Tamara James knows the streets of Chicago’s South Side too well—concrete sidewalks that trap dreams and fleeting moments that fill the emptiness but never the void. Battling sickle cell anemia and arrhythmia, her life is a fight for survival, one heartbeat at a time. Every stolen connection, every backseat mistake, leaves her more lost in a world that only sees her as a name whispered in judgment. But when the weight of her reputation becomes too much to bear, Tamara flees Washington Heights for Savannah, Tennessee, a place as quiet as it is unfamiliar.
In the firefly-lit evenings of Savannah, under Grandma Mary’s loving care, Tamara meets Maurice Harding—a clean-cut, principled poet from California whose steady gaze and quiet strength stir something inside her. Unlike the men who defined her past, Maurice sees Tamara beyond her scars, refusing to judge or claim her. Though bound by honor and the glint of his wedding ring, his kindness shows Tamara a love she’s never known—one that heals, one that holds her to a higher standard, one that teaches her to see herself with new eyes. Together, their bond defies their circumstances, challenging them to hope for more.
But as summer fades, the choices Tamara must make become clear. To hold onto her redemption, she may have to sacrifice the one thing she’s never truly had. In the shadow of a Tennessee summer, she discovers that real love doesn’t ask for possession—it asks for courage. The Girl No Boy Could Love is a powerful, heart-wrenching story of resilience, self-worth, and the quiet bravery it takes to forgive yourself. For readers who crave unforgettable journeys of passion and redemption, Tamara’s story will stay with you long after the final page. Order Now
Rated 4.7 stars by readers on Amazon!
What readers are saying about The Girl No Boy Could Love...
“Tamara’s story really hit close to home for me... What stood out was her transformation... Tamara’s story stayed with me long after I finished the book.”
- The Sweet and Addictive Librarian: (5/5 stars)
“Tamara’s struggles with her health, her past, and her search for love are written with so much honesty. Maurice's unwavering morals are inspiring... challenging norms in a powerful way.”
- Peter M. (5/5 stars)
“The Girl No Boy Could Love intricately explores love, loss, and redemption... highlights the transformative power of love and the quest for healing and self-discovery.”
- Jessie R (5/5 stars)
She wasn’t the kind of girl you wrote home about.
Not the kind you fell for. Not even the kind you were seen with.
But she’s the one you’ll never forget.
Every Heart Deserves Redemption
"Tamara felt her heart dying within her, slowly but surely. It grew tired of fighting to be loved: tired of drifting from bed to bed, from thought to thought, and from worry to worry. It wanted a place to rest, a place to call home. And the one it found was not for sale."
From Chicago to Savannah, Tamara’s journey is one of self-discovery, love, and resilience. Follow her as she learns that redemption is never impossible.
See how her story unfolds-
Not Just Another Love Story.
Tamara James isn’t looking for romance; she’s looking for salvation. For years, fleeting connections have brought her pain instead of peace, leaving her longing for the kind of love she’s never known. Then, in the firefly-lit summer of Savannah, Georgia, she meets Maurice Harding—a man whose quiet confidence shakes her to her core.
Maurice isn’t like the men from Tamara’s past. He sees her scars, both visible and unseen, and yet he refuses to define her by them. He introduces Tamara to a love that doesn’t demand, doesn’t hurt—it heals. But when fate forces Tamara to choose between her own happiness and Maurice’s future, she discovers that real love isn’t always about holding on; sometimes, it’s about letting go.
"The Girl No Boy Could Love" is more than a romance—it’s a soul-stirring exploration of resilience, redemption, and the courage to face oneself. This story isn’t just another love story—it’s Tamara’s story. And it’s unforgettable.
What Would You Sacrifice for Redemption?
“You may not believe this, but what you just said means more to me than anything any guy has ever said to me. Ever. You make me feel born again. It’s like I have another chance.” She sighed and remembered what needed to be done. “But still, whatever you might or might not feel for me, you do have a fiancée at home that loves you.” Tamara sat next to him, and then continued, “She loves you very much, and you have to go home to her. This … whatever you call this thing we have here, is the only thing I‘ve done right.” She reached for his hand and spoke with eyes of sorrow, “It’s the only relationship, if I can call it that, that I have kept safe and been responsible with. If you were to break her heart for me, this would fade. It would become like the rest of my life: a mistake.”
Tamara James has always craved love, but when she finds it in Maurice Harding, it comes with challenges that test the very foundation of her courage. In the shadow of a Tennessee summer, their connection grows into something beautiful, raw, and life-changing. But love, as Tamara learns, is rarely simple, and the path to redemption demands choices that are never easy.
In this unforgettable chapter of Tamara's journey, she is faced with the ultimate question: What do you hold onto when love means letting go?
This is where the heart of the story beats loudest—where past regrets, fragile hope, and the weight of the future collide. The Girl No Boy Could Love captures the quiet bravery of a woman coming to terms with herself and what she’s willing to risk for redemption.
Discover her story -
Experience the Journey That Stays with You.
"This book was a powerful and emotional read that left a deep impact on me. I enjoyed the raw honesty of Tamara's character. She's flawed, vulnerable, and searching for something meaningful in a world that seems determined to label her. The book dives into heavy themes of love, rejection, and self-worth, and while at times the story felt overwhelming, it was also incredibly human. The writing style felt deeply personal, almost like reading someone's private diary. What really stood out to me was how the author didn't shy away from the harsh realities of life, making Tamara's struggles and resilience all the more real. It’s not an easy read, but it's one that stays with you." - Amazon Reviewer.
Buy Now on Amazon and Join Tamara’s Journey.
Upcoming Projects
The Loop
An modern serial about ambition, drive, and not getting lost.
FROM THE PEN OF J ALLEN PHELPS
Caleb's Angel
Can she watch him walk the aisle and say goodbye to what might have been?
Footprints in the Snow
He was a Revolutionary, she an Immigrant Patriot. They agreed on nothing, until the Blizzard of 67.