Soul Glitch

Soul Series #2

by Gabriela Ge

The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Stuck at a crossroads between what they want and need, Arabella and Kain are at a standstill.
Kain is on the brink of becoming a bigger star than he ever imagined, but after facing his toughest hurdle, he learns the road to rebuilding isn’t as clear as he thought it would be.
Arabella has lived life building images of herself and those around her. When those images all shatter, including her own, she no longer knows who or what to trust. Desperate for a blank slate, she’s led down a path that leaves no one unscathed, especially herself.
Dealing with the multiple forks life has thrown in their roads forces Arabella and Kain to realize they aren’t who they thought they were. The realization leaves one burning question in their minds: what now?
*** This is the second book of the Soul Series trilogy

Content Warning:
This book includes sensitive topics that can trigger and provoke feelings of distress. Content includes mental illness, sexual assault, intrusive thoughts, child and drug abuse, as well as explicit scenes of violence and sex. Reader discretion is advised.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2023

About the author

Hailing 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.

Reviews

[Rashawnda · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I could live a million lives. I’d love you in all of them.”

Chyyyyy the way my chest remained tight this entire book, it’s a wonder I’m even able to post a review. You can always guarantee that book two in a three book series will leave you in utter shambles and “Soul Glitch” was no exception. There was no stone left unturned when it came to the amount of chaos and emotional turmoil these characters experienced in this book.

I felt like I was in the ring with Kain during his last fight because him and Bel hit me with so many 1-2 combos I know I look a mess!! We saw Kain hit rock bottom in book one and now that he’s taken the steps to heal, Bel comes face to face with her past and it rocks her to her core like never before. My lil sis was down bad!! Between revealed secrets from her past, her brother and even her best friend coupled with seeking solace in the wrong crowd, Bel hit her rock bottom in book two.

Per usual Kain was everything. The way this man loves Bel is like something I’ve never read before. Bel is really his heart in human form and it comes through in the way he treats her both with his words and his actions. In the midst of recovering from his own demons however, he doesn’t know how to help her on top of that. But he wants to so desperately.

Based off book two alone I can’t put all the blame regarding Bel’s demise on the shoulders of Taliah. I knew she was bad news from day one but she was only “helping” Bel cope the only way she knew how. She was a broken, damaged person herself so there was no way she could give Bel advice that she wasn’t following herself. Bel was swallowed up (🤭) by her past trauma so that coupled with being young and impressionable, she didn’t stand a chance.

Julian 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

Brielle 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

Rocky 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

Ava 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

🗣️RON!!! 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

So many scenes in this book left me gutted like a fish and I’m still flapping around barely alive looking for the nearest body of water for survival. Dramatic I know 🤣🤣 ughhhh 😭🤧😪😓

I’m forever rooting for Kain and Bel so I know they’re going to come out of this, I’m just not sure what else has to happen before they get their HEA! Now that they’ve both experienced their rock bottom’s, on to book three so that they can experience the peace they both deserve.

[Jahda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man …. Idk what to say. Too much going on otw to book 3

[Terra Jeniece · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a couple Of days to get through this one. I have so many emotions after reading this book … it touched me in so many different ways. These stories need to be told, because WE ⚫️ suffer silently with mental health. I’m rooting for Bel and Kain, they are two young adults who have dealt with a lifetime of trauma and deserve happiness. Ms Ge has a way with words that make you feel this shit internally. I took my time because it was a lot and felt to real. 10/10

[LaToya Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am Stressed!!

My heart hurts for Arabella but my goodness her and Kain are stressing me out!! They keep getting lost but I’m hoping they heal and find their way back to each other.

[Sharon Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im at a loss for words. So many things transpired in this book and now I’m at the edge of my seat.

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 5 out of 5]

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/...

[Mika Verrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Book Review✨

Let me start by saying this; THIS BOOK DESTROYED ME!!! If I had to wait for part 3 to read, I would have lost my ish! Thank the heavens. This series was complete before I started!

Soul Glitch, the roles switched, and now Arabella’s struggles are front and center. Where in Soul Crush, the main focus was Kain’s issues.

This book broke my heart into tiny pieces. I was rooting for Arabella and Kain; I want them to win so badly!

I’m so proud of Kain for going and getting the help he needs! The mental health representation in these books is done so well! Seeing a black man be supported by those around him and seek help for something out of his control was so refreshing to read! I’m glad my man is handling business and seeking professional help.

The second half of this book is all about Arabella discovering a hidden secret from her childhood that spirals her out of control. I just wanted to hold her 🥺

Can I say I KNEW Julian was hiding something!! Why would he try and keep something like that a secret?! Like, what was he thinking? Smh! Everyone around her is betraying poor Arabella expect Kain. So it’s no surprise that Arabella attaches to the first friend she makes outside of her family Taliah, I knew she would be in trouble time she walked into that classroom, but I did pray I was wrong; I wasn’t.

When I say I could sit still and read this one, I mean it; I was pacing like a damn crackhead, inching and everything 😂 😂

That ending was so disrespectful!!! Like why would you do that, Gabriella? I immediately ran and jumped into book 3.

Oh, and I have to mention my love for Niko and Rocky; they are some real ones.

[*Ebony I* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stressful AF

The way these two have stressed me TF out 😩😩 Lawd!!!!

In the first book Kain's mental illness and his struggles were heavily highlighted. Bel was by his side dealing with the aftermath and loving him through it. In this book Bel slowly unravels. My heart just shattered for her. The hole she fell into was aided by people that loved her that kept sheltering her. I absolutely know that Kain loved her but I really didn't understand why he didn't act on day 1 when he knew she wasn't right. Nothing in me can understand why he didn't address it, knowing she feared becoming her mother.

Ms. Ge you had me believing ish was sweet and then you sent me off the rails with these characters half way through and you did not let up. The way it ended I am stressed 😫

Let me just list everybody who had me fkd up throughout this book....Ava, she wasn't ish fr. Julian, I was sick of his protective/lover boy ways. Ron, because he stayed on bs. Uugh annoying af. Tali, this b*#ch could have kept her coping mechanism to her damn self. Rich, trash self didn't deserve to be on my page. Lastly Luce and Serita, both need to be revived..tortured and burned🤷🏾‍♀️

SN: Why was Bel not yet 20?? Christmas came, they celebrated an anniversary why was she not older??

[Kieshawnda (Kieshlovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did this wreck me, absolutely. I really thought that Kain and Arabella were going to find their way, but it was one thing after another. In the beginning, my heart broke for what Kain was dealing with, and then when it was coming together, it broke again for what Arabella was going through. I want these two to win so bad, but I don't know how they're going to get there. 😫 Soul Glitch really took me through it. I don't know if I'm ready for the last book.

[Crimson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this series

Beautiful!!!!! This book is just as good as the first one. The laughter and tears that have been shed thus far. Y'all just read the damn book.

[kiriahsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
This book was a lot. But I enjoyed it. The ending??? What the fawk was that??? Soul Crush focused more on Kain’s issues whereas SG focused primarily on Arabella’s issues and boy do she has some issues. Coke??

I want a fade with Julian and Brielle because what the actual hell????


I do feel like the story dragged just a little but overall I enjoyed it. However ALOT of people were saying it was sad, but um no. Not to me.

[sometimesrobinreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

At this point, Ms. Ge has me in a chokehold that I'm not too sure how to get out of. If I thought Soul Crush devastated me, Soul Glitch wrecked me. Just when I thought Arabella + Kain were on the road to recovery Miss Mamas and her diabolical pen said, "I'm not done yet". I read this book in one day because I couldn't put it down.

The thing that got me with this book is the way the roles switching. In Soul Crush, Kain's struggles were front and center. While going through her own things, Arabella was focused on getting Kain the help he needed. In Soul Glitch, it was Arabella who needed rescuing. Her pain permeated the whole second half of this book and all I wanted to do was give her a big hug.

This book had me wanting to fight almost everybody in Arabella's life besides Kain. Julian is at the top of that list. When I tell y'all I cussed that man out from top to bottom, I'm not lying. It was clear very early on he was hiding something and when it came out I nearly threw my iPad across the room. I'm not too sure how they're going to come back from that. I know initially he had the best intentions but later down the line it felt like Julian was being selfish.

Soul Glitch truly tested Kain + Arabella's love story. The love both characters was weaved all throughout the book and it honestly was some of the best romance I've read in a while. But we all know young love is tough. Sometimes no matter how much you love someone, love just isn't enough. When I got to the end of this book, I had to stare at the wall for a couple hours. I don't think distraught is strong enough to describe how down bad I was after reading that last page. I need book three ASAP.

[Shan Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most toxic relationship I can’t look away from. I need book 3 immediately 😩😭

[Mikaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. In the first book, we witness Kain’s mental health unraveling, with Arabella by his side. In this book, the roles reverse.. Arabella’s world shatters as she uncovers a devastating truth about her childhood, sending her into a downward spiral. The emotional weight of this story is immense, and the heartbreak lingers long after the final page. These characters will stay with me forever.

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.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).

[Lauren Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

spoilers

This is heavy! Jesus, this is a lot! Lucky for me I don’t have any triggers but if you do then this is a warning. I read a lot and I have never read a book more detailed than this one. At one point, when the nightmare was manifested and Arabella was taken, I had to stop reading and ask myself who could even think up a story like this. But then I realized that stuff like this actually happens in real life. I understand why Arabella is doing what she is doing. She is just now remembering what happened so I can’t fault her for indulging in her vice that’s helping her escape. Those friends of hers are definitely hurting more than helping but I also understand that by Talia going through the same thing, they were bound to bond the way they did.
I’m more so annoyed by the fact that her husband isn’t doing more for her. I get he’s also young, going through his own problems, and doesn’t know what to do but I feel like he let things go too far. She needed help. Not to be threatened and left to fend for herself. I feel like she was there for him more during his crisis than him for her during hers. As for the Gia situation, which I feel like was added to the book for angst, as if more of that was needed, lol. He was wrong for even considering that distraction because his wife was struggling and him entertaining Gia was a kick while she was down. I’m so glad that didn’t go where I thought it was.
As for Julian not telling Arabella about the trauma. As a parent, I don’t think I would have told my 11 year old what happened but I would have had her in therapy for sure. Early therapy could have brought it out of her and the healing could have began while she was young. Him telling her to stop therapy after suggesting it was foolish.
Lastly, I don’t think the falling out between her and Bri would have been as dramatic if she wasn’t already dealing with separate issues with Julian and learning what happened to her.
This is such a good book, with hardly any grammatical errors. I’m all in and I can feel the book funk already.

[thebookcritic_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

need these two to get it together

Whew. The work the therapists are making these main characters! Man!! I feel like none of Bel’s peoples don’t have her back. Ju and Brielle. Tali. Still more secrets. This book fell a little flat for me but the second half picked it back up. There’s so much drama on top of what already needs to be addressed in the first book. Even more secrets. I just want them to get it together so bad but they keep facing obstacles. My nerves were all over the place. Kain kinda made me mad with not speaking up or helping Bel knowing her past. I feel bad for Bel but I’m sick of her too.

[Yasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arabella and Kain continue to wreck me. We start the book picking up from the last one dealing with Kain coming to terms with the fact that he needs help after a manic episode and then we end the book dealing with Arabella now being a drug addict after a repressed traumatic memory resurfaces and she begins to spiral. I want the both of them to get it together so bad. These kids are struggling badly and things keep getting worse for them before they get good. This series is so good but it is very heavy in themes. Please take head to the trigger warnings and protect your mental.

[Ambra | ambreadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
— Whew! My heart hurts for Arabella. Watching her struggle with her internal trauma and coping with the very vice she despises was heartbreaking. — I’m proud of Kain for getting the help he needed and welcoming healing. I just want them to get it right with each other.
— Brielle and Julian? Rolls eyes. A lot of side characters had me smh.

💬
“I could live a million lives. I’d love you in all of them. There’s not a bone in my body that could ever hate you.”

[Kymesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s so much going on in this book..a literal rollercoaster from beginning to end😩 Arabella is spiraling and slowly losing her support system. My heart is breaking for them especially after that ending

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew

This is the most beautiful, heart-breaking series that I have ever read at this point. I just want both of these souls to be healed, it's too much pain for anyone to hold.

[Melanin Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Series Review

Kain is an up-and-coming boxer but he is also a product of the streets and has learned how to coexist in both worlds. Throughout the series Kain struggles with being two people, the man who is gaining more fame with each boxing match he has and the man who uses violence in the streets to let out his pent up aggression. Arabella has had a rough life growing up poor with a drug addicted mother. Overnight Arabella’s life changes after her deadbeat father dies leaving her and her brother millions. Arabella has always been an artist and now has opportunities that she has never had before only problem she seems to keep having is the recurring nightmares that keep her up at night until Kain enters her life.

This series ruined me. I have been in my feelings since I picked up Soul Crush days ago. Arabella and Kain have had me in tears. Their journey to love was so heartbreaking but at the same time so poetic. I don’t think I have rooted for a book couple more than I was rooting for Arabella and Kain. The love they had for one another was that all-consuming kind of love. Throughout the entire series you get a glimpse into Arabella and Kain’s childhood traumas which give you a deeper understanding of how and why they are who they are.

The first book, Soul Crush, gives a glimpse into Arabella’s trauma then builds in book two. You do however get a full understanding of Kain’s trauma and his issues in Soul Crush. I loved how real and raw Gabriela wrote about Kain’s issues. I felt like I was able to feel every emotion Kain was feeling as he slipped further into his episode. His pain had me in tears. As he is going through his struggles it’s easy to see why Kain clung to his love for Arabella and while it was heartbreaking it was beautiful at the same time.

Soul Glitch broke me even further. In Soul Glitch we finally learn about Arabella’s memories, and I thought I cried reading Soul Crush, but it was nothing compared to how Soul Glitch had me. I kept thinking to myself “poor Arabella” sis was going through it. But my boy Kain was determined not to leave her side. There was a lot going on in this book from Arabella’s trauma, Kain’s mental health, to family issues.

Just when I thought I was done crying Soul Ties had me pulling out another tissues to dry my eyes. Arabella and her struggles came to a head in book three, yet and still Kain wasn’t leaving her side. No matter how hard Arabella tried to push Kain away bro still showed up for her.

This series takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. I love how Gabriela Ge wrote about mental health and addiction, the things Arabella and Kain went through were so heartbreaking and I felt every bit of their pain. Gabriela didn’t water down any of their struggles. I also love how therapy was normalized in this series. Arabella and Kain had a lot to work through to get their HEA but it made them stronger individually and as a couple.

If you don’t mind shedding buckets of tears I highly recommend this series. Just keep in mind this book comes with trigger warning: mental health issues, suicide, child sexual abuse, and addiction.

[jada · Rating 5 out of 5]

summary
continuing after kains mental break. its time for arabellas demons to surface.


review

while i usually hate first person books because i feel like the inner monologues can be cringe, this one was written B E A U T I F U L L Y. this is how a first person should be written. im inside the characters head. im knowing their innermost thoughts. im feeling their every emotion.

BOY IF YOU THOUGHT THE FIRST BOOK WAS A TRIP HOLDD MFKN ONNNN. my heart has SHATTERED this entire book. TEARS AND MORE TEARS THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE BOOK.


were introduced to new characters. one of being taliah. i am very weary of her im not going to lie. AND IM WRITING THIS AS IM READING IT AND I KNEW IT YO. I KNEW IT.


ARABELLA DONE LOST HER MIND. the resurrection of memories that has been suppressed in her brain have come out from hiding and are terrorizing her life. she has literally gone from 0-100 real quick.

kain is doing his best to save her but you cant help someone who doesn’t wanna help themselves.

kain is FIGHTING with his whole heart😭😭 my poor baby.

kain and arabella are really a case of two people who need to figure out who they are on their own before they decide that they’re going to be together. arabella heavily relied on kain before she turned to drugs and then that became her new crutch.

im so invested in this story, in love with these characters.
julian and brielle.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2

I stayed up all night to read this book! Ms Ge has taken us on another ride with this continuation between Arabella and Kain.

I’ve had a inclining that something may have happened to Arabella, just due to how her past was but once it was revealed what it was I honestly wish I could go inside of the book and hold her and never let go. Her only parent Julian I think could’ve done more when it came to letting her know things that happened in the past but dropped the ball with that. I also thought her friendship with Taliah was her going in the right direction with having more friends…. I was so wrong.

Kain… Kain I’m so happy to see where his mental health is at, that’s the biggest take away from this. We definitely dig deeper into his past and why he built his own family. More secrets being revealed from his past and his dealings with Ron had me shaking my head the entire book.

I don’t think I’ve been more ready to read a part three in a series. I’m ready when you are Ms. Ge

[Markeya Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

my heart!

I’m so shocked at this ending. I’ve been yelling at Arabella because I want her to get the help she needs but she doesn’t want to yield. I’m glad Kain is getting better but he can’t preach to her when he needs help too regardless of his present mental status. I applaud Kain and his strength to resist temptation but everything is over Arabella’s head. I want Taliah to get help but I want her to do it away from Arabella because she’s making her act out of sorts. It’s selfish of Arabella to feel a type of way about her bff too. That’s her life and she’s happy. I know she’s going through stuff & thinks Jaime is hiding things but to harp on that but forgive Rich, or even Kain from time to time isn’t fair. I’m on edge I’m ready to finish the next book, fingers crossed!

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written

The author really leveled up for Part 2. Wow. The writing is next level🙌🏽. Everything about this story was done well. It delves into areas of mental health that are very important. The author did an excellent job. The book is very heavy on emotions; yet, it’s necessary. It seems like the characters were people you’d know. I had to check my triggers and take some breaks. 😢🥺😢😭. It delves deep into addiction ( the journey of becoming addicted and living with a substance misuse disorder.) The book is just excellent. The character development is 💯. Truly this book needs more than 5 stars. It deserves an award 🥇. Bravo Gabriela Ge you showed up and showed out. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Natay 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Lawd Why!

This book got me on a rollercoaster of emotions! I thought this was the end & I would get closure but nope! I was hoping Arabella would grow on me in this book because I only 50% liked her from the 1st book. Im at 25% now & that's cuz I'm taking in account of her age and trauma. I'm still waiting for her to grow up because she's good at blaming and holding everyone around her to a certain standard yet use her trauma as an excuse. Everyone was traumatized from her situation and she didn't care about how it bothered her brother and friends. I'm loving Kain and his growth but here comes toxic Ron a$$ about to drag the beast out of him. Bring on Book 3 please cuz this gasket finna blow!!

[thee.millennialreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was heaavvyyyyy…. And it pissed me off. Reviews already revealed they got their happy ending in book 3, but I don’t know if I want to read it. This book made me that mad.

Anywho, it was filled with the drama, love, and passion that we’ve all come to know from our fav couple. I felt like after Bel’s memories were revealed every chapter was the same. Her actions were the same every chapter and Kain’s reactions were the same. That got really annoying. The beginning was pure bliss, so I knew the other shoe was gonna drop, but dammnnnn. It was too much. This book really dived into childhood trauma, depression, and drug use. It’s hard to believe that they’ll actually come back from this.

[Ebony | ebonylovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

GABRIELA GE tore my heart out with this one. This was such an emotional roller coaster and honestly I can totally understand all of the decisions both Kain and Arabella made.

I was soo proud of Kain’s growth in this and truly enjoyed him with Edwin, Niko, Rocky and Silas. I am SICK of Ron🤨

My heart broke for Bel, I loved the scene with her and Niko.

The writing is perfection, the characters are top tier and the plot is soo binge worthy.

I have to start book 3 right away bc this book had my heart BEATING.

[Jernae Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a rollercoaster ride 😩😩😩😩 Arabella has stressed me tf out this whole time.

But I get it, when you’re tired of being strong all the time and that straw finally breaks the camels back. SMH I’m so ready for the last book 😭

I’m so proud of Kain!! His growth is amazing and I hope he maintains 😩.

This author and her writing is amazing!!! It’s so captivating, she knows how to write a fucking story!