After almost a ten-year relationship, Jersei Lane is forced into a journey of self-discovery. Her codependency made her put her own life on the back burner, but with one spark to her soul, everything has shifted.
Vayce Denver is the school counselor at Sweet Pea Academy. His life is built on saving others until it is time to address his own. Love has become a distant memory and peace has become his priority.
How sweet can a guarded heart’s lesson be? Is love possible if we keep it Off The Charts?
A lil warning would’ve been nice because, that prologue went from zero to a hundred real f*ckin’ quick. 🤯🤯🤯🤯 Jersi has lived a comfortable life as a stay at home girlfriend but, what she really wants to be is a stay at home wife. Maybe this year will be the year so, Jersi gets dolled up to surprise her man for their 10 year anniversary but, the gag is, Solomon’s got a surprise for her and it’s NOT an engagement ring.
I had such high hopes for this book because, it started out really strong. But, after the prologue, it quickly went downhill. The excessive use of the N word ruined this book for me. I think the author forgot this was suppose to be a small town romance because, there was nothing small town about this book other than the name of the town. I’ve read urban novels that didn’t use the N word as much as it was used here. And, let me be clear, I’m not offended by the N word at all but, the amount of times it was used was just unnecessary and, quite honestly, it overshadowed the storyline. Then the author left us hangin’. After Jersi’s mama spilled the tea about Victor, I was gleefully waitin’ for Solomon to get his but, nothing ever happened. Now, ma’am, why would you leave us hangin’ like that?!!! While I liked Jersi and Vayce as a couple and I enjoyed their love journey, Off The Charts missed the mark me.
4.5 stars I loved it! This book opened up HOT and I was locked in from there. Jersei had wasted a decade with her baby father only to find out he was NOT the man she thought he was. Vayce was divorced after finding out his wife was NOT the woman he thought she was. These two collide at Jersei's sons Zion's school and baby the chemistry was there. An accident in communication opens up a door and baby the way Vayce jumped through it!!
I am in LOVE with Vayce!! I love a man that knows what he wants, is smart, professional, a giver, sexy af with a side of hood 🥷🏾. Literal perfection 🤷🏾♀️ Y'all the way this man loved on Jersei. He was so patient with her, made sure she was seen, his gestures both big and small were so thoughtful. Then on top of that he was the best Stepdaddy! They already had a relationship, but the way it expanded was just beautiful. Zion was such a sweet, respectful, and funny boy. He was so observant and I just loved every time he was on page. Vayce didn't play about Jersei or Zion and I loved that for them.
I loved when the 🥷🏾 came out of Vayce and he checked the trifling baby daddy. He deserved every bit of karma his raggedy azz received.
I enjoyed this book and the only thing I wanted more of is Zion in real time. We got the summary, but I wished we could have experienced more of them with Zion. Other than that I truly enjoyed this book.
4.5 ⭐️ Listen, the prologue had me hooked and ready to devour this book after a 12-hour shift. Listen, this book was humorous but spicy and soothing in a sense with its urban ways.
We follow Jersei, who discovers her baby daddy is living a double life after investing a decade with him in the hopes of becoming his wife. She lost herself trying to cater to his needs, and through her newly single journey, she's striving to discover herself. Jersei is introduced to Vayce, the school counselor, after her son Zion gets into trouble at school, and the rest is history. This was a slow but soft burn, and these two were quite outspoken and communicated clearly while expressing their thoughts or emotions, but I really enjoyed their banter and how unfiltered they were with one another.
You know when Zee Renee writes about a man, he is everything. We love a reformed criminal; it always gives the man an extra edge. Vacye was very attentive, had a great heart for those he loved, and was very intentional, patient, and secure in his feelings for Jersei. He really didn't play when it came to Jersei. It's amazing how a healthy love may blossom from two broken hearts.
I received a free audiobook of this book via Netgalley!
Listen… this book had me grinning, kicking my feet, and whispering “oh they’re so cute for this.” Zee Renee really delivered a slow burn that actually burns... steady, intentional, grown‑folks pacing with just enough spice to keep you leaning in.
We follow Jersie, a single mom picking up the pieces after catching her long‑term partner cheating (with a man, no less), and Vayce, her son’s school counselor who has already lived a whole life before page one. Their first meeting is all tension and concern after her son gets into a scuffle, but it’s the summer break run‑ins that shift everything. Suddenly they’re talking, laughing, opening up… and you can feel the foundation forming brick by brick.
What I loved most is how earned this romance feels. Neither of them was looking for love — and yet there it was, showing up anyway, soft and patient. Vayce respects her so deeply, listens to her, sees her, and helps her understand herself without ever trying to “fix” her. And she gives him that same emotional safety right back. It’s mutual healing without the melodrama.
And let me just say: Jersie’s son? My favorite character. That little old soul had me cackling and clutching my chest. Wise beyond his years but still absolutely a kid...that mix is hard to write, and Zee Renee nailed it. As a parent of a kid with that same “tiny philosopher but also still loves snacks and chaos” energy, it felt so real.
The narrators also did their thing. The voices fit the characters, the pacing was smooth, and the emotional beats landed exactly where they needed to.
Overall, this was sweet, steady, a little spicy, and full of heart. A slow burn that actually respects the slow while still giving you chemistry, banter, and a well‑earned HEA.
Let me tell y’all this was everything and more. The Drama, healing and love that I read in this book was amazing!!!
Jersey, now a single mother trying to find herself after ending a 10 year relationship meets her son’s school counselor Mr. Vase Denver. He shows Jersey that it is ok to be make time for herself and chase her dreams all while showing her that true love is supportive, kind and loud!
If you want a steamy romance that will make you laugh check out Off The Charts available tomorrow!!
4/5 — Vayce and Jersei’s love story was a good time. A slow burn done just right. I think my cheeks are still hurting from all of the smiling and blushing they had me doing. Vayce was intentional, confident and patient when it came to Jersei. Jersei’s defenses couldn’t stand a chance when it came to Vayce. — Two broken hearts unexpectedly mend and heal into one healthy love. Stepdaddy MVP. Black woman loved the right way.
This was so good! Definitely a different vibe for Zee but she nailed it! Vayce an Jersei story was so beautiful! A single mom just tryna make it on her own and a divorced man who was broken and thought he wouldn’t have a love of his own again! Baby daddy was trash! Vayce ain’t play about his queen and i loved when the “hood rat” came up outta him ! Loved the bond between Jersei and her son Zy! Loved the sibling bond between Vayce and his sister . Bubby and sissy were the cutest! The bond between Vayce and Zy top tier! We love a good step daddy moment ! Everything about the book was chefs kiss. I loved it !
This is one of the best romance books I've read in a long time. Zee wrote this book to perfection! Jersei had my heart from the moment that she was introduced. She was bold, fierce, and funny. Vayce was charming, caring, and honest. I loved how neither one of them shied away from what they both wanted and deserved. The pace and the tone of the book were perfect. I feel like Zee told a complete story without missing a thing.
I enjoyed both narrators. They really helped bring the story to life. Thank you, NetGalley and Dreamscape Audio, for the ALC.
WOW this book started off with a bang which leads to Jersei becoming a single mom. Jersei must now have to learn who she is and what she wants besides being Zion’s mom. When Jersei meets Vayce a counselor at Zion’s school she steps in with a chip on her shoulders and all Vayce can see is how he’s going to enjoy tearing down her walls figuratively and literally. This was a cute story. I do wish we got to learn more about Solomon’s demise just to add a little more mess. But this was a good slow burn and Vayce was the perfect step daddy for Zion. Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC!
3.75⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Vayce is top tier boyfriend material and I loved his relationship with Jersei and her son. Her ex husband is the villain and he got what he deserved. The spice was off the charts 🔥
Oh Zee Renee?? Yeah she understood the assignment. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The slow build? Ate. The tender moments? Whew. When they finally step into their feelings? I was grinning like it was MY relationship!!!
(3.75) Don’t let the cute cover fool you….Vayce and Jersei were some trash talking firecrackers🤣And I just know Vayse was a retired crash out😅He was also a yapper (IYKYK). I liked them though. They were a fun couple. Despite both being guarded when it came to love, Vayse recognized almost right away what he wanted. And he moved with so much affirmation and intention that Jersei couldn’t help but feel safe with him and let down her walls. It got a little preachy in some parts for me but faith seemed to be a foundation of their story.
The prolouge pulled me in for sure. The inital scene with Solomon, Victor and Jersei, YAASSSSS!!!
Cause tf lol.
But after that everything fell apart for me. The way Jersei was talking to Vayce (ok) was the most diabolical disrespectful ish ever. OMGGGGGG. First, very confused on why she came in so hard and the way they were talking to each other at the school, first meeting and Vayce not the daddy. LIKE WHATT!!!...
There was so much fictioning in this book, I was taken aback, couldnt even compare it to my good TUBI ( i love TUBI). The way Vayce acted when meeting Solomon, made me like Solomon and Victor. I was over it if team doing too much was a thing it was Jersei and Vayce, im sorry.
Every adult interaction in this book was awful and yea no. While the explicit scenes were hot and heavy beside the one towards at the school while in session turned me more off from the story. This truly would have been a DNF but it got me through my workday.
I received an early audio copy of the book of course Ja'Air Bush was great. The male narrator Jaceion Hunter, as the male narrator voice, great but as a female or child, is a no.
I loved how intentional the main characters were about expressing their feelings. I enjoyed that the couple got their HEA.
The pacing of the book was good, but I feel like this book didn't leave anything to be imagined. Everything was narrated, and sometimes, the dialog seemed corny.
I enjoyed the length of the book and the way we got to learn about the family of the main characters.
I enjoyed every moment of this book. Jersei did not let her circumstances define her. When she caught her son’s dad in a compromising situation, she could have folded, but she stood on business and held her head high. Vayce knew he wanted Jersei from the moment he met her but was scared to date because of his past. I’m glad they both let go of past hurt and gave love a chance. A mistake pushed them into an awkward situation that led to love unexpectedly and off the charts.
This was such an unexpected surprise. That prologue sucks you right in. There is so much mess in this book! Vayce was a man! And I loved how he loved not only Jersei but also her son as well; they healed something in each other. This is a really different type of story for Zee Rene, but it was so good.
Honey, it goes down at Sweet Pea Academy. Hot school counselor, Vayce Denver meets mama bear, Jersei Lane and sparks immediately fly. Jersei’s life is a whole soap opera! Zee Renee had me and Jersei gagged in the beginning but she gets her HEA.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for the ALC!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars! So good! Started out crazyyyyyy!! First read by this Author, I added all of her work to my TBR ASAP!
Her ex disgusted me. Smh. Gross. Im glad she got her business and their HEA. I loved the jargon and lingo that the author used. Felt like I was listening to my girls talk! Definitely worth it!
This was a good time. Minimal drama. Single mom and her kid’s counselor. It’s described as a slow burn but it wasn’t bad in my opinion. He took his time and was very intentional. I enjoyed this.