Midnight In The Grove

by BriAnn Danae

A few granted wishes weren’t enough to satisfy Aleesa’s fervent desires. A year after she’s been thoroughly taken care of and then ghosted, she’s stuck trying to make sense of it all. Rich wasn’t the type of man to be easily forgotten about, and he’s been on her mind every waking moment since his abrupt departure. Taking measures into her own hands on yet another Halloween night, Aleesa quickly discovers that what was meant to be would remain, no matter how she tried to intervene.

Genres: Halloween

56 pages, Paperback

Published October 24, 2023

About the author

BriAnn Danae is an urban romance author and native of Kansas City, Missouri. In October 2015, she penned her first novel and since has enhanced her catalog claiming seventy titles to date. She whimsically writes Black love stories with purpose and passion, making you want to go beyond the book and look into her mind as a writer.

As the two-time 2021 Black Girls Who Write award winner for Best Black Book Series and Best Black Urban Romance and KCPCA 2023 Best Author of Kansas City, BriAnn has masterfully crafted her pen. With the talent to navigate between genres, she’s captured the hearts of her readers, making them fall hard in love with her characters. Her writing can be classified as soul-snatching, heart-yearning, chest throbbing, and downright some of the most exhilarating literature one could grace their eyes upon.

There’s a message BriAnn strives to leave with her readers. “I don’t just write to tell a story. I write to paint a picture and give a testimony.”

Reviews

[Jahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

MIDD

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss Aleesa is sick now that Rich is gone. All because she was not specific enough in her wishes. Nothing in her life feels the same, and she would do anything to get Rich back. Well….. finding herself in a bar one night she meets someone who may be the answer to her happiness.

This all happened so quickly, which I know was intentional, however, being introduced to all that is Rich’s life had my head spinning. 😤 I’m happy that these two were able to reunite, as you could feel the love they shared. But Aleesa didn’t you need more information from this man? I get you feeling him and all, but finding out who and what he is didn’t make you concerned a lil bit? 👀 Hmm...🤦🏾‍♀️
Excited to learn that there is more to come from the Safar family, as I have a feeling this is bout to get wild!!

[*Ebony I* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wishes Granted

The first book I wanted more and this book gave us a little more of Rich and Aleesa.

We learned more about who Rich was and why he was able to grant Aleesa's wishes. I liked the "magic" that was used to unite them again. Questions were answered from the previous book. The chemistry was still there for these two and they picked right up where they left off.

Overall an okay quick read.

['The Book Queen' · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute

I had to read the previous story to remember the idea behind this one. And I will admit, it was a really cute genie story. I enjoyed it too.

[Simply_YoYo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute and the perfect follow up on Aleesa & Rich.
My girl was sick over Rich leaving. But Aleesa learned to be specific with those wishes 🤣
I mean you had me at Rich being a black genie, with gold fangs and locs 😍🥰
Loved this quote -
No woman who halfway loves me could summon me from my safe place to a safer place. Talk about power,” he said, making me feel like I could do anything I put my mind to.
🌓🎃👻❤️🫶🏾

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[BrownBookNerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short & straight to the point. Perfect for spooky season!!

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

terrible sequel unfortunately which is so sad because the first book was kind of okay

[BlackBookVibes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a Halloween Release

So I read the first one in 2019 when it was released. I enjoyed it and wished it was longer! So, I was happy when this was released! It took a minute to get to it but I throughly enjoyed it. Finding out what the mmc really was, was a surprised and them being fated mates was a bonus! Can't wait until we get to the other siblings!

[Demetrius · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this holiday short.

[Taees_Cozy_Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aleesa deserved all that love from Rich. Yessss

[Ash Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of Trickin is a Treat. It was okay.

[Eros Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I still missed my man, who wasn’t really my man, but he was. At least, in my eyes, he was.”

Book II from the duology and I’m not mad at it.
I did enjoy book I slightly better but both books pulled the story together very cute.
I love a short but engaging season-themed novella & this easily fit into that category.

If you’re looking for a 2-part short story to get you in the Halloween spirit, this is the book rec for you.

[Tamekia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this genre BriAnn stepping into! Last year Trickin is a Treat was so good so I’m happy she came back with a follow up! What would you do if you had 3 wishes? I loved it!

[BetweentheCoversLiterary · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and cute!

This read was such a treat I was happy to have Aleesa and Rich together again and with an happily ever after. I can’t wait for the rest of the Safar family.

[Izzy]

Okay so I asked for more and I got it. But I’m not sure how I feel about it 🤨

[derrellee · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute sequel

I enjoyed this sequel to the original novella trick or treat. I am glad there was a happy ending to this story.

[Sage Bloom Cloud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday Shorts
by BriAnn Danae

Book 1:
Trickin' Is A Treat
56 Pages

Book 2:
Midnight In The Grove
58 Pages


This is a two-for-one review since both books are short stories. I wouldn’t personally call them erotica. I need a lot more to consider something erotic, but they were still enjoyable. You can tell the stories were written a few years apart, but the premise stayed strong to me.

I was eager to learn the truth behind everything and was happy with the explanation we got. I would love to see a longer continuation of the concept introduced in book two, especially involving the MMC’s family. For short stories, they were good, but I definitely wanted more, like a lot more. The time skip summary just wasn’t enough for me, and if the second book wasn’t already out, I would have been frustrated with how the first one ended.

If you want a story where a woman gets exactly what she needs from a man who is more than happy to give it, this series is worth the read.

It ain't trickin’ if you got it!

[Tina Sharane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟 Now that was my kinda carrying on!!! I'm so happy BriAnn Danae came back and actually completed Rich & Aleesa's love story, and I am not disappointed one bit! I'm glad she added more lore to Rich's backstory and origin, and I was here for it. I didn't know I had a creature fetish until reading about Mr. Safar because a girl could use me one of him, iykyk! 🤤 I definitely need to read more urban paranormal romances with Black MCs because a time was had with this one! And the spice was definitely much better in this one than the first and I wouldn't have minded a little more time with Rich & Aleesa tbh, but this was still a great, quick, fun read imo.

BriAnn Danae should dive into this genre more because I'm definitely a fan at this point and would read more stories like this from her. I recommend reading book 1 and 2 back to back to fully feel satisfied by this story.

[Plus Size Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fact that I read the first story in this series almost a year ago. The fact that it was less than 60 pages and the moment I read the FIRST page of this sequel, I was immediately brought back to the heartache I felt for my girl when she lost her man, that is proof that BriAnn Danae left an imprint.

Ya'll I've read long ass books and forgotten character names and the entire plot within a half hour of finishing it. But Aleesa and Rich I could never forget. Which is crazy because I went back and read my first review, and I literally gave nothing. Just called it quick, cute, and spicy.

Which it was and this was exactly the same. Quick Cute, SPICY, and Memorable.

[Midnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book in this duology, "Trickin' is a Treat," I was eager for more of Aleesa and Rich's story. This second book delivers just that—we finally learn Rich's backstory! At the end of the first book, I sympathized with Aleesa. Still, in this installment, I admire her determination to get her man, Rich, back, which I understand entirely. Like in the previous story, Rich stood on business when it came to Aleesa. The character's longing for each other was both sincere and sexy. As a Halloween read, this book is short, trippy, fun, wild, and steamy; I wish it were longer. I really enjoyed it!

[Beaut.Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 / 5 ⭐️ This made me so happy, Rich and Aleesa finally found their way back to each other after a year. I’m so glad everything worked out and came together cause I don’t know what they would’ve done if they could never be together again.

Rich being a genie shouldn’t have come as a shock but somehow it all made sense. This was the perfect conclusion to this short series and I’m glad they got the happy ending they deserved after being away from each other for so long.

Edit: Can’t wait for his brothers to have their own stories.

[RChelle Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, quick follow-up from book one. Aleesa and Rich met under mysterious circumstances and he was dedicated to nothing and no one but her until he up and disappeared. A year later she misses him more than ever and wishes for his return.

There is just enough spice and a good plot. Although the ending doesn't leave us with a cliffhanger or any indication of another book, I'd be interested in seeing where this couple and the storyline could go.

[AsToldByTheNy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich & Aleesa.

Well well well 😌 what do we have hereeeee ‼️🌶️😌
Another banger. Another gem. Anotherrrrrr one 😎

Rich reallyyyy that nigga! Like really and truly.
Real or not. Half human or not.
He lays it DOWN.
Loveee that they got their HEA.

I wouldn’t mind some follow-ups for the brothers. lol

Fav Quote: “On this side of the free world or not, you’ll always be my heaven on earth.” ❤️🥹🤭❤️

Rating: 4⭐️ | 2.5🌶️

[Jacknthebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this follow-up to book 1. Alessa was going through it, missing her man and willing to do whatever was necessary to get him back. On Halloween, she finds a way, and we get a beautiful happily after ever. I loved every page of this book, especially the update on Alessa's cousin Kharisma. The details that were given on what caused the separation between Alessa and Rich added more intrigue to the story. I'm glad these two got to have their forever love.

[Kenna McNair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the second part of this story! 🤭😍

I was rooting so hard for my girl Aleesa to find Rich — neither of them felt whole without the other. I mean, if you could summon your man back, would you take that risk to get your good thing again?

This Halloween tale had me smiling from ear to ear. The chemistry was still there, and the spice was just right for a short read. I adore BriAnn Danae’s writing style and will definitely be diving into more of her work!

[Jerrica (Mrsmar10Reads) Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time around

Alessa got it together this time. She was given a second chance to be more deliberate and specific with her wishes. While I knew, or had an ideas that Rich wasn't completely human, I didn't expect his revelation. I liked the Jennifer/Sunni connection and how Alessa was drawn to both places. Big Daddy Rich still out here trickin' and treating. Happy Halloween Reading Y'all!💋🎃

[Authoress Nadia Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesssss!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this continuation of Aleesa and Rich’s story. I love the fact that he was willing to fulfill all of her wishes, and she was willing to do whatever it takes to get her man back….. a sweet and spicy Halloween story with a plot twist that I wasn’t expecting. Excellent job!

[ejbooks25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
3🌶

I dont know what it was about this book, but I had a good little time. Maybe it was Rich... it was 100% Rich. I dont know what is about that man 😈🥵 but gotdamn.

It was a nice wrap up to the first book and it felt a little more put together than the first one. I wouldn't mind the brothers getting a book as well 👀.

Definitely a reread for me!

[Taffany Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

Aleesa was miserable the entire year that she was without Rich. Going out on Halloween night with her family was a good thing for her. She felt his presence. Once she went to the bar and received the potion, she got her man back! This time for a lifetime instead of a year! Great read!