Starting off not like always.. With a Happy New Year to All.
Happy New Year
And now off to the regular scheduled program, 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.
So we are officially in a new year, and I’ve been taking it slow this week. Date of writing this post is the 3rd of January, 2026.
Meaning I woke up to the news of the U.S. being on some fvck-ish in our neighboring country Venezuela, after already being on some fvck-ish in Nigeria on xmas.
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot: Ma’am…
And in stressful times, my books always seem to deliver some relief, as well as talking some things out. Not as elaborate, but more elaborate than what I have been doing the last few weeks of 2025.
My first read, The Runningback’s Reverse, for the last week of 2025 was provided by Mrs. Dandridge Monroe, those that read my blog, already know that Mrs. Monroe is one of my favs. And she once again did not disappoint!
SheReadsaLot to Audience:
Miss Lady was so kind as to notify me of Mrs. Monroe’s release in this thread.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: About that… How come you didn’t know one of your favs was about to release Ma’am?
SheReadsaLot: Look that was my bad…
SheReadsaLot to Audience: I haven’t been as active in the readers groups as I was. And missed completely that Mrs. Monroe was about to release!
SheReadsaLot: But I was there to pick up the release. So all was good.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Was it though?
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Now look… I only take accountability for my actions! The emotional rollercoaster? That’s all Mrs. Monroe’s fault!
I wasn’t even 60 pages in, and I was stressed!!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Maybe it’s good to at least mention the names of the characters, that way you can explain the stress a bit better.
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Won’t be doing too much however!
We get introduced to FMC Sterling, a Travel Nurse, just on the brink of an obligated summer vacation with family. Just the mere mention of her mother’s name makes Sterling tense up.
And MMC, Money, number 8 for the Desperados, dealing with a woman who claims to be pregnant with his baby.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So where did the stress come in?
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: So we had the mother right?
That mother talked so bad to Sterling, B-A-D y’all! It broke my heart, cannot imagine talking to my children that way.
But that wasn’t what stressed me out.
SheReadsaLot: Sterling was willing to offer herself up on the altar of her mothers condemnation.
SheReadsaLot to Sterling:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Now Ma’am you know good and well how children, no matter the age, will always long for parental affection. And putting it in that light, what is a little emotional abuse? Maybe this time Sterling will be enough?
SheReadsaLot: I’m a firm believer in believing people when they tell you who they are and demonstrate that they don’t like you! But….
And then Money finds out the truth about his supposed mother of his unborn child.
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Remember when I told you I was under 60 pages in?
BUT! The way Mrs. Monroe wrote the M-E-S-S out of this story? How these two characters found healing and love between these pages?
SheReadsaLot: I am almost inclined to forget how Mrs. Monroe took me through the wringer!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: But would you have appreciated them finding love, had Mrs. Monroe not taken you through it beforehand?
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Now I know I haven’t told you not one bit about this story, not taking into account the names of the characters. So let me leave you on what you can expect.
This book is the 8th book in Mrs. Monroe’s Desperados series, sports (football) romance, and is best enjoyed by reading it in order. Even though each book features new characters. This read is an emotional one, as it deals with *triggers* a stalker, strained familial relationships, emotional abuse, mention of rape and mental health. On the flip side of this it deals with healing, alone and together, mentorship, humor:
and love.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Mrs. Monroe ain’t one of my favs for nothing. Using the words of TheReaderVert
My second finished read, Stolen Love, for this week, was provided by Mrs. Aubry J.
This one also ended up on my favorites list for the 2025 year. It was so good it beat out the petty in me.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: You almost let your pettiness win though!
SheReadsaLot: Look these characters that Mrs. J. penned just didn’t want to communicate or listen!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Mrs. J. warned you though! Even made sure to put it in the Before You Read chapter to make sure that you, the reader, are aware of this fact.
“Amethyst is fucking hardheaded. He is going to piss you off because he doesn’t listen. He only reacts, and honestly, it’s usually for the wrong reasons. His communication is HORRIBLE. The entire book, he’s never going to listen or say what he needs to. He probably has the worst character growth because of it.”
Before You Read, Love Stolen by Mrs. Aubry J.
SheReadsaLot: Look I know what Mrs. J. told us, I read the words my darn self. It was different experiencing it though! And I don’t wanna be held accountable for proceeding, knowing what Mrs. J. told us!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Was it good though?
SheReadsaLot: Ma’am it was so darn good!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Tell them what they can expect from this read?
650 pages of Frustration, Suspense, Secrets, the tree coming together, (over)protective characters, miscommunication, stubbornness and Love. Please take note that this book is the fourth book of the KC Queens series.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Recommend?
My answer still hasn’t changed… I am talking about it, and this became one of my favorite releases for 2025, so yes!
My last book, Is She The Reason, for the year 2025 was provided by Mrs. Nako.
SheReadsaLot: I’m starting to sense a theme here…
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Now what pray tell could possibly be the theme here…
SheReadsaLot to Audience: So I’m not saying I’m easily stressed out… But this book stressed me out as well!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Tell them what they can expect from this read?
Think Bonnie & Clyde but married with children. Been together for years, they get captured. FMC goes away for a 10-year bid, MMC only does a year on a technicality.
There are triggers like strained familial relationships, lying, trauma, mention of kidnapping of a child, and rape.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: What stuck with you the most?
Dishonesty
Growth (not for the person who most needed it though)
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Recommend?
YES! YES! YES! Even though this was the first read from Mrs. Nako’s pen that I picked up in 2025, I haven’t read a book from her pen that I didn’t like. And this read was a good reminder to pick up more of her books again.
My first finished book for 2026 got picked up under advisement from Mrs. April_Be_Readin, who told me about Mrs. Toni Larue’s latest release, Safe House.
Based on the premise I already knew, that this read wasn’t going to be finished in one sitting. And I was right. This read for me could only be read during daylight hours. And the first of January being a day to visit family, meant that it took me almost two days to finish.
SheReadsaLot: Worth it though!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Yes? Even with all the pacing you had to do from the suspense?
SheReadsaLot: No need to call my nerves out like that! They are just a bit sensitive!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: So let me tell you about what to expect!
This story deals with domestic violence and the psychological effects this has on the FMC who after finally escaping the physical grasp of her personal tormentor, has to deal with dangers that are out there in the safest place on earth.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So I guess that’s how we’re doing it huh? What stuck with you the most?
Trust your gut
Embarassment is never a reason to not speak up
I’ll be side-eyeing people who are deemed safe as well.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Recommend?
Yes! And for sure if your nerves are better than mine are.
And for my my last read I went back to Mrs. Nako catalog and picked up In Him I Trust. A contemporary sports romance.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Tell them what they can expect from this read?
Redemption, flawed human beings, dealing with trauma, mention of domestic abuse, drug addiction and rape, friendship, familial relationship, and personal relationships with God.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: What stuck with you the most?
Sometimes those you came up with, are the ones holding you back
Who you surround yourself with is important and makes a difference be it good or bad
To check on those always making an effort to make you smile
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Recommend?
Yes! What spoke to me in this read was the individual bond these characters had with God, meaning they weren’t Church people.
SheReadsaLot: I already made clear how I feel about Church people, so no need to harp on that distinction.
These characters are saved but not sanctimonious, lessons were imparted, friendships and new bonds were established. Mrs. Nako does a very good job of letting you take your lessons without preaching at you.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: I’m guessing you liked that huh?
SheReadsaLot: Sure did! And I’m off to pick up another one of her catalog!
And that is how we’ve come to the end of this Week in Review! I’m not telling you anything about next week. Because I really don’t know what next week will bring me.
👩🏾SheReadsaLot 