Soft and loving I love hearing about a black woman being loved correctly by a black me. A must read for anybody that loves that as well.

I loved this book. I loved how messy and real it felt. Second chance romances are hard, it's hard to buy into a story where the first breakup is so painful it leads to severed ties for years and then for that couple to somehow overcome that. It takes a lot of grace. But it was so honest and real and grownup for these characters to recognize that the first time around was the right thing at the wrong time and to still be imperfect and need to work on things like trust and communication. Every beat of this book was right and I loved it all.

DNF @ 25% - this felt like a carbon copy of every single one of jasmine guillory’s books, except I couldn’t get into the MCs at all. I wanted more from the characters and from the writing style of the author herself.

It was just ok. I really wanted to love it but I feel like we spent too much time with the MC’s not together. Kaliyah frustrated me at times because she was a little childish. Danny didn’t give “I want you back energy” at all and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about second chance reads. I think if we would have had Danny’s POV as well that would have changed things for me. I think Myah’s writing shined but the story itself fell a bit flat for me. I’ll be honest after that 3rd act breakup I almost didn’t finish it because what was the reason? I would absolutely read from Myah again, so I’m looking forward to what comes from her next.

The amount of details made me feel like I was there. Overall beautifully written and I will be reading again for sure! it was such a beautiful second chance love story. It was sweet, steamy and had so much emotion. There was so much charm and love in this novel, I couldn't get enough. I loved the characters so much I would love to see this as a movie or tv adaptation.

This was so swoony and sultry and I could not put it down! I can’t believe this was a debut, I truly can’t. Highly recommend to anyone who wants a second chance romance to pull on their heartstrings.

This book was so good and it made me cry. Those flashbacks were killing me. all the main characters were just perfection and i wish i was loved as much as both main characters love each other. the way fmc was just so perfect and strong and beautiful, i love her more characters like her please. mmc i loved him but i wish it was a little bit more like he actually crawled more? but they were perfect as couple and the flashbacks? i’m dead

Could it be a second chance for a girl with big dreams and the hot shot director?

For film studio receptionist, Kaliya, life after film school has yet to go the way she hoped. Hollywood politics have stifled her progress. After a chance meeting, her ex-boyfriend and former film school partner, director Danny Prescott, offers her a job on his latest production. Love and a dream career opportunity seem finally within her grasp until scandal threatens it all.

There’s so much I loved about this book! This second chance romance with an insider’s view of Hollywood and film making was everything I wanted and more from this debut.

Be forewarned, Kaliya and Danny are a couple you want to hug and shake. Their path isn’t smooth and they face some self-created challenges. Nevertheless, there is so much love, respect, and desire between them to succeed. Through the flashbacks, it was clear why these two never stopped loving each other despite seven years passing and an abrupt end to their college romance. I appreciated the growth of these characters.

Kaliya’s relationship with her bestie Neha is also special. Everyone needs a friend like Neha! She’s a ride-or-die friend that’s equal parts tough love and hype woman. My fingers are crossed for Neha’s book in the future.

The film and music references sprinkled throughout the book are a highlight. I was tempted to make a playlist.

I listened and read When I Think of You. Narrator DeWanda Wise did an excellent job! She portrayed Kailya’s desire to achieve her dreams despite the challenges of being a Black woman in Hollywood and her indecision about Danny perfectly. It was my first time listening to one of her books, but I will look for more from her.

I really enjoyed this book about finding love while pursuing your dreams regardless of the odds!

I honestly didn't enjoy this one at all. I wasn't very connected to the story and I don't think Kaliya and Danny are a good couple. They just don't have the chemistry that is necessary for a romance. I did however like that Kaliya took time to figure out who she was before diving into a relationship with Danny again. I think I just needed more from the characters in terms of why they are together and why their love is something worth fighting for.

I've been excited about this book since I heard Myah talk about it at Summer Book Fest last year, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!

This one hit all the right notes for me. I love a second chance romance, especially when it's executed as well as this one is. I loved the tension that was present between Kaliya and Danny from the moment they reunited, their chemistry was delightful from start to finish, both in the flashbacks and in present day. Moreover, I loved how imperfect both characters were. As they come to terms with their past and how they fell apart, they recognize how they both played a role to some extent, and I appreciated the nuance that that realization added to their journey as a couple.

Kaliya's journey as a main character was wonderful. Her development as a character as she learns to find herself over the course of the story is so satisfying to see. She comes to realize that she is stuck in a job that she is way overqualified for, and continually gets passed over for opportunities she deserves, and I love how she eventually finds her purpose advocating for women who are marginalized in the film industry. In short, she's a badass and I love her.

Some of my favorite parts in this book were the flashbacks to Kaliya's time in film school. There were so many moments mixed in throughout the story that felt pulled straight from my experience studying film (when Kaliya said the best film she'd never watched was Citizen Kane I felt so SEEN), which made me love the book even more. I also just loved the Hollywood setting driven by the movie Danny is trying to make (I love movies, y'all, of course I'm going to love the film setting).

Overall, this debut was wonderful, and I am so excited to read more from this author!

I really enjoyed Myah's debut and once can quickly pick up on how she put her heart and soul into When I Think of You!

Kaliya has been seeking her big break in Hollywood. Now, she's got a shot but the catch? She has to work with who she thought was her college lover. She hasn't seen or heard from Danny in 7 years! But working with him on his screen writing project could be her big break. Agreeing to set aside the past and work together, everything seems as if the stars aligned, just like in a Hollywood flick, especially with passion heating up. But as opposition erupts, will it remind Kaliya why their romance should have stayed in the past?

As I was reading, I wondered on Myah's background as the imagery and Hollywood background seemed so realistic. BUT I couldn't get behind Kaliya's decision the last 25% of the book and felt that Danny deserved better. The lead up wtih the podcast reveal was a WIN but that third act breakup just didn't flow. I love the take Myah provided however; towards white privledge and the ability to be educated in a society that typically looks the other way. Overall, I enjoyed this read and look forward to reading whatever Myah puts out next.

I enjoyed this second chance romance. I appreciated the look at racism in hollywood and the conversation around privilege and the amount of sway it has in this industry. I also loved that our main character didn't just lie there and be a victim, but decided to take action when she saw a systemic problem. The steamy bits were delightful and I was rooting for this love to flourish. Overall good romance.

**ARC Review: Captivating Second Chance Romance**

Myah Ariel’s latest romance novel delivers a heartfelt and believable second chance love story. Danny and Kaliya’s journey, shaped by timing, circumstances, and miscommunications, unfolds beautifully, making their eventual reunion feel well-earned and genuine.

Set against the backdrop of the entertainment industry, particularly the world of movies, this story is a treat for fans of that scene. Kaliya and Danny first meet at NYU in a Cinema Studies course, only to cross paths again years later under vastly different circumstances. Kaliya, now a receptionist at a production studio, finds herself in a rut, while Danny has risen to prominence as a director, following in his father's illustrious footsteps. Their reconnection happens when Kaliya gets an opportunity to work on Danny’s film, which aims to tell the love story of his parents. The narrative does a great job of depicting the realistic drama and political maneuvers of the film industry.

Supporting characters like Bella and Neha add depth to the story, and I found myself hoping they get their own books in the future. And Eric? He definitely deserves his own love story too!

This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted romance with a touch of Hollywood glamor. I’m excited to see what Myah Ariel comes up with next!

🫶🏽What I enjoyed
I was really into the behind-the-scenes of Hollywood storyline, and following Kaliyah’s journey as she tries to make a name for herself in the industry. Her bestie was dropping snarky truth bombs that I absolutely adored, and Danny’s passion to make a movie about his parents’ love story was the sweetest. I thought the audio performance by Dewanda Wise was great! Very easy to follow and had me laughing.
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🤷🏻‍♀️What didn’t work for me
I was really loving this book until about the 75% mark. The third act break up didn’t make much sense to me. I can also see some people being bothered by the lack of communication revolving around Kaliyah and Danny’s first break up.
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Overall though, I did enjoy this book and would read another by Mya Ariel!

An earnest romantic story centered around the black experience and trying to find joy within the pain.

Cue the music!! **plays Janet Jackson on repeat** When I think of you is a second chance, workplace romance that is as touching as it is troubled.

In this story there are plenty of upsetting things such as microagressions, sexual ha but it is all balanced out by the life between two couples. Although this was Kaliyah and Danny’s romance I found myself even more interested in experiencing more flashbacks into Minnie and Nathan’s love story. To hell with what Hollywood critics may say, we indeed want another to see another story like the Love’s on our big screen.

The third act breakup in this story may have been one of the most emotional breakups I’ve read in a while. The way his emotions bleed out on the page and her raw and exposed fear showed up were exceptionally written. Also Kaliyah’s ability to take ownership was well great to read.

Although I felt like their romance could have been stronger, this was a solid debut. 3.5/5

I thought this was such a strong debut! The story of this book centers on Kaliya Wilson and Danny Prescott, her former college sweetheart. Both are attempting to establish themselves in the movie business. The way Danny and Kaliyah's tale addressed sexism in the entertainment industry, loss, grieving, and mental health in addition to their own journey is something I find really intriguing. I also enjoyed how they healed apart before reuniting.

Overall, this story was a nice read that blended a deeper message with the complexities of falling back in love with someone who has hurt you badly in the past.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read/review.

4.5⭐️ Thank you @berkleyromance for the copy I received at the Berkley Spring influencer event. From the moment I heard author Myah Ariel speak, I was so excited and couldn’t wait to read it. This was such a great second-chance love story between Kaliya Wilson and Danny Prescott, who had a college romance before he ghosted her.

As son to Hollywood royalty, now Danny is making his own way to the big screen and wants Kaliya as his assistant. I loved their slow burn romance and watching them rekindle that flame for one another.
The author gives great insight into this world of film making as well as the politics and racism that are present.

*many thanks to Berkley Romance, prh audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

The Second Chance At Love Trope will always be a hit or miss, it's very easy for the story to become a connection rooted only in the previous dating history of the characters. Luckily for readers the advanced copy of When I Think of You that i was lucky enough to receive via Netgalley demonstrated how this trope should be handled. This novel is the story of Kaliya Wilson and her former college sweet heart Danny Prescott. Both are trying to make their way in the film industry, an industry that isn't always kind to black creatives, even when they have the name and experience behind you to become successful.. Forced back together to work on Danny's passion project, a film to honor the love story of his parents, Kaliya and Danny can't avoid the resurfacing feelings they have for each other. Danny is also trying to tell his parents story as he realizes that he was only given a chance due to the race of his father. As the child of an interracial couple during a time when his very existence was a crime Danny is trying to respectfully tell of his parents hardships while it seems like everyone is working against him to keep from making a "woke" film. All in all this novel was a lovely novel that balanced a deeper message with the complexity of falling back in love with someone who hurt you deeply in the past. I enjoyed it and think others will too.

This was a beautiful debut from Myah Ariel! This was a second chance romance between college loves, Danny and Kaliyah, as they try to navigate working together on Danny’s new film.

I love how Danny and Kaliyah’s story not only explored their journey, but also loss, grief, mental health, and sexism in the entertainment industry. I also appreciated how they both healed separately before coming back together again. Say it with me y’all: GROWTH! It always makes the relationship better!

I do have to note that this book heavily utilizes the miscommunication trope (which I do not like) and another microtrope that I don’t particularly care for. However, because these tropes were so well integrated with the second chance aspect, it somehow worked for me in the end. Did I want to fight Danny every 5 pages because of his miscommunication? Yes. But was I rooting for him and Kaliyah to get together and work things out? Also yes.

This would be the perfect read for anyone who loves second chance romances like Seven Days In June or even lovers of films/the film industry!