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I Can't Be The One You Love

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Royalty is engaged to be married to the love of her life.... well, who she keeps telling herself is the love of life. Kansas locked Royalty down soon as she became of age. Tossing diamonds, cars and a fat rock on her finger, everybody knew that Royalty was off limits. Except Lord. Lord has always had a crush on Royalty before he got locked up. Once he was released, Royalty was engaged to Kansas and planning a wedding. Never one to give up, he continued to pursue Royalty not caring how Kansas felt about it. When Royalty and Lord cross the line, will she still be Kansas’ girl? Or will that crossed line cause her and Lord to go their separate ways?
Celine is always down to ride for her husband, Sha. Known to run her barbershop during the day and bust her gun whenever her man needs her to, she’s known as Lady Sha in the street. Sha and Celine’s marriage was perfect until the death of their daughter. While Sha wants another baby, Celine can’t get over the loss of their daughter. When someone starts messing with his family, Sha is ready to pull his guns out blazing to find out who’s bold enough to mess with the Capo family. What happens when it’s someone that they all know? Will Sha be able to protect his family? Or will he fall short?
Autumn has escaped her abusive baby father and started over with her son in New York. She loves working for Celine and coming home to her son at the end of the day. That is until Zigz sits in her chair with his fine looks, smart mouth and crazy antics. She realizes that both the Capo brothers have a few screws missing, but love just as hard. Zigz is one to pick up his bags and go off for weeks at a time. Known to never have a chick around for more than a week, he can’t get his mind off of Autumn. A woman who could teach him a few things, is his type of woman. When Autumn’s ex comes into the picture and does the unimaginable, Zigz isn’t here for it. Will Zigz listen to Autumn and let karma do his job, or will he become karma?
In this book, nothing is what it seems except the realness of these relationships. While Celine and Sha are happily married, marriage is a work in progress and only the strongest survive. Lord and Royalty have a friendship before anything else, but will their friendship survive these new feelings they both start feeling? Autumn is used to being with a man who doesn’t know her worth. Although Zigz is crazy, he loves hard and knows how to treat a woman, but will Autumn give him that chance? Everybody has come to that point when they’ve all said “I can’t be the one you love.”

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2022

748 people are currently reading
254 people want to read

About the author

Jahquel J.

176 books3,263 followers

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5 stars
618 (78%)
4 stars
116 (14%)
3 stars
37 (4%)
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12 (1%)
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4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Brisace.
474 reviews
September 19, 2025
This series had me strapped in from book one, but I Can’t Be The One You Love took me all the way through the trenches of love, loyalty, and revenge. What I loved most is how every relationship was messy but real, showing the kind of choices that don’t come easy when your heart and your survival are both on the line.

Royalty, Lord, and Kansas had me tangled up in their love triangle. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to shake Royalty or protect her, because every move she made came with a price. Celine and Sha’s marriage reminded me that even the strongest couples can break under grief, but the way they fought for each other, even in silence, was powerful. And Autumn and Zigz their story felt like chaos and comfort at the same time. Zigz’s wild love mixed with Autumn’s strength made me root for them, even when secrets threatened to blow it all up.

The twists kept coming from pregnancy news to family betrayals to secrets that could shatter entire relationships. No one’s hands were clean, and that’s what made it so addictive. Just when I thought I could trust someone, a new layer of betrayal or truth dropped, and I was questioning everything.

By the time revenge became the only language left to speak, I realized this wasn’t just about romance. It’s about survival, family, and how much you’re willing to risk for the people you love. This finale tied it all together in a way that left me thinking about these characters long after I closed the book.
Profile Image for Ladii Zig.
1,180 reviews24 followers
August 8, 2016
This was an interesting storyline, Royalty and Lord were getting on my nerves with this back and forth with there feelings for each other.I really hope Celine is fine and she keeps this baby, because I feel as though Sha deserves that much. I can't stand Kansas and I'm starting to feel like he been the one behind all of these killing. Can't wait for part 2 this should be interesting...
Profile Image for Mia Morgan.
1,144 reviews31 followers
September 5, 2016
Great read

Royalty is just as stupid as they come. She was so childish. She don't even need Lord. Well I need part 2
Profile Image for Stephanie Mclendon.
650 reviews9 followers
October 16, 2024
RIDING FOR YOUR BABY!!

Royalty was spoiled and between her big sister Celine and her twin Royal. She was just rotten. Loving her man in Kansas, but knew he was no good for her or is he knew she could always run to her best friend Lord. while hanging out with Lord royalty begin to really see Kansas for who he was, and when she was at her final straw in finding out, he did have another baby out there she was done and look who’s arm she ran into Kansas was furious and not having revenge on the crew he worked with Sha Capo, Lord, little brother Zaylen aka Zig and Royalty! Celine is down for her hubby Shaquille aka Sha. The crew is going through some business issues, women issues and life issues! Rough, rocky and blessings and I loved it all!!!
Profile Image for &#x1f496;&#x1f4da;BOOKZAMILLION&#x1f4d6;&#x1f498;.
1,390 reviews96 followers
March 21, 2021
This was a good book. It was paced perfectly. It kept me entertained. I liked the characters. It was well written with only a few errors. I feel that the characters do stupid stuff like:

Why did Royalty tell Sha about Celine before walking down the aisle?

Why did Royalty go through this whole wedding scenario then when Lord spoke up they just ran off together?

My predictions for book 2:

Sha confronts Celine and then dumps her.

Mia turns up pregnant.

They find out that Kansas killed Kinzen.

Vee had something to do with it.

Royal and Erin breaks up.

Autumn finds out that Zigz killed her babydaddy and breaks up with him because she doesn’t want that around her son.
Profile Image for Booksaholic LLC.
97 reviews12 followers
November 30, 2025
I want to be the one you Love!!!

Every character moved my heart 💜. What intrigued me most was the deep love and respect they all shared. Celine was probably my favorite—raw, high-energy, level-headed, and business smart. Her love for family was her greatest quality.

As for my least liked character (who shall remain nameless), I’m happy to report that he received exactly what he deserved. The Lord truly handled that 😊.

I’m still unsure how to feel about Mia 🫢. It hurts to see her suffering again.

I don’t want to spoil this wonderful book for the next reader, but just know—you will laugh, scream, and cry before it’s all said and done.
20 reviews
September 28, 2025
Whew! what a ride!!!

This book is packed with a wide range of topics and provided an entertaining experience that felt like a rollercoaster ride. However, I didn't quite feel a strong connection between Lord and Royalty. I did appreciate how they taught her about responsibility and witnessed her transformation throughout the story. I also enjoyed getting to know the other couples. Overall, it's a great read!
26 reviews
December 15, 2025
Typos... soo many

This author is literally top tier. Do not read this work first. Please go to the capon3 series first. This was an earlier work I'd guess,but the amount of truncated sentences, missing words, wrong names, and errors are insane. It felt like this was the rough draft uploaded b/c it was almost unbearable. Again, this is my favorite author, so this is from love when I tell you to skip this one and start w/ capone series.
40 reviews
July 31, 2024
Smiles ,Tears and laughter

This book had my emotions up down and all around if I can say this much without saying anything about the book this was an amazing read, and as always she did her thing with this. The way she has each individual character have their own story and kept the heart pounding Moments were simply amazing . Great job Love you. Jahquel J
Profile Image for Mel.
402 reviews4 followers
July 12, 2025
preface my review

by saying after reading 18 chapters I went and read the final chapter to make sure this book was worth any more of my time. This book started off with every single character ticking me off! I loathe characters that have no sense with no character development, so I had to make sure it was worth reading. Is the drama worth it in the end? Yes, if you have time.
169 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2020
Omg man on man I haven't read anything this good since I read it the first time that can Royalty

Was something else loved how she left that no good Kansas he just keep doing her dirty,I believe that project dirty baby momma shot her well we
see
8 reviews
July 26, 2025
Amazing

At first I was not going to read this book because I notice people saying they couldn’t find the other parts , but the story line draw me in ! Never did I know all three parts was in one book! 10/10 Highly recommend!!!! I love Jahquel books !
37 reviews
December 7, 2025
everything Jahquel J.

And once again, Jahquel J. had me in a chokehold with this book! it was so good I could not put it down! If you are looking for a page turner, this is it! I highly recommend it
1,055 reviews6 followers
June 8, 2021
Wow

Good read, I can't wait to read part 2 . What an ending. These relationships are crazy. And this book is full of drama.
Profile Image for Chameria Dade.
311 reviews
August 18, 2024
a good read but

For some reason I didn’t like royalty and lord. Autumn and Zizgs(sp?) how did they end? But it was still a nice long book
16 reviews
May 9, 2025
ROLLER COASTER

How can I begin! This book had me in a complete chokehold! I would not put this book down. Thank god for the Alexa app. The whole house was locked in! Well done
1 review
October 7, 2025
good story!

Loveddd the story , huge fan of Jah.. but the book had a lot of grammar errors she may want to go back and re edit …other than that , story was good!
Profile Image for Kay Gee.
68 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2025
This isn’t her best work by far. Jahquel J is known for deeply layered characters and complex storytelling. This was neither.
5 reviews
December 24, 2025
perfect

As always great read from the beginning to the end !!! You never miss 💜 definitely a page turner from beginning to end
4 reviews
December 22, 2025
Three Books in One, Well Worth It!

This book took me through it but in a good way!! First of all the way Lord rode for Royalty was unmatched!! Sha and Celine was couple goals idk argue with your mama!!! Autumn and Zigz boy oh boy they had me ready to tussle both of them, at first I was timid to pursue three books in one read but so glad I took the leap of faith!!! Still one of my favorite authors!!!!!
864 reviews
December 23, 2016
A Page Turner

I love this story. I don't really care for Royalty. She's scandalous. She betrayed her own sister for no reason.Who let's a man disrespect her and keeps taking it? She's too old to be so silly but I do love Lord. Too bad he's not feeling Mia because she's a real woman. I'm sad for him because Royalty is drama but we can't help who we love. Now there will be even more drama because Royalty could have prevented all this by leaving Kansas for the man she really loves when she found out about his daughter. Why marry somebody to get someone else jealous when you don't have too? I can't wait to see what happens next. I don't think Mia is going to take this well. Is she really that nice or will we see another her side of her? As for Zigz and Autumn? I love them together. I'm about to get into part 2 now.
Profile Image for Tanielle.
Author 0 books38 followers
November 27, 2018
This one started off confusing from the beginning and maybe I had a bad copy or something but words were left out or scrambled or something. It was to the point I didn’t know what was trying to be said like, “honestly think she’ll go? If some bitch with her husband alive told me some…”(Kindle Locations 1924-1925). I don’t know what they were talking about or what was to be said with this. There are plenty other parts like this and it’s so distracting that you really can’t get into the story.

Royalty came off as a dumb gold digger and Lord seemed like he dropped the soap more than a few times while locked away. The females came off as trying too hard to be in the drama and with the way they were getting hit it seemed like they just needed to hang it up. If I read the next one it’ll be to follow along with Zigz, other than that I really have no more interest in this one.
Profile Image for Tierra.
399 reviews4 followers
September 4, 2016
Love In The Final Minutes

Royalty is a definitely a brat, it's her way or the highway. Lord is such a gentleman, hood but gentleman. I love his character. I read this book in 1 sitting and enjoyed everything about it. Sha and Celine argue a lot but one thing for sure you couldn't crossed one with the other not acting out. Now my favorite is Zigz. He is blunt, wild, to himself. Until he finds someone solid made just for him. Lord and Royalty have this one hate relationship. Roy wants her cake and eat it too, but that's just something Lordez is not willing to deal with. Just when things seem to be going right but all soooo wrong, Lordez finally come to term of what really for him.
71 reviews
September 11, 2016
ALL WE NEED IS LOVE

You could say this is a " if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you with" love story. I like this read because it centers on not one but three love stories, each with its own challenges. I won't go into the details of each story, but I will share that there is domestic violence, a baby lost from SIDS, a wedding stopped at the altar, the death of a patriarch, revenge, infidelity and much more.

Jahquel J. Never fails to provide a good read and I CAN'T BE THE ONE YOU LOVE is just that..a damn good read. Part 1 ends with a bang and part 2 has to be even better. Can't wait!
Profile Image for Twigi718.
1,049 reviews4 followers
October 21, 2017
OMGGGGG

Royalty is a crazy chic she’s with a deuce-bag jerk just biz of her loyalty and the fact that she’s been with him from younger but her heart is with Lord.......she tries hard to pretend she’s not feeling the same way he’s feeling and he decides for bi5 of them that if she can’t leave her dude he’s going to move on. But the two are suffering biz they need to be together she finally decided to go thru with the wedding .....you’ll have to read to see how that turns out .

Happy reading
Profile Image for Cynthia Standifur-curry.
148 reviews10 followers
August 21, 2016
Loving a trap lord

Royalty has been living the life with Kansas, however things are not as they appears. Lord has been in love with Royalty forever, but things are complicated because of her relationship with Kansas. Celine and Sha seems to have the perfect marriage. But do they really? Autumn being in an abusive relationship with her son's father, is not ready for Zigs, but he will not give up. Get to know these couples and one click.
Profile Image for sha'kia.
715 reviews3 followers
August 21, 2016
Good read

This storyline had a lot going on with these characters. It got a little boring at the beginning but it picked up.Royalty is with Kansas but he's living a double life and she stays just because he supports her. Celine and Sha are the glue of the group she's is definitely his Bonnie. Lord wants royalty but he doesn't want to be a side nigga. Hopefully part 2 is better especially after that suspenseful ending.
Profile Image for YVETTE RIVERS.
2,066 reviews10 followers
December 14, 2016
Wowwwww

What are StoryLine I'm loving this story royalty loyalty wow the twins are Pizzaworks each of them have a different life but what I must say is that love actually conquered all I can't wait for part two I don't even want to go into it about the murder and all that is here because Hanianta was about to go down I just need to rush onto part two I loved your story out freaking standing
909 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2018
Yaaassss

Love the bond between these friends. So annoyed that it took so long for Royalty to wake up and see that Kansas was not who she needed though. Good thing Lordez came to his senses and made her make the choice because they were both acting a hot mess. Sha, Celine, and Zigz are hilarious. Autumn is perfect for Zigz hope they keep it going. That ending was tooo funny, left Kansas with the shock of his life.
Profile Image for Shay Williams .
371 reviews
September 7, 2016
Roy and Lord!

This book was a banger for sure. Royalty knew damn well Lord was that dude for her and she played too many games I am so happy he stood up in the end that man loved that girl something serious. As for Celine she knows Sha is looney crazy she better have herself a good explanation as to why she would want to abort his baby. Lawddd this book was too good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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