Maddox and Talia met on a dating app and hit it off from the very beginning. They decide not to reveal too much about each other even though they are growing closer every day. Imagine their surprise when they do find out the truth about the other since Maddox is a police officer who has been straddling the fence between worlds the whole time he has been a police officer, and Talia is determined to make her mark as a lawyer at her father's law firm. Their worlds collide when Maddox is made the lead detective on the biggest case of Talia's career. After Talia ends things because of her conflicted feelings, Maddox is determined to do better for her and fights for their relationship. I was glad that Maddox decided to do the right thing involving the case which in turn made Talia forgive him for his involvement. This wasn't just a romance book. It was also a book that contained social justice aspects as well as other real life matters that our community have to endure. Mya did a wonderful job with this book that had me intrigued from the first page to the last.

May contain spoilers...



Imagine meeting someone on a dating app that prides itself on anonymity. Imagine falling hard for that person without exchanging last names or professions. Imagine starting your budding career as a lawyer and being chosen as one of a team of 8 to head up a case that will have ramifications for years to come in a community that you've sworn an oath to protect against a justice system where we oftentimes don't get a fair chance. Then imagine that the lead detective on that case just so happens to be the person you have just begun to fall in love with...

Talia and Maddox find themselves in this heartbreaking predicament. And what follows will set the tone for a battle steeped in law, corruption, justice, family, heartache and love.

This story has a little bit of everything. And if you enjoy romance intertwined with a gripping court case, Burden of Love will check all the boxes!

Thank you NetGalley, publisher Black Odyssey Media and author Mya for an advance reader’s copy in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wow, this was my first book by this author and I would for sure read one. What a ride! I enjoy the romance and the pacing throughout.

This was a 4..5 for me.

When I read the synopsis of this book and saw the cover I knew I wanted to read it and it dd not disappoint. I liked how she started off the book with the situation that was the crux of the case so it drew you in immediately then she worked her way backwards to introduce you to the main characters and how they met. Now I will say, I thought it was a little odd that Talia and Maddox didn't discuss more of the personal lives before they agreed to be together but I guess they figured the vibe was so strong so why wait and they could find out everything else later.

I feel like once Talia did learn what Maddox's profession was and that he was on the opposite side of the case she was working on she could have handled the situation a little better but I was happy that Maddox was willing to fight for her and change some of his dealings to be a better man for her because I liked the two of them together. I also appreciated that once their true identities were revealed and they were together that there weren't anymore secrets between the two.

Overall I enjoyed the book and how it all came together in the end. Thank you to the publisher Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rating: 4 ⭐️

A lawyer + lead detective sneaky link love. 🌶️🌶️
Talia and Maddox had a quick connection but it evolved to be stronger when they go through a court case.
“Everybody is capable of changing when they find the one worth evolving for.”
Will Talia find out if there is more to life than law?

Pub Date: 25FEB2025
Thank you NetGalley/ Black Odyssey for my ARC! 🫶🏾

Burden of Love by MYA is such a sweet and spicy read. A lawyer and a cop start off with a casual fling, but it turns into something real. Then they find out they’re on opposite sides of a case, and it all gets complicated. Can love really conquer everything? I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance.

I love the emotions that I felt reading this novel. I also love happy endings. Mya really brings the reader along with the characters. I can’t wait to read more from her!!!

I initially wanted to rate this a 3.5 star but the plot was really good.. the timeline was just too FAST.

You have a new lawyer, working at her family’s firm & the lead detective of her biggest case. They met under unique circumstances and fell in love before they understood the full picture and how it could impact their careers. But Maddox was not willing to lose Talia. No matter the costs. I loved how he loves her.

I couldn’t finish this book, made it into 4 chapters and DNF. I couldn’t connect with the writing. The first sec scene was very cringey to me, what they meant to come off as sexy didn’t and I couldn’t glow with the story

Thank you at NetGalley for a copy of this book. It was an enjoyable read for me and I rated it 3 stars on Goodreads. The perfect relaxing and lighthearted read. The characters were memorable and I loved the FMC relationship with her family.

Already a fan of Mya, so her first tradtional book was amazing!! I hope we get a second one or at least an update! Freaking love, it!!

*𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5 (rounded to 5.0) ⭐
*𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 3.0 🌶️

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

“𝑰’𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐.”

🆀🆄🅸🅲🅺 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂
𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 by Mya was a story of love, sacrifice, loyalty, determination, self-realization, giving back to one’s community, and the meaning of true forgiveness.

In 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 we meet Talia, a new attorney who has just been given a job as an associate at her father’s law firm. Talia’s lifelong dream has always been to be an attorney and to be the hope for the hopeless and the defender of the helpless. She has devoted years of blood, sweat, and tears to this endeavor and love and relationships have always taken a backseat in her life. But what happens when a one-night stand turns to more and the man of her dreams enters her life at the most unexpected and inopportune time? What happens when his secrets are revealed, and sides must be taken? Will Talia choose love over loyalty & duty?

I have to say that this book was so much more than what I expected it to be. It was more than just a story of black love. It discussed so many relevant and important topics that are vital to the black community and its current survival. From the very first page, I was drawn in and the prologue was so well-written that I immediately wanted to jump into the story. This was an action-packed page-turner that was easy to read, with great world building, great characters, and an inspirational plot & hopeful ending. It was so good that I was able to finish it all in one day!

In 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, we not only see how two individuals are forced to navigate life and love when outside forces that are out of their control, threaten to end their love before it even really beings, but we are also taken into a world, much like the one we are currently living in, where we learn that justice was never really blind, fair, equal, or impartial and “all men being equal in the eyes of the law” is not a true reality. I applaud the author for choosing to explore this topic and for doing so in an honest, respectful, and fearless way.

The main characters, Talia and Maddox were very well written. I loved Talia’s drive, motivation, and determination. Though she grew up in a family where she was quite well off, she never stopped thinking about those that did not have the opportunities that she did. She worked so hard to give back to her community and to stand up and be the voice for those who are often silenced by our justice system. I loved how she was steadfast in proving her clients’ innocence and that at times, she was willing to give up her happiness to ensure that her clients received real and true justice.

Maddox was a morally grey character, and I love how he was written. We see that, when he began his career as a detective, he had the purest and bests of intentions. But, as we know, life happens, decisions must be made, and Maddox was written to show us that no one is perfect; people make decisions that may not be the “best,” when they are put in a corner and can find no way out. Maddox’s internal struggles and conflicts, and his ultimate character transformation was so well done by the author. This story shows us that we have to look at and judge people by the totality of their circumstances and be willing to forgive and give second chances once the ones who make mistakes realize their wrongdoings and choose to right their wrongs.

Talia and Maddox’s chemistry was fiery and undeniable. I truly enjoyed the love story of how two people from the opposite ends of the justice system who, at the end of the day, wanted to same thing for their community, was able to find each other and true love. The way they were able to have a positive impact on each other and the way they were able to allow each other to see the good in themselves and speak life and love into each other was a great representation of black love. As a romance girlie, I loved that this book has the perfect balance of spice, plot, and character development.

Overall, this was a well-written love story that I truly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more from this author and would definitely recommend this book to those looking for an easy-to-read book with lots of romance, spice, great plot, and likable characters.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

⬇️ SOME SPOILERS MAY BE FOUND BELOW ⬇️

🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃
🤎Black Love
💛Attorney FMC
🤎Detective MMC
💛One Night Stand….to Enemies…to Lovers ?!
🤎Fiery Chemistry
💛Morally Grey MMC
🤎Secret Identities
💛Forbidden Love
🤎Touches on Social Injustices & Discrimination / Inequality in The Justice System
💛Some Thrill/Mystery
🤎Spicy (Open Door) Romance
💛HEA

🅵🅰🆅🅾🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂/🆂🅰🆈🅸🅽🅶🆂
💛 “Do not let you demons possess and taint her spirit. Her light is too bright to be dimmed or destroyed.”
🤎 “I’d cross the ends of the earth and travel the universe if you asked me to.”
💛 “When I met you, you broke down the barriers of my mind and heart. You woke my soul up and showed the neglected being that there was more to life than law. It tested the very core of my existence.”
🤎 “You are worthy of every compliment, of every kiss, of every pleasure-filled stroke I’m about to bestow upon you. You deserve to feel pleasure so powerful that we shake the clouds in heaven.”
💛 “I adore the very air you breathe. I adore you from head to toe. The mere thought of you brightens my day.”
🤎 “Our souls had tied with the world’s strongest thread.”

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

* 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 5.0 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆

Thank you Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley for the eARC of this book! I really enjoyed this book! This is the first book I’ve read of Mya’s and it definitely won’t be my last.

Well, I was not expecting this book to be sooo good! I literally stayed up half the night to finish it! Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for providing the e-advance reader copy of this book!

I feel like the premise and the entire book was so captivating! It's kinda like a forbidden romance with a twist? I also loved that the characters were like mid-level adults, vs. people in their 20s. This book had a lot of subplots that I just adored in addition to the main story of Talia and Maddox falling in love. Like the young lawyer trying to prove herself at her father's law firm, Maddox's past, family dynamics, Career vs. Living Your best life, etc. etc. I feel like each of the minor plots made sense and made the story enjoyable. I feel like this book was kinda all over the place in the best way. Like I never really knew what was going to happen in my opinion, but in a good way.

The only thing I did not like was how quickly Maddox's past and decisions were wrapped into nice, neat bow. I wished there was just a tiny bit more push back/conflict there - not necessarily with Talia, but just from the other characters. I will say there were points I was annoyed with Talia, but like I also understood where she was coming from!

I will definitely be reading more from this author!

Burden of Love
Rating 3.75⭐️
Pub Date: February 25, 2025

Talia and Maddox go from lust to love in a whirlwind romance, despite knowing very little about each other. Talia is a woman who has always been focused on her dream of becoming a lawyer. She’s worked hard for everything she has and will not risk her career or disappoint her father. On the other hand, Maddox has made some questionable career decisions in his past to support his family. Will his past come back to haunt him, or will he be able to make things right for the sake of becoming a better man—for himself and for Talia?

This book pulled me in from the very beginning. Between the fight for justice and the whirlwind romance, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I really enjoyed Talia’s passion for her career and her determination to seek justice. The strong family dynamics between both families were also refreshing, showing unconditional love and support.

That said, I did expect a twist with Maddox’s final “job,” but overall, I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it. This was my first book by Mya, but it certainly won’t be my last!

Thank you, NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media, for this digital ARC.

I enjoyed this rollercoaster of a plot the author took us on with this book.

Talia and Maddox waste no time getting straight to business, (literally) upon meeting each other their connection was so magnetic. Once they share their professions there was an immediate haunt in their relationship where some touch decisions had to be made. Talia and Maddox really showed us what sacrifice and having it all really meant to them

Rating: 3.5
Thank you Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley for this ARC
Pub date 2/25/2025

I enjoyed Burden of Love by Mya so much! I couldn't put it down! The plot and the characters had me wanting to see what happened next! This book is amazing!

Talia & Maddox was adorable in the beginning. Just starting out as a lawyer trying to prove herself at her family firm. A detective just making it through the shift with everything else on your shoulders. Then add in trying to have somewhat of a love life. But after awhile I was with Talia’s bestfriend. Like girl what’re we doingggg?! You’re a lawyer for Christ sake! And my guy!!! Please!

Babyyyy! When that intuition kick in! You better listen! That thing came for Talia HARD! I really did not see this going well at all. 😂

This story really took me through my own emotions. It had a little of everything and the flow of it all was perfect. It wasn’t rushed, there wasn’t meaningless scenes to just fill holes. It was really well crafted.

Mya really captured how we can sacrifice for love. Whether it be ourselves, our careers or the love itself.

If you need a little forbidden love and fate this is for you!

I enjoyed this Arc it kept my attention from beginning to the end. I can’t wait to get the physical copy so I can annotate on it.

EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER with a happy ending.
To be a fly on the wall would be an understatement but Ms. Mya did her thing. She really made you feel connected with the two main characters in this story.
Given the weight of each of their professions, it didn’t seem possible for the two of them to connect.
With time and persistence everything came together beautifully.
I loved the way that Mya went into depth and introduced their family members, so you could have a better understanding of them and their reasonings behind their actions.
If you want an unpredictable love story between 2 strangers who were able to hide their identity to secure the feelings they felt were true, this book is for you!!!
This book had just enough spice, drama and the dialogue was easy to follow.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read this again and again! I am rating this a Five star and I can’t wait until it’s available for purchase on February 25,2025.