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Should've Been
When they first met, they both belonged to another. Now he's determined to make her what she should've always been--his.
Audiobook
First published August 31, 2019
499 people are currently reading
820 people want to read
About the author
Alexandria House
43 books4,156 followersAbout the author
A true southern girl, Alexandria House has an affinity for a good banana pudding, Neo Soul music, and tall black men in suits. When this music-loving fashionista is not shopping, she's writing steamy stories about real black love.
Verve Romance: @msalexhouse
Instagram: @msalexhouse
TikTok: @msalexhouse
Facebook: Alexandria House
A true southern girl, Alexandria House has an affinity for a good banana pudding, Neo Soul music, and tall black men in suits. When this music-loving fashionista is not shopping, she's writing steamy stories about real black love.
Verve Romance: @msalexhouse
Instagram: @msalexhouse
TikTok: @msalexhouse
Facebook: Alexandria House
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 261 reviews
July 12, 2021
not my favorite alexandria house. i don't hate all romances that have cheating as an element but i don't want it to be the only element. also found the flashbacks a little confusing. still wanting to marathon all of her novellas though so :)
February 4, 2024
Updated Review
For some reason, I randomly decided to listen to Should’ve Been again and, I don’t know what I was smokin’ when I gave it 3 stars. I loved me some Truth and Claudette. Especially, Truth. Tiana and Craig forgot who TF Truth was and where he came from but, he had absolutely no problem reminding them who he was. Tiana really thought she was gon' get away with blackmailing Truth. Silly rabbit. I just loved how Truth dotted on Claudette and constantly lifted her up. Craig pretty much obliterated her self esteem so, sis needed all of the positive affirmation he was handin' out. I'm so glad I decided to listen to Should've Been again because, I definitely missed the mark with my first review.
For some reason, I randomly decided to listen to Should’ve Been again and, I don’t know what I was smokin’ when I gave it 3 stars. I loved me some Truth and Claudette. Especially, Truth. Tiana and Craig forgot who TF Truth was and where he came from but, he had absolutely no problem reminding them who he was. Tiana really thought she was gon' get away with blackmailing Truth. Silly rabbit. I just loved how Truth dotted on Claudette and constantly lifted her up. Craig pretty much obliterated her self esteem so, sis needed all of the positive affirmation he was handin' out. I'm so glad I decided to listen to Should've Been again because, I definitely missed the mark with my first review.
March 15, 2021
Some cheating. But they were both in terrible relationships. Trigger warning for domestic abuse.
January 18, 2023
Look, I am going to say this as nice as I can. Everyone checks reviews before they read a book. One or two or a dozen either way, you knew going in that this book had cheating. If that is not something you like how about you don't read the book instead of giving the author a one- or two-star review. Moving on...
I discovered Alexandria House in the ladder part of 2022 and so far, everything I have listened to by her has been incredible, Should've Been was no exception. Claudette and Truth were two souls who found another during at terrible points in their lives. Did they make some mistakes? Maybe, depending on how you look at it. And yet, from that first moment in the hotel bar I was rooting for them to get their second chance.
I opted for the audiobook because Wesleigh Siobhan is a go to narrator for me with the way you can almost feel her feeling the story of the character she is portraying. Emmanuel Ingram is a new to me narrator, but he did so good as Truth I am going to be doing a deep dive into his catalog real soon.
While this was a short story there was a lot going on in those 60 or so pages. It can be confusing with the back-and-forth timeline if you don't pay attention, but I didn't have any problems with it.
This was another win from Alexandria House, and I can't wait to discover my next read of hers.
I discovered Alexandria House in the ladder part of 2022 and so far, everything I have listened to by her has been incredible, Should've Been was no exception. Claudette and Truth were two souls who found another during at terrible points in their lives. Did they make some mistakes? Maybe, depending on how you look at it. And yet, from that first moment in the hotel bar I was rooting for them to get their second chance.
I opted for the audiobook because Wesleigh Siobhan is a go to narrator for me with the way you can almost feel her feeling the story of the character she is portraying. Emmanuel Ingram is a new to me narrator, but he did so good as Truth I am going to be doing a deep dive into his catalog real soon.
While this was a short story there was a lot going on in those 60 or so pages. It can be confusing with the back-and-forth timeline if you don't pay attention, but I didn't have any problems with it.
This was another win from Alexandria House, and I can't wait to discover my next read of hers.
September 4, 2019
...because they liked what they first saw years ago when they were both in troubling relationships!
Loved Truth and Claudette's sexy, second chance story!
Alexandria House proved that writing a short story was so worth the read! #flashbacks
"Truth was... everything I'd ever wanted and nothing I ever believed I needed, a hero wrapped in an irresistible brown package and infused with enogut arrogance to make a girl like me nauseous. He wanted me. That was obvious, plus he'd said so. He also said he loved me, and although I didn't want to believe him, I did believe him." - Claudette or Slim/Black Rose
"If I was your man, all you'd have to do is say the word, I said, and I meant it. I had no idea why, but I wanted to give this woman the whole world wrapped in a damn bow with her name on the deed." -Truth Ebo
5 second chances stars
Loved Truth and Claudette's sexy, second chance story!
Alexandria House proved that writing a short story was so worth the read! #flashbacks
"Truth was... everything I'd ever wanted and nothing I ever believed I needed, a hero wrapped in an irresistible brown package and infused with enogut arrogance to make a girl like me nauseous. He wanted me. That was obvious, plus he'd said so. He also said he loved me, and although I didn't want to believe him, I did believe him." - Claudette or Slim/Black Rose
"If I was your man, all you'd have to do is say the word, I said, and I meant it. I had no idea why, but I wanted to give this woman the whole world wrapped in a damn bow with her name on the deed." -Truth Ebo
5 second chances stars
May 28, 2022
When I tell you I devoured this book!!!
My first time reading this author and I’m in love!!
My first time reading this author and I’m in love!!
February 4, 2024
4 stars I wasn’t sold on the first half but the second half had me invested.
May 21, 2023
This was a quick easy read, good storyline for the most part
July 10, 2020
I think this story would have worked better as a full length novel.
December 9, 2019
Not sure about this one!
Of all the short stories by this author, I was most excited to read this one. Not only because of the fabulous new cover, but also because I thought it seemed like it would have the most substance out lof all the short stories. I imagined this to be some kind of unrequited love story. But it’s not really. Claudette and Truth meet when she’s dating her abusive Ex-boyfriend and he’s in a marriage where neither party can stand each other and is being blackmailed by his wife to stay in the marriage. It’s love at first sight and a friendship between Claudette and Truth happening ensues leading to a hook up that changes everything. There is cheating in this and I’m basically just not okay with it in this story.
Of all the short stories by this author, I was most excited to read this one. Not only because of the fabulous new cover, but also because I thought it seemed like it would have the most substance out lof all the short stories. I imagined this to be some kind of unrequited love story. But it’s not really. Claudette and Truth meet when she’s dating her abusive Ex-boyfriend and he’s in a marriage where neither party can stand each other and is being blackmailed by his wife to stay in the marriage. It’s love at first sight and a friendship between Claudette and Truth happening ensues leading to a hook up that changes everything. There is cheating in this and I’m basically just not okay with it in this story.
October 19, 2019
The tone of this story is different from what I'm used to from this author. There isn't the same humor like her other books, but I enjoyed it just the same. And though it's supposed to be a short story, it didn't feel short. There was a lot packed into this tale. House snared me from the beginning and I had to read to the conclusion. Really well done with a sexy hero, interesting heroine, and a great plot.
October 27, 2022
2021 Fall Bingo (#FallInLoveBingo🍂): Black Love
The flashback structure doesn't work in a short story format. Read via audible plus (narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan and Emmanuel Ingram).
The flashback structure doesn't work in a short story format. Read via audible plus (narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan and Emmanuel Ingram).
September 5, 2019
Nicely written as Truth was what his name implied and his caring nature made him an instant favorite. Enjoyable short
May 28, 2022
Should've Been by Alexandria House 55 pages 1 hour 42 minutes narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan and Immanuel Ingram
Genre: Romance > African-American Romance, Contemporary Romance; Novella, Fiction, Cultural > African-American; Audiobook, Contemporary, Short Stories, Sociology > Abuse
Featuring: Urban Fiction Setting, Flashbacks, Profanity, Domestic Abuse, Infidelity, Graphic Sex
Rating as a movie: X for adult content
My rating: ⭐⭐⅔
My thoughts: 19% (Ch. 2) - Not my thing so far. Taking a break.
51% (Ch. 5) - It's okay, but at the same time a novella shouldn't need this many breaks.
I think the story was okay but lacking. It didn't do anything for me as there wasn't much development for a short story. I think this would have been better as a novel, with an actual plot and decent character development. When you write a novella you need to come in strong and get to the point, the flashbacks didn't work well here as the story was choppy and all over the place. I didn't like the MCs and I think it was mostly because we really didn't get to know them and weren't properly introduced, we are just thrown into the story and the character's background stories are near the end, too late now. For me this book was like watching an old movie trailer, the kind that tells you the whole story but leaves out the details. I wasn't impressed but I will give a House novel a chance after this, I think she can do better. I took more breaks than I documented and dozed off twice during my last reading, which was this morning, I wasn't sleepy, this audiobook is under 2 hours was speed up to 1.95x and still took me 2 days to get through due to lack of interest. The narration wasn't the best, some of her Craigs sounded like Gregs.
Recommend to others?: It's a maybe. It wasn't for me but it might be for you.
Genre: Romance > African-American Romance, Contemporary Romance; Novella, Fiction, Cultural > African-American; Audiobook, Contemporary, Short Stories, Sociology > Abuse
Featuring: Urban Fiction Setting, Flashbacks, Profanity, Domestic Abuse, Infidelity, Graphic Sex
Rating as a movie: X for adult content
My rating: ⭐⭐⅔
My thoughts: 19% (Ch. 2) - Not my thing so far. Taking a break.
51% (Ch. 5) - It's okay, but at the same time a novella shouldn't need this many breaks.
I think the story was okay but lacking. It didn't do anything for me as there wasn't much development for a short story. I think this would have been better as a novel, with an actual plot and decent character development. When you write a novella you need to come in strong and get to the point, the flashbacks didn't work well here as the story was choppy and all over the place. I didn't like the MCs and I think it was mostly because we really didn't get to know them and weren't properly introduced, we are just thrown into the story and the character's background stories are near the end, too late now. For me this book was like watching an old movie trailer, the kind that tells you the whole story but leaves out the details. I wasn't impressed but I will give a House novel a chance after this, I think she can do better. I took more breaks than I documented and dozed off twice during my last reading, which was this morning, I wasn't sleepy, this audiobook is under 2 hours was speed up to 1.95x and still took me 2 days to get through due to lack of interest. The narration wasn't the best, some of her Craigs sounded like Gregs.
Recommend to others?: It's a maybe. It wasn't for me but it might be for you.
January 23, 2024
Okay, so I read this one blind. I needed a transition book and this was very short and I thought, nothing heavy can develop in a story that's under two hours of listening time. Boy was I wrongo!
Sooo….the beginning of the story was interesting. Claudette and Truth were both dating other people when they first met, but at first sight they knew they had chemistry. Things progressed, then things really progressed, then things went too far, then things settled.
Right when I thought the story was about to march towards an HEA, something happens that I was not prepared for. This is my first Alexandria House book so maybe her loyal fans would not be surprised by this, but I did not see that coming…like at all. I kinda thought it was a bit much. Anyway, it was a good story, then it was too much, then it was okay.
Sooo….the beginning of the story was interesting. Claudette and Truth were both dating other people when they first met, but at first sight they knew they had chemistry. Things progressed, then things really progressed, then things went too far, then things settled.
Right when I thought the story was about to march towards an HEA, something happens that I was not prepared for. This is my first Alexandria House book so maybe her loyal fans would not be surprised by this, but I did not see that coming…like at all. I kinda thought it was a bit much. Anyway, it was a good story, then it was too much, then it was okay.
December 19, 2022
This is the cringeist book I've ever read in my entire life. Jesus Christ.
July 17, 2024
Short, sweet, to the point but the build up and chemistry yep I suspect authors are low key magicians because how was so much details backed into such a short read, I was literally engulfed.
October 10, 2024
The one time the married man wasn’t lying and his marriage was really over and they did hate each other. Truth got his life together and went back for the woman that “should’ve been.” This is a short, sexy read.
September 5, 2019
***Swoons*** where’s the rest??? It was a great short story. Loved the back story within the story. Truth and Claudette were so cute. This short is proof that books don’t have to be long and drawn out with tons of meaningless drama. Great job. Can’t wait for the next one.
May 5, 2020
I really wished this was a long story. I enjoyed Truth and was intrigued by him and wanted know more of his back story. I like Claudette but I not sure if I believed why he fell so quick and deeply for her.
January 31, 2022
This is my first book by Alexandria House, and just from this book, puts the author on the top of my most favorite list. I really like this story. Truth and Claudette had not seen each other in two years and Truth appears at the bar where Claudette was a bartender. Going back two years, Truth was in an unhappy love-less marriage and Claudette with an abusive manipulative boyfriend. However, when they laid eyes on each other, it was instant attraction. Both knowing that their relationships were toxic and complicated, they found unconditional love with each other. Never forgetting each other, it took time for them to connect, but their attraction and love rekindled.
I like how the author went back into their history throughout the book, letting you know where things had initiated. I do wish it was more because I really enjoyed the story and would like to see a continuation of Claudette and Truth. I listen to this on auto and the narrators were superb. I love how the story unfolded. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars rating.
Choice of cast:
• Nomzamo Mbatha as Claudette
• Cross Thompson as Truth
I like how the author went back into their history throughout the book, letting you know where things had initiated. I do wish it was more because I really enjoyed the story and would like to see a continuation of Claudette and Truth. I listen to this on auto and the narrators were superb. I love how the story unfolded. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars rating.
Choice of cast:
• Nomzamo Mbatha as Claudette
• Cross Thompson as Truth
February 24, 2022
This was my first book (audio) by this author and I feel like I got a taste of what she has to offer and I'm excited to see what she will have to offer in a full length novel.
Would I have liked more? Yes. Did the story feel complete? Pretty much, but I feel like if we got a build up of the past between Claudette and her boyfriend and Truth and his wife, we would've gotten more of a feel for Truth and Claudette in the present. While I didn't want to hear any more about Claudette's awful boyfriend and his actions, it would've lent a lot to who Truth was and his actions as well.
Overall, this was a good taste of who Alexandria House is as an author. The narrators were fantastic and I really liked the female's performance of Truth. Her voice was sexy AF. I'm definitely excited to read more of her books.
Would I have liked more? Yes. Did the story feel complete? Pretty much, but I feel like if we got a build up of the past between Claudette and her boyfriend and Truth and his wife, we would've gotten more of a feel for Truth and Claudette in the present. While I didn't want to hear any more about Claudette's awful boyfriend and his actions, it would've lent a lot to who Truth was and his actions as well.
Overall, this was a good taste of who Alexandria House is as an author. The narrators were fantastic and I really liked the female's performance of Truth. Her voice was sexy AF. I'm definitely excited to read more of her books.
October 13, 2020
While out on a Friday night out Claudette and Clark runs into Truth and his wife. Truth feels trapped in his marraige but Claudette sparks something within him. Claudette suffers in the relationship with Clark because she didn't feel worthy. Secretly Claudette has been crushing on Truth since she was a teen. Truth sees that Claudette deserves better and once his marriage is over actively pursues her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2021
Once in a lifetime
Overall 5 out of 5 star
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
Truth knew his future was not the fake woman by his side but the one standing across from him. Claudette was a young woman lost in a present she felt was what she deserve. It wasn’t until a man with reverence and respect for that she began to think a little differently.
I live that this shirt came with narration. The narrators just lifted it to a new level of a repeat listen.
Overall 5 out of 5 star
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 5 out of 5 stars
Truth knew his future was not the fake woman by his side but the one standing across from him. Claudette was a young woman lost in a present she felt was what she deserve. It wasn’t until a man with reverence and respect for that she began to think a little differently.
I live that this shirt came with narration. The narrators just lifted it to a new level of a repeat listen.
August 28, 2020
I usually ENJOY Ms. House’s novels and novellas but this one just wasn’t a hit for me. I felt like it was rushed and underdeveloped even for a novella. The flashbacks and flash forwards were confusing and difficult to keep up with for such a brief read. I hope the next novel/novella is as good as her previous books.
January 25, 2022
I’m usually against any romance that involves domestic violence. I know it’s realistic but that’s not something i enjoy reading about. And even tho this book dealt w it, I liked it.
And idk if it had to deal w this being a novella, or the fine af older hood nigga as the love interest 🙃 but this was really good.
And idk if it had to deal w this being a novella, or the fine af older hood nigga as the love interest 🙃 but this was really good.
April 4, 2022
What a BEAUTIFUL Short Story !!! Truth and Claudette were from the same hood and in toxic situations and/or relationships when they ran into each other. Love definitely has NO Time Limit !!! Truth and Claudette were eventually free to be with one another. What will they do ?
January 2, 2020
Whew. Claudette's ex was an ass and I'm mad she thought that he was the what she deserved. I'm so glad that Truth was consistent.
March 13, 2022
I was looking for a quickie audio book with a good narrator and was not disappointed.
I love Alexandria’s writing. She makes you feel her characters, their emotions hoping off the pages. I don’t have any triggers and I went into this one blind. I didn’t read the blurb.
I enjoyed this one.
I love Alexandria’s writing. She makes you feel her characters, their emotions hoping off the pages. I don’t have any triggers and I went into this one blind. I didn’t read the blurb.
I enjoyed this one.
May 10, 2022
Quick nice story that touched on a couple heavy topics. The flash backs were a little confusing at times but I enjoyed the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 261 reviews