A really nice debut . Although it often read more women’s fiction than romance, I really enjoyed it! A great addition? Particularly with its Black rep in Hollywood.

I don’t think I’ll ever get over how much I loved this book😩😍🥰😘 Like ✨chef’s kiss✨ perfection, would be an understatement! Guess I’m officially a 2nd chance lover girlie soft era now 🤷🏾‍♀️ 💕

The growth in both of the main characters really did me in on this one….like we’re talking CHARACTER GROWWWWWTH and black excellence! I’ll be forever swooning over this one!

5.0⭐️

Thank you @berkleypub / @berkleyromance for the chance to get to read an early review copy! All thoughts are my own!

I seriously enjoyed this book so much !! Ms @myahmeetscute seriously did her thing! I loved the characters so much, including the side characters. I really wish this book was longer. I also wish we go to see them together more. I love seeing the growth in the characters over time. I loved how the movie was incorporated into this book. This books hits the stores april 2024 ! I encourage everyone to read it.

OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK. Seriously, so good. The flashbacks, the character development. Everything was so good! I was so invested in Danny and Kaliyah's love story from start to finish. I wish it was LONGER!!

This book start off giving the best type of second chance troupe and the miscommunication wasn’t overly extreme nor unrealistic. The characters each gave us a POV of growth and maturity that I really enjoyed. The way Danny’s parent’s story was a way to dive into Danny wanting that soulmate type of love was so good. The ending kind of threw me off a little because the story was so good prior, but we got our HEA. As a whole the book was a testament of second chances and true love.

This book was everything I hoped for and more. Kaliya was smart, driven, and even though she was down, she refused to be out. Danny was such a sweetie, and stood by Kaliya regardless. This isn't a spoiler necessarily but I LOVED the double dutch scene at the playground. The spice level was medium and incredibly well done. It heated up the page and was open door, but didn't burn the pages right off. The tie ins with Hollywood were well done and felt like they added a glimpse into the back workings of movie making. I would highly recommend this book! Thanks Myah Ariel and Berkely!

Kaliya Wilson is a NYU graduate with dreams of becoming a film producer, but after years of doors being slammed and a constant chorus of no's, she's tucked her dreams away and taken a job at a production company. As Kaliya meanders through life, barely surviving at a job she hates, her now-famous ex-boyfriend Danny Prescott walks into her job and sees her working the front desk. Danny offers Kaliya a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that could be the catalyst to making her dreams a possibility once more, but can she work with the one that got away? The ex that broke her heart? The person she's possibly still in love with?

I really enjoyed this story. I appreciate Kaliya and her dilemma: wanting to take an opportunity but being gunshy about it because of her past with Danny. Her feelings for him were so visceral, and so was her heartbreak. Myah Ariel's writing really conveys the emotion of the story. Watching as both Danny and Kaliya find their way back to each other through the film was sweet. I also loved the portrayal of the lack of diversity in Hollywood and the way privilege oftentimes negates talent. I will say that one negative I had with this book was that I think it could've benefited from Danny's POV being shown. This is a second-chance trope, and I feel like that can't be accurately portrayed without both perspectives. Overall, this was a really wonderful debut novel.

Thank you to Myah Ariel and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an e-arc exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the ARC of When I Think of You by Myah Ariel in exchange for an honest review. What I was expecting: a beautiful second chance romance. What I was not expecting: emotional cheating that led me to DNF the book. The cover is beautiful, and I was expecting the story to match the vibes only to be disappointed.

Thank you Net Galley for this arc,

I felt like I was watching movie the whole time I read this story. Danny and Kaliyah’s love story is a love story you would definitely see on the big screen!

We follow Kaliyah who is a receptionist for a film studio for the past couple years she’s been trying to break into the movie industry but it’s been extremely hard for her. But it hasn’t been hard for her ex boyfriend Danny who already has won an Oscar and of course it helps his dad is an award winning director. They run into each other at her job, it’s been 7 years since they’ve seen each other. Danny offers her a job for his new movie Kaliyah isn’t sure she should take it but than again why not it’s her dream to make movies.

The tension and the angst were so well done, it’s clear that Danny has never stopped loving Kaliyah and Kaliyah has some unresolved feelings. If you love hollywoods, drama and second chance romances this will definitely be the book for you.

My only critique is that I wish we got Danny’s POV and that the book was longer! Overall I really did enjoy it and I hope it does get adapted into the big screen.

When I Think of You is a sweeping debut from Myah Ariel! This book is an ode to cinema and the magic of movie making and storytelling. As someone who also loves watching and making movies, I heavily related to Kaliya and Danny's love of cinema. Their romance was very cute, but there were times I was frustrated at Danny's actions, both past and present. I did appreciate the moments they had together, though (the double dutch scene was ADORABLE!!). Honestly, the part of this story that I enjoyed the most was seeing the love story of Danny's parents come to life. The snippets of the scenes we got to see were so captivating. Of course, the discussions about race in the film industry, being a WOC in the workforce, interracial relationships, and growing up biracial were also thoughtfully handled as well. I can't wait to read Myah Ariel's future works!

I will admit that what originally caught my eye about When I Think of You was the absolutely stunning cover...but reading Myah Ariel's debut novel, I saw that the cover conveys only a fraction of the beauty and emotion of this incredible debut romance. Heady and atmospheric, When I Think of You is a stunning second-chance romance that delves deep into the world of film. I predict that this will be one of the biggest romance debuts in 2024—at least, this book deserves to be on the top of everybody's list. I will be singing its praises all year long.

I got a Berkely A R C, yay!

So grateful to get one of my most anticipated reads early.

I’ve tried to write this review dozens of times and it’s been the literary version of scattered and stuttered speech.

This. Book. It’s just beautiful. Heart wrenching. Heart wrecking.

I was mad at Kaliya and Danny at different parts of the book. I screamed at the people making their lives difficult. I cried at their losses. I laughed at many moments between Kaliya and her roommate.

Danny’s mouth! Whether it’s sharing his heart or behind closed doors, he takes me out. It’s. Just. Perfection.

Kaliya’s career journey is so relatable, especially as (me being) a Black woman. I’m sick at how long she had to endure but so appreciative of getting to see her take the time that she needs to build a career proactively instead of reactively.

I normally hate third-act breakups but but the sign of a good book is making me love something I hate. This one felt worthwhile and the getting back together was SOOOO worth it. Some of the most poignant declarations of love came after the break-up and them making their way back to one another.

When I Think of You is a frighteningly beautiful story and I’m afraid I’ll spend the rest of my days recovering from it.

I can’t wait to reread when it comes out and then literally everything Myah Ariel ever writes in the future.

P.S. If you’re someone who very pettily wants the villains to get their comeuppance, it happens in this book.

This was enjoyable. The chemistry between Danny and Kaliya was evident from page one and their love story was one I was rooting for. I do wish we got more from Danny’s point of view but I’ll always prefer a dual point of view when it comes to romance no matter the book. The longing between the two leads was the part of the romance that I think was the most well done, and there could’ve been more longing and angst added to the story to really pack a larger emotional punch. I don’t think this book makes any large leaps in terms of the genre but it’s worth the read, if not for the romance but for the social justice elements relating to inclusivity in Hollywood and the struggles that come with being a woman of color in any field.

Kaliya is working a thankless job as a receptionist at a film studio. When Danny Prescott shows up at her desk seven years since they've seen each other, she is surprised by the feelings that come back to her. Their college romance is still something she hasn't recovered from. Danny offers Kaliya a job on his next directorial project and Kaliya reluctantly agrees, knowing she will have to work daily with the man she was enamored with. As they work together on the project, they discover new and old things they love about each other.

I really enjoyed this one! I love books that feature behind-the-scenes looks at the film industry. The glitz and glamour of film is enjoyable but I find the makings of a movie even more intriguing. Myah Ariel has a background in film and her expertise was evident in this book.

Kaliya and Danny had amazing chemistry. They had an intense attraction and tension from the moment they saw each other again after seven years. How could Kaliya not fall all over herself after Danny? He was smooth, kind, and he had a confidence that was very sexy. Danny had this other side of him in the bedroom that was a surprise to both Kaliya and me. When he first whispered those things in her ear, my jaw dropped!

Pick this one up for a sweet and sexy second-chance romance!

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥
⚠️: mention of infidelity

This one is for the second chance romance lovers...and third and fourth chance romance lovers.

If you enjoyed Regina Black’s The Art of Scandal, I think you’ll like this too. It has:
Nepo Babies
Back-Stabbing
Break-Ups to Make-Ups

There’s also some great commentary in here about the film industry!

These characters couldn’t seem to stop hurting each other! It was not intentional or mean-spirited but at points I was like OMG PLEASE GO AWAY FROM EACH OTHER IF ONLY FOR MY SAKE! These two had issues, miscommunications and missteps without being toxic and they came to realize they needed to take a step back so they could love each other the right way. I was relieved when the characters took time to heal before their HEA - it was vital and I think the author expressed that point very well.

Also, Kaliya works for Wide Angle Pictures, casually referred to as WAP.The author absolutely knew what she was doing here and I had a Leslie Jordan level jump scare and cackle every time the acronym appeared.

This is an awesome romance debut novel that was well written and an interesting second chance. When I Think Of You follows Kaliya, the FMC who is trying to make her way into the movie industry and gets an opportunity to work with her first love, Danny, on his movie production. They reconnect about Danny's movie and emotions, and the vulnerability that they both still have from the past comes to the surface when they realize they are still attracted to each other. I really liked the movie industry setting and issues like race and nepotism, passion, and career that were explored. There was also good workplace drama that made it even more interesting. The romance is a slow burn with some past moments that showed how their relationship started and dissolved. My only quip was the epilogue, which was a little jarring and confusing. Overall, this was a really good read that explored grief, race, and the movie industry. I'm excited to see what the author writes next. Thanks to Berkley for this arc for an honest review.

Tropes/themes:
- Second chance romance
- Black fmc/biracial mmc
- Movie industry setting
- Workplace drama
- Workplace romance

I really enjoyed this book! I loved seeing Kaliya’s passion come back to her. In the work place black woman are really working hard and are getting passed up! The passion and dreams can really start to dim.

The romance is slow but I think because the focus is a little on their friendship first. Danny and Kaliya are building new memories and trust with one another throughout the book. Some of the new memories are definitely intertwined with their past and I enjoyed some of the flashbacks that Kaliya had throughout the book.

While the novel primarily focuses on Kaliya's perspective,I wish I could have gotten more insight into Danny's thoughts and emotions, there are times where I just wanted to know how he was feeling especially since seven years has gone by. This book would resonate well with fans of second chance romances and those fascinated by the inner workings of the entertainment industry!

This romance was a quick read! I liked the writing. It flowed very naturally and easily. I appreciated the conflicts based on the glass ceiling for people of color in all industry but especially the film industry in this case, and the exploration of the love story of the biracial main character's parents. That was a lovely subplot. I did not quite understand the female main character's reluctance to get to together with her love. I felt her motivation was not well explicated. Other than that, though, this was a very satisfying romance and I will definitely recommend it to romance lovers at our bookstore!

Thanks so much to publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

A romance that will break you and put you back together again.

Hits:

- This was a nicely done slow burn. The pacing was good and not agonizingly slow.

- The character banter and Kaliya’s internal dialogue were hilarious.

- The friendship dynamics - Kaliya and Neah’s friendship was so genuine and warm.

- I loved that the FMC was a black woman in film, as I don’t see a lot of books reflecting that.

- I loved how Danny never let Kaliya doubt herself or her potential and didn’t let her settle for less. He always reminded her of how good she is at what she does and to be confident in her work. I also loved how he never let anyone disrespect her and always did things to remind her that she belonged at the table.

- Kaliya was such a relatable character, and I saw myself in her in so many ways.

- Shed light on important issues that can occur in the film industry, including discrimination, racism, and misogyny/misogynoir.

- Sensitive topics like grief were handled with care and represented well.

- The illustration of healing in both Danny and Kaliya. Danny with his emotional unavailability, and Kaliya with her fear of abandonment. They came to realizations about these things, communicated about them, and took accountability.

- Showed a realistic portrait of a second chance relationship, how sometimes it’s just not the right time, and you have to take a step back to heal first.

Misses:

- While I liked Danny, he fell flat for me in some ways. Based on his actions at times, it seemed he had some things he still needed to work through. It felt like he was playing emotional mind games with Kaliya as he blindsided her multiple times and then came to apologize like it was just an “oopsie.” It started to feel intentional and became annoying and triggering. I also felt like he tried to guilt-trip her once she spoke her mind and made her decision. It felt like he didn’t really take the time to understand the magnitude of the effect the situation would have on her.

- I felt like we didn’t really get to see Danny and Kaliya full force in their second chance due to everything that was happening around them. I hope we get another book, so we can really see them bask in it.

- Celine (She didn't make or break the book for me; I just couldn’t stand her and wish her nothing but the worst in life).

Overall, this debut was a great read that pulled at my heart from start to finish. I truly enjoyed it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

I love the writing style of this novel. The author knows how to write, that is for sure. I just didn’t like the story itself.

I unfortunately DNF’d this at 50%. Beyond the emotional cheating that occurs, I just didn't like our heroine or our hero. I just finished A Chance at Love by Beverly Jenkins which features a strong, independent, driven woman and then moved on to this novel featuring Kaliya who I was fully rooting for, but who ended up being a doormat. Kaliya is waiting for a man (Danny) to step in and save the day, save her career, validate her, and just give her a chance. Danny flaked on her years ago, almost ruined her career in the beginning of this novel, emotionally cheats on his girlfriend with her, and then continues to string her along. Now, I know they’ll end up together because it’s a romance novel, but in this day and age I don’t want to read about a woman chasing a man and waiting for him to decide to be with her.