Good debut novel. It was a little wordy at times. Loved how the author incorporated inner dialogue and flashbacks to give more insight into the FMC. It also showed how miscommunication and grief affects relationships. I really wanted to see the characters marry and/have children. I also wouldn’t mind a story about Nathan and Minnie.

Overall: 4
Spicy Level 2 - Closed door

This was story about two people finding their way back to each other after seven years of miscommunication. FMC and MMC met when during her first year of college. Unfortunately poor timing and the death of his father lead them to loose touch with each other. Seven years later they meet again while FMC is working as a receptionist at a local company. MMC tries to set things straight and offer FMC a position as his assistant. Continued miscommunication leads to additional complicated situation which causes the MMC new film his new film project at risk and testing the strengthen of their new relationship.

This a great book about trying to live up to your family expectations and still living your own life. The importance of being open and honest in communication even when you think so will cause additional harm. This was a slow burn, with dual point of views about finding self love and self acceptance.

3.5 stars rounded up.

This is a really solid debut. Strong characters, incorporating themes beyond the romance (privilege, class, race, grief) and handling those well, some swoony and steamy moments that mostly move the plot forward. It's flaws are pretty typical for a debut: overstuffed plot that causes pacing issues (it drags a bit in parts), over-reliance on tropes, clumsy writing (especially at the beginning) as the scenes and characters are being set. I always wanted to know how it would end, though. I'm excited to see what Ariel works on next.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

I really wanted to like this one! Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the MMC. Danny's hot and cold behavior towards Kaliya was frustrating to read. I also didn't like how he was acting with Kaliya while he was still in a relationship. That didn't sit well with me. Overall, I just wasn't captivated by this one. Thank you to Berkley for the ARC.

Thank you netGalley and Berkely for the Arc

First, the cover. I saw the cover and had to get the Arc. Im a sucker for a colorful cover with melanated faces.

Next the story. It was adorable. For a debut author I am impressed. Second chance romance is one of my least favorite tropes. but I was intrigued from the beginning. In fact, if this becomes a series, I'm ready to read. Selfish request: Erik & Neha each need books!

Both MCs were likable despite the 3rd act break (that 3rd act always puts me through it). The passion between the two was unmatched. The plot was funny, bittersweet, drama, a little messy, and ends with a HEA. I enjoyed every moment.

I can't wait for more from this author.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel via Netgalley.
An excellent debut novel about second chance romance that wove together Hollywood scandal, racism, prejudice, misogyny, and grief amidst a very slow burn romance. I appreciated that the timeline jumps forwards in a few places which helps make their relationship more believable. There were a few times I raised an eyebrow, but overall, a great first book and I am hoping a couple of the characters introduced in this novel end up being characters in her next book!

I wanted to love this title but it simply wasn't for me. Second Chance romance is one of my favorite tropes but it was done a disservice here. There wasn't enough tension at the beginning to solidify this as a great second-chance romance. You haven't seen this guy who "broke your heart" in seven years??? I wanted my heart to hurt from the jump but the FMC was so quick to fall for the MMC's charm again. Also didn't love that the MMC had a girlfriend from the jump and he was not the best at communicating. This book could've benefited from past and present chapters to show both relationship timelines. Didn't enjoy the MMCs skin tone being compared to "aged parchment". It was such an odd way to describe a biracial Black man's light brown skin tone.

Also, it was obvious that the author had never written an actual script before because the snippets of the MMC's script throughout the book were poorly formatted (colons after the characters' names, actions within parentheses, etc).

However, the cover for this book is STUNNING!!!

I really enjoyed the build up of this book and couple. I loved the stolen glances, and nerves and heat. But I really didn’t get the Kaliyah’s reason for breaking up and staying away for so long. Glad she found herself but just seemed off to break it up so fast because of something beyond Danny’s control. Loved her friendships with both Bella and Neha deeply as well as the love letter to film. Would definitely like to see more from the author!

Superb book. I really enjoyed this second chance romance beyond more than the romance. It has strong feminism, insights into the film industry, and veeery slow burns. It captivated me from start to finish and I was just spending my time rooting for Danny and Kaliya that the one gripe if I had to give this book one is that I hated Danny's girlfriend-turned-ex for how much of a meddler she is. Guess makes for good drama though! Absolute stunner of a debut though from Myah Ariel and I think that this book offers a lot of discussion points.

This amazing story had me hooked! I couldn't stop reading even if i tired. I was kicking and giggling the entire time. A hollywood second-chance romance might one of my favorite tropes and this book didn't disappoint.

When I Think of You is a second chance romance that focuses on Kaliya and Danny, who met in film school and had a brief yet intense romance that left both of them broken when it ended. Seven years later Danny’s career as a director, following in his father’s footsteps, has taken off, while Kaliya’s dreams of producing a masterpiece have sputtered out. They end up back in each other’s lives by chance and embark on a journey to make the movie that Danny has been dreaming of, while also reconnecting in ways they didn’t think possible.

Let’s just say I barely came up for air reading this book. I was immediately drawn in by the passion the characters had for film making. I found that so interesting and a beautiful way to frame the plot. The writing and descriptions in this book, along with the setting and plot, made the book FEEL cinematic too which was so intriguing. I also really thought the flashbacks were done well. In second chance romance, flashbacks are tricky to balance. It can be too much or not enough, I thought the balance was great to give you context without dragging you down.

Character and plot wise, I was so spooked at first because Danny had a girlfriend when the events of the book pick up. I was side eyeing hard at the tension and connection between Danny and Kaliya because I don’t mess with the cheating trope. But it was resolved and discussed perfectly that made me like the characters more. The side characters, decisions and dialogue were all great and flowed very smoothly. Kal was my girl. She was so relatable and I was rooting for her. The way she describes her first breakup with Danny perfectly encapsulates that first heartbreak and how visceral it can feel.

Read if you want:
-Second chance
-Celebrity romance
-Discussions of grief
-Navigating racism, sexism and misogyny in the workplace

When I Think of You is out April 16th. Thank you Berkely for the ARC!

✨ARC REVIEW ✨

When I Think of You by Myah Ariel

Synopsis: Kaliya Wilson has been working for years behind the reception desk at a flashy film studio have only pushed her movie-making dreams further out of reach. A surprise reunion presents an opportunity that could make her career, an opportunity given by none other than her ex boyfriend Danny Prescott. As they grow closer and entrust their truths to each other, the possibility of a connection draws them closer. But, of course, Hollywood politics and a scandal threaten to sink their production and Kaliya’s career, she may have to risk everything to do what’s right-even if it means letting go of the second chance love of a lifetime.

This was a solid debut novel! Loved seeing a second chance romance when both characters just needed to grow apart first, only to come back together better than ever. I thought the writing was good. & how grief was dealt with, classy. All the ins and outs of drama in Hollywood that you’d expect but also it shows a twist of highlighting the negative narratives of privilege and lack of diversity in some spaces in media. I loved the supporting characters. Just an overall good read. I can’t wait for more people to discover Kaliya & Danny & their Hollywood love story.

You’ll LOVE when you read this book:
* Debut Author ✍🏽
* Second Chance Romance 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨
* Black Girl Movie MAGIC 🪄
* Hot Shot Director 🎬
* Hollywood Romance 🎥
* Scandal vibes 😱
* HEA 🤍🥹

I’m looking forward to more work by this author.

Thank you to @netgalley & @berkleypub for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date: 4•16•2024

#WhenIThinkofYou #NetGalley #BookReview #MyahAriel

A stellar debut that is in turns funny and sweet, the best part of this book is how it approaches the topic of grief and the different ways it impacts our lives—and loves. This is a must-watch author! Can't wait for her next release.

There was so much that I loved about this book. I really liked Kaliya and her experience working in film. The racism she experiences from literally everyone, the way she is already steps behind other people because of whiteness and nepotism. Danny bothered me a lot and I think this would’ve done better with a dual pov. Like if we got his pov to understand what’s going on in his head I think it would make him more sympathetic because the choices he makes seem dumb left and right.

Bella was a surprise for me. I was prepared for her to be a stinker and the big barrier for Kaliya but she was fabulous, funny, a true ally, and I want her book. I also want a Neha and Eric story.

Some of this was predictable (Celine sucks). Some I hated (I hate a current girlfriend to ex girlfriend sabotaging careers and Danny was with Celine for far too long). And the ending wrapped up a little too easily. But overall it was a good debut, had some swoony parts, and I can’t wait to see more from Myah.

Thank you to netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for allowing me to read this book. This was such a cute and fun debut romance book.

A stellar debut from Myah Ariel!!!!
Black Romance set in modern Hollywood with a co-current love story was beautiful. One of my favorite books to read this year.

Loved this incredibly sweet and thoughtful second (and third, and fourth) chance romance that takes place in Hollywood between two meant-to-be exes… I especially loved the very endearing heroine who gets dealt some bullshit over and over but rises above it!

I loved this second-chance romance; it's a sweet, fun read. I`m usually not a huge fan of second chance romance, but this I feel did it right; they didn't break for dumb reasons or cheating, but they both were growing and needed to grow in their ways before finding themself together. I will be recomending this to friends and other readers.

Kaliya Wilson has dreamed of making movies, but she’s been stuck in a dead-end job for far too long. She is shocked that an old flame from college pops up at her office. Danny Prescott is working on his next production, and he is sure he wants Kaliya to work with him. Only, Kaliya doesn’t know if she should trust him again. With Hollywood politics and their undeniable chemistry; could things actually go right this time?

First off, the cover of this book is stunning! I could not hit the request button fast enough. The story ended up being just as good. I related to the FMC Kaliya so much! I cheered for her to win in every aspect of her life. As for her relationship with Danny, I wanted to shake them both at times. I was still along for the ride 100 percent!

This book is another reason I love second chance romance so much! The pining and angst sucks you in, and you can’t help falling in love with the characters. However, I also loved the growth Kaliya showed as she learned to trust herself, her abilities, and take a chance when there were naysayers trying to hold her back.

The author also does a fantastic job showcasing the struggles of a black woman as she tries to move up in her career. As well as the depiction of what the struggles of an interracial couple was during Jim Crowe, and how as progressive as the world is; there is still work to be done. Overall, this is a fantastic debut! I’d definitely recommend giving this book a try.

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

First I want to say I picked this book because of the cover and its intriguing cover but then I read the prologue and was like, okay, this is interesting.
Yes, I've read about second-chance romance before, but most of the time, it was because one of them lied or did something stupid or dumb, in this case, I could see how they both needed time apart to grow as individuals, not that this took away from how much they loved each other. One of my favorite quotes from the novel “Does this mean I'm no longer the center of your world?" He places his hand in the middle of my chest, just over my heart. "I was wrong. You were never the center," I say. "You were the gravity." Even though I enjoyed this book, I also thought more communication would have avoided all the conflicts they faced. But then again without the miscommunication added the story would have been completely different.