Through every rumor, every late night, every woman who swore they had proof she stayed. She loved him harder than he deserved and defended him louder than he defended himself. But when she catches him in a betrayal that hits way too close to home, something inside her finally breaks.
Fed up and humiliated, Koi walks away from the only man she’s ever truly loved, determined to rebuild her life and her peace. What she doesn’t expect is how hard it is to let go of history or how messy things can get when family is involved.
Then she meets Roman.
He’s older, calm, intentional, and nothing like the chaos she’s used to, Roman makes Koi wonder if maybe love was never supposed to be that damn hard. But starting over sounds a lot easier when the past isn’t still knocking at your door, boundaries aren’t getting crossed, and everybody around you isn’t carrying secrets of their own.
Koi thought leaving would be the hardest part.
She was wrong.
Because by Session 25, the truth has a funny way of finding its way to the couch.
Session 25 had me sitting back and thinking about how sometimes walking away from what you’ve always known is only the beginning of the story.
Koi’s journey stood out to me because she has spent so much of her life being loyal, forgiving, defending, and trying to hold everything together, even when she was the one being hurt in the process. She keeps giving chances because she remembers the good, understands the history, and wants to believe things can get better. But eventually, there comes a point where you have to ask yourself how much of your peace you’re willing to sacrifice just to keep holding on.
Watching Koi reach that point was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her growth felt realistic because she didn’t simply wake up one day and stop caring. She had to work through the memories, attachment, disappointment, and all the reasons she kept going back. Choosing herself didn’t mean the past suddenly stopped mattering. It meant she finally started understanding that loving someone doesn’t require accepting the same hurt over and over again.
Then there’s Roman.
Roman brings a completely different energy into Koi’s life. He’s older, calm, intentional, and carries himself in a way that gives her a glimpse of what love can feel like when it isn’t built around constant chaos. I enjoyed watching Koi navigate that difference because sometimes peace can feel unfamiliar when you’ve spent so much time surviving emotional confusion.
Roman’s presence also gives Koi the opportunity to look at herself and her choices differently. He doesn’t erase her past, and the story doesn’t pretend moving forward is simple. Koi still has to deal with everything she has carried for years, but Roman helps highlight the difference between being wanted and being valued, between familiarity and safety, and between holding on because you love someone and holding on because you’re afraid of starting over.
Of course, Koi’s journey forward comes with plenty of complications. Boundaries are tested, family gets involved, old feelings resurface, and secrets have a way of coming to light.
The family dynamics added another layer because relationships don’t exist in a vacuum. Everyone has opinions, history, expectations, and their own version of what they think should happen. Sometimes the people closest to you can make it harder to recognize what you truly want, especially when they’re accustomed to the version of you who always forgives, always shows up, and always puts everyone else first.
What I appreciated most was that Koi’s story wasn’t simply about choosing between two men. It was about choosing herself after spending so much time choosing someone else. That made her journey more meaningful. Her growth, boundaries, and process of figuring out what she actually deserves made her easy to root for.
I also liked that Koi was allowed to be complicated. She questions herself, lets her emotions get the best of her at times, and has to face the consequences of choices made in the past. That’s what made her feel real. Healing and growth aren’t always neat, and sometimes you have to revisit the same lesson more than once before deciding you’re done learning it the hard way.
The ending definitely leaves you with questions and opens the door for more drama and revelations without taking away from Koi’s journey throughout the story.
Overall, Session 25 delivered relationship drama, complicated family dynamics, personal growth, secrets, difficult choices, and second-chance-at-love energy that kept me invested. I enjoyed watching Koi work through her past while trying to figure out what she wanted her future to look like. Her story is a reminder that sometimes the hardest person to choose is yourself, especially when you’ve spent years making excuses for everyone else.
If you enjoy messy relationships, strong family dynamics, complicated love interests, secrets, and a heroine learning that her peace is worth protecting, Session 25 is worth adding to your TBR.
Messy is honestly an understatement for this read, and you know what? Because when the drama starts drama-ing, I am absolutely not asking anyone to calm down.
I really loved the way the author handled the major plot twist—especially the reveal surrounding everyone’s connections. Once everything started clicking into place, I was like 👀 Ohhhhhh, so THAT’S what we’re doing?!* I love when a story makes you go back and rethink everything you just read.
And Koi?? Whew. 😩 Our main FMC had me FRUSTRATED more than once, but I actually loved how she was written. She felt complicated, messy, and very much like a character who was going to make you question every decision she made. And honestly? That’s what made her interesting.
Now, my one real critique is the chemistry/lust between our two FMCs. I wanted MORE of that tension on the page in the beginning. Give me the looks. The lingering touches. The “I absolutely should not be thinking about her like this "moments. 😂 Because I think establishing that attraction more strongly early on would've helped bridge the gap for me when it came to understanding why Rae was willing to navigate the situation the way she did professionally.
Because BABY, Rae had DEPTH. The family obligations, the pressure, the responsibilities… there was so much underneath the surface that I kept thinking, Okay, but WHY her? Why now? What is it about this situation that has her willing to risk all of this? I needed just a little more of that emotional groundwork.
That said, once the story got moving, the author really delivered when it came to their chemistry. Their dynamic throughout the rest of the book had me locked in, and I definitely enjoyed watching everything unfold.
Overall, I recommend this one. If you like complicated connections, questionable decisions, professional messiness, family drama, and enough twists to keep you turning pages like 👀… this is your kind of book.
A messy, chaotic standalone with a happy ending
And honestly? Sometimes a little mess is exactly what the reading gods ordered. 😂🔥
Have you ever started a book and immediately thought, **“What did I just get myself into?”** 😂 Because whew… the *quadrople* (not a word, but definitely MY word) of Koi, Marcel, Rika, and Roman had me saying, **“Say what now?!”**
And that twist?! Chile… 😩 Koi was out here licking, flipping, and slurping, and I was just trying to keep up! 😂
So, when community 🍆 Marcel gets his fiancée of 15 YEARS’ cousin pregnant—and the DNA test, **in my Maury Povich voice**, confirms that he is indeed the father—what’s a girl supposed to do?!
Well, Koi decides to hop on some new 🍆 and explore a peach for the first time. Because apparently, THAT’S what we’re doing! 😂🍑
Throw in a friendship marriage, heartbreak, a rotten-tooth cousin, a drunken Aunt Belinda, and enough chaos to make you clutch your imaginary pearls, and you’ve got one of the funniest stories about surviving “life” that I’ve read!
And the BONUS? Theresa Reese actually gets on live chats with readers to hear our reactions while we’re losing our minds over what’s happening in the book! That made the reading experience even better. 😂👏🏾
This is a quick read—**less than 300 pages—but BABY, it packs a punch!** You’ll be clutching your pearls, sipping the whole bottle of wine, and laughing at Marcel’s dirty community 🍆 azz!
**Session 25 gets ALL the stars for the laughs, the chaos, and the “WHAT IN THE ENTIRE HELL?!” moments!** ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the reader in me: Whew! This was a juicy read with ALL the twists, turns, mess, and family drama. 👀 I loved that the FMC actually attempted to seek professional help because we love to see characters trying to get their lives together. Meanwhile, the boyfriend kept acting like absolutely NOTHING was his fault. Sir, please. 😂
And that messy family drama? GAVE. WHAT. IT. WAS. SUPPOSED. TO. GIVE. 🍿
Now, from the therapist in me: 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
There were SO many red flags, especially around mental health and the portrayal of professional help. Mental health is already a complicated and stigmatized topic, particularly within the African American community. So when books portray therapy, therapists, or mental health treatment in certain ways, it can unintentionally reinforce misconceptions about what is appropriate, ethical, or actually allowed in a therapeutic setting.
Yes, I KNOW this is fiction. 😂 But fiction also shapes how people understand things they may have little personal experience with. When readers don't know the difference between what makes for good drama and what would actually be appropriate in a clinical setting, portrayals like this can continue to feed misconceptions and, honestly, set the industry back.
So overall? The reader in me was entertained. The therapist in me was STRESSED. 😂
A juicy, messy, twisty read? Absolutely.
A realistic portrayal of mental health and professional boundaries? That's where I had questions. 👀
This was my first read by Reese, and babyyyy, let me tell you… by page 13, I had to personally DM Reese and accuse her of writing my life story without my permission! 😂 Within those first 13 pages, the last 17 years of my life were staring right back at me in black and white. Every word had me feeling SEEN.
Session 25 was an easy read, but just like Reese warned us in her author’s note… this book will take you THROUGH IT! I was mad, sad, pissed, happy, stressed—you name it, I felt it. 😂
At one point, I was convinced my girl Koi was about to fall for the okie doke… or worse, fall back into what she was used to. And I was SO happy when she didn’t. Watching her navigate everything while learning to recognize her own worth was one of my favorite parts of the story.
And that plot twist?! CHILE. My jaw was on the FLOOR. 😭 The funny thing is, you can kind of see it coming because, honestly… why wouldn’t it? 😂 But even when it was confirmed, it still hit! I spent so much of the book wondering how everything was going to wrap up, and although I wasn’t completely sure how I wanted it to end, I’m happy with the way Reese brought everything together.
What stood out to me most was the character development. Every character, in their own way, needed to step into who they were becoming. They had to not only recognize their worth, but move like they understood they deserved better. I loved watching that growth unfold throughout the story.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend Session 25 as a palate cleanser—especially if you’re coming off a heavy hitter but still want a good dose of drama, mess, emotions, and a little “girl, what are you DOING?!” 😂
First read by Reese, and she definitely left an impression. I’ll be back for more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Baby, Theresa Reese did her BIG ONE with *Session 25*, okay?! 😭🔥 When I tell you this book had me feeling like I was sitting right there in the room listening to ALL the tea, drama, secrets, and everything unfold—I mean it!
This is definitely one of those books where you just keep saying, “Okay, ONE more chapter,” and next thing you know, you done finished the whole book. 😂 The way everything started coming together had me looking at these characters completely different because baby… everybody got something going on!
And one thing about Theresa, she knows how to give you characters that will have you talking to your Kindle like they can actually hear you. 😂 I had opinions, questions, and definitely a few “now why would you do THAT?!” moments.
I’m keeping this review spoiler-free because you NEED to experience *Session 25* for yourself. If you love drama, secrets, messy situations, and a story that makes you feel like you’re a fly on the wall hearing something you probably shouldn’t be hearing—ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR! 👀📚
Theresa Reese, mam… you did what needed to be DONE with this one! 👏🏾🔥
This book had me clutching my petals and screaming at the characters esp that damn Marcel. He had a good woman in Koi for over a decade then he messed up with his infidelity then giving someone the one thing he couldn’t give her. That ain’t even the half of it she’s in therapy to better her mental health and be better overall. What do you do when you fall for your therapist and a married man at the same and you’re trying to heal? Marcel was doing the most for me and it was really irking my nerves. When you said it was spicy you ain’t lie one bit. Who needs enemies when you got family like Rika. She wasn’t worth a damn at all, she showed exactly why she wasn’t. Thank goodness Koi had Marli as a friend I love their friendship. You and these plot twists Reese. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m glad Rae is finally living her truth and Koi got her happily ever after. Wanna know all of the juicy details in this 5 start standalone by Theresa Reese head to Amazon now and dive in no disappointment at all. You did the damn thang Reese.
I really enjoyed Session 25 by Theresa Reese. This was such an engaging read, filled with relationship drama, betrayal, family secrets, and the complicated process of trying to move forward when the past refuses to stay in the past.
I really connected with Koi’s journey. After giving so much of herself to a relationship, watching her finally start choosing herself and her peace was one of my favorite parts of the story. Roman also brought a different energy into her life and made her question what love should actually feel like.
I loved the messy family dynamics and all the secrets woven throughout the story. There was enough tension and uncertainty to keep me turning the pages because I genuinely wanted to see how everything would unfold.
I won’t give anything away, but the truth definitely has a way of finding its way out.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy romance, relationship drama, family secrets, and second chances.
Koi was a woman many readers could relate to. She was in love with her childhood sweetheart, Marcel, but continued to put her mental and physical health at risk trying to make their relationship work. The emotional toll of the relationship eventually led her to seek therapy as she struggled to process her misplaced feelings and everything she had endured.
When she finally reached her breaking point, she met an older man who helped her transition out of one relationship and into another situationship. But what Koi truly needed was time to heal herself, and that was a lesson she had to learn on her own.
Marcel was something else! Like many narcissistic people, he seemed determined to blame everyone else for his shortcomings rather than take accountability for his own actions. The lengths he went to avoid responsibility were unbelievable!
This book was GOOD! The storyline pulled me in, and I found myself completely invested in Koi’s journey. I almost stayed up all night just to finish it. If a book can keep you turning pages when you know you should be sleeping, you know it’s a good one!
The way Koi went from one crazy situation to the next is going to have your head SPINNING! This book opens up on intense drama and it just doesn’t let up moving forward. The way Koi fiancé fumbled her in the worse way possible, and then had the nerve to have audacity to still want her SENT me! Because sir who do you think you are ?!?! But I mean what was next for Koi far as that romance department was something she couldn’t have even predicted. And the PLOT TWIST of doing it all while attending therapy. I couldn’t have predicted things to pan out the way that they went. I had a FEW shocking moments while reading this. The ending definitely came full circle for Koi, and I definitely loved that for her & everybody involved because it came full circle for them too.
Baby if you like mess than this is the story for you.
When I say that my girl koi was going through with her good for nothing ass ex who did the unforgivable. When I tell you my head was on a swivel and I would have had to have been in therapy right along with my girl I mean it.
Marcel deserves a special place in delulu hell, cause this ninja was really off his mother fracking rocker with the shit he was thinking.
Her Cuz, I wasn't wishing no better cause heffa was a snake through and through.
Roman, I liked him, he def brought that grown man air to her life but he needed to get his house in order.
I did not see the therapy taking that turn but with my good sis she was being turned every which way but loose and I was like ride that wave till it is toxic.
All in all this book def brought me a fun time that I didn't know I wanted and was def happy with getting.
This book was MESSY from the very first chapter! Koi's family was a whole mess, but then again, whose family isn't?! Marcel was DELUSIONAL! There were moments when I genuinely felt bad for him, but then I had to remind myself that sir, you created most of this chaos and barely took any accountability! Now Koi was moving way too fast from one messy relationship to the next…to the next 👀 and Roman wasn't exactly a green flag. I feel like he was low-key, toxic and condescending 🤷🏾♀️ Overall, I was HIGHLY entertained by all the drama, questionable decisions, and toxic love, but LORD, please keep that kind of mess strictly in my fictional world because I do NOT want any parts of it in real life!
Whew, the drama in this one! Koi and Marcel had been together for 15 years, but after Marcel’s latest indiscretion, Koi finally decides she’s had enough and walks away. Add married couple Roman and Rae—who also happens to be Koi’s therapist—and you’ve got some major plot twists that I definitely didn’t see coming. This story was packed with secrets, drama, and plenty of unexpected turns. Everything wrapped up nicely in the end, although I can’t lie—I kind of wish Koi had stayed single and embraced her hot girl era a little longer. This was my first Theresa Reese book, and I really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be checking out more of her work!
iWas HOOKED in the beginning ! Maybe bc ilike reading mess icould see the plot twists coming from a mile away. iWill say that iwas not a fan of Roman. His introduction was very abrupt. For me the book started to go downhill from there. Very choppy writing with scenery confusion. it’s like the author forgot what she wrote one sentence ago. are we at the hospital or is he home ? are we in the bedroom or living room ? ithought we were in the car , but now we’re at a house. choppy transitions. this is not my first read by this author. i enjoyed the others , this one not so much. im certain its bc of the many errors in 60% of the book.
Theresa Reese what a different piece of work for you. I am so proud of you. Your pen is amazing. Koi was like so many of us that thinks we have something. In reality what we think we have we really don't. Koi had to learn to love herself. It was so easy for Marcel to get everything he wanted from Koi because her love was true his not. Having choices in her life surprised her but gave her something she thought she needed. Finding herself allowed her to except true friendship, love and peace within herself. Great read🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤨🤗
This definitely was a GREAT READ! I loved Koi. This touched on some subjects that I feel that alot of women have encountered. Marcel got what he deserved in the end. A few times I was like oh no, please don't do it Koi. Especially when he woke up the first night and she had MJ. Roman and Rae, I kind of had a feeling about them. But at the end, I was glad that Koi knew the difference of lust vs love . I'm glad Roman didn't play around with her. After your feelings been played with so long it's hard sometimes to separate the REAL! We get to feel every emotion with Koi, i even felt for Rae.
Koi going thru all phases of grief surprisingly didnt get on my nerves!!!!! I loved her growing relationship with Roman, as "wrong" as it was. Marcel, Rika, and Rae had me messed up tho. I do think Rae was extended a lil more grace than needed but hey such is life. Roman definitely showed how a man moves with intention, although he had some rough patches and moved slow on certain aspects of his life. Overall a great read, full of drama and mess, but on a totally different level than usual. Great job Reese!!
This book was absolutely amazing from beginning to end. I loved Koi throughout the entire book watching her grow was beautiful ❤️. Roman was exactly what she needed I love how patient, kind, and caring he was when handling her. Rae got on my nerves with her toxic and confused a$&! Now we that out of the way MARCEL……boy don’t piss me off!!! You been cheating and reckless the entire relationship and got the audacity to be MAD 😡? PLEASE GO TO THE PITS OF HELL!!! Theresa Reese until next time ❤️😍🥰
Every sistah needs a Roman in her life. A brother was not playing about his shorty. Koi overstayed her time with Marcel. Marcel played himself. Rae was a freak of a therapist. SMH.
In the end love won!
I love me a hood love story.
I had my own Roman back in the 80-90’a. He surely did not play about me. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book.
This book was all over the place with drama and mess but it was a time. I did not see that plot twist coming at first between the three of them but how everything turned out was good. I was rooting for Roman and Koi from the start. I just love an older mature man, and I couldn’t stand Rae. It was like she was acting like she was in love with Roman but knowing she didn’t want him. I’m just happy everything worked out for everyone involved
This book come recommended from a friend. This was my first time reading book my Theresa Reece and I didn't know what to expect going in. I found myself yelling at the FMC. This book was good and I'm happy with the way it ended. I lowkey want to know more about Marcel. I kind of wish he got a book. I want to see him grow up and change for the better. Maybe your fans can convince you to do that for us.
Talk about six degrees of separation! This books is full of connections and entanglements between people that have no business crossing paths. The therapist’s ethics will forever have me side-eyeing her.
I’m Happy Koi got her happy ending. It was good that Marcel wanted to step up and take responsibility for his child, and finally took accountability for destroying his relationship.
Mrs. Author from the moment i started chapter one baby you came in hot and ever since then I was locked it! Marcel pissed me off more than once that snaggle to Cousin really pissed me I wanted to come through kindle and beat her up! Roman and Rae sheesh I just knew that was dam plot twist and then Koi 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
Sign me up for therapy right next to Koi cause ima need a few sessions LOL ! This book had me questioning things I should probably not be questioning because of Ms. Rae. My girl Theresa did not play, she said this was her first time dabbling into some things but she did it so effortlessly. If you want messy & sexy then this is the book for you.
Based off the title, this was not what I expected: Koi, Marcel, Rika, Rae and Roman will have you needing a therapist. The twist and turns in this book, i didn’t see them coming. Yall have to read this cause whew. Its a great short read with just enough drama, spice and plot twist.
I give it 5 stars!!! Man listen…Koi Malone was taken for a ride but in the end she came out stronger and wiser. As a therapist myself I had to clutch my pearls several times but babbbyyyyyy I am happy I dedicated my day to this book! It is absolutely Leopardandliterature approved! @authortheresareese #urbanfiction #blackindieauthors #blackromance
This book had me from the beginning! I could relate to Koi from my previous relationships. Then I met my husband I too didn’t know how to receive the love I deserved. I wanted to knock Marcel and Rika’s head between a washer and dryer. I was here for Koi having fun with both partners!!!!