Now the woman he couldn’t forget is back… and she’s holding his legacy.
Kerwin “Blacc” Blaccburn doesn’t move carelessly...He never forgot that night. He just didn’t know it left him with a daughter.
Kerwin “Blacc” Blaccburn doesn’t move carelessly. Not with his name. Not with his work. And definitely not with women.
But one night with Aster changed more than he realized.
Years later, she returns with Harmony… a little girl who has his eyes and his quiet intensity.
Aster never planned to keep him in the dark. Fear made the decision for her. Fear of rejection. Fear of being dismissed. Fear that the man she couldn’t forget would decide she wasn’t worth choosing.
She was wrong.
Blacc doesn’t hesitate. If Harmony is his, he’s claiming her — fully, publicly, permanently. Fatherhood isn’t a question. It’s a commitment.
What neither of them expected is how quickly proximity turns into heat… and how easily co-parenting begins to feel like something more intimate. More consuming. More real.
Now Aster must trust that she won’t be rejected. And Blacc must decide if forgiveness is part of building the family he never knew he wanted.
Aster and Blacc met just prior to Aster reporting for a tour with the army in Italy, and a TIME was had. Little did they know they created a legacy. Despite feeling like they connected, she didn't really know him and a misunderstanding on her part led to her making the terrible decision to keep baby Harmony a secret. This trope always pmo because there really is no reason for it, but I do like how Aster handled the situation. It wasn't dragged out and she made sure that Harmony "knew" of him without knowing him. The pacing of this book was perfect. There was room for Blacc to get to know his daughter, be sad at missing out on her early years, be upset with Aster, forgive Aster and to be open to getting to know her. They were great coparents and Aster didn't make any step of their journey difficult. She welcomed his parents and his brother and accepted their help. She moved from selfish to selfless and the growth was felt. It was like a slow burn paced perfectly and when they made it over the hump, it felt right.
I really enjoyed this book and I have enjoyed all the characters in this series. Baby Harmony stole my heart and I loved seeing her try to pronounce words and you could feel the love she had for her new found family. A sweet read!
P.S. Is it me, or was I the only one that found it crazy that condoms or birth control was Never mentioned after reuniting 🤔
Alright now, Miss Bailey! Glad you were able to find your groove and begin writing again. I was curious about Aster and Blacc, after those snippets in Hollis' book. Blacc and Aster had amazing chemistry right from the start. Not only sexual tension, but meaningful conversation, laughs, and fun all in one night. A night that ended with a delicious romp, and a bit more!
Aster had always walked to the beat of her own drum. However, when she enlisted in the Army, she found her calling and her purpose. Excited to go to Italy on her next adventure, she soon learns that life doesn't always go as planned. When she makes the decision to do this alone, I didn't understand it. Why? 👀 Why when you had ample opportunity to get in touch with him through your sister if you truly wanted to. 🙄🤯
Blacc is the laid back one of the barber crew. Responsible, the advice giver, with top-notch style. The interaction with Aster was eye opening for Blacc, as she was like no other woman he had encountered. But then she slipped out like a thief in the night, never to be heard from again. He too could have gotten her information from Meadow if he really wanted to reach her. Both he and Aster allowed fear of rejection to lead them, although their feelings were on the surface waiting to be explored.
I hated that Blacc had to find out the way he did, with no real explanation. I get that people make mistakes, but Aster had no real excuse for the poor decision that she made. Then wanting him to just get over it and move forward left a bad taste in my mouth. 😤
Yes, Blacc was furious and rightfully so, however, he had to quickly push his feelings to the side and deal with the here and now. Initially their interactions were clumsy, and awkward, but they knew they had to become a team to make the best of their situation. As time went on, and they spent more time together Blacc's anger melted away as he began to fall for the woman, he will forever have a connection with.
I'm still on the fence about my feelings for Aster. For her to be so headstrong with everything in her life, for her to just punk out when it came to Blacc, made me feel a way. (Remember this is a book, not real life)! Yeah, tell that to my heart, cause she ain't for the excuses! 🤷🏿♀️🤣 Nonetheless, I enjoyed this read, and look forward to learning about the rest of the crew. 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
I enjoyed the book. Happy you're back writing again. Now I do feel like his family didn't let him feel his feelings long enough before they started pressing him to forgive her. Her reason wasn't good enough so he deserved to be able to feel a way for a while lol.
I enjoyed the Whip and Fade series so I went back to see what else was happening with the crew. This one was good but kinda predictable. Still a good read if you want a good love story with a smidge of good drama.
I have been waiting for this book since promo and especially after reading Hollis and Meadow’s story and getting a glimpse at what could be between Blacc and Aster and I’m glad that wait was not in vain. I truly enjoyed this story from beginning to end. I loved both main characters and how they balanced each other out.
Blacc finding out about Harmony being his daughter could have caused a major conflict and big blow up from another man, but he handled the situation with class and grace even though he was angry and hurt and had every right to feel those emotions. I liked that he didn’t take out his frustrations on Aster by becoming vindictive and callous toward her. He felt his emotions and dealt with it and Aster made it easy for him to do so by accepting responsibility for the part she played in him losing so much time with his daughter. While Aster could have doubled down on the blame being both of theirs, when she realized what happened,she apologized and allowed for him to develop a bond with his daughter.
I loved that Aster and Blacc initially focused on building a strong foundation as co-parents despite their attraction for each other. That gave them a base to start and also get to know each other better so that once they finally acted on their attraction, their relationship was also built on solid ground as friends as well. These two deserved their happily ever after together and it made me smile seeing them get it.
I really enjoyed Aster and Blacc’s story 💕. I loved how Blacc handled the years he missed with his daughter after not knowing about her. Internally, he struggled with anger 😔, but by opening up and talking through his feelings with those close to him, he was able to move in a way that didn’t harm his relationship with his daughter or Aster 🙌🏾.
Blacc and Aster built a relationship where they became great parents together👨🏽👩🏽👧🏽, while also making each other feel wanted and cherished ❤️. It was beautiful to see their growth both individually and as a unit.
This is a well written, error free book. Blacc was a stand up guy and handled what came at him with decorum and respect. After accepted accountability for her actions, owning her mistakes and doing the needful to right them. You can never read a Bailey West book without her dropping gems on you and this book didn't disappoint. It's an easy read with little drama. I really enjoyed it.
This was a great read. In life we know making the right choices are not always easy. But when we don't and forgiveness is extended, how grateful we are! These characters came from family that taught these morals & values. As a result some beautiful things came from it. No doubt love was the take away. Blacc & Aster were characters that could teach us all a lil something. This collaboration with Marlee Rae has been a great partnership. Great job! 💜💛💚💐
I always enjoy a Bailey West book and this one did not disappoint me. I loved Blacc. He was such a good and real man. Aster was a loving and honest woman when it came to her feelings. Yes, she didn’t disclose the birth of her daughter to Blacc, but she atoned for that. Good read!
Compelling…A beautiful love 💕 story🤩‼️No preamble necessary. “Blacc (Whip N’ Fade - Book 4 of 4)” the book as well as Aster & Blacc the couple was an excellent read. More so, Asher & Benjamin were tailor made for each other🤩🥰. These two characters earned their HEA & or a standalone even a spinoff….something, two hundred & fifty pages wasn’t enough 🧐🤭🤷🏾♀️‼️
Any time there’s a man and a baby involved! Blacc was a good man Savannah! And while Aster made choices that changed the trajectory of his well-ordered life, once they got it together…what an adorable little family unit they made. Still enjoying the Whip N’ Fade series concept. And I’ll be switching to the female releases next!
I did not realize that this was a series. I’m sure that I’m reading out of order. I read Anuri last year. This popped up and I’ve had it in my library for a minute and decided to read it only then did I realize this is a series. So I’m about to start reading Macy and end with Hollis. Great read Miss Bailey is a wonderful author!
It’s Bailey West so what’s not to love!!!! I can appreciate Blacc’s maturity and how he eventually responded to the paternity situation. I also commend Aster for stepping up and owning the part she played in their miscommunication.
Bailey knows how to bring a story together. Her characters are grown, mature, and drama free. Aster and Blacc navigated parenthood with ease. They put Harmony first all while focusing on forgiveness. I love these two!!
You've been missed! I have been waiting for Blacc's story and you, as always, did not disappoint. I love how you always provide advice from the elders and needed word from God. Keep up the good work!
Enjoy the journey of Blacc and Aster! Forgiveness is truly good for the soul and love is the balm we need to heal! So glad you found the words to pen this Novel Bailey! God did not bring you this far to leave you! Condolences to you and the family!
Whew, from Anuri and West to Benjamin (Blacc) and Water had me looking around to see if life could imitate art. What a wonderful read of uplifting a love one goals and dream without all the drama. This series was a great night time read.
As someone who is active duty military, I don’t normally like books where one of the characters are military. But the author did the characters & this story amazing. You can tell she really did her research. The longing & character growth in this book was amazing.
I enjoyed the story and it kept me interested but I didn’t feel the chemistry between Blacc and Aster once they got back together like I did when they first met.
This book brought out so many emotions from laughing out loud to shedding a few happy tears. I enjoyed watching Aster and Blacc’s love story unfold. Bailey West has a gift of bringing her characters to life, making them feel like people you know or would love to get to know, and this book was no exception to this…it doesn’t hurt that the story takes place in my hometown, St. Louis, MO and that Aster graduated from my high school. Excellent read.
Blacc, Aster, and Harmony :-)-great end to this series.
Benjamin (Blacc) is a master barber and a twin. Aster is a retired vet who met Blacc 3 years ago and they conceived a beautiful and sweet little girl (Harmony Meadow). I love when Harmony meets Bemmagin (that's how she pronounced his name), she was so proud when she thought she got his name right. Once Blacc found out Harmony was his and once has was able to move pass the initial hurt, he and Aster was able to build a beautiful relationship. Aster is the woman. She's smart, daring, outspoken, an incredible mother, and a loving partner.
All the moments with Harmony are the best. 1. When she was told that Benjamin was her Dad. She says " Hi Daddy" and she told him he had fur on her face. 2. Her meeting Benjamin's parents and his Uncle Gray. When she realize that her Dad and Uncle have the same face, she was initially confused but then her Dad told her that was his brother, she was all in. 3. Her entire dedication ceremony at the church. 4. Her telling her Daddy his smile needs lotion because it's dry at Fade.
I love what Aster gifted Blacc with at the end. Beautiful and touching.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.