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Hold Me While You Wait
Somya Hilton has known nothing but a life of ultimatums. From a young age, it was her and her sister Eliza against the world. When both of them find love and start families of their own, Somya finally feels like she has the life she deserves.
Then tragedy strikes, leaving both her sister and brother-in-law dead and Somya to care for her niece Jazlynn, who is ten at the time. For Somya, there is no question that Jazzlyn should be with her. Her husband, however, has a difference of opinion.
Xander Tripp has always taken care of business. The product of a drug-addicted mother and a felon for a father, all he knows is hustling to survive. After the birth of his daughter left him a single father, Xander pulls himself together to be the parent she deserves.
Twelve years later they have a beautiful life, but Xander is lonely...until he meets the beautiful Somya, the recently divorced mother of his daughter’s new best friend. What starts as a friendly exchange, quickly turns into a beautiful, unexpected love.
Trauma bonded them, but is their bond strong enough to withstand the tests of a jealous ex and the return of Xander’s baby mama? Will Somya and Xander thrive under pressure, or fold under the weight the world on their shoulders?
Then tragedy strikes, leaving both her sister and brother-in-law dead and Somya to care for her niece Jazlynn, who is ten at the time. For Somya, there is no question that Jazzlyn should be with her. Her husband, however, has a difference of opinion.
Xander Tripp has always taken care of business. The product of a drug-addicted mother and a felon for a father, all he knows is hustling to survive. After the birth of his daughter left him a single father, Xander pulls himself together to be the parent she deserves.
Twelve years later they have a beautiful life, but Xander is lonely...until he meets the beautiful Somya, the recently divorced mother of his daughter’s new best friend. What starts as a friendly exchange, quickly turns into a beautiful, unexpected love.
Trauma bonded them, but is their bond strong enough to withstand the tests of a jealous ex and the return of Xander’s baby mama? Will Somya and Xander thrive under pressure, or fold under the weight the world on their shoulders?
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Published May 14, 2024
591 people are currently reading
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About the author
Kimberly Brown
54 books1,613 followersKimberly Brown is a South Carolina born and raised author of contemporary/urban romance. She strives to create stories that readers can visualize in their heads as the pages turn. Writing has been a part of her journey since a young age but really became a focal point during her high school years. With the support of her classmates, she began sharing her love of words with others. In 2019 she took her first step towards becoming a serious writer with self-publishing. August of 2021, she made her BLP debut with “Pretty Caged Bird” and is continuing to grow her catalog. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a pending masters in Mental Health Counseling, Kimberly loves to incorporate mental health into her writings as she feels it is not talked about or address enough within the African American community.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 375 reviews
January 31, 2024
What do you do when your husband gives you an ultimatum and forces you to choose between him or your niece? You show his azz better than you can tell him. Somya’s sister and brother-in-law were killed in a horrific car accident. Two weeks after she buries them, Elliott hits her with some “it’s her or this family” BS and she promptly hits him with divorce papers. That wasn't the flex he thought it was gon' be. Fast forward two years later, Somya is comfortably raising her niece and five-year-old son as a single mother, and she has not one ounce of regret. Xander is a unicorn. He’s a black man with vitiligo which, you don’t see very often. What I loved about this character is that, he didn’t let his skin condition define him. Not only did he have a shyt ton of BDE but, Xander had so much confidence and swagger, I forgot he even had vitiligo. When he waltzed his sexy azz into the front office of his daughter’s school, Somya was ready to risk it all. I loved how she was able to look past his vitiligo and still see how handsome he was. On top of all the BDE he was packin’, Xander was a phenomenal dad. Dee was not as confident or comfortable in her skin so, Xander constantly spoke words of affirmation to remind her just how beautiful she was inside and out. I’ve said it a thousand times and I will continue to say it. I love me an unproblematic couple and Somya and Xander were as unproblematic as you can get. Now, don’t get it twisted. There was some drama. Just not from them. Hold Me While You Wait was such a beautiful love story. Watching Somya and Xander fall in love so organically and how they blended their families so effortlessly will tug at your heartstrings. Their angst free love journey is one I would gladly read again and again.
January 22, 2024
Love This Story
Prepare for a few tears….I lost count on the amount of times I wiped my eyes….This story was totally about healing, forgiveness and love. Such a heartwarming story…I Adored The Kids in this story…especially EJ….. I enjoyed the small cameo from Cartel and his parents.
Prepare for a few tears….I lost count on the amount of times I wiped my eyes….This story was totally about healing, forgiveness and love. Such a heartwarming story…I Adored The Kids in this story…especially EJ….. I enjoyed the small cameo from Cartel and his parents.
May 23, 2024
They say that life comes at you fast! Well that ish came at Somya like a bullet train after the untimely death of her sister and brother in law during a horrific car accident. Already a parent herself, Somya experienced world wind life altering changes when she became the full legal guardian of her niece. Struggling emotionally to manage not only her own grief but that of her young niece life said “finish him” 🥴🥊 when her husband switches up and decides he didn’t sign up for all of these changes! I guess the whole “for better or worse” didn’t apply to things actually getting worse! Baby KB pulled out her best mortal combat moves in the first 5 minutes of this book because she had me searching for my teeth after that knockout!
Xander’s situation wasn’t nearly as devastating as Somya’s but as a single parent to a young impressionable girl trying her damnedest to navigate the world of teenage girl drama with the vitiligo that she inherited from her father definitely came with its own set of problems. These two family’s met and became friends during a time where they needed each other most! This was SUCH a feel good story that will pull your heart strings like puppet strings. You couldn’t help but to emphasize with every single one of them while simultaneously rooting for them to win!
❣️It was the custom library for me 📚 because we stan a man that you only have to express something once to!
❣️It was the doll house for me 🥺 because if you want me to fall in love with you, just say that Xander!
❣️It was Jazzlyn throwing hands for me!
❣️It was little EJ and his many crushes for me 😆
❣️ it was always Xanders BDE for me
❣️It was the Jereau cameos for me 🥰
I honestly loved everything about this book!! KB can be real effortless with some of the stories that she brings us and this one definitely delivers on everything that you’d expect from a feel good story!
Xander’s situation wasn’t nearly as devastating as Somya’s but as a single parent to a young impressionable girl trying her damnedest to navigate the world of teenage girl drama with the vitiligo that she inherited from her father definitely came with its own set of problems. These two family’s met and became friends during a time where they needed each other most! This was SUCH a feel good story that will pull your heart strings like puppet strings. You couldn’t help but to emphasize with every single one of them while simultaneously rooting for them to win!
❣️It was the custom library for me 📚 because we stan a man that you only have to express something once to!
❣️It was the doll house for me 🥺 because if you want me to fall in love with you, just say that Xander!
❣️It was Jazzlyn throwing hands for me!
❣️It was little EJ and his many crushes for me 😆
❣️ it was always Xanders BDE for me
❣️It was the Jereau cameos for me 🥰
I honestly loved everything about this book!! KB can be real effortless with some of the stories that she brings us and this one definitely delivers on everything that you’d expect from a feel good story!
November 29, 2024
This has been sitting in my KU library since January 24th I fear but I’m glad I could read it now. I need a man like Xander to build me my own personal book shelf. This was a long but cute read. I liked how Xander and Somya relationship grew. I don’t like Elliot or Mona I don’t forget SHIT.
March 4, 2025
Xander and Somya gave me all the feels! Somya is several years post divorce after her raggedy ex was upset she became guardian of their niece (her sister’s daughter) after her sister’s death. Xander is also a single dad with a shy daughter who often is bullied due to having vitiligo like her father. When Somya’s niece slapped another student for bullying Xander’s daughter, I knew those girls would be besties, leading their guardians no choice but to fall into each other’s orbit!
Everything about this was just heartwarming. Xander and Somya had chemistry from the day they laid eyes on each other, but Xander romanced her into being his lady! Outside of the drama surrounding their exes, the merging of their families was effortless. Once they were together, that was it. There was no breaking up. They faced the drama together and made it clear that they were it for each other.
One of my favorite parts was how affirming and encouraging Xander was as a dad. He would practice daily affirmations with his daughter to boost her self-esteem and help her see herself as the beautiful girl she was. Vitiligo is a condition I rarely see in romances so it was refreshing to see a hero not only have it, but coach his daughter through the growing pains of the condition.
Definitely one of my favorite reads from this author!
TROPES: single dad; single mom; no 3rd act breakup; H/h both have traumatic childhoods; ex drama
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death of a parent, mentions of drug use/overdose
Everything about this was just heartwarming. Xander and Somya had chemistry from the day they laid eyes on each other, but Xander romanced her into being his lady! Outside of the drama surrounding their exes, the merging of their families was effortless. Once they were together, that was it. There was no breaking up. They faced the drama together and made it clear that they were it for each other.
One of my favorite parts was how affirming and encouraging Xander was as a dad. He would practice daily affirmations with his daughter to boost her self-esteem and help her see herself as the beautiful girl she was. Vitiligo is a condition I rarely see in romances so it was refreshing to see a hero not only have it, but coach his daughter through the growing pains of the condition.
Definitely one of my favorite reads from this author!
TROPES: single dad; single mom; no 3rd act breakup; H/h both have traumatic childhoods; ex drama
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death of a parent, mentions of drug use/overdose
January 22, 2024
Whew! This read was exactly what I needed. I cried no less than half a dozen times. Xander just pulled out the longing that I have for that beautiful happy ending that I know I deserve. The way he loves is perfection. The life he spoke into his family was beautiful and necessary. The fact that he created the life that he never had but KNEW children needed to thrive was #chefskiss
I am so happy with the way this entire story unfolded. My heart is so full.
I hope we get updates just to check in and see how the new developments are going. 👀
I am so happy with the way this entire story unfolded. My heart is so full.
I hope we get updates just to check in and see how the new developments are going. 👀
January 28, 2024
Somya x Xander
This little gem by BK was a lot deeper than I anticipated. Xander and Somya have a few things in common. Both are single parents to tween girls who quickly became BFFs. So it was natural that they bonded and fell for one another. Xander’s past came back in the form of his ex and disrupted his life in the most unimaginable way. Somya is a mother of two: co-parenting her 4-year-old with her ex and raising her orphaned 12-year-old niece. That's her new normal. These people took us on an emotional journey that's filled with love, forgiveness, and healing.
KB with another one!!
Loved!!
This little gem by BK was a lot deeper than I anticipated. Xander and Somya have a few things in common. Both are single parents to tween girls who quickly became BFFs. So it was natural that they bonded and fell for one another. Xander’s past came back in the form of his ex and disrupted his life in the most unimaginable way. Somya is a mother of two: co-parenting her 4-year-old with her ex and raising her orphaned 12-year-old niece. That's her new normal. These people took us on an emotional journey that's filled with love, forgiveness, and healing.
KB with another one!!
Loved!!
January 22, 2024
I loved this book but what book of Kimberly Brown haven’t I loved. I loved Somya and Xander story from heartbreak to love. Xander was all BDE and Somya had no choice but to fall in love. I loved their daughter friendship everybody needs a friend ready to punch a hating hoe in the throat 🤣.
Also I hated Elliot and egg donor they both should have been given rocks to kick cause ain’t no way they should have been forgiven. I loved the cameos of the Jareau family.
Also I hated Elliot and egg donor they both should have been given rocks to kick cause ain’t no way they should have been forgiven. I loved the cameos of the Jareau family.
February 24, 2024
Stood on Business!
Oh Kimberly Brown, when I say that you can create a masterpiece while having us fall in love with a couple, I mean it. It is not an understatement by any chance. Xander and Somya brought the drama with all the crazy exes to the forefront. However, Xander was not to be played with about Deanna. He stood on business when it came to his baby girl. He wasn't going to let anyone bully or disrespect his baby. And he wasn't the only one Jazlynn came into Deanna's life armed and ready for war. Jazlynn was the best friend that Deanna did not know she needed. She aided in boosting her self-esteem and self-confidence. They built a best friend-slash-sisterhood that a boulder couldn't crack. Xander played a critical role in both girls' lives. He was Deanna's father but a magnificent father figure to Jazlynn. Jazlynn couldn't depend on her Uncle Eliot, Somya's ex. He was too busy acting like a boy instead of a grown man. Eliot could have been a strong foundation in a pivotal moment of Jazlynn's life but he chose otherwise. Eliot fumbled the ball and couldn't recover with Somya or Jazlynn. Xander picked up the ball and finished the play with a win. He was Somya's true soulmate. Xander and Somya completed each other. They worked on healing their pasts by feeding each other what they missed during their childhood.
If by any chance you have not read a masterpiece by Kimberly Brown, now is your time. Mrs. Brown has this pen game down to a science. She will give you a heartfelt story that has you yearning for more. This book presents quite a few issues from child abandonment to parental loss. The character development is on point because Carmen is the mother and grandmother figure Xander and Deanna need. Now the exes, Mona I still do not care for her. I feel she only came back into the picture because she couldn't bear any more kids. She could have stayed where she was. Anyhow grab your copy today so you can see what I am talking about in this review.
Oh Kimberly Brown, when I say that you can create a masterpiece while having us fall in love with a couple, I mean it. It is not an understatement by any chance. Xander and Somya brought the drama with all the crazy exes to the forefront. However, Xander was not to be played with about Deanna. He stood on business when it came to his baby girl. He wasn't going to let anyone bully or disrespect his baby. And he wasn't the only one Jazlynn came into Deanna's life armed and ready for war. Jazlynn was the best friend that Deanna did not know she needed. She aided in boosting her self-esteem and self-confidence. They built a best friend-slash-sisterhood that a boulder couldn't crack. Xander played a critical role in both girls' lives. He was Deanna's father but a magnificent father figure to Jazlynn. Jazlynn couldn't depend on her Uncle Eliot, Somya's ex. He was too busy acting like a boy instead of a grown man. Eliot could have been a strong foundation in a pivotal moment of Jazlynn's life but he chose otherwise. Eliot fumbled the ball and couldn't recover with Somya or Jazlynn. Xander picked up the ball and finished the play with a win. He was Somya's true soulmate. Xander and Somya completed each other. They worked on healing their pasts by feeding each other what they missed during their childhood.
If by any chance you have not read a masterpiece by Kimberly Brown, now is your time. Mrs. Brown has this pen game down to a science. She will give you a heartfelt story that has you yearning for more. This book presents quite a few issues from child abandonment to parental loss. The character development is on point because Carmen is the mother and grandmother figure Xander and Deanna need. Now the exes, Mona I still do not care for her. I feel she only came back into the picture because she couldn't bear any more kids. She could have stayed where she was. Anyhow grab your copy today so you can see what I am talking about in this review.
December 20, 2024
Xander was such a great guy! He was a sweetheart roughneck. And most of all, he was completely gone for his little girl. Not much that's more attractive than a great dad. He was a great boyfriend, too. I want to be Somya's friend. This girl did not play and did not mix words. Especially about her kids. I really loved this story. The family they all formed was just amazing. I have a big ol' smile on my face right now. Happy reading!
January 23, 2024
One big happy family
I loved this book from beginning to end. It gave me all the feels and made me fall in love with this couple. Xander and Somya were perfect for each other. They were couple goals with how they raised their kids, the way they talked things through and the way they encouraged each other and helped each other see things from a different perspective. Xander had me from the beginning when he helped untwist Deanna’s hair and picked it out for her and then proceeded to have that baby recite her affirmations. This man was definitely book bae material and he exuded BDE. I loved that the relationship with Somya and Xander was so organic and realistic for two people who each had kids in that they weren’t always away from the kids and there wasn’t an excess of sex between them and more of a focus on their intimacy because their kids were always around. The kids were adorable and kept me laughing or smiling. Jazz seemed so mature and I loved how she accepted and stood up for Deanna.
Now Elliot and Mona made me want to lay hands on him but they both seemed to redeem themselves. They were lucky that Xander and Somya were not bitter and were on their grown folks energy because things could have played a different way with their shenanigans.
This book was well worth the read and I would highly recommend it.
I loved this book from beginning to end. It gave me all the feels and made me fall in love with this couple. Xander and Somya were perfect for each other. They were couple goals with how they raised their kids, the way they talked things through and the way they encouraged each other and helped each other see things from a different perspective. Xander had me from the beginning when he helped untwist Deanna’s hair and picked it out for her and then proceeded to have that baby recite her affirmations. This man was definitely book bae material and he exuded BDE. I loved that the relationship with Somya and Xander was so organic and realistic for two people who each had kids in that they weren’t always away from the kids and there wasn’t an excess of sex between them and more of a focus on their intimacy because their kids were always around. The kids were adorable and kept me laughing or smiling. Jazz seemed so mature and I loved how she accepted and stood up for Deanna.
Now Elliot and Mona made me want to lay hands on him but they both seemed to redeem themselves. They were lucky that Xander and Somya were not bitter and were on their grown folks energy because things could have played a different way with their shenanigans.
This book was well worth the read and I would highly recommend it.
January 29, 2024
Hold Me While I Wait
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ across the board. Xander and Somya filled each other up, their cups runneth over. Their love journey was just a beauty to read. Intentions were clear and actions mirrored words. The children were just so adorable and entertaining. In the end I couldn’t see myself being that accepting towards Elliot and Mona. But Dee deserved answers at least and the love of her mother. Still couldn’t be me. Now that ending was just too sweet and made me want more of Xander and Somya’s addicting love story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ across the board. Xander and Somya filled each other up, their cups runneth over. Their love journey was just a beauty to read. Intentions were clear and actions mirrored words. The children were just so adorable and entertaining. In the end I couldn’t see myself being that accepting towards Elliot and Mona. But Dee deserved answers at least and the love of her mother. Still couldn’t be me. Now that ending was just too sweet and made me want more of Xander and Somya’s addicting love story.
March 5, 2025
4.5 stars! This was so good! A single mom and single dad romance. I loved the way their families come together and how perfect they all fit together.
Somya is a single mom to her son and her niece she’s raising. We see at the beginning of the story her husband (at the time) tells her to pick between raising her niece or him and she said bye to him. One day she gets a call from the school that her daughter slapped another student who was bullying her new friend, which happens to be the hero’s daughter. I loved Xander and his relationship with his daughter, he turned his life around to be everything for his daughter and it was so sweet seeing him be such a great dad. He and his daughter both have vitiligo. I loved the daily affirmations he does with his daughter, seeing Somya and Xander come together so naturally (so meant to be), Somya’s relationship with her niece, her young son and his love of ladies was the cutest.
There is a lot of beginning drama with both of their exes but I really liked seeing how it all played out for this big, extended, blended family. The love was really felt in this book in so many ways and I loved seeing it.
Somya is a single mom to her son and her niece she’s raising. We see at the beginning of the story her husband (at the time) tells her to pick between raising her niece or him and she said bye to him. One day she gets a call from the school that her daughter slapped another student who was bullying her new friend, which happens to be the hero’s daughter. I loved Xander and his relationship with his daughter, he turned his life around to be everything for his daughter and it was so sweet seeing him be such a great dad. He and his daughter both have vitiligo. I loved the daily affirmations he does with his daughter, seeing Somya and Xander come together so naturally (so meant to be), Somya’s relationship with her niece, her young son and his love of ladies was the cutest.
There is a lot of beginning drama with both of their exes but I really liked seeing how it all played out for this big, extended, blended family. The love was really felt in this book in so many ways and I loved seeing it.
August 12, 2024
4⭐
I was hesitant to read this book because I thought it would be heavy on the grief but I should have trusted Ms. Brown, because she always delivers.
Despite their pasts (both distant and recent), what we get is a romance between two people who are healed enough to recognize that what they have together is special. Bonus points for a blended family where all the adults involved were focused on co-parenting effectively. We love to see it.
I was hesitant to read this book because I thought it would be heavy on the grief but I should have trusted Ms. Brown, because she always delivers.
Despite their pasts (both distant and recent), what we get is a romance between two people who are healed enough to recognize that what they have together is special. Bonus points for a blended family where all the adults involved were focused on co-parenting effectively. We love to see it.
June 14, 2025
Imagine your husband giving you an ultimatum to choose between him and your grieving niece who just lost both her parents, including your sister. Of course you choose your niece and walk away from that marriage because… how dare he?
As the story unfolds, we dive into forgiveness, family, and love take center stage. Despite the rocky beginnings, it was beautiful to see everyone come together at the end.
As the story unfolds, we dive into forgiveness, family, and love take center stage. Despite the rocky beginnings, it was beautiful to see everyone come together at the end.
January 26, 2024
The story was a pretty good read although, I drifted a lot as the story had quite a few lulls. See what you think.
February 18, 2024
This is my first Kimberly Brown book and it definitely won’t be my last. Truly enjoyed it. 4⭐️
March 9, 2024
LOVED IT
I really enjoyed this story. It was very well written, with a great storyline and character development. Who would've thought a chance meeting between Xander and Somya would end up being the blending of their families. I loved how the kids immediately bonded. They had a few issues with their exes, but with communication and understanding of boundaries, things worked out. Xander may have left the streets behind, but he definitely wasn't backing down from anyone trying to disrupt the peace within his family. This was a great story of finding love with the person who was everything you needed and more.
I really enjoyed this story. It was very well written, with a great storyline and character development. Who would've thought a chance meeting between Xander and Somya would end up being the blending of their families. I loved how the kids immediately bonded. They had a few issues with their exes, but with communication and understanding of boundaries, things worked out. Xander may have left the streets behind, but he definitely wasn't backing down from anyone trying to disrupt the peace within his family. This was a great story of finding love with the person who was everything you needed and more.
May 17, 2025
Read via paperback and audio (Libby & hoopla).
“I desired her. I craved her. I had to have her.”
These two had some battles and hardships to deal with before even crossing each others paths. I think Kim did a great job of displaying how quick life can change for a person. Sometimes there’s no time to think you just have to do what’s best right then and there. With both Somya and Xander they did their best and a lot to be proud of when it came to building their own peaceful families.
I love the instant connection between these two. Somya was trying to fight it but Xander knows what he wants and best believe he’s coming. They were spicy and dreamy all in one. Their families blended very well. How could they not though? What Jazz did for Dee ment a bond for life and that was just one of my favorite moments. Kim doesn’t miss when giving romantics like me hope that I’ll find my HEA too one day. I’m sure I’ll be rereading in the future.
Moments/Quotes:
-When Somya told Xander what her favorite spot on him was.
-EJ and his thing for older women.
-Mona and Elliot had me 38 hot. I’m still side eyeing them.
-The doll house.
-Carmen is so sweet.
-The reading of an erotica book to your partner is at the top of my list to do.
-The car date ♥️.
-“Let me have it. I’ll carry it fit you.”
-“She’s a person and her feelings matter. The problem is you don’t think they do. Children deserve apologies from adults too.”
“I desired her. I craved her. I had to have her.”
These two had some battles and hardships to deal with before even crossing each others paths. I think Kim did a great job of displaying how quick life can change for a person. Sometimes there’s no time to think you just have to do what’s best right then and there. With both Somya and Xander they did their best and a lot to be proud of when it came to building their own peaceful families.
I love the instant connection between these two. Somya was trying to fight it but Xander knows what he wants and best believe he’s coming. They were spicy and dreamy all in one. Their families blended very well. How could they not though? What Jazz did for Dee ment a bond for life and that was just one of my favorite moments. Kim doesn’t miss when giving romantics like me hope that I’ll find my HEA too one day. I’m sure I’ll be rereading in the future.
Moments/Quotes:
-When Somya told Xander what her favorite spot on him was.
-EJ and his thing for older women.
-Mona and Elliot had me 38 hot. I’m still side eyeing them.
-The doll house.
-Carmen is so sweet.
-The reading of an erotica book to your partner is at the top of my list to do.
-The car date ♥️.
-“Let me have it. I’ll carry it fit you.”
-“She’s a person and her feelings matter. The problem is you don’t think they do. Children deserve apologies from adults too.”
June 23, 2024
It gave 4.75 ⭐️ in all the right ways.
Simple Synopsis: "We were two people who came from less-than-ideal circumstances. Our pasts didn't get to dictate our futures, and we stood tall on that."
The Greek word for enduring is hupomone. It's the kind of spirit that can TRIUMPH OVER PAIN AND SUFFERING TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL. You have two people who joined together and triumphed over their childhood trauma and achieved successful careers, healthy loved, maturity, and all the things.
In this book, you'll journey through:
Loss/grief
Friendship
Bookish vibes
Fluffy romance
Blended Family
Vitiligo Representation
Healing & Hard Decisions
Simple Synopsis: "We were two people who came from less-than-ideal circumstances. Our pasts didn't get to dictate our futures, and we stood tall on that."
The Greek word for enduring is hupomone. It's the kind of spirit that can TRIUMPH OVER PAIN AND SUFFERING TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL. You have two people who joined together and triumphed over their childhood trauma and achieved successful careers, healthy loved, maturity, and all the things.
In this book, you'll journey through:
Loss/grief
Friendship
Bookish vibes
Fluffy romance
Blended Family
Vitiligo Representation
Healing & Hard Decisions
April 25, 2024
I really liked most of this book and really liked their relationship, but I hated the fact that Mona just got to pop back in after 12 years of nothing and become part of the family. Like so much so that they all vacation together in the epilogue, I really didn’t like that and the fact that Dee and Somya’s relationship got pushed to the side to allow room for Mona. Very annoying
April 5, 2024
Great read
Kimberly Brown I love this book. I adore a good love story. This book had me displaying so many emotions. It starts off as a tragedy, but ends up in love. Just read the damn book.
Kimberly Brown I love this book. I adore a good love story. This book had me displaying so many emotions. It starts off as a tragedy, but ends up in love. Just read the damn book.
August 25, 2024
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
October 27, 2024
✨This is my first Kimberly Brown book and I'M OBSESSED!!🥰🤗💖 This was such an amazing read!! What I love most about this story is the fact that we get to witness how Somya and Xander still continued put their kids first, and be amazing parents might I add, despite the circumstances they came from and the ones they were in. This literally made my heart happy because it truly shows how kids should always be cherished and centered while also being heard. It was beautiful to see the progression of the dynamic of the family over time, especially with the many changes that were happening at once. But I really feel like the storyline and the timing really tied everything together which I really loved 🥰. Definitely a story about courage, forgiveness, and second chances and it was so beautifully written.✨🫶🏾
January 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
TW - divorce, absent parents, death of a sibling and their partner (car crash loosely recounted, plot point), death of a parent (past, aneurysm, mentioned & overdose, mentioned), foster care system, bullying (at school because of vitiligo, imprisonment (sc, mentioned), addiction (heroine, sc, mentioned), anxiety, child abuse (past, mentioned briefly), premature menopause (sc, mentioned)
Tropes - single parents / co-parenting, found family, black love
Get you a man who will build your bookshelves.
This was so cute. Somya (FMC) is raising her son and niece after her sister and brother in law passed away. She divorced her ex because he wanted her to choose between family but Somya did not see that as a choice. Xander (MMC) is a single dad after the mother of his daughter did not want to be involved after the birth. The MCs meet when their girls meet at school and the attraction was there from the jump - I was immediately invested.
It is genuinely so refreshing to read characters who act with the maturity that comes with their age. These two were not about any bullshit even if their exes wanted to come and act a fool. I really enjoyed the found family aspect of this and how Somya and Xander treated each other's kids like their own and the unit they had together. They were cute, their dates were cute, their family dates were cute and I truly flew through this book.
Xander knows how to turn up for his person; for me he was the epitome of being present meaning more than anything else. The MCs spoke to each other's inner child with their sentimental gestures and I really ate up their relationship.
And ofc, the smut was smutting
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List
TW - divorce, absent parents, death of a sibling and their partner (car crash loosely recounted, plot point), death of a parent (past, aneurysm, mentioned & overdose, mentioned), foster care system, bullying (at school because of vitiligo, imprisonment (sc, mentioned), addiction (heroine, sc, mentioned), anxiety, child abuse (past, mentioned briefly), premature menopause (sc, mentioned)
Tropes - single parents / co-parenting, found family, black love
Get you a man who will build your bookshelves.
This was so cute. Somya (FMC) is raising her son and niece after her sister and brother in law passed away. She divorced her ex because he wanted her to choose between family but Somya did not see that as a choice. Xander (MMC) is a single dad after the mother of his daughter did not want to be involved after the birth. The MCs meet when their girls meet at school and the attraction was there from the jump - I was immediately invested.
It is genuinely so refreshing to read characters who act with the maturity that comes with their age. These two were not about any bullshit even if their exes wanted to come and act a fool. I really enjoyed the found family aspect of this and how Somya and Xander treated each other's kids like their own and the unit they had together. They were cute, their dates were cute, their family dates were cute and I truly flew through this book.
Xander knows how to turn up for his person; for me he was the epitome of being present meaning more than anything else. The MCs spoke to each other's inner child with their sentimental gestures and I really ate up their relationship.
And ofc, the smut was smutting
Scale:
⭐️ - would've DNF'ed / continued out of spite
⭐️⭐️ - shit, but whatever
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - meh, could've been better
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - lit 👅
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - loved it, inject this shit into my veins 🤪
🫑 - no smut
🌶 - no point
🌶🌶 - mediocre at best
🌶🌶🌶 - standard smut, hot
🌶🌶🌶🌶 - 🥵 okay, some CW
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 - fuck me 🥵🥵 CWs / filthy with a side of filth - see Poison / Room Twenty-Two: Hide and Seek/ The Naughty List
January 26, 2024
Okay read.. ain’t no way Mona would have been able to come back. She didn’t want Dee and refused to even look at after she was born but 12 years later she is ready to be a parent… fuck outta here. Then Elliot was doing too much, he meant what he said when he said he didn’t sign up to raise someone else’s child. It ain’t like they went to jail or on a vacation and never came back, they died.
Yea didn’t care for the way Dee acted when she found out about Mona, her and Jazz did too much. Ain’t no way Imma be celebrating holidays and going on vacation with my ex.
I ain’t that forgiving, we can be cordial but there’s a line that should not be crossed. People are do trifling shit and think they can apologize later for it.
Yea didn’t care for the way Dee acted when she found out about Mona, her and Jazz did too much. Ain’t no way Imma be celebrating holidays and going on vacation with my ex.
I ain’t that forgiving, we can be cordial but there’s a line that should not be crossed. People are do trifling shit and think they can apologize later for it.
February 22, 2024
Mmmm…..Just a few Opinions of Mine⭐️⭐️⭐️
I hate how they incorporated Mona into this!Mona only came back because she couldn’t have kids! It wasn’t because her mother stopped talking to her for a year it was because her husband divorced her and she wasn’t going to have kids so she wanted the one she abandoned! She was about to build a family of her own until she couldn’t! Forgiveness shouldn’t always be given! My opinion. Then the exes linked up???? It’s a no for me! Her ex husband wanted her back majority of the book come on!!!
I hate how they incorporated Mona into this!Mona only came back because she couldn’t have kids! It wasn’t because her mother stopped talking to her for a year it was because her husband divorced her and she wasn’t going to have kids so she wanted the one she abandoned! She was about to build a family of her own until she couldn’t! Forgiveness shouldn’t always be given! My opinion. Then the exes linked up???? It’s a no for me! Her ex husband wanted her back majority of the book come on!!!
January 22, 2024
Holding on together
I really enjoyed this book by Kimberly a 4.7 for me. I really wish we could vote half points as well instead of the options of one full point. But this book was very eye catching especially with the incorporation of vitiligo I’ve always been fascinated by that skin condition and seeing characters being portrayed in the book made me love it even more given that representation. Kimberly did no wrong because that man was so handsome I could just stare at him all day just like Somya 🤣 and I added my own visualization too with the way she described him. This book to me was all about second chances and finding love as well as loving yourself and loving family. Somya and Xander were definitely a match in loving someone wholeheartedly and being very enamored with one another and they definitely deserved it. I love Xander for his personality but most of all I loved that man as a father like he was made to be someone’s daddy because lord he spoke life into his child and was also not afraid to set the tone straight if need be. He is so loving with the definition of not judging a book by its cover when people doubted him for something he couldn’t control in all forms of his life that he went through. The kids were the icing because they had me cracking up especially Ej I can just picture him when he gets grown. Amara was hilarious too she didn’t take no 💩. Overall this story kept me hooked to finish and that’s a A for me.
I also enjoyed seeing some of the Jareau crew dropping by that was a treat!
I really enjoyed this book by Kimberly a 4.7 for me. I really wish we could vote half points as well instead of the options of one full point. But this book was very eye catching especially with the incorporation of vitiligo I’ve always been fascinated by that skin condition and seeing characters being portrayed in the book made me love it even more given that representation. Kimberly did no wrong because that man was so handsome I could just stare at him all day just like Somya 🤣 and I added my own visualization too with the way she described him. This book to me was all about second chances and finding love as well as loving yourself and loving family. Somya and Xander were definitely a match in loving someone wholeheartedly and being very enamored with one another and they definitely deserved it. I love Xander for his personality but most of all I loved that man as a father like he was made to be someone’s daddy because lord he spoke life into his child and was also not afraid to set the tone straight if need be. He is so loving with the definition of not judging a book by its cover when people doubted him for something he couldn’t control in all forms of his life that he went through. The kids were the icing because they had me cracking up especially Ej I can just picture him when he gets grown. Amara was hilarious too she didn’t take no 💩. Overall this story kept me hooked to finish and that’s a A for me.
I also enjoyed seeing some of the Jareau crew dropping by that was a treat!
March 3, 2024
The past doesn’t dictate your future
These two were meant to be! They individually went through a lot from childhood to adulthood. They persevered and came out stronger for it. They knew themselves and knew they were more than their past traumas and experiences. They deserved peace, happiness and love. Who knew slapping the taste outta somebody would lead to a couple of forevers! I loved how they supported and loved on each other and by extension their love ones as well. This was an awesome read!
These two were meant to be! They individually went through a lot from childhood to adulthood. They persevered and came out stronger for it. They knew themselves and knew they were more than their past traumas and experiences. They deserved peace, happiness and love. Who knew slapping the taste outta somebody would lead to a couple of forevers! I loved how they supported and loved on each other and by extension their love ones as well. This was an awesome read!
March 18, 2024
Good read
Showed how death and instant children can affect a household. Shows how blended families can be influential. Shows that our black men are not all dead beats. Forgiveness heals the heart. Kimberly highlighted so much in this book. How loosing parents at a young age will affect siblings, having parents that are drug addicts over all it shows how you can also heal from it all.
Showed how death and instant children can affect a household. Shows how blended families can be influential. Shows that our black men are not all dead beats. Forgiveness heals the heart. Kimberly highlighted so much in this book. How loosing parents at a young age will affect siblings, having parents that are drug addicts over all it shows how you can also heal from it all.
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