Starting off like always! By taking out a small amount of time to once again express my appreciation for all the authors that I’ve read this week.
I see your time, efforts, and dedication to your expression of art. And.
SheReadsaLot to Audience:
Some stats about my week
- I completed 13 books this week (6 not posted)
- by 12 different authors (2 new to me)
- totaling 2.433 pages read
- making it 187.2 pages per book
- averaging 347.6 pages read per day
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Do you have something to say for yourself?
SheReadsaLot: Work made me do what I had to do…
Overview of the books read/posted
- The Hellcat Barbies: Aubree by Mrs. Tanisha Raynor
- Verse Two: a Second Chance Romance by Mrs. Jaimsss P.
- Vaughn & Cori by Mrs. Rene Wolfe
- Pillow Talk by Mrs. Urania
- Savage Season by Mrs. Tara Ellis
- Mrs. Elle Madearis
Week Opener
I started my week off with Mrs. Natisha Raynor‘s latest release. The first book in The Hellcat Barbies collab. Aubree.
SheReadsaLot:
About Aubree, FMC, and Brasi, MMC.
Aubree and Brasi were together, and in love. Untill a prison sentence of 6 years had Brasi making a not so well thought out decision, leaving them on separate paths
During that time Aubree made a life altering decision.
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Aubree had reasons though, and she was young!
SheReadsaLot: And she let pettiness guide her in her decision making!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Brasi was wrong too though!
SheReadsaLot: And on a scale of wrongness?! Aubree was so wrong you couldn’t even see right no more!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: She could see it…
SheReadsaLot to Audience: So Aubree’s decision and decision making process had me side-eyeing the hell out of her and her aunt!
Brasi had a very forgiving heart however!
SheReadsaLot to Audience: a more forgiving heart than I apparently have.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Aside from Aubree’s decisions… What more do you want to share?
This read dealt with a lot, because how do you forgive someone for taking your choice away?How do you take the high road when life gets taken from you. And how do you go back to love with all this in between?
Mrs. Raynor gave me a lot to think about, and this start to the Hellcat Barbies collab really makes me look forward to what will come next!
I was in need of something that would settle my nerves a bit, and decided to pick up a cozy fast read by Mrs. Jaimsss P. Verse Two: A Second Chance Romance (Verse Two).
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: That’s what you thought!
Mrs. P.:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Quick break for short story time
This may come as a bit of a shock to you, but I used to be a huge people pleaser. Being thought that kids were meant to be seen not heard, and that they were expected to care for and obey their elders will do that you.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Maybe also a bit of a side-effect of being raised in a Caribbean Black household, and being the oldest sibling?
SheReadsaLot:
The older I got the more I started to break away from that narrative. It started with work. I started work young, and in some ways followed in my mothers footsteps. Trying to make sure I could provide in case of, while trying to obtain my degree so I could provide later in life. When I noticed that I didn’t get enough of a mental challenge with work, I decided to switch it up so I could get to where I wanted to be. And kept doing so until I ended up where I wanted to be. All the while still making sure that my mother wouldn’t be disappointed because I was without work.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So still people pleasing!
SheReadsaLot:
When I hit 28 I saw an upfront example of people pleasing that stopped me in my tracks and I started being more selective to who and what I gave my energy.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So if you’re not happy you leave?
SheReadsaLot: Or I change it up, I know I won’t stay in a situation that I’m dreading to show up for. And it’s my life?
SheReadsaLot to Audience: You’re probably wondering what the heck does this have to do with anything, right?
Verse Two is a chance encounter where the Main Characters get a second chance at love while snowed in, and are in close proximity. Featuring an Alpha male, Brixton, who is a music artist and Dylan who is a talent agent. The thing that they at that point in time have in common is that they’re unfulfilled with work and life, while they’re bending over backward to be there for people who take advantage of having them in their lives.
SheReadsaLot to Dylan: What do you mean, Dylan? You got her to where she is, and now she is treating you like a nuisance?
SheReadsaLot to Audience: I didn’t expect it, but seeing that play out, it triggered me! Brixton didn’t much help matters either…
SheReadsaLot to Brixton: What do you mean your ex-girlfriend of six years was slanging her cooter-cat to a man who wasn’t even near your level, and three months later is still harassing you? Talking about it was a mistake?! And you keep making yourself available to her!!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: And Brixton not being upfront gave room to a lot of unnecessary confusion as well!
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Mrs. P. brought it all together though
For Mrs. Rene Wolfe‘s latest release, Vaughn & Cori, I went back to the D-Ville Projects.
While there I got to know Vaughn, MMC, a widower and single father who takes his vows and responsibilities seriously!
SheReadsaLot to Audience: One of those responsibilities he should’ve done away with a very long while ago… Because….
And Cori, FMC, sports journalist who has her likes and dislikes.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So you are sticking to that description I see.
SheReadsaLot: I mean it’s her prerogative to like what she likes and dislikes.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So nothing about how she expressed those likes and dislikes?
SheReadsaLot: I mean it was not for me to like or dislike. And if he likes it? Who am I to disagree?
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So what do you want to tell them about this read?
SheReadsaLot to Audience: This read is a short one at 98 pages, but as always Mrs. Wolfe made it a complete read. Vaugh was there for his loved ones old and new, although a bit hesitant at first, he was all in once he realized that a second chance at love was staring him in the face.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Not saying anything about Cori I see!
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Cori was being Cori, and I’m still a bit unsure why she was acting the way she was acting. I need to think some more on her reluctance.
I had been on a Romance binge for a while, and needed something other than Romance. And in came Mrs. Urania (new to me author) with a request perfectly timed with regards to her latest release, Pillow Talk.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot:
*SheReadsaLot read the dedication*
Dedicated to the girlies who know their worth. To the fellas who think cheating is a game…be careful, some secrets bite back, and lastly, to the side chicks who need the reminder to be a girl’s girl cause karma never sleeps, and no one writes fairytales about “the other woman.”
Urania. Pillow Talk. SistaladifriendPublishing Co.. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot:
*SheReadsaLot proceeds to chapter 1*
“Damn doc, why can’t I stop cheating on my wife?”
Urania. Pillow Talk. SistaladifriendPublishing Co.. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot:
This read started out with Micah, MMC, who is cheating on his wife, Cynthia, because…
*SheReadsaLot checks notes*
“I like it rough sometimes. I don’t want to always do that lovey dovey shit! It gets boring…You, are boring.”
Urania. Pillow Talk. SistaladifriendPublishing Co.. Kindle Edition.The sex wasn’t satisfactory to him.
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: But naturally that wasn’t the first time Micah ever told Cynthia this right? He made this a topic of conversation with his wife, right?
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot: Same… Same…
SheReadsaLot to Audience: It didn’t stay there though! When Cynthia finds out that Micah has indeed been cheating on her, and is no longer happy in their marriage. Cynthia files for…
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So Micah is getting what he wants. The love of his life. Great sex, this should be an easy divorce.
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot: I’m telling you!
Micah’s voice still echoed in her mind. The irony was laughable. He had destroyed her piece by piece and still had the audacity to act like he was the victim.
Urania. Pillow Talk. SistaladifriendPublishing Co.. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: I mean how do you cheat on the woman that has been there through thick and thin, honoring the vows you both took. And now want to be mad because she wants to move on from your trifling S?
SheReadsaLot: I’m telling you, The audacity and selfishness of Micah couldn’t even be measured on the Richter scale.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Now you’d think after having read all this that I gave away the plot right?
Even though Micah’s audacity is one of the drivers of this read… Because he has a lot of it! Mrs. Urania gives us suspense, mystery and an up close visual of the deterioration of the mind. This read gave me everything I was in search of at that moment.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: You mean the agitation when you had to stop reading because your colleague needed your attention?
SheReadsaLot: So I got really invested… And I mean didn’t he see that I was reading?
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Yes Ma’am… The audacity of your colleague to expect you to be working while at work!
SheReadsaLot:
After just having finished my last read, Ms. Frien, told me it was time again for a buddy read. Enter Savage Season by Mrs. Tara Ellis.
About Czar Savage, MMC, and Kyla Reed, FMC. Who both experienced a murder at the age of 12, that shaped them into adulthood.
Where Czar is expected to live up to the family name, Kyla is seemingly taking a route that let’s her survive while not fully living.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: LISTEN!!!! WE WERE IN IT!
We were trying to figure out what exactly was happing. Did he or didn’t he, is she or isn’t she!
Our theories were flying all up and through our chat!
It had me sitting behind my desk, sometimes forgetting that I did actually had some work to do!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Two days in a row huh?
SheReadsaLot: Yes Ma’am! Ms. Frien made an excellent selection!
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Ms. Frien saved me however, because somehow I got some chapters ahead of her, and I needed to slow my behind down some so she could catch up with me. Giving me the time to focus on what needed to be done.
*SheReadsaLot thinking back to the reveal before part 2 started, while having to focus on what needed to be done*
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Wait until Ms. Frien reaches that part, because we both knew it.
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: But we’ll let her catch up first… Right?!
*shereadsalot in Ms. Frien DM’s*
When we got back to it and finished it, we were both left feeling accomplished.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Because the suspense?
SheReadsaLot: FULL of it!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: The plot twistst?
SheReadsaLot: Twisting
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: The chemistry between them?
SheReadsaLot: Lit
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: The fruition of the chemistry?
SheReadsaLot: Fruitful
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Czar and his intricacies?
SheReadsaLot: Beautifully written!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Kyla?
SheReadsaLot: …
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Kyla?
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Ma’am, she wasn’t that bad!
SheReadsaLot:
And then the day had arrived I was looking forward to after having read Mrs. Elle Madearis The Last Substitution. The release day of the twins’ stories had arrived.
Me being me, I read them in order. Meaning I started out with Intentional Foul, Malcolm‘s story.
Malcolm, MMC, pro athlete in the NBA, the “good” twin, has known for five years who his wife was going to be. And has been in pursuit of her for over a year at the start of this read.
And we have Jhae, FMC, successful signed music artist. And also Malcolm’s mother’s best friend of five years, and seven years the senior of Malcolm.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Making things clear I see.
SheReadsaLot: You know I had to do that. Wouldn’t want anyone to think that there was any grooming taking place, even if Niecy did go there.
SheReadsaLot and SheReadsaLot:
So Malcolm was not at all the wholesome “good” and “innocent” that he displayed to be. He worked hard to get his Music Note, Jhae!
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Real hard, because Jhae was really, really, really, really hesitant to go for love just to not lose out on friendship.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Which we could understand somewhat.
SheReadsaLot: It also made me think about friendship!
To me true friendship gives you room to be who you are freely. It doesn’t keep score of what you have contributed to someone’s life, nor does it turn vindictive when you disagree on matters.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Yes, I know I should be talking about the main characters and their love, which was beautiful when they both landed on the same page. But the friendship left me wondering the most.
Because the lengths Jhae went, and the way her finding love impacted her mental, all because it was her friends son? It left me wondering….
Would a true friend stand in the way of your happiness?
Week Closer
I closed out my week with Mrs. Elle Madearis‘ second release, Defending the Post, Marquise‘s story.
About Marquise, MMC, pro athlete in the NBA on the same team as his twin Malcolm, loves his variety in the bedroom.
Until he meets Erin, FMC, creative director and assistant to Jhae.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Let me preface this by saying… both of this books are good! And I LOVE LOVE Marquise’s story best.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: It’s just something about a heaux becoming a one woman man of his own volition, isn’t it?
SheReadsaLot:
It didn’t start or end there for me however. Marquise while being the self-appointed protector to his loved ones, also tackled his belief system,
“Finally, somebody with some common sense sees it. I do everything to protect them and they still… they still want to leave me,” I stammered.
Madearis, Elle. Defending the Post- Marquise’s Story (The Complexity of Love Series Book 3). Kindle Edition
making my eyes water…
SheReadsaLot to Audience:
*Flashback to SheReadsaLot reading that scene*
SheReadsaLot: I mean, his childhood trauma really impacted him hard!
Despite how hard this all was, Marquise took the necessary steps to be the best version of himself, not only for Erin, but for himself.
And then we had Erin, who knew her boundaries and enforced them at each and every turn.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Or tried to.
SheReadsaLot: Marquise was a bit hard to resist… I mean can you blame her?
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Erin stood on business where it mattered though!
SheReadsaLot: I mean disrespect doesnot become respect even if he’s packaged like Marquise
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So do you have anything more to add?
SheReadsaLot to Audience: If you decide to pick this one up, have some tissues handy… Just in case..
And that is how we’ve come to the end of this Week in Review! Off to see what next week will bring me!
👩🏾SheReadsaLot 