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a_novel_ty 's review for:
Getting Schooled
by Christina C. Jones
Re-read 6/11/17 -- Re-reading this book only reinforced and solidified my love for Christina's writing and characters. The Wright Brothers were my introduction to Christina's GREATNESS and I will always have a special place in my heart and on my bookshelf for this series and these characters...LOVED IT!
ORIGINAL REVIEW
I think its safe to say that I and many others have been feigning for movies with Black characters that aren't crooks, robbers, drug dealers or slaves... I've also been searching for BOOKS with Black people who aren't baby mommas, hood rats, round the way girls, drug dealers, king pins, mobsters or just plain fuck boys.... I've been searching all year and I've come across a number of close calls... The majority of those being centering around interracial couples. Which is fine, I have nothing against that, do you boo... But that's not what I was looking for.
And then I came across Christina C Jones. I swear if it wasn't weird I would KISS her right now because, THIS BOOK! Everything I was searching for and everything I never dreamed I could have. A black romance that felt authentic, was engrossing, swoon worthy and most of all depicted the everyday black folk that is rarely ever shown in the movies or TV shows. accurate representation is so important and Christina delivered and then delivered.
Getting Schooled is about Reese who is a 26-year-old graduate student, working towards a creative writing degree to inspire and nurture the minds of people who feel stifled and smothered by curriculum, proper technique and rules. She is a graduate assistant in her mom's Modern Black Literature course which is where she bumps into Jason Wright, literally. A 28-year-old war vet, pursuing a Masters in mechanical engineering with a focus on Automotives. He's smart, handsome, assertive and woke and they cannot stand one another.
Aren't those the best books though! The will they won't they dynamic. And even though you KNOW they will it's still fun to watch them go through the motions. Reese and Jason's banter and back and forth literally had me smirking and smiling for 85% of the book. I couldn't take the feels but I wanted more with every page I turned. I just loved this book!
I loved that it was a black romance but there was more than just their relationship at the forefront. Reese and Jason both have issues that stem from troubled pasts and it plays a role in their lives and relationships and it's always a nice touch when authors throw in a little deep with the sweet.
I think what I loved most about this book was it didn't feel contrived. There have been a couple books I've read with affluent black characters and it just seemed extra. They were astronauts with helicopters and limos, butlers and maids, private jets and islands and I'm just like NO ONE needs all that lol. Reese and Jason were just them. Working towards bettering their lives and careers, wanting to be around good friends and family and just living their lives. They owned their own houses, and sure Reese had a purple Audi, but when you work hard you should be able to play hard too...but it was REAL. it felt real and attainable. Not saying there can't be a black astronaut with private jets and islands but again. WHO NEEDS ALL OF THAT!
Anyway....THANKFULLY there is another book in this series that features Jasons brother who is a doctor and Reese's best-friend who is studying to be a doctor and just look at black excellence at its finest. My hope is that this book was not a fluke, that ALL of Christina's books are just as amazing as this and that Amazon or Goodreads will recommend some like authors and books so I don't have to rely on just ONE person to fulfill my ever growing need and desire to see myself represented in the entertainment I consume.
Reccomendation: Black, white, brown, or green, this is a great romance novel that ANYONE can enjoy and you should definitely check it out if you're looking for a nice little contemporary romance that will hit all of your feels.
ORIGINAL REVIEW
I think its safe to say that I and many others have been feigning for movies with Black characters that aren't crooks, robbers, drug dealers or slaves... I've also been searching for BOOKS with Black people who aren't baby mommas, hood rats, round the way girls, drug dealers, king pins, mobsters or just plain fuck boys.... I've been searching all year and I've come across a number of close calls... The majority of those being centering around interracial couples. Which is fine, I have nothing against that, do you boo... But that's not what I was looking for.
And then I came across Christina C Jones. I swear if it wasn't weird I would KISS her right now because, THIS BOOK! Everything I was searching for and everything I never dreamed I could have. A black romance that felt authentic, was engrossing, swoon worthy and most of all depicted the everyday black folk that is rarely ever shown in the movies or TV shows. accurate representation is so important and Christina delivered and then delivered.
Getting Schooled is about Reese who is a 26-year-old graduate student, working towards a creative writing degree to inspire and nurture the minds of people who feel stifled and smothered by curriculum, proper technique and rules. She is a graduate assistant in her mom's Modern Black Literature course which is where she bumps into Jason Wright, literally. A 28-year-old war vet, pursuing a Masters in mechanical engineering with a focus on Automotives. He's smart, handsome, assertive and woke and they cannot stand one another.
Aren't those the best books though! The will they won't they dynamic. And even though you KNOW they will it's still fun to watch them go through the motions. Reese and Jason's banter and back and forth literally had me smirking and smiling for 85% of the book. I couldn't take the feels but I wanted more with every page I turned. I just loved this book!
I loved that it was a black romance but there was more than just their relationship at the forefront. Reese and Jason both have issues that stem from troubled pasts and it plays a role in their lives and relationships and it's always a nice touch when authors throw in a little deep with the sweet.
I think what I loved most about this book was it didn't feel contrived. There have been a couple books I've read with affluent black characters and it just seemed extra. They were astronauts with helicopters and limos, butlers and maids, private jets and islands and I'm just like NO ONE needs all that lol. Reese and Jason were just them. Working towards bettering their lives and careers, wanting to be around good friends and family and just living their lives. They owned their own houses, and sure Reese had a purple Audi, but when you work hard you should be able to play hard too...but it was REAL. it felt real and attainable. Not saying there can't be a black astronaut with private jets and islands but again. WHO NEEDS ALL OF THAT!
Anyway....THANKFULLY there is another book in this series that features Jasons brother who is a doctor and Reese's best-friend who is studying to be a doctor and just look at black excellence at its finest. My hope is that this book was not a fluke, that ALL of Christina's books are just as amazing as this and that Amazon or Goodreads will recommend some like authors and books so I don't have to rely on just ONE person to fulfill my ever growing need and desire to see myself represented in the entertainment I consume.
Reccomendation: Black, white, brown, or green, this is a great romance novel that ANYONE can enjoy and you should definitely check it out if you're looking for a nice little contemporary romance that will hit all of your feels.