The Love She Needs

by Fallynn West

Genres: Friends To Lovers, African American

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2026

Reviews

[thebookcritic_]

decent but really disliked the end

Decent book. A little forbidden romance. I like that the love took a while and wasn’t immediate. Saw the plot twist coming but it was still a good one. I truly don’t buy into the whole I didn’t feel this way when I was with Heaven part though. And Aspen pissed me off needing closure. And she was playing games. Why put yourself in danger like that? That pissed me off so bad. I almost DNFd after that. Actually the last 10% of the book pissed me off. Why would a leasing company bless the next person? Just dumb.

A little repetitive. Her parents kept being referenced when it’s really just her mom.

[perfectlyamberb]

NTMA!!

This is my first read by this author, and I was so invested in Aspen and Mahari. They've been best friends forever and have been denying feelings for each other for even longer, but Aspen is currently pregnant by Mahari's cousin Lance, and when Lance refuses to step up to the plate for Aspen and their unborn children, Mahari steps in, and old feelings don't stay hidden.

I really loved the story. The situation between Lance, Aspen, and Mahari was so messy, but you really couldn't help but root for her and Mahari to stop playing and get together. I wanted Aspen to finally stop accepting less than she deserved. Mahari was that steady presence in her life; she just had to be willing to choose herself in order to have him.

['The Book Queen']

A second chance romance sorta

I wanted to feel bad about the way this couple ended up together... But... I don't have a single care for Lance and his cheating ways. He should have been a better person. The right couple received their happy ending. I adored his cousin who stood in the gaps for trifling Lance who could not make time for his pregnant girlfriend. You'll see what I mean when you read this one. It's a good read.

[Toya Davis-Stokley]

Aspen is working, going to school and carrying twins. Her plate is full, and it doesn't help that her boyfriend Lance is selfish as hell! 😤 He is a well-known rapper, that has allowed fame to go to his head, while neglecting Aspen and her needs. Aspen is fed up, but she continually gives Lance more chances than he deserves. Why girl, why??? 👀 Her best friend Mahari makes up for Lance's shortcomings and then some. He is Johnny on the spot with whatever she needs and wants with no hesitation.

Mahari has a thing for his best friend. However, he can't act on it because she is dating his cousin Lance. He knows and everyone else too that Lance is not doing right by Aspen, but she has to be the one to cut him loose. So, he plays that backfield and hopes that he gets an opportunity one day.

With Lance being MIA, and Aspen needing Mahari more than ever, their friendship is bordering on being something more. When they finally have a conversation, they learn the others' true feelings and decide to act, damn the mess it will cause. 😮

Mahari was everything to Aspen. She did get on my nerves as she knew who had her heart was but still gave Lance more rope to hang himself. 🤯 Cute read.

[Monae Nicole]

Love it!

Mahari was everything.😍 He showed up, no questions asked each and every time for Aspen. I absolutely loved their friendship. Aspen made me want to shake her a few times because she knew Lance wasn’t worth of thing, but I understand her. I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll just say read the book.

[Valencia Michelle]

First things first... ugh Lance is trash. Like trash.

Aspen was 5 months pregnant, going to school AND working. And while he was the breadwinner and famous artist, he was away from her more than he was home with her. And she needed him. But his cousin Mahari, also Aspen's best friend, always showed up for her. Mahari didn't play about Aspen nor the twins, so the outcome of this story was no surprise to me lol

Mahari was a famous producer who also worked with his cousin Lance regularly and saw how foul he was moving when it came to Aspen. He didn't like it and tried to talk to him but overall avoid being in their relationship. Until he could no longer avoid it.

While I really enjoyed the plot and story itself, I was honestly annoyed with the errors and inconsistencies in the storyline at times. Especially when it came to finding out about who fathered the twins. One minute it said one thing was confirmed but towards the end of the book there's a different outcome. I was confused!

But Aspen was definitely with the wrong cousin the whole time lol Mahari was such an amazing man.

[Mia L Boone]

The Love She Needs

Well this was good. It was messy as hell but good. I wonder if Lance only pursued Aspen because he knew Mahari was in love with her? I guess we will never know the answer to that question.

Anyway, best friends who fall in love with each other make for a great story. Mahari and Aspen were besties and had love for each other. A drunken night of passion and a dose of get back set off a tsunami of mess. Mahari and Lance are cousins who happened to be in love with Aspen. Lance loved her, but fame, fortune, and being a ho in these streets was his priority. He never had time for Aspen. It was always Mahari. Then when s@#$ hit the fan, Lance started wilding.

His ego was bruised and he took it out on Aspen. Now don't get me wrong, I thought it was shady that Mahari and Aspen slept together until I found out that he went to Lance about his feelings for her. This was messy Good!

Read the book..... it's good!!!

[Tenika Glover]

Love Is Better The Second Time Around!!

Mehari is a music producer and Aspen is studying to be a nurse. They developed a friendship that started in grade school. Mehari told Lance about his feelings for Aspen and I think Lance took that as a competition. So Lance took it upon himself and started talking to Aspen. Lance is a rapper with a big ego and all the ladies in the club in his face. Aspen is home pregnant with twins while Lance is out there cheating. Lance thinks it ok to cheat because in hi mind Aspen will never leave him. Aspen has feelings for Mehari. And they say that they say best friends in which they are and don't want mess up their friendship by admitting it. Mehari takes Aspen to all doctor appointments. They both remembered that night. Mehari warned Lance his cheating saying another man is going to take his place which that man is Him. He and Lance got into a fight over Aspen. The babies was his twins anyway

[Shonta]

A Steady Love!

In this sweet, endearing, yet messy(in a good jaw dropping way), page turning novel is a guide on what to accept and when to walk away from boy into the arms of a man. The way he looked at, comforted, and showed up for her is what all women desire and Mahari was that for Aspen from childhood on up. She had become accustomed to receiving the bare minimum from her man that she constantly questioned what she deserved and wondered about the thoughts of others. Once she saw the love she truly needed and felt it from the man she truly wanted it from all bets were off. Mahari made no excuses or apologies for his actions or feelings and just showed up time and time again..he was consistently loving her out loud and it was beautiful. I enjoyed it all and when I say the drama is there it’s there and all the pearls were clutched. 10/10

[Ruby]

Mahari and Aspen!!

Mahari and Aspen were good friends for a number of years. Aspen is pregnant with twins with Mahari's cousin, Lance. Since Lance is not there for Aspen during her pregnancy due to his selfishness and self-centeredness, Mahari steps up. He was there for her whenever and for whatever she needs. I really enjoyed how close Mahari and Aspen were. I was glad when they decided to be together once Aspen finally decided to leave that trifling Lance alone. They always had love for each other but it deepened into something really special once they declared their feelings for one another which was something they deserved after all they went through. Even though this book contained a messy situation, I found it to be very well-written and very entertaining. 1 Click as soon as possible. You won't regret it.

[eryn]

A sweet and refreshing read. Apsen was dealing with some big emotions when it came to evaluating her realtionships but glad she was able to come to her senses. Mahari is a real one for stepping up and being a great friend for Aspen. Lance had all the nerve and audacity when it came to how disrespectfully he treated Aspen throughout their relationship and her pregnancy; really liked how Justin and Mahari held him accountable and didn’t make excuses for him. The love triangle between Aspen, Lance, and Mahari was beyond messy but the reactions were to be expected and were handled appropriately. Sooo glad Aspen and Mahari got everything they deserved and more. Will definitely read more from this author.

[Latoya TrueBeauty Robinson]

Pleasantly surprised

I usually don't like this kind of messiness but im glad I read this one. This is what recovery and bounce back looks like. She was able to recover what she lost choosing wrong. He was able to recover what he lost by being who God had him to be. All things work together for good according to His will and His purpose. This was story was definition of it. God dont bless no mess and Lance playing in his cousin face was why that relationship with Aspen wasn't blessed he knew exactly how Mahari felt and went after her on purpose. Then kept putting them together he played himself forreal. Great story great HEA.

[Gwendolyn]

Mahari and Aspen kept the best secret! I was shocked but loved it!

This was a good read! I liked the Mahari and Aspen storyline better than Lance and Aspen, because Lance was not present. Mahari didn't play about Aspen. What you do in the dark will come to light.

Lance was messy as hell and why get a angry when the shoe fell on the other foot?
Dynasty was definitely thirsty. If a man hasn't called you back after you've been calling for a month, he is not checking for you. Mahari was not interested!

[Angie W.]

This was good. I knew Lance was trash when he was introduced. LOL. With a name like that, I already knew he was on some BS. I could feel the love between Mahari and Aspen. The best friend dynamic is there. I love how he was always there for her, even when his cousin was trash. Im glad Aspen finally stood up for herself. Her mom tried to give her tough love, but i knew she would not budge until she was ready.

I wish Mahari was able to get in that second fight.

This is my first book by this author and I like her already.

[LeeAnnisBooked]

Secrets, hidden agendas, messy yeah.

Ooh this was a good twist to best friend that secretly love each other. They way they never discuss a “certain something” ever is crazy.
Like never brought it up to anyone or each other. Mahari showed up in all ways unapologetically. The way Lance played and pursued Aspen made me not like him more than I already didn’t. A good read and my first time ready from this author.

[Bianca]

I read this month's ago and fell this was around a 2.5-3 🌟 and I felt this way because why in the hell was she sticking around for this dude. You can obviously take care of yourself and he's continually showing you how you're not important in his life and then ro see what he did to his cousin when he was honest with him about his feelings just seemed like some jealousy crap.

[Janice]

LOVED IT!!! (no spoilers tho)

This was messy but the good kind of messy!! I was not expecting that little plot twist - if you know, you know - but I loved the way it turned out!! Exactly how it was supposed to!!

[Deborah Booker]

Loved It

Great read, Love is love! I didn't think Aspen would ever call out Lance and also express herself to Mahari! I enjoyed the plot and how the families supported Mahari and Aspen love! The finale was great as well!

[Roxy Reads]

follow your heart

This was a good messy read Lance was a fboy at its finest but Aspen loved him & stayed because her buried feelings was elsewhere Mahari was a great friend but he had a skeleton that no one saw coming…..this was a good read with just enough of everything

[Selina Benford]

couldn’t put it down

Another great read by Ms West! I have truly enjoyed her books. This one here is one of my favorites

[Ashliegh Titus]

Loved it

This was beautifully wrote. I'm so glad that Bunny got the happy ending that she deserved. A part of me wouldn't mind a part 2 to tell us how everybody was.

[Shahtia Gay-hairston]

Needs

I really enjoyed the authors style. She has created her own lane and I dig “rugged” love. Aspen and Mahari checked all the boxes. Lance was a fool.

[Oreee💋]

Messy asf lmaoo

[Robbie Burnett]

Funny

This book was a family mess but the story was good. My favorite characters were the parents. I love the baby names too.