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Capone

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That ending had my jaw on the floor! I definitely didn’t see it coming, and it immediately made me want to pick up the next book. Let’s just say, I’m officially a Jahquel J fan.

Honestly, I put off reading Capone for a while because I wasn’t convinced it would be my kind of book. I went into it with pretty low expectations, but it ended up surprising me. I was so engaged and found myself wanting to know what would happen next.

Capone himself wasn’t my favorite. He came on a little too strong for my personal taste, and there were moments where I wanted him to dial it back. However, I still enjoyed his character and what he brought to the story.

The plot was amazing from beginning to end, and that ending completely caught me off guard. This was a really enjoyable read that honestly surprised me, and I’m definitely looking forward to continuing the series.

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2 days ago

Nemesis

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Nemesisby

Harper Black this was amazing! I was all in from page one. This psychological thriller with dual POVs had me questioning every character, and honestly, even myself! I didn’t trust a single person, and I’m still not completely sure what I think the truth is.

We follow Amara and her mother, Paige, as they try to figure out lies, betrayal, and family secrets. These two had me frustrated so much, but I couldn’t stop reading. I loved all the twists and turns, and the way the author kept me on the edge of my seat trying to piece together their shady past and confusing present.

This is one of those books that makes you pick a side, only to leave you thinking if you picked the right one. I love when a thriller keeps me guessing from beginning to end, and Nemesis definitely delivered.

This was a great read, and I’m absolutely looking forward to reading more from Harper Black!

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5 days ago

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Last Stop from Innocence

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This book was so good. It was raw, emotional, heartbreaking, and honestly had me feeling everything. I’m already looking to see what Takerra Allen book I need to read next because she definitely gained a new fan.

The loss, the grief, the pain, and the beautiful love story all came together in a way that made me feel every single emotion. Takerra Allen did an incredible job putting you right alongside Amore, making you experience everything she was feeling.

I swear every character was memorable. Gabe, Tammy, Mudd, Hakeem, even Shelly had her moment.

This is one of those books that just feels real. It broke my heart, put it back together a little, and had me thinking about these characters long after I finished. Definitely recommend if you’re okay with an emotional read.

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17 days ago

The Blood Sagas Blood & Loyalty

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I enjoyed this, but I didn’t absolutely love it. The story definitely had my attention, and I liked where it was going, but it just wasn’t really my style. I loved the world-building and the action, but some scenes were just a little too much for my taste.

The world was interesting, and I’m curious to see where the series goes next. There were some really good moments, but there were also a few where I was just like, WTF?

I’m glad I read it, and I don’t regret picking it up. It wasn’t a favorite, but it was still a good read, and I’m interested enough to continue the series.

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18 days ago

Broken Clocks

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This was such a beautiful love story, with an ending that completely pissed me off. Easy 5 stars.

I picked this up after seeing so many people say it would make them cry and take them on an emotional roller coaster, and they weren’t wrong. I didn’t actually cry, but I felt every emotion while reading. I listened to the audiobook, and now I definitely need a physical copy for my library.

William and Layla were absolutely made for each other. Their connection was something special, and from the very beginning it felt like they were soulmates. But life had other plans, and circumstance after circumstance kept getting in the way.

This story follows them as they meet, reconnect, and navigate all the messy, real life moments in between. Everything about their story felt so real, and I couldn’t help but root for them from beginning to end.

I’m still mad about that ending. It was powerful, emotional, and fit the story, but I wanted something completely different, a happily ever after. I think that’s what made it feel so real. Not every love story gets the ending we hope for, and this one captured that beautifully.

Still, this is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish, and I’ll be thinking about William and Layla for a long time.

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22 days ago

The Mortal Affairs

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I love this series so much! I immersive read this one and It did take me a little while to get used to the male narrator’s voice. At times it felt a little over the top, but once I got into it, I was all in. This series keeps getting better with every book. The characters, the action, and all the twists had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. Every time I think I know where the story is going, Granger throws in something I didn’t see coming. If you’re already invested in this series, this is definitely one you don’t want to miss. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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22 days ago

Updated a reading goal:

2026 Reading Goal

Read 100 books in 2026

Progress so far: 75 / 100 75%

The Death of Vivek Oji

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This book was heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time. The first chapter opens with one sentence that immediately pulls you in, and from that moment I needed to know what happened.

I went into this book completely blind, and I’m so glad I did. This was my first book by Akwaeke Emezi, and it definitely won’t be my last.

We follow Vivek, his cousin Osita, and their family as they try to understand who Vivek really was before and after his death. I loved how the story slowly came together, with each chapter giving us another piece of Vivek. The reveal involving Vivek and Osita definitely caught me off guard, I didn’t see that ending coming!

This book made me feel so many emotions. My heart broke for Vivek, and I just wanted him to be seen and loved for who he was. By the end, I just sat there thinking about everything I had read.

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a month ago

The Curse of Hester Gardens

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This book was so good! It had me feeling every emotion possible. Even with the ghostly elements throughout the story, nothing felt over the top or out of place. It all blended so naturally into the lives of these characters and the community they call home, making the story feel incredibly real.

Nora stole my heart. She’s raising her three sons in the Hester Garden Projects after losing her husband to the prison system and her oldest son to gun violence. Watching her fight to protect her family while carrying so much grief was both heartbreaking and inspiring.

What really made this book stand out for me was the characters. They felt like real people, and I became invested in every one of them. I was rooting for them, hurting with them, and hoping things would work out even when it seemed impossible.

This story is about so much more than horror. It’s about family, loss, survival, and the lengths people will go to for the ones they love. For a debut novel, this was incredible. I’ll definitely be reading whatever this author writes next.

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a month ago

Worse than a Lie

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This was a really great read! It gave me similar vibes to Judge Stone and had me hooked from page one.

The story begins on election night, November 4, 2008, as President Barack Obama wins the election. Hollis Montrose, a former Chicago police officer who now works for Metra PD, is driving home from work when a traffic stop goes horribly wrong. He is shot ten times by four white police officers.

Beau Lee Cooper is a Texas lawyer who steps in to help Hollis after the shooting. Hollis survives the shooting, and is forced to fight for his freedom when the police officers involved create their own version of what happened.

I was engaged from start to finish. Following the case, seeing how everything played out, and watching Beau fight for justice kept me turning the pages. It was frustrating, made me angry, and eye opening all at the same time.

Highly recommending this one!

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a month ago

Wake of Deception

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We follow 16-year-old Hanu, who is living in a mental institution called The Flush with other children who suffer from dysphoria. Dreaming is forbidden by the Ancient Ones, they are aliens worshipped as gods who claim they saved humanity from destroying Earth. After having a dream that sends him on a mission to recover the Genesis Key, Hanu and several other children escape and uncover some disturbing things happening behind the scenes.

The plot was interesting, and I was invested in finding out what was going on. My biggest issue was the pacing. This was a slowwww burn for me. The chapters were long, and at times it felt a little repetitive, which made the story drag more than I wanted it to. I also never really understood what the Genesis Key actually did or why everyone was so focused on getting it. Since it was such a major part of the story, I found myself wanting a little more explanation and clarity there.

I enjoyed it and thought the story was creative, but the pacing and the confusion around the Genesis Key kept it from being a bigger hit for me.

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a month ago