Charlice “Duck” Jefferies knows exactly what she wants out of life. She wants to continue to grow her multi-million dollar business. She wants to take care of her family. And she wants sex, LOTS of sex. Charlice has no time for relationships. She knows love is a lie and should be considered an incurable disease. She even has unbreakable rules. No flings that last longer than six months. No personal questions. No spending the night. And absolutely no dating. But all her rules and well thought out plans go out the window when she meets Jackson Keller. Jackson tears down her perfectly built walls and expose dark secrets she planned to take to her grave. Warning, this book contains heavy subject matter. Readers please be advised.
Holy Shitoly!!! Book has me all in my feelings....
This book was beyond amazing. So many twists and turns here. I literally could not put this book down. Read it in one day.
This book was a sexy, romantic, suspenseful, and heart wrenching read. I loved, and loved to hate all the characters here. They were all well written with deep layers to boot.
Jackson Keller This man reminds me so much of someone I once loved.. So you already know I'm totally biased with praises for this character. But Honeeeeey, let me tell you, Jackson does NOT disappoint Ladies. AT. ALL.
I have to say that I figured out who the main villain was here way before its big reveal, but that did not keep me from enjoying the way it, and everything else unfolded here.
Folks you HAVE to read this story. Lord, Lord, Lord.
This book captured me from the very beginning. I loved the MC's and the supporting characters. The heroine's family had more family lies, secrets and drama than a Daytime Soap opera. The heroine's trauma that happened to her broke my heart. I will say this book does touch on sexual abuse but it is revealed in a SMALL section of the story. Ladies I know for some, this hard to read but this is NOT what the book is about. Don't pass this great read up!When everything finally came out I did tear up. I loved Jackson!! he was truly a man that knew what he wanted and would not be pigeonholed along with her other men. I have to say Jackson's memaw had me cracking up at that dinner scene. K. C. Connor girl you wrote the HELL out of this book!! I'm so glad you gave them a HEA I was hoping you would make it happen and you did!!
This book was not my jam. ended up skimming from about the 40% point onward.
At first thought I would enjoy Charlice. She is the unabashedly sexual woman who is her own boss, makes major bank and has a great meet cute with the hero.
But then... something kinda slithered in. There was a point very early on when I began to realize that Charlice's unabashed sexuality did not come from a healthy place. So I started to feel rather repulsed by Charlice's attitude. I want to say that we are supposed to feel that sense of unease with her sexual freedom, that it isn't supposed to feel healthy, but the book is told from Charlice's first person POV. Her inner voice shows no conflict, no ambivalence, no uncertainty. She is all 'I am the baddest bitch alive." even in her head. Which makes her either an intentionally unreliable narrator or is in a flaw in her characterization. I go with the latter because I don't get the sense we are supposed to clue into anything other than her celebration of her bad bitchness.
It is rather sad, because after that first fun intro, I could not bring myself to like Charlie. I only pitied her. And part of that is because I think she largely lacked nuance or any layers.
It is also too bad because I thought the romance element was rather well done, albeit the hero was a little too unicorn perfect.
The plot of the book really feels like it wants to be a Tyler Perry movie. And not one of the fun ones.
I kinda hit the wall between the super trauma sundae and Charlie's ratchet family.
First a few negative points Jackson age never mentioned nor what he did in the military. A few grammatical errors here and there Shame that after the whole Sean debacle the end was so fast. I would have loved to know more about the wedding, read about the meeting between her family and Memaw, be there when the surrogacy decision was made and the birth (we don’t really know what the kids look like) As an aside Memaw wasn’t so much a racist as she was ignorant. She did point out that white people could get married to colored people now😂 and she gave her ring. The positives Strong heroine- with all her drama a lot of people would have been strung out/checked out. Her promiscuity was just a way to cope. It also highlights the resistance to therapy that’s prevalent in the black community. She’s educated so it’s more cultural that ignorance. I like how the book had plenty of secondary characters to help paint a picture of the protagonists. Shame that we didn’t get to have Jackson interact with friends and family more, for example he talked about his relationship with his nephews but we never saw it. I would have also liked to see a relationship developed between Jessica(Jackson’s sister) and Charlice aka Duck. Jackson is one of the better rounded protagonist that I’ve read about. He was nice when needed, secure in himself (her being a successful business owner didn’t faze him) and firm when needed. He really know how to push their relationship along. The scene in the bedroom with Howard and the dog was hilarious but showed his strength, most men would have been out of there. Same thing when he asked about kids, she pushed back and started to insult him hoping he would give in and he checked her. As for crazy Sean, we had a few hints along the way(the coffee shop, the visit at her office, cuffing Jackson, Lady’s reaction to him, Devin’s mention of his obsession and the cameras. Only someone with access to her house overtime would have such a range of photos). The escalation of the incidents were too sophisticated for a simpleton like Cliff, and let’s face it she might not have been top priority but with all the “help “ from the police, the investigation was really at a standstill .
This book was SO good! So much to love about the H/h and a few of their respective family members. When folks got out of line (as they tend to do sometimes) the heroine knew how to shut it down.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with this lighthearted moment between Charlice & Jackson ...
"You know I love you right?" "Yes, I know Mr. Keller." He chuckled. "So you know it's from love when I say, please don't make me eat your cake." "Shut up! I've been doing a lot better with my cooking." "Yeah baby, you're doing better, but not bake a cake better."
Omgoodness! Hello..Game OVER! Keisha tried to ignore attraction, then she tried keep from catching feels because she never wanted to get deeply involved, but when the heart is caught, there is nowhere to hide because love's already won and love takes over. You must surrender because the senses are weaked leading her to take a chance on love. I am so glad that I finally read "Where Love Is Found". It had been sitting in my kindle for sometime now. Once I began really I could not put it down. Alpha is up next💙
Two very scarred an troubled people meet and slowly but surely share their secrets. This is the first time reading this author! For me it’s always difficult reading a new author but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story starts off right in the beginning with a bang and doesn’t let you go until the end. Charli is 30 something -year-old black woman Who is very accomplished knows what she wants knows what she doesn’t want more importantly and is living her life like its golden. Charli doesn’t do relationships...EVER! Nor does she ever date outside of her race. So imagine her surprise she needs Jackson after a a small fender bender (yeah Charli is at fault) lol. As I was saying imagine she falls for Jackson a very handsome small business owner! Jackson has his own problems however when we used to finally get together it’s explosive. This story will have you crying laughing and then cheering for Charli and Jackson! Bravo 👏🏾 Ms. Rayne. Well done! Five stars.
Another great read by this author. It does grab you from the very beginning. I loved how Jackson made it clear he was in it for the long haul and took the time to show and demonstrate to Duck that he really was into her. Great story with my kind of alpha male. Definitely worth a read.
Charlice is a professional, successful woman, totally closed off to love. She engages in lusty sex-filled affairs with no meaning and it suits her just fine, until she meets Jackson. Jackson and Charlice fall in love in what is for them both, a first-time interracial relationship. She is forced to drop all her defenses with Jackson and face every single one of her demons. It's a great story. A reminder that doesn't come often in these romance novels is that none of us is perfect but we can still find love despite that. It's a story that gives those of us with tons of baggage hope that one day, we too can be happy with someone. It's not totally unrealistic. I really have enjoyed each novel I've read by Tiya Rayne and this book is no exception. Recommended!
Wow! I have sooooo many emotions going through me while reading this book lol. Wow this book takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions! I was smirking, grinning, happy, excited, heartbroken, screaming at Charli to get her ish together lol, just everything. I love love love this book. I need a sequel now because I am not ready to let them go lol.
So good that I could not put it down. Matter of fact, I canceled plans so I could finish reading it. I love everything about this book from the characters, the realistic family interactions, a complex heroine, a layered alpha, the suspense, the slow burn. Whew. I need another book from Tiya Rayne ASAP. She has quickly catapulted to my automatic must-buy authors list.
Lots of very graphic sex. The plot is very good. The execution would be superb if not for the grammar issues. Author has a major problem with tenses. Story is peppered with words in the present tense that should have been in some variation of the past tense. Adult subject matters that were related well. Overall, not a bad read in spite of the grammar issues.
Jackson, oh Jackson can bring the satisfaction! But can family secrets and a childhood of trauma snatch it all away? Charlice or "Duck" has lived a successful but difficult life. As the President and CEO of her own company she, never has to rely on anyone for anything. She's got her heart on lockdown and her men on call for any of her carnal needs. Her rocky relationship is held together through the genius bond of family and secrets. And until she meets Jackson, she finds that there just might be something to this love thing after all, once he comes crashing through every wall she's erected around her heart. But could a stalker tear them apart from this fledgling relationship. I loved it and all the drama!! But my only question is why didn't Suck have any other female friends that weren't her cousins? Who with the exception of one, barely even liked her if she wasn't spending money on them. A few other friends that actually liked her, who weren't men, was sorely needed.
This book was very well written. A few mistakes, but overall it was great read. I was hooked since the beginning. I read several books by this author and I can see the growth as a writer.
I loved everything about the book. Char and Jackson were a couple that had to overcome a lot of things. Char had to overcome a lot of things in here life and she did it. Happy Reading
I never understood how people talked about how epilogues could ruin a whole book until I read this one. I enjoyed almost every second of it until like the last 10% of it. It was like a badly written Tyler perry movie. I love the twists and turns don't get me wrong, but why did it feel like Duck was punished for being a sexual person, I didn't like that. I also didn't like how Keva goes through getting outed and then proceeds to say why she was in love with Tracey but doesn't want to be with her? So is Tracey gay but continues to suppress it because she's married? Is that the lesson here? Really? Are you kidding me? AND THIS ISNT EVEN A FRUSTRATED REVIEW. These are my genuine feelings, I sat on it for a second. But what was any of this trying to say? Black people need to be outed, disrespected, ignored, pray the gay away, that they aren't able to sexually liberate themselves or they'll have to go through so much trauma to the point that they break? And then the kids at the end. It's like people can't be happy unless they have kids like women can't be happy without kids. Duck deserved to have kids, but the way that it was written it seemed like she didn't want them and I enjoyed that. I enjoyed reading a story about a woman that loved her godchildren, and her nieces and nephews but didn't want kids of her own. And then in the middle of the story the narrative changed, she didn't have them because she couldn't. She could adopt, but that wasn't even an option. Because blood is thicker than water, a great message and the only one that even had remotely a little bit of substance, and I even didn't like that.
All in all, I hope I forget this book except for the random parts that gave me something to think about.
It’s entertaining to say the least. If you like mess and drama then this is for you. I hate the main character so much she’s so annoying. She is the definition of a pick me. I also think that the author is writing about very dark themes without any couth. Also I feel that there is a lot of toxicity in Jackson that is not addressed. I also feel that the story was very predictable, very run of the mill. I hate how the author is trying to convince us that Charlie’s sexual promiscuity is only acceptable because she was sa’d. Also the way they last minute flipped the fact that Anita wasn’t actually sa’d kinda ruined the character for me, it’s okay if one of the antagonists are morally grey and have victim pasts, that doesn’t make the reader see them any less as the “bad guy” all that story line did was strip Anita of any of her depth and make her into a cartoon villain. I could say more but then it would just feel like bullying at this point. I love urban bucks but we gotta stop allowing our old head ideologies color the way we write. I just know the author is over 35 by the way she writes that why I’m giving her slack she is most definitely from a different generation that doesn’t understand that her ideas aren’t acceptable anymore.
This is the first book that I've read by Tiya Rayne and it will not be the last. It's been a minute since I read a book that made me laugh out loud, smile and feel so much pain all while falling in love with the two main characters.
Secrets that are held within a family causes the most damage and that is what happened with Charlice and her family. Oh, how I felt and understood her story. The aunts that hold things against you because of the things that your parent may have done to them. Wow, I just like the strength she had within herself to keep being there for her family (Sunday dinners) because I don't know if I could have done it.
Then she bumps into Jackson....Hot, Sexy and Lovable Jackson (a man and his dog gets me everytime). He had his own personal problems and his past is always lurking in the background for someone to bring up and try to damage him.
I'm so happy that I spotted this book in the Kindle unlimited list and decided to give this new author to me a try, because I really liked this Story. This was just a really good story on secrets, truth, family and most important love.
First read by this author and I'm a little bereft ! The story got better as it progressed. It was hard to continue reading at first because , it wasn't so much of the fact that Charlice was a strong willed independent woman, it was the fact she cut folk down verbally. She was the classic, shaking her head, wagging her figure, imma hurt you before you her me sista. Even though, all of her underlining issues, stemmed from her traumatic upbringing....it was a bit much. Also, the name dropping of brands, how much money Charlice had and having several characters described as looking like a particular celebrity makes me feel like the author was not imaginative with the development of that character and that branding and money was more important than substance. The relationship with Jackson did save the story for becoming read of shocking ratchetness. As, I mentioned the story did get better toward the end but it hard to get there
2.00 Stars. (BW/WM). Amazon e-book. After reading the blurb, I expected to read a story about a financially independent and sexually liberated woman who for some reason avoided commitment and any inkling of a long term loving relationship but after meeting the hero of the story had a change of heart. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. The first 3 to 4 chapters of the story introduces Charlice"Duck" Jefferies, a crass, rude, vulgar, demanding, disrespectful college educated multi millionaire. To say that she is classless and street is an understatement; simply put, she is an unlikable character. The author used a large part of several chapters exalting how benevolent Charlice is toward her grandparents and cousins; but, this is not sufficient to overcome Charlice's base behavior. I Did not finish the story.
Too many grammatical errors to count. I like the idea of a strong female protagonist, but there were just too many stereotypes to count in this novel. While I enjoyed reading this novel, it's over dramatic storylines are not something that I would gravitate towards reading again.
This book was amazeballs. Best book I have read this year. Charlie and Jackson are up there for favorite book couple. This book will have you laughing and crying. Amazing love story of two scarred people that found love and happiness.
My 1 gripe about this book is the punctuation. Everything, EVERYTHING, had exclamation points. Ain't nobody that damn excited, mad, yelling all the time. Also like the play on the name Jaxon Teller,😉 lil shout-out to SOA. Also the Janet Jackson nod "Jackson: Anytime. Anyplace."
I knew what real love was, and because of that, I didn’t need to be loved by my family. I was no longer desperate for their acceptance. I also knew that I was a child and I did nothing to encouraged him to hurt me the way he did. It was not my fault.....that's the phrase that laid into my soul....I started out hating and judging Charlice for the wanton slut that she was....I wanted Jackson to leave and go find himself a "good girl"....but by end ...my heart bled for the six year old Charlice...the unwanted abuse child....the maligned broken woman who found her Prince charming...who looked through the thorns and weeds....a plucked out a beautiful rose...
OMG, truly an amazing book! I could admire the MC throughout the book for the strong black woman she is. I loved the way the book was written; it was an easy read, but not in the sense that it would become amateuristic. The love story was beautifully written and not at all cliche. Not many romance books have such an elaborate plot besides the romance. But this book truly exceeded expectations by setting a standard for what a romance book should be. The only con I can come up with is that the ending felt kind of fast and rushed, although the climax was still very good. Throughout the book, I could not physically put it down; I had to continue reading. The dialogue and scenes were just too funny and unpredicatable. I wish I could give this book 6 stars!
Very good read couldn't put it down finished in one night. Lots of jaw dropping secrets was told glad the family came together when charli needed them the most.
This book was everything!!!! Charlie & Jackson is the perfect match!!! I loved the chemistry between them!!! Y'all go read this book you won't be disappointed at allll! You go n wish it never ended!!!
This book had me laughing, crying, everything! I could barely put it down. The only thing that stopped me from reading was Game of Thrones (lol). But as soon as it went off, I hit this book again. Tiya Rayne did the darn thing with this book. It's so good. Family dynamics, crazy secrets, suspense, and of course, very hot scenes. I could not get enough!
I enjoyed reading this book, the story had a great pace, the characters were real and even though there was heavy content in the book the ending was perfect.