A review by jennifermreads
If You Love Something by Jayce Ellis

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

When DeShawn’s grandmother calls the Michelin-starred restaurant chef home, she tells him that her cancer has returned, she isn’t going to fight it this time, she’s leaving him her house—and his ex-husband her money. But, oh yeah, his ex-husband <i>is not</i> his “ex”: the paperwork had an error and, because it wasn’t addressed, the filing expired. So, the last seven years? Yup, DeShawn has still been married to Malik. Knowing that her son will fight the inheritance she chooses to leave to Malik, Grandma tells DeShawn to call Malik and warn him—and to make it appear as though they are still happily married until any challenges can be resolved. 

On Twitter (X), a fellow librarian chatted about Jayce Ellis’ book. I was intrigued: I had read a few stories that were cooking-centric this year and I was intrigued because, while the other stories I read were very White, this story starred African American characters. 
The story followed a familiar formula: we are in love, here is this complication, but we are really in love, another complication, okay let’s figure this out, HEA. Traditionally, I avoid books in the romance genre as I much prefer if the romance is solidly set among another plot. But it is the holiday season, I had been struggling to burn through books/stories like I normally do, and I really wanted a story I could pick-up and put-down easily…or not put down at all! And, yup, I stayed up to the wee hours finishing the last 150 pages! 

So, while this was a book solidly set in the romance genre, the restaurant setting and characters were exactly what I was looking for. Grandma was a spit-fire and I longed to have more scenes with her spunky, tell-it-like-it-is self. The MCs DeShawn and Malik were enchanting. While Malik is clearly not one for the limelight, I loved that DeShawn, a man who given his television spots and celebrity executive chef status appears quite extroverted, is actually very introverted and needs his quiet time to recharge. Quiet time that Malik is suited to give DeShawn…as long as Malik will stop protecting his heart long enough to realize that together is where they belong! Their journey may have been formula but the timing of this read was perfect and it was a journey I was happy to watch them take. 

Warning: There are a few explicit steamy scenes.  
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