For the last seven months, Immanuel Holloway had been stuck in a state of limbo when it came to the matters of his heart and the woman who owned it.On the other hand, Tiava Johnson was in a state of repair when it came to her mind, body, and soul.
Neither Immanuel nor Tiava knew what would come of their predicament, but what they did know was that they were willing to try making something of it—all in the name of love.
*please note, this is book three in a four book series and can be read as a standalone.
This story stood out from the others because it put a greater emphasis on healing and love. Immanuel hides his suffering and acts as though it doesn't exist. Tia's suffering overwhelm her, forcing her to get therapy. It was lovely to see these two working together to support one another while dealing with their individual challenges.
Love Always was good. Overall, the growth of Tiava was much appreciated- I think her self-awareness was important, she knew she had flaws and worked to overcome them. Immanuel had patience and spoke life into the situations. He was clearly in love and addicted to Tia, 🥹I enjoyed this one.
Beautiful book! The way we were showed how Tia was struggling with the abuse from her last partner and her mother was very sad. The 2 most important people in your life treats you this way, but that’s okay cause Manny got you. And also Manny being about to forgive his mom after all that pain it caused him throughout the years was just beautiful. They needed each other. Honestly I was going into a book slump but Asia of course brought that back to life.
Although this was a love story, it was also a story about healing. Poor Tiava. She had a rough one. But I loved how healing was important to her. Loved that she wanted to heal before she gave herself to Immanuel. He also had his on darkness he was dealing with. But he loved Tiava so well while dealing with his own issues.. This story was a little darker than the other ones. Love the love that was portrayed in this book. 3.8 ⭐
alright this one made me cry but i loved it lol this book brings up the subject on healing & learning to accept everything good coming your way without second guessing your worth. also letting go of the people that drain you completely. like the first book, the two main characters are childhood friends & like both previous books, the found family trope is included.
both characters growth was so inspiring but with tia i felt like at times i could relate to her & the way her mind wondered on certain situations. together they’re just clearly meant for each other.
Not sure why but this story fell a little flat for me. I absolutely loved to read Tia’s journey with healing, and Immanuel opening up about his own familial trauma.
I will chalk it up to the pacing. As we didn’t get more insight into their interactions prior. In the other stories the characters spent a lot of time together as a group where you could see their relationships form in their own ways. Overall this was a good read
I am loving this series , the brothers, and all of their women. I can't wait for book four. I know this is a four book series but I would live what happened to Anna the twin sister.
Tiava and Immanuel, these two had me worried at that start of this book. It was obvious that there was a great deal of love and passion between them, however there were issues that had put a wedge between them. Uggg as they kept saying “it was complicated. “ My heart went out to Tiava , I could related to how she felt broken and so wanted to get herself together /healed from the deep emotional hurt and abuse she had encountered since she was a child and as a grown woman. She didn’t feel Like she was worthy of Immanuel. He on the other hand didn’t want or need anyone else but Tiava She had been the love of his life since they were kids.
These two had me going because as they both had so many things that each one was trying to handle on their own until they discovered it was so much easier unpacking their past hurts caused by others together. Loving all the Holloway men and the women they’ve chosen to love. ❤️❤️❤️
I definitely looked forward to Immanuel Holloway's story. Manny is the eldest of the Holloway brothers. The story started with him thinking about his love interest, Tiava Johnson, as being committed to someone else. I was like whaaaat?! An affair?! But Tiava quickly ended the other relationship and the issue became that she was in therapy attempting to heal childhood trauma before she could be in a relationship. Her father died when she was young and she was raised by her mother who made it clear she did not want her. The result is despite all evidence to the contrary she believed that everyone would eventually leave her. Meanwhile Immanuel was coming to terms with childhood issues of his own stemming from his mother who abandoned the family due to a drug addiction, which haunted their family even after her death.
Kudos to the author for dealing with such heavy issues in the "Love in Seattle" books like suicide, substance abuse and trauma.
Here's what is interesting tho, Tiava had fears of abandonment but not one negative character trait that I could see. It would have been interesting to see her act out just a little. In fact despite their issues none of the characters in the series act out from their emotional pain in any negative way. They deal with their issues with honesty, maturity, by developing self-awareness, trusting family (the Holloway family anyway) as a source of support & sustenance etc. They analyze and process their past. No one ever acts out.
Oh another thing about this story in particular, I understand that backstory informs the present, but I felt the characters lived a little too much in the past and I wanted more to happen in the present. This was a friends to lovers story. I do wish that there had been a few more light hearted moments between Tiava and Manny.
Ms. Monique I am fully invested in this series you know exactly who to match each brother with. The woman that each are with thus far completely complements them. Immanuel was the strength and the push that Tiava needed to work on healing from her past. Her childhood was enough to make any person run straight to a therapist. It was really sad though when she revealed to Maxwell how it was a norm for people to leave her life. She expected for him to just walk away. Her mother and stepmother both had a narcissistic personality. I was glad when Immanuel stood up to her mother because she definitely was not hearing Tia, "no." Tia was also a help in Immanuel accepting his mother's addiction and his father dating again. They were each other 💪🏾 and healing.
This is another exemplary book that can be added to the Ms. Monique vault. As usual, the storyline, plot, and character development are well executed and written. I am looking forward to the last brother and who he is dating. I know its going to be another adventure to him finding love. You will not be disappointed in this series one time. It's a lot in it to unpack from all of the characters in each book. My heart has gone out to every character, but I have to say Tiava is my favorite. I love to see a woman build herself from the ground up. She turned her weaknesses into strengths. I hope that maybe Maxwell's story is birthed from this series. I highly suggest this read as well as the first two books.
“We are all a work on progress. No human being is perfect but we can be out true authentic selves with a little courage and self-reflectio. I want you to remember that when the days don’t feel as bright as they do today. Remember the work you’ve put in and know that no matter what, if you’ve survived once then you can do it again.” . . For the last seven months, Immanuel has been stuck in a state of limbo when it comes to the matters of his heart. One the other hand, Tiava was in a state of repairing her mind, body and soul. Neither had a clue what was going to happen but could that make something more all in the name of love?…
This author writes absolutely beautiful stories, I loved how connected and fully immersed we got to feel towards Tiava’s story and it was beautiful to watch Immanuel be so patient and understanding in the whole plot. I loved getting to watch Tiava’s growth and finding her own self worth, I really enjoyed a female character being vulnerable however not coming across as annoying but better yet as learning and wanting better and more for herself. I have absolutely adored this series and I really don’t want it to end. I think this series is really important and getting to see serious topics being spoken about and being done extremely well as really expressed me and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
This book definitely had me smiling, laughing, even shedding some tears! It's like the books get progressively better in this series. I'm excited to read the next one. How is it possible that all of the Holloway have become part of my book boyfriend list!? Lol ugh. They just give me all of the feels. That protective side that Manny has had me blushing like it was me he was protecting. The concept of grief and how everyone processes it definitely is prominent throughout this series. I liked going through the process of Tia's healing journey and knowing it's truly a never ending journey. There's always going to be triggers but how you handle them is key. Manny was so patient with her, even when he was frustrated and we all deserve a man like that. Tia deserved the world despite what her childhood made her believe but so did Manny. I was happy they were able to do that together.
I didn’t know what to expect with this book since the author let us know that Tiava was going through some things to be whole - I tend to want to read more lighthearted romances & didn’t feel like being in my feelings about this book 😅 but I’m glad that I took the chance and read it.
It was beautiful & I'm glad that Immanuel & Tiava got it together - I’m sad that Tia had to experience all that she did but I’m glad she got the help & did the work to be better. Her relationship with Eric was a rocky one & im just glad that Asia didn’t make him a reoccurring point in the book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book & this series in general - a really nice read, I teared uppppp when Tia heard her dad’s recording 💔🥹 but glad she got that closure!!!
4.25 stars! I am loving this series! I really liked and appreciated this one. I really loved how Tavia and Immanuel cared for each other and support each other in their journeys of healing. I loved that this book showed that people still deserve love even if they are still healing from past traumas. I just wanted to see Immanuel’s healing journey more in depth, as I felt like it wasn’t as fully developed like Tavia’s was. I love that both of them were able to develop insight/self awareness and that their relationship grew along with it.
Okay out of the series this probably my second favorite one ! I relate with Immanuel being the first born and married yet. Me and my partner had to find our love again and do things the right way just like him and Tia. I loved how Tia went to therapy because therapy has helped me a lot and I feel it made me a better person to be loved. I love how protective over her he was and how he stood up to her mom for her . I honestly loved everything about this book and easy read I’m ready to see what’s going on with this last Holloway brother
I’m not sure a fan of female characters escaping an abusive relationship because it becomes to redundant but I like how the healing and growth was portrayed here cause it didn’t succumb to a will they don’t they for too long. On the flip side, I feel like we didn’t get enough context on their relationship as I would’ve liked. I feel like we were sort of thrust into this tumultuous relationship and had to play catch up along the way. Asia Monique is a fantastic writer so all these are just me nitpicking.
Ohhh my feelings Asia! Both Tia and Immanuel are dealing with pain and trauma from their childhoods. Immanuel buries his pain, and pretends it isn't there. Tia's pain consumes her, until she seeks help. These two coming together to help the other, while dealing with their own situations was beautiful! The support and love that they receive from the Holloway clan, and their friends helped their journeys as well. Can't wait for baby boy's story next. Good job! 👍👍👍
I can truly say these Holloway men are definitely bringing the heat and heart to book bae world 🥰. I wasn’t expecting Manny’s truth but he showed up and showed out! Any reader will definitely be drawn to Tia and how childhood drama could just stifle your life and future if you don’t take ownership and chose yourself and love yourself 🥰. It definitely is a powerful story of strength, love, and survival that truly delivered!
4.25⭐️ Oooh I am tearing up writing this review. This series has me in a chokehold. I connect so much with Tia. This story was so well written. Tia’s journey of feeling worthless to finding her value and opening herself up to the people that love and support her.. so well written. I love how Manny stuck by her side while also figuring out his own trauma and dealing with that. I truly loved this read.
Ohh, Immanuel and Tia was hitting home for me. More so, Tia. I found comfort in her character because I could definitely relate to her journey. I loved how these two always reassured each other, and seeing how protective Immanuel was really warmed my heart. Their chemistry is good. The romance was written well, too. I’m definitely going to be thinking about this couple for a while. Their healing journey will be beautiful.
This story was so beautiful, and while my parents didn't treat me the way Tiava's mother treated her, I can still understand the intrusive thoughts she had and why she was in therapy considering I was in therapy myself for a couple reasons, but I loved how understanding Immanuel was when it came to waiting for Tiava to get to a place in her life that she felt free instead of pressuring her to get with him. - Shawntaé
Immanuel had some deep hurt that he was carrying within too. Thank goodness Tia was able to accept and release the hurt from her pass too. O simply love the Holloway Brothers and Dad....along with their women. Boy I can't wait was Ishmael story. I'm so glad Zeke and Jonae were included in this part as well. Asia keep up the great work.
Yes you came through with this one. To have the Parent who showed you love pass away and be stuck with the one who doesn't care, Tia endured a lot but had Love all around. Immanuel needed that Love and healing he got from Tia. So Proud of Mr Holloway he gave Immanuel what he needed to forgive his childhood.
Emmanuel wants Tiava unfortunately she's unavailable. Tiava wants Emmanuel she just wants to be perfect for him. She will soon find out that she's just right for Emmanuel. I like how Emmanuel is there to love, support, and protect Tiava. Always a pleasure reading your books🥰.
I couldn't put this book down, it drawed me in and kept me wanting to know how things turned out, and they turned out perfectly. I love that this author incorporates therapy into her novels and that these characters have minimal drama. This book was great and I cant wait to read the next one, great read 👍🏾