Big Girl Blitz by Danielle Allen

[00:00:01] This is the Mahogany Books Podcast Network.

[00:00:33] Helps other readers discover this vibrant community where laughter, reflection, and thoughtful wrecks make reading feel fun again. Love y'all. Mean it.

[00:01:02] Alex, you about to get into something? You got the ponytail on today. Maybe. I might. Yeah, when I see that ponytail, I'm like, what are we doing? That's true. Yeah, you can tell I made a choice. Fantastic choice. It's important to make choices and be really firm about them. You know? Right. Good choices, bad choices. Right, like, whatever choice you're going to make, commit. Period. 100%.

[00:01:31] Just commit to it. Have y'all ever committed to a bad choice? I know I have. I commit to the bit for sure. All the time. Sometimes you have to do things for the plot. All the time? Yeah. Yeah. Like, you're like, I don't know how this is going to end up, but... Like, I made that choice. It is what it is. Right. Like, I just got to stand on business, you know? Yeah. Stand on business. But for real.

[00:02:01] Yeah. Yeah, that's good. That's good. Okay, well, you know what? Girl, hey, hey, boo, hey, y'all. It's another episode of the The Reading Black Girls Podcast. Yes, we'll introduce ourselves again. Even so it is. Like, we do this every time, but it's... Hi, I'm Kayla. Hi, I'm Alex. I'm Nish. I'm Aziza. And we are the Reading Black Girls. Welcome back.

[00:02:30] I feel like every time Aziza says that, like, I feel like we're about to enter into a therapy session because she says it so calm. It's giving corporate. It is giving corporate. It's giving... Come on in. This is your HR meeting. Yes, come sit. Heads up. You're being fired. Let's talk about these books. And then the silly little, like... But do we get a severance package, yes or no? No. Oh. Because you're in your probationary period and you messed up.

[00:02:59] And let me tell you something that's so... Even to my hypothetical self, that's so rude because let me tell you something. You know we're going to get out that probationary period and then... Every time. And then you throw your... You show your true colors. I was like, I can commit to the bit for 90 days. Yeah. That's it. That's it. That's all. No more. Yeah. After that... Well, you know, studies show that someone can only hide their true self for about three

[00:03:28] months until, like, their true nature comes out. So for all you girls out there, you're like, is he the one? Is he... Give him 90 days. Give him 90 days. That's where the 90-day rule came from. You probably don't need 90 days for real. You don't need 90 days. Let's be for real. You know, you could give it three dates. That's real? How are you going from 90 days to three dates? I was going to be honest. You know at the first date. Real. Oh. I don't know.

[00:03:57] There's some people who are just really deceptive. Like... There are. Which is why we have that 90-day rule. You know? You know? But what about when we go on TikTok and people are like, story time. My husband of 15 years has been lying to me and has a second family and also is a narcissist and a serial killer. Well... There were signs. There were signs. There were a lot of signs. And there were signs that they just... Fair. Whenever they have their five-year-old green turn... In that five-part series... Yeah, they turn that red-yellow. They'll go over it.

[00:04:27] In the first 20 seconds, you would have already heard the red flag. Right. And then you're like, oh, girl. And they just brush it off like, oh, okay. Right. And they just ignored some signs or they bypassed them. But somewhere along the road, there were signs. You weren't married to a psychopath without knowing for 15 years. You knew something was up when your auntie died and he didn't care. He barely cared. He was late to the funeral. He was late to the funeral and he was drunk when he showed up.

[00:04:56] You knew he was a psycho. Okay. And he didn't even get the kids dressed. Hello! Didn't. And his shirt had a stain on it. Okay? Lock it. And the pants were a different set. So they didn't match the jacket. Like, there were signs. Yeah. Clearly says. Clearly says. Yeah. This is your HR meeting and you are being let go. Sorry. Sorry. Well... Aziza, you're so serious this morning.

[00:05:26] Right. You know, it's just been a really long week. Oh. Heard. Fell. Man. Well, we're here to talk about books. Yeah. Amongst other things. That wasn't clear. We're here. Yeah. If you didn't get that. And the book we're going to be talking about today, highly anticipated from one of our fave romance authors. Fave romance authors.

[00:05:52] Also one of just like the kindest, sweetest, cutie patooties, but nasty dirty. Funny too, but nasty dirty. Like, girl. Great. Girl. No, literally. Write some more. Yep. Write some more. Write some more. Whenever you meet her. Whenever you get a chance to talk to her. She's a good time. She's a lovely woman. She's great. She's so nice. She's so sweet. Yes, it is.

[00:06:21] We actually could be talking about a plethora of women, but we'll let you know who specifically we're talking about. The one. The only. The formidable. Danielle Allen. Big girl bliss. Book three of her Curve series. If you haven't had the chance to read the other two, please go and do so. They're also so, so good. And this was the final installment. And look, she's thick. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know how to learn to say.

[00:06:50] Just like her MCs, the book is thick. Okay? So don't be scared. Real. We know sometimes y'all be scared of the thick books. Don't be. Don't be scared. Don't be scared. Because it's full of goodness. Correct. You're going to have a good time. Yeah. Mark our words. Or your money back. Guaranteed. Okay? Not for months, though. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. That would be clear. You got to pick up with your people, your bank. Not for months. Yeah. But don't you even worry about it. You won't need to because you're going to enjoy this one.

[00:07:24] Are there any trigger warnings we need to? Grief, death. Yes. Grief, death. I don't know. Bullying. Bullying. Bullying. Yeah. Bullying. I think that's it. Natphobia. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But yeah. That's actually not. Yeah. That's not bad. Yeah. Shortless. Shortless. Or what? It wasn't too bad, actually.

[00:07:53] So, you know, if you are here to just hear Kiki, you've read the book. You want to hear if you have the same thoughts, taste as the girls, stay tuned. And if you haven't read it and you hate spoilers, like you will never get over it. If this book is spoiled for you, then I suggest you exit stage left. But if you don't care like me, stick around. Kiki with the girls because we're about to get into it. Correct. We are.

[00:08:20] So, this book very much reminded me of, in a good way, This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan. Because we had a man who was interested from jump, from the first conversation. We have grief and all the things that come with it. Right. And then the man got a little money. He's not a billionaire, but he got a little money. NFL player. He wasn't a billionaire. He was not a billionaire.

[00:08:50] But he was well off. He was comfortable. But I'm like, he paying for hair, he paying for nails. I'm like, that's my type. Plus, he already... Period. Yeah. Plus... Open your wallet. He owned his own home. His mama was financially savvy. Like, he had a good head on his shoulders. He loved his mama. Yeah. He loved his mama now. And he had a very interesting job.

[00:09:17] We don't read a lot of, like, professional athlete type of jobs. No. But I felt like... No. Especially, like, a rising professional athlete. Correct. Right. Yeah. Which is... Which I like. A fun dynamic to explore. It's different. It reminded me of early Kennedy Ryan. Like, her, um... Block Shop series. Yeah. Yeah. That series. Yeah. That's what it reminded me of. Same. Yeah. But this is definitely in, like... It's a different... It's less traumatic, for one. But it's in a different league.

[00:09:46] I actually really liked that he kept those cards kind of close to his chest. He was like, yeah. Football is life. Shout out to God. He gave me talent. But I'm really... I really want to help the players. And that's how they kind of got started. Like, they were vibing already. I love that he didn't make... He actually didn't make one single comment about, oh, I love that you're a woman who knows sports. Because... Yeah. That was good. Why is that a thing?

[00:10:16] Why is that ever a thing? So I love that that wasn't even mentioned. He was just like, you know your stuff. Like, not like you're a woman who knows your stuff. Just like, oh, you really know and understand this sport. And the attraction, it just grew from there. To her helping him with his business plan. Period. So sweet. I was like, yeah. I would have been charging him a consultant. I mean, the hours. She was working every night. You can't get the draws if you charge.

[00:10:46] She was. She was clocking in the classroom. She was clocking in in the classroom. And then immediately coming home. And then working on this business plan. Like, that's crazy. That was crazy. And all while dealing with her aunt's decline in health. Yes. Who was her like main parent, basically. Right. Yeah. Because her two parents. Just a little too overbearing. They didn't get her vibe. They didn't get her vibe. They were. Unfortunately.

[00:11:16] I think what her mom said is like she was overwatering her. And she's like, I'm going to stop. Yes. And her aunt. Because they did it with love. Yeah. I love that wording. I love that. Like, that's just so clear. Everyone knows you can overwater a plant. We know what that. Right. You will. You will kill it. Eventually. Like, you think you're doing something good. But let her be. Let her grow. Trust that you rise. You've raised her well. She'll be fine. Correct. I worry about her being divorced and stuff.

[00:11:44] I'm like, she should have even married that man. Hello. Hello. I love that we didn't even like get into that too much. I love that. Yeah. That was just her. Right. He's in the past. And I love that. I'm like, yeah, we're not looking back. Let's not talk about him. I love that she knew she shouldn't have married him. Yeah. Like, yeah, there was heartbreak. But she was like, yeah. I knew it. I had no business doing it. I just kind of did it because that's where we were in the plot. Like, that's what was supposed to happen next. But it's like.

[00:12:13] And that's realistic for a lot of people. Like, you've been together. What's the next step? We're just going to get married, but baby. Y'all don't need to be at that halt. Also, I said this could be us. I meant can't get enough. Can't get enough. Book three of the Skyrim. Oh, yeah. Okay. That's what I meant. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. That makes sense. That makes sense. I did really, really, really like Jazz's relationship with her aunt. I loved that whole six weeks times. Like, I loved her whole visit there. I love that she had the opportunity to do that. T.

[00:12:44] That was so fun. I love that it wasn't even a bucket list. Like, it was just a, you should do these things because you're alive and you should live your life. And I feel like a lot of people sometimes they get caught up on like, you know, we get caught up in the rat race sometimes. Oh, absolutely. We're on that wheel. Not enough whimsy. We're running. Yes. No one's throwing us cheese. But you're right, Kayla. There's not enough whimsy. Jump off the wheel. Run through the maze.

[00:13:13] Break through the wall. And that's what she was doing. She went and got her belly pierced. Hell yeah. Yeah. Died her hair. Yeah. Died her hair. She said vegetarian, vegan for just because it's hard. For a month. Just to try. It's hard. I would never do one shit like that. But yeah. Yes. You know shit like that. But yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Go off jazz. Yes. Yeah. Hard things. Do it for us. Do it for us, girl. And let us know how it was for you. I did it once.

[00:13:43] Did you not? It was hard. I was vegetarian for at least a month up to like 90 days. And then I was pescatarian for a little bit. It was hard because I love chicken. But I did it. And so I really resonated with her. I was like, yeah. Because sometimes you have to prove to yourself that you can do something hard. Yeah. You know? Her writing her book. Yes. Her writing her book. That was tea.

[00:14:13] It was. That was tea. I love that. And I'm not going to hold you. In my head, I kind of wanted a little excerpt. A little line or two. I want to know what was just going in there. It's not like every time something happened in her life. Like she literally at the end of the day, she was like, okay, let me just go ahead and channel some of this energy. Yeah. That was so healthy. Let me knock out some chapters. I'm like, okay. Danielle. Danielle, is this about you? Is it? About you? Girl, what's going on? Is this what you be doing?

[00:14:42] Or was this what you be doing when you first starting it out? Because I'm like, we're not authors, but I can only imagine that. Like, I guess that is kind of probably what a lot of authors do. They go through something and they're like, you know what? Let me escape. Oh, yeah. Let me do what I do. The same way we do with reading. Yes. Hello. That's tea. Okay. Period. Teacher girly pops. How was it like hearing her talk about her being a teacher, some of the hardships, like the kids, the dynamics? Was it triggering? Yeah. I want to know.

[00:15:11] Was that triggering or what? I'm not going to hold you. I kind of needed her to struggle a little bit more. Okay. Because she's vibing. I'm like, oh, you're vibing. I said, oh, you're flying out to the game. You're going to, you taking off days. I said, what happened to sub plans? You know? What happened to sub plans? Oh! Where's them grades? Because I know report cards are decent. Right. But the thing is, she was also a high school teacher. Yeah. I'm like, tell me about the worst student though. I want to hear about that one.

[00:15:41] But that's like, honestly, that would have just been another layer. And I feel like it would have just been too much going on. It would have taken it away. So I appreciate the like, somewhat of an escapism there because I'm like, oh, we'd be clocking in baby, clocking in every day, trying to change the future. Okay. Come on, Malcolm. She was realistic about life happening. And then you still have to go in. And she was like, the kids are here.

[00:16:09] I'm like, she can't even, she can't even check the Twitter news or whatever. Oh my God. I was being like, please hold everyone. Sit down quickly. You can't even do that. And she was with kids who, she was with the age that could. So I was like. Right. They knew everything about her life. They were clocking her. They were not gossiping about her. I'm like, oh. I got her last name. Not gossiping about her. Right outside her room. Is this you? Detention. Miss Payne. Miss Payne. She's got to have a sister. Miss Payne. She was like, no.

[00:16:37] I know you're sad because your man broke up with you, but it's going to be okay, girl. Please get up. I'm sorry. I screamed. But honestly, that is literally how kids are. That's accurate. They will literally pick up on anything and be like, it's okay. You're having a bad day, huh? Yeah, actually. I'm going to be honest. As a student, I never did anything like that. I want to just go home and cry. The kids are different. The kids today, they're in our business. Okay. They want to know everything. I've had children ask me about my son.

[00:17:06] Tell your wife I love her. They've never seen her a day in their life. The kids today are different. Okay. I got Christmas cards addressed to me and my husband. There you go. They've never met that man in their lives. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Right. So it was accurate. The kids being in her business and also being on her social media and seeing all. Yeah. So I was like, yeah, that was accurate. But I agree with Nish. I'm glad they didn't go. Too deep. Any further into it.

[00:17:35] Things were just kind of grazed and touched upon a little bit. And I'm like, yeah, let's move it along. Let's. What happens after? Right. I'm like, let's talk about. Let's talk about. Let's talk about. The off the clock activities that you're in with that man. Is her extracurricular activities. It's very interesting. Let's talk about it. I don't think I remember the last time I read a romance where like the couple was long distance. And that was kind of cute.

[00:18:06] Okay. But. I think. Long distance. They were barely long distance. Right. Like long distance. Like you can't just pull up on DMV long distance. Technically, yes. Like DMV long distance. And I'm in Baltimore. And that's very. That's like a three, four hour drive. If you know, you know. Now that is. But. DMV long distance. Like you in Baltimore, your boo might be in like. Like. Nova. Nova. That's Woodbridge. The upper Woodbridge. That's far. And don't let nobody be in Waldorf. You really not about to see that person. You're never seeing that.

[00:18:36] Sorry. Go ahead and match. But. You're never seeing them. It's so true. Also. That is so crazy. Because you're not. Y'all really are long distance. Like I'm so sorry. If you're on the DMV, leave a comment below. Right. Please. Let me know what we're talking about. What's the furthest that you would be willing to date? What city is too far for you? What city is too far? Baltimore. Richmond. Or what county? Yes. What county? Because of New York. That's out the way. Because if you're in Baltimore County. And your boo is all the way in Charles County.

[00:19:06] What do you do? We're moco. Do you meet halfway in PG? In PG. Or do you meet in Hoco? Right. Do y'all do something crazy and just get out the state? Meet each other in West Virginia? Do y'all just drive over to West Virginia? Never that. Never that. I don't think I've heard of anyone. No one's doing that. Okay. But have y'all been to West Virginia? No. Not on purpose. I've driven through it. Driven through. Yeah, I've driven through it. And let me tell you, that's all I needed.

[00:19:36] That was all I needed. No offense to the West Virginians out there, but. Harper's Ferry. Is that West Virginia or is that just Virginia? It's like on the corner. It's like the cusp, right? I thought Virginia technically. I knew someone was going to say cusp. It is cusp. It's on the cusp. But all of that to say, yes, they were long distance, but I think the thing that made it more difficult, like, okay, they were technically like an hour or so away from each other.

[00:20:02] But it was the fact that his schedule was crazy. Her schedule was crazy too. And that's why I said it was barely long distance. It was the fact that they were busy adults. And that was something that was a challenge that they both had said, like, towards it. He was like, I don't got time to dedicate. And she was just like, I don't want to be in a relationship. And she did. That is law. I'm like, you silly girl. She said, word is bond. All right. Okay. She said, bet. He's busy.

[00:20:30] She said, I'm not going to ask you for more of your time. It was so funny. Like, she would just blurt out how she felt, like, while they getting it in. And I'm like, you're going to close your mouth. I'm like, she said, legs open, heart open, mouth open. Literally. But the minute her draws, the minute her draws is on, like, oh, she wasn't saying much. True. She put them clothes back on. She said, oh, be, I won't be saying that again. She was really frustrating me a lot of times.

[00:21:00] She said, not going to hold you. Not going to hold you. Agreed. Because my thing is, my thing is, she would think about it. She would plan for it. And I'm like, okay, okay. You don't talk to your mom, girls. Like, you know, once you talk to your auntie. Like, the aunties. They hyping you up. Like, you are your girl. She was like, okay. Okay. Hey, Lamar. And then don't let them, don't let them give her just a little extra kiss. A little extra. And then some. Now she's saying crazy stuff. You tell that, man. You know that, man.

[00:21:28] I'm like, don't touch me because I can't think when you do. I said, maybe say something out your mouth while he is touching you. Maybe that's a good idea. And everybody was telling her the same exact thing. That man wants you. Look at the size. She's like, yeah, he doesn't. He's been interested from jump. She's like. Look at that man. He never said it. Right. And that was. He never said it. That was actually my frustration. But when you think about it, he did show it.

[00:21:55] And once he explained like, Jasmine, you told me you didn't want to be in a relationship. Like, I was listening to what you were saying when we first like, we were talking as friends. It was both listening a little too hard. And I was like, you know what? They both did the same thing. They did listen. Word is bond. They said, you said it once and that's all I need to hear. Heard. Once is enough. We don't want to read this. And they remembered. They retained that information. And then acted on that information. And I'm like, okay. But also the dynamic is changing. Right. The dynamic is changing.

[00:22:25] So let the communication change too. Correct. Come on, people. 100%. Come on. They were on the phone a lot. And I felt like that part of their love story, like with the long distance, like their schedules just not matching up, whatever. They did always take at least some sort of time to communicate, whether it was text, whether it was we on the phone, we talking about X, Y, Z, and then I got to run. I got practice. She has to go and help Addie. Like that was realistic to me.

[00:22:55] And I did appreciate those moments. I just feel like I'm like, dang, pull up on a pull up. Like some more. It went like some more, please. Right. Some more. Send a few more. But when he was going to pull up. At my door. Right. He was always knocking at that door. Yeah. And her, I'm sorry. Her every time going to the people and be like, I'm not looking out. It's 8 o'clock at night. Who can have me? I'm like, girl, ain't nobody else coming to see you. Girl. Okay. You know who it is.

[00:23:24] I'm going to see you and flip you over. Okay. Open the door. And then immediately leave after. Right. They. With immediately having to be like, bye. Right. Gotta go. Gotta get on the road. Okay. Gotta have work in the morning. Got practice. Got an interview. Just sit down for a second. Live in it. They just had to. It was on the move so much.

[00:23:53] It was so real though. That's just. Yeah. Like that's the real part. Like. I'm telling you the rat race. It was no realistic. It was. It was. Like as somebody who would be dating like in this day and age. Like everyone has X, Y, and Z going on. You have so many prior commitments. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. You have to make time for your partner. And I feel like they definitely did that. But me personally, you know, I love a man who gonna pull up and hop out no matter what. That is.

[00:24:23] So I just wanted to see that a whole lot more. But Danielle did that. I can't lie. Like, cause when he did. Yeah. When he did. Yeah, he did. When he came back to Channing. When he pulled up on her at her crib. Like. Exactly. He did show her what's popping. Can we talk about her hometown? Yeah. Let's get into Channing. Just briefly. Not too much. Cause they don't even deserve that. That's why you gotta get out your hometown. Oh, honey. Period. Period. Period. Period.

[00:24:50] I didn't notice what the back of the book said until I finished. But it said because life's too short. Yeah. And mean girls ain't shh. Cause yeah. You're way too old to be mean to someone because of how they look. Correct. That's middle spirit. That was so crazy to me. Like I was getting hot reading some of these scenes. But I'm glad. Cause she never sat around and took anything. Thank God. She really didn't. She said, didn't I whoop your ass in high school? Oh, all right.

[00:25:19] And I'm not gonna even hold you. Didn't I whoop your ass in high school? Keep it cute. Not too much. Right. You know what's up? Keep it cute. Cause you know what's up. Cause even at the end of the book. They do a little rundown. When she finally claimed her man. On his school. And she was like for the girls asking if I could find. Yeah. I can. I can. Cause yeah. Let them know. Just so you know. Honestly. These hands are rated E. That's funny because that'd be the first thing. When fine man pops up on the TL. Are you fine? Can your girl fight? Can your wife fight? Absolutely. Like. You know what?

[00:25:48] We don't even gotta ask. She said. And yes I can. Yes I can. Yes I can. Don't hear that. I'll address that. Yeah. Right. Now what? Right. But I just. What are you trying to do? They were. I was just genuinely surprised at how nasty people continue to be to her. Like. As grown adults. Like. I'm like. You don't feel icky on the inside. Doing all that. But that one brief moment where she ran into like. Someone from high school that she didn't know.

[00:26:17] And the girl spoke up and she was like. I saw what was being done to you. I knew what was wrong. I still distanced myself. And I owe you an apology for that. I was like. It doesn't make it right. But I'm glad that. Gross. She said that. Correct. Because. Sometimes you just gotta acknowledge the wrong. Like. Yeah. In the bar at the beginning. I was like. Honestly go ahead and do a round two. Let's do a nice little round house. Because clearly they forgot. In this parking lot. Because. Who do you think you're talking to?

[00:26:47] It was just so much. But she didn't even have to say anything because Lamar. Lamar. And after. That was their first time meeting. And he stood up for her. Yeah. So good. You need that. Because they did. Which you gave to them. A little. Bink. Bink. I just wanted her to like. Pluck them in their forehead or something. Like. Just back up. You sound silly. Back up. I did just want Jazz to like. Open up more. Sooner.

[00:27:17] She was just so. Yeah. She kept her cards even closer. But I understood. I. We clearly understood. Why she did that. And she was going through so much. What unseen. She was going through. And she was trying to be a bit selfless. Because I mean. Clearly he has a game on. On Sunday. Like. I'm not going to ruin your game. Yeah. With my stuff. Like. You going to get hurt out there. Mm-hmm. And lose your job. In all of her. Yeah. She kept trying to break up with that man. To save his career. She kept. She did it like three times.

[00:27:47] She did. He was like. You don't. He was like. You want me to tell people we're together? No. He said. All right. It's okay. I'm going to do what you want. All right. There was Jasmine. I was like. Girl. Jasmine. Girl. Leave. But I get it though. I get it. She was very selfless. Very, very selfless. She was trying to be selfless. But to her own detriment. Correct. That was the only part I didn't. Yeah. Detriment. Like. But. I appreciated that he. Once we got past the like. He wasn't.

[00:28:17] Communicating. Mm-hmm. The way that we wanted him to. Right. He was like. I already have it figured out. You let me know when you do. Like. It wasn't like a run. He wasn't like. Yeah. And he was younger than her doing that. He was. He put his little foot down and was like. Look. I already know what it is. You go ahead and let me know. Call me when you do. Yeah. Call me. Oh. Call me when you. Gave her. He communicated. Okay. He was explicit. He did. He gave her space. Mm-hmm.

[00:28:46] And then when she came back and was ready. He didn't hold it against her. Yeah. Hey. Did y'all hear that part? He didn't hold it against her. Yes. Because you can't be saying it's fine. And then still be mad about the situation. Yes. And taking it out. So I. I liked that. Like. The way that they communicated once. Even when they weren't. Like. On weird terms. Right. They still. Like had a really healthy man communicating. Right. Yeah. I appreciate that. Especially because I like that she was a little older than him. Like what? Four years older than him. So she's probably like 30.

[00:29:17] 30. Because he was 26. With a fully developed frontal lobe. Right. She was a developed. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. That's a good man, Savannah. In comes. So where would you put Lamar on the freaky scale? Compared to the other two MCs? Because I'm not going to hold you. I think Danielle gave us our. Most freak down. Weakiest. Yeah. I agree.

[00:29:48] Weakiest. He said, I've been wanting to tie you up since I met you. I said, ooh. Excuse me? Excuse me? I'm like, that's a little scary. Right? Oh my goodness. I'm intrigued by that. What brand are you using? Just out of curiosity. Like. You really mean to tie me up? Right. Like. And look. He really did. And was picking her up. Throwing her around. It ain't nothing. He's not bench 600. You light word. He. I don't know what. Period.

[00:30:18] You're light. Yeah. He was a defensive player, right? Yeah. I don't know what position. Exactly. But. That's a big boy. Big man. He's a big boy. I mean, look at the cover. Hello. Hello. He was holding her. He was about to chuck her. You see that? They're so cute together. They were so cute together. These are two adults. These are two grown folk. With adult bodies. Okay. Oh. And. Okay. Oh. I just noticed a little vibe. Wesley. Yeah. I also noticed that too. I'm like, oh, that's a cute jersey.

[00:30:48] Can we please give Wesley Siobhan her tense? Oh. Narrated the fuck out that. Her age. Oh my gosh. Her age. Nothing new. But just. Hmm. Like. Incredible. Incredible. She always does her big one. Every time. Like. And honestly. Okay. I just love hearing her on an audio book. Like, it's just like. Oh, we're going to have a good time. As soon as I hear that voice. I get so excited for like when an audio book first starts. Because I'm like, okay. Who is it? Who is it? Who is it? Who's it going to be?

[00:31:19] And it's like. That's just like a comfort comes over me. I'm like, okay. Like, I know that whatever happens in this story. I'm going to be taken care of. Because of the voice that's in my ear. Yeah. It was good. Yeah. It was good. Shout out. That was great. We love you girl. Definitely. Okay. So he's definitely the freakiest. For sure. MC. For sure. But I know he's not y'all's favorite. Oh. I know he's not y'all's. Well, I know he's not Nisha's favorite. Let me say that.

[00:31:48] Who do you think my favorite is? Russ. The richest one. The richest one. I know y'all know what's going on. Mr. Pull-Up Pony. Period. Mr. I'll give up this whole company for you. He said, I'll sell. He sure did that. He really did step in. He said, money ain't nothing, but I got a whole lot of it. That's how you know. Money talks. Woo. Money talks. You right. He is my favorite. Dirty cashin' on you. Dirty cashin' on you. I think I still like the mod. Yeah.

[00:32:19] That's a guy. I am. Ahmad and Aaliyah were so cute. I did like them together. He spoke so much into her. That's why I was like, yeah. And like, he didn't have all the money in the world, but like, he had a bar. He was the owner of that bar. Or did he help his parents out? No, I thought he owned the bar. Owned that bar. He owned the bar, but like, he would pull up on old girl for, and he was like, I don't want a relationship. Like, I'm married, blah, blah, blah. Like, but that whole wean intro. They were just so silly. That was so silly. They were so silly.

[00:32:49] I'm like, Kirk, just say that you're grieving your wife who has passed. You've got this woman thinking she's sleeping with a married man. What answer? She was sick to her stomach. This is why y'all have to read this whole series. Because Curvy Girl Summer, T. Plus Size Player, T. And now. Big Girl Blitz. Big Girl Blitz. T. Like, come on now. And they use the word blitz in the book several times. They did. I know you love that. That's a part of the title.

[00:33:19] Eat it up. Eat it up every time. Just those little crumbs. Those are so good. And I did really like that this whole series was around the same summer. Like, yeah. It was like a concurrent thing. It's all happening. Yeah. Like, all of the girls were having a summer together. They were having a summer together. It reminds me of, like, last summer. We were, like, in our Lover Girl era. Like, we were like, yeah, 2025. Lover Girl. Do-do-do-do-do. Alex got engaged. I was planning a wedding.

[00:33:47] Z was planning a wedding as well. Nish was the married one for real. So, yeah. You know, things really took a turn. Because actually, what was that last line in the epilogue? It was so cute. When she said, but then got it all worked out for all of us. Yeah. And I was like, and it did work out for all of them. I just, I thought that was. Yes. And I did really like their group.

[00:34:15] What a beautiful way to wrap up, like, their texts and stuff, too. Their text threads were dumb funny. So good. And I know. Every time. Like, just needed the emojis. Yeah. That's all we needed. I'm like, I know. Literally. I know they sent an eggplant. I know they sent some crazy stuff. Sending the little water. And I know at least some of those texts were in invisible ink. Just to be silly. And work.

[00:34:41] So, I do love that Danielle always gives us, like, that friend group, too. Like, you need your girlfriends while navigating whatever love or whatever issue you're having within your life. And she was going through grief. And she did even, like, distance herself from her friends for a little bit. Like, I was like, okay, that's key. Yeah. Mm-hmm. I said, that's real. Like, I just. She did. She did that. I love her. So bad.

[00:35:10] Real bad. Real bad. Okay. So, what do y'all rate this book? Nose goes. Oh. Or we all say it at the same time. I was too late. All right. We all say it at the same time. One, two, three, go. 4.75. Oh. Okay. I think we have some similar numbers across the board. I've barely heard anyone else. But 4.5 for me. 4.5 for me, too. 4.5.

[00:35:40] Kayla, did you say anything? 4. Just a full. Just a full. A full. Okay. 4.75. Because there's. Because you know what gave the other two? They were both five stars for me. Yeah. I really want to give this. I really want to give this a five. Because I won't lie. The grief in this book. It got. Like, it really did. It got me. I was. You cried. I was crying a few times in this book. I cried in the epilogue.

[00:36:10] I also laughed in the epilogue. I don't know. I don't know what that point to five is. But on Goodreads, it'll be a five. On Fable, it'll be a 4.75. I think I just. I think Jasmine frustrated me with some of her choices. I was like, there's actually no reason for you to continuously say he doesn't want you when y'all are doing everything but officially saying it together. I think that's what it was.

[00:36:38] And it got to where I was like, you're being ridiculous. You're dragging it, sis. I think that's the only thing. Yes. I'm dragging it, sis. Like, come on now. He won't love you. Let him. That man saw you. And then him not saying it. That part was kind of. But you know what? His little ex was like, yeah, he doesn't say it until he's ready. And I'm like. And that's why he told her. I don't give a damn what she had to say. And that's why he told her. You're just not privy. Stay in your lane. Stay in the pass, miss girl.

[00:37:08] Yeah. She was wild. The Delulu part of me, I'm not going to even hold you. I wanted there to be a little like. Showdown. Heat up and showdown. Yeah. Literally. It should have been in the stands at a football game. Like just a little. I know you have a chapter somewhere. I know you have a chapter, Danielle, where they get into it. Give us the deleted scene, Danielle. Give us that little side, little whatever. Because I know she got checked.

[00:37:39] Right. And I know the check was nasty. Exactly. And just verbally checked too. I don't even think she put hands on her. They don't even need to do all that. She can take her little pass. I just wanted her to see. Just call her delusional. I wanted her to see her kiss Lamar. That's it. Yeah. But you know what was good? Is this who you was getting ready for on TikTok? Lamar nipped it in the bud, though. My man. In that interview. Oh yeah, true. He said, she's just in my pass. And that's it. And that's it. They literally never talked. Right.

[00:38:07] He said, actually, there's nothing between us because she's in the past. Straight like that. Moving on. Moving on. Next question. Thank you. Which I'm like, that was the better way to address it. Right. Because that's how you shut a situation down. Yeah. Okay. That's how you leave no room for questions. I didn't know she was all over me. Like, she came on to me. Nah.

[00:38:37] Yeah. Way too friendly. You ain't gotta be rude, but you don't have to be friendly. Right. Real. Lamar does have that energy. He did. He didn't play. Absolutely. He wasn't on social media like that. And that was the other thing. I'm like, yeah, get off the... We love. We love. Men don't need to be on the internet. Men don't need to be on the internet. Not like that. Not like that.

[00:39:03] And when he did post on social media, him just posting a picture and be like, mine. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Thank you. That was for you. Post phone off. Right. And then through the phone. I'm like... I don't care. Yeah, through the phone. That's funny. Sometimes you just do something. That was sweet. Through the phone. That was sweet. Yeah. But love Danielle Allen. Love this series so much. This was a really good ending to the series. It felt really, like, complete. Yeah.

[00:39:32] I'm happy knowing all our homegirls are good. Yeah. Yes. Loved out loud. It always makes you feel good. Taken care of. And now I'm excited to get into her other stuff. Because we were... Before we started recording, I've read Continuum. Has anyone else read Continuum? I've read Continuum. My list. Great shorts. Great little novella. Good little whoop whoop one too. It's real spicy. The Broken Clocks. Broken Clocks. Yeah, I need to get into that. Like, is this like a scissor of Broken Clocks?

[00:40:00] Like, what type of Broken Clocks is she talking about? I heard of it. It's going to put us through it. And I'm scared. But also, like, I kind of am ready. You know I love that. Me too. Make me feel something. Break me. Hurt me. Oh my. Put me back together. Bring it on. So definitely putting that on my next... Maybe, like, not my next up. But I think this summer I might try. Yeah. That'd be a fun little jaunt. A little side quest. You know I love a side quest.

[00:40:31] Oh yeah. I think Danielle has... I'm sure she has a plethora of really nice summer romances in her back. She does. She got a long, long, long catalog. Like, this whole series is technically a summer romance type of series. But I'm sure, like, it's just the way she writes. It's so, like, encapsulating. Like, you can really get lost in it. True. A hundred percent. Well, if you've had the chance to read this, let us know in the comments. Let us know on Instagram.

[00:41:00] DM us. If we don't answer the DM, it might have gotten lost. But just... Do it anyway. Send it again. Do it anyway. But... Thank y'all so much for listening, kiki-ing, chatting with us. And this has been an episode of the Reading Black Girls podcast. And we will catch you on the next one. Love y'all. Bye. Bye.