Soldiers of Love: Beautiful Scars

by N'tyse, Untamed

Profoundly moving and nostalgic, Soldiers of Love: Beautiful Scars is a searing exploration of soul ties, love scars, second-chance romance, and the healing power of forgiveness. Inspired by real events, Soldiers is soul-stirring and perfect for fans of Seven Days in June and Before I Let Go.

Liberty Mae Banks was her birth name, yet Zion called her Mrs. Forever . . .

It took years and fistfuls of tears for Liberty to convince herself that Zion Malik Mitchell had been a figment of her imagination. She’d suppressed every memory to lessen the burn—and because it’s the proper thing to do once you’ve become another man’s wife. Now the mother, wife, and #SoldiersofLove relationship columnist for Love & Lifestyle magazine finds herself in a heartfelt tug of war when her childhood sweetheart, Zion, resurfaces.

For Zion, Liberty had always been his peace and the one who got away. He needed her more than he was ever willing to admit, and while it’s often said that time heals all wounds, all time had done for Zion was rob him of a future with the love of his life. When tragedy strikes, Zion’s freedom is left hanging in the balance as he awaits sentencing. Plagued with guilt and fear, there’s only one person he trusts to help him through his most arduous battle ever—Liberty.

Will Liberty sacrifice her picture-perfect life and rush to Zion’s side in hopes of healing and setting them both free, or will resurrecting their war-torn past open a Pandora’s box neither will be able to close?

“Sublime and roiling with emotion, childhood sweethearts reconnect, only to be tested by their past, present, and future. If Beale Street Could Talk meets Love Jones in this cinematically written romantic drama.” —Arthur Muhammad, Director of BET+ Original Bid For Love

304 pages, Paperback

Published June 27, 2023

Reviews

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors wrote a phenomenal storyline that includes coming to age, understanding friendships and losses, overcoming poverty, learning to set boundaries, and breaking generational curses. The characters were memorable; a few times, I became overwhelmed with emotion because the story was realistic. When the authors described Liberty and Zion’s young love, it was clear that there was a difference in their maturity and their views on love. Quincy was the better choice for Liberty. However, I found myself heartbroken for Zion. He was a product of his environment and turned to the street and gangs for the family he longed for. I loved the flow of the storyline; the timeline was easy to follow. The present look into Liberty and Quincy’s marriage and then looking back on their childhood was a great addition. The backstory gave context and insight into why trust, communication, and honesty were important in their marriage. Forever doesn’t have to mean a relationship, and I believe the authors demonstrated that in this story. I would recommend! There is a few things that could be triggers such as death, gang activity, domestic and family violence.

I received an arc, all thoughts are my own.

[MikaylasBookNook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 4.5 star read EASILY! This book touches on so many important topics. A coming of age. Talking about love and loss and having to grow up with hardships. The love story between liberty and Zion was heartbreaking and you found yourself rooting time and time again he would get it together. But Quincy was the steady and good she needed. I liked how this book went back and forth between the past and present. Definitely recommend.

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was easily swept up in this story, as we bounced between past and present, while learning about Zion and Liberty. The love was clearly there between these two, even at their young age. However, it was also clear that their maturity levels, and views on life and love were vastly different.

Zion loved Liberty, as she helped him see the good in life, and believed in him. However, he just couldn't seem to stay on the straight and narrow. Liberty couldn't see any wrong with Zion, as she was so in love. Until all the signs began to point to them not being as compatible as she thought. She still held on longer than she should have, as it is difficult to walk away from that first love.

I loved Quincy from the start. He was a much better match for Liberty, and he allowed her the time and space to figure that out. There was a bit a drama as we got further into the read, as the soul tie between Zion and Liberty was still holding tight, but Liberty knew her worth; and was going to stand by her husband.

Powerful story of friendship, love, overcoming poverty, domestic violence, second chance love, and redemption. I did have a few questions that weren't answered. I wanted to know how Zion got caught up the last time. Did Abel set him up? Jace? How did Liberty and Quincy help him out in the end. Enjoyed this very much. 👍🏾👍🏾

[Tam Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where do I start... this was a phenomenal story. I will say that once I reached around 2017, I was locked in. There were so many time jumps. It's starts at 8 & ends in their 30s. Reading about them when they were younger took me forever to get through because of sensitive topics I didn't know would make me uncomfortable, but they did. However, the story was beautifully written. Overall, i enjoyed it!

[BookNish · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Soldiers of Love: Beautiful Scars by N'tyse, Untamed**

Tropes: Emotional Scars, Rejected as Unworthy, Break Up to Save Them, Second Chance Romance.

**Soldiers of Love: Beautiful Scars** is a compelling, good-girl versus bad-boy love story. Liberty Banks and Zion Mitchell first meet in grade school and quickly become best friends. Liberty is a shining star carrying a dark secret. Zion is a bad boy with a rough upbringing. In all her unique charm, Liberty is the only one who manages to bring out the softer side of Zion, and he develops a gentle love for her that he doesn't even share with his own mother. Liberty is Zion’s "Mrs. Forever," and everyone knows it. Their love story beautifully illustrates the purity and authenticity of young love. The school yard scenes evoke feelings of nostalgia, reminding me of the fun times shared with childhood friends.  As graduation approaches for the crew, it marks the end of an important chapter for the childhood friends. Some friends are no longer there to celebrate, others have dropped out, and those who do graduate will go their separate ways and live different lives, despite efforts to stay in touch. **Soldiers of Love: Beautiful Scars** is a black romance, second-chance love story that braids emotional scars with loyalty and redemption. I thoroughly enjoyed the story's heavy emphasis on forgiveness and healing. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy medium-paced, reflective second-chance romances that explore how past wounds shape present love. My star⭐rating 3.5/5-Good read!

Trigger warning: Rape and molestation by family members is a trauma trend that should be discussed more in safe spaces 💔.

[Denise Hadnot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, the book is excellent. In the prologue, we are introduced to Quincy and Liberty Bridges. As the book begins, it is in present-day 2014. We are introduced to Queenie (Quincy and Liberty's daughter), then we are introduced to Terica, who is Liberty's friend. As the book progresses, it goes back and forth between times to introduce the reader to all the characters at the end of the book. involved. We will learn of Zion and Liberty and how/if they will find each again. All of these questions will be you will discover how Quincy and Liberty meet as you read the book. Also, as you read the book, you will find out how all the characters' lives intertwine at one point and how each plays a role in the outcome. Questions will be answered as the book is read. One thing that might be a little confusing to new readers is how the book flip-flops from one extreme to another that is in the past and present. At first, it may be hard to keep up, but by the end of the book, the reader will know every main character and the details surrounding each character. Excellent book, and I would recommend this book to my friends to read.

Denise Hadnot

[AudiobookGirly89 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was so GOOOD it not your typical love story it was real and raw I truly enjoyed it a lot

[Natashia Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soldiers of Love - Besutiful Scars by N’Tyse & Untamed

Rating - Liked it 3.5/5 ⭐️

What I liked:
- [ ] Friends to lovers - I love this trope. I love for an author to take two people who meet and become friends and I’m taken on a journey with their friendship. I’m able to see when love shows up and shows out. It definitely showed up with these two. Zion and Liberty were two peas in a pod. Their bond was instant and strong.
- [ ] 90s time period- this story takes place during the 90s. I loved that it referenced key things from the style of dress to the classic cars. The authors did great with bringing that nostalgia feel. I was in 90s heaven. It was also Kmart for me. Because who didn’t love Kmart back in the day?!!
- [ ] Friend group - I always love a good friend group and these people journeys through their adolescence together.

My Thoughts:
I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone so I will keep this surface level. The overall story was good. I loved the family aspect and the friend group. What fell short for me was the execution of the story. The idea was hands down great.

I think this story would have come across better for me if the chapters were labeled which POV you were getting before you started it. You have to read the chapter to know whose side you were getting and I did get confused a few times due to this. We did get the dates to know if you were in the past or present and that was a plus.

I think there’s a thin line when dealing with the past and present in books. The prologue was also a chapter in the book and I felt that was repetitive. It could have been told but with progression to make you feel you’re getting more of the story.

Despite the few things I mentioned, I did enjoy the overall story. The journey you take with these two and their friends is an eventful one. You can understand why things flow the way they do.

[Laurenlovesstories · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is easily a 4.5 star read!
I haven't read a story like this before. Thank you Black Oydessy for this gifted read!

A dual POV between Liberty Banks and Zion Mitchell, two people who went through the trials of love starting very young. This story is real for many of us who've had to make that conscience choice to choose yourself. To be better. To do better. I felt for Liberty, for Quincy, for Zion, for Pac-Man, for Terrica, for Unique, so many people who choose themselves. The paths they walked were reflections of them, the people they lost, and deciding to do better for themselves. This was a story that handled grief, love, loss, and the beauty of fighting for you. Liberty had so much trauma from an early age from someone who should have protected her and loved her as she was. She lived a hard life until she was placed with her grandma. Zion deserved more than what he was given and made the most of what he had. No one cared for him the way he needed. He made his choice and they caught up with him. The emotions that this book has are raw, real, and reflective. I would absolutely recommend that you read this!

[CT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a coming-of-age story that feels both raw and soft around the edges. What really shines here is the bond between the friends at the center of the story—messy, loyal, complicated, and ultimately the anchor that carries them through some heavy life hurdles.

The authors balance grit and tenderness in a way that makes the characters feel like people you might actually know. You watch them navigate identity, self-worth, survival, and connection, and there’s an honesty to their growing pains that hits just right. It’s a story about holding each other up, figuring out who you are while the world tests you, and finding love in forms that don’t always look picture-perfect.

If you’re into character-driven stories with emotional stakes, messy decisions, and a whole lot of growth, Soldiers of Love definitely delivers without ever losing its warmth or grit.

[Nina Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars – "... most people only have a fixed idea of love based on childhood experiences, starting at home. Until we grow and experience relationships with other people, only then do we start to learn and compare what feels good to us versus what hurts us.” 🖤
 
a touching coming-of-age Black love story between Liberty and Zion, set against the backdrop of poverty, gang life, and generational trauma. the timeline weaves between past and present (i often had to double-check what year we were in), shedding light on how Zion is a product of his environment while Liberty learns the value of trust and setting boundaries. this covers love, loss, and the difficulty of breaking free from the past. listened on audio while reading the physical book from a #goodreadsgiveaway

[Ashley Driver · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I think this was a really well written book. The description and the way the story played out didn’t exactly align, but despite that it was still a really great read.

Personally I did feel that the authors wrote liberty and Zion in the beginning too “adult-like” when retelling how they met. I just couldn’t understand how the minds of 9 and 10 year olds could be thinking and feeling the way they did. The teenage years were more believable.

Other than that, this was a beautiful book. It had a beautiful story and I loved the subjects that it touched on.

I picked a great first book the read to start 2024. And I would definitely recommend this to other people.

[Sunflower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soldiers of Love by N’Tyse & Untamed is a solid coming-of-age story that dives deep into love, soul ties, and the reality of outgrowing people—even when your heart still holds on.

Liberty and Zion had that once-in-a-lifetime connection from the jump. Their love started young and carried into their teenage years, but as Liberty began finding herself, she realized Zion no longer fit into the life she was building. The love never faded, but sometimes love isn’t enough. Her transition from Zion to Quincy was necessary growth—real character development that made sense.

What I really liked about this book is how real it felt. The growing pains, the nostalgia, the rekindled friendships—it all hit home. It’s one of those stories that makes you reflect on past relationships and those “what-if” moments we all have.

Overall, Soldiers of Love is a heartfelt, relatable read that perfectly captures the struggles of first love, self-discovery, and moving forward while still honoring the past. I really enjoyed it!

[Atalya McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! I must admit, the back and forth between the past and present was a bit confusing but it definitely all came together in the end. The characters and storyline is extremely relatable. I was able to connect to all 3 characters and legit wanted them all to win in life. A lot of the things that happened to Zion completely shattered me and I wanted him to prevail so bad! All in all, I loved it.

[TeffieLovesToRead · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book much at all unfortunately. It was difficult to keep up with the speaker in each chapter. It would have been beneficial to have the name of the character at the beginning of the chapter. It was difficult to keep track and follow the different story lines and sometimes characters.
It does have good reviews and the two love stories are nice but it is not a book that left a stamp on my reading heart :(

[Jazisunray Skillern · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors did an amazing job with this storyline and the character development. A coming of age, young love story. It is full of twist and turns. "Most people only have a fixed idea of love based on childhood experiences." There is truth in that statement. The story is definitely worth the read. I couldn't put it down.

[Kaylie Helfrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing!

4.5 stars rounded up. I loved this story and these characters. I loved how this was written and how it felt more like reading a journal.

I understand why the timeline was jumbled like it was, but I definitely struggled keeping track of where I was in the timeline. The dates were there, but I was constantly flipping back to see the date for the last chapter so I could figure out the timeline better.

[Queen Jefe' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black Odyssey made me fall in love with Black Love, I never in my life thought I would be yearning to read love story’s. This book kept me up just one night from beginning to end! The talent, the depiction of childhood bonds were so real! I really loved this book!

[Magan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing it hit on so many important topics. It was an easy read it pulled me in from the beginning. This was definitely a book a happily added to my library and will not hesitate to pick it up again!

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was well written. It touches on many different areas that we as humans can relate to . It’s about love, loss, friendship, and all of the things that we all go through when transitioning from childhood into adulthood. Highly recommended.


Thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me this book in exchange for my honest review

[Lexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! This was a very good read. I laughed, I cried I got pissed, but it still made for a good read. I do hate the book didn’t end in my favor but that just goes to show how real life works. Read it and you won’t regret it!!

[sharhonda collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely awesome it takes you back to your first love and a time when life was so simple and you were first learning to love someone other than yourself.

[bookheauxtales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just have to say, it's been a while since a book has had me in my feelings like this. I thought this was a great story. The authors did a really good job of pulling certain emotions out of you.

[Jameca Jolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love 💕

I’m such a sucker for a coming to age story! And this definitely pulled at my heart strings!! Beautiful story

[Crystal Demby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title fits perfectly for this story!!!! Beautiful story of ins and outs of young love. A tell of love, loss, friendship, betrayal and ultimately healing at its finest. Most people don't experience love (not even puppy love) until much older but Zion and Liberty found each other at a very ripe and young age. They were very impressionable yet knew what and who they wanted... each other. Together they experience love and heartbreak while fighting to keep their special bond. Beautifully done!!!!!

[Jalisa Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book it was very interesting from beginning to end to end the cover caught my eye the most no errors I highly recommend I give it 5 pens

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️⭐️.75 stars! This coming-of-age story follows Liberty as she grows through childhood friendships and her first love, showing how those experiences shape her present. Zion’s journey is also explored, revealing how his childhood shaped his adult life. Their friendship evolves into a relationship, but life takes them on different paths. Can they overcome personal challenges and reconnect, or will they move on.

Though much of the book is told in flashbacks, it’s nostalgic and touches on themes of love, hardship, and loss. While I found the dual POVs a bit confusing at times, the writing was enjoyable, even if the story wasn’t quite for me.

[JazzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book a 4.5⭐️ rating based on the fact that I wanted more for the ending. I would have love to hear from Zion when he was release from prison. This book focused a lot of them as children/teens and I like that. I really appreciated the fact that Liberty started to believe in herself throughout the book. I was secretly rooting for her and Zion but Quincy grew on me later on in the book. This book gives me Brown sugar, love and basketball vibes..instead of basketball using music. I appreciate the spoken word and hip-hip music throughout the book. I love 90s hip hop and the fact that Liberty was a mic made me love her even more. I really wanted to hear more from Zion and Quincy toward the end of the book however, I really enjoyed myself reading this book.

[Terra Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

With age comes wisdom!


Zion and Liberty were both products of their upbringing, and this coming of age tale showcased how poor judgment, youthful indiscretions and bad decision-making can lead to better life choices or more of the same.  When you’re young, it's understandable.  But what happens when the consequences spill over into adulthood?  While Liberty gravitated towards Quincy, who turned out to be exactly what she needed in the next phase of her life…Zion’s need for a family led him down a less desirable path.  This was a good read, that at times was very heavy and had me in my feelings.  But the nostalgia of the 90’s presented in flashback format made it a relatable love story that kept me engaged the whole time!