Despite her unsavory upbringing, Loriana Simms vows not to let the fast, gritty lifestyle of the hood dismantle her innocence. With dreams of leaving what she calls home behind, Loriana's plans are abruptly placed on hold. While her circumstances have, in some measure, matured the bashful teen, they have also left her in an immense amount of distress. No longer meek to the world around her, Loriana comes into her own as a woman and finds herself caught up in the likes of the young hoodlum, Projex. With a known reputation in the hood for his insolent way with words, outlandish behavior, cold pen game, and disgustingly handsome good looks, Bryshon 'Projex' Emery snatches Loriana's unprepared heart. Stuck in his grind as a true hustler, Projex has hardly any time on his hands for a companion. Though the moment he crosses paths with Loriana, Projex jokingly pledges to change her last name. When one wrong decision ends deadly, Loriana is pressured to choose between the life she once knew and the one her heart belonged to. The hood has caused an extra layer to thicken around their hearts, making it seemingly impossible to peel. Love didn’t seem to be in the equation for either of them. Will his addiction to the fast life cause their pretentious relationship and lives to fold before it can bloom? Or will the two take heed and remember where they came from?
BriAnn Danae is an urban romance author and native of Kansas City, Missouri. In October 2015, she penned her first novel and since has enhanced her catalog claiming seventy titles to date. She whimsically writes Black love stories with purpose and passion, making you want to go beyond the book and look into her mind as a writer.
As the two-time 2021 Black Girls Who Write award winner for Best Black Book Series and Best Black Urban Romance and KCPCA 2023 Best Author of Kansas City, BriAnn has masterfully crafted her pen. With the talent to navigate between genres, she’s captured the hearts of her readers, making them fall hard in love with her characters. Her writing can be classified as soul-snatching, heart-yearning, chest throbbing, and downright some of the most exhilarating literature one could grace their eyes upon.
There’s a message BriAnn strives to leave with her readers. “I don’t just write to tell a story. I write to paint a picture and give a testimony.”
Man this was simply amazing! I loved Projex and his L Boogie so bad! Loriana was just a great all around fmc, I love how she may not like drama but mama can get down with the best of them! Mhy and Nyree were the best cousin/bestie! They had her back in every way! (Hope to get more of Nyree and Coop) that damn Akira was a nasty piece of work! Her and that Keith deserved each other. The whole prom scene was beautiful! Projex had me swooning!!!!! That ending with her mom...😢😢😢😢 can't wait to dive in the next part!
The last couple of chapters saved this story for me. Loriana went from having the best night of her young life to experiencing major heartache. The cliffhanger has me rushing to the next book because I have to know what’s going on.
So I ended up reading Christmas in the Projexs first not realizing it was part of a series. I really enjoyed it though so I’m doubling back to see how Loriana and Projex became the couple they are in that book. I loved seeing several of the events of how they met that were mentioned in the Christmas novella 🥰 Listen Bryshon had me giggling and kicking my feet together several times 😍 But this cliffhanger ending 🤯🤯🤯 Book 2 up next!
I honestly don’t know what to say..... I lied I do know what to say
Characters: I had no issues with the way that the author developed these characters.
Projex pulled me in from the first time he stepped on to the page. (Now y’all know I live for a good hood ñ¡g9ä)!!! Projex delivered everything that he was supposed too. He gave you hood, but he was definitely more than what meets the eye. He was big brother lover,homie, friend, and Loyal (side eye). Projex was just the right amount of toxicity for me! I loved the way he loves.
Lori was the not so average teenage girl who embodies the mantra of you don’t have to do a lot to be seen. Her growth from teenager to woman in love is organic and relatable. I felt every unsure moment she had with Projex.
Nyree is the best friend everybody needs! The rider, the hype man, tell it like it is, I got your back through whatever. She should have hit on people more because they deserved and earned it honestly.
Akira is the friend that everybody can do with out. She a snake, flat out PERIODT. But with that being said the shit that happened to her she deserved and I feel no sympathy for her. She a undercover hater.
Story Line: The author captivated me from the very beginning. This book was way more than your normal teenage love affair. I enjoyed watching Projex change Loriana and Loriana changing Projex. The give and take between the two was equally yoked. I love them separately for different reasons too. Sometimes you just pull towards someone and can’t pull away from. This book gave me hood drama, high school drama and just enough real love.
My rating for this book.... Is a 🎟🎟🎟🎟🎟because the story flowed and I was throughly engrossed. There were typos (misplaced letters for those who don’t know the difference between a typo and an error); however COMMA they did not take away from the story. The characters were very real and relatable. The author almost made me cry at the end buttttttttt we will discuss that another day hopefully soon.
4.5 ⭐️ I read this book in one sitting! That’s how good and addictive it is. My only issue was how the story jumped from different POVS every paragraph. But! It was sooo good. I should never smile so hard and wide while reading a book lol. Projex is so ghetto and mean yet so sweet. I loved the way he talked to Lori and was able to be himself. Now that hoe Kira has my blood boiling. I wanted to fight the entire time reading. BUT THAT CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!!!
I would like to read the rest. Honestly didn't know what direction the book was going to go in. It was ok. It was cute. But it just ended & said this was not a full book....so what is it then? A novella? Bc it clearly could've had a better ending. A true ending bc what are we waiting for? I know Loriana is not going to avenge Priojex's life lol. All she can do now is go to college or be so depressed about Projex & her mama and not go & be a bum 🤷🏽♀️ just gimme the last paragraph or something bc it definitely does not deserve another book.
Bay-be Queen Brianna has done it again with part 1 to this series and with the way it ended I can't wait to see what part 2 entails.
Akira was a super h**and as the saying goes "with friends like her who needs enemies"🙄
I loved L-Boogie bestie Ny and her cousin Mhy💕. They held no punches and had no problem throwing them hands.
Kelsi got her face beat in over a man and 🍆 that didn't even belongs to her🤣
Loriana was so innocent and folks took as her being weak and she had to prove them wrong.
I love Projex lil thuggish self. I love that fact that although he lead the kind of life he lead, he had no problem being vulnerable in front of anybody when it came to his L-Boogie. I loved, loved, loved reading abbot their blossoming relationship💕. When he surprised her at prom😍, I was screaming yaaasss Bryshon😜!!! Had Keith and Akira stuck on stupid🤣
This book was okay, not crazy exciting but okay. Loriana and Projex were kinda corny but in a cute way. I’ll read the next book but hopefully it’s more appealing.
This was a great start to this series. I was initially drawn to read it because I’ve seen a lot of hype surrounding Projex on social media and wanted to see if he lives up to what I’ve seen. So far so good. This story is about young love and navigating a new experience that Projex and Loriana didn’t see coming. She is a high school senior weeks from graduation and he is a rising songwriter that is also deep in the streets. They are familiar with each other because Lori tutors Projex’s little sister and he is intrigued by the fact that she’s not like other women he’s used to. They connect almost instantly and become each other’s safe haven. He really caters to her and in my opinion couldn’t have been a better first love for her. Just when the getting is good, here comes the drama and here comes heartbreak that Loriana didn’t see coming. I’m glad that Loriana has a solid support system to help her navigate but I have no doubt that this is only the beginning to what this young couple is about to endure!
This is my first read from this author and I must say, I loved it. I normally don't leave 5 star's fir books with cliffhangers, but this one was written so exceptionally well, AND book 2 is already out, I have no reason to be disappointed. The storyline moved effortlessly. The characters were relatable and lovable. I enjoyed everything about it EXCEPT that hating so called best friend. I hope she isn't in book 2. Overall, this was a great read.
Poor Lo, my sis seem to not be able to catch a break. We as parents always want what's best for our kids but push ourselves to the back unintentionally. I think this series is about to have me in my lil feelings
Girlllllllll let me start book 2 , bc wthhh???? It’s no way the ending is ending like THIS!!!??? And why Projex grown behind at prom lol. What’s wrong with the mama? Akira girlllll sit down!!!!! Anyway I need answers , now!!
Loriana Simms was a very innocent and hardworking young girl. Coming up on her final months of high school she ends up falling in love with the Projex. The two seemed so opposite but they mushed so well. Watching Projex fall in love with Lori was delightful. They both took it slow and explored each other in ways that kept my full attention. This story was a slow love burn that gave me butterflies. BriAnn did her thing with this one. Bri gave us a young mature, drama, hood love all wrapped into one with class. Mhyle is my favorite I am so interested in her and her love situation as well. I hope she gets her own story or either I get more of her in the next book. Nyree was a vibe and her roll dawg everybody needs one I see a lot of myself in her.Projex has made my book Bae list for sure. He was everything I loved how he loved on Lori even if he didn’t know how he showed up and showed out for her. I can’t wait to get more of them. We have seen them go through the small ups and downs. So I can only imagine how they will be in the future. This book left me speechless with the ending. I’m still having trouble putting my words together. BriAnn Whyyyyyyyy you do me like that? I’m still shook, the character connection was so beautiful to watch them fall.The natural tone of this story was very authentic even when you thought it would be a simple cliche on high school love, we got the exact opposite of that. Even the funny parts of the book gave originality. This story was so realistic I feel like so many girls growing up go through fake friends and hating females in high school. You need your favorite cousin and best friend to keep you on your toes. I loved how Lori was strong with being herself she didn’t follow her friends or even change when she got her first sniff of love. Overall this story was a 5 star read for me. I enjoyed reading about Lori and Projex can’t wait for the second book if you are thinking about reading this pick it up you won’t be disappointed.
I am stunned!! Not because I doubted BriAnn’s pen capabilities, but then ending had me so in my feelings even though I saw it coming😂. The story of Loriana and Projex was so authentic and genuine, I lived for it. Loriana was a tutor for Projex sister Joi who attended the same high school as her. She was this smart and innocent teenager who was looking forward to attending prom with hopefully her then crush Keith and graduating high school. Of course Projex came in and changed that lol. Their relationship came natural and that’s what I loved the most in this book. Projex was in the streets and to Loriana seemed to be out of her league, but he was feeling her just as much. He took his time with her and of course had this rough edge about him. But when it came to her, he made sure she was straight. Loriana had him doing things he never did with other females. The two quickly build this deep heartfelt bond that was beautiful. Now her so called bestfriend Akira is another story and was quick to become my least favorite character. Overall the story was great and I couldn’t put the book down. This book is a sample, and will be full novel in February.
Loriana is in her senior year of high school and she is finally starting to come out of her shell. She was perceived as a "good girl," that was quiet and shy. Having never really dated before, she had a pact to change that. After a run in with a bum she decided to take her chances with Projex. Although, he was a street dude through and through he was musically talented as well. He hadn't really been interested in relationships, but Lori intrigued him. His demeanor changed around her and he handled her gently. She gave him such positive energy, he couldn't help but give her back that same energy. I liked Projex because he was full of swag and didn't put up with any bs. It was definitely not all hearts and rainbows as they both went through hardships involving their friends. Projex had the pressure of being a provider, a giver for his family and not to mention several men in the hood. Overall, I enjoyed the characters. The format of the writing took some getting used to. There was no clear voice and it kind of bounced around as to whom was speaking. It felt very young adultish. None the less I will definitely read the next books.
This book had me stunned 😯 baby, BriAnn didn't disappoint. This is definitely not what you would expect from a hood love story. It had just the right balance of teenage drama mixed with hood ish. I loved the development of the characters and how well the story flowed. Loriana was pure and untainted when it came to the streets but all that changed when bryshon caught her attention. Sir Projex had me at hello with his crazy self!! He wanted more from life than being in the street but it wasn't that easy. However when it came to Lori he was willing to try. I also loved how Mhyale and Nyree went hard for their girl through thick n thin. That ending definitely caught me off guard and had me in my feelings. I can't wait for the follow up to see how everything unfolds for Loriana and Projex relationship. Overall this book was certainly worth the read.
I definitely enjoyed reading Projexx and Loriana's story. They were both young and had experienced the pain of losing family members while navigating the ups and downs that life throws at you. Despite the challenges, they stayed strong and remained committed to each other. Loriana always knew where home was, which added a beautiful layer to their relationship.
And can we talk about the added characters? Oh my goodness! I am so intrigued by Myhale and Naaz. Their dynamic was filled with some toxic elements that really captured my attention. I love a bit of drama, and their storyline has me wanting to know more about what unfolds. Overall, this book was a captivating read, and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes all of these characters next!
OMG!!!! Man this book has everything I love in a good hood story, love and gangsta ish!!!! Lori wasn't to be played with, she was sassy, smart and will knock your head off your shoulders. She has a good heart but she will not take your ish. Now Projex was definitely bae. He is hood mixed with that lovable energy. He ain't taking ish either but I loved how he is with Lori. He had his hiccup but Lori made him pay so he straightened up for real. Everyone needs a Nyree and Mhy in their life to keep it real plus have your back. Akira we can all do without but we all know one. That ending left my mouth wide open but definitely a great read!!!
This is a story I can't wait to get more of. I love Projex and Loriana together. Very well written, great storyline and character development. Loriana was not to be underestimated, the innocent good girl but don't test her because she will show you her other side and Projex, the bad boy intrigued by the innocent good girl. This story will give you a mix of family, friendship, jealousy, envy and revenge. I liked how the author put Petey in part of the story as well as made reference to Juvi's chicken spot. What I wasn't expecting was that double whammy of an ending as things seemed to be going so good for these two. Can't wait to read what's next.