4/5 ⭐
2/5🌶️

Thanks Net Galley and Black Odyssey Media for the ARC.
This was a beautiful story about healing, grief, vulnerability and unforgettable love.

A grieving Dr. Dresden Xavier and Professor Harper Kingsley meet will working on a medical study. Their undeniable connection spirals well past the boundaries of their clinical research.

Though I don't usually love 3rd person, Robbi did it so well. It allowed us to see the character development of ALL the main and supporting personalities. This felt realistic and relatable. Rather you've felt their pain or not, you'll for sure empathize with these characters.

Tropes:
-Small Town
-Widower
-Single parents
-40+
-Slow Burn

Somebody's Husband by Robbi Renee is a captivating and emotional romance that explores themes of love, betrayal, and personal transformation. The story follows a woman who finds herself entangled in a complicated relationship, navigating the challenges of love, self-worth, and the consequences of her choices. Renee's writing is raw and thought-provoking, delving into the complexities of relationships with depth and authenticity. The characters are well-developed, each with their own struggles and growth, making the story both relatable and compelling. Somebody's Husband is a powerful read that will resonate with readers who enjoy emotional dramas centered around love, healing, and personal growth.

If we are so lucky in this life to find and marry our soul mate , do we think we could love again if we lost them? Somebody’s husband is about the loss of loved ones and the rejuvenation of love finding you again. Knowing that you’re not replacing the love that was lost ,but hopefully honoring that love while learning to love someone new. This story was so beautifully written and raw. Also I loved that Robbi involved HBCU’s and mentioned African American Greek sorority and fraternity life into the fabric of this story. You get to see black educated high level professionals, raising their children to be just as successful. This is an amazing story that I would recommend to anyone. Black love all around.

Thank you, Netgalley, Black Odyssey Media, and Robbi Renee for the ARC of this beautiful story of love in its truest form, losing it and finding it again. This book shattered me! There were parts that I could relate to from my personal experience and others simply because the characters were so well written that I could empathize with them.
I don't want to spoil it so I will refrain from saying more.

This book....whew!

I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Love in sickness and even after death.

Don't let the title deter you from reading 'Somebody’s Husband'; it is not a story about infidelity—far from it. I was glad to read the story of Dr. Dresden Xavier, a widower of two years, and Harper Kingsley, a loving mother, professor, and devoted friend. Dresden moved back to his hometown of Monroe City to conduct a medical research project that could yield life-changing results for patients and their families, but by the end of the story, his life took a different turn.

Harper's heartfelt kindness to help Terrance, her son's father after his diagnosis of colon cancer. I enjoyed reading all 320 pages of this book, which navigates the themes of loss, grief, healing, and second chances at love. It was a pleasure to read about two mature adults who, despite their commitments to their spouses, found an undeniable attraction to each other. Dresden and Harper’s story is one of real connection and chemistry, a journey of love that unfolds at a gentle pace and captured my full attention.

The book is beautifully written and addresses a multitude of real-life situations: cancer, death, grief, divorce, healing, and the complexities of having children who either understand or struggle with why a parent might choose to move on to new love. It reflects on past mistakes, emphasizing that while we cannot correct them, we can strive to do better and hopefully other will see our efforts. Terrance plays a smaller role in the story, yet he left an impression on me. He recognized where he went wrong in his marriage and continued to fight for Harper’s love, all while understanding that her heart had moved on. I appreciated that he was not bitter about it; he simply wanted to show Harper and their sons that he had tried his best and had not given up.

Dresden, on the other hand, struggled to let go of his deceased wife, Nina. His journey through grief was at times unsettling, and I cannot judge the duration of grief or when love for a spouse should end. Ultimately, I was happy that both Dresden and Harper recognized their second chance at love and were open to embracing it.

This story is well-written and an absolute joy to read. The characters are relatable—no one is perfect—but the family dynamics, close friendships, and mutual support they offer each other make for a heartfelt read.

I am new to this author but will definitely be seeking out more of her books in the future.

Thank you Black Odyssey Media for this ARC. This story was beautifully written. It was about Dr. Xavier and his journey to reclaiming life as a single dad after the loss of his wife. It was very refreshing to see a strong black man do everything he can to provide for his daughter's. I love how we even got their point of views throughout the story. Harper's story was very touching as well as she was going through her grief currently. She had already been easing out of her relationship so they had to start out slow but when the love started to bloom it was amazing. This story taught me a lot and the importance of waiting for the right person.

I received this book as an arc through NetGalley. Omg I needed this book sooo bad! The attraction between Harper & Dresden was apparent from the very beginning. The way I connected to Harper made me feel like I was her & she was me. “I thrive off of communication & when I don’t have that my imagination takes over”!! The way that Dresden loves is exactly how I want to be loved. Did I just find me another book boyfriend!? Nah that’s my book husband!! This book made me so happy & full.

Now this one was for the grown and sexy!
It was emotional, heartwarming and just absolutely beautiful!

Definitely had some tears while reading this book. I felt so much emotions from crying, laughing so hard and smiling from ear to ear. I enjoyed the character development, it made you feel connected with the main characters. It makes you understand them more as the story develops.

This was a phenomenal book! Love the ending, perfectly written. Robbi knows how to write a grown and sexy type of book. If you’re 30+ this one is for you!

So grateful for the arc! Thank you NetGalley & Black Odyssey!

This book was absolutely beautiful. The was she delicately navigated through grief and love was amazing. I cried for both Dr Xavier and Harper and it wasn’t pity it was because they both wanted so badly to move on without forgetting about their former loves. I can’t express how much I enjoyed this book. I will definitely be purchasing a hardcover edition as soon as I can. Another amazing work from Robbi Renee❤️

I audibly screamed when I first became aware of Somebody's Husband! Robbi Renee is one of my most read authors of 2024, and this book didn't disappoint. Dr. Xavier is a MAN! This book beautifully tackles themes of divorce, loss, grief, chronic illness and a second chance at love. Take me to Monroe University immediately!

Robbi Renee has captured my attention. This is my first read from this author and it will not be the last. The tale of finding love after grief is one that will always be one of my favorites. It’s something about seeing a person get another chance at love. Dresden and Harper made me love them from the first page of each of their first chapters.

I read "Somebody's Wife" by this same author so I went into this book with a certain expectation and I have to say that those expectations were definitely met. This started off in a situation that I was definitely unsure how it was all going to play out. If it's one thing that I was looking forward to with Robbie, was a complicated and emotional situation.

Dresden and Harper did an awkward little flirtation in the beginning and eventually neither of them could deny their attraction to the other. Dresden was a widower that felt like he was never going to get another great love like the one he had with his wife. His desire to hold on to his late wife is what was holding him back from moving forward. He had a strong marriage that produced a set of twin girls that reminded him so much of his wife. His daughters and late wife were his whole world. Although Harper was technically a single woman, her situation was very complicated. She was a divorcee with two sons but her sick ex-husband (who was definitely still in love with her) lived in her home. She had been taking care of him since he had been diagnosed with cancer.

The two of them have to navigate through their feelings for one another while also dealing with the feelings of how their children feel about them moving on from their other parents. Being on the outside looking in (reading the story) it's easy to say what should have been done, what actions they should have taken, or what should have been said. It's another thing to actually be in the moment and want to please everyone without hurting anyone and sometimes stifling your own happiness.

For anyone looking for an emotional read that will result in a HEA, I definitely say give this book a read.

After losing the love of his life, Dr. Dresden Xavier decides it is time a for a change and moves his family back to his hometown and embarks on a clinical research project. Dresden feels he will never experience the love he once had until a business meeting when he encounters Professor Harper Kingsley. Feelings he thought were dormant, explode and Dresden is tongue-tied when in the beautiful professor’s presence. Harper is just as affected by her instance attraction to Dresden, but she feels she has too much on her plate to entertain a relationship. As the two work on the clinical trials, the attraction grows as the pair interact and learn more about each other. They are drawn to each other through shared losses but try to fight the attraction. As the saying goes, the heart knows what it wants, however Dresden and Harper must fight their grief and open their hearts to another chance at love.

This was my first time reading Robbi Renee’s work and I was thoroughly enthralled with the storyline and the character development. Ms. Renee does a great job setting the scene and weaving a tale of loss and trying to step out and take a chance on love again. Dresden was man who loved hard and, in his words, knew “only one way to do it”. He was portrayed as a man of integrity and a renowned physician. His heart knew Harper before his head caught up. Harper has always been a survivor and independent. She had the personality type of when she needed something and people failed to come through for her, she would figure it out. She felt she was not “seen.” As she works with Dresden and gets to know him more, she realizes he “sees her” This story will take readers through various emotions, and certain scenes will brings tears.

This is a story of healing, bereavement, comfort, and forgiveness. Most of all, seeing two people who have lost love ones find their way to each other and experience a love of their own. Overall, I enjoyed Somebody’s Husband.

Robbi Renee strikes again! This book was amazing. The way grief was handled and finding love after!! This story will definitely bring out some tears but it will also put your heart back together again.

Somebody’s Husband by Robbi Reneé is a poignant tale of love, loss, grief, and healing that captures the complexities of human emotions with exquisite care. This unconventional romantic drama seamlessly blends heartbreak with hope, making it an unforgettable read.

The story centers on Dr. Dresden Xavier, a grieving doctor grappling with tragedy, and Harper Kingsley, a nurturing professor fighting to hold her family together amidst secrets and lies. Their partnership on a medical research project becomes the foundation for an unexpected and profound connection that challenges them both to confront their personal struggles.

Dresden and Harper’s emotions are palpable, their struggles deeply relatable, and their decisions refreshingly grounded in reality. This authenticity makes their story feel incredibly personal. As a reader, you don’t just follow their journey—you experience it alongside them. Be prepared for tears; the raw portrayal of grief and resilience hits hard, but these moments are balanced by glimpses of joy and triumph that leave you feeling uplifted.

The third-person narrative style—often a divisive choice—is used to great effect here, providing insights not only into Dresden and Harper’s inner worlds but also into the perspectives of key secondary characters. This enriched storytelling gives the novel depth, adding layers to its central themes of healing and second chances.

While the slow-burn romance builds delicious tension, the pacing sometimes feels overly drawn out. The push-and-pull dynamic between Dresden and Harper could have been interspersed with more individual growth arcs to further round out their characters. However, this doesn’t detract significantly from the overall impact of their journey.

Somebody’s Husband is a deeply emotional and rewarding read that will resonate with anyone who has faced grief, sought redemption, or yearned for a fresh start. It’s not just a romance—it’s a story about the resilience of the human spirit.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy heartfelt, character-driven dramas. Keep tissues handy—you’ll cry, you’ll laugh, and you’ll leave with a renewed appreciation for the power of love and healing.

Thank you to Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Don't miss this one!

This book was great! I loved Somebody’s Wife so I had no idea what to expect with Somebody’s Husband. My goodness! This book had me tearing up from page one! Grief is something!

In Somebody’s Husband, the grieving Dr. Dresden Xavier and Professor Harper Kingsley come together to work on (potential) ground breaking clinical trial. A trial that neither of the thought would connect them in ways that neither of the expected.

“I read somewhere that death is only tragic if you haven’t lived.”

Baby, this book was so good! I couldn’t even put it down Dresden and Harper story was so emotional but so loving and the way he noticed her and his connection from the beginning. I’m literally lost for words

This book was everything I can’t wait til I get the physical copy in my hand. When it comes to Robbi Renee she can do no wrong.

I enjoyed reading this book so much! I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. This was such an emotional book. I couldn't put my kindle down until I finished reading it. Such an amazing book! I would read another book by this author.

Of this was a definite 5 star read!!!
Looking at the title, I thought it was a story of infidelity; how wrong I was. Second chance romance stories are a favorite of mine. I thoroughly enjoyed the wild emotional ride that I was on as I read this book. Dr. Xavier was in a new city, after the death of his spouse, with his children; Finding love was not what he expected.
The message that I walked away with although there are losses in love, that a second chance is possible. Thank you Robbi Renee; you are on my list of favorite authors. I recommend this story to all those that loves love.