Review: This Time It’s Love: A Second-Chance Black Romance
When I first stumbled upon This Time It’s Love: A Second-Chance Black Romance by the wonderfully talented Tasha L. Martin, I was instantly intrigued. The combination of music, family obligation, and heartfelt healing drew me in, making me eager to turn the first page. As a lover of stories that delve into the complexities of love and second chances, I couldn’t resist the allure of this novel that promised to explore those themes through the lens of two deeply flawed but relatable characters.
At the heart of the story is Jaxon Hart, a world-renowned musician renowned for his talent but infamous for his penchant for breaking hearts. When his estranged father passes away, he’s faced with an unexpected life change: becoming the guardian of his 12-year-old half-sister, Mila. Suddenly, he must confront not only the reality of familial responsibility but also the raw vulnerability that comes with real human connections. Then there’s Hadassah "Dash" St. James, the head of Mila’s charter school, whose own past trauma and commitment to her career create a wall around her heart that Jaxon inadvertently starts to chisel away.
What resonated most for me in this narrative was how authentically Martin captured the struggles of grief and healing. The emotional depth between Jaxon and Dash is palpable, and their journey is beautifully messy—the kind of rawness that often gets overlooked in romance novels. The interplay of their emotions, set against the backdrop of parenting and healing, allows for a rich exploration of how love can emerge, change, and even transform alongside personal growth.
Martin’s writing shines with clarity and poignancy. She molds her characters with layers that unfold as the story progresses, and it kept me hooked from the first chapter to the last. I found myself nodding along to the dialogue, especially during their more intimate exchanges where realizations pinged off the pages like sparks. It’s no wonder that readers noted how relatable and heartwarming they found the characters—one reviewer mentioned feeling “every ounce of heartbreak along the way,” and I couldn’t agree more.
The pacing of the book balances moments of tension with quiet introspection. While some readers found portions of the narrative slow, I appreciated the time spent on character development. It’s in these quieter moments that we see Jaxon and Dash begin their transformation—finding solace in their shared struggles, learning about each other’s grief, and ultimately rediscovering their capacity for love.
The book is peppered with touching moments and interesting plot twists that kept me wanting more, even as it delved into heavier themes. One notable quote that stuck with me was when Dash reflects on her own fears of intimacy: “Sometimes the scariest part isn’t falling; it’s learning to fly.” This encapsulates the heart of the story: the leap of faith we must take to forge connections, even when deeply scarred.
This Time It’s Love is perfect for fans of heartfelt romances, especially those who appreciate narratives around personal growth and familial ties. Whether you lean towards tales of second chances or just enjoy complex characters battling their inner demons, this book is bound to resonate with you.
In a way, reading this novel was a cathartic experience for me, as it subtly addressed aspects of love and loss that many of us grapple with. Tasha L. Martin has created a touching read that reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of love, making it an enriching addition to the landscape of contemporary romance. I can’t wait to see what more she has in store for her readers!