Power made him feared. Blood made him dangerous. Betrayal made him a target.
Before the Love name inspired fear, it was built on betrayal. Shaped by an abusive childhood and driven by ruthless ambition, Samson Love rises through the criminal underworld determined to control everything he touches…family included. When a forbidden affair exposes a devastating truth, Samson makes irreversible choices to protect his power, setting off a chain of lies, deaths, and betrayals that will haunt the next generation.
Now, with the truth revealed and Samson on the run, the Love family must face the past that created them and the reckoning that’s coming next.
This fiery Aries lady—Aries Skye, believes in the power of black love. She sets her focus on highlighting the realities of beautiful black individuals finding their way in life through love. That’s exactly what her #SkyeStories bring—penning the beauty in Black romance. A natural-born writer, Aries Skye has been crafting stories since she was a preteen and went on to major in English – Creative Writing at ASU. When she’s not wielding her magical black girl pen, she’s cocooned in the peace and comfort of her family with her adoring husband of two decades and their four energetic and artistic womb fruits.
Ma'am! I've been waiting for this book, and you certainly didn't let us down. However, that ending... 😤 I swear I screamed out loud, cause what???? Why would you do us like this??? 😮🙄
Anywho, Mr. Samson Love! I already despised this man, but I really wanted to know what brought him to such an evil place! Learning of the abuse he suffered at the hands of Samuel, and his loss explained a lot, that I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.... Then that feeling it was gone. Cause that man is a monster for real, for real!! 🤬 It was like after all he endured he lost every bit of empathy and feeling for everyone. 👀 He cared for Solomon for a lil minute, then his true character came shining through, and it was all about self. 🤬
That backstory was one for the books! Whew..... 😮the love/hate interactions with Solomon, his relationship/partnership with Dominic, how he met Rebekah and built a family, Joselyn's stank ass, and everything in between. I couldn't stop reading, as this was one of the most manipulative, cold hearted, and conniving men, I've encountered! He always had a plan for the plan, and a backup plan after that. Then with his intel, he thought he had everything on lock!
That ending shocked the hell outta me! 🤯 However, I am happy to see more folks on the side of giving Samson all the hell he deserves! I just finished an already chomping at the bit to see what's next! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
Samson Love by Aries Skye is an intense and emotionally heavy read that really focuses on the making of a ruthless character. The story dives deep into Samson’s past, and while the level of abuse and trauma is difficult to process at times, it clearly shapes the person he becomes.
This feels very much like an origin story—raw, dark, and unapologetic. It’s not a light read, but it is gripping if you enjoy morally complex characters and darker themes.
I would strongly recommend reading the previous book before starting this one, as it helps give much-needed context to the storyline and character development.
Overall, a powerful and unsettling start that sets the tone for the rest of the series.
This book was messy… like everybody needs to be called into the front messy 😭
Samson’s backstory explains a lot—his childhood, the abuse, the loss—but it definitely doesn’t excuse the man he became. You can see how he got there, but the choices he makes? Yeah… he was dead wrong more than once.
And the relationships in this book?? Just know loyalty is basically nonexistent. Everybody crossing lines, and the betrayal runs DEEP.
What really kept me locked in was how everything connects—past decisions, secrets, and how it all starts coming to light. By the time things start unraveling, it’s like yeah… this is not about to end peacefully.
That ending?? Yeah, karma is circling and I need the next book ASAP.
A Ruthless Villain Origin That Explains Everything… and I Still Don’t Like Him
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 79 Dates read: 04.24.2026 – 04.24.2026 Title: Samson Love Author: Aries Skye Format: digital
#caseysbookshelf
Earlier this year I stumbled into the Love series (the 4th - 6th books I read this year) and got OBSESSED, so when this dropped? The scream I scrumpt 😭 because that cliffhanger had me stressed. This book is gritty, calculated, power-at-all-costs storytelling.
The book takes us into Samson’s story and adds texture to everything we thought we knew. We already learned he’s a monster in the other books, but seeing how deep it really goes? Whew. This isn’t just a man making hard choices… this is a man orchestrating outcomes. Moves layered on top of moves, all for power. Moves that started at a very young age.
The way Aries structures this with dual timelines lets you see not only what he did, but why he did it. His villain origin story. The betrayal, the manipulation, the long game. It’s not random. It’s strategy. And that’s what makes it hit. Because now you understand how the lives of his sons were shaped by decisions they never even saw being made. He’s masterful at chess and everyone is a pawn.
And that’s the part that got me. The Love brothers didn’t just grow up in chaos… they were positioned in it. Every loss, every shift in power, every fracture in that family traces back to Samson in ways that are honestly diabolical. You can connect the dots across all four books and realize this man has been ten steps ahead the entire time.
And Samson’s younger brother, Solomon… yeah. I need that book immediately. He’s everything. I loved the chapters centered on him. His protection. His care. His vulnerability. But don’t get it twisted. That man is about that life.
This is a five-star read because it does exactly what a villain origin story should do. It gives you clarity without asking for sympathy. You understand Samson more, but you do not like him more. Not even a little bit. He will not be added to any book boyfriend lists in this lifetime. He is firmly on the B.A.N. list.
Read these in order. Expeditiously. And Aries… respectfully… finish the next book.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
Yeah… Samson is actually insane and I mean that with my whole chest. This book was MESSY and I was locked in the entire time.
Samson Love: The Beginning doesn’t take its time at all. It drops you straight into chaos and then starts peeling back layers between the past and present so you can see how everything got so out of hand. And honestly? Watching Samson’s evolution had me like yeah… this man been a problem. You can see how his upbringing, the lack of real guidance, and the choices he kept making shaped him into who he is, but at the same time he kept choosing himself every single time. It’s like every move he makes is about getting ahead, no matter who he has to step on to do it.
And that’s what really drives the story. Samson is selfish, reckless, and disloyal, and the fallout from that touches EVERYONE. The relationships are all over the place because nobody is fully innocent and everybody is moving with their own motives. It keeps the tension high because you never know who’s going to switch up or what’s going to come out next. I was side-eyeing everybody at some point because the lines between love and betrayal were basically nonexistent.
What I will say is the way everything connects is what had me hooked. Seeing how the past feeds directly into the present made so many things click, and by the time it all starts coming together, it’s like yeah… this was bound to blow up. By the end, it feels like things are just getting started and I already know the next book is about to be even crazier.
In this fourth installment to the Love Brothers we get to see how Samson Love became the person he is today. He had a rough childhood where he was forced at a young age to kind of fiend for himself. He had a younger brother who he started to look out for but eventually it became all about himself. When he became an adult he became power hungry and did whatever he had to do to get it even if it meant crossing those that he was supposed to care about.
True to how the other books in this series went, there was more drama and more secrets revealed. All the things Samson did in this book were diabolical and I just hated him even more than I already did. What he did to his brother after all he did for him was cold blooded and what he did to his wife was heartless. After all the things he was doing in this book to turn around and react the way he did to certain situations was just crazy.
I was happy to see some things that occurred in the end but once again, I need more. I cannot wait until Samson gets all that he deserves and more.
I went into this book knowing that I was going to hate Samson. So I hate to admit it that there were times I empathized with him. But don't get me wrong because that man is still pure evil!
I enjoyed this book and read it one sitting. The character building is top tier! Each book of this series really breaks down each character in a way that you can easily connect to and this book was no different. I'm excited to see what's next for the Love family!
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Wow, I thought Daddy Love was messed up before but now we really go back and see how/where it all started. I really wanted him to get what was coming to him, but the majority of the book was told as a flashback through the years. Which normally I don’t like in the middle of a series, but this was done so well and was great way to tell Samson, Solomon and Rebekah’s story.
So many dots began to connect from Saint’s book. You really see the reason behind ppl’s motivations.
I can’t wait to read about Shaddai! The saga continues…
This book was intense, dramatic, and full of family secrets. It gives you a powerful backstory on Samson Love and shows how pain, ambition, and betrayal shaped the man he became. The story gives you suspense, and emotional twists, while also setting up a bigger family reckoning. If you enjoy dark family sagas with dangerous secrets and nonstop drama, this is the perfect read.
Samson was just plain ruthless, diabolical and just did not care about anyone but himself. Cheers to Rebekah she got the last laugh in my opinion.
Samson might be one of the coldest and most calculated men I’ve ever read. Every move he made, no one else was considered, not even his children. The disregard for his boys was terrible, but the mental strain he put on Saint was crazy. Rebekah deserved so much more than Samson. All because she pulled a YOU on YOU but better!!!! Joselyn is the example of keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Rebekah made sure she had the last move. She played her position and exited on her own terms. I’m officially invested in the Love brothers.
At the beginning, there is a name guide to all of the characters. Many of them come from the Bible. Don't worry, there is nothing biblical about this story. I'm still on the fence about how i feel about Samson, due to his background. This story had me all in my feels and my thoughts and emotions into one big jumbled mess. Now I'm still not a fan of him, but i do understand why he acted the way he did. This might just be my favorite books of the series. I'm excited to see what comes next
Diabolical! The emotions the MMC brought out in me had my lip curled the entire time. I don’t think I’ve ever hated a character as much as I hated Samson. This book is so well written you feel like you’re witnessing his every move in real time. As much as I hated him, I hate the story ended and I can’t wait for the rest of the series. As usual, Ms. Skye’s pen is on 🔥🔥🔥
The author has really created a world and set the drama! With each book I hated Samson, this one solidified the fact that he is a MONSTER. Learning of Samson's past shows why he grew to be so calculated, manipulative, and all the bad adjectives. Learning so many truths in this book has me ready for his takedown. Joselyn ugh!
Baby you thought the brothers were something y’all ain’t ready for they daddy. An OG and you think he ain’t the one he definitely not the two. This book gonna have your head on a swivel and clutching your pearls. Run don’t walk to read everything she pens.
I was able to read an advanced copy and let me tell you, Aries Skye wrote her behind off with Samson. The storyline is there and keeps you engaged from the beginning. It was so unexpected. Whew them Loves are something else. You won't be disappointed at all. All ima say is have your wine near by.
Omg not a cliffhanger how long do i have to wait this is a great series just wish the book was longer but they was lone enough to get the point across a must read
So I believe this book was great. It stressed me out to the high heavens… I sort of saw the last part coming, but I love the way it unfolded. I can’t wait for the next book OMG.!
You ever read a book stressed out the entire way through to the point you pitch it across the room! This damn book just flew! I am so mad cuz what you mean!?!
I have never hated a MMC more... and I loved every second.
If you’re looking for a hero to fall in love with, keep walking—Samson Love is NOT him. This man is a walking nightmare from the first page to the last. This book is a raw, gritty look at trauma, betrayal, and a literal 'demon mind.' Aries Skye writes with so much authority on power dynamics and the underworld that I’m convinced she has actual mob ties! I devoured this in less than 48 hours because I couldn't look away from the drama. Warning: This is NOT a love story, it’s an experience. Go grab it on KU!
ARC REVIEW****** I went into this book expecting chaos instead I received a very thorough background on Samson and I am not mad at it. This book was full of betrayal from almost every character. It shows that Samson Love is definitely a breed of his own. Rebekah proved to be not so soft and had me cheesing so hard. And that ending had my mouth open. Can't wait for the next book.