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As Long As I'm The Only One

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For Marlee Davis, family was everything. Her cousins were her first friends and she cherished their bond. That was until that bond was irrevocably broken right along with her heart. Her boyfriend Tyson wasn’t the best looking or the finest, but he treated her like a queen. To the outside world, she had it all and she became the envy of many. After being betrayed in the worst way imaginable, Marlee vowed that she was done with love and relationships. That was until a weekend getaway changed her perspective and her life in unimaginable ways. With her best friend and cousin, Desiree, by her side, Marlee is thrown through a world wind of emotions that she never expected. She found out that happiness often sneaks in through a door that you didn’t even know was opened. RJ Banks was born with more money than he’d probably ever spend. Being his father’s youngest child and only son proved to be his greatest accomplishment. He was taught the importance of honesty at an early age and that was a lesson that stayed with him throughout life. Aspen, his girlfriend of many years, wanted everlasting love with him and she was willing to do any and everything to be his only one. But RJ was not ready to deliver “ever” or “lasting” until he crossed paths with destiny. He soon learned the importance of being the only one.

482 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2018

1202 people are currently reading
189 people want to read

About the author

Chenell Parker

43 books621 followers

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5 stars
1,068 (79%)
4 stars
200 (14%)
3 stars
52 (3%)
2 stars
15 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
Profile Image for Rashawnda.
1,391 reviews1,111 followers
July 1, 2023
Another one!! At this point I expect nothing less from Ms. Parker. There has not been a book by her that I did not THOROUGHLY enjoy! This is definitely an “everybody got what they deserved” review because there was toooooooo much going on to detail any of it in this review. The story had everything I love in a book! It was juicy, backstabbing, toxic, comedic, drama that you simply can’t get anywhere else! If you’ve never read a book by Ms. Parker, holla at me in the comments and let me drop some recommendations because she does👏🏽 not👏🏽 miss👏🏽!!!
Profile Image for TuraReads.
371 reviews12 followers
May 20, 2018
Impeccable⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let me just say... Chenell is a force to be reckoned with! She’s one of those authors that takes her readers on a journey, and this book lived up to exactly that! RJ and Marlee’s Love was unexpected! So much happened in a short amount of time but they never gave up. Their support system was amazing and the unexpected twists left me speechless! If you’re looking for something that’s different, raw and unorthodox...THIS IS IT! Chenell, thank you for blessing us with your talent! This is my favorite by you and your growth is evident within each page!💕
Profile Image for Nay .
444 reviews
February 14, 2023
At this point I don’t expect nothing but 5 stars. This book was amazing what started as a somewhat one night stand turned into more. RJ knew he wanted Marlee & made sure he put his BDE on her & her the whole time they was in Vegas. Yanni was a trifling bxtch. Aspen deserved what she got but poor Aaron. I’m happy Banks left his wife for Ivy as you could see that’s who he truly loved. I’m so happy Desi got her HEA..I loved her & Murk crazy ass friendship.
Profile Image for Tamara.
183 reviews12 followers
June 18, 2018
You did that!

Chenell Parker never ceases to amaze me, she came through once again. Murk and Desi are something else, I was surprised that they became best friends. Karma definitely came back to bite Aspen and Yanni, my heart went out to those two.
Profile Image for melissa humphrey.
36 reviews
January 2, 2019
Great Read!!!

This book was so amazing. It was exciting from page 1. I laughed so hard at times that I was crying. Murk and Desi were some fools. I absolutely loved Marlee and RJ. It was really sad about Aspen and Aaron. She didnt have to do him like that. This book was so exciting and had me reading it straight through. Thanks Chenell you never disappoint.
7 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2025
a story like none other

This author gives it to you raw and uncut! And I love it! From the beginning to end you get all of the conflicts and beautiful endings all wrapped up in one. RJ is book bae all day long! This book was recommended to me by another book cousin at an event but I was definitely not disappointed! I can’t wait to read more by Chenell Parker.
Profile Image for Hilary S..
Author 21 books31 followers
May 22, 2018
As Long As

Another Chenell classic. You would laugh, cry and get mad all at the same time. Ready to see what else you have in store.
Profile Image for Erika B..
Author 45 books108 followers
November 10, 2021
As Long As I’m The Only One

From beginning to end 🙌🏾👏🏾 this author did NOT disappoint! I loved how the author gave the reader a glance into the lives of Marlee and RJ before having them meet. Their chemistry was crazy! Murk and Desi’s behinds were hilarious.. this was a great book overall, I would recommend to anyone looking for a great book to get lost in 💖
452 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2018
Yes

Something so different nobody sitting in the cut plotting to take the man characters down no bitter baby momma or a secret baby that shows up years later. Great read
1,263 reviews
November 24, 2022
KR

Awesome story

Everytime I read this one Author catalog still give me same feelings..I really like the Fact that RJ knew what he wanted didn't play games never lied because his father taught him that even if might hurt the other person. Aspen played the wrong game You can not play with someone heart especially when you know the person might be damage from child hood turuma and the Army at that she Aaron question everything he was as a man as a person when you know someone suffers from PTSD you don't take there love for granted but also have a name for what he Had as well ...But Aaron felt like his dreams was finally coming ture just for Aspen to take it way once she did that made him less than a man But if it was RJ baby she would have kept it enough of her it ended in tragic...

I love that RJ and Marlee has close nit family both sides are very close..I really excited for Desi found love and still where given the chance to have her little family Desmond gave her a purpose and blessed her not just daughter now an son to love.

And I 😘 ve the relationship Marlee& Desi have they were more just cousin if asked me sisters hood for sure had one another back..
Now Murk and his family wow he was my favorite he's was just being him with a lot of kids one baby mama he truly loves but he doesn't know how to settle down so I also blame Christie if know he ain't gonna change stop having babies by him now she has 4 kids and 3 by three different women and you can he gonna change he's had to meet that one woman that would....
Now that's a book I would love to read about see if he meet someone who matches him with his wit and challenge him to do better...

But also love friendship him and Desi have it's like brother and sister so true friendship so it also shows if he found the right woman he can be serious...
And I liked about this book it was not basic street book either none of the men were into nothing illegal if they were didn't not gorillfied it was base on two ppl falling in love and out of love and what went on in between them finding there happiness 😊😊😊😊
729 reviews16 followers
May 20, 2019
Wow... This deserved more than a 5 stars for sure!!! So different...

I just picked up this author and this was my first read, and it will definitely not be the last. I will definitely read MS. Parker again, and again, and again, for sure...
RJ and Marlee were very cute and very compatible. RJ at times sounded like a mama's boy as well as a daddy's boy, and when he tried his manly ways, or alpha ways, it was so not biting. He sounded more like a female than anything. He was honest, loyal, and giving and loved Marlee a lot.
Marlee on the other hand was the alpha. She was boss and very beautiful on top of that. Intelligent, self preservative, she embrace life with open heart.
What made the book, the bomb, because the hero and the heroine was missing something, was the full explanation and rea search and educative ideas you walk way with once you finished the book. From education, family values, loyalty, incarceration, PTSD and mental illness, this book was so thorough that by the time you finish reading it, you were not loss or even needed to have someone translate your confusion. This was crafted with so much love, so much understanding of how to please the reader, that it definitely deserved more than a 5 stars. The way each character was developed, you an feel yourself participating in their shenanigans.
Murk and Desi, man I was rooting for them... I really thought that at the nd, he was going to come and be her knight in shinning armor, specially when they were talking about Desmond...was I wrong. Yanni, Aspen, and Kassidy all deserved what they got, no preference. Aaron shouldn't have gone out like that... Mat and Sierra were so cute. Andrew was so foul and it was good riddance not to have to see him. Lauren, Joy, Faith hand hope all got what they deserved..
Again, I can't say this enough, but when an author have you still smiling while writing this review, you know they did an excellent jobs In this story.
Profile Image for Sassha Reads❤️❤️.
2,044 reviews19 followers
June 11, 2018
Good Book

I really enjoyed reading this book. All it took was one trip to Vegas to have an effect on so many lives. I literally dropped my mouth wide open when Marlee caught Tyson in her own bed screwing her own cousin Yanni. Annnnnddd Tyson got Yanni pregnant. I just couldn't find any sympathy for Yanni with the way Tyson treated her nor the way that her life turned out because she was just scandalous. Aspen should have known better than trying to make RJ love her, marry her, and have a child he told her that he wasn't ready for. After five years she should've realized that he just didn't see a future with her. I understand her not wanting a relationship with Aaron because of his issues but she was wrong to string him along playing with his feelings. I like the chemistry RJ and Marlee had off the top. Who would've thought that a one night stand would have ended up turning into a happy marriage with kids. I really thought that Murk and Desi's friendship was going to evolve into something more but they truly developed a brother/sister bond. I was so happy for Desi when she met and ended up marrying Desmond. I don't know what kind of relationship Murk and Christie has but she keeps popping out them babies. Banks was someone you wanted to hate but you really couldn't because he was straight up and the rock of the family. Banks do need to try to get Joy, Hope, and Faith so kind of counseling. I'm glad that Banks ended up with his true love, Ivy. It was so funny how things turned out with Craig and Yanni. I don't understand why Craig thought the outcome would be different knowing Yanni's background. I'm glad that RJ and Marlee, Desmond and Desi, and Banks and Ivy got their HEA.
Profile Image for Carol.
413 reviews8 followers
June 20, 2018
I love this author.... Because she writes, with such great storylines. the characters Marlee, Desi, JR & Murk were such great characters with their own stories.... Marlee, very strong personality, who had a career, goals and was making something of herself, just carrying on with an albastross called Tyson, a nothing AZZ man. He got what he deserved, at the end of the day. Yanni, such treacherous deed she did to her own cousin, thought that grass would be as green as it was for Marlee, what a snake, and a slut, by the end of the book, since she had baby #2. RJ... wow his dad really put something, in his head.. What a stand up Man!!!! Loved his and Marlee's storyline. His father, Ivy & Lauren Both women wer crazy to deal with him.. Lauren had no purpose, no friends & no family other than he miserable daughters. to be payng a man for some booty, her self esteem had been shot for years. Ivy needed a hobby. Kassidy, should have told RJ how she felt all along. I disliked Aspen pretty much from the start. She was nasty, a schemer, and truly selfish and self centered. She did Aaron so wrong, and she knowingly did it while he was not mentally stable. Not saying she got what she deserved at the end of the day, but for her to be so smart, she did not excercise common sense, and she ignored her own familys warning about toying with his emotions. Sad for him... because he was in love with her, and wanted a family, and she played him... MURK was a whole fool thru the entire book, placing his house arrest anklet on people so he could enjoy life PRICELESS....he was the Balance to Desi.. Desi,, whew she finally got her child / children and a GREAT man in Desmond, who accepted her and Murks crazy butt....
909 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2018
Yaaaasss

First let me start off by saying thank you for writing a complete story without drawing it out for 3 or 4 books. Too many authors now a days are getting lazy and just drawing things out for good no reason at all. I am all for a series but not when the individual books are all novellas that could have been combined for a full story. Kudos to you for writing a story where the characters grow and show true maturity. No loose ends, so glad that Tyson got exactly what was coming to him. Yanni was s trifling mess and karma definitely showed her about herself. It's funny that after all her scandalousness Marlee ended up with the man that Yanni dreamt about. RJ was exactly what Marlee needed to help mend her broken heart. Aspen was another hot mess unfortunately karma showed her in the worst way not to play with people's emotions and her family are the ones that had to pay the price in trying to deal with all the grief her actions caused. Kassidy was just delusional. I don't know why she thought that RJ was just going to up and grow feelings for her out of nowhere especially when she never was honest about how she really felt. Marlee made it known quick she wasn't about that foolishness. It was hilarious when she punched Kassidy and got her kicked out of the baby shower, that girl was sooo salty. Loved it. Seeing Desi get her happy ending was such an added bonus after everything that she went through it was heartwarming to see her and Desmond come together. Murk was hilarious love how he became the older brother she never had and really looked out for her best interest. The banter between Murk and Desi was everything. Keep these bangers rolling Chenell Parker
Profile Image for Dana Veronica.
249 reviews10 followers
October 22, 2023
Chiiiiiiiiile girl Ms Parker always come though!!!

Ok I have to go character by character with this here:

Ms Marlee Ms Marlee (don’t come for her unless she sends for you PERIODT!) She deserves her happily ever after!

Tyson (The Ape) I was looking for a death scene actually but umm ok jail time is fine…..but who really keeps harassing someone about a baby that’s not their and don’t take care of the ones he have

RJ (loved you but a bit contradicting)

Desi (all love) she deserved her happy although I was secretly hoping that her and Murk would have hit it off but I loved their bro/sis relationship. I was hoping for a miracle and she would have gotten pregnant

Yanni (Skank ) deserved what she got

Banks ( a straight G)

Ivy and Linda or whatever (two dummies)

Joy (big mouth but where was the lie in some of it

Kassidy (Irrelevant and simple)

Now Aspen Aspen Aspen ( I saw her fate coming but Aaron could have maybe beat her unrecognizable but not a bullet to the head although she played his ass badly and he was mental. I’m my opinion it was blind to happen but if her family would have mind their business instead of pulling her in a room and having a confronting her about with she did with her unborn he wouldn’t have overheard the conversation that sent him over the edge. Aspen was foul but it was her business.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vermille Crumpton.
212 reviews11 followers
February 10, 2019
Man this was a long book but it was SUPER GOOD I definitely enjoyed!! RJ is my new book Bae... I love ❤️ Marlee Desi Matt & Sierra that dang on Yanni is a hot mess but u know its so many women in the world that has that type of mind set can’t stand to see ppl happy and become so jealous with envy & greed look what happened to her boyyyyy “you will rep what u sow” that is a true statement!! Tyson he got everything he deserved as well how u gone be so pressed bout Marlee but dis own your own kids!! Ole trifling behind!!!! Now Aspen girrrrrrl she got on my nerves too but I definitely wasn’t expecting that to happen to her, now that had me in tears 😭 but like Chenell say PTSD is real and ppl need to understand and know what it is or what to expect and how to handle it when that person is in or may need help! Poor Aaron I felt sorry for him and plus there really are ppl who suffer from that!!
Murk was funny I think he can have and storyline himself lmbo ok y’all let me end this I feel like I’m becoming to wordy 😂😂😂😂
Profile Image for Tierra.
399 reviews4 followers
May 28, 2018
Ain't not extras

This story was too good. I don't know how Chenell does it,but she always brings the craziest yet heartfelt love stories to us. Each and every part of this story either had me mad, sad, and dying laughing. The men in the story and true to their word, very open and honest. I definitely didn't like Banks in the beginning, but things change. The books is very details and the relationships around the story are the craziest. Men and Women can be friends, people can fall in love at first sight. Playing with feelings is dangerous and messing someone's man will trap you. All of this is displayed in this story. Marlee and Murk have to the most out spoken. Marlee didn't play about her family at anytime. Murk as much of a jerk he was he kept it 100. There were moments in the story where I feared the unexpected. It best to be truthful, you never know the reaction. As always Chenell's writing game is top notch...now if we can get Murk a book🤔🤔🤔.
137 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2018
Good read

The book flowed together. It was a good read. There was a lot of things I didn’t agree with when it came to Marley and RJ. As a woman sleeping with someone else man is not my thing. The one night stand I get but to continue knowing he is in a relationship is a NO-NO so Marley lost some points with me. So Karma should’ve touch her door as well just like it did Aspen Tyson and Yanni. Aspen she was wrong for playing with Aaron feelings and you can’t do that. I love Murk and Desi friendship. Desi deserves happily ever after. Banks was doing to much for me and Ivy and Lauren was both fools.I understood where the daughters was coming from a little bit. To see your dad flaunt his side chic in their face was WRONG regardless if their mother knew or not. This book goes to show you how you can give your self to a man for years and he will turn around and love someone he just met BETTER.
Profile Image for Desi.
37 reviews3 followers
June 3, 2018
I may be the only one but....

I love Chenells writing, and I really love a long standalone so I just knew this was going to be everything I wanted and needed in my life...wrong.

First let me say I think the story was good my issue was it dragged so much, there were so many times through the story where it could of ended and been complete all questions answered no loose ends but it didn't, it kept going.

I also think that there were relationships that were developed so well a natural progression would of been getting together, but I get it who you want together doesn't always happen and that's fine. But to build up a relationship the WHOLE book just to insert someone else in the last 15% was annoying to me, and the person who was Inserted with a big character we really don't know him.

I think the story could of been 5 stars if it wasn't dragged leaving questions that wouldnt of been there had it just ended. Alot of stuff was also repeated through the whole book. Chenell is a great writer this just wasn't a hit for me
Profile Image for V. Rena.
1,657 reviews16 followers
August 26, 2018
Love and happiness

This story is my first book by this author, and it was good. It was well written with great character development and intriguing story. It was filled with plenty of laughs, drama, betrayal, family issues, and love. I love how honest the characters were, especially RJ and his dad. RJ wasn't ready for marriage and family with Aspen because it wasn't right. But when he and Marlee unexpectedly made a baby, he was ready because his world was made right. They both wanted and were drawn to each other even before the baby. It was right because they were made for each other. Marlee was down for a little bit after the hurt but she bounced back big time and still came out on top. I was glad that Desi found the love and happiness that she deserved. Murk was a whole trip and a half, kept me laughing. Aspen learned the hard way of playing with other people's feelings. This is a good story and looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Profile Image for Datra Huggins.
33 reviews
November 29, 2018
Not my cup of tea

To each there own this book was not my cup of tea. This is the second book I have read by this author and again the characters are unrelatable, and immature. I love a long book but this one is long and its no reason for it, the protagonist in the book do not drive the story line anywhere but flat they are just as bad as the antagonist but some how the karma skips over them. I did enjoy Desi and Murk but they are not the main characters as a reader I’m investing in the journey of RJ and Marlee and they were horrible, immature and trashy and it was nothing to glorifying about them no more then the others. Banks was supposed to be such a honest man but here he is married with 2 kids outside of the marriage and a side chick that he treats better than his wife the he is vowed to it’s nothing to glorify about him..... But the author wants to keep stating he is an honest man when he really is just dense and his son is no better
1 review
July 6, 2019
Too ratchet for my taste

I usually love a ratchet story. This one was mixed with some well to do ppl as well and some super ratchet ones. A spoiled rich boy best friends with a murdering drug dealer seemed a little strange to me even though they were cousins. Some of characters had a great storyline but Marlee was the main character and I couldn’t stomach her portions at all. She was trying to fight while pregnant and would be quick to get physical with someone else. That’s fine but she also pretended to be the victim since if someone said something out of line to her they were “asking for it”.

There were too many characters with their own stories in general. I tried my best to finish the book but found it too unbelievable. I didn’t even bother to read the last couple pages to see how it ended but I’m sure she lived happily ever after and continued to get away with assaulting ppl even though she and her husband were filthy rich.
Profile Image for Kitani.
1,573 reviews
February 26, 2020
As Long As I'm the Only One

Aspen really did underestimate Aaron and her selfishness left a lot of people hurt. It was crazy how RJ and Marlee met but I loved how everything worked out for them. One would've never guessed that RJ was against so much before meeting Marlee. Kassidy was doing the most and throwing shade definitely wasn't her strong suit. Murk waa a straight fool and although he said some of the wall stuff, his friendship with Desi spoke volumes. Yanni was sad and had to realize that everything isn't what it seems and being envious got her nowhere. Lauren and her daughter's were annoying and she needed to be humbled after trying to pull a fast one over on Banks. I truly enjoyed this read from start to finish and I'm glad how RJ and Marlee, Desi and Desmond, as well as Banks and Ivy all got their happiness.
45 reviews
May 23, 2022
Vegas

This was a great well developed story. It had no noticeable errors. Some of the women in this story was sad and others was miserable and needed company. R.Is sisters was mad at the wrong man. Lauren and Ivy both did something that most women would not. I'm glad Marlee and Desi went to Vegas and met Murk and RJ. I don't think Desmond would have gotten close to Desi if he did not approve of her friendship with Murk. I would love to see if he ever gets down the aisle. Tyson got just what he deserved. I still felt a little sorry for Aspen even though she was wrong. Aaron was scary and unstable and needed his meds. Playing games cost Aspen more than she bargained for. Overall this story came together well but now I know what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas. Get this book Chenell.parker did a great job.
2,670 reviews23 followers
May 29, 2018
Good Job!!

This was such an entertaining story even though there were times I just wanted to scream.I loved the different dynamics of this story and the characters because you didn't get one perfect character,but what you got where some believable characters that you could identify with and cheer for.There were of course moments when I didn't like the two main characters and I think for a minute they came off just a tad bit too self righteous.But I have to tell you that Murk and Desi made the story for me with that off the chain chemistry !This story deals.with a few.heavy subjects and they are handled great.This was just time well.spent on a story with good character development and well written and executed story.I.look forward to reading more of this writer's work.
Profile Image for Kris Danielle.
241 reviews4 followers
May 30, 2018
As Long As I'm The Only One

This was my first book by this author that I actually struggled to get through. I liked the storyline and there weren't many errors, truthfully I don't recall seeing any. But, it was very repetitive at certain parts. Aspen was annoying as hell and Aaron really should've seemed help. Aspen played with his emotions too many times. Rj and Marlee’s relationship was cool. Murk was funny but annoying as hell lol. I really loved Desi and Desmonds relationship. I was very happy for her. She deserved it. This was a good book just not her best in my opinion.
Profile Image for Shonta.
1,186 reviews6 followers
June 6, 2018
More than 5 stars!!!!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
💣💣💣💣💣
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥This book is soooooo good! That darn Tyson is something else and he got his karma. Marlee was smart to leave him and never look back. RJ was the perfect gentleman, I enjoyed reading his character. Marlee and RJ together equals priceless. OMG I love Desi and Desmond together. Murk is a fool and I love his and Desi relationship. I cried when Aspen got killed it was a tear jerker... That darn Aaron loved her to dead and she played with his heart for to long and BAM now she's gone. Kassidy, Yanni, Taj one word Crazy!! Great job Chenell but I didn't expect nothing less from you.
Profile Image for Book junkie&#x1f48b;.
531 reviews17 followers
May 23, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chenell Parker stay coming with the bangers🔥🔥🔥 I really enjoyed this book. Murk was a hot mess, I loved him and Desi friendship. RJ and Marlee were made for each other. I’m glad to read a book where the female wasn’t stupid over the man that did her wrong🙏🏾 I couldn’t stand RJ sisters they were annoying. It was sad what happened to Aspen, she was worrisome but she didn’t deserve that. It’s so much to say but I don’t want to give the book away. JUST READ IT!!! You won’t be disappointed 🔥
Profile Image for Angelia Rhodes.
1,633 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2021
The only one

This was an amazing ride. I love the mess and twist this story had. Banks was that dude I see, Lauren was crazy ain't no way I would have been playing him. Bless Ivy lil heart she was young when he pulled her in his messy life. Aspen played with fire and got burned, bad. RJ and Marlee where cute and made for each other. Desi got her family and I love it. Murk needs his tail kicked. Mart and Sierra are type of friend and family you need. I just feel in love with Chenell's books.
Profile Image for Alicia Sims.
1,141 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2021
Great read!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Tyson is a real piece of work! He thinks he's the best thing walking 🤨but only he thinks that😂 Marlee showed him that she was the best he ever had though🤣 Yanni smh every family has one of her🙄 everything that glitters ain't gold sis. Mr. RJ is my bae🥰 I love how honest he is with the women in his life. I was so sure that Murk and Desi would've started dating, but I was very entertained by those two. Aspen just had to learn the hard way about trying to manipulate people.
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