Being in love with the same man my entire life has been a blessing wrapped in a curse. Our love shaped me, scarred me, and molded my heart to beat like his. Loving Xyleek Chambers meant a deep level of passion, protection, obsession, and danger all wrapped together tightly. I’ve tried to escape and outgrow him, but some loves just don’t die. They simply wait. And when they come back for you, they come back to collect everything, with or without your permission.
Xyleek Chambers
Being with Drek was never a choice, it was a life sentence that I gladly accepted and intended to serve every day of it. I go hard with everything in my life, to include loving her, and I’ll never apologize for it. Every move I’ve made, every lung I’ve taken air from and every line I’ve crossed was done with her in mind. She can fake like she belongs to someone else all she wants, but Drek is my beginning and end. And whatever it takes to keep her, I’ll do it with a smile on my face.
I usually like Shari's books and her MMC's, while always unhinged, are typically faithful and do not play about their women. This MC Xyleek though, made me sick and I didn't like him at all. Chance after chance he messed up, cheated, lied, repeat. By almost 40% of the book with the same foolery between him and Drek, I was ready to DNF. I stuck with it but started skimming instead of being fully engaged and sadly the story never got better for me. This storyline was too messy and immature to enjoy as were these characters. Neither had any real redeeming qualities despite the author trying hard to make us see the good in them
Wow Shari, how did you manage to make me feel sympathy for a cheater because I really dislike cheaters. I mean the cheating happened off page and was more talked about than shown, but Xy did cheat on page at least once despite trying to deny it. He and Drek were already back together, so there’s no way around that.
I do think the story would’ve had more depth if some of Xy and Drek’s relationship issues were actually shown on page instead of summarized. Like Gabraie. She’s introduced as someone he’s supposedly involved with, but we never experience that relationship. The first time we really see her, he’s ending it with her, and then she suddenly turns around and destroys Drek’s business. It was abrupt and out of place because we never got the buildup to justify that level of reaction.
One thing I did love was Drek’s support system. Ken and Rae balanced each other perfectly. Ken was the blunt friend who said what needed to be said, even when she was doing too much. Rae was the opposite, the “if you like it, I love it” friend who let Drek move at her own pace. Drek’s parents were also refreshing. They didn’t give terrible advice or try to control her. They spoke their piece and still respected her as a grown woman who could make her own decisions.
Drek and Xy were soul tied. That was her twin flame, and it was obvious he was never going to fully let her go. And Xy! She agreed to that Bentley in the heat of the moment, not motherhood, stop playing with sis!
Drek was emotionally dependent on Xy. They grew up together, so her identity was tied to him in ways she didn’t even realize until she tried to leave. When your entire sense of self is built alongside one person, separation doesn’t feel freeing, it feels disorienting. That doesn’t make it healthy, but it does make it understandable.
As for Gabraie and her sister, their deaths didn’t land for me at all because they happened off page. If I didn’t experience it as a reader, it didn’t hit emotionally. It was written, not felt, and again lacked depth.
The story had strong concepts and characters, but it needed more showing and less telling, especially when it came to the relationships and consequences.
Nowwww, off topic! Whatsoever do you mean this is your last Urban fiction book?! 😫
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Xyleek and Rahdreka are made for each other and each other only. No way could I put up with all of the antics that Xyleek committed and excuse it because I him. They both put the oxic in toxic. Their volleyball behavior got on my nerves with the back and forth, so that why I loved Makenna, Jah, and the parents for being truthful with them and holding them accountable. Things work how they are planned but they definitely go through hell and high water to get to their happiness.
The author has brought us wonderful stories in the urban fiction genre, so I'm going to miss her writing. But I wish her all the best as she switches to a new genre and I'm looking forward to reading about new characters drama she will bring. For her last urban fiction story, she certainly went out with a bang.
First things first, Shari I wish you all the luck on your new path in life. You left us with a great book. After reading the book summary, I didn’t fully expect this book to go the way it did. Whew, Xyleek was insanely unhinged. I could NOT/NEVER be Dreka. Regardless of the love, he was insane. And he put her through way too much, even when he was doing good. But you know they say true love conquers all. Baybeeeee when I say I would’ve been in a different country with a different identity. Drek tried, but Xy found her every time. I would’ve had to be out man. In the next breath, I loved Xyleek with his unhinged, chaotic, insane, psychotic self. I loved how much he loved Drek and was in tune with her soul and body. He changed for the better and it made for a great ending.
The novel explored complex relationship dynamics, revealing the nuanced challenges of trust and forgiveness. While the narrative initially presented uneven treatment of infidelity between characters, the resolution ultimately highlighted the importance of personal growth and reconciliation. The characters' journey toward mutual understanding and redemption provided a satisfying conclusion to their emotional arc, culminating in a heartening resolution that emphasized healing and commitment.
Shari B. What a good read. I so enjoyed Xy and Drek they were on a spinning wheel that had to finally stop or totally derail. When I look at Xy he was just a spoiled kid in a man's body. I was so proud of him. I just loved how his true folk checked him. The village they had was just what I think everyone needs. True Love will make a person step back and finally look into the mirror and face all the things. Can't wait to see what's next 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
I loved everything about this book. Xy was certified for real and didn't play about his Angel unless he was the one doing the playing. Dreka was a pushover or nothing like that she just loved Xyleek until love just wasn't enough. I'm glad he finally came to his senses but his fear of really losing her for good cause him to do some irrational things. Love can make you do some crazy things.💟💟
Ohhhh this book was almost a DNF because Xy! I’m glad Jaheem set him straight and Xy saw the error of his ways. I did not want him to ruin the book for me. Drek did not play with Xy and I love that. She was ready to find him and whoever was with him on him dumbest hour. I truly enjoyed the epilogue. Nice way to end the story.
Xyleek loved Dreka but he loved her the wrong way. When he finally realized he had to let her make her choice to stay or leave that's when he realized she loves me enough to stay and appreciate him for really seeing her.
Xy was pretty much crazy from childhood. Dreka was hilarious in her attempt to get away. The opening scene had me instantly entertained and excited to read this story!