A Staten Island Love Letter 5

The Forgotten Borough

By: Jahquel J.

Narrated by: Morris Kellswater, Charlie L. Wood

In the finale, everyone is battling their own demons. Messiah may have done something that could end her relationship with her daughter and husband. Has she gone too far, or like usual Messiah, did she know what she was doing? 

Staten is stuck on trying to handle loving Liberty, even after she ended things, be a father to her and Chanel’s daughter, and be there for a pregnant Maliah as well. Can he juggle it all, while trying to be there for his big brother too? 

Justice felt like her life was over. What was supposed to be the happiest day of her life ended up being one of the worst days. She thought her past with shitty men was over when it came to Priest. Can Priest redeem himself? Or is this the straw that broke the camel’s back, and Justice decides to call it quits? 

Liberty is fighting for her life. Will Staten come running to her rescue like the past? Or will he finally give Liberty what she has been wanting: space? 

If that’s not enough, Ty is falling for Liberty—hard. Is he willing to compete for Liberty’s heart, knowing it belongs to her ex, Staten? 

With Ghost’s condition and Samoor’s condition, Free is stretched thin trying to be brave and hold down the home front. Will it all be too much to handle, or will Free pull up her big girl pants and hold it down for her son and man? 

Find out in the finale of this series!

©2019 Jahquel J. (P)2024 Recorded Books

I was glad that Justice stopped being a door mat and found her voice!

by book 5 I was ready to throat punch everyone except the kids lol! For me book 3 would have been a good ending. This series was like a whole train wreck that you needed to stop watching but couldn't! JAQUEL YOU ARE ONE OF MY FAVS, but this series had me pissed lol and ready to swing on EVERYBODY!

These Sisters Put Us Through It

Honestly I don’t blame Free,Liberty or Justice’s mom for leaving them. They made the worst decisions, wouldn’t take her advice but then wanted her to help them??? Gtfo.

Justice being angry with Liberty is valid but girl you JUST got your ish together after being addicted to a terrible man for years.

The love square with Liberty, Staten, Chanel & Malia?? was irritating. Staten was generous and a way better friend than romantic partner. The way he gaslit Liberty pmo. Like he had a baby with girl he told you not to worry about. Boy bye. I think they needed more time for a reunion. It was way too fast and rushed. Even though I can’t remember her name Malia?? I think she was way more mature and levelheaded than these people 10 years older than her. Hope she finds a man who deserves her.

Priest ughhh he’s such a phony, he did all that just to be a disappointment. I’m relistening to the series and I’m rolling my eyes listening to him tell Justice that he’ll never hurt and will always put her first. He was so shady making up reasons to stay angry with her so he wouldn’t feel guilty cheating. Just so disrespectful.
But I know Justice’s weak self will take him back. It would have been a wrap and I would have met up with the ex just knock her upside the head for harassing me. I knew she was being shady by kissing him on the neck.


Charlie L Woods narration was so weird reading street slang but the story was so good I kept going.

Staten and Lib was annoying!

I did not like Staten. He gaslit the hell out of Liberty, and was a doormat for Chanel. Stayed on Libs case and wouldn’t lift a finger to Chanel’s ass. I’m glad he started to get it together but he was way too entitled for me.

Honorable mention Justice liked the way she stood on business but gtfo with that damn high horse with Lib as if she wasn’t in a life threatening unhealthy situation herself. How quick we forget to give grace when we don’t need it. Good read though

Davis brothers

I loved that the Davis brothers found the love of their lives. They definitely attracted women that were no good for them.

When Letting Go Feels Right

After finishing the final book in the A Staten Island Love Letter series, The Forgotten Borough, by Jaquel J., I’m left feeling genuinely hopeful and fulfilled. Everything came together in a way that felt earned and satisfying, giving the characters and storylines the closure I was hoping for. While part of me wants more time with this family, I also appreciate knowing when a story has reached its natural, complete ending.

The book delivers a strong mix of emotions — tearful moments, frustrating situations, and shocking twists that kept me engaged from start to finish. Despite a few irritating moments along the way, the overall experience was worthwhile. As a finale, it successfully ties together the themes and relationships that have been building throughout the series.

Looking at the series as a whole, books one through five create a powerful, cohesive story that I would absolutely reread. If I had to rate Book Five on its own, it earns a 5.3 out of 5, standing out as a strong and emotionally rewarding conclusion to an already solid series. This was a beautiful send-off and a reminder of why I fell in love with this story in the first place. 📚✨