Kaliya was a great character but I wasn't a fan of Danny. The author did a good job showing Kaliya's journey in discovering herself and her independence and she was such a strong character. I feel like it might've been harder to connect with Danny's character because we don't get his perspective but I also didn't like how easily they fixed things at the end. Kaliya forgave him way too easily for everything and Danny didn't put in enough effort. I also wasn't a fan of the whole evil girlfriend thing.

This was quite a ride! The second chance book trope is a tough sell for me but I think this worked. It was messy, honest and tackles tough subject matter. It's a great debut and I very much look forward to Myah Ariel's next read!

Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group for my ARC!

4/5

I generally like to have both MC's point of view, especially in a romance, so that it doesn't feel one-sided. It also felt as though the FMC was putting in the most effort and MMC was just letting her. Didn't love that.

Okay, so I just finished When I Think of You by Myah Ariel, and let me tell you this book had me in my feelings. Like, the kind of feelings where you’re smiling one minute and clutching your chest the next. It’s THAT good.

The story follows Emery and Levi, and whew, these two have a dynamic that feels so real and raw. Emery is dealing with her own struggles, trying to figure out what she wants and who she is, and then there’s Levi. Let me just say, Levi is that kind of love interest who makes you want to scream “just love her already!” He’s thoughtful but complicated, and the way their relationship unfolds is messy in the best way.

What I loved most is how this book doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. It’s not just about romance it’s about growth, forgiveness, and figuring out how to let someone in when you’re still trying to piece yourself together. Myah Ariel really makes you feel these characters. Like, I found myself rooting for Emery even when she didn’t have it all figured out because, honestly, same girl.

The writing is beautiful without trying too hard. It feels like real people having real conversations, and the way the emotions are written? Ugh, it hit me right in the chest.

If you’re into love stories that are deep, emotional, and just real, you’ve gotta pick this one up. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your head long after you’ve finished. Trust me, this one’s a gem.

I really enjoyed this one against all odds. Though I love a second chance romance I really started out struggling with Danny’s character, he a bit of an emotional terrorist and I strongly wished this book featured his POV so we could get into his head a little more. Dual POV romance will always be supreme to me. Regardless of my personal preferences, Kaliya was a fantastic character. A bright young woman with big dreams who has felt the sting of rejection so many times complacency in a job she hates seems safer than chasing her dream career.

I loved the way this talked about starting a career in your 20s and the confusion of all the big dreams you had in college vs the strong reality check of the real world and its challenges. Kaliya was very relatable and likeable, I was rooting for her the whole way. I enjoyed her and Danny for the most part, though I feel like the book barely gave their connection a chance to breathe for the majority of the page time. This romance is a challenging one, full of self-sabotage and difficult circumstances but I really enjoyed the way the two characters came together in the end. Their romance felt grounded and real in so many ways. It was a fun, melodramatic read with alot of heart and it was a great debut. I’m excited for Ariel’s next novel.

3.75 stars

We love a realistic romance novel! The main character in this book was very relatable and the love story was one that kept me turning pages! Written in such a beautiful way while tackling some hard issues that people face on a daily basis. I highly recommend if you’re looking for a romance novel that makes you feel all warm and cozy!

Kaliya and Danny gave me all the feels! I love a good romance that deals with second chance and I also love workplace love! This gave me both. Myah Ariel is two for two with her releases and I cant wait to see what is=next for her career!!

I Tried

I started an ARC for this over a year ago. I struggled to connect with the story, so I gave up on it. I decided to give it another try. Ugh! It still didn’t work for me. Their love story wasn’t romantic at all. Danny’s brooding and angsty personality annoyed me. He was incredibly selfish. Kaliya enabled his behavior. I wanted to knock some sense into her. She was part airhead and part doormat. I couldn’t stand it. The rest of the story was okay, but I couldn’t get beyond my dislike of the lead characters. Their on and off relationship had so many lows and very few highs. It was very disappointing.

First things first—can we talk about the cover? It's absolutely stunning and immediately drew me in. As someone who is obsessed with second-chance romances, I was so excited to dive into this story. I live for the angst, the unresolved feelings, and those powerful moments of reunion. But unfortunately, this second-chance love story didn’t quite deliver the emotional intensity I hoped for.

Kaliya and Danny, the main couple, had potential, but their connection felt underdeveloped. The chemistry—the passion that makes you root for a couple—was missing for me. Without that emotional pull, I struggled to fully invest in their love story.

The characters overall didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. I wanted to feel something more for them—whether love, frustration, or heartbreak—but they remained somewhat distant and didn’t leap off the page.

So I definitely should have read this sooner!! It gives Kennedy Ryan vibes...who is one of my favorite authors! Ariel's writing is absolutely beautiful with a lyrical flow that pulled me in from the start. The chemistry in this story was so realistic and lovely and you could feel their love come off the page. I cannot wait to see what else Ariel writes!

Unfortunately I did DNF this book. Thank you Berkeley for the arc! I really appreciate it. I am interested in possibly picking up this book again and giving it another try at some point!

Head over heels in love, the progression of the plot was smooth as butter, and the character leapt off the page from the yearning and flustering and heated moments. I loved this debut and excellent themes around the representation of being a black womanhood in an industry that constantly look you over. Chef’s kiss!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to be able to read this book!

If you love second chance love stories you’ll fall in love with this one for sure!
I had a great time reading it.

second-chance romance that explores rekindled love amidst the complexities of the film industry and cultural challenges faced by people of color.

From the start, Danny aspires for a future with Kaliyah. Their journey of personal growth, apart and then together, adds a refreshing twist to the romance genre.The writing thoughtfully addresses themes of grief, portraying characters' emotional struggles with respect. It also provides a unique perspective on Hollywood, critiquing privilege and diversity issues.

The well-developed supporting characters enrich the narrative, offering depth to the story. Overall, this book is a delightful read, perfect for those who appreciate romance intertwined with personal and societal growth. It's a must-read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

☆☆☆☆

TL;DR: A beautifully written exploration of the messiness of youth and self-discovery, but I struggled with some confusing plot points. Four stars.

Synopsis: 'When I Think of You' follows a struggling (wannabe) producer Kaliya who unexpectedly runs into her first love, Danny—the source of her worst heartbreak—who is now Hollywood's golden boy, hailing from a true Hollywood family. He is surprised to see her working as an admin and offers her a role in his latest production, a very meaningful film for him personally. As they reconnect, she navigates the complexities of love and ambition in the high-stakes world of the entertainment industry while keeping herself and her reigniting feelings distanced from him and his current superstar girlfriend.

Ariel’s writing is very relatable and deeply introspective, perfectly capturing the chaos of being twenty and learning who you are, and relearning it again when you change your mind. I wished we had more page time dedicated to Kailya and Danny relearning each other, but Kailya's desire for independence as a character really shined through and spoke to me as a reader.

While Danny is a great relatable, messy male lead as he overcomes his grief after losing his beloved father, he’s overshadowed by the plot twists involving his scheming girlfriend. They didn’t ring true and I felt undermined the story overall. I just wanted more of Kaliya and Danny. Though aspects of the plot felt very realistic for the film/hollywood world some of the plot felt too gimmicky at times.

I would absolutely read this author again for the heartfelt exploration of personal growth and steamy romance!

“Love was pain to him, nothing more, nothing less. So the only thing inevitable about us was heartbreak.”

Kaliya is reintroduced to Danny seven years after they broke each other’s hearts and I think this quote beautifully describes her hesitancy with working on his film production in the beginning of the book. I loved the writing! Kaliyah’s thought process was very entertaining and hilarious at times. Seeing glimpses of the movie script was a treat and throughout the story we get to see Danny help Kaliya use her talents for film, something she’s always wanted to do. As a result, she discovers more about herself and where she wants to be in life which added so much depth to her character. Her and Danny’s connection was undeniable and I loved how they both fought to get their relationship right the second time around.🎬🍿🎞️

This book had its moments, but it didn’t completely resonate with me. I liked the emotional depth and the exploration of longing, but the pacing felt a little slow at times. Although I didn’t fully connect with the characters, there were still touching moments that made the story worth reading. I always love finding and support black authors and black love stories!

I love a good second chance romance novel and this one was really sweet. Danny was such an admirable male protagonist and I appreciate that he kept showing up and proving himself throughout the book. Kaliya was brilliant and I enjoyed seeing her self perception improve as she came into her own and overcame obstacles throughout the novel. The romance and film aspects were great. I will say the middle of this novel was a bit slow for me at times, but I enjoyed this one overall and would love to read more from this author!

A dreamy second-chance romance set amidst the highs and lows of the movie business. I adore Kaliya as a protagonist — she's passionate, determined, knows what she's worth, and just the right amount of messy. I love the world and characters Myah Ariel created in this book and can't wait to read whatever she writes next!