Rating: 
Summary: It was okay.
Review: It was an okay read, certainly not one of my favorites. I didn't think it had much substance or that it had much of a story line. At times it was light hearted and I liked that. I thought it had a good ending.
Rating: 
Summary: what could have been compelling..
Review: What starts out as a streetwise aspect to an interseting situation gets steadily more shallow and cliched as the story develops. The characters seem stereotyped and predictable, and not deep enough to care about. PLease, please if you're going to write about real tough issues that impact our lives, give us some real tough characters to deal with them.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent reading. Warm, funny, and real
Review: This was one of the best books I've read this summer. It had heart, and it allowed you to feel the pain, laughter, and sadness of everyone. The book also shows how a small town have all of the big town problems. Please everyone, pick up a copy and read.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best I have read in a while
Review: I have read a lot of books lately, but I must say that this was one of the most entertaining in a long time. The plot combined a balance of happy feel-good themes with things as gravely serious as dealing with HIV. The humor throughout the book kept me smiling until the last page. I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: loved it
Review: i absolutely loved this book. i thought it was fantastic. a must read. the characters are deep and inspiring. they make you want to live your life to it's fullest and reap the benefits each day has to offer. One final note: i do wish that people would stop thanking Oprah for such a great book as she most definitely did not write it!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I am not finished reading this book, but I can't seem to put it down! It's wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: Totally outstanding!!
Review: This book is a must read! Each character was someone I'm sure most people can identify someone they know with. I read the book in one day and my husband in two. Pearl I can't wait for the next one! Thanks Oprah!!!
Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming, powerful characters, full of tears & laughter.
Review: This book is a must read. I think this book has everything that makes a good book good. While I think this book will be more enjoyable to females than males, I think all types of females, regardless of race, religion, age or socio-economic status will enjoy this book.I was really transported into the lives of these characters - Pearl Cleage made these characters full of life and personality. I felt this book was a love story - a love story between Ava and Eddie, between Ava and Joyce and between Joyce and Imani. All 3 of these characters needed to receive and give love for a variety of reasons and they did so triumphantly. I also found the love scenes between Eddie and Ava to be extremely sensual - I think Cleage succeeded in showing that a woman who is HIV+ can have a love life, fulfilling relationships and safe sex that sounded anything but boring. It is not often a book with such downer topics such as AIDS, HIV, Prison, Murder, Drugs, Sexual Abuse, Child Abuse, etc. turns out to be extremely uplifting.
Rating:
Summary: very well written, she didn't waste a page on nonsense!!
Review: I think that Pearl did an excellent job with this book. It was very realistic and heartwarming. I am in a book club and we loved this book. We felt that Pearl did not waste a page on stuff that didn't matter. It also would give hope to someone suffering from HIV, who might think that they are not capable of being loved for the person that they are. Eddie and Ava were a perfect couple, although their past lives were far from perfect, they focused on the present and not the past!!!! Excellent book!!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic --- These are everyday people!
Review: The characters seem to come alive. I felt like I could walk out my door and expect to see Ada and Joyce. They seemed so real. I'd like to thank Pearl for making us realize that good story telling doesn't have to be too far from the truth and reality. The characters were well established and the dialogue was great. The setting details easily transported me to the lake and I could see the surprise look on Mrs. Reverend's face when she saw those "hotdogs"! Made me want to be part of the Sewing Circus. Thanks Pearl for a terrifc novel. I was sad to have it end as I wanted to another glimpse into their lives. If this was your first novel I can't wait for the next one!
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