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Natural Selection

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Settled and happy where life has led her after a few bumps in the road, Melody is content with being a single mom, navigating her best through life. All she wants to do is be an amazing mom, a good friend, and a better version of herself than the day before.Malcom is successful, sexy, and a ladies’ man. With no real commitments or loyalties to anyone, which he vehemently avoids, he moves freely through life on a daily basis. A trip to the gym causes the pair to meet. Not wanting a man in her life, Melody denies the passes while Malcom is persistent. Taking his chance, Malcom is intent about proving himself wrong with Melody, yet problems still arise.Will what has been naturally selected withstand the tests they face, or is it easier for Melody and Malcom to just cut ties?

210 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2021

89 people are currently reading
27 people want to read

About the author

Cherish Amore

70 books62 followers

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5 stars
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50 (22%)
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23 (10%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Alvina.
747 reviews23 followers
September 10, 2021
Can We Be?

Melody and Malcolm were meant to be, yet at a cost.

Melody was very guarded, due to her past relationship with not only her daughters father, but because of her upbringing as well. Her past made it hard for her to trust people, especially men, yet she was willing to give Malcolm a try.

Malcolm was a man who did as he pleased, being with women and leaving before it got heavy. He wanted to protect his heart from rejection and all of the other things that could come with a relationship and love. Being that he had very positive examples of Black Love surrounding him, he still ran from it for himself. When he approached Melody, it was only for the hit. He, nor she, was looking for anything serious, yet serious is what hit them both.

Given that he was so confused about what he was feeling for Melody and love being so foreign to him, he didn't know how to deal with it all and started down a very dangerous path of drinking and allowing his anger to overpower him. Although he loved Melody, he didn't quite know how to do that in healthy way, so he ended up doing a lot more damage in their relationship than not.

I was glad that Melody let Malcolm go, to work on himself. Once Malcolm admitted to needing help, he did just that. He worked to change not just for Melody, but for himself. He did the work and did it quickly, in which I applaud.

Essentially, I didn't think Melody should've withheld what was going on with her from Malcolm, yet I understand why she did it.

I'm glad this ended on a high note because things got rocky, real quick. This was a good read.
422 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2021
Great Book!

Wow. This was a roller coaster of a book as far as my emotions! I was up, I was down, I was happy, I was sad, I was ready to fight, I was ready to cuss. This book gave me ALL the feels, good and bad. Melody was a sweetheart, way too sweet for Malcolm who had BDE with AH leanings. Overall, Malcolm was a good dude, but he was hot headed and made immature decisions. And eventually the bad started to outweigh the good. He needed a wake-up call and thankfully he finally woke up before all was lost forever. Melody did some growing too. She had to learn to set boundaries and what she would and would not allow for her peace. It took a lot for Melody and Malcolm to get to their HEA, but they were good and solid in the end. It was good to see her sister-friend group again, although Raquel would have been two-pieced talking like that to me.😑 I was impressed that it was Corrina who came through in the clutch. Overall, this book was an emotional journey but I'm glad I took the ride. Great book!
Profile Image for Q. Moore.
965 reviews38 followers
September 16, 2021
Well, Mrs. Cherish has accomplished it again. She delivered another fiery page turner that keeps you on your toes. I have to admit the issues that Malcolm had, took me back a few years in my life. I was glad he was able to recognize he needed some help in more than one area. He started his healing journey so that he can be whole for everyone himself, Miracle, Melody and his family.

Melody deserved a strong man in her and Miracle's life. Malcolm was that man, he was quite passionate about the love he had for her. He made sure his presence was known more instances than one. I really loved how he and Miracle bonded.

This was a magnificent read, and another book to add to Mrs. Cherish portfolio. She brought out all the stops, drama, anger management, and deadbeat "baby daddies." If you have not had the pleasure to indulge in one of her masterpieces you should. She even brought back "Meechie" and Denver that's in "Behind These Eyes." It's always good to get updates on past characters. You should download, purchase and enjoy.
Profile Image for Lovie247.
199 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2021
Melody and Malcolm...sweet love during COVID

This was a cute story. The friendship between Melody and her three best friends was sweet - though it was a bit much at times. I would've liked more time with her and Malcolm and less time with the girls. And I would've liked a little more depth when it came to the demons Malcolm seemed to be battling- causing his anger issues and excessive drinking.

Malcolm's issues were never really explained, and seeing as how he came from a loving family where his parents had a healthy relationship, I just didn't get where his many emotional and psychological problems originated. A peek behind the curtain of his therapy sessions would've been great. And the COVID part was also a little confusing, and kind I'd thrown in there. Sometimes people social distanced and other times it wasn't mentioned. And there was never a mention of masks, though the pandemic was mentioned a few times (I scratched my head numerous times especially during gym interactions).

But all in all, it was a good story.
Profile Image for Crystal Luckey.
749 reviews31 followers
September 19, 2021
Finally!!!

Melody was a single mother who was not worried about dating until she saw Malcolm. Malcolm wanted a chance with Melody and stopped at nothing to get her. All they both wanted was friends with benefits, but got so much more. When someone from Melody past shows up, Malcom couldn't handle it and this caused a huge problem in their relationship. After working on himself, Malcolm and Melody found their way back, but they got more than they expected. Malcolm and Melody were so good together and I rooted for them from the beginning. They were what each of them needed. Im such a sucka for a good love story and this was one. They both had past problems and issues, but their love was strong for each other to survive. This was a great story of love and forgiveness and I couldn't get enough!!!
Profile Image for martha fountain.
837 reviews18 followers
August 26, 2021
My goodness...the way my blood pressure was set up

This author is consistent in pulling out the readers' emotions as we ride through her stories. This one was no exception. The opening of the book pulled you in immediately and kept you all the way to the end. Malcolm was a complicated character but I struggled with the why. He was raised by loving parents, watched his brother/best friend fall in love and yet he had commitment issue. We later discovered that wasn't his only issue and it went crazy very quickly. Poor Melody and yet her love never unwavered but she wasn't settling and I was glad. This author did it again. Now I have to go back and read Demetrice and Denver's story. Let me get my blood pressure meds ready.
Profile Image for DeNae Sheree.
1,108 reviews21 followers
August 21, 2021
Good story

I love this author and her writing. I don’t know if I was sold on this story. I didn’t see where Malcom had a drinking problem. Every time he had an “outburst” besides the last one seemed valid. The birthday party Quentin was being handsy. The park incident Chuckie just came out of nowhere. Malcolm was a jerk at the wedding but it wasn’t a deal breaker. I feel like he was painted as a villain and it wasn’t warranted. Maybe I’m
Just team Malcolm. I enjoyed Malcom way more than I liked Melody. But as always the author writes a heck of a story.
Profile Image for Shaunrick McGee.
263 reviews4 followers
August 21, 2021
I can't say I was rooting for Melody & Malcolm to be a couple but I was rooting for them to get their sh** together so they could be fully functioning adults. Malcolm came on strong and he thought he knew what he wanted but was blindsided by love and forced to mature. Melody thought she was doing ok but she was limiting herself and a bit too timid because she didn't know who she was after all the mess Chuckie took her through.

On another note Chuckie didn't press charges because he knew he was past due for the beatdown Malcolm handed him.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
286 reviews
August 22, 2021
Natural Selection 😍

This book taught me such a huge lesson: you don’t have to have trauma as a kid, a broken home or a broken heart to have fears within a relationship.

Malcolm lived his life based on fears that’s why he never got close with any female or had any serious relationships. Melody and Miracle came and shook up his life so good.

This book was soo good and with all the bumps in the road I’m glad Malcom and Melody were able to get it together. This author consistently gets better and better. I highly recommend this book.
1,414 reviews12 followers
September 19, 2021
Can we say dysfunctional!!!

WTH was that??? I was not prepared for so much dysfunction. I’m here for it just wasn’t expecting it. Man, that was a first for me. I’ve been reading these romance books for a long time and can’t recall ever having the male lead character be as batshit crazy as Malcolm was. It was a different twist, one that I’m still absorbing. From the references to the other stories in her catalog, I guess this is just par for the course with this author, Ms. Amore. Also, I didn’t like how she purposefully left off details of their lovemaking until the end.
Profile Image for Denishia.
223 reviews15 followers
August 18, 2021
😩😩😩

This book had me in my feelings it was funny how they met and the bumps and along the way caused issues like kelly who couldn’t let go!! And past hurt and relationships did a dent in the relationship, and baby daddy chuckie 😒. I was ready to fight everyone even the friend but redemption is real and when you love someone and that person is for you you do what need to get it right!!! I love this book read it was soo good and phenomenal job
Profile Image for Camisha Crisp.
745 reviews18 followers
August 19, 2021
Whew!!

Listen, Cherish knows how to run up my pressure! And Malcom almost had me about to be on blood pressure medication!! Another fantastic story about realistic people and their complicated ways . Malcom and Melody’s story is a page turner for sure. I experienced many emotions through this book for sure. Cherish always manages to entertain and make you think at the same time. Loved it!
876 reviews8 followers
August 27, 2021
Redemption

Was certainly needed for Malcolm in this story, especially after all the drama he put Melody through. I was indifferent toward him through most of this story. But he finally won me over toward the end of the book when he was willing to own up to his shortcomings and get help! Luckily for him, Melody was willing to accept that he'd grown and changed. This one had me in my feelings!
1 review
June 21, 2022
Natural Selection

This book was so hard to get through, I had to skip through most of it, and I don’t usually do that. Malcom was incredibly unlikeable from the 1st chapter, Melody was super annoying always blaming her crying on her star sign😒. The child felt like an after thought as so many things changed throughout the story. Really disappointed with this as I usually enjoy the authors work. Hoping the next book is better
Profile Image for Erika B..
Author 45 books108 followers
September 3, 2021
Natural Selection

👏🏾👏🏾 if you are looking for a book FULL of passion you have found it. From the first page of the prologue, you have no choice but to finish the story of Malcom and Melody 😍 there is so much I can say but I don’t want to give away the goodness so just read it! 💖 amazing job to this author 🙌🏾
603 reviews
September 20, 2021
Great read

This book is great for a book club reading. There are so many emotions, full of forgiveness, great friendships, family unity.

This is a good read for someone who is in a relationship with someone else husband. It's good for a woman to see how she should be treated and a good book on accountability.

Take the ride
29 reviews
August 19, 2021
Twists and turns

This story pulls your heart and mind in so many directions. It is not you typical HEA book it shows how the value of the relationships the character established and broke. Very good and I recommend keep your Kleenex and Vaseline handy for some of the scenes
61 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2021
Awesome love story

Great story. I thought I would have to go into the book and hurt Macolm. Thank God he got it together for his family. Loved how Melody just them. Great love story
Profile Image for Shahtia Gay-hairston.
3,432 reviews26 followers
August 31, 2021
Natural Selection

The chemistry between Malcolm and Melody was strong from the beginning. I loved that we got point of views from both throughout the book. Her girlfriends were hilarious with her!
431 reviews2 followers
September 5, 2021
Loved it

This was a good story. I enjoyed the reality of it all. So many times people are fighting issues that they aren’t even aware of. Touching on the anger issues and the alcoholism was great for me. It was well written and definitely realistic.
Profile Image for Carolyn King.
2,443 reviews42 followers
September 14, 2021
Very Good

This book was really good. Melody and Malcolm relationship started off rocky. Melody had a hard time trusting men after what her daughter father did to her. Malcolm had commitment issues and anger issues. After everything they went through they made it.
1,708 reviews7 followers
November 23, 2021
Love at last 💕

I enjoyed this book. Melody is the sensitive one of the friends. This book is about Melody and Malcolm's relationship.
When you're in love and scared at the same time it can be difficult to say the least. It's nice to see these two get it together and become one.
Profile Image for Gigi.
584 reviews11 followers
February 17, 2022
What a ride..

Malcolm and Melody took me through the motions...they went back and forth...drama, scandal, addiction and much more! Great story about love and being skeptical about love.
156 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2021
yaaassss

This book here is the one! You touched on a lot of issues that is going on now. I loved every word of this book
Profile Image for Authoress Nadia Nicole.
399 reviews17 followers
August 19, 2021
Great story!!! Finished it in 24 hours. Loved the chemistry between Melody and Malcolm!! Excellent read!!
Profile Image for Mrs..
5,996 reviews107 followers
August 25, 2021
Nice

The idea for this story was nicely executed. I liked the couple and how they finally got it right. It took a minute to get there, and I enjoyed the ride.
Profile Image for Helen Clark.
1,056 reviews4 followers
September 2, 2021
Tears of joy

When the story ended, I was crying tears of joy. Melody and Malcolm had gone through so much, I wanted to climb in and shake Malcolm up. Then when the sperm donor wanted to come and act like a father, I wanted to beat that man.
I was heartbroken to see Rachel turned on Melody, but was thankful for the other two staying down with her.?
I loved Malcolm treated Miracle as his own and happy he got help with his anger issues. Great loveable story. You never disappoint.😘😘
Profile Image for Lisa Mayers-McGruder.
1,158 reviews16 followers
August 30, 2021
Love

Great story. At first I was like WHY Malcom, but he had to get his mind right. Melody deserved to have someone that wanted what she wanted and so glad Malcom got it together.
Profile Image for Monae Nicole.
Author 76 books190 followers
September 11, 2021
What a ride

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster. There was love, and drama. Things got rocky for the two of them but they managed to make it through.
826 reviews2 followers
September 30, 2021
Enjoyed this

I must admit I had reservations about how things would end but the end is just as it was supposed to be. Loved the journey of this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews

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