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Shadows Fall Behind

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Growing up in a home where religion and abuse are interchangeable, eighteen-year-old Nayo Thomas is struggling with balance. Abiding by HP rules, surviving her bible-thumping grandmother, and locking down an escape from demons on her back consumes the freckled-face loner. Comic books have become a temporary fix, but Nayo craves more. Fortunately, a new member of Trinity Baptist steers the sheltered beauty from between the pages and straight into the lane of the new kid on the block.

Nurtured by the streets, Sonder “Solo” Knox is now paying his debt to society. A ward of the state and a menace to HP streets, Solo is looking to settle all debts before implementing his last getaway. After being caught drag racing, the bucket hat-wearing driver is ordered to complete community service. Closed off by nature, Sonder’s dreams of dominating motorsports has kept him afloat, however, the unique distinctions of his new classmate introduces a softer element to his solid plans.

Enthralled by new energy and fueled by shared dreams, will the young couple outrun their shadows?

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2020

30 people are currently reading
42 people want to read

About the author

Tucora Monique

32 books176 followers

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5 stars
59 (71%)
4 stars
18 (21%)
3 stars
1 (1%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for martha fountain.
837 reviews18 followers
June 6, 2021
Heartbreaking...

This writer continues to pen authentic works that pulls out those heart wrenching emotions. Nayo and Sonder, talk about a must needed match but it came with so many challenges and difficulties. The ending...whew...on to part II.
Profile Image for Storm.
68 reviews
February 6, 2021
Young love 💕

I loved this story. The dynamic between the two souls was beautiful. My only question is, why didn’t Gran die in the end? And why didn’t Deacon Fat a** get hit by a car and die right alongside her funky behind? Whew chile, my blood “presha” is too high dealing with those two fake Christians! LOL! However, I’m deeply saddened by the events that took place between Sonder and Nayo😢 they’re love seemed so authentic and I can tell that he loved her without reservations. The author did an amazing job bringing this story to life. I loved it and I highly recommend readers to get into this. I’m on to the next book to see what happens next! Great job!🙌🏾👏🏾💜
Profile Image for Deedee Henson.
696 reviews37 followers
October 19, 2020
Slow Burn

This is my second read from this author and I really like her writing style. Her style is clear, cut, crisp and refreshing. I loved the slow build up of her characters and the storyline was easy flowing. This cute little love story with flawed characters of a quiet, naive church girl and a bad boy who both had reservations about them that kept them from trusting others but bonding and learning to trust each other. With plans for a future that didn't include their present circumstances, did the shadows really fall behind or did they show up in the present? The read a few small errors but didn't take away from the story. I recommend this book
Profile Image for Ayanna First of BourbonStreetBookers.
487 reviews20 followers
June 12, 2021
The young & the resilient!

Whewww!! This hit so different with both characters experiencing equally challenges that made teenage years more difficult than they typically are! I absolutely love the boldness and transparent attributes of both Nayo & Sonder. His protection & her affirmation towards one another was so beautiful! On to book 2 for me... cuz ain't no way I'm allowing that ending to live in my head pass today! 🤣🤣 Great job!
Profile Image for Dwinique Bennett.
52 reviews2 followers
February 12, 2021
Cute cute

Cute lil story with a nice story line. I wish some parts would go into detail about what happened because it was important. It was like something important happened and we was left to pick up the pieces about what happened. But over all good story. I enjoyed it. Still really interested in part 2 too see where this story goes.
Profile Image for OhhSlimmm.
506 reviews31 followers
May 17, 2020
My first book by this author and she did an amazing job!!! She took her time developing each character and I really appreciated that. Nayo and Sonder love story piqued my interest and blew me by surprise. I’m not a fan of reading young characters that’s still a teenager but she didn’t give me this childish vibe while reading. I loved the development with the storyline and characters. This book was great and I definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Shaunrick McGee.
263 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2022
******SLIGHT SPOILER*****



I have really come to enjoy this author and look forward to her new releases. Safe to Surrender (which get 15 stars) led me to When We're Alone (also great) which brought me to want to know more about Sonder & Nayo. Their story is so authentic. They are truly a couple who made it through the trenches. Individually, their stories reek of pain and injustice, which is probably why they sought each other out. Their resilience is also why they deserved a more intense thoughtful conclusion to their story. The ending of book two felt rushed and unfinished. The author also glossed over the court case that played such a critical role in Nayo’s life after Flash was born. Also, the audacity of Gran to get away with ALL the things she allowed was a huge turn of for me—Nayo didn’t have to cuss her or anything like that but she deserved to be cut off. If it hadn’t been for pastor/school counselor Jets—Nayo & Sonder certainly would not have made it out of the shadows!
51 reviews
February 1, 2021
Good read

I rate this book 5 stars. Great job to the author. This book was captivating from the very beginning. Descriptions were vivid from her living aggrangment in the basement to her demeanor at school it was all a very clear picture of who exact Nayo was and all that she was dealing with. I enjoyed the fact that although she had a hard life she had one good friend in her corner (Melody). I thought it was interested that while Melody was the well dressed cute friend she didn’t have a love interest of her own in this story. I would love to learn about what type of guy she would go for. Overall this book was good, entertaining and well written. I am starting book two immediately.

#MidnightMafia
Profile Image for K. Giles.
Author 9 books19 followers
May 30, 2020
Yassss Sonder and Dollface

This book was beautifully written. Sonder was so protective and headstrong. I hate that he made some of the decisions that he made but when he was with Nayo none of that mattered. He loved her; it showed through every encounter. He was so gentle with her. I hate the way things ended but I know they better find their way back to each other lol. Great read. I did notice in one of the final chapters the header said Nayo but Sonder was talking. The book was bomb nonetheless! Downloading part two noooowww!!!!
Profile Image for Mackenzie.
232 reviews26 followers
February 20, 2021
Fantastic NA romance. Nayo and Sonder are dealing with very real life issues while nurturing a very new connection. The emotionality and openess of Sonder made me fall for his character quick and Nayo's character development from beginning to end was amazing.

My only real qualm with this book is I thought the two books really should have just been one together. The ending was a tiny bit rushed at the last two chapters but other than that very sweet love story

This does end on a cliffhanger and I highly highly recommend you read both because book two was amazing.
Profile Image for Tisha Andrews.
202 reviews9 followers
February 11, 2021
In awe

Until we love again is right! I became lost between each page, totally consumed. The love between Nayo and Sonder was pure, raw, and perfectly flawed. With no hidden agenda, Sonder freely gave to a girl that was raised in a brutal, unhealthy environment. He loved her through her pain and she loved him back with no reservations. I can only hope part 2 allows them to find their way back to each other.
132 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2021
Slow burn 🤎🤎🤎🤎

This was a beautiful story.. This book was different from my normal reads yet I truly enjoyed the journey Nayo and Sonder took me on. Despite of the struggles they were facing these two teens were determined to make better for themselves. Whew chile! Em crazy church folks were the ones that really needed help. Overall this is a read I'd recommend.
Profile Image for Mrs..
5,994 reviews107 followers
October 7, 2020
Shadows and Blind spots

The story had so many points where I could not stand to breathe. Both the hero and the heroine had too much going on for young people. Grand's and Pops needed handling. And the church folks, I'm not sure what was wrong with that crew.
Profile Image for Val but you can call me Shug.
184 reviews
February 15, 2021
Sonder

Sonder..... that’s it that’s the review.......... he is everything.

No lie this teenage live story lives fast. I was happy that they found each other. I’m happy that Nayo found someone to show her what love is.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
492 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2020
Spellbound!

This book is a page turner. I could not put it down. It is so well written. It will make you feel like you're a part of the story. Eagerly awaiting BLM Book 2.
Profile Image for Toya  Davis-Stokley.
2,549 reviews99 followers
April 17, 2020
How could you do this to us? NOOOOO! Where is Sonder? What I love about your stories, is that you draw is in so quickly after it begins; and we hold on tight for the ride. What a beautiful story of two young people who were orphaned, and raised by others who didn't give them the love and support they needed to thrive. Sonder and Nayo meeting, finding so many similarities in their lives; and having the other person actually "see" you in a way no one else had made the time to do, created an unbreakable bond. Their journey was rough, but so worth it. Sonder did everything that he could to protect Nayo, provide for her and prove to her that she was worthy of love. Nayo actually learned to accept herself, build confidence, and to love through her relationship with Sonder. Now them church folks in this story, needed to have several seats, with all that mess that was going on. Her grandmother made me so angry with her spewing the word one minute, and cursing and beating her granddaughter the next! Such a great read! Hoping to get the next installment very, very soon as my anxiety over this couple is on 10! 👍👍👍
Profile Image for Mackenzie.
232 reviews26 followers
February 20, 2021
Fantastic NA romance. Nayo and Sonder are dealing with very real life issues while nurturing a very new connection. The emotionality and openess of Sonder made me fall for his character quick and Nayo's character development from beginning to end was amazing.

My only real qualm with this book is I thought the two books really should have just been one together. The ending was a tiny bit rushed at the last two chapters but other than that very sweet love story

This does end on a cliffhanger and I highly highly recommend you read both because book two was amazing.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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