I married my best friend before I finished becoming myself. Fifteen years later, I have everything I prayed a beautiful home, a successful husband, a daughter I adore, and a life that looks full from the outside.
Kairo loves me deeply, but through provision, protection, and ambition. He works relentlessly to make sure I never lack anything tangible. He believes love looks like making sure nothing is missing, while I’m realizing that what I crave can’t be bought or scheduled. We aren’t broken, We’re misaligned.
Curiosity and emotional neglect tempted me to look outward, but clarity revealed something else entirely...
Mind Games is a story of what happens when love matures unevenly, when ambition is mistaken for intimacy, and when a woman finally listens to the quiet voice inside her that’s been begging to be acknowledged. Because sometimes the most destructive battles aren’t fought with other people, they’re fought in our own minds.
This was a thought provoking read that gave me pause at time and I had to kinda sit with somethings. I gave it the five for that alone, some of my issues were just the fact that this whole thing could’ve been resolved with a real conversation. For me I very rarely saw the FMC outright explain what she needed and wanted from her man. It always came out in an argument or something and it’s kind left up to us to assume she’s addressed this multiple times. Her choices were dumb even with all the warnings but I respected her commitment to getting her needs met. I don’t feel like we spent enough time with the Kairo to really unpack his issue until the big therapy session. Overall it was very well written and will have you ready to speak up about everything because who wants to be trapped in their mind making choices based on perception and not reality because you’ve never asked the questions.
You know a book was good when you finish and are just looking dumb unsure of what just happened 😩
Chile the way Khloe took me through it. I have been married twice and the first was to my high school sweetheart, so I really resonated with their struggle. Sometimes you grow together, and sometimes you grow apart. At times Khloe gave selfish, but she was also very loving and giving. I guess that's just being human. She wanted so much from Kairo and he just gave her the easiest thing he could, which was to provide for her which is what she had originally wanted. I hate that she wanted to flip a switch and change her expectations of him without actually communicating this to him. Mind games are so real, because I feel like I know how a conversation will go so I just don't have it. It's detrimental because you take away the opportunity for that person to make space for you, to listen to you, and to share their pov. So much of their disconnection was because they didn't want to have confrontations, so they shielded each other from real ish. I get it, especially when you are young. However, that lays an unstable foundation and when ish hits the fan you sometimes make it worse before it gets better. Khloe knew she was a lover girl, a good girl that cared and loved deeply and I realize she wanted something for herself..but I just felt like get a dog, go to therapy, not a new dk 🤷🏾♀️ Coffee was such a good friend to her and she tried to keep her grounded in reality without judgement, even when she didn't agree with her actions at all. The plot twist at the end was just 😲, it finally helped Khloe realize that she was dealing with a scammer. Kairo's situation....it was so unnecessary I've decided to let my mind think it didn't happen lol.
This was a very cautious tale of grass not being greener on the other side. Just take out the time to water and nurture the grass you vowed to take care of.
SN: How they aren't putting this thing together with Huxley is beyond me 😐🥴 I was hoping that situation would be dead, but I'm guessing we will hear more about that in the next story. I hope not though lmao.
Let me tell you something, Netra Antionette has easily became one of my favorite authors. Every book i’ve read by her has been amazing and takes me through so many emotions but this series!!!? THIS BOOK!!??? She has outdone herself!!!
it’s hard to write a review for this because i’m left just thinking and evaluating. it’s like she has been a fly on my wall for the pass decade and she wrote about it. Bets believe this was a therapy session for me and I have to start playing mind games with myself.
There is no doubt that everyone will take something away from her this book because we all overthink a little and make things what it’s not.
READ THE BOOK READ THE WHOLE SERIES RIGHT NOW!!!!
oh wait…MAN SHOUTOUT TO COFFEE!!! I wish I had a friend like her, she is the real MVP
Wow this was a great book and my favorite one from the series so far. It was written so well. Both Khloe and Kario felt wronged but didn’t see the other person’s pov until everything came out. Honest communication in a relationship is so important. You can’t expect your partner to know what’s going on in your mind if nothing is ever verbally said. I loved how the friends were fighting for them to work on their marriage and not give up. This is one of those books that I won’t mind reading over and over again.
This book definitely had me in my feelings. I was sooo mad at Khloe for me to turn around and be made at Kairo. To see the outcome of their marriage and everyone involved, you will just have to read. However this book is perfect to have an honest and mature discussion on marriage and relationships. All that glitters is not always gold.
Netra Antoinette has officially become one of my favorite authors. I absolutely loved this book I finished it in 24 hours!
Going into Mind Games, I really thought I had Khloe and Kairo’s story figured out based on the previous books in the series. But just like Netra said in the beginning, that’s the danger of judging from the outside looking in. I was completely wrong in the best way.
This is honestly my favorite book in the series so far. It really highlights how dangerous mind games can be and how quickly they can spiral and ruin your life if you let them. I did not expect to feel more sympathy for Kairo than Khloe, but I did and by the end, I truly felt for both of them.
I already knew Stacks was no good because Niv warned her, so I was just waiting for everything to unfold. And I have to say, the funniest part of the book had me cracking up when Khloe confronted him about day trading and he said, “I do day trade, I trade drug for money in the daytime.” I was done!
I also loved Coffee. She was such a real friend and exactly what Khloe needed when she needed it most. This story really showed how we can get so caught up in our own emotions that we fail to recognize the sacrifices others are making for us.
All in all, this was a 5 star read for me and I can’t wait to read more from Netra Antoinette!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
After reading this series, Netra Antoinette has officially become one of my favorite authors!
I think Mind Games is the best installment in the Mind, Body & Soul series, so far, because Khloe and Kairo’s relationship felt so grounded. The struggles: teenage parenthood, settling down young, and sacrificing dreams to support your family, are incredibly relatable. You really feel that sense of being “unseen.”
That being said, Khloe should’ve known better, anyone Niv introduces you to is no good.. period. And the connection between Stacks and Remi. Kairo and Remi??? Kairo should’ve known better than to tell another woman all of his dirt.
Also, can we talk about Coffee? The true definition of a friend and ride or die.
Rating 4.5⭐️ This book felt like somebody cracked open my brain, read my overthinking patterns out loud, then handed me a mirror I didn’t ask for.😮💨
The scariest part about this story is how REAL it feels. No huge dramatic villain lurking in the shadows. No lack of love. Just two people loving each other differently and slowly falling out of sync while convincing themselves everything is fine because the bills are paid, the house is beautiful and life looks good from the outside. That kind of emotional disconnect is silent but dangerous.
Kairo loved through provision and responsibility. In his mind, making sure his family lacked nothing WAS love. Meanwhile, she was starving for intimacy, emotional presence and connection that couldn’t be scheduled between obligations. That imbalance right there, that’s the type of thing that’ll have your mind creating stories to fill in the gaps. When the therapy session exposed the truth my mind was blown and heart shattered!
Let’s talk about Stacks because BABYYYYY. 😭 The way that man spoke had me sitting there like, Okay now wait a minute he kinda making sense. Whole time he’s a manipulative narcissist with a doctorate in wordplay and emotional vulnerability. Golden tongue is the perfect description because he knew exactly how to say the right things to a woman already feeling unseen. That’s what made this book hit so hard. It showed how emotional neglect, poor communication and internal loneliness can quietly push people toward dangerous spaces mentally before anything physical even happens.
This wasn’t just a romance read. This felt like therapy wrapped inside fiction. A deep dive into self awareness, unmet needs, overthinking, emotional isolation and the mind games we play with ourselves when we stop communicating honestly. Some parts genuinely made me pause and sit with my own thoughts for a minute because the writing was THAT raw and exposing. Netra Antionette really said, Here unpack this and baby I’m still unpacking!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I only read for an escape and entertainment, but I can appreciate a book that has those components, but also makes you reflect. That is usually the recipe for a Netra Antoinette book and she does it beautifully every time.
Mind Games really gave insight to what happened when you allow your mind to trick you into believing something that isn’t reality! This story had so many elements and moments. Although there was an actual therapy session in the book, this whole read felt like one lol, because there were so many gems dropped.
Kairo and Khloe’s main issue was communication. I got aggravated a few moments because it’s like TELL HIM🗣️ TELL HER🗣️ but I think all the things that happened needed to so they can really hash things out and move forward. I was disappointed when Kairo went there with Kemi, but when she told him that’s how Khloe felt (empty) whew that did it! It was another eye opener for him.
I love strong and supportive women and that’s exactly what Mama G and Coffee were in this story. Baby, Mam G, held both Khloe and her own son accountable for their actions and she said it ever so eloquently (as my sister said)! And Coffee, yeah, we ALL need a real a**, down a** friend like that. Someone who is always there emotionally, but never lets the bs slide. She’s the definition of “imma stick beside ‘em” HA!
Whew this is long, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, from the plot twists to the redemption love story! From how this ended I’m sure Kordai and Lavender are getting a book, and I’m excited to see how their story plays out 🥰
Mind Games is a dangerous game indeed. Our FMC Khloe mom, wife, mother, real estate lawyer grew up fast because of life as a teen mom. Now in her 30s she’s outgrown her old life wanting more out of the life she expected to live. Then we have our MMC Kairo husband, father, and provider, but doesn’t know he emotionally was unavailable. I actually disagreed with the way Khloe treated Kennedi like she’s a regret or a mistake. Stacks was was a manipulator and a narcissist who I feel like prayed on Khloe vulnerability because he knew her situation. We soon find out that the FRASS IS NOT GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE. Special shout out to Mama G, she didn’t overstep in her son marriage but she said what she said and she made she she held all parties accountable for the role they played. Also COFFEE we all need a friend like her who is gonna stick it to you and not tell you what you want to hear all the time.This dynamic boils down to misunderstanding and miscommunication, they both didn’t get to grow in love and still think they were in their 20s still trying to create a life for their family. They allowed their mind to convince themselves that their feelings made sense only in their head. MIND GAMES!!!!!
Let me start by confessing that I was one of many that was all for making Kairo’s chest hurt. From the brief glimpses at Khloe and Kairo’s relationship it appears that she’s being taken for granted. Kairo wasn’t as attentive as I thought Khloe deserved.
What I didn’t understand was that he was doing exactly what she asked of him. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to keep a happy home.
I won’t spoil the plot. There are many twists that you won’t see coming, but fit perfectly into the storyline.
As for Stakes, and what he brings her, he is exactly what she thinks she deserves 👀. He’s a distraction from the ripple in her marriage that just can’t seemed to be fixed.
The respective relationships they have with Kennedy clearly displays their deficiencies. Khloe is attentive and loving, but she can be overbearing. While she means well she applies unnecessary pressure on Kennedy. Her greatest fear is that her child will make the same mistakes she made. Kairo is so busy with work that he gets to be the “fun parent”. His role provides a reprieve for their daughter while also exposing the dysfunction within the union.
You could have it all and still miss the issue right up under your nose.
Amazing!!!…This book played with my emotions and had me crying with these characters!!!… This book truly showed just how present and absent you can be in your marriage!!!… The mind is a BEAUTIFUL thing, but the fact that we convince ourselves that we are protecting our loved one, while breaking them too is frightening!!!… Communication will ALWAYS be a means of making sure there is no misunderstanding!!!…Leaving space for doubt and others to enter can draw an even bigger wedge!!!… Khloe was stressing me out, but when Momma G stepped right on in and had that conversation with her, I knew her world was being exposed!!!… Then Miss Kennedi was feeling all that pressure and watching her parents fall to pieces too!!!… I was a little disappointed that Kemi and Kairo crossed that line with each other!!!…Then I felt sorry for her, to see herself as the person that provides the gems that help a person work on their relationship, but never being the person in a relationship!!!… Stacks really played in Khloe’s face and sold her the fantasy she was looking for!!!…
Kairo & Khloe have been together since their teenage years, and their story feels real, messy, emotional, and honestly relatable in a way a lot of people don’t talk about out loud. Their journey isn’t perfect, but it’s the kind that happens all the time just in silently.
Listening to understand instead of responding is one of the biggest challenges for some. Suffering in silence because of miscommunication can quickly break down even the strongest relationships. Loving someone in their love language, not just your own, even when it changes makes all the difference 🥰
*That moment when Khloe said, “I should’ve communicated better… I expected you to just know what I needed instead of saying it. If I would’ve just talked to you more… we probably wouldn’t be here,” hit hard. Let’s be real the realization always seems to come when it’s already too late.
Netra stay doing her big one! Come get lost in the Antoinette universe because we truly LOVE it over here!
This was my favorite of the series. To be apart of a marriage and in the minds of both husband and wife was amazing. The pov of Kairo being the hard working husband that thought being able to provide a "lifestyle" for his wife and daughter was enough. The weight that men carry being the provider was eye opening. Khloe hit home ! Khloe became a mom right after graduating high school. Motherhood is something that is not taken lightly. You suddenly become EVERYTHING to EVERYBODY and tend to forget to show up for yourself. The fact that we witnessed the marriage crumble at the hands of simple miscommunication and misinterpretation was heart breaking! The plot twist of Khloe's affair was hilarious because baby you should've never opened that door to Pandora's box! Stacks said SURPRISE 😂😂😂! I loved to witness h to em getting back to their marriage and actually do the work! ALSO, EVERYONE NEEDS A FRIEND LIKE COFFEE!!!She held Khloesnd Kairo accountable EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
As I completed book 4… there aren’t enough words to describe how much I not only enjoyed this book BUT THE ENTIRE SERIES!!! I cried. Like real tears. Those tears that are not only for the characters but yourself as you resonate with them. Though I’m not married, there were so many messages not only for me as an Individual, but also future me in a relationship. I play mind games with myself and this book checked me!! We as people know communication is key but we still allow ourselves to be tricked by our own minds and have conversations and different realities in our head about things that have not and/or did not happen.
Netra, I thank you for creating this wonderful amusement park of a series! I appreciate the trigger warnings and the life you speak into your readers before we dive in. One thing for certain, I AINT GOIN NOWHERE!!!!!!! I love it here!
Khloe definitely pissed me awf. She started telling the girls about the hall pass..but not the truth of how it came about. She wanted him to read her mind, and know what she wanted. If he didn’t, it was a problem. She wanted to be mad at her husband like it was a hobby. She had an emotional affair & cheated first….oh but when he gave you that same energy, you running back to the man you cheated with. Your husband still called to make sure you were ok. Some people love to play victim. Stacks..too smooth & had an answer for everything. Narcissistic people usually do..so being she had no prior experience, I can’t blame her for falling for it. I myself am a fellow victim. His line…I TRADE DRUGS FOR MONEY IN THE DAYTIME was pure gold.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Somebody cue Tupac, “My Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me” 🎶
Kairo & Khloe were victims of miscommunication and misunderstanding. Those are two terrible qualities to have at the center of your relationship.
Khloe felt like Kairo was there physically but not emotionally. Kairo felt like Khloe was ungrateful and insensitive to his sacrifices. They both meant well but they were misaligned for MANY years.
Instead of leaning towards one another, they leaned on other people and that resulted in them both making bad decisions.
The therapy session at the end was a huge eye opener for them. That was one of my favorite scenes in the book! The session was very real and raw — they were able to see that they were just extremely bad at communicating and expressing themselves.
I did feel some type of way about Niveah introducing Khloe to Stacks. Even though Khloe is grown, she just was not strong enough to have that kind of influence on her life. Kemi was also a bad influence on Kairo and Khloe’s relationship.
This was such a good book! Netra’s stories are always very layered and make you think about real life issues! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I don’t even know and that’s not being said in a bad way. I don’t even know means my mind has been working overtime to truly see the big picture with the characters in the story and to reflect on my past because who was the one with the good talking game? This story will really have you picking sides and then have you wanting to throw it at the nearest wall. It’s a good story with some really good lessons. The main characters will take you through it and you might feel guilty if you pick a side. Mind Games has sat me down to reflect and truly digest what I have read. Netra, you did it again.
Definitely my favorite in the series, which is funny cuz I almost skipped it. The others were 3 stars to me and I actually have lower expectations for this based on the Kairo we were presented with before. This book hit me in my heart and mind. It’s relatable in several ways that caused me to reflect personally. Can’t ask for more from a book.
I see why the author gave the disclaimer about making quick judgements based on one side of the relationship. Because Khloe girl, I was on your side from the other books, but I see Kairo now too. Glad they got real and got it together.
“I trade drugs during the daytime” is a different level of unhinged lmao. That bastard
I was immediately pulled into this story. Netra explored the complexity of being young and married before Kairo and Khloe even knew who they were. They both thought convinced themselves they were protecting their partners and avoided the hard conversations of what they both actually needed. All the things left unsaid, caused the holes in the foundation. I love that Netra was able to show how quickly things escalated into dark territory. Nothing felt rushed it was all perfectly time. The twists and the turns at the end were the perfect touch.
4.5⭐️ Mind Games explores the marriage of Kairo & Khloe who had an unplanned pregnancy at 18, married young & the complexities that came along 15 years later. Between the miscommunication, the tension & buildup, boyyy do they take you for a hell of a ride. Literally make you want to jump in the book & scream “Open your mouth & communicate!”
I love that this was dual POV because we definitely needed Kairo’s perspective. I also loved Khloe’s bff Coffee, she was a real friend that told Khloe what it was every single time & didn’t pamper her illusions. & Mama G don’t play!
I thoroughly enjoyed this & can’t wait for how Netra develops Kordai’s story.
Kairo and Khloe was a married couple with multiple problems due to not having good communication skills.
Kairo was a boss so he could’ve definitely made time for his family. Khloe wanted more time with her husband so all she had to do was just say she wanted more time instead of being silent.
Coffee was a real ass friend. Have great advice and made sure they went through therapy to fix their marriage.
Nowwww at the end Khloe did right cutting Stacks off but why tf is Kemi still around and in her face if she fucked Kairo. I feel like that’s weird asf no shadeee.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Lord, the series is undoubtedly a constant source of therapy. As a woman on my healing journey, I’ve realized that this journey doesn’t end; it only deepens and becomes more profound. I genuinely enjoy reading this series for its perspective and the delightful banter among the crew. This family is incredibly close, and I love that. The women who joined them, along with the bff are hilarious as heck, and a joy to read about. Reading this series will leave you with valuable insights and a sense of fulfillment.
I think i had an totally different thought for how Kairo and Khloe’s book would go. I am so glad it went the way it did. While they are totally disconnected they truly have love for each other and needed to break down all of the things that go in their way. Mind Games and Mental Gymnastics were nearly their downfall but, so glad they came back each other the way they did.
Wow! Netra you’ve outdone yourself again. I love the way you write real life grown up experiences. Life has many challenges and you have to constantly think about how it changes your person. Be confident in your partner but if you don’t keep communication open you allow things and feelings so slip through the cracks. I love that they were already a pair and thought they were protecting each other but I’m happy they communicated and not let it break them.
Most of us overthink and will allow our minds to capture stories that we don’t actually know the reality of what the other person really thinks or believes. We have to open our mouths to voice what is in our minds to hear the other person perspective.
Every foundation that seems perfect has a crack somewhere that only communication and vulnerability can heal. Sometimes outside voices provide a glimpse of what we inside can’t view or understand.
I knew this book was gonna be something messy based on the reveal in Niv’s book! But did i expect it to get thisss messy?! HECK NO! Lolol liked this book, felt the feelz at times but girl Khloe wanted me to scream! and Kairo too!!! Lol honestly they entire household had me smh! But the book was good! I can’t wait for the next book! Now that is gonna be a ride!
I haven’t read an emotional book that hit me this hard I. A long time. I needed to feel something again to get back into reading & this definitely did the job. Just the raw honesty & well explained way mind games can truly mess you up. This my 3rd book by this author so I should have expected that twist at the end but whew. I feel every book just leave you wanting so much more so much story I feel could be told about all this brothers. I can’t wait to read more about them.