Book Beginnings on Friday, First Line Friday and The Friday56: Sweet Like Sunday
I have to admit something: I haven’t read many romance books by indie Black authors—not because I don’t want to, but because they don’t always make it onto my radar unless I stumble across them on Bookstagram. Last week, though, one of my favorite bookstagrammers (@shawnacischroeder) shared a stack of books by Black authors for book club, that we need to be reading. Naturally, I ordered a few, and I just finished the first one.
✨ Sweet Like Sundays by Danielle Brooks—and to say I’m obsessed would be an understatement. The first installment in the Greenbrook Lovers series, follows Amelia "Sade," a woman enjoying a peaceful life in a small town after inheriting a home from her grandparents. She has known her neighbor, Aeren "Ace," only in passing—until one Sunday when she invites him over for lemonade while she’s tending her garden. That simple gesture sparks a delightful, flirty banter between them, making both wonder: could this lead to something more? Over the course of four Sundays, their connection deepens, turning neighborly encounters into a tender, slow-blooming romance filled with warmth, reflection, and the sweetness of newfound love.
Here’s why I loved this book:
1. Novella magic – It proves that you don’t need 500+ pages to tell a compelling, heartfelt story. This novella is short but so satisfying.
2. Relatable characters – From the very first line, I connected with the main character. This couple completely stole my heart.
3. Emotional depth – I was impressed by how much emotion was packed into such a short story. Nothing over-the-top or dramatic, just real, human emotions that made the story come alive.
4. “From the heart” storytelling – BookTok and Bookstagram are filled with high-drama, swoony romances (which I also love), but there’s something so refreshing about everyday love stories that still tug at your heartstrings.
5. The writing style – It’s engaging, natural, and flows beautifully. Easy to read, but it still lingers with you.
6. Family ties – I loved the way parents and grandparents were woven into the story. Their presence added depth, context, and warmth to the romance.
7. That cover! – Honestly, it’s gorgeous. I kept flipping the book over just to admire it between chapters.
I already know I’ll be ordering more of her books this weekend—she might just become one of my new-to-me favorite authors. This book is definitely ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5-star rating.
Now, let’s jump into our bookish link-ups for today. For Book Beginnings on Friday at Rose City Reader and First Line Friday at Reading in My Superpower.
“I wake up my phone, swipe to find my music, and click on the “Sunday Vibes” playlist, signaling it to play on shuffle. Anita Baker’s “Caught up in a Rapture” begins to play through the soundbar mounted on the wall under my flatscreen tv, on-brand for the vibe I’m in today, relaxed, renewed, and ready to do some spring cleaning. It never fails; at the turn of the season, I am always intuitively led to do a good deep clean of my home…”
For The Friday56 at My Heads if Full of Books we skip to page 56:
“I didn’t want shelter from this rain. ; I just wanted her and would weather this storm for as she allowed me. She pulls away, trying to catch her breath, and blinks at each droplet that makes its way to her face, letting out an amused laugh. “What are we doing in this rain?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care now that I have you.” I answer honestly, sharing in her amusement. I stare deeply into her eyes, watching our future play in her pupils, and I want it. ‘I’m sorry, Sa— Amelia, I’m sorry.” I stumble over my choice of what to call her, but Amelia feels right now because I want her to know I’m true to the words I am trying to form.
