A Staten Island Love Letter 3: The Forgotten Borough

A Staten Island Love Letter: The Forgotten Borough #3

by Jahquel J.

In the finale, everything comes to a boil. Will Zeek’s luck finally run out? Did Priest murder Zoe, or has Zoe escaped death to live another day? With everything going on, Priest hasn’t had a moment to check in with his nieces. When he finds out that his niece has a baby with the enemy, will he turn a blind eye, or will he push Kiss out there with the wolves? Kiss witnessed her uncle shooting her baby’s father and doesn’t know how to get past everything. Does Kiss decide to cut her uncle, or does she choose family over everything? ​Free is left with the decision of what to do with her newfound pregnancy. Should she abort the baby or lie to Ghost about everything? With Georgia in the back of her mind, she’s ready to move back to where she once felt safe. One problem; she doesn’t know how to tell Ghost without him getting in his feelings. Does Freedom decide to move back without Ghost? Or does Ghost put his foot down and demand she stays in Staten Island? ​Liberty’s secret about her son is out and she doesn’t know how to process everything. With Staten now looking at her different, she starts to back pedal with drugs. All her hard work goes down the drain once she finds solace in her newfound escape from it all. Will Liberty’s past be too much for Staten to handle? ​Justice is trying to balance out life with Priest. With Marisol constantly at her neck, she doesn’t know if they’ll last. When Priest asks Justice to move in with him, she accepts the offer. With a baby mama who is out for blood, will Marisol finally get her wish and break the couple apart? ​Everyone is wide awake when it comes to the forgotten borough. With rivals at each other’s necks, bitter baby mamas and relationships on the rocks, who knows if these couple’s relationships will survive? Staten Island, here’s my letter to you…

Genres: Audiobook, Urban, African American

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2019

Reviews

[AlexTRBG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my fav at all. The sisters were getting on my nerves tbh and I really didn’t like how they treated their cousin Mila smh. You could really tell this was written in the 2010’s

[Ashley Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

is this the last book or nah?

3.5 Stars - SPOILERS

the opening of this book said its the last book but I could have sworn there were 5? but i digress. I’ll review like this is the last book. I can always appreciate when a story wraps up clean, and thats exactly what this book did. I am a sucker for happy endings. It was predictable, but again, I appreciated it. I couldn’t rate it too much higher because the book lacked a realistic element that I was hoping for. Things just felt too outlandish.
1. Ghost should have STILL been mad at Free. Til this day! I think He let her off to easy without a real explanation. she literally never even told him she got pulled over and seen her life flash before her eyes. Like c’mon fr?
2. I love that Preist and Justice are together but why and how did he get so head over heels for her?! We missed some character and relationship development on that front. Lib and Staten too! Like how he switch up on Chanel that quick and nothing even happened between him and Lib? they was too deep in it with no building to get to that point.
3. Ghost killed Shakira?! she never explained bouncing on her baby. and you chilling with your baby’s killer? yeah okay don’t piss me off. don’t like nothing about this. I would have felt better if Free just caught her slipping and beat her ass one time for the one time.
This book was weird for me because it really seemed like the author really doesn’t like the FMCs. The only one that had any amount of redemption was Justice. I adored her character, but every other female character, Myla included, was sooooo unlikeable. Their good and bad traits were evenly balanced and I wanted to want to root for them.

All in all, the book was good and enjoyable. Reflecting on the whole reading experience, I craved a little more depth from the characters.

[Tazja Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a happy ending!!

I’m not going to get too excited though because there’s two more books…🥴

[KindledbyKisses · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you think this is the finale and it’s not 🤭 Jahquel is really for the people I love it here .,, onwards to book four 💪🏽

[Breanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series started out great but felt veryyy rushed. I see now there are more books but for this to have supposed to been the finale is crazy to me.

All the relationships felt rushed to me. We didn’t get to see Ghost and Free development he just forgave her and moved on. Justice and Priest getting pregnant and being so in love like how long has it been?!?! I’m still confused about Staten and Liberty because he loved Chanel and said she was wifey type but now he’s moved on? I wish she would have added more pages it was a very short read.

[Chante G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, loved the way it ended, wish it would have stay there.

[Diane Rembert · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something in the water in Staten Island. It seems as if everyone is either pregnant or hiding a love child. In some instances, there are two women pregnant by the same man.

The twists and turns have begun to mellow out in this installment of the the Davis series. Ghost and Freedom are contemplating relocating South, while settling into a blended family. Ghost is still mourning Summer’s death and won’t stop until her murder is avenged. Meanwhile, Freedom must determine who actually fathered her unborn child.

Upon learning Liberty’s secret, Staten makes a tough decision that may change their relationship forever. Then there’s his best friend Chanel. Will his friendship supersede his feelings for Liberty? He also steps into a new role in the streets. Question is…is he ready for the all that comes along with it?

Priest and Justice have made their relationship official, but Marisol is still lingering around, trying to cause trouble. And what about Kiss, her newborn baby and her sisters?

The redemption in this book made me smile, although I felt like a few other characters could’ve been handled, but there’s always book 4. My favorite character in this book is Staten and my least favorite is Pook, although Zeke and Zoe’s mother was a close second.

[Ladii Zig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hate to see it end but great read!!

I enjoyed this read. Everyone got the happy ending that they deserved. Glad that the baby Free is carrying is Ghost because they needed that to start over. Priest and Justice were just made for each other. I love how he cherished and loved on her the way he did. I really don't feel bad about how he did Kiss because she deserved to go through that lesson and stop taking advantage of things. Staten was a real stand up guy and I LOVED him for that and the love he had for Liberty and everything he did to make sure she was better was love. I was hoping Chanel baby wasn't his 😂😂 but we can't always get what we want 🤷🏾‍♀️. Overall great read Jahquel

[Monica ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sisters are wearing me low. While the action/plot was plotting in this book I didn't like how the FMCS and a few MMCS were getting down.

Ghost is the only MMC that I really don't have a problem with. That man is grieving and still very forgiving of Freedom. Freedom is self-centered and self-righteous. When it came to the Myla situation it was very icky for me. From misgendering her to treatment of her and the harping on STI's was too much because truthfully you should be protecting yourself always, no matter who it is. The risk of Zo giving you something and and Ghost was the same considering Shakira was out and about around town but no smoke for Ghost, just Myla. It was teetering a line. Mind you, I love Myla prior to that mess and she was always so funny/charismatic in scenes. Not too much on her.

Priest is paraded as a good man but I don't like how he is so quick to snap and throw things in Justice's face. Justice is a whole DV survivor, so mentioning the fact she stayed with or returned to her abuser was not it. DV is never just physical, it's also psychological. Give my girl some grace. Although he acknowledged it, still a red flag for me.

Chanel, Liberty & Staten- THE CIRCUS. The whole, we're just best friends but we're having a baby thing, not feeling it. Staten is still calling her his "princess"? Hmm. I'm glad that Lib is clean now. Liberty already has a lot going on with her new sobriety, hopefully this doesn't become a point of contention in the next two books.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥🔥🔥

Book 3 had me on a rollercoaster ride, with the secrets so happy things were finally working out. Staten finally got his love and was able to help her see her worth; when she was with Pook he took advantage of her because she was missing her dad so he filled that void for her and still hurt her but he got hurt the most because the woman he choose left him for dead once he got sentenced and karma came back because he thought everyone owed him something.
When in an abusive relationship you can't push that individual no matter how hard you want them to fight for themselves they have to make that decision, and God doesn't put more on you than you can handle and I feel that why each time she got pregnant with Todd baby she couldn't carry to term he would have caused so much more stress for her. Priest was right there to show her what real love was and to speak life into her and her womb. So happy Marisol baby wasn't his, she wanted someone to take care of her, like Priest said she didn't want to improve herself or wanted more for herself; if she enjoyed being a maid then get all the tools needed and open your own maid service business. She just wasn't the one for him and God put the right one in his life at the right time.

[mellie_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was good. Not as wild and chaotic as Books 1 and 2, but still really solid. It felt like everybody finally started getting their shit together or at least trying to. The mess calmed down (a little), and people were starting to heal, grow, and actually talk things through for once.

I do wish there was one more chapter before the epilogue. Just a little extra something showing what life looked like once the dust settled what came after the drama, when things were actually peaceful. The epilogue was sweet, don’t get me wrong, but one more chapter of the good stuff would’ve hit just right.

Still, I loved the ending. It wrapped up really nicely. It was heartfelt, soft, and exactly what the characters needed after everything they went through.

Now, there are two more books left, and honestly? I don’t know what to expect. But I’m diving straight into Book 4 because I have to know what’s next. I feel like things are finally aligning even if the ducks are only partially in a row. Not perfect, not even, but they’re in formation, and that’s what matters.

Everybody’s figuring their stuff out, and I’m here for it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still wanting more.......

Okay I know you said this was the finale but you didn't clear everything up for me. We all know that Free is having a boy but you failed to mention how Justice was doing with her pregnancy like did she get past the miscarriage mark, did they find out what they were having did she run into evil Todd with a protruding belly and that wonderful glow. You also said no spin offs but with everything Justice went through with that dog we deserve to know what she had I personally am rooting for twins ( you know since they run in the family) you know to make up for her losing all the other babies. Pleaseeeee make it happen. You know just a little snippet into her and Priest future. P.S. So glad Ro didn't get trapped with Marisol the nut case. Good series.

[Stephanie Mclendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When It’s Real!

Kiss...Free and Myla have one man in common and when Priest finally gets to Zoe... 3 lives change. Yes all 3 were dealing with this man and can I say ..RUN TO THE 🥼!!!! The aftermath causes Kiss to finally try and be a grownup, Justice has to stand by her man’s decision and she needs to make sure she is sure if the decisions she makes in dealing with Todd but when a woman is fed up....it’s over. Free and Ghost are really doing their thang, the twins love getting to know their dad and Riley is still wondering where Summer went.Shakira has disappeared but I’m sure she is close to Zeek. Staten has been offered to take over for Ghost but unfolding the puzzles to Liberty has Staten exhausted especially since the discovery of Chance. This series is fantastic! With life lessons no doubt something will touch u in morning more ways than one!

[BetweentheCoversLiterary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection!!

That was the perfect wrap up to this series for now...Thank goodness that Liberty got the help she needed and for Staten being the man for her... I loved that Justice and Priest are #relationshipgoals and she deserves it because she had been through so much...Even though Ghost has been through so much trauma and turmoil I’m glad him and Free has a second chance being a family. Chanel is shady and her behavior is still suspect because she’s in love with her best friend... Marisol got her just deserts by lying she should be glad that Ghost pities her... Definitely can’t wait to catch up with the next part in the series...These characters are definitely to amazing to let go

[Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

OMG, the editing in this series was awful! Not on a level of misspelled words but inconsistent context. It really messes with the flow to have to try to untangle why the book is referring to someone by the wrong name amongst other glaring mistakes.

I started this book excited to see how things would land after the cliff hanger in book 2 but I quickly found myself exhausted with the drama of Freedom, Liberty and Justice.
🗣️ENOUGH HEFFAS!!! 🤦🏾‍♀️😩

The further I read the more Jahquel began to ease my initial anxiety. 😅 But the ride was wild and nauseating at times. 🤣

I’m pleased with the ending of this book and what I thought was the end of the series based on the authors very own words. Yet, I’m off to books 4 and 5. 🤷🏾‍♀️

2.5⭐️

[ittybitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series....

When I read the synopsis to book 1, I knew I wanted to read this... so I waited until book 3 was finished to begin. 😂 I grew to love Shaliq and Libby's relationship. They were definitely my favorite. Chanel I could do without so imma just write her from my memory 😂😂😂 I enjoyed your letter to your home tho. You got me wanting to visit New York now!! But not the main tourist attractions. I wanna be in the hood where they beat box and where timberlands at. Where they show love to money Mitch and there's bodegas everywhere at... thank you so much for this series I truly enjoyed it.

[LaJuan Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

This was a great ending for this series. I fell in love for each character except Chanel, Pook, Shakira and Zeek. Shakira was a poor example of a woman and a mother and received everything she was due. Pook and Zeek were a mess and made some bad decisions. Reese was low key the making of what a real man stands for, he played no games and was true to the game. I admired Staten for helping Liberty and not giving up. Ghost was the man, no more words are necessary. I was mad at Myla playing a dangerous game with people lives and her mother is a whole other subject that just makes me mad. All these issues and Jahquel skills made this another great book.

[C. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesssss

Okay let’s get on with it . Chanel is canceled with all of the death that circled around this series she can go.
Jesus Christ I need to hold my breath around this book because pregnancy is in the air and the ish is contagious!
Fresh beginnings for everyone and it’s refreshing to see the growth in the characters.. well some of them anyways. This was a good ending all loose ends were sealed shit. I’ve heard through the grapevine of another part. So I’m curious to see how part 4 will turn out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book series so I’m patiently, impatiently waiting on part 4

[evette w · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Good!

The writer takes us on a whirlwind of a ride and brings us in for a smooth landing.We start off the third installment right back in the action and it continues.We get to see a little bit more of our couples and the demons they are fighting.I love that we get a new and stronger Justice and a love with Priest that's so sweet.Now with Staten and Liberty it was touch and go,because was being so so messy not to mention the biggest heifer.The fact that Ghost finally get closure but not without a price and deals with it was good writing.This story has something for everyone and you are just going to appreciate the fact that you stuck with this series.

[Sandra (Book Loves) Atueyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

A Staten Island Love Letter 3: The Forgotten Borough by Jahquel J is a excellent and wonderful story. This story is a painful, emotional, heartbreaking and forgiveness. Once again, Jahquel J does a amazing job.

I’m happy that the characters are working on their problem as family, relationship goal, happiness, forgiveness and habits. Also, I love the way how the connection between Ghost & Free, Staten & Liberty and Priest & Justice. I believe that Kiss needs to learn how to love herself.

I can’t wait to read part 4 & 5 for this book.

Good read:
Sandra A
Lovely
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Tammy Christine Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I this series great work

Free and Ghost find their way back to each other and family is still so important. Justice and Rohan are pregnant and expecting their first baby. Justice finally let go of Todd and found happiness with Priest and his nieces. Kiss finally made peace with her uncle and forgive him from killing Zoe her baby father. She graduating high school and raise her baby boy in a loving family a applying for college and in a relationship with Reese. Liberty has gone to rehab to get clean and be a better mother to her son. Myla had moved to Atlanta to get her a fresh start. Great read loved the series Staten Island got it going on.

[Jite · Rating 4 out of 5]

strong conclusion to the series…

This books covers a lot of ground and does so at an almost breakneck speed especially getting towards the end. The resolutions of the multiple conflicts with Pook and Zeek, Liberty’s secret son and addiction, Freedom no knowing the father of her child, Marisol throwing a spanner in Justice and Priest’s relationship, Myla’s ostracization we’re done so quickly that it didn’t match the build and weight that the rest of the story was told with. Honestly it was a lot and felt quite rushed. The epilogue was also a little unsatisfying. Give us detail, give us a juicier HEA.

That said, I did enjoy this immensely!

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chokehold…..as always!!

Jahquel J. Keeps me in a chokehold when I’m reading her books. I can’t put them down. Between the storyline twist and turns and the cliffhangers……I really be stuck. I started with Menace and got the bug. Then I backtracked to Capone, Cappadonna, Capri and Quasim. And because I was still in a chokehold, I had to go back and do the Davis Family and I will read Vanducci-Cromwell when I’m done the Staten Island Love Letter.
Shakira, justice and Liberty were really plucking my nerves in this series. All of the secrets. Everyone was hiding something. 😆 it was too much.

[Phaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davis Family 3

Zoe and Zeek should have been in hiding after their sister was handled. I feel for their mama. Showing up to a party like nothing happened was foolish.

Myla....trifiling

Liberty, he was aying goodbye girl...temporarily she needed to be forced. I still dont like this "friendship" between Staten and Chanel.

Kiss had to learn the hard way. These streets aint nice. She needs therapy too. She carry on like that in school and that boy wasnt even the father. Priest need to put a tracker on the next two.

Justice needa therapy too....years of type of mistreatment takes time to overcome.

Should of had a POV from Shakira.

[T. W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

happy ending !!

I’m really glad everything finally came together. Kiss moving back home and getting herself on track was overdue, and her and uncle making up!

Liberty going to rehab was clearly the best decision. Even though I do worry about her staying clean while being around medication all the time as a nurse. I’m also relieved Chanel wasn’t messy or hateful enough to report her and actually decided to come around. And Staten? Definitely a solid man.

It’s obvious Freedom and Ghost were meant for each other. I’m hoping Justice has her baby safely. I’m just happy they no longer have to deal with Marisol, she was truly trash in the grand scheme of things.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending to a great series

You did that. I truly enjoyed the ups and downs of all the couples in this series. So very glad that Kiss got tge raste of LIFE and that she and Priest came together as a family should. Im glad Staten realized that Chanel was being selfish and put her in her place. Marisol was just trifling, im glad that wasnt Priest baby. Shakira git was she deserved living the way she was. how you leave your baby like that. Ghost and Free, glad they have their happily ever after. Again, great series. You are a beast with it

[Lakimbac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Staten Island💛💛💛

I was very, very pleased with the series. The way everyone and everything came together in the end made me so happy! Justice, Liberty,and Freedom all faced challenges in life and each handled it differently. I am glad they pulled together and became a strong support system for each other. It goes without mention that I loved. Ghost, Staten, and Priest. Staten made me the proudest with his character growth and on how he handled Liberty. Baby girl needed help and he had to force his hand. Great job Jahquel and I look forward to your next release!

[Kelsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

She put a disclaimer on it!!!!! Pure

Emotion! I felt all of it. It's suspense after suspense. With real life situations unfolding on paper 😂 well kindle. I love all the characters how they evolved n never new their fate in this book but Liberty came out a champ from her issues i was skeptical. Justice shut up let that man love u UP! as For ghost and Free y'all made me tiiied! I'm glad they found happiness through the situationzzzzzzzzz. The inner we lost along the journey R.I.P
P.S I CRIED every book in this series

[Siobhan Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great ending to a series. I’m so happy that liberty got the help she needed now she can be a better mother to her child and better woman to Staten, i love how he loved her i was so filled with joy. I’m glad that Free chose to stay and be with her family I’m glad that she told ghost about her sleeping with both him and Zoe and the baby wind up being ghost, i know ghost felt away about killing shakira. I’m happy that justice and priest are together they make a great couple and I’m happy that him and niece made up great book

[Shanae oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly pleased

I can't complain because everyone got what they deserved. My happiest moment was being right about shakira and her being in that car with zeek. I may be hated for this, but seek coulda lived, man. I know...I've seen godfather and the Giselda Blanco story so I know you leave no enemies alive but I just don't think he was on that street shit no more. I'd be willing to bet that is what he and shakira were arguing about when they died. I was happy with this ending and it's rare that there isn't something else I want to know so kudos Jah! You have done it again