Let me go ahead and confess now… I have a crush. A full-blown, hopeless, down-bad, heart-eyes emoji CRUSH on Genesis Banks. This man is my type, my type, my type. I already know I’m about to be falling down a deep rabbit hole behind him, no safety net required.
This was my first read by Diamond D. Johnson, and whew, baby, I’m already obsessed! You ever read a book so good that you’re irritated anytime you have to put it down for something trivial like work or sleep? That was me. Fully locked in. Don’t talk to me, I’m with Genesis and Journal right now.
We meet Journal Braxton, a quiet, hardworking young woman with a soft heart and a heavy past. She grew up in foster care after being neglected by her biological mother, while her older siblings, Harmony and Bryson, were adopted out without her. She’s been surviving on her own for years, dating her long-time foster care friend Hakeem — until that loser dumps her for not getting her hair and nails done enough. Meanwhile, Journal was out here saving every penny for a car. She’s a GOOD girl in every sense of the word — grounded, humble, and just trying to do right by herself.
And then we meet Genesis “Slick” Banks — cue dramatic music. Found abandoned as a baby and raised by his fierce, no-nonsense adoptive mother Stitches, Genesis has grown into a dangerous, God-fearing, loyalty-driven boss. He inherited Stitches’ weapons and cleanup business (yes, the crime scene type of cleanup), and he is not one to play with. Genesis is currently dealing with a clingy situationship named Winnie, who wants more than he’s offering — but he made himself clear, and what she does with that information is on her.
The way Genesis and Journal meet is unconventional, but undeniable. From the jump, Genesis notices her beauty and soft spirit, and even though he tries to play it cool, it’s clear this girl has him rattled. His subtle shifts in behavior spark Winnie’s suspicions, and from there, the drama begins to unravel. The stunt that Winnie and her sister pulled on Journal in that bathroom? Uncalled for and mad disrespectful. I was heated. I’m so glad Genesis not only encouraged Journal to spin the block and handle that, but stood behind her every step of the way. That sister still needs to be touched — I said what I said. And the way Genesis cut Winnie off after all that mess? Chef’s kiss. A man of his word who stands on business? Yeah. My kind of man.
Genesis starts applying pressure immediately and the way it’s written feels so natural, so genuine, and so swoon-worthy. I found myself looking up at the ceiling like, “God… I just KNOW my Genesis is out there somewhere. Don’t play with me!”
Because let’s be real — Genesis is the man. He’s:
• Loyal to the bone
• Faith-rooted
• Money long
• 🍆 longer
• Emotionally intelligent
• He can throw them hands 🙂↕️
• Protective without being controlling
… and he’s fine with it. You already know I claimed him the moment I laid eyes on him.
Journal’s been through hell and still came out soft. And it’s so satisfying to see her finally getting the kind of love that builds her up and teaches her her own worth. She’s not just getting a man, she’s getting healing. And I love that for her.
Journal reconnecting with her siblings brought a whole new emotional layer. That concert moment had my chest tight, but the way Harmony came back to apologize was beautifully written. You can tell that healing is coming for all three of them, even if it’s messy and slow. And that ending? Whewwww the representation reveal at the end of this book had my jaw on the floor. Never saw that coming and I am intrigued.
And let’s not forget the warning signs creeping in around Genesis. He’s about to find out some people in his camp ain’t solid, and when he does? Let’s just say blood gon’ spill.
⸻
Final Thoughts:
This is how you start a series. Strong characters, complex emotional beats, found family, healing, romance, a little drama, and a man who prays and pays? Say less.
📚 Book 2, you’re up next. I’m already strapped in.
Book: My Good Girl, Book One
Author: Diamond D. Johnson
Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.6
Spice: 🥵🥵