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Vegas Nights #2
Maybe This Time
This wasn't what "keep your friends close" was supposed to mean. But now that the line has been crossed, can they ever make their way back to the twenty-year friendship they've been building?
Or, better question - Is that what either of them really wants?
Or, better question - Is that what either of them really wants?
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2021
427 people are currently reading
1206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
March 26, 2021
What did CCJ do? THAT™️
More thoughts here: https://youtu.be/F7q1gzeY0DI
More thoughts here: https://youtu.be/F7q1gzeY0DI
June 3, 2021
This was such a great friends to lovers romance! Des and Trace wake up married in Vegas and Des is shocked. Especially with what happens between them once she wakes up and realizes they're married. Des and Trace have been best friends for the past 20 years, but they never got together because they were too young and naive and knew they'd ruin their friendships. Little did Des know, Trace has had feelings for Des for years now, but he knew Des loved her independence and was doing well on her own. I loved how Trace was the one admitting he had feelings and seriously wanted to give their relationship a try. Des was okay with being single because she's never needed a man or kids to be fulfilled. She grapples with her sudden desire for Trace and a life with him and it was just so sweet! I love this series of novellas and I can't wait to read the last one of the series!
November 17, 2023
Will the real Des Byers please stand up because, this is not the woman I met in A Mutually Beneficial Arrangement. But, I guess 20 years of pent up secret attraction to your BFF will make you just a little bit vulnerable. Des has always been this strong black woman who gets shyt done so, it was nice to see a more vulnerable side to her. And, I just love me some Trace Hamilton! Now, I will admit the little bit of him we got to meet in Maybe Next Time, I thought he was too soft for Des. Oh, how wrong I was! Trace is the perfect man for her. He allows Des to be exactly who she is and he's not intimidated by her intense personality. Trace has always known Des was the woman for him. He just had to give Des a little nudge to get her on board. Their drunken shenanigans and fake "marriage" was the perfect segway to the start of their relationship. I was shocked to learn Des is a twin. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Demetria to get her own story. I would love to know more about her. Maybe This Time was just as good and entertaining as I expected it to be. If nothing else, you'll want to read it for that opening scene. Whew chile! And, Nessa strolling in with her neck covered in hickies definitely has my interest peaked about her and Blue. Book three me please!
November 16, 2023
CCJ knows she be putting her whole pinky toe in these friends to loves stories! I LOVED Trace and Des and the relationship Trace had with his ex wife is what we love to see with these co-parenting situations! Maybe next time is the right time! 🥰
March 16, 2021
One Of My Favorite Tropes
.....Trace is that guy, I loved his cool and calculating demeanor. He’s Definitely the kind of “Best Friend” every girl would love to have. I really love Trace & Desiree together....That’s the thing with all of CCJ’s couples, you love them together and what to see them win...whatever that means to the characters....It’s been my experience over this last year of reading romance novels, that not every author is able to pull that off (making believable couples)...this is definitely the case for me and some of my favorite stories/series from other authors. This was really an excellent read! Yes For Those That Are Familiar....I READ CCJ!
.....Trace is that guy, I loved his cool and calculating demeanor. He’s Definitely the kind of “Best Friend” every girl would love to have. I really love Trace & Desiree together....That’s the thing with all of CCJ’s couples, you love them together and what to see them win...whatever that means to the characters....It’s been my experience over this last year of reading romance novels, that not every author is able to pull that off (making believable couples)...this is definitely the case for me and some of my favorite stories/series from other authors. This was really an excellent read! Yes For Those That Are Familiar....I READ CCJ!
June 10, 2021
Christina C Jones delivers in steam and romance EVERY SINGLE TIME. This time around is all about best friends to oops we got married to lovers! It’s fantastic and so much fun. I always really love CCJ’s characters, I want to meet them all in real life.
I love the hot scenes— I get so happy reading them. CCJ just knows what works and how to do it. I love how Trace completely loves Des and it shows so much. And how he calls her baby as soon as he puts that ring on her finger. CCJ knows how to write communication between characters, between a couple, they have a problem? they resolve it instantly. Healthy relationships!!!!
And you know me… I’m obsessed with best friends to lovers who have never thought about the other one until they finally kiss and need to process this new information they quite like. This happens to Des who has never seen Trace in that light, but Trace has and he finally got the chance to show her how much and he’s not going to let her go now that she is his. I’m in love with this little story! I need to read the rest of these books because Nessa sounds super fun and Kensa/Denver book is highly recommended by everyone on Twitter. Me needs to try!
I love the hot scenes— I get so happy reading them. CCJ just knows what works and how to do it. I love how Trace completely loves Des and it shows so much. And how he calls her baby as soon as he puts that ring on her finger. CCJ knows how to write communication between characters, between a couple, they have a problem? they resolve it instantly. Healthy relationships!!!!
And you know me… I’m obsessed with best friends to lovers who have never thought about the other one until they finally kiss and need to process this new information they quite like. This happens to Des who has never seen Trace in that light, but Trace has and he finally got the chance to show her how much and he’s not going to let her go now that she is his. I’m in love with this little story! I need to read the rest of these books because Nessa sounds super fun and Kensa/Denver book is highly recommended by everyone on Twitter. Me needs to try!
August 1, 2022
One of my favorite tropes. I enjoyed reading Trace and Des short story
September 4, 2023
It’s a crime that this isn’t a full-length novel.
October 27, 2025
Now this is a friends to lovers! Short and sweet and to the point!
September 18, 2022
More than friends
Trace and Des had been friends for over 20 years. She was the Godmother of his son TJ. They spent tons of time together. Meeting for lunch, golfing, watching shows etc. All of it felt normal to them. Until the friends goggles fell away and things that normally wouldn't elicit arousal or feelings started to do just that. The sound of ones voice, their smell, the look in their eyes...they had it bad. Des had tamped those feelings deep down and they hit her like a mack truck when she least expected it. Blame it on the alcohol is the thing that took them from friends to lovers. Des was hesitant, well in her mind but definitely not with her body. Her body was waiting for her mind to catch up. Being who she was she had to understand where the shift came from and if it could sustained. Loved their bond. I know this was a novella and it was good. However, I just needed a little more of them as a couple.
Trace and Des had been friends for over 20 years. She was the Godmother of his son TJ. They spent tons of time together. Meeting for lunch, golfing, watching shows etc. All of it felt normal to them. Until the friends goggles fell away and things that normally wouldn't elicit arousal or feelings started to do just that. The sound of ones voice, their smell, the look in their eyes...they had it bad. Des had tamped those feelings deep down and they hit her like a mack truck when she least expected it. Blame it on the alcohol is the thing that took them from friends to lovers. Des was hesitant, well in her mind but definitely not with her body. Her body was waiting for her mind to catch up. Being who she was she had to understand where the shift came from and if it could sustained. Loved their bond. I know this was a novella and it was good. However, I just needed a little more of them as a couple.
February 3, 2024
January 2024 - audio reread and loved it even more!
Y’all know I love a good friends to lovers romance! Des and Trace have been best friends for over two decades. One drunk night at their friends’ vow renewal changes everything between them!! Once they crossed that line, there was no going back!
This novella was satisfying and I’m so glad I finally got to see THE Des Byers find love!
Y’all know I love a good friends to lovers romance! Des and Trace have been best friends for over two decades. One drunk night at their friends’ vow renewal changes everything between them!! Once they crossed that line, there was no going back!
This novella was satisfying and I’m so glad I finally got to see THE Des Byers find love!
October 8, 2024
3★★★
×novella
×woke up drunk + married in vegas
×bestfriends to lovers
this audiobook is phenomenal!! duet narration + full cast audios are my favorite, plus it's only 3 hours long.
(the smut was a little much for me on audio lmfaoooo my jaw was on the floor when they started moanin' and groanin')
audio- 5/5
story- 3/5
×novella
×woke up drunk + married in vegas
×bestfriends to lovers
this audiobook is phenomenal!! duet narration + full cast audios are my favorite, plus it's only 3 hours long.
(the smut was a little much for me on audio lmfaoooo my jaw was on the floor when they started moanin' and groanin')
audio- 5/5
story- 3/5
November 4, 2025
3.5🌟🎧
Friends to lovers! When Trace told Des the reason why no one she dated in the past didn’t work was because her guy was always beside her I had to clutch my imaginary pearls.
Such a cute short story.
Friends to lovers! When Trace told Des the reason why no one she dated in the past didn’t work was because her guy was always beside her I had to clutch my imaginary pearls.
Such a cute short story.
March 21, 2021
I really liked this take on friends to lovers. I know Christina has talked about being friends instead of a couple and then being a couple being unrealistic, and I agree, there needs to be a catalyst for change. And I love how she did that.
May 17, 2024
Trace with that masculine dominant energy! Once the line was crossed there was no turning back to the friend zone! Not after that man ate you like a birthday cake 😉😜. Performance was marvelous. This assemble cast is amazing.
March 20, 2025
Friends to lovers. This was a good, quick read.
June 12, 2022
Trace and Des are just ugh! Friends to Lovers with a splash of second chance! Although I wish we got a full length I’m not mad at this and hope to shear future updates of a married Des and Trace and maybe a baby! Also would like to see a book or novella for Demetria!
UPDATE: y’all remember Demetria as Monica’s lawyer in Anonymous Acts from the 5 Star Enterprises Series?? I was just reminded and now I’m even more curious for a Demetria story!
UPDATE: y’all remember Demetria as Monica’s lawyer in Anonymous Acts from the 5 Star Enterprises Series?? I was just reminded and now I’m even more curious for a Demetria story!
March 29, 2021
4.5
“Maybe this time, we can let it become what it’s supposed to be.”
“Maybe This Time” by Christina C. Jones is the second installment in the “Vegas Nights” novella series. I really enjoy the friends to lovers trope and this one certainly hit the mark. Trace and Des have been friends for over twenty years. One night in Vegas changes everything.
Trace definitely knows what he wants and is not afraid to go after it! Des just needed a little more convincing, lol. I loved their chemistry. One of the things that I really liked about this book is that it showed co-parenting in a positive light. It was very refreshing to see Trace and his ex-wife be able to maintain a great relationship while co-parenting their son, no drama involved. I would have loved to see a few more scenes with Des and Trace. I just loved them so much! I really enjoyed “Maybe This Time.” I can’t wait for book three!
“Maybe this time, we can let it become what it’s supposed to be.”
“Maybe This Time” by Christina C. Jones is the second installment in the “Vegas Nights” novella series. I really enjoy the friends to lovers trope and this one certainly hit the mark. Trace and Des have been friends for over twenty years. One night in Vegas changes everything.
Trace definitely knows what he wants and is not afraid to go after it! Des just needed a little more convincing, lol. I loved their chemistry. One of the things that I really liked about this book is that it showed co-parenting in a positive light. It was very refreshing to see Trace and his ex-wife be able to maintain a great relationship while co-parenting their son, no drama involved. I would have loved to see a few more scenes with Des and Trace. I just loved them so much! I really enjoyed “Maybe This Time.” I can’t wait for book three!
September 1, 2024
Maybe This Time is a quick, steamy satisfying novella. It gives everything you want in a friends to lovers story. Since it’s a novella you thankfully only get a little of the angst and uncertainty that comes with this trope. Thank goodness because all that handwringing gets old with friends to lovers. This series is my first tread into the CCJ universe and now I’m happy to step further in. I am crushing on Trace! He’s not officially a book boyfriend but he’s definitely a side dude.
August 16, 2021
Friends to lovers
I love a good friends to lovers story and this one did not disappoint. Des tried to fight what was happening between her and Trace but he wasn’t letting that happen.
I love a good friends to lovers story and this one did not disappoint. Des tried to fight what was happening between her and Trace but he wasn’t letting that happen.
April 7, 2021
4 stars
This is a really fun, quick romance novella featuring two best friends who get married in Las Vegas and come face to face with what they are really feeling for each other.
I really appreciated how Trace behaves with Des. He is way more on board with the idea of commiting to a romantic relationship, but understands that Des needs time to process and make up her mind. He is really respectful of her pace and doesn't preassure her, which really shows the amazing realtionship they already had established.
For how short this is, I think it delivered on everything I wanted: fun setting, lots of steamy scenes, a lovable couple and some sweet moments. Can't get better than that.
This is a really fun, quick romance novella featuring two best friends who get married in Las Vegas and come face to face with what they are really feeling for each other.
I really appreciated how Trace behaves with Des. He is way more on board with the idea of commiting to a romantic relationship, but understands that Des needs time to process and make up her mind. He is really respectful of her pace and doesn't preassure her, which really shows the amazing realtionship they already had established.
For how short this is, I think it delivered on everything I wanted: fun setting, lots of steamy scenes, a lovable couple and some sweet moments. Can't get better than that.
April 8, 2023
Hot! Hilarious!!! Spicy!!!
Des wakes up married to Trace, her best friend. This put-together, independent lawyer is done! She doesn't have a clue how to handle this situation. But Trace does.
Absolutely love these two together. Just wish this was a full length novel. It was just that good!
August 24, 2021
I’m really enjoying these novellas. This one was friends to lovers & Bestfriends brother. Loved it
March 14, 2021
Two friends in Vegas get drunk and act on 20 plus years of pent- up admiration and sexual attraction. Let’s just say that “Maybe This Time” is giving us all the “A drunk person speaks a sober mind” vibes and I was here for it all
“It feels right. Natural. Normal. Inevitable. All that. I told you, Des – this isn’t sudden for me.”
I love me some Trace Hamilton. His arrogance and the fact that he is all in for a relationship with Des is so sexy. I liked the way he pressed up on her to prove that the chemistry they shared went beyond a drunken night. Desiree’s short-lived hesitancy to commit to a relationship had me giving her the side eye, but I understood her fear of losing control and severing the bond she held with Trace and his family. In this story we get proper dick downs, solid friendships, clear and honest communication, plus a positive co- parenting representation. I loved to see all of it. I did want more of Des and Trace on page but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I think the friends to lovers trope is starting to win me over. This story is sweet and I definitely recommend
Content Warning- mention of abortion
“It feels right. Natural. Normal. Inevitable. All that. I told you, Des – this isn’t sudden for me.”
I love me some Trace Hamilton. His arrogance and the fact that he is all in for a relationship with Des is so sexy. I liked the way he pressed up on her to prove that the chemistry they shared went beyond a drunken night. Desiree’s short-lived hesitancy to commit to a relationship had me giving her the side eye, but I understood her fear of losing control and severing the bond she held with Trace and his family. In this story we get proper dick downs, solid friendships, clear and honest communication, plus a positive co- parenting representation. I loved to see all of it. I did want more of Des and Trace on page but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I think the friends to lovers trope is starting to win me over. This story is sweet and I definitely recommend
Content Warning- mention of abortion
March 13, 2021
The fixer found love on a two way street LOL
CCJ never disappoints! I’ve loved Des Byers forever and was thrilled to see her get a love story worthy of her fabulous bad ass self. I actually loved being along for Des’ freak out and reflecting on how the feelings for Trace developed. Also really appreciated the candid discussion re: the evolution of her thinking on babies - I’ve watched several friends come to the same realization and felt this was beautifully handled to show how black and white decisions can become gray over time. In retrospect, with what we’ve seen of Des from prior books, her love could’ve only been Trace - someone who knew and had gained her implicit trust and confidence before she became hard as nails Des Byers. But I loved that even with that familiarity she still had to “come to Jesus” on the evolution of their relationship. Five star read as always CCJ!
CCJ never disappoints! I’ve loved Des Byers forever and was thrilled to see her get a love story worthy of her fabulous bad ass self. I actually loved being along for Des’ freak out and reflecting on how the feelings for Trace developed. Also really appreciated the candid discussion re: the evolution of her thinking on babies - I’ve watched several friends come to the same realization and felt this was beautifully handled to show how black and white decisions can become gray over time. In retrospect, with what we’ve seen of Des from prior books, her love could’ve only been Trace - someone who knew and had gained her implicit trust and confidence before she became hard as nails Des Byers. But I loved that even with that familiarity she still had to “come to Jesus” on the evolution of their relationship. Five star read as always CCJ!
March 30, 2021
Another five CCJ
"You’re the most dynamic woman I’ve ever known, you’re brilliant, you’re beautiful, and I’ve known you – loved you – for twenty years. You’re gonna look me in the face and tell me it’s crazy to have fallen in love with you?”
I definitely want me a Trace. He was so sure of himself in a non arrogant way, I loved his demeanor and his confidence. I didn't find it arrogant but just that he knew who he was and he knew Des was his girl. I relate to Des in the sense that I don't want kids and I don't need a man. Desire is that bitch and I loved her and how she's confident, independent and can tale care of herself. Trace and Des together though- steamy
"You’re the most dynamic woman I’ve ever known, you’re brilliant, you’re beautiful, and I’ve known you – loved you – for twenty years. You’re gonna look me in the face and tell me it’s crazy to have fallen in love with you?”
I definitely want me a Trace. He was so sure of himself in a non arrogant way, I loved his demeanor and his confidence. I didn't find it arrogant but just that he knew who he was and he knew Des was his girl. I relate to Des in the sense that I don't want kids and I don't need a man. Desire is that bitch and I loved her and how she's confident, independent and can tale care of herself. Trace and Des together though- steamy
March 14, 2021
Yes or No?
I think I will forever feel entranced by that simple phrase after reading this story. Trace was a man who knew he wanted Des, and she wanted that man too. Stop playing you all! Best friends to lovers in my opinion, make the best connections. Those two and their families were family. (No creep stuff like cousins in love, but like friends/family) But, how could such a beautiful chemistry and vibe fail? It was not about to happen. Ladies get your fan and a beverage, this one is hot, hot!
I think I will forever feel entranced by that simple phrase after reading this story. Trace was a man who knew he wanted Des, and she wanted that man too. Stop playing you all! Best friends to lovers in my opinion, make the best connections. Those two and their families were family. (No creep stuff like cousins in love, but like friends/family) But, how could such a beautiful chemistry and vibe fail? It was not about to happen. Ladies get your fan and a beverage, this one is hot, hot!
January 3, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cute, short and sweet. Exactly what I come to expect from CCJ. Prior to the previous read, it had been a while since I read CCJ’s work. So it took a while to remember Logan and Pierre. I adored their story, it’s probably my fav of CCJ’s work, at the very least it’s in the top 5. So it was great to have a quick revisit of them. After connecting the dots on Logan and P; I finally realized who Des was- from previous books. That endeared her to me more. Again, this was short and sweet. Now on to book 3, which is the story I’m more interested in.
Cute, short and sweet. Exactly what I come to expect from CCJ. Prior to the previous read, it had been a while since I read CCJ’s work. So it took a while to remember Logan and Pierre. I adored their story, it’s probably my fav of CCJ’s work, at the very least it’s in the top 5. So it was great to have a quick revisit of them. After connecting the dots on Logan and P; I finally realized who Des was- from previous books. That endeared her to me more. Again, this was short and sweet. Now on to book 3, which is the story I’m more interested in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews