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Rough Goods
Kymari ‘Rough’ Leary been out the mix for a minute. Quiet, heavy, and built like he carry too much of yesterday on his back. He don’t talk much, don’t party, and damn sure don’t trust easy. Life taught him silence keep you safe and softness get you smoked.
November ‘Nov’ Merritt is the opposite. Flashy, mouth slick, always in motion. Runs a thriving barbershop on Good Hope Road in southeast D.C. Known for his laugh, his hustle, and the way he makes everybody feel seen. But the man behind that grin got a heart full of unspoken stuff he’ll never admit out loud.
They grew up side by side. They were on the same block, same grind, same code. Years later, life got them on different sides of calm. When Kymari drifts back into the city, a familiar pull drags them together. What starts as catching up turns into long looks, quiet tension, and a chemistry that hit harder than either expected.
Ain’t no labels here. Ain’t no fairytale. Just two men trying to make sense of a feeling that don’t fit the world they come from.
Rough Goods is a raw, masculine love story about friendship that turns into fire, walls that crumble slow, and what happens when loyalty start looking a lot like love.
November ‘Nov’ Merritt is the opposite. Flashy, mouth slick, always in motion. Runs a thriving barbershop on Good Hope Road in southeast D.C. Known for his laugh, his hustle, and the way he makes everybody feel seen. But the man behind that grin got a heart full of unspoken stuff he’ll never admit out loud.
They grew up side by side. They were on the same block, same grind, same code. Years later, life got them on different sides of calm. When Kymari drifts back into the city, a familiar pull drags them together. What starts as catching up turns into long looks, quiet tension, and a chemistry that hit harder than either expected.
Ain’t no labels here. Ain’t no fairytale. Just two men trying to make sense of a feeling that don’t fit the world they come from.
Rough Goods is a raw, masculine love story about friendship that turns into fire, walls that crumble slow, and what happens when loyalty start looking a lot like love.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Did Not Finish
May 9, 2026DNF@61%. I'm beginning to understand that I prefer this author's shorter books. In the longer books, it just feels like everyone and everything is trying to be deep. People just say the same thing fifty different ways, trying to sound smart and one up each other with cryptic quips. It's a never-ending stream of people talking in riddles and parables, sounding like they're auditioning to be a guest host on Iyanla. Everything is its own character. Energy is always shifting and moving. The air is vibrating. Something is landing or 'landing different.' Sound is not loud but purposeful. It is overwhelming and exhausting. Everyone and everything is doing the most. I have DNF'd at least three of his longer books in the last month because I just couldn't take it anymore.
At first I thought Nov was a piece of crap, and he was, cause how you pushing Kymari to be out, when NO ONE asked for that, but at the very first sign of anything, you abandon ship?? Like walk me through the thought process. And Kymari, what are you even saying?? Like Nov is finally stepping up for you, and you just arguing about him looking out for you, just to be saying something. They both got on my nerves. Just going around in circles. Where is this story going??
At first I thought Nov was a piece of crap, and he was, cause how you pushing Kymari to be out, when NO ONE asked for that, but at the very first sign of anything, you abandon ship?? Like walk me through the thought process. And Kymari, what are you even saying?? Like Nov is finally stepping up for you, and you just arguing about him looking out for you, just to be saying something. They both got on my nerves. Just going around in circles. Where is this story going??
November 21, 2025
Wasn’t for me
I did finish. But the dialect and riddles had me confused most of the book. This isn’t a love story. I think it’s a mixture of being different in a small backwards town and hidden agendas. I thought the story would be different. I don’t know.
I did finish. But the dialect and riddles had me confused most of the book. This isn’t a love story. I think it’s a mixture of being different in a small backwards town and hidden agendas. I thought the story would be different. I don’t know.
November 20, 2025
Beautiful Story!!
This was a beautiful story of two men on a road to self acceptance, while fighting for the right to be who they truly are. Their story already had pain and when Kymari returned it brought all that pain to the forefront along with new scars. But they finally accept themselves and in turn survive the world together. Five Stars Mr. Lore!!🥰
This was a beautiful story of two men on a road to self acceptance, while fighting for the right to be who they truly are. Their story already had pain and when Kymari returned it brought all that pain to the forefront along with new scars. But they finally accept themselves and in turn survive the world together. Five Stars Mr. Lore!!🥰
March 26, 2026
A must read!
This book had me all in my “feels”! The characters were well defined. The storyline was relatable! The love was profound! Lore’s books just came into my orbit a few days ago. I’m sorry that I’m tardy for the party. I will be taking a deep dive and reading more of his catalogue! He got mad skillz! Keep up the good work.
This book had me all in my “feels”! The characters were well defined. The storyline was relatable! The love was profound! Lore’s books just came into my orbit a few days ago. I’m sorry that I’m tardy for the party. I will be taking a deep dive and reading more of his catalogue! He got mad skillz! Keep up the good work.
January 24, 2026
A Rough, but Good read.
A very good read about the black gay experience. Solid characters and a great storyline of survival in the black urban world. Thoroughly enjoyable and real.
Thank you , Lore
A very good read about the black gay experience. Solid characters and a great storyline of survival in the black urban world. Thoroughly enjoyable and real.
Thank you , Lore
February 16, 2026
Rough Goods...
This. Book started. With interest, intensity and flavor, but ended with only a Glow. I think it had so much in the middle, that it could not maintain the fluid
Imagery, I had gotten use to. The book is still real good, but lost its edge in the last few chapters.
This. Book started. With interest, intensity and flavor, but ended with only a Glow. I think it had so much in the middle, that it could not maintain the fluid
Imagery, I had gotten use to. The book is still real good, but lost its edge in the last few chapters.
March 6, 2026
Headache but awww
Baby those 2 gave me a headache with the back and forth. I thought I had to run November ass over for playing with my boo heart but he fixed it. Chile family ain’t shit. Nice read!!
Baby those 2 gave me a headache with the back and forth. I thought I had to run November ass over for playing with my boo heart but he fixed it. Chile family ain’t shit. Nice read!!
December 24, 2025
Solid 3.9 ⭐️ A few inconsistencies with the timeline and details but I still loved Mari and Nov’s story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews