Some love stories explode.
This one settles in your chest and refuses to leave.

Always Running is exactly what it promises — not a slow burn, but a slow surrender. And what makes it work so beautifully is that the surrender feels earned.

Taryn Ellison is not difficult. She’s disciplined. Guarded with intention. Built from the blueprint of watching her mother give too much to men who didn’t stay. N.W. Brown doesn’t rush her healing or soften her edges for the sake of romance. Taryn’s fear feels real. Her exit routes feel practiced. Her independence isn’t cute — it’s survival.

And then there’s Zion Wade.

Steady. Observant. Patient in a way that never feels passive. He doesn’t chase. He doesn’t demand. He understands that loving someone like Taryn means standing firm without crowding her. That restraint — that quiet consistency — becomes the most romantic gesture in the book.

The best friend’s brother dynamic simmers with history, tension, and familiarity. Their chemistry isn’t just physical (though the steamy moments carry emotional weight); it’s layered with years of almosts and what-ifs. When they finally cross the line, the story doesn’t pivot into drama for drama’s sake. Instead, it leans into something far more compelling: the vulnerability of staying.

The Wade family backdrop adds richness without overwhelming the romance. Sunday dinners, music industry legacy, sibling bonds — it all feels lived in. The setting grounds the story in culture and tradition, giving the love story space to unfold inside something bigger than just two people.

What stands out most is how intentional the pacing feels. Zion doesn’t try to “fix” Taryn. He doesn’t rush her. He simply remains. And that steadiness becomes the mirror she needs to confront her own fears — not because he forces her to, but because she wants to stop running.

Always Running understands that sometimes the scariest thing isn’t falling in love — it’s believing it might last.

Tender, emotionally grounded, and deeply satisfying, this is a romance that feels less like fireworks and more like a slow R&B groove — smooth, layered, and impossible not to sway to.

A beautiful start to The Wade Legacy.

This was such an enjoyable read from start to finish. N.W. Brown delivers a story that feels both engaging and emotionally satisfying, with characters that are easy to root for and a pace that keeps the pages turning.

What really made this book a favorite for me were the tropes. They’re woven in so naturally and effectively, hitting all the right notes without feeling forced or predictable. If you’re someone who loves familiar romance elements done well, this one absolutely delivers.

Overall, a fun, compelling read that left me smiling. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.

This book flowed so well that I didn't know that it was close to 500 pages. Taryn and Zion's story came together so beautifully. He was so patient with her, no matter how much she pushed him back. This story portrayed how you can't let others' mistakes dictate your future and that it is ok to open yourself up to the idea of love, as long at the right person is waiting there to catch you. I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

Taryn has been dealt a bad hand at life by being abandoned by siblings and having a mother who is always looking for love in all the wrong places. When she has a chance to be loved properly by Zion, will she embrace it or self destruct? I throughly enjoyed this book even though I wanted to throttle Taryn at times. Zion is definitely the type of man that any woman would be proud to have in their life.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
* Best friends brother
* Soulmates
* Trauma and grief
* Healing

Favorite quotes:
“‘Where you running to?’” 🥵

“Except I’d been living with a broken door for months. Adapted to it, learned to work around it, never thought to actually even try to fix it. And suddenly, Zion had fixed it for me.”

“‘I can’t keep standing in a storm with someone who’s not tryna get dry.’”

“Feel it, but don’t become it.”

“The goal is to be steady enough that she doesn’t have to perform strength.”

My thoughts:
Please listen to the playlist for this book!!! It sets the vibe and it gave me such nostalgia despite never reading the book. A truly magical and immersive experience. Zion is my new number 1 book bf. He so 🥵 No one writes men better than a woman. He’s strong and steady. He’s the most patient man, but equally persistent. Taryn drove me insane the entire book with her self sabotage and pessimism. I had to realize that her trauma manifested differently than mine so it was harder for me to understand. But, whenever I had trouble understanding Taryn, Zion would come and explain exactly how he saw her. I loved her moments of leaning into her soft girl era. It was an emotional rollercoaster and I fear I got whiplash how fast Taryn switched moods. This is a book I genuinely wanted to savor and I never get that feeling. The vibes were so real and I enjoyed being thrown in this family’s dynamic right away. A must read in my opinion.

This was an amazing and heartfelt read. I loved that this book centered around 90’s R&B and that we were also given playlist recommendations. The book reminded me of the movie Brown Sugar with how the characters were influenced by their love of music. I believe the author is an amazing writer who is able to pull the reader into the story and feel the same emotions as the characters. My only comment is that I wish the ending was more detailed and included their engagement and wedding, but I do understand the author’s choice to shorten the ending.

Always Running delivers on every single promise of its premise—and then some. Emotional, intentional, and deeply satisfying, this was doggone near perfect.

Taryn is the kind of heroine who feels painfully real. Guarded, self-aware, and convinced that love is something you survive rather than trust, she carries her fear with sharp wit and carefully constructed distance. Watching her navigate her feelings for Zion—while actively trying not to—was equal parts frustrating and tender in the best way. Her walls make sense. Her fear makes sense. And that’s what makes the emotional payoff hit so hard.

And Zion? Whew. Steady, patient Zion. He doesn’t chase, doesn’t force, doesn’t demand more than Taryn is ready to give. He just stays. There’s something so powerful about a love interest who understands that presence can be louder than pressure.

This isn’t just a love story; it’s about healing, trust, and choosing vulnerability even when running feels safer.

I loved this book, plain and simple. I already can’t wait for my friends to read it so we can sit around and talk about Taryn and Zion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)



#AlwaysRunning
#NetGalley

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

Another ARC gem! Loved diving into this book—a story that stays with you. While every reader’s experience is unique, I found this new release to be a thoughtful and rewarding read. Looking forward to seeing what shares next! This was my first book I have read of this Author. Adding more to my TBR list.

This book is for the grown and sexy, for the ones who are afraid to love, and for the ones who like a good chase game! I receive this copy from NetGalley and I had to turn around and purchase a physical copy. I enjoyed the 90s vibe and the playlist to go along with the book was top-tier. This book was relatable took you through different emotions. Taryn was trying not to be like her mother, and Zion is a guy who I say waited to break down her walls. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author and can’t wait for the next book in Wade Legacy series! I don’t want to be that person to spoil it for you, but I definitely recommend to put it on your TBR or just go ahead and read it! #AlwaysRunning

This book honestly pulled me in from the very first chapter and never really let go. Always Running feels raw, emotional, and deeply personal in a way that makes you stop and really think about the choices people make and the environments that shape them. What stood out to me most was how real everything felt — nothing was sugarcoated. You could feel the tension, the fear, the survival instincts, and even the moments of hope woven throughout the story. The main character’s journey felt especially powerful because it wasn’t just about the external struggles, but also the internal battle of trying to find identity and purpose in the middle of chaos. There’s something about the way Brown writes that makes you feel like you’re right there, experiencing everything alongside the characters. The pacing kept me engaged, and the emotional depth made it hard to put down. I also appreciated how the story didn’t try to force a perfect resolution. It stayed honest, which made the message hit even harder. It really highlights how circumstances, community, and personal decisions all collide in complicated ways. At times it was heavy, but in a necessary way — the kind of book that lingers in your mind even after you’ve finished it. Overall, this is one of those books that feels important. It’s not just a story, it’s an experience that makes you reflect on real-life issues and perspectives that aren’t always talked about enough. Definitely a 5-star read for me.

From the very first page, I knew Always Running was going to have me in a chokehold, and it did just that!

I absolutely loved this book. From the prologue all the way to the epilogue and the “Afterword: Between Us” chapter, N. W. Brown had me holding on to every word and eager to see what was going to happen next. The characters were so well developed, and I found myself relating to them in so many ways. There were even moments where I could see parts of my own life reflected in the story which made it hit even harder for me. I mean I did fall for my best friend’s nephew 🤭

Now, Taryn definitely had me pissed off at times, but I could also understand her perspective and why she made some of the choices she did. That’s one thing I really appreciated about this book. The characters felt real, not perfect, and that made the story even more impactful.

If you love a good romance that feels like real life, this is a must read. And just so you know, it gets real spicy 🌶️ at times, but I enjoyed every bit of it. The emotions, the tension, the love, the mistakes… all of it kept me turning the pages.

Overall, this book had me invested the entire time, and I’m so glad the author and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this to read. Definitely one I won’t forget anytime soon.

Always Running was a beautiful love story. These characters gave me all of the feelings! I loved seeing their relationship start as a friendship and progress to a relationship. Through all of the ups and downs in this story, Zion stood strong and loved Taryn unconditionally. The emotions that Taryn went through before she finally stopped running had me not wanting to put this book down. I wanted to see her change. I wanted to see her learn to love without fear. I wanted to see her happy ending. I loved the relationship between Zion and his siblings. A lesson was learned between the relationship between Taryn and her mother. The way music was utilized in this story made me want to read it even more. The role music played was a major contribution to the relationships they shared. Great ARC. I think I have found a new favorite author.

I am excited to read the other books in the series centered around the Zion's brothers and sister. I can't wait to read Simone's story next.

4.5⭐️This was such a good book and a beautiful experience. Watching Taryn go from being closed off to learning when to surrender and allow herself to be loved by a wonderful man was really special. 🙌🏾
I felt all the emotions, and I ABSOLUTELY loved the playlist. It gave me so much nostalgia as an old school R&B and hip hop girly. Seeing it incorporated into the story and play such an important role was really cool. The vibes were definitely there.

Zion was AMAZING for her. He was patient, kind, caring, and understood her in ways no one else could. I was rooting for this couple the entire time.

The only thing I didn’t really like was the length, but I understood why the author did it that way so we could truly take in Taryn’s beautiful journey. Overall, it was a great read and I would definitely recommend it. 📚✨

If I had to describe this book in a few points, I would say:
• Slow burn romance
• Black love
• Characters in their 30s
• Emotional tension
• Character driven story
• R&B atmosphere 🎶

This was a very emotional, character driven story that pulled me in more than I expected. The chemistry between the characters felt real, and the slow burn created strong tension that kept me invested. I especially appreciated reading about characters in their 30s, dealing with real emotions, history, and responsibilities. The R&B atmosphere added a beautiful mood to the story and made many moments feel even more intimate.

Where the book started to slow down for me was later in the story. Around the 70% mark, I felt some stagnation in the emotional growth, and at times the imbalance between the characters became frustrating. The process felt longer than necessary, even though I remained emotionally invested.

That said, by the end, it felt like much of that emotional tension had a purpose. I appreciated that the story stayed focused on character driven conflict rather than relying on dramatic external events. Even when the pacing felt slow at times, I stayed invested in the couple and their journey.

Overall, this is a mature, emotionally driven romance that leans heavily on tension, growth, and connection. If you enjoy slow burns with strong atmosphere and character focused storytelling, this book will likely resonate with you.

The story is just as beautiful as the cover. Taryn is not that woman you can get over on! She knows the game and will not allow a man to get over on her. She tough as steel and always has her guard up. I loved seeing how strong she was however it was heartbreaking to know the reasoning behind it all. Taryn had to survive and with that she vowed to never allow a man to break her heart. She would protect it at all cost. She had her mind set that she didn’t need anyone and wouldn’t let a man in. She was so self destructive and I wanted to shake her so many times.

Zion had some trauma as well however he did not let that deter him from falling in love. This man was patient, loving, understanding, reassuring, this man was AMAZING. Definitely my new book bae!

I absolutely loved all the music and playlists. As a R&B lover every song hit, and made the scenes that more special. N.W. Brown did amazing on her debut! I can’t wait for the rest of the sibling books!