The Makings of You

by Ava Freeman

After living recklessly for years, Giselle Turner knows the negative feelings her family has towards her. She’s determined to prove herself once and for all but that’s easier said than done. When she decides to move in with a relative for a fresh start, the last person she expects to run into again is Aaliyah, the woman who awakened her sexuality. As she fights to get her life in order, she discovers that there may be something sweet on the other side of sobriety.

Aaliyah has a good life. Great friends, a job she enjoys, and loving parents. What she doesn’t have is someone to share it all with. Fear of letting anyone in has rendered her unable to truly connect romantically leading to one failed relationship after another. Giselle is a breath of fresh air and her arrival challenges what Aaliyah thinks she knows about love.

Despite an undeniable attraction, their respective journeys couldn’t be more different. Yet each may have just what the other needs to become whole.

Content Warning: This novel deals with drug addiction and physical abuse. All of the events occur off-page and are only mentioned as backstory with little graphic detail.

Genres: Lesbian

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2021

About the author

Ava Freeman writes contemporary romance that centers the Black queer woman’s experience. Through her stories, she strives to give readers rich, complex characters that always find their happily ever after.

Reviews

[Deja Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love can heal

Healing after trauma and an abusive past isn't an easy feat. Aaliyah was just the person Giselle needed to remind her of her worth. Good read if not a little heavy, even as someone who likes these darker subjects. Took me a while to finish for that reason, but such a great story of redemption and self love. As always, Ms. Freeeman writes stories that are true to life and sticks with you. I'm a fan. She drops, I click.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different trajectories and circumstances have come together and the main characters in Ms. Freeman's latest book connect. Aaliyah, well settled with loving friends and family but no one special as a partner just a trail of failed relationships. Giselle, alienated by friends and most of her family by reckless abuse of their financial help and emotional support. Her drug/alcohol use enabled by her own lack of understanding and an abusive ex - Nadine. Hitting the proverbial wall, Giselle sets out to change her life's direction and moves back to where she had happy times visiting as a child. In a new environment, new job with renewed friendships and supportive family, she slowly blossoms along with a slow romance with Aaliyah despite suspicions and setbacks. Supporting characters Drew, Anne, Zoe and Kai add well to the plot which deals in part with how childhood traumas can have a devastating effect on an adult's emotional growth and drug/alcohol reliance as well as the complexities of handling a major illness.
I read hoping for a HEA and Giselle's dream to be fulfilled and wishing there was a Crispy Biscuit diner in my town!
Some editing needed (e.g. swapping of characters names).

I rec'd a copy through Booksprout and this is an unbiased and completely voluntary review.

[Georgette B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ordinarily I would not choose a story with the butch-femme dynamic in the character. This was a very good book with well fleshed out characters (both the main and supporting characters) and storyline. This story was not an over the top Cinderella story, rather it was a realistic portrayal of the devastating effect of childhood traumas can have on an adult's emotional growth. It shows the ways in which mental and physical illness can lead some people to self-medicate and become reliant on drugs and alcohol.

Aaliyah and Giselle come from different life circumstances. Aaliyah is well settled with loving friends and family, while Giselle has a string of broken relationships and lacks the trust of her friends and family primarily due to her drug use. Neither woman is looking for love for differing reasons. But we all know what happens when you don’t go looking-it invariably finds you, as it did for these ladies.

Pros:
*Good storyline
*Well- fleshed out characters (both the main and supporting characters)

Cons:
*It could use a little more editing needed. There were some instances where I had to reread a passage because the names of characters had been swapped.
*Heteronormative portrayal of lesbian relationship

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Avid · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Makings of You: Giselle and Aaliyah

I liked that this book starts with the crux of the matter: the recovering addict trying to start over and the woman who attracts emotional strays. A second chance romance fits this book, and yet it is more than just the love aspect. These two have a journey, including the impact of drug use and abuse not just on those who experience it directly, but on their loved ones. I like that the time taken to really explore these issues from the lens of romance. This is a slow burn women loving woman romance that looks at all angles with engaging characters who are far from one sided. I cheer on Giselle and Li as each navigates how to become whole.

The Makings of You is a recipe for a delicious emotional and sensual read that is worth staying up all night.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T. W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed The Makings of You. It wasn’t what I expected from the cover and title, but it ended up giving me so much more. It’s a slightly slow burn, yet still a quick, worthwhile read.

I’ll admit, I was initially worried about Elle dating just six months into recovery—it’s usually seen as a big no-no to jump into a relationship so soon. But I’m glad Aaliyah was so supportive and accepting during Elle’s vulnerable moments.

I especially appreciated the scene where Aaliyah’s mom offered Elle advice—she truly needed it, and was able to use it so she could be there for Aaliyah. Also, the fact that Leslie and Ann had been praying for her was such a touching detail. If you’ve read my reviews before, you know I love a good “meant to be” story with a happy ending. This one delivered… though I have to say, I secretly wanted more.

[YaYa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the way this played out

**spoiler alert **
The overall storyline was good. Allowing Giselle to confront her past without relapsing was good to see. Aliyah being the one to try to pull away because of her fear was unexpected. However I loved how Giselle stayed and fought for the relationship that they were building.
I enjoyed the book but almost put it down several times because of the editing. The characters names got switched too many times and the skipping from third/person to narrator to first-person storytelling was wild!

[Jamila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

I absolutely loved the chacters and the story line. Since reading her first book, Ava Freeman has quickly become one of my favorite authors. It feels good reading about characters I can identify with.

[BR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this author and this story was very relatable and a really great read. I just found a few instances were characters names were mixed up but other than that, great book!

[Shanice Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Ms. Freeman always understands the assignment and executes it flawlessly!! Another great book by her to my collection!! I can't wait until the next release!

[Katie Spencer]

Excellent

I've read several books by Ava Freeman and I have yet to be disappointed. Great read and highly recommend. 👌🏽