“Had I known I would reach the level I did, I probably would’ve gotten married right after college.” – Jaxon Jeffries Lucas Berry has never been the type to take the traditional route with anything in his life. Even when he considers it, life throws him a curveball that causes him to take an entirely different path. The last curveball, a pregnant friend with benefits, caused Lucas to make an illegal move that led to his sister, Luana, being bound to Jaxon Jeffries. At first meeting Jaxon, Lucas considers him to be a man that will never be worthy of his respect and admiration, but there is one thing that Jaxon shares with Lucas that changes his life forever – the importance of choosing a wife instead of letting something as reckless and irrational as love choose one for you. Hali Davison has never been the type to step out of the traditional route with anything in her life. Even when she considers it, life throws her a curveball that causes her to return to the safe, predictable path she grew up on. The last curveball, finding out the man she’s loved all of her life practically was getting married to a woman that wasn’t her, has Hali reconsidering her safe and predictable lifestyle. If her last chance at letting Lucas know how she really feels for him is at his wedding… so be it. Lucas is stuck between doing the right thing and following his heart. His childhood has made it difficult for him to believe that true love exists, which is a great deal of the reason why he’s fought his feelings for Hali over the years. With his natural hair product line reaching heights he never thought were possible, Lucas is determined to secure his life mate now before his money, power and status make it impossible to choose a woman who wants him for him and not who he is and what he has. There’s just one question he’s faced with on the day of his wedding; is that woman Shanice, the woman responsible for giving him his first child, or Hali, the woman responsible for giving him his first taste of love – no matter how much he thought he didn’t want it. *Please note, Lucas and Hali first appear in “Just Say You Love Me”. While their story can be read on its own, it is suggested that you read about their backgrounds in “Just Say You Love Me” first.
Voted AAMBC's 2018 Romance author of the year, Master storyteller B. Love is the unparalleled self-love teacher. As the powerhouse for modern-day womanhood, she pens contagious content that encourages readers to internalize admiration and intimacy. She allows her most powerful vessel to guide her stories, wholly. Since age 12, Love has been spreading self-awareness, care, and appreciation. For over six years, Love has authored over 40 publications centered around heart-piercing, reverence-worthy romance. Her novels not only entertain but challenge the audience to explore love. With a keen eye for passion, desire and dynamism she includes heuristic methods in her beautifully curated accounts of life. B. Love’s entire persona is spearheaded by her incredible infatuation with the power of love. Contained within each novel, is an edification created for the glorification of self. Her pen bleeds for the souls who need just an inkling of empowerment. Each story is written with the intent to enlighten, engross and enkindle the passion in whoever picks up her book.
After her hurt and pain, Hali had the resilience and fortitude to know that she still wanted love, family, and marriage. Even though she tried to find it with someone else, her heart wanted and beat Lucas only. Lucas came to his senses and finally went after the woman he always wanted, Hali. She forgave him, but he still had to learn how to give love and to accept love. I love how this successful and strong man acknowledged areas he needed to overcome and sought help through therapy. I enjoyed reading this story.
I LOVED Lucas and Hali story, it took him time to get his mind together but when he finally did it was well worth it. I love how Hali took in Luca like her own, that takes a lot of courage to do when you didn't birth the child but the way she did it was flawless. For this to be something that you wasn't intending to write B. Love you did a phenomenal job and I have no complaints about it. Great read
OMG B Love is definitely a storyteller! Jaxon and Hali story was phenomenal. The love they shared is so hard to find and hard to avoid. Jaxon life took a turn for the best with his career and he was an amazing father. When he explained how he over stand his efforts to Love again it made me swoon and really believe Love is real. Him and Hali story is definitely one to remember
3.5 stars - Let me start by saying that this author has an incredible talent of constructing a unique storyline that makes for an excellent romance novel. Her ability to draw readers in with the idea of hope and redemption is not lost to me as a reader.
In If You Ever Change Your Mind, the author, B. Love, not only tackles therapy in the black community, but she adds an additional layer by making it about black men in therapy. This ain't an easy task and I definitely applaud her for this. There is a point where she makes a reference of affirming love and relationship using a gas station analogy..... and it was genius!!!! It was along the lines of encouraging Hali to be a gas can to help Lucas get to the gas station to fill up (on emotion and love) and was an aha moment for Hali. In that moment Hali's role in Luke's life became clear.
Where this author loses me, is in the foundation of the story. There is not a lot of back story or character development, so it makes it difficult to connect to the characters or to even know why you're rooting for them. This isn't the first book that I've read by this author where I've felt this way. There are these moments throughout the book that are supposed to be significant teaching moments but they come across as preachy. I get what the author was trying to do but it feels a little like finger-pointing instead of being a teachable moment. It did not sit well with me when folks didn't hold Lucas accountable for his actions. Yes Lucas is getting help, but throughout the book we find his sister, Luana, and his love interest, Hali, consistently making excuses and letting him get a pass for his inappropriate behavior. Nah... not cool!
The supporting cast played an important role in the success of Hali and Lucas' relationship. I do wonder if Soren has her own story as she is mentioned in several other books that I've read by this author. I would love to read her story.
In a nutshell, we got to see how Hali and Lucas worked together to build a better life for themselves and little Luca, this book was all about breaking the cycle and working hard to have more. Overall, it was a good book, I just wished there was more.
Lucas Berry has finally found a bit of peace, yet there is no peace. He and his sister Luana have a bond that unbreakable…both have made sacrifices for each other in their lives. His last ‘oops’ toppled Luana into a situation that she lucked up and found true love with Jaxon Jeffries. In the midst of Lucas chasing a better life, he broke the heart of the only lady that gave him hope that love could exist for him. Choosing his baby mama as an act of nobility and ensuring that he raises his seed is in his dna…but what about the one that makes his heart skip a beat.
Hali Davison and Luana have been best friends and she has loved Lucas since forever…so much that confesses her love to him on his wedding day to be rejected. Crushed and disillusioned Hali moves forward and alienates herself to lick her wounds…but what happens when your new neighbor is none other than the culprit that has caused you to become a recluse? When things change and second chances arise, will Hali accept the baton or will she allow her pride to dictate her path this go around?
This couple’s breath of life originated in ‘Just Say You Love Me’. B. Love has penned another enthralling love story that gives you a sigh and a smile with a smooth flow. Love, life, decisions and repercussions are all prevalent as we witness a tale of second chances. 3.88
Hali I really admire your pure & genuine heart. We as women struggle so much with self love, vulnerability, acceptance and forgiveness. I saw so much of myself in Hali and I learned so much from her! We all have standards and a list of things we want in a man! Lucas was it for her and she always knew it, strange thing is he knew it too but felt as though he wasn't good enough. I've experienced this and it hurts so bad! This story is so real that I find myself battling with my thoughts. To watch the man you love love someone else, whew! This story was so raw and relatable! Luca melted my heart from the 1st chapter and when he fell in love with Howie my heart just bursts with love! Children are so smart, Luca pulled them together and it was refreshing seeing Lucas grow to be such an open and honest man and mogul! I need more of this love! Changed my mindset and how I view love because I always said I didn't want a man with kids...now with Hali and Lucas I've changed my mind! Amazing, awesome, ten star read B. Love!
I have come to realize that I enjoy the knowledge that is dropped just as much, if not more than the love story between the characters. There are a lot of good authors out here. Those that can tell a wonderful story, but it takes a special kind of author to not only tell a beautiful story but to also leave you with knowledge. Knowledge of oneself, mental clarity, eye opening moments. Lucas's breakthrough with the therapist in the office with Hali brought tears to my eyes. So many people are affected by generational curses, so many people can learn so much from these words in this book. That panel with Luana and Lucas was soooo amazing. Emotional disorders are real, talking to a professional should be accepted more because it can change sooooo much for people. Just letting things go, talking about our deep rooted issues can make a world of difference, overstanding vs just understanding. Excellent
I thought I loved Luana and Jaxon but Lucas and Hali man. As parents we really don't realize the effect we have on our children. To see how emotionally detached their parents made them was mind blowing. Lucas wanted to give Luca what he never had, I understand that completely. I understand how you put your children before you. When he realized that he needed to go to therapy to become a better man not only for himself but Hali and Luca as well now that was mind blowing. In our community therapy is kinda frowned upon because we have the mentality of I'm not crazy. When it's not even about you being crazy. We have to know that it's okay to go talk to someone about the issues that are going on within. We also have to realize that we can't always fight these demons on our own. Amazing read.
The gems within this love story can apply to anyone's life.
Once again, B. Love has done it again. There were parts of this that truly spoke to me. The part where Lucas told Hali that he always asked Ana if Hali could spend the night when it stormed because he wanted to be there to comfort her and that he always wondered who was protecting her when he lived in New York showed how devoted and in love he was with her. The other that stood out to me was when Lucas and Luana were at the conference and spoke about their past and present. The truth that was spoken about generational curses OMG. And when Lucas said that he was attracting his mother and treating women as his father did spoke to me in so many ways. Thank you B. Love. This was definitely needed
Honestly, I hollered and cried all through this book, but the tears were happy tears. Even through the healing scenes I cried because of the power of love! How can you fully love someone if you haven't healed from hurt? I'll tell you, this book is the definition of unconditional love. Hali loved the hell and hurt out of Lucas. She poured so much love into that man that be he had no choice but accept it, their fate, and allow the healing process to speed up lol. And baby Luca just melted my heart. This was a wonderful read. This is #3 on my favorites list. Thank you B for giving me something tangible. Love this!!!!
It's something about B's stories that have me stuck and totally rooting for a happy ending. The intensity and passion of each character draw me in every single time. Hali and Lucas are so beautiful together and their love oozed from the pages of this incredible read. I love how Lucas was able to deal with his inner demons and/or insecurities. Showing his sensitive side definitely touched my heart. And LUCA!!! He won my heart from the beginning with his adorable self 😊. B. Love is a great storyteller! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. She's A1 in my opinion. Thanks for the great story B!
I think this story was an important one. It addressed an issue that a lot of people in the African American community ignore and that’s mental health. There is such a misconception on mental health and I think this story shed some light on it. Lucas had a hard time thinking he wasn’t good enough for Hali but he really was. I understood why he felt the need to marry his son’s mother, he wanted to give his son something that he never had but it wasn’t going to work because she didn’t want to be a mother. It was nice seeing the growth with Lucas and Hali.
This story starts out so heart wrenching. Then you take the journey to see everything that lead to why. Then the journey continues to show the needs being met and how in meeting those needs the relationship flourished. What Hali went through in the beginning of this story, and how Lucas thought he was doing right by her can be seen as a hard Nah. But the growth for both and the passion they always held for each other as well as undeniable love shines through. Great Job
Another five star read! Hali and Lucas were definitely a couple made in the stars. Sometimes in life, are souls are tied to someone and there is nothing we can do to break that tie. This is the case in this couple. I loved reading about them and Luca. Their journey to love was beautiful and healing. If you are a true romantic at heart, please 1-click and enjoy the ride.
This was a great story. Lucas tried to do what's right but it didn't work out and that was okay because his heart wanted what it wants and that was Hali. I admired his strength to try to do right. You fell the love between these characters because Ms. B. Love is a awesome author and her pen is that fiyah. Her words are so descriptive and Calming. I happy everybody got a happy ending.
I read this book in one sitting! Like nothing around me mattered bc I know a Lucas in my Life he is aware he is difficult to love but I never knew US as African Americans had so much against US from generation to generation. Thank You Diva for this book! All of them are Amazing but this book really was like an Eye Opening story. As Always it was well written and Honestly Never felt fictional.
What I liked about this book, "EVERYTHING". From the way the book start off with Hali being a woman that was lost because of a heartbreak to reshaping the friendship foundation to creating something that she knew and felt was true (LOVE). This is a must READ and I will definitely recommend this title to others because there are a lot of meaningful messages in here. Thanks again for the entertainment, God Bless B. Love.
This book helped me in so many ways. Emotionally and mentally. I took mental notes to the very specific details to the way Lucas and Hali found love with each other. Even though it was a love story for them, it became a 'self-help' for me. As always B. Love gives it to us in only her true form that allowed me to connect with the characters on a different level. Thanks.
B.love you always have me so emotional while reading your books. Oh how I love it you have me tapping into things in my life that I didn't know existed. You bring it all together love ,sex ,God, and life lessons. You are truly blessed. Thank you for allowing God to use you to bring light to so many people.
Hali and Lucas...These two are a match made in romance-heaven. Hali loved Lucas for so long and when Lucas finally got himself together, he became the man he was meant to be and finally got his woman who was his destiny. I think Lucas has made his way to one of my favorite book baes...I can't wait to see what you bring us next. If you haven't read this book, get it now!
At first I thought I was going to have to strangle Hali for letting the man back into her life who'd nearly destroyed her confidence. But Lucas used his best moves and his son Luca, to get his true love back in his life. He's lucky he had Howie, I would have been out.... This was another great story.
Lucas & Hali's relationship was a broken one that many have experienced. There were instances I wondered what would become of the 2. The storyline included fundamental pieces that assisted their restoration of love, especially from Soren & Dr. Scott. Very good content, title & follow-up to previous book. Highly recommended 2 book series
This book was very powerful to me as I continue to work on self I saw alot me and thing I've been though in these characters. As always you out did yourself and truly a blessing to be able to read this words and learn things to help my healing continue thanks so much for share these words with so many. And May God continue to bless you
For B. Love to deal with mental health issues in the Black community in such a loving and informative way, was awesome. Lucas and Hali were so loving, having found and forgiven each other finally. I loved this book, but then I'm slowly falling in love with all of her work.
I loved this story. Lucas and Hali allowed me to learn so much about myself by going on this journey of love with them. Although I have never been that low about a man I saw a lot of myself in a Hali. I am just so happy that those two got that happily ever after. Nice work B.
Lucas been through so much in his childhood when true love with Hali came he didn't know how to accept it. I know when he got Shanice pregnant he thought he was doing the right thing by marrying her and having a family. I am happy Lucas and Hali was able to get back together.
I was mad at Lucas for doing what he did, but I understand his reasoning. I absolutely love that Lucas wasnt scared to get help and seek counseling to heal himself before fully loving and devoting himself to Hali. I loved that Hali loved him in spite of all of his issues never judging him. Luca is the sweetest lil boy ever!
I am a fan of B. Love. This book left me flat. I did not call in love with the characters. I appreciated the therapy angle. It was on point. I guess I missed the character development. I felt this one deserved three stars. I honestly could not give more.
I'm so glad that Lucas stepped up to be the man that Hali needed him to be. I takes a strong, loving woman to love and help repair a broken man. I loved their therapy session and the affirmations that Hali spoke to Lucas. It was amazing the love that Hali bestowed upon Luca. This was a good read for me.