Always My Baby

by Alexandria House

What Melanie sees as an inconvenience, Luke sees as a long-desired opportunity. Hopefully, this converging of divergent paths on Christmas Eve will lead to pleasant surprises for both of them.

Genres: Romance, Christmas, Holiday, Novella, African American Romance, Second Chance Romance, African American

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2018

About the author

About the author
A true southern girl, Alexandria House has an affinity for a good banana pudding, Neo Soul music, and tall black men in suits. When this music-loving fashionista is not shopping, she's writing steamy stories about real black love.

Verve Romance: @msalexhouse

Instagram: @msalexhouse

TikTok: @msalexhouse

Facebook: Alexandria House

Reviews

[Rashawnda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE when a short novella understands 👏🏽 the 👏🏽 assignment👏🏽!!!!

I ate this lil appetizer UP!!!! 🤭

After agreeing to attend a Ying Yang twins concert with her sister Mel had no idea that it would result in running into the one that got away!

This was CUTE second chance romance!! All the feels were felt with this one and I could read about Luke and Melanie all day!!! 🥰

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet

Now that was straight to the point. Luke and Mel didn't beat around the bush. They knew what they had, missed and longed for. Loved this story.

[hea booktubes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance short

[Kameel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute second chance at love story between Melanie & Luke after a 10 year old break. The two (2) of them see each other at a concert one night on Christmas Eve and this confrontation will lead to pleasant surprises for both of them.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG……What took me so long to pick up a book by this author? I have been skipping over her books for a long time. Now I’m ready to skip to them for the year 2023. I’m a member of a book club and we have to pick an indie author. Guess what???? I have found mine and I’m sure they will enjoy her as well.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, short holiday re-connection romance

There just was not enough here for me to make it a bigger connection with the characters, but I do enjoy the writing of Alexandria and her connection within the story. I would like to have seen this be a bit longer or have some kind of deeper connection to one of the other stories that would have allowed for more.

[*Ebony I* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting that old love back on Christmas

Ms. House is pretty good at shorts! I love a good second chance romance. This one was short so we don't have to go through all the angst. It was a cute story where old lovers just happened to run into each other over a decade later and the sparks were still there. This would make a great full novel.

[Cassidy Sinclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Black, second chance novella that takes place on Christmas Day. I wish the spice was better developed, which would required the story to be longer. The MC is an ex pro athlete and their breakup made me think of Love & Basketball.

[Mia Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well

What a cute short!! Just in time for the holidays. Nothing like a holiday romance. I need more on divorceè sis, lol.

[Ellowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick steamy Christmas love story.

[Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reallyyyyy Cute

Loved this short and sweet romance that filled my space... If you are looking for a quick short read this might be for you ❤️

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Chrystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nobody:
My thoughts while reading this book: girlllll you’re weak in the knees. Stand up!

Second chance isn’t my favorite trope though.. 🫠

[Lynn Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet

[Shandra Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute short read! Love lost and found again.

[Topeka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute second chance short.

[Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love and Christmas 😍

I swear Alexandria House does it everytime! All this love and heat in a short Christmas story, I know what I'm getting for Christmas 😉😂 This couple's connection was obvious from the moment they ran into one another. I'm a sucker for love, read it! You won't regret this read, ALLLLL the feels!

[Dee Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another holiday romantic hit that I finished rather quickly. Luke & Mel definitely made this Christmas a memorable one

[JazzReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true second chance romance

This short story is a true second chance romance. Luke and Melanie had alot of history and love between them. I feel like Mel cave quickly with little pressure. I want a update on this couple just to see if they actually got married.

['The Book Queen' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and Hit the Spot

Although this was a short story, it was well written. I love all of the characters. The story was engaging save the shortness.... Go get Merry now!

[Bianca Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute.

This was a really cute short story. I always love Alex House work. This could be a full Romance novel.

[Cozy Beauty Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really romantic Christmas love story. Mel just wants to enjoy the hoildays as best as she can until she bumps into her ex boyfriend Luke at a concert. She doesnt want anything to do with him simply because 10 years ago he broken her heart and married another women. Mel couldnt get past that. Luke put everything on the line and trys to get Mel back into his life.

Alexandria House is an amazing writer, she writes about real relationships. Mel and Luke have a strong bond that couldnt be broken. I really enjoyed Mel and Luke's story and I hope I get to read more about them in future novels.

[Jite · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt a little rushed even for a short story.

I think this steamy short story would have greatly benefited from being slightly longer form- maybe a novella? The idea and premise was good- it’s a second chance romance sort of story with former lovers Melanie and Luke randomly meeting each other at a concert. Years ago Luke broke Melanie’s heart but now he wants a second chance. I think this was okay but because of the richness of the back story, the resolution felt a little implausibly fast and unwise.

[Milan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️3.5/5🌶️
Short and so damn sweet! This book is perfect if you wanna read a second chance book thats set during Christmas time this is it! Its only 26 pages so you wont be too far behind on your tbr list lol. Melanie and Luke were together in college and sadly broke up but 10 years later they found each other. They wasted no time getting back together after a hearty conversation and a few tears. Again I'm not the biggest fan of second chance but I definitely was hoping that these two gave it another go!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super short but well written

This was a cute short read! It was even better because it didn't leave you feeling like you missed something. We got the background on why Luke and Melanie broke up, we got some info on their current situations, and we know why they were able to resolve their issues so quickly. What's even better is that this could have been a great full length novel!

[Whit · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW!

Luke and Mel run into each other outside of a sleazy nightclub. Nevertheless, they find time to rehash all of the pain they experienced when they walked away from each other. Luke is determined to keep Mel in his life this time!
Shockingly, Luke apologizes and explains why he married another woman so quickly after Mel moved to Spain. He wants another chance, should she give it to him?

Awesome story!!!!

[Jerrica (Mrsmar10Reads) Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ying Yang in this thang!

Melanie never thought that when she disgruntily went out with her older sister to a whole in the wall club to see The Ying Yang twins she'd run into the man she gave her all too, yet broke her heart. Oh but Christmas miracles exist and Mel may find room for forgiveness, love and a couple of forevers. A short holiday read I believe is worth filling some time.

[Cheonica Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here’s a smooth holiday hit gave me something to think about. Melanie at the Yin Yang concert is definitely the voice of most 30+ yo women in the club. She was hella annoyed while Luke is looking at the exact same moment like his long awaited chance finally opened up on Christmas Eve. Two paths crossing, two perspectives colliding and a whole lot of emotion packed into a tiny story.

Maybe I’ve never been in love because umm, yeah, I don’t see Mel in me at all. 10 years since their breakup and a marriage. With that being said her heart wants what it wants. Alexandria House has a way of reminding us, even in the shortest stories, that love stays undefeated. Quick read, quick spark, quick “oh, okay!” moment… Love wins again.

[Shannon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Short Story

This has me craving a full book. I enjoyed it even though it was a short story. I am so glad that I was introduced to the work of Alexandria House. I normally read urban fiction but reading her books give me a much needed break when the thugs become too much. Lol. Great job Ms. House.

[Tera L. Kirksey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always My Baby: A Christmas Short Story

A chance encounter between old lovers, Melanie Hale and Luke North, reignites old wounds and scars to rekindling a love lost. After ten years could this be possible?
This short story was very relatable to me as I too am experiencing this same scenario. It’s so beautiful rekindling a lost love.