I loved this so much, I wanted it to be a little longer!

I loved seeing Ella find her independence and become more confident in herself and asking for what she deserves.

I wish we would have gotten more scenes of Ella and Miles actually together, especially in the end! I would have loved to see how they announced their relationship and their public date. This wrapped up a little too quickly, but that goes to show how much I loved them.

From the moment I laid eyes on the cover, I was captivated (FMC gives Mya vibes)—it’s absolutely stunning. But it’s not just the aesthetics that shine; the story itself is a brilliant, emotional rollercoaster that I couldn’t put down. The author does an incredible job of making the narrative feel relatable, especially with the inclusion of real-life musical artists that truly add depth to the world of the characters. And the drama? It’s perfectly woven into the storyline, keeping me engaged from start to finish.

The journey of the FMC was especially touching. As a public figure navigating life post-divorce, she deserves not only a flourishing career but also the kind of love that redeems and uplifts. I was rooting for her every step of the way. The attention to detail in the characters’ careers and their personal histories adds so much richness to the plot—each element felt well thought-out and genuine.

The chemistry between Miles and Ella is undeniable. Their connection, which builds gradually throughout the story, feels completely authentic, and the "spicy" moments are perfectly timed and wonderfully written. The pacing of their attraction was spot-on, making their eventual romance all the more satisfying.

Ella’s glam squad (her loyal friends) were a delightful addition. Their humor and supportiveness provide a perfect balance to the tension in the story. They're the kind of friends we all wish we had in our lives, and their presence added a lighthearted charm to the narrative.

Overall, this was a beautifully crafted story, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it unfold. While Myah’s debut novel was strong, this one is an undeniable step forward—more polished, more compelling, and brimming with heart.

𝙽𝙾 𝙾𝚁𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙰𝚁𝚈 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮
𝙈𝙔𝘼𝙃 𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙇

No Ordinary Love was a beautiful story & loved watching it unfold! It had me to engaged in the storyline. I loved all the characters, especially Ella & Miles! Ella’s character & her life felt so real, raw & relatable. After everything she’s been thru & the mess she dealt with during her divorce.. she deserved a good guy. And Miles was it & I was here for it! Miles was sweet, thoughtful & swoon worthy! Ella took back her life & found herself. Which makes her a strong & fierce woman. Ella & Miles are everything & I loved them together! Amazing read & a must read!

Thank you so much @berkleypub @berkleyromance @acebookspub for the amazing free book!

#BerkleyPartner #AceBooksPartner

Thank you PRH Audio and Berkley Romance for my gifted copies. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed When I Think Of You when I read it last year, and I loved No Ordinary Love!

First of all, the narration by Yinka Ladeinde was fantastic!

From the first moment No Ordinary Love had me hooked! I alternated a few times between the audiobook and the ebook so I didn’t have to stop reading. Pop-star Ella Simone meets MLB star pitcher Miles Westbrook at an award show. They’re set to announce an award together and meet she’s having a wardrobe malfunction and he saves the day. Their connection and chemistry was instant. The incident creates a media frenzy and Miles and Ella end up leaning into the frenzy to benefit both of them but they both quickly catch feelings. I loved how they both dealt with their pasts and communicated with each other. I also loved Ella’s agent/stylist and how they supported her.

I can’t wait for more books from Myah Ariel!

As a music lover, No Ordinary Love transported me straight back to the '90s, stirring up a wave of nostalgia, like rediscovering an old mixtape or recording songs off the radio as a teen. It beautifully captured that sentimental vibe, and I felt deeply connected to Ella as she tried to rediscover herself after a high-profile divorce from her music producer husband.

I really loved the natural, easy chemistry between Ella and Miles. Watching their bond unfold, especially once Ella stopped resisting and leaned into the connection, was such a joy. The voice notes they shared made me smile so hard; they felt so genuine and familiar, like something you'd experience in real life. Given all they’d both been through, and the cloud of public scrutiny hanging over them, it was heartwarming to see them find a sense of “normal” with each other.

While I understand this was Ella’s story, I found myself wishing we could’ve gotten a peek into Miles’s perspective too, especially because their dynamic was so compelling.

Overall, the book was beautifully written, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

No Ordinary Love” is my first experience reading Miah Ariel, and I was immediately drawn in by the title, cover, and blurb. From the very beginning, I found myself rooting for Ella as she navigated the aftermath of a messy divorce from her despicable ex-husband. I don’t think I’ve ever hated a character more; I genuinely wanted him to face the worst consequences possible! When Ella met Miles, I was thrilled. He’s portrayed as such a sweet guy, and I eagerly anticipated their chemistry unfolding as they navigated their budding romance. I absolutely loved the voice notes, and the music video became one of my favorites. However, I couldn’t help but feel that I wanted more from their relationship. The focus on Ella and the overall plot overshadowed the romance, which suffered significantly as a result. I craved more scenes featuring the couple together, allowing me to truly feel their connection. The single POV also played a significant role in how I perceived their relationship. I longed to understand Miles’s thoughts and feelings regarding their connection; being shut out from his perspective diminished my confidence in their happily ever after. If I’m being honest, I would have preferred the celebrity element to be toned down in favor of developing more on-page interactions between Ella and Miles. Additionally, I felt the divorce was a major factor in the story, yet we never got to witness it unfold on the page. This left me wanting more context and depth. The pacing throughout the narrative was at times inconsistent, which caused certain segments to feel excessively drawn-out. While the story did pick up towards the end, I found it somewhat underdeveloped. Overall, I felt there were numerous missed opportunities that the author did not capitalize on. I believe I would have enjoyed this story much more if it had been written in a dual POC. It felt more like women's fiction to me, as the emphasis was primarily on Ella and her healing journey, despite the romantic elements. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy celebrity romance and are not bothered by single POV storytelling.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the ARC! Once I saw that this romance story was inspired by Mariah Carey’s relationship with Derek Jeter, I was immediately sat!

This book was more than a romance story. It was a story about Ella’s journey to independence and finding her power after being in a toxic/controlling relationship. The relationship between Ella and her ex-husband was written in such a real and vulnerable way that I think a lot of Black women navigating similar experiences will be able to relate to her. I found myself rooting for Ella through the book, which made her journey back to herself my favorite part!

While this is a quick read, I do wish we had more time with Ella and Miles. At certain points in the book, it felt like their love story was moving too fast or didn’t have enough depth that matched their feelings for one another. I think having Miles’ POV could’ve helped me feel more connected to their love story. Otherwise, I did enjoy the banter and tension when they were together, especially towards the end. Also, the real celebrity names were also kind of distracting…not so much that it took away too much from the reading experience, but I could’ve done without it. Overall cute romance story but it does leave you wanting more!

Thanks to Berkley and Netgallery for the ARC of Myah Ariel's book No Ordinary.

First and foremost I adored Myah's debut novel, when I think of you, so I was excited to read her new book. I am sad to say this one didn't particularly reached my expectations. I don't know if it was the constant pop culture references, or the pace of the book but something didn't click for me. Nothing to do with the writing, Myah is a great author but the story as a whole would've benefit from a dual POV.

I will continue to read anything Myah writes because like I said the problem was not the writing style, the story just didn't met my expectations.

No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel is an emotionally rich and beautifully layered romance that dives deep into the complexities of love, healing, and second chances.

The story centers around Ella Simone , a R&B singer in the process of getting a divorce from her husband/producer while trying to keep it under wraps from the media. When she has a little some issues with her outfit for the Grammy’s, MLB player Miles Westbrook sets in and from there chemistry starts brewing.

The chemistry between the leads is palpable, the dialogue is realistic and often poetic, and the emotional depth gives the book its soul. Myah Ariel doesn’t shy away from hard truths—there are moments of grief, doubt, and insecurity—but each one is written with care and intention.

If there’s any critique, it’s that some transitions could have been smoother, and a few supporting characters felt underdeveloped. However, those are small issues in an otherwise standout debut (or novel, depending on where it falls in her catalog).

No Ordinary Love is a tender reminder that real love—the kind that sees you, holds space for your pain, and calls you higher—is never ordinary. It’s rare, it’s messy, and it’s worth it..

Myah Ariel's sophomore novel is a stunner. This story about a singer finding the love she deserves hit me right in the heart—the healing, chemistry, and drama were perfectly balanced, creating a cathartic and swoony romance. I would die for these characters. Adored it!

Thank you Berkley & NetGalley. I enjoyed No Ordinary Love. After obsessing over When I Think of You, I knew I would be reading anything Myah Ariel writes.

The FMC Ella is my namesake, and I still get excited about seeing my name places—it made reading this even more fun.

My only wishes is that we got to spend more time with Miles and Ella dating and navigating their relationship. However, the time we did get with them interacting was so sweet. He knew she needed patience and understanding and delivered. Ohhhh, & I do wish we got me information about her & her mom. That entire situation felt rushed.

I loved how Ella and her friends showed up for each other. I do think the ending was a little fast since we didn’t really get too much of Ella and Miles dating, but the romantic parts hit so good that it was alright with me in the end.

Extra points for some of my favorite songs being mentioned. The last song—Donny Hathaway’s A Song for You—is a PERFECT choice. I love that song so much. It felt so good reading that, because everybody deserves a love like that.

3.5 stars ✰
⟶ yalll this was actually so cute 🥹

💌 ❝ And like this love, our kiss has no end in sight. All at once, it is letting go and holding on, a secret and a confession, a fight and a surrender. But most of all, it is a promise that neither one of us will have to be alone, not so long as a love like ours exists in the world. ❞ 💌

guys im so shocked by how much I was giggling throughout this. miles being a cutesy shy man with a stutter was the last thing I was expecting when I read the blurb and saw him being described as ‘pro-athlete bad boy’ like that is so not the case he’s actually the sweetest mmc ever <33

💌 ❝ “So, I’m a . . . fan,” he says, piercing the awkwardness. And surprisingly, his words are stilted, like now that we’ve been left alone for probably only a minute—at least I hope it’s only been that long—he’s nervous in my presence. “Of y-your music that is.” ❞ 💌

like no way you’re calling him a bad boy😭 no but if you love fake dating, celebrity romance, a sweet mmc, you’ll love this it was so cute and such a fun time!! i feel bad i read it after the release date but I didn’t think id enjoy it as much as i did it took me by surprise.

💌 ❝ “Because you see me,” I tell him as the dam finally breaks and my tears fall. “And you actively love what you see. I can feel it in your touch, hear it in your voice, see it on your face. And I see you too.” ❞ 💌

this scene reminds me so much of the song “you are in love” by taylor swift 🥹🥹 which made me love it even more.

my main complaint about this book was the drama she had with her toxic cheating ex i hated him and we kept getting flashbacks to when they were married and in love and it pissed me off LMAO 😭

thank you berkley publishing group and netgalley for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

I adored this book and flew through it! And then loved it even more after hearing the author speak at a webinar by the publisher.

I love celebrity romances - so give me a popstar and a baseball player and I am all for it! The tension was just truly so well-written - and ultimately pays off so well! Literally the romance had me giggling and made me keep turning the pages because I wanted to see them get together. I love that the relationship felt so mature - we had two grown adults with their own baggage, and they found a soft, safe space in one another. It was just heartwarming, in the least cheesy way possible.

I particularly loved the journey of our FMC - seeing her find her own worth, voice and artistry, and overcoming her toxic relationship.

4.5⭐️ No Ordinary Love was the sophomore release by Myah Ariel, and I must say I ran through the pages so quickly. I found the storyline to be sweet, relevant, and enjoyable. The phrase “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” immediately came to mind by the end because that’s what happened in the story.
Ella Simone was an R&B artist, who married her producer, Elliot. The two were going through a divorce when fate placed her in the same room with Miles, an MLB player. Their chemistry oozed from the pages and continued to develop throughout the book. Miles was described as “the best kind of friend. The best teammate. The best partner.” I couldn’t agree more. Miles was just what Ella needed while she navigated a difficult journey.
I really enjoyed this story, but I would have loved to hear Miles’ voice on page. He was such a charmer and the way he poured life into his “dream girl” was literally my favorite perfection. I felt Elliot deserved a greater downfall. But I digress. I think I just wanted the absolute worst to happen to him lol! I also felt the relationship with Ella and her mother was underwhelming. I felt like her mother wasn’t supportive and reeked of jealousy. She placed Elliott on a high pedestal, when he was actually a manipulative person. Smh! But, those things helped to move the story forward. Ella and Miles overcame the uncertainty and reached their HEA! Good job on this one!

2/5 stars

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance or @acebookspub for this ARC of No Ordinary Love! This was highly anticipated by me so I was so thankful to receive this!!

Now...onto the review.

I'll start off with what i did like about this book. The writing. Myah Ariel is a beautiful writer yall. I loved her descriptions and use of language overall. This is my first Myah Ariel book, so i was very pleasantly surprised to see how beautiful her use of words were!

However, writing and storytelling are two different things.

The story....it felt empty. It felt....like there was no plot? It almost felt like time had been frozen and the plot simply was not moving along. We get really random flashbacks that do nothing for the story, no sense of timeframe throughout the book, and very random bits and pieces of...well...nothing? I'm just not sure what the point of this entire story was. Ella gets divorced from her terrible producer Elliot, and we dont get much about HOW or WHY he is terrible besides what he did in the prenup. I wanted to hate the guy but didnt even hate him until we got the ONE scene with him in it at like 70% when they were sitting at the table.

Then Miles? I mean ok. LMAOOOO yall like when i tell you there was like zero plot i genuinely have no idea who these characters were. They just had no depth to them whatsoever. I knew nothing about Miles except he had a stutter? I think? Played baseball, and his momma had him young. Thats all i got. Like...there was just nothing in this book given to really care about the characters and who they were.

Literally i get to the end, and mind you Ella married Elliot 5 months into knowing him at 20 years old. She now tells Miles at 29 she loves him THREE MONTHS IN. ?????????????????? Did...did we learn nothing? Like am i missing something? Is it me?

Then the way this ends? Hello? The same way im running out of what to say about this book is the same way the book simply ended like it ran out of things to say. Like...we got more of the Glam teams ending than we did Ella and Miles.

Also??????!!?!?!??! The use of real life celebrities in this? Save me. Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, DUA LIPAAAAA? I knew what they had going on in this book before i could even remember the FMCs name. Like. Please. I know for context it was relevant to the story in a way, but when i tell you it was SO irritating. "Well I'm not Queen Bey but-" girl please save it. I just wish this was less about the industry and what "TheShadeRoom" had to say (yes they are actually mentioned in this book- again SAVE ME) and more about the romance. The romance just felt ridiculously secondary.

I'm sad. LMAOOO. I wanted to like this so bad!! I mean the cover? The synopsis? Reeled me in like a catfish OKAYYYYY. But the pages between the cover and synopsis..baby what we doing? Sadness and despair. I literally emailed Berkley nearly begging for this book lmaooooooooo. Sighhhh. You cant like them all i guess. lol.

Myah Ariel does it again!! An auto-buy author, for sure!

Thanks so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance for the free eARC!❤️

Any book that makes me tear up where I can just feel the love coming off the pages and the honesty between lovers is always going to be a win for me. I totally felt that while reading about Miles & Ella!

First off, I love the '90's R&B/ pop culture vibes that this book gives. There are a lot of names & movies that are mentioned, some that I had honestly forgotten about! All the musical mentions fit the exact mood, pace & timing of Miles & Ella's relationship as it unfolds. Perfection!

Both Ella & Miles have very public careers and are struggling with the after effects of a divorce. Myah Ariel does a great job of creating a scene where you can feel everything from the scene to the tension between Ella & Miles pop off the pages. This was a very believable, sultry, romantic slow-burn!

Miles is very much boyfriend material. He is very sweet, careful and understanding and just wants Ella to feel appreciated & wanted. 😍

I'll just be waiting here for the next book from this author! 🤭

No Ordinary Love
4.5⭐️/5
Publication Day - April 1st 2025
Genre - Adult romance

Thanks for the free eARC @berkleyromance @berkleypub #berkleypartner #acebookspartner

Ella Simone a recording artist for Onyx Records she’s currently separated from her husband a renowned music producer Elliot Majors. Ella’s connection with Miles might just be her downfall right before she finalizes her divorce.

Miles Westbrook a baseball superstar,
who recently survived a messy divorce. Miles gets into a PR relationship with a superstar musician.

Ella is surrounded with awesome friends. Miles on the other hand grew up with supportive grandparents. This is such a sweet, cute and heartwarming love story. The relationship between Ella and Miles is swoon-worthy🥰😘😍. It’s fast-paced and easy to read.

The only reason I didn’t rate it a 5⭐️. I felt we could have gotten more from Ella and Miles story.

This is my first book by the author and I love her style of writing🥰😍

4.5⭐️ I love a good celebrity romance! There’s something irresistible about peeking into the glamorous lives of the rich and famous, but No Ordinary Love surprised me by being deeper and more impactful than I expected.

Ella is navigating a tough divorce after being betrayed by her husband who is very powerful in the music industry and had a hand in her career success. This story focuses on her journey to break free, reclaim her independence, and find happiness in the aftermath of her life’s upheaval.

The connection between Ella and Miles felt mature and well developed, and there was no shortage of swoon! Their romance felt both heartfelt and steamy, with undeniable chemistry in every scene. Miles struggles with a stutter throughout the book and I just wanted to hug him🫶🏼

I also loved the strong friendships in this book. Ella has the kind of ride or die friends every woman needs after she’s been wronged by a man.

If you love feel good, second chance at love, “getting her groove back” romances, don’t miss this one!

**Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.**

Thank you @berkleyromance for the free book!

⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶️ 2/5

When I saw this was based on the relationship between Derek Jeter and Mariah Carey during her Butterfly era, I was totally on board! I mean, a young Derek Jeter!? SWOON! 🤭 And honestly, it lived up to all of my expectations! I loved Miles SO much! Not to mention, I am a total sucker for a celebrity romance and this ticked ALL the boxes!

This was such a beautiful forbidden (kinda) romance. These two could not deny their instant attraction (not in the insta lovey way at all)! Both had their own reservations about starting something new: Ella was in the midst of a very public, messy divorce, and Miles was healing from finding out his wife had an affair with his teammate. These two were going through it!

From their wardrobe snafu meet-cute, to the little notes Ella and Miles sent each other when they couldn’t be together, it was so sweet seeing their hearts grow fonder for one another even over distance.

I absolutely loved Ella’s Glam Squad. Their unwavering support for her in both her personal and professional life was amazing to see. Mixed with their unrestrained realness, this friend group was the absolute best. I just loved everything about them!

On the other end of things, there was Ella’s ex Elliott, who was truly THE WORST! His manipulation and just overall horrendous attitude made me so mad! So glad he got what he deserved! 👏🏼👏🏼

All around this romance was perfect. The characters, the plot, the depth. We got it all! I did want a bit more, especially at the end. I wanted to see Elliott suffer (as he deserved), especially after pulling a stunt like that. I feel like that situation wrapped up too easily.

I have this author’s debut on my shelf and I know I will be moving it up the list! I cannot wait to read more from her!

pop star x athlete has honestly become a new trope I have recently discovered and my life is honestly changed for the better.

"Something happens when faced with a bully who no longer has a hold on you. Eventually, you get the spark to fight back"

rating: 4/5

includes:
❀ pop star x athelete (baseball)
❀ fake dating
❀ black love
❀ found family
❀ he falls first

don't know how to describe it but this felt like I was watching a 90's r&b music video/song come to life. as someone who makes very specific spotify playlists, you could have easily just put some of your favorite 90's/early r&b songs in the background and just hit play and feel so immersed in the story and the characters.

ella simone is quite literally in a loveless marriage and is wanting out. I feel like one thing I want to highlight with this author is how they portrayed being in a relationship that wasn't physically abusive but one that showcases the power inbalance. as elliot her husband in a way brought her into the business, there's an idea that she owes him or that she would be nothing without him. would gladly run over elliot by the way.

fast forward to an award show where she meets miles westbrook, a baseball player from the LA dodgers and they have an instant connection. with ella in the process of the divorce, both know that being together isn't in the cards for them at the moment.

really really enjoyed seeing ella and mile's story develop and would have loved to see more post divorce. the ending seemed a little off paced for me because it kinda just ended so I feel like giving us a little more at the end would have been better.

love discovering new authors and I'm excited to continue to read and support myah ariel <3