. . . defines Kace and Ryelle’s friendship most of which is rooted in their unresolved feelings for one another.
Since junior high school they’ve always been able to rely on each other until one mistake changes the trajectory of their lives, sending the two friends down different paths.
Years later, they reunite and feelings that were once buried resurface. While Kace no longer looks at Ryelle and questions what he could lose by giving her his heart, she is hesitant to give love a try. Especially since the men in her life have only been consistent at letting her down. The last thing she needed was Kace to be added to that list.
When it comes to matters of the heart, love is one thing that can’t be ignored. Will Kace be able to undo the hurt Ryelle endured or will their growing relationship end up tangled in the trauma from the past.
Best friends to lovers. Met in middle school. Story ends when they are in their mid 20’s. I enjoyed this. A little drawn out. A lot was going on.
Both Ryelle & Kace suppressed their feelings for each other because they didn't want to mess up their friendship. But that also led to Ryelle messing with Banks which led down a horrible path for her. But Kace was still that man in her corner which I loved. & Kace brother Jamari :( HORRIBLE. IT WOULD BE NO COMING BACK FROM THAT!!!!
Need an update on these 2.
“Love is working on the less-than-perfect parts of you for somebody else. It’s stupid fights and memorable make-up. Love isn’t pretty or romantic. Love is just stumbling through life with your best friend.”
“She finally managed to untangle all her past trauma and owed that all to Kace.”
This was a beautiful story! Ryelle was annoyingly cautious but I enjoyed reading the way Kace went about breaking her walls down. I enjoy this author and have come to learn that she does not disappoint 💖 happy reading!
This story was good and you get deep feel forth progression of the main characters lives...but it's slow and slow is being kind. I wanted to skip so much and looking back I could have. I did enjoy that it was a standalone and was well written but it was slow. This author has mixed pace with me but her storyline is always full circle.
Kace and Ryelle drove crazy. Ryelle, got on my nerves 75% of the book...sigh.. its like she never grew up. Kace should've told Ryelle how he felt about her early on but at least I saw growth with his character.
Banks was a mess. I felt sad for Jamari, being labeled as the bad child and living in his brother's shadow was hard for him. I gave the book 4 stars because I really like the author books. This one was really slow for me.
Omg Kace and Ryelle drove me damn near crazy. They knew they wanted each other but both too afraid to take it there. Ry was used to everybody letting her down from her parents to her so called baby daddy. Kace was the one person she knew she could count on. I absolutely loved how Kace loved his Nugget ❤️ I’m just glad love wins and they finally made it official.
Banks was a sad excuse for a daddy. He was too worried about Ryelle and Kace when he should’ve been using that energy to be better father to his child.
Jamari was low key jealous of Kace as kids but I loved how they always had each other back even when they were beefing they had each other back. Jamari was flat out wrong for how he came at Ry and made the mistake of pulling his gun and ish just went all the way left.
I was hoping Omar and Missy would reconcile he was still in love but she wasn’t having it. I know it was love there for her too but not enough to go back down that road with him. I just hate he had to settle for Robin and let go of who he truly desired.
This was a really good read. I thought I had read all your work and I found this as I was going through your catalog to see what I had missed. Okay back to the catalog to see what else I missed.
Kace knew he liked Ryelle even though she was a pain in his a**. Everybody in Ryelle life has let her down from her mama, Yusef , and Banks. Jamari waited to shoot his shot with Ry. That’s how he Kace got shot in the shoulder and Jamari got shot in his back leaving him paralyzed .The only constant like Kace, Missy, Sobia, and Allegra. Banks was always jealous of friendship that Kace and Ryelle has. Dionne too, she was mad because Kace didn’t allow her access to his heart like Ry. Even Mysha was jealous of Ry that’s because she didn’t have access to Banks heart. She thought they were going to be a happy family. I think the reason Banks wanted Ry so much because she didn’t take his ish like Mysha. Why would he question his own daughter for information? That’s grimy. Stephanie owes her alliance to Banks and that’s why she told what she saw. That’s why Banks flipped out on Ry. Kace really wanted to kill Banks, but he didn’t want to be the reason Harlem wasn’t going to have a father. So he beat his a**.
“Love starts when the real stuff comes up. Her past. Your wiring. Family dynamics. The contrast of two people deciding to build something that lasts and be vulnerable. Love isn’t a choice or a feeling Kace, it’s work.”
The above quote really stood out to me- it was at this point when I knew Kace and Ry would be okay. This story really pulled on my heart strings. The raw emotions and moments of vulnerability that the characters went through really brought a depth to the book that I can’t explain. It truly was a good read for me. I was stuck in Kace and Ry’s world for days- they held me captive. The way that Kace protected Ry and Harlem; he was a MAN! We need more male characters like Kace. ❤️😭 I loved that the author took the time to tell this story completely- I enjoyed getting to see the characters grow and over time. They went through heartache and life’s turmoils but in the end found true love that was present the whole time. And let me just say, Harlem was such a sweet addition to the story! This was an awesome read!
Talk about a complicated group of characters my goodness. The love was there for sure but the emotional baggage each of these characters carried from such a young age on up to adult hood would make even the most unbothered person crazy. I loved how Kace and Jamari had each other’s backs even when they were beefing. Ry that poor child dang…..I wanted to tieYusef and Banks up un a cold dark hole and leave them for dead like the deadbeats they were. Even. Though this was a standalone I feel like there are more stories coming from this group of characters especially Sonia and Jarrod hmmm. They both had secrets and whatever happened to Shaq. This was a great read with minimal errors but still a great story. Hope to read more about this complex group and if Ry ever gives Kace a baby.
Whew chile where to start. Jamari was hurt so hurt ppl hurt ppl but damn. Omar did the best he could with what he had. In my mind scenarios were running rampant thinking what was going to happen next. Its Thanksgiving eve and i should be cutting greens but im reading lol i had to finish. Regina should have that talk with Ry years ago but better late than never. Her dad wasnt a dad
Im so happy that Ry stopped fighting and gave Kace her heart he was so deserving. Good job Missy, she raised a man!!
What a wonderful story about young love, real life, and happily ever after. Kace and Ry were best friends who ultimately started viewing each other as more in high school. When I tell you they fought it. Geesh. When they crossed the line Kace knew he wasn't ready because he was a young man with college ahead of him. That left some other sucka to get Ry. Ry got on my nerves but I get it, she was scarred. As adults Kace had to work hard 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚁𝚢. 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚗 𝚗𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚝. 𝙲𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚙 𝚍𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚢 𝚜𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗. 𝙸 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝙺𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜. 𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚝! 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛!
Whew I struggled finishing this book. Ryelle made it so hard for me to enjoy this story. She was an unlikable brat. Nothing about her said she should have the love and devotion of 2 men. I understand her childhood trauma of a deadbeat dad and an emotionally unavailable mom. But come on! Everything doesn't require the meltdowns she was prone to having. And she's raising her daughter to he the same way. I'm glad this was a standalone, because Although I adored Kace and would love to read more about him and Jamari, I can't take another story about Ry. She barely made any progress in the 10 year timeline of this book.
As always Kaylyn books are to die for!!!. But when you read this one you will enjoy it. It's laid back and it's not alot of violence and drugs. But the sex scene are on point. But everyone love the highschool sweets hearts that goes there separate ways and end up together in thee end. But I thought for sure Harlem was going to be Kase and the condom busted. But this story will remind you of having your own baby daddy that does just enough to get by with the kids, but worried about who you moving on with.
The story was a very long story with so many issues, situations, relationships and so much love. Kace always had strong feelings for Ryelle and Harlem. The family dynamics between Ryelle and her mother saddened me most of the story. Kace's relationship with his parents,Omar and Missy, was the perfect amount of love and respect. I was praying that Kace and his brother would mend their brokenness. I also wished for a different paternity for baby girl. Overall, this was a good read.
This was a good well written book. The author did a good job painting a picture with words. I love how it started with them as kids. Ryelle was working my nerves. She was her own worse enemy. While she continuously got let down by her mom, dad and bd she just would not give Kace a chance. He was her one constant who always had her back. I'm glad she stopped being proud and let that man love her.
Kaylyn showed such a perspective in this book. First every choice you make has a consequence. All I kept thinking about while reading was watch who you have sex with. I really like Kace and Mr Omar. The book was real and showed how being a single parent is hard. I really liked it. I think I'm hooked! On to the next book by this author. I'm going down her collection rabbit hole now!
I always enjoy a nice and thorough standalone. Ryelle and Kace drove me crazy denying their true feelings. Banks was certainly stuck on Ry. His character really showed how men are with their kids when the mama don’t mess with them. Yusef was a punk I don’t care about what he experienced in the war. Great read!
Ryelle and Kace took a minute to get it together. I'm glad that he knew not to break her heart while they were teenagers. I was hoping that Harlem was his Banks and Jamari were some selfish people. I have a feeling that Sobai might get her own story, because I feel that there are some loose ends for her and Allegra.
So relatable!!! Going through life trying to fit in and fill voids that you didn't empty is work. It is all written and we don't have to force a square in a circle. Love is a verb. This book encompasses all of that. I felt like it should be titled triggered lol!!! Best thing I've read all year!
This was such an awesome read ! Kace was everything he wanted to do what was best for Ryelle at all times I really admired their friendship. Alot of Ryelle problems came from her parents ! Jamari was a mess ! Ryelle girlfriends were one of a kind. Banks got on my nerves! So glad that Ryelle finally let Kace love her and nugget!!
I felt like Raelle’s friends like will you stop denying my boy and date him lol like Sobia said it was always Kace. Banks got in my nerves and it made me mad she sought love from him when she had Kace but then again her daddy issues didn’t help the situation. I’m glad she finally worked through it to make her happy. I hope Kace and Kamari get back more cordial as well
Omg love the friendship in this book Ry, Sobia, and Allegra of course Ry & Kace it's cool having a male bestie but it gets kinda hard if you start to feel a bit more then it's do we try or fight our feelings because if it goes wrong the friendship suffers or lost it is a hard decision but I'm glad they chose what was right for them.
Kace is a man every women pray for. Ryelle made some poor decisions and her child father was one of them. Banks was a poor excuse for a man or father. Ryelle and Kace to a while to get together but I'm glad they finally did. Omar was a Great Father.
Now that’s how you tell a F**king story. Now that’s how you tell a story. I am going to miss these people. Great great great work. I just loved Kace and Rye relationship from the very beginning.
I honestly loved this book. It reminds me so much of my own personal situation. I had three kids from my bestfriend after years of being friends but he’s no kace lol. I loved reading their story
This was a really good book. I only gave it 3 stars because Ryelle was an exhausting character. Your life does not end being a single mother. Kace was bae. Overall a good read .
They say a hard head makes a soft a** and this book was proof! Children don't always see the struggles and sacrifices you as parent go thru u til they are having to relive your mistakes. Some people learn and others never will.
Omg! This book was everything and more! It was lengthy but worth it!! The character development was amazing! We were able to grow up with the characters through reading the pages!! Love , love loveeeee!!
The story was good and I'm glad there was growth for Jamari's character. The three is because the book could use some editing and while it was a cool to read probably won't read it again. I may check out some of the author's other work.
I’ve read 3 of this author’s books so far & they’ve all been a page turner. I will definitely be following her for more great reads. Keep writing & doing your thing because you definitely have a fan.