Alonna Dawes

***Spoiler*** I listened to "You've Been Served" by Kristen Alicia, Narrated by Jasmin Walker via Audiobook. This was a cute love story about first year law students. It is crazy to me that Simone Alexander went to law school based off the reading from a Magic 8 Ball. I imagine Silas Whitman knew he wanted to be with Simone as soon as he saw her. I loved that Simone put her education first when she was falling for Silas but her grades were getting worse. She knew she needed to focus because she wasn't failing another career. I believe their break made Simone realize how much she wanted Silas. Silas was very patient and always put Simone's wishes above his own. I thought it was cute he took her horseback riding on his horse. The sliding date he planned was perfect minus his Mother. Silas being crazy wealthy was a surprise as well. Silas plans for the future were cute and he made room for Simone and his career as well. Simone loved that he thought about her but wasn't willing to jeopardize his career. Simone going to law school randomly helped give her the confidence she didn't know she needed. I loved how Contracts Professor, Jessica Patton, changed in Simone's eye from Fall to Spring semester. I love that Simone did the unthinkable, went to her enemy (she thought) for help and turned out a stronger, more confident woman. Simone went from a D to a B+, earning the highest grade in the class and being Professor Pattons TA next semester.

***Spoiler*** I listened to Flower Sisters Book #3 "Juniper" by Asia Monique, Narrated by Mari and Winston James via Audiobook. I've previously read #1 and #2. I'm glad Juniper Baker and Brandon Morris reconnected and finally gave love a chance. At this stage in Juniper's life, she needed Brandon's love because she was falling apart for several reasons: not being happy where she was in her career and her Mom's 14th death anniversary coming up. I love Brandon's gift to Juniper well he gave her alot of things but the best gift to me was the 13 love letters he wrote to Juniper for the years they have know each other. It is so special to get a glimpse into a man's heart especially when he is inviting you in. This made Juniper know without a doubt Brandon has always loved her and that is all she needed. I enjoyed getting an update on Magnolia, Lennox, Lilac, Ezra and all the other Flower Sisters.

***Spoiler*** I listened to Flower Sisters Book #4 "Daisy" by Asia Monique, Narrated by Mari and Winston James via Audiobook. I've previously read #1, #2 and #3. Daisy Baker and Ayden Parker love story is so cute. I can't believe Ayden went into Daisy's flower shop for 2 years before they both moved on the connection they both felt. Ayden had such a hard upbringing and I totally understand how he stayed to himself. It is funny to me he never noticed the people around him actually cared about him. I'm glad Daisy had her Sister's, especially Juniper, to tell her about herself early in her mistake so she didn't lose a good man. I love how Daisy shared her family with Ayden and was determined to find Ayden's family so she worked with her Brother-in-law, Brandon. I know Ayden will always cherish how Daisy connected him with his Mom's Sister. Ezra (Lilac's Boyfriend) is hilarious to me. Every time he popped up he had me laughing, especially when he cussed out Ayden and then hung the phone in his face but called him back twice because he forgot to mention details. I'm glad the Flower Sisters finally learned why Aunt Lori moved to New York. In addition, I loved how they were their for their Sister, Lily.

***Spoiler*** I listened to "Frequent Fliers" by Noué Kirwan, Narrated by Aure Nash and Kenton Thomas via Audiobook. I chose this novel due to Goodreads Seasonal Challenge: Armchair Explorer. I saw negative reviews but I am a traveler so I was interested in reading a romance novel about frequent fliers and I don't trust reviews. I disagree with the negative reviews and this might be due to me listening to the book verse reading it. This book is about Gemma (Lanie's cousin) and Jonah's (Lanie's crush) engagement and wedding. Yes they were a big part of this book but I don't want to review them. I just say both Gemma and Jonah need better communication skills and alot of drama wouldn't have happened. Lanie's relationships with her Mother, Ryan was very interesting to me. Especially one conversation between them: "Who are we Mom?" Lanie asked and Ryan said "no one special". For Ryan to believe her and her daughter are not special is bad and speaks how parents views can be passed down to their kids. Dr. Ridley Aronsen, from Massachusetts but living in London for over 13 years was interesting to me. But folks do crazy things for love. I loved how Ridley loved his daughter by marriage just like his own child. I loved Ridley saying to his daughter, Be, "Where I go, you go." This just shows how much he loved her, even more after her Mom/his wife died. In addition, I liked how this book showed grief and how it can be different from person to person. I thought a piece of the story was missing between Chapter 42 and 43. I didn't like that it was not said how Lanie and Ridley interacted at the wedding. Folks mentioned it later on in the book but I would of liked to know how others acted when they saw Lanie with a man and not in the corner upset Jonah got married. All in all Narcisa is a great friend!!! Narcisa gave Lanie the best advice in the entire book: "You teach people how to treat you!" All in all, I'm happy everyone, Lanie, Ridley and Be, moved to San Francisco and a few days later Lanie will be Mrs. Aronsen! Funny how the book ended saying Lanie and Ridley had to use their frequent flyer miles.

***Spoiler*** I listened to "I Hope This Doesn't Find You" by Ann Liang, Narrated by Alice Wen via Audiobook. I chose this novel when I saw it in the Seasonal Challenge: Heritage Read. This is my first time reading a novel by AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) and Asian authors. I laughed at how much Sadie Wen hated Julius Gong. I didn't get the vibe that Julius hated Sadie but Julius did try to make Sadie be herself and stop trying to please everyone else. I laughed when Julius' Brother knew Sadie but Sadie's Brother had never heard of Julius. I figured Julius talked about Sadie at home because he liked her so much. I loved this quote from Chapter 20 from Sadie,"If you are quite about the things that hurt you, people are only going to mistake your tolerance for permission and they are going to hurt you again and again." I'm glad Sadie grew a backbone and started telling folks how bad they were treating her. In addition, I'm glad Sadie's Mom told her she was to busy trying to take care of everything and not spending time being a normal kid. I'm glad Sadie and Julius finally connected at the end.

***Spoiler*** I listened to "When I Think of You" by Myah Ariel, Narrated by DeWanda Wise via Audiobook. The best chapter was Chapter 37. I love how they dropped the bomb and showed the world how sick Danny's ex-girlfriend, Celine Michelle, really was. I can't believe she was playing both sides of the fence. I'm glad Jim Evans was asked to resign but him getting an 8 figure buy out and is now working on Westerns is not ok. I loved how Hollywood's 150 Employees wrote an open letter and had sick-outs until their demands were met. Glad they asked Kaliya for help and she started a Nonprofit: Open Hollywood to help make Hollywood accessible to diverse people. During this book, Kaliya was always there for Danny and supported him even in the worst times in his life. (Death of his Father and Danny fighting to get his rights back.) I can see how much she loved him but it was confusing to Bella why they were not together. I completely understand and love Kaliya saying to Danny she needed to find herself/her way before she gave herself to Danny. More woman need to do this. I feel like wives start resenting their husbands due to them giving themselves to their husband (husband's career) and never having created something for themselves. Some say you never stop loving your first love. Kaliya never stopped loving Danny. She tried so hard and 7 years passed but when she saw him again it all came back to her like 7 years was just yesterday. I do understand Danny not wanting to be Kaliya's first at everything but I wished he expressed his feelings with Kaliya. Luckily they finally came together at the right time for both of them. I'm sure Danny won an Oscar for his movie about his parents love.

***Spoiler*** Normally, I like to read books in chronological order because I feel Authors get better as they write more books. I didn't realize Tia Williams wrote "Seven Days in June" and started "A Love Song for Ricki Wilde" audiobook, Narrated by Mela Lee and Preston Butler. Once I learned Mrs. Della had cancer, I knew she was going to be the sacrifice to break the curse so Ricki and Ezra could be together. I believe Mrs. Della committed suicide to 1. not let cancer kill her, she wanted to go out with a bang. 2. Mrs. Della realized her Mom was the case of this and I believe Mrs. Della thought fixing this cruse brings her closer to her Mom. 3. Mrs. Della wanted to be reunited with her deceased husband. 4. Mrs. Della really loved Ricki and didn't want her life to end early. I loved the book. I enjoyed the flashbacks showing us Ezra from a young age. However, I really enjoyed the Epilogue especially that Mrs. Dellan was narrating, as the Angel. Loved it was on leap year, 12 years later: February 29, 2036. Loved Ricki and Ezra had daughters: Hazel, Mini, Low, Tiny Della. Funny how they didn't have any sons. Thought the dogs name was hilarious: SW3 = Stevie Wonder Wilde Walker. I agree with Mrs. Della, SW3 sounds like a Star Wars creature. I thought it was funny Ricki is a junior after her Father due to her parents wanting her to be a boy due to them having 3 daughters already. I loved that Ricki's Father was proud of her for finding what she is passionate about and making a great successful business. So much that he offered to put her stores in his funeral homes. Funny Ricki said no. I thought it was interesting, at Ricki and Ezra's wedding Ricki's family was not mentioned attending. I think we got enough of Ricki's Sisters when they came to spy on her. I love Ricki and Ezra's love and how Ezra treated Ricki. Great Romance and I enjoyed the magic.

***Spoiler*** I've been reading all the books in The Wedding Date Series. I just finished listening to the fourth audiobook in this series: "Royal Holiday" by Jasmine Guillory, Narrated by Janina Edwards via Audiobook. "Royal Holiday" was such a cute love story. Middle age adults not looking for love but randomly finding it was so cute and sweet. Especially because they live ocean apart (California vs. London). I loved it taking place in England during the Christmas holiday. I loved that, Vivian Forest, knew what she wanted and did exactly what she wanted. Vivian being so direct, took Malcolm Hudson by surprise and he loved this about her. It was funny how Vivian snuck around with Malcolm just like Maddie did with Theo. Mother and Daughter are just alike. I loved that Maddie was styling a Royal Family member and she did a great job with it. Love Maddie getting more clients. Great easy read.

***Spoiler*** I've been reading all the books in The Wedding Date Series. I just finished listening to the third audiobook in this series: "The Wedding Party" by Jasmine Guillory, Narrated by Janina Edwards via Audiobook. I enjoyed Maddie and Theo love story. They went from barley being able to speak to each other to falling in love. It is funny how they were physically attracted to each other but didn't like each other. I feel the way they snuck around, to have sex, let them see their true real personality not their artificial self's. The way they met up and relaxed watching TV and ate pizza showed them their real self's and I could see how they fell in love. I'm glad Alexa made Maddie and Theo face their feelings and they finally shared they were in love with each other. Funny everyone knew they were sneaking around and they were not fooling anyone. Even Maddie's Mom knew about it. Mother's always know their children.

***Spoiler*** I listened to "Before I Let Go" by Kennedy Ryan, Narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem via Audiobook. I loved this story so much. Great writing and character development. I felt the characters are folks I could feel their emotions. I loved how therapy added to their lives. It is so typical for a black man, Josiah, not wanting to speak to a therapist but he learned so much, how to control his feelings and talking over his childhood pains. I loved the Mother/Daughter relationship. I'm glad Yasmen and Deja finally got on good terms and Yasmen listened to Deja. Darius cracked me up with his cockiness and his love for going to therapy. I'm glad this book covered grief, stillbirth, divorce, family geting alone, running a business, and therapy. I'm glad the book stated it is ok to go to therapy after you have lost a loved one. Great story!