From the moment Ella Simone and Miles Westbrook meet, I was rooting for them—not just as individuals but as a couple. Their chemistry is undeniable, and watching them navigate their connection while dealing with the realities of their lives made this such a satisfying read.

Ella, a world-renowned pop star, is going through a messy divorce, trying to protect her career and her peace while her ex moves without consequence. Then there’s Miles, an MLB superstar with a playboy reputation that doesn’t truly reflect who he is. What I loved most about him is that he’s been a fan of Ella long before they ever met. He sees her beyond the fame, and his admiration isn’t just surface-level—it’s real, and it shows in the way he treats her. The cherry on top is that this book felt like a mini love letter to 80s and 90s R&B and Pop by Black artists..

fuck me this was so good!! already preordered the physical copy as well as the author’s previous title. I loved this so much, everyone must read this.

Thank you to @berkleypub @berkleyromance for the free eARC! I’m super grateful 🫶🏾

this one I truly loved! rather than write a review, I thought I’d share some thoughts that were running through my mind whilst reading…

a woman chasing freedom
feeling unseen
women and men sacrifices are not the same.
women have to fight harder for their image.
public scrutiny isn’t shared equally
involve a male’s ego and no one’s safe. Mostly.
“you’re fine” as long as no one pokes below the surface
“stay strong”
we’re not expected to fight
abuse looks many ways
‘just jump’
afraid to let go
‘you’re strong, I wish you didn’t have to be as strong as you are’
love looks like endurance
fight back
feels seen
‘thank you for seeing me’
‘what if I want to belong to you?’

I hope this convinces you rather than confuse you.
pub date: April 1, 2025

I thoroughly enjoyed No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel—a romance about reclaiming oneself and finding love again after a marriage built on lies and betrayal. This celebrity romance had a great pace, evoked so much emotion, and was easy to follow.

Ella, the FMC, is an R&B pop star determined to rewrite her own narrative and avoid scandal after initiating a divorce⚠️ from her equally famous husband. I loved watching her character growth unfold throughout the story, and by the end, I was truly rooting for her. While the book isn’t written in dual POV, I didn’t mind because we still get strong character depth for the MMC, Miles—a major league baseball player—through his dialogues with Ella.

Miles and Ella’s connection felt organic from the start, and I loved how they bonded over the shared heartache of private betrayal and public scrutiny, all while trying to hold onto the most honest parts of themselves. And can we talk about Ella’s glam team? Because they were everything. The emotional support, the energy, the group texts—I ate it all up.

If I had one critique, it would be the real-life celebrity name drops. At one point, Ella sings with Ariana Grande and runs into Timbaland at the studio. I totally get that it was meant to add realism to the New York celebrity scene, but I personally prefer my fiction world to stay fictional unless it’s historical fiction. That said, it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed this book because it was really good. Already looking forward to reading When I Think of You, which I was gifted over the holidays!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️. If you enjoy tropes and themes like celebrity romance, second chance at love, strong found family, and emotional healing then be sure to add to your TBR and snag this when it hits the shelves 4/1/2025!

Thank you @netgalley and the publisher for providing me this ARC & allowing me to provide my honest review.

To the world, popstar Ella Simone has a life that everyone wants - a successful music career and a marriage to a music mogul. Her husband's latest affair pushes her to file for divorce and she must fight to keep her career from being collateral damage in the divorce. While her life begins to unravel, Ella meets MLB's star pitcher, Miles Westbrook, and the two have undeniable chemistry. Another man is the last complication that she needs in her life, but she can't help but want Miles.

Celebrity romance? Automatic yes. Celebrity romance with a Dodgers starting pitcher as the leading man - HELL YES!!! It's as if Myah Ariel weaved her way through my mind and pulled out a concept for a book that I never knew I wanted but now I can't get enough of. I am a lifelong Dodgers fan and of course I wonder what their players' love life is like. This book gave me what I wanted and more!

I loved Miles from the moment I met him on the page. He was endearing, insightful, perceptive and not afraid to be vulnerable . Miles was the kind of man who not only looks good, but also has the emotional intelligence that would make any woman swoon. He was just what Ella needed at this tumultuous time in her life.

The chemistry between Ella and Miles was off the charts from the moment they met. As they continued to interact and see each other, it grew into an emotional connection that surprised both of them. Witnessing them fall in love made warmed my heart.

Ella had quite the journey in this book. She not only found love, but she also found herself after being what her ex-husband wanted her to be for so long. After finding the courage to leave him, she had to figure out what she wanted. It was brave of Ella to want to pursue a career with authenticity even though she had to leave the brand she worked on for several years.

You won't regret this celebrity romance! It is a book you won't be able to put down!

Steam level: 🔥🔥¾
⚠️: divorce, mention of infidelity

Such a beautiful story! I was locked in with Ella from page one! I really enjoyed her character and her friend group was so relatable. Ella truly went through some challenges, but she learned how to stand on her own, while also experiencing a sweet new love! Loved it!!

I loved it especially the connection between Ella and Miles it was just so electric. We start the book with Ella already filing for divorce and the attorney she has 🥰 she definitely is the best at what she does. I would definitely reread this book again because the journey Ella went on to find her happiness was beautiful.

I’m squealing and beyond giddy at this novel 🤩🤩 This was a one-sitting book. Meaning, I could not put it down! I adored our main characters and was able to relate so well to Ella. It’s past 3 am now where I am. So, I’m going to come back to finish my review when the sun is up.

~~~~~
Full Review:


No Ordinary Love starts with our main character, Ella, beginning the process of divorcing her music producer mogul husband. It is fairly evident from the onset that he's trash 🚮. He snagged her up immediately at 20 and has held her hostage creatively/ and legally ever since — FYI, Ella in the present is 30 now! so the trauma is real. He is also a philanderer, so there is no question about us being on board for this separation. Thankfully, we meet our boy Miles within the first couple of chapters, and the sparks come from all sides.

I was immediately engaged in the story, the two main characters.

When they meet at an award show shortly after Ella is blindsided by her (future ex) husband, she and Miles both allow a quick peek at their vulnerable underbellies, which endears them to one another. After tabloids get a whiff of the onscreen chemistry between them, they really don't have much choice but to use the coverage to control the narrative. It was almost comical how Ella thought that anyone would buy their whole "it's not like that" when I was over here sweatingggg. Especially when Miles *respectfully* applied some pressure *cue some 90's R&B playing*
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Throughout the next couple of months, they get closer to one another, and it is so beautiful. Like kicking my feet in my bed, wholesome, funny, and hot (you have a starting pitcher and an R&B singer with character descriptions similar to Zendaya and Michael B. Jordan!). I refuse to be embarrassed about it —but be ready to be blushing guys.
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Miles was the consummate gentleman and such a safe space for Ella during this crazy time in her life. I honestly didn't see him as much of a bad boy; he was just someone who had a bad rap with the media. Miles is past his latest scandal when he meets Ella, but even when he is better off keeping his distance, he is always all in for her. I will always love a man who is down bad for his girl.

Ella has quite a few things happen to her throughout the story. You have the main plot point of her getting her divorce settled away while trying to retain her creative license and gain her autonomy. She also has to confront her coping mechanisms at multiple points in her life. She's a D1 runner in quite a few conflicts lol. However, I liked the overall growth she has and how she learned to put herself in an uncomfortable position and then advocate for herself in those moments. When I say she is relatable, I mean her story is that we may not all be famous musicians, but we are all people who have to learn to fight for ourselves and shed things that no longer support our future selves.

I thought the book's pacing was fantastic; there was not a moment when I thought, "Wrap it up." It was all, "OH NO, WHY AM I ALREADY AT 68%?!" As mentioned earlier, the growth of our main character is clear and tested. I loved all of our supporting characters, too. They were people who had their own lives and helped Ella develop.

I have so many more things to say and quotes to add, but alas, we must wait for pub day! I already have this one pre-ordered because, yes, I need it on my shelves.



This mini review and the full one that followed are my honest opinion in exchange for this advanced reading copy provided by Berkeley Publishing Group via NetGalley, THANK YOU!

No Ordinary Love hits all the right notes! Both fresh off heartbreak, popstar Ella and pitcher Miles fall into a PR stunt that sizzles into so much more. If you’re wondering what happens behind those paparazzi shots, then this one is for you!

The writing is beautiful and the story is layered in such wonderful unexpected ways I couldn’t put this one down.

Thank you so much to Berkley for the early copy-- I loved every minute with Ella, Miles, and Ella's squad :)

Thank you for the free eARC, Berkley Romance!

In this beautifully written romance, Ella is a famous singer who is in the middle of a messy divorce from her cheating producer husband. She meets MLB star Miles at an awards show and is stunned by both their chemistry and his kindness. As they continue to work together professionally, they must fight against the headlines, rumors, and PR nightmares created by both of their exes. However, neither of them can deny the feelings they have for each other for long.

I absolutely loved this book! It’s the first that I’ve read from this author but I am certain it won’t be the last. The story and characters drew me in right away. I really enjoyed the celebrity romance aspect of the book, along with the power dynamics that Ella had to fight against her ex. Miles was really just my favorite kind of MMC- cinnamon roll sweet, caring, and absolutely gone for Ella from the first moment he meets her. I devoured this in a day and would recommend to any romance reader, especially those who love a celebrity romance.

3.75⭐️ This book was a slowwwwwww burn but very cute. I loved how sweet the Miles was and how patient he was with the Ella. I love reading books about black women being able to be loved properly

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! This is what a romance enthusiast wants to read! I was pulled in my the pain points of both characters; her a loveless controlling marriage, him having to rebrand his image after the fight with his team mate who was sleeping with his wife. THE TENSION! Every plot point in this book is laid out soooo intentionally and purposeful. I legit could not put this book down. I wish that we could've heard from Miles' point of view, but that would've just been the cherry on a perfectly written book! I found myself drowning in the small moments when they were falling for each other...him watching sleepless in Seattle, their voice notes, her reading the Jackie Robinson book! Their small moments were just as beautiful as the first time they made love, and when they both realized the depth of their feelings for each other!!! I really hope real romance fans find their way to this book!

Oh my god, this book is sooooo good! I started it after work yesterday and finished it this morning before work because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Myah Ariel writes like a seasoned veteran, and this is only her second published novel. I wanted to bathe in the full range of emotions between Ella and Miles. So delicious. (And a side note: I request a book for Jamie and Gabe, please!). Thanks to Berkley for the ARC.

This book was amazing to read and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The banter between the characters was well written, the overall development of the plot and characters was great, and it was truly a pleasure to read. Overall, I cannot wait to purchase the physical copy to add to my home library and I am looking forward reading it again.

The book had some good witty banter between the two main characters. I love the friendships that Ella’s has cultivated with her main group of friends. The representation of a male leading character who has a speech impediment (stuttering) was also very refreshing. I gave the book 3 stars because it was just ok for me.

Thank you Berkley Romance for this free e-ARC! Ariel does 2 things very well: 1) painting a vivid picture of unending yearning and 2) celebrity romances. Ella and Miles are two celebrities navigating difficult situations, all within the public eye. Everything becomes complicated once it’s decided that they should enter into a PR relationship. From the studio, to the baseball field, you’ll really enjoy the banter, heat, and drama of their love story. I wish there were a couple more instances of their chemistry depicted through the story. Either way, I was locked in the entire time.

NO ORDINARY LOVE comes out in April 2025, and I can’t wait for others to enjoy this as much as I did!

I devoured this 😍

~ Ella is an R&B singer going through a nasty divorce with her music producer and Miles is an MLB star trying to clean up his bad boy image. A wardrobe malfunction at the Grammy’s leaves the public wanting more of the two and Ella’s upcoming music video leaves the perfect opportunity for just that. What starts as an arrangement quickly turns into more ~

I’m obsessed with this! Started and finished the same day because I genuinely could not put it down. The chemistry between Ella and Miles was breathtaking. The drama with Ella and her ‘husband’ was actually a great addition! Watching her navigate the divorce and everything that came with it was so inspiring.

This author is definitely on my watch list. 😍

Singer & pro athlete
Forced proximity
He falls first

OMG! loved this book!
i finished it in a day!! so good. so beautiful. she did it again.
I do wish it slowed down a bit because i wanted more at the end. but love it

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free e-ARC!

I enjoyed this book! When I heard this was inspired by Mariah Carey and her whirlwind romance with Derek Jeter I was all in! I loved Ella's story and how despite the things going on with her personal life, she would not back down from a fight when it came to her ex. She had an amazing support system, not only from Miles, but with her friends and divorce lawyer too. They saw what she was going through and understood that she needed the support, but I also loved that she was willing to support them through their needs too. It was a truly balance friendship.

I love the swoon-worthy moments between Ella and Miles. Every time they were on page together I was giggling and kicking my feet. They were so fun to read that I actually wish I got more of them through the story, but I still think that was a good balance. Toward the end of the book, pacing seemed to move at high speed, but maybe the reason for that was that I just wanted more time to soak them up when it feeling seemed like Ella was almost free from her messy divorce. I still think the story wrapped up nicely though! I'm very interested to see what Jamie and Gabe have going on so I hope they get a book in the future! I will definitely be reading if that is the case.

This book was everything that I expected it to be after reading Myah's debut book, When I Think of You. She has quickly moved to the top list of my must buy authors. I cant wait to add a personal copy of No Ordinary Love to my bookshelf! Watching Ella's character development and her gain strength to take back her life and career was refreshing. I love how Myah shows Myles patience with Ella and her situation all while remaining supportive and dealing with his on issues. Also, I hope we get a book with Jamie as the FMC.