Before there was Smoke & Solace, there was Bellhaven.
A close-knit Black town where everybody knows everybody & damn near everybody’s business too. This is where Smoke and Solace grew up, where friendship became first love & where every corner holds a memory of them. Solace left eight years ago chasing the life she wanted. Now she’s home & neither Bellhaven nor the man whose heart she broke has forgotten her.
Smoke and Solace grew up together in a small town, becoming everything to each other. When Solace wants to leave Bellhaven to realize her dreams, and Smoke has no desire to leave, she makes the difficult decision with every intention of keeping her bond with Smoke strong while she is away. While in L.A. Solace misses Smoke more than she thought she would and is ready to run home every time she hears his voice. Soon their conversations become few and far between until they are cut off completely.
Solace knew returning to Bellhaven eight years later would be hard, however, when she encounters Smoke, she's at a loss for words. Their reconnection was tense as one would imagine, but the love was still there. Enjoyed this second chance love story, and the pictures were the cherry on top. 🥰
When it’s real love it always finds it way back! Ugh, I loved Smoke and Solace so much. Time didn’t matter for these two. Glad they found their way back to each other!
**6 STARS** Tasha never disappoints me at all!!!!!
WHEW, BOOK BESTIES… SOMEBODY COME GET ME! Because Smoke & Solace had me in a CHOKEHOLD, and I was NOT trying to be released! I literally read this book at work during my 8-hour shift.
Listen… when I say this book DELIVERED?! The chemistry? CHEMISTRY-ING. The tension? TENSION-ING. The spice? BABYYYY, SOMEBODY TURN THE AC ON! I came for the romance and got emotionally invested before I even realized what was happening. One minute I was kicking my feet and giggling like a fool, the next I was frustrated with these characters like I personally knew them. And don't even get me started on the moments that had me putting the book down, staring into space, and asking myself, “EXCUSE ME?! DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?”
I absolutely LOVED the small-town setting! It gave the story that intimate vibe that makes you feel like you're right there in the middle of all the drama, romance, and delicious tension. And the connection between these characters? The chemistry was undeniable, and those intimate scenes were SPICY without losing the emotional depth that made their relationship so enjoyable to follow.
Overall, Smoke & Solace was steamy, emotional, addictive, and SO EASY to get lost in. It had the romance, the tension, the feels, and enough heat to keep me flipping pages like I had somewhere important to be.
If you love small-town romance, undeniable chemistry, swoon-worthy moments, and enough spice to make you fan yourself, ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR IMMEDIATELY!
The smoke was HOT, the chemistry was CHEMISTRY-ING, and the solace? BABE, THAT WAS WORTH EVERY SINGLE PAGE!
The amount of times I was OBSESSED with Smoke needs to be studied! 😂🔥
Smoke and Solace were best friends turned lovers, and this second-chance romance had me hooked from beginning to end. The pace was on point.
Smoke did no wrong in my eyes. He took care of his family, built himself a career, and handled his business. THAT was a man’s man!
I loved the chemistry between Smoke and Solace, the small-town romance, and the way everything came together. The supporting characters always do it for me! The whole small-town vibe of everybody knowing everybody added so much to the story. Smoke and Solace’s family and friends brought another layer that I enjoyed.
And let’s talk about why it is an erotic novel, that SPICE, because it did NOT disappoint! Think of 112 song Anywhere!
The chemistry, the family dynamics, the small-town, the second chance, pictures, and the spice all worked together so well.
I can’t recommend this one enough! If you love second-chance romance, best friends turned lovers, small-town vibes, family, chemistry, and some GOOD 😜…ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR! ❤️🔥
3.5 Smoke and Solace knew they it for each other but needed time and space to get themselves together and grow separately especially when living in a small town. Would be nice to see more from them in the future.
Solace was driving me crazy for a minute there lol, steady being a track star lol. I thought Smoke was so precious lol. He was funny and honest and lord was he something in the bedroom lol. 😝. This was a cute read !
Smoke & Solace gave me everything I want in a romance—chemistry, tension, emotion, and enough spice to keep the pages HOT! 🔥 The connection between the characters felt intense, and I loved watching their relationship unfold. There were moments that had me smiling, moments that had me frustrated, and definitely moments where I had to put the book down for a second because… GIRL. 😂
I really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere because it gave the story that cozy, intimate feeling while still allowing the romance to take center stage. The chemistry was undeniable, and the intimate scenes were 🔥🔥🔥 without completely overshadowing the emotional side of the story.
Overall, this was a steamy, emotional, addictive read that kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy small-town romance, strong chemistry, spice, and characters who bring the HEAT, definitely add this one to your TBR! 📚❤️🔥
5/5 ⭐️ — The smoke was HOT, but the solace was worth it. 😮💨💕
Let me first start off by saying Thee Tasha Marie know how to get my blood pressure up in the best way. I thoroughly enjoyed this read even though I wanted to square up with Solace. Niece still owe me one for the bs she pulled. Then had the nerve to come back and think she was the only one who had motion. That stuff she was saying about Smoke and what he accomplished at first was shady af. Then she got mad that Smoke had ppl when not only did she ghost him but was planning a whole wedding. The only thing that man said was dont forget about him he didn't try to convince her to stay or nothing. What she do forget about him. Not because he did something wrong but because she forced herself to. I know its a book but so many ppl do this and it so messed up to play with ppl like that. Anyway I got a new respect for Ferris Wheels adding that to my bucket list 🤣🤣🤣 5 star for sure.
Smoke and Solace was such a cute second-chance romance! ❤️ I really enjoyed this one. The communication? The accountability? The family dynamics? YES to all of it! 👏🏾 I loved seeing the characters navigate their past while making room for something better together. There was just enough drama to keep things interesting without doing too much or dragging things out for no reason. Give me a story that knows how to keep my attention without unnecessary mess! 😂 And Savannah, BABYYYY… THAT'S A GOOD MAN! PERIOD. 😂❤️ Bell Haven was absolutely adorable, and I really enjoyed this love story. If you enjoy second-chance romance with good communication, accountability, and just the right amount of drama, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read! Cute, sweet, and absolutely worth the read! ❤️� The photos were a nice touch too!
This was another engaging spicy and sexy book from T. Marie and I think I found my book bae of the year, Storm. His attitude, quips, and smart mouth were such a turn on and made him extra attractive 😜. The way he loves and cares about those he holds dear is even more beautiful. Solace with all her courageousness and bold moves can’t shake all the feels Bellhaven and certain citizens provide despite the time away. This story just shows sometimes distance is needed for growth and elevation but sometimes absence does make the heart grow fonder and the heart wants who it wants. You also learn you can have who and what you want without shrinking or losing yourself or what you’ve worked hard for. The way Solace and Storm loved each other past time and distance was just proves home is always where the heart is.
Solace legit irked me. She was selfish, inconsiderate and entitled in my opinion. She ghosted Smoke without even an emoji, stayed gone for 8 years during which time she got engaged, then popped back up. Then gone get mad at him for a maybe baby, like he planned it. I get him having a baby by someone else would be an adjustment, if the baby turned out to be his, but girl.... she really was surprised that Smoke accomplished his goals while staying in town. Like she really didn't expect him to make any progress because he was comfortable staying in town. Now, all Solace's irksome ways aside, the love was felt and the connection was there. I was still rooting for them to win and they did.
Smoke and Solace were CUTE! I really enjoyed seeing the story of how their relationship developed before they actually became a couple. Solace had a habit of running away when things got hard, while Smoke was standing on business every single time.
Eight years apart, and the feelings never left. The love was still there, and THE CHEMISTRY WAS CHEMISTRY-ING! I loved seeing them navigate the past eight years, deal with everything that happened, and find their way back to each other.
Listen, I LOVE a good second-chance romance because THE YEARNING BE YEARNING! That unfinished business, those lingering feelings, and the undeniable connection.
Sometimes the heart never really moves on. It just waits for the right moment.
This book was ok. You felt the chemistry between the characters. The heartbreak & the love was there. I loved the small town vibes of it but this book was dragged out. The ending could’ve been better and it felt rushed. Everything was thrown into the epilogue & then it was over lol. I would’ve loved to see them as an official couple/family.
Smoke was so mean and I loved it. I think my fav part in the book was him and Loretta going back and forth about the renovations 😂 he was fed up with her ass
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Babeeee this erotic was so good I love me a good ole second chance love story. Smoke is definitely the Man everything about him screams BDE, is about his family, work and is sexy and nasty babe 😩🫠🤤. Solace too boss lady didn’t play no games she almost made me curse her but she redeemed herself 🤣. Anyway this is very different then any other erotic book I read from ms thee tasha Marie I ain’t mad at all I had a very good time🥵. Definitely hope this book will be coming out on paperback because yea I need that😩.
Second chance romance in a small town made this book feel so homey and cozy 🥰 Solace left for 8 years to pursue something outside of her small hometown. Coming back to help her mom during renovations and preparing for the festival she runs into the one man she was hoping to avoid- Smoke 💨
Seeing them interact after laying it all out was a good ride! Solace did get on my damn nerves at times but Smoke was determined not to lose her this time no matter what came their way…..
Hopefully we get a little novella with them officially as a family (maybe for Christmas 😉
I absolutely loved Smoke & Solace! Thee Tasha Marie has such a way with words and knows exactly how to craft a story. Her pacing is always on point, but what really got me was the connection between Smoke and Solace because their love felt so real and effortless. Pure, organic chemistry at its finest. Even in a full length novel, she creates characters that leave you completely hooked and begging for more.
Smoke and Solace was such a great book. It was as spicy as I knew Thee Tasha Marie would make it. It wasn’t even the spice that sold me, the storyline was small town couple deals with distance, absence, reunion, DRAMA, then getting their happily ever after. Not too much mess, no killing, no slanging, no banging, just love and what comes with it. Spice? 5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Storyline was top tier. Loved the pictures and all! Gotta love a good character visual.
I really really enjoyed reading about Smoke and Solace. It showed me if the love is real that no matter what it'll come back like it never left. I loved the way they loved on each other since they were kids. I was mad how Solace did him but I did kinda understand it. FYI I soooooooooo love the picturs in the book because when I read I get a better vision on how everything is praying out and I love that. Great read wish it could've been more parts or and update book
The pictures of the town were cute. The character pictures didn’t really match the description in the story. Especially when she was like I’m barely showing unless I wear something tight but in the picture she looks 6-7 months pregnant. Also the characters look different in every picture. HOWEVER I love how this wasn’t a secret baby book. Now I wouldn’t call it an erotic romance. Just romance. Not even urban. Just romance.
Smoke didn’t mind the small town. He still made something out of himself. I was sad to see how Lacey did him in the beginning. Glad things happened the way they did with her mom getting Loretta’s renovated. I enjoyed reading about a small town romance being that I can relate to that small town. Loved it! Solace had me p!ssed with her though lol
I usually don’t Smoke, but I’ll be damn if I didn’t want to try Smoke’s thick handsome self out. It didn’t even take an entire day to finish this book, that’s how much I was into it! Smoke was definitely giving book bae and thank the lawd there were pictures to prove it! I think that’s my new favorite thing in books! Great job again Thee Tasha Marie!!
I love me a good spin the block story. I understand why Solace ghosted Smoke, but I didn’t like how she did it. The man deserved an explanation to why she doesn’t want to be bothered with him anymore. I glad they got everything straightened out the second time around and it worked out in their favor.
I love the love story between SMOKE AND SOLACE. It’s actually a very relatable story and very captivating. I know this is a standalone novel but I would love a part 2 ( hey I gotta ask) lol I also LOVE the fact that the pictures are included to help visualize the characters and how FINE SMOKE IS ❤️
I love Thee Tasha Marie books but this FMC got on my nerves so bad. She did not have to do Smoke like that, and then use the I was young card. No, you were wrong and you have no right to be in your feelings about anything he did when you ended things. She so lucky he loved her because in real life, she would have been officially dropped forever
Man I read this book in 1 day. This book was everything. I loved that it wasn't a slow burn. Wasn't no guessing if they were gonna end up together. Smoke and Lace came hard about each other. Now Lace did piss me off ghosting our husband lol. But they got it back right!! I'd read this one over and over again
Ms lady you have outdone yourself again and I loved every part from beginning to end, Smoke has officially been added to my book baes he played no games about his Solace aka Lace and she really didn’t play none about him either, I laughed, cried tears of joy when it was all said and done. Great end to a even greater story loved the visuals..
Before I get into this story, I ain’t ever been a fan of “ this may be yo’ baby” tropes. I mean can we get a win without the extra 🎭🎭 Now did I hold my breath reading about the 🧬 results, YES! 8 yrs was a lot and the mama was alright with me! HEA ✅✅ MMC 💪🏾👷🏾♂️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this novel from start to finish honey!!!! It was the perfect mix of romance with real world issues that we all face in relationships! I absolutely loved their bond and how they handled each other. Not to mention ALL THE SPICE BABY! I was HERE FOR ITTTTT THEY GOT DOWNNNN!!!!
Loved everything about this book from beginning to end. Smoke and Solace were made to be for each other. The banter was super cute, Smoke definitely gave top tier masculinity. Love the spice 😍 definitely plan to ready again.