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The Lover

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Ryann Walker knows she’s a difficult woman; difficult enough that it would take a rare, and special breed of man to take her on permanently. Thankfully, she isn’t looking for that. What she does want is a baby. And after a rash decision made during a one-night stand, she just may be having one, with the very successful, good-looking, but completely wrong for her, Spencer Hall. But once Spencer learns that he may become a father, Ryann just can’t shake him. He isn’t interested in being an absentee parent; and she isn’t interested in having a man hang around who is hell-bent on crawling into her heart, breaking down her defenses and unearthing all her secrets, including the ugliest one of all.

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2017

371 people are currently reading
229 people want to read

About the author

Nia Forrester

67 books951 followers
I live in Philadelphia, PA where by day I work on public policy reform, and by night I read authors who move me, and write woman-centered fiction.

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5 stars
430 (62%)
4 stars
183 (26%)
3 stars
62 (8%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
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5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
Profile Image for Pearline.
378 reviews16 followers
November 3, 2021
So I will first say that the description of the book is a little off because Ryann and Spencer are not strangers and they both decide that their at the age that they want to have a baby. The problem is they both don't realize the consequences and emotion of what happens when making a lifetime commitment without establishing the relationship first. I will first say that I thought Spencer was a wonderful alpha character and honestly this was the first book I've read by this author that really dives into the male's background and thoughts. That was a huge improvement to me compared to the other books I've read by Ms. Forrester. In fact my complaint about Commitment was the fact that we learned really nothing about the main male character and that the book was solely focused on the female character. I say this to say, Ryann was not a very unlikeable character and you don't find out why she is the way she is until the 80% mark of the book. The revelations about her past and relationships with her family and previous boyfriends aren't revealed until pretty late. It was hard to sympathize with her hardness, it would have been better if Ryann would have opened up to Spencer a little earlier in the book. Also, I saw this same theme in the commitment series book about pretty light skinned girls being picked on and labeled. Which is part of the authors explanation of Ryann's behavior. I don't doubt that has been the experience of some Black lighter skinned women but I'm hoping that if the author uses this same issue in her other stories that she discusses the complexities of colorism.

Overall, I really liked the point the author was making with Ryann and Spencer's story; and that love can be hard and messy, and who God brings into your life may not be perfect but they'll be perfect for you. I'm just requesting a wedding novella with these two characters, It would great to see these two as parents and to see the growth in their relationship.
Profile Image for LaTosha Webber.
1,157 reviews71 followers
August 13, 2023
Romance

It’s s been a while since I read a romance that has this level of relationship development the ups and downs, starts and stops, the learning and growth. Ryann is a complex character who wasn’t exactly the easiest to like because she felt so real and messy, and not exactly what most would associate with “main character energy.” But she was beautifully written and you can feel all the care Forrester put into her. Spencer on the other hand felt like top tier book boyfriend material because as far as I know men like him only exists in the pages of books written by women and goodness did she write the hell outta this man. Neither was perfect but they were. This was soft love in a real and raw way and it was just so so good.

Content warning: incarceration of a family member, mention of abortion, death of a parent, childhood insecurities, body shaming, attempted sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse, strained family relationships including those related to homosexuality.
Profile Image for Shanie B..
313 reviews13 followers
July 2, 2017
Just what the doctor ordered a well developed and well written love story. Sometimes it kills me how the story seems like it's not moving, but then I remind myself that Nia is a talented author who paints a vivid image of each character and doesn't just jump into twists and turns and unnecessary and unbelievable drama/scenarios. At one point I couldn't put the book down, and then I was upset once I reached 96%. Also, I loved how Ivy was in the story with her beau and I hope to see Spencer and Ryann again.
Profile Image for Byron Washington.
732 reviews4 followers
July 14, 2019
SPLENDID!!!

After a long period of sampling and comparison, I have come to the conclusion that Nia Forrester may be the finest writer that I've ever read. Her books seem more mature than others. Her prose more nuanced and complex. Not that a plethora of writers aren't talented as well, Nia Forrester just has that "IT" factor. She is an extremely talented author.

Buy it, read it and enjoy!!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
Profile Image for Millie Belizaire.
Author 16 books553 followers
July 20, 2017
"You got all your shit off?" he asked. "A'ight good. Now you listen to me..." (literally had to put my kindle down so that I could scream. I screamed for a minute or so.)

Unca Pencer is sexy as f*ck.

There were times when I wanted to slap Ryann (which I've been pronouncing like Rih-Ann, nobody correct me, I'm in too deep) silly, but she cool or whatever.

I know this is probably a standalone, but Miss Nia, if you're reading, *scratches like a crackhead* A sequel would be nice.

Say Rick gets out for good behavior or some sh**, GIMME MORE UNCA PENCER
Profile Image for Anika.
77 reviews24 followers
July 21, 2017
UGH! This was amazing! Yaaassss!!!!
Profile Image for Cin Jimbo.
10 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2017
Yet another 5 plus stars from Nia Forrester!

As usually, Nia Forrester wrote the he'll out of this book. Ryann, was in any way an easy character. She somewhat reminded me of Tracey, yet another complex character of Nia's with a tough exterior yet a soft and vulnerable core. As for Spencer Hall, that man knew exactly how to handle Ryann!
Profile Image for Lindaisa.
543 reviews61 followers
May 15, 2018
It's been a while since I've read a Nia Forrester story and I forgot how refreshing her perspective and method of tackling romance is.

Every time I read one of her books and the "couple" ends up together on page 50 or a 300 page book and I begin to think, "well what the hell is the rest of this story going to be about?" I have to remind myself that Nia is about the wham bam thank you ma'am, run of the mill contemporary romance formula. She doesnt write stories about two people and their journey to being in a relationship. No she writes stories aboit two people, their journey to being in a relationship and then the aftermath of that.

Too often, the climax and end of a book is the final admission of the two protagonists, to themselves and to eachother, that they want to and should be together and then that's the end. We as the reader are just left to assume they live happily ever after, get married, have babies, grow old and die together. But we all know that isn't reality and what I love about Nia is she writes stories that let's to SEE what happens in the aftermath.

The Lover was so much fun to read, while at the same time, frustrating and downright aggravating at times. I loved and thoroughly enjoyed watching these characters struggle through coming to terms with what it means to be in a relationship, to love and trust someone. To allow themselves to be vulnerable and honest with eachother and with themselves in order for their relationship to on only survive but to thrive.

LOVED IT!!! I Definitely have to go through the rest of Nias catalog because while I do love my normally formatted and executed contemp romance, getting angry at these characters and just wanting to strangle them because their relationship isn't as perfect as I want it to be was just as, if not more entertaining and as I said before. refreshing.
Profile Image for Mrs..
5,984 reviews105 followers
June 21, 2017
Oh My Freaking Goodness

Oh my my my, this story was so freaking good. I loved loved loved it to pieces. It was nice to see Ivy again. I loved Spencer and Ryann's story.
Profile Image for Arlena.
3,479 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2017


Title: The Lover
Author: Nia Forrester
Publisher: Stiletto Press, LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"The Lover" by Nia Forrester

My Thoughts...

Interesting read that will keep the reader entertained all the way to the end with some thoughtful characters and some very relatable scenarios. Ryann was definitely one that could get on your last nerves but in the end she does come around with her independent spirit and with Spencer's no nonsense personality and the babies maybe even getting their HEA. By the end of this read the author gives the reader quite a love story with come very 'complexed characters, social issues' that will all come together with such a wonderful depth dealing with 'love, trauma and drama' that will leave the readers only wanting more. This was definitely a Ryann and Spenser's story and this author Nia Forrester gives the readers quite a well written story!
Profile Image for Deloris.
970 reviews42 followers
April 2, 2022
APB Perspective Review :

I loved this book!

The scenario isn't new but Nia's version is . Ryann and Spencer seemed like they would never fit together to me maybe just for sex which Spencer was totally good for . Me and Ryann were so wrong , there is so much more to Spencer than his playboy persona would leave you to believe . Ryann persona is misleading too , even to Ryann. We all want some one we can love and depend on , some one who will be there for us through thick and thin . I'm this book I saw two people looking for connection that was there but are too afraid to open up and let it in . Yes Ryann wanted a baby , but what what she needed was Spencer, the real Spencer, I fell in love with this story because the author told it in a way I love , with realism , with heart and the. Author to give us more than a typical romance .
194 reviews
June 21, 2017
Loved

While reading a book by Nia Forrester, I always get a giddy feeling, because I can't believe I'm so lucky to experience her characters and their world. This one was no different than her previous works in its excellence. Ryann was so relatable and Spencer was swoon-worthy.
Profile Image for Kennisha Suga.
87 reviews4 followers
June 21, 2017
:)

Im definitely going to need a part 2! Not that I felt anything was missing, but i would love to know if Ryann and her moms relationship got better and how was life after the kids!!! Nia once again did a great job with this book. Ryann was the perfect example of many closed off women now days who have convinced themselves they don't need a partner. Hapoy to see she changed!
Profile Image for Mary.
917 reviews3 followers
June 26, 2017
Loved this book. Ryan's was a real piece of work. At times I felt sorry for Spencer. In the end, after I understood it all, I was all smiles. Nia did here thing with this book (as always). Great job.
Profile Image for Rena.
46 reviews2 followers
July 24, 2017
Nia Forrester does it again! Dynamic characters with a lot of depth. Loved it!
867 reviews7 followers
April 24, 2022
A reliable favorite!

With only two books now remaining before I can finally say that I've completed Nia Forrester's catalog, I have yet to read a story that doesn't have me totally immersed and fully invested! Ryann and Spencer's pairing, while unique and unexpected, played out in a manner that kept me wanting more with every wrong assumption, veiled hint, and unspoken promise. In the end, family turmoil, secrets, and tragedy ended up being the catalyst for what actually made them better together, even with the unrealistic expectations at the start of their journey. Another good read from an author who will always be in my reading list!
Profile Image for Acloseread.
161 reviews2 followers
June 22, 2017
Happiness

This book was great. It really looked at the journey to happiness. That journey is not always smooth but it is the ruggedness of the journey that makes it worthwhile. It makes you appreciate the happiness even more. Spencer and Ryann's story depicts that. Great job Nia Forrester!
Profile Image for Mia Morgan.
1,144 reviews31 followers
June 22, 2017
Wonderful

Nia never disappoints. I just so loved this one. I mean a great page TURNER. I loved the main characters; even though, Ryann made me want to just strangle her. But great read.
Profile Image for Diane Hawkins.
107 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2017
Amazing

Real women with real issues. There’s nothing fairytale or fantasy in Nia Forresters books. This one is no exception and is everything that a Nia Forrester book is.
Profile Image for April.
936 reviews2 followers
June 27, 2017
4.75 stars!!!
Another great story from this author! I could read about Spencer all day!

I took a few points off for grammatical errors, but please don't let that deter you from taking the journey with Ryann and Spencer.

Looking forward to more from this author.
Profile Image for zaraa.
438 reviews
August 10, 2020
that epilogueeeeee— please they’re so cute.
Profile Image for Kay Morris.
33 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2017
I Love Love!

Ryann and Spencer are two people on a journey. Along the way they discover one another and a beautiful thing called love. Spencer is all male, flaws and all. Ryann is perfectly imperfectly. Having enduring life altering experiences, they manage to not only survive but to thrive.
Once again, Nia Forrester has created another amazing couple that captured my heart. Shawn & Riley. Brenden & Tracy. Chris & Robin. Ivy & Eli. Now Ryann and Spencer. Nia's character are genuine and authentic. You know them and can identify with the highs and lows of their love. After the story ends, they remain with you. Like good friends, you revisit them ever so often because you just can't stay away.
Profile Image for Kim.
Author 23 books268 followers
July 18, 2017
What happens when two people who don't necessarily believe in love agree to have a baby together? Love, of course. :) And what's at stake when their secrets threaten to derail them? That's the conundrum Ryann and Spencer face in Nia Forrester's The Lover.

This is one of those books you want to savor. It's a page turner--there's no doubt about that, but you don't want to rush. Especially not when the story is so rich and so emotionally satisfying. So what makes it so satisfying? Forrester touches on real-life issues and uses the drama and conflict to create a compelling dynamic between the sometimes emotionally distant and sometimes reluctant to commit Ryann and the sexy former bad boy who doesn't realize he's looking for something have and hold Spencer.

Should we talk about characterization? Of course we should. Forrester excels at creating multifaceted characters who are imperfect, who fuck up and who still pull at your heartstrings --and she does this without resorting to clichés. Ryann is not an easy character to love. She holds so tight to her secrets and the carefully constructed facade she uses as her defense against the world. But little by little we see there are chinks in her armor that reveal the real Ryann, the one who wants to be loved and doesn't always know *how* to love. And with Spencer--he has his own issues he needs to deal with, but one thing is certain: beneath that sometimes a bit too much of an Alpha male facade, his capacity for love is great and what he wants most is to be with Ryann, even when it scares him.

There's also the fact that this book is beautifully written. Nia Forrester is a consummate author. Her choice of words, the way she describes settings and the emotional depth of her characters...it's magical. I am never disappointed when I read one of her books, and The Lover definitely does NOT disappoint.

Definitely a recommended read. Five stars!

Profile Image for Deena.
540 reviews10 followers
March 25, 2020
Superb,

Nia Forrester has a knack for creating characters who appear to be one thing, but as you learn more about them, they're not at all what you expected. This is Ryann's story.

We met Ryann in Ivy's League, although I must confess I don't remember much about her. Initially in this book, she seems to have it all together: her own thriving business in downtown D.C., great car, the right clothes. But her biological clock is ticking like crazy. In a moment of...desperation...insanity...I can't call it, she decides to take matters into her own hands and try to get pregnant. What she doesn't count on is her potential baby daddy, actually wanting to be a daddy.

This is when the story really gets good. Spencer is, well, everything. He is just the man for Ryann. I loved how they came together and he was always there for her. And when he needed her, she stepped up to the plate and held everything together for him.

The issue with Ryann's brother was little unsettling., and her relationship with her mom was bizarre, until the whole story came out. Funny how the effects of time and emotions can alter our memories and perceptions. I was happy that doors were closed and opened appropriately in the end.

And the epilogue! I loved it! I was happy for Ryann and Spencer like they were real people, lol.

Great job, Nia Forrester! As usual, you did your thing. Thanks for sharing your gift with us. Looking forward to whatever is next!
Profile Image for Vondetta Carter.
828 reviews8 followers
June 29, 2017
Ryann is a powerful woman who is driven. She has her own business and is a power to be reckoned with. However, she wants something she doesn't have...a baby. Spencer is a looker and a co-CEO with his friend. He is giving men who have been incarcerated a second chance. He has a thing for Ryann and makes a play. Ryann thinks he is too flashy and too cute, but he can serve to get her something she wants. Theirs is a one night stand that leaves Spencer on a mission of changing that situation. He wants what Ryann wants and plans on being there for her no matter what.

Go with them on their journey as they venture into areas that neither knows how to cleanly negotiate as they do their businesses. Some of their antics are hilarious. Along the way each has secrets that have held them hostage in some areas of their lives. However, they learn that the decisions you make can carry you through with great lifetime consequences. Watch these two find out life can be better when truth and reliance on someone who has you back is great.
Great job Ms. Forrester..love that this is based on DC ..I loves seeing Ivy again from another of your great books. Keep us posted on this couple along with Ava and Aiden..they will have a cute story as they grow up I know...
Profile Image for Em__Jay.
907 reviews
April 27, 2019
I really liked it -4 stars

What I like about Nia Forrester’s writing is her ability to show us a slice of life that her characters are experiencing. As readers, a door is opened for us and we get to see them living through significant life events. The characters grow, change and discover parts of themselves previously hidden or parts they didn’t know were there. I like that these characters have lives before we enter their world and will continue to do so once the last page of the book is read.

The Lover is no exception. I enjoyed getting to know Ryann and Spencer. Professionally, they are confident and knowledgeable. Personally, their desires lead them to each other and with a possible baby on the way, their stance on ‘how things should be’ undergoes a major shift; babies and feelings and emotions always get in the way.

It was also great to see Ivy and Eli (from Ivy’s League) make several appearances in this book.
Profile Image for Jade Olivia.
Author 2 books18 followers
June 23, 2017
I don't even know where to start with this book. I honestly don't even know where to start when it comes to Nia's writing in general. Per usual, all of the characters are not at all how they seem and, in this case, the traditional stereotypes of how men and women behave in relationships are flipped. Ryann puts up an emotional wall throughout the story, while Spencer, the seemingly carefree bachelor, is the one who owns up to his feelings a little quicker. You may have read stories where this has happened - the woman is more closed-in, career-driven, while the man is more emotionally stable - but, there are a few surprises and gasp-worthy moments that really make you see why people operate the way they do in relationships.
Nia's known to take her time writing my faves - The Commitment, Paid Companion, The Fall - but, she blows me away every time and it's well worth it.
9 reviews14 followers
June 29, 2017
Nia's writing is so good that you almost feel like a voyeur. It's like being the proverbial fly on the wall, privy to the inner workings of people lives, their relationships, all the things that happen behind closed doors. So much so that even if you had judgements, preconceived notions of how a character should react or how they should deal, you throw it all out the window because you have a front row seat to their private moments, you don't want to say this is how or why, you just let it all play out. You want to let it all happen organically. You lose yourself in their story and you wish or don't wish the best for them. It's life after all. Relationships are complicated and Nia has the uncanny ability to capture that and relay it all back to her readers just so. Read it. You will love it. Another win for Nia Forrester.
Profile Image for Candy .
169 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2017
Great Story

Ryan Walker was definitely a difficult woman and Spencer Hall was a rare, special breed of man to take her on. He really had a lot of patience with her. Nina Forrester weaves a great story with issues that we sometimes face.

This was one of the stories from 30 Days 30 Stories that I was hoping would be a full story and it did not disappoint. I hope that we can get a follow-up of Ryann and Spencer getting married and finding out how Ryann and her mom's relationship turns out.

I would also like to know who the model is on the cover with those luscious looking lips!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews

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