Mison ‘Mali’ Keyton, the oldest of three, has found himself in a jam. His days of hiding his habit from his brothers and the Zoo have come to light. Not only has his drinking been exposed, but things from his past are also surfacing. While he’s trying to figure everything out, the one person from his past most affected by it has now taken an interest, which clouds his judgment. Symphony Harrington, the best friend of Bishop Prince, finds herself entangled with Mison while still trying to cope with one dark day that changed her life forever. From high school associates to present-day lovers, all that glitters isn’t gold. While trying to rescue his brother from himself. Jalen Peanut Keyton is learning to navigate his way without a voice. He meets Alyse Maverick, who attends TSU. They both find themselves in each other. However, Jalen needs to choose between living for himself and living for his brother.
My Brother’s Keeper is layered, emotional, and full of that gritty, human messiness Tatiana writes so well brotherhood, trauma, love, and the weight of trying to save people who won’t save themselves.
It’s something about them deaf ones 😉. Peanut is the quiet storm, and his bond with Alyse feels like a breath of calm in the chaos. I wasn’t sure about Mali at first, but I warmed up to him and kept hoping he’d get it together for his brothers. And that ending… I’m definitely side-eyeing it because I need to know who had a hand in that accident.
A story about loyalty, the beautiful parts, and the parts that break you. Cycles, choices, and the love that holds family together even when everything else is falling apart. A raw, emotional read that stays with you.
Okay once character having 3 names is mad crazy. Some characters honestly weren’t needed and didn’t add anything to the story. His book occurred in around 3 weeks. Her finding out she was pregnant at two weeks is mad work and rushed. Also when did they make up? It’s a lot of people a lot of stories to keep up with. I may have to leave the zoo because between the multiple names for characters and the new people being introduced and some missing context and interactions I feel like my ratings will continue to drop.
I pray that Mali keeps pushing through. Him & Symphony deserves a happily ever after. Diamond opening up to Mali was needed. The Zoo showing support & letting him know they’re there to stay. Chevy comes off as mean but he cares about them all so much.
Jalen has become one of my favorite out the Zoo. So excited for more of him & Alyse.
That ending! I know Dio better walk out the studio ok 😭
Addiction is a disease that is hard to overcome. Addiction is a sickness that can cause damage within self and those you love. Secrets are just as damaging as addiction. Sometime love from the right person is all someone needs to make it. Family is not always blood. Let’s chat!
Mali was still that lost and confuse lil boy that carried guilt of his past. He was a man fight ing demons and guilt🫣. We all know that alcohol or drugs eases the pain but once the effect is gone, the pain is still there😔. Mali made bad decisions after another and was blind to those that cared - Zay & Peanut - his brothers🥰. He pushed them away with his actions, but what he didn’t realize at first was that he was an alcoholic. Ya boy turned to the bottle when anything became hard and that was his biggest down fall😔. Oh but there was one person that cause him to pause and rethink - Symphony 🥰! He loved this girl down but his secret delayed the process and the acceptance. His interaction with Scooter was his biggest mistake and his downfall🫣. Understanding how deep he was in with Scooter, he still was determined to fix his mistake for love and his brothers🥰. Though everyone was riding him about his actions and behavior, he didn’t see no wrong until one freak accident that couldn’t taken his life but instead took another😔. We all know how karma is and ya boy got his and his woman. I just hope his karma doesn’t be the reason to back pedal as it’s not just him anymore that’ll be affected his actions🥰.
Symphony is known as that girl, but she was dealing with pain that no one but her and her family could understand. My girl has tough skin and hid her pain well. Who would’ve thought that a party at her place would have in front of her high school crush - Mison aka Mali 🤭 and it would be the night that changed her life. Loyalty and trust means a lot to her and finding out her best friend - Bishop didn’t honor that and it hurt her😔. See I understand how she felt. She rode for him and to learn he help the person that changed her life was hurtful. The way she went in on him🤏🏾. My girl had every right. The connection between her and Mali was beautiful but he needed to be honest her🫣. I am definitely team Mali & Symphony but she knew he was hiding something but unsure on what it was, however she found out when her worst nightmare came to apologize for his actions - Scooter😒. Though she learned the truth, the way she allowed Mali to make amends had me teary eyed 🥹.
Peanut is the 🥷🏽in my opinion. I honestly loved him down. First off the mentioning of disability will always win me over🥰. This will always touch home. The way he didn’t allow his disability to hinder him or stop him from finding his person🥰. With having issues with speaking, it don’t stop him from being his brothers keeper. The way he loved his brothers was everything 🥰. The way he placed his life on hold to be there for his brother Mali but he knew regardless of how much he was there, Mali had to make the move on his own. I honestly feel he thought he got the short end of stick cause his life was different than his brothers 😔- Mali & Zay. My guy was tried and wanted his own life and Zooloween was the day all of it changed for him - Alyse🥰. My guy was not coming off her for no one especially since she understood him better than anyone. She challenged him and made him address his weakness🤭. That alone sealed it for him. They were each other support and voice. He protected her like no other except when it came to her family🫣. The meeting of her brother had him rethinking his life and him wanting change especially since Mali was in his healing stage. Can I say that my guy was not a punk. He may be the quiet one but he would handle his if needed🤭.
Alyse was that non confrontational person and just wants peace & to dance. She was that kid that allowed her parents to dictate her life until they couldn’t🫣. Her parent were they type I stay away from 🤭. The fact they forgot the color of their skin left me speechless. They were the parents that felt what was good for them wasn’t good for her😔. Oh but when she finally step up and spoke her mind, I was cheesing from cheek to cheek 🤣. She may not have ever got there if it wasn’t for that man she grew to love - Jalen aka Peanut🥰. Let me tell you, I love there relationship down. They challenged each other in areas they struggled in - parents, goals and speaking. She got him to speak using his words and he got her to speak up for herself☺️. Then the way they connected on an adult level 🤭🤏🏾! Listen he said it’s like dancing - yasss 🤭! Truly hope to learn more about them.
Scooter was just him and fighting his own demons. He was still living in the past and not letting it go. Overall he felt he was played and felt he was losing his brother. Ya boy felt he was responsible for Keith and no one else, so making money and getting what was owed to him was his priority. Ya boy was spiraling out of control. What I wasn’t excepting was who he was working for🫣. However, losing someone close to him had him realize that life is too short 🫣. Not only that, the demons in his ear can change all that his brother knows. Now with trying to change his ways and take accountability only time will tell if it’s enough. However, the cat is out the bag that he was looking for Dio. Listen, Dio is not what he wants 🤭.
Ok, so as you can see, I can keep going with this read as there’s so much to chat about🫣! The way the OG’s of the Zoo stepped up and supported the new member - 🫶🏽🫶🏽! The way Dio stepped up and showed out🫣! They going to learn to stop messing with Dio🤣. Tati is showing up and out with these Urban Soap Opera and I’m here for it all. The characters development is giving all the feels as no one is the same. No one is dealing with the same issues or demons. Oh let’s not forget how she slid that one character back in like it wouldn’t leave us speechless. Like who does that 🤣. The next episode is not coming quick enough but I’m patient🤭.
To say I’m a Tatiana stan is an understatement at this point. 😂 Her pen stays cinematic... these stories could legit be mini-series on TV the way she tackles heavy topics and still pulls you all the way into the world. And this one? Yeah… this one hit.
We’re dropped into a new era of The Zoo Boyz, the OGs are living a little different now, grown and evolving, while the next generation is trying to find their footing. Enter Mali, who is carrying way more than he knows what to do with. Instead of facing his demons head-on, he keeps trying to drown them in the bottom of a bottle. In his mind, he’s functioning. In reality? He’s sinking lower and lower, and it’s looking real bleak.
Then comes Symphony Harrington, the girl he’s been low-key fiending over since school. For whatever reason, this time he finally catches her attention, and the journey these two go on? Whew. It’s a real look at what ride-or-die love can feel like when everything else is falling apart. Symphony is trying to be that safe place, that support system, but love alone can’t fix a man who hasn’t chosen himself yet.
Meanwhile, Mali has pressure coming from all sides:
Chevy and the crew on his neck, begging him to get his act together.
An old opp 👀pulling him toward choices that could end very badly.
And his brothers stuck between holding him up… or letting him hit rock bottom and hoping he survives it.
It’s messy. It’s raw. It’s deeply human.
I’m telling y’all now: get into Tatiana’s catalog. Start at the beginning of the Zoo Boyz universe and work your way through. Read closely, take notes if you have to, and enjoy the ride. Then come back and tell me who your favorite Zoo Boy is…
Tati has done it again!! It was another emotional read. There are so many life stories told in this book. I love how Tatiana always addresses real-life issues. she doesn't just add fairytale ends. She puts in real life ends. Everything doesn't always end like we want it to. This is one of the main reasons why I have gone down this journey with her. She has given me an escape but also a reality in her writing. Her pen game is dope and on another level!! There are always sparks in the world of Zoo. We all go through life issues. It is always what lessons we learn from them. Each brother went through their own struggles after the death their mom and father drinking issues. Tati always shows how Zoo family will always be there for each other. It is a true brotherhood. Most black boys and men dont get to see this type of relationship. They may go through issues, but there are always lessons learned from it. I look forward to seeing where these brothers' lives will go. They have a tough road ahead, but with the help of their women and brothers, anything is possible. I can't wait for the next episode. We are getting closer and closer to the TSU life. There are so many secrets and plots. Tatiana keeps us on the edge of our seats. Thanks for Zoothanksgiving.
It breaks my heart to even write this review because I have really enjoyed my journey with the Zoo Boyz. However, this book felt all over the place and quite rushed.
There was so much jumping between characters prematurely. Things happened so quickly that I wasn't even sure of the timeline. People were missing and it took me way too long to remember that Streets was Xavier/Zay.
I fell in love with the OG Zoo Boyz because I feel like their characters were more fleshed out and it felt like a real crew. With the addition of the new Zoo Boyz, I don't get that same feeling.
I may not have wanted Flex continuously in one of my fave couples face, but having her die was an interesting turn of events. And Mali's ending as well...shesh, my guy cannot catch a break! By the end I'm like 'huh, ouukay'.
I wish everything was more fleshed out and detailed between each character and their stories. I didn't really feel connected to any of the new characters.
However I did like Peanut and Alyse and I enjoyed the appearances from Dio!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a very layered read. Now don’t hate me because I love this whole series and I live for this universe but I could not get behind this one. I loved how emotional and gritty this book was with all the different POV’s, the brotherhood and the strain however, it was too many damn names for one person for me and trying to keep up with it all. Peanut( Jalen) was my favorite part of this book. I really would have dnf if it was not for his story. Mali was all over the place and I was surprised Chevy/June didn’t make him get help sooner. Even his crew of Chevy and Diamond trying to help knowing the blood brothers are at their end with Mail and his bull. Hell how did bishop or Indigo not speak up if they were a part of this book as well to give him insight. The cycle he didn’t see him self in should have been enough but I’m glad he was able to find something that was going to bring him out of it. Beans liking Scooter work where does that put everyone at now. Why the heck is Kreem(scooter) not talking to Bishop since he has his brother to let him know what’s going on knowing that him and Chevy are on good terms. Whole book just pissed me off to no end, but I finished so I won’t miss a thing. Then you end on a cliffhanger 🙄
Let’s just start by saying shout out to my girl indigo for her cameo. Welcome back love. Honestly I want all the guys to keep building. Love Jalen and how Alyse gave him his voice back. At first I was side eyeing Mali but he got it together. It was a struggle but he got it together. It’s always when you getting your life together that shit hit the fan. More over im super proud of the growth between the orange and the blue. Chev and Bishop really out here coexisting. I don’t know how long this series will be but I love it. I got respect for the cove but it will always be zoo over everything. And can we please get a zoo function to occur fully without the drama.
If Tatiana is going to do anything, it is keep us stressed and entertained. It is wild how she fits so much drama, tension, and jaw-dropping twists into under 300 pages. Ever since the Zoo arrived in Touissant, it has been nonstop action with new layers and moving parts being revealed at every turn.
Those top elites, especially Clark Mercer, stay getting on my nerves. He is the ultimate puppet master, constantly stirring the pot and pulling everyone’s strings from the shadows. While everyone else is busy fighting each other, I am just waiting for the moment they finally realize how deep his manipulation goes. He definitely has a reckoning coming, and I am more than ready for it.
Another great installment in the Zoo/Cove series! When the book started I was not a fan of Mali, but after reading his story and seeing his growth I am now all for the Keyton brothers. I appreciate the way Ms. Tati handles trauma and sensitive topics in a caring way. Given the background of all the Zoo Boyz, it’s unrealistic to expect a “cookie cutter” happily ever after. No one comes out unscathed, but the strength of the series is in how they overcome and persevere. I love Dio’s growth and that he’s still working through his mental health. He’s really becoming a strong leader of the new Zoo. I’m looking forward to more.
Another great novel from this author. Though we’re presented with new characters with different personalities and backstories, she still manages to make it all fit and remain cohesive. The writing style, plot design and development, character development and narrative elements were on point per usual. That cliffhanger was something else and I can’t wait for the next release.
Gangstas with a soft side, i love it! was emotional and so good of a read, I can't return it back to kindle, re-read. I love that the orange and blue are getting a long. I do think Dio needs to chill a little bit, it seems like he is on go 24/ 7. I love Jalen and Alyse story was too cute, Malice and Symphony love story had me in tears, now Zay needs his love and to go to the NBA!!!!! What is Beans issue?
Wow so much happened! Symphony and Mison, whew they went through a lot! In the end they truly found the love, its just sad what happened to him. Alyse and Peanut appear to be locked in. Sad about Flex but she was really spicy! Those old heads just won't go away! The brother's were truly each other's keeper. Only time will tell what's going to happen. Can't wait for the next one Tatiana!!!
You have a way with your words. This book was so good I love the pictures that are in the book. Please keep doing that because there are so many characters and sometimes I feel like I can't remember who is who. And when you have a picture of them by their chapter I'm like oh okay. I remember them now. I absolutely loved everything about this book. I won't come at you with the way you ended the book because I know it's another one coming. 😘
Each release gets us closer to understanding who each member truly us. I love that we get multiple POVs of the same situations. Mali was so consumed with guilt and didn't see how much it affected those closest to him. Unfortunately, I'm not surprised at the ending. Although I can say, I'm ready to see what happens next.
I love me some Peanut & Alyse real bad!! He found him a patient girl. They made my heart swoon.
The way they was coming through for Mali. Whewww I love The Zoo Family.
Mali ain’t deserve to lose his legs, he already going through it and to add something as devastating as that. I truly enjoyed this book but that part could’ve been left off 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The whole Zoo, series Rock my world from Chevy is Queen to the whole original LA zoo crew Went to Toiussaunt For a fresh start on life now they own it combined with the blue crew .. Chevy is still the 1st king of the zoo. Bishop is the king of the blue together. They combine a crew of brotherly love, loyalty.
Tatiana did her thing as usual! I love how she leaves you satisfied but still asking questions. Mali needed help and for the entire zoo to stand with him was very touching. A must read
Dang Mison!!! This book was good and I really enjoyed it, however; just like others mentioned, there were a lot of names to keep up with. Overall, it was good. I enjoined Symphony and Mison and Jalen and Alyse. These dudes gonna learn to leave Dio alone though lol
It was due for Dio and Mali to get it cracking....Alyse finally standing up to her parents was good for her... I'm waiting patiently for the next installment....
This read had me on the edge of my seat! Well folks our girl has done it again! She just keeps switching it up in this universe and I’m here for it all!!!! Dio!!!!!!!!!!
The saga continues I love that the blue and orange are together and not fighting anymore. Also Bishop and Chevy about to nut up now that Naheim is back