Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Power Play: An Erotic Valentine's Friends To Lovers Novelette

Rate this book
Kyla thought she had Valentine’s Day handled—good food, good music, and enough distractions to quiet a broken heart. Love was the last thing on her mind. Then the power went out, and the evening took a turn she hadn’t prepared for.

An unexpected reunion pulls her into a night that feels familiar and unsettling all at once. Tyson isn’t the boy from around the way that she remembers—he’s confident, commanding, and carries himself with a presence that Kyla can’t ignore. What starts as comfort slowly shifts into something charged, blurring lines she never planned to cross.

As desire deepens and the past resurfaces, Kyla is forced to face what she’s been avoiding: choosing between surviving heartbreak and allowing herself to feel again.

Power Play is a sensual Valentine’s Day friends-to-lovers novelette about intimacy, control, and the reality of getting more than you planned for. Through both Kyla and Tyson's eyes, it explores how power shifts when desire, history, and timing collide.

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Miko Janel

8 books41 followers
Miko Janel lives in Long Beach, California, with her fiancé and their two dogs, Melo and Mochi. She fell in love with reading in the third grade and has been an avid book lover ever since. Influenced by authors like Eric Jerome Dickey and Zane, her writing blends emotional depth with authenticity and edge along with a lot of sexy! When she’s not reading or writing, Miko enjoys slow mornings, good naps, and cozy nights in watching shows with her ma

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
342 (66%)
4 stars
129 (25%)
3 stars
37 (7%)
2 stars
5 (<1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
Profile Image for Kimmy’s Reads!.
1,592 reviews149 followers
July 25, 2026
He got that Power over me !! In my Kevin Gates Voice!!

This book was RIDICULOUSLY sexy! 🥵 And can we please talk about the fact that a Que was in her house… and he even did the stroll?! Yessss!! 😂

When a blackout hits, Tyson’s cousin’s dog Maggie takes off and runs straight into Kyla’s house. Tyson follows… only to come face-to-face with the woman he’s always loved and never truly got over. Seeing her again? That’s all the motivation he needs because this time around, he’s refusing to let her slip away.

The chemistry between these two was absolutely off the charts. Tyson was determined, protective, and completely gone for Kyla, and I was eating up every second of it. The heat was HOT, the banter was fun, and once these two got together, I couldn’t put it down.

If you’re looking for a second-chance romance with plenty of steam, a hero who knows exactly what he wants, and enough chemistry to survive a blackout, Power Play needs to be on your TBR.

Quick little update I bought the audiobook and baby !! This took this book up a whole new level !!
Profile Image for Taryn Hatcher.
162 reviews58 followers
May 5, 2026
What Miko Janel can do with 70pages needs to be studied! Such a good spicy friends to lovers read💞
Profile Image for thebookcritic_.
1,002 reviews67 followers
February 9, 2026
packed a punch!

This novella definitely packed a punch. A friends to lovers I can get behind. Substance with smut.

Minimal grammatical errors but they were more noticeable as the story was so short. Although I didn’t personally listen to the playlist, it was incorporated very well into the story.
Profile Image for Domos Reads.
26 reviews
February 10, 2026
Whewwwwww chile! Now Miko —- sis stop telling all thee business okay!? I’m married to a Que and when I tell you Miko did a little bit of research to get this one right- sis did that (I need to stand under the fan at this point because spicy ain’t the word!)I was giggling and nodding my head like I actually knew the main character…that’s how I know Miko did research or she phoned a friend who had a friend IYKYK! But overall this is what you need for an urban erotica novella because it got straight to the point, had just enough character development to make us know a little something about the people, and then a whole lot of details of them fu—- umm details of them being intimate (let me fan my self again!) Long story short, read it and listen to the playlist for an extra vibe because you’ll love it and it’ll take a hour of your time!
Profile Image for 5 Star Delta.
404 reviews6 followers
February 10, 2026
Listen!!! I love me an Omega Man for 555 reasons! This lil short story just took me back to some good ole days!
Profile Image for Cheonica Jordan.
620 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2026
Power Play is what happens when heartbreak meets timing, memory and a man who knows exactly who he is. This story slid in smooth and left its mark. Kyla thought she had Valentine’s Day locked down. Comfort food. Music. Emotional insulation firmly in place. Love was not on the agenda. Then the power goes out and fate laughs because Tyson steps back into her space after fourteen years carrying confidence, command and a presence that doesn’t ask permission to be felt.

This wasn’t just friends to lovers. This was unfinished business knocking at the door with intention. Ty wasn’t rushing, but he also wasn’t letting Ky hide behind survival mode. He saw her. Held space. Babeeeee when the shift happened it felt earned. Natural. Dangerous in the best way. Can we get a handclap for good food, warm jacuzzi, wine and cognac, weed and zero inhibitions.

Listen… when a man says you can have whatever you want and you surprise even yourself with the answer 🫶🏾 That’s healing. That’s desire waking back up. That’s choosing pleasure without apology. The gold boots staying on took me out because the confidence in that moment was loud without ever being vague. I know he folded her like a pretzel.

This was sensual, warm, healing and grounded in emotional truth. Power didn’t come from force. It came from safety, choice, mutual want and between warm thighs. My first read from this author and absolutely not my last. This is how love shows up after heartbreak. Not frantic. Not desperate. Just steady, intentional and exactly on time 🐶
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Brandan WH.
685 reviews4 followers
February 7, 2026
Another winner

What’s a woman to do when she’s been betrayed by someone who was supposed to love her? In Kyla’s case, she opts to rebrand Valentine’s Day as a time to treat herself to her favorite things and ride out all of the emotions that come up. What she’s not expecting is to see a blast from the past on her front steps.
Tyson is back in California after years away playing basketball overseas. He’s dog sitting for his cousin and runs into her neighbor who was his childhood best friend. He hasn’t seen Kyla since he left for college in Georgia but thought of her often over the years. Kyla and her grandmother tried their best to keep him on a straight path and off the streets. They’re part of the reason he even got the scholarship he did.
When a blackout occurs on Valentine’s Day, Kyla and Tyson decide to hang out at Kyla’s house and catch up. There’s a lot of history to catch up on and there’s still the underlying attraction from all those years ago.
Now, if there’s one thing I know from reading the authors prior novella, she knows her way around a playlist and sexy sexy times. This book is no different. There’s nothing like 2 grown people knowing what they like, not being afraid to ask for what they want and having a partner that is all about giving pleasure.
This is a very quick read. So quick that you’ll likely finish and then restart out from the beginning right after 😏
Profile Image for She Reads What She Wants.
533 reviews26 followers
October 21, 2026
October has had me stepping into the catalogs of some new-to-me authors, and baby, I have been having myself a GOOD TIME! 😂 This little spicy number came courtesy of one of my Specs & Book Recs girlies, who was already hot and bothered over the cover alone. And after getting into the story, I can confirm that the cover wasn't the only thing bringing the HEAT!

Imagine planning yourself a nice, relaxing evening of self-care, minding your business, and enjoying your own company, only for somebody from your past to pop up and completely change the itinerary. 😂 That's exactly what happened here, and what started as an unexpected reunion turned into a night of reminiscing, good food, and some VERY good company. Baby, that self-care evening took on a whole new meaning! What I enjoyed was how naturally these two fell back into each other's space. There's something about reconnecting with someone who knew you before life started doing all that life be doing. They had a history, a friendship, and apparently some possibilities that their younger selves never got the chance to explore. But grown folks? Oh, they had both the time AND the opportunity to see what all that chemistry could turn into. And let's just say they weren't about to waste either one! This is a quick little read, so I'm not about to tell y'all everything and leave nothing for you to discover. But if you're looking for a friends-to-lovers romance with a little nostalgia, some grown-folks energy, and spice that's definitely SPICIN', go ahead and get into Power Play.

Miko Janel, you have officially been added to my list of authors to explore because this was a fun little introduction! 😂📚💜
Profile Image for Miah Davis.
59 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2026
Well what can I say…..this one was so good. I guess I have a thing for second chances right now. This was another good take on it. He was a young lost kid trying to find his way and she was the girl who always encouraged him. I loved how the characters were fully developed. It didn’t feel rushed but always maybe me want more at the same time.
While she was trying to find herself again after her breakup he swooped in and showed her that he was the man for her. Now the spice, chefs kiss so beautifully written and didn’t have you feeling like it was going on forever. I lived for the way he treated her. When I say lately these men I these books been showing out. I love it for the girls. This was sweet and spicy and the most delicious way possible. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Yall make sure yall check out this erotic novella to get you there for Valentines Day or after.
186 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2026
Ky and Ty 🥰

I loved this novella down 😘 even with it being a novella it still felt complete 👌🏾 Kyla fresh off a breakup from her 3yr relationship with Shawn, who had cheated and gotten the lady pregnant.. had planned on spending Valentine’s alone.. this was new since the breakup and she was trying to adjust to her new normal.. while attempting to spend alone time with herself the power went out in the neighborhood.. when she went outside to try and see what was going on, a dog licked her and then appeared a familiar face from her past.. Tyson had been a close friend thru high school and they were extremely close, but eventually lost touch after he went overseas to play ball.. now back in town and house/dog sitting for his cousin, he ran into his old friend and crush.. they talked and caught up and then ended up crossing the line and never played games about each other since.. I really enjoyed this read 🥰 and the spice 🌶️
Profile Image for DrPsychMama.
289 reviews
August 15, 2026
This was a great balance of spice and plot. A novella that left me full (though I wouldn’t turn down a second book lol). I loved that we got a backstory and could feel the emotional connection between them.

It’s a friends to lovers and almost second chance trope (no actual dating past, just emotional intimacy in adolescence).

Ty was an elite MMC. He realized that he couldn’t fumble his second chance with Ky and swooped in with a vengeance.

I’m not really a Greek fraternity/sorority kind of person, so that being a big theme in Ty as a MMC who is a Que didn’t do anything for me, but others may love that.

These two characters were some freaky lil frogs lol. That exhibitionism…
Profile Image for Aliya Ray.
81 reviews4 followers
February 4, 2026
Another Banger

Miko Janel did it AGAIN! 😩🔥 Power Play was an easy 5-star read for me!

She has this way of writing stories that make you instantly get attached and then you’re sitting there like… wait, it’s over already?! 😭 The characters were SO lovable, and even though it’s not a full novel, she still gives you enough background and personality to feel like you really know them.

Honestly, I wish this was a whole novel because I wasn’t ready to let these characters go. Miko really knows how to pull you in, have you invested, and leave you wanting more in the best way. 📖✨
Profile Image for Anthony Scott.
Author 4 books4 followers
February 6, 2026
I approve

Spoiler alert….As the Bruhs and a fellow erotic author, I receive this novella wholeheartedly. The sex scenes did their job for the ladies, I’m sure. But, if I’m honest, watching their actual relationship unfold (albeit 36-48 hours), it reminded me of my and my wife’s experience and how she helped me find the peace that was found in this book, including the d$&; measuring contest with a weak a$$ dude. The only negative…and this is for Miko…Ques do NOT stroll and we sure as hell do NOT shimmy…otherwise, I see you and respect your gangsta’.
80 reviews
November 1, 2026
Friends to Lovers

I LOOOOOOVE a good friends to lovers story! And the songs that they listened to during this Novelette was chef’s friggin kiss!

Usually I’ll be tapping the page to see how much of the book I have left because I don’t want it to end. Power Play had me so wrapped up in Tyson and Kyla that I didn’t want to know. I just wanted to stay wrapped up in them and all their nasty vanilla-ice-cream-whipped-cream-eating-glory 🤣

Miko, you’ve just gained a new reader. 100/10 I recommend
Profile Image for The Diva Den Reads .
156 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 3, 2026
**ARC Review ** 4.5 Rating

*Old Fling
*True Love
*Ice Cream Pleasure
*Loving Oneself

Miko did her big one with this sweet-to-the-point novella. I love how she brought Kyla to loving herself and showed that sometimes you don't need another person to make a well-deserved meal or have a simple glass of wine. As the story progresses, the connection that Kyla and Ty had with each other was just enough spice to really question how you truly eat a vanilla ice cream lol (that's all I am going to say). This was a love story that will keep you yearning for more of Kyla and Ty.
Profile Image for londonwhimsy.
68 reviews
February 4, 2026
No words wasted

A beautiful follow up to Dearly Beloved. Miko Janel maximized the words in this novella, and the spice packed a punch. Kyla was settling into Valentines as a single woman only to be surprised by Ty, a long lost friend who matured deliciously. I was not disappointed and the stories always leave me wanting more. Can’t wait to see what else Miko comes out with
Profile Image for Shamoya Reads.
462 reviews17 followers
March 6, 2026
This novella was everything, everyone said it was.
new-to-me author

Meet Kyla, this is her first Valentine's Day single since her breakup. All she wants to do is have a solo date with some good food, her weed, and her vibrator. When the power went out, plans changed, and she is left scrabbling to find batteries. An unexpected run in with her childhood friend, led to them catching up, and having some fun. I really enjoyed this even though it was short, and I will definitely recommend it if you are looking for a spicy novella with some depth.
Profile Image for Maya.
97 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2026
Wow, this was a straight to the point read that left me satisfied! Only 70 pages, but it packed a punch I wasn’t expecting. The spice was on point, and there was still enough plot to keep me flipping the pages.I couldn’t get enough of Ky Ky & Ty! This was such a good read, and I’ll definitely be exploring more of this author’s catalog.
Profile Image for Sistaharlem.
494 reviews8 followers
October 21, 2026
Nice One

Not just because I am a member of a D9 organization. This was a very sexy novelette. Really liked that they both had feelings from long ago & never really forgot about each other. They went on with their lives & then a blackout brought them together. It was on & popping after that.
84 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2026
This book was everything I didn’t know I needed!! Baby, Ty was a man’s man!!! Yasss!! The way he locked in on Kyla…he wasn’t playing NO games..He was attentive and showed her the type of man she deserved. And he was nasty nasty…I mean talk her through it!! I was a loving ever single bit! This was a short read, but I absolutely love her writing style. Will definitely check more of her catalog!!
Profile Image for Tara S. .
42 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2026
Ok, so we taking a nasty-fine ass blicky carrying Que dawg that somewhat spins the block with his childhood friend. Yep sign me up!
This book was the right amount of cuteness and spice. I fell in love with Kyla and Tyson from the start. I wouldn’t mind seeing more from them (wink, wink)!
Profile Image for Jerrica (Mrsmar10Reads) Martin .
1,863 reviews7 followers
February 27, 2026
Loved this!

Ty came back in Kyla's life just in time. A blackout brings them back within each others orbit after almost 20 years. He loved her before she realized it, and fate bought them together and wouldn't let them go. Good quick read. Happy Reading Y'all!💋
577 reviews
March 22, 2026
Tyson gave Kyla a Valentine’s Day to remember. Really liked how the two of them grew and had a solid friendship. The ride at Disney and the blackout escapades were very wild. Shawn got handled to the right way after he had the nerve to come back like everything was alright.
107 reviews
March 30, 2026
Yes, all I hear is Do it, Do it by Missy Elliott

The MMC came in and did it, over and over again. I loved this FMC she was secure in herself and had her own mind. He on the other hand pressed go and never let up. Disney as kids vs Disney as adults. I'll take the adult version
Profile Image for Bunny.
201 reviews
April 7, 2026
BARK LIKE YOU WANT IT. BARK LIKE YOU WANT ITTT! Ayyyee!

This was good, and HOT. I love how we got the whole backstory on these two. Them catching up really turned into something beautiful. And if yoi ever got the QUE DOG experience. I’m jealous. 🙄😂
Profile Image for Emoni.
64 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2026
Ty came at the RIGHT time for Kyla, 70 pages didn’t stop you from giving us a whole backstory/storyline… thank you for that lol 💞

Now why was they doing all that at Disney, had other couples following along 😂😂
Profile Image for Azriana.
167 reviews83 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 3, 2026
This was a cute, quick, spicy friends to lovers story. With it being so short, I was glad the spice didn’t overpower the plot.
I enjoyed Ky and Ty’s love story.
Profile Image for Letsbookaboutit222.
33 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2026
whewwww🥵😏

Good an nasty time!!! But this was a great friends to lovers. And we had a little messiness as well. Live it down!!!
20 reviews
February 9, 2026
😛😛😛

*church goer finger wave*

MISS Ma’am!!!

Top 10, Top 10, Top 10!

So many of my favorites in one book! 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↔️😈🤭

That book was so good!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews