Jasmine Nicole

Hello lover…did you catch that SATC reference? Okay maybe not, but speaking of love….

I have found a new love, a new obsession, if you must. Well, technically it’s an old obsession, just a new side of the coin. It’s books!!!! Yes, I said books, my one true love. I’ve been reading like CRAZY and one author has stuck out: Talia Hibbert.

So I’ll tell you a little about her, or as much as I know. She’s Black, British, young (possibly mid to late twenties), and has written 17 contemporary romance novels about characters of all shapes, sizes, race, and abilities.

She is everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. If it isn’t clear, just know that I’m an avid reader but never would I say that contemporary romance is one of my top genres, but has she changed my mind. I’ve binge read 9 of her books in the past couple of months and I am absolutely hooked!!

The thing I love about her books is that her characters are so real and so flawed. Each and every one has something that holds them back from getting to what they want, love, and it’s inspiring, yet realistic. It makes me feel like anyone is capable of love and that includes me. The journey to love with which she writes for each character is so real. She really takes her time to allow you into the mind of the characters and I personally find myself really getting into their growth from beginning to end. No situation is too dramatic, and the emotional state of each character is justifiable and complex. I personally think that we all sometimes get in our own way of getting love because love is scary and it’s full of risks and her characters embody that 100%. That is what makes me love her stories because I see and know personally that relationships work like this in real life. There’s give and take, ups and downs, joy, sadness, and everything in between.

Granted the characters all get a happily ever after, but it’s never easy because they have to learn to reach love despite their flaws. It shows any one is capable of love once they accept themselves and accept that even with flaws, love is possible. I mean, no one is perfect, so love without flaws isn’t real love.

Her characters have a variety of “barriers” to love and I find myself relating to many of them. Mental illness, pregnancy, single parenthood, parent abandonment, childhood trauma, insecurities, and developmental and physical disabilities are some of what her characters struggle with in their daily lives that play a part on their way to love.

My first Talia book was Get a Life, Chloe Brown, and it was so good. Chloe is chronically ill and ends up falling in love with the super of her building, Red. I promise it’s so worth it as you watch Chloe discover that her sickness doesn’t hinder her from living a fulfilling life and Red shows her that she is worth being unconditionally loved. They heal each other along the way and you can’t help but root for them. This one is probably in my top 3 of my favorite Talia books. It’s really charming and heartwarming.

My most recent Talia book is Untouchable and this one really grabbed me. It’s about Hannah who suffers from depression and is struggling to find her place in her career which she has been shunned from. Hannah gets her opportunity to nanny for her childhood crush’s children and the two can’t help to fall hopelessly in love. Nate is widowed and dealing with a sick mother, but Hannah swoops in and shows Nate that even Superman sometimes needs saving. I really love Hannah and Nate’s story because these characters’ lives are built and torn down by their love of others and they finally get to do something for themselves and find happiness. How many people you know can relate to that?

My favorite Talia book so far would have to be Damaged Goods. It’s one of her shorter ones, but still packs a punch. Maybe I like that one because it’s involves Laura who is practically a single mom, and I’m a single mom, but it really warmed my heart. Laura is pregnant and looking to find solace away from her soon-to-be ex-husband who is the devil. Planning to finish out her pregnancy peacefully with her mother and sister, she runs into her childhood boyfriend, Samir. The one who got away, but this time he’s here to stay. Their story is so sweet as Samir never questions his love for Laura despite her complicated marriage situation and despite the child growing inside her. He still loves her and accepts all that comes with her, including her child. There’s something about their story that gives me hope that there’s a guy out there for me and my daughter!! I absolutely adored them.

While that’s my favorite, I can’t deny that all of her books that I’ve read thus far have gotten 5 stars from me. I love her writing style, I love reading the British dialect and having to stop and look it up because my American mind can’t compute. I love the steamy scenes that get an A+ for highlighting safe sex, consent from beginning to end, and both parties are well satisfied and pleasured.

I just really love this author. I’m a fan for life and if you are a fan of contemporary romance novels, I suggest you get into Talia Hibbert RIGHT NOW!!!!