Che-Michelle Tales

Reading my previous blog, you will know I talked about unfinished books (Unfinished Books of 2024

https://chemichelletales.com/2025/01/06/unfinished-books-of-2024-a-reflection/). This blog is about books I completed but did not have time to write a review for, or the review is sitting on my computer with just a paragraph. It happens sometimes.

“Glory Be” by Danielle Archuex. I may have discussed this book somewhere on the blog, but I cannot find the post. I love this book. It gives me everything I need and did not know I needed in a murder mystery. An older Black woman who gives me Jessica Flecther vibes while being an illegal bookie for sports gambling. This book was so good, especially the character development and the interactions between the characters. I could imagine each character to the T and would love to see this become a movie. I can see the main character being played by either Loretta Divine, Shola Adewusi (Auntie Olu), or Saidah Arrika Ekulona (Abishola’s Mom from Bob and Abishola). The book features an array of morally ambiguous characters while they try to figure out who murdered Glory’s best friend. If you like Murder She Wrote type murder-mystery, this book gives you Murder She Wrote meets Down South Charm, and indeed, a busybody older Black woman. Hallmark, ABC Family, and Heck Curtis Jackson production company get on this and make it a show. It can air on CBS on Sunday at 8 pm. I see at least eight seasons; you can even have two spin-offs. Five out of Five, you should read this book.

“What a Match” by Mimi Grace: I have been trying to write this blog since I finished the book. I loved Gwen and Anthony’s love story. I am unsure if it follows the Friends to Lover’s troupe, but it gives us a chance to be in each other’s lives for years, and I finally get a chance to get the girl of my dreams. Anthony is a great protagonist. He listens and has his own life, which is difficult, but he is still a gentleman and a good friend to Gwen.  I identified with Gwen because of her first dates and her methodical nature due to her family’s trauma. This book was a sweet love story with unforgettable characters. In this book, we do not learn much about Duncan and Retta, but we learn more about Duncan and Gwen’s mother and father. I also love Anthony’s surrogate Mother and Father; they are perfect for guiding him through his feelings while letting them come together without too much push. Can they adopt me? This book was another four out of 5 Romance novels. I cannot wait to read the third book in the series. I can see this as a Hallmark Romance story for the fall. Hallmark, give these authors money and make a black love story based in Chicago now!

“The Partner Plot” by Kristina Forest in this book, we explore Violet Greene, the middle Greene sister. She is a true New Yorker, a Jetsetter, and 100% “That Girl” energy. In the first book, The Neighbor Favor, we are introduced to Violet, who is engaged, but upon finding out her ex is a slimy cheater, she has an epic anti-wedding party to reclaim her love and freedom. In this book, while traveling with her Client Karamel, Kitty Violet parties in Las Vegas. What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas. She ends up married to her high school sweetheart. As the story unfolds, you learn more about Violet’s upbringing and life. The beautiful part about this book is that it is not a love story; it is about Violet learning to set boundaries and stand up for herself. It is such a fantastic book, and I cannot wait until the next book drops on February 4^th, 2025.

“Who’s That Girl” by Eve As soon as this book dropped on September 17, 2024. I dropped everything and read this book. I finished this book in 3 days. It is a record for me, and I was. to go back and read this book. It was like a glimpse of the past when EVE topped the charts. I was a vast Eve fan; after Lil Kim and Foxy Brown, she was in my top Five. With her sassy personality, no-nonsense lyrics, and creative style, EVE was that, Girl. When I found out she was dropping her memoir around the 25^th anniversary of “Let There Be Eve… Ruff Ryder First Lady. I was taken back to a 16-year-old self who fell in love with bravado and confidence wrapped in a rapper from Philly. As I read the memoir, I can see that she was very fortunate compared to other Women Rappers who entered the industry at a time that needed fresh women rappers. She writes and reads her book with pride in being protected by the Ruff Ryders organization. But not also protected but cultivated to rap better, be more decisive in her delivery, and work on her craft. I liked the fact that the book showed how Eve dealt with adversity, setbacks, and even quiet personal victories. Eve shows her resilience and accountability for every moment in her life.  It’s a fantastic book to read and dive into, one of the most influential.

Here are the books I read in 2024 that I did not get to write a review for, but I hope you take a moment to read them. I enjoyed all these books last year and hope this year will bring me more wonderful books to share.

Until Next Time,

Che Michelle