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Sweet #3
Sweetest Taboo
Queens, New York, 1952–Detective Bruce Smith’s life is far darker than his loved ones can comprehend. Passing for a straight white man leaves him feeling empty. His sexuality, colored mother, and self-imposed loneliness lead him to make a mistake he can’t afford.
Scott Wilkins is an unmoored soul, who drifts across a segregated America, working as a porter. In a time when it’s illegal and dangerous to be his authentic self, Scott’s existence as a colored, homosexual man is nothing short of unapologetic.
When their paths cross, both men learn the meaning of unconditional love. Sweetest Taboo is an African American, M/M romance that celebrates black love without regret.
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2026
17 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 4, 2026
What the heck don’t read after this!
Got me PONDERING…
Sweetest Taboo is a quiet but unflinching exploration of love that exists where it was never meant to survive. Joan Vassar doesn’t rush the story or soften its reality; instead, she allows the weight of secrecy, fear, and longing to shape every interaction. The result is a romance that feels protected, earned, intimate, and deeply human.
What makes this book resonate is how carefully it handles identity. Love here is not just emotional, it is political, dangerous, and transformative. The characters are not simply falling for one another; they are learning what it costs to live honestly in a world designed to deny them freedom that should be given unselfishly. Their connection becomes a form of resistance, even when it is strong and fragile.
This story carries a tenderness that contrasts beautifully with the tension of the setting. The story never forgets the stakes, warnings and danger but it also never denies the characters their joy and happiness. That balance between restraint and desire and fear and hope is where the novel truly shines and makes you ponder.
Sweetest Taboo is not just a love story. It is a reminder that even in silence, even in hiding, love finds ways to assert its truth. The book stays with you because it speaks to what so many people have had to risk simply to be seen then and now!
Got me PONDERING…
Sweetest Taboo is a quiet but unflinching exploration of love that exists where it was never meant to survive. Joan Vassar doesn’t rush the story or soften its reality; instead, she allows the weight of secrecy, fear, and longing to shape every interaction. The result is a romance that feels protected, earned, intimate, and deeply human.
What makes this book resonate is how carefully it handles identity. Love here is not just emotional, it is political, dangerous, and transformative. The characters are not simply falling for one another; they are learning what it costs to live honestly in a world designed to deny them freedom that should be given unselfishly. Their connection becomes a form of resistance, even when it is strong and fragile.
This story carries a tenderness that contrasts beautifully with the tension of the setting. The story never forgets the stakes, warnings and danger but it also never denies the characters their joy and happiness. That balance between restraint and desire and fear and hope is where the novel truly shines and makes you ponder.
Sweetest Taboo is not just a love story. It is a reminder that even in silence, even in hiding, love finds ways to assert its truth. The book stays with you because it speaks to what so many people have had to risk simply to be seen then and now!
February 5, 2026
What a conclusion to this trilogy. This story brought me to tears. This book will be with me forever. I felt so many emotions I was so hurt and pissed off. Bruce did not give up on Cliff or his promise to his family.
It’s true finding out the truth doesn’t mean you will find justice and you have to decide which is more important.
This series was written so well and eloquently I couldn’t put it down I just had to find out what happened. Bruce’s mom was awesome she loved her son and she did it her way.
It’s true finding out the truth doesn’t mean you will find justice and you have to decide which is more important.
This series was written so well and eloquently I couldn’t put it down I just had to find out what happened. Bruce’s mom was awesome she loved her son and she did it her way.
February 2, 2026
Joan writes books that sit with you a long time. This books made me look at how racism, power, masculinity, and morality really work beneath the surface. The story shows how systems protect certain people while destroying others, how love and grief are carried differently, and how “justice” often depends on who society decides is worthy. And how all these things are going on right now!!!!!!!!! It never stops. This book is great. At first I was like “how Scott & Bruce gonna end up together?” lol but they both connected thru loneliness. Bruce lives a closeted life and Scott is basically a drifter, with no family or ties. I loved them together. Scott was so sweet. They both were. This was beautiful!!!!!! There were so many pieces to dissect.
February 24, 2026
Apt
Bruce Smith was tired of living a life of lies. Scott Wilkins is tired of drifting. They manage to find each other in a world full of injustices.
I said in the earlier books that racism and homophobia seemed to be spectres instead of active villains. They were most definitely active here.
I think Vassar did a great job in this installment, to the point that I would love to see another book in the series. I’m even down for more of Bruce getting to be a detective and enjoying his life with Scott.
If you like black gay romance, 1950s New York as a setting, and a real but not gruesome handling of hard subjects, then this is for you.
Bruce Smith was tired of living a life of lies. Scott Wilkins is tired of drifting. They manage to find each other in a world full of injustices.
I said in the earlier books that racism and homophobia seemed to be spectres instead of active villains. They were most definitely active here.
I think Vassar did a great job in this installment, to the point that I would love to see another book in the series. I’m even down for more of Bruce getting to be a detective and enjoying his life with Scott.
If you like black gay romance, 1950s New York as a setting, and a real but not gruesome handling of hard subjects, then this is for you.
February 2, 2026
Just in time for Black History Month
Leave it to Joan Vassar to tackle the hardest conversations with such love, respect, and integrity. Sweetest Taboo is far more than an M/M romance; it is a fearless look at identity, human rights, and systemic injustice. Bruce’s journey is a vivid, waking nightmare where the badge is blue and the skin is white, but the heart is Black—leaving him still trying to figure out, "Where do I go from here?" 💛💜💚👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✊🏽
Leave it to Joan Vassar to tackle the hardest conversations with such love, respect, and integrity. Sweetest Taboo is far more than an M/M romance; it is a fearless look at identity, human rights, and systemic injustice. Bruce’s journey is a vivid, waking nightmare where the badge is blue and the skin is white, but the heart is Black—leaving him still trying to figure out, "Where do I go from here?" 💛💜💚👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✊🏽
February 3, 2026
history repeating itself
Wow…what an amazing story, but is it really. Feels like everything has come full circle, the rage, the segregation and loving who you want and misconceived nonsense just by being a good person. This show nothing will ever change just keep living the cycle in different times.
Wow…what an amazing story, but is it really. Feels like everything has come full circle, the rage, the segregation and loving who you want and misconceived nonsense just by being a good person. This show nothing will ever change just keep living the cycle in different times.
February 11, 2026
All done….And I must say I was not happy 😭😭. (Loved the book) That ending tore me up. I was hoping for a different outcome and I thought we was gonna get it. Which leads me to a question. Does the truth even matter if you can’t receive justice? It hurts not knowing. Yes. But then it hurts knowing the truth and can’t do nothing about it.
February 13, 2026
Powerful Must Read
Joan Vasser remains an undefeated storyteller. She knows how to combine history with a passionate love story. I loved every moment! It was sexy and rich with character development.
Joan Vasser remains an undefeated storyteller. She knows how to combine history with a passionate love story. I loved every moment! It was sexy and rich with character development.
February 9, 2026
This was the best of the series! They were all great love stories. But this one just hits different. The time is 1952 in Queens, NY, but it could be happening today.
Joan tells a story like no one else, the twist and turns keep you reading. The passion holds you tight.
Joan tells a story like no one else, the twist and turns keep you reading. The passion holds you tight.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews