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GOLD II
746 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2026
About the author
Sarafini
6 books56 followersAuthor Sarafini is a novelist who writes love stories from the Black experience with a simplistic charm. When not writing professionally, she’s daydreaming about her next book. She lives with her husband and calls the South home. Connect with her for updates on Facebook at facebook.com/AuthorSarafini and https://ko-fi.com/authorsarafini for exclusive stories, content, character visuals and more!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 31, 2026
Book was MESSY from beginning to end and honestly I still dont know what’s next with everyone. Damn Sarafini you couldn’t give us ONE happy couple. The older men are getting on my nerves with their audacity of feeling like they don’t need to explain everything and should be trusted blindly. I’m still confused on what the plot is at this point. I thought the Tiffany thing would move the plot in a certain direction maybe with the law but idk. There was no growth or development really and I kinda wanted that in book two. Too many variables and I don’t wanna stress myself out so I’m just reading for entertainment and low expectations cause if I don’t ima stress myself out.
May 30, 2026
Said I was going to sleep on this review, but I won't. 😂
Reader beware: this is a hefty book. At over 700 pages, it definitely demands your time and attention. The author is clearly talented because, despite my frustrations, I stayed engaged the entire way through. Even when I was annoyed, I kept reading because I needed to know how everything would unfold.
If you enjoyed the first book, you'll probably find familiar themes and dynamics here. For me, though, the biggest challenge was the lack of meaningful character growth. With a story this long, I wanted to see more evolution, more consequences, and more lasting change. Several times it felt like the characters were on the verge of a breakthrough, only to circle back to the same patterns and conflicts.
I also struggled to connect with much of the cast. While there were moments that hinted at deeper development, many of the character arcs felt repetitive, making it difficult for me to stay invested in their journeys. Gold, in particular, was presented as a bold, fearless, take-no-nonsense character, but her actions often didn't align with that image for me. As a result, I found myself frustrated by the disconnect between how she was described and how she was portrayed throughout the story.
India initially stood out as a character I was excited to follow, but I ultimately wanted more from her storyline as well. By the end, I felt that a lot of the page count was devoted to introducing new conflicts rather than resolving existing ones. Instead of seeing answers to some of the questions that had been building, it felt like even more problems were added to the pile.
Overall, this wasn't a bad book, and the writing itself kept me turning pages. I just wish more time had been spent deepening the characters and delivering growth that felt earned. Unfortunately, by the end, I was left feeling more exhausted than satisfied. Nothing changed and nothing was really resolved just more issues that will need heavy lifting via the writing to resolve and address appropriately
Reader beware: this is a hefty book. At over 700 pages, it definitely demands your time and attention. The author is clearly talented because, despite my frustrations, I stayed engaged the entire way through. Even when I was annoyed, I kept reading because I needed to know how everything would unfold.
If you enjoyed the first book, you'll probably find familiar themes and dynamics here. For me, though, the biggest challenge was the lack of meaningful character growth. With a story this long, I wanted to see more evolution, more consequences, and more lasting change. Several times it felt like the characters were on the verge of a breakthrough, only to circle back to the same patterns and conflicts.
I also struggled to connect with much of the cast. While there were moments that hinted at deeper development, many of the character arcs felt repetitive, making it difficult for me to stay invested in their journeys. Gold, in particular, was presented as a bold, fearless, take-no-nonsense character, but her actions often didn't align with that image for me. As a result, I found myself frustrated by the disconnect between how she was described and how she was portrayed throughout the story.
India initially stood out as a character I was excited to follow, but I ultimately wanted more from her storyline as well. By the end, I felt that a lot of the page count was devoted to introducing new conflicts rather than resolving existing ones. Instead of seeing answers to some of the questions that had been building, it felt like even more problems were added to the pile.
Overall, this wasn't a bad book, and the writing itself kept me turning pages. I just wish more time had been spent deepening the characters and delivering growth that felt earned. Unfortunately, by the end, I was left feeling more exhausted than satisfied. Nothing changed and nothing was really resolved just more issues that will need heavy lifting via the writing to resolve and address appropriately
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 2, 20263.5 Stars
sighs I gave Gold 2 by Sarafini a 3.5 because it just didn’t meet the mark for me, and I genuinely hate that. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year after how hard the first book pulled me in. Overall, the sequel felt like it was running in a big circle—full of redundancies, repetitive dialogue, and painfully predictable outcomes. The story starts off with decent momentum, building on the glitz, drama, and tension from book one, but then it falls flat, picks up again with some steamy or shocking moments, only to drop the ball right when it matters most. We left book one with a pile of unresolved problems and messy relationships, and after a time jump into book two… almost nothing has truly been resolved. The same conflicts drag on, the same emotional cycles repeat, and it starts to feel like filler rather than progression.
What disappointed me most was Gold herself. The book keeps hyping her up as this fierce “man eater” and untouchable “It girl” who’s climbing from the hood to the high-fashion NYC scene with power and confidence. But just when you think she’s finally about to embody that energy—making bold moves, owning her ambition, and navigating the cutthroat world on her own terms—she pulls back or makes choices that feel inconsistent with the persona the narrative pushes so hard. I had much higher hopes for her to actually live up to the expectations the book sets. Instead of evolving into someone truly magnetic and strategic, she often came across as reactive and less sharp than she’s described.
One thing that really irritated me was how Gold brushed off Aunt Bev’s “gems” of wisdom. The book treats these like profound advice, but half the time Aunt Bev was just serving bullshit on a platter dressed up to sound deep. Gold not internalizing any of it (the good or the bad) made her feel stagnant instead of growing. I also hated how she hopped from one dick to another with barely any emotional reflection or consequences. It undercut the “It girl” power fantasy and made her come across as more impulsive than strategic. The worst part was how she did India during the miscarriage, fucking a nigga while her bestie was in the back mourning the loss of a child. That was so low and tone-deaf it genuinely made me side-eye Gold for the rest of the book. It killed a lot of the sympathy I had for her and made the friendship dynamics feel cheap.
India had diarrhea at the mouth too much for me and the codependency between her and Gold??
Then there’s the Kristin and Chucky saga. Their storyline straight-up stole the show for me in book one, but in book two it became exhausting. Give them their own book or hang it up with the repetitive dialogue already. Watching Kristin beg his immature ass time and time again, only for the same back-and-forth cycle to repeat, got old fast. What started as compelling tension just turned into frustrating filler that dragged down the main plot.
Sarafini clearly had a strong vision and platform for this series—the mix of urban edge, luxury fashion drama, forbidden romance, and aspirational rise is addictive on paper. But it feels like the sudden popularity of the first book forced Gold 2 out the door before the execution was fully cooked. The pacing gets sloppy, some betrayals and romantic arcs feel forced for maximum drama, and there’s more telling than showing, which weakens the emotional impact. It leans heavily into fan-service (spicier scenes, bigger conflicts, escalating glamour) at the cost of tighter plotting and deeper character growth. Don’t get me wrong—this book is a good read. If you’re in it purely for the escapism, the luxury lifestyle porn, and the messy relationship drama, you’ll probably enjoy the ride. It’s entertaining enough to keep turning pages. But as a sequel that had the potential to elevate the series, it left me wanting more substance and payoff.
sighs I gave Gold 2 by Sarafini a 3.5 because it just didn’t meet the mark for me, and I genuinely hate that. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year after how hard the first book pulled me in. Overall, the sequel felt like it was running in a big circle—full of redundancies, repetitive dialogue, and painfully predictable outcomes. The story starts off with decent momentum, building on the glitz, drama, and tension from book one, but then it falls flat, picks up again with some steamy or shocking moments, only to drop the ball right when it matters most. We left book one with a pile of unresolved problems and messy relationships, and after a time jump into book two… almost nothing has truly been resolved. The same conflicts drag on, the same emotional cycles repeat, and it starts to feel like filler rather than progression.
What disappointed me most was Gold herself. The book keeps hyping her up as this fierce “man eater” and untouchable “It girl” who’s climbing from the hood to the high-fashion NYC scene with power and confidence. But just when you think she’s finally about to embody that energy—making bold moves, owning her ambition, and navigating the cutthroat world on her own terms—she pulls back or makes choices that feel inconsistent with the persona the narrative pushes so hard. I had much higher hopes for her to actually live up to the expectations the book sets. Instead of evolving into someone truly magnetic and strategic, she often came across as reactive and less sharp than she’s described.
One thing that really irritated me was how Gold brushed off Aunt Bev’s “gems” of wisdom. The book treats these like profound advice, but half the time Aunt Bev was just serving bullshit on a platter dressed up to sound deep. Gold not internalizing any of it (the good or the bad) made her feel stagnant instead of growing. I also hated how she hopped from one dick to another with barely any emotional reflection or consequences. It undercut the “It girl” power fantasy and made her come across as more impulsive than strategic. The worst part was how she did India during the miscarriage, fucking a nigga while her bestie was in the back mourning the loss of a child. That was so low and tone-deaf it genuinely made me side-eye Gold for the rest of the book. It killed a lot of the sympathy I had for her and made the friendship dynamics feel cheap.
India had diarrhea at the mouth too much for me and the codependency between her and Gold??
Then there’s the Kristin and Chucky saga. Their storyline straight-up stole the show for me in book one, but in book two it became exhausting. Give them their own book or hang it up with the repetitive dialogue already. Watching Kristin beg his immature ass time and time again, only for the same back-and-forth cycle to repeat, got old fast. What started as compelling tension just turned into frustrating filler that dragged down the main plot.
Sarafini clearly had a strong vision and platform for this series—the mix of urban edge, luxury fashion drama, forbidden romance, and aspirational rise is addictive on paper. But it feels like the sudden popularity of the first book forced Gold 2 out the door before the execution was fully cooked. The pacing gets sloppy, some betrayals and romantic arcs feel forced for maximum drama, and there’s more telling than showing, which weakens the emotional impact. It leans heavily into fan-service (spicier scenes, bigger conflicts, escalating glamour) at the cost of tighter plotting and deeper character growth. Don’t get me wrong—this book is a good read. If you’re in it purely for the escapism, the luxury lifestyle porn, and the messy relationship drama, you’ll probably enjoy the ride. It’s entertaining enough to keep turning pages. But as a sequel that had the potential to elevate the series, it left me wanting more substance and payoff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2026
I enjoyed this book overall and found myself invested in the characters and their relationships. However, I finished the story wishing more of the plotlines had been resolved.
There were several moments that felt like they were building toward something significant, but never seemed to fully pay off. For example, Shelly mentions that she’s coming for India after Gold’s betrayal, and it’s later noted that she starts showing up to Emotions. Then… nothing. Maybe I missed something, but I kept wondering if she had anything to do with the job that took E out of town or if that storyline was simply left open-ended.
I also would have liked to see the male characters hold each other more accountable. There were situations that felt serious enough to warrant honest conversations, but they were often brushed aside with jokes or teasing instead.
Rich’s character was another area where I wanted more development. When he came back for Gold, I expected a stronger, more consistent effort from him. I understand the complications surrounding the Mo situation, but his actions often made it seem like he wasn’t fully committed to Gold. As a reader, I struggled to understand exactly where he stood.
Overall, I think the book had a strong foundation and plenty of drama, but I would have preferred less conflict for conflict’s sake and more communication, accountability, and character growth. Despite my frustrations, I still enjoyed the story and would be interested in reading more from this author.
There were several moments that felt like they were building toward something significant, but never seemed to fully pay off. For example, Shelly mentions that she’s coming for India after Gold’s betrayal, and it’s later noted that she starts showing up to Emotions. Then… nothing. Maybe I missed something, but I kept wondering if she had anything to do with the job that took E out of town or if that storyline was simply left open-ended.
I also would have liked to see the male characters hold each other more accountable. There were situations that felt serious enough to warrant honest conversations, but they were often brushed aside with jokes or teasing instead.
Rich’s character was another area where I wanted more development. When he came back for Gold, I expected a stronger, more consistent effort from him. I understand the complications surrounding the Mo situation, but his actions often made it seem like he wasn’t fully committed to Gold. As a reader, I struggled to understand exactly where he stood.
Overall, I think the book had a strong foundation and plenty of drama, but I would have preferred less conflict for conflict’s sake and more communication, accountability, and character growth. Despite my frustrations, I still enjoyed the story and would be interested in reading more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2026
Book 2 was good but too much going on.
Gold comes off as this young girl that’s having her way but that’s not the case. She absolutely needs a mentor who’s been in the industry for some years. Her thinking she knows it all is why Rich gets away with treating her like a side chick. All the chaos at the salon opening was on Gold. Maurice & Rich are both clowns bc at y’all big age? I hope Gold pick better men that’s unmarried & not enemies of her old flings. She’s young & still learning.
India used to be so ambitious. Whatever E says goes & if she disagrees he punishes her with silent treatment. Him not understanding why she wanted her career over a baby is why he’s too old to be dating her. The way he treated her after the miscarriage was heartbreaking. His overgrown a** need to go deal with his abandonment issues before ruining another woman’s life. I need India to tap back into the girl she was before E & leave her mark in Paris.
Tamia is a goofy. Shelly is a bird. Sabine a hater. Bryce & Maleek…..blah. Everyone was messy & took no accountability.
I hope book 3 is not another 700 page bc this book could’ve wrapped everything up.
Gold comes off as this young girl that’s having her way but that’s not the case. She absolutely needs a mentor who’s been in the industry for some years. Her thinking she knows it all is why Rich gets away with treating her like a side chick. All the chaos at the salon opening was on Gold. Maurice & Rich are both clowns bc at y’all big age? I hope Gold pick better men that’s unmarried & not enemies of her old flings. She’s young & still learning.
India used to be so ambitious. Whatever E says goes & if she disagrees he punishes her with silent treatment. Him not understanding why she wanted her career over a baby is why he’s too old to be dating her. The way he treated her after the miscarriage was heartbreaking. His overgrown a** need to go deal with his abandonment issues before ruining another woman’s life. I need India to tap back into the girl she was before E & leave her mark in Paris.
Tamia is a goofy. Shelly is a bird. Sabine a hater. Bryce & Maleek…..blah. Everyone was messy & took no accountability.
I hope book 3 is not another 700 page bc this book could’ve wrapped everything up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2026
Baby book 2 picks up where a book one left off, with our girl go now in Atlanta juggling the outcome of her and Rich. so much happening in this but one thing I know Maurice absolutely not. I want that to be wrapped up over with and done, but I don’t blame Gold for going back-and-forth in between because you just never know. India oh my God I hated it. I hated it. E pissed me off with what he did and I don’t care! That cliffhanger though oh my God I need book 3 now! I got a wait a whole year!! so much just went on with each other the side characters as well. I’m interested to see how the story concludes.
May 31, 2026
I was waiting like a hawk on this book ! Sarafini, the way you wrote so eloquently,I'm speechless. Having read Gold a good amount times and still gives me that same high every time. Gold 2 did not disappoint and i knew it wouldn’t. The character growth *chefs kiss “ . I couldn’t stop reading. I wish i could rate it 10 stars cause it deserves that. Now of course, Gold 2 leaves us with sooo many questions and im curious to read how everyone’s story will turn out in book 3.
June 2, 2026
Gold
Gold was moving real sloppy in this part 2 edition. I knew exactly how it would end for her. What I didn’t see coming was how E and India’s story would unravel. Don’t see how they can come back from that. Can’t wait to see what Sharelle has up her sleeve. I know it’s going to scandalous.
Lastly, glad to finally get a sense of wth Bryce ran off to in book 1. Interesting way to bring him back. Can’t wait for book 3.
Gold was moving real sloppy in this part 2 edition. I knew exactly how it would end for her. What I didn’t see coming was how E and India’s story would unravel. Don’t see how they can come back from that. Can’t wait to see what Sharelle has up her sleeve. I know it’s going to scandalous.
Lastly, glad to finally get a sense of wth Bryce ran off to in book 1. Interesting way to bring him back. Can’t wait for book 3.
May 31, 2026
So sad
To reach the end of a magnificent journey. The woman all navigated complex situations and learned to rebuild, heal and shift and that’s the most intriguing part of the plot. Phenomenal writing. Bravo. I can’t wait to continue to devour the works of Sarafini and add a physical copy to my library.
To reach the end of a magnificent journey. The woman all navigated complex situations and learned to rebuild, heal and shift and that’s the most intriguing part of the plot. Phenomenal writing. Bravo. I can’t wait to continue to devour the works of Sarafini and add a physical copy to my library.
May 31, 2026
Book 1 was phenomenal! Book 2 was all over the place, so many extended stories and people. I hope by the time book 3 is released I remember the situations of the characters. She’s an excellent writer and I’m not giving up on Sarafini!
June 2, 2026
Quality writing and an eye for details
This book literally had me staying up all night to find out what the next event would be. The details in terms of fashion were immaculate. I loved it !!
This book literally had me staying up all night to find out what the next event would be. The details in terms of fashion were immaculate. I loved it !!
May 30, 2026
She has done it again….
Lawddddddd…… yeap read this book, that’s it, that’s the review! Gold gold gold…. Sis I’m rooting for you!! But you knew better
Lawddddddd…… yeap read this book, that’s it, that’s the review! Gold gold gold…. Sis I’m rooting for you!! But you knew better
May 31, 2026
book 2 !!!
Book two packed a punch the men in the book lack of communication has me screaming my girl gold living wild and free and reckless poor India I enjoyed the ride !!!
Book two packed a punch the men in the book lack of communication has me screaming my girl gold living wild and free and reckless poor India I enjoyed the ride !!!
June 2, 2026
wheewww
I have been waiting on this and this did not disappoint! It’s giving modern day, urbanish sex in the city vibes!
I have been waiting on this and this did not disappoint! It’s giving modern day, urbanish sex in the city vibes!
June 3, 2026
a MUST READ!!
I’m soo Locked in with this series!!! As a Jersey girl!! Yes yes yes!!! This was too good!!! Gold girlllllll what you done got yourself into!!!
I’m soo Locked in with this series!!! As a Jersey girl!! Yes yes yes!!! This was too good!!! Gold girlllllll what you done got yourself into!!!
June 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
May 31, 2026
I LOVED this book! Some of the gaps from book 1 started making connections and I’m ready for Book 3!
June 2, 2026
Everyone a trip. A TRIP
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews