Loving My Neighbor By: Christopher Maddox

First let me say that this book was recommended to me by a friend. I love new reads and in the IR genre reading a book written by a male a white male at that is very rare. So when this book was suggested to me I immediately dove into it. Unfortunately I was sadly disappointed in this book and its representations of women of color. Below is my review:

Where is the plot? When this story first started off the premise was good but about 10% in the story takes a turn and ends up being more sex than a plot. Scenes, and scenes of the same sex gets a little boring at times. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. Where are the descriptions the only thing I know about the female lead is that she needs a `tan." As a reader we are lead to believe this is a joke but Sabrina kept bringing the issue up. Now let's get down to the big issue for me the issue of race. When both Jason and Sabrina had to tell their parents about the relationship I felt as though I was in the 1960's. One of the scenes Sabrina's mother tells her, "I figured you would marry/date a white guy because you are so pretty." Exactly what does that mean? Only ugly black women date inside their race? Even Jason mentions that he never dated outside his race because the "cute" black girls are taken. This kind of stuff is problematic one it screams ignorance and two the misappropriation of black women are out of control. This is not to bash the author but to bring attention to some issues that he can work on. I found this book was just sex and no attention to the development of the two relationship and all in a span of 2 weeks. I know with some stories you have to suspend your belief in reality but this book was just so far left it wasn't even funny. The race issues, the parents, and just the blatant ignorance about IR relationships. Please judge this book for yourself and not based on this one review.

Justified By: Aurora Rose Reynolds

Justified is the first story in the new Alfha Law Series by Aurora Rose Reynolds. If you know anything about this authors writing style you know that she has a way of writing a possessive alpha male and this story is no different. This is a very short quick spicy read and perfect for those cold nights to warm things up.

This story starts off with a very sexy erotic love scene. Chloe works at a bakery and has caught the eye of rich, powerful, and very dominant attorney Nolan. Having trust issues from his previous relationship Nolan is determined to possess Chloe. He is the type of man that once he sees what he wants he is determined not to let it go Chloe included.

Although this is an insta-love story the author does incorporate some flashback scenes to show how the two met and to give the reader insight into Nolan’s past. I will say I was a little disturbed by the first encounter between the two. To say that Nolan is infatuated and obsessed is putting it mildly. When I mentioned Nolan was a man who was determined to possess Chloe he did that in every single way. Seeing her in the bakery across the street from his firm he becomes enamored with the beauty and from there the game begins. Battling with trust issues due to his past with his ex he does everything in his power to make sure Chloe doesn’t leave his side even going as far as having her investigated and watched by his security team.

My issue with insta-love type books is that I feel like I never know why the couple are so in love with each other. By that I mean there is no build up or not enough information as to why one party is over the top in love. It almost seems superficial as to why Nolan loves her like he does in the beginning  of the story. I was a little confused after the flashback into Nolan’s past. The story just shifted into present day when they are together. How did that come about? Last I read he was walking her home.

Majority of the story is told from Nolan’s perspective and I would have liked to have read more of how Chloe felt. I will say that after Chloe’s “incident” she does start to speak up for herself and question his behavior. I wish as a reader I got to see more of that. Nolan seemed like more of a babysitter then a lawyer. I wondered how he even made money since much of his time was devoted to watching Chloe. Some of his behavior was over the top and his antics were ridiculous. For instance he made decisions for their relationship without including her like trying to impregnate her or in his words “breed her.” The relationship didn’t seem as real because of how it was set up by Nolan. Nothing was to chance majority of it seemed as if he was playing her. He mentions she is the perfect age and has not enough experience which makes her easier to train.

My issue with short reads is that the author always leaves you wanting more and that it isn’t nearly enough information given. But I will say that if you like 50 Shade’s and This Man series you will enjoy this book. It is a great mix between the two and just enough to whet the appetite. Like I always say, “don’t judge this book based on this one review but for yourself.”