I initially wanted to rate this a 3.5 star but the plot was really good.. the timeline was just too FAST.

You have a new lawyer, working at her family’s firm & the lead detective of her biggest case. They met under unique circumstances and fell in love before they understood the full picture and how it could impact their careers. But Maddox was not willing to lose Talia. No matter the costs. I loved how he loves her.

I couldn’t finish this book, made it into 4 chapters and DNF. I couldn’t connect with the writing. The first sec scene was very cringey to me, what they meant to come off as sexy didn’t and I couldn’t glow with the story

Thank you at NetGalley for a copy of this book. It was an enjoyable read for me and I rated it 3 stars on Goodreads. The perfect relaxing and lighthearted read. The characters were memorable and I loved the FMC relationship with her family.

Already a fan of Mya, so her first tradtional book was amazing!! I hope we get a second one or at least an update! Freaking love, it!!

*𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.5 (rounded to 5.0) ⭐
*𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 3.0 🌶️

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

“𝑰’𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐.”

🆀🆄🅸🅲🅺 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂
𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 by Mya was a story of love, sacrifice, loyalty, determination, self-realization, giving back to one’s community, and the meaning of true forgiveness.

In 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 we meet Talia, a new attorney who has just been given a job as an associate at her father’s law firm. Talia’s lifelong dream has always been to be an attorney and to be the hope for the hopeless and the defender of the helpless. She has devoted years of blood, sweat, and tears to this endeavor and love and relationships have always taken a backseat in her life. But what happens when a one-night stand turns to more and the man of her dreams enters her life at the most unexpected and inopportune time? What happens when his secrets are revealed, and sides must be taken? Will Talia choose love over loyalty & duty?

I have to say that this book was so much more than what I expected it to be. It was more than just a story of black love. It discussed so many relevant and important topics that are vital to the black community and its current survival. From the very first page, I was drawn in and the prologue was so well-written that I immediately wanted to jump into the story. This was an action-packed page-turner that was easy to read, with great world building, great characters, and an inspirational plot & hopeful ending. It was so good that I was able to finish it all in one day!

In 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, we not only see how two individuals are forced to navigate life and love when outside forces that are out of their control, threaten to end their love before it even really beings, but we are also taken into a world, much like the one we are currently living in, where we learn that justice was never really blind, fair, equal, or impartial and “all men being equal in the eyes of the law” is not a true reality. I applaud the author for choosing to explore this topic and for doing so in an honest, respectful, and fearless way.

The main characters, Talia and Maddox were very well written. I loved Talia’s drive, motivation, and determination. Though she grew up in a family where she was quite well off, she never stopped thinking about those that did not have the opportunities that she did. She worked so hard to give back to her community and to stand up and be the voice for those who are often silenced by our justice system. I loved how she was steadfast in proving her clients’ innocence and that at times, she was willing to give up her happiness to ensure that her clients received real and true justice.

Maddox was a morally grey character, and I love how he was written. We see that, when he began his career as a detective, he had the purest and bests of intentions. But, as we know, life happens, decisions must be made, and Maddox was written to show us that no one is perfect; people make decisions that may not be the “best,” when they are put in a corner and can find no way out. Maddox’s internal struggles and conflicts, and his ultimate character transformation was so well done by the author. This story shows us that we have to look at and judge people by the totality of their circumstances and be willing to forgive and give second chances once the ones who make mistakes realize their wrongdoings and choose to right their wrongs.

Talia and Maddox’s chemistry was fiery and undeniable. I truly enjoyed the love story of how two people from the opposite ends of the justice system who, at the end of the day, wanted to same thing for their community, was able to find each other and true love. The way they were able to have a positive impact on each other and the way they were able to allow each other to see the good in themselves and speak life and love into each other was a great representation of black love. As a romance girlie, I loved that this book has the perfect balance of spice, plot, and character development.

Overall, this was a well-written love story that I truly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more from this author and would definitely recommend this book to those looking for an easy-to-read book with lots of romance, spice, great plot, and likable characters.

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⬇️ SOME SPOILERS MAY BE FOUND BELOW ⬇️

🆆🅷🅰🆃 🆃🅾 🅴🆇🅿🅴🅲🆃
🤎Black Love
💛Attorney FMC
🤎Detective MMC
💛One Night Stand….to Enemies…to Lovers ?!
🤎Fiery Chemistry
💛Morally Grey MMC
🤎Secret Identities
💛Forbidden Love
🤎Touches on Social Injustices & Discrimination / Inequality in The Justice System
💛Some Thrill/Mystery
🤎Spicy (Open Door) Romance
💛HEA

🅵🅰🆅🅾🆁🅸🆃🅴 🆀🆄🅾🆃🅴🆂/🆂🅰🆈🅸🅽🅶🆂
💛 “Do not let you demons possess and taint her spirit. Her light is too bright to be dimmed or destroyed.”
🤎 “I’d cross the ends of the earth and travel the universe if you asked me to.”
💛 “When I met you, you broke down the barriers of my mind and heart. You woke my soul up and showed the neglected being that there was more to life than law. It tested the very core of my existence.”
🤎 “You are worthy of every compliment, of every kiss, of every pleasure-filled stroke I’m about to bestow upon you. You deserve to feel pleasure so powerful that we shake the clouds in heaven.”
💛 “I adore the very air you breathe. I adore you from head to toe. The mere thought of you brightens my day.”
🤎 “Our souls had tied with the world’s strongest thread.”

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* 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 & 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 5.0 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆

Thank you Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley for the eARC of this book! I really enjoyed this book! This is the first book I’ve read of Mya’s and it definitely won’t be my last.

Well, I was not expecting this book to be sooo good! I literally stayed up half the night to finish it! Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for providing the e-advance reader copy of this book!

I feel like the premise and the entire book was so captivating! It's kinda like a forbidden romance with a twist? I also loved that the characters were like mid-level adults, vs. people in their 20s. This book had a lot of subplots that I just adored in addition to the main story of Talia and Maddox falling in love. Like the young lawyer trying to prove herself at her father's law firm, Maddox's past, family dynamics, Career vs. Living Your best life, etc. etc. I feel like each of the minor plots made sense and made the story enjoyable. I feel like this book was kinda all over the place in the best way. Like I never really knew what was going to happen in my opinion, but in a good way.

The only thing I did not like was how quickly Maddox's past and decisions were wrapped into nice, neat bow. I wished there was just a tiny bit more push back/conflict there - not necessarily with Talia, but just from the other characters. I will say there were points I was annoyed with Talia, but like I also understood where she was coming from!

I will definitely be reading more from this author!

Burden of Love
Rating 3.75⭐️
Pub Date: February 25, 2025

Talia and Maddox go from lust to love in a whirlwind romance, despite knowing very little about each other. Talia is a woman who has always been focused on her dream of becoming a lawyer. She’s worked hard for everything she has and will not risk her career or disappoint her father. On the other hand, Maddox has made some questionable career decisions in his past to support his family. Will his past come back to haunt him, or will he be able to make things right for the sake of becoming a better man—for himself and for Talia?

This book pulled me in from the very beginning. Between the fight for justice and the whirlwind romance, I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I really enjoyed Talia’s passion for her career and her determination to seek justice. The strong family dynamics between both families were also refreshing, showing unconditional love and support.

That said, I did expect a twist with Maddox’s final “job,” but overall, I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it. This was my first book by Mya, but it certainly won’t be my last!

Thank you, NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media, for this digital ARC.

I enjoyed this rollercoaster of a plot the author took us on with this book.

Talia and Maddox waste no time getting straight to business, (literally) upon meeting each other their connection was so magnetic. Once they share their professions there was an immediate haunt in their relationship where some touch decisions had to be made. Talia and Maddox really showed us what sacrifice and having it all really meant to them

Rating: 3.5
Thank you Black Odyssey Media and NetGalley for this ARC
Pub date 2/25/2025

I enjoyed Burden of Love by Mya so much! I couldn't put it down! The plot and the characters had me wanting to see what happened next! This book is amazing!

Talia & Maddox was adorable in the beginning. Just starting out as a lawyer trying to prove herself at her family firm. A detective just making it through the shift with everything else on your shoulders. Then add in trying to have somewhat of a love life. But after awhile I was with Talia’s bestfriend. Like girl what’re we doingggg?! You’re a lawyer for Christ sake! And my guy!!! Please!

Babyyyy! When that intuition kick in! You better listen! That thing came for Talia HARD! I really did not see this going well at all. 😂

This story really took me through my own emotions. It had a little of everything and the flow of it all was perfect. It wasn’t rushed, there wasn’t meaningless scenes to just fill holes. It was really well crafted.

Mya really captured how we can sacrifice for love. Whether it be ourselves, our careers or the love itself.

If you need a little forbidden love and fate this is for you!

I enjoyed this Arc it kept my attention from beginning to the end. I can’t wait to get the physical copy so I can annotate on it.

EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER with a happy ending.
To be a fly on the wall would be an understatement but Ms. Mya did her thing. She really made you feel connected with the two main characters in this story.
Given the weight of each of their professions, it didn’t seem possible for the two of them to connect.
With time and persistence everything came together beautifully.
I loved the way that Mya went into depth and introduced their family members, so you could have a better understanding of them and their reasonings behind their actions.
If you want an unpredictable love story between 2 strangers who were able to hide their identity to secure the feelings they felt were true, this book is for you!!!
This book had just enough spice, drama and the dialogue was easy to follow.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read this again and again! I am rating this a Five star and I can’t wait until it’s available for purchase on February 25,2025.

This book was like one of those courtroom drama TV series… but spicy.

Talia is a young Black woman who just finished law school and started working at her dad’s law firm when the book starts. Maddox is a detective on the police force. They just so happen to meet and start a whirlwind romance, neither knowing anything about the other’s personal life. They end up finding about each other’s REAL lives in probably the worst possible way. From there, things take a turn for the worse… then the best… then the worse again… then the best again? It’s a roller coaster, but in the best way possible!

As someone who doesn’t really like books with a lot of drama, I enjoyed this one. Usually, the anxiety of thinking “what’s gonna happen next?” makes it unbearable. However, wanting to know what happens with the two main characters and their relationship makes it almost impossible to NOT keep going. The spicy scenes are chef’s kiss, the writing style is descriptive but super easy to read, the characters are so easy to either like or hate. My opinions about the MMC went from one end of the spectrum all the way to the other before the end of the book! I have nothing negative to say about this book at all.

If you like romance and court dramas like Law & Order, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

I really enjoyed this book it’s only my third forbidden romance and I loved it. Talia and Maddox were on different sides of the law one being a new lawyer and the other a seasoned detective. I’m not going to lie Talia stressed me out and was a little hard on Maddox but I am glad that they got their HEA after all.

Talia Tate is a new attorney trying to make a name for herself. Maddox Reed is detective with ten years in the police force under his belt. Both having busy lives with no time for romance. Just tapping on their phones Talia and Maddox hookup with the same intentions in mind “no strings attached”. The two started falling quick and deep until things took a left having Talia choosing what’s mostly important to her.

Maddox and Talia both being on the opposite side of the law causes havoc between the two. Maddox being relentless would not stop to have Talia even if it cost his job or most importantly his life.

This story was a roller coaster. The FMC and MMC got on my nerves a bit lol. Talia was singleminded and moved with emotions. Maddox with his hypocrisy just irked me. The plot was unpredictable and took some twists and turns. I liked how the author mentioned the topic of racism that is very much happening now in todays society.

I have to say I had whole different vision on how this story would play out. If you looking for a slow burn thriller with romance and a cup of spice this is it.

Thank you NetGalley and Black Odyssey Media for eArc.

I’ve always enjoyed Mya’s writing, and Burden of Love is yet another testament to her talent for blending romance and suspense in unexpected ways. This story follows Talia, a new attorney navigating her budding career, and Maddox, a determined detective who falls hard for her. What begins as a passionate, lust-filled relationship quickly spirals into chaos when a high-stakes case throws them into a storm of conflict, testing both their love and their loyalty.

I was completely hooked by the mix of spice, mystery, and tension. Mya doesn’t shy away from keeping you on edge, and I found myself anxiously flipping pages to see where the case would lead and how the characters would handle the twists and turns. The level of emotional investment I had—especially worrying about some of the characters’ choices—was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

That said, I found myself wanting more character development. While the chemistry between Talia and Maddox was palpable, I craved a deeper dive into their backstories and motivations to make their journey even more impactful. Despite this, the blend of romance and crime thriller elements made this book one I didn’t know I needed.

Mya once again delivers a compelling, edge-of-your-seat story that’s hard to put down. With its steamy romance, gripping mystery, and unpredictable twists, Burden of Love is a solid 4/5 for me. If you’re looking for a crime thriller with a passionate love story at its core, this is a book you won’t want to miss!

When the book started, I found the story and character development to be at a good pace, However, I felt that it all slowed down too much for me. The pace only started to pick back up after Talia realized he Maddox was the lead detective on her high profile case.
I liked the characters but were a bit fluffy for me.
Just like with other things in life, everything isn't for everybody. I am sure there are those that loved this book. I have read other works by the author that I enjoyed.
Thank you Netgalley and Mia Black for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Sometimes love can be a burden especially if it’s coming in between your career. Burden of Love by Mya was a good book that followed Talia and Maddox. You get to follow their love story & the case that come between them.

I loved this story. I loved how it featured a case that we seen in real life before, but it showed the victim getting his justice at the hands of a character you probably didn’t expect it from.

Ｅｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
3.5 ☆
Talia Tate just passed her bar exam and is tasked with assisting her father, the head of Tate & Associates, with the controversial State v. Duncan trial. Detective Maddox Reed doesn’t mind cutting corners when closing a case. Since his days on 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 interrogation. He thought the case was cut and dry. Talia is determined to prove to her father, the firm, and herself that she is a brilliant lawyer worthy of respect, ready to get Donovan the justice he deserves. Representing opposite sides of the law, Talia and Maddox find themselves fighting for justice and battling lust.

Talia was very immature in her emotional response to Donovan and was too willing to give him up because they were on opposing sides. Donovan is the type of man you want—someone who knows what he wants and is willing to fight for it.

I enjoyed this book, and the pace was good! But for some reason, I didn’t vibe with it as much as I thought I would. I don’t think I was the target audience for this book.

Thank you, Netgellay, and Black Odyssey Media for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.