Author: L.R. Jackson
Release Date: June 25, 2024
Publisher: Black Odyssey Media
Pages: 256 pages
*This review is spoiler free*
Synopsis from Amazon:
Two starkly contrasting families collide amidst disturbing revelations that threaten to shatter their beliefs and marital vows in this raw and reflective romantic drama in the vein of Donna Hill’s Confessions in B-Flat.
Raised on red-blooded American traditionalism, Mark’s views on life are simple—the man leads, provides, and protects the household, and the family follows suit, no matter the cost. His refusal to part from his detrimental ways paired with his primitive ideologies drives an unknown wedge between him and those he cherishes. When he receives a series of devastating news, it could prove to be the catalyst for change that he doesn’t realize he needs.
Amy struggles to keep her family together as Mark’s behavior continues to spiral out of control. For years, she’s lived in the shadow of their marriage while trying to maintain an upstanding home and work-life balance. Soon, she finds herself immersed in a string of personal mishaps that may cause everything she’s tried to hold together to gradually slip between her fingers.
Sheldon has beaten all odds stacked against him. As a black man, he is Ivy League educated with a prominent career, a beautiful and equally educated wife, and adorable children. Their life is the epitome of the American dream fulfilled. For Sheldon, having everything you need doesn’t always equate to what you desire. Desires that could ruin all his accomplishments.
Eva has hopes and dreams that are buried under burping babies and wifely responsibilities. She loves her family but has lost herself in the process. In an effort to figure out her new normal, she becomes a woman her husband Sheldon doesn’t recognize. While trying to find her way back to herself, she risks losing the faith and family she holds dear.
~I received a digital advanced copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions and my review.~
My first thought was I am not going to make it through this book. It was out the gate throwing left and right hooks. After reading negative reviews on Goodread, I wanted to make my own opinion and push past Mark. Before I fully got to the description of Mark I was not into him and was questioning what I picked up. Like the author I felt the transition from Obama to Trump and even from Trump to Biden was in fact a hard time for me to see people in a different light. There was so much racism and ignorance all up and down every social media feed I had. The story is so real that some people are going to be uncomfortable message behind it all.
Mark: He is going to be the most hated character for a lot of people. When it comes to him I am left wondering would there have been anything different happen, had he not found out about his father? Since I feel like he would have kept being the way he was had his life not been shifted. I can not bring myself to care for this character. He was willing to risk his whole family over lessons and bias he was taught as a child.
Sheldon: His ending is really the only thing that saved him. Had things for him too been any different I not think he would have seen the value in what was lost.
Amy: Why? How are you a nurse and think that just because you take pills you are not an addict? Her flaw made no sense to me. On top of that you are a married woman sleeping with a married man and act shocked when he start catching feeling. Its safe to say I didn’t like her character much.
Eva: I relate to this character more than I should. Only in the sense I want to have my own ambitions and desires along with having a family. When it comes to Eva I would have reacted 100% the same way she did in the end. Like all the other characters in the book she has her own flaws. A relationship takes work and needs attention or else one or the other will start to pull away. Overall I am happy with how her story ended because with the right teammate you really can have it all.
The kids: Having a daughter of my own the daughters choices scare me. Really she was a child in my eyes and I would have wanted to protect my child in that situation. When you are young you think you are in love and do not know the weight of your actions. It never said what the boyfriend did for old job. I was left thinking he was a selling drugs or something. The son omg I felt so bad for him to feel so trapped in his own mind.
The author had some questions at the end of her book that I feel like they would be fun to answer.
- Do you believe that racism is something that is taught? Or do you believe people form their own opinions as they become adults? Both, It is something that is 100% taught in America. However a person can choose to receive what is taught to them and form their own opinions as an adult.
- Sheldon had an issue with his wife being opinionated. This is a huge topic in the black community. If you are a person of color, do you think that black women are not submissive enough to their partners? Why or why not? I think you give a women the right man and she will be submissive. To say that we are never supposed to challenge their thought process is wild. Men do not know everything and are not right about everything.
- What are your thoughts about single mothers in America? Are they choosing to be single mothers? It is for sure a choice but in some cases one that is needed to happen. I do not think a person should stay in a relations that is not for them if they have an option to get out of it. Picking the right guy to have a baby with doesn’t always work. Sometimes having a baby puts a strain on the relationship causing the mother to be a single mother. It is not aways the ladies choice to be a single mother there situations where the guy leaves his family.
- Sheldon and Eva were having issues, yet they still chose to have another baby without addressing the issue beforehand. Do you think this is common in American? 100% yes! It is hard to talk to someone when you do not think they will receive or care to understand what is being said. After awhile time goes by and for them it was her place to make babies.
- What are your thoughts about age differences?
L.R. Jackson was born and raised on Maryland’s eastern shore. She’s a fun and spontaneous Gemini who has an addiction for wings and a passion for food. By day, she works in Corporate America, and by night, she dreams of Alpha Males and Romance, with her usual touch of suspense. When she’s not busy being a mother, she can be found reading, cooking, traveling, and of course writing.
The author was able to draw me in and tap into my curiosity. This story was a reminder of what the real world is like for some. There are 20 questions at the end of the book to answer, but a lot of my answers would have gave the story away. We are never too old to learn and grow from our own bias. I gave this story a five stars based on my own popular rating system. What I consider to be a five star for me may not be someone else’s five star read. A shorter review was left on my goodreads. Please check trigger warnings as this story gets deep and heavy quickly.
Advanced reader copy received from Black Odyssey Media. An honest review by myself. In no way has receiving this story early change my opinion.
