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To Be Loved By Mia
Mia Ross is self serving, inconsiderate and flighty. It's not her fault. She’s the baby of three sisters and gorgeous.
Her life has been a collection of bad decisions and after passing out on her sister's lawn from a black out night, she discovers she's made one bad decision too many.
In an effort to force some change in her life, her family devises a plan to send her packing back home to Richmond where she is to take over her exhausted mother's diner. It's the last place in the world she wants to be and things get really interesting when she runs into the one person she hoped to never see again, her ex best friend Chrissy.
As their relationship slowly blossoms into familiar territory, she meets her surprisingly attractive neighbor Lex who she makes an instant connection with. Although she hopes to turn over a new leaf, she resorts to her old ways as she jumps head first into a complicated situationship between her new love Lex and her old flame Chrissy.
It's a rocky reunion as she struggles to juggle her new reality, responsibilities, relationships and crippling anxiety. Will she rise above her own b.s. or will she burn the whole thing down trying?
Her life has been a collection of bad decisions and after passing out on her sister's lawn from a black out night, she discovers she's made one bad decision too many.
In an effort to force some change in her life, her family devises a plan to send her packing back home to Richmond where she is to take over her exhausted mother's diner. It's the last place in the world she wants to be and things get really interesting when she runs into the one person she hoped to never see again, her ex best friend Chrissy.
As their relationship slowly blossoms into familiar territory, she meets her surprisingly attractive neighbor Lex who she makes an instant connection with. Although she hopes to turn over a new leaf, she resorts to her old ways as she jumps head first into a complicated situationship between her new love Lex and her old flame Chrissy.
It's a rocky reunion as she struggles to juggle her new reality, responsibilities, relationships and crippling anxiety. Will she rise above her own b.s. or will she burn the whole thing down trying?
275 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2020
12 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Deja Elise
13 books68 followersA creative soul, mother of three, wifey, and professional daydreamer, Deja was born and raised in a land of pristine beaches and palm trees called Miami. Her love for all things books started early. At eight, she wrote her first short story on a typewriter her mother gifted her so she’d stop writing on the walls.
Being able to share her stories has always been a dream and today, she writes steamy stories featuring queer and bi-curious women of color in various stages of love and relationships.
She writes strong characters who are unapologetically black, openly discusses trauma and HEAs are not guaranteed.
When she’s not dreaming up alternate universes, she’s hanging out with her little tribe, watching something where the world ends or restaurant hopping.
Connect with Deja on the gram @authordejaelise at or visit www.lickherature.com for free stories and updates!
Being able to share her stories has always been a dream and today, she writes steamy stories featuring queer and bi-curious women of color in various stages of love and relationships.
She writes strong characters who are unapologetically black, openly discusses trauma and HEAs are not guaranteed.
When she’s not dreaming up alternate universes, she’s hanging out with her little tribe, watching something where the world ends or restaurant hopping.
Connect with Deja on the gram @authordejaelise at or visit www.lickherature.com for free stories and updates!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 15, 2021
4.5 stars. TW: sexual assault, anxiety/panic attacks, death of a parent, trauma
Currently experiencing a book hangover because I cannot believe this is how Mia's story ends. I need more.
Mia, a 29-year-old woman living a life of partying and failed relationships, is a trainwreck. Her family has had enough of her stunted adulthood, and banish her to Richmond to revitalize her mother's failing restaurant. Mia has no idea what she's doing or how she's going to fix years of the business's financial hemorrhaging. However, living alone in her childhood home, the time allows her to bemoan her situation and reflect on how she landed here. It doesn't hurt that she has a cute neighbor in her now gentrified neighborhood.
Mia is aware of the havoc she's caused to others, but is helpless to stop it because of past traumas. Although she has neglected most of her relationships, even with her own family, the one attachment she never forgot was the connection to her best friend, Chrissy. They grew up living across the way from each other, and Chrissy's stud sensibilities and freedom to be herself was something Mia always admired - and fell in love with way back when.
Now as a grown woman with responsibilities she didn't ask for, Mia has to come to terms with all the damage she caused and tie up loose ends with her past, all while trying to not to create new mess.
Not a spoiler alert: she does.
I loved this story. Mia is selfish and messy, and not everyone will root for her (although everyone has a "Mia" in their family). I did fall in love with her, though, because she was so perfectly imperfect; I wanted to see her get her life right. While the progress Mia made from the selfish, self-destructive person she was in the beginning to finally getting her life on track was painful to watch, I celebrated the work she did to change. To Be Loved By Mia is as real as it gets because, like real life, the ending is not wrapped up in a neat bow. That's why I need more. This can't be where this ends. Because 😭
Deja Elise, can I get another Mia story, one with more Chrissy???
Currently experiencing a book hangover because I cannot believe this is how Mia's story ends. I need more.
Mia, a 29-year-old woman living a life of partying and failed relationships, is a trainwreck. Her family has had enough of her stunted adulthood, and banish her to Richmond to revitalize her mother's failing restaurant. Mia has no idea what she's doing or how she's going to fix years of the business's financial hemorrhaging. However, living alone in her childhood home, the time allows her to bemoan her situation and reflect on how she landed here. It doesn't hurt that she has a cute neighbor in her now gentrified neighborhood.
Mia is aware of the havoc she's caused to others, but is helpless to stop it because of past traumas. Although she has neglected most of her relationships, even with her own family, the one attachment she never forgot was the connection to her best friend, Chrissy. They grew up living across the way from each other, and Chrissy's stud sensibilities and freedom to be herself was something Mia always admired - and fell in love with way back when.
Now as a grown woman with responsibilities she didn't ask for, Mia has to come to terms with all the damage she caused and tie up loose ends with her past, all while trying to not to create new mess.
I loved this story. Mia is selfish and messy, and not everyone will root for her (although everyone has a "Mia" in their family). I did fall in love with her, though, because she was so perfectly imperfect; I wanted to see her get her life right. While the progress Mia made from the selfish, self-destructive person she was in the beginning to finally getting her life on track was painful to watch, I celebrated the work she did to change. To Be Loved By Mia is as real as it gets because, like real life, the ending is not wrapped up in a neat bow. That's why I need more. This can't be where this ends. Because 😭
Deja Elise, can I get another Mia story, one with more Chrissy???
November 20, 2020
Mia was a hot mess but I got sucked into her story and thought she was written well. I would definitely be curious to see a continuation of what comes next for her.
December 24, 2020
Loved It!
This is the 3rd book I've read from this author and I loved all 3 books. Can't help but to root for Mia even though she keeps messing up. A perfect example of these things we go through when we're young can unknowingly affect the decisions we make thought our lives.
This is the 3rd book I've read from this author and I loved all 3 books. Can't help but to root for Mia even though she keeps messing up. A perfect example of these things we go through when we're young can unknowingly affect the decisions we make thought our lives.
March 13, 2025
Oh Mia
Emotional, heart-wrenching, and profoundly moving, this book took me on a powerful journey. It beautifully captures the raw essence of grief and self-discovery as Mia, on the brink of turning 30, embarks on a quest that leads her to her greatest love, herself. Every page resonated deeply, evoking a whirlwind of emotions that lingered long after the last chapter.
Although my heart prayed for another ending, this one was necessary, and it left me with a sense of bittersweet satisfaction. I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading, but the author has opened doors to a catalog that I’m now eager to explore further.
5 stars
Emotional, heart-wrenching, and profoundly moving, this book took me on a powerful journey. It beautifully captures the raw essence of grief and self-discovery as Mia, on the brink of turning 30, embarks on a quest that leads her to her greatest love, herself. Every page resonated deeply, evoking a whirlwind of emotions that lingered long after the last chapter.
Although my heart prayed for another ending, this one was necessary, and it left me with a sense of bittersweet satisfaction. I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading, but the author has opened doors to a catalog that I’m now eager to explore further.
5 stars
January 18, 2022
Loved It!!!
This was a great story! Of course I read Blind-Sided first…smh but getting to know Mia, she’s such an interesting person. All your characters/couples are. It’s hard to pick a favorite. Reading the books in reverse…not purposely however gave me a better insight to Mia, she is doing the work and seeing positive results. I was rooting for her. Looking forward to more of your wonderful storytelling. You are by far one of my new favorite authors. Keep up the great work!!
This was a great story! Of course I read Blind-Sided first…smh but getting to know Mia, she’s such an interesting person. All your characters/couples are. It’s hard to pick a favorite. Reading the books in reverse…not purposely however gave me a better insight to Mia, she is doing the work and seeing positive results. I was rooting for her. Looking forward to more of your wonderful storytelling. You are by far one of my new favorite authors. Keep up the great work!!
February 21, 2025
This was a nice, simple read. Since it was self published the punctuation and spelling errors were a little annoying but we love supporting a Black woman regardless. Mia was absolutely insufferable but I enjoyed the character development toward the end. The sex was very mid though. If I didn’t know it was supposed to be smut, I’d assume it was regular fiction with a few spicy scenes. Was left wanting more.
January 21, 2026
Loved this book. This felt like I was reading my own story. Really highlights the struggle between your mind, your heart and expectations put on you from others. A reminder that heartbreaks often are not personal. People really be struggling
March 2, 2022
OMG what can I say I loved Mia. I can't wait for more about her I'm sure this is not how her story ends.
June 14, 2022
Wanted to DNF after the cheating.
August 22, 2023
Please read!
This was really good! I really hope there is a part two!! Great story, great characters and kept me interested.
This was really good! I really hope there is a part two!! Great story, great characters and kept me interested.
June 30, 2022
Unexpected
This one was totally unexpected! Beautifully written with such rich characters. The protagonist got on my nerves a little. She annoyed me so much! But that's the mark of a great writer! The author made me feel something for the character. She made me hate her at first. But I found myself cheering for her at the end! Five out of five all the way!
This one was totally unexpected! Beautifully written with such rich characters. The protagonist got on my nerves a little. She annoyed me so much! But that's the mark of a great writer! The author made me feel something for the character. She made me hate her at first. But I found myself cheering for her at the end! Five out of five all the way!
December 21, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
I very much enjoyed this book. I was rooting for Mia the whole time and I think she is a great character no matter how messy she can be. The love interests were well defined. And the side characters fit the story well.
I thought it was really funny while being able to handle serious topics. This is more of a woman lit then a romance which is important to note. I also like that this novel isn't very long. So, the pacing was pretty good.
I had a lot of issues with the editing. I know it seems like a cheap shot to bring up editing in an indie published work, but I just feel like the issues in this one was excessive. There are some simple spelling mistakes and missing words. But mainly the book is confusing. It is written in third person with most of the characters being women. Most sentences had multiple same gender pronouns like "she said she or she did " but it was hardly ever clear who she was. Was it Mia, Lex, or Chriss? I think it if had been written in first person that would have helped it be a lot less confusing.
There was a scene where a character was written in as if they were there the whole time. I reread a few times and I never truly figured out who the author was talking about. An editor could have sorted that out.
All in all, it was a fun read I do wish it would be re-edited and rereleased because I believe the story is great and people would enjoy it.
I very much enjoyed this book. I was rooting for Mia the whole time and I think she is a great character no matter how messy she can be. The love interests were well defined. And the side characters fit the story well.
I thought it was really funny while being able to handle serious topics. This is more of a woman lit then a romance which is important to note. I also like that this novel isn't very long. So, the pacing was pretty good.
I had a lot of issues with the editing. I know it seems like a cheap shot to bring up editing in an indie published work, but I just feel like the issues in this one was excessive. There are some simple spelling mistakes and missing words. But mainly the book is confusing. It is written in third person with most of the characters being women. Most sentences had multiple same gender pronouns like "she said she or she did " but it was hardly ever clear who she was. Was it Mia, Lex, or Chriss? I think it if had been written in first person that would have helped it be a lot less confusing.
There was a scene where a character was written in as if they were there the whole time. I reread a few times and I never truly figured out who the author was talking about. An editor could have sorted that out.
All in all, it was a fun read I do wish it would be re-edited and rereleased because I believe the story is great and people would enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews