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Wayward Love #3
The Right of Love
“After the hot sex comes the real world.”
“What was that?”
“My therapist once said, ‘after the hot sex comes the real world. Or in wayward love, the drama is sprinkled in between passionate lovemaking’.”
“That sounds more like one of them novels you like to read.”
“No. Ours is too hilly to be a traditional romance story.”
And it is. Journey the conclusion to Love Belvin’s riveting “Wayward Love” series, and see how errant the path to Isaak and Kennedi’s happily ever after is. What is a perfect love story? Does it not include disappointment, betrayal, distractions, guilt, and anger?
Just how much can these two take before they decide the victory of love isn’t worth the pain?
Note: This is the final installment of a three book series. It contains expletive language, and sexual content. If you do not wish to have these elements in your reads, this is not the venture for you.
“What was that?”
“My therapist once said, ‘after the hot sex comes the real world. Or in wayward love, the drama is sprinkled in between passionate lovemaking’.”
“That sounds more like one of them novels you like to read.”
“No. Ours is too hilly to be a traditional romance story.”
And it is. Journey the conclusion to Love Belvin’s riveting “Wayward Love” series, and see how errant the path to Isaak and Kennedi’s happily ever after is. What is a perfect love story? Does it not include disappointment, betrayal, distractions, guilt, and anger?
Just how much can these two take before they decide the victory of love isn’t worth the pain?
Note: This is the final installment of a three book series. It contains expletive language, and sexual content. If you do not wish to have these elements in your reads, this is not the venture for you.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2017
About the author
Love Belvin
33 books2,058 followersLove Belvin is a contemporary adult romance author renowned for her emotionally rich and character-driven novels, delving into the complexities of love and personal growth. With over 30 titles to her name, she’s established a significant presence in the romance genre.
Belvin’s writing is distinguished by her focus on deeply flawed characters who embark on transformative journeys toward healing and sustainable love. She conceptualizes her characters as “clients” seeking guidance through the therapeutic process of storytelling, offering readers an intimate look into their emotional evolutions.
Hailing from Paterson, NJ, Love’s passion for romance literature was ignited during her undergraduate studies after immersing herself in the works of the late Eric Jerome Dickey. This inspiration propelled her to begin crafting her own narratives, leading to a prolific writing career.
Belvin’s work is celebrated for its authentic portrayal of Black love, emotional depth, and the nuanced exploration of relationships. Her storytelling resonates with readers seeking narratives reflecting real-life challenges and triumphs in love.
Facebook @ Author - Love Belvin
Twitter @LoveBelvin
Instagram @LoveBelvin
TikTok @LoveBelvin
Sign up to receive emails from her team (#TeamLove) -> http://eepurl.com/6ejjv
Belvin’s writing is distinguished by her focus on deeply flawed characters who embark on transformative journeys toward healing and sustainable love. She conceptualizes her characters as “clients” seeking guidance through the therapeutic process of storytelling, offering readers an intimate look into their emotional evolutions.
Hailing from Paterson, NJ, Love’s passion for romance literature was ignited during her undergraduate studies after immersing herself in the works of the late Eric Jerome Dickey. This inspiration propelled her to begin crafting her own narratives, leading to a prolific writing career.
Belvin’s work is celebrated for its authentic portrayal of Black love, emotional depth, and the nuanced exploration of relationships. Her storytelling resonates with readers seeking narratives reflecting real-life challenges and triumphs in love.
Facebook @ Author - Love Belvin
Twitter @LoveBelvin
Instagram @LoveBelvin
TikTok @LoveBelvin
Sign up to receive emails from her team (#TeamLove) -> http://eepurl.com/6ejjv
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
April 5, 2023
Welp folks, it’s been a loooooooooooooooong journey with Isaak and Kennedi and I have to say that it was more than worth it😩😩. These two drove me CRAZY 😜🤪😜 but I’m quickly learning this is what you get when diving into the world of LB.
Kennedi and Isaak were madly in love I mean there was no doubt about it. It was clear that they both made foolish choices but I chalked it up to inexperience and necessary growth. Kennedi forced Isaak to man up as a father and she forced her to woman up in life in general. In the end all the angst and tears, because Kennedi shed PLENTY, was worth it!
My heart softened to Tracee after learning what she and Lisa went through. She was still crazy as all get out but I understand why she was the way she was. Amira on the other hand had all the audacity and I’m glad she was told to kick rocks. All’s well that ends well! Whatever you read that has been gifted by Love will forever imprint in your mind and heart and is worth every page! 🥰🥰
Kennedi and Isaak were madly in love I mean there was no doubt about it. It was clear that they both made foolish choices but I chalked it up to inexperience and necessary growth. Kennedi forced Isaak to man up as a father and she forced her to woman up in life in general. In the end all the angst and tears, because Kennedi shed PLENTY, was worth it!
My heart softened to Tracee after learning what she and Lisa went through. She was still crazy as all get out but I understand why she was the way she was. Amira on the other hand had all the audacity and I’m glad she was told to kick rocks. All’s well that ends well! Whatever you read that has been gifted by Love will forever imprint in your mind and heart and is worth every page! 🥰🥰
May 22, 2019
Kennedi: “After the hot sex comes the real world.”
Isaak: “What was that?”
Kennedi: “My therapist once said, ‘after the hot sex comes the real world. Or in wayward love, the drama is sprinkled in between passionate lovemaking’.”
Isaak: “That sounds more like one of them novels you like to read.”
Kennedi: “No. Ours is too hilly to be a traditional romance story.”
What an exhilarating, heart-stopping, emotionally addictive ride. This is how I can describe the journey of Isaak (Young Lord) and Kennedi (Sunset). You have two people from opposites ends of the spectrum meet in college for one semester and their whole worlds turned upside down. Everything they believed they knew, turned out to be the exact opposite. Isaak, hood cat, the baddest rapper in the game wanted a different life, Kennedi sheltered all her life wanted freedom. Two people who never saw the other coming, collided and created a totally different world just for them, not marching to anybody's beat, making their own mistakes, breaking each other's hearts, loving each other recklessly then unconditionally. Yes, this is their story and what a story it is.
The final book of Isaak and Kennedi, finds the pair trying to find common ground, Isaak not knowing if he should take the risk of opening his heart to Kennedi again, Kennedi finally realizing once the fear is confronted, she has always loved Isaak, starting from their first semester at William Patterson. But things change, people are hurt, Isaak's children are involved, he now has full custody of them, and isn't sure the risk with Kennedi is worth it especially when his children got caught up in the aftermath. But Kennedi if nothing else is persistent, she knows what she has done, tries to rush the progress but Isaak stands his ground, she continues with her therapy sessions in getting to root and uncovering all of the junk. They both were seeing other people (albeit neither of them was into them) but still it was there. But the heart wants what the heart wants. Isaak and Kennedi wanted each other, no they needed each other, his children needed her, her parents needed Isaak and his children.
The road to redemption and reconciliation was long for them but they made it, it wasn't easy, it was hard as hell. Isaak no matter how many women he slept with, they weren't his Kennedi (Sunset) and no matter the guy Kennedi was with (she didn't really want him), she imagined it was Isaak (Issy). Their story far transcended what I even imagined and I am so glad I took the ride with them. They are definitely in my top three of Love's couples and they will definitely be on rotation for future re-reads.
If you have not read a book by author Love Belvin, I definitely implore you to do so ASAP. In the sea of Black authors, it can be daunting trying to find one who will keep you in a literary orgasmic space (not only speaking sexually but mentally and emotionally). I was introduced by other readers to her first series "Love's Improbably Possibility" and have been hooked on her stories ever since.
Well Until My Next Review...Ciao Bellas!
Isaak: “What was that?”
Kennedi: “My therapist once said, ‘after the hot sex comes the real world. Or in wayward love, the drama is sprinkled in between passionate lovemaking’.”
Isaak: “That sounds more like one of them novels you like to read.”
Kennedi: “No. Ours is too hilly to be a traditional romance story.”
What an exhilarating, heart-stopping, emotionally addictive ride. This is how I can describe the journey of Isaak (Young Lord) and Kennedi (Sunset). You have two people from opposites ends of the spectrum meet in college for one semester and their whole worlds turned upside down. Everything they believed they knew, turned out to be the exact opposite. Isaak, hood cat, the baddest rapper in the game wanted a different life, Kennedi sheltered all her life wanted freedom. Two people who never saw the other coming, collided and created a totally different world just for them, not marching to anybody's beat, making their own mistakes, breaking each other's hearts, loving each other recklessly then unconditionally. Yes, this is their story and what a story it is.
The final book of Isaak and Kennedi, finds the pair trying to find common ground, Isaak not knowing if he should take the risk of opening his heart to Kennedi again, Kennedi finally realizing once the fear is confronted, she has always loved Isaak, starting from their first semester at William Patterson. But things change, people are hurt, Isaak's children are involved, he now has full custody of them, and isn't sure the risk with Kennedi is worth it especially when his children got caught up in the aftermath. But Kennedi if nothing else is persistent, she knows what she has done, tries to rush the progress but Isaak stands his ground, she continues with her therapy sessions in getting to root and uncovering all of the junk. They both were seeing other people (albeit neither of them was into them) but still it was there. But the heart wants what the heart wants. Isaak and Kennedi wanted each other, no they needed each other, his children needed her, her parents needed Isaak and his children.
The road to redemption and reconciliation was long for them but they made it, it wasn't easy, it was hard as hell. Isaak no matter how many women he slept with, they weren't his Kennedi (Sunset) and no matter the guy Kennedi was with (she didn't really want him), she imagined it was Isaak (Issy). Their story far transcended what I even imagined and I am so glad I took the ride with them. They are definitely in my top three of Love's couples and they will definitely be on rotation for future re-reads.
If you have not read a book by author Love Belvin, I definitely implore you to do so ASAP. In the sea of Black authors, it can be daunting trying to find one who will keep you in a literary orgasmic space (not only speaking sexually but mentally and emotionally). I was introduced by other readers to her first series "Love's Improbably Possibility" and have been hooked on her stories ever since.
Well Until My Next Review...Ciao Bellas!
August 7, 2022
Man, this story had soooooo many twist and turns and this couple went through so much….the bottom line is there was love almost immediately. Both had to grow up and experience other things to find their way back to one another. I love this couple & their story.
December 4, 2019
Love Belvin!!! This series was a rollercoaster ride for sure. FORGET WAYWARD, ya girl was out here straight zig-zagging, dodging and weaving, just trying to regulate my feelings.
Kennedi and Isaak are officially on my "favorite couples" list and boy did they work for it. I mean WORK! They went THROUGH it and put me through it right along with them. But in the end, it makes me appreciate them so much more because I know the struggle and the fight they had to endure to get to their HEA.
I started the first book in this series and was so excited because they were so cute! Little did I know these two would have me up at 4 in the morning in my feelings, eyes watering, legitimately sad. I had to watch four...FOUR Disney movies that day to lift my spirits enough to start this book. AND THE BS CONTINUED! Book two ended with me getting my heart stomped on and then book three picked up and had the nerve to shimmy on my shit and I'm sitting here like "what did I do that was so bad to deserve this!"
I don't even really have any words. This series was EVERYTHING and more. I honestly wish I would have started on my LB journey with this book because I would have been hooked SO much sooner.
READ THIS SERIES!
Kennedi and Isaak are officially on my "favorite couples" list and boy did they work for it. I mean WORK! They went THROUGH it and put me through it right along with them. But in the end, it makes me appreciate them so much more because I know the struggle and the fight they had to endure to get to their HEA.
I started the first book in this series and was so excited because they were so cute! Little did I know these two would have me up at 4 in the morning in my feelings, eyes watering, legitimately sad. I had to watch four...FOUR Disney movies that day to lift my spirits enough to start this book. AND THE BS CONTINUED! Book two ended with me getting my heart stomped on and then book three picked up and had the nerve to shimmy on my shit and I'm sitting here like "what did I do that was so bad to deserve this!"
I don't even really have any words. This series was EVERYTHING and more. I honestly wish I would have started on my LB journey with this book because I would have been hooked SO much sooner.
READ THIS SERIES!
September 9, 2017
Love it!!!!,
By far the best series Ms Belvin has written thus far and to me that's sAying something all of her books are good but the ball was knocked out of the park with this series!
By far the best series Ms Belvin has written thus far and to me that's sAying something all of her books are good but the ball was knocked out of the park with this series!
April 10, 2023
I've reached the finish line. Whew Kennedi put up a fight for her love Issak. In all honesty, I enjoy the two individually but not together. Isaak and Kennedi's final book finds them trying to find mutual understanding. Isaak is unsure whether to risk again letting Kennedi into his heart, and Kennedi realizes she has loved Isaak all along once her fear is faced. My, what a long road. Even though it wasn't simple and Issak seemed self-centered to me in the last two book and Kennedi naïveté was something , they eventually found redemption and restoration. In this book, I saw both parties' progress. Because they were able to understand one another and had a love only they could understand so fuck what I think.
March 23, 2023
Finally Kennedi & Isaak got their HEA. Poor Kennedi realized her errors & went to fix them. Told Isaak fck bring friends I’m your girlfriend & you mine. It was nice seeing Ragee in this book & all the others from previous books.
May 8, 2021
When real love gets real
I could barely read the beginning of this book. They had me heated making terrible decisions that did NOT have to be made. My husband thought I was crazy cuz I was yelling at the book. That's how you know I feel connected to these characters. Poor Kenni, my heroine from the 2nd book, was so lost in this one and felt like she was not deserving of a passionate love instead a tolerable situation. Her decisions were terrible, but she was trying to protect her heart from the one that actually loved her. She bossed up and didn't stop til she got her family back. Isaak, I was proud of him in this story. He learned from Kenni how to boss up and take care of his kids. He also protected them at every turn. He was head over heels for Kenni, I don't know how it wasn't clear to her that the door would always be open. He was so passionate with the way he treated her. This story was an imperfect love. It's crazy how the FEAR of a broken heart or rejection will keep you from properly communicating. I could read another story about the Beckwiths.
Lastly I would have handled that violinist no questions asked, even though she handled it right..I would have handled it all wrong cause she had me messed up.
I could barely read the beginning of this book. They had me heated making terrible decisions that did NOT have to be made. My husband thought I was crazy cuz I was yelling at the book. That's how you know I feel connected to these characters. Poor Kenni, my heroine from the 2nd book, was so lost in this one and felt like she was not deserving of a passionate love instead a tolerable situation. Her decisions were terrible, but she was trying to protect her heart from the one that actually loved her. She bossed up and didn't stop til she got her family back. Isaak, I was proud of him in this story. He learned from Kenni how to boss up and take care of his kids. He also protected them at every turn. He was head over heels for Kenni, I don't know how it wasn't clear to her that the door would always be open. He was so passionate with the way he treated her. This story was an imperfect love. It's crazy how the FEAR of a broken heart or rejection will keep you from properly communicating. I could read another story about the Beckwiths.
Lastly I would have handled that violinist no questions asked, even though she handled it right..I would have handled it all wrong cause she had me messed up.
March 28, 2017
A less than stellar ending.
For Issak and Kenny to have known each for a significant time, they both act as if they just met each other on the street and was forced into a relationship. The struggle between them became tedious. Isaac seemed to be jealous of Kenny's having a family and of her desire to better his. His love and passion for her was unquestionable, but actions towards her was. What was so wrong with her needing a time out from his drama? Why punish her for expecting the parents of the kids for take care of there own? This last installment seemed rushed, wordy and unfocused, very realistic in regards to read life romance. Still a fan of Love Belvin, waiting for next selection.
For Issak and Kenny to have known each for a significant time, they both act as if they just met each other on the street and was forced into a relationship. The struggle between them became tedious. Isaac seemed to be jealous of Kenny's having a family and of her desire to better his. His love and passion for her was unquestionable, but actions towards her was. What was so wrong with her needing a time out from his drama? Why punish her for expecting the parents of the kids for take care of there own? This last installment seemed rushed, wordy and unfocused, very realistic in regards to read life romance. Still a fan of Love Belvin, waiting for next selection.
March 25, 2017
Let me start off with how I'm such a huge fan of Love Belvin's books. This review is why I couldn't give my usual five stars. My biggest issue with this final book in the series was that all the problems of Isaak and Kennedy were placed on Kennedy's shoulders. Yes, she left Isaak but she had to, for her own mental health and stability. Did she try to move on with her life, yes and I see nothing wrong with her doing what was right for her. Isaak didn't even try to set things right with her, the whole book was about how she broke his heart. They both failed at their relationship due to lack of communication. I was also irritated by the fact she had to keep justifying her own sexual experiences to him because he felt some type of way but he was out here sleeping with everybody. I actually felt quite sorry for Kennedy and started to think by the 70% mark that she needed to move on. I wouldn't want someone who wouldn't fight for me. There's not fight in Isaak until about 90% into the book. What made Love's other books stand out to me was the male characters stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for their own actions and fighting just as hard to be with the woman they love. I honestly didn't see it in this book and I'm not sure the author didn't do that because the characters were younger and hadn't matured yet compared to her previous books. My final thought is that everything in this book is so rushed at the end to wrap up everything, in fact statements are often repeated. I still love this author and look forward to her other books I was just disappointed by the quality of this last book in the series.
January 22, 2026
Issy & Sunset 🥰 This series had me in a chokehold. They have become my 2nd fav couple from LB’s world. I truly enjoyed their journey to loving each other. From meeting in college & becoming best friends & watching their friendship/relationship go through so many ups and downs, Isaak & Kennedi hold a special place in my heart.
It was the kids for me. Joy, Martin & Ms. diva Shiya lol 🥰🥰🥰
Ameeryah…. Bye girl. I wish Kennedi would’ve went upside her head like she did Shameeka 🙄🤭
It was the kids for me. Joy, Martin & Ms. diva Shiya lol 🥰🥰🥰
Ameeryah…. Bye girl. I wish Kennedi would’ve went upside her head like she did Shameeka 🙄🤭
April 9, 2017
In my review of The Left of Love I described Love's writing as the perfect example of experiencing all parts of a story! The Right of Love did not disappoint. The author has a way of delivering on promises that she didn't even know that she made. In the first two books in this series we witnessed Isaak and Kennedi experience some serious growing pains, with each other and in life. But this book was all about the falling action and resolution!
Falling Action The falling action is described as occuring right after the climax. It is what happens after the main problem of the story has been solved. Ken-Ken was the first one to take hold of "solving the problem".... She had to depend on outside sources, but homegirl didn't play when it came time to scoop her dude! She let anyone who would listen know that "I'm tryna be Issy's girl." Here's the thing, Issy wasn't quite ready to receive her, and that was OK, because he needed to experience his falling action in his own time.
Conclusion This is that deep sigh you take, the feeling when you just know all will be right and I do believe that all will be right with Issy and Kenny. These two have a love that stems from friendship and they both have a unique love for family. I feel like I am giving the go ahead and best wishes to my younger family members! Like I am so proud of these two!
Even in their youth and inexperience, we can learn a thing or two from Isaak and Kennedi about Wayward Love...... It's difficult to predict and control. When you try to manipulate it, it goes left and low before it's right! So... just be!
I hope we are able to hear a little more from this couple in glimpses in the future.
Well done Love!
Falling Action The falling action is described as occuring right after the climax. It is what happens after the main problem of the story has been solved. Ken-Ken was the first one to take hold of "solving the problem".... She had to depend on outside sources, but homegirl didn't play when it came time to scoop her dude! She let anyone who would listen know that "I'm tryna be Issy's girl." Here's the thing, Issy wasn't quite ready to receive her, and that was OK, because he needed to experience his falling action in his own time.
Conclusion This is that deep sigh you take, the feeling when you just know all will be right and I do believe that all will be right with Issy and Kenny. These two have a love that stems from friendship and they both have a unique love for family. I feel like I am giving the go ahead and best wishes to my younger family members! Like I am so proud of these two!
Even in their youth and inexperience, we can learn a thing or two from Isaak and Kennedi about Wayward Love...... It's difficult to predict and control. When you try to manipulate it, it goes left and low before it's right! So... just be!
I hope we are able to hear a little more from this couple in glimpses in the future.
Well done Love!
April 1, 2017
I finished this book on Monday, and it's now Friday night, and I'm STILL trying to move on. This book, the whole series, was so good. The pacing of the love story was excellent. Kennedy and Isaak went from classmates, to best friends, to friends with benefits, and finally to an actual couple. 'Hilly' was the perfect way to describe their road, because there were so many ups and downs. These two were so young and although this is the first love for both of them, you know their love is going to last because they know each other. They've grown and started on the road to maturity together. They've put in work and built trust.
There's much I more I want to say, but this review would be ridiculously long. So I'll just say this: read this series. It's a good, long, compelling read. An all-encompassing love story of a most unlikely couple. I read the series in 3 days and didn't want it to end. I typically finish a book, write a review and move on to the next book. But I can't stop thinking about this series. Or re-reading parts of it. It's just that good.
Thanks for another great read, Love Belvin. Eagerly looking forward to whatever is next.
There's much I more I want to say, but this review would be ridiculously long. So I'll just say this: read this series. It's a good, long, compelling read. An all-encompassing love story of a most unlikely couple. I read the series in 3 days and didn't want it to end. I typically finish a book, write a review and move on to the next book. But I can't stop thinking about this series. Or re-reading parts of it. It's just that good.
Thanks for another great read, Love Belvin. Eagerly looking forward to whatever is next.
April 3, 2023
I did it. I done did it hoe. And again these are 2 good stars ok!!
It was too long for me, I understand some people prefer draaaaawn out angst and drama but I am not People. This series didn't need three books - but if you're a fan of the series then of course you're kekeing and hahaing over this.
Isaak.. for a nigga that was solid in book one and survived the industry and went after what he wanted - I was not impressed with you in book 2. Book 3 was okayish because he was able to point out his feelings after K was being honest too but maaaaaaane I was tired after the handful of times she told him she was pursuing him again.
Kenni - ehhhhh, I guess I was happy with her finding herself and all that good stuff but they sis exhausted me too.
The premise is that I was exhausted and well onto the next.
Don't get it twisted though, I'm still gonna read sis Belvins work
It was too long for me, I understand some people prefer draaaaawn out angst and drama but I am not People. This series didn't need three books - but if you're a fan of the series then of course you're kekeing and hahaing over this.
Isaak.. for a nigga that was solid in book one and survived the industry and went after what he wanted - I was not impressed with you in book 2. Book 3 was okayish because he was able to point out his feelings after K was being honest too but maaaaaaane I was tired after the handful of times she told him she was pursuing him again.
Kenni - ehhhhh, I guess I was happy with her finding herself and all that good stuff but they sis exhausted me too.
The premise is that I was exhausted and well onto the next.
Don't get it twisted though, I'm still gonna read sis Belvins work
March 30, 2017
Another hit series for the Queen!
I love this author because she's the greatest at storytelling about perfectly imperfect people. This series was just as great as the others. I loved the growth and maturity of both Isaak and Kenndi. I love how she explored the truth about love and forgiveness. I'm not sure why but I had a thing for Isaak from jump. I saw through the tough guy exterior. I knew he was feeling his Sunset from that first kiss as he was getting ready to start his music career. Thank you Love for a another great journey!
I love this author because she's the greatest at storytelling about perfectly imperfect people. This series was just as great as the others. I loved the growth and maturity of both Isaak and Kenndi. I love how she explored the truth about love and forgiveness. I'm not sure why but I had a thing for Isaak from jump. I saw through the tough guy exterior. I knew he was feeling his Sunset from that first kiss as he was getting ready to start his music career. Thank you Love for a another great journey!
March 24, 2017
I can't believe I'm already finished.
So much for pacing myself. This is what happens when an artist pens without perimeters. You get so intwined with the characters you don't realized that your turning the last page. I laughed, I cussed Sunset out, I also cried. I loved this tale so much. I'm so upset that I'm already finished because I have nothing to look forward to for at least 3 months.
So much for pacing myself. This is what happens when an artist pens without perimeters. You get so intwined with the characters you don't realized that your turning the last page. I laughed, I cussed Sunset out, I also cried. I loved this tale so much. I'm so upset that I'm already finished because I have nothing to look forward to for at least 3 months.
March 29, 2017
THE LEFT SIDE OF LOVE - THE LOW SIDE OF LOVE AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF LOVE, (WAYWARD LOVE 3 book series by LOVE BELVIN)
SPEECHLESS!
This review represents my opinion of the entire 3 book series.
We all have our favorite authors and also the best book we associate with said author. With Love Belvin, my book association has always been Azmir Divine Jacobs and Ms. Rayna Brimm. I have just finished reading Love's latest project and the rawness of the writing has left me floundering in my endeavor to ascertain how freely the writing explodded page after page. This series is totally outside of what I am used to reading by this author. The depths to which she went to develop the two lead characters is astounding to me. I could not help but compare the emotional pull I felt between Azmir/Rayna and Isaak and Kennnedi. Both couples put my romantic being on another stratosphere, just like the writing of Love Belvin is - revolving in the universe on its own creative axel.
Love truly outdid herself in this series. I was put both in a comfort zone and in an emotional turmoil reading the manner she drew us into the two seemingly polar personalities of Kennedi and Isaak. But it was this incompatibility and the genius development of the bond built between them which identifies the genesis and genius of Ms. Love Belvin. With each stroke of her pen and strike upon her laptop, she has created a love story worthy to be put into the annals or archives of greatest love stories ever told.
I have my authors and reads separated into separate compartments in my personal reader's Rolodex, and these authors pretty much stay within the writing boundaries I have relegated them to. They are consistent in what I expect of them. But Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Love Belvin cannot be compartmentalized. She has shown, with each book series she has written, that she can cross over into any genre and destroy any preconceived notions you may have formed about her and her writing. I have read about sanctification of love ordained by God - written by Love Belvin; I have read about love and basketball - written by Love Belvin; I have read about the age ain't nothing but a number - young man/older woman type of love - written by Love Belvin - and I have read about the explosive semi urban greatest love story ever told - written by Love Belvin and they have all placed her in a heretofore unidentified stratophere, in this reader's mind, because she keeps changing ad upping the rules of the game each time she comes out of the gate.
Love Belvin has once again proven that she is not one to deal with the ordinary. Each and every time she releases a project she does the extraordinary. Love's characters take up residence inside your very soul. They become a part of your very essence. You cannot rid yourself of their presence, they are unshakable; and you don't want them to leave. The beauty of her words puts a picture in my mind of a clear, running spring surrounded with colorful flowers and trees filled with uniquely budding and noteworthy foliage.
The development of the love between Kennedi and Isaak has added another extraordinary element to Love's repertoire of monumental killer stories. Words like exceptional, amazing, astonishing, unbelievable, phenomenal or sensational does no justice to the way she makes the reader of her works feel. To me, her unique skill lies in the fact that she leads us to believe she has walked the path she is writing about so the reality of the characters experiences become ingrained in realistic and not fictional parts of our reader lives. Her ever evolving success did not happen. She is making a difference in her writing career because she is different. Her writing sets her apart from the best of the best and catapults her into a category made specifically for her - USING WHAT GOD GAVE HER TO THE VERY BEST OF HER ABILITY.
Just like a story I read where a man gave his servants different amounts of talents and then went on a journey. Upon his return, he looked to see what each servant had done with that which he gave them. When something is given to you, it would be expected to have an increase in the investment. Love Belvin has increased that which was given to her; therefore she is blessed to not only possess success in her writing endeavors but to surpass each and everyone of them.
This, she has achieved in every written word she has given to us. Love Belvin, you increased the love ten fold that we, your loyal fan base have for you. I am proud to be a member of that loving fan base. I will leave it to my fellow reading colleagues to tell the story of Kennedi and Isaak; but I will say that if Love ever sought to go in another direction, stand up comic would surely be another frontier for her to conquer , and put her stamp of excellence on. My shoulders were actually shaking with mirth while reading the baby pick up scenes with Shameeka - "BM2". And, of course, who would not want to see a movie about Ahmir/Rayne - Azmir/Rayna??
My reviews are reflective of the way an author makes my soul sing and my heart muscle to best at an erratic pace. They entail the way an author makes me feel after indulging and immersing myself in the written storyline; you made me feel great; thank you for that emotion. Looking forward to your next endeavor.
P.S. Love, thank you for integrating a "Sunset" and an "Izzy" arising to create a new incendiary star for the heaven of love. This is one series I will be reading multiple times!
SPEECHLESS!
This review represents my opinion of the entire 3 book series.
We all have our favorite authors and also the best book we associate with said author. With Love Belvin, my book association has always been Azmir Divine Jacobs and Ms. Rayna Brimm. I have just finished reading Love's latest project and the rawness of the writing has left me floundering in my endeavor to ascertain how freely the writing explodded page after page. This series is totally outside of what I am used to reading by this author. The depths to which she went to develop the two lead characters is astounding to me. I could not help but compare the emotional pull I felt between Azmir/Rayna and Isaak and Kennnedi. Both couples put my romantic being on another stratosphere, just like the writing of Love Belvin is - revolving in the universe on its own creative axel.
Love truly outdid herself in this series. I was put both in a comfort zone and in an emotional turmoil reading the manner she drew us into the two seemingly polar personalities of Kennedi and Isaak. But it was this incompatibility and the genius development of the bond built between them which identifies the genesis and genius of Ms. Love Belvin. With each stroke of her pen and strike upon her laptop, she has created a love story worthy to be put into the annals or archives of greatest love stories ever told.
I have my authors and reads separated into separate compartments in my personal reader's Rolodex, and these authors pretty much stay within the writing boundaries I have relegated them to. They are consistent in what I expect of them. But Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Love Belvin cannot be compartmentalized. She has shown, with each book series she has written, that she can cross over into any genre and destroy any preconceived notions you may have formed about her and her writing. I have read about sanctification of love ordained by God - written by Love Belvin; I have read about love and basketball - written by Love Belvin; I have read about the age ain't nothing but a number - young man/older woman type of love - written by Love Belvin - and I have read about the explosive semi urban greatest love story ever told - written by Love Belvin and they have all placed her in a heretofore unidentified stratophere, in this reader's mind, because she keeps changing ad upping the rules of the game each time she comes out of the gate.
Love Belvin has once again proven that she is not one to deal with the ordinary. Each and every time she releases a project she does the extraordinary. Love's characters take up residence inside your very soul. They become a part of your very essence. You cannot rid yourself of their presence, they are unshakable; and you don't want them to leave. The beauty of her words puts a picture in my mind of a clear, running spring surrounded with colorful flowers and trees filled with uniquely budding and noteworthy foliage.
The development of the love between Kennedi and Isaak has added another extraordinary element to Love's repertoire of monumental killer stories. Words like exceptional, amazing, astonishing, unbelievable, phenomenal or sensational does no justice to the way she makes the reader of her works feel. To me, her unique skill lies in the fact that she leads us to believe she has walked the path she is writing about so the reality of the characters experiences become ingrained in realistic and not fictional parts of our reader lives. Her ever evolving success did not happen. She is making a difference in her writing career because she is different. Her writing sets her apart from the best of the best and catapults her into a category made specifically for her - USING WHAT GOD GAVE HER TO THE VERY BEST OF HER ABILITY.
Just like a story I read where a man gave his servants different amounts of talents and then went on a journey. Upon his return, he looked to see what each servant had done with that which he gave them. When something is given to you, it would be expected to have an increase in the investment. Love Belvin has increased that which was given to her; therefore she is blessed to not only possess success in her writing endeavors but to surpass each and everyone of them.
This, she has achieved in every written word she has given to us. Love Belvin, you increased the love ten fold that we, your loyal fan base have for you. I am proud to be a member of that loving fan base. I will leave it to my fellow reading colleagues to tell the story of Kennedi and Isaak; but I will say that if Love ever sought to go in another direction, stand up comic would surely be another frontier for her to conquer , and put her stamp of excellence on. My shoulders were actually shaking with mirth while reading the baby pick up scenes with Shameeka - "BM2". And, of course, who would not want to see a movie about Ahmir/Rayne - Azmir/Rayna??
My reviews are reflective of the way an author makes my soul sing and my heart muscle to best at an erratic pace. They entail the way an author makes me feel after indulging and immersing myself in the written storyline; you made me feel great; thank you for that emotion. Looking forward to your next endeavor.
P.S. Love, thank you for integrating a "Sunset" and an "Izzy" arising to create a new incendiary star for the heaven of love. This is one series I will be reading multiple times!
March 28, 2017
She continues to amaze me with her writing style, she possesses the ability to weave a story together that will tap into every emotion possible. Issy & Kenni take you not only on an emotional ride but a reflective one as well. Their journey will have you thinking about how the decisions we make not only affects you but the subsequent people in your life. Every decision you make good or bad has the ability to affect someone else's life as well as your own. Kenni & Issy learn this the hard way. This entire series deserves every five stars it receives. Well done Ms. Belvin!!
March 29, 2017
Loved it
March 24, 2017
Love
Kennadi and Isaak have literally been through everything. It takes dedication and communication to get through the stuff they've been through. They stood the test of time
Kennadi and Isaak have literally been through everything. It takes dedication and communication to get through the stuff they've been through. They stood the test of time
February 27, 2023
I’m not going to lie. I’m so disappointed. This book was not as strong as the first two. It’s been about a week, and I can’t stop thinking how this really didn’t end on a bang. For starters, I felt like I was being tortured throughout the first half. I could care less about BRYANT OR AMEERAH OMG. It just felt dragged. And that time on them served no purpose… just time wasted. I skipped like half the book because of that. Everything was just weird. Issak and Kennedi should have fought most of that out in the beginning when she came back. She should’ve been introduced to the kids sooner. Issak was acting like it was all Kennedi’s fault likeee…. BOYY what. And then to top it off he didn’t really fight for her like I felt he should’ve. Like her heart was broken too dummy. I understood Kennedi needing her space but it went on for too long when she left after the affair in March and then went back to Bryant. That scene when she was at the house and tracee popped up should’ve went down differently. Again honestly the first half of the book just made me mad .. the second half was ok. It was better, but it wasn’t outstanding. I mean dang I at least wanted to hear the vows, and get the whole scene of the wedding and him to tell the world about KENNEDI! I still enjoyed the series as a whole. The first two books are my favorite hands down, and are in my top 10 of the year for sureeee! Excited to read more even though I’m a little salty about this book. So much to say about this series… I’m having a hard time keeping my thoughts together just writing! These are just a few things that popped up in my mind about the last one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2017
The Left of Love, I was mad but ready for book 2
The Low of Love I fell in love and was absolutely heart broken and ready to see growth in both Isaak and Kennedi (I actually read this book twice and the ending several times)
I really like The Right of Love, but I was also disappointed. I didn't see any real growth, yeah a lot of questions were answered but I didn't feel like they grew as individuals. Kennedi went back to her old ways (to please Isaak) and forgetting self. Allowing him to blame her for everything. Isaak you were not the only one hurt in this relationship (rolling my eyes)
For Isaak to be an alpha male he wasn't acting like it. Too much whining and being way too selfish. I still love them together BUT........
Nice series.
The Low of Love I fell in love and was absolutely heart broken and ready to see growth in both Isaak and Kennedi (I actually read this book twice and the ending several times)
I really like The Right of Love, but I was also disappointed. I didn't see any real growth, yeah a lot of questions were answered but I didn't feel like they grew as individuals. Kennedi went back to her old ways (to please Isaak) and forgetting self. Allowing him to blame her for everything. Isaak you were not the only one hurt in this relationship (rolling my eyes)
For Isaak to be an alpha male he wasn't acting like it. Too much whining and being way too selfish. I still love them together BUT........
Nice series.
March 28, 2017
I will say it again Love Belvin knows how to frame and master a story. Books 1 and 2 had my nerves all messed up. I was on pins and needles waiting for the last book. I was disappointed in Isaak aka Issy... he seemed to be so stuck in his feelings, I may even say, bitchy. They hurt each other, deal and move on. I felt like he was punishing Kenny without seeing her reason for protecting herself. The Series was great as usual and I was very pleased with the ending, however I would have liked to see them get it right earlier in the book and then see more of them in a healthy relationship as a family.
September 11, 2023
Sad to see this series end. Loved Isaak and Kenny. They went through a lot to reach their HEA. Great job Love.
Better the second time around.
Better the second time around.
June 20, 2020
#CapturingSunset #ForeverIssyAndSunset
March 30, 2017
Well done, LB. Well done.
Read
March 25, 2021Is Ameerah a viable contender or threat?
I recently saw this question in a discussion thread in Love Belvin’s book club and felt compelled to write an analysis of my own. It took me awhile to process Right of Love and until recently, I couldn’t figure out why: it’s because of the bad takes I read under this topic. Takes that had me doubting my own initial analysis of this book. Granted, the book club discussion around this book took place in 2017, but, because I only recently finished the book a couple of months back and it was fresh in my mind, I was curious as to what other people thought of it. I figured I would walk away from the comment section more enlightened and full of light hearted energy brought about by others appreciation of Isaak’s and Kennedi’s love story....but...boy was I wrong. Instead, I came away confused, angry, and ignoring my gut instincts. It changed my perception of the book towards the negative because of the downplaying of Kennedi’s and Isaak’s connection all to elevate the presence of a secondary character. Those comments almost had me doubting Isaak’s love for Kennedi. They haunted me; their analysis’ threw me completely off my game. It took me going back and rereading key parts to understand that my original assessment was accurate. I wrote this review in response because I felt compelled to speak up for Kennedi and most especially, Isaak. I felt more so than anything, his voice was neglected in that discussion. I saw entirely too many people confuse Ameerah’s feelings and Kennedi’s insecurities for Isaak’s truth. Right of Love is a book full of subtleties. (Warning: review is long and will extend to the comments as a result.)
The only people who felt Ameerah was a threat were Kennedi and Ameerah. Kennedi because she reminded her of herself; and Ameerah because she allowed her unrequited feelings for Isaak to misrepresent his intentions. Something Isaak expressed concerns about at the very beginning and why he specifically told her he wasn’t available. He gave her a courtesy Bryant never provided to Kennedi: upfront honesty about not being interested in pursuing her romantically. Misperceptions were a running theme throughout the course of the book and we could see it on display frequently. The author’s way of reminding readers that Ameerah’s feelings and Kennedi’s insecurities should not be mistaken as Isaak’s truth. For example, when Shameeka talks about taking Isaak’s niceness to mean he had deep feelings for her. She initially thought he was just as in love with her as she was with him but later realized that wasn’t the case, he never treated her like a boyfriend. This was intended to add to the theme that two people can be in the same relationship and yet have different perceptions of it; this story within a story (much like Bryant’s and Megan’s) was designed to provide context to the larger theme: that Isaak had a different view of his arrangement with Ameerah than both her and Kennedi. One clear example of this is when ole girl tried to give Isaak reassurance about her ex attending her show (because she thought he would care), but, Isaak’s response was one of indifference, he had completely forgotten about it until that moment. And even after she revealed the nature of their relationship (that he was a former lover), his indifference remained. He didn’t care about her ex lover appearing at the show or even her past with her ex because he felt no emotional attachment to her. Kennedi had misconceptions about Isaak’s relationship with ole girl just like Isaak made incorrect assumptions about her relationship with Bryant until she set him straight. (He thought she was in love with Bryant, was well on her way to starting a family with him, and had completely forgotten about the child they formed together and his kids.) Once Isaak’s fears were abated, Bryant fades into the background. In Kennedi’s case though, hers weren’t addressed until much later in the story and because of that, her insecurities drag out until then....and so does Ameerah’s presence. While Kennedi and ole girl may have thought Isaak’s love and affections were up for grab, he never had any doubts about as to who his heart belonged to, that was never up for debate. For Isaak, the only thing preventing him and Kennedi’s joyous reunion was the residual anger, hurt, and resentment he carried from her breaking his heart and trust; it was his own fear of getting hurt again. For Isaak, it was only ever Kennedi.
Isaak’s actions throughout, however, belied Kennedi’s concern. He referred to Ameerah as a “buddy” continuously, having zero desire to commit himself to her, merge his life with hers, and introduce her to his kids/family in a romantic capacity. Though she imagined it to be more, mistook his niceness as romantic interest, he kept her at arms length. She assumed that because Lord was participating in general conversational topics that meant she was getting to know him when in actuality she wasn’t - he still had his guard up. For a person to open up to you about themselves there has to be trust, security, and an interest and willingness to dive deeper...and Isaak didn’t fit into any of these categories. Isaak didn’t trust Ameerah or have the emotional security with her to feel comfortable opening up about himself (that honor belonged to the one and only Kennedi); he had zero interest in building a deeper bond with her as he had no intentions of pursuing her romantically and felt no emotional investment (which is why he wasn’t interested in diving deeper into her past with her ex, didn’t care to ask questions); and Isaak was emotionally unavailable. He didn’t open up again (emotionally) until the conversation with Willy and the shower scene. Meaning, in the time he was sleeping with ole girl, there was never any emotional connection on his end; he wasn’t catching any feelings for her; and he certainly wasn’t opening up like she assumed he was. Isaak wasn’t in a position to, having shut down to protect himself from the pain of losing Kennedi: he just had his heartbroken by the only person he ever truly trusted, the love of his life. Making it impossible for him to connect anybody else. Ameerah didn’t even know that he had a shell, that their was an Isaak beneath the mask of Young Lord. She had no idea that Isaak had been in pain that entire time, still effed up and emotionally tormented by his love for another woman. She only saw a version of Lord’s tough exterior, never uncovering the person underneath. And while it may have been a different version, it was still very much a mask. Which is why she only refers to him as “Young Lord” or “Lord” throughout the book (the same as the rest of the masses) as opposed to “Isaak”. That moniker was reserved specifically for Kennedi, she was the only person who truly knew him, the only one he opened up to about himself. Conversations she felt were intimate and special (likely because Isaak isn’t known for talking) weren’t viewed with the same degree of significance by Isaak, which is why we never see them from his perspective. That is why he never thought of their friendship as special - to him, those conversations weren’t in-depth or particularly significant. As he noted, she was the one who “brought up topics”, not him, and while he may have entertained them, he wasn’t volunteering information or sharing personal details about himself. Which is why he never once indicates that their conversations were of a personal nature. (In fact, in every scene we saw between Isaak and Ameerah, it was always her reaching out, initiating contact, trying to set up meetings. Making Isaak’s lack of interest in her romantically obvious. She was trying to chasing him, not the other way around.) We know that as well because Isaak noted later that the topics she brought up were ones that were new to him and her perspective was unique. The personal, Isaak had already discussed with Kennedi: he had conversations with her about the loss of his mom and grandmother, his General Supreme, Guap and Smith, Tracee and Lisa, his baby mothers, kids, his father and heritage, dreams and ambitions, etc. In essence, the things that deeply impacted him and his upbringing and truly affected who he was as a person. So none of this, the personal stuff, would have been topics that Isaak had never taken on before, a strong indication that he didn’t open up to her about the things he kept closest to his heart. Plus, he wouldn’t have needed Ameerah’s point of view on his past and personal life - as he once told Kennedi after sharing details on Guap and Smiff -, when discussing the personal, he just needed a neutral party that he could trust, not an opinion necessarily or pity on things he had already dealt with. (The only types of discussions in which one could offer a unique perspective under these circumstances are philosophical/intellectual type). Isaak wouldn’t have valued her opinion on his personal life anyways because she was never a factor in it (as he had zero desire to integrate her into it) and had no built history with him to warrant that sort of leeway. He listened to Kennedi’s views on his parenting skills and other related topics, for instance, because she was a major part of his kids’ lives and in many ways, knew them better than he did. He opened up to her about the ugly because she saw him in the trenches (the hot mess of his life) before he blew up and accepted him anyways. She welcomed him into her family. And that gave her major leeway and influence. Kennedi understood him without the need to provide backstory. While Isaak may have entertained general discussions with Ameerah, he made it obvious that the truly personal stuff, he reserved for Kennedi. In essence, they were surface level. A person talking and someone talking about themselves are not the same. Isaak felt comfortable revealing himself to Kennedi because she made him feel emotionally safe and protected; and she was there before the fame, saw him at his worst and loved him anyways. Hence, why he tells her at the trampoline park that he was okay with telling her what had him so stressed (baby mama drama, etc.) because she knew about the ugly already. Ameerah didn’t. She only saw Young Lord after the blow-up, not the shit he had to do to make it to that point and he wasn’t going to divulge because he wasn’t comfortable with her on that level and had no desire to connect with her. Which is why it took her reminding him of Kennedi for Isaak to open up...and surprise: it was about his love for Kennedi. Kennedi was Isaak’s confidante, the only person ever spoke about his dark and ugly to...and his position on that never changed.
(Also, Isaak was closed off emotionally until Kennedi came back in the picture, as he indicated when said he felt himself opening back up, feeling emotions he hadn’t felt in months. Indicating there was never any emotional involvement on his end with Ameerah and that the conversations (from his perspective) weren’t what he would consider to be super deep. You aren’t opening up to anyone when you are emotionally unavailable, even if it appears so; neither are you connecting with them...you’re unable to because your emotions are suppressed. Kennedi was accurate in saying he didn’t open up.) So it’s no surprise then the one time Isaak decides to open up to ole girl about himself comes after Kennedi’s re-emergence in his life...and it’s about Kennedi, brought on by Kennedi. As Miguel once pointed out, Kennedi made Isaak more open and transparent with other people. She left, he closed up, and her coming back brought everything he had been doing his best to suppress, surging back to the surface. It’s not shocking then that he had this conversation after telling Kennedi that she broke his heart. Which is why, more so than anything, that conversation was about Kennedi and the effect she had on him. Isaak had no intention of saying more than the little he gave away - he felt that even admitting he had been in love was too much. He felt uncomfortable even in saying that because he didn’t share personal details about himself with Ameerah, didn’t talk to her on that level. His very next statement confirms this when he chalks up him sharing to having “been through it”. He had no intention of going beyond that point. He only went deeper after she shifted positions because in doing so, she (her mannerisms) reminded him of Kennedi, who was already on his mind and who already had him in his damn feelings just after telling her she broke his heart. She reminded him of Kennedi, the love of his life, who always tried to dig beneath the surface; Kennedi, the only person Isaak ever felt safe and emotionally secure with. Isaak didn’t trust Ameerah, didn’t feel safe with her, at all, but, in that moment, when he was already hurting and in pain over Kennedi, her familiarity to the one woman who had the ability to effect him emotionally, the one person he ever felt comfortable exposing himself to, was enough. It was a perfect storm, a culmination of events brought on by Kennedi coming back in his life. It wasn’t Ameerah (though she didn’t know), it was Kennedi and her impact. (No different than when Trent hugged Brielle on stage because she reminded him of Jade. It wasn’t her, it was the familiarity of her disposition to the woman he loved; she reminded him of Jade in that moment. Though Brielle didn’t realize it - and neither did Jade for that matter.) We know that because just minutes before (prior to her speaking about her ex) he had zero interest in asking questions about their past, didn’t care enough to do so. He didn’t even know where to take the conversation, whether to ask questions...his confusion as to what to say indicative of having never opened up to her on a deep, personal level before as well as his lack of romantic interest. He didn’t care to dive deeper with her because he wasn’t emotionally invested nor connected to their arrangement. And even after she opened up about her past heartbreak, he had no intention of telling her more than the fact that he had been in love before. It wasn’t until she moved into a position that reminded him of Kennedi, that he expanded further. In that moment, she exhibited traits similar to Kennedi, who was already front of mind, giving him a pseudo level of comfort in a moment that amounted to a perfect storm of events: naivety, mannerisms, and attempt at pillow talking. It was her familiarity to the one person had only ever exposed himself to; it was Kennedi. Isaak was taken aback by those similarities to Kennedi as well as his own level of candidness during the conversation because he had never opened up to her about himself before, was never interested in exposing himself to a woman who was just a “fuck buddy”. And he still wasn’t, as he later indicated. It was that connection to the only person who made him feel safe. In essence, she served as a proxy.
I recently saw this question in a discussion thread in Love Belvin’s book club and felt compelled to write an analysis of my own. It took me awhile to process Right of Love and until recently, I couldn’t figure out why: it’s because of the bad takes I read under this topic. Takes that had me doubting my own initial analysis of this book. Granted, the book club discussion around this book took place in 2017, but, because I only recently finished the book a couple of months back and it was fresh in my mind, I was curious as to what other people thought of it. I figured I would walk away from the comment section more enlightened and full of light hearted energy brought about by others appreciation of Isaak’s and Kennedi’s love story....but...boy was I wrong. Instead, I came away confused, angry, and ignoring my gut instincts. It changed my perception of the book towards the negative because of the downplaying of Kennedi’s and Isaak’s connection all to elevate the presence of a secondary character. Those comments almost had me doubting Isaak’s love for Kennedi. They haunted me; their analysis’ threw me completely off my game. It took me going back and rereading key parts to understand that my original assessment was accurate. I wrote this review in response because I felt compelled to speak up for Kennedi and most especially, Isaak. I felt more so than anything, his voice was neglected in that discussion. I saw entirely too many people confuse Ameerah’s feelings and Kennedi’s insecurities for Isaak’s truth. Right of Love is a book full of subtleties. (Warning: review is long and will extend to the comments as a result.)
The only people who felt Ameerah was a threat were Kennedi and Ameerah. Kennedi because she reminded her of herself; and Ameerah because she allowed her unrequited feelings for Isaak to misrepresent his intentions. Something Isaak expressed concerns about at the very beginning and why he specifically told her he wasn’t available. He gave her a courtesy Bryant never provided to Kennedi: upfront honesty about not being interested in pursuing her romantically. Misperceptions were a running theme throughout the course of the book and we could see it on display frequently. The author’s way of reminding readers that Ameerah’s feelings and Kennedi’s insecurities should not be mistaken as Isaak’s truth. For example, when Shameeka talks about taking Isaak’s niceness to mean he had deep feelings for her. She initially thought he was just as in love with her as she was with him but later realized that wasn’t the case, he never treated her like a boyfriend. This was intended to add to the theme that two people can be in the same relationship and yet have different perceptions of it; this story within a story (much like Bryant’s and Megan’s) was designed to provide context to the larger theme: that Isaak had a different view of his arrangement with Ameerah than both her and Kennedi. One clear example of this is when ole girl tried to give Isaak reassurance about her ex attending her show (because she thought he would care), but, Isaak’s response was one of indifference, he had completely forgotten about it until that moment. And even after she revealed the nature of their relationship (that he was a former lover), his indifference remained. He didn’t care about her ex lover appearing at the show or even her past with her ex because he felt no emotional attachment to her. Kennedi had misconceptions about Isaak’s relationship with ole girl just like Isaak made incorrect assumptions about her relationship with Bryant until she set him straight. (He thought she was in love with Bryant, was well on her way to starting a family with him, and had completely forgotten about the child they formed together and his kids.) Once Isaak’s fears were abated, Bryant fades into the background. In Kennedi’s case though, hers weren’t addressed until much later in the story and because of that, her insecurities drag out until then....and so does Ameerah’s presence. While Kennedi and ole girl may have thought Isaak’s love and affections were up for grab, he never had any doubts about as to who his heart belonged to, that was never up for debate. For Isaak, the only thing preventing him and Kennedi’s joyous reunion was the residual anger, hurt, and resentment he carried from her breaking his heart and trust; it was his own fear of getting hurt again. For Isaak, it was only ever Kennedi.
Isaak’s actions throughout, however, belied Kennedi’s concern. He referred to Ameerah as a “buddy” continuously, having zero desire to commit himself to her, merge his life with hers, and introduce her to his kids/family in a romantic capacity. Though she imagined it to be more, mistook his niceness as romantic interest, he kept her at arms length. She assumed that because Lord was participating in general conversational topics that meant she was getting to know him when in actuality she wasn’t - he still had his guard up. For a person to open up to you about themselves there has to be trust, security, and an interest and willingness to dive deeper...and Isaak didn’t fit into any of these categories. Isaak didn’t trust Ameerah or have the emotional security with her to feel comfortable opening up about himself (that honor belonged to the one and only Kennedi); he had zero interest in building a deeper bond with her as he had no intentions of pursuing her romantically and felt no emotional investment (which is why he wasn’t interested in diving deeper into her past with her ex, didn’t care to ask questions); and Isaak was emotionally unavailable. He didn’t open up again (emotionally) until the conversation with Willy and the shower scene. Meaning, in the time he was sleeping with ole girl, there was never any emotional connection on his end; he wasn’t catching any feelings for her; and he certainly wasn’t opening up like she assumed he was. Isaak wasn’t in a position to, having shut down to protect himself from the pain of losing Kennedi: he just had his heartbroken by the only person he ever truly trusted, the love of his life. Making it impossible for him to connect anybody else. Ameerah didn’t even know that he had a shell, that their was an Isaak beneath the mask of Young Lord. She had no idea that Isaak had been in pain that entire time, still effed up and emotionally tormented by his love for another woman. She only saw a version of Lord’s tough exterior, never uncovering the person underneath. And while it may have been a different version, it was still very much a mask. Which is why she only refers to him as “Young Lord” or “Lord” throughout the book (the same as the rest of the masses) as opposed to “Isaak”. That moniker was reserved specifically for Kennedi, she was the only person who truly knew him, the only one he opened up to about himself. Conversations she felt were intimate and special (likely because Isaak isn’t known for talking) weren’t viewed with the same degree of significance by Isaak, which is why we never see them from his perspective. That is why he never thought of their friendship as special - to him, those conversations weren’t in-depth or particularly significant. As he noted, she was the one who “brought up topics”, not him, and while he may have entertained them, he wasn’t volunteering information or sharing personal details about himself. Which is why he never once indicates that their conversations were of a personal nature. (In fact, in every scene we saw between Isaak and Ameerah, it was always her reaching out, initiating contact, trying to set up meetings. Making Isaak’s lack of interest in her romantically obvious. She was trying to chasing him, not the other way around.) We know that as well because Isaak noted later that the topics she brought up were ones that were new to him and her perspective was unique. The personal, Isaak had already discussed with Kennedi: he had conversations with her about the loss of his mom and grandmother, his General Supreme, Guap and Smith, Tracee and Lisa, his baby mothers, kids, his father and heritage, dreams and ambitions, etc. In essence, the things that deeply impacted him and his upbringing and truly affected who he was as a person. So none of this, the personal stuff, would have been topics that Isaak had never taken on before, a strong indication that he didn’t open up to her about the things he kept closest to his heart. Plus, he wouldn’t have needed Ameerah’s point of view on his past and personal life - as he once told Kennedi after sharing details on Guap and Smiff -, when discussing the personal, he just needed a neutral party that he could trust, not an opinion necessarily or pity on things he had already dealt with. (The only types of discussions in which one could offer a unique perspective under these circumstances are philosophical/intellectual type). Isaak wouldn’t have valued her opinion on his personal life anyways because she was never a factor in it (as he had zero desire to integrate her into it) and had no built history with him to warrant that sort of leeway. He listened to Kennedi’s views on his parenting skills and other related topics, for instance, because she was a major part of his kids’ lives and in many ways, knew them better than he did. He opened up to her about the ugly because she saw him in the trenches (the hot mess of his life) before he blew up and accepted him anyways. She welcomed him into her family. And that gave her major leeway and influence. Kennedi understood him without the need to provide backstory. While Isaak may have entertained general discussions with Ameerah, he made it obvious that the truly personal stuff, he reserved for Kennedi. In essence, they were surface level. A person talking and someone talking about themselves are not the same. Isaak felt comfortable revealing himself to Kennedi because she made him feel emotionally safe and protected; and she was there before the fame, saw him at his worst and loved him anyways. Hence, why he tells her at the trampoline park that he was okay with telling her what had him so stressed (baby mama drama, etc.) because she knew about the ugly already. Ameerah didn’t. She only saw Young Lord after the blow-up, not the shit he had to do to make it to that point and he wasn’t going to divulge because he wasn’t comfortable with her on that level and had no desire to connect with her. Which is why it took her reminding him of Kennedi for Isaak to open up...and surprise: it was about his love for Kennedi. Kennedi was Isaak’s confidante, the only person ever spoke about his dark and ugly to...and his position on that never changed.
(Also, Isaak was closed off emotionally until Kennedi came back in the picture, as he indicated when said he felt himself opening back up, feeling emotions he hadn’t felt in months. Indicating there was never any emotional involvement on his end with Ameerah and that the conversations (from his perspective) weren’t what he would consider to be super deep. You aren’t opening up to anyone when you are emotionally unavailable, even if it appears so; neither are you connecting with them...you’re unable to because your emotions are suppressed. Kennedi was accurate in saying he didn’t open up.) So it’s no surprise then the one time Isaak decides to open up to ole girl about himself comes after Kennedi’s re-emergence in his life...and it’s about Kennedi, brought on by Kennedi. As Miguel once pointed out, Kennedi made Isaak more open and transparent with other people. She left, he closed up, and her coming back brought everything he had been doing his best to suppress, surging back to the surface. It’s not shocking then that he had this conversation after telling Kennedi that she broke his heart. Which is why, more so than anything, that conversation was about Kennedi and the effect she had on him. Isaak had no intention of saying more than the little he gave away - he felt that even admitting he had been in love was too much. He felt uncomfortable even in saying that because he didn’t share personal details about himself with Ameerah, didn’t talk to her on that level. His very next statement confirms this when he chalks up him sharing to having “been through it”. He had no intention of going beyond that point. He only went deeper after she shifted positions because in doing so, she (her mannerisms) reminded him of Kennedi, who was already on his mind and who already had him in his damn feelings just after telling her she broke his heart. She reminded him of Kennedi, the love of his life, who always tried to dig beneath the surface; Kennedi, the only person Isaak ever felt safe and emotionally secure with. Isaak didn’t trust Ameerah, didn’t feel safe with her, at all, but, in that moment, when he was already hurting and in pain over Kennedi, her familiarity to the one woman who had the ability to effect him emotionally, the one person he ever felt comfortable exposing himself to, was enough. It was a perfect storm, a culmination of events brought on by Kennedi coming back in his life. It wasn’t Ameerah (though she didn’t know), it was Kennedi and her impact. (No different than when Trent hugged Brielle on stage because she reminded him of Jade. It wasn’t her, it was the familiarity of her disposition to the woman he loved; she reminded him of Jade in that moment. Though Brielle didn’t realize it - and neither did Jade for that matter.) We know that because just minutes before (prior to her speaking about her ex) he had zero interest in asking questions about their past, didn’t care enough to do so. He didn’t even know where to take the conversation, whether to ask questions...his confusion as to what to say indicative of having never opened up to her on a deep, personal level before as well as his lack of romantic interest. He didn’t care to dive deeper with her because he wasn’t emotionally invested nor connected to their arrangement. And even after she opened up about her past heartbreak, he had no intention of telling her more than the fact that he had been in love before. It wasn’t until she moved into a position that reminded him of Kennedi, that he expanded further. In that moment, she exhibited traits similar to Kennedi, who was already front of mind, giving him a pseudo level of comfort in a moment that amounted to a perfect storm of events: naivety, mannerisms, and attempt at pillow talking. It was her familiarity to the one person had only ever exposed himself to; it was Kennedi. Isaak was taken aback by those similarities to Kennedi as well as his own level of candidness during the conversation because he had never opened up to her about himself before, was never interested in exposing himself to a woman who was just a “fuck buddy”. And he still wasn’t, as he later indicated. It was that connection to the only person who made him feel safe. In essence, she served as a proxy.
January 25, 2018
How in the world does she do it? Her writing is so alive it's crazy. I think that I'm going to cop to the fact that Issy and Sunset are my favorite Love Belvin couple so far.
This was not an easy read by far. Love knows how to complicate things in such a delicious way. I devoured this last installment until the wee hours of the morning knowing I had to work the next day.
In this installment I was so upset with Isaac and it took me a while to really get over it. I don't want to add any spoilers, but I really got Kennedi. I understood why she did the things she did. Though I was upset with him, I still raced through his perspective and chapters because I needed explanation! I needed to get into his thought processes.
This was such an emotional and satisfying read for me. I cannot believe that I am putting this a notch above the Ezra series. Because Ezra is my dude for real, but this Wayward couple was so...so... Heavy. In a good way.
The character development is just on some other level completely. This was not an easy peasy love story and it was scrumptious.
This was not an easy read by far. Love knows how to complicate things in such a delicious way. I devoured this last installment until the wee hours of the morning knowing I had to work the next day.
In this installment I was so upset with Isaac and it took me a while to really get over it. I don't want to add any spoilers, but I really got Kennedi. I understood why she did the things she did. Though I was upset with him, I still raced through his perspective and chapters because I needed explanation! I needed to get into his thought processes.
This was such an emotional and satisfying read for me. I cannot believe that I am putting this a notch above the Ezra series. Because Ezra is my dude for real, but this Wayward couple was so...so... Heavy. In a good way.
The character development is just on some other level completely. This was not an easy peasy love story and it was scrumptious.
February 10, 2026
wayward love is so dead 😍
Man I loved following Kennedi & Isaak’s love story. It was tender, tedious, painful at times…but the love was always there. This was a beautiful friends to lovers romance with all the tension, chemistry & back & forth that we love reading in LB novels.
I have to be honest, because I read other books in the LBC before journeying through the catalogue in publication order, I wasn’t very fond of Young Lord. I wasn’t interested in reading his love story at all lol maybe it’s because IRL I don’t find rappers attractive? Idk, but I will never judge a character written by LB again bc she knows how to endear them to the reader so well! Also, I love how his mysteriousness in other books was justified in this series. We got to see why Isaak is so private—he has so much to protect. That was very wise of him & I love that his business isn’t out in the streets.
Excellent series. On to the next one!
Man I loved following Kennedi & Isaak’s love story. It was tender, tedious, painful at times…but the love was always there. This was a beautiful friends to lovers romance with all the tension, chemistry & back & forth that we love reading in LB novels.
I have to be honest, because I read other books in the LBC before journeying through the catalogue in publication order, I wasn’t very fond of Young Lord. I wasn’t interested in reading his love story at all lol maybe it’s because IRL I don’t find rappers attractive? Idk, but I will never judge a character written by LB again bc she knows how to endear them to the reader so well! Also, I love how his mysteriousness in other books was justified in this series. We got to see why Isaak is so private—he has so much to protect. That was very wise of him & I love that his business isn’t out in the streets.
Excellent series. On to the next one!
March 31, 2017
They've Been Left, Low, and Now It's Time To Make It Right
I am posting this review after my second read. I was just as pleased with it as I was the first time.
Isaak and Kennedi went through so much in the two previous installments of this series and I was sure how Love would bring them back together.
Love never disappoints me. Isaak and Kennedi continued to grow in their own way. I loved how Kennedi finally claimed her man and did what she had to do to ensure her family's happiness. I was equally impressed how Isaak stepped up to the plate and handled his business when it was time.
This book did contain some emotional scenes, but I walked away smiling at my happily ever after!
I am posting this review after my second read. I was just as pleased with it as I was the first time.
Isaak and Kennedi went through so much in the two previous installments of this series and I was sure how Love would bring them back together.
Love never disappoints me. Isaak and Kennedi continued to grow in their own way. I loved how Kennedi finally claimed her man and did what she had to do to ensure her family's happiness. I was equally impressed how Isaak stepped up to the plate and handled his business when it was time.
This book did contain some emotional scenes, but I walked away smiling at my happily ever after!
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