Parachutes: Book Two: The Glide

by Takerra Allen

“Takerra Allen is a meteoric explosion in the literary arts. Her pen game is beyond reproach, no apologies needed, required, or expected. Parachutes… her latest and another ‘greatest’…!” – Tamela L. Winfrey, reviewer

Tahli and Vin fell in love one summer and their story began.
Through personal growth, love guided them. Watered by kisses, battered by storms, petals died off and grew again. Bent, twisted, and strengthened through adversities as love often faces…as one, they flourished.
The flower turns to a garden, the garden grows a tree.
But what happens when rot sneaks into the roots? When mistakes of your past threaten your future?
Taking the fall in Book One left us suspended in air in three intervals of time.
Let’s join them in their parachute and see how far love can carry us. This go, let’s see if we survive the glide.
Book Two is the second part of a three-book series.

Genres: Romance

445 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2024

About the author

Takerra Allen was born in Jersey City, NJ and resides in Somerset, NJ. In addition to being an author, the 25 year old is the CEO of an all female Entertainment Company entitled Heaven Inc., and the half sister to the late renowned Tupac Shakur (sharing the same biological father, former Black Panther, William Garland).
Takerra and her business partner of Heaven Inc., have launched Angelic Script Publishing to give new edgy writers a chance to demonstrate their talent and to give readers and lovers of Contemporary Fiction, new and exciting books to fall in love with. Writing continues to be Takerra's first love however, and her work has been appraised by many veteran African-American writers.
Her first novel, Thicker Than Water, has become an underground success making it's way into mainstream recognition. Look forward to more works and projects from Takerra!

Reviews

[Rashawnda · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My baby love.”
“My parachute.”

Well Takerra said she was transporting us to another dimension where a love exists so potent between two people that they are in distress at the unraveling of it. But baby she didn’t warn us that we would unravel right along with them 😩😩 A glide?! Yeah ok 😒

These two really took me on a journey of pure joy and unequivocal pain. I truly do empathize with Tahli and the betrayal she feels and has experienced at the hands of Vin, HOWEVER after reading book two I went from straddling the fence to being 10000% team Vin.

We can dialogue about this for hours on end but the growth, YES GROWTH that I see in Vin I’m just not seeing with Tahli and yeah I know the obvious is clear but should the totality of who Vin is and who he has been be reduced to one grievance?! Nope and yeah it’s a doozy! I mean he didn’t forget to pick up milk on the way home he fkd up big time but I need Tahli off her high horse and down to earth with the rest of us humans that make mistake and strive to correct our actions. One thing we can’t argue about is the fact that Takerra smoked tf out of this series!

🪂It was “American Boy” for me 🥴
🪂It was Stage Left for me 🥹💛❤️He’s really trying. 🗣️Vin I see your effort!!
🪂Yes Terran, yes a snake does crawl in there 🤭
🪂It’s Vin and Dali’s heart to heart. I love their conversations.
🪂It will forever be Lola for me….. like I’m really rooting for my girl to be who Vin needs her to be!
🪂It SpiderVin for me 😆😩

Can love and betrayal coexist?! Absolutely! The real question to ask is can that love carry you through the betrayal? At this point idk if I’m rooting for them to make amends or if they’re better apart. Only book 3 can help me decide.

🎶I'm a puzzle, yes, indeed
Ever-complex in every way
And all the pieces aren't even in the box
And yet you see the picture clear as day
I don't know why you love me
And that's why I love you🎶

[LaToya Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be sending TA a bill for my pain & suffering..

“What do you do when a man declares you’re too good for him?…”

Just..wow. What an emotional glide. All of that detective work that I did after book one..all my theories - down the drain, okay?!

I’m emotionally spent after reading this. To understand the present/future, we had to spend a lot of time in the past. I found myself being annoyed with Tahli, feeling bad for Vin, wanting them to get it right, back and forth with who was right or wrong. Truth is, these are two imperfect people who fell in love hard and fast. They came from completely different backgrounds but the love they had for one another made up for that. Marriage and children came all while secrets sat at the foundation of what they were trying to build.

Love isn’t always enough..or is it?

[Jahda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting to be on Vin's side in book two. I'm not sure if I can fully convey my opinions; but my thoughts on the characters have shifted. Tahli's love felt conditional to me, whereas Vin was willing to love unconditionally. Tahli has not grown and remains caught in her "perfect" standards for life and people around her, which is a significant weight.

I don't condone Vin's actions, but after considering the past and Tahli's behavior, she still has a lot of work to do. I believe she hasn't really recovered and has leaped into a relationship with Drew because he is predictable and safe. I was also side-eyeing her because Drew was always waiting in the background.

I don't know why, but like I said I feel like her thought process has remained the same since the beginning of their relationship. She makes me feel that there is no room for error or comfort, which is why I can understand why Vin didn't feel comfortable displaying some aspects of himself.

FREE VIN !!! I want him to find love outside of her, with someone who accepts him for who he is. I’m fine with the couple healing separately and NOT getting back together.

[Melise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just say I hate when authors make me root for a man lmaooo a cheating one at that but let’s go

4 stars – He lied for 12 years, but she made healing feel like a one-man job.

Vin was a liar and a cheater, full stop. He kept secrets for over a decade and caused a lot of pain but by this book, he was trying.He was growing, owning his faults, opening up, and working through his damage. Tahli? She stayed emotionally stuck. She kept demanding vulnerability from him but did nothing with it when he actually gave it to her. He shouldn’t have to break down in tears for her to believe he’s hurt sometimes, the anger is the message.

She constantly dismissed or minimized his feelings while doubling down on her own(the whole I was your biggest goal WHEEWWWWW BABY she would’ve never seen me again) She’d say she wanted honesty, but every time he opened up, she’d either make it about herself or justify her behavior. That emotional imbalance made it hard to root for them as a couple.

And let’s be honest Tahli wasn’t exactly innocent in her emotional choices either. She ends up back with the same man she got with the first time she and Vin broke up decades ago.Like... why are you still in touch with him? You’re venting about your current relationship to someone who’s basically your ex, brushing it off like it’s no big deal, and expecting Vin to be okay with that? Like dang sis you not gonna head to therapy take some time to heal focus on ya kids cus ENGAGEDDD in a year WTHHHH

She wanted to play the "princess in the tower" role, but wasn’t willing to acknowledge how her own actions contributed to the dysfunction. Yes, Vin broke her heart. But she continuously disrespected his boundaries and tried to mold him into a safe space while ignoring that she wasn’t creating one either. Like Vin is DEAD WRONG FOR CHEATING IDCCC. I just feel like Tahli didn’t give anything as far as growth development and maturity. Like yes we had time flips but every past look she was the same just pregnant.

This relationship was emotionally exhausting. Vin wasn’t perfect—far from it—but at least he was doing the work. Tahli just kept crying, blaming, and repeating the same patterns. If Book 3 doesn’t give her a major self-awareness arc, I might just root for his peace instead of their love.

[charlice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars bc takerra’s pen game is…outrageous 😉 but i swear idk how to feel about vin. i mean, i love him so bad no doubt but damn dude…

[Reese · Rating 2 out of 5]

Padding

This book is like a friend saying "long story short" & then proceeding to state every single unnecessary detail & THEN having to call you back just before getting to the point of what you asked. I cant take too much more of pre-divorce papers especially 2008-2012. We knew what happened to the friends & weren't really provided any shocking details so we know about as much as we did in book one. I formed no deeper connection. There just wasn't any part of this book I needed outside of the situation with DJ. This was my first time ever skipping to the end of a TA book to see where it was going. & I do honestly still want to see where the story is going. Love Vin down, rooting for that man. Ill have to go back and read Munchs interview because it seems like something changed with his situation. Don't very much like Tahli but 100% understand. I just want to know whats GOING to happen now that we are here rather than what HAPPENED.

[kiriahsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/24 re-read - TA know she wrong for ending that book like that!


If you thought Book One hurt, baby buckle up this isn’t any better.

Takerra why would you write this? 🥹😭 I don’t even have a review. If you read book one you already know what the deal is.

I’m Team Dalvin Hayes, love isn’t always black and white. 😭

How did I feel more sympathy for Vin than I did for Tahli and she’s the one who’s truly in pain??

I might write more later but that’s all I have for now. 7/12

[Demetrius · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Parachute series solidified Takerra Allen as one of my new favorite authors. Her Pen Game is A1. TA land is something else 😩

Tahli … you always gonna be my wife, for life 😭

[Erin Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I should’ve waited for book 3 to come out because now I’m about to be sitting here feigning for it! 😩😩😩😩

TA why you end the book like that?!?!? Baby Love 💔🥺

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Water & whiskey 🤎 Takerra Allen doesn’t disappoint. So many questions were answered in The Glide and the Swiss cheese lined up. The emotions were truly felt with this read, but I expected no less. Little gems in book 1 and early book 2 came to pass; however, the heartbreak didn’t hurt less. Big Vin and Big Tah Tah has to make it right? Shoutout to Munch, he’s a real one. I feel satisfied until book 3, even with the cliff in the distance. 🪂

[KarynReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I meannnnn… No room for give… No room for error? Can anyone live like that? Can we say Tahli could forgive had she known… we dont know.. When you walk in the world of Tahli you better straighten up and not falter. And keep all plans in place.

That ending.. man..

[Darcy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glide - verb: 1: to move smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly. 2: to descend gradually in controlled flight.
"I'm sitting here hopeful but I'm not sure what I'm hoping for," is what I told my book besties when I finished the Glide

This is a story where I found myself torn at every end, crushed after every page, and emotional after every conversation. I asked myself was love enough?
I asked myself if the same heart that brought peace, drown them in hell?
If this were me, could I forgive a lie that caused the deepest heartbreak?
Is it safe to lose yourself in someone you love when you don't even really know yourself?
What version of Tahli was true for Vin? What version of Vin was true for Tahli?
Perfection does not exist and I need both of them to realize this.

Guilt - 1. a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some offense, crime, wrong, etc,whether real or imagined.
Vin carried a guilty conscience for Sophie that made him be there for her, whether it was every few months, on 11/11, a quick text, or calling her mother to step in. He wasn't responsible for her mental health, heart, or healing. I wish that same guilty conscience would've shown up and provided the truth to Tahli. I wish it was more powerful than the "might as well" attitude he had in these life changing situations.

Risk - 1. exposure to the chance of injury or loss. A hazard or dangerous chance. Heartbreak and losing family can change you. But you have to be willing to change. Munch, the scene in the car with him and Vin and the courthouse scene was beyond heartbreaking. Munch took a risk for Vin because he took one on him first. Vin and Tahli definitely took a risk on each other being so young and so deeply in love. I don't doubt Vin would do anything to right his wrongs but is it enough?

TA made me cry, laugh, and question my own beliefs throughout this beautiful masterpiece.

[Gia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing….

The author did not disappoint, I could not put this book down. This is all I could have hoped for in the second installment of Vin and Tahli”s love story. Love is crazy, it doesn’t make sense and it is has its highs and lows, but what stood out from their story is that it is life changing. Obviously, the way Tahli found out about DJ was life shattering and extremely humbling to a woman like Tahli, but time is truly a healer, so in book three I am hopeful that the journey to reconciliation is in the cards,because that cliff hanger was crazy. What was never in doubt was their love for each other and I hope the ultimate lesson in book 3 is that love is is about granting grace and while their lives will never be the same, letting love and grace be the baseline in each decision is a good first step.

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This book filled me up and answered so many questions. I KNEW TA would make sure we got to see all sides of the story. Even when I wanted to be quick to judge and condemn, this magician of an author waves her pen and effortlessly bares the souls of her characters.
Tahli and Vin are magical. That young love was solid. Even with the marital hiccups, those two are fated. Even if they don't make it in book 3, I know the remaining story will show and prove that sometimes it's better to have love and to have lost than to never have loved at all. Word to Whodini.
What an amazing journey.

[Msstiletto · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THE BOOK! So many raw emotions

[Neek Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been more broken by a book before.
That Tahli and Vin love is something else..

[J-maa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jayyy 😫 It’s always my favs that get the boot. I was really looking forward to his and Lexie’s relationship 🥺. What baffled me most, though, was how Lexie was treated in the friend group. They were lowkey weird toward her, but I didn’t question it at first because I assumed it was meant to foreshadow some future betrayal or something. But for her to not do anything (like sleep with Vin, which is what I thought was coming) it made the treatment feel weird. Like… that was actually y’all homegirl, so it didn’t make sense.

Also aside from the cheating why Vin so perfect 😭

[koilylocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

MAY THIS LOVE NEVER FIND ME!

I can’t believe how much hate Tahli is getting, but for the sake of nuance i’ll say where I think she’s wrong.

- Talking to Drew throughout the years even after Vin expressed how uncomfortable it made him. He was her rebound the first time after they broke up then she got engaged to him a year after getting divorced. It’s as if she was holding on to him just in case her marriage didn’t work out.

- Making Dalvin feel like he ruined her life and acting like she didn’t want to be a mother or wife. I don’t think this was intentional on her part, but even unintentional mistakes matter and can affect your marriage.

- Her reaction to finding out her son wasn’t “perfect”.

A lot of Tahli’s mistakes come from her need for control. She doesn’t like when things don’t happen how she plans and when she met Dalvin he completely threw her off course. She went from having her life planned out to trying to hold on while everything around her moved at lightning speed. She was a young wife and mother of 2 adjusting to all these changes while still chasing her career goals, dealing with the grief of losing two friends, and being there for her best friend who was battling addiction. She was overwhelmed, but over the years she learned to adjust to change better like when she adjusted her career choice and gave up being an immigration consultant in favor of being an educator.

Now to Dalvin’s mistakes… I need a black and mild for this one chile.

- Cheating with Sharonda the first time.
- Cheating with Sophie *raw* and not bothering to pull out.
- Fathering a child with Sophie that he hid for 11-12 years.
- Not being fully present in his other child’s life.
- Continuing contact with Sophie at the beginning of his marriage and talking to her every year on the same day.
- Self-Sabotage.
- Calling Tahli out of her name when she doesn’t fall for his lies and attempts at getting her back. He does a complete 180 when she stands on business. He goes from “Baby, I can’t live without you” to “F*ck you, you heartless b*tch” in 10 seconds.

Dalvin’s main problem is self sabotage like his father said and thinking he needed to be perfect for Tahli. I think that’s a common misconception with this book and Tahli’s character. In my opinion, she wasn’t asking for perfection from him in the way he was thinking, she was just asking him not to cheat. She told him after forgiving him the first time that if he messed up again (in reference to cheating) she would never forgive him and he took that as “I can never make another mistake in my life or she’ll leave me”. I’ve seen people say (Tahli included lol) that she pushed him into lying about his other son because of her expectations, but I don’t think it’s crazy to expect your partner to be faithful to you regardless of what y’all go through. Everytime Dalvin goes through something like his father’s death or the hurdles of marriage and dealing with his overwhelmed pregnant wife his immediate reaction is to cheat on her which ties into his coping mechanism of self sabotage.

I wish we could’ve seen more of what led Abby to drugs and the deaths of Lexie and Jay. Those events were so significant in Tahli and Dalvin’s lives yet got minimal spotlight. I love that Dalvin decided to go to therapy. Tahli should go sit on somebody’s couch too because like Dalvin she has an unhealthy coping mechanism. I’m rooting for Tahli and Dalvin’s individual growth and happiness. I’d prefer they stayed separated, but if the goal is reconciliation i’m sure Ms. Takerra Allen will tie everything together. They are the epitome of “Who wants that perfect love story anyway?” 😭

[Tanisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot give a review because in order for you, the reader, to understand the magnitude of this book .. you need to read it so you can experience its goodness. Parachutes is a series that you simply need to read to understand the many layers and the duality of it!

[Mikaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5 WELL deserved stars, i am speechless.

[Ayoka B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this one a 3.5. It's not that I don't love Takerra's writing, but compared to Part I, I didn't love this one as much. Still a huge fan of the story, always cheering Black love. But, sometimes, I got tired of the angsty and obsessive love of Tahli and Vin... we get it. And I didn't like the possessiveness and control of Vin, it was on the brink of violence towards the one he claimed to love. I know he's imperfect and has a past, but it was even violent when they were Also, I was thrown off by the back and forth of the timeline: it wasn't just past and present, it was different times during the past and then the present.

However, the writing as usual is wonderful, clean and descriptive. But I was not ready for the cliffhanger but I knew there was another book so I guess I should've been prepared. This book is definitely worth the read. I am admittedly stingy with ratings.

[bookheauxtales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm posting here because I don't have any other place to vent 😂

I see a lot of Team Vin reviews - and okay, that's y'all right lol

...but come on! It's not that one act of betrayal - it's that for 11 years, ELEVEN YEARS *Mary J Blige voice* your spouse, confidant, best friend kept something of this magnitude from you! Smiled in your face with this secret. Layed beside you at night with this secret. Hugged your children with this secret. Not only the secret - but ELEVEN YEARS worth of lies! How is she supposed to trust anything that comes from that man's lips going forward? There will always be that little voice in her head that wonders if he's at where he says he is. We had a fight, is he going to go do something reckless now that will jeopardize our relationship?? Tahli is not perfect, at all but she told that man flat out she couldn't take another situation like that. For the blame to be put on her? She layed out her boundaries - he disrespected them, AGAIN. Tahli, you are not the villain to me! (For now... because y'all know how Ms. Takerra like to play with us! And we keep letting her 😂)

[OhhSlimmm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby Love

As always, Takerra got me spiraling out of control with my feelings. I really feel for Tahli and Vin but men would put themselves in situations they don’t have to even be in! So many WTHelly moments my heart hurt. I’m angry, disappointed and happy with their love story. Munch is still funny but he can be reckless with his feelings and actions and he got the short end of the stick. I love the gang. Abby, Paige and Lexie are the funniest. You really don’t know people full intentions or lifestyle until they’re naked and vulnerable while running out of options. This book was deep. Tahli can be who she is but she’s loyal. Let me get my feelings together so I can be devastated for the finale

[Pookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tahli x Dalvin

Hurt people HURT PEOPLE!

If the first book was an emotional roller coaster, then this one is the emotional street fight. One minute it’s professions of love, words of affirmation, endless affection and then it was verbal jabs, sneaky low blows, and razor sharp words.

Takerra penned a very raw, but real portrayal of relationships. There was so much depth and detail to the storytelling, I left like I was immersed into the pages. I was literally feeling the characters wins, losses, celebrations and pain. I laughed out loud, had audible gasps and shed real tears. And the cliffhanger….whew chile!

[martha fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

This author is a master wordsmith and emotional craftsman that gives the readers intimacy, not just romance. This book provoked so many thoughts giving you an authentic perspective from both sides in such a manner that the lead characters can both share the victim/villian title easily at the same time. The duality makes this read and this author stand out from others. Vin and Tahli took the readers on a journey making you wonder if the glide was worth it or is it time to land. I cannot wait to finish up this series. Definitely one of the top series I have read in 2024.

[Tonya Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life kept getting in the way of me finishing this book but it was great. I can’t get these people out of my mind. All of the love turmoil heartbreak.

The writing just flows a great read. Each character has a place and you care about them all.

I am not ready for this to be over but I am going straight to book 3. I am so nervous of what is going to happen.

[Ebony | ebonylovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am blown away!

Wow! Wow! Wow!

This second book was so AMAZING! Takerra Allen is writing this series down! I couldn’t recommend this more if you want very complex people in love! And that ending?!!!!!!🤯

[Jaleesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless

I wish I had the words to truly express how this book made me feel, but I don’t think anything I would write would suffice. This feels like a masterclass in storytelling, I’m invested in every character, even the ones I don’t like. This series is easily one of the best I’ve ever read. PICK IT UP.

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

Mrs. Allen, where was the glide...lol?!?! The way I'm still stuck and don't even know what to say. This book literally took me on the most emotional ride, one minute your high and then low, and repeat 😩. The Glide answered all my questions. I'm rooting for both Vin and Tahli, their love for each other, their happiness, their family, and their healing separately and hopefully together 🙏🏿🧡

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

Wow😮‍💨
…this a whole MOVIE right here 🍿🎥🎬- RUNNING🏃🏽‍♀️ over to read book 3 right neeoowwwww….