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Protecting Her Halo
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 12, 2026
Elise girl, STAND UP!!!!! Lawd have mercy Rashawn had the patience of a saint deal with her and her parents. Two decades of foolishness I can not 🙃
March 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not only am I happy we got a follow up to the Softest Love, but release of this novella was soon so I could easily recall book 1.
Rashawn and Elise’s story was much more than I expected in the best way. I love the overall plot, I do wish some of the details and timelines would be ironed out more in editing. Because there were some inconsistencies and errors that took this from 4 to 3 stars.
Also the secret of that magnitude being revealed after 80% of the story made the repair too quick. Considering all the factors of this could, Rashawn deserved more groveling from Elise. That was really messed up and he was right she was always perceived as the innocent one. Plus I didn’t like how they repaired, she tells him and now all is right. Nope. Didn’t like that.
Apart of me felt like he deserved better, but I think with more pages and the ability to see them heal from all the mess her family instilled in her would’ve helped.
Nice read.
I love Nash! The kids were adorable. But Nash and Rashawn bantering was my fav.
Not only am I happy we got a follow up to the Softest Love, but release of this novella was soon so I could easily recall book 1.
Rashawn and Elise’s story was much more than I expected in the best way. I love the overall plot, I do wish some of the details and timelines would be ironed out more in editing. Because there were some inconsistencies and errors that took this from 4 to 3 stars.
Also the secret of that magnitude being revealed after 80% of the story made the repair too quick. Considering all the factors of this could, Rashawn deserved more groveling from Elise. That was really messed up and he was right she was always perceived as the innocent one. Plus I didn’t like how they repaired, she tells him and now all is right. Nope. Didn’t like that.
Apart of me felt like he deserved better, but I think with more pages and the ability to see them heal from all the mess her family instilled in her would’ve helped.
Nice read.
I love Nash! The kids were adorable. But Nash and Rashawn bantering was my fav.
March 12, 2026
Love Lakia down but didn’t like this one, she warns of the fast pace but we spend time in the past and at wrestling matches, when Elise needed to grovel more or spend more time seeking forgiveness from her man forreal or figuring out why the words of her parents were so important. Like sorry you lose me when you see how they mistreat ya sibling and essentially call you a liar even before you’ve done anything. 2.5 stars
March 13, 2026
Elise whattttt
Oh so Raeshawn is nothing like I thought but Elise girl stand up. Oh my gosh. Those parents are worse than I thought. Sheesh. The secrets
Oh so Raeshawn is nothing like I thought but Elise girl stand up. Oh my gosh. Those parents are worse than I thought. Sheesh. The secrets
March 12, 2026
A good follow up
You ever heard the line “you raise your daughters and love your sons”. Daughters are raised to be responsible, disciplined, and high-achieving, while sons are given more grace and emotional protection.
I’m not going to lie, I was definitely side-eyeing Elise with the way she was trying to play Rashawn. But one thing I respected about Rashawn is that he never tried to change her or pressure her into anything. He met her where she was and moved at whatever pace she was comfortable with, and I loved that for him.
Now Elise and Essex’s mom and dad… whew. They are exactly why people say they don’t want anything to do with church folks. That church mess be MESSY, and they were the definition of it.
Faith was a surprise for me. I honestly didn’t see that coming, and I would’ve loved to get a few POV chapters from her just to understand her perspective a little more.
But my highlight? Nash. Baby, Nash had me cracking up. He was a handful when he was younger, but grown-up, college-bound Nash is still a whole mess in the best way.
This book was very layered. As someone who grew up in church, it really resonated with me because you’re often held to such a high standard. The moment you show that you’re human and make mistakes, people are quick to crucify you.
You ever heard the line “you raise your daughters and love your sons”. Daughters are raised to be responsible, disciplined, and high-achieving, while sons are given more grace and emotional protection.
I’m not going to lie, I was definitely side-eyeing Elise with the way she was trying to play Rashawn. But one thing I respected about Rashawn is that he never tried to change her or pressure her into anything. He met her where she was and moved at whatever pace she was comfortable with, and I loved that for him.
Now Elise and Essex’s mom and dad… whew. They are exactly why people say they don’t want anything to do with church folks. That church mess be MESSY, and they were the definition of it.
Faith was a surprise for me. I honestly didn’t see that coming, and I would’ve loved to get a few POV chapters from her just to understand her perspective a little more.
But my highlight? Nash. Baby, Nash had me cracking up. He was a handful when he was younger, but grown-up, college-bound Nash is still a whole mess in the best way.
This book was very layered. As someone who grew up in church, it really resonated with me because you’re often held to such a high standard. The moment you show that you’re human and make mistakes, people are quick to crucify you.
March 14, 2026
First let me say, I love Lakia’s writing, but I just couldn’t finish this one. I really tried, but I ended up stopping at 34%.
The main issue for me was Elise. She’s thirty five years old, and I just couldn’t get past how much control her parents still had over her decisions, especially when it came to Rashawn. After two decades of that kind of situation, I just felt like he deserved better. Why is she 35 sneaking around with a man? She’s a whole high school teacher. Ma’am you are on the same mental as your students. Then the Faith situation and her allowing them to make her upset. Like my goodness.
The whole time I kept thinking I must have read her age wrong because her behavior felt more like someone who was 18, not 35. I kept questioning it until she literally confirmed she had lived thirty five years. That’s when I was like oh hell no, 35?!
I couldn’t stay focused on the story anymore. I was out of it. I was really excited to read their story, so this one disappointed me.
This is the first book I’ve tried from this author that I strongly disliked. I just wasn’t expecting a thirty five year old woman with the mindset of someone much younger.
The main issue for me was Elise. She’s thirty five years old, and I just couldn’t get past how much control her parents still had over her decisions, especially when it came to Rashawn. After two decades of that kind of situation, I just felt like he deserved better. Why is she 35 sneaking around with a man? She’s a whole high school teacher. Ma’am you are on the same mental as your students. Then the Faith situation and her allowing them to make her upset. Like my goodness.
The whole time I kept thinking I must have read her age wrong because her behavior felt more like someone who was 18, not 35. I kept questioning it until she literally confirmed she had lived thirty five years. That’s when I was like oh hell no, 35?!
I couldn’t stay focused on the story anymore. I was out of it. I was really excited to read their story, so this one disappointed me.
This is the first book I’ve tried from this author that I strongly disliked. I just wasn’t expecting a thirty five year old woman with the mindset of someone much younger.
March 13, 2026
Just disappointed
I was so excited to see Elise and Rashawn was getting their own book and couldn’t wait to read it. To see how little growth that Elise had in eighteen years is not only sad, but unrealistic. I get the pressure of religion and parental control etc, but at thirty-five?!! We still haven’t seek counseling to get through our issues?! I truly didn’t think Rashawn held Elise accountable at all…not sure what kind of love this is.
Trigger Warning
To not include Rashawn in the decision making for something so painful such as abortion is so hurtful. It’s not like this man was a random or an abusive ex that she didn’t want to continue access to her via a baby…this was her and her brother’s friend for years!! Personally that would have been the end of our relationship. So disappointed that this topic wasn’t discussed prior to the start of the book…definitely just pushed through to closed this story out.
I was so excited to see Elise and Rashawn was getting their own book and couldn’t wait to read it. To see how little growth that Elise had in eighteen years is not only sad, but unrealistic. I get the pressure of religion and parental control etc, but at thirty-five?!! We still haven’t seek counseling to get through our issues?! I truly didn’t think Rashawn held Elise accountable at all…not sure what kind of love this is.
Trigger Warning
To not include Rashawn in the decision making for something so painful such as abortion is so hurtful. It’s not like this man was a random or an abusive ex that she didn’t want to continue access to her via a baby…this was her and her brother’s friend for years!! Personally that would have been the end of our relationship. So disappointed that this topic wasn’t discussed prior to the start of the book…definitely just pushed through to closed this story out.
March 15, 2026
Wow this book was a lot. I was not expecting all of this background on Elise and Rashawn. After reading Essex’ book, I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t this.
Elise had a hard and sheltered life with ultra religious parents. It shaped her and how she lived her life. She has loved Rashawn for a long time and he has loved her but her fear of being her true self almost destroyed them. My heart broke for both of them and I found myself a bit upset with Elise but I had to give her some grace. It’s hard to break free from the chains others put on you and poor Elise had a lifetime of bondage. I was happy that she finally broke free.
This is an emotional book. It a book about love, friendship and growth. It’s also about being true to yourself and not letting the expectations of others forge your path. I love it.
Elise had a hard and sheltered life with ultra religious parents. It shaped her and how she lived her life. She has loved Rashawn for a long time and he has loved her but her fear of being her true self almost destroyed them. My heart broke for both of them and I found myself a bit upset with Elise but I had to give her some grace. It’s hard to break free from the chains others put on you and poor Elise had a lifetime of bondage. I was happy that she finally broke free.
This is an emotional book. It a book about love, friendship and growth. It’s also about being true to yourself and not letting the expectations of others forge your path. I love it.
March 12, 2026
Elise really has a Halo! such a sweetheart
Elise strived to live the righteous path. She made Rashawn wait and he did just that all those years. After 18 years, he finally got his woman. I knew she pregnant before, and her parents were going to continue to try and ruin their relationship. I’m glad she was able to be grown and finally have a baby from the love of her life. Pastor had some nerve! Faith was his daughter and he was still messing around with Michelle, but preaching all that holier than thou meanwhile he’s living in sin. Hypocrite! It was good seeing how Essex continued to evolve too. I love Nash and Rashawn’s relationship. I love the team’s relationship with Elise also. She needed them and they needed her. Loved this read!
Elise strived to live the righteous path. She made Rashawn wait and he did just that all those years. After 18 years, he finally got his woman. I knew she pregnant before, and her parents were going to continue to try and ruin their relationship. I’m glad she was able to be grown and finally have a baby from the love of her life. Pastor had some nerve! Faith was his daughter and he was still messing around with Michelle, but preaching all that holier than thou meanwhile he’s living in sin. Hypocrite! It was good seeing how Essex continued to evolve too. I love Nash and Rashawn’s relationship. I love the team’s relationship with Elise also. She needed them and they needed her. Loved this read!
March 14, 2026
Rashawn and Elise went from crushing pre-teens, to crushing high schoolers, to in love young adults, to in love adults, and ended up husband and wife. I really didn’t like how Elise played with Rashawn’s feelings for years because she was scared to love him out loud fearing judgment from her parents but they eventually got it together. I really can’t stand judgmental church folks like Pastta Hunter and Sista Hunter who lived in glass houses while throwing stones. I did want to know what happened with the church after Faith told her truths.
March 11, 2026
Rashawn is all you need
Someone tell Elise that her parents’ judgment isn't worth the stress—especially with the secrets they were hiding! I spent half the book wanting to shake her and the other half swooning over Rashawn. Rashawn is the absolute MVP of this book. Watching him love Elise "in spite of herself" was easily the highlight of the story. 5 stars for the man we all deserve!
Someone tell Elise that her parents’ judgment isn't worth the stress—especially with the secrets they were hiding! I spent half the book wanting to shake her and the other half swooning over Rashawn. Rashawn is the absolute MVP of this book. Watching him love Elise "in spite of herself" was easily the highlight of the story. 5 stars for the man we all deserve!
March 14, 2026
Love a Man that’s tender
Babyyyyyyyy this one is for my girls who’ve been taught the wrong things about their faith and how to walk in line with it along with discovering oneself. Elise and Rashawn could serve as a blueprint in loving the complexities and differences of your person but knowing when to surrender to leaving the ideologies of others behind to solely focus on each other.
Babyyyyyyyy this one is for my girls who’ve been taught the wrong things about their faith and how to walk in line with it along with discovering oneself. Elise and Rashawn could serve as a blueprint in loving the complexities and differences of your person but knowing when to surrender to leaving the ideologies of others behind to solely focus on each other.
March 14, 2026
Good read!
Elise was too grown to let her parents decide who she could love. Rashawn was much more patient than most until her hidden secret came out. I was very shocked to discover Faith's long kept secret. In the end it all worked out. A bit too much uncertainty for me but they finally got their HEA!
Elise was too grown to let her parents decide who she could love. Rashawn was much more patient than most until her hidden secret came out. I was very shocked to discover Faith's long kept secret. In the end it all worked out. A bit too much uncertainty for me but they finally got their HEA!
March 11, 2026
Love!!!
Rashawn swoon to love that deep and that long even when the person you in love with be on one lol Loved seeing my boo Essex and Ny and catching up with the family.
Rashawn swoon to love that deep and that long even when the person you in love with be on one lol Loved seeing my boo Essex and Ny and catching up with the family.
March 11, 2026
wow
I didn’t expect those secrets that came tumbling out. It was a lot going on. Church folks are the most hypocritical folks
I didn’t expect those secrets that came tumbling out. It was a lot going on. Church folks are the most hypocritical folks
March 11, 2026
Loved it!
Loved the storyline and I’m so glade Elise finally got her happy ending after being under her parents watch for so long.
Loved the storyline and I’m so glade Elise finally got her happy ending after being under her parents watch for so long.
March 12, 2026
🥰🌻🥰
I KNEW it was going to be something. Had me and Kenny out here SICK!!!!! I just love this group of characters so much!! Elise and Rashawn were everything.
I KNEW it was going to be something. Had me and Kenny out here SICK!!!!! I just love this group of characters so much!! Elise and Rashawn were everything.
March 13, 2026
omg...mother...sister..grandmother...I'm still working my way mentally through that twist.
March 15, 2026
loved it
Elise worked my nerves from the beginning but my girl got it together to get her happily ever after loved it
Elise worked my nerves from the beginning but my girl got it together to get her happily ever after loved it
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews