A forbidden romance about two married women who decide to teeter the line of temptation...
I was married... I was devoted to my husband... But I was also lonely...
I knew I shouldn't have crossed that line but I couldn't help it. He was sinfully tempting but off-limits. My husband would be disappointed but he also had his secrets too. I should know because I'd been keeping them for the last two decades... -Irish
I was wrong... And I was selfish... Still, I knew what needed to be done...
I'd finally made the decision. He would be saddened but I didn't care. I wanted the man who made me happy. Things were set in place. I'd ultimately gained the courage to leave my old life behind until that call came and altered my life... -Cali
Please note this is the first installment in The Stoplight Series.
It’s time we had a serious conversation about the literary menace, which is Charae Lewis. My girl consistently drops mind blowing storylines, tackling unique themes, and making it relevant to the current times. However, with Stoplight, VIOLENCE was the answer. I wasn’t done with the first chapter when I thought, “this is what we are doing?” I cannot lie, by the time I finished the first chapter, I had to stop because I truly couldn’t believe my eyes. And let me just say, that was just the tip of the iceberg because the twists continued throughout the story.
In Stoplight, there are two compelling and complex love-triangles happening on page: Irish, Noble, and Jovanis and Cali, Rio, and Braye. I know, I know, six characters but trust me, by the end you will know every character and will be so invested in the different dynamics.
I found myself especially invested in Irish and Noble’s relationship because it was forbidden and questioned their loyalty. Buuuut listen, Daddy Noble, the head of The Legacy Mafia was worth every risk, and I too would have been stuck to him like a moth to a flame. I understood Irish’s confliction because she felt pressured to protect Jovanis, but like Cookie, “I gotta put me first, Lucious!” Personally, I WOULD NEVER! But for entertainment purposes, I understand and I appreciate Charae for tackling such a sensitive topic. I think in a twisted way, Jovanis was selfish and if he genuinely loved Irish like he claimed, he would let her live her life. But I digress.
On the flipside, Cali had me 38-HOT! Rio was a darn good man and did not deserve an iota of the things he endured. Their marriage was the product of an arrangement, so it made sense for Cali to feel a certain kind of way. Like the old folks say, “the grass isn’t always greener” and if that wasn’t the truth! Braye said all the right things to Cali, but the man was crazy, and truthfully, he had his reasons. Cali sold that man a dream for years! The guilt was eating Cali up, and I was yelling at my phone, “as it should!!”
I genuinely enjoyed this book! The uniqueness, the topics discussed, strong plot, character development, and the symbolism of the Stoplight – which to me, meant, being in a constant state of being in a gray area – there’s never the right time to press that gas and go, slow down, or hard stop. Please: READ THIS BOOK!
Well, this is definitely a spin-off of the Mob Love Series, and we start with two known characters in Noble (head of The Legacy Mafia TLM) and Calia, who is the heroine's sister. Both characters were in a mess then and are still in one now. Calia is currently trying to find her way through an arranged marriage to Rio and a lover in Braye. Noble finds everything about Irish amazing but she’s married to Jovanis. These two love stories were a ride, and let me tell you this isn’t the end, and there is definitely a part 2! Charae wrote these characters so well that, at one point, you are rooting for every one of them. I will say Calis is the dumbest character at the moment, and I’m praying she gets it together before it's too late! Overall, great read, and I’m ready for the next book ASAP!!
Also, sidenote, cheating is my least favorite trope, so me reading this and being locked in says everything! Lol
Stoplight is a very interesting and beautiful story. It follows two couples who have deception in common. Cali was forced to marry Rio and has been resentful, but resentment blooms into love after an accident occurs. Irish has loved to please others her whole life, which backfires when her life as her best friend's beard imploded. Charae is very good at creating layered stories. I had an easier time reading without judgment in this book, because no one was more wrong than anyone else. Every character is acting out of deceit, and the story is deliciously messy. I felt bad for every character ( the main ones, anyway) because there are times when life makes us feel like we have no options. This story is a great reminder that we are always in co trol of our lives and out fates.
This book was so good! I love me some Noble. Jovanis let’s be real here, you’ve been living your life, while Irish was being denied of her’s. I get messing with Noble was wrong because y’all are in the same organization, but she deserves love too and so what if it’s Noble. Irish is truly a great best friend to Jovanis. Irish and Noble are meant to be together, their love and connection is so strong! Now Cali baby, why would you do Rio like that, when he’s been nothing but a good husband to you! Now you are on the verge of losing everything, because you didn’t want to learn how to love your husband from the beginning. Braye is mental and I knew that he was the cause of Rio accident! But it’s not all on him, Cali did promise to leave her husband for him! Chile what a world WEND! Part 2 me please! Bomb job Charae❤️.
You know what I do not like? A cliffhanger. And you know how this ends? Yep… a cliffhanger. 😩
Was the story good? Hell yeah, which makes me even more upset because how come you do me like this, Charae?! I was locked in, enjoying myself, and then BOOM… lights out, see you next book.
Irish deserves to be selfish. Noble, it is okay not to be so noble.
That’s the review… at least until I get the next part.
I’ve been putting reading this off because I don’t like reading a series before it’s completed but I couldn’t help it any longer and it didn’t disappoint. For some strange reason Cali irks my nerves 😫, I’ll just say this, courage and communication is key! With that, off to installment #2! I’m new to this author and will be looking into her catalog.
This book was boring. I found myself skimming alot of this book. I have no idea how Irish and Noble were in love. There was absolutely no chemistry. I also feel like this was the middle of a book and not the beginning. I wanted more back story on the main couples. Cali and Jovanis were so selfish. Didn't care for either of them. I know this was the first of a series but I didn't expect it to end in a cliffhanger. Not sure if ill read the next book. I've ready every book written by this author but for me the last 3 or 4 have been not so good.
I devoured this book in basically one day. I technically left myself about an hour to finish the next day, but let’s be honest… I was already locked in. This story had me completely invested.
Stoplight is told through several POVs and centers around two love triangles, following two married women whose lives start heading in directions that will seriously test their marriages.
First we meet Irish Page, who is married to her best friend Jovanis. To everyone on the outside, they are the perfect couple. But what people don’t know is that behind closed doors Irish is protecting Jovanis’s secret, and their marriage is one of convenience. Their love for each other is real and genuine, but it’s completely platonic.
And as you can imagine, that leaves Irish feeling extremely lonely. She wants to be desired. She wants to be wanted.
Enter Noble St. Anthony, head of the Legacy Mafia.
Noble is a man of integrity who’s focused on running both his legitimate businesses and the mafia side of things. Falling for a married woman was definitely not in his plans… but the heart wants what the heart wants, and Noble’s heart absolutely wants Irish.
Watching these two fall for each other was EVERYTHING. Noble was not playing when it came to his pumpkin, and I loved that energy for Irish. Their situation is obviously forbidden considering how closely Noble and Jovanis work together, which makes the tension even better. After the way book one ended, I’m extremely curious to see how this situation unfolds.
Now while Noble and Irish had me floating watching them fall in love… the other triangle had me ready to throw the book across the room.
That situation involves Cali Campbell, who is married to Rio Campbell, but has been having an affair with a man named Braye for three years.
To be fair, Cali and Rio’s marriage was arranged for family reasons and neither of them originally wanted it. They agreed their marriage would only exist on paper. But over time Rio actually started developing real feelings for Cali and became a very attentive and devoted husband.
Meanwhile Cali was still hung up on Braye.
Then an unexpected tragedy shifts everything, forcing Cali to face the reality of the betrayal she’s been carrying. Risking your marriage for temporary fun is crazy to me. Cali thinks she has deeper feelings for Braye, but honestly… spending three years in an affair doesn’t mean you actually know someone. And with the way he started acting toward the end, it’s clear that man has a few screws loose.
I already know when the truth about this affair comes out it’s going to be messy. And I’m not going to lie… I’m a little nervous for Cali when that moment finally arrives.
One thing I really loved was how Charae incorporated the stoplight and traffic metaphors throughout the story. This series is structured around the stoplight itself—book one is Red, the next will be Yellow, and the final will be Green—and I thought that was such a clever way to frame the progression of the story.
At first you would think red represents stopping or completion, especially since both women are already married. But the way this book plays out, the red light actually feels like something else entirely. It feels like danger, temptation, and exposure all at once.
Red becomes the warning sign that something is about to go wrong. Both women know the rules and know where the boundaries are, but the temptation to cross those lines is already there. And at the same time, red feels like the moment when secrets and hidden truths start inching closer to being exposed.
So instead of red meaning “everything is settled,” it actually feels like the beginning of the chaos.
If the red book is already this messy, I can only imagine what the yellow and green books are about to give us.
Book: Stoplight Book One Author: Charae Lewis Genre: Urban Fiction Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🥵🥵🥵🥵
Jovanis and Cali pissed me off the most. They were so selfish, making decisions that affected everybody but only thinking about themselves.
I really want to see more of Rio. He’s really a good man and deserves better.
Irish was really a good friend. She sacrificed her own happiness to satisfy Jovanis. She showed loyalty, patience, and selflessness that honestly wasn’t always deserved. She deserves to be happy.
As for Noble… I like him, I really do, but what he was doing was disrespectful. At the same time, I can’t even lie I understood where he was coming from 😩 and that made it hard to fully be mad at him. He was stuck between feelings and choices, and that internal battle is real.
This book really highlights how timing, choices, and lack of communication can mess things up fast. I had plenty of side eye moments, but I also appreciated how raw and realistic the story was. Everybody was flawed, emotions were high, and the lessons were there if you paid attention.
Overall, this was a good read that made me reflect while still being entertaining. If you like relationship centered stories with real life decisions, flawed characters, and lessons sprinkled throughout, this one is worth picking up. I need part two ASAP.
Charade I’m definitely a book fan of your work.. This is definitely a page turner. Stoplight everything is stopping at the red light for sure. The two young ladies, Cali Cheated on her husband now she have to face the consequences for her actions. Cali and Irish , noble , Jovani made some risky choices with their life The only innocent party in the story is Rio. He loves Cali a husband Did everything right. living a pretended life Irish Married her husband abnormal out of convenience of an insecurity Abandonment issues. Irish. Fell in love. With Noble the leader of TMG.. Iris husband, Jovani Love her Security it keeps him from Owning up to what he really is “A Fairy “ I love the same sex. He’s scared to come out the closet. But he also is stopping his pretended wife from moving on with her life . The stories about people with abandonment issues ,selfishness and control. They have a clue what love really is until the explore the possibility. Can’t wait for part two.
This was definitely a creative approach to the storyline, I’ll give it that. The concept itself was solid, but I needed more depth with the characters. I wanted their backstories, their scars, the reasons behind the way they move. Everybody felt a little too safe, too predictable, like the streets never really tested them.
The pacing was slow for me. It took a long time to get to the facts, and honestly, I was waiting on a twist that never came. The plot had all the ingredients to go crazy, but it stayed on simmer instead of boiling over. No real shock value, no moment that made me sit up and clutch my chest.
Don’t get me wrong, the storyline is bomb, which is why my expectations were higher. I kept waiting for it to pick up… and it just didn’t. I’m hoping the next part comes with more pressure, more grit, and that unexpected turn that street lit usually delivers.
This storyline shows the struggles of betrayal, love forbidden, resentment of behaviors and love. It shows two different scenarios of what happens when you allow your action to blind you of what is always been there but didn't step back and take blinded off until something tragic happens. Cali's behavior, actions and choices my cost her Rio and possible her life. The other is realizing putting everyone wants and needs always before yours doesn't give you the peace and comfort you will crave. Jovanis and Irish made a commitment to each other, one to move without judgment because of his lifestyle and career conflicting and but both for safety and loyalty. Yet Irish deserves to have love, and intimacy with Noble. Letp see how Ms. Author plays this out.
Stoplight by Charae Lewis had me in a chokehold. I was minding my business, drinking my little water, and this book grabbed me like, “Nah, come sit DOWN.”
The characters were cutting up so bad! Cali got on my nerves, Rio is definitely MY MAN MY MAN MY MANNNN I was ready to print out our couple’s photo and everything LOL, Irish is definitely a great person, and I enjoyed Noble!
Butttt leaving me on the cliff like that though?? Oh Charae… she ended the book like she didn’t care about my blood pressure AT ALL. I turned the last page and stared at my wall like I was in the season finale of my own life.
Baby this here was a damn 🎢 From Cali & Braye with there bullshit & Irish and Jovanis situation is mind blowing. For me if I was Irish I wouldn’t do what she did for Jovanis, I’m keeping myself locked away just so you can uphold your reputation. Cali deserves everything braye is giving her but the situation with Rio because he didn’t deserve that. Noble is a good man for Irish I just wish there situation didn’t start how it did & I hope Shay move on because what’s you doing sis. I can’t wait for part 2 Jovanis baby don’t play with Irish like that. Charae, you didn’t leave no crumbs.
I can't wait for Part 2 of this series. This book held my attention from the start. Interested in seeing how the storyline unfolds, I hope part 2 does not take too long. I usually don't start series until it's completed and available. I am very impatient and will forget about it when the delay is too long. But will definitely keep an eye out for this series. A must read.
I just could not get into this book. So much of the backstories were missing and it felt like I missed reading a previous book. I found myself skipping a lot of this book and about half way through I skipped to the last chapter. I don’t feel like I missed anything at all. I doubt I’ll be reading part 2.
I will say I like Charae’s other books. This one just didn’t do it for me.
This book pulled me in within the first few pages I was hooked. This is a forbidden romance. If you’re of those people that love the cheating trope, you were going to eat this up. So many twist and turns lies and deception every which way I loved that the book was multiple point of views. I’m actually excited to get into the next book because the way that cliffhanger ended baby.
This is my first read from this author, and I must say I love the penmanship!! I love the plot, the twist, the characters and I’m looking forward to the yellow Book!! I Love Irish and Noble! I hope they get there happily ever after!! And Cali and Rio got me on the edge of my seat!! Sheesh!!! I just want Van to be free! He deserves to live his life being Who he is, and not shaking and faking. Ok, See ya after Yellow Book!! 🏃🏽♀️ 😊
This book had my attention from beginning to end. From loyalty, disloyalty, secrets and forbidden love these characters are being tested on a daily basis and how they choose to navigate those obstacles will determine what the future will look like. Irish and Noble have me rooting for them because they have finally found "Their Person" in each other but is the forbidden love worth the risk of losing friendships.
Loved this book. Cali was wrong for cheating on her husband and I hope he finds someone better. I love Irish and Noble together. I did not see that Shay thing but wow. The ending oh baby I can’t wait for part 2. Jovani is selfish and he honestly should live in his truth I don’t think people would care at all. Loved it Charae!!!
When I tell you all of the characters in this book had pushed boundaries in some way….yeesh. I don’t want to give away the story lines, but Charae has done it again. She has written engaging characters that have you rooting for them and their growth/happiness. I can’t wait for part 2.
While the story is good, I don’t like the way it’s being told. Using 1st and 2nd person to explain the story has a lot of repetitiveness.it made the book much longer than it should’ve been. I found myself skipping a lot and only reading from the 1st person’s pov. Again, good book but just not a fan of how it’s being told.
Everything about these characters is complicated but it has such an authentic vibe. Love is not always simple and these characters and their situations show it. Looking forward to part 2 curious to see how everything will play out and if everyone will survive complicated love.
So I waited to read this because I’m overwhelmed with floor hangers but when I seen the second book dropped I couldn’t hold out! I had to indulge! When I tell you I couldn’t put this down! All the twist and turns and love triangles. Babyyyy! Well my girl always do her big one! On to the yellow book.
There was a lot going on this book lol. The story line was very easy to follow, I’ll definitely be reading book 2 as well cause I need to see how all this unfolds. I love how therapy was incorporated in this book and free to people after a woman took her life. Very good read💯
Jovanis was dead wrong for wanting to eat his cake and still have it. You get to be with your lil boo thang but don’t want your best friend to be happy. Irish literally sacrificed her happiness so you can have yours and you wanna get mad she fell for your boss( cus thats what Papa is)😎😏 Cali Cali Cali girl smdh 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️