Rating: 
Summary: better than most black novels but still disappointed
Review: A Love Noire does try to critically look at issues of Black identity and for that I commend Ms. Turnipseed. Ms. Turnipseed does look at the complexity of relationships between different people of the African Diaspora and how there can be conflicts between the values of the different people of the diaspora. In addition her look at skin color in the African American community as well as the issue of class is very interesting to note. However, A Love Noire does try to look at too many issues and often places different issues in plots where they just don't belong. For instance, she tries to look at bisexuality. That would be fine if it somehow connected to the rest of the story but it doesn't. In addition, she introduces certain issues which are worth looking at more than she does. For example Jayna's interracial relationship with a fellow white dental student. This would have fit into the story so well but she spends like five pages (if even that) on this potentially meaty subplot. I think this novel is better than most of the trashy, nonstimulating novels that have become the norm for black literature today but it could've been better. Still, for a first effort it wasn't horrible and I'm sure Turnipseed will produce better in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Read
Review: A Love Noire held my interest from the beginning until the end. I felt drawn into each scene, the journey was well defined. Turnipseed's provocative love story is a sophisticated blend of passion and class that spans the complexities of love in the African diaspora. A Love Noire is a fine debut, I'm looking forward to reading Turnipseed's future work. It was witty, insightful and sexy, a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Soulful Love Story
Review: A Love Noire is a soulful love story that will pull you into the lives of it's characters, Noire and Innocent. Opposites who become bound by their passions and discover the rocky road to love. Turnipseed takes you into the NYC dating scene, the differences in socal class, urban life and the struggles of love and relationships from NYC to Africa.
A Love Noire is a well crafted, stunning debut. Turnipseed is a gifted storyteller, a welcomed fresh new voice.
Rating: 
Summary: I give it four stars because of the effort.
Review: A Love Noire tells the story of the "love" Between Innocent and Noire, two completely different up and coming buppies. Noire is the bohemian one, Innocent, Noire's man is conservative. Both have some serious issues, which never seem to come completely clear, but the have a bond that is strong.I liked the book since it was written in an intelligent way, but sometimes i would wonder where Ms. Turnipseed was going with her characters. I still do not understand where Noires' brief bi-sexual episode fits in the book (It's not like the Shug Avery/Celie bit in Color Purple--there was at least an explaination regarding that). I also was somewhat annoyed with Noire, since she seemed to have too many hangups. But all in all, I welcomed this book since it was more intelligent than some of the novels I think most writers seem to write these days. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Turnipseed.
Rating:
Summary: I give it four stars because of the effort.
Review: A Love Noire tells the story of the "love" Between Innocent and Noire, two completely different up and coming buppies. Noire is the bohemian one, Innocent, Noire's man is conservative. Both have some serious issues, which never seem to come completely clear, but the have a bond that is strong. I liked the book since it was written in an intelligent way, but sometimes i would wonder where Ms. Turnipseed was going with her characters. I still do not understand where Noires' brief bi-sexual episode fits in the book (It's not like the Shug Avery/Celie bit in Color Purple--there was at least an explaination regarding that). I also was somewhat annoyed with Noire, since she seemed to have too many hangups. But all in all, I welcomed this book since it was more intelligent than some of the novels I think most writers seem to write these days. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Turnipseed.
Rating:
Summary: A Fabulous Debut
Review: A Love Noire was a fantastic novel that made you laugh and want to cry at the same. The writing was phenomenal and colorful. The characters came alive and the reader was able to feel exactly what Noire and Innocent were feeling at any given moment. Will the characters meet again? Only the author knows.
Rating:
Summary: Deserving Of More Than Five Stars...
Review: Erica Simone Turnipseed's debut novel is one of the best books I have read this year...in fact, it is one of the best pieces of fiction that I have ever read. Ms. Turnipseed's prose is simply beautiful, poetic, and captivating. She had me drawn into the world of Noire and Innocent immediately, and thanks to her careful character development, I gave a damn about them from Page One. Not too many authors today can do that so well. It is an understatement to say that Noire and Innocent's love story was real and deep. It was totally believable -- full of the passion and pain that many of us experience. I felt their joys, their heartaches as they experienced them. Ms. Turnipseed's exquisitively vivid writing made that possible. The ending, like the rest of the book, is very real. It actually made me cry! If you're looking for a real, contemporary African-American love story, then go and get a copy of "A Love Noire". I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Love and Understanding
Review: Finally, a relationship story that is not so totally predictable. The characters Innocent and Noire were well rounded and believable. Their love grew in a mature way that can set an example for having closure without having closure in a relationship. I hope there is a second installment of this great story. I'm looking forward to seeing how Innocent and Noire resolve their lives. Erica, girl you know you got it going on!!
Rating:
Summary: DISAPPOINTED :-(
Review: For the people who rated this book 4 or 5 stars, are you sure you reviewed the right book?? I'm an avid reader of all genre's and this book definitely missed the mark. The story was just BORING and undeveloped. There were too many cliche's, stereotypes and unoriginal material. Example: Innocent invites Noire over to his place and surprises her with an expensive new outfit and jewelry for an evening out. Where have we seen that one before?? And with all the unneccesary designer name dropping, I hope Ms. Turnipseed is getting some kind of kickback. Nice try.
Rating:
Summary: DISAPPOINTED :-(
Review: For the people who rated this book 4 or 5 stars, are you sure you reviewed the right book?? I'm an avid reader of all genre's and this book definitely missed the mark. The story was just BORING and undeveloped. There were too many cliche's, stereotypes and unoriginal material. Example: Innocent invites Noire over to his place and surprises her with an expensive new outfit and jewelry for an evening out. Where have we seen that one before?? And with all the unneccesary designer name dropping, I hope Ms. Turnipseed is getting some kind of kickback. Nice try.
| 
