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Keeping Busy
They grew up together...but not really. More accurately, they grew up across the street from one another. He spent his youth pretending like she didn’t exist. She spent hers pretending to be unbothered by his lack of interest.
Maddox “Busy” Mayhew dedicated himself to setting goals and reaching them. So, being drafted to the league wasn’t a surprise to anybody. The fact that he was a savage on the football field, and crushed records wasn’t a surprise to anybody. The fact that he garnered the attention of countless women wasn’t a surprise to anybody. His fall from grace, though...that caught everybody off guard, including him. Now, he had to repair the damage he’d done, but frustratingly, he couldn’t do it alone.
Mecca Goode minded her own business, and there was plenty of that to mind. Not only was she part owner of a hugely successful dance academy, she also choreographed for both collegiate and professional athletic teams on the side. She didn’t have time to keep up with the happenings of old childhood neighbors, except when their demise was playing out in the public arena.
When Mecca is asked to step up to help Busy out, her immediate response is a thundering, “No thank you!” He spent years never even acknowledging her existence. Will she turn the other cheek, and help out a man who spent his entire life ignoring her?
Maddox “Busy” Mayhew dedicated himself to setting goals and reaching them. So, being drafted to the league wasn’t a surprise to anybody. The fact that he was a savage on the football field, and crushed records wasn’t a surprise to anybody. The fact that he garnered the attention of countless women wasn’t a surprise to anybody. His fall from grace, though...that caught everybody off guard, including him. Now, he had to repair the damage he’d done, but frustratingly, he couldn’t do it alone.
Mecca Goode minded her own business, and there was plenty of that to mind. Not only was she part owner of a hugely successful dance academy, she also choreographed for both collegiate and professional athletic teams on the side. She didn’t have time to keep up with the happenings of old childhood neighbors, except when their demise was playing out in the public arena.
When Mecca is asked to step up to help Busy out, her immediate response is a thundering, “No thank you!” He spent years never even acknowledging her existence. Will she turn the other cheek, and help out a man who spent his entire life ignoring her?
139 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2020
92 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 30, 2020
This book has so much potential that the author just failed capitalize on. Busy made some horrible decisions and needed to change his reputation to to save his job and his endorsements. With some help from his grandmother, he was able to convince his childhood friend Mecca to be his pretend girlfriend. This story dragged in the beginning but the fake relationship trope had me captivated. Mecca and Busy weren’t friends nor where they enemies. Miscommunication from their childhood caused distance between them and it was good to see that cleared up. They had great chemistry together so it was easy to pull off a fake relationship. It definitely didn’t say fake for long. Busy knew what he wanted and he didn’t hesitate to go after it. I loved the family dynamics of this book. Mecca and her cousins were hilarious and I loved their relationship. I really hope to see more of them. However, I did have some issues with this story. My biggest issue was the way the author handled grieving. The way it was written in the story came off like inappropriate behavior and reckless decisions are the norm when it comes to grieving and that didn’t sit right with me. Also, an update on the state of his job and endorsements weren’t addressed in the book. It was the reason a fake relationship was needed yet a resolution or update wasn’t mentioned in the book. We also didn’t hear anything else from his ex-girlfriend. It would have been nice for her to make an appearance. It was a good story but to me it just didn’t feel complete. It should have been a little longer to give the author more time to pull everything together
March 25, 2023
Too short, rushed and just fast 🤬🤬😤😤
I would have loved it to see how Mecca became full circle with her feelings and how the HEA was drafted: you know, the beautiful proposal after a home game, the whole twin shenanigans and closeness that they usually have (reference to her brother who was not even entertained), then the eldest daughter of DJ Goode getting married and the whole 200ish guest to the wedding with them giving birth to twins…. Phew 😅 I gave you a whole novel 🤣. This teaser is for the birds, bruh!!!
Anyways, Busy was a sweetheart and overnight found himself not playing about showing that Mecca is his all around. Whatever happened to Ainsley? I truly thought that girl was going to pop up and stir a little bit of drama.
Mecca was cute, down to earth, confident and overall the whole package. Couldn’t understand why the author was trying to give her those insecurities. There are so many other securities that you could have given involving the dancing world which is very hard and harsh, but that was just too weak for Mecca’s character.
All of the cousins seemed to be flawless but Joya seemed to be the go to one, the patriarch.
So MS. Gray could you please reconsider and do an update to this little teaser here and possibly to all of the Watson’s girls where we could get a little bit of in depth story because your penmanship is so bomb 💣!!!!
I would have loved it to see how Mecca became full circle with her feelings and how the HEA was drafted: you know, the beautiful proposal after a home game, the whole twin shenanigans and closeness that they usually have (reference to her brother who was not even entertained), then the eldest daughter of DJ Goode getting married and the whole 200ish guest to the wedding with them giving birth to twins…. Phew 😅 I gave you a whole novel 🤣. This teaser is for the birds, bruh!!!
Anyways, Busy was a sweetheart and overnight found himself not playing about showing that Mecca is his all around. Whatever happened to Ainsley? I truly thought that girl was going to pop up and stir a little bit of drama.
Mecca was cute, down to earth, confident and overall the whole package. Couldn’t understand why the author was trying to give her those insecurities. There are so many other securities that you could have given involving the dancing world which is very hard and harsh, but that was just too weak for Mecca’s character.
All of the cousins seemed to be flawless but Joya seemed to be the go to one, the patriarch.
So MS. Gray could you please reconsider and do an update to this little teaser here and possibly to all of the Watson’s girls where we could get a little bit of in depth story because your penmanship is so bomb 💣!!!!
October 3, 2024
I hould of known that with the summary this was going to start at some childish petty bs. I knew Mecca was going to hold a grudge that Maddox didn't check for her and her siblings growing up although it's obvious he was about the fast and loose and she wasn't about that life and plus they were kids. I wasn't even going to read based on the summary alone and the fact that I really hate how this author writes poc in this book and especially The British Way. But because I had already started the series and I hate not finishing something I started but Idk about reading any of her work in the future. The emphasis on skin color for ex the convo Mecca had with Brandon about him liking her lighter skin cousin was incredibly disturbing and disappointing. Mecca comments about Busy not checking for her when they were younger in the beginning of the book was annoying. I will say though that Mecca and Busy relationship was a beautiful thing to see unfold but everything else was. This doesn't even seem like the same author who 🤦♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2021
Good story
I enjoyed reading about Mecca and Maddox falling in love
Both families were full of love for each other and had each others back
Even though Mecca and Maddox ones each other as children they really didn't interact with each other because of Maddox so Mecca helping him out of the situation he found himself in was a testament to how they helped each other when asked even if they really didn't want to
The author did a good job in making the storyline believable and relatable to current times especially in the lives of athletes
I gave the book 4 stars because the ending was too abrupt. I needed more about this couple about what happened next. It left you hanging, it wasn't a cliffhanger but should have given the reader more
I enjoyed reading about Mecca and Maddox falling in love
Both families were full of love for each other and had each others back
Even though Mecca and Maddox ones each other as children they really didn't interact with each other because of Maddox so Mecca helping him out of the situation he found himself in was a testament to how they helped each other when asked even if they really didn't want to
The author did a good job in making the storyline believable and relatable to current times especially in the lives of athletes
I gave the book 4 stars because the ending was too abrupt. I needed more about this couple about what happened next. It left you hanging, it wasn't a cliffhanger but should have given the reader more
December 20, 2020
My only problem with this story is......
It ended WAYYYY too soon. This is definitely re-readable. And it was refreshingly different in the sense that except for them falling in love for real ( which is why we read it), there wasn’t the “ever so common “ someone found out they were faking, or the crazy ex pretending to be pregnant, or the crazy ex convincing the new girl that the guy still wants her, or the paparazzi catching him in an innocent situation that looks compromising. There was none of that. I really enjoyed it! 6 stars! Oh yeah, no back stabbing relatives trying to get with him behind her back or vice versa.
It ended WAYYYY too soon. This is definitely re-readable. And it was refreshingly different in the sense that except for them falling in love for real ( which is why we read it), there wasn’t the “ever so common “ someone found out they were faking, or the crazy ex pretending to be pregnant, or the crazy ex convincing the new girl that the guy still wants her, or the paparazzi catching him in an innocent situation that looks compromising. There was none of that. I really enjoyed it! 6 stars! Oh yeah, no back stabbing relatives trying to get with him behind her back or vice versa.
January 19, 2021
I loved Busy
Do you know when you read a book and expect one thing and get another? The story I read was unexpected and a lovely place to hang out. Busy Mayhew was a professional football player with an image problem. His grandmother talked him and his former neighbor into a way to fix his problem. Mecca was from a prominent family as well, so she did not need to play this game. But you will see it's about a little bit more than what's on the surface. Mecca was delightful and had the savvy to be the answer. Busy needed a reliable person in his corner, and I think you will agree the outcome was a winner.
Do you know when you read a book and expect one thing and get another? The story I read was unexpected and a lovely place to hang out. Busy Mayhew was a professional football player with an image problem. His grandmother talked him and his former neighbor into a way to fix his problem. Mecca was from a prominent family as well, so she did not need to play this game. But you will see it's about a little bit more than what's on the surface. Mecca was delightful and had the savvy to be the answer. Busy needed a reliable person in his corner, and I think you will agree the outcome was a winner.
May 9, 2021
This story was a trope, but a good one. I love the way it all played out. The biggest problem I had is the story is incomplete. It isn't finished. There wasn't an update on if what they did worked? What happened to the lying ex-girlfriend and why wasn't she prosecuted for willfully lying on Busy. Addressing the elephant in the room as far as this is the danger of dealing with white women and how easily they can destroy the lives of Black men when there isn't corroborating proof of the lie told on them. He spent two days in jail? Why wasn't she immediately arrested for the lie? The story leaves too many loose ends and still, it is a wonderful story and deserves the five star.
January 1, 2022
Encore!
Another first for me, and I enjoyed this novella thoroughly. I enjoyed it so much I could have read two or three more chapters of it. This read was well written and just kept me engaged from start to finish. Ms. Gray your writing style is intelligent with an easy flow.
I knew the whole "pretending" to be together for Maddox and Mecca would turn more serious. It was satisfying to see Mrs. Bo and Miss Vera's dream come true for these two. I know Miss Vera was rejoicing in heaven once they established a real relationship.
An outstanding read you should download, relax, and read. I am glad Amazon suggested this book.
Another first for me, and I enjoyed this novella thoroughly. I enjoyed it so much I could have read two or three more chapters of it. This read was well written and just kept me engaged from start to finish. Ms. Gray your writing style is intelligent with an easy flow.
I knew the whole "pretending" to be together for Maddox and Mecca would turn more serious. It was satisfying to see Mrs. Bo and Miss Vera's dream come true for these two. I know Miss Vera was rejoicing in heaven once they established a real relationship.
An outstanding read you should download, relax, and read. I am glad Amazon suggested this book.
February 15, 2022
Let Go and Get Busy
Loved this one. Mecca Goode and Maddox 'Busy' Mayhew were fun to read about. I thought there might be a lot of tension between them, given their past and the whole 'fake dating' arrangement, yet they fell into a pretty nice flowing vibe that I loved.
Mecca was so into her head that it was hard to lose control. I loved that Busy was willing to be patient and help her to feel and not think so much when it came to being intimate with each other. Swoon 🥰.
These stories keep getting better and better. Can't wait to see what the next book brings.
Good read. Very good series.
Loved this one. Mecca Goode and Maddox 'Busy' Mayhew were fun to read about. I thought there might be a lot of tension between them, given their past and the whole 'fake dating' arrangement, yet they fell into a pretty nice flowing vibe that I loved.
Mecca was so into her head that it was hard to lose control. I loved that Busy was willing to be patient and help her to feel and not think so much when it came to being intimate with each other. Swoon 🥰.
These stories keep getting better and better. Can't wait to see what the next book brings.
Good read. Very good series.
August 23, 2021
Ok
This book was fine. I wasn’t overly wowed but it wasn’t bad. I did almost stop reading in the beginning because I didn’t like how they were talking about this hypothetical woman for Maddox to date. I get she would have been there for a job, but knowing it ends up being Mecca, who he falls for because this is a romance, made it seem uncomfortable. Idk, it’s probably just me. I guess this could be called a slow burn. There is sex on the page, but it happens later in the book. If you’re a reader who needs that before 50%, this may not be the book for you.
This book was fine. I wasn’t overly wowed but it wasn’t bad. I did almost stop reading in the beginning because I didn’t like how they were talking about this hypothetical woman for Maddox to date. I get she would have been there for a job, but knowing it ends up being Mecca, who he falls for because this is a romance, made it seem uncomfortable. Idk, it’s probably just me. I guess this could be called a slow burn. There is sex on the page, but it happens later in the book. If you’re a reader who needs that before 50%, this may not be the book for you.
December 1, 2020
First time reader of this author
I loveeeed Busy and mecca too..I also loved mecca's dad...this story was much better than I expected it to be..I would have preferred it to be longer but it wasn't lacking anything. I just liked it so much that I wish it didn't end when it did lol. there were some scenes that I feel could have been removed but overall, nicely done. Dialogue was very relatable
I loveeeed Busy and mecca too..I also loved mecca's dad...this story was much better than I expected it to be..I would have preferred it to be longer but it wasn't lacking anything. I just liked it so much that I wish it didn't end when it did lol. there were some scenes that I feel could have been removed but overall, nicely done. Dialogue was very relatable
November 28, 2020
Captivated by Mecca and Busy
One of those stories you don’t want to end. I absolutely loved Mecca, an old soul, but a baddie. And Busy for all his issues had a good heart. Them coming together you could tell was destined with a little help thrown in by his Grandmother and her aunt. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more by this author!
One of those stories you don’t want to end. I absolutely loved Mecca, an old soul, but a baddie. And Busy for all his issues had a good heart. Them coming together you could tell was destined with a little help thrown in by his Grandmother and her aunt. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more by this author!
November 29, 2020
I need an epilogue!
I absolutely love Mecca and Busy. Mecca was so refreshing. She was cool, laid back, funny and confident. I feel like there are more layers to Busy but what was revealed was endearing. So everything was going good until the end. The ending felt a little rushed. An epilogue would have been nice. Overall, it was a good book that left me wanting more.
I absolutely love Mecca and Busy. Mecca was so refreshing. She was cool, laid back, funny and confident. I feel like there are more layers to Busy but what was revealed was endearing. So everything was going good until the end. The ending felt a little rushed. An epilogue would have been nice. Overall, it was a good book that left me wanting more.
December 26, 2020
Great story
This story was great. The writing was excellent. The author sucked me right in by the first chapter. I love how successful Busy and Mecca were, by themselves and together. They were perfect together and I loved how what started as a fake relationship became all to real.
This story was great. The writing was excellent. The author sucked me right in by the first chapter. I love how successful Busy and Mecca were, by themselves and together. They were perfect together and I loved how what started as a fake relationship became all to real.
December 26, 2020
Entertaining
I wish there was more to Mecca and Maddox story....I enjoyed reading this book. I like how Maddox stepped up to own his crap and when it was time to admit how he felt, he went for it without pulling punches or playing games.
This was my 1st time reading a book by Tracy Gray.....great job!
I wish there was more to Mecca and Maddox story....I enjoyed reading this book. I like how Maddox stepped up to own his crap and when it was time to admit how he felt, he went for it without pulling punches or playing games.
This was my 1st time reading a book by Tracy Gray.....great job!
January 1, 2021
New author to me alert!
I loved the dynamic between Maddox and Mecca. She and her girl gang of cousins do not play. Busy realized that Puddng was his future and let it be known accordingly. I will now back track to the prior books in this series since I apparently started in the middle.
I loved the dynamic between Maddox and Mecca. She and her girl gang of cousins do not play. Busy realized that Puddng was his future and let it be known accordingly. I will now back track to the prior books in this series since I apparently started in the middle.
November 28, 2020
OMG!!!!!!
I definitely need more of them I need to know hoe their story plays out... Pleas give me more.. I want to know how auntie Bo feels about everything so far msn so much I'm leave wondering about lol... Great BOOK!!!
I definitely need more of them I need to know hoe their story plays out... Pleas give me more.. I want to know how auntie Bo feels about everything so far msn so much I'm leave wondering about lol... Great BOOK!!!
November 29, 2020
Busy Love
First read by this author and I LOVED it completely. I’m so happy Mecca decided to give Busy a chance because they are definitely a match made in heaven. I can’t wait to read what’s next.
First read by this author and I LOVED it completely. I’m so happy Mecca decided to give Busy a chance because they are definitely a match made in heaven. I can’t wait to read what’s next.
December 28, 2020
A perfect combination!
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed Maddox “Busy” Mayhew and Mecca Goode. I love a pretend relationship story and this one did not disappoint. Sexy and fun, zero drama. It checked every box for quick, sexy, and fun read.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed Maddox “Busy” Mayhew and Mecca Goode. I love a pretend relationship story and this one did not disappoint. Sexy and fun, zero drama. It checked every box for quick, sexy, and fun read.
March 5, 2021
Real
First time reading a book by this author. I loved all of it! I repeated the transparency with Mecca and Busy, they were both vulnerable when it was important! Beautiful love journey, I hope there is more to come!
First time reading a book by this author. I loved all of it! I repeated the transparency with Mecca and Busy, they were both vulnerable when it was important! Beautiful love journey, I hope there is more to come!
April 4, 2021
Whew!
Tracy Gray, you did your thang with Keeping Busy! I couldn’t put it down, I am definitely a fan of your work. You make me want to know more about every character in every book you write. Keep up the awesome work!
Tracy Gray, you did your thang with Keeping Busy! I couldn’t put it down, I am definitely a fan of your work. You make me want to know more about every character in every book you write. Keep up the awesome work!
September 5, 2021
Great Read
I loved everything about this book, particularly the honesty and openess with this couple. The story felt like more than fiction, it was an example of true feelings and how real couples connect. I want more!
I loved everything about this book, particularly the honesty and openess with this couple. The story felt like more than fiction, it was an example of true feelings and how real couples connect. I want more!
December 31, 2020
Dam hot
My first time reading from this author and will not be my last. I a absolutely enjoyed Mecca and Busy they were so together even with there issues. A very refreshing story.
My first time reading from this author and will not be my last. I a absolutely enjoyed Mecca and Busy they were so together even with there issues. A very refreshing story.
January 18, 2021
Stupid. Main character is so desperate.
February 28, 2021
Couldn’t finish it.
March 14, 2021
Touchdown
This is my first read by this author. I like the fake couple premise. This story didn't disappoint. Loved the chemistry between Busy and Pudding.
This is my first read by this author. I like the fake couple premise. This story didn't disappoint. Loved the chemistry between Busy and Pudding.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews