Hold Please, I Said What I Said

A book series that runs this long should not be this hard to stop, and yet here we are. We sit down to talk the Delgado Series by Jaquel J and the real reason it has us hooked: characters you can’t predict, family dynamics that keep evolving, and humor that cuts through even the most serious storylines. We also give a quick spoiler warning, because once you start naming favorites and least favorit...

We recap our top five books of 2025 and the stories that kept us turning pages across sports memoirs, romance series, mysteries, and faith-based reads. We also compare reading goals, laugh about falling down series rabbit holes, and say it with our chests: audiobooks count. Our five-star sports memoir picks from Dawn Staley and A’ja Wilson, why Black women’s stories and mentorship themes hit hard....

A presidential campaign in 107 days sounds impossible until you start hearing how it actually works and how ugly it can get behind closed doors. We sit down with our book club brains turned all the way on and unpack Kamala Harris’s 107 Days, a political memoir built around speed, scrutiny, and the kind of pressure that turns every relationship into a stress test. Our reactions are not the same, an...

What if your story is the spark someone else needs? We dive into testimony as a living, breathing practice—part Scripture, part sweat, and fully human. From redefining what “testify” means in both church and everyday life to navigating the thin line between sharing and oversharing, we get honest about how to speak truth in ways that help rather than harm. You’ll hear real moments: a stroke survivo...

Holiday joy meets hard truths as we swap Grinch-green decor ideas and then dive into the book world’s best and worst moments. We share the thrill of meeting favorite authors and the sting of being blatantly ignored at a signing—eye contact made, greeting skipped—which opens a larger conversation about reader respect, author etiquette, and how small moments can change what we choose to support. If...

What if love isn’t a feeling you chase, but a habit you practice when no one’s clapping? We open with everyday life—the books on our nightstands, the shows we debate—and move straight into four timeless lenses of love: storge (family), philia (friendship), eros (romantic), and agape (unconditional). From there, the stories get real. A blended family bond that formed fast and deep. An overnight hos...

Ever notice how some foods never seem to spoil anymore? The Hold Please crew dives deep into this modern mystery, questioning what manufacturers might be adding to our bread to extend shelf life beyond what seems natural. While some hosts report their cheese still molds quickly, others note how certain foods seem practically immortal compared to decades past – raising fascinating questions about o...

Ever wonder when is the right time to bring up major life decisions with someone you're dating? Or why some people just can't stand leftovers? This episode dives into the everyday and the profound as we catch up on our week and explore topics that matter. The conversation shifts as we share books that have mirrored our own life experiences - from a novel featuring a plus-size protagonist...

We dive deep into our thoughts on the Family Business series finale on BET Plus, discussing how the TV adaptation compares to Carl Weber's original book and why most of us enjoyed the show more. • The stellar casting elevated the series beyond the book, especially David Banner's commanding performance • The show's ending deviates significantly from the book, creating an exciting cli...

Ever noticed how the media loves to paint everything in black and white? Literally. Our spirited discussion dives into the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese rivalry that's dominating sports headlines, questioning whether this is truly about race or simply two competitive athletes who don't particularly like each other. We examine RG3's controversial comments and ask the deeper question:...

The magic of Abbott Elementary lies in its ability to blend laugh-out-loud comedy with heartfelt moments that resonate deeply with anyone who's spent time in a school setting. The conversation begins with passionate debates about favorite characters, with Ava Coleman's hilarious antics winning significant praise. Her character development throughout the season reveals surprising depth be...

The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband―and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive. Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband G...

Will her actions save her marriage or destroy it? As a publicist for professional athletes, Antonio Vega is used to solving problems and spinning stories to the benefit of his clients. Yet he can’t seem to convince his wife that he has been and always will be faithful, and her lack of trust tests the limits of his patience. Cassidy Hawthorne-Vega grew up in a home rocked by infidelity. When she su...

Who doesn’t love a bad boy? Lorena Vega knows better than to have anything else to do with Matthew Hawthorne. Then he comes to her and asks for her help in writing a proposal for a grant to benefit the community center where he volunteers. She agrees to do the work, but she has her guard up, because having Matthew in her life again is a problem she doesn’t need. Matthew still carries some guilt fr...

Hating him is easy. Loving him is hard.  Derrick Hoffman never quite got over not having a relationship with his biological father. The woman he was seeing is pregnant, and there’s no way he’s going to let her raise his child without him—even if it means coercing her into marriage.  Eva Jacob made the mistake of falling in love with Derrick, a man she knows is incapable of love. After their breaku...

Can true love be found after one night of passion? Celeste Burton goes out with her girlfriends to celebrate turning thirty and winds up spending an unforgettable night with the man of her dreams. One week later, as a favor, she attends a wedding with a friend as his date and is shocked when she sees Roarke again. Roarke Hawthorne despises cheating. Cheating tore apart his family years ago. When t...

Explore the story of Leilani and Toby's past romance and their current complex relationship in 'More Than Friends: The Love & Music Suite Book 3', which discusses themes like neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, and past trauma. A trip down Memory lane with self discovery. Explore a world in the eyes of adults who deal with Love, Past trauma and ADHD Best friends. Only one bed. W...

Adventuring into one of many Christina C. Jones series we hope to read.

Join us as we discuss "Innocent Intent" where we dive deep into the thought-provoking themes and characters of the book. This episode explores the intricate layers of the narrative, examining the moral dilemmas, emotional conflicts, and the profound implications of human intentions. Through engaging discussions we seek to uncover the truth behind the title and what it means to act with i...

Discovered our fresh opinions on the season ending of 911 Long Star! You may laugh, cry and end think. But you certainly won't be disappointed! 

Ever found yourself skeptical about book-to-screen adaptations, only to be pleasantly surprised? That’s exactly what happened to our dear Raytasha in our latest episode, as we dive into the TV adaptation of "Family Business 7: New Orleans" on BET Plus. We uncover the series' remarkable faithfulness to the source material and celebrate standout performances, with Layla Rashawn brilli...

Do you remember your top 4 books from 2024? We do!!! Here are our reviews. 

We step into a new world of the Duncan family in New Orleans. See if we leave them where they stay?