A Staten Island Love Letter 2: The Forgotten Borough

A Staten Island Love Letter: The Forgotten Borough #2

by Jahquel J.

When you’re at the top, people question why? Zeek and Zoe moved to Staten Island to lay low, but instead found out that there was money to be made there. Wanting Ghost’s position in the street, they’re willing to do whatever to get it, including killing whoever means the most to him. When Zeek makes a call that he thought would end Ghost, but could possible end him too… what happens? Ghost wants to know, who would try him and his family this way? Tearing Staten Island apart to find answers that may lie in the hands of Liberty, who heard a one-sided conversation that Zeek had previous to Staten and Summer being gunned down. Liberty has her own fair share of skeletons, but once those skeletons start to fall out the closet, she has no choice but to come clean to her sister and mother. Freedom knows she needs to talk to her twins about their father, but fights hard trying to figure out how. With Mama Rae in her ear, she realizes that she has no choice, but to tell her children that she has lied to them their entire life. Zoe isn’t willing to leave Freedom alone. He’s willing to do anything to get back in her good graces, that even includes trying to end Ghost. You don’t mention Staten Island without mentioning the Garibaldi family. Ghost and the Garibaldi family go back for years. When chaos erupts on Staten Island, Messiah laces up her Timbs and gets ready to go to war. This time she’s not alone… her daughters are joining her. Kiss’ paternity of her child is still a mystery to Priest. The person who actually fathers his niece’s child is the last person he expects. Juggling his own personal life and trying to raise three girls, Priest might reach his breaking point, especially when Justice breaks his heart for the final time. Y’all were sleep on the forgotten borough, but it’s safe to assume you’re wide awake and ready for the explosive sequel to this series. Pay your toll, sit back and welcome to Staten Island!

Genres: Audiobook, Urban, African American, African American Romance

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2019

Reviews

[Tasha P.]

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL KEEPING IT IN THE DAMN FAMILY.......GREAT READ, CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK 3 TO COME OUT.

[Bookishrealm]

At this point, my jaw is just unhinged. This has to be the wildest set of twists that I've encountered in a series of books in a long time. Once again, I struggled a bit with the repetitiveness in the writing; however, I do think that Jahquel J. knows how to write a compelling story and character.

[AlexTRBG]

Just when I think I’m done… Jahquel pulls me right back in lmao. I swear her writing and these damn cliffhanger are addicting lol

[MJ]

And the drama just keeps on coming! The 1st book pulled me in, but this one made my jaw drop multiple times.

[Ladii Zig]

Beyond AWESOME 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Ohhhhhh my lawddddddddd WHAT A ENDING!!!!! I swear Jahquel you play allllllllll your life. Man I loved this book from beginning to end, I knew the ending was going to be epic I just didn't know it was going to be like that. That's one hell of a way for people to find out who your baby daddy is anddddddd find out he's on the down low. (Spoiler Alert) it might be wrong for me to say this but I hope Free get rid of the baby or she lose it since she don't know who her baby daddy is, why because Zoe would have too many connections to the people Ghost love and care about. LIBERTY is the biggest shocker a baby and nobody knew but Justice just crazy. I'm so ready for part 3. Great read

[KindledbyKisses]

Omfg 🙀 it’s like you have to keep going because the plot twists and connections with the unimaginable cliffhangers have you hanging on by a thread 🧵…dear lord help me haha 🤣

[Jite]

The drama continues…

If there’s a bad decision to be made, these characters will waltz into it. So many secrets and lies from sisters Freedom, who’s not sure who her baby daddy is, and Liberty whose secret marriage is coming to bite her in the butt, and with Zoe and all the intersexions of who he’s with and isn’t with.

This was an exhausting but compelling read.

[Michelle ReadAcholic F]

Tragic

Freedom is selfish, I feel she could have explained what made her leave. Then she had to find a way to make things about her. How could ghost not know about the fiancé, then what mother only does mommy and me time with one daughter. Liberty fighting demons that are swallowing her up. Kiss to much

[Tiara Fuqua]

Honnneeeyyyyyyyy you kept me on the edge of my seat with this one. It’s so much going on and I love how you connected all the characters together. The last 2 pages did it for me. I was waiting patiently on Priest to find out lol

[JazzyJayy]

The Drama!!! Sheesh the drama in this book!!! Not gonna lie though Justice, Liberty, Freedom & Kiss kept pissing me off 😩 but man I was stuck lol can't wait to see what's next!!! These Cliffhangers 😩😩

[Kia Borner]

What in the actual fuck?

This girl is a menace 😭😭😭

[Nicole H]

Ms. AuthorLady and her cliffhangers are killing me! On to book 3!

[kirareadsss]

Not the baby 😩

[Diane Fauth]

Read the books, audible makes it a little hard to be in to it, but the story line is so good!

[Heaven Williams]

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️✨

[Bridget]

4.5/5

[Britt Currie]

Chilllle, Jahquel really know how to write some mess 😭

[Ashley Hill]

This series is wild. I can't wait to read book 3. There is so much drama I can hardly keep up.

[Sierra| HooksxBooks]

This series had me SICK to my MFING stomach.

Like SICK. Zeek and Zoe are just.. eyyucckkk.


So much is going on, and I have to say, the Davis family is a different type of family than what I've read about. So much is happening, Free, Liberty and Justice.

Just STRESSED. Also, getting to learn more about the Garibaldi family has been good too. Staten, lawd.

[CallMeNychelle]

buckle up buttercup

3.5 stars (SPOILERS!!)

THE STORY CONTINUES! Things start to pick up and pick up pretty quickly once book 2 begins. This is probably because book one was a little slower paced but I am not mad at a change in pace. I am beginning to feel like the characters are too familiar with each other. It’s a little unrealistic, which is why I rated it a little lower than book 1. Ghost has two brothers and Free has two sisters so now they are one big happy family? okaaayyyy. But Free AND Myla AND Kiss messing with the same guy?! Come on!! It’s a little much. But don’t get me wrong, my critique for the choices in the storyline is not indicative of my enjoyment of the book. I LOVE A GOOD MESS - and that is exactly what it is. I kept trying to figure out what makes Lib’s life so hard that she became a COKE HEAD but that baby is a great reason lol. this book was extremely interesting and of course left us on another crazy cliff hanger. I’m telling yall right now, i don’t trust Marisol anymore. That’s all i’mma say.

[Keesha]

This book gave me primetime soap opera and I was here for every second! There was so much drama packed into this book that I was out of breath when I finished it. There were parts that were highly emotional and made me weep and then the shaking my head, audible gasp moments I’ve come to expect from Ms. Jahquel J. Yes…just yes!

[Miss Read A lot]

Still no real issues

Child! All the sisters are trash. Liberty a crackhead. Justice a doormat and Freedom still selfish…because I know damn well she ain’t expect him to chase her when she ran. He was right to let her go because if it was anybody else, she would’ve said it’s stalking or something. You didn’t want to be kept, so he let you run. Liberty I thought would be the strong sister but after she kept bringing up Chanel she kept annoying me, because isn’t she the sister that don’t gaf. Also I can’t picture Liberty being attractive. She a fiend and it takes a toll on physical appearance. So…yeah. Justice being with Priest isn’t genuine to me yet. It feels like she settled. She still wanted to be a punching bag. Her abuser lost a leg then she grew balls. Kiss…I want to smack her ass through the pages so bad. I do wish we could read about Ghost bonding with his kids but so far it’s off page and I don’t like that. I don’t care for any of the couples HEA’s. I don’t think any of them belong together. Maybe that changes, but right now. The sisters make the most dumbest excuses to be the way they are. I don’t care for the men. But they aren’t so bad. I’m not understanding why Justice is the better choice over Marisol: Even Ghost snapped at her. She literally did nothing! I mean I see Priest wanted Justice for some strange reason even after he was second choice. While Marisol wants him and he’s her first choice. His reason for switching up on her is weak as hell. She is staff. She’s getting paid. She’s not obligated to bond with them kids, she got her own kids. So her going away for a while wasn’t an issue to me. Them not her gahdamn kids and they not toddlers. Them teenage girls. Priest was just a dumbass too. He enjoyed being someone’s second choice. Justice was only calling him when she needed to getaway knowing he wanted her: how you want that over Marisol who is crazy about yo ass. I would think Justices weakness would have turned him off. Even their sex scene didn’t move me because the connection wasn’t there.

[Lakeshia Shani]

Damn book 2 was rough! Staten tried to cover both girls during the shootout. Unfortunately Summer was hit during the process and unfortunately she didn’t make it out. During her hospital stint - Zeek comes up to the hospital and show his entire butt! He with the help of Liberty spill the beans that Zeek is the biological father of Summer. Shakira didn’t know what hit her and then well Liberty hit her! And then at the end- you deserted Rain! Girl you’re sorry!

Poor Ghost- he gains two kids but loses 1! Him finding out that Summer wasn’t his- hurt him but her dying - broke him! Free was selfish as heck! Especially after Summer died- what made you think that they needed to be at funeral?

Justice going back to Todd wrecked my darn nerves! Like girl whyyy??? But you finally got your strength and once knocked the wind out Todd! But when Priest applied that pressure- Justice got in line!!

Priest- I’m glad Ghost was able to help you navigate Kiss and her pregnancy. He was right she didn’t need no room and baby shower! She was already entitled! Now that baby daddy twist- didn’t expect that. That little white boy didn’t lie when he said it wasn’t his baby. Can’t believe you was giving that coochie out! Lil Brat!

Crackhead Susan— Staten killed me with that one lol! He stayed on Liberty’s neck! She most definitely had crackhead behavior. Not eating and messing up at work! Then the man wouldn’t leave! Yea Staten put that pressure on her. And why would you ignore the hospital?

Mila/Marion- girl you were dead wrong for letting that man sleep with Freedom and you encouraged it! I thought you were better than that.

Chanel is selfish! She’s been using Staten as a placeholder until she is ready or a better man comes along! Leave her alone Staten and get a DNA test.

[lexx t]

WHEW. A Staten Island Love Letter 2 had me stressed, overwhelmed, and fully entertained because Jahquel J decided to drop secrets like confetti. This installment digs deeper into the fallout from the first book and expands the story in a way that makes everything more tangled, more emotional, and way more intense. The synopsis promises revelations, shifting loyalties, and truths coming to light, and trust me, it delivers. I felt like every chapter added a new layer that made me pause and go wait… WHAT.

The character work in this book is wild in the best way. Jahquel J knows how to write a baby mama that will get under your skin because Shakira irritated me every single time she showed up. And ZO? Oh he absolutely took the cake in this one. Keeping things in the family and then some had me shaking my head the entire time. As for Freedom’s sisters, Liberty and Justice made it extremely hard to decide who annoyed me more. Everyone had secrets, everyone had motives, and nobody was innocent, which made the drama hit even harder.

What surprised me most was how much this book pulled at my heart. Beneath all the mess, revelations, and chaos, Ghost’s emotional journey really sat with me. Watching him process loss, unexpected truths, and sudden changes to his world added a level of vulnerability that balanced out the madness. This sequel is heavier, more complex, and emotionally charged, and it absolutely sets the stage for what’s next. Whether you read it or listen to it, be prepared to be overwhelmed in the best way because Jahquel J does not let up. Now excuse me while I decide if I can wait for the audiobook or if I need to grab the next book immediately.

[Naturallywoo]

Growth, Surprises, and Imagination on the Davis Family Saga Journey

I just finished Book 2 in the Staten Island Series (The Davis Family Saga), and I have to say I didn’t see many of the twists coming. The turns had my mouth hanging open, and I couldn’t look away, yet I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next. I’m already scrambling to grab the next book in the series.

Mrs. J, you’ve grown as a writer. I’ve started with your earlier work after being introduced to you through the Delgatos and Inferno saga, which are rich with emotion, scene development, and a crafted pace that draws readers in. While your early writing shares themes with your newer work, some grammar issues in those first books used to rub me the wrong way, and there were moments when character names didn’t quite align with the scene (such as Free when you were referring to Justice and Priest). I made quick adjustments in my mind to fit what I thought you meant to write, and I didn’t mind doing that. I’m invested and will continue reading both your older work and your latest, enjoying the maturation on this journey. I believe in letting the author lead me on a journey with imagination, creating a movie in my head, so let’s dive in and see where this goes.

[ReadingWithJa’Nyzeaire]

Yeah, it is getting MESSIER. 😭 This book had me trying to connect the dots right along with Liberty because everybody has something going on. And honestly, Liberty was right for giving people the raw truth because some of these decisions had me like… be serious. Justice especially had me shaking my head because girl, PLEASE.

I also liked that there were situations where I could understand both sides. Ro had every right to feel how he felt, but I could understand Kiss’s side too. Same with Free and Ghost. Free definitely picked the WRONG time to say what she said, but Ghost's emotions were already heightened. Then there's Liberty trying to figure everything out while dealing with her own past. The more we learn about her, the more certain things about her behavior start making sense.

And just when I thought I knew where everything was going, Jah said absolutely not. 😭 That plot twist and all these secret connections?! TEA. The world is really starting to come together now, and I'm invested in figuring out how everybody's stories connect without somebody getting caught up in the process.

I'm going straight to the next book because there are entirely too many secrets floating around Staten Island for me to stop here.

[C. Wilson]

ALMOST SPILLED TEA

Selfish selfish selfish!
I don’t get why Free thinks that the entire world revolves around her! Ghost had to go through the hardest time in his life and she thought it would be bright to FINALLY reveal her secrets to the twins in the midst of that. She waited yearsssss to tell them, a few more months wouldn’t have hurt anybody...
THE AUDACITY of her to decide to bring her babies to the light at the time she was thinking. She’s cancelled!

I’m canceling Justice too!! If she doesn’t see how good of a man Priest can be for her then she doesn’t deserve to be breathing honestly. If the author gets her up out of here trust, I would not be mad. There’s vulnerable women that fall subject to love and then there’s just plain idiots. Where does she fall? In the realm of idiocy. Things could have been much more different for her had she found her strength sooner.

THE ENDING THO!!! Let me rush on over to book three because bayyybeeee there’s so much hanging

[Diane Rembert]

The Davis family is back! Ghost must face a hard truth that is going to change his life FOREVER. Meanwhile, Freedom’s secret is finally revealed, but the timing is totally off.

Staten is seeking revenge for whomever shot at him and his nieces. Meanwhile, he is catching feelings for Liberty, but she also has a few secrets that may change the trajectory of the situationship.

Priest is not only running the family business, but he’s also raising his nieces while dealing with Kiss’ pregnancy. Not to mention, she is still hiding the identity of her child’s father. There is also something brewing between him and Justice…much to the dismay of Marisol.

Zoe is living a triple life that is going to come back and bite him in the butt.

This book is another page turner with many twists and turns. I haven’t been this invested in a group of characters in a long time. My favorite in this book goes Staten and the least favorite is a tie between Zoe and Todd. It’s the audacity for me!

If you haven’t read this series yet, I highly recommend that you do. Please note that there are a few errors.

[mellie_reads]

How is Book 2 even messier than Book 1? HOW?! My mouth was hanging open the entire time.

From chapter one, chaos. By chapter two? Full-blown madness. I cried. I got mad. I was shocked, disgusted, concerned, annoyed….every single emotion imaginable ran through me, and yet I could not stop reading. Not for one second.

Just when you think one couple is finally figuring things out…like okay, maybe they’ll work through it this time boom, plot twist. Something even more insane happens. And then another twist. And another. It’s a never-ending mess, and somehow it just keeps escalating. These people do not get a break. The drama is relentless. The mess is messing.

I was so deep in it that the moment I finished Book 2, I knew I had no choice but to dive straight into Book 3. Honestly, I’m probably going to finish it tonight because I’m officially suffering from withdrawal. I need to know what happens next. I’m too invested. These characters, this drama it’s unhinged, it’s addicting, and it’s everything.

[Marah]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This cliffhanger was insane. What the hell was Kiss (yes another random ass name) thinking…


Dude was DL, a pedophile, and an abuser…

……

⭐ 1 Star – Didn’t Like It
• Forced yourself to finish or DNF’d
• Poor writing, confusing, boring, or irritating
• Would not recommend
• Actively disliked it

⭐ ⭐ 2 Stars – It Was Okay / Meh
• Finished it, but barely
• Some good moments, but overall disappointing
• Wouldn’t reread
• Might warn people before recommending

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 3 Stars – Liked It
• Enjoyable enough
• Solid story, but not memorable
• Some flaws (pacing, characters, plot holes)
• Would recommend casually, not enthusiastically

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4 Stars – Really Liked It
• Engaging, well-written
• Strong characters or plot
• You’d recommend it without hesitation
• Minor issues, but they didn’t ruin the experience

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 5 Stars – Loved It
• Couldn’t put it down
• Emotional impact, memorable
• Would reread or buy a physical copy
• You’re still thinking about it after finishing