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Soul Series #1
Soul Crush
One moment can change everything.
Arabella Hilaire is an artist who has always survived by the skin of her teeth. Thinking life will get any easier is a pipe dream she won’t believe in. That’s until she receives an unexpected inheritance that turns her into a millionaire. The life she never imagined having is hers, but the changes it comes with make her fear she’ll never adapt.
Kain Carter is a product of New York City’s streets and a dedicated on the rise boxer. He’s grown used to both worlds coexisting until one night in the ring makes him boxing’s newest sensation. As he tries to decide if he can leave the world he’s always known behind for the one he fought to be a part of, everything he thought he knew about himself comes into question.
Arabella and Kain are both fighting demons from their past and trying to embrace their new lives. Love was never supposed to be a part of the equation, but once they collide at one of Kain’s fights, an intense journey emerges. Now the love they were never looking for but found in one another threatens to crumble from factors they can’t control.
Content Warning:
This book includes sensitive topics that can be triggering and provoke feelings of distress. Content includes mental illness, suicidal behavior, child & drug abuse, intrusive thoughts as well as explicit scenes of sex and violence. Reader discretion is advised.
Arabella Hilaire is an artist who has always survived by the skin of her teeth. Thinking life will get any easier is a pipe dream she won’t believe in. That’s until she receives an unexpected inheritance that turns her into a millionaire. The life she never imagined having is hers, but the changes it comes with make her fear she’ll never adapt.
Kain Carter is a product of New York City’s streets and a dedicated on the rise boxer. He’s grown used to both worlds coexisting until one night in the ring makes him boxing’s newest sensation. As he tries to decide if he can leave the world he’s always known behind for the one he fought to be a part of, everything he thought he knew about himself comes into question.
Arabella and Kain are both fighting demons from their past and trying to embrace their new lives. Love was never supposed to be a part of the equation, but once they collide at one of Kain’s fights, an intense journey emerges. Now the love they were never looking for but found in one another threatens to crumble from factors they can’t control.
Content Warning:
This book includes sensitive topics that can be triggering and provoke feelings of distress. Content includes mental illness, suicidal behavior, child & drug abuse, intrusive thoughts as well as explicit scenes of sex and violence. Reader discretion is advised.
499 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2022
262 people are currently reading
693 people want to read
About the author
Gabriela Ge
8 books60 followersHailing from Brooklyn, New York, Gabriela Ge is a romance author seeking to fuse reality and romance. Gabriela is an avid reader with a love of the arts. With a degree in psychology and her knack for crafting stories from early on in her childhood, she strives to merge these worlds together through her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
January 19, 2024
“How could I ever think love wasn’t real when my heart stops beating when I see you? I feel you in my bones, Kain. I feel you in my spirit. You think I saved your life, but baby, you gave me life.” 🥺❤️🥺
Gabriella wrote a masterpiece 🗣️DO YOU HEAR ME?!? A fkn 🗣️MASTERPIECE!!!!!! This book has me reevaluating every other book I’ve ever given 5 stars to and if they were truly worth it, because this books was BEYOND worth every👏🏽 single👏🏽 star👏🏽. Gabriella wrote book one of this series with her whole entire being and I am absolutely in LOVE with these tortured souls! I can already tell that Kain and Arabella are characters that will stick with me forever! This was one of those books that I wish I could unread to reread and experience for the first time all over again.
Arabella had a traumatic upbringing. She had an addict for a mother and an abusive alcoholic for a father. Had it not been for her brother Julian doing whatever was necessary to provide for her, there’s no telling where she’d be and for that, she’d always ride to the ends of the earth for big bro. Arabella’s life completely changed in the blink of an eye after the death of her sperm donor and she is struggling to adjust to life as she knows it. One would think that all of life’s problems are solved for her with the recent turn of events, but that’s hardly the case.
Kain had an equally traumatic upbringing. He was raised by a single mother that did the best she could to provide while carrying a hatred so deeply for his sperm donor that just the thought of him produced steam from his ears. If Kain never saw the man again, it would be too soon! Kain was no stranger to getting it out the mud in order to help his mother any way that he could. Whether it was legal or illegal, as long as it made dollars then it made cents (sense). Kain was also known as the enforcer in his crew and after being taken under the wings of Niko, he channeled his rage into a love for boxing 🥊. It didn’t take long before his name began ringing the loudest of bells in the sport and he was well on his way to being unstoppable…… but at what cost?! 😭😭
They say opposites attract but Kain and Bel couldn’t have been more alike if they tried. Once fate put them in each other’s sights one too many times, they couldn’t fight the fact that being together was more than pure coincidence. The need for one another became obsessive. Some might even come to the conclusion that Kain and Bel had an unhealthy attachment to each other and one would be correct! 😩😩 But as the old saying goes, if loving you is wrong, 🗣️I DONT WANNA BE RIGHT!
Kain was down bad behind Arabella. For someone with such a traumatic past, the way he was naturally and effortlessly able to speak life into and consistently reaffirm Bel was every fkn thing!! I mean my heart fluttered every time he opened his mouth! He is effortlessly in my top five favorite book MMCs of all time! The pressure he put on Bel was pressuring 😮💨 Their love was “soul crushingly real.” These two took me through the most intense emotions possible and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same!
I don’t think I’ve loved a book therapist as much as I loved Dr. Wellick since Dr. Pie! These sessions felt so real and so raw and I found myself looking forward to her appearances.
Both Kain and Bel have some real ones on their team. Unless the team switches up later in the series, Brielle, Rocky, Silas, Jamie and Niko are some real ones and provide such a sense of loyalty and camaraderie to the story like I’ve never seen. Hell even Catalina shocked me with how she was moving because I never would’ve guessed she would come through the way she did!
Julian definitely made some moves that has me side eyeing him right now. I believe wholeheartedly that he loves his sister and has her best interest at the forefront of everything he does but he’s definitely hiding something so I don’t like how he’s moving right now. Hopefully more of his character is revealed as the series continues.
I’m left with so many burning questions but I have no doubt that they will be answered before it’s all said and done! If you all never take another recommendation from me in your lives, PLEASEEEEEEE read this series!!! I’m about to be on y’all’s necks and heads heavy behind these books because if the series continues like this, it will no don’t be one of the best that I’ve ever read!
Gabriella wrote a masterpiece 🗣️DO YOU HEAR ME?!? A fkn 🗣️MASTERPIECE!!!!!! This book has me reevaluating every other book I’ve ever given 5 stars to and if they were truly worth it, because this books was BEYOND worth every👏🏽 single👏🏽 star👏🏽. Gabriella wrote book one of this series with her whole entire being and I am absolutely in LOVE with these tortured souls! I can already tell that Kain and Arabella are characters that will stick with me forever! This was one of those books that I wish I could unread to reread and experience for the first time all over again.
Arabella had a traumatic upbringing. She had an addict for a mother and an abusive alcoholic for a father. Had it not been for her brother Julian doing whatever was necessary to provide for her, there’s no telling where she’d be and for that, she’d always ride to the ends of the earth for big bro. Arabella’s life completely changed in the blink of an eye after the death of her sperm donor and she is struggling to adjust to life as she knows it. One would think that all of life’s problems are solved for her with the recent turn of events, but that’s hardly the case.
Kain had an equally traumatic upbringing. He was raised by a single mother that did the best she could to provide while carrying a hatred so deeply for his sperm donor that just the thought of him produced steam from his ears. If Kain never saw the man again, it would be too soon! Kain was no stranger to getting it out the mud in order to help his mother any way that he could. Whether it was legal or illegal, as long as it made dollars then it made cents (sense). Kain was also known as the enforcer in his crew and after being taken under the wings of Niko, he channeled his rage into a love for boxing 🥊. It didn’t take long before his name began ringing the loudest of bells in the sport and he was well on his way to being unstoppable…… but at what cost?! 😭😭
They say opposites attract but Kain and Bel couldn’t have been more alike if they tried. Once fate put them in each other’s sights one too many times, they couldn’t fight the fact that being together was more than pure coincidence. The need for one another became obsessive. Some might even come to the conclusion that Kain and Bel had an unhealthy attachment to each other and one would be correct! 😩😩 But as the old saying goes, if loving you is wrong, 🗣️I DONT WANNA BE RIGHT!
Kain was down bad behind Arabella. For someone with such a traumatic past, the way he was naturally and effortlessly able to speak life into and consistently reaffirm Bel was every fkn thing!! I mean my heart fluttered every time he opened his mouth! He is effortlessly in my top five favorite book MMCs of all time! The pressure he put on Bel was pressuring 😮💨 Their love was “soul crushingly real.” These two took me through the most intense emotions possible and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same!
I don’t think I’ve loved a book therapist as much as I loved Dr. Wellick since Dr. Pie! These sessions felt so real and so raw and I found myself looking forward to her appearances.
Both Kain and Bel have some real ones on their team. Unless the team switches up later in the series, Brielle, Rocky, Silas, Jamie and Niko are some real ones and provide such a sense of loyalty and camaraderie to the story like I’ve never seen. Hell even Catalina shocked me with how she was moving because I never would’ve guessed she would come through the way she did!
Julian definitely made some moves that has me side eyeing him right now. I believe wholeheartedly that he loves his sister and has her best interest at the forefront of everything he does but he’s definitely hiding something so I don’t like how he’s moving right now. Hopefully more of his character is revealed as the series continues.
I’m left with so many burning questions but I have no doubt that they will be answered before it’s all said and done! If you all never take another recommendation from me in your lives, PLEASEEEEEEE read this series!!! I’m about to be on y’all’s necks and heads heavy behind these books because if the series continues like this, it will no don’t be one of the best that I’ve ever read!
February 14, 2024
Oh My Heart 🥺 I heard that this was an emotional read but I didn’t expect the ugly cries that I let out 😩 Kain Carter has my whole heart, and I just want to protect him and give him peace of mind. This is a new to me author and I loved her writing. The character development was really good and the love was falling off the pages…on to book 2
January 28, 2023
I enjoy stories that provide so much angst that I find myself unraveling, emotionally… I am on pins and needles waiting for the third book to release. If I could describe the first two books in one word, it would be: heartbreaking. It hurt me to my core. I want these characters to win, so bad. But, as Ms. Ge says, “..you can’t help someone who doesn’t even remember what they need help for.” The author wrote a story that is multifaceted, strong character development, thought provoking, trauma informed, and realistic. I had to check myself and decompress at times. — check the content warnings.
Full review: https://readnliftwithshar.medium.com/...
Full review: https://readnliftwithshar.medium.com/...
May 2, 2023
Wow..
Arabella got my attention as soon as the book began. Im really at a loss for words. This book..the last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat and the final chapter left me in a frenzy. Oh, Kain. I can’t wait to begin the next book. I hope Kain gets the help he needs. I remember reading and at one point thinking to myself “something isn’t right with him..” so many emotions!
Arabella got my attention as soon as the book began. Im really at a loss for words. This book..the last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat and the final chapter left me in a frenzy. Oh, Kain. I can’t wait to begin the next book. I hope Kain gets the help he needs. I remember reading and at one point thinking to myself “something isn’t right with him..” so many emotions!
February 23, 2023
Every so often, I like to walk into books completely blind. I don't read the synopsis or check other reviews. I go into the book looking for a thrill and boy did Soul Crush deliver. I think not knowing what this book was about kept me on my toes.
I fell in love with Arabella from the very first chapter. Very early on we read about Arabella's tough upbringing. Other than her brother, her best friend and their small circle of friends, Arabella is alone in this world. She grew up poor without many options for her future but with the death of her estranged father, the trajectory of her life changes overnight. I really enjoyed getting to know her as a character and see the way she blossomed.
Then there's Kain. I thought I was going to hate him. I think I was really committed to not liking him because he was so brash and rude at first but the more I read the more I had to let that hate go. Under his tough exterior was a little boy who never truly got the support and help he needed from the person he needed it from the most, his mother. Quite often it felt like Kain was going above and beyond for everyone else but himself. I just wanted to hug him.
The mental health representation in this book left me in pieces. Far too often, black men struggle in silence and are never really given space to fall apart. They are told they need to be strong. They are made to feel they are soft when they try to verbalize they are struggle. Hell, they are made to feel like it's wrong to be soft. I love how diligent the author was with Kain's story. I love how she took time to weave his mental health into the story without glossing over it. I truly felt it was done with care.
By the time I got to the end of this book, I knew I would mourn these characters when the trilogy was complete because Gabriela Ge wrote like rent was due and she only had two dimes and a prayer.
I fell in love with Arabella from the very first chapter. Very early on we read about Arabella's tough upbringing. Other than her brother, her best friend and their small circle of friends, Arabella is alone in this world. She grew up poor without many options for her future but with the death of her estranged father, the trajectory of her life changes overnight. I really enjoyed getting to know her as a character and see the way she blossomed.
Then there's Kain. I thought I was going to hate him. I think I was really committed to not liking him because he was so brash and rude at first but the more I read the more I had to let that hate go. Under his tough exterior was a little boy who never truly got the support and help he needed from the person he needed it from the most, his mother. Quite often it felt like Kain was going above and beyond for everyone else but himself. I just wanted to hug him.
The mental health representation in this book left me in pieces. Far too often, black men struggle in silence and are never really given space to fall apart. They are told they need to be strong. They are made to feel they are soft when they try to verbalize they are struggle. Hell, they are made to feel like it's wrong to be soft. I love how diligent the author was with Kain's story. I love how she took time to weave his mental health into the story without glossing over it. I truly felt it was done with care.
By the time I got to the end of this book, I knew I would mourn these characters when the trilogy was complete because Gabriela Ge wrote like rent was due and she only had two dimes and a prayer.
March 25, 2025
How dare this book end like this. My heart is racing right now. I am not okay and I need book 2 NOW 😭 my heart goes out to Kain!!! He is battling so much and is in denial. My boy needs some intervention asap! I feel so bad for Arabella too 😩 I’ve felt every single emotion a person can feel while reading this book. Around 70% in, I kept saying oh no, this is moving too fast, but I stuck with it and man…. I’m staring at the dang wall right now! Read this book but know that it is traumatic af and you will be in your feelings
May 21, 2024
Needy Love
"You are the walking, talking, living version of my heart. I thank God he gave you to me. I thank him for carving the time out of his day to mold perfection into a person. ”
Whew Chile, if you ever wondered if you could love somebody too much, this book is confirmation that you absolutely can. Arabella and Kain had an all consuming love that was beyond intense, you could literally feel their passion for each other. These two both had experienced pain and abandonment that led to hardened hearts. They found familiarity through their past pain.
Arabella was young and inexperienced. I felt sorry for her because for the first time she really felt love, it was with an unknowingly unstable man. Those adults were trash for not telling her what was up with Kain. She did all she could to love him through his weird episodes, but it seemed she was drowning right along with him.
Poor Kain wanted so badly to be and feel normal. He fought against what he knew helped him because he didn't want to be "crazy." I can't even imagine what the chaos he had going on in his mind felt like. He was literally all over the place and trying his best to keep it together. My heart just hurt so many times for him. The urgency to fast track their relationship so she wouldn't leave him once she realized who he really was ... was just so heart wrenching. I felt like he needed an intervention badly.
This was truly a rollercoaster ride of emotions and the way it ended .... it feels like its just getting started. This book was so well written I'm locked in ..
"You are the walking, talking, living version of my heart. I thank God he gave you to me. I thank him for carving the time out of his day to mold perfection into a person. ”
Whew Chile, if you ever wondered if you could love somebody too much, this book is confirmation that you absolutely can. Arabella and Kain had an all consuming love that was beyond intense, you could literally feel their passion for each other. These two both had experienced pain and abandonment that led to hardened hearts. They found familiarity through their past pain.
Arabella was young and inexperienced. I felt sorry for her because for the first time she really felt love, it was with an unknowingly unstable man. Those adults were trash for not telling her what was up with Kain. She did all she could to love him through his weird episodes, but it seemed she was drowning right along with him.
Poor Kain wanted so badly to be and feel normal. He fought against what he knew helped him because he didn't want to be "crazy." I can't even imagine what the chaos he had going on in his mind felt like. He was literally all over the place and trying his best to keep it together. My heart just hurt so many times for him. The urgency to fast track their relationship so she wouldn't leave him once she realized who he really was ... was just so heart wrenching. I felt like he needed an intervention badly.
This was truly a rollercoaster ride of emotions and the way it ended .... it feels like its just getting started. This book was so well written I'm locked in ..
May 12, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*speechless*
This is so well written and so engaging. I had to slowly digest these words.
Wow!
Clearly this author has the ability to pull you into a world she created. And no matter how slow the story unfolded; it was perfectly paced. Her writing pulled me into such a sad world with two hurting people.
Her perfectly detailed account of codependency and enmeshment is flawless. As a therapist, I enjoyed seeing a more accurate portrayal of my profession. And seeing what I’m sure will be a journey to healing.
I hope it’s glorious. Because they deserve to heal. And for all the truths to be told.
Because I don’t like Ron and I want him dealt with expeditiously.
*speechless*
This is so well written and so engaging. I had to slowly digest these words.
Wow!
Clearly this author has the ability to pull you into a world she created. And no matter how slow the story unfolded; it was perfectly paced. Her writing pulled me into such a sad world with two hurting people.
Her perfectly detailed account of codependency and enmeshment is flawless. As a therapist, I enjoyed seeing a more accurate portrayal of my profession. And seeing what I’m sure will be a journey to healing.
I hope it’s glorious. Because they deserve to heal. And for all the truths to be told.
Because I don’t like Ron and I want him dealt with expeditiously.
April 14, 2024
Heavy read but really good! Kain & Arabella will stay with me forever.
June 21, 2023
✨Book Review✨
Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! Where do I begin with this review?!
We first meet Arabella Hilaire, who has had a childhood from hell. Being raised by her older brother after both her parents abandoned them, she knows exactly what it feels like to struggle and to go without, so having Hope that one-day things will get better is something that she can’t believe. Until one day, she received an unexpected inheritance that made her a millionaire. The life she’s never imagined having is now hers, but will her fear of being unable to adapt hold her back?
Kain Carter is a product of New York City’s street life and an up-and-coming boxer. He’s grown used to juggling both worlds until one night in the ring makes him boxing's newest sensation. With both worlds coexisting, he tries to decide if he can leave the world he’s always known behind for the one he fought to be a part of. Also, struggling to receive the love and support from the one person he wishes would give it, his mother, Kain, doesn’t believe he is worthy of love.
When Kain and Arabella's worlds collide at one of Kain’s boxing matches, an intense journey emerges. Both fighting demons from their past and trying to embrace their new lives, love was the last thing on either of their minds, but when something is meant to be, it will be.
Kain STOLE MY ENTIRE HEART!!! I fell in love, and I didn’t want to stop the fall. Every time this man speaks to Arabella. You couldn’t tell me he wasn’t talking to me. His words touched my soul. After their first encounter, he can’t stop thinking about her. These two jump into a friendship that quickly turns into a relationship. They are so in sync with one another; they can seriously read each other’s minds. Both having a rough childhood is something that they relate to, but Kain has a secret that can destroy their relationship.
Arabella’s therapy sessions were so good Dr. Francesca had me wanting to book a session with her.
Even the supporting cast is so good in this book; I love Brielle; she is such a loyal/loving friend. Julian and his love for his sister is beautiful, but he needs to stop trying to control her life; I also fill like he is hiding something 🤔
Now this book started extremely slow with character-building and world-building, but once you get to that 50- 60% mark, the story takes off; those last few chapters had your girl on the edge of her seat!! To say I was stressed is an understatement!
I 100% would recommend it!
Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! Where do I begin with this review?!
We first meet Arabella Hilaire, who has had a childhood from hell. Being raised by her older brother after both her parents abandoned them, she knows exactly what it feels like to struggle and to go without, so having Hope that one-day things will get better is something that she can’t believe. Until one day, she received an unexpected inheritance that made her a millionaire. The life she’s never imagined having is now hers, but will her fear of being unable to adapt hold her back?
Kain Carter is a product of New York City’s street life and an up-and-coming boxer. He’s grown used to juggling both worlds until one night in the ring makes him boxing's newest sensation. With both worlds coexisting, he tries to decide if he can leave the world he’s always known behind for the one he fought to be a part of. Also, struggling to receive the love and support from the one person he wishes would give it, his mother, Kain, doesn’t believe he is worthy of love.
When Kain and Arabella's worlds collide at one of Kain’s boxing matches, an intense journey emerges. Both fighting demons from their past and trying to embrace their new lives, love was the last thing on either of their minds, but when something is meant to be, it will be.
Kain STOLE MY ENTIRE HEART!!! I fell in love, and I didn’t want to stop the fall. Every time this man speaks to Arabella. You couldn’t tell me he wasn’t talking to me. His words touched my soul. After their first encounter, he can’t stop thinking about her. These two jump into a friendship that quickly turns into a relationship. They are so in sync with one another; they can seriously read each other’s minds. Both having a rough childhood is something that they relate to, but Kain has a secret that can destroy their relationship.
Arabella’s therapy sessions were so good Dr. Francesca had me wanting to book a session with her.
Even the supporting cast is so good in this book; I love Brielle; she is such a loyal/loving friend. Julian and his love for his sister is beautiful, but he needs to stop trying to control her life; I also fill like he is hiding something 🤔
Now this book started extremely slow with character-building and world-building, but once you get to that 50- 60% mark, the story takes off; those last few chapters had your girl on the edge of her seat!! To say I was stressed is an understatement!
I 100% would recommend it!
March 10, 2024
Wow! This is getting very good. When Kain's boxing match brought his world and Arabella's world together, I knew I was in for a wild ride. I love the energy that Kain gives off. It's crazy, but I know something bad is going to happen in book two because they are so much alike. The demons are starting to release themselves.
March 12, 2024
4.5⭐️ I don't even know what to say. Kain and Arabella both have been through so much. Seeing their connection blossom into love was everything. However, the last 40% of this book had me on freaking edge. I could feel Kain spiraling, and I just wanted to help him so badly. The author did such a good job of writing and describing so far what Kain is dealing with. I'm on to book 2 because I know it's going to have me going through it 😩
January 11, 2024
“I’m so proud of you, so proud to call you mine. You’re such a star, baby. A bigger star than the world could ever deserve to have. And I get to call that star my family because that’s what you are to me, Bel. You’re my family. You’re my world.”
I started this book last year. lol yes 2023 and I couldn't get into it, but I decided to pick it up again and was so mad out myself cause I ended up loving it halfway through. But one thing I flailed to realise was that this whole entire series was based one couple and the 1st hook ends with a cliffhanger...I'm not a fan of those but I'll give this a chance cause it has my heart
•We follow Kain and Arabella in their daily struggle to be understood....kain an upcoming boxer from the streets and Arabella newly rich(thanks to her daddy😝). I love how the author was able to bring real emotion to this, most authors or rather most books these days feel repetitive with the bad boy/virgin girl and the cringe jokes etc (you know what I mean) but this was refreshing in a good way but please check trigger warnings/Content Warnings before picking this up.
•The author was able to show us that love ain't easy and you have to fight for it everyday damn day and boy did she take us through a roller coaster of emotions. But to quote my fav scene
“Wassup?” he muttered, chucking his chin up at me, grin still intact.
“Hi,” I whispered.
His eyes dropped to my lips. I cursed myself for the butterflies swarming around in my stomach.
“You said that already,” he muttered absentmindedly. “Say it another way.”
My eyebrows dipped, but his face went playful. He leaned his head back against his headrest, a smirk on his lips. His eyelids went low like he was high, even though I knew he wasn’t.
“Say hi to me the right way, Arabella.”
I rolled my eyes, ignoring the beating of my heart. I reached over the console and gripped his chin, bringing his face inches away from mine.
“Hi,” I whispered when our lips grazed one another.
“Hi,” he whispered back.
Our eyes were fully open, smiles on both our lips. We watched one another, waiting to see who would make the first move.
I willed myself to play it cool, but the proximity weakened my willpower. I’d been replaying our kisses on a loop in my mind since the last time I saw him. So I broke first and relished the endorphins shooting through my body when my lips finally touched his.
My mind was so hazy, I didn’t even realize he pulled me from the passenger seat onto his lap.
Kissing Kain was a different experience every time.
Tell me that didn't give you butterflies??? Mind you Arabella had this man in the Freindzone I love when a man has to work to get the girl and even when he has her he still gotta work cause princess treatment is what we love!!!!!!! See yall in book 2
Soul Series
1. Soul Crush ★★★★
2. Soul Glitch tbr...
3. Soul Tie tbr....
I started this book last year. lol yes 2023 and I couldn't get into it, but I decided to pick it up again and was so mad out myself cause I ended up loving it halfway through. But one thing I flailed to realise was that this whole entire series was based one couple and the 1st hook ends with a cliffhanger...I'm not a fan of those but I'll give this a chance cause it has my heart
•We follow Kain and Arabella in their daily struggle to be understood....kain an upcoming boxer from the streets and Arabella newly rich(thanks to her daddy😝). I love how the author was able to bring real emotion to this, most authors or rather most books these days feel repetitive with the bad boy/virgin girl and the cringe jokes etc (you know what I mean) but this was refreshing in a good way but please check trigger warnings/Content Warnings before picking this up.
•The author was able to show us that love ain't easy and you have to fight for it everyday damn day and boy did she take us through a roller coaster of emotions. But to quote my fav scene
“Wassup?” he muttered, chucking his chin up at me, grin still intact.
“Hi,” I whispered.
His eyes dropped to my lips. I cursed myself for the butterflies swarming around in my stomach.
“You said that already,” he muttered absentmindedly. “Say it another way.”
My eyebrows dipped, but his face went playful. He leaned his head back against his headrest, a smirk on his lips. His eyelids went low like he was high, even though I knew he wasn’t.
“Say hi to me the right way, Arabella.”
I rolled my eyes, ignoring the beating of my heart. I reached over the console and gripped his chin, bringing his face inches away from mine.
“Hi,” I whispered when our lips grazed one another.
“Hi,” he whispered back.
Our eyes were fully open, smiles on both our lips. We watched one another, waiting to see who would make the first move.
I willed myself to play it cool, but the proximity weakened my willpower. I’d been replaying our kisses on a loop in my mind since the last time I saw him. So I broke first and relished the endorphins shooting through my body when my lips finally touched his.
My mind was so hazy, I didn’t even realize he pulled me from the passenger seat onto his lap.
Kissing Kain was a different experience every time.
Tell me that didn't give you butterflies??? Mind you Arabella had this man in the Freindzone I love when a man has to work to get the girl and even when he has her he still gotta work cause princess treatment is what we love!!!!!!! See yall in book 2
Soul Series
1. Soul Crush ★★★★
2. Soul Glitch tbr...
3. Soul Tie tbr....
January 5, 2025
Honey child
Y'all, I typically don't give out 5 stars, but this right here deserve all 5 of them and them some. This right here is a classic Lifetime movie. I've been spiraling right along with this book. This book is perfect. Just read the damn book.
Y'all, I typically don't give out 5 stars, but this right here deserve all 5 of them and them some. This right here is a classic Lifetime movie. I've been spiraling right along with this book. This book is perfect. Just read the damn book.
September 9, 2023
This book was heavy. I’ll be back when I gather my thoughts.
January 24, 2024
My heart❤️💔
Arabella and Kain are truly everything. Such beautifully written characters. So much pain, love and hurt.
I felt their emotions soo deeply while reading this.
Such a beautiful story, I don’t know if I’m ready for book 2. I was holding my breath by the end of this one🥹
Arabella and Kain are truly everything. Such beautifully written characters. So much pain, love and hurt.
I felt their emotions soo deeply while reading this.
Such a beautiful story, I don’t know if I’m ready for book 2. I was holding my breath by the end of this one🥹
October 17, 2024
This book was a lot. So much pain. So much trauma. So many different layers and story lines. There’s so many things I wanted more insight on. Overall it was a good book but it was very heavy.
July 14, 2024
spoilers
This is story telling at its finest! Character development on point and emotions were coming off the pages. It started off slow. I almost closed the book but so many reviews said to give it time and I am glad I did. The slow moments are necessary to help the readers understand who everyone is and how everything started. I will give my final review at the end of the last book but for now these two need some major help. Bella is nieve and Kaine is obsessed among so many other things.
This is story telling at its finest! Character development on point and emotions were coming off the pages. It started off slow. I almost closed the book but so many reviews said to give it time and I am glad I did. The slow moments are necessary to help the readers understand who everyone is and how everything started. I will give my final review at the end of the last book but for now these two need some major help. Bella is nieve and Kaine is obsessed among so many other things.
February 6, 2024
A conflicted 5
First read by Gabriela . Arabella and Kain story is very captivating. I’m a bit flustered by the poor decision making and nobody truly protecting anybody. I wanted Julian to fight more for Arabella. I wanted Kain’s mom and the boys to fight for him and protect him from himself. I hope that next book brings more resolve.
First read by Gabriela . Arabella and Kain story is very captivating. I’m a bit flustered by the poor decision making and nobody truly protecting anybody. I wanted Julian to fight more for Arabella. I wanted Kain’s mom and the boys to fight for him and protect him from himself. I hope that next book brings more resolve.
March 24, 2024
The bookie girls did not lie. This was an emotional, heart wrenching series. From mental illness to childhood abuse and trauma for both main characters. I felt so deeply for Kain and Arabella. I wanted them to win and overcome every obstacle that hindered them. Their love for each other was unmatched. Their love for their families and friends (and vice versa) was heartwarming, especially Niko and Kain’s relationship. Great story all around.
April 10, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 Soul series
This book was so heavy but so worth the read.
Arabella Hilaire, a young artist raised by her brother (Julian Hilaire) who inherits millions after her absent father dies. By a chance encounter she meets Kain “Killa K” Carter, an up and coming boxer from the streets. The two quickly find comfort and love in each other, something new for both of them, but life isn’t making their story easy.
I definitely had to review the series as a whole as all 3 books run together. This series was very emotionally exhausting but i was buckled in for the ride.
Kain was battling a mental illness that he was not addressing head on. He used boxing and violence to quiet his mind and it all unravels. Gabriela Ge really humanized Kain’s mental illness, you really felt him coming undone and i really wanted to save him. I’m glad in the end he accepted his diagnosis and took the needed steps to be able to live happily.
Arabella, that poor girl! I felt like her life just kept getting worse. She falls for Kain, and is dealing with his diagnosis and navigating their new normal. Then her past comes back to haunt her. I honestly HATE her brother, he was so controlling for a man that at one point lived a similar life to Kain. Then he uses his illness against him to split them up… GO TO HELL, Julian!! Watching Arabella spiral while dealing with her trauma was so heartbreaking, she deserved so much better from everyone around her. I love that Kain didn’t give up on her and her value never decreased to him based on the decisions she was making.
…. Again, Julian can go straight to hell. Same with Brielle, at first i liked her but by the end i was not feeling her.
Overall i really enjoyed this series. If you’ve read it let me know your thoughts, i clearly have strong feelings about these characters lol (good and bad).
This book was so heavy but so worth the read.
Arabella Hilaire, a young artist raised by her brother (Julian Hilaire) who inherits millions after her absent father dies. By a chance encounter she meets Kain “Killa K” Carter, an up and coming boxer from the streets. The two quickly find comfort and love in each other, something new for both of them, but life isn’t making their story easy.
I definitely had to review the series as a whole as all 3 books run together. This series was very emotionally exhausting but i was buckled in for the ride.
Kain was battling a mental illness that he was not addressing head on. He used boxing and violence to quiet his mind and it all unravels. Gabriela Ge really humanized Kain’s mental illness, you really felt him coming undone and i really wanted to save him. I’m glad in the end he accepted his diagnosis and took the needed steps to be able to live happily.
Arabella, that poor girl! I felt like her life just kept getting worse. She falls for Kain, and is dealing with his diagnosis and navigating their new normal. Then her past comes back to haunt her. I honestly HATE her brother, he was so controlling for a man that at one point lived a similar life to Kain. Then he uses his illness against him to split them up… GO TO HELL, Julian!! Watching Arabella spiral while dealing with her trauma was so heartbreaking, she deserved so much better from everyone around her. I love that Kain didn’t give up on her and her value never decreased to him based on the decisions she was making.
…. Again, Julian can go straight to hell. Same with Brielle, at first i liked her but by the end i was not feeling her.
Overall i really enjoyed this series. If you’ve read it let me know your thoughts, i clearly have strong feelings about these characters lol (good and bad).
March 2, 2025
wow
The book was kind of a slow to start and it took me a minute to get really into the book. Once I did though, I was hooked! Definitely a slow build but I loved the main and side characters. I just wanted Bella to be happy and and Kain to figure it out. I was rooting for everybody. A lot of character development happening. I do wonder what else will happen because this book is pretty long and has two more books of the series focused on these two characters. I always love when characters with trauma go to therapy. The secrets at the end that came out. Wow.
I didn’t like using celebrities as a descriptor.
The book was kind of a slow to start and it took me a minute to get really into the book. Once I did though, I was hooked! Definitely a slow build but I loved the main and side characters. I just wanted Bella to be happy and and Kain to figure it out. I was rooting for everybody. A lot of character development happening. I do wonder what else will happen because this book is pretty long and has two more books of the series focused on these two characters. I always love when characters with trauma go to therapy. The secrets at the end that came out. Wow.
I didn’t like using celebrities as a descriptor.
February 26, 2025
Black Romance Book Fest 2025 Reading Challenge 70/130
December 18, 2022
Wow
Wow! This book was like a Netflix mini series. ⚠️It’s angsty and full of drama. It’s entertaining with twist and turns. It’s an emotional roller coaster. I pushed through and was glad I did! I held my breath and needed a lot of wine. Lawd, my heart!
For a new author. Ms. Ge did a good job! The story is entertaining. It’s long (could have been two books) I had to put it down for a few days. The flow was a bit choppy in the beginning because there were so many people introduced. There were some editing errors throughout; yet, it didn’t change the impact of the story.
The dialogue between Arabella and Dr. Wellick were written so well.👏🏽
There has to be a book 2 🤷🏽♀️because there were many things left open. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s to come with all of the characters and the growth from the author.
Wow! This book was like a Netflix mini series. ⚠️It’s angsty and full of drama. It’s entertaining with twist and turns. It’s an emotional roller coaster. I pushed through and was glad I did! I held my breath and needed a lot of wine. Lawd, my heart!
For a new author. Ms. Ge did a good job! The story is entertaining. It’s long (could have been two books) I had to put it down for a few days. The flow was a bit choppy in the beginning because there were so many people introduced. There were some editing errors throughout; yet, it didn’t change the impact of the story.
The dialogue between Arabella and Dr. Wellick were written so well.👏🏽
There has to be a book 2 🤷🏽♀️because there were many things left open. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s to come with all of the characters and the growth from the author.
May 3, 2023
wow
This was the first book I’ve read by this author. And baby this book had me in a chokehold. I mean I couldn’t even go to bed until I finished! Sensational
This was the first book I’ve read by this author. And baby this book had me in a chokehold. I mean I couldn’t even go to bed until I finished! Sensational
September 24, 2023
Gabriela Ge can create a story!
I was instructed by a friend to pick up this book because she said it sounds like my type of book. Full disclosure, morally gray characters make Isatta a happy girl! The main characters, Kain and Arabella, are dynamically scarred and flawed people. If I had to pinpoint historically relevant fictional character to relate them to, Kain would be The Beast (pre and post curse) and Arabella would be a mixture of Aurora and Belle. They're equally jaded for different but similar reasons, so their connection resembles a jagged, abstract puzzle. It looks odd because it shouldn't fit, but the further back you step the more sense it makes. This felt like a slow burn, but when they finally got together it was a whirlwind. The topics broached in this book are heavy, even with the romance as the central focus. I love everything about this book, but if you know heavy topics are not your fave...don't skip your way into this world.
I was instructed by a friend to pick up this book because she said it sounds like my type of book. Full disclosure, morally gray characters make Isatta a happy girl! The main characters, Kain and Arabella, are dynamically scarred and flawed people. If I had to pinpoint historically relevant fictional character to relate them to, Kain would be The Beast (pre and post curse) and Arabella would be a mixture of Aurora and Belle. They're equally jaded for different but similar reasons, so their connection resembles a jagged, abstract puzzle. It looks odd because it shouldn't fit, but the further back you step the more sense it makes. This felt like a slow burn, but when they finally got together it was a whirlwind. The topics broached in this book are heavy, even with the romance as the central focus. I love everything about this book, but if you know heavy topics are not your fave...don't skip your way into this world.
March 13, 2023
very impressed
First off for this to be the authors first book I am highly impressed. This book was so good. The intensity, rawness, and organic way the characters connected is unreal. The main main character is currently my man so when you read is just remember I called dibbs first.
First off for this to be the authors first book I am highly impressed. This book was so good. The intensity, rawness, and organic way the characters connected is unreal. The main main character is currently my man so when you read is just remember I called dibbs first.
April 23, 2025
Masterpiece
This is a freaking Masterpiece. I can't believe it took me so long to read this after it was recommended on blackbooktok. I love Main and Arabella. This is my first read by this author and I am hooked.
This is a freaking Masterpiece. I can't believe it took me so long to read this after it was recommended on blackbooktok. I love Main and Arabella. This is my first read by this author and I am hooked.
July 27, 2025
This was a slow burn for me and one thing I hate is a slow burn 😑 Arabella got on my last nerve. Maybe it was because she was so young. It wasn’t until about the halfway mark that I started liking this book. Overall, it was good. I just didn’t enjoy the ages and the slow burn.
April 12, 2023
I honestly didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. I can admit that it was moving very slow in the beginning but then it picked up & I became hooked. My heart hurt for Arabella. She went through so much growing up. She was abandon by her father & her mother was an addict that held a lot of hatred towards her. Julian her brother that was more like a father to her loved her & took of care her. After the death of her father her & her brother recieved a huge inheritance that made them become instant millionaires. She eventually run into Kain, the brash & rude boxer. He instantly become attracted to her.
Luckily for him she drops her sketch book leaving him an excuse to see her again. Kain & Arabella becomes friends with him wanting more. Julian doesn't like Arabella & Kain being close due to Kain involvement in the streets. I understand Julian is a concerned big brother & wants the best for his sister. Granted he always was her protector but bruh really need to back off & let her make her own decisions. That's the only way people learn sometimes. Kain dark past & secrets being to unravel. Under his tough exterior he is dealing with internal pain from not getting support & help from his mother Ava. I don't even know how to feel about her. She irks my soul. You would literally have to pace yourself reading this because it's so realistic.
Luckily for him she drops her sketch book leaving him an excuse to see her again. Kain & Arabella becomes friends with him wanting more. Julian doesn't like Arabella & Kain being close due to Kain involvement in the streets. I understand Julian is a concerned big brother & wants the best for his sister. Granted he always was her protector but bruh really need to back off & let her make her own decisions. That's the only way people learn sometimes. Kain dark past & secrets being to unravel. Under his tough exterior he is dealing with internal pain from not getting support & help from his mother Ava. I don't even know how to feel about her. She irks my soul. You would literally have to pace yourself reading this because it's so realistic.
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