BOOK REVIEW | This Ain't Our First Rodeo by Liara Tamani

 This Ain't Our First Rodeo by Liara Tamani 🐎❤️

Pub Date: February 3, 2026

Many thanks to Colored Pages Book Tours, Epic Reads, Netgalley and Liara Tamani for the gifted copies + the opportunity to share this book with you guys 🤠📚

SYNOPSIS:

This Ain’t Our First Rodeo is a contemporary western love story full of bulls, brawls, and horses. It’s a tender second chance cowboy romance about family, friendship, mistakes, and the blessings of choosing to love anyway. Black cowboys and cowgirls like Josie and Shawn have long helped shape the American West—a legacy that shines in Liara Tamani’s storytelling. Her writing is quick-witted, swoony, and authentic, with characters who are easy to love and hard to forget.

REVIEW:

This Ain’t Our First Rodeo is such an adorable read. Not only do readers watch Shawn and Josie navigate this beautifully complicated love thang, we get a glimpse of the rodeo + cowboy culture. I learned so much! And when reading about the Ranch, I could envision it, smell it, and feel it. Seeing those beautiful horses in my mind made me want to saddle up and ride, too! 🤠

I also love how we see Shawn and Josie learn each other while also learning more about themselves. Their morals and values are presented to us. Then, we see how life and circumstances affect how they uphold those values.

Shawn and Josie had great chemistry, no doubt. I love how they considered each other. And I smiled inwardly at each warm gesture shared. But, as with most YA romance I read, I was fussing at the book during their "miscommunications." Overall, I enjoyed this one, y'all ❤️

I recommend This Ain’t Our First Rodeo to those who enjoy a light love story, appreciate the Rodeo + cowboy culture, and still wonder "what if?" about the cutie you had an encounter with as a teen way back when.

Thanks to Liara Tamani, I am making it my mission to attend the rodeo in Houston at least once. I will also think of Shawn and Josie each time I eat doughnut intestines loaded with strawberries & powdered sugar. ❤️

WILL YOU BE ADDING THIS AIN'T OUR FIRST RODEO 

TO YOUR READING LIST?

BOOK RECOMMENDATION | Positive Obsession by Susana M. Morris

Positive Obsession by Susana M. Morris | Pub. Date: August 19, 2025

I loved Positive Obsession by Susana M. Morris so much! As a fan of Octavia E. Butler and her works, I could not wait to get my hands on this read. I finished it in a manner of days! The author did an amazing job of writing in a way that the reader could see the love + care she had for Octavia E. Butler and her life's work.

Positive Obsession chronicles Octavia E. Butler's life from the child who found solace in the local library to the award-winning author gone way too soon. Readers get a glimpse into the highs and lows of Butler's life, including times she felt like an outcast among peers, fellow authors, and the world around her. Finding a home in literature, and (soon after) the many writings she immersed herself in, Octavia E. Butler learned to write the black woman into the world she wanted to see herself in.

Eventually penning short stories and novels that read more like prophecy than warning, Butler found her place in the literary world. Morris so beautifully weaves stories of her personal life and writing life. As someone who saw Octavia E. Butler as larger than life, the author humanizes Butler, sharing her hopes, fears, and dreams alike. While reading, I found myself leaning in to Butler's idea of "positive obsession," in which she persisted with writing, whether inspired or not. I was in awe of her discipline and determination to write the worlds forming in her mind. 

I finished this book inspired and excited to read more from Octavia E. Butler. And though the author admits she hadn't had the chance to meet Butler before her passing in 2006, I believe Butler would be proud of Morris and this book. It reads as if Morris knew Butler personally and was paying her homage. 

I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Octavia E. Butler and those curious about her work. Many thanks to Netgalley, Amistad, and the author for the copies of Positive Obsession. I thoroughly enjoyed!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Will you be adding Positive Obsession by Susana M. Morris to your reading list?

Book Recommendation | Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan | Pub. Date: May 13, 2025

Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan was the perfect bow to wrap up the Skyland series.  This has become a favorite series of mine and Hendrix did not disappoint!

I connected with Yasmen early in Before I Let Go as she ventured back to love in a place she thought she lost it. I saw myself in Soledad throughout the pages of This Could Be Us as she learned self-love was just as important as loving others. So, even before opening Can't Get Enough, I had high expectations for Hendrix. She was the best friend who cheered both Yas and Sole on, supporting them in any way possible. I could not wait to see her story unfold. 

Can't Get Enough gives us a glimpse into the life of Hendrix. She's an entertainment executive who is relentless when it comes to her ambitions. Her high-profile career takes precedence over everything, until she finds herself caring for her aging mother, and falling in love with a handsome tech mogul. 

Watching Hendrix juggle work, friendships, love, and caring for her mother really made me feel for her. She was no longer a supporting character in the lives of Yas and Sole. She had her own hardships and hang-ups. I identified with her pain and empathized with her as her mother's Alzheimer's began to progress. Losing a parent with dementia and a grandparent with Alzheimer's, I felt the same fears Hendrix had as I read along. Not knowing if your parent will recognize you from one day to the next makes one grieve said parent before he or she ever leaves us physically. Kennedy Ryan illustrates this so beautifully and with such care in Can't Get Enough.

And the love interest? Maverick was a dream! I loved the chemistry between Maverick and Hendrix. When they connected, fireworks jumped from the pages. I rooted for them throughout the read. As you can imagine, each love story comes with a bit of conflict. But I'm glad that the factors that could have separated Hendrix and Maverick somehow brought them together even closer. 

Overall, I enjoyed Can't Get Enough! This small-town North Carolina girl loved getting to know Hendrix and seeing things from her perspective. Kennedy Ryan is becoming one of my favorite authors and she did her thing with this one! Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the electronic copy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Have you read Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan yet?

What was your favorite book in the Skyland Series?

Recommended Reading | Gather Me by Glory Edim

Gather Me by Glory Edim was one of my favorite reads of 2024!

In Gather Me, Glory welcomed me into her world from the very start-- describing a kitchen filled with rich spices and Nigerian delicacies. She gave me a written tour of her home and community, filled with books, books, and more books.  My eyes grew wide at all the discoveries and vivid descriptions. I was in awe of the way her father weaved stories from the objects around their home and grew sad when he left suddenly for Nigeria.

And as I continued to read, I learned that Glory and I had a few things in common. We both owned the same yellow bible story book that materialized from thin air one day. We both found safety and comfort in the library. And most importantly, we both grew a habit of seeking solace in the written word. Like Glory, I was often reading novels as a kid, hoping to find direction and instruction within the paragraphs. 

I found it endearing to read the story of a woman I admired with similar experiences to mine. She too, was trying to find her place in the world around her so often. She was also making room for herself in the books she devoured at the local library. I find it so beautiful that she references the books she was reading during pivotal moments in her life as well. I always say that books find us at just the right time and each instance was a testament to that. The magic of words carry so many of us through the good times as well as the bad and Gather Me was a poignant reminder of that.

Glory champions for those of us who found safe spaces in libraries, novels, short stories and poems. 

Glory, thank you for all the love, honesty and transparency you poured into this book. For all the books you've seen yourself in, I'm grateful you've allowed me to see myself in parts of yours.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 💫

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of Gather Me.

HAVE YOU ADDED GATHER ME TO YOUR READING LIST YET?

RECOMMENDED READING | The Secret Keeper of Main Street by Trisha R. Thomas

 If you haven't read The Secret Keeper of Main Street by Trisha R. Thomas yet, I implore you to grab it up ASAP. It's the perfect read to get wrapped up in this upcoming fall season. You say you're a fan of southern comfort and mystique? This one serves up a healthy helping of both!

Book Review | Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (Or Just Me?) by Jay Ellis

Reading Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)? by Jay Ellis was such a treat! The moment I saw the cover adorned with references from my own coming-of-age (Dwayne Wayne, the pager, and the floppy-disk), I knew this book would be one I could relate to. 

Jay Ellis makes it known in the beginning of the book that it isn't a memoir. He even reminds us later in reading that he hasn't "lived enough" to consider this book a memoir. That has no bearing on how solid these childhood stories are. I was entertained from beginning to end, even scared a few times (especially during that melee at the movie theater). Ellis recounts stories of growing up with his imaginary friend, Mikey, so vividly, I pictured a precocious little boy running alongside him through every adventure shared. 

While readers won't find much about the onset of an acting career for Jay Ellis within these pages, we do see that his bright imagination was an inspiration from the start. Isn't that the stuff creatives are made of? I can remember claiming to have an imaginary friend through the early years of elementary school, but nothing as close and consistent as Mikey. Mikey went to pre-school with Jay, wreaking havoc. He moved across states with Jay, as he was a military kid who changed schools quite a bit. And he even caught the blame for many bad decisions Jay made throughout his younger years. With each essay, I looked forward to reading what Mikey would get Jay into next. 

Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)? is an exciting gift for those of us who have found safe spaces in imaginary friends and/or wild imaginations. Jay's stories lure you in and keep you excited for "the good part," wondering how Mikey will show up and how much damage he will cause. Even as Mikey begins to fade away and Ellis gets older, we see how much of an affect an imaginary friend has had on Ellis.

Also, seeing that celebrities with a star as bright as Jay's still get anxious about sharing their work was affirming. We all feel that same vulnerability when sharing parts of ourselves that can easily be dismissed, ridiculed, or shamed. Jay Ellis, I am glad that you shared your "imaginary friend" story during the pandemic. It is the reason I was able to experience such a beautiful book that I won't soon forget. I hope you continue to write and share even more of your stories + creative works. 

Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an eARC of Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)? by Jay Ellis. All thoughts and opinions shared are my own.

4 Stars

Recommended Reading | A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams is such a beautiful book to behold in both the month of love AND a leap year!

This book introduces us to unconventional Ricki Wilde, the youngest of 4 sisters, and the black sheep of the family. While the other three sisters follow the proverbial rules to a "T" and each contribute to running the family funeral business, Ricki longs to do her own thing. Doing her own thing leads this Georgia Peach to Harlem to open her own florist shop and bask in the rich history of the Harlem Renaissance.

AUTHOR Q&A | BRITTNEY MORRIS, AUTHOR OF THE JUMP

“All I ever wanted to do was escape into this magical world where for once I don’t have to act a certain way because I’m Black, and where I don’t have to answer certain questions because I’m the Black authority in the room, and where if I do something that’s not stereotypically Black, I’m different.” ― Brittney Morris, Slay

Representation matters: in the literature we read, the movies we watch, and even the video games we play. And I am grateful that in present times, our youth can see so much of themselves in the entertainment they consume. I am constantly in awe of authors who introduce us to characters and plots that we can so easily relate to. One author in particular, Brittney Morris, masterfully weaves together stories and characters that readers can FEEL. She consistently creates characters that stick with us long after the read is over.  

Today, I share an author Q&A with said esteemed author, Brittney Morris. Here, she discusses what inspires her stories, video-game writing, advice to aspiring authors, and briefly touches on the paperback release of The Jump. Read below to learn more about Brittney Morris.

INTRODUCTION TO BRITTNEY MORRIS

Brittney Morris is the bestselling author of SLAY, The Cost of Knowing, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales - Wings of Fury, and The Jump. She also writes video games and has contributed to projects such as The Lost Legends of Redwall, Subnautica: Below Zero, Spider-Man 2 for PS5, and Wolverine for PS5. Brittney is an NAACP Image Award nominee, an ALA Black Caucus Youth Literary Award winner, and an Ignite Award Finalist. She has an economics degree from Boston University and spends her spare time reading, playing video games, and not doing enough yoga. 

Recommended Reading | Sisterhood Heals by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford

Sisterhood Heals, by creator of #TherapyforBlackGirls Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D, is a beautiful testament to the power of sisterhood and what it means to Black Women. 

Publish Date: June 25, 2023

There is beauty, power, love, joy, and safety in the kinship we share. This book explores the various ways in which this community acts as a safe space and healing balm for us. It also illustrates how sisterhood is a means of survival for us all, as well. Covering topics such as cultivating friendships, finding our "place"  & "holding space" in groups, seeking community, and navigating the life stages of our friendship circles, reading Sisterhood Heals feels like listening to a good girlfriend. It is insightful, relatable, and lists reflections at the end of each chapter that readers can apply to their own lives. 

It would be love if all my sisters and those who love + support us check out Sisterhood Heals. Buy a copy for someone, even. This book is a celebration & poignant reminder that we are out here supporting each other, loving on each other, and making the world go round in the process. It also serves as a toolkit for optimum community within our own respective groups. Sisterhood Heals is an absolute must-read for me! 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Special thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine Books for the eBook! 

Have you read Sisterhood Heals yet?

If not, will you be adding it to your reading list? 

INTERVIEW | DEPARTURE STORY BY ROWANA M. ABBENSETTS-DOBSON

 “But ironically, amidst the wide range of inequalities that America shoulders – inequality is the great equalizer for Blacks. No one cared that I was born in a different country… In one glance, it was easy to deduce I was just Black – an equal part to one blanket “Black” race and one social status.” – Rowana M. Abbensetts-Dobson, Departure Story

The experiences of Black immigrants are largely invisible to Americans, despite their growing numbers – 4.2 million throughout the country (The Immigrant Learning Center, 2020). 

In her debut novel, Departure Story [Published June 1], Rowana invites us into the world of Celestine Samuels, a young Guyanese woman arriving in the U.S. for college, carrying the hopes of generations before her, while imagining new opportunities for personal growth.

Celestine’s studies are interrupted with devastating news - her beloved Uncle, a Guyanese politician, has been murdered as a result of rising turmoil within the government. She feels lost and homesick, but turns that grief into action, and joins the Student Council Diversity Committee, advocating for Black creatives on campus. Eventually, Celestine meets resistance from the administration, and so-called friends alienate her. All the while, “home” haunts her dreams, and eventually leads Celestine to investigate unforgivable family secrets, and uncover answers she may not want to know.

“Departure Story is my love letter to the Diaspora,” Rowana says. “It’s a novel about displacement and creating home… It’s also about finding your voice within the chaos and making a stand for what you believe in wherever you are. Celestine gets to a new country, and she’s testing the boundaries of her power in love, friendships, and politics… I hope it will make some Black girl who is reading white male authors in her American lit class feel seen.”

Book Feature: The Adventures of Pamela King

"The Adventures of Pamela King" series follows Pamela King, a 6-year-old girl exploring the world through her many adventures with her family. Pamela is curious, imaginative, outspoken, and aspires to be the world's best detective. However, sometimes Pamela's eager curiosity can get her into rocky situations, as she is still learning the importance of THINKING BEFORE SHE LEAPS!

"Once Upon a summer Day, Pamela King prepared her gadget bag for a day of travel with her family. Today, the King Family is visiting their Uncle Luther at his giant castle that sits on top of the biggest mountain in town...Now Uncle Luther was not like any normal uncle. He was a world-famous scientist. He invented big machines and had a science lab the size of a house. This trip was the adventure Pamela had been waiting for all summer."

-From "The Adventures of Pamela King Series: Volume 1: Pamela & The Time Machine Mystery: A CHILDREN'S BOOK by Julia Aaryn Montanez, copyright © 2020 by FreeSpirit Ink. Publishing

Book Feature | Sugar Mama: A Keilanii Jennings Saga

From the creative minds of Lalanii Wilson Jones and Treavion Davenport comes Keilanii Jennings, a sexy, feisty, independent, proud Texas mogul in the making who makes no apologies about splurging on her lavish lifestyle, designer labels, 5-star getaways, and her “boy toys.”

Keilanii is a confident, self-made success story whose life takes complex twists and turns while building her empire. Things start to heat up when she meets Elliot Jennings Jr., a handsome, charismatic companion who turns out to be her worst nightmare. Like most women, Keilanii wanted to have it all, including her happily ever after. This seems imminent until she discovers that the man who stole her heart tries to steal her fortune and is exposed as the ultimate gold digger.