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Protecting Her Halo

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199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

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Lakia

74 books307 followers

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5 stars
317 (59%)
4 stars
153 (28%)
3 stars
57 (10%)
2 stars
6 (1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Sharron.
89 reviews
March 12, 2026
Elise girl, STAND UP!!!!! Lawd have mercy Rashawn had the patience of a saint deal with her and her parents. Two decades of foolishness I can not 🙃
40 reviews
March 24, 2026
Elise got on my last nerve and even after finding out about how trash her parents were she kept in touch?? At 35?? Even casting out your siblings and ruining your relationship....I needed more understanding on her thought process. I feel like the men were too forgiving, including Essex. Your twin left you for dead and has been going behind your back for years. I needed that addressed! Rashawn deserved better...IJS.
Profile Image for Melise.
544 reviews69 followers
March 12, 2026
Love Lakia down but didn’t like this one, she warns of the fast pace but we spend time in the past and at wrestling matches, when Elise needed to grovel more or spend more time seeking forgiveness from her man forreal or figuring out why the words of her parents were so important. Like sorry you lose me when you see how they mistreat ya sibling and essentially call you a liar even before you’ve done anything. 2.5 stars
Profile Image for Cardi Blue.
566 reviews12 followers
March 13, 2026
Elise whattttt

Oh so Raeshawn is nothing like I thought but Elise girl stand up. Oh my gosh. Those parents are worse than I thought. Sheesh. The secrets
Profile Image for Tisha.
1,309 reviews
March 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Not only am I happy we got a follow up to the Softest Love, but release of this novella was soon so I could easily recall book 1.

Rashawn and Elise’s story was much more than I expected in the best way. I love the overall plot, I do wish some of the details and timelines would be ironed out more in editing. Because there were some inconsistencies and errors that took this from 4 to 3 stars.

Also the secret of that magnitude being revealed after 80% of the story made the repair too quick. Considering all the factors of this could, Rashawn deserved more groveling from Elise. That was really messed up and he was right she was always perceived as the innocent one. Plus I didn’t like how they repaired, she tells him and now all is right. Nope. Didn’t like that.

Apart of me felt like he deserved better, but I think with more pages and the ability to see them heal from all the mess her family instilled in her would’ve helped.

Nice read.

I love Nash! The kids were adorable. But Nash and Rashawn bantering was my fav.
Profile Image for EricaLenise.
370 reviews29 followers
April 22, 2026
Elise… girl 😩

I wanted to be in your corner so bad, but that back and forth with Raeshawn? Whew. It got exhausting. And let me tell you… that man’s patience needs to be studied because ain’t no way 😭

The story spent a lot of time on Elise going back and forth in her head, and I kept wishing we got more of the actual relationship development instead. I wanted to feel them fall, not just sit in the confusion with her.

Overall it was an okay read for me. I just needed more from the love story.
Profile Image for Tamekia .
448 reviews17 followers
March 20, 2026
Sooo Good

Elise and Rashawn story was one I didn’t know I needed! It was soooo good! I loved it!! I love a good HEA
Profile Image for 'The Book Queen'.
6,181 reviews129 followers
March 28, 2026
This one took a minute for me to finish with the story. It was okay. 3.25 stars.
Profile Image for Q. Moore.
993 reviews41 followers
March 26, 2026
Healed and whole....

Ms. Lakia, this two book series was straight up fire. It was sad that Elise and Rashawn did not become official until years down the road. However, I understood Elise plight with her parents. It amazes me when you find out the true colors of people. Her and Essex parents were supposed to have been the pillar of the community; roles models. Instead, they were living more worldly than the "sinners." Elise had to endure their verbal abuse until it practically traumatized her. She lived under their thumb longer than she should have. Rashawn was a real one because he was there through it all. When he fell for Elise, he toppled over and knocked a special place in his heart for her. It took a few speed bumps, but they got their happily ever after. My only wish was that they had more than one child. I was hoping they were going to do like Essex and Nariyah.

Ladies and gents, this is an intriguing series. The twins Essex and Elise went through more in their youth than some people endured their whole life. I was ecstatic when they built a family that loved out loud and unconditionally. Nash was still thriving and enjoying the family his mother built with Essex. They were finally enjoying life and raising their babies. Therefore, everyone grab your copies today, start with Essex and Nariyah's book - "The Sofest Love Came from A Thug." And then venture over her to Elise and Rashawn.
Profile Image for BookTalesTink .
171 reviews
March 12, 2026
A good follow up

You ever heard the line “you raise your daughters and love your sons”. Daughters are raised to be responsible, disciplined, and high-achieving, while sons are given more grace and emotional protection.
I’m not going to lie, I was definitely side-eyeing Elise with the way she was trying to play Rashawn. But one thing I respected about Rashawn is that he never tried to change her or pressure her into anything. He met her where she was and moved at whatever pace she was comfortable with, and I loved that for him.
Now Elise and Essex’s mom and dad… whew. They are exactly why people say they don’t want anything to do with church folks. That church mess be MESSY, and they were the definition of it.
Faith was a surprise for me. I honestly didn’t see that coming, and I would’ve loved to get a few POV chapters from her just to understand her perspective a little more.
But my highlight? Nash. Baby, Nash had me cracking up. He was a handful when he was younger, but grown-up, college-bound Nash is still a whole mess in the best way.
This book was very layered. As someone who grew up in church, it really resonated with me because you’re often held to such a high standard. The moment you show that you’re human and make mistakes, people are quick to crucify you.
61 reviews
March 22, 2026
This would’ve been a 5 star read but I am tireddddddd of reading about 25+ year olds still being bullied by their parents. Like babe stand upppppp ain’t your 30 come on.

I was nervy about reading this book because I can’t do the church girls storyline… only cause 90% of it they’re the most judgmental characters to read about and they’re too innocent for me and I cannot cannot cannnnnnnot do that. But I’m happy to say Elise wasn’t that. She was a church girl but she got downnnnn and I was like period sista.

Although I loved their relationship Rashawn was better than me… she was putting him through the wringer and at home point I was like baby just move on. And when the secret came out I was like oh chile this is just ghetto. The way they settled it had me laughing tho. Like it was cute and I was like okayyyy ig.

She should’ve beeeeen dropped her parents. Not only cause they’re evil but for what they did to her Essex. If my parents ever did anything like that to my siblings oh baby that’s a wrap idc. Idc if they were the most perfect parent to me that’s over with. That was bottom of the barrel evil.

This was a solid 3.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Phaze.
365 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2026
Rashawn and Elise

Ashawn and Elise have been around each other since elementary school. He is her twin brother's best friend.

Rashawn had a crush on her, but he thought it was one-sided. It changes after they graduate high school, and she went off to college.

Elise has had to deal with the pressure of being the perfect daughter of a pastor. She is only to get breathing room after she goes away for college.

During this time, they had a secret relationship that she pulled away from after her parents found out. They try again, but sibling obligation cause her make decides that cause her to pull away again.

Eight years later and she informs him of the criteria for them to be a couple. He go's along with it until a secret is revealed, which has him second-guessing their relationship.

In all of this their is a family secret the pastor is keeping while he preaches damnation to his children. I know that is a book, but her parents are ridiculous.

Funny Moments

When she jumps on his back in a wrestling move.

Her falling down in the mess they made when her parents entered her home uninvited.
Profile Image for Miss Read A lot.
891 reviews3 followers
March 14, 2026
First let me say, I love Lakia’s writing, but I just couldn’t finish this one. I really tried, but I ended up stopping at 34%.

The main issue for me was Elise. She’s thirty five years old, and I just couldn’t get past how much control her parents still had over her decisions, especially when it came to Rashawn. After two decades of that kind of situation, I just felt like he deserved better. Why is she 35 sneaking around with a man? She’s a whole high school teacher. Ma’am you are on the same mental as your students. Then the Faith situation and her allowing them to make her upset. Like my goodness.

The whole time I kept thinking I must have read her age wrong because her behavior felt more like someone who was 18, not 35. I kept questioning it until she literally confirmed she had lived thirty five years. That’s when I was like oh hell no, 35?!

I couldn’t stay focused on the story anymore. I was out of it. I was really excited to read their story, so this one disappointed me.

This is the first book I’ve tried from this author that I strongly disliked. I just wasn’t expecting a thirty five year old woman with the mindset of someone much younger.
23 reviews
March 13, 2026
Just disappointed

I was so excited to see Elise and Rashawn was getting their own book and couldn’t wait to read it. To see how little growth that Elise had in eighteen years is not only sad, but unrealistic. I get the pressure of religion and parental control etc, but at thirty-five?!! We still haven’t seek counseling to get through our issues?! I truly didn’t think Rashawn held Elise accountable at all…not sure what kind of love this is.

Trigger Warning



To not include Rashawn in the decision making for something so painful such as abortion is so hurtful. It’s not like this man was a random or an abusive ex that she didn’t want to continue access to her via a baby…this was her and her brother’s friend for years!! Personally that would have been the end of our relationship. So disappointed that this topic wasn’t discussed prior to the start of the book…definitely just pushed through to closed this story out.
Profile Image for KweenBee.
327 reviews3 followers
April 7, 2026
Liked It More!

Elisa and Rashawn had me completely engaged in their tale right from the beginning. The way they were introduced in book one gave us glimpses into what could've been, but this book highlighted just how much Rashawn did anything to make Elise happy, even to his own detriment sometimes. I disliked how much and how long Elise allowed her skewed religious teachings and trash AF hypocritical parents to keep her from happiness - and when she finally stood up for herself I was literally cheering for her out loud. It took a looooong time for her to finally get there- but she did. There were several sweet moments, plenty of LOL moments and some minimal drama that almost had Elisa on the losing end. In the end though, she stood her ground for her man and the epilouge finds them and the rest of their crew in their HEA. I really liked these characters and their story, even more than book 1.
Profile Image for Nikenya Rodney.
895 reviews25 followers
March 15, 2026
Wow this book was a lot. I was not expecting all of this background on Elise and Rashawn. After reading Essex’ book, I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t this.

Elise had a hard and sheltered life with ultra religious parents. It shaped her and how she lived her life. She has loved Rashawn for a long time and he has loved her but her fear of being her true self almost destroyed them. My heart broke for both of them and I found myself a bit upset with Elise but I had to give her some grace. It’s hard to break free from the chains others put on you and poor Elise had a lifetime of bondage. I was happy that she finally broke free.

This is an emotional book. It a book about love, friendship and growth. It’s also about being true to yourself and not letting the expectations of others forge your path. I love it.
257 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2026
Elise really has a Halo! such a sweetheart

Elise strived to live the righteous path. She made Rashawn wait and he did just that all those years. After 18 years, he finally got his woman. I knew she pregnant before, and her parents were going to continue to try and ruin their relationship. I’m glad she was able to be grown and finally have a baby from the love of her life. Pastor had some nerve! Faith was his daughter and he was still messing around with Michelle, but preaching all that holier than thou meanwhile he’s living in sin. Hypocrite! It was good seeing how Essex continued to evolve too. I love Nash and Rashawn’s relationship. I love the team’s relationship with Elise also. She needed them and they needed her. Loved this read!
Profile Image for Millie &#x1f49a;.
21 reviews
March 24, 2026
This story was exactly what I needed not only as closure for Rashawn & Elise but also a palate cleanser 🥰 Just like Essex & Nariyah’s story I was hooked, granted I was reading this with another story, once I locked in that was it! I smiled, laughed …. HAD MY JAW ON THE FLOOR throughout this entire story 😭. I know for a fact there’s matching seats waiting for The Hunters down below 🤭 I never would’ve thought Rashawn and Elise were as locked in as they are, I mean I knew it was something but nothing could’ve prepared me how deep their love for one another truly went 🥹. I felt for them both but despite all the odds against them they prevailed and got their happily ever after 🤎
Profile Image for Constance- B.K.M.S..
152 reviews3 followers
March 31, 2026
2.5 ⭐️ Elise let her religion have TOO much of a hold on her. I’m talking almost cult level. She had NO backbone when it came to her parents. Not even when she was fully an adult and had free will. Sickening and disturbing. I understand she was religiously abused, but she had her brother, R, V, N and her Gynecologist in her corner. And again I will mention FREE WILL. She was not living with her parents, nor were they funding her lifestyle. R (AND Essex) had way more grace and patience for her than she deserved. And the prudishness! 18 years?! Then she STILL kept in contact with them?!!! My Lord!…
Profile Image for Sassha Reads❤️❤️.
2,197 reviews20 followers
March 14, 2026
Rashawn and Elise went from crushing pre-teens, to crushing high schoolers, to in love young adults, to in love adults, and ended up husband and wife. I really didn’t like how Elise played with Rashawn’s feelings for years because she was scared to love him out loud fearing judgment from her parents but they eventually got it together. I really can’t stand judgmental church folks like Pastta Hunter and Sista Hunter who lived in glass houses while throwing stones. I did want to know what happened with the church after Faith told her truths.
Profile Image for BRIDGETT.
26 reviews
March 11, 2026
Rashawn is all you need

Someone tell Elise that her parents’ judgment isn't worth the stress—especially with the secrets they were hiding! I spent half the book wanting to shake her and the other half swooning over Rashawn. Rashawn is the absolute MVP of this book. Watching him love Elise "in spite of herself" was easily the highlight of the story. 5 stars for the man we all deserve!
Profile Image for Nisha Ni.
95 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2026
Love a Man that’s tender

Babyyyyyyyy this one is for my girls who’ve been taught the wrong things about their faith and how to walk in line with it along with discovering oneself. Elise and Rashawn could serve as a blueprint in loving the complexities and differences of your person but knowing when to surrender to leaving the ideologies of others behind to solely focus on each other.
954 reviews
March 22, 2026
Elise parents truly controlled her by threatening not pay for things and they were just wow! She allowed it and had no backbone regarding her life and the controlling parents. Let’s see if she will be able to take those shackles off 🤣😳🤣😳!!!

Rashawn had patient like a champ, showed out and loved Elise, because baaaby Elise wants to love him in private and in public act like nothing going on!

There were some bombs that dropped in this book chile get your popcorn 🍿 and drink 🥤 of choice ready!
Profile Image for The Urban Fiction Librarian.
422 reviews49 followers
April 6, 2026
Boy meets girl, girl perfect woman. Everything changed her freshman year. Something shifted. Feelings got involved. They were forbid to see each other. For 10 years it was a back and forth. Push and pull. Souls tied to one another.

Rashawn and Elise were a forbidden love that despite how much they tried not to be, they just were. The way that man loved Elise WHEW!!!! He moved on her time. He allowed her to run certain things and despite how much she loved him, Elise let fear control her and she proceeded to learn just how much it was time to put her 1st.

The love. The emotions. The feelings. The bond. The care. Baby Lakia, wrote the hell outta these 2. If Rashawn did nothing else he made sure Elise’s HALO never fell or faltered.

Stamped,
The Urban Fiction Librarian
Profile Image for Lisa.
2,069 reviews13 followers
March 14, 2026
Good read!

Elise was too grown to let her parents decide who she could love. Rashawn was much more patient than most until her hidden secret came out. I was very shocked to discover Faith's long kept secret. In the end it all worked out. A bit too much uncertainty for me but they finally got their HEA!
Profile Image for Saquoya.
24 reviews
April 17, 2026
Elise Elise Elise!!!

Lakia did her thing per usual! Reading this and being able to watch Elise grow AWAY from her rotten parents and into a beautiful woman was such a treat. I love how Lakia was able to write a story about being a PK (preachers kid) and display the hard realities many of them truly live. Protecting images while Elise was simply trying to protect her halo…
Profile Image for Cat E..
Author 3 books65 followers
March 22, 2026
10/10🥰🥰

Baby! This book totally gave me all the feels! I love how Rashawn always protected her halo and wasn't afraid to shout his love, even if it wasn't perfectly out loud lol. Elise had some things to work through, but she never forgot that her love for Rashawn was forever—true love that endures through decades. So happy she finally stood up to her crazy parents!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews