Concrete & Cadence

Welcome to Stonebridge, Book 1

By: C. M. Barnes

Narrated by: Gillian Reynolds, Lawrence Baldwin

Cadence Samuels has always believed in numbers, formulas, and solid foundations; after all, she's a Geotechnical Engineer who builds dams, not dreams.

After too many dating disasters and lukewarm talking phases, she's officially done gambling with her heart. She's a pretty, nerdy, plus-sized woman who adores what she sees in the mirror, even if she's convinced love isn't in her calculations.

Enter Khalil "Concrete" Reed, the millionaire, playboy, and an award-winning rapper whose charisma and charm are as legendary as his chart-topping hits. He's vowed never to face hardship again after losing his mother tragically young, and now he has it all: money, fame, and an endless line of admirers. But when Cadence's best friend Nova drags her to Atlanta for Concrete's concert, the superstar is instantly captivated by the smart, sassy beauty in a vintage OutKast tee who's as quick with her wit as she is with her curves.

Concrete is determined to build something real with Cadence, but she's convinced their worlds are too far apart—a romance between them could only end in a catastrophic collision. Will Concrete's relentless pursuit and undeniable charm break down the carefully constructed dam around Cadence's heart, or will she calculate that love with him is just too great a risk?

A hilarious, heartfelt romantic comedy about love, vulnerability, and finding out that sometimes the best things in life aren't calculated, they just happen.

©2025 C.M. Barnes (P)2026 Podium Audio