A story of two very career driven people whose paths crossed at a memorial, Eden’s mentor and Beck’s stepfather. Unknown at the time, but they meet again at the lawyer’s office for the reading of the will. Where questions are raised and the spark seems to sizzle.
A very slow reading romance that really wasn’t holding my interest. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #TheTimeOfYourLife

This was my first read by this author. I would probably read another at some point. This story for whatever reason left me feeling just meh. It could just be the frame of mind I was in, but I didn't see that chemistry between Beck and Eden. It didn't feel like it would work for any other reason than the inheritance. I also had a deep hatred of Holly. I know family is family but this girl (and I can't call her a woman because she felt like a petulant child through most of the book, in my opinion) drove me out of the story way more than she should have. It had a few romantic moments but just didn't wow me!

Sandra Kitt is a new-to-me author; I was hesitant to read this when I hadn't read the first book in The Millionaires Club series, but it works well as a standalone.

I most appreciated how solid Eden and Beck feel, both as characters and in their relationship with one another. They're level-headed enough to not have unnecessary drama and recognize their capacity to grow, but they're human enough to flounder a bit when they receive MILLIONS OF DOLLARS (who wouldn't?) from the estate of Everett Nicholls, Beck's former stepfather and Eden's mentor. The story has a cozy feel to it, and I enjoyed going along for the gentle ride (besides getting to know Eden's sister Holly; she annoyed me even at the end).

This feels a bit slice of life but not fully. Eden’s calendar is packed with pro-bono work, finishing up her law degree, and somehow fitting in a blossoming romance. I don’t know how Eden does it. I was getting tired for her. Even though Eden was bouncing from one obligation to the next, the pace of the book is slow. You get to watch the romance grow one step at a time. I had some ‘smack my forehead in frustration’ moments over character choices. Without moving in to spoiler territory, there were conflicts that seem to come out of nowhere based off of the characters’ past interactions with each other. I didn’t read the first book in The Millionaires Club so you can feel confident starting with book 2 in the series.

The Time of Your Life is a simple story of two people meeting at a location, getting connected, and pursuing romance. Both Eden and Beck have personal baggage, and how both of them navigate these difficulties is the premise of this book.

This book is a part of a series, but I read it as a standalone, and it's ok to read it as such. The concept of the book is great. However, the blurb that creates interest is not as much significant in the story. I am not the one who does not finish a book, and hence, I plodded on. This story felt flat for me. I was waiting for some drama, but nothing happens in the story that is like the wow factor. As a sweet romance story, it is an ok story. It's a good palate cleanser, but I was a tad bit disappointed.

Thank you, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley, for this book.

4.5 Stars. Third year law student, Eden, meets Beck, a journalist, at the funeral of her beloved mentor, Everett, who unbeknownst to her was briefly Beck’s stepfather. The two have a connection but don’t think much of it until they learn that they each have inherited a considerable amount from Everett. The two begin dating as they navigate what to do with their inheritances. Both have complicated family dynamics marked with tragedy that they are still working through that keeps things from being too easy for the pair.

Sandra Kitt is one of those names that I have known for a long time, but I seemingly have not read her books before. This book is technically the second in a series, but reading the first book in the series is not needed to enjoy this one (only the MMC from the first book appears in this one). I really enjoyed reading this book. I’ve been in a bit of a 3 star book slump, so I was very happy to have a book that was well written and hooked me instantly. I will be honest there isn’t much that happens in this book, which I think is why it’s getting mixed reviews. I don’t have issues with books that don’t have much going on as long as they are well written and compelling which this book was. I really liked both Eden and Beck. Both acted their age and were able to communicate with each other as adults. There was still a third-act misunderstanding / breakup but it fit the story. I will have to read more of Sandra’s books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beck’s step-father has passed away and at his funeral he meets a strange woman. He also didn’t expect to gain millions from the death, but he’s not the only one inheriting his money. That strange women Eden is also gaining wealth from her former mentor. Bothe Beck and Eden fill an attraction to each other, but will gaining money and mistrust keep them from being together.

This is my first book by this author, and while it was interesting, I also wasn’t left overly awed. There were times I felt like the plot dragged and was lacking. The characters made it unique and I like that they weren’t overbearing in situations.

All in all, it was an interesting take on what coming into fortune and a mystery of a persons life could be.

I could not get into this novel, so unfortunately it’s a DNF for me. I can tell what the author was trying to do and where it was going, but the pacing just felt too slow to me and I wasn’t intrigued enough to get past chapter 3.

Beck and Eden really grew on me. Sandra Kitt knows how to write a romance. This was no drama low angst. It was a sweet build up. Glad I read this contemporary romance.

The Time of Your Life is an enchanting romantic read with a gradually blossoming relationship. I was pulled into this captivating read with its charming characters and heartwarming story from the beginning, and their story stayed with me long after reading. This is a steady-paced story of the unexpected meeting of two people coming together. The Time of Your Life was fun to read and entertaining.

This was an engaging story and I loved reading of how Eden and Beck got to really know each other. Great escape book.
Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I thought it was refreshing and endearing. Story of Eden, a law student soon to graduate, who has always been mature and self-sufficient taking care of herself and her younger sister from an early age to adulthood. Beck, a writer who has a strained relationship with his mother due to a family tragedy. Eden and Beck both mistake the other for someone they are not a memorial service for Everett Nicholls who has ties to both of them. When the two meet, there is definitely an attraction of meeting someone and moving along. The two meet again at the attorney's office reading the will of Everett Nicholl and sparks fly both good and bad. Both characters were interesting, but Eden even more so as she was definitely unique with a heartwarming personality with an innocence and forwardness of knowing what she wants and going after it from career and relationship. Definitely interested in reading more from this author.

3.5 stars. I wanted to like this and I did at times but a lot of the time it just felt like it dragged. Every single chapter, with the exception of the very last, was LONG. Like 20+ minutes (according to kindle). I don’t mind a longer chapter every now and then but sometimes I just want a chapter I can get through quickly.

Now that I’ve finished the book, the blurb also doesn’t seem totally accurate. I got the impression that the two main characters would be wary of each other a lot longer than they were. They got together pretty early on. The communication between them was pretty good, though they did have a couple misunderstandings that eventually got resolved. I do wish we had learned what Beck intended to do about his inheriting the company.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Time of Your Life by Sandra Kitt

Published: April 11, 2023
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Romance
Pages: 334
KKECReads Rating: 3/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Sandra Kitt is the author of more than twenty novels, including The Color of Love, Significant Others, and Close Encounters, as well as numerous short stories. Her work has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and has appeared on the Essence and Blackboard bestseller lists. She is the recipient of the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. A native New Yorker, Kitt previously worked as a graphic designer, creating cards for UNICEF, illustrating books, and exhibiting her own work, which is included in the collection of the Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles. She formerly served as the managing director of the Richard S. Perkin Collection in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.

“Do you need a hug?”

Eden is a hardworking law student on the cusp of graduation. When her mentor dies, she takes on planning his memorial. Beck attends the memorial, not expecting the beautiful woman who captures his attention. Their journey is just beginning.

This is a slow burn. I enjoy a slow burn, the eventual landing of a stellar plot with character development that leaves you speechless. This book did not reach that level for me.

The writing was fine. The story was not exciting; I did not connect with the characters. I was worried that this being the second book in a series might make it a tricky read, but I am glad I didn’t take the time to read the first book.

If it were as slow and anticlimactic as this was, I wouldn’t have read this book. I love Sourcebooks Casablanca, so I was shocked to struggle so much with this book. If you enjoy slow-building romance, this is the story for you.

The Time of Your Life
Sandra Kitt
April 11, 2023

When Eden Marsh’s mentor passes she is asked to represent the family by opening the memorial for Everett Nichols. While she was an intern working for his company they had grown close, he was a father figure to Eden. He supported her, pushed her into the law program and paid her way. When he died recently she felt lost, such a close friend and comrade. After the service she couldn’t bring herself to leave immediately as other workers and friends did. No one took down his portrait in the room, it hurt to leave it there unaccompanied. The sorrow built up, she felt the tears and the need to let her sadness flow.
When Beck Dennison began to leave, he turned and saw Eden. He felt she might need something, someone and ventured over. This was the beginning of a friendship that would grow strong.
The Time of Your Life will be published by Sourcebooks on April 11, 2023. I was fortunate to have the publisher allow me to read Sandra Kitt’s recent novel via NetGalley. I chose this novel as it is a monthly selection to read for the Brenda Novak readers club. Not being one to select a romance, I began reading what I was soon to find is an excellent work of fiction. I was intrigued by the plot and drawn into the story immediately in the first pages. Kitt’s writing is impressive. Her storyline gives us family and details the character's work so the reader can appreciate the complexities of their daily life.
I highly recommend Sandra Kitt’s The Time of Your LIfe. Readers will find themselves drawn into Beck and Eden’s story and thrilled by the opportunity to read such an excellent novel. Enjoy this one.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc! I really loved this book, how real the charathers felt throught the writing of the author and how much I liked eden's and beck's personality. In some parts I was a little bit annoyed on how many times the names of the protagonists were repeated over and over, but other than that I adored the writing and the plot of this novel.

An engaging steamy romance. I skipped over the intimate scenes. The initial meeting and subsequent activities kept me entertained. Lots of family issues. Some interesting court cases. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

When Everett Nicholls dies, he leaves his millions to Eden Marsh and Beck Dennison. Everett mentored Eden and paid for her education to go to law school. Beck was his stepson. The two had never met, and were suspicious of each other.
As they got to know each other, they learned a lot, Both had struggles with their family, and neither one ever expected to inherit millions of dollars. They begin to navigate the life they have now.
This is my first book by Sandra Kitt, and it was a book that shared their journey, with everything that was happening. I enjoyed the slower pace of the story and savoring the moments.
I received an ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Sandra Kitt is often spoken about by some of the people I follow as a trailblazer for Black romance, and while I have yet to pick up one of her classic titles, I have been interested in trying her work. I did try the previous book in the series, but had some issues with the direction the story was going. However, I remained determined to give her a fair chance, and ended up enjoying The Time of Your Life much more.
The setup is quite interesting, starting with the death of a wealthy man and him leaving his estate to his stepson Beck and his favorite student, Eden. I loved how neither was quite prepared for the other, leading to tensions between them. And while I’m not a huge fan of romance stories where misunderstanding forms a large part of their dynamic, I felt it worked in a believable way here.
Both of them are also a bit more complex than the other initially realizes. Eden didn’t expect to come into this windfall, and is still getting used to her change in fortune, while navigating other problems, like her relationship with her sister and navigating the waters with her ex. Beck has a complex relationship with his background, with him reckoning with his biracial heritage throughout the book and what it means for his place within his family.
I enjoyed this book, and look forward to trying more from Sandra Kitt in the future. If you’re looking for a multicultural romance by a Black author, I recommend giving this one a try.

I really enjoyed my first Sandra Kitt novel. This is second in The Millionaires Club series but I read easily as a stand alone novel. Eden Marsh meets Beck Dennison at a memorial service for Everett Nicholls. Eden worked for Nicholls after getting her bachelors degree. He was her mentor and encouraged and paid for her to go to law school where she is finishing her third year. Everett is a successful journalist writer and is Nichol’s stepson. They meet again at a brief reading of the will where there is a nice sized ($5 million) bequest left to Eden. Beck is the primary heir to his step father’s wealth and business holdings.

The two are drawn to each other getting to know about each other during walks through Washington DC. He also asks about Nicholls business as she use to work for the company. Both have some side drama happening. Beck needs to reconnect to his mother and has an ex still trying to pull some strings. Eden has a sister only a few years younger. After the loss of their mother Eden has became more a mother figure with the sister acting out immaturely. These things area not nearly as dramatic as the blurb implies. There is a good deal of steaminess between the two as well.

Race is an important part of the story. Beck is bi-racial and it effects how he sees himself in his family. Color and skin tones are often mentioned which may be typical for the author. I didn’t find it slow like some other reviews mention. They are already intimate by the 40 percent mark. But I did feel that both characters act and older than their characters should be. Even though it is mentioned that she is older than a typical law student she should still be younger than thirty.

I enjoyed reading this book from the author and will look forward to the next in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review. (3.75 Stars)