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You Still Messin' With What's His Name?: An African American Romance: Standalone
Jelissa thought Caleb was her forever, but love with him came at a steep price. Holding him down through his cheating, drama with other women, and obsession with power has left her broken. When his blatant disrespect shatters her heart one last time, Jelissa walks away—determined to reclaim her life. But before she can truly move on, she discovers she’s carrying his child.
Determined not to become just another baby mama to a so-called unhinged street boss, Jelissa crosses paths with Iyon, a man who offers everything Caleb couldn’t. Wealthy, attentive, and deeply passionate, Iyon promises her the love and stability she deserves. But his devotion hides a darker side, one that blurs the line between protection and possession. Is Iyon the blessing Jelissa prayed for, or just another storm in disguise?
Meanwhile, Caleb refuses to let go. Torn between his street life and the family he’s losing, he’s drawn into an unexpected connection with Maliyah Hayes, a project developer with ties that could solidify his empire—or destroy it. When Maliyah ends up pregnant, loyalties are tested, and every choice becomes a gamble.
As love, betrayal, and second chances collide, Jelissa must will she rewrite her story, or let the men in her life dictate her future?
If you’re a fan of African American romance, love stories, second chance love, rich Alpha men with attitudes, and gripping urban drama, you’ll fall in love with "You Still Messin’ With What’s His Name?" by Brickhouse.
Determined not to become just another baby mama to a so-called unhinged street boss, Jelissa crosses paths with Iyon, a man who offers everything Caleb couldn’t. Wealthy, attentive, and deeply passionate, Iyon promises her the love and stability she deserves. But his devotion hides a darker side, one that blurs the line between protection and possession. Is Iyon the blessing Jelissa prayed for, or just another storm in disguise?
Meanwhile, Caleb refuses to let go. Torn between his street life and the family he’s losing, he’s drawn into an unexpected connection with Maliyah Hayes, a project developer with ties that could solidify his empire—or destroy it. When Maliyah ends up pregnant, loyalties are tested, and every choice becomes a gamble.
As love, betrayal, and second chances collide, Jelissa must will she rewrite her story, or let the men in her life dictate her future?
If you’re a fan of African American romance, love stories, second chance love, rich Alpha men with attitudes, and gripping urban drama, you’ll fall in love with "You Still Messin’ With What’s His Name?" by Brickhouse.
493 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2025
347 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 18, 2025
This book was okay, I guess. Jelissa was a little dumb if you asked me. She moved on to Iyon way too quickly. She didn't even date the dude first. She moved right in with him and started playing house. They went out on one date, I believe. Caleb redeemed himself later into the story, but baby, he wouldn't have gotten another chance if he didn't save her life in my book. I don't know why the author thought we cared about Maliyah and Elijah. I honestly didn't care and skimmed through their chapters. I didn't like Maliyah at all. It was an okay read. I stayed up all night reading it just to be let down by how Iyon was handled. He terrorized them most of the book with his delusional ass only to be handled by a side character. Should've taken my ass to sleep🙄
January 10, 2025
Unhinged
This was lowkey a psychological thriller, I was scared for a good portion of the book. Especially when it came to you’ll know who once you read it. They all need therapy asap. I never want a man to be obsessed with me, they get volatile when they are. 😩
This was lowkey a psychological thriller, I was scared for a good portion of the book. Especially when it came to you’ll know who once you read it. They all need therapy asap. I never want a man to be obsessed with me, they get volatile when they are. 😩
January 15, 2025
Great Read
All Jelissa wanted was for Caleb to see he can do more than being in the street's. She saw the potential for him to do better but Caleb saw her pushing him to do better as a sign of her nagging. Caleb disrespect for his relationship with Jelissa was very loud. Jelissa has caught him cheating numerous times and he didn't seem to care. I thought when Jelissa caught him in the car getting fallatio. That would've been the final straw but it wasn't. Then the fool got even more disrespectful by coming home drunk as hell with a used condom still on. Instead of Jelissa walking away. She decided to take her boss Iyon up on his offer and went on a date. Iyon was smooth and charming. He gave Jelissa the illusion that he was a better man than Caleb. Jelissa first mistake was leaving Caleb and moving in with Iyon. She should've taken the time to heal from her relationship with Caleb instead of jumping headfirst into a relationship with Iyon. Especially when she was pregnant with Caleb baby. Trina came off as Jelissa best friend but her ass is trifling. I was disgusted when I realized she backstabbed Jelissa. It's also was the reason Iyon was able to use Trina as a pawn. When Jelissa went to church with Iyon and the pastor was preaching about wolf in sheep clothing. Jelissa had no clue how true the message was until it was too late. Iyon was the definitely a wolf in sheep clothing. The man was a damn psycho. He had no lengths of the thing's he would do or hurting whoever got in the way of what he wanted. He was obsessed with Jelissa and it got worse once she had her son. I blame Iyon mother and father for his evil and convving way's. Especially his father Gregory n I see why Brielle and Elijah wanted nothing to do with Iyon and their parents. Caleb tried to move on. Meeting Maliyah had Caleb thinking he had a second chance at love but low-key Jelissa still owned his heart. I believe Maliyah was a distraction for Caleb. However Caleb started to see Maliyah may not be the one for him once she found out Jelissa had their baby and was in trouble. Maliyah desperation and jealousy started to show. She wasn't understanding the dire need for Caleb to get Jelissa and their son away from Iyon looney ass. Iyon had lost the better part of his mind. Elijah came to town trying to help Caleb keep Jelissa and their son safe from Iyon as well as talk some sense into him because he knew their parents wasn't. I wasn't surprised how Elijah became smitten with Maliyah. Maliyah finally saw the seriousness of why their was a need to keep Jelissa and her safe after she had a encounter with Iyon. She also realized that Jelissa was the one who Caleb wanted to be back with. I applaud her for bowing out gracefully. Elijah was a better fit for her anyway. When Maliyah father Maurice stepped in after learning Iyon put his hands on her. I knew Iyon reign of terror, stalking, manipulation, lie's, and manic behavior was going to come to an end
All Jelissa wanted was for Caleb to see he can do more than being in the street's. She saw the potential for him to do better but Caleb saw her pushing him to do better as a sign of her nagging. Caleb disrespect for his relationship with Jelissa was very loud. Jelissa has caught him cheating numerous times and he didn't seem to care. I thought when Jelissa caught him in the car getting fallatio. That would've been the final straw but it wasn't. Then the fool got even more disrespectful by coming home drunk as hell with a used condom still on. Instead of Jelissa walking away. She decided to take her boss Iyon up on his offer and went on a date. Iyon was smooth and charming. He gave Jelissa the illusion that he was a better man than Caleb. Jelissa first mistake was leaving Caleb and moving in with Iyon. She should've taken the time to heal from her relationship with Caleb instead of jumping headfirst into a relationship with Iyon. Especially when she was pregnant with Caleb baby. Trina came off as Jelissa best friend but her ass is trifling. I was disgusted when I realized she backstabbed Jelissa. It's also was the reason Iyon was able to use Trina as a pawn. When Jelissa went to church with Iyon and the pastor was preaching about wolf in sheep clothing. Jelissa had no clue how true the message was until it was too late. Iyon was the definitely a wolf in sheep clothing. The man was a damn psycho. He had no lengths of the thing's he would do or hurting whoever got in the way of what he wanted. He was obsessed with Jelissa and it got worse once she had her son. I blame Iyon mother and father for his evil and convving way's. Especially his father Gregory n I see why Brielle and Elijah wanted nothing to do with Iyon and their parents. Caleb tried to move on. Meeting Maliyah had Caleb thinking he had a second chance at love but low-key Jelissa still owned his heart. I believe Maliyah was a distraction for Caleb. However Caleb started to see Maliyah may not be the one for him once she found out Jelissa had their baby and was in trouble. Maliyah desperation and jealousy started to show. She wasn't understanding the dire need for Caleb to get Jelissa and their son away from Iyon looney ass. Iyon had lost the better part of his mind. Elijah came to town trying to help Caleb keep Jelissa and their son safe from Iyon as well as talk some sense into him because he knew their parents wasn't. I wasn't surprised how Elijah became smitten with Maliyah. Maliyah finally saw the seriousness of why their was a need to keep Jelissa and her safe after she had a encounter with Iyon. She also realized that Jelissa was the one who Caleb wanted to be back with. I applaud her for bowing out gracefully. Elijah was a better fit for her anyway. When Maliyah father Maurice stepped in after learning Iyon put his hands on her. I knew Iyon reign of terror, stalking, manipulation, lie's, and manic behavior was going to come to an end
January 12, 2025
This book!
This book was a rollercoaster ride filled with emotions and drama. I had a love hate relationship with all the characters lol. Iyon was definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I was rooting for him in the beginning but my opinion of him was quickly changed. He got exactly what he deserved in the end. I was so glad that Jelissa, Caleb, baby Cayden, Maliyah, and Elijah managed to find some sort of happy ending in the end.
I buddy read this book with a friend, but I kept finding myself wanting to read ahead. I couldn’t help it. Brickhouse sank her claws into the readers with this one and definitely held on. I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next, and I never would have predicted what was coming. This book was filled to the brim with drama and then the author went and added more drama. This story was top tier, chef’s kiss if you will. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end even though it left me reeling and trying to collect my thoughts and feelings afterwards. This was definitely a great read and I highly recommend it.
This book was a rollercoaster ride filled with emotions and drama. I had a love hate relationship with all the characters lol. Iyon was definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I was rooting for him in the beginning but my opinion of him was quickly changed. He got exactly what he deserved in the end. I was so glad that Jelissa, Caleb, baby Cayden, Maliyah, and Elijah managed to find some sort of happy ending in the end.
I buddy read this book with a friend, but I kept finding myself wanting to read ahead. I couldn’t help it. Brickhouse sank her claws into the readers with this one and definitely held on. I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next, and I never would have predicted what was coming. This book was filled to the brim with drama and then the author went and added more drama. This story was top tier, chef’s kiss if you will. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end even though it left me reeling and trying to collect my thoughts and feelings afterwards. This was definitely a great read and I highly recommend it.
January 24, 2025
Everybody Sucked
There was not one good character, they all sucked, struggle love is not what's up. Jellisa was a purposeful desperate idiot who allowed everything that happened to her, she jumped into another relationship super fast instead of focusing on herself and child only to find out dude was beyond crazy then went back to the guy that cheated, berated, and treated her badly who also had a pregnant girlfriend. Caleb wasn't worth a damn no matter how it was tried to clean him up at the end. He was so called the man, with street cred but I didn't see it, he didn't act like he was portrayed to be. He was more like a little boy that didn't want to grow up. Ion was crazy for whatever reason, Elijah was whiny, Maliyah ran head first into the red flag that was Caleb, but was surprised that he chose his ex over her. Just sucked, then the story got farfetched and unrealistic. Didn't care for it. Oh, and the title doesn't match the story.
There was not one good character, they all sucked, struggle love is not what's up. Jellisa was a purposeful desperate idiot who allowed everything that happened to her, she jumped into another relationship super fast instead of focusing on herself and child only to find out dude was beyond crazy then went back to the guy that cheated, berated, and treated her badly who also had a pregnant girlfriend. Caleb wasn't worth a damn no matter how it was tried to clean him up at the end. He was so called the man, with street cred but I didn't see it, he didn't act like he was portrayed to be. He was more like a little boy that didn't want to grow up. Ion was crazy for whatever reason, Elijah was whiny, Maliyah ran head first into the red flag that was Caleb, but was surprised that he chose his ex over her. Just sucked, then the story got farfetched and unrealistic. Didn't care for it. Oh, and the title doesn't match the story.
April 29, 2025
::Screaming and stomping feet::
I don't have many words to say. I usually write pretty verbose reviews but this ish here is supreme 10/10 work so I'm going to just say....
😇 if you want to read a book with more twists and turns than the Lombard Street in San Fran...cop this
😇 if you want your neck on swivel going back and forth between right and wrong but wrong and right and wrong wrong characters...cop this
😇 if you want want a Urban Romance...no no...a Urban Dark Romance...no no...a Urban Suspense Dark Romance...then cop this
😇 if you want to read some flawed characters do some off the wall, what the hellllll type stuff...cop this.
Most of all if you want to just fall into a well-written joyful ride of reading that will have you gasping for air, ignoring the dishes, ignoring your baby (sorry kid cook your own dinner tonight!) unputdownable 🤌🏽 grab this right now!
I don't have many words to say. I usually write pretty verbose reviews but this ish here is supreme 10/10 work so I'm going to just say....
😇 if you want to read a book with more twists and turns than the Lombard Street in San Fran...cop this
😇 if you want your neck on swivel going back and forth between right and wrong but wrong and right and wrong wrong characters...cop this
😇 if you want want a Urban Romance...no no...a Urban Dark Romance...no no...a Urban Suspense Dark Romance...then cop this
😇 if you want to read some flawed characters do some off the wall, what the hellllll type stuff...cop this.
Most of all if you want to just fall into a well-written joyful ride of reading that will have you gasping for air, ignoring the dishes, ignoring your baby (sorry kid cook your own dinner tonight!) unputdownable 🤌🏽 grab this right now!
October 6, 2025
Whew Chile
This book was …. Insane. The drama was never ending. It was almost too much. Iyon was a monster and deserved everything that come to home. Jelissa pissed me off more times than none. YES she didn’t know Iyon would be how he turned out to be, but you just up and moved in with your boss because you couldn’t stand your baby daddy? The phrase “the first time in forever/long time” I hate it. Burn it. Wildly over used in this book. Caleb is honorable. I love how he finally fought for his family. You have to go through things for your lesson to hit right. Elijah was such a blessing in all of this. Especially with Maliyah. All in all, this book was a bit too drawn out, repetitive, but I couldn’t put it down.
This book was …. Insane. The drama was never ending. It was almost too much. Iyon was a monster and deserved everything that come to home. Jelissa pissed me off more times than none. YES she didn’t know Iyon would be how he turned out to be, but you just up and moved in with your boss because you couldn’t stand your baby daddy? The phrase “the first time in forever/long time” I hate it. Burn it. Wildly over used in this book. Caleb is honorable. I love how he finally fought for his family. You have to go through things for your lesson to hit right. Elijah was such a blessing in all of this. Especially with Maliyah. All in all, this book was a bit too drawn out, repetitive, but I couldn’t put it down.
April 11, 2025
If Don't call me crazy was a person
Ok so this book was listed as a romance novel but ummm this definitely fits into psychological thriller IMO. Jelissa was just a young lady that saw more potential in Caleb than he saw in himself and he felt misunderstood so he find comfort in other places which basically pushed Jalissa into the arms of another man and baby That darn Iyon was just a plum fool. Then you throw in Maliyah and Iyon's older brother and its just a circle full of CRAZY, DRAMA, and more CRAZY. As a first time reader of this author I was impressed and will be reading more.
Ok so this book was listed as a romance novel but ummm this definitely fits into psychological thriller IMO. Jelissa was just a young lady that saw more potential in Caleb than he saw in himself and he felt misunderstood so he find comfort in other places which basically pushed Jalissa into the arms of another man and baby That darn Iyon was just a plum fool. Then you throw in Maliyah and Iyon's older brother and its just a circle full of CRAZY, DRAMA, and more CRAZY. As a first time reader of this author I was impressed and will be reading more.
June 14, 2025
Denise’s Review of “You Still Messin’ With What’s His Name”
Excellent book and storyline. This book will keep you wondering what’s going to happen next and to who. Caleb, Jelissa, lyon, Maliyah, Maurice, and Elijah. In this book some people are not who you think they are. Read get to know the characters and it will surprise you to see how all the characters are connected and to find out who they really are. This book commanded my attention. Excellent book to recommend for people to read.
Excellent book and storyline. This book will keep you wondering what’s going to happen next and to who. Caleb, Jelissa, lyon, Maliyah, Maurice, and Elijah. In this book some people are not who you think they are. Read get to know the characters and it will surprise you to see how all the characters are connected and to find out who they really are. This book commanded my attention. Excellent book to recommend for people to read.
January 11, 2025
enjoyed!
I actually enjoyed this standalone! Jalissa was just looking for love and glad things worked out for her. What’s his name😅 was crazy as hell! Glad you made it 500 sum pages most standalones are short leaving you wondering wishing there was a part 2. I also like the fact that it wasn’t all about money, sex, drugs, murder and mayhem only. I’m following you and definitely going to check out some more of your work. 🫶🏾
I actually enjoyed this standalone! Jalissa was just looking for love and glad things worked out for her. What’s his name😅 was crazy as hell! Glad you made it 500 sum pages most standalones are short leaving you wondering wishing there was a part 2. I also like the fact that it wasn’t all about money, sex, drugs, murder and mayhem only. I’m following you and definitely going to check out some more of your work. 🫶🏾
January 31, 2025
Obsession is not love
This was a good book. It was like a fatal attraction but on a different level. You'd think the parents would try to intervene and get their son some help since they made him that way. However, I know why the first girlfriend ran away from him. Only thing I didn't like was jelissa staying as long as she did I would have left the first time a red flag was shown. But it was fantasy not realistic so I get it.
This was a good book. It was like a fatal attraction but on a different level. You'd think the parents would try to intervene and get their son some help since they made him that way. However, I know why the first girlfriend ran away from him. Only thing I didn't like was jelissa staying as long as she did I would have left the first time a red flag was shown. But it was fantasy not realistic so I get it.
April 13, 2025
Unhinged Much
Let me say this before I forget. Trina wasn't a friend at all. She knew Iyon was bat shit crazy - yet she kept pushing Jelissa to be with him. Folks be forgetting all about Karma's ass. She will eventually come back around. Why wasn't Iyon in a nut house or prison somewhere. No way his parents thought he was stable. Between him and Maliyah I don't know who's the craziest. They treating people like property. I'on trust neither one of them!!!!
Let me say this before I forget. Trina wasn't a friend at all. She knew Iyon was bat shit crazy - yet she kept pushing Jelissa to be with him. Folks be forgetting all about Karma's ass. She will eventually come back around. Why wasn't Iyon in a nut house or prison somewhere. No way his parents thought he was stable. Between him and Maliyah I don't know who's the craziest. They treating people like property. I'on trust neither one of them!!!!
August 15, 2025
You Still Messing' Wth What's His Name
Why does it always have to be the one you trust has alternate measures whom betray you. Trina was an hot mess while setting up her friend she was sexing her boyfriend which blower up in her face.
I liked Iyon got what he deserves because he was Bat Ass Crazy. Also, that his brother was the bigger person and stepped before a disaster. Elijah found his everlasting. Jerlisha and Caleb could recognise their true feelings for each other.
Why does it always have to be the one you trust has alternate measures whom betray you. Trina was an hot mess while setting up her friend she was sexing her boyfriend which blower up in her face.
I liked Iyon got what he deserves because he was Bat Ass Crazy. Also, that his brother was the bigger person and stepped before a disaster. Elijah found his everlasting. Jerlisha and Caleb could recognise their true feelings for each other.
January 31, 2025
Well
Well this was an okay read. Iyon was definitely something! A wolf in sheep's clothing for real. I loved the ending, it was perfect! The only thing I didn't like was the lack of clarity on who is Mya's father. And how in the world is she already one year old? This was a decent book, but I did find myself skipping parts because of some of the internal dialogue being a lot.
Well this was an okay read. Iyon was definitely something! A wolf in sheep's clothing for real. I loved the ending, it was perfect! The only thing I didn't like was the lack of clarity on who is Mya's father. And how in the world is she already one year old? This was a decent book, but I did find myself skipping parts because of some of the internal dialogue being a lot.
August 14, 2025
Wow!!!!
This was a very good standalone. I really enjoyed it. Brickhouse it's been quite some time since I read something from you. You always amazes me with you created writing. I can actually put myself right there in the book with what you are writing. Great job on this one. I'm back to you. Keep up the great work. Lata
This was a very good standalone. I really enjoyed it. Brickhouse it's been quite some time since I read something from you. You always amazes me with you created writing. I can actually put myself right there in the book with what you are writing. Great job on this one. I'm back to you. Keep up the great work. Lata
January 15, 2025
Unhinged!!
This story was not what I expected. I thought Iyon was such a good guy at first but he was something else.Caleb definitely redeemed himself. Jalessia got on my nerves just a little in certain situations but she got it together. Definitely worth a read.
This story was not what I expected. I thought Iyon was such a good guy at first but he was something else.Caleb definitely redeemed himself. Jalessia got on my nerves just a little in certain situations but she got it together. Definitely worth a read.
May 15, 2025
Now it want the movie
Excellent book and Now I want the movie! 😄 Good character development. I recommended this book to anyone looking for a well written, realistic hood love story 😁
Excellent book and Now I want the movie! 😄 Good character development. I recommended this book to anyone looking for a well written, realistic hood love story 😁
July 19, 2025
You Still Messin’ With What’s His Name?:
What a great read. This storyline was so good it kept your attention and turning the page. Her characters are just amazing. I most definitely would recommend this book…
What a great read. This storyline was so good it kept your attention and turning the page. Her characters are just amazing. I most definitely would recommend this book…
January 13, 2025
Good Read
This was my first read from this author and I enjoyed the book from beginning to end. So much drama, so many lies, but in the end love conquered all.
This was my first read from this author and I enjoyed the book from beginning to end. So much drama, so many lies, but in the end love conquered all.
January 15, 2025
Whew, this story takes you on a roller coaster ride which I truly enjoyed! Iyon was a hot mess for real! So glad Caleb and Jelissa were able to finally get it together!
February 2, 2025
Good Read
This book was so good. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. I can't wait to read more from this author.
This book was so good. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. I can't wait to read more from this author.
March 6, 2025
Unhinged
April 21, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this book.
It kept my interest but it got on my nerves also. I finished the book because I had invested my time and wanted to find out how it ended.
It kept my interest but it got on my nerves also. I finished the book because I had invested my time and wanted to find out how it ended.
May 8, 2025
Excellent
This book was good from the beginning to the end. I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book.
This book was good from the beginning to the end. I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book.
May 25, 2025
Needs more development
Characters were thrown in and introduced in flashbacks. Love this author but this wasn't my favorite for her. I found it to be all over the place.
Characters were thrown in and introduced in flashbacks. Love this author but this wasn't my favorite for her. I found it to be all over the place.
September 21, 2025
this book was way more traumatic than Brickhouse's other books
February 5, 2025
Good from beginning to end, but the title did NOT match or have anything to do with the storyline.
February 28, 2025
First time...
Reading this author...and while I'm A novice to her writings I did find it interesting, intriguing and a mystery at times...But, also repetition and over kill which could have made the story shorter...I guess that's part of the gangster hood novels
Reading this author...and while I'm A novice to her writings I did find it interesting, intriguing and a mystery at times...But, also repetition and over kill which could have made the story shorter...I guess that's part of the gangster hood novels
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews