BLURB:

A PR partnership between a pop superstar and a pro-athlete bad boy turns into so much more in this swoony romance from the acclaimed author of When I Think of You.

Ella Simone’s popstar life is what dreams are made of. Her eight year marriage to renowned music producer, Elliot Majors, has helped garner the hits, awards, and adoring fans to prove it. But when Ella tires of Elliot’s many infidelities, she decides to fight for her independence despite the ironclad prenup that threatens her career.

To help her case, Ella is under strict orders to stick to The Plan: no headlines, no rumors, no rocking the boat. But this strategy is thrown a curveball after an awards show wardrobe snafu and quick rescue by Miles Westbrook, MLB’s most eligible player, sends the tabloids into a frenzy. Amid tricky divorce proceedings, Ella’s magnetic connection with the charismatic pitcher might just be her downfall.

Now the pressure is on to turn a scandal into an opportunity and give their teams what they want: a picture-perfect performance that will shore up both Ella and Miles’ reputations. But as the lines between reality and PR begin to blur, Ella will either stick to the choreographed life she knows so well, or surrender to a love that could set her free.

MY THOUGHTS:

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC! If you’re craving a cozy, feel-good romance that sweeps you off your feet without diving into the deep emotional rollercoaster, No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel is exactly what you need. I can already see this becoming one of my comfort reads. It’s got that perfect mix of charm, friendship, and heartwarming romance that makes you root for the main characters to just take a chance on each other.

Both characters have been through some tough stuff, so I totally get how scary it can be to open up to someone new. The story gave me The First Wives Club vibes, especially Jill Scott’s character, who’s dealing with a messy divorce from her music mogul husband. It felt really similar to Ella’s situation here, but it still had its own unique spin that made it stand out.

And can we talk about the cover for a sec? Doesn’t the guy on the front totally give off Keith Powers vibes as Miles? I can totally picture him playing the role based on the illustration.

I really liked the choice of an MLB player as the main love interest. It was an interesting twist that added a fun dynamic to the romance. Mya Ariel did a solid job of bringing the celebrity world to life—I could practically feel the energy of an award show while reading. The friendships, especially with Ella’s glam squad, brought a lot of fun to the story. Characters like Rodney, Jamie, and Angelo added the right amount of energy to keep things light and entertaining.

Now, let’s talk about the romance itself. The spice level is very much on the low side—I’d rate it a one on a scale of five, but that was totally fine by me. Sometimes, you just want a romance that’s pure and cozy, and this book nailed it. It wasn’t overly steamy, but the love between Ella and Miles was so swoon-worthy. The slow-dancing scene at The Met while Ella shoots her music video? Absolutely everything. I was just about ready to hop on the train and visit The Met myself.

Also, can we give a shoutout to the song that inspired the title? No Ordinary Love by Sade couldn’t have been a more perfect fit for this story. Every chapter begins with a quote from a famous artist, and those little touches added a beautiful layer to the narrative.

No Ordinary Love releases on April 1, 2025, and if you’re craving a sweet, relaxing romance where you can just turn your brain off and soak in the love, this is the book you’ve been waiting for.

My favorite quotes:

“I can’t shake the dangerous feeling that I want to be looked at by him. Like I want his eyes to drink me in, have their fill, and wordlessly affirm their delight.”

“…swallow my judgement, though, because I can see he’s judged himself enough.”

“And just when Sade begins to wonder what will happen if she tells her lover how she really feels, Miles surprises me by first brushing his fingers against mine and then interlocking them all together.”

“She is talking about the many women and people like us who have found themselves struggling to figure out why love sometimes hurts, when the truth is, it wasn’t love to begin with. It was control.”

“And as far as I’m concerned, the worlds stops for us. Maybe the universe too. In this moment there is only his body and mine, and the sounds of the breath between us.”

“Because you see me,” ” And you actively love what you see. I can feel it in your touch, hear it in your voice, see it on your face. And I see you too.”