My Muted Love

Audio 5 Stars <br />Story 5 Stars

The only thing I would change…<br /><br />Is the fact that I have absolutely zero willpower when it comes to a LB release even knowing going in that it’s a 3 book series! No other author that I read does character development and background as thorough and with as much attention to detail. There were so many clues, hints and tidbits touched on that I know will fully be explored and resolved as this series plays out. So not being able to transition to the next book with no wait time, is the equivalent of a slow burn. But a slow burn is a good thing, when you have confidence that journey you’re being taken on is leading up to the ultimate culmination!!<br /><br />Ashton and Tori had me riveted from start to finish. And at this point I have more questions than answers. But getting to what happened, why, and how it will play out for them going forward, will keep me invested until the very end! And I have no doubt the discoveries made along the way will be emotional, explosive, and riveting, as only LB knows how to pen it. Looking forward to more Tori and Spence revelations, more LB cameos, and as always more from the supporting characters that have so far played an integral part in moving the story forward.

i'm surprised that I don't see more readers picking up this trilogy!!! <br /><br />in the now timeline we met two characters, Tori and Ashton..she is a boxing champion and he is a journalist who will do a story on her..but these two have a history 13 years ago when Tori was a freshman and Ashton was a senior they went to the same collage...most of the storyline is in the past... <br /><br />Tori is my type of heroine, an underdog!! she also has a complicated family life and is practically all alone in the world. Ashton is her opposite, an entitled and pompous ass and I hope he grows in the next books because he was awful here; bullying and condescending towards the heroine <br /><br />I'm excited to continue with the series <br />The cliffhanger is not too bad I feel we just dived into the storyline...

SPOILER FREE REVIEW: My Muted Love (Muted Hopelessness book 1) by Love Belvin<br />is a solid 4 Star Read!!<br /><br /><b>My Muted Love</b> opens with a guy by the name of Ashton Spencer. Ashton receives a request from his mentor to step in for him and complete an assignment. Yet, it's at the mention of Tori McNabb's name that readers become acutely aware of something. SUDDENLY, it's as if you know that this woman (Tori) left an imprint on this man (Ashton).<br />It was all in his reaction, silent but impressionable all at once. While the book starts off in the present, it's not long before it shifts to the past. Soon readers are up close and personal with how our two main characters meet.<br /><br />Tori McNabb is struggling when she gets to Blakewood State University. Any little thing seems to set her off and boom she's ready to throw it all away.<br />Some tough love...well actually, I don't know if I can call it that really. So let's go with, some harsh words from a mentor keeps her planted at BSU but staying comes with a price.<br /><br />Tori must put in the work and get in the ring to show why she's there in the first place. At least in her mind, she has to and if I'm honest others are thinking the same thing too. It's not easy though and overnight it appears that BSU's star athlete takes it upon himself to be the one that will make her or break her at BSU.<br /><br /><i>"You're one of them."<br />"One of who?" <br />"One of them welfare recipients.The new student who didn't earn their way to BSU, but got here by way of the pity train."</i> -Ashton to Tori<br /><br /><b>The Bad Humans Clique:</b><br />That's the name Tori gives them. 'Them' being the rich, black Beverly Hills 90210 humans at BSU. They're mean, they think oh so highly of themselves, their generational wealth is worn like a badge of honor and because of that wealth things in this world come more easily to them.<br /><br />Tori, a total badazz in the boxing ring finds herself on the wrathful receiving end of the bad humans, of which Ashton Spencer is the leader. Ashton is the big man on campus. And let me tell you, this guy is a handsomely smart, all American Division I star quarterback and clear NFL prospect. He knows it. Tori knows it. His pretty, skinny, equally rich girlfriend Aivery knows it.<br />The whole damn school knows it. Knowing it is one thing but with Tori however, she could care less about all that. The girl is focused and no bad humans are gonna stand in her way.<br /><br />Just when things are going well there's a shift. One I was NOT expecting at all.<br /><br /><b>Ashton:</b><br />O. M. GEEEEEEEEE. Listen to me, you will not like this guy. Or maybe it's just me. *shrugs* Whatever, believe me when I tell you he will only soften you up just to piss you back off again. Overall, he grew on me and I'm eager to know more about him. I sloooooowly fell for Ashton.<br />I consider him to be the perfect blend. He has that old money proper vibe mixed with a little hood. As you read the book you realize his background has provided him life experiences from both worlds. This works well for his character, which for me is a big plus cause honey I like them with a touch of hood!<br /><br /><b>Tori:</b><br />Tori. Tori. Tori. * Blows out air from my mouth in exasperation* My feelings are mixed when it comes to her. Not really a fan to be honest. Then, I spent most of the book feeling bad for her only to feel a little played by her as the book ends. Do I still feel bad for her? Yes, but that's circumstantial at best now. *narrows eyes in contemplation*<br /><br />Yeah...I need more intel on this chick. I thought I had her figured out somewhat and now I'm thinking maybe I don't. However, I can admit that Belvin did leave me some slight clues along the way that eluded to certain things within her character complexity.<br /><br /><b>The character I'm most eager to learn more about?</b><br />Why NormaJean of course. Her entire being in this story is somewhat jaw-dropping. I can already tell from the snippets of her we received.<br /><br /><b>The character I would love to see Tori knock on their a$$?</b><br />Aivery. Gosh, I hope it happens. LOL!!!!<br /><br /><b>The character that surprised me?</b><br />Tori. My section titled Tori: explains.<br /><br /><b>Fave Lines:</b><br /><i>"Bitch got a name"</i> - Tori<br />"You're a real Panther now, Nabby-girl"- Ashton<br /><br /><b>Series:</b> <br />Yes, this is book one in a three-book series. Book two is due Summer of 2020<br /><b>Recommendation:</b> <br />Read the book! Though this is a romance, romance does not really play a big part in this book in my humble opinion. It kind of flies beneath the radar in an obvious way but does not overtake the book. Again, that's in my humble opinion.<br /><b>Plot/Storyline:</b><br />Belvin has the worlds of two focused athletes colliding in an unexpected way...especially when it leads with them being athletes as certain common ground.<br />The story is somewhat emotional for both lead characters. Two extremely different people of the opposite sex are clashing at pivotal points in their lives.<br /><b>Writing:</b><br />The writing was good, characters are laid out well, and readers will definitely want more. Hopelessness was a theme to a degree but not on overload to the point you feel bombarded by it. The two mains are NOTHING like what I expected them to be and I'm ok with that. I can't wait to see where this story goes.<br />

Man, Where do I start? I truly enjoy reading/listening to author, especially romance author that are able to pen stories and characters with Depth! I absolutely love a story filled with more than just the typical boy meet girl, they fall in love and live HEA (Although that is my bottom line in a romance story) type of story...and this story was anything but! I NEED a story and let me tell you....This is definitely another author for me that provides a lot of detail with a complete story fill with depth in her primary and secondary characters. While I'm working, I usually listen to my audiobooks....This story was so captivating for me, I honestly can't say I was a productive employee while listening to this book. I always enjoy authors that bring in characters from other books and for me this was only my second book of Love's and she provided me a glimpse of Ragee &amp; his grandmother prior to The Rhythm of Blues Series and his friendship with Tori....I love how she starts off present day to set the stage of what's happening and then looks back to give us the full picture of how Tori entered BSU and met Ashton for the first time. The all encompassing complicated relationship the two of them have totally captivates me....Now, I didn't understand why she didn't stop the direct deposit (read/listen to the story) so that she could get her money....but, I had to remember that during this time, she was an 18 year old girl....I have already pre-ordered book 2.....I can't wait....Oh Did I mention this book was narrated by two (2) of my absolute favorite narrators....Emmanuel &amp; Wesleigh were absolute amazing as always for me conveying this story!

I don’t think anyone can compare to the character development and background as Love does with each masterpiece she pens... I am absolutely stuck on this train of Ashton and Tori and can’t wait until summer to figure what the happened between the two of them that’s got them both spooked out LOL! But baby when Tori gave my mans the business and broke out of there I hollered!<br />I definitely recommend this one and didn’t expect anything less from my fav!

This was a different kind of love story but in a good way! I really enjoyed the “where it all began” with Ashton and Tori! The character development was very detailed and I feel like I know them personally. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them!

Spoilers Ahead<br /><br />I've been told I have a weird brain so I'm going to attribute that weirdness to my departure from the majority of 4+ reviews. <br /><br />I just could not get behind this love story. First, Ashton, his girlfriend, and his friends acted less like seniors in college and more like freshman in high school. Ashton literally barks at Tori the first time they cross paths. A grown man within a year of receiving a college degree barks at female based on her appearance. The first time it happens I gave him the benefit of the doubt. He was transferring his frustration with his manipulative girlfriend to the poor girl on campus. Ok, fine. When he does it again eliciting laughs from the surrounding student body, nah, now you just being mean, the worst kind of mean, a bully who picks on the less fortunate. Tori actually loses her only source of income as a result and he brushes it off as, 'I was just playing. I didn't mean for you to lose your lil' job'. Really???!!! But then he does this strange code switch thing where he schools Tori on the history and tradition of the HBCU they attend, essentially telling her to get her sh*t together because she was amongst greatness. I pretty much checked out then. <br /><br />I read to the end because I had hoped a miracle would happen and I would find something redeeming about Ashton. <br /><br />I didn't.

Tori McNabb is the underdog at Blakewood State University. She doesn't fit in, but she's only there for her education. Ashton Spencer and his clique make it hard for Tori to JUST get her education. While tutoring Tori, Ashton realizes that it's so much more to the girl that sticks out like a sore thumb on campus. This is an enemies to lovers storyline that had my attention from the beginning. I love the way Love Belvin pens a story. Definitely moving on to the next installment.

This was my first book by Love Belvin. (I know. Don’t judge.) I thoroughly enjoyed it. The character &amp; plot development was so well done. I love that she didn’t rush through the writing of this novel. It’s a great story, &amp; I can’t wait to dive into Part 2 of Our Muted Recklessness.