After years of openly lusting after her best friend’s brother, Melodie Norwood was tired of him ignoring her. She finally moved on and settled into the kind of relationship she thought she wanted with Sean, an old fling. However, in the back of her mind, she wondered if she should’ve waited for the man her heart truly desired.
Breeze Foster followed his younger sister and her best friend to Onyx City, looking to make some positive changes in his life. Although Chicago would always be home, there were too many negative distractions. If he didn’t want to follow in his father’s criminal footsteps, it was time to make a move.
In Onyx City, he seemed to have everything . . . except the woman who had his heart. He let her slip from his grasp and found himself trying to fill the void with someone else. When Melodie found herself in a situation she couldn’t handle alone, Breeze stepped in to ensure her safety and temporarily reverted to his old ways.
With their happily ever after on the horizon, their past lurked in the shadows, creating unexpected obstacles. Will they allow it to shake their solid foundation, or will they fight for their happily ever after?
Welcome to Kay Shanee's Reading Korner Kay is forty something wife and mother, born and raised in the Midwest. During the day, she is a high school teacher. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite pastime is reading and writing romance novels about the dopeness of BLACK LOVE.
I have to give it to Kay Shanee. I was expecting way more drama with Melodie and Breeze. If I’m keeping it a buck, I went into this book expecting them to be Yasmine and Bronx 2.0. But, after a year and a half of watching Melodie waste her time with Sean’s triflin’ azz, Breeze grew tired of pretending he wasn’t in love and finally decided to get his woman. Now, that’s not to say there wasn’t drama because, there was plenty of it. The villains were definitely runnin’ amuck in Onyx City. Sean, Tia, and Arielle’s crazy azz kept the drama poppin’ from start to finish.
I loved how quickly the romance between Melodie and Breeze unfolded without dragging it out. These two already knew exactly what they wanted and jumped head first into a relationship. I especially love how Breeze loved Melodie out loud and wasn’t afraid to express his feelings. He was standin’ on big business and ready to make Melodie his wife expeditiously. I’m really enjoying this series and I’m keeping my fingers crossed Kay Shanee keeps it going. I’m callin’ it now. If she gives us another book, I think it’ll be on Harmony and Adan. We shall see. 🤞🏾🤞🏾
You know I have yet to pick up a book by Kay Shanee that I was unsatisfied. Her masterpieces are created with depth and enough drama to have you consistently engaged. I had been anticipating Breeze and Melodie's story since I read Sonshyne and Raine. Breeze stepped up to the plate at the right moment. He was an all-around guy because he held the homie, lover, and friend title. He was there for Melodie to pick up the pieces to the puzzle. His actions proved he was a husband as well as the head of the household. Melodie had to use him as her leaning tower, but his shoulders were broad and strong enough to hold her in the upright position.
An author who gives you more than just the romance is a superb writer. This novel touched on other important topics like domestic violence, drug abuse, infidelity, and mental health. Yes, a happily ever after happens, but the mere fact to have accomplished that after battling other demons is a chefs kiss.
Ladies and gentlemen, you all know the drill. Grab your copy today. Mrs. Shanee, I'm looking forward to your next release. Keep them coming.
Baybeeeee!!! Breeze said he was coming to get his WIFE and he did just that. The fact that they had to deal with so much bullshit was so crazy but their love only proved stronger than ever! Breeze is the epitome of a protector. Shout out to Harmonee for also being the little big sis that went to war for her sister!! Ughhh i loved this story so much!! Everybody against Breeze and Mel got everything they deserved!!
Sidenote, i LOVED the DJ at the wedding being Dj Fly Ty!! Okay son plug!
Breeze energy behind Melodie was everything I didn’t know I needed. I loved how they finally said f it and got together. I mean everything tried to stop them from being together but the universe and God said other wise. This was such a good read. Thank you Mrs Kay
This book had all the ingredients for a great romance—Mel and Beeze had serious potential. But instead of diving deep into their connection, the story got lost in the drama. I was hoping to feel the tension, the intimacy, the swoon… but the romance kept taking a backseat. Unfortunately, it felt like the heart of the story got buried under too much mess.
Kay Shanee delivers a slow-burn, second-chance romance with Breeze and Melodie, a heartfelt, gritty, and emotionally rich love story set in the vibrant world of Onyx City. This isn’t just a tale of “right person, wrong time”—it’s a powerful journey of emotional maturity, longing, and learning to fight for the kind of love that’s worth every risk. Breeze and Melodie’s dynamic sizzles from the very first page. The years of pent-up emotion, tension, and what-ifs make their eventual reconnection feel well-earned. You feel their history, the stolen glances, the unspoken conversations—and that’s what makes the payoff so satisfying. Both leads are flawed, which only makes them more relatable. Melodie’s attempt to move on with Sean is a common but often overlooked piece in romance—choosing stability over passion, and learning the hard way that love shouldn’t feel like settling. Breeze, on the other hand, is a reformed man trying to break generational cycles, and his struggle to stay on the right path adds weight to his choices. Shanee paints Onyx City with a subtle but vivid brush, giving just enough of the setting to make it feel lived-in without overshadowing the romance. The city feels like a fresh start for both characters, symbolic of their rebirth as individuals and eventual partners.
The twist—when Breeze reverts to old habits to protect Melodie—is a strong reminder that love isn’t just pretty words and passion. It’s sacrifice, protection, and sometimes navigating a messy past to protect the future. Their journey doesn’t feel perfect, but it does feel real. Breeze and Melodie is for readers who love sister’s bestfriend tropes with a grown and sexy twist, featuring a strong Black love story with complex characters, heartfelt vulnerability, and an undeniable emotional pull. Kay Shanee doesn’t just write love stories—she writes love stories that feel like home. If you’re a fan of emotional depth, protective men, and love that fights through the fire, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
This book was okay. With the way names were dropped in the first few paragraphs, it felt like this book was a part of a series that I wasn’t aware of. Turns out it’s a spinoff of Shyne and Raine’s story. (I saw their book when I finished this one.)
I thought about not reading this book since I didn’t know everybody like that but changed my mind because I was in the mood to read a “best friend’s brother” trope. You don’t need to know the ins and outs of everyone to read this book. Kay Shanee gave us everyone’s relation and that was all that mattered. You can also infer a lot of information.
But I will say reading the previous book might help you digest the flow of this book a lot better. The storyline isn’t the long, drawn out “Will they? Won’t they?” that happens in a lot of best friend’s brother stories. Things happen pretty quickly between Breeze and Melodie. I feel like them getting together is a bigger payoff for those who’ve read about them before. As someone who didn’t know these characters, Breeze and Melodie getting together so soon made me not really invested in their relationship.
Since there isn’t much relationship building and “Will they? Won’t they?”, it leaves room for a lot of other stuff to happen. There was a lot of drama, threats, and a few hospital scenes. Lowkey, it kinda felt like Kay Shanee was just grasping for anything to happen in this book to meet a word count.
For my smut girlies, this also leaves a lot of room for fucking. So if you need something steamy, Breeze and Melodie stay getting it in.
We get some short, cute updates on Dakari and Jahzara from “Hate Our Love”, Bronx🙄 and Yazmeen from “Make It Last Forever”, and Aziel and Desire from “Desire: The Arranged Hearts Series”. Rocky and Russell from “Rocky” also make appearances throughout the book while Rue and Rosemary pop up at the end. A few other characters from other books make appearances but I didn’t know them, so I didn’t make note of who from where.
I enjoyed Breeze and Melodie’s story and seeing them get there happily ever after. It was clear in Reine’s story that these two had feelings for each other, but they had to get to a place where they were both ready to take things past friendship.
I appreciated that Breeze took his time getting himself together and had a goal of making Melodie his wife from the beginning and not allowing her forceful flirting to lead them into a relationship they might not have been completely ready for. It sucks that certain incidents happened and people got hurt before they finally stopped fighting their feelings and jumped into a relationship. Had they not been fighting their feelings, some of these crazy situations could have likely been avoided.
I loved the way that Breeze loved Melodie out loud and was her protector. This man was ready to be her husband and wasn’t half stepping once that line was crossed from friends to lovers. I also liked that Melodie allowed for Breeze to the man he needed to be and let him love her the way she deserved.
This book came with some cameos and has me looking forward to seeing what other stories will come out of Onyx City.
This was a book that I was really looking forward to reading when their characters showed up in the previous book, Sonshyne and Raine. After overcoming obstacles to them forming a relationship, Breeze and Melodie were finally able to show the love that they always had for each other. Even though the obstacles tried to ruin what they had going on, they didn't let those outside influences break them apart. As far as I'm concerned, every last one of them got what was coming to them. I just loved how they loved up on each other, the banter between them, the chemistry and the passionate love scenes. It was also good to get updates on the previous characters from Sonshyne and Raine as well as from Rocky. I really enjoyed the friend group and the bonds that they share. I can't wait to visit Onyx City again because I'm looking forward to the rest of the friend group finding their special someone, and I can't forget that comment Rosemary made and Russell's reaction to it. Yes, we definitely need more Onyx City books expeditiously. 😊
I didn’t realize until I was deep into chapter one that this book was connected to Sonshyne and Raine’s story — and once I figured it out, I was even more ready to read!
Breeze showed up in Onyx City at the end of Sonshyne and Raine’s book, and we already knew Melodie had a crush on him from their younger years in Chicago. That best friend’s brother/brother’s best friend trope will always be one of my faves, and this story gave it to us with everything we love — romance, an unhinged MMC, devotion, affection, and some seriously sexy scenes.
The drama? Whew. Those hating a$$ exes really added impact to the storyline. They couldn’t get their sh*t together to save their lives — jealousy really is a hell of a disease.
No cliffhanger here — just an HEA that hit all the emotions and made me happy to see the growth of everyone from Sonshyne and Raine’s story. You can read this one as a standalone, but honestly, I recommend reading both for the full experience!
I love the way you picked up from the previous story with Shyne and Raine.
Breeze came in town on a mission and I loved it. But Melodie was tired of waiting and ended up with a abusive nut. How you get mad because your partner doesn't want unprotective sex?
Breeze really did want Melodie, but he ended up with a manipulative woman. Eventhough they didn't have s title, ole girl was out of her mind. I wanted Melodie to lay hands on ole girl.
I loved Sean and Dak was ex out the picture, they say birds of the same feathers, flock together. Sean left a delusional woman.
I really love how you let Breeze be the real man he was. He played no games with anyone. But in the end I was overjoyed when they got together and got the family and future they both deserved.
I am typically a fan of Kay's work, but this book fell off for me when the drama started to become too many things from too many directions. Sometimes less is more, and in this case, IN MY OPINION, it took away from the storyline. Overall, Mel and Breeze were decent characters... who made some questionable decisions... but still could have carried a storyline without all the subplot drama. Also, all the name dropping of characters from the past started to feel like a lot. Even after reading all the stories and being familiar with them it still felt overkill.
Alright now! Sonshyne and Raine was cute and demure, but Breeze and Melodie? Yeppp, that’s what I was looking for! 😂 A slow burn with just enough action, and the connection between them was undeniable.
Breeze loves Mel out loud and doesn’t care who sees it and I loved every bit of that energy. This story had me shook at every twist and turn. Just when I thought I knew what was coming, in popped another character or a totally different situation. It kept me guessing the whole time, and I was here for it!
In the end, Breeze and Mel got their happily ever after, and it was so satisfying. Timing really is everything!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was such I good read. I started immediately after finishing Sonny & Raine’s book. Then I barely slept so I could finish it.
I’ve loved Mel & Breeze since we met them. I didn’t know what to expect from these too. I was mentally preparing myself for a slow burn of unrequited love. lol I could not have imagined how their story would evolve. I enjoyed every single page of it!
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I need a one way ticket to Onyx City, Expeditiously! 😩😩
It’s gotta be something in the air. I know I’d be headed for my HEA as soon as I land. 😂
I love fictional cities... Onyx City included. Breeze and Melodie was fun to read. They had a lot of drama going, especially to be so new to the town. Melodie is fun, spicy and witty. Breeze is a bold, confident, protective and doesn't mind expressing his feelings, especially when it comes to his Melodie.
It was also a lot of fun to see the others from OC like Rue and Rocky, The Mayor and Desiree, & Russ and Rose (I hope they get a book because Russ gave her the side eye after that statement she made). I would also like to see the rest of the crew find their significant others.
Wow. I really enjoyed this story and let me just say “ justice was served all around”. They’re gonna learn the hard way that Breeze will go to any length to protect those he loves. I’m so happy they both got their HEA with each other and got it together eventually. Their entire circle of family and friends is everything!!!
Once again, Kay Shanee did not disappoint. I’m so looking forward to Adan, Zayn , Mari and Harmonee’s stories. Great job Kay!!!
Hey Kay, your storytelling is awesome! 📖 Breeze and Melodie's story was a total ride. 🎢 I loved how quickly their romance unfolded without dragging things out. 💕 Breeze was so straightforward and driven, which kept me hooked. 🔥 The way things wrapped up with Sean, Arielle, Tia, and her brother felt just right. 👌 Can't wait to read more Onyx City Love Stories! 📚
As always with Kay Shanee , I absolutely loved this book with having some of the people from other books she wrote. I believe everyone should have a Breeze in their life. If you love drama, arguments, fighting with fists or gun, and best of all: LOVE, this book is for you! Way to go again Mrs. Kay from your fan for life!
Sonshyne & Raine was my 1st read by this author and I was hit in all the feels by their love story...so naturally I was excited to read the 2nd book in the series. She hit it out the park with an intentional love story that was healing and binding while sprinkling in the drama. I would love to see Harmony get called to the carpet by a man that don't play with her or about her in the next book.
Breeze and Melodie’s story was a good read, there were a few errors in the text, but they didn’t take away from the story. These two getting together caused a few people, like their exes to loose their minds and start acting crazy. Overall, it was a good and entertaining story that kept me reading until the very end.
This book was a good read that hit on some hard subjects. Domestic Abuse is never a easy subject to write about but the author did it justice. Sean got off easy if you ask me but that's neither here nor there. The book was a good time that got a good happily ever after.
🔥 🔥 fire!!!! The beginning to the end!!! I so loved this as much as I did Raine and Sonshyne story!!! Breeze was not be messed with! From the run in with the ex’s and the previous girlfriend 🤪and she was cray cray! U will love the story!!
Baby, those exes were on 1000. The peen and cookie couldn’t have been that good to go through that much! However, they paid the price. Breeze came Through and shut it down!
The ex’s just couldn’t let go. Sean had another girl on the side and was still acting a fool. I felt bad for Tia in the beginning but in the end she got what she deserved. I’m happy Breeze and Melodie got there happily ever after.
I love Breeeze and Melodie so bad, but I was getting tired of their past coming for them. I love that he found him some more former street niggas to be down with abd that Harmonee is here.
I loved this story, it was heartwarming, yet dynamic. How people can may your life hard. These two fight the battles together. They you change a ho into a housewife, and can’t change a thug into a husband, this can certainly happen. Good story.
Glad to see my guy Breeze get him an happy ending. In my opinion it shouldn’t have been with Mel. She just seem kind of childish and hardheaded for him. However glad they were able to get it together and find a happy medium for the love both of them deserve.