One empire... Three men... The throne is at stake and the Valentine brothers are presented with an opportunity of a lifetime. Their father, Domino, has decided to retire, leaving them with the chance to take over. The one issue that looms over their heads is who is the man that is qualified to run the empire. Once a certain set of rules have been set in place, the Valentine brothers find themselves in a competition that produces a series of dangerous events. Deceit corrupts the family in a manner that wasn’t seen coming and secrets are unveiled, leaving the brothers in a war against each other. Who will be the one worthy to take the reigns and sit on the throne?
Lots of drama and mess. But I have to read book 2 because it ends at a cliffhanger, and I need to know what’s going on because if I’m interpreting it correctly, then this family is so messed up.
I don’t know where to start with this review!! The ending took the cake and I reread it multiple times trying to wrap my head around it.
So I read this one without reading the synopsis and I think that was kind of cool because I didn’t know what to expect or what the storyline was about. When Domino announces his retirement he decides that he would not hand over his empire to one son but would rather them earn it. Smooch, Stunna, and Poet are the sons. They are tasked with showing Domino they are worthy of running his empire.
Off top I knew I wouldn’t like Smooch and my dislike for him never wavered. He was entitled and the biggest hater; like he didn’t have a soul. And I didn’t like the way he treated his wife; he preyed on her weaknesses.
Stunna grew on me; I can tell he was torn on being a ladies man and being with Kiva. Buuuut Stunna has some explaining to do! My mouth hit the floor at the end.. it be your own siblings 🤣
I love Poet! He does no wrong in my eyes, I love how hard he goes for Alivia. He’s the sleeper, the silent killer, and my book bae!
Charae never lets me down and this book pulled me in from the beginning. Sibling rivalry, betrayal, deceit, and anything else that came up—this book delivers! I cannot wait for part two because I have some questions! Good work as always!
Charae L did it again! Black Effect got me hooked to this author's work and once again she's proved she got pen power. She literally brings you into the lives of her characters. I could actually visualize the Valentine Manor! There was no doubt things were about to get popping... On to book 2 @ 4:30 am!🤦🏽♀️🤣🤣🎊🎉🍾🥂 Awesome job!
Okokokok…hol’uphol’up…hold the fuck up. Let’s start with the last scene. Charae ALWAYS get your ass in the last fucking scene!
I KNOW you not bout to fuckin tell me that Pumpkin is Ashi. I KNOW smooch scary ass submissive ass wife ain’t the woman Stunna been having an affair with. I’m about to listen to this shit again before I move on because I got questions.
1st, how could Ashi befriend Keeva while she’s married to Stunna, even if she thought their marriage was fake? How could Ashi be so timid to Smooch but be reckless enough to cheat on him with his brother? Is that Stunna’s baby if that is Ashi? Why would Stunna put Keeva in a position to be friends with Ashi, if that is Pumpkin, after he started taking their marriage seriously? I’m confused. That’s really the biggest shit I need answers to.
I mean, I care about who set Olivia’s warehouse on fire, but that shit don’t hold a candle to the bomb that just exploded in my mind about Ashi and Stunna.
This got a 4 instead of a 5 only because this book for me was mostly about getting familiar with the main players. Nothing really happened. Not that it was boring. It wasn’t. Charae’s character development has always been one of my favorite things about her writing.
UPDATE WITH SPOILERS FOR BOOK 2 (because I listened to the sneak peak at the end of the audio):
That IS Ashi. And that baby might be Stunna’s. I don’t like Ashi now. I hope Stunna is not that baby’s father. I don’t care about Ashi cheating on Smooch because fuck that nigga. I don’t even care about Stunna fucking his brothers wife, and for the same reason. I just don’t like how manipulative Ashi is. They were sneaking around for 2 years and ended up falling in love. But Ashi pushed up on Stunna. He rejected her initially. Not blaming her alone for the affair, but she started off foul. She let her parents dictate her life and choose a husband for her that she didn’t want, but then was being sneaky. So they end up with feelings and Stunna wants to be with her, but she won’t leave her “man” for him. When he’s getting married for a come up in his father’s organization she is still good with their arrangement. Then when he’s ready to cut her off and take his marriage and his wife seriously, all of a sudden she’s ready to leave her husband to be with him. And when he rejects her she blows up the spot like a messy bitch. Then she’s staying at Stunna’s wife’s apartment. I think Ashi and especially Stunna are fucked up for having Keeva involve herself. Stunna wanted her to spy, but Keeva saw Ashi as someone she could befriend. Stunna should have kept it real, because Keeva is a real ass bitch.
Domino took Stunna out of the running to takeover because he violated his brother. But I think Keeva and Ashi knowing about Smooch embezzling from his father (which I forgot about with the Ashi/Pumpkin reveal) will definitely take Smooch out. As fucked up as Stunna and Ashi were for fucking behind his brothers back, Smooch is a shitty person all around. That wouldn’t have happened if he were a better guy.
I’m bout to read book two now. I can’t wait to find out what happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I'm sitting here like wow even though I'm not surprised who Pumpkin really is. The brothers couldn't seem to get right and I disliked Smooch the most. He really felt as though he didn't have to work for anything. The way he treated Aashi and her not putting her foot down was enough for me. He was acting as if he was God's gift or something. Stunna was going about life without a care in the world. He went through so much with Pumpkin knowing it wouldn't lead them anywhere. Kiva was truly a boss and had to show Stunna just how wrong be was about her. I was hoping things worked out for them but after that ending I'm not too sure. Poet seems to be the more level headed one out of the brothers. He realized his mistake and went back for Alivia. Netta was blowing me and needed to get her some business of her own. Alivia was ready to help Poet and what they have may help him to get the ring. I know the phone call will put a dent in everything she's worked for but there's no doubt that Poet will be by her side to help. The constant whirlwind has me ready to jump into part 2 because so much is about to come out now.
Chile!! Charae done did it again! What in the what! I’m speechless cuzz I never saw that ending coming. Poet, the youngest Valentine and Alivia were my favorite couple. Something about second chance love warms my heart lol. I’m not feeling her sister Netta and mother Nina. They are prime examples that you can’t do business with family. Her family was driving me insane! Domino was so entitled and acted like a lil boy instead of the oldest of the Valentine men. By far my least favorite character. Then treated Aashi like crap. Baaaaby boy! She did a 360 on that man tho! I was rooting for her. But wheew that ending had me on pause like what the what?! Stunna, the middle child grew on me, but that plot twist at the end put me right back to square one. I can’t believe it! The writing of course was great! A definite page turner! This rivalry between the brothers goes deeper than what their father Dominio is setting it up to be. I can’t wait to read the next book to see how everything plays out! My vote is on my baby daddy Poet!
Three brothers Smooch, Stunna and Poet have it all with hard work but when their father Domino says he is retiring , one of the three will be getting the keys to the throne. The boys must have a wife, strong foundation and build an empire together. Stun a has been seeing Pumpkin, I seriously living from woman to woman because he cannot have who he wants. Poet reaches back to his bff, college friend Alivia because he truly lives her and wants this life with her . Smooch is married but his wife was chosen and he treats her like shid.She will give him the ultimate payback! Kiva married Stunna. A go-getter, hustler and she is a true money maker. As Stunna sees Kiva for who she is and he is stating to see his new wife for who she is. The skeletons are on their way out of the closet, relationships are going to be questioned and Smooch’s wife Akashi just went in labor after she left him. Meanwhile after breaking it off from Pumpkin calls Stunna and tell him she has an emergency. OMG!!!!!!!! Part 2!
I was not expecting this book to be this scandalous. These brother's are not each others keeper but more like enemies as they battle to be top dog as the next successor to an empire. I could not stop reading because the drama and secrets were just that good. I like Poet because he is the more laid back and observant one. He plays his cards right and doesn't show his hand in what he does behind the scenes. Smooch is arrogant, cocky and selfish. He definitely needs to be brought down a few notches because he will never be successful. I do like that Kiva has gotten to Stunna and he's not as cold as he used to be with her. Ms Aashi is a piece of work and I had my suspicions about her and now that her secret seems to be out how will things end with Smooch and Stunna. So many questions that leaves you wondering how part 2 will play out. Who will be the head of the throne.
First, the ending was a stretch. You’re telling me this meek woman been this messy. At some point a new ring on her figure was mentioned implying she was just engaged, but she was married already, huh? Second, these brothers are the worst towards each other and their women. Poet was about the only half way decent brother. You would think having parents like Domino and Dorinda they would have instilled being their brother’s keeper in these boys. Also, missed the mark on treating their women with the respect their father treated the mother. This was all messy but I’m interested to read where this is going in the next book. I hope it’s the last.
Let me just say... if you ever read a book by Charae, then you know to expect the unexpected! This title alone was enough for me to 1click and I’m happy that I did! These brothers are RUTHLESS! One is soooo caught up in scheming that he can’t see that the ultimate betrayal is happening. The other has his head so far up his own ass that he’s about to miss out on a good woman, and the other is stuck between a rock and a hard place. I’m here for the drama and the race to the throne. Bring on part 2!!
For them to be brothers they treat each other worst than enemies. I don’t like smooch at all he is an entitled egotistical narcissistic asshole! Stunna is immature but I’m rooting for him. Poet messed up in the pass but is trying to change I respect it. They all need a lesson in how to treat women as well as each other. Now stunna’s betrayal shocked me but I don’t feel bad for smooch at all.
Oh wow ok. I would like to say that im surprised by that ending but im not. I expected it from the first mention lol. But hopefully its just a another plot twist that i didnt see coming bc if its not then babyyyyy... boy oh boy cant wait to see what comes of these relationships. Seems like poet is the only one that understands that they need to build with The ladies and not just some random fly by night business. Definitely glad part 2 is coming soon
Now this book right here takes the cake. Smooch is a handful and downright deceitful. Stunna got issues. Poet is hard to read but he’s the one that gonna come out on top. Smooch wife is basket case and very unstable. Stunna pick perfect wife in Kivea she don’t play about her money. Poet could’ve left his wife he wanted so much for her but she didn’t want anything for herself.
This book was a slow read for me, however, it picked up towards the end. I predicted who Pumpkin was from the beginning and so glad that it left her S/O face to be picked up off the ground. Out of all 3 brothers, Poet has to be my Fav because he seems to be the underdog. Charae is continuing to grow as an author giving us versatile storylines and characters. I wasn't feeling this one too much but I definitely recommend that you check it out.
Hunny, these people messy. Who needs enemies when you habe a family full?? I had a feeling on who Pumpkin was but wasn't to sure. Smooch you're a coward and trash. Stunna you the head between your shoulders son. Poet, I can see he moves like a boss. His brothers not so much. The women in their lives need to step up because my goodness, Smooch and Stunna need deliverance.
I really liked this book. The storytelling was AMAZING!!!! I was rooting for Poet and Stunna. Didn’t really care for Smooch or Aashi but I guess I wasn’t supposed to. Charae Lewis is an AMAZING author and her books are some of the best I’ve read!!!
Soooooo is pumpkin really Aashi if so that is drama in its own. Smooch is a mess he needs to get his act together before he lose everything especially since he doing some grimey stuff to his own dad. Stunna hmmm I guess he's growing up but he still needs to get his act together as well. Poet I am rooting for him and liv to make it as well as him to get the empire. I hope good things happen in part 2
The scandals going down on Valentine Manor. I love Poet! Kiva and Alivia are okay too though Alivia and her family ties were working my nerves. Kiva legit about her money and she making moves. Smooch needs to get himself together and what the heck was Stunna thinking. I need part 2 immediately
The dysfunctional relationship between the brothers is crazy. They were doing so much underhanded stuff to each other it was unbelievable. Out of all the brothers, Poet seems like the only one with common sense. I enjoyed this book from one of my favorite authors, can't wait for part 2.
Loving this storyline. You got me so caught up in these characters. I love Poet and Alicia has a couple. I'm even rooting for Kiva and Stunna because the bring the hood vibe. Smooch needs a reality check. He gets on my nerves. Aashi glad she is standing up for herself. Getting part 2 now.😀😉
These Valentine Brothers are a real mess! No love at all and all willing to sabotage one another for power, so sad! I really felt bad for Aashi, no one in her corner and the way Smooch is, I just don't know! Pumpkin is really a trip and I truly hope it turns out good for all involved! Can't wait to dive into the next book! Great job so far Charae!
I suspected that’s who pumpkin was but I wasn’t sure since her pregnancy was never mentioned. I can’t wait to get into part 2. I really wish Stunna and poet got along it seems like they always manage to back each other up in a small way. Why don’t they get along? I DO NOT like smooch at all! Lol. How is kiva going to feel now?
I would have never guess Domino would have a son like Smooch. Or that the boys would be so divided. But the boom that was dropped at the end has me on the edge of my seat....
The premise for this book is amazing. I’m wrapped in the stories and loving Poet the best. There have been some great twists and I have to say my eyes popped out for those last few pages!! Can’t wait for the next book.
If it's attached to Charae Lewis best believe it's going to leave your head spinning! I knew they would be one in the same! Don't sleep on this story that'll leave your mouth wide open and mind swirling with anticipation for part 2!
I did not see that one coming. What is going to come of this sticky situation? The Valentine’s are not gonna be the same again. Stunna can kiss the ring goodbye after this.
I hope Netta did not do what I think she did. Pumpkin is in big trouble. I need the back story on her. Poet is the only one doing half way decent. Great story. I am on to book two. Thank you for not making us wait for a long time.