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spclteach's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmmm
A Amanda falls in love and marries. Then he sees another woman and falls in love and keeps her on the side..
A Amanda falls in love and marries. Then he sees another woman and falls in love and keeps her on the side..
shawnie_s's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Infidelity, and Infertility
courtz531's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tiffanis29's review against another edition
2.0
I do enjoy books by this author. This book was about an marginally attractive woman, Joyce and an attractive man, Odell. They find each other at just the right time in life. Circumstances bring them to marriage. He charms his way into her life convincing her of his love. The loving couple meet their new neighbors budding a friendship. The neighbors entertain many guests. When the new neighbors stumble upon a secret it threatens the happiness and harmony of those in the close knit community.
This story ends abruptly leading readers to the sequel. I had not experienced such endings from this author in prior books. The 3 star rating is a direct result of the abrupt ending. I guess This means the story is slowly building characters and storyline making another book necessary. Not a good sign but I will read the next book anyway.
This story ends abruptly leading readers to the sequel. I had not experienced such endings from this author in prior books. The 3 star rating is a direct result of the abrupt ending. I guess This means the story is slowly building characters and storyline making another book necessary. Not a good sign but I will read the next book anyway.
amberpatrice's review against another edition
1.0
Do not waste your time. Mary Monroe was one of my favorite writers but this... pissed me off to say the least.
lumimemoir's review
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hamptongrad1998's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book, and one of the things I noticed in Mary Monroe's writing is that fact that she wrote the book in such a way where you HAVE to read book 2. Because I have invested in the main characters (Odell and Joyce), and I suspect you will too, you will want to read book 2.
I do not want to give away too much of the book, but Odell made me angry as well as Joyce's unquestioned love for Odell as well. #HappyReading
I do not want to give away too much of the book, but Odell made me angry as well as Joyce's unquestioned love for Odell as well. #HappyReading
shannanh's review against another edition
4.0
I finally had a chance to read this book because I had an ARC of book 2. It was an ok read. A little slow at time, but enjoyable. What I didn't really like about the book was the ending, because it just stopped
theplantlady's review against another edition
2.0
Hmmmm, I knew there was a reason I stopped reading AA books. Non of the characters in this book are likable. There is Odell who has the typical stereotype of a black man, a liar and a cheater. Then there is Joyce, Odell's wife. Who has the typical stereotype of a black woman suffering from low self-esteem because she is not light-skinned. Joyce character is one of a educational background and a solid career in the school system and come from a middle class family. I would have loved to see her confident in herself, respresenting the strong black woman. Not some weak person who would fall for anything.
She is so desperate, she does not see the betrayal of her husband and it is right in her FACE!!!! So the thought is how can someone so educated be so "dumb and blind"?
Then there is the stereotype of Betty Jean, the light-skinned "hoe", the tramp, who has nothing going for her other than she is pretty. I wish I could stop there, but I can't. Chapters one to twenty is nothing more than back story filling in the pathetic lives of these characters.
When we get to Chapter twenty-one, we then get to the plot of this story for which this book is titled "One house over" Joyce and Odell befriend their neighbors who are bootleggers. There characters are stereotypical as well.
The story is in the era of the "Depression" so I am trying to connect with the characters, but I cannot. I cannot even sympathize with them because they are so ignorant, selfish, greedy, and Joyce with all of her low-self esteem can come off very self-righteous and I find her character most annoying.
One might ask why did I continue reading the book, well once I decide to read a book, I like to be committed and see where the story goes. This story just goes to how stupid can one human be! I really wanted to like this book, but there is futile language throughout the book that is just a turn off for me. However, if you have ignorant characters, that language would be expected.
This is my first Mary Monroe book, so I decided to skim some of her other books and it seems her writing style does not change and I am not sure if I want to continue to read them. I will venture into Over the fence to see how this story ends because I am curious to know.
I will continue to look for some uplifting AA books that can inspire and give us positive characters without all the stereotypes.
She is so desperate, she does not see the betrayal of her husband and it is right in her FACE!!!! So the thought is how can someone so educated be so "dumb and blind"?
Then there is the stereotype of Betty Jean, the light-skinned "hoe", the tramp, who has nothing going for her other than she is pretty. I wish I could stop there, but I can't. Chapters one to twenty is nothing more than back story filling in the pathetic lives of these characters.
When we get to Chapter twenty-one, we then get to the plot of this story for which this book is titled "One house over" Joyce and Odell befriend their neighbors who are bootleggers. There characters are stereotypical as well.
The story is in the era of the "Depression" so I am trying to connect with the characters, but I cannot. I cannot even sympathize with them because they are so ignorant, selfish, greedy, and Joyce with all of her low-self esteem can come off very self-righteous and I find her character most annoying.
One might ask why did I continue reading the book, well once I decide to read a book, I like to be committed and see where the story goes. This story just goes to how stupid can one human be! I really wanted to like this book, but there is futile language throughout the book that is just a turn off for me. However, if you have ignorant characters, that language would be expected.
This is my first Mary Monroe book, so I decided to skim some of her other books and it seems her writing style does not change and I am not sure if I want to continue to read them. I will venture into Over the fence to see how this story ends because I am curious to know.
I will continue to look for some uplifting AA books that can inspire and give us positive characters without all the stereotypes.