Overall: 4

I loved how this book jumped right into the drama! So many twist and turns, just as soon as you think you what was going to happen it took another twist. Giving me a Reasonable Doubt in written format. Please be prepared to be left on a cliffhanger!!

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

When i first started reading i was very intrigued by the plot:

A young lawyer falls in love with a crooked cop who is leading the investigation into her client, who was racially profiled.

I personally didn’t connect with the FMC and the MMC. It just was way too fluffy and wordy for what the storyline was supposed to be. If the plot was more developed and the “grit” in the book was more thought out, i may have enjoyed it more.

This read had me on edge, because it deals with a case that I've seen too much of in the news. Before starting your read, please read Mrs. Mya's trigger warning.

I liked seeing a behind the scenes of a trial, showcasing both the defense and the side of the opposition through the MCs.

Both MCs got on my nerves somewhat, the FMC because of her singlemindedness and the MMC because of his hypocrisy.

Thankfully Mrs. Mya resolved the issues in a way that left me content.

A good blend of legal drama and romance, Burden of Love follows Talia Tate, a driven lawyer, and Maddox Reed, a tough detective, as they navigate a high-stakes trial—and undeniable chemistry.

The tension between their professional duties and personal desires is skillfully written, featuring relatable characters.

If you enjoy romance with a touch of courtroom drama, this one’s for you!

I was a little over halfway through this book and a friend asked me what it was about. I described it to him and he said "yeah, I'd definitely watch a movie on that." Although my initial interest in the book was the romance I was really intrigued about how they ended up on different sides of the law given the racially charged nature of the case.

Talia is fresh out of law school ready to work at her father's firm. She's worked hard for her accomplishments and is focused at being the best in her field. All that hard work and focus leaves her little time for romance...in comes a dating app. Maddox has a lot on his plate. He is the sole financial provider for his sick mother who requires a lot of financial assistance. He became a detective to do good in the world but found himself doing questionable things in order to make sure his family is secure. With all the time he dedicates to work he also has no time for romance...in comes a dating app. The dating app uses aliases and is mainly used for hook ups so no further personal information is needed. Talia and Maddox hit it off immediately and what was supposed to be a one night stand turns into a romance moving at the speed of light. They are living in new relationship bliss and everything is going right. They agree that once they have been together for a few months they'll take the plunge into disclosing last names and occupations. That plan is shattered when Talia sees Maddox giving a press conference as the lead detective on a wrongful arrest case of young Black teenager. Her firm has been hired to defend the teenager and this case could make or break her career.

Mya did a great job writing about the struggle Talia was going through trying to decide if her heart was more important than the career she's worked so hard for. She's always been the girl that has a plan. She's always been the girl to make her parents proud. Her mind tells her that Maddox is on the wrong team defending the arrest but her heart can't seem to let him go. Although Maddox did make me mad a few times, I really appreciated that he refused to let Talia throw away what they had. He got so mad at her for questioning his character and the person he was but he had essentially been a "dirty" cop for quite some time. He was determined to get himself together to be the kind of man worthy of Talia and I was rooting for that.

The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was that I feel some parts of the story's conclusion was a little anticlimactic. He faced no blowback from turning on his fellow cop and I am still unclear as to how everything he did was to be swept under the rug after he decided to part ways with his job. Also, he was under the control of a major crime boss and was able to walk away from any repercussions after saying he was quitting and giving over less than shocking "insider information."

Overall, it was still a good read and one that I would recommend.

OMG This was so damn good! This is the kind of stuff we need turned into movies or series. Talia and Duncan were magic... and sexy is an absolute understatement. I kinda figured out the twist early on but still, enjoyable as hell!

I received this book as a ARC from Net Gallery. I love all Mya's work, so I knew this would be no different. Talia just passed the bar and looking for someone to have fun with. Maddox has the stress of family and work on his back and looking to blow of some steam. Their chemistry is Amazing from the first encounter. When they finally found out each other's real name and what they do for a living, will their love keep them together and separate them for good. Mya your pen is Amazing, you will always have a supporter in me.

thank you net gally for the arc copy of this book. i like both characters in the story. and ow we get a behind the scence look at a trail.

This book was full of spice and scandal and I loved every second of it! I loved that both Leah and Maddox were initially looking for the same thing but immediately hit it off and wanted more. Their relationship was intense from the beginning especially considering that they weren't 100 percent honest about their careers and life outside of the bedroom. However, when love is meant to be nothing will stand in the way of that. I love how Maddox considered his family and his future with Leah before making any decisions. Overall, this love story was full of ups and downs but I'm glad that we got a happy ending.

I feel so indifferent about this book. The plot was great but the timeline was FAST. You have a new lawyer, working at her family’s firm & the lead detective of her largest case. They met under unique circumstances and fell in love before they saw the full picture and how it impacted their careers. But Maddox was not willing to lose Talia. No matter the costs. I loved how he loves her.

I understood Talia’s initial concerns but they could have worked something out until the case was over.

Maddox was mad at how Talia ended things but could he blame her? Was he really the man she needed at that time? Good Sunday read!

She fights for justice; he bends the rules. Together, they break all of them in this scandalously sexy legal drama.

Soon after passing the bar exam, Talia Tate is tasked to assist her father, the head of Tate & Associates, with the controversial State v. Duncan trial. Talia is determined to prove to her father, the firm, and herself that she is a brilliant lawyer worthy of respect. Her stress hits a fever pitch when she realizes she’ll have an unexpected face-off on her first case.

Detective Maddox Reed doesn’t mind cutting corners when closing a case. Since his days in patrol, the locals knew to steer clear of “Speedy Reed-y.” When Donovan Duncan was brought into his squad room, he was ready to send him to prison without an interrogation. He thought the case was cut-and-dried . . . until Talia comes to his office with fingers pointed, ready to get Donovan the justice he deserves.

Representing opposite sides of the law, Talia and Maddox find themselves fighting two battles: justice and lust. How could they fall in love under circumstances so polarizing that the whole world can feel the tension? While both of them are in a race to come out on top, surprising feelings make it difficult to separate business from pleasure. Will these two souls find solace with each other? Or will the burden of love be too hard to bear?

My Take:
Upon revisiting the synopsis, I'd say it's "close, but no cigar." What's essential to understand is that a no-strings-attached stress reliever evolves into something deeper until reality sets in. Maddox and Talia are then faced with the question of whether their connection can endure in the real world and stand the test of time. The story transitions from instant lust to instant love. At times, it seemed the narrative might veer into thriller territory, but it swiftly returned to its romantic roots. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and excellent for stimulating book club conversations.

This book is a slow burn but so worth it! The love story between Talia and Maddox is beautiful. Despite the things that could possibly tear them apart they persevered. This book was beautifully written and the author almost makes you feel like a voyeur at times in some of the intimate moments lol. I love how she’s not afraid to put a fictional yet accurate spin on some current events.

Talia is a first year associate lawyer at her father's firm Tate & Associates. Becoming a lawyer and carrying on her family's legacy has been her dream since she was a little girl. Talia is goal driven, family oriented and passionate about her beliefs. One night, she matches on a dating app with who, unbeknownst to her, will become her soulmate and the love of her life.

Maddox is a seasoned detective with about a decade of experience on the police force. He is morally grey and will do whatever he needs to do to provide for his family. He is a protector, provider and has a big heart. He is the lead detective on the case of the State v. Duncan trial and has a some tough decisions to make to become the man he wants and needs to be.

This story was an emotional rollercoaster but I loved it from start to finish! The main and secondary characters were well defined and developed. I loved the relationship Talia had with her brother SJ. It was refreshing to see a sibling dynamic that was competition free and full of grace, understanding and unconditional love. I also loved the relationship Maddox had with his niece Brielle. He made a point to be the male figure in her life and she was thriving because of it. The plot was well paced and also had reasonable amount of spice and chemistry. The element of suspense around the case drew me in from the first page and the love story between Maddox and Talia held my attention to the very end.

I didn’t want this story to end!! Although we got a life update in the epilogue, I'm truly going to miss Talia and Maddox. This story symbolizes that you can truly have it all if you both are dedicated and determined to work through it and work it out. "Burden of Love" is a great read and you will not be disappointed!


**Thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own**

MYA does it again! I loved this real bad! it definitely went in a different direction than i anticipated in a good way! i thoroughly enjoyed our main characters and i especially love how our man Maddox would NOT let up off Talia. we love persistence! all in all this was a really great read!!!

I requested this book from NetGalley to read and review. It did not disappoint. Mya wrote an amazing story. Talia and Maddox's love story was beautiful, but there were plenty of bumps in the road. Talia was so headstrong and determined to put her new career above everything. Maddox was trying to do his job while providing for his family. Neither were looking for love but found it with each other. They were able to live in their happiness bubble until an incident happened that burst it. Talia was determined she couldn't be with Maddox after this incident, but Maddox was determined to get his woman back. This story had me intrigued from beginning to end. I couldn't believe the mess Maddox got himself in. However, he was able to get out of it. Talia pissed me off a little bit, but I understood it. Talia's mom and brother gave her the best advice on how to handle the situation. I'm glad she got out of her way to get her happy ending.

I really did enjoy this book. It's one that has you hooked from page one. The plot was very enticing. I love a little bit of mystery in a love story. There were times that Maddox really annoyed me but in the end he did the right thing. Talia knew exactly what she wanted and went for it unapologetically! The spice in this story was AMAZING. I think the only thing that would have made this story better is if we would have had more chapters of their dating prior to the two month time jump. I've never read anything from this author before but I plan to read a lot more if all her writings are like this one.

I was invested in reading this, it had that element that I wanted from the romance genre. The concept worked well overall in the story and enjoyed how good the characters were in this storyline. I thought Mya wrote this well and left me wanting to read more.

This is the second book I've read by this author, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first one. The heart wants what the heart wants and sometimes that can come at any cost. This was another great read and I would recommend it.