Rating: 
Summary: Eve Ever After
Review: For as long as she could remember, Evelyn had been in love with one man, her best friend DJ. Even though they both dated other people, her heart always longed to be with him and have him commit to her. Following the advice of a mutual friend, Eve sets out to get her man by whatever means necessary. Her means turns out to be the tricky tool of jealousy. In an attempt to make DJ jealous enough to leave his current girlfriend and commit to her, Eve jumpstarts a relationship with Travis, an intelligent, attractive Caucasian man. Due to the untimely death of her younger brother Chicago by a white woman, Evelyn's actions rouse a massive whirlwind that soon blows through her world threatening to destroy everything she ever loved. Eve initially chooses her suitor to shake up DJ, but the ramifications it has on her family turn out to be even worse. As things continue to spin out of control, Eve is faced with choices she never imagined would come from such a seemingly simple, problem-free ploy to win a man's heart. On the verge of breaking down under the weighty rocks of consequence, Eve realizes some things about herself, follows her heart, and makes decisions that shock everyone in her circle.FOR CHICAGO by Karen Lee is full of jaw-dropping drama, heart-wrenching realizations, and witty comedy. An entertaining page-turner, I love the drama captured within this book and was often shocked by what I read next. The characters, with all their virtues and imperfections, soundly interact with a solid plot to weave an enjoyable tale of love and deception. Lee incorporates many social issues in her novel, the most obvious two being coping with death and dealing with cultural relations. The Tallants' loss is understandable and, to a certain extent, their hatred; therefore, I believe Karen Lee paints a very believable portrait of just how racially prejudiced people can be. However, one of the subplots in FOR CHICAGO deals with a friend of Eve and her personal problems. While this aspect of the story becomes relevant later, the way the author introduces this character is totally confusing. Right in the middle of getting to know Eve and DJ, Lee throws in an ostensibly random chapter about some girl who seems to have no connection to anyone the reader has previously met. Aside from that, my only other complaint with the novel is how Travis deals with Eve at the end. His change of behavior doesn't fit his character's previously developed personality, isn't believable, and comes across more as a convenient way for Lee to wrap things up. Overall, I enjoyed FOR CHICAGO very much. The downward spiraling of Eve's life, brought on by her choices, caused me to reflect on my own life and what choices I would have made in her shoes. Just how much of what we do is selfish and how much of our true desires do we sacrifice for others? In the end, she and her parents learn something amazing about their dearly departed Chicago, and through their realization, readers learn a very valuable life lesson. Reviewed by Natasha T.
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Eve Ever After
Review: For as long as she could remember, Evelyn had been in love with one man, her best friend DJ. Even though they both dated other people, her heart always longed to be with him and have him commit to her. Following the advice of a mutual friend, Eve sets out to get her man by whatever means necessary. Her means turns out to be the tricky tool of jealousy. In an attempt to make DJ jealous enough to leave his current girlfriend and commit to her, Eve jumpstarts a relationship with Travis, an intelligent, attractive Caucasian man. Due to the untimely death of her younger brother Chicago by a white woman, Evelyn's actions rouse a massive whirlwind that soon blows through her world threatening to destroy everything she ever loved. Eve initially chooses her suitor to shake up DJ, but the ramifications it has on her family turn out to be even worse. As things continue to spin out of control, Eve is faced with choices she never imagined would come from such a seemingly simple, problem-free ploy to win a man's heart. On the verge of breaking down under the weighty rocks of consequence, Eve realizes some things about herself, follows her heart, and makes decisions that shock everyone in her circle. FOR CHICAGO by Karen Lee is full of jaw-dropping drama, heart-wrenching realizations, and witty comedy. An entertaining page-turner, I love the drama captured within this book and was often shocked by what I read next. The characters, with all their virtues and imperfections, soundly interact with a solid plot to weave an enjoyable tale of love and deception. Lee incorporates many social issues in her novel, the most obvious two being coping with death and dealing with cultural relations. The Tallants' loss is understandable and, to a certain extent, their hatred; therefore, I believe Karen Lee paints a very believable portrait of just how racially prejudiced people can be. However, one of the subplots in FOR CHICAGO deals with a friend of Eve and her personal problems. While this aspect of the story becomes relevant later, the way the author introduces this character is totally confusing. Right in the middle of getting to know Eve and DJ, Lee throws in an ostensibly random chapter about some girl who seems to have no connection to anyone the reader has previously met. Aside from that, my only other complaint with the novel is how Travis deals with Eve at the end. His change of behavior doesn't fit his character's previously developed personality, isn't believable, and comes across more as a convenient way for Lee to wrap things up. Overall, I enjoyed FOR CHICAGO very much. The downward spiraling of Eve's life, brought on by her choices, caused me to reflect on my own life and what choices I would have made in her shoes. Just how much of what we do is selfish and how much of our true desires do we sacrifice for others? In the end, she and her parents learn something amazing about their dearly departed Chicago, and through their realization, readers learn a very valuable life lesson. Reviewed by Natasha T.
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating: 
Summary: For Chicago
Review: I have to agree with another reviewer, the female protagonist's deceased brother, Chicago was the only character I liked too. This book is just a return waiting to happen. Thank goodness for Sandra Kitt, Serresia Glass and even Karyn Langhorne (who is new to the I/R genre). Now these three understand how to write an I/R story that makes a reader care about its characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Alright Book
Review: I have to disagree with general opinion here. I thought the writing itself was good, but I thought the characters were horrible people. All of them. The main character Eve was not likeable, neither was DJ, Eve's parents, her friend Shontay, or Travis (after he freaks out). In fact the only one I did like was the Eve's dead brother Chicago. The story did keep me reading as I was interested in who she would end up with. I thought the author totally copped out on the ending by having Travis act totally far out of character as an attempt to resolve some issues. Also, I thought her parents switched their point of view rather quickly. It seemed as if the ending of the book was rushed. When I finished the book I did not feel as if everything had been wrapped up. Good read, but not stellar.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutley aweful!!!! --Spoiler included--
Review: I just finished reading this book last night and I must say this book was absolutly aweful. The main character Eve is soo vain and selfish! All she thinks about is herself. She carries on and on about how good she looks and how much she loves DJ because they "look good together". It was impossible to sympathize with her because of this. All she does is use Travis, who is a really great "white" guy. And just when you think the author is going to change Eve, force her to realize how selfish she has been acting and how badly she's treating Travis...the author fails us. Travis is dumped for simply being "white" and easy to love. Eve gains the affection of DJ, which she doesn't deserve for the way she acted. And the mystery behind Chicago's life/death is revealed. Did I mention that all of this happenes within the last 2 (and very short) chapters? As a reader who was interested from the beginning, I was very disappointed in the ending and therefore the entire book. I literally threw the book across the room when I was done. I mind remained with Travis, not Eve. He was so nice and giving to Eve and she treated him bad. Never really loving him. No reader reviews were available when I purchased this book otherwise I'm sure I would have been warned how trival this book is and would have bought another. If like me you hate reading bad books, buy another book. I will never buy another one of Ms. Lee's books.
Rating: 
Summary: WAY TO GO..
Review: I really hated to close the book!! 'For Chicago' was most exciting! A tear jerker, at times. A motivational book for younger hearts and lovers that are unsure of how they really feel about their so-called 'friends'.
'For Chicago' was very easy-reading. The ending maybe the beginning of another extraordinary book. 'Way To Go, Youngblood'! Way To Go!!
Rating:
Summary: WAY TO GO..
Review: I really hated to close the book!! 'For Chicago' was most exciting! A tear jerker, at times. A motivational book for younger hearts and lovers that are unsure of how they really feel about their so-called 'friends'.
'For Chicago' was very easy-reading. The ending maybe the beginning of another extraordinary book. 'Way To Go, Youngblood'! Way To Go!!
Rating:
Summary: I have been cheated!
Review: I'am truly disappointed with this book. How can Karen Lee
write such an unrealistic book? I felt very cheated. The only
character I truly liked was Travis. I thought Eve was too shelfish and dellusional. And DJ seems to be to overdrawn
and boring. I was rooting for Travis until the author painted
him as a green monster. I thought the author should have
develop Travis and Eve's relationship. Instead of having Eve
run after DJ. The author really was really rushing through this
book.
This book is not worth the $11.00. If you consider purchasing
this book. Please read the reviews and come up with your own
decision. Karen Lee will not get another dime from me! Karen please
take your time with your next book. Make your characters more
realistic and belivable
Rating:
Summary: Attention-grabbing storyline
Review: Mighty Literati Bookshop was pleased to host the author, Karen Lee, for a booksigning Fall 2003. We congratulate the author for weaving a tale so intriguing that we read the book cover to cover. Wonderful debut novel and hopefully only the first of many more to come!
Rating:
Summary: Attention-grabbing storyline
Review: Mighty Literati Bookshop was pleased to host the author, Karen Lee, for a booksigning Fall 2003. We congratulate the author for weaving a tale so intriguing that we read the book cover to cover. Wonderful debut novel and hopefully only the first of many more to come!
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