The Time of Your Life by Sandra Kitt
Sourcebooks Casablanca (April 11, 2023)
Contemporary Romance/African American Romance/Multicultural Romance
Second chances always lead to a new beginning!
When Everett Nicholls died, he left his millions to the two people he cared about most—the young law student he was mentoring, and his beloved stepson. Eden Marsh and Beck Dennison are instantly suspicious of each other. Suddenly, with all this money at their fingertips, family problems they’ve each been ignoring can no longer be swept under the rug. Beck and his mother have had a strained relationship since tragedy befell the family when he was a young teen, and Eden knows it’s long past time to forge a new relationship with her demanding younger sister. As they begin to confide in each other—and to have fun together—their friendship is an anchor in a stormy new life…
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REVIEW
“Do you need a hug?”
I enjoyed the story of a young law student and a journalist who met when their mentor passed away. While the story is slow in parts, I felt the author fleshed out the story and characters well. The two main characters both have life alternating history. I enjoyed the setting in Washington DC since I live very close to DC. I liked how both character helped one another with the difficulties they faced in their life. Good portrayal of young adults new in their careers with both having good heads on their shoulders. Minimal angst, slow burn romance, and a good read.
Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (March 12, 2023
eBook ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley
Purchased copy via Brenda Novak Monthly Book Box (June 2023)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra Kitt is the author of more than twenty novels, including The Color of Love, Significant Others, and Close Encounters, as well as numerous short stories. Her work has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and has appeared on the Essence and Blackboard bestseller lists. She is the recipient of the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. A native New Yorker, Kitt previously worked as a graphic designer, creating cards for UNICEF, illustrating books, and exhibiting her own work, which is included in the collection of the Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles. She formerly served as the managing director of the Richard S. Perkin Collection in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.
(2) Sandra Kitt, Author | Facebook
EXCERPT
Beck had already started down the stairwell when he remembered he’d left his bag on the floor near the entrance of the room. In no hurry, he turned and started back up, his mind now occupied with the conversations he’d had, the evocative little speech Eden had so gracefully made…heartfelt and sincere…as well as considering a number of angles to the piece he wanted to write about the service.
He didn’t actually walk back into the room but reached inside near the baseboard for his bag. He grabbed it, already turning to descend the stairs again. He heard something that sounded like…like someone crying. Beck turned, listening closely in case he’d made a mistake. But, no. Someone was crying. He stepped back into the room, again glancing around, but it appeared empty. The buffet tables had yet to be collapsed and removed, and the easel with the dramatic image of Everett Nichols was still prominently displayed.
He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. Behind the easel, near the window on the opposite side of the room. He saw only slim, black pant legs, but knew immediately it was Eden. Beck approached, walking over the enormous modern area rug until he reached the portrait. He stepped around it and found Eden quietly sobbing into a paper napkin. He saw her hunched shoulders shaking, her lustrous curls bobbing on her head, her crying muted in the napkin.
Beck considered that maybe the best thing to do, under the circumstance, was to leave Eden alone. Of course she didn’t mean for anyone to witness her emotional display, but Beck couldn’t move. He couldn’t ignore her plaintive sobs. While he stood debating his next move, Eden straightened on a deep and quiet sigh. She dabbed at her tears, sniffed, blew her nose. Beck very carefully placed his fingers on her arm. She went still, but Eden neither was startled nor recoiled at his touch.
He leaned closer to the side of her head. He took a chance.
“Do you need a hug?” he whispered.
Eden remained perfectly still for a second or more. Then, she nodded and turned to let him gather her against his chest. She was instantly in tears, quietly sobbing again without saying a word…The tears kept flowing…and Eden didn’t seem to have any control over it ending.
Beck was stunned. Not only because Eden had readily accepted his offer, but because…he felt an odd responsibility to respect what she was going through…He didn’t have to remind himself that he didn’t know anything about the woman Eden might be. Her forehead rested on his chest, her curls bushing softly under his chin and jaw. Beck didn’t hold her tightly. Just enough so that she’d feel secure. But it was a powerful moment and, in its own way, very intimate. Beck felt protective of Eden.
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I enjoyed this book.
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