Giselle Knox returns to Southwick, Kansas with her heart in ruins and her parents gone, forced to face the hometown she once swore she would never come back to. Grief has a way of stripping life down to its rawest form, and when Giselle crosses paths with Huey “Heavy” Sapien, she finds herself pulled toward a man she should avoid at all costs.
Heavy is Southwick’s most desired, most feared man with money, power, and a reputation that made women nervous and men cautious. He is guarded, respected, and used to getting exactly what he wants. What he doesn’t expect is Giselle. What starts as an unexpected connection turns into something deeper between two people who understand brokenness in different ways.
Just as their bond begins to feel real, Alonzo Maynard steps back into Giselle’s life. He represents everything she once had — status, security, and a future that looks perfect on the surface. Torn between the comfort of her old world and the truth she finds with Heavy, Giselle makes a choice that changes everything. A secret pregnancy. A lie that spirals. A future built on silence.
When the life she tried to build collapses, Giselle is forced to return to the one place she ran from — and to the man whose children she hid. Heavy must decide whether love can survive a betrayal this deep, while Giselle fights for the family she never meant to destroy.
A story of love, redemption, and consequences, where loyalty is tested, hearts are pushed to their limits, and forgiveness is the hardest battle of all.
Secret Baby With A Hood Rich Menace by SL Partee is an unputdownable love story.
Secret Baby With a Hood Rich Menace by S.L. Partee was a good read, but I gotta be honest the beginning was slow slow. Like I had to push through and keep telling myself “just keep reading.” I didn’t really get hooked until around the 40% mark, and before that I was definitely side-eyeing a few things 😅.
Now let’s talk characters. Prisha was annoying af baby, catch the mfkin hint, damn 😭. I was yelling at the pages like PLEASE read the room. But once the story picked up, everything started making more sense.
Huey though? I love me some Huey, okay. He did not disappoint and definitely helped keep me locked in. Auntie Remi was the real MVP the glue that kept everybody from completely falling apart. Every family needs an Auntie Remi, period.
And Giselle… whew. I hated that she had to go through all of that. She didn’t deserve half the mess that came her way, and her storyline really pulled at my emotions.
Overall, once this book got going, it was giving drama, heart, and chaos in the best way. The slow start is the only thing keeping it from a full five stars, but the second half absolutely delivered. Solid 4.5 stars for me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ and yes I’d still recommend it if you can hang in there at the beginning. 📚💜
This is my first book from this author and while this is a trope I really like, these characters all frustrated me way too many times for me to really enjoy this storyline. Giselle experienced a lot and IN MY OPINION she let way too many people play in her face too many times- including some of her family members and definitely Henna and Pri- because it should have been F them forever, disrespectfully. Even Heavy got on my nerves with some of his reactions. I do love how he immediately stepped into his responsibilities though. Overall, there was some funny moments which I liked, but at their big ages, these characters were very immature and every day they all smoked weed and drank -every day, every time they were together - morning and night- which caused me to be even less engaged / interested.
Book was very good, but didn't like that every character in this book smoked, with the exception of Remi and Petal , from sun up to sun down. Pretty much high all the time. Drinking and driving, smoking and driving with your precious babies. Didn't like that at all, but other than that a very enjoyable book.
This one tested my patience at first, I’m not even gonna lie. The beginning moved slow slow and I had to push through telling myself to keep going. It didn’t really grab me until around the halfway mark, and before that I was side-eyeing a few choices hard 😅.
Once it picked up, though? Whew. The drama, the emotions, and the family dynamics all started clicking. Prisha worked my nerves bad. Like, girl, read the room. Huey, on the other hand, did exactly what needed to be done and kept me engaged. Auntie Remi was the glue holding folks together. Every family needs one of her, period.
Giselle’s storyline hurt my heart. She went through entirely too much and didn’t deserve half of it, but watching her find her way back to peace with the right people around her was worth the ride. Heavy lived up to his name. Hard exterior, soft only for Giselle and his kids. And Horace? A mess. Loud, foolish, and hilarious every time he showed up.
This book had jealousy, secrets, betrayal, forgiveness, and real love woven all through it. Once it got going, it really delivered. The slow start is the only thing holding it back from a higher rating for me, but overall, this was a solid read, and I’d still recommend it if you can hang in there at the beginning.
When I say I enjoyed this entire book because all kinds of emotions flowed but the people who were so close knit. Jealousy, secrets, unspoken truths, betrayal, thievery, you name it. It’s in here. Some people didn’t want to let go and others used shortfalls as ammunition. You do see strong love and real bonds where grace and forgiveness are shown. With that, Horace was my heart. He made you laugh throughout and always ready to hit his wife up…lol! Heavy, the perfect name for him because ain’t nothing light or soft about him until Giselle and his kids. Giselle had gone through a helluva time and took way longer to get through it until Heavy, her family and kids gave her the real peace. There’s a lot of animosity and strife all throughout this book but watch how it comes together. Fantastic. Told my daughter I don’t want them to end, but Stephanie has more drama to read until the next.
That book was EVERYTHING!! There were some characters in here for sure lol! I loved how Crew and Maisie were despite the ages because that didn't stop anything because they stood on business behind each other. I hate Giselle went through everything she did and was mad when she left with Alonzo but eventually found her way back and got everything back from that slimeball! Everything came full circle and the family got over the obstacles that were in the way of everyone healing and moving forward. Henna and Prisha got on my nerves with the way they were behaving when it came to Giselle but if they loved Heavy they should've fell back on the hate train but I'm glad it worked out and they were able to he adults and work out their issues. Horace was a mess but I was here for his foolishness 🤣. I loved this book and how Heavy were with his babies!
Omg this book is so lit. Heavy is my new man and I’m looking forward to hoping my chicka can give us an update on them. His grandpa had me weak along with his daddy. Babygirl had to learn that she really did need her family. What got me and I had a feeling Alonzo got her parents killed but for me to find out in the end she was supposed to have died with them blew me. In my mind I was thinking he did it cause her father wouldn’t let him be with his daughter. But I’m glad a met his maker. U did good on yet another book and I’m looking forward to reading more of them. Sitting here patting my feet while sipping on Pepsi and eating popcorn while waiting on the next book to read
The story itself had all of the necessary elements needed for a HEA. Giselle really was selfish, and I didn't really care for her at first. Heavy's character was cool but I wasn't feeling his reaction to finding out about Viggo and Prisha's night together. I also didn't like that he took it there with Prisha. Henna and Prisha did the most especially Henna. I really wanted Giselle to straight up ask Huey about his reaction to Viggo and Pri. I was just disappointed with different aspects of the story. I look for strong women and Giselle wasn't that. Now as far as the storyline goes, character development and plot that wasn't off. I wanted/needed more. After all that was said and done between Prisha and Henna how was everything squashed so easily with Giselle?
G was a brat through and through. I wasn’t too fond of her and her antics when it came to her family. I only extended her grace after I found out about her parents. She went off with that creep and her so called friend… ugh. I wasn’t too fond over her, for real. Then the babies, gave her a teench more. A teench. I knew Heavy was wayyyyy too gone off her when he saw them as well. Pri and Henna was kinda weird too. After every one confirmed what Heavy said to her she stillll tried to get that dude. Weird. My favorite was Mais, cause she kept it 100 every time. Remi was a close second. There were so many good parts that those low ones just were meh.
I throughly enjoyed this story. It had a few emotional moments but was filled to the brink with comedy . Everybody was a mess including the babies . I will sal I feel like everyone except Mase was way to hard on my girl . They act like it had been Years When it hadn't even been a month . Years she had a smart mouth but they act like the Girl was out here chopping people down. I really wanted to give Henna and prisha a two Piece . Viggo smh . All in all this was a great read to end the Year.
Ok ok, so I was irritated AF for abt 40% of this book but you know what….it turned out to be dam good! Talk about growth, I wanted to slap Giselle so bad!!! The twins changed her for the better and Heavy showed such grace. Henna was unhinged and super weird with her little sidekick…like girl, why you so invested??? I loved me some Horace!!!! Maisie and Crew were my fav couple, I loved how she showed up for her family. This was a really good one, happy I finally read it!
I couldn’t put this book down. The character development was strong at different moments, every character managed to frustrate me, which only made them feel more real. Giselle went through so much, but watching her find her way was powerful. Heavy made it very clear who he was, and Horace kept me laughing throughout the entire book. As for Henna and Pri, I was glad to see them finally get themselves together.
I really enjoyed this story… When I say Grandpapa Horace had me tickled that old man was a whole character I love everything about him… Henna and Pri got on every single nerve in my body but I’m happy they finally dead that. Something only me Alonzo was behind that hit on Giselle parents. Gemalynn was a pain in my side at first but I warmed up to her eventually. I happy everyone got their happy ending and no one else die.. Rip To Grace and Greg
For various reasons, however, I think a lot of what she went through was definitely self-sabotage because she knew she shouldn't have left with Alonzo, let alone married him but we live and learn and sometimes that is the hard way. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, I'm glad he got to finally put that weight down and live his life on his terms with his family.
Secret baby is one of my fave tropes & I love how this played out. Giselle worked my nerves something serious at first, i like how her family didnt hold their tongues with her. Heavy was def everything, he handled the situation better than I expected! I love the found family and family dynamics they both had. I was tickled every time someone said huey & Harlee would find it funny. This was my first read by this author and i thoroughly enjoyed it
This book went just as I hoped it did. I needed me a messy book filled with drama, but also love. This book was filled with typical family messiness, love and loyalty from the start. Giselle witnessed a horrific event that changes her life forever. She runs and causes more drama, but comes back for redemption. Heavy was solid from day 1. They were meant to be and fate brought them back together. 5/5. SL Partee does no wrong in my book.
4 ⭐️ read for me. A slow start that I struggled to keep up with, but the plot got to plotting around 15-20%. MMC wasn’t much of a menace on page, but I got the point. He was a grump though 🫦
Esti needed a full circle moment on page for me given the transgressions. I also would’ve appreciated Pri having a more thought out/meaningful moment with the FMC in this book for their turning point.
As a new to me author, I’m not opposed to reading more of her catalog.
This was a great book. It was great from beginning to end. I love me some Heavy. Only two characters got on my nerves. That was Henna and Prischa. I love the way it ended. S.L. Partee you did a great job as usual. This is most definitely a must read. Highly recommended!!!!
this is my first read by this author and i can honestly say they will be getting a reader out of me… this was a good read + it’s one of my favorite trope ( secret baby ) … i loved loved giselle & huey .. she was a runner for sure but she got her shit together and those babies omg sooooo cute… loved them down… ain’t no love story without a lil family dramaaaa…
She didn’t disappoint Giselle was a force but Huey calmed her bougie ass rite down this book was full of laughs secrets baby definitely a oafs turner glad Giselle ex hubby got exactly what he deserved all these relationships in this book made me want moreeeee from them
The way I loved every character in this book! Horace and Viggo hilarious. They brought the funnies. Loved Heavy, very chill and just everything about him was IT! The growth in Giselle was a good storyline. This story gives you all the emotions, and the writing just brings the visuals to life for me! SL Partee don’t miss a beat! becoming one of my favs 🔥
That was a good read. It held my attention from beginning to end. I am going to say that Giselle got on my nerves from rip lol with her spoiled attitude, but going back to her hometown and Heavy sexy ahh putting some act right into her track star having tail made me like her a lil bit towards the end lol
Enjoyed everything about this book. From Heavy and Giselle first moment of spiciness at his shop, until the end on the island and yacht. The love between their families was that everlasting love. I really enjoyed this book with the love, hurt, forgiveness and more love. Great book!
I have a lot to say but I’m gonna only ask why do Pri and Viggo become a thing ? There was not other men in that Town? She was with Heavy’s best friend, then Heavy and now with Heavy’s cousin? I’m not even talking about their age gap ‘cause 7 years is not bad. But, If The author wanted Pri to have a HEA, she could’ve just brought another character in idk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Stephanie did her thing! This book was soooo good! I love me a secret baby and this time I got two plus a grumpy man, I was living the entire time I read this book! Definitely gonna cop a physical copy when available! One of my favorite reads of 2025!
S.L. Partee has done it again. This was an amazing read. I loved the family dynamics of this books. The character development was great. I'm so happy that Heavy and Gizelle got their happy ending.
By chapter two I was completely hooked. I devoured this book to the point that I lost sleep over it that’s how gripping it was. I honestly wish I could read it again for the first time because I enjoyed it so much, and it even pulled me out of my reading slump.
This story covered a lot of bases. I knew something was shady about her husband. I guess her best friend as well. As all the truths were revealed it just made everything fall in place.
Heavy, Heavy, Heavy is all I can say baybeh…Giselle was a selfish in the beginning however, she was humbled really fast…Family is everything is what this book gave…Well written!!
Even though this book stressed me out for different reasons I enjoyed reading. I had all the emotions. I enjoyed the character development. Little things were missing for me here and there but I would definitely recommend.