Xai Watts will do anything for his brother, anything. He’s been raising him since he was fourteen. The streets provided the means until Xai left them behind and opened his own business.
Years have passed, but things haven’t changed. Because of love and guilt, Xai is still protecting and helping his brother. But after one fateful, late night, anything feels like a debt too steep to pay.
Adora Mitchell will do anything for her daughters. She’s raising them while their father is away doing time. She’s been managing and doing okay but when her foundation is taken away, things change at an alarming, heart-pounding rate.
As usual, she navigating and managing while doing her best to shield her daughters from any heartache. It’s just her and her girls against the world... until a handsome new patient walks into her dental office.
Words spoken while under sedation spark an interest. The interest blossoms into love and everything seems perfect until it isn’t. Doing anything for his brother just might cost Xai everything: his future, his heart, and the fragile peace he found with Adora.
Charity Shane’ is a USA Today Best-selling author. She holds a Bachelor degree and a Juris Doctor degree. She’s an Author, Higher Education Leader, Legal Expert., and Creative.
Writing stories that create feelings through her words is her true passion. To date, she has published many books, traditional and indie, including a USA Today Best Seller and a number of Amazon best sellers. She has been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Woman’s World Magazine for her traditionally published book, A Novel Christmas.
Her soul sings Black romance and Black Women’s fiction.
‘When I get into my completely detailed car and start the engine, I smile when I see that my fuel level says full and my oil level shows ninety-eight percent. It’s the little things like this that make me appreciate the man I have.’ That’s a good man Savannah. A good man! 🥰
Adora is still reeling from the recent death of her mama but, she doesn’t have time to wallow in her grief because she has two precious little girls who need her. So, onward and upward. But, even if she wanted to, that trash azz baby daddy of hers and his equally trash azz family members keep harassing her and won’t give her a moments peace. Xai left the streets years ago so, he and his brother could have a better life. And, he’s done exactly that. He opened Clean Ridez and it’s been up ever since. But, Kaden’s ungrateful and entitled azz keeps Xai stressed TF out. This dude is the poster child for bad decisions and, when he can’t get his way, he guilt trips Xai because he knows he can. Please know, 3% into the book I did not like Kaden and 90% later I still didn’t like his azz. 😒😒😒😒 I’m not gon’ hold y’all with a long review. I really enjoyed Collateral Heart and I absolutely loved me some Xai. A hood ninja with a heart does it for me every time.
Adora is trying to deal with the loss of her mom and raise her two girls despite the fact that she has a trifling baby daddy who doesn't help. Xai is trying to keep his wayward baby brother out of trouble while balancing guilt for his mom's death. They both meet in an unconventional way, not knowing there's a secret that binds them.
Xai and Adora's was really cute; he stepped in and really took care of her and the girls. I felt so bad for Xai, though, because he was in a really tough spot, and I understood his reluctance to tell Adora the truth. Who wants to break their spouse's heart like that? I was so glad when they worked it out because they were a cute little family and needed to stick together.
You all, this author took me down a dark road, and with no warning she left me and my girl to find ourselves out of the mess. Stay with me for a minute. Adora loss her beloved mother and her grief was overwhelming. Then she met Xai, and they fell in love. That's when the author chose to allow readers to experience her grief, and guide us through her trials about love and redemption. The backstory includes Xai's grief stricken and troubled younger brother who will play a roll in the storyline. Needless to say, but I will, the little girls in the story swelled my heart. Also, Adora had to endure the verbal and mental abuse from the girls father. Oops, I meant to say sperm donor. And his family members were steriodlike kooky. In the end, the author wrapped the angst nicely, and delivered a beautiful ending to this story. Yes, I highly recommend this beautiful story.
I swear Charity never misses. Like ever!!! When I started reading, I could already tell somewhat where the book was going but I was determined to see how this played out!! She had me bawling by page 37 smh. Even though Xai was holding a secret, I understood. Would I have been able to forgive him?? I’m not sure. I don’t think I’ve reached that level of maturity yet (I’m 47 btw - don’t judge me). Kadean worked my very last nerve. His entitlement reminded me of one of my children 🙄 It be your own kids man 🤦🏾♀️ Rushmore & his family - TRASH!! I wish the cousins would’ve gotten more time!! And then them precious girls gave me baby fever……….well toddler fever!!! Another 5⭐️ read 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
This is one of my favorites by Charity . The story was easy to read and the writing felt effortless. I was quickly immersed into the story and this made for a cozy read that I did not want to put down. Xai and Adora’s love story had a lot of my favorite tropes : insta love , step daddy and found family. I thought Xai was an ideal MMC because he was genuinely a good person and he really was what Adora needed after being with her trifling baby dad and the loss of her mom. I felt for both of them dealing with guilt and grief which added depth to their relationship. Xai’s relationship with his brother had me stressed. Xai had the responsibility of raising himself along with raising his ungrateful and entitled brother. I would reread this story again making it a 5 star for me.
I loved Xia and Adora. This is definitely going up there as one of my top reads from Charity Shane. I really enjoyed getting to know Xia and his brother and seeing how they came up. Learning about Adora, her mom, and how things started with her baby's father and her little girls was really good too. The pacing worked for me, and I loved watching Xia and Adora slowly get to know each other and really show up for one another.
I really enjoyed this story. The I found myself smiling at the relationship between Xai and the girls. Glad lil bro finally grew up, would love to see more on him.
“Even when unintentional, pain still hurts. It’s even more painful when the collateral damage is your heart.”
Imagine meeting the perfect man 6 weeks after one of the worst tragedies of your life. Only to fall in love and find out he has his own secrets related to your tragedy.
We meet Xai (MMC) first and learn a huge secret that is kept later on in the book. We meet Adora (FMC) 6 and a half weeks after a life changing tragedy has happened. She is adjusting back to her life and trying to do the best she can for her 2 daughters, while Xai is doing everything he can to continue on with his life. They met by chance of a random toothache, but their found attraction does not go unnoticed by the other. They connect after Xai is no longer a patient and he is persistent in his pursuit (as he should 🤭), but what’s the saying “everything done in the dark must come to the light.” When secrets unfold and the truth is revealed Adora has to make the ultimate decision of does she still love Xai.
Collateral Hearts gave me every single emotion and I loved every single page. Both the MMC & FMC showed me exactly how sick they were without the other. I understood exactly why Xai kept the secret from Adora and it wasn’t just to not hurt her, but it reveals so many other issues on his end.
Stayed up until 2 A.M. to finish this bad boy and it was absolutely worth it!
When does enough become enough with stupid, irresponsible family members? Kadean's underlying hatred, towards his brother, Xai, kept him doing illegal acts so that Xai would continue to "rescue" him.
I was so happy when Xai finally had enough, and shut off enabling Kadean to continue his disruptive behavior.
Absolutely loved Adora and her daily struggle, to work through her grief and raise her sweetie pie daughters! What an incredible story!!! Goes on the Read Again Pile!
“When I get into my completely detailed car and start the engine, I smile when I see that my fuel level says full and my oil level shows ninety-eight percent. It’s the little things like this that make me appreciate the man I have.”
LISTEN!!!!! For all the lover girls who have a good husband at home! This book if for yall! Just a straight love story about an intentional man and nontoxic dating! I was in love with Xai’s character from the moment he paid for her hotel. Because sir NOTHING is free! Haha! Omgggg just go read it NOW! It’s the perfect book for February!
It was an emotional book. I love it. Xai and Adora have an update and down journey. I love how Xai fought for his woman. He protects the girls. He showed them what it felt like to be loved by a real man. Adorable mom death was sad, but I am glad she forgave Xai. In life, you have to learn, grow love, and explore your future. I am glad they got to do this.
The way I thi k Xai has become my new favorite. He was soft love amplified. That brother drove me crazy but Xai did everything he could. Loved our two nieces as well. This story is soft and everything you want in a couple.
I enjoyed this story. I will say, A MC pursuing another while having a secret that pertains to/affects them always gives me the ick in books. It’s not a trope I like and will generally DNF over it. BUT this story sucked me in from the beginning making it hard to put down. I really liked Adora & the initial encounters that she and Xai had. So I decided to see it though to find out how they’d navigate once the secret was exposed. It was worth it because otherwise I would have missed out on getting to know this super cute couple. I loved how intentionally he moved when it came to Adora & her daughters & fitting into their lives. And I loved that she also poured into him when he needed her as well.
Xai carried a lot of burdens that weren’t his to carry, and even though it took him way too long to recognize that, I was glad when it happened and I think everyone is in a better place for it. The 3rd act breakup was foreseeable, and honestly realistic in how it was handled. I was able to see both sides. One party feeling betrayed, while the other party was moving because of fear. But I loved them together so much though I wasn’t even mad that they got back together so easily🤣
I’m not even going to go too hard on Kadean. His prefrontal cortex wasn’t finished growing & unresolved trauma can make anyone move stupidly.
Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a sweet love story that was also heartfelt and emotional.
Collateral Heart was so good! The story had a nice, steady pace with strong emotions and real character depth. I do wish Xai had been harder on Kadean sooner instead of always helping him and letting him feel entitled because of what happened to their mom—especially when Xai was the one who sacrificed everything to give him a good childhood while their mother did nothing. Kadean blaming Xai for that was honestly pathetic, but I loved when Xai finally put his foot down and gave him the tough love he needed to grow up.
The relationship between Xai and Adora was strong and natural from the very beginning. I knew the truth about her mother was going to come out, and while I wish Xai had told her himself instead of her finding out like a secret, it ultimately made them stronger. I loved seeing them continue to build their family with their twins and their two girls, and it was so satisfying that everything worked out well in the end. 💛
**ARC Review** xai & adora were so cute together. xai was fresh off anesthesia, but knew that he had to talk to adora. Xai was so intentional and thoughtful and thats exactly what adora needed after dealing with a man like rush for years smh. I really liked how he connected with her daughters. Adora was such a mom and i enjoyed getting those tidbits of her with the girls. I kept cussing out Xai brother throughout the story and wanted to slap him a time or two lol. Overall, i really enjoyed this story. If youve read charity books before this book is sure to give you all the feels like her others. Dont wait to read it, read it today lol.
Xai and Adora were so good and sweet together. I like the fact that he listened and was very attentive to Adora, Romi, and Averi. I like how Xai had a message delivered to Rush because he deserved every lick and break that he received. I also like the fact that Kadean got out and got himself together because it was beyond time for him to man up especially when Xai stopped enabling him. I love that Xai and Adora are having not one but two babies. Charity, we really need another book, maybe a novella, from them for Valentine’s Day like a wedding edition. Thanks in advance❤️🤣🤣
Adora is one of those FMC that you love from the first page. She’s an endearing character and you wish nothing but joy and happiness for her. Especially seeing her grieve and being a single mother of 2.
Xai had to grow up quickly to raise his younger sibling and he has so much guilt. When he sees Adora, it’s love at first sight. But nothing worth having is easy. I kept thinking come one Xai tell Adora the truth. Don’t let her find out on her own. I was so anxious but it was worth it. Their ending was beautiful
This was a great read. The MMC and FMC matched the vibe. I hated that it took almost until the end of the book for Xai to tell his brother he had to sit in his shit. I was for sure that would have happened after the accident. Like how selfish can you be? Then to half ass show up for work. Nah. I loved their story of meeting and her really letting go of her ex and submitting to whatever he and his family put out there. They had a connection and I loved every second of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Xai had to grow up fast and learn how to take care of his younger brother. He had to finally learn how to tough love him because over protecting him cause him to be entitled and ungrateful.
Adora who is recovering from the lost of her mother, finds love in xai but the secret his is keeping involving her mother threatens to destroy the relationship they are building.
This was a great read. Xai and Adora were such a cute couple. Their chemistry was evident. Even with all that was looming in the background, their adoration for one another shined bright. I loved how Xai stepped in fully with Adora and the girls. She needed that. I hate it took him forever to share his secret, but it needed to be said. Kadean was a whole crash out. He needed what happened to grow up. Rush and his dusty cousins got what they got!
Charity, you never disappoint. I love every book that I have read.
Xai and Adora were meant to be. Like he said, he knew she was the one the first night together. Adora had trust issues because of her trifling baby daddy. It was hard for to believe that a man could love and cherish her the way Xai did.
Xai never faltered. He put his foot on the gas never breaking. Also, I am happy that he and his brother were able to make up and become friends again.
I enjoyed this one for real. I always love an adventure to Crescent Falls and Adora and Xai made it very memorable. Xai is very intentional about everything Adora and the girls. He's completely opposite of her daughters dad, and that in itself is better than she was getting. Yeah, knowing she was the voice on the line of a phone he shouldn't possess is a little "grey," but he didn't set out to find the voice it was fated. I hope you enjoy this one, Happy Reading Y'all!💋
The perfect slow burn! Xai the MMC was a bold, gentle giant, that was a protector and nurturer. Adora the FMC was loving, gentle, and caring. The storyline is so good their paths cross in a time where they both could use someone to fill the void of love in their lives. With time and smooth conversations everything happens so fast yet perfectly. Secrets are unveiled and they decide if their hearts are strong enough to take them. 10/10
This was such a great and an easy read. I enjoyed reading their relationship grow and blossom. And i feel like they healed each other. I really thought she would take the news better considering the circumstances and how she took the news about his mom but i understood how it looked. I already had very little sympathy for Kadean but after learning what actually happened with their mom, I really had none. This little family is definitely one of favorites.
Awwww…touched for numerous reasons by C/H’s👀🤔🥹👏🏿👏🏾👏🏽💐‼️“Collateral Heart” ❤️ was a beautiful journey through the chambers of a Watts & Mitchell serendipitous romance. However, both Rush (🫣🤭”touched” once your extremities heal🤷🏾♀️) & Kadean (needed to be “touched” 😡) represented the catheter procedure you need but the surgery you insisted to prolong🤦🏾♀️🤭. Nevertheless, love & family prevails 🥰‼️
The premise was great; a grieving single mom meets business man who is still trying to raise his adult baby brother. I really enjoyed Xai and Adora but it started to drag towards the end, 300 pages was a little too much for me. If you’re looking for a palette cleanser this is a good choice.