Rating: 
Summary: read when you get time
Review: After having read all of James Earl Hardy's book I was a little disappointed with this one. I did not like how one chapter would be about his professional life and then it would pick up with Pooquie in the following chapter. I wish Mr. Hardy would have touched on Pooquie's reaction to not being able to catch up with Mitchell because he was with Montee. I could not believe that Mr. Hardy allowed every man in the book to be gay and one bisexual. This was not one of Mr. Hardy's best books but it was not one of his worse.
Rating:
Summary: To cheat or not to cheat
Review: Continuing his bestselling series of books, Hardy throws another curve into Mitchell and Raheim's relationship. While Raheim is away in California filming a movie, Mitchell is constantly tempted by other African American men he meets. And when he keeps running into the openly bisexual Montee in various places, Mitchell finds his commitment to Raheim exceptionally challenged. While Hardy's characters and his writing remain strong, he dilutes this novel with many diatribes and detours which give the book a disconnected atmosphere. I believe all of what Hardy wants to convey through this novel has merit, but by not weaving it seamlessly through Mitchell's struggles to remain true to his Pooquie, he ultimately leaves the reader disappointed in some respects. After the stellar "The Day Eazy-E Died", "Love the One You're With" is a bit dim, but still worthy.
Rating: 
Summary: JEH KEEPS IT REAL & ALL JOOD!!!
Review: First, let's talk about that cover: classy, sexy and very telling. You know you're in for a jood ol' time with a scene like that! And, once again, JEH does not disappoint. After picking it up at my p.o. box, I started the book on the train home (you know folks was just breakin' their necks tryin' to see!) I finished it in 20 hours. (I didn't get any sleep and the only thing I ate was a bagel, but do I care???). This is his best book since B-Boy Blues, mainly because they have the same breezy vibe. The action is fast-paced and the sex is OFF-DA-CHAIN-LINK-FENCE!!! This time the object of Mitch's lust is not Raheim but Montee, a fly brutha I hope JEH brings back in his own novel (he is, as Mitch states, one Bad Papa Jama -- just as PHYNE as he can be). JEH strikes the right balance, giving you a lot to laugh-out-loud about (Gene and B.D., aka Brain Dense, are a riot, and the meeting between Mitch and Raheim's mother had me howling) and think about (the chapter on Black SGL activism was dead-on point, and the one on the Vietnam War had me in tears). And he'll have you scratching your head, trying to figure out who the gay hip hop and r&b male artists are (I think I got 'em figured out). In the hands of a less-skilled writer, this story could've been predictable and preachy, but it's filled with passion, heart, and soul. You can really feel the love Mitch and Raheim have for each other, even in the face of temptation, and admire and respect what they have built. And, with all this DL-psychodrama going on, we need a story that explores monogamy among SGL men with a critical, realistic eye. JEH, keep makin' us brothas proud -- of you and of us.
Rating: 
Summary: B-Boy BORING
Review: I actually enjoyed this book. The sad part is that cheating happenes and unless you are strong enough to fight it stay away from anything that leds to it and that is what Little Bit finds out in the end. Not all men cheat and that is one area that JEH left out in the book but he has develop the characters as well as his writing in this book. I suggest it anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: WHY DO MEN CHEAT !
Review: I actually enjoyed this book. The sad part is that cheating happenes and unless you are strong enough to fight it stay away from anything that leds to it and that is what Little Bit finds out in the end. Not all men cheat and that is one area that JEH left out in the book but he has develop the characters as well as his writing in this book. I suggest it anyone.
Rating:
Summary: B-Boy BORING
Review: I can't believe how much Hardy took from his first novel to write this one. Each and every major event parralels the ones in Blues, but in spite of this, LTOYW is a very poor imitation. The stale, uninspired, short novel is a series of unrelated, very mundane anecdotes. The flat material consists of, amongst other gems, the characters' favorite Roseanne episodes. And I got thoroughly sick of reading about men with plump cheeks. Hardy seems to have stopped badgering the word GAGGED to death but has taken to using this description repetitively.The "plot"-whether Mitch is going to cheat with Montee- takes up less than a quarter of the entire book. What's on the rest of the pages, you may wonder? Once again, boring scenes recounting the daily activites of the main character, and insipid conversations he's having with his friends and beaufriend. Oh yes, and of course his savage rantings on anyone with a skin shade lighter than butter pecan (which makes one wonder why Mitch even stays in the good-for-nothing U.S. There are many places in the Carribean or South America to live. But of course these points will never be raised. It would put Mitch, and thus, Hardy, at a loss for a convenient, racially-charged, sounds-right-at-the-time explanation). It's obvious this book was written to make money, no matter that it has definitely squeezed out the very last droplets of mystique these characters once had. Hardy has found a financially successful comfort zone and is intimidated by starting something totally fresh, unknown and untested. But I won't be sticking around to read another installment of the B(oring)-Boy Blues series.
Rating:
Summary: Another Succesful novel
Review: I didn't want this book to end. James Early Hardy is a very talented author. His writing is straight to the point and very entertaining. He brings his characters to life with a writing style not used alot by other authors. The only negative thing I can say about it is that I hope this is the end of the series for him. I would like to see him branch out with some new characters and new topics. Keep up the good work James. Peace.
Rating:
Summary: Love the one you're with
Review: I love this brother's writing. He brings you into his world with humor and true emotion. The brother has true skills.
Rating: 
Summary: FINISH The Series You're With
Review: I'd like to give James Earl Hardy a message, and since he's such a music lover, I want to serenade him with a Madonna song so fitting for Hardy and his Pooquie franchise. Ahem... THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO SAAAAAY, THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO TRYYYYY, THERE'S NO GREATER POWER THAN THE POWER OF GOODBYEEEEEE. Mr. Hardy, learn to say GOODBYE to these characters!!!!! You were initially compelled to write their story because ones such as theirs were missing from bookshelves. What you're chronicling now is not about anything that hasn't been written about a millions times before, especially the latest one. Infidelity is a well-known topic in the gay community. Hardy is no longer exploring new ground or trailblazing, he's just going through the motions of a storyteller. He's also so in love with Pooquie & Them now that he will not create any real problems for them in fear of hurting them (just like mom). It took over a month for me to finish this book(as opposed to less than a week) because nothing dire is happening. On top of the played-out topic and skimpy plot, like my friend mentioned the prose is just as simple and uninspired. This book seemed like it was thought of and written by a child. I can't imagine anyone who reads regularly and has half a brain finding it excellent. In my opinion the story of Pooquie & Them began and ended with B-Boy Blues. Everything else has been dead weight that should've been an epilogue-chapter at the end, if anything. The biggest proof? None of these sequels can stand alone without reading Blues. Has anyone else noticed how fewer reviews Hardy has gotten for each of the follow-ups in comparison to his original? Almost six times less. Interest in these characters fell dramatically starting with book 2. And it seems that Alyson also tired of their one-trick-writer and alienated him, as well. I am really looking forward to a book by Hardy that is about different characters in different situations. This guy is a talented writer, but untalented in knowing when to say when.
Rating:
Summary: My family has returned....
Review: James E. Hardy is back again with BD, Babyface, Gene, Mitchell, Raheim and his son Lil Brotha Man, a family of wonderful characters I've missed. Love the One You're with delves into the "black gay male" psyche. Topics such as gay republicans, young boys in school and how to mold them, black identity different mentality and thoughts on bisexuality are widely placed throughout the book. Initially I had a slight problem with this because I wanted to read more about the characters. As I continued to read I realized these issues were the characters and it gave them more life. The novel is told around Raheim while he is away to make his first feature film. Mitchell is left at home with temptations coming from everywhere. There's an old cliché' when the cat is away the mice will play. Will Mitchell, aka "the mouse" play and risk the eighteen months he has thus far with Raheim. Grab your favorite blanket, and pick up the book to find out. You won't be disappointed.
James E. Hardy still has that humorous and straight to the point style of writing. This is a definite page turner. Missy APOOO Bookclub.
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