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Equilibrium
Plus One: An Equilibrium Short
An Equilibrium short story.
There's always room for one more... and not just at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
There's always room for one more... and not just at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2019
260 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
November 17, 2019
SWEET HOLIDAY TREAT
Christina C Jones never fails to deliver. I absolutely loved this, the characters as individuals and as a unit were so compelling. I felt like me and Riley were lowkey the same person. The writing is as always, witty and wonderful and I really enjoyed the elements of family, friendship, community and second chances. Of course I wish it was longer as I often do with Jones’s work because it’s just so fun to read but I like how it ends with the beginning of something great.
I think this book really captured the essence of everything I love about CCJ’s writing and this wonderful little town of Mahogany Heights that she has introduced us all to.
Mrs Jones was inspired by some of my tweets last month and I’m so glad she was able to turn my tinder shenanigans into something so sweet and wholesome. Seeing my name in the author’s note was the most rewarding thing I’ve experienced in a long time🥺🥺🥺
Christina C Jones never fails to deliver. I absolutely loved this, the characters as individuals and as a unit were so compelling. I felt like me and Riley were lowkey the same person. The writing is as always, witty and wonderful and I really enjoyed the elements of family, friendship, community and second chances. Of course I wish it was longer as I often do with Jones’s work because it’s just so fun to read but I like how it ends with the beginning of something great.
I think this book really captured the essence of everything I love about CCJ’s writing and this wonderful little town of Mahogany Heights that she has introduced us all to.
Mrs Jones was inspired by some of my tweets last month and I’m so glad she was able to turn my tinder shenanigans into something so sweet and wholesome. Seeing my name in the author’s note was the most rewarding thing I’ve experienced in a long time🥺🥺🥺
February 8, 2020
didn’t really like the writing style but this was fun to read
December 30, 2019
Adorable, hilarious M/F romance short story with two Black main characters (yay!) about the meet-complicated between kinda-prickly Riley, a gal who works at the public library's maker space, and very nice guy Hendrix, who's moving forward from difficult times in his life and also a regrettable hairstyling decision. Jones has written some of my fave romances, and this is now one of my fave works by her - so if you haven't checked her work out yet, this would be a great place to start. Riley's conversations with her best friend had me in stitches, and I see good things ahead for Riley and Hendrix now that their dating-app related misadventures have been worked out.
December 8, 2021
Riley and I didn't start out on the best of terms. I thought she was extremely immature. Other than not wanting to deal with a f*ck boy, there was no a real reason for rudeness towards Hendrix. Now, I will say I was absolutely here for her trolling dudes on the BLKV app. That sounds like something I would do when I'm bored. But, when Riley started warming up to Hendrix and finally admitted she was attracted to our former felon bae, I put her mean self back in the like column. In the small amount of time we got to interact with her, Kierra stole the whole book. We deserved more time with Kierra. Plus One was a fun and witty read. I wish we could've delved deeper into Riley and Hendrix's love journey but, I loved how it ended with the beginning of something great between these two.
November 25, 2023
Riley x Hendrix
What an introduction to Riley and Hendry. This little short was everything. It was funny, it had friendship, it had fall and it had Thanksgiving. Even though these two didn’t really start on the right foot, they gave me all the feels. Super cute intro!
What an introduction to Riley and Hendry. This little short was everything. It was funny, it had friendship, it had fall and it had Thanksgiving. Even though these two didn’t really start on the right foot, they gave me all the feels. Super cute intro!
December 1, 2021
A cute short of Riley meeting Hendrix.
August 11, 2023
4.5 stars
This was such a cute short! Both Riley and Hendrix were out of practice when it came to dating, so to see how into each other they were once they actually had a conversation was adorable.
This isn’t a complete novella, just the beginning of their relationship. I loved catching up with the rest of the crew from Mahogany Heights for the Thanksgiving season!
This was such a cute short! Both Riley and Hendrix were out of practice when it came to dating, so to see how into each other they were once they actually had a conversation was adorable.
This isn’t a complete novella, just the beginning of their relationship. I loved catching up with the rest of the crew from Mahogany Heights for the Thanksgiving season!
November 28, 2019
This was such a fun Thanksgiving romance! It's centered around a Friendsgiving gathering and features Riley and Hendrix, the man she declined on a dating app. What a premise! Jones manages to pack a whole lot into this short story and while I'd certainly be up for reading more about Riley and Hendrix, it ended on a hopeful and satisfying note.
CW: past incarceration, past death of brother, past substance abuse, references to infidelity (side character's boyfriend)
CW: past incarceration, past death of brother, past substance abuse, references to infidelity (side character's boyfriend)
February 12, 2020
This needs to be a full novel!!
November 29, 2019
I didn’t think any book of Christina’s was going to top Getting Schooled for me but whooooo Chile, this one had me WEAK! I was cackling while reading this, and I’m mad it’s over!!
November 27, 2020
I started this book on the airplane headed to the east coast and I was cackling for dear life. I know I’m late AF, but I this book was goodt. Riley gets a kick off of trolling and rejecting men on the BLKV app. One wrong swipe circles her back to Hendrix aka Fake ass Odell Beckham. I loved that Riley was crafty and enjoyed hosting events. She was mean as hell but it was just a defense mechanism. Hendrix was dealt a bad hand at life. It was nice to see him working hard at perfecting his craft of laying tiles and settling into a slower paced life. A man who works with his hands is so Yummy! This book was too damn short but in true Christina Jones fashion, she kept me laughing with great dialogue. If you need a VERY short story with a sense of friendship, new beginnings and family, this story is for you.
December 1, 2023
Holidays in the Heights by Christina C. Jones
Equilibrium #5, #6, #7
2h 20m narrated by Eboni Flowers and Myles Washington, 201 pages
Genre: African-American Romance, Short Stories, Holiday > Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas
Featuring: Pastry Chefs, Halloween, Sex - On Camera, Thanksgiving, Character Named January, Classroom, Cooking, Apps, Crafters, Recording Artists, Reformed G, Friends With Benefits Trope, Secret Identity Trope, Second Chance Trope, Christmas, Songwriting
Rating as a movie: R for sexual content and language
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⅓
Frosted. Whipped. Buttered: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🧈
Plus One: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🦃
Press Rewind: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⏪️
🧈My thoughts: Frosted. Whipped. Buttered: An Equilibrium Novellette - This was short but good.
🦃 Plus One - I may have been biased since the best friend shared my name but this story made me laugh a few times.
⏪️ Press Rewind - This was okay.
I was going to read Grow Something first but once I discovered it was tied to a series, that I've only read book 3 of, I decided to read Holiday in Heights first thinking it was independent and I could catch up on the series before starting Grow Something. I couldn't find Holiday in Heights on any lists so it wasn't until I started and looked up Frosted. Whipped. Buttered that I discovered all of these stories are Equilibrium novellettes and part of the series. So I'm going to continue to read them out of order. They are super short the kind where the story just ends. Only the first story has sex.
Recommend to others: Sure. These are quick little story breaks.
Equilibrium
1. Love Notes (2018)
2. In Tandem (2019)
3. Bittersweet (2019)
4. Grow Something (2018)
5. Frosted. Whipped. Buttered (2019)
6. Plus One (2019)
7. Press Rewind (2019)
Holidays in the Heights (2022)
Equilibrium #5, #6, #7
2h 20m narrated by Eboni Flowers and Myles Washington, 201 pages
Genre: African-American Romance, Short Stories, Holiday > Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas
Featuring: Pastry Chefs, Halloween, Sex - On Camera, Thanksgiving, Character Named January, Classroom, Cooking, Apps, Crafters, Recording Artists, Reformed G, Friends With Benefits Trope, Secret Identity Trope, Second Chance Trope, Christmas, Songwriting
Rating as a movie: R for sexual content and language
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⅓
Frosted. Whipped. Buttered: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🧈
Plus One: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🦃
Press Rewind: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⏪️
🧈My thoughts: Frosted. Whipped. Buttered: An Equilibrium Novellette - This was short but good.
🦃 Plus One - I may have been biased since the best friend shared my name but this story made me laugh a few times.
⏪️ Press Rewind - This was okay.
I was going to read Grow Something first but once I discovered it was tied to a series, that I've only read book 3 of, I decided to read Holiday in Heights first thinking it was independent and I could catch up on the series before starting Grow Something. I couldn't find Holiday in Heights on any lists so it wasn't until I started and looked up Frosted. Whipped. Buttered that I discovered all of these stories are Equilibrium novellettes and part of the series. So I'm going to continue to read them out of order. They are super short the kind where the story just ends. Only the first story has sex.
Recommend to others: Sure. These are quick little story breaks.
Equilibrium
1. Love Notes (2018)
2. In Tandem (2019)
3. Bittersweet (2019)
4. Grow Something (2018)
5. Frosted. Whipped. Buttered (2019)
6. Plus One (2019)
7. Press Rewind (2019)
Holidays in the Heights (2022)
June 29, 2022
Possibilities
These shorts just try to take me out.
Hendrix gave me good vibes, like potential book bae vibes and I wanted more time with him. He was moving forward in a more positive responsible way and he was ready to be in a relationship. He finds himself going new age, but it seems to be a bust. However, he finds himself face to face with Amanda who rejected him. In person they seem to have a connection well so he thinks. He decides let it go, but fate brings them back together. We don't get to spend time with them in a relationship and I definitely could have read a full book about them. Hendrix alone was so interesting I wanted to read his full story.
These shorts just try to take me out.
Hendrix gave me good vibes, like potential book bae vibes and I wanted more time with him. He was moving forward in a more positive responsible way and he was ready to be in a relationship. He finds himself going new age, but it seems to be a bust. However, he finds himself face to face with Amanda who rejected him. In person they seem to have a connection well so he thinks. He decides let it go, but fate brings them back together. We don't get to spend time with them in a relationship and I definitely could have read a full book about them. Hendrix alone was so interesting I wanted to read his full story.
January 22, 2024
3.5 stars 🌟 the fmc was uhm... interesting.
November 23, 2019
Short and sweet addition to the series
November 18, 2019
Wow, I was waiting for more. Loved it.
January 31, 2021
Short, cute, and totally addictive! I wish it was longer! In 3 short chapters the author make you love these two main characters. I mean that’s talent right there!! 👏🏽 I’m definitely reading more of her books.
August 8, 2025
Almost One
This one is going to down as the funniest one in the series but my least favorite. I would have preferred more on page interactions between the mains since the series is all HFN and we’re only getting a handful of pages.
This one is going to down as the funniest one in the series but my least favorite. I would have preferred more on page interactions between the mains since the series is all HFN and we’re only getting a handful of pages.
November 28, 2019
Super short but sweet story! Definitely want to try more by this author! 😀
November 29, 2019
It was a cute short story. I wanted more.
January 26, 2022
I like Hendrix and Riley. These short stories are way too short, yet give enough spice to have you wanting more.
Come on Mahogany Heights.
Great read. Highly recommend this series.
Come on Mahogany Heights.
Great read. Highly recommend this series.
September 10, 2022
Loved!! Hilarious, perfect short story with some Fall vibes. Happy reading!
November 25, 2025
This was a cute Friendsgiving novella!
3.75⭐️
3.75⭐️
Read
April 29, 2020I love the Equilibrium series, and I was excited to step back into the Heights. Jones doesn't disappoint! As with all of her books, it's about home, identity, and community. I especially enjoy the cameos from past couples. Plus One is seriously funny. Christina knows how to make her characters feel like everyday people that you can see yourself hanging out with. Riley is one of those characters that enjoy playing with people's emotions. However, an unexpected plus one comes back to haunt her at her Friendsgiving celebration but in a good way. It was fun to see these two interact with each other unexpectantly. I can't wait to see what else may happen with their growing attraction. You know Mrs. Jones likes to keep us on our toes.
December 17, 2019
BLKLV
Plus One is an Equilibrium short by Christina C Jones. If you haven’t been reading the Equilibrium series, you’re missing out because Mahogany Heights is where it’s at! What’s is IT, you ask? Black love, Black opportunity an overall Black experience! Riley is hilarious and so relatable! Hendrix is such a sweetheart, just a good man that’s made some mistakes. His personality is not off putting at all, the way he responded to Riley’s antics said a lot about him. A hardworking good looking brother with a great aura, who can say no to that? Not me! I love the chemistry between Riley and Hendrix! And of course I would love to see them again! This is an excellent short read that will have you craving for more this thanksgiving!!
Plus One is an Equilibrium short by Christina C Jones. If you haven’t been reading the Equilibrium series, you’re missing out because Mahogany Heights is where it’s at! What’s is IT, you ask? Black love, Black opportunity an overall Black experience! Riley is hilarious and so relatable! Hendrix is such a sweetheart, just a good man that’s made some mistakes. His personality is not off putting at all, the way he responded to Riley’s antics said a lot about him. A hardworking good looking brother with a great aura, who can say no to that? Not me! I love the chemistry between Riley and Hendrix! And of course I would love to see them again! This is an excellent short read that will have you craving for more this thanksgiving!!
January 27, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Tropes:
-Black Romance
CW/TW:
-Discussions of prison/ jail time
I loved this book because it had me cracking up! It follows Riley and Hendrix and takes place the day before Thanksgiving. So Riley always hosts a Friendsgiving for her and all her peeps, and yes, you guessed it, her peeps are all the people in previous books from this series! And Hendrix is kinda new to town, but somehow he ends up at her Friendsgiving... Riley and Hendrix were introduced after the events of their book took place in Bittersweet, and I remember reading Bittersweet like who are these randos? Lol. Well, they are not randos to me anymore! Riley was hilarious, and Hendrix was a man that knew what he wanted!
I wish this book were ten pages longer AT LEAST because, let me tell yall, I'm reading the book like, aww, this is so sweet, then I'm like, WAIT, the book is over. That's IT??? So devasted. But I mean, it is what I signed up for with a novella, so I can't even be mad because the pages I did get were excellent, and I love a quick story to get me out of a book slump, and this delivers (even though Im 100% back in a book slump now but that is not the point)
Def pick this book up if you want to laugh and read something short and sweet!
Ta ta for now!
Tropes:
-Black Romance
CW/TW:
-Discussions of prison/ jail time
I loved this book because it had me cracking up! It follows Riley and Hendrix and takes place the day before Thanksgiving. So Riley always hosts a Friendsgiving for her and all her peeps, and yes, you guessed it, her peeps are all the people in previous books from this series! And Hendrix is kinda new to town, but somehow he ends up at her Friendsgiving... Riley and Hendrix were introduced after the events of their book took place in Bittersweet, and I remember reading Bittersweet like who are these randos? Lol. Well, they are not randos to me anymore! Riley was hilarious, and Hendrix was a man that knew what he wanted!
I wish this book were ten pages longer AT LEAST because, let me tell yall, I'm reading the book like, aww, this is so sweet, then I'm like, WAIT, the book is over. That's IT??? So devasted. But I mean, it is what I signed up for with a novella, so I can't even be mad because the pages I did get were excellent, and I love a quick story to get me out of a book slump, and this delivers (even though Im 100% back in a book slump now but that is not the point)
Def pick this book up if you want to laugh and read something short and sweet!
Ta ta for now!
Read
November 23, 2022I liked that Riley and Hendrix ... kinda had a "bumpy start" inasmuch as possible for a novella.
Riley's snarkiness and Hendrix being into it - their OBVIOUS attraction and chemistry.
But low key I have to admit, kinda my favorite part is when Hendrix tells his niece to smack her tormentor ... and she does. :X
Like yes I get we don't condone violence and it isn't the answer - was :X pretty cringe it says the other girl was bruised so that's bad - but like; but for that, I'm like "right on..." cuz I WOULD say "how much damage can a little kid do" but - yeah don't love the bruise.
All that being said - I like that the point was "respect peoples boundaries."
the fight club comment 😹😅
Or ... honestly I don't even know that this would be a novella ... or a novellette ... more a vignette?
I liked Friendsgiving too, and seeing the other characters.
Riley's snarkiness and Hendrix being into it - their OBVIOUS attraction and chemistry.
But low key I have to admit, kinda my favorite part is when Hendrix tells his niece to smack her tormentor ... and she does. :X
Like yes I get we don't condone violence and it isn't the answer - was :X pretty cringe it says the other girl was bruised so that's bad - but like; but for that, I'm like "right on..." cuz I WOULD say "how much damage can a little kid do" but - yeah don't love the bruise.
All that being said - I like that the point was "respect peoples boundaries."
the fight club comment 😹😅
Or ... honestly I don't even know that this would be a novella ... or a novellette ... more a vignette?
I liked Friendsgiving too, and seeing the other characters.
November 21, 2019
I know it's a short but I kinda want some more lol
Riley and Hendrix would be perfect together. I loved how dedicated Hendrix was to becoming a better man that he left an environment full of negative influences, worked hard doing something he was great at, and abstained from drugs and alcohol. His relationship with his niece and basically sister in law were another thing that made me want him as my bae lol. Riley was cool though a bit judgemental for my liking at times. This story will definitely get you ready for the holidays while make you fall for a story about a blossoming love between two people. Loved it!!
Riley and Hendrix would be perfect together. I loved how dedicated Hendrix was to becoming a better man that he left an environment full of negative influences, worked hard doing something he was great at, and abstained from drugs and alcohol. His relationship with his niece and basically sister in law were another thing that made me want him as my bae lol. Riley was cool though a bit judgemental for my liking at times. This story will definitely get you ready for the holidays while make you fall for a story about a blossoming love between two people. Loved it!!
November 17, 2019
This short had me begging for MORE!
We are gonna have to charge Christina Jones with sorcery. She writes with magic, her mind is made for storytelling. I am reading this on a Sunday morning before church. Tucked in the bed next to my sleeping husband, laughing out loud! I loved the Love Sisters series because I enjoy the a good Romantic Comedy, (read that series of you haven't), so this short was right up my alley. How do you get us invested in characters, like totally immersed so quickly. It's magic, CCJ weaves a spell on you. This is an excellent quick read.
We are gonna have to charge Christina Jones with sorcery. She writes with magic, her mind is made for storytelling. I am reading this on a Sunday morning before church. Tucked in the bed next to my sleeping husband, laughing out loud! I loved the Love Sisters series because I enjoy the a good Romantic Comedy, (read that series of you haven't), so this short was right up my alley. How do you get us invested in characters, like totally immersed so quickly. It's magic, CCJ weaves a spell on you. This is an excellent quick read.
January 8, 2020
So much in a small package
Well if you don’t enjoy short stories you’ll love this one it is packaged nicely and flows so well. I know a lot of readers shy from short stories because they feel unfinished or rushed but this story made sense and the characters just meshed so well. There are great humorous parts that will make you laugh out load and leave tears of joy. Ms. Jones has delivered a cute, funny, and insightful story about two individuals destined to find love in each other.
Well if you don’t enjoy short stories you’ll love this one it is packaged nicely and flows so well. I know a lot of readers shy from short stories because they feel unfinished or rushed but this story made sense and the characters just meshed so well. There are great humorous parts that will make you laugh out load and leave tears of joy. Ms. Jones has delivered a cute, funny, and insightful story about two individuals destined to find love in each other.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews