This was a good story with well written characters that will appeal to romance readers who like characters from diverse backgrounds in their books.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I started reading this second chance M/M lovestory just at the right time. Rain, rain, and more rain pouring down, the whole weekend. A perfect moment to curl up on the couch with a sweet romance!

DeShawn, a chef in a Michelin restaurant, and Malik, an accountant at his family’s restaurant, were married, but divorced seven years ago. Ar least, they thought they did. But their divorce got rejected without their knowledge and they never found out. When they do find out, DeShawn’s grandma tells them she’s terminally ill and wants to leave her house and other possessions to them. There’s one problem, DeShawn’s uncle contests his mom’s will. DeShawn and Malik have only one option, play it like they’ve reconciled.

<i>If you love something</i> is an easy, sweet, and nice read, an in between, nothing spectacular, but definitely not bad either. The writing is engaging and invites you to keep on reading. I read it in a couple of sittings. DeShawn and Malik are likable characters, and throughout the book I felt their love for each other. And I had a soft spot for Grandma and the dogs! If you’re want to read a cute slow burn second chance love story to dream away for a few moments, check this one out!

I have one remark though. The saying is: don’t judge a book by its cover. I do, to be honest. And I keep thinking that this cover looks like a cheesy straight rom-com instead of a Black queer love story. It could be a positive thing because it shouldn’t matter if the characters are Black or white, or straight or queer. On the other hand, I think that every book deserves a cover that fits its content. It would be a shame if (Black) queer people passed this book in a bookstore because of its cover.

Everyone loves a good second chance romance and Jayce Ellis delivers just that in If You Love Something. Malik and DeShawn go through a heartbreaking divorce and yet still find their way back to each other even when they didn't want to believe there was still love there. Their different personalities bring a well balanced story to their family dynamic throughout the book.

I got this off of NetGalley and these opinions are my own. I really enjoyed this book. Malik and DeShawn are both great characters! There divorce sounds heartbreaking but I enjoyed reading about them reconnecting. I enjoyed the love they had for each other even when they were telling themselves they didn’t. As a dog lover I enjoyed that they each had a pet and that Bruno and Corey got along so well! And Grandma was amazing! I liked that they both had dreams that they wanted to fulfill and they thought it meant being apart but maybe it didn’t? Jayce Ellis also knows how to write a steamy book! I like that it was a slow burn but because of their history it also felt fast. I feel like we really got to know these characters and there story is epic! This is one I’ll definitely be reading more then once!

I was not able to get into this book when I tried reading it this week. It was not my cup of tea though I did keep trying. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for giving me chance to read and review.

Very engaging second chance romance. I liked that both characters have a lot in common, yet different personalities that balance each other well. Lovely family dynamics as well.

Thank you Carina Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

HARLEQUIN|Carina Press.....
Thank you so much for this eARC!

If You Love Something is wonderful and charming!
The characters are complicated and the feelings are so relatable.
I felt so many things reading this book
Loved the "new" development of the relationship between DeShawn and Malik .
Full of self-discovery and the theme of admitting love no matter the cost.
The story was overall a cute story about second chances.
And I really enjoyed reading this book!
🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

Thank you again Carina Press, NetGalley and Jayce for this eARC!
I will cross post to my platforms closer to pub date!

If You Love Something by Jayce Ellis is an emotional, and a bit steamy MM romance that has one of the angstyest (might not be a real word, but it works for me here) romances that I’ve read in a while.

DeShawn Franklin has almost everything he’s ever wanted to include being the executive chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant in DC. He’s a local celebrity chef and he’s on his way to the success he’s always dreamed about. Then his grandmother calls and tells him she has cancer and will not pursue treatment. DeShawn is devastated by this news, but she goes on to tell him that he will inherit her home and his ex-husband Malik will inherit all her money. And one more thing… His divorce from Malik seven years ago didn’t go through, and he’s actually still married to Malik!

Malik never got over his marriage to DeShawn but has returned home to help his family with their restaurant business. He never told his family about his marriage to DeShawn, mostly because it was over before he came out as a gay man. Now he learns that his ex-husband’s grandmother has left him money in her will, and now her greedy son, Robert, is suing to overturn his mother’s will claiming Malik isn’t a real heir and he has coerced his mother into leaving all her money to Malik.

Malik and DeShawn have not seen each other since their divorce, but now they must work together to make sure that Robert does not win the lawsuit. And they have to pretend they are together again to make a stronger case against Robert. As they spend time together sparks fly and they both begin to wonder why they ever left each other.

I enjoyed the romance between DeShawn and Malik very much. It was obvious from the beginning that they share a very strong love for each other and are true soulmates. The book flew by and I never found the book dragging. I enjoyed all the family members, especially the grandmother. Malik’s family, who run their restaurant were enjoyable too.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.