Baby You're Worthy: Marcus & Nikki

by Shantae'

To love and be loved in return is a beautiful feeling. But what do you do when the object of your affection refuses to love and want you the same way you want them? Not because they don’t feel the same but because in their eyes you don’t quite measure up? Even after you’ve done everything in your power to prove your worth to this person, they continue to purposely withhold the love that you so desperately crave. Walking away may seem like the most logical and healthy route to take but when it comes to that authentic, consuming, deep down in your soul type of love, doing so is easier said than done. Considered an unlikely pair, Marcus, the reformed dope boy and Nikki, the pampered princess, have undeniable chemistry. Problems arise when only one of them is willing to be honest and acknowledge the obvious attraction. Because she doesn’t feel that he fits into her world or the plan she has mapped out for her life, Nikki curves Marcus without hesitation from their first encounter. Unable to see past her fears, she doesn’t realize that rejecting him just may cost her the man she was meant to spend her life with. With the street life in his rearview, Marcus is now a proud uncle and the owner of a thriving business. He’s hoping to add the title of being the man in Nikki‘s life to the growing list of blessings in this new chapter but she’s not on board with that plan. Although he’s fed up with trying to convince her that he is enough, does Marcus have it in him to throw in the towel for good? Ride shotgun with Marcus, Nikki, and a few other couples, as they navigate through this crazy, drama filled game of life and love.

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2017

Reviews

[Renee' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book!!!! I swear I want my own Marcus right now!!! I love the over message and the friendships and the bonding moments! I loved how nikki wasn’t afraid to show her raw emotions towards the middle end of the book it definitely opened my eyes to the fact men wanna hear us say we love them and appreciate them too! It made me realize showing your emotions or begging for forgiveness when you know you were wrong is ok! And he shows us how a real man should show his love to a real woman! I love this book and if it wasn’t a library book it would have been marked all up! So needless to say this is definitely a reread real soon! And she is definitely an auto buy author for me!

[J.D. Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my absolute FAVORITE books to read. I had just finished my dissertation and wanted to throw myself back into my first love, ROMANCE! And this book Did.Not.Disappoint! I loved every minute of this book and whole-heartedly recommend it!

[NT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus is my man in my head, lol. He has all the ingredients of the type of man I like… protector, dangerous (towards the people who cross him), provider, successful businessman, big dick energy, communicator, caring, great father, etc. And Nikki… I wanted to knock her upside her head. Like, girl, really?!?! But it was nice to see the protagonist in the relationship wasn’t actually the man this time. So often, the man is depicted as the one causing the relationship to fail when there are many women out there who sabotage just as much as men. I appreciated that change. Oh the way us women can shoot ourselves in the foot and sabotage a great relationship by overthinking, over-analyzing, assuming things, and trying to prevent ourselves from being hurt and purposely pushing away someone that may actually be who we need. That was Nikki in a nutshell. The author did a good job of making me dislike Nikki and fall for Marcus. The rest of the characters were really background noise for me. This was a nice read.

[candace roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcus is bae!

Man, Shantae you did it again! I couldn't stand Nikki through most of this book, but by the end, I loved her. Eric's story was so sad but I am so glad he has a happy ending. Junior and Amina almost took over as my favorite couple because I LOVED his relationship with Bri. And Mr. Grant? I would love to hear his story.. Hint hint. Thank you for sharing your talent. You are quickly becoming one of my favorite Authors. Don't tell the others!!

[The Book Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book by this author and I must say I’m impressed. I’m very picky when it comes to urban and she did the thing. Marcus was a well developed character. I liked her style as well. She incorporates flashbacks which I’m not so fond of but she did it with skill. I also liked her supporting cast. She dedicated a couple of chapters to them and they didn’t seem out of place or take away from the main storyline. They were actually very entertaining. The only con I can think of is the sex scenes. They could’ve been better. I mean the fact that the main sex scene that the book was leading up to didn’t even get screen time was disappointing . I mean how could she not write that scene? Very strange... but the character development trumped that shortcoming.

[Tamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcus & Nikki are a couple that are not really a couple but they do couple things. Nikki has a closed mindset of a happily ever after that only Marcus can fulfill but she's warped in her reasoning...for no apparent reason. Marcus is dat dude...he's feeling her like for real for real but he's a man and he has to manly in all his ways. Their storyline drags on with
Love me
Love me not
Is it love
Is it real
Will it me be me
Or maybe not today.

It was a good read, nothing that I would particularly brag about...but a decent read with a smooth flow.

3.68

[Nasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasant Surprise

I’d been seeing this audiobook in my recommendations for a minute so I finally downloaded it but it still took me weeks to push play. Since I was driving on a long 6.5 hour road trip & I said “Why not?” I listened to the audio while reading the book. I enjoyed the storyline & characters and the author’s style of writing. Although, in the beginning, my personal opinion, I felt some of the characters’ “issues” or “quirks” were a bit contrived & others were a little excessive (some, Ms. Knox, did an amazing job of telling a beautiful “true-to-life” Black Love story! 🖤❤️🖤❤️
My only other gripe is that I wish I’d known which of the other books to read that came before this one but 🤦🏽‍♀️ oh well, I guess I’ll just be reading them out of order. 😩Amazon wasn’t really helpful with that information.

Highly recommend this FULL story of Black Love at its finest!
BRAVA & Fabulous job!

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much passion and love

OMG this story was indescribable. The live Marcus had for Nikki was something so real. Nikki drove me crazy...but she finally got her stuff together. This was a story of being in love and never giving up. It was the right amount of drama, sex, deceit, and just plain ol love. Bravo!!! Must read!!

[Kendra Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hood love on steroids

I loved this story it was fresh and funny. It showed how we all sometimes miss judge people and it could cost opus the thing we desire most. The entire male crew of this story were all intelligent, funny, and sexy. I loved the way Ms Knox made the characters stay true there personalities and allowed them to develop. This was definitely a great read!

[Tanielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Marcus and Nikki already knowing each other took so much away from the read that it was just boring. I’m not sure if there’s another story that goes before this or not but I’m not even interested in finding out.

[BossyLadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cool. Story of Marcus and Nikki. They were attracted to each other but Nikki thought Marcus wasn't on her level so she resisted being with him. Then she got her act together but Marcus was not having it. Nice little story. Nothing too special.

[Diamond Catalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute

I'm so glad they got it together! Perfect ending to a rough start! Great read look to reading more from this author

[Tonya Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tonya-Review

I truly enjoyed this book. There was lots of love. Marcus and Nikki. She shouldn't never entertaining Kendall. Meka was in love. I felt bad for Eric. A good read

[Tonya Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great storytelling

I really connected with the characters in this one! This one was full of good twists and turns and strong characters! Shantae has done it again!

[Adrian Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️

[Donnis Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh the feels

I loved this lil trilogy and the crew that came with it. I absolutely loved the eye opener that Nikki had to go thru, but I'm so glad that it all played out

[Tamikka Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I read as well as listened to the book on audible! I just lived Nikki and Marcus story! Definitely would recommend!!

[DeAndra DeeLuciJ Luciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and story line was everything! I enjoyed this book so much and the narrator was on point too. Made the book even more entertaining...

[ChloeShondra Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story all together. I need a man like Marcus❤

[Angela Daniels · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nikki irritated my soul. She got on my nerves the whole time in the book. I just wanted it to be over.

[Page Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It went from being gangster to being a little cheesy at times but it was still enjoyable.

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do we love bad boys because we know deep down they are great people who just made some wrong/bad decision and they just want to be loved just like we do.

Love this book

[Qua'Tesha Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a 5 star read!! I loved Marcus! I’m glad Nikki was finally honest with herself!! I wanted to fight Eric’s mama!!

[Myesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy the first book with Jakobi and Alana. I was looking forward to this book as Nikki and Marcus were entertaining in that book. This was a good romance novel.

[Emaleigh Nichelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many people. Too many side stories. A very random 3rd act break up that seems like an after thought( like let me just throw thin in here right quick)
The story was good.

[Lynn Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but it didn't need so many messy elements.

[leyfeSTYLE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story but this book didn’t really wow me.

[Ta'Nisha Gray Yolanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The saga...

Was amazing as expected. Tae does not disappoint. BLACK LOVE need, I say more. Well, there is more, but you'll have to read it to find out just how much more!

[LaTosha Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book within days. It was a page turner from beginning to end. I enjoyed Marcus and Nikki's journey from friendship to relationship to marriage. There were times when I thought they were better as friends but as the book goes on, it's undeniable that they're soulmates. There's lots to relate to on how you shouldn't judge a book by its cover and never assume what people will or won't do until you speak with them.

[Hyacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Kindle and did audible together. The narrators were everything. Nikki worked my nerves a lil bit because she was just a brat. I'm glad her dad checked her though. Marcus was such the man! I loved the principle she stood on even after her pastor failed her. There were so many parts where I laughed out loud, really. All the characters worked for me. I guess my least favorite would be Kendall. I was just a grinning at the end. This was such a good read.