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deecreatenola's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet and charming story about the joys and struggles of relationships. It's also about change: changes to neighborhoods, changes of aging, changes of different phases of life, and changes in relationships. Maxine lives on one coast while her aging grandmother, the former jazz singer who raised her, is on the other. She's pregnant but still getting over her husband's affair after they lost their first child to miscarriage. She's also a television producer on a show that's about to be axed with pressure from all sides.
It's a story about race, but really about how we are all the same no matter what color we are. We all want the same things: love, companionship, success, family, and community.
My only beefs with the story are: 1. Satchel's affair came out a little late. The first chapter made it seem like they were perfectly simpatico and there were no issues, so the affair was a big surprise. I would've liked a tiny hint. and 2. The stress and worry about the Ted show was a major thing for Maxine but its resolution was a bit unremarkable. I kind of wanted a showdown with Patrick. It may well have been the point since there's a strong suggestion that Maxine won't return to television, but I still kept feeling something was left unsaid/undone.
It's a story about race, but really about how we are all the same no matter what color we are. We all want the same things: love, companionship, success, family, and community.
My only beefs with the story are: 1. Satchel's affair came out a little late. The first chapter made it seem like they were perfectly simpatico and there were no issues, so the affair was a big surprise. I would've liked a tiny hint. and 2. The stress and worry about the Ted show was a major thing for Maxine but its resolution was a bit unremarkable. I kind of wanted a showdown with Patrick. It may well have been the point since there's a strong suggestion that Maxine won't return to television, but I still kept feeling something was left unsaid/undone.
korilondon's review against another edition
2.0
This wasn’t a great book, it had some cute moments and ideas that were heart warming . The story was drawn out and really lacked depth. Which made it hard to get through, and in the beginning I really didn’t know if I was going to finish it . It took me 3 months due to how mundane it was at times.
The storyline in LA did not seem organic. I almost wish Maxine and satchel were based in Philly with Lindy. I think it would of given the story more , as the scenes in LA felt like they were foreign to the author . Versus when she wrote about Sutherland street and the church where the story lived off the page and was visible in my mind .
I did love that it wasn’t wholly predictable (there were some predictable moment tho lol)and that for the most part the decisions from the characters seemed realistic .
This was my first Bebe Moore Campbell book and I’m a bit disappointed , but I’d be open to giving her another try.
The storyline in LA did not seem organic. I almost wish Maxine and satchel were based in Philly with Lindy. I think it would of given the story more , as the scenes in LA felt like they were foreign to the author . Versus when she wrote about Sutherland street and the church where the story lived off the page and was visible in my mind .
I did love that it wasn’t wholly predictable (there were some predictable moment tho lol)and that for the most part the decisions from the characters seemed realistic .
This was my first Bebe Moore Campbell book and I’m a bit disappointed , but I’d be open to giving her another try.
gingerrachelle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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