Summer Johnson’s life is shattered when the brother she raised is accused of a crime she knows he didn’t commit. Frustrated with a criminal system that’s draining her savings, she’s desperate enough to pursue justice her way when she meets a cop she can’t ignore. Undeniable attraction draws them together. Can she trust her heart with an officer when her brother’s life is on the line?
Officer Messiah Evans left a lucrative career on Wall Street to patrol the streets of West Grove at night. An injury snatches him from gritty crime scenes to day shifts at a private school, where a prickly preschool teacher catches his eye. Pursuing Summer is a risk, but he can’t resist protecting her from danger, even if it threatens his career.
Kafi Wise is a contemporary romance author who writes female characters with soft lives who face hard decisions. These ladies will get their happily ever after and she loves writing their journey to it. She has a BA in English Literature and Journalism and her focus is blending engaging storytelling with themes of love.
A fast paced love story that was easy to read in 1 day. This author's writing leaves out the over descriptions contemporary romance often have and we are left with a perfect story full of mystery, insta love (well one sided insta love and 1 side of denial 🤣), family drama and a whole lot of character growth. I look forward to the next book with Savion.
(4.5⭐️) Kafi Wise is a NTMA, but she has definitely gained a fan. This book captivated me from the first page and kept me engaged all the way through.
I absolutely loved Summer and Messiah as a couple. On paper, nothing about them should have worked, but somehow they did. Summer was impulsive, hardheaded, and downright infuriating at times, but it never really bothered me because everything she did was driven by her fierce need to protect the people she loved. Messiah? A MANNN. He was the “I got you, I’m coming when you call, I see you at your core, you’re it for me” kind of man. His job was everything to him until he met someone who showed him there was more to life than the badge.
What I appreciated most was that the author didn’t shy away from Summer’s internal conflict about falling in love with a police officer. As a Black woman, I could understand her hesitation given the system he represents. I was glad they were eventually able to come to an understanding. Although, to be fair, Messiah wasn’t exactly giving her the option to walk away.
This story had so much heart, humor, suspense, and unexpected tenderness. While the relationship moved fast, it still felt fully developed. I never found myself wondering, “How did they fall in love?” We watched them fall in love on the page.
By the time I reached the final page, I was completely invested in this world and these characters. Needless to say, Savion’s book can’t get here fast enough.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s fast-paced and doesn’t waste anytime getting to the meat and potatoes of plot or the romance build up. I am a huge fan of Messiah’s overprotective self. He saw Summer and once she gave him the time of day, that was it. She was his. I love Summer even though she is as stubborn and frustrating as everyone in book claims her to be. I can’t fault her too much for it because she goes hard for those she loves and she was determined to prove her brother innocent. Thankfully the man of her dreams is very patient. I love that the author bought it the complex feelings that a lot of people have within the Black community about police. I appreciate the showcasing of duality of Messiah’s feelings about his profession and his lived experience. The banter between the MCs was chef’s kiss. I’m excited to read the next story in the series!
Love, Messiah — a love that had to fight to be believed
This was a good book. Not in a dramatic, life-altering way, but in a way that felt real. Like something that could actually happen. It read like a love story, but not an easy one.
Summer worked my nerves at times. I’m not even going to pretend otherwise. But at the same time, I understood her. When it comes to family, especially when everything feels like it’s stacked against you, logic doesn’t always lead. You do what you have to do; and for her, that meant clearing her brother’s name no matter what it cost her.
Messiah… he didn’t hesitate. He knew what he wanted, and he moved like it. There wasn’t a lot of back and forth with him, no guessing games. And what stood out the most is that his actions spoke before anything else did. He showed love before he said it.
What made their relationship feel real wasn’t just the connection, it was the tension. Summer’s focus on her brother sometimes made it feel like she was using Messiah, even if that wasn’t her intention. And that feeling? That imbalance? That uncertainty? That’s real. That’s what made it believable.
And then there’s the system.
The book didn’t try to sugarcoat it. The injustice, the influence, the way status and relationships can shift outcomes—it’s not fiction in the way we’d like to think it is. It felt familiar. Uncomfortably so. Especially knowing that Messiah and Savion’s father was the Chief of Police, and how that allowed certain things to slide. Whether we admit it or not, that’s how things work sometimes.
Summer’s hesitation with Messiah also hit deeper than just romance. It was about distrust. About what it means to be a Black man in a system that doesn’t always protect you, and what it means to love someone who represents that system. She assumed. And honestly, a lot of people do. Until they’re shown something different.
And in this story, Messiah became that difference.
One thing I can’t ignore though—the names. Messiah and Savion. It was touched on, just enough to make you lean in, just enough to make you curious. Summer even questioned if their father had a God complex. And when Messiah's father agreed to tell he the story of how their names came to frution there was an expection that something deeper was coming.
But it never did.
And I’m not going to lie—that bothered me. Not because it ruined the story, but because it felt like meaning was sitting right there… and we never got to hold it. I wanted to understand the weight behind those names. I wanted that layer.
At its core, this book is about a love that grew against the odds. Not just circumstances, but mindset. Bias. Fear. Assumptions.
It’s about what happens when what you believe about people gets challenged by who they actually are.
And sometimes, love doesn’t come easy. Sometimes it has to prove itself first.
I finished this book feeling completely satisfied, and that’s not something I say lightly.
What pulled me in first was the combination of romance and real-life stakes. A wrongful accusation, a sister fighting for her brother, and a love story layered on top of all that? I was intrigued, but I also had my reservations. Given the realities of the justice system, I wasn’t sure how this would balance with the romance.
But it worked. It really worked!
The FMC Summer, felt very real to me. She’s guarded, stubborn, and at times impulsive. She’d definitely the kind of character that will have you wanting to shake her a little. But that’s also what made her believable. Her love for her brother and her determination to clear his name added so much emotional weight to the story.
Now let’s talk about the MMC, Messiah… New book boyfriend unlocked!
Messiah is the kind of character that shows up, stands on business, and moves with intention. He’s hardworking, protective, emotionally present, and knows exactly what he wants. The way he showed up, not just for Summer, but for her brother as well, really spoke to his character. One moment that stood out to me was when he went to visit Quis on his own. No prompting, no obligation, just genuine care and compassion.
The chemistry between Summer and Messiah was on! Once Summer let her guard down, the connection took off and didn’t let up. It felt natural, believable, and gave real-life dynamics.
Quis’s storyline added a layer of tension that made this book both compelling and stressful in the best way. You could feel the pressure Summer was under, trying to navigate a system stacked against her while working with limited resources. And let’s not forget, Messiah was walking a very fine line too. He was trying to do things the right way while also wanting to show up for Summer and her brother. That was not an easy position to be in, and it added even more weight to the story.
Pacing was just right, and the story kept me engaged from start to finish.
If you enjoy romance with substance, something a little emotional, a little messy, and a little spicy—this is definitely one to pick up.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book had my attention from the very beginning. I wanted to know who Messiah was when he first met Summer and why she was so standoffish towards him. When we find out the situation with her brother Marquis and how she feels he was falsely arrested we can get a better understanding as to why she isn't so comfortable with police officers. That being said, I was happy that she listened to her friend Lela and asked him for help looking into her brother's case.
Messiah was smitten with Summer when he first laid eyes on her. There was something about her that he couldn't get out of his mind and I thought it was nice that even when she wasn't the nicest to him, he still helped her with situations that came up which she didn't ask for help with. When she finally looked at him for more than him being a police officer she couldn't deny he was attractive and he definitely let it be known how he was feeling.
Summer was battling her heart and her mind but once she decided to give into what she was feeling for Messiah, I liked how he played no games when it came to her. He wanted to protect her at all costs and do whatever he could to help her brother even if they weren't together. The storyline was very engaging as well because it had me trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, trying to figure out who actually committed the crime. Once we learn who actually committed the crime they still had to be caught and I liked watching how everything unfolded.
Overall I enjoyed this read, the romance, the suspense, the spice, I feel like it was all evenly matched and the epilogue was a nice touch too.
Wow. Kafi's pen game is continuously growing. I loved everything about this story and its premise. Summer, our FMC, is a preschool teacher at a private school and does hair on the side. All she has is her baby brother, who is a college sophomore. Summer's back is against the wall when her brother is arrested for shooting his friend. So much is this story about her fighting to prove his innocence and her making reckless decisions to do so and trying to resist love. Enter Messiah, our MMC. He's a cop ( whew, she hates those for obvious reasons), and his brother happens to be the one who arrested her brother (Yikes). This book def gives romantic suspense. We go a journey to learn what really happened. I loved seeing Messiah working to win her heart while not letting her push him away. I loved how Kafi captures the internal and external battle Summer has when it comes to dating a cop. As a black woman, many of the things she's said have resonated with me and given voice to things I've often thought about. Not a fan of Chloe or Trevor at all, and I get that she was a victim in this, but I still think Quis should have left her alone when all was said and done. I'm excited to see how the rest of this series goes. Sav is a piece of work, and I feel our good doctor will be humbling him.
June Johnson doesn’t have time for any distractions. She’s understandably under distress. Her beloved brother has fallen victim to accusations that just can’t be trusted. With her undying love, she’s willing to sacrifice her last to save him from his impending fate.
Messiah was forced to take it easy. This was not his idea, but when the frustratingly beautiful June graces his presence it doesn’t seem that bad after all. She’s not even interested. It’s far too much on her plate. Messiah’s position proves to be useful.
June is high strong, complicated and a little rude at times. She doesn’t make the perfect decisions every time and sometimes her reasoning is illogical. None of this takes away from the yearning she fosters within Messiah.
Messiah doesn’t pretend to be perfect. He is patient when the circumstances calls for stillness. He’s protective when June’s ego beckons her to test boundaries. He’s a sounding board even when she doesn’t want to listen.
They both work toward understanding each other in ways they never expected.
Thank you NetGalley, @Kafi Wise - Author , and the publisher for allowing me to ARC this book.
Whew! This one had me on a whole rollercoaster. The suspense alone kept me locked in. I was trying to figure out who was behind everything right along with them.
What I really loved is that even though this is a romance, the thriller/suspense element was just as strong. I loved connecting the dots in real time with the characters.
Now let’s talk about Summer… because she worked my nerves BAD 😭 She kept refusing to listen to Si, and I found myself screaming at her throughout the book lol But Si? So patient. So kind and loved how he continued to show up for her. That man was really her safe place through it all.
I also appreciated how the author touched on the justice system and how it remains unfair in today’s society. That added a deeper layer to the story and made it feel even more real.
Overall, this was a great mix of love, suspense, and real-life issues. This was my first read by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Love Messiah by Kafi Wise is a heartfelt and engaging romance that beautifully balances love, faith, and family loyalty. I was immediately invested in Summer’s determination to clear her brother’s name and admired her strength and resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges. The chemistry between Summer and Officer Messiah developed naturally as they navigated issues of trust, justice, and personal sacrifice. Messiah’s protective nature and unwavering support made him a standout character, while the emotional depth of the story kept me turning the pages. One of my favorite aspects of the novel was seeing a strong Black woman like Summer finally find a safe space to lay down her burdens and allow herself to be loved, supported, and cared for. Their relationship was a beautiful reminder that strength does not mean carrying every burden alone, and that trusting the right person can bring healing, hope, and love when it is needed most.
I've read Kafi Wise before — The Certified Series is wonderful — but Love, Messiah showed me a whole new side of her pen and I am here for it. Summer had me simultaneously cackling and yelling at her the entire read. She's stubborn, she's sharp, and she gets on your nerves in the most lovable way. Her situation, fighting for her brother while a broken system drains her, grounds the story in something real and emotional. Messiah, though? A man who left Wall Street to serve his community, who one day looked at Summer and quietly decided she was his and then just waited for her to catch up. The way he loved and protected her was everything. He is the standard. The banter is *chef's kiss* and the suspense had me side-eyeing every single character. I trusted nobody. The balance of romance, heat, and tension came together beautifully.
One of my favorite indie authors I discovered last year has returned with a lil’ romantic suspense and Kafi, I need you to write more of it!
Summer is a teacher at a prep academy when she meets Messiah, the cop who has been assigned to stand guard at the school. Their relationship starts off rocky as Summer has a mistrust of cops ever since the arrest of her younger brother, for a crime she is sure he couldn’t have committed. As they grow closer, Messiah does what he can to assist the investigation without overstepping and reveals a larger conspiracy at play. Love, Messiah explores the complexities that come with finding love in the most unusual of circumstances.
I ate this book up in less than 24 hours and when I wasn’t laughing at Summer and Messiah’s back and forth, my heart was aching for the circumstances that brought them together and threatened to tear them apart! This was a fast-paced, unputdownable read that had me craving more from the West Grove gang!
Kafi’s books are exactly what you should be reading if you are looking for women to be loved properly and thoroughly. I feel so honored to have been able to ARC read for her this past year and thank her so much for the opportunity to keep doing so!
This has been my third ARC read with Kafi Wise and as always, she manages to subvert expectations. When I heard the MMC Messiah was a cop I was hesitant. Prior to this I had only read one novel where the love interest was a cop but that was by accident. Considering my own feelings about law enforcement as a black woman (#defundthepolice) I did not feel comfortable reading novels that featured a cop as an MC. But instead of avoiding these feelings black people have towards law enforcement, Wise uses them as a way to drive the plot. It is made clear from the very beginning that the FMC June is barely above water. Working two jobs and trying to get her brother out of jail. Wise added so many twists that it was impossible for me to lose interest. I definitely recommend this book for anyone into romance with twists and turns. 4.5/5 stars
Summer takes matters into her own hands as she tries to help her falsely accused brother who’s locked up. Along the way, she crosses paths with Messiah, a police officer, which creates some tension and conflict.
Messiah had so much patience, and he really cared for Summer. Even with her attitude toward him in the beginning, he stayed persistent. He was thoughtful and consistently showed up for her in ways she didn’t even have to ask for. I just wish she had been more appreciative of that.
Honestly, I wasn’t feeling her stubbornness at times. For someone who’s a preschool teacher, she came off a bit immature in certain situations. I wanted to yell..."GIRL IF YOU DON'T LET THAT MAN HANDLE IT AND SIT DOWN SOMEWHERE!" 😅
Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC 🙏🏾
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Officer Messiah was the perfect MMC. He was willing to do whatever to protect Summer, and I loved that about him. Summer was feisty, but she was also super loyal and protective when it came to her brother. She was definitely battling that pull she had toward Messiah, but I completely understood her being ready to do whatever it took to clear her brother’s name.
I really liked the mystery side of the story too. I had my little theories about who was behind everything, but the outcome still caught me a little off guard.
This story blends loyalty, romance, and suspense so well. It just shows how love can pop up even in the middle of straight chaos.
I really enjoyed this one! Love Messiah pulled me in with its mix of suspense, thriller elements, and romance. The story kept me hooked, and there were definitely moments that had me on edge.
Summer was an interesting character—there were times I felt frustrated with her, but that honestly made her feel more real. I liked that the characters weren’t perfect and had flaws that added to the emotional depth.
Overall, this was a relatable and engaging read, and I’d definitely check out more from this author.
While this is not the best book, I have read from the author so far, I enjoyed the book in a different kind of way. I liked that it was fast paced and still had me settling into the book , not so dramatic and it drew attention to the system where the rich would always be the rich having tendencies to oppress people beneath them. I liked the way Messiah went all out for Summer, he saw her, liked her and tried to show her in the best way possible. It was a good read.
This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me! I laughed, felt nervous, and experienced all the emotions. This was my first book by Kafia Wise, but I’ll definitely be back. The story felt like a movie—with swoon-worthy moments, suspense, and plenty of laughs. Summer and Messiah are truly relatable characters. It was an easy read, and I can’t wait to dive into more of her books 😉
I enjoyed it ! Definitely was annoyed with Summer and her antics but honestly she gets a pass because of the circumstances 😭😩. Alsooo spice was a cool 3/5 for me ? Idk it just didn’t get me hot and bothered which is totally fine . I still enjoyed the book . Sav is def a favorite character for me . He’s funny
Summer and Messiah started off trying to tip toe around their obvious attraction, but in the end love won! It was sad what that no good Rich aka Goose tried to do to Marquis, but in the end he found out don't mess with that Johnson girl! Messiah's ex was also a trip! Loved this and look forward to Savion's story!
I love love this story so much. Messiah is so patient, so kind, and just amazing. Summer was unhinged, and Messiah was perfect for her. Because I was losing patience with my girl. I hope Savion gets his own story soon. I'm hopeful for him, and the doctor.
There was so much tension between the two main characters (of course I love me some good tension). But by the book's end, I really enjoyed how those walls, specifically Summer's, were broken down. I still believe that we should all have our happily ever afters and I'm glad this book delivered in that sense... of course with some bumps and bruises along the way. There was also something about Si being a Black male cop in a system designed to work against Black men and families that really had me peeking up because that isn't always the case. I enjoyed his brother Savion as well. I do hope his book is next. Thanks to NetGalley for the gifted copy.