Overview

Teion Pearson built her life like a fortress: airtight, precise, and high-achieving. As a rising HR executive, she knows Black women don't get to experiment; they get evaluated. Her composure is her armor, and her meticulously organized life is her defense against a world waiting for her to slip. Then she runs into Michael Romano, a charmingly chaotic single father who works in construction. He carries a half-eaten tamale and a five-o'clock shadow; his parenting style involves duct tape and messy optimism. An accidental touch at a children's event ignites an immediate, unforgettable connection-forcing Teion to consider a terrifying question: Is authenticity worth the risk? Michael is the right kind of trouble, but their romance comes with a steep price. When their connection lands on the corporate intranet, Teion faces a harsh professional reckoning from her boss, who demands she ""manage her visibility."" Meanwhile, Michael finds himself staring down his ex-wife's lawyer, who views their messy happiness as evidence of his ""instability"" in a looming custody battle. Suddenly, their dates are a public liability. Their choice is clear: Shrink back into their safe, separate lives, or fight for a love that costs them everything. To be together, Teion and Michael must confront the ultimate truth: The real cost of a multicultural and modern romance isn't compromise. It's choosing to stand in plain sight, even when the world is grading your every move.

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Reviews

""An unforgettable, high-stakes story. This novel doesn't just show the cost of love-it shows the cost of being seen. A powerful, necessary book."" - Bookit ""The chemistry is explosive, but the dialog is the real star. A smart, unflinching look at power, optics, and what working motherhood demands."" - BuzzBooks ""Teion and Michael are the rare couple you root for from the first page. Their messy, hard-fought journey to authenticity is beautifully rendered."" - Janie Bellingham ""A pitch-perfect blend of workplace drama and simmering romance. This book proves the right kind of trouble is the best kind of escape."" - Reads Today ""Masterful. It uses the domestic chaos of single parenthood to expose the quiet, insidious pressures of the corporate world. Read it."" - D.C. Macfree ""Michael's growth from charming chaos to true partner is incredibly satisfying. The earned ending is a rare triumph."" - Diversity Insight ""If you like your romance sharp, witty, and willing to challenge the status quo, put this one on your calendar."" - The Way We Think

Author Information

JeVona Maniex, PhD is a writer and human resources executive whose work explores identity, professionalism, and belonging. After the Glass is her debut novel. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. Visit JeVonaManiex.com.

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