“You and these lies. I’ve never known you to be a liar until you started fighting your feelings for me. You’ll be mine in due time, Mackenzie. In due time.” – Rahim Frank
They met ten years earlier, and she was approached by someone else. Out of a need to keep her close, Rahim settled for friendship with Mackenzie even though he’s always wanted more. After a New Year’s Eve kiss takes things to a deeper level, Rahim is determined to claim Mackenzie… even if she’s his biggest obstacle to overcome.
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.
I’m OBSESSED!! 😍😍😍 I couldn’t put this book down! Just like everybody else who has read this, I also got pretty mad at the characters, but not at Mackenzie. I was mad at Rahim!!! I became infuriated when he got a girlfriend that wasn’t Mackenzie! He should have kept fighting for her, and listened to his own line:”In due time, Mackenzie.” I absolutely adored them together, it didn’t matter in which form, best friends, lovers, boyfriend/girlfriend, I fangirled through it all. Mackenzie was only doing what she thought was right for her, and I really can’t be mad at that, especially because she finally got the closure she needed to find her confidence in the love game again, and therefore finally admitting to herself that she’s head over heels for Rahim. All the support they received through out the entire book was charming as well, and made it more enjoyable. It’s taken me a few months now to find a five star book, but I found it in this one. I wanted to read a book by B. Love because I found her through Self Publishers, and I’m one of those as well. This one absolutely grabbed my attention, and did so from the beginning of the book as well. Cute love story, loads of drama, & high velocity bedroom scenes all in one book? What could be better? This book...just wow. I’m literally obsessed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
B Love is doing a heck of a job convincing me, she is one heck of a storyteller. I loved this couple and the patience Rahim showed with Mackenzie. A few times I wanted to get inside her head and scream, WTH! In the end he was right. In Due Time..
A short, but really good, friends to lovers, book. I gotta say dude loved her dirty draws, but I ain't mad at him.😁😁😁 The heart wants what the heart wants. Dang, did I just write that cliche?!?😁😁😁 B. Love got me in here trippin'!!
Yeah - this book just did not work for me. Even though this was a short read there were pacing and structural choices which irked me. The plot especially frustrated me which was a shame since I was quite excited by the synopsis - I thought this would be a short, intense romance.
Maybe I missed some context here but I found the lead couple quite distasteful, bordering on cheating. I didn’t get the motivations of the characters and the pacing of the book didn’t help here.
The heroine, Mackenzie is the ex-girlfriend of the hero’s cousin and despite them being in love with each other - they can’t be together because she is the ex. Something something about the family not being able to accept it - all of which I didn’t really follow or believe as it never got more than lip service.
I wish the author had tried to show more of the feelings through action instead of first person POVs. All her angst was telling rather than showing. There was a glimmer of hope when the ex made an appearance but that thread was dropped too soon. The author spends too much time in the characters’ heads without them doing too much. Not enough talking, not enough family dynamics or even much support for what we’re told is the reason keeping them apart.
This relationship dynamic between the leads has been in place for 10 years but the weight of the time isn’t really felt here in the book. I know the author’s note said that this story didn’t follow the “typical” romance arc but the fact that there is “no beginning, middle or end'' is a problem of story structure. I don’t need to see the stages of the romance but I need to see the structure -- the conflation that beginning-middle-end is about people “meeting, dating, finding love and getting to their happily ever after “ is false - one is structure and the other is plot.
In the end - this just didn’t work for me - 1 star.
I am still interested in this author because I am still hopeful she becomes a go-to romance author and I am not sure she will be. I liked her other book better though (see: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) so I may give her another shot to see if her style works for me.
PS. The cover of the book was lovely - I need to stop picking up romance novels based on covers!
This story really had the potential to be really good....but there was A LOT of excessive descriptive words used in my opinion....unnecessarily....The story was about Mackenzie (Mac or Kenzie) & Rahim who were best friends. Mackenzie dated Rahim's cousin Tony when they were teenagers. Mackenzie & Rahim remained best friends but had a crush on one another...one new years they became best friends with benefits.....Mackenzie didn't want to advance their relationship because of her past relationship with Tony. There was a lot of back and forth with this couple. I believe chapter 3 was repeated again in chapter 7....Poor engineering with this audiobook...The narrations are new and I actually think they both did a wonderful job and look forward to more of their work.
“You and these lies. I’ve never known you to be a liar until you started fighting your feelings for me. You’ll be mine in due time, Mackenzie. In due time.” – Rahim Frank
They met ten years earlier, and she was approached by someone else. Out of a need to keep her close, Rahim settled for friendship with Mackenzie even though he’s always wanted more. After a New Year’s Eve kiss takes things to a deeper level, Rahim is determined to claim Mackenzie… even if she’s his biggest obstacle to overcome.
Loved it! This was a great story about a love that was always supposed to be. Rahim was definitely a super bae and I am so glad Mac didn't let him slip away from her. So glad they finally got their HEA. Excellent read!
Loved Rahim..he knew what he wanted and he wanted Mac so bad, but her and her insecurities almost made me stop reading the book! I was so sick of her pushing him away. But she finally came to her senses, and it was beautiful! Good book!
This book was awesome!! First book I read by this author and definitely won’t be my last. Mac and Rahim story was so well written and so lovable I really enjoyed it
As always really enjoyed this. I think this book stuck out more for me because typically your books are not as sexual as this one was. You have a special way of exuding intimacy without the act of sex. That still occurred here however the creep in me appreciated the added sexual parts. Lol
Many words of wisdom given as Mackenzie learned what true love and friendship entailed. Rahim was not only a gem but a man of his word. Great content and storyline. Very good read
Okay let's start with the good. I thought the book was well written and the emotions and connections of the characters spoke well through the words. Also the bedroom scenes were nice and steamy 👌🏾. I believe this was the first full on romance genre novel I've read where the focus is solely on the relationship or lack there of. Unfortunately, it wasn't my cup of tea. Halfway through I was over it. Well over McKenzie back and forth. Like girl if you don't claim this good man. Lol. Anyway, because it wasn't a bad book, I finished it but overall it was just an okay read for me. That being said, if romance is your thing and you don't mind an 'unconventional' romance where it's not a boy meets girl type but one that is basically already in the middle of their story (which I did like) then this might be up your alley
Okay! Let me not lie, i was beyond ready to shake both Mac and Rahim(which i wrote you and told you lol) but they definitely won my heart over! They went through the ringer to be together and have that love and I’m sooooooo happy they found home! Five stars as always and of course congratulations on your number 1, you deserve it!!
I don't have anything bad to say about this book it just flowed really nice . Mac was really annoying how she had Rah waiting for her . I loved the chemistry between these two characters made me want some more.
Honey, B has done it AGAIN! I absolutely adore Mackenzie and Rahim's story. It is the cutest thing. The best part(s) of this story is/are the lessons. I especially love the one about the difference between love and being in love. Her letter at the end did it for me though. I was like MAN IF YOU DON'T GO HOME.......However, when she ended it with the ring and confessed and he pulled out hers.......I WAS DONE! That was classic I tell you. As always, I get excited whenever B releases a new book. Her books not only give you the greatest aspect of black love, but they give you the greateat apect of self love and self help. B. Love will always give you other alternatives, whether its fictional or from personal experiences. There will always be a lesson or words of wisdom, along with a hint of healing in her books. The same as with this awesome read, she gives you another piece of her. Thank you B. Love for giving your readers all of you! I thoroughly enjoyed this read!
It never fails. B. Love will have you believing that true love awaits you. She has you so wrapped up in her stories that all you are doing is embedding the characteristic of the male character to see if you can find him in real life. Rahim is my second favorite male character B. Love has created. I loved how he built Mackenzie up but also wouldn’t let her play with his heart. Great job on this novel B. Love. I can definitely see you writing romance through Harelquin.
Well B. you know you're my number one love guru. But I have to be honest I truly didn't realize that you did something different until the end. My first clue to myself should have been when I inbox you when I was a little over halfway through the book mad as hell. Nope not me didn't have a clue until the end. Then I thought about it. I was really mad at you at some point in this book and that never happened before. Oh you get on my nerves, but you're still number one.
This is an amazing read I cried about 3 different times reading about the love between Rahim & Mackenzie. I loved that he was so open and honest about his love for her but I felt her pain when he decided to hold some of his love back to help her realize what she had in him. This book goes in my top 5 from this author and a definite must read for anyone who love this style of writing.
This is my first book by this author & it was really good. I loved the way Rahim showed his love to Mac & was so glad she finally realized she loved him. This is my first time reading a book of this genre i really enjoyed it & will be reading more by this author
There was so much to unwrap about this story. Rahim was an amazing guy and I don't know how many men would sit back the way he did. Mackenzie got on my nerves a lot with her indecisiveness. I Liked the story but I feel like it dragged a lot because Mackenzie played with Rahim's heart
I'm a fan of B. Love's work, and I enjoyed this book. The flow of the story was a little different from her previous work; it was a good change of pace. The characters were likable and relatable. My only complaint is that after reading quite a few of B.'s books, I find the characters to be very similar. I'm under the impression that she's trying to convey a message through her writing, and I definitely got something from it the first time I read her work, which is why I keep coming back. I just hope to see her stretch a bit more...develop the characters so that they don't feel interchangeable form book to book.
This book would probably bring a smile to the face of anyone who appreciates romance and/or the concept of a soul mate. That said, I felt that the story line was lacking; there were no major surprising or interesting twists and turns. I guess when the main characters are already crazy about each other from the beginning of the story, it is difficult to go anywhere but in a very predictable direction. It was also hard for me to fully empathize with Mackenzie's "dilemma" -- seems like whether or not to be with the man who is perfect for you is kind of a no-brainer.
For most of the book Mackenzie was annoying af. She didn't deserve Rahim. She deserved Tony. Rahim did Zakiya wrong. No matter how much he said he didn't want to use her and she wasn't a place holder, he did and she was. Too bad she allowed it.
I think I would've rated this higher if I liked Mac more than I did. Still a well told story that had me intrigued with the characters
B. Love books are always hit and miss with me. This one was OK. Mac kinda got on my nerves. Felt like she was whiny. Cute story. No extra drama. Believable story though
Queen B. Love, what can I say other than the more of her work I read, I'm like I need more. That dang Mackenzie stressed me out🤦🏽, like I really wanted to chock her😂. We women know we can told on to part hurt and crafting like a layer of skin. She was sooo stuck on Tony and his feelings, meanwhile he living his best life. Mac just couldn't get it together, just wouldn't let go and just be, enjoy love, being loved, being cherished and everything else by Rahim; a man who only wanted to do that and so much more. I mean who doesn't want the best of both worlds, a liver and a best friend💞.
Her bestie and sister were the best cause they kept it💯 no matter what.
I loved Rahim and everything he stood for, I loved him more when he found someone else. He most definitely took every step to secure his future with Mac. The way he was with her and the sex💦
Their journey to love was much appreciated cause it felt so real. Found myself relating to some of the doubts and insecurities Mac dealt with.
This was my 1st time reading Reading a novel by B. Love, and she knocked it out the Box. When I 1st read that it was going to be a An unconventional romance I thought it may be something difference more on the lines of a messy couple that cheats and get back together. Then has a extra drama for no reason. What I read was brilliant beauty just everything you want in a romance between friends that had history. When I read the 1st chapter I was screaming at "Mackenzie get your man". As a reader of romance to read a truly romantic book with well devloped characters without the extra is amazing. I love to read about a man who honors and loves not only God, himself and his woman was so great. Rahim's character was ao developed. His nature so pure, he didn't have to be babied when Mac needed time. He was already ready for, her open to her, all he had to do was wait for Mac to forgive herself and let the pain go.
The beginning of the book had this big warning, so I was gearing up for some CRAZY SHIT to go down. But that wasn't the case. Granted, there was immediate angsty steam starting right in the first chapter.
Mackenzie and Rahim were a cute couple. I could understand the conflict for why "Kenzie" felt they couldn't be together. I think I would've wanted the timeline of Tony and Kenzie to be much closer just for more Amped Up Angst. I mean why not? Everybody like a lil drama. :-)
I think it's not perfectly a five because I would've wanted more conflict. Maybe, if I hadn't been so hyped up with the warning, I wouldn't have raised my expectations for drama.
Regardless, I'm really glad the cover made me click buy. This is definitely a new author I will be watching out for and reading.
Whenever I read something from this writer I know it is going to be an emotional rollercoaster!This is what real love should look like when you are trying to get it right .I love that Rahim is so on point about what it is that he wants,that you look at this male character and you smile because you are not getting macho crap.The writer gives us an alpha male in every since of the word and ladies you are going to want a Rahim in your life.The writing and dialogue seems as if it should belong to a more mature couple,and that comes from the writer's talent to immediately settle you into this story.There are going to be a few times where the heroine,Mackenzie is going to make you scream,but you are going to love her in the end.This was very good reading and so very hot.🔥