by: Reese Ryan
Series: Love & Music Suite
Genre: Contemporary African American Romance
Release Date: March 15, 2024
Publisher: Sinfully Sweet Publishing
Faking it is so much better the second time around.
Karris
Five years ago, I was the reigning princess of pop. Now, I’m a former boy band member’s ex. I’ve been in this business a long time, so I’ve developed a tough skin. But negative press is hijacking my fundraising campaign to save my performing arts high school in Atlanta from being demolished. Desperate times call for desperate measures. So to spin the story my way, I’ve asked celebrity DJ Ward Hughes to reprise his role as my fake boyfriend—a stunt we pulled in high school. But this time, Ward has demands.
Ward
I started out spinning records in underground clubs in Atlanta and rose to fame playing sets at legendary clubs and festivals all over the world. Ten years in, and I’m tired of grueling, international tours and living out of hotel rooms. I’m ready to shift gears and become a songwriter and record producer. But A-list artists are reluctant to work with an unproven writer and producer. Working on Karris’s comeback album will give me the chance to showcase my pen game and production skills while helping her make music with a soulful vibe that she was truly meant to sing.
But faking it as high school sweethearts who spin the block hits a little too close to home because nothing about our feelings has ever really been fake.
Karris seems to be the queen of fake dating, as she and her ex, former boy band member, Monte started out as a fake couple to boost his media stock. For her, faking became real, and the two dated for six years. During this time, Karris put her career on hold to boost his. Six months ago, Monte broke things off and has since started dating an up-and-coming rapper, whom he says is the love of his life. Karris hasn’t taken the breakup well. It doesn’t help that the media claims she’s done for in music, that she’s beyond heartbroken, and takes the most unflattering photos. Most of this is untrue. Karris may not have released an album in years, but music is still very important to her. She currently spends her time working to raise funds and awareness to keep her high school, Peachtree School of the Arts open.
Ward loves his job as DJ War. He’s traveled the world and has made a lot of money doing what he loves to do. However, deejaying wasn’t always his passion. He doesn’t want to leave the music industry behind, but his dream is actually to be behind the scenes. Ward wants to be a songwriter and producer. He just needs someone to believe in him and give him a chance.
Karris and Ward find themselves at a crossroads in their careers. With their older sisters being best friends, the sisters come up with the idea of the two faking it again. Karris will be seen as moving on with her life, and Ward’s stock value will go up. Ward’s best friend Cedrick has an even better idea. Not only will Karris and Ward fake date, but Ward could have Karris use some of his songs and sign on as talent for their newly formed record company, thus boosting Ward’s reputation as a songwriter/producer.
With time and maturity on both their parts, spending time together has them rediscovering their friendship, and that friendship leads to more. But the question becomes are they willing to risk their hearts, careers, and new friendship for a second chance at love?
I loved all the characters in Spin the Block. I might even have liked Monte. Karris and Ward were real, open, and honest with each other. Their friendship and love came naturally. Spin the Block was refreshing because there wasn’t the dark moment you usually see in romances. I loved that. It was a real-life love story, with no serious drama.
I mentioned Ward’s best friend, Cedrick. He happens to be the hero of the next book, Never the Right Time. The heroine of the book is also mentioned. A nice surprise was that one couple mentioned in the story has already had their story written. Amaya and Jet also went to the same high school as Karris and Ward. Their love story is told in Date for Hire, which is part of the Men for Hire series.
~ Favorite Quotes ~
“Your perfect guy will come along. Promise.”
“You are special. There is no one on this earth like you.”
**Received a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.**
Rating: 4
Purchase Spin the Block from:
(Affiliate Links Used)
The Love & Music Suite Series:
Connected book: Date for Hire (Men for Hire, Book 3)
Never the Right Time (Book 2) releases August 16, 2024
The two-time recipient of the Donna Hill Breakout Author Award is an advocate for the romance genre and diversity in fiction. Reese is the host of Story Behind the Story—an interactive YouTube show where readers and authors connect. Her books have been featured on Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, and BookRiot.
Places to find Reese Ryan:
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