Review: Strange Sweetness - Taahesi B Williams

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Review: Strange Sweetness - Taahesi B. Williams - March 2025

Strange Sweetness is a slow-burn New Adult romance that offers both swoony moments and thoughtful emotional depth—though I did find myself questioning the meaning behind the title. The story was more sweet than strange, and while there were some quirky dynamics between the main characters, the title may lead readers to expect something a little more unconventional than what this heartfelt, trope-tickling romance delivers.

Carmen “Maneater” Reyes is everything you’d expect from Eden University’s reigning queen bee: confident, charismatic, and seemingly unbothered—until she’s dumped publicly in class. The image she’s worked so hard to build crumbles, and with it, her faith in romance. Turning her attention to academics, Carmen swears off relationships, determined to regain control over her life. But letting go of her flirtatious ways is harder than expected, especially when someone new catches her eye.

That someone is Theodore “Theo” Clayton, a tattooed ex-football star with a complicated past and a mysterious presence. He’s back at Eden under reluctant circumstances, and the last thing he wants is attention—especially from someone like Carmen. But chemistry doesn’t care about their differences, and what starts as a casual distraction turns into something much more emotionally layered.

What stood out to me was the emotional vulnerability on both sides. Carmen isn’t just a “playgirl”—she’s someone trying to escape the voices of self-doubt and poor choices. Theo, meanwhile, is nursing old wounds and learning how to trust again after being betrayed by someone he once loved. Their relationship grows in slow, realistic steps that felt refreshing for the genre.

While the book didn’t blow me away with high drama or shocking twists, it did win me over with its sincerity. If you’re looking for a New Adult romance that’s more character-driven than plot-heavy, Strange Sweetness is a solid pick. Carmen is sweet, Theo is strange—and together, they find something quietly beautiful in each other.

Perfect for fans of campus romance with emotional healing, second chances, and a bit of opposites-attract magic.


Amazon: https://amzn.to/4judDDR




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