What do you do when the love isn’t enough anymore?Five years. A husband and a set of twins. A new business. Calliope has achieved every goal on her vision board since leaving her job as a personal assistant to one of Seattle’s prominent tech CEOs to marry him and have his babies. Now, with her eccentric twins turning six, it’s time to focus more time and energy on her PR agency, Creative Connections. As she’s establishing her name as the go-to for public relations on the West coast, the furthest thing from her mind is getting pregnant again, but her husband has his own plans. Brandon Sims is used to two success and getting his way. His life as CEO of Payout, Inc, and husband to one of the baddest women in the world has taught him that there’s nothing that he can’t have or do. That’s why Calliope’s adamant refusal to even entertain the idea of more kids has him having thoughts that threaten to topple everything they’ve built together.When their bond is tested, and misunderstandings put the relationship in danger, can they hit the reset button and remember what brought them together in the first place?
Love. Luxury. Joy. These three concepts are at the center of creative entrepreneur Tia Love’s personal philosophy, magnified in every aspect of her brand. A woman of many talents, Tia has established her lifestyle brand to keep her hand stirring the pot at the intersections of cultural fusions.
As a romance author, Tia writes love stories with unique characters and storylines that give her Black women leads the love they deserve. From love stories to her company, Penned by Love, Tia engages with the writing community through a specific cultural lens to help them bring powerful stories to fruition.
When she isn’t writing her love stories or helping others mastermind theirs, she’s creating original content for her blog, The Black Bradshaw.
When I tell y’all, Callie and Brandon irked my last damn nerve! They had such a great relationship but miscommunication, selfishness, stubbornness, not being on the same page, and a host of other problems had them making terrible decisions. Brandon is itching to add another baby to the Sims household but, Callie rudely shut that down. She wants no parts of having any more kids. This becomes a huge point of contention in their marriage. I get why Callie doesn’t want to have anymore kids. I even understand why she doesn’t want to have them. My issue was her saying no without having any kind of conversation with Brandon. She basically told him the baby makin’ factory was closed and das it. End of discussion. How do you get to unilaterally make that kind of decision without your husband's input?!!! I didn't like how Callie handled that situation. And, if she doesn’t want to have more kids, why was she not on birth control?!!! Why were they using condoms?!!! Isn’t that kind of the whole reason you get married? So, you no longer have to use those pesky little things?!!! That way, when your husband shoots up the club, you're not runnin’ to Walgreens for a Plan B. I thought she blew the situation with Grey way out of proportion. First of all, Callie already knew the type of person Grey was so, she should’ve immediately questioned the validity of that picture instead of jumping to conclusions. But, I will say, I absolutely loved the way she read Grey’s azz at that party. She let that heffa have it. I really liked Callie in Professional Pleasure but, I was not a fan of hers in this book. I thought she was extremely selfish at times and she made Brandon look like a simp most of the book. His BDE definitely dropped a few of levels. But, don’t get it twisted. He can still get it. 😏😏😏 Executive Entanglements was a great follow-up to book one. I thought the author did a great job of showing us what goes on after the I dos and happily ever after. Callie and Brandon got on my last nerve but, the problems they experienced were realistic and relatable for many people. I hope this isn’t the last we hear from these characters. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a book three on Natalia and Tim. There's definitely something going on with those two.
Whew! When I tell you both of these leads made me want to smack them silly. They had such a great relationship and miscommunication, not being on the same page and a host of other things had them making some really bad decisions. I was scared they wouldn’t make it but thankfully they got their sugar honey iced tea together. Also that office scene had me clutching my pearls. I really enjoyed book two and can’t wait to read more of this author’s catalog. I’m also hoping for a story on Tim and Natalia. Really good read.
A sexy couple’s friends to lovers story leads to kids and marriage but now what. This second book in the series answers that question. Marriage and a family, though satisfying, can be a lot of work. Callie and Brandon are a likable couple that you continue to root for. Their disagreements, though annoying are incredibly relatable. And of course they are absolutely going to be hunching whether they are mad or not. Enjoyable read!
I really wanted to like this read more. But the bickering the just boiled down to miscommunication was tiring as the reader. As a whole the series was enjoyable this read just feel short for me.
I read the ebook to this book last month but hearing the words out of Wesleigh’s voice made a 5-star book double in excellence. The book was already dope and realistic af. Married couples go through the very same trials Callie and Brandon went through on a regular and Tia Love brought that realism out perfectly. The conversations about children, supposed infidelity, taking accountability, and being very present in your family are all important facets of maintaining a healthy family and relationship. There were times that I wanted to slap both of them for their assumptions or miscommunication but in the end, I’m glad they got their ish together. And what else could I say about Ms. Siobhan? Her voice is golden! She knows how to flip into each character effortlessly and she is the reason I enjoy audiobooks at all. Another great one, ladies!
I enjoyed this series, yet the tit for tat amongst Calliope and Brandon was a bit childish for me. I do love that they had this deep passion and desire for one another yet they didn't speak on it as much as they should've, imo, or maybe things wouldn't have gotten so out of hand.
Brandon surely was used to getting what he wanted, yet he was so tender and sweet to his wife, that he kind of just expected her to do whatever he wanted. He truly treated her as his queen and for that I applaud him. What I wish he would've done more of is be really open and honest with his wife Calliope, aka Callie, about his most deepest thoughts and feelings. The fact that he didn't even really want another baby, yet allowed for things to go so far left, was an eyebrow lifter🤨. Then, the whole altercation with his ex, Grey Potter, could've been totally avoided had he just not gone to her event. He knew what kind of woman she was and he walked right into that trap😒🤦🏾♀️.
Callie seemed like she had it all; doting husband, loving kids, new thriving career, yet she let some of that cloud what she truly wanted or didn't want. She could've done a much better job of communicating to her husband about not wanting more kids. I don't think she overreacted by putting space between them for a few days, like Brandon felt she did. Sometimes you need to step away to clear your head before the matter gets worse, so I applaud her for that. However, the whole situation with her client Donovan, could've been avoided as well, had she listened to her intuition and not taken his offer to dinner, or better yet, not taken him on as a client. I loved that as soon as it did get into hot waters with him, she shut it down immediately, unlike her husband. She valued her marriage and knew had she kept Donovan as a client, things could've gotten spicy😏.
I like how, in a sense, these 2 heavily complimented each other. Brandon wasn't just all business, yet he took care of what was needed to ensure his family was set. He was a man with flaws, who loved his wife and kids and was navigating those areas of his life the best he could. I liked Brandon a lot. Callie was the all-around mega-woman: loving wife, adoring mom, boss of a business woman and doing what she could to ensure non of those areas suffered from her lack of being able to be present. She also encouraged and advised Brandon and he definitely fed off her great vibes. I'm glad things ended in the place they did for these 2; I was worried for a minute there😬.
Really great series. I would love to read more on Brandon's assistant, Natalia and his brother Tim to see what is going on there. Highly recommend this series. Great read.
Calliope gave me pause in book one and she really had me worried in this one. She seemed to never be 100% sure that Brandon really loved her. Which made me a little sad. It seemed that their real problem started the minute she thought her husband wanted her to have more children (adding to their two son and daughter). Jumping to the defense immediately,Cali refused to hear Brandon out. From that point on it seemed the fairytale wedding was on a quick course of destruction due to lack of clear communication.
Calliope’s insecurity and Brandon’s overly confident attitude about his marriage had me feeling like I was on an out of control Roller Coaster ride.😬
The book was enjoyable however it left me with questions about Brandon’s brother Tim and his assistant. Perhaps hey will have a story.
Brandon loves him some Caliope. This time I wanted to swat her for being slightly wishy-washy with Brandon. Thankfully, they worked through the turmoil. I enjoyed their recap and reconnection after the Gray/Donovan ooops.
Calliope and Brandon are back five years later and their marriage is just as strong as it was before. With the kids getting older and Brandon working alot, he thought of having more, but Calliope wanted to focus on her business. With Calliope and Brandon not communicating, problems arise that they weren't sure if they can come back from. After months of not talking, they finally did. I always live to know what my favorite couples have been up to and Brandon and Callie are a favorite couple of mine. Callie and Brandon love was still strong, but one once of doubt can make you think differently. I was a little upset with Callie at one point and was just like why don't she just talk. Im glad they worked things out and figured out what they can do differently. Tia never disappoint me with her story telling and it gets better and better!!!
I hate this couple. I hate that in book 1 all Callie talked about was wanting to have a child. Her secret crush/feelings she had for Brandon. Book 2 she has twins and she’s married to Brandon and is running her own business and she’s a grade A bitch. Does she like being married? Does she like her kids? Cause it sure as hell doesn’t seem like it. She acting like she’s been married 20 years and has lost herself. It’s been 5 fcking years!! Also if she was so adamant about no more kids then do something about it. Married couples that use condoms makes no sense to me.
The kiss conflict was dumb and they both blew it out of proportion.
I literally don’t understand this woman. Anything Brandon did that didn’t involve his dck didn’t make her happy.
Callie is an entitled asshole and Brandon is a simp. They should have just had a kid out of wedlock and left it at that.
I thought I would be reading this all weekend, but I didn’t even last a full day. Brandon has been bae and always will be and Callie still kept him on his toes in this one. When I first heard about the marital issues that would be in this book, I thought that it mught ruin the happily ever after from book one, but I was mistaken. This one showed what life after the fairytale can look like and how even real love takes lots of real work to last a lifetime. As always I can’t wait to see what Tia Love comes up with next.
Trying to pick a side was tough but the overall point was that Marriage is full of ups and downs and it’s a compromise. It’s about love and sacrifices because you are no longer just you, you are one with your spouse and this was captured perfectly. I’m not gone lie, they pissed me off a lot lol, but I think the idea of marriage between two imperfect individuals was exactly what this book served.
The ending was satisfying and I’m glad they choose family.
Every married couple goes through ups and downs. Callie and Brandon are a couple I love. They both should have communicated more about the more children issue. Love them together. I m glad they were finally open and honest with each other about what they were feeling. Love the ending.
What a beautiful love story. I really liked the author characters who were married but also showed no matter how down they were for each other there will always be issues. The situation was very plausible but I like the way she used communication to deal with the issues.
I truly enjoyed the twist and turns to Callie and Brandon’s forever love ending! These two had me heated a few times but I loved seeing them realize their truth and find the love and passion they both desired and deserved🥰. Beautiful story Ms. Love a fan your writing has just been made😃
I listened to the audible version and really enjoyed this story. It was interesting to peak in after the “HEA”. This book really bought out how important communication, compromise and boundaries are in a marriage. Glad they didn’t let pride be the demise. I look forward to reading more from this author.
This was a good follow up to the first book, but Callie really blew me in this one. She shut down and acted immaturely without letting Brandon get his point across multiple times. Instead of explaining fully why she didn't want more children, she just shut down. Then, not letting him explain about Grey was wack. He seemed more introspective and reflective than she did. I was not a fan of hers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Loved the way this book explored the realities of life and love - the work that goes into making relationships/marriages succeed. Nice couple and I enjoyed the way the author gave great balance to both perspectives.
Babyyy!! They both needed some space! Callie and Brandon had me biting my nails! This whole story could have went another way! Lol I really enjoyed this. Writing was so well done and Wes killed this narration. 👏🏾👏🏾
Awwww I love Brandon and Callie. Their struggles were realistic. Trying to find that balance between work, family, and partnership. This was minimal drama, a bit heavier on the angst as they figured things out. But more than anything very enjoyable.
I loved part one of Brandon and Calliope's story and got a little worried that something was going to come between them to ruin it. I was not disappointed.
Book Two of this series is just what I needed in regards to the truth and realness that the most “perfect” couple on the outside isn’t always perfect. Brandon and Callie love each other beyond words but when you don’t see/hear your partner, there’s only but so many times a woman will repeat herself.
Tia, bravo on continuing this love story and showing that things after the alter isn’t perfect, especially when you’re married to a rich man.