This
was my first time reading a romance novel by Mia Black, and I
found her writing style to be bold, relationship-driven, and full of heat and
deception. The story centers around Jazmine (“Jazzy”), a freelance consultant
for multimedia companies who recently ended things with her cheating boyfriend,
Aaron, in Charlotte. Ready for a fresh start, she heads to New York to stay
with her best friend Tami while she gets back on her feet.
On the flight, Jazzy meets Quinton (“Que”),
a handsome and charming stranger who keeps her calm during turbulence. They
exchange numbers, and a week later, he invites her to explore New York
City—he’s Brooklyn-born and Queens-raised, after all. Their chemistry is
instant, leading to a steamy night at the luxurious Carlyle Hotel, with windows
overlooking Central Park.
Though Jazzy is drawn to Que, she’s hesitant
to jump into a new relationship. She enjoys his company but can’t shake her
curiosity about his vague career in “sales.” Her doubts intensify when she sees
a news report about a $50 million theft ring targeting Miami’s elite—complete
with a photo of the suspected ringleader hiding out in New York who looks
alarmingly like Que. Her suspicion leads her to snoop, only to be caught by Que
himself.
This fast-paced contemporary romance is
packed with tension, secrets, and sizzle. While it follows the familiar trope
of a good girl falling for a mysterious bad boy, the chemistry between Jazzy
and Que feels fresh and exciting. The dialogue is natural, and the vivid
descriptions bring New York City to life. I’m looking forward to the next
installment to find out if Jazzy walks away—or stands by him. Two thumbs up!
Rating:
4 stars
Some
of my favorite lines:
“I
could stare at you all day too, but I think the other passengers might revolt
if we keep holding up takeoff,” he said, laughing. I smiled awkwardly and moved
into the aisle. He sat down in the chair next to me and buckled himself. I sat
back down and did the same. I completely had to maintain my composure.
Before
I was able to close my eyes and turn on my music, he turned to me and held out
his hand. “Since we are going to be seatmates for the next three hours, I
should introduce myself. My name is Quinton, but I go by Que for short.”
I reached out and shook his hand. “My name
is Jazmine.”
“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
I felt myself blush. “Thank you for the
compliment.”
“Anything to put a smile on your face.
So, are you going to New York, or is that another layover?”
Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com
