Prose & Cons | 3.28.25
From page-turners to slow burns, here’s every book I read this week—no skips, no secrets!
Alright, so a few things are different this week. First up: the name. Bookmarked had a nice ring to it, but since we’re leaning more into reviews, Prose & Cons just felt like a better vibe—pun very much intended.
Second, I switched up the format a bit. A lot of y’all mentioned that the visuals weren’t really the draw, so I skipped the collages this time around and focused on giving you more in-depth synopses and honest takes on each book.
Also, quick heads up: each red/underlined title is a clickable link, so if something piques your interest, you can grab the book right then and there. And don’t forget to check out the graphic with each review—it’s got all the key details at a glance: author, genre, rating, series info (if there is one), and even a song that fits the vibe.
Now that we’ve got the updates out of the way, let’s dive into this week’s reads!
To The Moon by Evelyn Latrice | The Eighth Wonder Series Book 1
Luna Moony is just eighteen when her world flips on its head. After the heartbreaking loss of her twin brother, Lunar, she suddenly finds herself raising her younger siblings. In the thick of grief and growing responsibility, her connection with Javen Cooper, Lunar’s best friend, deepens in unexpected ways as they both search for solid ground. The story doesn’t just center on Luna and Javen, though; it follows their entire circle of friends and siblings, capturing the shared weight of loss, love, and loyalty. Their journey is full of tenderness and resilience, shining a light on the strength of family (chosen or blood), the heavy lift of growing up too fast, and the quiet, persistent hope of building a life beyond the limits they’ve known.
Y’all know I’m a sucker for a good found family story, and this one? Easily at the top of my list. These kids went through it. I laughed, I cried, I yelled… sometimes all at once. Evelyn Latrice does such a beautiful job of pulling us into their world, giving just enough backstory without overwhelming us with the weight of their trauma (and trust, these babies have been through some things).
She paints a powerful picture of what it means to believe in something bigger than your circumstances, to chase a dream even when the world feels stacked against you. She captures that tension between being forced to grow up too soon and still wanting the softness of childhood. And the love...whew. It stretches from friendship to something deeper, from adolescence into adulthood, and it’s so real.
This story is full of hope. It’s tender, raw, and unforgettable. I wish I could read it again for the first time.
Beyond The Stars by Evelyn Latrice | The Eighth Wonder Series Book 2
Beyond the Stars is the follow-up to To the Moon, and this time we’re stepping into the world of the youngest sibling, Quamar. Now grown, he’s facing the weight of imposter syndrome and the pressure of living up to his family’s legacy. He’s on the brink of going pro as a soccer player, but off the field, things are messy, he’s juggling school, personal responsibilities...and fatherhood, with multiple kids by multiple women.
One night at a party with his friends, everything shifts. In walks Siasia.
Siasia’s world couldn’t be more different. While Quamar struggles to step up, she’s been stepping up her whole life—raising her little sister, Noodle, while navigating her mother’s toxic relationship. She dreams of becoming a professional photographer and getting her sister out of the trailer park, but between work and survival, living in the moment feels impossible. Quamar and Siasia’s connection is immediate and undeniable. As their bond deepens, they find comfort, clarity, and courage in each other. Together, they begin to face their fears, embrace their truths, and rediscover what it means to dream, despite everything stacked against them. It’s a love story, sure. But it’s also a reminder: Even when life feels heavy, you’re still allowed to want more.
As much as Quamar was the baby of the family, that man stood on business. Every. Single. Time. He didn’t play about his kids, Siasia, Noodle, or his people. Watching him wrestle with imposter syndrome and try to live up to his family’s expectations—and the public image that came with it—was heartbreaking. Especially because his family didn’t fully see him. They just kept brushing it off with the “he’s the baby, he’s always been babied” narrative. Now Siasia… whew. She was frustrating at times, but I think that’s because I saw so much of myself in her. That oldest-daughter energy? The I can’t ask for help; I’ve got to carry it all on my own mindset? Been there. What made her even more complex was her struggle to extend the same grace to Quamar that she gave others. She could see everyone else's perspective—but when it came to him, she was stuck. But she was young. And in love. So I get it.
Quamar and Siasia’s story gave me all the feels! I’m a sucker for a love-at-first-sight moment, and from the second these two laid eyes on each other, it was on. Now, they’re both young AF, so yes—there were definitely times when I wanted to scream at the pages because a simple convo could’ve solved so much. But we listen… and we don’t judge.
Woke Up On Mars by Evelyn Latrice | The Eighth Wonder Series Book 2.5
We got to know French and Solar, throughout the first 3 books of the series, but in Woke Up On Mars, we get to see them under the microscope. We watch childhood friends turned soulmates navigate the messy, beautiful journey from almost-love to forever. After years of dancing around their feelings,
French finally lets himself fall, and together, they build a life and a family with three beautiful kids. But love isn’t always easy. French is still wrestling with deep-rooted issues around self-worth, and when a secret from Solar’s past, specifically about their son’s paternity, comes to light, everything they’ve built is suddenly at risk. Still, Solar isn’t giving up. She’s ready to meet French exactly where he is, even if that means stepping into unfamiliar emotional territory, his version of “Mars.” This story is raw, real, and tender. It’s about healing, truth-telling, and choosing each other even when it hurts.
Because sometimes love isn’t just about where you’ve been...it’s about how far you’re willing to go.
So here’s the thing about Woke Up On Mars… I loved getting to know French on a deeper level. His cameos in the other books were always hilarious, but from that little snippet in Beyond the Stars about his home life, I knew there was more to him. And whew there was. Watching him juggle his mental health while trying to be everything for everyone, friend, mentor, baby daddy/boyfriend/husband— was heartbreaking. He really spent years putting everyone else first. French is the definition of “be the person you needed when you were younger.” He was a man, y’all. I just love me some French.
Now Solar...sigh. I don’t know, y’all. She worked my entire nerve. She’s always been a hothead and stubborn in the other books, but this one really put that behavior into perspective and made it clear how selfish she could be. I was not a fan for most of the book. She does redeem herself in the end, but I wanted to smack her upside the head so many times. Like, girl, please.
But what I can say is this: the love between French and Solar was real. Messy, flawed, and painfully beautiful. Their story showed what it really means to grow up loving someone and then having to unlearn and relearn how to love them as adults, with baggage, responsibilities, and everything life throws your way.
Chasing Galaxies by Evelyn Latrice | The Eighth Wonder Series Book 3
In Chasing Galaxies, we’re reintroduced to Noodle, Siasia’s little sister. In Beyond the Stars, her singing talent was just a glimpse, but now we get to see where that powerhouse voice has taken her. At 21, Noodle’s a former child star trying to step out of the shadow of her old character, Jay Jay. Think Disney/Nickelodeon star trying to break free from the "America’s Sweetheart" image… yeah, that struggle.
Bethune, aka Bu, is the older brother of one of Little Lunar’s friends. Fresh off a four-year prison bid, he’s adjusting to life on the outside and determined to stay on track. He’s rough around the edges, no-nonsense, and carries that quiet, grown man BDE. Love? Not on his radar, until Noodle shows up at a neighborhood cookout and his whole heartbeat shifts.
They’re opposites in a lot of ways, but the pull between them is undeniable. Noodle is trying to reclaim her identity and finally live on her own terms, while Bu is trying to stay true to himself and build a life that won’t land him back inside. Their story is messy, tender, and beautifully complex, a reminder that sometimes, chasing galaxies just means finding the courage to choose each other.
LOVE, love, love Noodle and Bu’s story. Their love felt like a real-life fairytale. Noodle’s journey was so relatable, even with me being nearly a decade older. While she was out here trying to find her place in the world, I think her biggest battle was learning to trust herself. And the beauty of it? She didn’t have to do it alone because she had a man (dare I say the man) right beside her, helping her along the way.
Bu was the ultimate book boyfriend. The way he cared for Noodle, affirmed her, held space for her, talked her through life, and… well, let’s just keep it PG. Just know, he was that guy. A total dream.
Honestly, Noodle and Bu’s story might be my favorite in the whole series. I was kicking my feet and giggling like a teenager through most of the book. The only reason I didn’t give it a full 5 stars is because the ending felt a little rushed. If Evelyn had given me just 50 more pages to settle into their love story? Automatic 5/5. No question.
Devon by Dria Andersen | The Edwards Brothers Book 1
Devon is the first book in the Edwards Brothers series and gives us a deeper look at the eldest Edwards brother. Fresh off a 10-year bid, Devon is determined to leave the streets behind and start over. But on his first night of freedom? Fate has other plans, and her name is Keisha Calhoun.
Keisha, the daughter of a well-known street legend, has been doing everything she can to separate herself from that life. She’s worked hard to build something different. But when she crosses paths with Devon, all that clean-cut resolve gets tested. The chemistry is instant, the pull is real, and suddenly, the past she tried to outrun is staring her dead in the face. As things heat up between them, old secrets resurface, threatening everything they’re trying to build. This one’s got a little heat, a little hood, and a whole lot of heart. It’s a paranormal love story about redemption, identity, and what it really means to choose love, even when your past won’t let go.
There’s just something about a book that doesn’t waste time and gets you hooked from the very first page, and this book did exactly that. He was so determined to leave the streets behind, even when they weren’t quite ready to let go of him. I really appreciated how the story leaned into his internal struggle with walking away from that life. It felt real, raw, and honest.
And let’s talk about how he was on our girl Keisha? Whew, honey *NeNe Leakes voice* he was on her neck! That all gas, no brakes pursuit had me giggling and cheesin’. Keisha was stubborn, Type A, and a full-on boss b*tch, so watching her fight the feeling while Devon came in and swept her off her feet gave "pulling teeth with rusty pliers" energy, and I was here for every second of it.
I also loved how strong the family theme was in this story. If you know me, you know I’m a family girl, and the way Devon loved his brother Declan, his found family, and embraced Keisha’s mama? Beautiful. It gave the story so much heart.
This one definitely left me hype to dive into Declan’s book because I needed more of these Edwards brothers in my life!
Declan by Dria Andersen | The Edwards Brothers Book 2
The Edwards brothers’ story continues with Declan. The youngest of the crew, Declan has been grinding nonstop ever since his big brother Devon got locked up over a decade ago. Now that Devon’s finally home and Declan has reached the top tier of shifter society, he’s ready to shift focus to some personal goals, starting with finding his mate and settling down.
But fate? She’s got jokes.
Declan finds himself mated to Amber Bennett—a woman who’s not only off-limits but trapped in a situation that’s spiraling fast. After her scammer little brother swindles the wrong man, Amber’s family is suddenly on the hook. And the man in question? Bryan. Power-hungry, manipulative, and determined to get what he wants. And what he wants is Amber. As the disgraced daughter of a former city council member, Amber is the perfect pawn. Marrying her off gives Bryan both status and leverage. Her gold-digging mother is all in, seeing this twisted arrangement as the only way to restore their family’s name.
And Amber? After what happened the last time she pushed back when rejecting a man her family handpicked led to her father’s murder, she’s convinced that doing what’s “best” for the family is her only choice. Until Declan shows up and fate makes it clear: Amber might be promised to another, but she was made for him.
I loved Devon, don’t get me wrong, but Declan? Declan is a man, honey. I loved everything about this book. When it came to Amber, Declan didn’t play one single game. From the moment they met, he showed her—with actions, not words—that she was his. This man would’ve moved mountains for her. And when he found out she had a child? His response was, “Why you didn’t tell me we had a daughter?” Like I said... a man. The BDE was all up and through him.
The importance of family was so strong in this one, and I ate it up. Declan was his brother’s keeper, his friends’ trusted confidant, and the protector of his whole circle—even that scamming little brother. He stood on business every time.
The only reason I didn’t give this one a full five stars is simple: I just needed more. More pages, more moments, more of them. I wasn’t ready to let go.
After landing her dream nail collab with an NFL team, Harlee pulls up to the game to celebrate, only to get smacked in the back of the head by a football... and her future. Enter Kaivon Lewis: the highest-paid cornerback in the league and walking chaos in a crisp jersey.
Harlee is that girl, creative, ambitious, and the rock for everyone around her. But behind the boss energy is a woman battling anxiety and trying to navigate life after the traumatic loss of her grandmother. She’s the glue that holds her family together, grinding to build something from the ground up but constantly putting herself last in the process. Kaivon, on the other hand, has clawed his way out of a rough past to build a successful career—but the streets still have a piece of him. No matter how far he’s come, he’s still answering the call when it comes to protecting the people he loves, even if it means risking everything he’s built.
They’re complete opposites on the surface but somehow exactly what the other needs. As their worlds collide and their pasts start creeping in, Kaivon and Harlee are forced to confront old wounds, toxic loyalty, and outside pressure threatening to pull them apart.
Some people say romance books shouldn’t be more than 300 pages... but this one? 741 pages, and dare I say, I wanted more. I had to take my time with this one because it pulled on every heartstring. Tears were shed. Full-blown belly laughs were had. This isn’t just a love story—it’s a real love story.
The way Kaivon loves Harlee? Whew. It’s the kind of love every girl dreams of. He’s attentive, patient, focused, and spontaneous. He holds her accountable, he shows up, and he affirms her in ways she didn’t even know she needed. Don’t get it twisted; Harlee was an amazing partner, too, but Kaivon? Yeah, he’s officially on the book boyfriend list. Top tier.
This story digs deep into anxiety, grief, childhood trauma, and complicated family dynamics in such a raw, realistic way. Watching Harlee and Kaivon not just fall in love but grow together, learn from one another, and become better versions of themselves? It was truly beautiful.
...And listen, we love it when a bomb side character gets their own story and Kaivon’s brother, Kylo, just got his book. So yeah, I’ll be reading that next. No questions asked.
The Deadly Prooise by Desire Asare | The Deadly Prooise Series Book 1
Picture this: You’re a princess, loved, celebrated, the literal embodiment of grace and beauty in the Southern Kingdom. You’re the only daughter, and your family (along with pretty much the whole realm) worships the ground you walk on. Life is good...aside from one tiny problem: a strange illness that sends you into deep, coma-like sleep episodes. And the wildest part? The cause of your condition is him, the man from the North.
So imagine your surprise when, out of nowhere, you’re told you’re being married off to him. The infamous Prince of the North. The one with the cold eyes, colder reputation, and a name that sends whispers through the kingdom.
That’s Reaniah’s life in The Deadly Prooise. What starts off feeling like some cruel, political joke quickly becomes very real. A marriage arranged to unify two broken kingdoms ends up binding her to a man she was never supposed to love, and yet, fate has other plans.
Okay, so let me just say this upfront: I despise this cover...but babyyy, this book? SO good. It’s been a minute since I’ve read a fantasy, and The Deadly Prooise did not disappoint.
Reaniah is that soft, Snow White-type girl, dancing with animals, pure as can be, but with a rebellious streak, thanks to her overprotective parents. And honestly, can you blame them? Between her strange “illness” that puts her into a deep sleep and the fact that her beauty could literally start wars, she stays locked down like a national treasure. Then there’s Marsalan—the man from the North. Broody, angry, brutal, grungy… he checks all the boxes for the emotionally unavailable bad boy in a mythical world. And yet, somehow, their love? Chef’s kiss. I’m a sucker for a good grumpy x sunshine dynamic, but the magical elements layered into their relationship just take it to another level.
Heads up though, there are a lot of little details to keep up with, but trust me, they all come together in the end in the most satisfying way. This book is packed with tension, emotional slow burn, and that “I hate you... but why do I want you?” energy. It’s giving royal drama, enemies-to-lovers, buried secrets, and a destiny way too big to dodge.
Also, please don’t ask me what a Prooise is. I’ve looked everywhere and still have no clue. I’m low-key convinced it was meant to be “promise” because it’s not in the book or on the internet.
& that’s a wrap on this week’s picks! As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts—what you’re reading, what you’re loving (or not), and what should be on the radar next. Hit reply or drop a comment if something sparked your interest.
If you’re enjoying Prose & Cons, feel free to forward it to a friend or share the love—more readers, more recs, more fun.
Until next time, happy reading ✨
xoxo, Tay