The Love Below: A Prototype Series Glimpse (Devin + Willow)

by Jacinta Howard

Love is the music between the notes...

This is a very brief "glimpse" into the lives of Prototype founder/drummer Devin Walker and Willow Harden following the events in their book, 'Keeping Willow' —Book 3 of The Prototype Series.

*This super short is best read only after you've completed The Prototype Series in its entirety. (The Prototype Series reading order: Happiness In Jersey, Finding Kennedy, Keeping Willow, and Loving Cassie). 

Genres: Romance, Short Stories

36 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

Jacinta Howard is an Atlanta-based culture journalist, editor and author with more than a decade of experience across genres of media. Her bylined articles have appeared at Eater, Atlanta magazine, Shondaland, Denver Westword, BET, and Rock The Bells, LL Cool J’s media company, where she served as managing editor. Jacinta’s 2022 article about the chicken wings served at Magic City, Atlanta’s world-famous strip club, was nominated for an American Society of Magazine Editors Award, and her novels have been featured in USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Book Riot and OkayAfrica. She digs summertime, flip flops, old fashioneds, deep bass lines, good lyrics, goofy jokes, and kind people. She also believes there’s an Andre 3000 lyric to fit any situation. Her happy place is hanging on the beach somewhere with her family, preferably with a good book and a dope playlist.

Reviews

[Nia Forrester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah Devin. The struggle is real. When you fall for a woman just on the cusp of realizing her own strength and independence, and you're a man prone to assert his ... manhood, things can get prickly. But one of the coolest of the cool things about Jacinta Howard's work is that she always manages to strike that delicate balance between genuine uber-masculinity and the icky kind where the dude needs a re-education course to learn how to treat his woman. Devin, like the best of Jacinta Howard's men, is learning to handle the vulnerability that comes with loving deeply, and he sometimes handles it poorly, but always in a way that makes the reader fall even more deeply in love themselves, with him. And Willow is a new woman, having found some of her confidence through her stable relationship with Devin. Like the short about Bam and Cassie, I found comfort in knowing that though this couple was having a slightly rough patch, they are secure and solid in their love for each other. This was a treat. Something I didn't know I needed, until I got it.

[Rashawnda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devin and Willow have come a looooong way! I love mature Willow! Devin still wears his heart on his sleeve and we love to see it! Very nice update on these two!

[Kameel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed catching up with some of my favorite characters....In fact, in this story I was able to tolerate Willow (1 of my least favorite character in this series). I enjoyed how the author allowed the characters to grow-up and evolve. Both, Devin & Willow had to learn to compromise and this short showed us how the couple grew and learned to compromise with one another.

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

So amazing

I was worried for a few minutes when It appeared Zay and Jersey weren't on the same vibe. They were off center like any relationship will encounter every now and again. I was elated with their decision to reconnect totally. ZayJersized...

[Delaney Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was extremely happy to get a glimpse into the life of my favorite couple of the series. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love The Prototype. Great short on my favorite couple, Devin and Willow.

[Sheronda H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good catching up on how everyone was doing.

[Lily Java · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh... if there's one thing this "glimpse" proved it's that Devin and Willow are always going to be a little bit in "it." What's it you ask? Well, the best way I can think to describe it is that special place between being in love and being a little tiny bit out of sync. A sexy, super talented, and opinionated control freak Devin has always been one of my favorite members of The Prototype band. Who else could demand his woman not work as hard at he does at fulfilling her own dreams and still be likable? Then there's Willow who is still so deeply head over heels for Devin that you can practically hear her heart palpitations through the pages. But it's that dynamic Jacinta Howard writes so well. A dynamic that makes this couple so interesting -- that makes you want them to win each other over and over again as they figure it out for the hundred millionth time. They are meant to be so they better just get over themselves and work it out. And we'll be here each and every time to watch and root for them all the way.

[Qiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devin and Willow are my favorite couple. Their personalities mesh so well together. Devin is a natural leader, who can be down right bossy at times, but Willow is no pushover. "'I know I ain't easy to deal with sometimes,' he admitted, raking his fingers through his hair as he watched me smile." I love how their personalities balances out their relationship.

In this glimpse we get to see how married life is working for them. Just like their courtship, Willow is fighting for individuality and Devin is making sure that the distance that their individual lives create doesn't water down their love. "Me and you... this thing we have between us. I can't get a handle on it sometimes, Low-Low. It's so everywhere, so all over me all the time. I don't know if you get that." The love these two have is definitely enviable.

[Monique D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the update on Devin & Willow. Yet again Ms. Howard has masterfully taken me on a journey of two young people who handles their relationship with care by not allowing anything to come between them; not even their personal feelings.

Devin & Willow truly warmed my heart with the love they shared. Although this was a short, it's sure to leave a lasting impression of what a successful marriage looks like for a couple who are successful entertainers.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dev and Low Low

Why does love have to be so hard sometimes? This always scared me a little, even in their original novel. Maybe scared isn’t the right word... apprehensive 😬 it’s like I can see what they don’t (if that makes any sense) and I constantly feel in spirit the need to cheer them on as I read their story. Every coupe is so different but I have no favorites anymore. I love them all ❤️

[Kim Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this glimpse

A 5 star read! I love the update on Willow and Devin love. I feel like they are real people not characters in a romance book! I see the growth they have taken as young adults. I liked Devin in Keeping Willow however the glimpse made me love his character! Keep giving us good reads Ms. Howard.

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

And another one!

Absolutely loving these glimpses! Just enough to get us caught up with what’s going on with the gang. I will say that I’m ready to throw hands with Miss Tara’s thirsty tail, but I’m looking forward to seeing how Jersey handles her.

Thanks for the update, Jacinta Howard!

[Shahtia Gay-hairston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Save the best for last

I have to say this was my favorite of the glimpse series. All throughout the other parts I wondered about Jersey, Zay, and this Tara chick! Their update was everything. I love that we got to see beyond the HEA as these couples face real issues that couples face everyday!

[S. Reid]

Though Devin and Willow were not my favorites in The Love Below series, it felt good to experience a change in the love lives of characters than what I usually find intriguing!
I'm about to call my library to see if Keeping Willow is on audible so as I can take another look into the lives of Devin and Willow!

[Olubunmi Akinadewo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks

Such a pleasure to read about Devin and Willow, their love is still so strong and vibrant as ever. Short and very sweet. Hopefully you will write about the other tow couples.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

After the stories have ended you always wanna know more and here's the answer. This is just what I needed some questions answered thank you do much I'm looking forward to the other storie endings

[Marlene Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next?

Devin and Willow compromising? Great! They are both spoiled. Good that they own it. Good to catch up. Hopefully we’ll soon catch up with a glimpse of Kennedy and Travis or Jersey and Zay(those last two may require a novella). These glimpses are just wonderful!

[Carolyn King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying These Updates

Keep giving these updates to us. I like Willow and Devin. It is great catching up with them. Now they need some babies. Hopefully we get updates on Travis and Kennedy and Jersey and Zay.

[Tina Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummmmmmmmmm...

Typical Devin and Willow, lol. Again this tease is totally not fair for Christ sakes 😩 It was sweet catching up with these too and now I’m fiending to read the last two glimpses. 🙌🏽💯🙌🏽

T

[Tracey Gaffney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you!

That's all I needed. Just a quick fix! I loved this series do much, especially these two characters and I didn't want their story to end. This really helped me not miss them so much. You can do this anytime you wish *hint hint*

[Artia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compromise!

Love this couple eh! Wanted to smack Devin for being selfish but he handled that and redeemed himself! Love the manner in which Ms Howard shows the highs and lows in the marriage!

[Terra Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite pair!

Devin and Willow are my favorite Prototype couple! I feel like they each love the hardest, and feel each other the deepest. Glad to see them working through their differences and being able to compromise!

[Miesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

It gave me just enough of what I didn’t know I needed. A perfect glimpse of Willow and Devin. I was emotionally tied to these two.

[Katheryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww Dev and Low 🥰

Devin and Willow are my babies. I loved them from the jump, and I’m happy that they are still authentically “them” but mature enough to work through their stuff!

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glad to know all is well (or will be well) with these too, but you can’t leave me hanging with this Tara situation!!!!! Please tell me more glimpses are coming from the rest of the band!!!!!

[Dana Allen Bunch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still breathing each other!

Devin and Willow are my favorite couple. They love each other with passion and they're obsessed with protecting their bond.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devin & Willow

I love Devin and Willow. Thanks for the update on them. Enjoyed seeing the others also. They are all growing up and maturing. Love it.

[Cheryl]

Awesome storyteller!

Jacinta is one of my favorite authors! Absolutely loved this series and this glimpse into their lives now was the cherry on top!

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devin seemed a bit needy, but their relationship has evolved and he wanted his wife by his side.