
I always have a mini crashouts at the end of these stories, the cliffhangers be worse and worse….this was like the end of STAR iykyk 🤣
I always have a mini crashouts at the end of these stories, the cliffhangers be worse and worse….this was like the end of STAR iykyk 🤣
November 17, 2025
It’s only 3 stars because I love me some Goon. The three books for every series is getting to be too much. This could’ve been wrapped into one tbh. The writing could be better and maybe I’m asking for too much because I have been saying since Capp book. Zoya therapy is needed baby even tho I get where you coming from. Matter fact I need the whole Caselli family to go to therapy. To get better you have to want better. Can I say one thing I do hate about most of these books the most is the way these men talk. I kinda don’t want to read the next books but I just love to torture myself. But once I start a series I have to finish. Stupid me I know. Please stop making people talk like Menace like I’m begging at this point.PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
November 12, 2025
Zoya thought Goon was playing with her. Little did she know, it was Gerald in control and he serious about breaking down those walls she had up. From family secrets, to mental health and addiction, this one was heavy. Zoya has experienced so much trauma over the years, that letting her guard down isn't as easy as one would think. Luckily, Gerald has patience.
The Caselli family has so many secrets and we find out more with each book release. I am happy to see that they are slowly working towards healing and giving each other the opportunity to repair what has been broken.
That ending tho.........whew I need the next book ASAP! So many plots that are connected it's crazy. Egg harvesting, old friend/foe, dirty cops and more. Jah, the wait was worth it.
The Caselli family has so many secrets and we find out more with each book release. I am happy to see that they are slowly working towards healing and giving each other the opportunity to repair what has been broken.
That ending tho.........whew I need the next book ASAP! So many plots that are connected it's crazy. Egg harvesting, old friend/foe, dirty cops and more. Jah, the wait was worth it.
November 20, 2025
Overall, it’s a good storyline but with major plot holes, like Zoya suddenly being darker than Menace and Don when both are described and shown as dark-skinned, and too much repetition. I like Menace, but he still has the same joking style, and other characters copying it just makes it worse. The cliffhanger felt recycled since the same thing happened to Quasim, and with all the resources these characters have, their lack of security is not believable . Too much time is also spent on past characters when readers are told to read the books in order. The serial killer on the loose not being addressed is wild. The author’s note calling out readers for expressing their opinions is unnecessary. If people are reading, they’ll have something to say. The solution is simple: stay out of readers’ spaces.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
3.5 Zoya was kind of annoying 😩 and Goon gave her too much grace. But the book was decent and the cliffhanger was really good.
December 1, 2025
book was very underwhelming. i do like goons character but him & zoya’s story isn’t doing it for me. not even a little bit. it’s not giving love, let alone soulmates. ion even understand how they love each other to begin with. they barely spent any real time getting to know each other.
also feel like their family drama overshadowed their love story. we got more of the behind the scenes of their family than them actually “falling” for each other.
throwing in the info about zoya’s mother seemed so unnecessary. that story line was not needed.
& for jah to claim she don’t like mean girls but then get mad when ppl say they don’t like zoya … but she gave mean girl energy during this book was funny. and not haha funny. like she was so mean to gerald. just bc you fighting demons don’t mean it’s ok to treat ppl bad. hated that and the lack of accountability.
& the baby shit was so forced. the last thing they need is a baby when shorty needs mental health care. like idk. i’m not seeing the love connection between them at all.
and the authors note was mad weird. and it’s the weird bitches in her group that’s hyping it like it’s cute. what happened to thanking ppl for reading your book and supporting you ???? getting mad because ppl don’t care for characters or a certain story line is OD weird. being an artist comes with ppl criticizing your work. if you can’t handle that then maybe you shouldn’t be an artist. and a lot of time ppl don’t even be talking bad about her art. she gets so butt hurt about ppl not liking fictional characters and it’s really weird tbh. no one is going to like 100% of everything you do.
and telling ppl to get over the typos & the repetitiveness ??? girl. like at some point we gotta be fuckin fr. 😭 them typos and the repetitiveness be enough to not wanna read the books. like it’s ok for ppl to give feedback.
& that cliff hanger was mid. like fr. it really didn’t even make sense. the damn party was a surprise so how that happen and how the cousin not only knows who forty is but knew where goon was it. just like q3 this book gave here damn. 🙃
also feel like their family drama overshadowed their love story. we got more of the behind the scenes of their family than them actually “falling” for each other.
throwing in the info about zoya’s mother seemed so unnecessary. that story line was not needed.
& for jah to claim she don’t like mean girls but then get mad when ppl say they don’t like zoya … but she gave mean girl energy during this book was funny. and not haha funny. like she was so mean to gerald. just bc you fighting demons don’t mean it’s ok to treat ppl bad. hated that and the lack of accountability.
& the baby shit was so forced. the last thing they need is a baby when shorty needs mental health care. like idk. i’m not seeing the love connection between them at all.
and the authors note was mad weird. and it’s the weird bitches in her group that’s hyping it like it’s cute. what happened to thanking ppl for reading your book and supporting you ???? getting mad because ppl don’t care for characters or a certain story line is OD weird. being an artist comes with ppl criticizing your work. if you can’t handle that then maybe you shouldn’t be an artist. and a lot of time ppl don’t even be talking bad about her art. she gets so butt hurt about ppl not liking fictional characters and it’s really weird tbh. no one is going to like 100% of everything you do.
and telling ppl to get over the typos & the repetitiveness ??? girl. like at some point we gotta be fuckin fr. 😭 them typos and the repetitiveness be enough to not wanna read the books. like it’s ok for ppl to give feedback.
& that cliff hanger was mid. like fr. it really didn’t even make sense. the damn party was a surprise so how that happen and how the cousin not only knows who forty is but knew where goon was it. just like q3 this book gave here damn. 🙃
December 2, 2025
Zoya was my least favorite character & Goon was a favorite how that work ?
I wanted this book BAD & it didn’t disappoint. We get a way better understanding of both of them. The family tea was CRAZY in this one.
I knew a cliffhanger was coming I should’ve waited to read it OMFG 😭
I wanted this book BAD & it didn’t disappoint. We get a way better understanding of both of them. The family tea was CRAZY in this one.
I knew a cliffhanger was coming I should’ve waited to read it OMFG 😭
November 17, 2025
I feel like I need a group therapy session to talk about this book. I’m stressed out & that cliffhanger has me crying 😭
November 23, 2025
Goon! That man loves him some Zoya 🥰 the cliff hanger has my blood pressure rising but I know book 2 will be worth the wait.
November 13, 2025
This far in, I think I just have a soft spot for all the characters, which makes reading the books enjoyable. But I’m getting tired of opening up her books and feeling like we’re beefing. And I understand “if it don’t apply, let it slide,” but it be feeling real staticy in the author notes. 😭
December 1, 2025
The drama 😨 I loved every second of it and I love how Gerald didn’t give up on my girl zoya
November 14, 2025
Zoya and Goon reminded me so much of Sim and Blair. It felt like revisiting that same back & forth dynamic. Zoya is deeply wounded, but Goon also has his own issues that make their connection surprisingly layered. They relate more than I thought they would. I ultimately gave the book 3.5 stars because, although I loved them in the end, there were a few plot holes and noticeable grammatical errors that I felt should have been caught during editing.
November 15, 2025
My mouth is on the floor!
I'm so stressed! Jah!!!!!!!
This was a lot! I went through the motions with Soda and all I can say is, they all need therapists! Can someone fall in love with a therapist cause this is a lot. Cliffhanger like a mf!
I'm so stressed! Jah!!!!!!!
This was a lot! I went through the motions with Soda and all I can say is, they all need therapists! Can someone fall in love with a therapist cause this is a lot. Cliffhanger like a mf!
December 14, 2025
Jah wasn’t lying when she said this was a slow burn, and Zoya irked my soul 80% of this book! But that plot twist and ending made up for it! 🔥🔥🔥🤯
P.S.: Meance and Stevie are still a fucking fool! 🤣😭
P.S.: Meance and Stevie are still a fucking fool! 🤣😭
November 11, 2025
BOOBIE & PUMPKIN
I honestly have no words right now I’m still processing this. Hats off to you Ms. Author Lady. You’ve done your biggest one with Goon. I’m here for all the shenanigans! I’m excited for this journey.
I honestly have no words right now I’m still processing this. Hats off to you Ms. Author Lady. You’ve done your biggest one with Goon. I’m here for all the shenanigans! I’m excited for this journey.
November 19, 2025
I love Jah down and still rock with her, but in my opinion, I think this book is the product of an artist being pressured to put out work too soon. The story felt incomplete, confusing, and repetitive all at the same time. We get it...Zoya is distrusting and afraid to love and be loved in return. whether you put it on page 3, page 23, page 33, page 43, 53, 93, 103...you get my point--it's still the same. I started this book and put it down so many times over the course of a week because I couldn't stomach how unnecessary some of the storyline was. I started and finished 3 other books before I forced myself to finish this one. Goon... his character delivered, but even the repetitiveness to address Zoya's repetitiveness was starting to get on my nerves. Also, the number of times I had to read and reread full passages to figure out who was talking because the writing was so disjointed had me simply moving on with no real comprehesion as to what was happening because it just wasn't making sense.The ending was wildly confusing because it doesn't match the level of awareness that these families have displayed since the Inception of this series starting with the Delgatos.
With that being said, I'm invested and won't leave this series on DNF but I'm ready for it to be wrapped up. I don't even care for Kora's story at this point...
With that being said, I'm invested and won't leave this series on DNF but I'm ready for it to be wrapped up. I don't even care for Kora's story at this point...
December 3, 2025
I took my time with this one . I knew it was gone be some BS! That ending 😡😡😡!
But anywho Love Zoya but she for sure got on my nerves . She’s literally Quasim 2.0 with all that back and forth! I loved Goon down something serious! That’s a good ass man! Yes lawdddd!
But anywho Love Zoya but she for sure got on my nerves . She’s literally Quasim 2.0 with all that back and forth! I loved Goon down something serious! That’s a good ass man! Yes lawdddd!
November 15, 2025
3.5/5 ⭐️
What a ride that was. I’m gonna be real… the plot is what mostly saved this book. The romance was the least interesting thing about this which is a shame bc I was really looking forward to some Goon. Zoya played in Goon’s face the whole book. It is what it is. I understand having trauma and God knows the Casellis have trauma, but it gets to a point. I see a lot of myself in Zoya but that ‘hurt people, hurt people’ troupe is tired to me. Being a mean girl to hurt people cause you’re hurt… I can’t get behind that. Then you know you have something good that everyone tells you is good and refuse to believe it omg I’m tired. Imagine how Gerald feels. And then when we did the no strings attached bs, miss me with that! I skipped it cause now you wanna piss me off.
My thing too is that this is marketed as slow burn and this is slow as Christmas. I mean… they’re not even together forreal and she just started fw dude the last 3 chapters. Maybe! I’m not even convinced she won’t say something dumb again and try to leave. And I know they wanted a baby but idk, it kind of felt like a reason to push them together. She said Aspen changed her mind cause he showed up. I guess… like he been doing that slow ass girl. I do like Zoya but she irritated me like she always does in the Caselli series. It was way too much ‘woe is me’ and everyone trying to tiptoe around issues instead of addressing them. Most powerful people in the state and yall fold over confrontation.
That aside, this series has the BEST plot. This story has been developing literally since Capone’s book and I’m always shocked. That last chapter… nobody could have guessed that bro. They woke up the wrong beast. Y’all dead 😭
And, I missed these characters bad. I’m glad we got to see everyone from previous books. Let me tell you… when Capo said Erin’s wig flew off running across the street to Ceecee I was crying. She really don’t play about them dolphins. This series is always funny as hell.
What a ride that was. I’m gonna be real… the plot is what mostly saved this book. The romance was the least interesting thing about this which is a shame bc I was really looking forward to some Goon. Zoya played in Goon’s face the whole book. It is what it is. I understand having trauma and God knows the Casellis have trauma, but it gets to a point. I see a lot of myself in Zoya but that ‘hurt people, hurt people’ troupe is tired to me. Being a mean girl to hurt people cause you’re hurt… I can’t get behind that. Then you know you have something good that everyone tells you is good and refuse to believe it omg I’m tired. Imagine how Gerald feels. And then when we did the no strings attached bs, miss me with that! I skipped it cause now you wanna piss me off.
My thing too is that this is marketed as slow burn and this is slow as Christmas. I mean… they’re not even together forreal and she just started fw dude the last 3 chapters. Maybe! I’m not even convinced she won’t say something dumb again and try to leave. And I know they wanted a baby but idk, it kind of felt like a reason to push them together. She said Aspen changed her mind cause he showed up. I guess… like he been doing that slow ass girl. I do like Zoya but she irritated me like she always does in the Caselli series. It was way too much ‘woe is me’ and everyone trying to tiptoe around issues instead of addressing them. Most powerful people in the state and yall fold over confrontation.
That aside, this series has the BEST plot. This story has been developing literally since Capone’s book and I’m always shocked. That last chapter… nobody could have guessed that bro. They woke up the wrong beast. Y’all dead 😭
And, I missed these characters bad. I’m glad we got to see everyone from previous books. Let me tell you… when Capo said Erin’s wig flew off running across the street to Ceecee I was crying. She really don’t play about them dolphins. This series is always funny as hell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2025
"Put it on Roxie!!"
I love where the series is going! Goon and Zoya are finally finding their rhythm and getting closer to those chocolate babies lol.
Unless you're new here, you already know it ends with a jaw dropping cliff hanger that'll have you yelling FYM. I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment! 😜
I love where the series is going! Goon and Zoya are finally finding their rhythm and getting closer to those chocolate babies lol.
Unless you're new here, you already know it ends with a jaw dropping cliff hanger that'll have you yelling FYM. I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment! 😜
November 12, 2025
Baybeeeee this book was worth the wait !!! Zoya is definitely menace twin lol cause she crazy !!! A lot unfolded in the book and lots of characters introduced but that cliffhanger 😱😱😱! How long for the next book cause we definitely just getting started?
November 13, 2025
Phenomenal book! And great think piece.
I just want to say good job to Jah I see what she is doing and I like it. The Cassellis are something else. People always think if they had more money life would be simple. I think Ppl are complex in real life. I think she added color to the characters to highlight that, even though it’s FICTION(which some keep forgetting I see). The reality is… not everyone is self aware, and real life families sweep ish under the rug and run. That’s why therapist have jobs. Most of which are messed up themselves. There is also a reality where ppl do not go to therapy even if they should. The world is unkind and people don’t give grace at all. Listen, we most often don’t give grace to ourselves. That is the reality of some. I am interested in seeing how their love blossoms. You had children raising children and they weren’t allowed to develop healthy emotionally. We are seeing that play out. I get if you had a hyper aware super safe, always had it together life, that it can be exhausting for you. However, for a good number of humans, life didn’t happen that way. Even Goon who had the safe, consistent love of a mother STILL had issues and at one time lacked self -respect, didn’t respect females fully at one time or another and ended up in prison. That is where he then learned reform and experienced some change. So we are seeing a more healed version of Goon who self admitted he wasn’t always who he is today. I understand why many females resonate with Zoya and her brokenness. It doesn’t make her brokenness ok but even she knows it’s not ok. No one wants to be broken. Do we honestly think children sit around and contemplate being broken ? “One day I’m gonna grow up and become a broken, emotionally unavailable human.” She just doesn’t quite understand how to get out of her own way yet. Enter Goon… I’m glad Fiction can help evoke emotions in the human experience, that means the artist did what they needed to do hate it or love it. It should teach us how to show up for our friends and ourselves in real life and how some people wear a mask and parade unaware even in front of their close friends. This helped me not to put Zoya under a microscope but to reflect the human needs of the friend circle around me. To give grace and see what is unseen. I’m glad Zoya has a group that’s not willing to give up on her. It’ll help her in showing up for herself.
I just want to say good job to Jah I see what she is doing and I like it. The Cassellis are something else. People always think if they had more money life would be simple. I think Ppl are complex in real life. I think she added color to the characters to highlight that, even though it’s FICTION(which some keep forgetting I see). The reality is… not everyone is self aware, and real life families sweep ish under the rug and run. That’s why therapist have jobs. Most of which are messed up themselves. There is also a reality where ppl do not go to therapy even if they should. The world is unkind and people don’t give grace at all. Listen, we most often don’t give grace to ourselves. That is the reality of some. I am interested in seeing how their love blossoms. You had children raising children and they weren’t allowed to develop healthy emotionally. We are seeing that play out. I get if you had a hyper aware super safe, always had it together life, that it can be exhausting for you. However, for a good number of humans, life didn’t happen that way. Even Goon who had the safe, consistent love of a mother STILL had issues and at one time lacked self -respect, didn’t respect females fully at one time or another and ended up in prison. That is where he then learned reform and experienced some change. So we are seeing a more healed version of Goon who self admitted he wasn’t always who he is today. I understand why many females resonate with Zoya and her brokenness. It doesn’t make her brokenness ok but even she knows it’s not ok. No one wants to be broken. Do we honestly think children sit around and contemplate being broken ? “One day I’m gonna grow up and become a broken, emotionally unavailable human.” She just doesn’t quite understand how to get out of her own way yet. Enter Goon… I’m glad Fiction can help evoke emotions in the human experience, that means the artist did what they needed to do hate it or love it. It should teach us how to show up for our friends and ourselves in real life and how some people wear a mask and parade unaware even in front of their close friends. This helped me not to put Zoya under a microscope but to reflect the human needs of the friend circle around me. To give grace and see what is unseen. I’m glad Zoya has a group that’s not willing to give up on her. It’ll help her in showing up for herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2025
Now why you left us on a cliffhanger Jah! I literal threw my kindle!!! 😂😂
November 13, 2025
While reading this book, there were things I liked and disliked. I liked that we were able to learn more about Goon and his family dynamic. I also liked that we learned more about Zoya and how she grew up as a Caselli. I also enjoyed seeing more of the Delgatos and the Infernos.
However, some things didn’t sit right with me, mainly the back-and-forth between Zoya and Goon. I felt like Zoya used her trauma, strength, and fear of falling in love as excuses to play games and mistreat people. She would talk crazy and treat people any kind of way, but couldn’t handle it when people did the same to her, which was irritating. I was hoping Goon would stand on business and let her grovel and meet him halfway instead of constantly chasing her and being played with. I also felt like her personality was too similar to Menace’s, especially with the rhetorical questions. I feel like the rhetorical questions are only funny when Menace does them (that’s just my personal opinion). I wanted to know more about Zoya outside of her self-suffering and her romantic connection with Goon. Maybe we’ll get that in future books.
I also didn’t really feel Zoya and Goon’s romantic connection because of all the back-and-forth. It felt like they skipped steps and everything was rushed. I was hoping to see their connection really flourish, but maybe that will happen in the next couple of books.
I was also hoping this book would talk more about or further explore the Red Hook serial killer. The cliffhanger didn’t move me because we already experienced something similar with Quasim, so I guess we’ll see what happens in the next book.
Overall, I liked the story, but it was hard for me to stay engaged. Jahquel is one of my favorite authors, so I’m definitely looking forward to the next book!
However, some things didn’t sit right with me, mainly the back-and-forth between Zoya and Goon. I felt like Zoya used her trauma, strength, and fear of falling in love as excuses to play games and mistreat people. She would talk crazy and treat people any kind of way, but couldn’t handle it when people did the same to her, which was irritating. I was hoping Goon would stand on business and let her grovel and meet him halfway instead of constantly chasing her and being played with. I also felt like her personality was too similar to Menace’s, especially with the rhetorical questions. I feel like the rhetorical questions are only funny when Menace does them (that’s just my personal opinion). I wanted to know more about Zoya outside of her self-suffering and her romantic connection with Goon. Maybe we’ll get that in future books.
I also didn’t really feel Zoya and Goon’s romantic connection because of all the back-and-forth. It felt like they skipped steps and everything was rushed. I was hoping to see their connection really flourish, but maybe that will happen in the next couple of books.
I was also hoping this book would talk more about or further explore the Red Hook serial killer. The cliffhanger didn’t move me because we already experienced something similar with Quasim, so I guess we’ll see what happens in the next book.
Overall, I liked the story, but it was hard for me to stay engaged. Jahquel is one of my favorite authors, so I’m definitely looking forward to the next book!
November 12, 2025
WTF
I’m stuck. I’m just gonna go to bed because I have no words. I love my Libra sister Zoya even though she stresses me out because we have similar behavior. Hard looking at yourself in a mirror. Goon is patient.
I’m stuck. I’m just gonna go to bed because I have no words. I love my Libra sister Zoya even though she stresses me out because we have similar behavior. Hard looking at yourself in a mirror. Goon is patient.
November 28, 2025
3.5/5 - I am so glad that I did NOT read the author’s notes because the fans were mad and I believe that impacted their rating of the book.
I liked the story for the most part but I expected more. There is a pattern I’m noticing which is I can no longer ignore. To ME, it feels like the male characters are written as 4 dimensional, while the female characters come off very 1 dimensional. Goon and all of the other male characters have so many layers to them. They are leaders, providers, gangsters, protectors, lovers, teachers etc. but the women are always torn and broken and need fixing and that is no different for Zoya. While I understood Zoya’s personality, she could’ve been written as more likable. It was to the point to where she was insufferable and I didn’t find that fair. Her brother, Menace, was coo coo for coco puffs but he was endearing, charming, and funny. Why couldn’t that been the same for Zoya? Why can’t the female characters be funny and endearing but also suffering from trauma? Because let’s be clear, all the characters have some type of trauma. Goon should’ve given up and found someone else with all the running he was doing to get Zoya to be with him. And speaking of Goon, I was absolutely disappointed in the lack of “f u meannnnn….”!! Like seriously??!! Did we only get 2 of those throughout the book?? 450 pages was too many to have a cliffhanger that was very lackluster. I rolled my eyes HARD because you supposedly have the secret service as your security but stay getting shot at? Please make it make sense….
I liked the story for the most part but I expected more. There is a pattern I’m noticing which is I can no longer ignore. To ME, it feels like the male characters are written as 4 dimensional, while the female characters come off very 1 dimensional. Goon and all of the other male characters have so many layers to them. They are leaders, providers, gangsters, protectors, lovers, teachers etc. but the women are always torn and broken and need fixing and that is no different for Zoya. While I understood Zoya’s personality, she could’ve been written as more likable. It was to the point to where she was insufferable and I didn’t find that fair. Her brother, Menace, was coo coo for coco puffs but he was endearing, charming, and funny. Why couldn’t that been the same for Zoya? Why can’t the female characters be funny and endearing but also suffering from trauma? Because let’s be clear, all the characters have some type of trauma. Goon should’ve given up and found someone else with all the running he was doing to get Zoya to be with him. And speaking of Goon, I was absolutely disappointed in the lack of “f u meannnnn….”!! Like seriously??!! Did we only get 2 of those throughout the book?? 450 pages was too many to have a cliffhanger that was very lackluster. I rolled my eyes HARD because you supposedly have the secret service as your security but stay getting shot at? Please make it make sense….
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