When it comes to Jabari Hicks, competition is non-existent. With a keen focus on securing a championship ring, Jabari’s only compettion is himself. On the court he is deadly, off the court he’s a protector and as a Lord, he’s fierce and loyal.
Kinnidi Trent has a light that illuminates the dark spaces of her mind, but she can’t completely shine until she lands in a place of peace. When she escapes the restraints that stifle her creativity and happiness, Kinnidi finds herself in the right place at the right time.
Tattoos and tortured souls. Loyalty and protection.
The game is like love full of passion teamwork and moments that take your breath away.
Charity Shane’ is a USA Today Best-selling author. She holds a Bachelor degree and a Juris Doctor degree. She’s an Author, Higher Education Leader, Legal Expert., and Creative.
Writing stories that create feelings through her words is her true passion. To date, she has published many books, traditional and indie, including a USA Today Best Seller and a number of Amazon best sellers. She has been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Woman’s World Magazine for her traditionally published book, A Novel Christmas.
Her soul sings Black romance and Black Women’s fiction.
I Absolutely Love This Couple….I Suspect More To Come From The Royals Basketball Franchise….I Think Meyer and his snobbish wife just might have a story to tell.
Kinnidi is forced to be the parent to her drug addicted mama. She’s had to grow up a lot sooner than she wants to because, most days, her mama is too high to worry about her well being. But, when she comes home from her last day of school, Kinnidi never imagined her mama would sell her to a drug dealer to settle a debt. You see, Tisha knew she didn’t have any money when she was buyin’ drugs on credit but, Rey knew exactly what he was doin’. He purposely let her run up a tab because, he already knew what he wanted in return and it wasn’t money. Ten years later, Kinnidi has become Rey’s property and she's stuck in an abusive relationship. Unless Rey allows her to leave, she’s locked in their house 24 hours a day with no way out. When he does allow Kinnidi out of the house, she’s never alone. She’s either accompanied by Rey or bodyguards. She has no job, no money, and her will is on the verge of being shattered. After enduring, yet, another brutal beating Kinnidi finally puts a plan in motion to escape her house of horrors.
He didn’t know it at the time but, when six year old Jabari’s mama puts him a plane to go “visit” his grandparents, that was the best thing she could’ve done for him. Twenty years later, he’s one of the highest paid NBA players on the Crescent Falls Royals and he’s finally accomplished his number one goal. He secured a championship for Crescent Falls and won the coveted ring. To commemorate the Royals' win, Jabari wants a new tattoo. When he meets the new tattoo artist at Just’s Tattoos, his flabber is gasted because, who is this woman and how can he get to know her?!! This was such a heartfelt story. Kinnidi and Jabari unknowingly share a childhood trauma bond that brings them closer together. I just loved how he loved him some Kinnidi and I loved how she readily accepted it. Jabari showed her what real loves looks like and spoiled Kinnidi with the soft life she deserved. Charity did her big one with Jabari and I look forward to seeing more from The Royals. I need the tea on Meyer and his wife.
Jabari is an NBA player that has a hot temper, but is also exceptionally talented. He had barely any family, and was raised by his Grandparents. He was embraced by the Lord's, a brotherhood of men that looked after him as a child and continue to love and support him as an adult. As far as women he has no desire to settle down until he meets Kinnidi a new tattoo artist that he feels a connection to.
Kinnidi has escaped a terrible life where she was unable to live freely. She is living with her estranged cousin in Crescent Falls and is starting her first job as a Tattoo artist when she meets her favorite basketball player Jabari. Kinnidi is very much focused on having her own everything and just living. However, Jabari is on her bad and she can't help but want to explore it.
I loved how supportive Kinnidi was to Jabari with his Ma, how Jabari did not play about her and endured she was safe from her past.
Just a few things that could have used some additional backstory... Kinnidi had such a traumatic relationship, I don't think it was realistic for her to move on as easily as she did, that just felt unrealistic. Kinnidi's profession just kind of disappeared. Did she fall back to grow their family? We were able to see that Jabari had progressed, but the loop wasn't closed for Kinnidi. I also would have loved some interaction with them as a family. Overall, a sweet read.
Kinnidi escapes an abusive relationship to Crescent Falls and during the first few days of her life there meets Jabari.
Jabari meets Kinnidi and instantly wants her. Kinnidi meets Jabari and his dumbstruck because she's like his biggest fan.
Jabari and Kinnidi are so cute together and so supportive of each other. Jabari wants to know about Kinnidi's past trauma and is very patient and understanding when he's told. Kinnidi helps Jabari navigate his grandmother's declining health. It's just wholesome as hell.
Bonus; we get to reconnect with my fav Masters brother Prynceton & his fam.
I'm not sure I've read anything from this author before but this won't be my last book from her.
Jabari was all about Kennedi, and I loved every second of it.
He saw her, and she immediately became his. I loved that there wasn’t any conflict between them or their love. Kennedi so deserved that. Even though I was lowkey nervous for her I mean, it’s Jabari, for fůč̣k sake, a high-profile athlete 👀 Lay low, but I love that she didn't let anything stifle their love.
Uhmm this was cool but I feel like this author rushed to wrap this story up. I don’t like when you build up a bad guy and make them especially heinous to then just have an anticlimactic death or violence sequence. I also don’t get how they figured out exactly where she was off the paparazzi photos. Like sorry I get he figured out the city but Huhhh?? Next up the plot line that he had all them folks under his thumb but no one is gonna clock or care that he’s dead?? Sorry that just was lacking to me. The love story was okay to me I feel like they fell in love in like 4.3 seconds and while I don’t need everything to be a slow burn I do need my victims to kinda grow and get help or journal or something. Like sis was traumatized and then 6 chapters later everything was fine and dandy.
This is one book I truly did not want to end. I could not put it down and finished it within a few hours. I’m low key sad that I can’t read it for the first time again. From the first page, I was sucked into the world of Jabari and Kinnidi and was invested in their story. It was just written so beautifully.
I love everything about Kinnidi, though her past truly broke my heart. Even though she is set up for failure, she manages to persevere and make a better life for herself with the help of her two angels. She doesn’t allow her circumstances to affect her character and has such a beautiful spirit. She embodies that phoenix tattoo, and I rooted for her (LOUDLY lol) the entire book. My girl deserves Jabari and her happily ever after.
Jabari was also easy to love. Though he appeared a little rough around the edges in the beginning, I love how he cares for his family and even the Raptors (he was not playing about the shoes). The way he shows up for Ma throughout this book and prioritizes spending time with her was so endearing, too. That dream about fish had Ma stressed out though lol. I know she was thinking Shantae was about to leave them with another baby.
Side note: Women like Phancy with a Ph really irk my nerves. I couldn’t wait for her downfall and was happy it came quickly. I was also glad her “friends” exposed her and those messages.
Overall, this may be my favorite read from Charity’s collection and best read so far this year for me. I’ll definitely be purchasing a hard copy to put on my bookshelf.
The Royals: Jabari was such a charming and heartfelt love story. I’m always a sucker for an athlete with a little street edge, and Jabari had that perfect mix of heart and hustle.
When we first met Jabari in Because It’s Forever, I knew his story would be one to watch — and Charity Shane did not disappoint. I loved how his past as someone trying to distance himself from gang life contrasted with Kinnidi’s journey of rediscovering her confidence after an abusive relationship. Together, they created something soft, healing, and real.
What stood out most was Jabari’s gentleness. Even with his rough edges, his love for Kinnidi was patient, protective, and genuine. And watching Kinnidi fully embrace her “soft girl era” felt like the perfect reward for all she’d endured.
If I had one wish, it would’ve been for a bonus chapter or POV from Rey — I’d love to see his perspective while everything was unfolding. Still, Jabari was an emotional, full-circle read that blended redemption, love, and growth beautifully.
Jabari is a man, and Kinnidi is his light at the end of the tunnel. Jabari saw Kinnidi, and it was instantly love at first sight. Kinnidi saw Jabari and saw her favorite basketball player who stayed true to who he was. Both characters have trauma from their childhood well into their adulthood. Jabari tries to be there for everyone and doesn't really allow people to be there for him. Kinnidi is all jacked up. Her mother and Rey did a number on her, and Jabari want to fix what's broken. This story is about weathering the storm and coming out on the other side. Get into this book. I loved it from start to finish.
I’m always falling for an athlete with some street smarts. Jabari was just that, and I enjoyed every second of it! Now Kinnidi was dealt such a bad hand 🙁 I hated how we first met her. She is literally trapped, but when she escapes to her new life, that’s when she walks right into the love of her life. Jabari was Kinnidi’s protector from day 1, and their parallels made it easy to see their understanding of one another. Both have heavy family issues and some trauma. This book ended with an HEA and I definitely loved it and hope we get a book for Meyers next!
Loved this so much! Straight to the point no non sense beautiful love story!! Jabari knew from the moment he laid eyes on Kinnidi she was his girl and he didn’t play about his desire to have her in his life.
His dedication to his grandmother made me fall more in love with this character! He was just loyal all the way around and this was refreshing to read!!! I hope to see more from this group of folks…
I loved this book! Kinnidi deserved to be loved and protected. I loved how strong she was to get away and to start from scratch!! Jabari stood on business when it came to her and I loved that. He was determined to keep her safe by any means necessary!! This was such a heart warming book!!
(4.5⭐️)I thought he was gonna be on some BS when the book first started, but I was wrong. He’s was just a sweet guy who didn’t play about his grandmother, his chosen family or his community. The way he loved on Kinnidi was beautiful to see. And Kinnidi was a great FMC. She fought hard for her independence & didn’t allow the trauma she had been through to alter her sweet spirit. I loved that even though she was afraid & it was new for her, she didn’t run from Jabari’s love, & she allowed it to help heal her. I really loved them together. This was a nice soft romance with only a smidge of drama & a little tension and I wanted another 100 pages of them!
Kinnidi was trapped in a never-ending nightmare, but she finally managed to escape, leaving her dark past behind. I admired her strength in starting over. Along the way, she unexpectedly found love with Jabari, who was so sweet and made her feel safe and protected showing her what real love looks like. I loved how they both took care of each other unconditionally. His care and love for his grandmother was truly heartwarming. This was such a heartfelt story.
This book is more than just a romance—it’s a testament to the importance of found family, community, and the kind of love that sees you through even your darkest moments. A beautifully written, soul-stirring story that lingers long after the last page.
“The worst thing in the world is being discarded by a person who is supposed to love and protect you”. Both Jabari and Kinnidi were abandoned by their mothers. Jabari although abandoned by his mother, was given to his grandparents, who raised him. This wasn’t the case for Kinnidi who was not just abandoned by her mother as a teen but was given to a man to settle a debt her mother owed. Kinnidi’s life was filled with so much turmoil prior to finding the courage to runaway from the hell she has been living in for the past 6 years since turning 18. Arriving to a new city, Kinnidi is determined to leave her past behind. Everything changes when Kinnidi is given the chance to tattoo Jabari. Once these two meet, they become inseparable. Jabari becomes her savior, showing her what it looks and feels like to be truly loved without stipulations. Kinnidi becomes Jabari’s strength and comforter as well, as he deals with transitions in his life… always taking care of others but not himself. “When a person has lived in a nightmare for so long, it’s hard to accept beautiful dreams.”
This was a super cute, easy going, insta love story of two souls that were abandoned by their mother’s for different reasons.
Jabari is a NBA player, and Kinnidi is a up and coming Tattoo artist. Kinnidi is running from a troubled past and lands right into the safety net of Jabari. These two hit it off almost instantly and become inseparable from the start. The way Jabari loves, provides, and protects Kinnidi is so precious.
This book did not contain any grammatical errors. The character development was sufficient and the storyline flowed smoothly. Charity provided just enough background information to keep you locked into the story.
When we were first introduced to Jabari in Because It's Forever, I was instantly intrigued. I knew his story was going to be interesting, and I was right. I loved the backstory between them; Jabari's checkered past because of his gang ties and Kinnidi's abusive relationship felt like a great foundation. I loved the relationship between them. Jabari was so sweet with her, and Kinnidi got to come into her own and live in her soft girl era. This is definitely one of my favorites from Charity Shane.
Jabari and Kinnidi were so cute. I enjoyed everything about this except for Rey and his family. Jabari was intentional in his pursuit of Kinnidi and made sure she knew he was all in. Poor Kinnidi didn’t know how to handle that much love and affection. I loved the mutual support they displayed and how nothing truly rocked the foundation they built. It was everything!
This sports romance had just the right amount of drama and spice. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Jabari and Kinnidi and how they came together to find the love they both deserve in each other and become each other's safe space. I look forward to what's next for the Crescent Falls Royals.
This is a well written book. I LOVE everything about this ok. Dang Jabari is everything and more. He showed Kennedi what true love is suppose to feel like. I am so happy for Kennedi because baby girl been through it
I love a man who is swoon over a woman and will do anything for her. Kinnidi didn’t deserve it but I’m happy she didn’t let her trauma from stopping her love for Jabari. And finally a woman who ain’t afraid to call her man when trouble comes.