Category Archives: Small-Town

When a second job takes Sierra Watson to Chesapeake Heights, she finds herself entwined with the powerful Freeman family in a world of tradition, loyalty, and love. Free to Fall is a soulful story of resilience, redemption, and a love so powerful it breaks through the toughest barriers. Readers who love Kennedy Ryan and Jessica Prince will devour this steamy, small-town, enemies-to-lovers romance from Louise Lennox.

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She’s his greatest temptation. He’s her biggest risk. Together, they just might fall…

Jabari

Love? I don’t do that anymore. I’ve had my fill of betrayal, of trusting the wrong people, of letting my guard down only to be burned. My life is about control now—running the Freeman family empire, upholding our legacy, and keeping my heart locked behind walls no one can break.

Then she shows up.

Sierra Watson is nothing like the women I’ve known—bold, beautiful, and completely unimpressed by me. She challenges me, meets my sharp edges with smooth confidence, and refuses to be anything less than herself. I should stay away. I need to stay away. But when she looks at me, I feel something shift, something crack open that I thought was long dead.

But love has cost me before, and I can’t afford to lose again.Sierra
I don’t have time for love. Not when my family is depending on me. Not when my sister’s reckless decisions have forced me into a second job I never wanted, working for the powerful Freeman family to clean up a mess I didn’t make.

Then I meet him.

Jabari Freeman is infuriating—cold, controlled, and way too arrogant for his own good. He pushes, I push back. But the more I fight it, the harder it becomes to ignore the fire between us. And when that fire ignites, it’s impossible to put out.

But love has never come without sacrifice for me. And just when I think I might finally have something for myself, the life I’ve been trying to escape comes crashing back in.

Jabari has his own demons to fight, and I have mine. The question is… are we strong enough to fight for each other?

 Enemies-to-lovers tension  Irresistible chemistry  Steamy Small Town Romance  A love worth risking everything for

Set against the lush backdrop of Southern Maryland’s Chesapeake Heights, Free to Fall is a soulful story of resilience, redemption, featuring the Freeman family. This is Book One: Jabari’s Story.

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Excerpt

Copyright 2025, Louise Lennox

Her skin is soft, her touch electric. “Thank you for being here tonight,” I say, meaning every word. “You’ve made me feel like the luckiest man in this room.”

“Jabari, you’re laying it on a little thick,” she says, though her eyes sparkle. She likes it—she can’t hide that, and honestly, I don’t want her to.

“Maybe. But you’re worth it,” I tease, my voice dropping lower.

Her laugh is soft, almost shy, and I swear it’s the sweetest sound I’ve heard all week. She drops her menu and lets out a frustrated sigh. “Ok, I give up; how do we order off this menu? There are too many small sections.”

I chuckle and lift my menu between us, my eyes meeting hers over the edge. “This is how it works,” I say, letting my voice drop to that rumble I know gets to her. “It’s a tasting menu. We pick a bunch of things to share.”

“Share?” She raises an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes. “You and-We’re going to share food?”

“Absolutely,” I say, grinning. “Tonight, I’m going to feed you.” The words roll off my tongue smooth as silk, and I don’t miss how her breath catches.

“I may love to eat, Jabari,” she says, leaning in just enough for her voice to wrap around me, “But I’m a picky eater. And this is a lot.”

“Trust me, you’ll savor every bite.” I know she’s thinking about the cost—practical to a fault—but that’s not her problem tonight. She’s with me, and when you’re with me, you don’t worry about a damn thing.

The waiter returns, and I rattle off our order: coco bread, cornbread, lamb, shrimp with a kick, lobster, and a plate of jollof rice and chicken. It’s comfort food—my food.

“Jabari, are you sure—” she starts, but I cut her off with a wink.

“Relax. I’ve got this.”

Dinner becomes its own kind of game. The air shifts, the tension turning warm and playful as she laughs at my jokes and throws back quick comebacks. I insist on feeding her—a piece of lamb here, a forkful of rice there. She fights it at first, her independence flashing in those eyes, but eventually, she softens.

Every time my fingers brush her lips, her body relaxes more. Every flick of her tongue, every quiet sigh, tightens something deep inside me. And if my pants get any tighter, my dick is going to bust through.

“Stop it,” she says, but her voice is weak, her protest half-hearted, when I lick a dollop of butter that fell to her fingers,

“Can’t.” My voice is rougher now because this woman is doing things to me I can’t ignore.

“Jabari…” Her tone shifts, and there’s no mistaking the heat simmering in her words.

“Sierra.” I hold her gaze, daring her to admit what’s building between us. She doesn’t, but she doesn’t have to. It’s all there, written in how her lips part and body lean just a little closer to mine.

The moment is interrupted when the waiter drops the check on the table, but Sierra moves fast, her hand darting out like lightning to grab it.

“Sierra,” I warn, my voice steady but low. “Don’t even think about it.”

“It’s just a check, Jabari,” she says, feigning innocence, but the spark in her eyes gives her away.

“Touch it, and I’ll take you over my knee right here,” I say, my voice dropping to a growl. “Spank you until you’re a real redbone.”

She gasps, her cheeks flushing that perfect shade of pink. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me,” I shoot back, my jaw tightening as I dare her to test me.

Her hand retreats, and she pouts, crossing her arms with a defiance that only makes me want her more.

“Good girl,” I say, my voice softer but no less firm. It’s not a dig—it’s appreciation. This woman is fire, and I want to get burned.

I stand, holding out my hand. For a moment, she hesitates, but then her fingers slide against mine, and it feels like victory.

“Come on, Siren,” I say, my voice coaxing. “Let’s return to Chesapeake Heights and walk by the water.”

“Jabari, I live here in the city; that’s almost an hour away. Are you going to want to bring me back home?”

“No, but I will,’ I say with a wink. Plus, it’s Friday night. We’ve got nothing but time.”

About Louise Lennox: Contemporary Romance Author with Heart and Heat

Louise Lennox is a hopeful romantic who crafts steamy, heartfelt tales of love and healing. A proud Spelman College and Georgetown University graduate, she is passionate about creating meaningful stories that celebrate Black women as the stars of their romantic journeys. Motivated by the lack of positive love stories featuring women like herself, Louise founded #HappyBlackRomance.

Through her novels, Louise highlights the beauty, resilience, and joy of love across the diaspora. She inspires readers from all backgrounds to embrace its richness and undeniable allure. Her stories are filled with sparks, unforgettable passion, and characters who make the world a better place through their love.

When she’s not writing, Louise is a dynamic school leader, devoted wife, and proud mom to two lively kids she affectionately calls her “dragons.”

Discover more about Louise, her mission, and the #HappyBlackRomance movement—and snag a free book—at www.lovelouiselennox.com.

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