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Relationship Goals

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Everyone is a stranger at some point, right?

Pulled by an explicable, undeniable thread of… something… Nick and Noah find themselves keen on becoming more. Hashtags and flights and late-night text sessions lead to a connection neither has experienced, or expected. Beyond the shiny veneer of social media, further than the shallow depths of a good selfie, down to the real, for real stuff that relationships are made of… can Nick and Noah actually reach their prematurely awarded goal?

Listening Time: 5 hours and 29 minutes

Audiobook

First published September 14, 2017

506 people are currently reading
1334 people want to read

About the author

Christina C. Jones

120 books4,472 followers

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5 stars
1,267 (51%)
4 stars
865 (35%)
3 stars
293 (11%)
2 stars
36 (1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 374 reviews
Profile Image for Warda.
1,314 reviews23.2k followers
August 3, 2023
“True, but, it’s enough that I can get close to you. Feel your energy. Look at you when I’m talking to you.”

Christina C. Jones? At this point, you just own my ass. No one has the right to be earning back-to-back 5 stars.
Except some authors do and you are definitely one of them.

This novella had me enthralled! There was so much content, so much story, and all was done in less than 200 pages.

CCJ can write!

‘Warm’ was how the author chose to describe their connection, their chemistry, the buildup of their relationship and that’s exactly how I felt as I was reading this. Everything about them felt right.
I wanted to live inside this book, that’s how immersive this shit was. 🥺

It helped that they were artists in their own right too. I always find that these types of characters speak to me the most.

I’m buying myself a physical copy immediately.

I loved it. Fuckin’ heart and soul. 😪

P.S. the audiobook narrators did a phenomenal job at bringing this story to life!

Trigger warnings: sickle cell disease, chronic pain, mentions of childhood sexual abuse.
Profile Image for Annette Williams.
1,193 reviews413 followers
July 23, 2021
I read Relationship Goals last year but, when CCJ released it on audiobook, I just had to leave a review. This was an exciting story of accidental love. Noah and Nick were young black love personified. I really enjoyed them as a couple. From their first encounter at the airport to Noah being there for Nick when he was in the hospital. I was really intrigued and drawn into their love affair. CCJ took an illness that plagues the African American community and weaved it into a love story but, didn’t overwhelm us with it. My only complaint about this book is that it’s a novella. We definitely deserved more Noah and Nick. The narrators did a phenomenal job. This was my first audiobook narrated by Myles Washington and Alyx Monroe and their performance was awesome. I’ll be adding them to my list of favorite narrators. Relationship Goals is a heartwarming read. It was a sweet, feel good love story and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Jahda.
1,052 reviews316 followers
April 18, 2023
Nick was just out here kissing people (Noah) in the middle of the airport. Who would have thought that unplanned encounter would mark the start of their love journey. I admired how organic and natural the interaction between Noah and Nick was. I'm glad I was able to read this; it was a lovely book.
Profile Image for Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read**.
1,480 reviews810 followers
January 16, 2018

***4.5 Stars***

This was my first book by Christina C. Jones and now I’m kicking myself for never having read her before!! This book was a breath of fresh air!! LOVED!!

Noah and Nick meet at the airport by chance. Someone bumps into Nick and spills his coffee and Noah, seeing that he looks to be having a bad day, goes over to help him clean up. A little eye contact, a surprising kiss....and the journey begins.

Both come home to find their social media blowing up. Why? Well, Noah is a popular social media celebrity who promotes positivity, self care, enrichment and confidence for all...but especially women. And Nick is an up and coming director/producer. Followers are buzzing about a pic someone posted of their airport kiss.

And that's all I'm giving you on the plot! Because I thought I knew where this was going after that set up, but the author gives SO MUCH MORE and that surprise is not anything I'm willing to ruin.

This book feels so REAL. That's the best way to describe it. Long distance relationships are hard, but throw in other important factors, and it's easy to second guess things. Especially when past experiences want to overshadow the potential of something great.

"We can sit here and play 'what if' all night, right? But it's not going to change the fact that there are risks in every relationship."


And see that right there? That's the type of open and honest communication that is at the heart of this book. Nick and Noah talked....I mean they TALKED. About everything. About important issues, about the mundane...about compromise and growth. About how life's lessons are constantly changing who we are. But not a single conversation felt preachy or boring.

This book sincerely feels like being a voyeur on the journey of two people starting something truly special. Watching it unfold, seeing them begin to realize it...it gave me all the happy butterflies.

...neither of us thought we were in love, but there was this underlying sense that if we let it happen, we would find ourselves there.


If there's one disappointment I have with this book it's that there really isn't much online communication. Nowhere near what I was expecting based on the blurb (in fact, there's very little beyond their initial introduction). There are a few mentions of late night text marathons and phone calls, but we aren't shown them....which really bums me out.

Now, if you'll excuse me...I’m off to pick up Christina C. Jones's backlist!! I need more...more of her words, more of her characters...more of her stories!!
Profile Image for Pamela  qp_reads.
128 reviews38 followers
December 10, 2023
Feeling Seen! 😭

Relationship Goals is book I didn't know I needed to read at this very moment. This month’s selection for CCJ’s Book of the Month was new to me. I heard so many good things about it that I expected it to be amazing. The way chronic illness is explained and the way the character lives with it was impeccably done! As I recover from another surgery, I feel so seen and understood! Happy tears 🥹🥹
Profile Image for Wobilba.
854 reviews129 followers
January 20, 2024
4.5 stars
“This was beautiful, intricate work. It was unique, it was stunning, it was... sexy.”
Yep this sums it all up #RelationshipGoals 🖤
Profile Image for *Ebony I*.
1,406 reviews157 followers
April 3, 2024
Strange...r Love

Wow, why did I take so long to read all of this goodness 😩

Every now and then you read some stories that you know are going to stick with you. This is one of those books! Honestly, this book is what REAL LIFE fairy tales are made of. Not the fluffy, roses are red, everything is perfect ones either. The ones where you think of the possibility of unexpectedly running into a stranger and that one encounter is magnetic and all you can hope is that you will find each other again. When fate and modern day technology actually make that happen, you feel like the stars are aligned. BUT life, really ain't that easy. Their connection was so potent but they were real people, halfway through I was like when are they gonna be goals 😩😩 because honestly they were going through it and it was early on. However, as the story unfolded those were important times that really showed that they were down for each other through the good and bad times.

Noah and Nick were perfectly imperfect and the way they constantly showed up for each other was everything! I would have read 200 more pages about them, but somehow this was enough. oh and to top it over they were fine and sexy with A1 chemistry.

If you are late and sleeping like me, get to downloading and read this book. You won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Rashawnda.
1,391 reviews1,120 followers
October 21, 2022
We pass so many “strangers” in our day to day life that we hardly ever stop to think self, this may be the one, my person, my happily ever after. These certainly were not the thoughts of Noah and Nick when they bumped into each other in a crowded airport. What started out as her helping him clean up coffee that was spilled on him ended with a passionate kiss that lit their souls on fire. They assumed that walking away and going about their separate lives after was the end all be all for them, but Nick had no idea who he kissed and that it would be a vital mess that led to their HEA. Why was the way Nick and Noah met so sexy though?! The female narrator OWNED this scene and had me captivated from the very first chapter. I’ve yet to read a CCJ book that I didn’t enjoy! I loved Noah’s confidence and how her grandmother poured into her! Nick was charming and I loved how he persevered despite everything that he was dealing with. This was a cute little read and the narrator’s did a great job bringing the story to life! The drama was minimal and the love was abundant!


Profile Image for hea booktubes.
1,652 reviews378 followers
May 13, 2021
At first I kind of felt disconnected from the characters relationship, but towards the end I was extremely invested. He has a chronic illness, and that plays a big part in their story.
Profile Image for Breeee Ranae⚜️.
280 reviews72 followers
August 10, 2024
Nick & Noah was out here kissing in the airport as total strangers & ended up falling in love. 🥲 ( I’m omw to MSY right now) !!😅

This was really cute & quick. The story really is organic, it did not feel fake AT ALL. & the spice was spicing but also the connection was so sweet !! 🥹
Profile Image for Jordan.
448 reviews29 followers
April 11, 2023
OH MY GOSH 🥰🥰😊😊😊 I literally loved everything about this.
Profile Image for Kristin.
120 reviews12 followers
September 17, 2023
Nick and Noah go from strangers to #relationshipgoals after an unusual run-in at the airport. 🤎

This was such a cute, cozy romance! Perfect for Fall. I absolutely adored Nick and applaud Noah for standing firm on her boundaries and expectations in relationships. I also appreciated the chronic illness representation incorporated into their story. My first Christina C. Jones book did not disappoint.
Profile Image for Ezi Chinny.
2,688 reviews529 followers
September 7, 2021
The writing in this one was really organic and well paced. I felt like I was chatting with a girlfriend and she told me she met some fine dude but she is torn on whether to pursue a relationship because it would be a long distance romance.

I loved that everything felt like the right amount of angst. It wasn’t overly dramatic or fake with their conflicts. I put myself in Noah’s shoes a few times and thought of what I would do if I were her. I really liked Nick, he was upfront and honest about his life and that he had sickle cell anemia.
I know a little bit about this chronic illness so I appreciated the author giving an honest view of dating guy with it.

I enjoyed this relationship as they grew together and individually to figure out what they wanted and what they would be willing to sacrifice. The audiobook was satisfying!
Profile Image for The Love Librarian.
727 reviews1,363 followers
February 17, 2023
This was such a sweet, but powerful, novella! Nick and Noah have a strange meet-cute in the airport. She sees that someone spilled coffee on Nick, and she jumps up to help him. They lock eyes, and he proceeds to kiss her, and tells her to have a nice life as they both depart with smiles on their eyes.

NOW - I am in NO way condoning what he did, because Nick really didn't know if Noah had a man, or was gone punch him in the face for kissing her without permissions. But this is fiction, and Noah was feeling it. Of course, someone caught the kiss on camera and it goes viral because Nick is a famous indie filmmaker and Noah is a women's empowerment/lifestyle guru.

They get back in touch, despite living in different places, with Nick making the first grand gesture by flying out to apologize and get to know Noah in person. From there, the connection between them blossoms, and what started as a thing to check off of his bucket list turned into a beautiful love that neither of them saw coming.

Nick and Noah truly were #relationshipgoals. The chronic illness rep in here was beautiful, and I could understand why Nick was hesitant to open up about it, but Noah's response and support was exactly what he'd always craved in a partner. I know this is a novella, but I could've read about these two forever!

TROPES: black romance/BIPOC/OWN voices; novella; strange meet cute; strangers to lovers; famous hero/heroine; chronic illness rep (sickle cell disease); cinnamon roll hero

TRIGGER WARNINGS: mentions of childhood sexual/domestic abuse
Profile Image for Sybrenna.
230 reviews204 followers
February 24, 2025
I’m stuck between giving this book 2.75⭐️ & 3⭐️ like I can see why a lot of people like it, because it did have its moments, but there was also a disconnect for me when it came to the romance.. it was so fast paced, and insta-like/lovey (and we know I’m not a fan of that trope). Like, I was confused when all the conflict came about because in my mind I’m like “it’s been three dates why are there issues?????” And there wasn’t enough in between context for me to understand why certain feelings came about in terms of the conflict happening. BUT, I was a huge fan of the main characters as INDIVIDUALS. I loved the FMC Noah, her career, her stances and beliefs like if she were real, I’d definitely want to be her friend cause girl i FWY LMAOO. . She was just REAL which i loved. I love the effort Nick consistently put in for the relationship with Noah, like he was really doing his part and sometimes even more than that! A KING. Im not sure if this relationship is my goal, but there were alot of cute moments! Here are some of my favorite highlights:

I survived something meant to destroy me – I can’t squander this second chance by living a life that is beneath my standing. I don’t accept the little crumbs that people try to throw, right? I don’t do “frenemies”, I don’t accept people who never have a positive thing to say, I don’t accept liars, I don’t share a partner with anybody, I don’t accept anybody’s bare-minimum. When you come to me, you come correct. I demand it. And you should do the same. How different could our world be if we – lovingly – challenged each other to do, and be better, instead of accepting scraps?”

“I wondered what changed your mind. And then I decided it didn’t matter, because I wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to see you.”

“You smell like exactly what I’m about to treat you like,” dessert.

“I’m not sure what I did to deserve this,” he said, running his fingertips over my stomach, over my breasts, and up to he said, running his fingertips over my stomach, over my breasts, and up to my face. “But I want you to know I’m grateful.” I frowned. “Deserve what, Nick?” “You.”
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,597 reviews164 followers
June 15, 2021
3.5

TW: Chronic Illness, Hospital Stay, Medical Content

The only thing I didn’t really like about this book was how Noah kept putting her expectations and how she lives her life onto Nick, especially so early in their relationship. Nick has a chronic illness, SCD, and that really effects his life and how he interacts with people. People have left him because they couldn’t handle his disease. So he has instinctively built walls to protect himself. Noah said she understood, once she found out, but in other circumstances, (like when he didn’t tell his sister about Noah) I felt she was being really pushy and was like I’m gonna go because you obviously don’t feel the same way about me that I do about you. Like, can you relax? You’ve been serious for all of five minutes 🤣

Other than that, I loved this book. Once Noah and Nick were on the same page, they were super cute and Nick is super swoony!! I really wanted to watch that movie he made of them!! 👀

Hoe-Athon Prompt: Disability Rep, Read a Romance by Christina C Jones
Hoe-Athon Scavenger Hunt: Finger Fucking Good, Rub One Out
Profile Image for ariana.
240 reviews127 followers
February 4, 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶🌶🌶

Tropes: strangers to lovers, long distance relationship

TW/CW: cheating

Representation: black romance, chronic illness

Favorite quote: ““At this point, we’d been dating for three months – three months where despite the distance, we’d forged a deep, quality connection. No, three months wasn’t a long time, but with Noah… it felt like she’d been placed directly in my path – handpicked for me.”

Thoughts: I went into this book completely blind and it didn’t disappoint at all!! I LOVED how much I learned about nick and his Sickle Cell Disease, and how much we learned about his struggle when it came to dating because of it! Loved that he was trying to complete his fathers Bucket List! I LOVED Noah and her career, I have never heard of an emotional wellness guru but I love it! She dropped some knowledge on us in this book! I loved the relationship these two built, and how even though they were scared they pushed through! And Chile Nick!? That man right there is something else 🥵 these two fit together so perfectly and it was amazing to see them grow together and just do life!! Beautiful story!
Profile Image for Tori - Novel Life.
1,564 reviews1,942 followers
June 2, 2021
4 Stars - Novella

I really enjoy how Christina C. Jones tells a story! I really loved this book and the chronic illness representation!

It gives insight to really what it’s like to be with someone with a chronic illness
Profile Image for Bea.
254 reviews9 followers
October 4, 2021
This was sweet and fun! I couldn’t put it down!
Profile Image for Savoy.
Author 44 books313 followers
May 15, 2022
Wow!

Such a beautiful and heartwarming story I could relate too. Loved the connection Noah and Nick had at first sight.
Profile Image for Averie.
1,121 reviews1,723 followers
August 11, 2023
Nick and Noah become a little viral online after a picture of them kissing in an airport is posted by someone. But what others might not know is that was the first time the two met! They bumped in to eachother in the airport and Nick couldn’t help but kiss the gorgeous woman. But he walks away, planning on the moment to just be a memory. But then the two of them are the talk od the world online, and suddenly there is a DM from said gorgeous woman asking why he kissed her.

This was a great read! I felt like it was just the perfect length. I haven’t really read a lot of long distance romance books, so I found that super refreshing. There are so many long distance romances out in the real world, so I feel like there needs to be more out there!
I loved the discussion of chronic illnesses in here. I really related to the hero about feeling like a burned to others sometimes because of your illness. And I also loved the perspective of the heroine, and what it feels like to have a partner who is ill.

REP: chronic illness (sickle cell)
TW: previous childhood abuse
TROPES: black love, long distance, celebrity, novella, novella on audio, going viral, meet cute moment
Profile Image for Shalana.
471 reviews8 followers
February 26, 2024
This was sooo damn wholesome. Just perfection.
Profile Image for Bunny Robinsonfuller.
85 reviews9 followers
September 17, 2017
This one made me smile.

If you never ever read a CCJ novel then this a good place to start. Eventhough this is a novella it reads as a novel. HOPEFULLY that make sense. This book just made me smile from start to finish.

For all thirty plus novels I have read by CCJ, Noah is one of my favorite heroine. I just love her tell it like it is mentality. I love that she true to herself and encourage women to be the same. Even with her dark past and strength to get through it says so much. Nick oh Nick. He challenges are a little too close to home for me but I love how CCJ sheds light to his issue. Nick and Noah are just to darn cute. A chance encounter at the airport opens the door to something spectacular. I really can't give any details because then I would spoil the book. But by far one of my favorite couples.

I strongly recommend this novella heck I recommend any of CCJ's novels. Bravo Christina C. Jones Bravo.
Profile Image for Debbie Green.
239 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2024
#RELATIONSHIPGOALS 😍

Absolutely enchanted by Christina C. Jones's "#RelationshipGoals," I found myself wishing it would never conclude. As the pages dwindled, my yearning for more adventures and exchanges between Noah and Nick only grew. Noah, with her expertise as an emotional wellness guru and motivational speaker, is a character so vivid and compelling, I'd eagerly pay to attend her seminars if she existed beyond the pages. The light, playful banter she shares with Nick brought genuine laughter and joy, highlighting their instant, magnetic connection. The only lament I have is the book's length—I simply wasn't ready to say goodbye. A delightful read that combines humor, romance, and heartfelt moments in perfect measure.
Profile Image for Angi Thomas.
70 reviews6 followers
July 29, 2022
Amazing!! I loved every minute of it. I smiled all through the book. It’s a true romance book.
Profile Image for Malaika.
870 reviews4 followers
October 29, 2022
Are You Willing to Fight for What Could Be Amazing?

Noah and Nick are an example of what can be waiting for you if you are willing to fight through. Many want a whirlwind romance story but don’t realize that lasting love is built in adversity. We want a good man but are turned off because he has chronic health issues. We want to loved by a good woman but let ‘practice relationships�� blind us to and make us leery of the real thing standing in front of us. Noah and Nick’s journey is beautiful, flawed, ugly, perfect and touching all in one. No people are perfect, so no relationship with flawed people will ever be but two flawed people can be perfect for each other. That is what is captured poignantly in Relationship Goals.
Profile Image for Plus Size Bibliophile.
1,201 reviews58 followers
September 9, 2023
4.5 Stars

I have been looking for books with POC disability rep for almost 10 months. Not only did this story give me what I was looking for, but it showcased a disability that is prominent in the black community but not talked about enough.

After connecting at the airport, our boy Nick goes above and beyond to make Noah his. However, his confidence falters once he realizes he has to share all of himself.

Noah was a freaking powerhouse. She reminded me of Gabrielle Union, the confidence, self-love, and the joy she got from empowering other women. Her brand was on point and if she was real, I'd be a follower.

Nick was sexy af. He had valid concerns, and our girl was tested. I loved this story so much, both characters were effortlessly sexy and intelligent.

Video Review >>>> https://www.tiktok.com/@plus.size.bib...

Book Aesthetic >>>> https://www.tiktok.com/@plus.size.bib...
Profile Image for Mrs Tee Booktique.
949 reviews13 followers
May 19, 2020
Relationship Goals

This was a exciting story of accidental love and bucketlist magic!!! i love romance without trauma. Show me how to live my best life. By not letting my past keeping from love. Noah and Nick was truly relationship goals. The end was truly the beginning for them and I would love to sre the next chapter of their lives.
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