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Grown Folks Confessions

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Layla Payne
Tattoo artist, Ares Hood. He always had the kind of name that was meant for the bedroom. Yet, I wasn’t the type of woman to make it easy for a man. Some might call me a tease, but I like to think I’m just a fast learner when it comes to everything in life ... Except him. Ares and his crazy cousins have these naughty days they celebrate, so when I need his help, I’m almost convinced we can be more. As kids, I was infatuated with him. As young adults, I kind of loathed him. Now we’re grown and I’ve got little room for games, especially his kind. Ares Hood
Interior designer, Layla Payne. Her last name should have been all the hint I needed. Keeping a complication like her in my life is bad for health ... And my rep. Funny thing is, I’ve always enjoyed a good chase, and there was none more elusive than Layla. She thinks she has me pegged, but she can’t handle the real me. As kids, I loved her. As young adults, I sort of hated her. Now we’re grown and I’ve got some confessions to get off of my chest.

Do you like your holidays naughty? The Hoods do! However, they don’t celebrate your average holidays. A kinky holiday is the only season they know. For these cousins, nothing says brotherhood like being part of the mess-up crew others assume will fail. Get ready! Naughty Season is upon us.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2022

165 people are currently reading
204 people want to read

About the author

Sherelle Green

88 books502 followers
USA Today Bestselling Author Sherelle Green crafts brutal worlds where lust and danger collide. Known for her addictive, high-stakes mafia romances, she’s built an entire dark empire through her books—a place where ruthless antiheroes and complex heroines navigate twisted loyalties, betrayal, and forbidden passion.

With a deep fascination for the darker corners of love, she dives into themes of power, lust, vulnerability, and redemption, blending suspense and sensuality to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

From intricate family sagas and compelling love affairs, to thought-provoking fiction and romantic crime thrillers, her novels touch on how experiences & environment impact the way her beautifully flawed and relatable protagonists view life and love.

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5 stars
211 (54%)
4 stars
107 (27%)
3 stars
52 (13%)
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15 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Landa.
213 reviews34 followers
November 27, 2024
I'm still a fan of Sherelle Green
Profile Image for WellReadRuby.
488 reviews108 followers
August 31, 2022
It's another Review!!!

Grown Folks Confessions - Sherelle Green
Release Date : 8/31/22
Where the Hood N*****! That is the thought that crossed my mind as we learn about Ares Hood and the Hood crew! Typical bad boys from Detroit which we all know is good and bad for you! Layla who was our heroine has had bad boy Ares hooked since high school and honestly, I think he has been in love since middle school. This book is broken into 3 parts where we get to see their junior/senior year of high school, the post-college, and the now of them finding their way to each other. Layla my sweet Layla how many times were you going to drop the bag girl?!? I love Layla but she was fighting so much on her own, and it didn't have to be that way. Her parents were terrible and caused her to fear loving someone with the chance of them leaving. Insert Ares and why she never let him try to love her. Ares was a known playboy but knew if he ever got Layla to give them a try he would be right for her. Let's just say the odds were not in their favor early on. After the first part I expected it, they were young, but in the second part, my heart hurt because they were sooooo close! AND OF ALL THINGS TO OCCUR?!?! I was blown! lol, I was so caught up that I didn't expect the other shoe to drop just like Ares! Sherelle you weren't right for that! Then that 3rd time was indeed the charm!! In this 3rd part of Grown Folks Confessions Layla is well into her interior design career and Ares has joined his family Tattoo shop in Chicago. The connection of them back together actually happens from one of my favorites from the Crowne series Jade! It was a nice touch to connect this new series to them since it is in Chicago! I won't spill the ending, but I enjoyed this read! Sherelle knows how to have me laughing one minute, the next minute I'm stressed, and then have me enjoying a bomb sex scene! And let me tell you all the sex scenes were good! Black Lush is back and the brand is strong!! IYKYK! Overall, this book was 4.5 stars for me! I think I wanted more in the adult years and less in their last years of high school but that's me just being picky!

Let me know in the comments below if you will give this book a read! I definitely recommend you do!

I received this arc from the author in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Shanice S.
123 reviews3 followers
July 6, 2023
Whew

This book was a roller-coaster, and I didn't expect that at all. It's about Layla and Ares, who were childhood frenimes but also had a secret crush on each other.

The amount of ish Layla and Area went through to finally end up together was a lot, and it frustrated me part of the time. Like, the author threw everything but the kitchen sink at Layla and Ares. I also felt like they gave up too easily and didn't fight for each other out of fear in the past, but I guess that was part of their journey.

I did feel like the ending was kind of rushed. Still enjoyed
Profile Image for Tiffany Tyler.
689 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2023
Whew, this is definitely a book for grown folks and not for the faint at heart. There are quite a few layers to the story which mirrors real life, we must look beyond the surface. I look forward to reading the others in the series.
Profile Image for Najaé.
203 reviews10 followers
September 26, 2023
I didn’t expect to devour this book as fast as I did. Normally on and off lover trope & those surprises iykyk but the chemistry between Ares and Layla was so compelling. That I needed to see their relationship through.

I tend to lean far away from flashback to current storylines but this one was handled perfectly. The book easily conveyed that these two were destined to cross paths no matter what. Happy they got their HEA 🤭.
Profile Image for Jimette J..
604 reviews5 followers
September 18, 2022
Finally

Ares and Layla got on my nerves. Too much back and forth, although Layla had childhood issues to work through aside from their careers jumping off. Whew!
Profile Image for C.M..
5,836 reviews106 followers
November 17, 2022
< firm>Lovely

I absolutely loved this Naughty Seasons book. I wanted Ares and Layla to have a much smoother relationship than they ended up with. But, the good thing is their final chapter. On another note, The Hood men have the coolest Greek names. I am happy, and you will also be satisfied after reading this addition.
Profile Image for Dafort.
605 reviews19 followers
September 2, 2022
Loved reading Layla and Ares story. The storyline flowed well and will keep you turning the page to see how Ares and Layla missed opportunities to convey their feelings.

Great read.
Profile Image for Autumn.
106 reviews
September 2, 2022
Grown Folks Confessions was definitely grown and sexy. Ares and Layla aren't new to us and now they have a sexy story all there own. While their sexual chemistry isevident, these two are the definition of "getting in my own way". Instead of letting go and letting it flow, both Ares and Layla missed opportunities to be happy with each other. And let me tell you, it sure wasn't because they couldn't set fire to the bedroom...and other places! Definitely a cute read and even caused me to get a little choked up. With the appearance of some of my favorites like Meeka and Tone, you can't go wrong!..My favorite confession #11!
Profile Image for ShayBooks.
789 reviews17 followers
November 30, 2022
Grown Folks Confessions is definitely a book for gown folks.

Ares and Layla has been friends since middle school and has been feeling each other since then, the problem is the timing is never right for the two to be together it is very obvious that the chemistry between them is off the chain. Will the timing ever be right?

This book was hot and I enjoyed every minute of it, the twist and the ending was not expected at all I highly recommend this book. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Cheryl Jamai.
310 reviews
December 30, 2022
USA Today best-selling author Sherelle Green starts her new series in the Black Lush Empire off with a bang. Fans of the Social Experiment series have been waiting for this story. Ares Hood and Layla Payne have known each other since they were kids. It’s no secret that Ares has always had a crush on her. She didn’t have the best childhood and Ares was there for her when others weren’t. The Hood brothers and cousins have Greek names, based on legends of their past. Only Ms. Green could create the Naughty holidays they celebrate, which fit their bad boy persona.

The book is organized based on time periods in Layla and Ares lives and kicks
off with high school years. High school was one thing. It was another thing when Ares and Layla got
together as adults. They shared hot, passion filled encounters over the years.
After each time, they wonder why it’s been so long.

Finally, I thought they figured it out… until the other shoe dropped and I wondered if their time would ever come. Ms. Green effortlessly weaves together this unconventional love story, while
introducing fans to the Hood family. She also gives updates on characters that
we’ve come to know. See complete review at Romanceincolor.com.
Profile Image for Antoinette (_literaryaura_).
409 reviews81 followers
February 13, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well as the series.

The Hoods are known for a couple of things, the first being the three F's. Their grandfathers were known for Family, their parents were known for Fighting, and the current generation is known for F#ckin. The current generation also celebrates unconventional naughty holidays such as Steak and blowjob day. Women count themselves lucky if they can say that they've experienced a Hood.

Ares is an all-around playboy and is considered somewhat of a screwup in his family's eyes. He has been infatuated with Layla since meeting her one summer before grade school. He wants to be with her, but the timing never seems to be right. Layla is a good girl that's about her business. As kids, she was infatuated with him. As young adults, she loathed him. Now that she's grown, she realizes her true feelings for him.

This is a multi-trope book, high school sweethearts, friends to enemies to lovers, as well as a second chance romance. This is definitely a grown folk read. Great story, great characters, but also cute and funny.
Profile Image for Lisa.
568 reviews179 followers
April 21, 2025
Not really sure how to feel about this one.... it's roughly a 2.5 or a 2.75 rather than a straight 2 however I couldn't in good conscious rate it a 3.
I had high hopes for this given how sexy the cover is and how engaging the premise is, however the plot and the pacing left plenty to be desired. I think this 1st book as a spin off hinged on having read the Crowne Series (at least Face Down Friday).

While I really enjoyed the flash back and the right person wrong time, I eventually felt like they'd be better without each other. Maybe I'm the issue and I was look for more swoon rather than steam. For all that internal desire that was had, I wanted more show rather than tell.

However I will keep reading the story... the glutton in me has to see Audra's and Midas' story because I can't image how on earth that's going to happen.
130 reviews
September 25, 2022
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I am so glad Sherelle Green wrote the book the way she did. This is my first time reading anything from this author and it definitely won’t be my last. The way these childhood friendships grew into adult relationships was great. Ares and Layla were destined to be, but they both need to get out of their own way. I can’t wait to read more about the Hood family. I appreciate that Ares and Audrea didn’t have a bunch of drama; and that Audrea and Layla were able to be amicable. It’s nice to see that women can co-exist.

To Sherelle Green & There For You Editing, I can’t thank you enough for the great editing this book had. I’ve read so many books lately that were in need of some serious editing, but this was not one of them.
Profile Image for falenatales .
403 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2023
Ares and Layla were cute but low-key messy, but it still was an enjoyable read.
This story had love and passion. The different stages of their life that was different, and I liked that I wished e were given more during adulthood and their time together, but overall it sure was a grown folk confession with issues close to reality. 


My basic facts

Genre: romance

Series: yes

Love triangle? no

Cheating?  no

HEA? yes

Favorite character? no one
 
Would I read more by this author/or of the series? yes

Would I recommend this book/series? yes

Will / Would I read this again in the future? no

Star rating? 3,1
Profile Image for Ruby.
567 reviews2 followers
September 4, 2022
Ares and Layla were so enjoyable to read about. This is definitely a grown folks story that also has love and passion woven throughout. I love the way we were shown the different points of their lives and where their emotions were at that point. Ms. Green is a master at intertwining characters together and she didn't disappoint in this book. Meeka, one of my favorite characters of Ms. Green, was included and I was ecstatic. I can't wait to read the next book in this series to see how this series pans out. Great job!!!
Profile Image for Tracy.
129 reviews11 followers
September 5, 2022
Grown Folks Confessions is truly for grown folks:
Ares and Layla have know each other for years and I believe have been in love with each other for most of their lives but timing was never on their side.
Once they are together again they finally see what others have seen all along. But will haters and greed stand in the way again? Not if Ares has anything to say about it.
The book takes you through all the phases of Ares and Layla's life and its wild, fantastic, and Hot.
Can't wait for the next book in the series. Great job Sherelle Green.
Profile Image for NubianJoí .
1,835 reviews8 followers
May 3, 2023
Grown Folks Tricks & Treats

“Grown Folks Confessions: Black Lush (Naughty Season)” was a good read. The book’s initial three- four (possibly more) chapters felt unnecessary, confusing & convoluted. Nonetheless, once Layla & Ares were establishing their careers, the story started to make sense. …Reintroducing & incorporating familiar characters (from old) into this book. WOW! Ms Green that was ingenious 👏🏿👏🏾👏🏽‼️ Now, I definitely recognized Jada Daniels Crown (Sins of a Saint & Face Down Friday’s). …A Grown Folks bag of tricks & treats! …delicious🤷🏾‍♀️☺️💐‼️
Profile Image for Mrs Tee Booktique.
904 reviews14 followers
September 19, 2022
MrsTee_Reading_Realtor

This rollercoaster! I wasn't sure if the beginning was necessary or if it was TMI. Midway through I appreciated it. Communication is so important, having feelings for someone does no good if they don't know. This story brought back some memories that makes me wonder how some secrets altered my future. Layla and Ares were on my nerves but they made it worth it. Nice and nasty.
28 reviews
January 12, 2023
Grammatical Errors and rambling.

The over use of had and grammatical errors in this author’s work is jarring. The concept and plot of the books? Great. The execution leaves a lot to be desired. This book rambled on and the parts where it got to the point were great. Even though the grammatical errors and this author needs a new editor, the parts of the story I could sift through were good when not rushed.
Profile Image for Roxy Reads.
602 reviews3 followers
September 11, 2022
they got it right

I have been waiting on Ares and Layla story since reading Single AF an it was worth the wait their hearts knew who they belonged too I just wish they would have tried to make it work after Phoenix but I guess they had to grow it was great catching up with characters from other books
Profile Image for Tonya.
279 reviews
September 13, 2022
Up and Down

This story had my emotions up and down! I'm like come on! Nothing should be this hard for people who love one another! The Greek names were exotic and a turn on! Overall I enjoyed the book but if protection was used during sex why couldn't the first baby be for someone else?. I was rooting for them to get together a whole lot quicker I guess! 😁
14 reviews
September 18, 2022
Layla and Ares

This was such a great read! The flashbacks were so detailed, I felt like I was watching a movie. The back and forth through the years was great. I'm so glad they got together in the end, it was inevitable. I need to go back and read the rest of the prior books now!
74 reviews
October 1, 2022
Enjoyed the book

Love a black love story. Really enjoyed the ups and downs that they had to go through to finally get that HEA. I was confused at some parts, it seemed like they were talking about things that maybe where part of another book. Also they were mentioning earlier years of their relationship that expressed before. Will still check out more of her books.
802 reviews2 followers
November 21, 2022
loved it

Have you ever read a story and you can imagine how fine the man is and how everything he does is swoon worthy well this is it. Swoon worthy with boy tendencies. Really keeps your interest all the way through. Now with a name like Ares you tell me what kind of man he will be.
34 reviews
December 5, 2022
Black Lush!!!!

I absolutely love Sherelle Green books. I have read ALMOST all of her books. Ares and Layla went through so much but I was ecstatic that they finally got their happily ever after. I read this book in 1 day because I just could not put it down. I can not wait for the next book
Profile Image for Ashley B.
37 reviews28 followers
January 14, 2023
Okay GreekGawd!!!

Found myself loving how sweet this multi trope book was! I can’t say what they were cause they’d be spoilers, but you’ll see! Lol.

I liked how the story goes through time! And their lil enemies to lovers energy had me wishing I had a lil high school crush I can do backsies on! 😝

Overall exactly how I like my Black romance!!
Profile Image for Tasha Millner.
426 reviews4 followers
February 2, 2023
Grown Folks Confessions: Black Lush

Ares and Lay never seemed to get it right when they were younger but as they got older things fell into place. They grew up and leaned on each other in more ways than one while learning what love is and how to love each other. This was an awesome story.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
157 reviews7 followers
February 20, 2023
A Forever Kind of Love

Sherelle Green did not disappoint. Ares and Layla have known each other forever. Have liked each other forever, but needed to truly grow up to recognize how much. This book took me on a roller coaster ride and I loved it. Can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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