Trust Me

by Alexandria House, Adenrele Ojo (Narrator), Jakobi Diem (Narrator)

A wild night leads to the love of a lifetime in this spicy, soul-stirring new romance by Alexandria House!

R&B legend Joel "Messiah" Bell has spent three decades at the top of the music industry—but lately, he's the internet's favorite punchline. Left at the altar, he's hiding out in Romey, Tennessee, nursing his wounded pride. The last thing he expects is to find himself in a wine bar, pouring his heart out to a gorgeous, free-spirited casual acquaintance who has zero interest in performing for anyone.

Ginger Day just ended a relationship with yet another lover who couldn't handle her authenticity. She's planned a solo journey across the country to rediscover herself—but after too much wine and an undeniable connection with Messiah, she finds herself on a plane to Vegas instead.

In the wake of their spontaneous decision, neither of them can deny that what they have feels like kismet…and neither of them wants it to end. Will two people who impulsively chose each other ultimately decide to choose each other every single day?

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary Romance, African American Romance, Music, Fiction, African American

Audible Audio

Published August 6, 2026

About the author

There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

For the Romance author see Alexandria House

Reviews

[Landa]

I just can't 👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽🔥

[Tonya Smith]

🎧📚…absolutely loved the relationship between Messiah and Ginger. 4.5🌟s.

[Ms. LVW]

I swear this author and these narrators are triggers. I hear them and instantly want to go relished to Let Me Love You but this book here, TRUST ME…it delivered‼️

Everything I’ve come to expect from an Alexandria House novel was here, laugh out loud moments, shocking twists, edge of your seat suspense thrills, and meaningful revelations that tied the characters together in ways only she can.

One of my favorite things about Alexandria House is how she stays true to her universe. Seeing familiar faces make cameo appearances felt like reconnecting with family, reminding me why I fell in love with her stories in the first place.

From beginning to end, Trust Me carried that unmistakable House touch of love, loyalty, and hilarity in every chapter.

The narration was spot on and Jakobi and Adenrele slayed it!

[Annette Williams]

Shout out to my good sis Kameel for reminding me who Ginger was. It’s been four years since the last Romey U book so, I was prepared to listen to this audiobook like these characters were brand spankin’ new. Trust Me opens with Ginger goin’ through a breakup she wasn’t expecting with her girlfriend. To clear her mind, she temporarily closes her online apothecary shop and prepares to hit the road on a solo cross country trip while livin’ out of her used van to re-evaluate her life and figure some things out.

Ever since Messiah found out the truth about who his bio dad is, he has obsessively been craving a family of his own. So much so, that he agreed to an arranged marriage with an actress he barely knew. But, the gag is, Pedal has her own ulterior motives for wanting to get married. So, when she purposely leaves him at the altar, Messiah is devastated and embarrassed. He’s become a punchline in the media and with the online bloggers. Needing a change of scenery, his manager forces him to go to Romey, TN to clear his mind and start workin’ on his new album. However, after a night of getting lit, Ginger and Mesiah impulsively fly to Vegas and get married. What happens in Vegas definitely did not stay in Vegas.

Considering how much I loved the Romey U series, I’m disappointed I didn’t love this book. It was just okay to me and I think the four year gap between the last book played a big role in that. With some help from Kameel I remembered who Ginger was but, I still struggled to remember the other characters in this series. IMO, the storyline with Pedal and her fans went on too long. I just think it dragged on unnecessarily. We didn’t need forty plus chapters of that foolishness. I’m not understanding why Ginger had to lose all of her close friends. I can understand one of them switchin’ up on her but, damn, all three of them?!!! I did, of course, love all the cameos. We got to catch up with Big South, Jo, Nadia & Nate, Jovani, & Sharla, Vann & Brooklyn, Rabbit, and our fave Uncle Lee Chester. While Trust Me didn’t quite hit the mark for me, I still enjoyed this trip back to Romey U.

[Krystal]

Alexandria House did it again! Trust Me was sexy, sweet, and had me rooting for Messiah and Ginger from the start. Both were coming off painful breakups, but one spontaneous night turned into a love story I couldn’t get enough of. I especially loved seeing Messiah find happiness after being left at the altar while his bitter ex kept feeding lies to the media. The chemistry was chemistry-ing, the romance was romancing, and Jacobi Diem back on narration was the icing on the cake. Easy 5 stars for me!

[Katie ratherbereadinggg]

3 stars I have mixed feelings on this one. I love AH and will read anything she writes, and the audio is narrated by my favorites. However, I just didn’t buy into the love story after the initial spark between these two, and then there was a trope I hate that absolutely dominated the second half of the story.

[Booked.Shaye BWRT]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think at this point, I can confidently say that I’m a fan of Alexandria House’s writing style. I’ve read about four or five of her books now, and one thing that keeps me coming back is the way she builds her characters and stories.
There’s a level of detail and depth to her writing that I really appreciate, and I always find myself invested in what’s happening. And of course, the spice is spicy 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🥵🌶️ but I also really like that it never feels like it’s there just for the sake of being sexual. There’s usually intimacy and emotion behind it, and it feels connected to the story.

As for Trust Me, I enjoyed it. It was a good read, but I wouldn’t say it was one of my favorite books by her. There were a few moments where things felt a little exaggerated or unrealistic to me, which kept me from connecting with the story as much as I have with some of her other books. That said, there were also parts that felt very real and relatable.

I actually really enjoyed Ginger’s relationship with her mom. I’ve seen several reviews mention not liking her mom or their dynamic, but I have a pretty open relationship with my own mom, so honestly, some of the things her mom said or did didn’t feel completely out of the realm of possibility to me. I thought their relationship added an interesting layer to the story, and I really appreciated how open, confident, and unapologetically herself Ginger was.

Overall, this was a solid read for me. I’d still recommend it to someone who enjoys a quick , fast paced romance with plenty of spice, complicated characters, and a little bit of chaos 😂.

And most importantly, I’ll absolutely be picking up another Alexandria House book. I already know I enjoy how she tells a story, even when the particular story doesn’t completely land for me.

[Mikayla]

This was such a cute story. Ugh, I love LOVE 😭

[_literaryaura_]

4.5 Stars

[Call Me D-Love]

I listened on audio. The thing that really made this story stand out was how the narrators coincide with each other. Not too many audiobooks do this and this one had the top readers. The story was intense and different. Of course it wouldn’t be an Alexandria House book without a super dramatic curveball before love finally wins. The quadruplets and twins thing was a bit much but the drama that goes on behind the scenes in the music industry was definitely brought to attention. Overall great listen and it was awesome seeing Ginger and Messiah who made cameos in previous book become one.

[Monique]

I could easily see this becoming a comfort listen. I really enjoyed the duet narration, and both narrators did a great job bringing the story to life. I absolutely loved Ginger and Messiah individually and as a couple. For lack of a better description, Messiah was a straight-up simp for Ginger and was HAPPY about it. She could say jump, and he’d say, “How high? With both feet or one?” 😂 Look up “down bad” in the dictionary and his picture is there.🤣

Things got dicey for a moment, but I really admired the way Ginger held her boundary and forced Messiah to acknowledge his issues and course correct. They faced so many obstacles during their time together, along with some unexpected turns of events. Through it all, though, they continued to demonstrate that every love story is different. As long as you intentionally choose each other, sometimes that’s all that matters.

There were a few things that bothered me about the story, namely how long it took Messiah to handle the situation with Petal. Sir, this book would’ve been over a lot sooner with a simple cease-and-desist. You’re a famous musician…nobody on your team thought of that? 😂 I’m also not sure if I missed something because I sometimes miss things when listening to an audiobook, but I don’t think I fully understood what was driving the dynamic with his brother, and I wish we’d gotten some on-page resolution there. Also, some of the chapter endings and transitions felt a bit choppy.

At any rate, I really enjoyed this story. I loved the main characters and, most of all, the way they loved each other. I just wish there were a Kindle version because there were definitely some reactions I had that I wanted to highlight and revisit!

[Dionna]

Excellent narration by, Jakobi Diem and Adenrele Ojo. Ginger and Messiah were a great couple, but the story was a bit predictable and unrealistic. Someone of Messiah’s status would have a publicist and PR firm to handle his publicity and social media. And the quad babies were too predictable, as well as the “surprise” twins at the end.

It was obvious that Ginger’s jealous, bum “friends” were leaking her personal information to Petal. I was disappointed at the lack of follow-up on Ginger’s assailant. Was she simply a psychotic fan or was she hired by Petal?

It was great seeing the old favorites show up for the finale, Big South and Jo, along with Uncle Lee Chester and Rabbit providing the comic relief.

Overall, it was an entertaining story, and the narration was excellent! I loved having Jakobi voice all of the male characters and Adenrele voice all of the female characters. It was refreshing and I hope that Ms. House and other authors follow this model.

[AudiobookGirly89]

Overall rating 5⭐
Spice 🌶️ 3.75
Narration 5⭐
Narrated by Jakobi Diem & Adenrele Ojo

This was so good I just love a good ol fashioned love story and this was one of them yes it came with some mess but other than that this was so cute Ginger and Messiah was time and them babies was really hunching on each other this was spicy but I loved it oh and Ginger's Mom omg she was something else oh and Uncle Lee Chester came and did not disappoint Jakobi and Adenrele did a great job with the narration and Alexandria House never disappoint.

[Azvelyn]

I really enjoyed this one! Alexandria House just knows how to write chemistry because Ginger and Messiah had me hooked. Their connection felt so natural, and I loved watching everything unfold between them.

I listened to this on Audible and the narration was SO good. Adenrele Ojo and Jakobi Diem really brought these characters to life, and it made the experience that much better.

This was a fun, spicy, easy listen with grown folks doing grown folks things 😂. I ate this up! Another Alexandria House read that did not disappoint. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[KarynReads]

I enjoyed Messiah and Ginger. I was not too in to the beginning because instalove is not my favorite trope. I was not sure where Mz House was landing this story, but as always she picked a perfect lane to lead us in.

Messiah longed for a family with genuine love and he wanted to create one. Ginger was right up his alley. Along with her crazy cast of characters that includes her Mom and Sister lol. This was honestly enjoyable.

[Samantha]

We first met Ginger in Nadie’s book (Teach Me). Ginger is the free spirited younger sister. She continues to be her and I love her for that. She is the type of unbothered I wish I could be. I’m so glad Ginger got her own book.

[Stacie]

This was a good story. A wee bit smuctacular too.

[Dee]

I loved everything about this! Instant add to my comfort re-listen list.

[Shaniqua]

This had my head spinning! I never knew which direction the story was going to go…a lot of drama. it was interesting, definitely not predictable.

[Henbooks]

Absolutely beautiful I had a great time listening to this.

[Bri Simpson]

Love love love Messiah and Ginger. I didn’t realize this was a part of a series though so I have to go back and get the full effect!

[BeautifullyFlawedKAH]

Ok Mr. & Mrs. Bell!
This is a wonderful story

[Kymberlee VanBuren]

This was a tricky one. I read it in 2 days. Day one I was convinced that it was trash and that I only tolerated it because I love Jakobi and Alexandria. Day 2 I increased the speed and enjoyed it. So I don't know what to say....a 3? 2.5?🤷🏾‍♀️

[Kiante Sellers]

This book was honestly boring for me. It felt slow, and by the end, there were way too many unnecessary twists and dramatic turns. At that point, they just weren’t needed and took away from the story for me.

[Sherri B]

Ummmm….Overall I liked it a lot but I had to take a star away cause what you mean 6 kids! Quadruples and then twins Naaaaaaaahhhh

[Abbey]

Ms. House, come to the front of the class and take a bow for this gem of unexpected love, finding your person, becoming your best self and shedding negative people. You know a book is going to be good when there's impromptu nuptials between mere acquaintances, who've bonded over mutual unfulfilled long term desires. The hilarity is that the randomness of Messiah and Ginger running off to Las Vegas to get married, after only truly speaking to one another for a few hours, was the least dramatic part of their new journey as husband and wife. While Messiah had to endure a lot of unnecessary scandal being a major celebrity, Ginger was the one one being vilified in the press and social media and their lack of public response to the foolishness did not help matters. But Ginger was also unknowingly a victim of even worst betrayal than Messiah was experiencing from his ex.

I really loved these two lovebirds - Ginger's genuine nonchalance at Messiah's wealth and celebrity status; Messiah's adoration and acceptance of Ginger's weirdness and eccentricities; and the way they poured love, patience and support into each other in the midst of all the insanity.

And thanks Ms. House for the usual out of order appearance from Uncle Lee Chester. How that man misinterpreted the groceries and the bedroom action scenario will be jokes of legend!

[JigsawGirl]

It had been a few years since I listened to the Romey U series, but I felt like this fourth book could easily be read as a standalone. I was able to listen to it in one sitting because I had to know how everything turned out.

The story started out a little slow for me, but once Messiah and Ginger connected, the pace picked up. I really liked their connection and appreciated that while everything wasn't smooth sailing, there also wasn't a lot of unnecessary angst.

The voice actors, some of my favorites, only enhanced the story for me.

The whole Petal situation was frustrating and irritating. I wasn't thrilled that we didn't get to experience the full extent of the repercussions she faced after the different revelations came to light. I also didn't expect the betrayals both Ginger and Messiah experienced to be so extensive.

There were plenty of high points and funny moments, especially with the witty banter and when Big South, Jo, and Uncle Lee Chester entered the picture. It's always a good time when Uncle Lee Chester is around.

Most of all, I was very glad to see Messiah and Ginger get their HEA.

[Felecia Rodney]

Audio Review:
Duet Narration by Adenrele Ojo and Jakobi Diem

Tropes:
R&B Legend MMC
Free-spirit herbalist FMC
Age Gap

The second I saw Alexandria House, Romey U, and duet narration attached to this release, I downloaded it instantly. It was pure joy stepping back into Romey U and catching up with loved characters from prior books. Both leads are nursing fresh wounds Messiah is avoiding public attention while his ex-fiancée Petal spins lies to the media, and Ginger is trying to break free from lovers who couldn't accept her authenticity. Their chance wine bar conversation leads to a wild, spontaneous flight to Vegas, turning a single night into an enduring connection.

I was rooting for Ginger and Messiah every step of the way, and the narrative twists had me laughing out loud and gasping in surprise.

Adenrele Ojo and Jakobi Diem were top-tier in their performances. It had been way too long since I listened to either of them, and their dynamic chemistry made this audio experience unforgettable.

[Cheryl Jamai]

3.5⭐️

I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Alexandria House, and while this wasn’t one of my favorites, I still found plenty to enjoy. Ginger is a free-spirited, flower-child type who is living life on her own terms, while Messiah is a musician taking a break after his “arrangement” to get married didn’t quite work out. Their relationship has an unconventional beginning, and their whirlwind marriage creates plenty of drama.

There was definitely a lot going on in this story including jealous exes, angry fans, a physical attack and life altering family revelations. At times, all of the storylines and twists made the book feel a little busy. I also would have liked Messiah to communicate his feelings more instead of pulling away when he became afraid Ginger would eventually outgrow him.

That said, I enjoyed seeing familiar characters from the previous books (Nadia and Nate, Ms. Lovely Day and Van to name an few) and getting updates on their lives. There was also plenty of spice and Ginger is definitely her mother’s child! The duet narration made this enjoyable on audio.

[Lindsay]

I absolutely loved this continuation of the Romey University series! This whirlwind sudden marriage turned to love was the absolute perfect love story for Ginger, who throughout the series was described as a free-spirited lover who wore her heart on her sleeve and very spontaneous soul! It was beautiful to see her get the love she deserved with Messiah, a famous R&B singer. Though they went through some ish in this novel due to his ex and his celebrity status, they both had their pasts to deal with… Ginger in particular with her shady, jealous a$$ friends!

The way they navigated so many issues together, including a complicated pregnancy and his family’s dramatic telenovela level history was beautiful 💞 I really enjoyed every second of this including the pop ups from characters from Alexandria House’s other novels including Big South, Uncle Lee Chester, and Rabbit. Great novel!