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Love on the Radio #1
Jessie's Girl
You’ve been his for years, and I respected it. Maintained my distance.
Kept my silence. My secret.
Until that night you came to me, disillusioned, angry and hurt. God helps us both, but I crossed my carefully drawn line before you left, disappeared.
Now, you’re back, and my need for you is a beast that hasn’t been fed and has grown hungrier in the years since I’ve seen you. I remind myself we can’t be more than friends, that you’re off-limits to me. But it doesn’t stop me from secretly craving what can never be mine.
You.
My fantasy. My sin.
My joy. My regret.
My best friend’s woman.
Jessie’s girl.
Kept my silence. My secret.
Until that night you came to me, disillusioned, angry and hurt. God helps us both, but I crossed my carefully drawn line before you left, disappeared.
Now, you’re back, and my need for you is a beast that hasn’t been fed and has grown hungrier in the years since I’ve seen you. I remind myself we can’t be more than friends, that you’re off-limits to me. But it doesn’t stop me from secretly craving what can never be mine.
You.
My fantasy. My sin.
My joy. My regret.
My best friend’s woman.
Jessie’s girl.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2022
239 people are currently reading
588 people want to read
About the author
Naima Simone
168 books2,139 followersPublished since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
May 24, 2022
And once again, just like that..Naima has done it again. This book is 12 chapters, but don’t let it fool you for one minute. Naima doesn’t play fair and fights dirty with our emotions. One minute I’m shaking with lust (Asa will do that to you), the next minute I’m full on sobbing over my childhood abandonment issues. That’s just how powerful of a writer Naima is!! Her heroes, especially her blue collar ones reallyyy get beneath my skin in a good way. They just chisel out a spot and make themselves right at home.
Asa & India completely unraveled me! Listen sis, from the moment Asa called the heroine “baby girl” I had to walk off and stick my head in the freezer. Total cat nip for me.
“I want to be her tormentor and her savior.” The way this woman writes just isn’t fair to our emotions. If Naima writes it I will damn sure read it.
Also, who knew I loved frown porn. Believe me, Asa brings this in spades. This story filled my unrequited lovers heart. Asa loved India from the moment his best friend met her and tapped that sh*t down. Who was the person she ran to when her heart was shattered—Asa.
This. Was. Perfection. The emotion. The lust. The panty scorching, no, panty obliterating scenes—chef’s freakin kiss!!
“Where you going?” he teases with a dirty chuckle. “Where you going, baby girl?” Me: Umm, apparently anywhere you say, master.
“Tipping my head back, and the armor I’d reinforced takes several hits, leaving it dented. But instead of pockmarked and scratched from rejection and pain, it’s from hope and faith and love.”
Read this book!
Asa & India completely unraveled me! Listen sis, from the moment Asa called the heroine “baby girl” I had to walk off and stick my head in the freezer. Total cat nip for me.
“I want to be her tormentor and her savior.” The way this woman writes just isn’t fair to our emotions. If Naima writes it I will damn sure read it.
Also, who knew I loved frown porn. Believe me, Asa brings this in spades. This story filled my unrequited lovers heart. Asa loved India from the moment his best friend met her and tapped that sh*t down. Who was the person she ran to when her heart was shattered—Asa.
This. Was. Perfection. The emotion. The lust. The panty scorching, no, panty obliterating scenes—chef’s freakin kiss!!
“Where you going?” he teases with a dirty chuckle. “Where you going, baby girl?” Me: Umm, apparently anywhere you say, master.
“Tipping my head back, and the armor I’d reinforced takes several hits, leaving it dented. But instead of pockmarked and scratched from rejection and pain, it’s from hope and faith and love.”
Read this book!
April 29, 2022
*Thanks to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books for an ARC of this title.*
I mean.. I'm not a child of the 80's but... I was/am a big fan of the song Jessie's Girl... so I snapped up this title for no other reason than that. Luckily, because it's Naima Simone, it was also a wonderful little novella to read.
This couple meets up a few years after they have last seen each other.. when India was Asa's best friend's girlfriend. Now she works at his niece's school and all the feelings he repressed back then come roaring back to the surface.
It was quick and steamy and full of thrills. I enjoyed it so much and it was a great palette cleanser after some less than wonderful books. It is worth the read and I don't think you can go wrong with Jessie's Girl.
4 Stars
3 on the spice scale.
TW: Death of a sibling
I mean.. I'm not a child of the 80's but... I was/am a big fan of the song Jessie's Girl... so I snapped up this title for no other reason than that. Luckily, because it's Naima Simone, it was also a wonderful little novella to read.
This couple meets up a few years after they have last seen each other.. when India was Asa's best friend's girlfriend. Now she works at his niece's school and all the feelings he repressed back then come roaring back to the surface.
It was quick and steamy and full of thrills. I enjoyed it so much and it was a great palette cleanser after some less than wonderful books. It is worth the read and I don't think you can go wrong with Jessie's Girl.
4 Stars
3 on the spice scale.
TW: Death of a sibling
July 11, 2022
I’m NOT a fan of this particular trope but it’s a credit to the author that I was able to get over it.
India’s discovery of her fiancé’s betrayal sends her into the waiting arms of Jessie’s best friend, Asa. She’s angry that Asa didn’t tell her Jessie cheated on her. If you know anything about men you already know the Bro Code is real. If it’s HIS friend you will get absolutely nothing unless there is some underlying animosity or jealously and he wants to get back at said brother. Otherwise, you will remain clueless.
Now, if the guy is YOUR friend and he becomes friends with your boyfriend, his loyalty will lie with you and HE will tell you what’s going on after he has already (physically?) confronted your boyfriend.
If India understood the dynamics of that type of friendship then she’d know that her anger was misguided and Jessie was solely responsible for the pain she’s in. India is gutted by the betrayal and Asa is torn up at seeing her gutted. They share a moment before he comes to his senses.
Years later, they meet again and there is tension in the air since Asa is still harboring secret feelings for her. India too is feeling some type of way. When Jessie returns, there are decisions to be made. Whom will Asa choose? I loved, loved, loved how the messiness was handled, it was very mature given the circumstances.
Highly, highly Recommended: Read It!
India’s discovery of her fiancé’s betrayal sends her into the waiting arms of Jessie’s best friend, Asa. She’s angry that Asa didn’t tell her Jessie cheated on her. If you know anything about men you already know the Bro Code is real. If it’s HIS friend you will get absolutely nothing unless there is some underlying animosity or jealously and he wants to get back at said brother. Otherwise, you will remain clueless.
Now, if the guy is YOUR friend and he becomes friends with your boyfriend, his loyalty will lie with you and HE will tell you what’s going on after he has already (physically?) confronted your boyfriend.
If India understood the dynamics of that type of friendship then she’d know that her anger was misguided and Jessie was solely responsible for the pain she’s in. India is gutted by the betrayal and Asa is torn up at seeing her gutted. They share a moment before he comes to his senses.
Years later, they meet again and there is tension in the air since Asa is still harboring secret feelings for her. India too is feeling some type of way. When Jessie returns, there are decisions to be made. Whom will Asa choose? I loved, loved, loved how the messiness was handled, it was very mature given the circumstances.
Highly, highly Recommended: Read It!
November 26, 2023
DNF at 39%
Promising start and premise. My biggest issue was how overly descriptive everything was. It felt like the author used 10 words when one would do.
So basically, India was in love with Jessie. A professional ball player. They'd been very serious for years. But apparently, he gave in to a one-night stand and the ONS somehow got India's number and sent all the details.
Asa and Jessie were BFFs and bros for life. And Asa became India's friend as well. However Asa has always harbored a thing for India but she was off limits, of course.
Only now that India has basically razed Jessie from her life she comes gunning for Asa (because of course he knew about the cheating). While she is yelling at him for not telling her and allowing her to be blindsided, passion bubbles forth and they kiss. It was basically a humdinger of a kiss that tilted the axis of their world. But they could never do anything about it. Asa rejects her, and she leaves.
They don't see each other for years until a plot moppet in the form of Asa's niece -- India is a newly hired Assistant Principal at the school his niece attends -- forces them back into each other's orbit.
My biggest issue is that the prose becomes very labored. We might get two or three lines of dialogue and then we side-bar into paragraphs of how the presence of one affects the other. There are LOTS of lengthy descriptions of his/her lips, eyes, face, thighs, butt, and tits oftentimes using three or more adjectives each. And then those are followed by how the sound of a voice or the stretch of an arm causes a shaft of something deep down inside or a silent moan or some other torturous but rapt feeling to occur. There are at least 3 separate in-person meetings between Asa and India where we get the repeated inner monologues of how they feel and why it is wrong.
I fast-forwarded two chapters ahead at one point to see if we got away from all that and if we'd get a bit more forward action but it was still happening.
I like good descriptive writing. I like lots of sexual tension. And I actually love knowing the inner POV of the main characters when it is at odds with their outer actions. But this felt repetitive and too wordy for me to want to forge through.
So I peaced out.
Promising start and premise. My biggest issue was how overly descriptive everything was. It felt like the author used 10 words when one would do.
So basically, India was in love with Jessie. A professional ball player. They'd been very serious for years. But apparently, he gave in to a one-night stand and the ONS somehow got India's number and sent all the details.
Asa and Jessie were BFFs and bros for life. And Asa became India's friend as well. However Asa has always harbored a thing for India but she was off limits, of course.
Only now that India has basically razed Jessie from her life she comes gunning for Asa (because of course he knew about the cheating). While she is yelling at him for not telling her and allowing her to be blindsided, passion bubbles forth and they kiss. It was basically a humdinger of a kiss that tilted the axis of their world. But they could never do anything about it. Asa rejects her, and she leaves.
They don't see each other for years until a plot moppet in the form of Asa's niece -- India is a newly hired Assistant Principal at the school his niece attends -- forces them back into each other's orbit.
My biggest issue is that the prose becomes very labored. We might get two or three lines of dialogue and then we side-bar into paragraphs of how the presence of one affects the other. There are LOTS of lengthy descriptions of his/her lips, eyes, face, thighs, butt, and tits oftentimes using three or more adjectives each. And then those are followed by how the sound of a voice or the stretch of an arm causes a shaft of something deep down inside or a silent moan or some other torturous but rapt feeling to occur. There are at least 3 separate in-person meetings between Asa and India where we get the repeated inner monologues of how they feel and why it is wrong.
I fast-forwarded two chapters ahead at one point to see if we got away from all that and if we'd get a bit more forward action but it was still happening.
I like good descriptive writing. I like lots of sexual tension. And I actually love knowing the inner POV of the main characters when it is at odds with their outer actions. But this felt repetitive and too wordy for me to want to forge through.
So I peaced out.
May 23, 2022
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jessie's Girl is a quick, steamy, and angsty romance with a touch of forbidden love. Asa is in love with his best friend Jessie's girlfriend, India. So you can expect lots of pining and angst. And lemme tell ya, Naima Simone always delivers on the angst and her pining heroes give me SO. MUCH. LIFE. Asa pines SO HARD for his best friend's girlfriend. When his one-sided pining becomes mutual...when he finally snaps and gives in to his feelings...I seriously was not ready 🥵
I've said this before and I'll say it again: Naima Simone writes the best heroines. I love the way Naima's heroines stand up for themselves. And I love the way Naima's heroes listen to their heroines *chefs kiss* I also love Rose and her dynamic with both Asa and India. And the conflict with Jessie was deftly handled in a realistic way. Overall, Jessie's Girl is a solid novella from Naima Simone!
Tropes: Angst galore. Forbidden love. Dirty talk. Best friend's ex. Fresh scent of pining hero. Unrequited love. Interracial romance. Friends to lovers.
CW: cheating ex boyfriend, death of a parent, grief
Jessie's Girl is a quick, steamy, and angsty romance with a touch of forbidden love. Asa is in love with his best friend Jessie's girlfriend, India. So you can expect lots of pining and angst. And lemme tell ya, Naima Simone always delivers on the angst and her pining heroes give me SO. MUCH. LIFE. Asa pines SO HARD for his best friend's girlfriend. When his one-sided pining becomes mutual...when he finally snaps and gives in to his feelings...I seriously was not ready 🥵
I've said this before and I'll say it again: Naima Simone writes the best heroines. I love the way Naima's heroines stand up for themselves. And I love the way Naima's heroes listen to their heroines *chefs kiss* I also love Rose and her dynamic with both Asa and India. And the conflict with Jessie was deftly handled in a realistic way. Overall, Jessie's Girl is a solid novella from Naima Simone!
Tropes: Angst galore. Forbidden love. Dirty talk. Best friend's ex. Fresh scent of pining hero. Unrequited love. Interracial romance. Friends to lovers.
CW: cheating ex boyfriend, death of a parent, grief
May 29, 2022
Yes, I had Rick Springfield's song in my head the entire time I was reading this book. I dove into this one because a book friend was craving on it right before it released. I'm so glad I did. It was perfectly paced, exquisitely sexy, and filled with just enough angst to make me almost go mad. I loved this one, and highly recommend!
May 8, 2022
Rated 4.5 Stars
Jessie’s Girl was a wonderful read. It had the element of the forbidden. It was steamy. It was a quick read but there was pining, longing and tension. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to seeing what book two will be about.
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley
Jessie’s Girl was a wonderful read. It had the element of the forbidden. It was steamy. It was a quick read but there was pining, longing and tension. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to seeing what book two will be about.
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley
July 8, 2022
Well, this book was a pleasant surprise, I gotta say. I actually found out about it after seeing Rick Springfield..yes, that Rick Springfield who sings the 80s hit song, "Jessie's Girl" actually post this book cover on his social media lol. He was having fun with it and I was like, actually, this is my genre of books, I'm in! So glad I decided to read it. India and Asa are smoldering. Just like the cover photo depicts. It's a lovely story and even though I am not a fan of this trope of a guy wanting to get with his best friend's girl and vice versa, this somehow works. Of course, the best friend has to be a cheater, he can't actually be a GOOD guy that loses his girl to the hero best friend, or everyone in the whole book would just look bad lol. So this story actually works. Author does her best to make Asa extremely palatable by also making him guardian of his 10-year old niece on top of him carrying this years long torch for his best friend's ex-girlfriend. Anyway, I highly recommend. A very entertaining read and it's not too long.
May 30, 2022
Vibrating with tension!
This is the story of Asa and India. And Jesse, Asa's best friend, almost like a brother, and India's ex boyfriend for 4 years. The one who betrayed her. And the one who keeps them both on a tight emotional leash.
But Jesse just appears in a couple of scenes, to break and make the story. The real main character here is the amazing Asa and his close to obsession love for India. While she is a lovely woman, you would think she is an absolute goddess by the way Asa feels and thinks about her. All the book is their coming together, in an wonderful way, full of sensual tension and passion.
Naima Simone masters this sensual tension in all her books and this one is not different. While the trope is definitely not my favorite, this book was super worth it because of the writing. There wasn't much drama, except for Asa's emotional one, but it sure was filled with vibrating, pulsating, can't leave without her emotional charge. Beautiful!
I received a copy of this in order to offer my personal view on it.
This is the story of Asa and India. And Jesse, Asa's best friend, almost like a brother, and India's ex boyfriend for 4 years. The one who betrayed her. And the one who keeps them both on a tight emotional leash.
But Jesse just appears in a couple of scenes, to break and make the story. The real main character here is the amazing Asa and his close to obsession love for India. While she is a lovely woman, you would think she is an absolute goddess by the way Asa feels and thinks about her. All the book is their coming together, in an wonderful way, full of sensual tension and passion.
Naima Simone masters this sensual tension in all her books and this one is not different. While the trope is definitely not my favorite, this book was super worth it because of the writing. There wasn't much drama, except for Asa's emotional one, but it sure was filled with vibrating, pulsating, can't leave without her emotional charge. Beautiful!
I received a copy of this in order to offer my personal view on it.
May 18, 2022
Such a good, quick read. The angst and forbidden love were right on point. Asa and India were both such good characters that you really wanted the best for them. The only thing that could have made this book better was if it had been longer. Because of that the ending felt a little rushed. I wanted more!
Thanks to Netgalley and Oliver Heber Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and Oliver Heber Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
dnf
May 13, 2022DNF'ed at 10%
100% a me problem - the troubled 10 year old in the story hits too close to home at the moment, so I needed to leave this one behind.
Otherwise, if you are looking for a steamy, spicy forbidden romance give it a go. Based off the titular song, you find the two characters indulging in a forbidden kiss at the beginning of the book, with then two years passing between them rekindling their interest (and despite the hero still being best friend's with her cheating ex).
Content notes from the first 10% - cheating ex, heroine kisses love interest before breaking up with cheating ex, kids, school, grief (hero's sister, and mother of the 10yo, is deceased).
Thank you to the author for the advanced reading copy.
100% a me problem - the troubled 10 year old in the story hits too close to home at the moment, so I needed to leave this one behind.
Otherwise, if you are looking for a steamy, spicy forbidden romance give it a go. Based off the titular song, you find the two characters indulging in a forbidden kiss at the beginning of the book, with then two years passing between them rekindling their interest (and despite the hero still being best friend's with her cheating ex).
Content notes from the first 10% - cheating ex, heroine kisses love interest before breaking up with cheating ex, kids, school, grief (hero's sister, and mother of the 10yo, is deceased).
Thank you to the author for the advanced reading copy.
May 23, 2022
A quick, steamy read. As in the 80s’ hit song, Asa loves India, his best friend Jessie’s girl. The forbidden just amps up the steam. It takes some time and a few false starts, but as India and Asa find their way to each other, Wow! I would have loved some more, and I hope we cross paths with Asa and India again.
Thank you to the Booksprout, and Oliver Heber Books for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Thank you to the Booksprout, and Oliver Heber Books for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
May 26, 2022
Short and quick read, with interesting banter and steamy scenes in the perfect mark from the author.
I’ve loved the connection between them and how everything evolved. Nothing easy but with great thoughts and the arc development on point.
If you're looking for a great romance book, this one is definitely a must read.
4.5 stars
KU read
I’ve loved the connection between them and how everything evolved. Nothing easy but with great thoughts and the arc development on point.
If you're looking for a great romance book, this one is definitely a must read.
4.5 stars
KU read
June 14, 2022
So of course I can’t help but sing this song ‘Jessie’s Girl’ by Rick S. when I look at the cover of the book… I’m guessing it was the author’s point since it had me read the blurb of the story based solely on the title.
India used to date Jessie who is best friend’s with Asa. Poor Asa has always had more then a crush on India. When India finds out Jessie cheated on her she ran to Asa allegedly to find out if he knew. I think she subconsciously had a crush on him as well.
Two years later and he still wants India.
I enjoyed this story. I do wish it had a epilogue since I’m left wondering a few things.
India used to date Jessie who is best friend’s with Asa. Poor Asa has always had more then a crush on India. When India finds out Jessie cheated on her she ran to Asa allegedly to find out if he knew. I think she subconsciously had a crush on him as well.
Two years later and he still wants India.
I enjoyed this story. I do wish it had a epilogue since I’m left wondering a few things.
dnf-d
May 29, 2022DNF 26%
JESSIE’S GIRL is the first in Naima Simone’s new “TRAPPER KEEPER DIARIES” series. From the name alone I’m excited, but also because Naima does tropey-goodness so well (hello WAGS series!!).
I’m disappointed to say that this one didn’t work for me. I wasn’t quite sure what this novella was trying to be. At times early on there were some lovely romantic moments: “the man who reshaped the definition of a kiss for me”. At times there were ‘adorable kid’ moments.
But then, this happened—quick set up:
INDIA—assistant vice principal, FMC, 26
ASA—uncle of Rose (he has custody after his sister died), MMC, 29
ROSE—4th grader at India’s school, niece of MMC, 9
With that set-up in mind, this was on page 22: “I am sure a death row inmate heading toward a date with a needle, doesn’t look as down in the mouth as she did.” This was said about a FOURTH GRADER on her way to the principals office.
Comparing a 4th grader walking to the principals office, to a death row inmate walking TO THEIR DEATH is an odd choice for a romance. I was taken way out of the story by that.
The final piece for me was when India, FMC, said to herself that the girl who had bullied Rose was a “bitch on training wheels”. The concept of an educator even thinking in their brain that a kid is a “bitch on training wheels” is wildly inappropriate to me. Any educator would know that a 4th grader does not become a bully on their own—they are most likely not being treated great at home. No fourth grader is responsible for the way they’ve grown up. 4th graders are 9, ffs.
Romantic, cute, and then wildly inappropriate.
Another pass with an editor may have been very helpful. There are great bones for a swoony novella here.
JESSIE’S GIRL is the first in Naima Simone’s new “TRAPPER KEEPER DIARIES” series. From the name alone I’m excited, but also because Naima does tropey-goodness so well (hello WAGS series!!).
I’m disappointed to say that this one didn’t work for me. I wasn’t quite sure what this novella was trying to be. At times early on there were some lovely romantic moments: “the man who reshaped the definition of a kiss for me”. At times there were ‘adorable kid’ moments.
But then, this happened—quick set up:
INDIA—assistant vice principal, FMC, 26
ASA—uncle of Rose (he has custody after his sister died), MMC, 29
ROSE—4th grader at India’s school, niece of MMC, 9
With that set-up in mind, this was on page 22: “I am sure a death row inmate heading toward a date with a needle, doesn’t look as down in the mouth as she did.” This was said about a FOURTH GRADER on her way to the principals office.
Comparing a 4th grader walking to the principals office, to a death row inmate walking TO THEIR DEATH is an odd choice for a romance. I was taken way out of the story by that.
The final piece for me was when India, FMC, said to herself that the girl who had bullied Rose was a “bitch on training wheels”. The concept of an educator even thinking in their brain that a kid is a “bitch on training wheels” is wildly inappropriate to me. Any educator would know that a 4th grader does not become a bully on their own—they are most likely not being treated great at home. No fourth grader is responsible for the way they’ve grown up. 4th graders are 9, ffs.
Romantic, cute, and then wildly inappropriate.
Another pass with an editor may have been very helpful. There are great bones for a swoony novella here.
May 25, 2022
4.5 stars!!! I really enjoyed this and it was such a quick read. Naima does a really amazing job of writing very horny, urgent, desperate, and steamy romances and this one definitely falls in line.
India was very "I can't trust again after being hurt like that" and Asa was very "I don't wanna betray my bestie even tho he ruined his own relationship". That's the dynamic they have going so it's very back and forth! (I don't wanna be ur dirty little secret AND I'm not trying to hide this but it's hard cause I'm a coward). So the angsty is fulfilled and it makes the smut scenes even steamier!! Yum!
Yeah but I'm glad Asa genuinely tried to be a good friend but Jessie dug grave with what he did to India and Asa was in his right to eat her out! Can the church say amen!?
Anyway overall this was really good and I would've liked for the author to tone down how much she says feminine or at least spread them out more.
Also I'm always gonna wish this had an epilogue but if there's more in this series I hope to see them making appearances!!
India was very "I can't trust again after being hurt like that" and Asa was very "I don't wanna betray my bestie even tho he ruined his own relationship". That's the dynamic they have going so it's very back and forth! (I don't wanna be ur dirty little secret AND I'm not trying to hide this but it's hard cause I'm a coward). So the angsty is fulfilled and it makes the smut scenes even steamier!! Yum!
Yeah but I'm glad Asa genuinely tried to be a good friend but Jessie dug grave with what he did to India and Asa was in his right to eat her out! Can the church say amen!?
Anyway overall this was really good and I would've liked for the author to tone down how much she says feminine or at least spread them out more.
Also I'm always gonna wish this had an epilogue but if there's more in this series I hope to see them making appearances!!
May 19, 2022
Oh my god. This was so hot. Such a quick, fun read and I absolutely loved it! It was so easy to get into it, and I’m grateful that I decided to start reading this one when I did!!
Did I start this at work today?? Yes.
Did I already finish it? You bet.
Did it make the 🐱🦋? Oh lord yes.
I’ve never read any of this authors books before, but I already KNOW I’m adding more to my TBR! She knows how to write a STEAMY FREAKING ROMANCE!
I will say, I do wish there was more because it ended somewhat abruptly, but hopefully there are more books coming!!
I’m so happy I got approved to read this arc and IT COMES OUT SOOOOO SOON (5/24) so get on it friends 😏.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Tropes:
Forbidden romance
Second chance romance
Best friend’s ex
Did I start this at work today?? Yes.
Did I already finish it? You bet.
Did it make the 🐱🦋? Oh lord yes.
I’ve never read any of this authors books before, but I already KNOW I’m adding more to my TBR! She knows how to write a STEAMY FREAKING ROMANCE!
I will say, I do wish there was more because it ended somewhat abruptly, but hopefully there are more books coming!!
I’m so happy I got approved to read this arc and IT COMES OUT SOOOOO SOON (5/24) so get on it friends 😏.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Tropes:
Forbidden romance
Second chance romance
Best friend’s ex
May 6, 2022
Oooh, a forbidden romance between India and the best friend of her ex boyfriend. I really like secret pining as a trope and Asa has been in love with his best friend's girlfriend for years. When his best friend is found out to be a lying cheater, India leaves him and turns to Asa. They share a scorching kiss but Asa feels guilty and India leaves for 2 years. When she returns, the sparks are very much still there and I loved the chemistry and push and pull between the two. Jessie is absolutely an asshole in this even though I do get why Asa stayed so loyal to him. Really enjoyed this story.
CW: off page death of family member, school bullying
CW: off page death of family member, school bullying
June 1, 2022
DNF @ 40%
This book starts off with a breakup of India and Jessie so for the large majority of the novel it’s less forbidden desire angst then you would think.
I think because this book plops us right into the thick of things it’s essential instant love between our two leads and they are obsessed with each other - throw in a annoying kid and meh. I wanted more pining that was actually forbidden.
I will say the author did manage to write in the actual lyrics of Jessie’s Girl the song into the book and it was appreciated- nice nod to the inspiration
This book starts off with a breakup of India and Jessie so for the large majority of the novel it’s less forbidden desire angst then you would think.
I think because this book plops us right into the thick of things it’s essential instant love between our two leads and they are obsessed with each other - throw in a annoying kid and meh. I wanted more pining that was actually forbidden.
I will say the author did manage to write in the actual lyrics of Jessie’s Girl the song into the book and it was appreciated- nice nod to the inspiration
July 6, 2022
JESSIE’S GIRL is the first instalment in Naima Simone’s contemporary, adult LOVE ON THE RADIO erotic, romance series, This is grade school vice-principal India Roberts, and twenty-nine-year old mechanic Asa Hunt’s story line.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Asa and India) JESSIE’S GIRL focuses on the relationship between grade school vice-principal India Roberts, and twenty-nine-year old mechanic Asa Hunt’s story line.. Two years earlier professional football player Jessie Reynold betrayed his fiance India Roberts by having one of numerous affairs but his most recent affair came to light when the other woman contacted our story line heroine. Suspecting his best friend Asa Hunt knew about Jessie’s history, India confronted her former fiance’s best friend, and when faced with another possible rejection, India disappeared without a trace. Fast forward to present day wherein India return to her home town, the new vice-principal of the local school, whereupon she will come face to face with Asa Hunt, the second man to break her heart. Asa Hunt is the now the guardian of his niece Rose in the wake of her mother’s death, a guardianship that is struggling with Rose’s outbursts at school. What ensues is the building relationship between Asa and India, and the potential fall-out when Jessie comes home to discover his best friend with the woman he claims to still love.
The relationship between India and Asa is a best friend’s former fiance to lovers. Asa Hunt has lusted after India Roberts for as long as he can remember but India was ‘Jessie’s Girl’ although Jessie never remained faithful to the woman he love.Hoping to rekindle the fire with India Roberts, Asa struggles, caught between friendship and love, a friendship that may be destroyed by his need for our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Jessie Reynolds, administrative assistant Lena, as well as Asa’s niece Rose.
JESSIE’S GIRL is a quick read; a story of friendship and relationships, betrayal and heart breaking, love and acceptance. The fast paced premise is emotional and engaging; the romance is captivating; the characters are energetic and charismatic.
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from dual first person perspectives (Asa and India) JESSIE’S GIRL focuses on the relationship between grade school vice-principal India Roberts, and twenty-nine-year old mechanic Asa Hunt’s story line.. Two years earlier professional football player Jessie Reynold betrayed his fiance India Roberts by having one of numerous affairs but his most recent affair came to light when the other woman contacted our story line heroine. Suspecting his best friend Asa Hunt knew about Jessie’s history, India confronted her former fiance’s best friend, and when faced with another possible rejection, India disappeared without a trace. Fast forward to present day wherein India return to her home town, the new vice-principal of the local school, whereupon she will come face to face with Asa Hunt, the second man to break her heart. Asa Hunt is the now the guardian of his niece Rose in the wake of her mother’s death, a guardianship that is struggling with Rose’s outbursts at school. What ensues is the building relationship between Asa and India, and the potential fall-out when Jessie comes home to discover his best friend with the woman he claims to still love.
The relationship between India and Asa is a best friend’s former fiance to lovers. Asa Hunt has lusted after India Roberts for as long as he can remember but India was ‘Jessie’s Girl’ although Jessie never remained faithful to the woman he love.Hoping to rekindle the fire with India Roberts, Asa struggles, caught between friendship and love, a friendship that may be destroyed by his need for our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Jessie Reynolds, administrative assistant Lena, as well as Asa’s niece Rose.
JESSIE’S GIRL is a quick read; a story of friendship and relationships, betrayal and heart breaking, love and acceptance. The fast paced premise is emotional and engaging; the romance is captivating; the characters are energetic and charismatic.
www.thereadingcafe.com
October 22, 2022
If you’ve heard the song “Jessie’s Girl,” this is the story of what happens if the guy actually succeeded in getting Jessie’s Girl😂.
This novella opens up with India confronting her recently ex-fiancé (Jessie)’s best friend, Asa. Apparently one of Jessie’s side chicks confronted India and let her know she was being cheated on. India knows Asa knew, and they share a passionate kiss, before Ada’s guilt gets the best of him and India leaves for the next two years.
Now, India is back as the vice-principal at Asa’s niece’s school, and the feelings between India and Asa that were simmering are now back full force once they are alone together again. Because Asa has been wanting Jessie’s girl for a long time, and he is NOT letting her get away this time!
This novella delivered exactly what it promised! It was HAWT, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
TROPES: interracial; best friend’s ex; pining hero/unrequited love/secret crush; small town; single dad (hero has custody of his niece); “Jessie’s Girl” themed (song by Rick Springfield)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: cheating (not between H/h)
This novella opens up with India confronting her recently ex-fiancé (Jessie)’s best friend, Asa. Apparently one of Jessie’s side chicks confronted India and let her know she was being cheated on. India knows Asa knew, and they share a passionate kiss, before Ada’s guilt gets the best of him and India leaves for the next two years.
Now, India is back as the vice-principal at Asa’s niece’s school, and the feelings between India and Asa that were simmering are now back full force once they are alone together again. Because Asa has been wanting Jessie’s girl for a long time, and he is NOT letting her get away this time!
This novella delivered exactly what it promised! It was HAWT, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
TROPES: interracial; best friend’s ex; pining hero/unrequited love/secret crush; small town; single dad (hero has custody of his niece); “Jessie’s Girl” themed (song by Rick Springfield)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: cheating (not between H/h)
May 17, 2022
This was read thanks to NetGalley
I LOVED THIS BOOK, okay this book follows India and Asa, they met and have this sort of friendship because Asa's friend, Jessie was dating India, until he cheated on her so India went to Asa as a confirmation and THEY KISSED, Asa as a loyal friend felt awful about it, and rejected India, and both way on their way, but time has passed so they find each other again and ufff, sparks fly baby.
It was a nice, easy read, I was left with the desire of an epilogue but it was nice, the story practically moves itself, it's quite predictable but that's okay.
I LOVED THIS BOOK, okay this book follows India and Asa, they met and have this sort of friendship because Asa's friend, Jessie was dating India, until he cheated on her so India went to Asa as a confirmation and THEY KISSED, Asa as a loyal friend felt awful about it, and rejected India, and both way on their way, but time has passed so they find each other again and ufff, sparks fly baby.
It was a nice, easy read, I was left with the desire of an epilogue but it was nice, the story practically moves itself, it's quite predictable but that's okay.
May 8, 2022
Naima Simone brings heat to a smoldering situation.
India returns to her home town after hiding away and licking her wounds after being both betrayed and emotionally destroyed.
Running into her one transgression throws her into a tail spin of regret, anguish, and longing.
And while she doesn't trust herself to interact with her walking talking sex on a stick transgression, her job throws her into close proximity and makes it hard to ignore the fires he stokes.
Asa is valiantly trying to raise his niece and keep his business afloat. The fact that his niece gets into more hot water than he can remember doing as a kid is stressing him out.
But this trip to the principles office will leave him both chastised and determined.
Two years have passed since he practically fell to his knees and worshiped the girl his best friend had cheated on.
Getting thrown into her path once again has him both reserved and reaching for her.
He wants and needs India like the air he breaths, but feels like he's betraying his best friend, even though he knows his best friend almost destroyed her.
India returns to her home town after hiding away and licking her wounds after being both betrayed and emotionally destroyed.
Running into her one transgression throws her into a tail spin of regret, anguish, and longing.
And while she doesn't trust herself to interact with her walking talking sex on a stick transgression, her job throws her into close proximity and makes it hard to ignore the fires he stokes.
Asa is valiantly trying to raise his niece and keep his business afloat. The fact that his niece gets into more hot water than he can remember doing as a kid is stressing him out.
But this trip to the principles office will leave him both chastised and determined.
Two years have passed since he practically fell to his knees and worshiped the girl his best friend had cheated on.
Getting thrown into her path once again has him both reserved and reaching for her.
He wants and needs India like the air he breaths, but feels like he's betraying his best friend, even though he knows his best friend almost destroyed her.
June 5, 2022
Superb
Asa and India (and we cannot forget Rose and her skill set of eavesdropping) made my weekend.
This novel was everything I expected and so much more.
Naima Simone we need to have a 'come to Jesus conversation' about these glorious Alpha male and sassy female characters that you create.
Ten glorious stars. Nah. All the stars in the galaxy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Asa and India (and we cannot forget Rose and her skill set of eavesdropping) made my weekend.
This novel was everything I expected and so much more.
Naima Simone we need to have a 'come to Jesus conversation' about these glorious Alpha male and sassy female characters that you create.
Ten glorious stars. Nah. All the stars in the galaxy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 22, 2022
Exciting!!
MAYBE once upon a time India Roberts WAS considered Jessie's girl, but not any longer and not by India herself, or her former good friend Asa Hunt. Asa, who carried a secret torch for three years unknown to both India and Jessie until that night she disappeared two years ago.
India's returned, and Asa is now the guardian and uncle to ten year old Rose, a student at the school where India is Vice-Principal. The precocious ten year old is largely responsible for bringing these two together again - repeatedly! The only issue is Asa's childhood friendship with Jessie - can it withstand a change in relationship status from Jessie to Asa?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
MAYBE once upon a time India Roberts WAS considered Jessie's girl, but not any longer and not by India herself, or her former good friend Asa Hunt. Asa, who carried a secret torch for three years unknown to both India and Jessie until that night she disappeared two years ago.
India's returned, and Asa is now the guardian and uncle to ten year old Rose, a student at the school where India is Vice-Principal. The precocious ten year old is largely responsible for bringing these two together again - repeatedly! The only issue is Asa's childhood friendship with Jessie - can it withstand a change in relationship status from Jessie to Asa?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2022
Hello, Asa and India. And thank you to Naima for bringing one of my favorite songs to life in such an awesome way. This book is all the sexy, romantic, sexy, take you through every emotion book Naima Simone is famous for. Just perfection!
September 9, 2022
Angsty goodness!
I had a feeling I was going to love this one from the blurb, and I was right! Asa and India have all the chemistry and I loved their interactions. This was a quick read, with depth, that left me with a big smile!
I had a feeling I was going to love this one from the blurb, and I was right! Asa and India have all the chemistry and I loved their interactions. This was a quick read, with depth, that left me with a big smile!
May 27, 2022
I REALLY enjoyed this but I wish it had been a little bit longer. Actually I just wish it had an epilogue. I think an epilogue would have made it more enjoyable for me.
May 30, 2022
Whew. Can someone run me a cold shower?!? This book is FIRE!!!
January 25, 2023
Asa & India
This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed the storyline. I enjoyed the main characters,Asa had feelings for his best friend girl. He refused to allow his feelings for her ruin his relationship with his best friend although he knew his friend secrets. The story was short and it had some unanswered queston.3.5 stars
This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed the storyline. I enjoyed the main characters,Asa had feelings for his best friend girl. He refused to allow his feelings for her ruin his relationship with his best friend although he knew his friend secrets. The story was short and it had some unanswered queston.3.5 stars
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