What do you think?
Concrete & Cadence: Welcome to Stonebridge, Book 1
Cadence Samuels has always believed in numbers, formulas, and solid foundations; after all, she's a Geotechnical Engineer who builds dams, not dreams.
After too many dating disasters and lukewarm talking phases, she's officially done gambling with her heart. She's a pretty, nerdy, plus-sized woman who adores what she sees in the mirror, even if she's convinced love isn't in her calculations.
Enter Khalil "Concrete" Reed, the millionaire, playboy, and an award-winning rapper whose charisma and charm are as legendary as his chart-topping hits. He's vowed never to face hardship again after losing his mother tragically young, and now he has it money, fame, and an endless line of admirers. But when Cadence's best friend Nova drags her to Atlanta for Concrete's concert, the superstar is instantly captivated by the smart, sassy beauty in a vintage OutKast tee who's as quick with her wit as she is with her curves.
Concrete is determined to build something real with Cadence, but she's convinced their worlds are too far apart—a romance between them could only end in a catastrophic collision. Will Concrete's relentless pursuit and undeniable charm break down the carefully constructed dam around Cadence's heart, or will she calculate that love with him is just too great a risk?
A hilarious, heartfelt romantic comedy about love, vulnerability, and finding out that sometimes the best things in life aren't calculated, they just happen.
After too many dating disasters and lukewarm talking phases, she's officially done gambling with her heart. She's a pretty, nerdy, plus-sized woman who adores what she sees in the mirror, even if she's convinced love isn't in her calculations.
Enter Khalil "Concrete" Reed, the millionaire, playboy, and an award-winning rapper whose charisma and charm are as legendary as his chart-topping hits. He's vowed never to face hardship again after losing his mother tragically young, and now he has it money, fame, and an endless line of admirers. But when Cadence's best friend Nova drags her to Atlanta for Concrete's concert, the superstar is instantly captivated by the smart, sassy beauty in a vintage OutKast tee who's as quick with her wit as she is with her curves.
Concrete is determined to build something real with Cadence, but she's convinced their worlds are too far apart—a romance between them could only end in a catastrophic collision. Will Concrete's relentless pursuit and undeniable charm break down the carefully constructed dam around Cadence's heart, or will she calculate that love with him is just too great a risk?
A hilarious, heartfelt romantic comedy about love, vulnerability, and finding out that sometimes the best things in life aren't calculated, they just happen.
Audible Audio
Published May 19, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 22, 2026
3.5 - Listened on hoopla. Gillian Reynolds and Lawrence Baldwin did a good job.
I do love this couple together. The way KC came in hot letting Cadence know he likes what he sees and wants her time and time again. Him reassuring her every time was beautiful and her comforting/listening to him was sweet. Other things i enjoyed was their careers, spice, positive vibes from social media, her best friend and his family.
However, I wish I could read a book about a plus size fmc without someone in the family, friend, or whatever bringing up their weight. Now we have a sad/disappointed fmc instead of them being confident. Also wish there was more development of their relationship shown because we got more sex than anything. Yes that is a plus and the book had a great setup with good characters. Seeing more of her being an engineer and him in the studio would have been awesome.
The ending was good with how both MCs handled their parents. The banter and tension with the other characters has me excited for book 2.
Favs:
-Cadence telling ol girl off was EVERYTHING!!!
-Cadence talking with his mom in her dreams.
-The bathroom scene.
-The grave scene.
I do love this couple together. The way KC came in hot letting Cadence know he likes what he sees and wants her time and time again. Him reassuring her every time was beautiful and her comforting/listening to him was sweet. Other things i enjoyed was their careers, spice, positive vibes from social media, her best friend and his family.
However, I wish I could read a book about a plus size fmc without someone in the family, friend, or whatever bringing up their weight. Now we have a sad/disappointed fmc instead of them being confident. Also wish there was more development of their relationship shown because we got more sex than anything. Yes that is a plus and the book had a great setup with good characters. Seeing more of her being an engineer and him in the studio would have been awesome.
The ending was good with how both MCs handled their parents. The banter and tension with the other characters has me excited for book 2.
Favs:
-Cadence telling ol girl off was EVERYTHING!!!
-Cadence talking with his mom in her dreams.
-The bathroom scene.
-The grave scene.
June 10, 2026
I loved everything about this book! Cadence is this passionate nerdy slightly goofy engineer who's never been loved properly by her parents or by a man. Concrete is a famous rapper who crosses paths with Cadence backstage after one of his shows. Immediately he's enraptured with her. He almost fumbled her but had enough sense to get it together. This story is about the growth of two people's love for one another and shows that everyone's story doesn't have to be filled with drama and toxicity.
July 28, 2026
KC & Cadence are forever stamped in my heart. 🫶🏾❤️ Every now and then I read a book that is just green flags all around and has me giddy. And this is one of those. I wanna have KC shipped to my house via prime. 😩🥰And Cadence has instantly moved to my top FMC list. I love everything about her.
KC knew right away that Cadence was the one for him, and while it took her some time to believe it — he never wavered. He stood 10 toes down on his feelings for her. Showing her every step of the way. He was a true man of his word and I loved that!
While Cadence’s family is BIG TRASH 😡, she is an incredibly accomplished professional in her field, and even uses her spare time to pour into the youth in her community. She’s just a beautiful person inside and out.
This is a book I will return to over and over again. A new comfort read has entered the villa!🫶🏾
KC knew right away that Cadence was the one for him, and while it took her some time to believe it — he never wavered. He stood 10 toes down on his feelings for her. Showing her every step of the way. He was a true man of his word and I loved that!
While Cadence’s family is BIG TRASH 😡, she is an incredibly accomplished professional in her field, and even uses her spare time to pour into the youth in her community. She’s just a beautiful person inside and out.
This is a book I will return to over and over again. A new comfort read has entered the villa!🫶🏾
September 6, 2026
4/5 ⭐️'s
This was a cute read and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the Cadence and Concrete...I listened to this on 🎧📖 of course via Libby and it was totally worth the time...I am actually debating whether I am actually going to spend my next credit on it because this is one of those books that I might want to pick up again!
If you were on the fence....Go ahead and 💳 Spend that credit!
I loved how realistic Concrete and Cadence felt. Concrete was what I would consider a REAL manly man. This book had some spice in it, but wasn't too spicy.
C.M. Barnes you you did THAT...I am looking forward to reading about the friends mentioned in this book in the future (near future hopefully 😝).
This was a cute read and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the Cadence and Concrete...I listened to this on 🎧📖 of course via Libby and it was totally worth the time...I am actually debating whether I am actually going to spend my next credit on it because this is one of those books that I might want to pick up again!
If you were on the fence....Go ahead and 💳 Spend that credit!
I loved how realistic Concrete and Cadence felt. Concrete was what I would consider a REAL manly man. This book had some spice in it, but wasn't too spicy.
C.M. Barnes you you did THAT...I am looking forward to reading about the friends mentioned in this book in the future (near future hopefully 😝).
August 13, 2026
This was kind of an opposites attract romance because Concrete was a famous rapper who was heavily in the limelight and Cadence was a geotechnical engineer who wasn't flashy and definitely not famous but they worked well together.
Cadence met Concrete backstage at a concert thanks to her friend Nova and when they first met it was like an instant connection. Situations occurred but Cadence felt it was too much too soon and tried to dip; however, Concrete wasn't having that. He made sure to see her again and when he did he let it be known that he was definitely interested in more and she better not run. However, his actions didn't always live up to his words but once he got it together and showed what he meant the two of them were inseparable. I liked how he didn't let the naysayers put a damper on what they were building together. I also like the way that he not only poured into her and loved on her but also how he supported her in her job and put his money towards something good. I was happy that she opened herself up to being loved because it was beautiful to see. This was a feel good read with minimal drama and I enjoyed it.
Cadence met Concrete backstage at a concert thanks to her friend Nova and when they first met it was like an instant connection. Situations occurred but Cadence felt it was too much too soon and tried to dip; however, Concrete wasn't having that. He made sure to see her again and when he did he let it be known that he was definitely interested in more and she better not run. However, his actions didn't always live up to his words but once he got it together and showed what he meant the two of them were inseparable. I liked how he didn't let the naysayers put a damper on what they were building together. I also like the way that he not only poured into her and loved on her but also how he supported her in her job and put his money towards something good. I was happy that she opened herself up to being loved because it was beautiful to see. This was a feel good read with minimal drama and I enjoyed it.
May 21, 2026
WOW. I really enjoyed the romance between Concrete and Cadence in this authentic love story. They were truly meant to be together.
Their relationship exemplifies the premise that love does not always have to be khaotic; it can be peaceful.
Their relationship exemplifies the premise that love does not always have to be khaotic; it can be peaceful.
June 26, 2026
So why’d they almost completely drop the part of the plot where she’s an engineer midway through?
July 8, 2026
This was a sweet romantic book and I loved it. I wish Lane and Nova stories existed because a time will be had! These characters were well developed and im excited to continue this series.
September 17, 2026
This book was really good. I didn't know what I was getting into it. But I enjoyed the read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews