4.25/5 🌟

Thank you Berkley for the e-ARC! I knew this was going to be fantastic from the first chapter. Ella Simone is going through a messy divorce with her soon-to-be ex-husband. She’s counting down the moments to the finalization of this divorce and trying to make it through without an PR disasters. One night at the award’s show, Ella is expected to give an award with a special MLB player, Miles Westbrook. What starts off in a game time decision, this turns into a swoon worthy romance and it did not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and some of my favorite moments were the VMs, the Gucci situation, and the Gala aftermath. This was a beautiful sophomore novel from Myah Ariel!

This week, Myah Ariel released her second novel, No Ordinary Love. It follows her previous book, When I Think of You, this time diving into the music industry, a woman going through a brutal divorce, and the new chance at love she finds along the way.

Why I Chose This Book:
I wanted to read Myah Ariel’s previous book, and I still intend to get back to it soon. But when I heard about No Ordinary Love, I knew I had to start here. Any book about music is my jam. Here, it’s modern R&B and pop inspired by 1990s and 2000s legends.

What I Liked:
- So! Much! Music! There are countless references to R&B artists and specific songs throughout this novel, and it really places everything perfectly in terms of the kind of artist Ella Simone is. Her stage name is inspired by the greats Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. She covers songs by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, and even the novel’s title comes from her own song “No Ordinary Love,” itself an interpolation of Sade’s song of the same name. From start to finish, this novel is infused with music and a love for it.
- And music business! Ella is a Grammy-winning artist, and we get to see the behind-the-scenes of her professional life, albeit not while recording new music. From attending award shows to filming music videos to dealing with the media and her controlling label, we get to see what it’s like beyond the music itself.
- Emotions are on full display. I didn’t realize how emotional this book would be going into it. Ella is going through a rough divorce and has a lot of feelings of self-doubt. This novel isn’t heavy, but it does show Ella at her most vulnerable, and it makes her all the more endearing.
- Sweet romance in the aftermath of betrayal. Let’s not forget that this is a romance! In the midst of her divorce from her cheating husband, Ella is also finding love with Miles Westbrook, a pitcher for the LA Dodgers. He is such a sweetheart! He’s open and honest, kind, and everything Ella deserves. He has a stutter, something I rarely see in books, which is another plus.

Final Thoughts
I completely loved No Ordinary Love. Both Ella and Miles are such likable characters and I enjoyed seeing them open up to each other. Ella’s team is wonderful, too. This is the perfect novel for anyone who loves music, especially R&B and pop of the ’90s and 2000s. I am officially a fan of Myah Ariel and will be reading more of her books!

Another stunning story of black love that feels like the 90s romance we’ve been missing. A beautiful, intense romance that felt meant to be. The gravitational pull between these two characters was igniting.

This was a great follow up novel to When I Think of You. A superstar R&B singer and an MLB pitcher have.a chance meeting at the Grammys where she actually ends up in his shirt because he stepped on her dress unraveling it 2 minutes before they were set to present an award. While the sparks fly, there's just one little problem - our R&B superstar Ella is going through a messy divorce from her producer husband. Miles also has some baggage that he has to overcome and we go along for the ride as we see these two fall in love unconventionally since they are both super busy. The only thing that was missing from this book was actually seeing them 'date' in the real world. So much of their being together was done in private so I wished the book was just a little longer to capture that element of Ella and Miles' story.

3.5 stars. This book started off good but then slowed down in the middle. It did pick up a little bit at the end. I liked how Ella’s anxiety was mentioned a few times, but wished it had been mentioned more. I also liked both main characters, especially as a match. Thanks to @berkley for the free book . My review is unbiased.

The way I ate this book up! There were so many things that I absolutely loved. Diving into the music industry world was fun, and I enjoyed the popstar/MLB player aspect. Ella is such a strong but vulnerable character, who has been mistreated and taken advantage of by her soon to be ex husband. This is depicted in flashbacks throughout her marriage, and my heart broke for her. But Miles is perfect! He can relate to what Ella goes through, and is so sweet and supportive. I have heard that this was inspired by Mariah Carey and Derek Jeter’s whirlwind romance in the 90s, and I am definitely here for that. The chemistry and pull between Ella and Miles was so good, I couldn’t get enough of them. I was obsessed with the way he called her dream girl 🥹They were definitely meant to be!


Read/listen if you like ⇣
•PR relationship
•He falls first
•Forced proximity
•Popstar FMC
•Bad boy MLB player MMC
•Single POV
•Spice

Thank you to Berkley romance for the ARC!

Thank you Berkley and Berkley romance for the free book amd to Netgalley as well, for access to the e-arc!

A book whose main characters are a famous pop singer and a star MLB pitcher? Yes please! I knew from the start that I would eat this book up, and I wasn't wrong.

Ella Simone's marriage is crumbling. And her philadering husband, who unfortunately has been at the helm of her entire career, is playing hardball. Suffice it to say, this is not the best time for her to cross paths with Miles Westbrook, MLBs most eligible bachelor. But love doesn't always follow convenient timelines.

It was so fun to read about the ins and outs of a famous musician. Definitely a topic that I'm not familiar with! And Ella was such a lovely character. She was scrambling to deal with the fall-out of her husband's divorce demands, but she was truly a kind and caring person. And Miles was a gem! From the minute he and Ella met it was obvious that he'd move mountains for her. The two of them had wonderful chemistry and I was rooting for them, despite the many obstacles in their path.

It's also important to note that the author did a fantastic job incorporating topics of race, disabilities and spousal control/abuse. Those serious topics could have brought down the whole tone of the book, but Myah Ariel wrote about them in such a way that they truly enriched the reading experience and made it even more enjoyable.

Singer Ella Simone is dealing with some heavy stuff, with the impending end of her marriage to an industry producer. She is pushing through and staying on top of her game, while keeping her inner circle even closer. A near wardrobe malfunction at a major award show could have been disastrous, but thankfully sexy major league pitcher, Miles Westbrook, who inadvertently caused the issue, swoops in for the save. This brief, but impactful encounter thrusts Ella and her team into damage control of sorts. Miles is cast in Ella's sensual music video, and she agrees to perform for his foundation's gala. The lines are blurred between what is real and what's not. One thing is for certain, these two have explosive chemistry that jumps off the pages. We learn that while Ella going through a divorce, Miles recently ended his marriage, and they are both dealing with the drama that goes along with that. Ms. Ariel explores if Ella and Miles can build something special with each other, while navigating their celebrity status.

I enjoyed this book. Ms. Ariel has a love for music that is highlighted in her work. I liked the creativity of Ella's stage name, which was a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone. The book was written solely from Ella's point of view. I enjoyed Ella and Miles' scenes and enjoyed her interactions with her friends. I did find myself missing Miles' point of view. Overall, I enjoyed the book and will keep following Ms. Ariel's work. I received an ARC from Netgalley in return for this review.

A captivating celebrity romance! It’s sexy as F***!

This book hooked me with its epic love story. One fierce women who fights for what she deserves including love. A MLB superstar healing from his own heartbreak as fate brings them together for one sizzling romance.

Their chemistry is off the charts. This page-turner is worthy of a binge read. No Ordinary Love was just an enjoyable story.

A MUST READ for fans of this genre.

Thank you Berkley Romance.

I enjoyed the story unfolding between Ella and Miles. This story really highlights the strength of a woman especially when faced with divorce and the threat of losing her career. What started off as a stunt turned into soo much more and I loved every part of this story. I was a bit lost when the story ended with so much but was happy when it was finished with the epilogue. This is definitely a story I would love to see a part 2 and read more about Ella’s new life as well as the friends that were around her. I could see this having a spinoff or two and hope to get more of these characters. I rounded mine out to a 4 star read only because of how high the last chapters left me only to be left with wanting more to what was going on.

Thank you so much to Berkley for the e-arc!

Ella and Miles. This was a very endearing love story. There are important themes explored such as privilege, power, and double standards. Miles is one of the sweetest MMCs I have read about in a while. These two gave me butterflies as I was reading!

Very grateful to the publisher @berkleyromance and @acebooks for my #gifted copy through @netgalley , opinions are my own

I really enjoyed No Ordinary Love.
It’s a story about self-discovery, second chances, and finding the courage to start over. Ella’s journey was inspiring, and I loved seeing her grow more confident after leaving her toxic marriage. Her friendships were a highlight for me—their support and humor added so much warmth to the story.
Miles was a swoon-worthy love interest! His patience, kindness, and the way he encouraged Ella made their romance feel genuine. The voice notes they exchanged were such a sweet touch, showing their growing connection.
The pacing felt rushed at times, and I wanted more scenes between Ella and Miles. The ending also wrapped up a bit too quickly. Still, this was a fun and heartfelt read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves celebrity romance and strong female characters.

4.5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Out Now! Happy Release Day!

This is a standalone romance book, not yet apart of a series, but maybe it will be (🤞🏾). It’s told in the first person from Ella’s perspective.

Ella is working on closing the current stages of her life to enter a new one. She got married young and was swept up in a whirlwind romance, only to realize, at the very least, her marriage isn’t what she wants or deserves.

Miles is a professional baseball player who has recently moved through his own controversy and public divorce.

The two feel attraction the moment they lay eyes on each other, and their relationship only deepens with time. There’s no real third act break up and I appreciate the open communication they had with each other.

Miles was relatively understanding and sweet. I enjoyed learning about his backstory. i wasn’t missing his POV, but I do wish we got more of Miles and Ella together because things moved pretty fast with them.

There are many current pop culture references in this book, and while one made me chuckle, that part of it wasn’t for me.

I did like seeing Ella’s relationship with her glam squad, her manager, her mother, and her ex. Those details made her into a well rounded character and helped understand some of her intentions and reservations.

I also really like the author’s writing style. It felt poetic at times. The flashbacks, I think, were also used well to better understand what Ella was working with.

OVERALL

Overall, I give this a 4.5 out of 5 star. As a whole I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more work by this author.

Myah Ariel's No Ordinary Love includes some of my favorite components in a romance: an undeniable pull between two characters, a glamorous celebrity backdrop, and dialogue that will have you kicking your feet with joy. Ella and Miles's journey to their happily ever after is refreshingly grounded, navigating the complexities of their world. Through Ella's perspective, Ariel masterfully portrays the pressures of fame and the constant scrutiny of life in the public eye, shedding light on her motivations and highlighting the perfect balance she finds with Miles. The hard-earned resolution is genuinely rewarding.

While the central romance is beautifully executed, I did find myself wanting more insight into Ella's "butterfly era" and the exciting new opportunities that are mentioned at the end of the novel. Selfishly, I want to know more about Ella's friends, Rodney and Jamie, and hope I get to explore their love stories. Read No Ordinary Love if you are looking for a grounded, heartwarming, and passionate love story.

I am such a huge fan on Myah Ariel's writing. Her writing is thoughtful, caring, soft, and heartfelt. I was obsessed with her previous release so I had high hopes for this title. I think the story itself is good but I wanted deeper emotions from the both characters. Shockingly, I did not feel any butterflies when reading this book although I love both leading characters. As a Los Angeles native, the touches of Blackness in Los Angeles made my heart swell. I guess I just wanted more romance, not sex but confessions of love. Nonetheless, I will always read her work because I do like her writing style a lot!

This book could not be more perfect. I read the whole thing in a day while I was traveling and I could not put it down. The heat and the tension and also the totally realistic and relatable pain Ella was experiencing with her divorce, all of it was so incredibly well drawn on the page. This is one I will be thinking about for a long time!

No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel
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Ella is in the midst of a messy divorce with a music mogul when she meets Miles. She needs to keep her head down and get through this divorce, but there is just this connection between them.
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What I liked:
-When I heard this book was inspired by Mariah Carey’s and Derek Jeter’s romance, I wanted to read it so bad. There was something about just knowing that inspiration behind this story that made it more enjoyable.
-Poor Ella was going through so much and she didn’t let it hold her back from going after what she wanted. I LOVED that about her.
-And Miles was such a great guy! I adored him and his story. How much he wanted to protect the people he cared for.
-I loved the story and was so happy when certain people got what was coming to them. The way it ended was perfect.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you love stories about love and the love of music then add this to your shelf.

𝑁𝑜 𝑂𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 is like a poetic dance of romance and melody with the mixture of emotions and chemistry. It was more than a love story for me because of the music references as they create a dynamic rhythm that resonates with the characters’ journey to love. I especially loved how the fusion of the music I know and love and the story connects the chemistry between Elle and Miles adding a personal connection. One in particular was the singer Joe’s song 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠) 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑀𝑎𝑛 𝑊𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝐷𝑜. I can vividly picture a moment in my past when I sang those lyrics from within my soul. 🤭 It definitely made me chuckle reading it on page.

🎧The audiobook adds to the story perfectly. It added a voice that feels authentic to the characters. Elle and Miles are definitely a hot ❤️‍🔥 couple! This is why I love pairing audiobooks with the physical (or ebook). With the right narrator, audiobooks like this makes for an enjoyable time!

Title: No Ordinary Love
Author: Myah Ariel
Publisher: Berkley
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"No Ordinary Love" by Myah Ariel

My Insight: 'No Ordinary Love' is an engaging romantic story featuring Ella and Miles, keeping readers hooked from beginning to end. Seeing how the player, Elliot, fits into the narrative is intriguing. The story revolves around Ella, an R&B star going through a divorce, and Miles, a professional baseball player. I don't want to reveal too much and spoil the plot, but prepare for a beautifully written story showcasing a strong woman navigating her way in today's world.

Thank you, Net Gallery and Berkley, for a good read.

Synopsis: Struggling through a high-profile divorce from her music producer ex, singer Ella Simone is trying to lay low until she meets pro baseball player, Miles Westbrook.

Thoughts: Swoon-worthy romance alert! I was immediately in when I heard Myah say this was inspired by Mariah Carey’s romance with Derek Jeter in her Butterfly era. This story feels so real and raw. Ella, despite being a huge celebrity, is such a relatable character with her relationship mess and her journey to rediscover herself. And Miles is an amazingly supportive MMC. Their sweet and steamy romance is perfection.

Read this if you like:
🎤 Hollywood romance
🎤 singer x pro baseball player
🎤 forced proximity