Rating:  Summary: Highly Enjoyable Review: I'm not a romance reader and it was with some reluctance I bought this book. So glad I gambled on it. I was right there from beginning to the last page and enjoyed everything that happened in between. Like I said romance books are not my thing, but The Real Deal is a real exception. I'm so glad I picked it up
Rating:  Summary: Mediocre Review: It's been a month since I read this book, and reading the other reviews inspired me to write one myself. The book, at best, was fair. Hodge tells a story, I'll give her that, but the writing style is uninteresting. The style reminded of someone who writes the way they speak around their friends, etc. In some fiction it works, but not in this one.The only likable character I'm afraid was Jon. I found Samone and Max to be annoying. It's a typical story where the character gives this guise of the "Independent Black Woman," but desperately clings on to the dream of marrying an equally if not more sucessful Black man who doesn't have the same feelings, regardless of how long they've been together, then has to pull some kind of plot or scheme that leaves everyone emotionally hurt in the long run just to keep him. Thinking back on this I wonder if she really loved him, or why she loved him? Because he's a successful Black man, financially secure, good looks; well dressed? It seems as if this is turning into the cliche of the genre of Black writing that 's sometimes known as "girlfriend" or "go girl" stories. Maybe it's me, but female characters of this ilk, though they appear to have it together, display a lot of pettiness for their age. Samone may be in her mid-thirties, but she might as well be 19. You can throw a rock at a roomful of books of this genre and find a Samone-like character. Where are the the intelligent, honest and mature characters with good heads on their shoulders? Some reviewers complained about how Samone treated Jon. True, it was shameful at times, but not surprising. Given Samone's upbringing and past, it's natural for her to act this way. Who knows if she ever even had a white friend let alone a significant other before then? If Hodge wrote the character as a person who wasn't hung up on race, the treatment would definitely be different. I felt sorry for Jon at times, but I had to sigh in disappointment also because he just kept coming back for more. I stopped reading this book for a few weeks because all of the components caused me to put it down. I finished it later for finishing sake. If you like this kind of genre, buy a used copy.
Rating:  Summary: Talk about selfish. Review: Ladies if you "don't need no man" read this manual on how to keep men far away from you, and you will never have a man. The main character was so selfish that I wondered if the author was serious. She made her out to be some wronged woman because she couldn't get a man to agree to a marriage. She was the most selfish character I can ever remember reading. I just got put on to this author and have started ordering her whole catalouge. I love the way she writes and can't wait to read the rest of her books. Although I hated the main character it wasn't because of the writing. Very entertaining book.
Rating:  Summary: Talk about selfish. Review: Ladies if you "don't need no man" read this manual on how to keep men far away from you, and you will never have a man. The main character was so selfish that I wondered if the author was serious. She made her out to be some wronged woman because she couldn't get a man to agree to a marriage. She was the most selfish character I can ever remember reading. I just got put on to this author and have started ordering her whole catalouge. I love the way she writes and can't wait to read the rest of her books. Although I hated the main character it wasn't because of the writing. Very entertaining book.
Rating:  Summary: Great characters, good story, and an easy read. Review: Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what Samone was going to do next, how was she going to solve her problems. Margaret Johnson-Hodge weaves a tale around a character who is strong, believable, and yet there is a certain vulnerabiity. It is a great read.
Rating:  Summary: Interracial love story with everyday life in between. Review: Received the book in Saturday afternoon's mail and didn't put it down until finished several hours later. One of the better interracial love stories I've read to date although the blunt language took me by surprise a couple of times. Characters were believable with Samone coming across as a strong and independent black woman (her only weakness being MAX the four year old boyfried who didn't want commitment). I wanted to know more of Jon's thoughts, her new love, especially during the times that Samone was going back and forth to Max. The ending was not as fulfilling as I would have liked. I would have preferred a more upbeat ending with Samone and Jon's relationship (made me wonder if Max would take off again in search of Yvonne his past love). I still give the book a definite four stars.
Rating:  Summary: As an Interracial romance, this book was sizzling!!!!! Review: Samone Lewis is one hip, confident and gorgeous black woman. Margaret Johnson-Hodge wrote Samone's character to fit any woman with an open mind. This book moves along clearly and concisely from begining to end. It shows the fear most lovers endure when opening oneself up to love and trust. Both male characters sizzle, but Jon's character makes you want to leap into the book. Outstanding!
Rating:  Summary: Good writing & a strong main character = a good read. Review: Samone Lewis really wants to marry her boyfriend of 4 years. Problem is, Max won't commit. In the midst of her relationship woes comes Jon Everette. Jon is friendly and funny and...white. Samone, who is black, has issues with an interracial relationship. Somehow, though, her objections falter in the face of her attraction to Jon. The two become friends and then lovers. But in the meantime, both struggle to bury the ghosts of their respective previous relationships. I enjoyed this book. I liked how the author puts pen to paper. I liked her choice of words, her descriptions, her way of placing me into the setting of this book. I really felt Samone's frustration of her relationships, her sorrow over her bad choices, her dislike of her job and just how she lives day-to-day in the hustle and bustle of New York City. She really does leap off the page as a fully formed, believable, REAL character. She is presented as a sympathetic person who has some very real character flaws. Just like you or me. The reason I think this a good book, but not a great one is because I think that all the other characters get short shrift. While Ms. Johnson-Hodge does an excellent job of getting me into Samone's head and allowing me to know exactly where she is coming from, I had to fill in the blanks on the other characters. I really wanted to know more about Max and especially Jon. Why did Samone love Max so much that he stops her in her tracks? Why does Jon like Samone so much considering the fact that she seems to direct so much angst his way? I wanted Max and Jon to be just as real and vibrant as Samone and they simply weren't. If these two were more fleshed and I knew more of their hopes, dreams and motivations like I did Samone's, this could have easily been a '10'. I absolutely believe that Ms. Johnson-Hodge is a good writer and has many more stories to tell and I will definitely be on the look-out for them.
Rating:  Summary: Where Do I Begin? Review: Sure the book centers around an interracial relationship but the underlying theme of love is so strong I lost the sense of any racial differences between Samone and Jonathon until the instances where the story made me aware of it. Isn't that what love is supposed to be like? Ms. Johnson-Hodge wraps a wonderful story around the main characters. The strength Samone exemplifies was felt deep in my bones as I read this woman's story. Samone felt like either an old college friend or a part of me I had forgotten. I absolutely LOVED the story and could not put the book down. It was well worth the lost sleep! The day after finishing it, I purchased a copy for my best friend. I enjoyed it so much I have placed this book on my "Definitely Read Again" list.
Rating:  Summary: What's love got to do with it? Review: That's how I felt about this book. There was no love involved between any of the characters. It was more of an obsession and lust than the need to love and be loved. I felt that Samone was lacking as a character. The author concentrated more on complicating the plot rather than develop the characters mindset. I was greatly disappointed in this book.
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