Rating: 
Summary: A good book!
Review: I am a sinlge mom without much time on my hands to stop and read anything so it usually takes me several weeks to complete the average book. I started reading Renee and Jay and finished it by the 4th day. I read it on my 30 minute lunch breaks, red lights, and finally I managed to out last my then 5 year old and stayed up the last night to finish it. My first words and thoughts upon completing it was "now that was a good book". The entire time of reading it I felt as if the characters were people that I actually knew because each character were like normal everyday people around us. I was anxious to find out what was going to happen next and more times than not I found myself laughing out loud (especially about something that Renee's mother said or did). Eventhough from the beginning I knew the story invovled two people that were as different as night to day, it was refreshing to know that in the end their difference did not keep them apart. The main point that I got from reading this book was about love and romance and that left me smiling. In real life there is usually not a happily ever after ending as with Renee and Jay but it sure is nice to read about it and it should give us all hope that "it could happen". Renee and Jay had several more obstacles against them from the start and in their future than the average same race couple would face but it still came down to: love is what matters. I personally think that JJ Murray did an execellent job in bringing real life to each of his characters, I had to keep checking the back cover to see if he really was a white man which surprised me but did not offend me. It is very clear that he has everyday experience with the characters. It is also obvious that the author (Jay) really loves his wife (Renee) and I think that's what really makes this book such a romantic love story.
I have recommended this book to all of my friends both white and black. I know they will enjoy it as well.I cannot wait until the sequel is released and look forward to reading anything else by JJ Murray.
Rating: 
Summary: Bittersweet
Review: Before I purchased this book, I had heard both good things and bad things about "Renee and Jay". I wanted to find out for myself what this book was like and I was surprised. I've read numerous books where an interracial romance is the focal point, and "Renee and Jay" did not live up to any of them. Yes, there were some tender and touching moments, but I became annoyed with Renee, one of the main characters, within the first few chapters of the book because of her attitude and her belittling demeanor.The story revolves around Renee, a head-strong black woman living in Roanoke, Virginia, and Giovanni, the Italian man who falls in love with her. There are the obligatory moments where people don't see the beauty in their relationship and cause trouble, but like I said, there are some touching moments as well. Renee's mother and Giovanni's father are two interesting characters that you'd have to read about to really understand. I think the one thing I didn't like in this book was Renee's constant explanation of black people, "our people," and "my people" as if black people just recently came into existence and no one from another race or culture could ever understand them. It became extremely annoying after a while and ultimately turned me off to the book. I can understand trying to teach someone about your culture, but she treated Giovanni as if he were stupid and couldn't comprehend anything. Being a black woman who is in an interracial relationship with a white man, I could see some similarities to my relationship in the book (very few though). The rest of the book just had me shaking my head in annoyance and sometimes anger. J.J. Murray is a good writer, however, I just didn't like this particular book of his. I'll check out another of his books, "Something Real" and see what that's like. Hopefully it's better than this one.
Rating:
Summary: How did he do it......???
Review: I would like to state, very plainly, that I absolutely love this book! My only question is how on earth did any white man on this planet, in this country, capture the mind of a black woman the way that JJ Murray did with this book??? Now of course not all black women think the same (duh!), but there were just certain details added I had no idea that people outside of the Afro persuasion knew about. For example, "the pink" check that we do after putting in a relaxer and washing it out. Or that one ghetto fabulous friend that we all have who likes to dress like it's her birthday everyday. Details, details.
Anyway, the main character was actually believable in this one. She was smart, pretty, and down to earth. I loved her counterpart, Giovanni, the cute Italian who doesn't happen to look like a Roman God, as in other iterracial novels that make me cringe. Now I've read other reviews that say that, I dunno, the main character is a bossy shrew... Ok, ok I understand how you could say that. It may seem true, but go back and look at the relationship. Giovanni may be a bit quiet at times, but the boy puts his foot down when necessary. They're a match. Read carefully.
Overall this is finally one book that I didn't feel like I wasted my money on. It made me laugh from the very beginning. It'll even make your eyes water a little. So check it out! I'm getting the sequal (Renee and Jay 2) today. I'm so excited!
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: This book made me smile.:-)It was nice to finally read a book that was not all bitterness, anger, depravity, etc. The relationship between Renee and Giovanni was refreshing, real and very touching. Renee is a young African-American woman, who like most women today, are looking for "Mr. Right". She just doesn't expect her soul mate will be a white, pale, Italian. What both Renee and Jay learn is that you can't choose whom you love. The heart knows no racial barriers. Mr. Murrays' characters are well developed. Giovanni is an honest, caring, hardworking, young man who is not afraid to express his emotions. Renee reminds me of friends I've known through the years, beautiful, fun-loving, intelligient and faithful to family and loved ones. It was also good to see the acceptance of the relationship by Renee's mother and Giovanni's father. Everyone knows that the relationship will have extra burdens because it is an interracial one, but it was nice not to have that thrown in your face throughout the whole book. It was basically a funny, down-to-earth love story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would like to see more of these characters. (Maybe a sequel). Can't wait to read more from this author.
Rating:
Summary: Virginia really is for lovers!
Review: J. J. Murray has thoroughly "schooled" both black and white America on loving with the heart and not the eyes. Reading the first chapter of Renee and Jay, which is off the roof, was just like having a conversation with myself. This is a hot new romance that'll sho nuf melt all of that ice in Roanoke's winter storm. You're on the playing field with Tyree and Dickey and Terry McMillan. Renee's got the black girl attitude! You write the black woman's role pretty well; that you have in common with Dickey. I was amazed at how well he does that, and you're doing it too! Renee and Jay is a real Romeo and Juliet set in small time Black America! It's a soap opera in the palm of your hands . . . and there's no waiting for tomorrow's episode. I laughed. I cried. I hoped and I prayed and rejoiced in the beauty of the book's ending. I absolutely loved this book as much as I've ever loved Morrison, McMillan or McElroy Ansa. You have arrived and I cannot wait to read Something Real. Talk about bridging gaps and bringing people from all walks of life together . . . you've done it with Renee and Jay. People often wonder about the dynamics of interracial relationships (what comes up, what to say and what not to say). I hope that others will read it and walk away with a refreshing spirit and a more peaceful outlook on life and race relations. I certainly have. It's one thing to say what we believe, but Renee & Jay walks miles in the shoes. I commend you; the book is so well-planned, thought out and pieced together: the jig-saw puzzle of the century has been pieced together gracefully with this beautiful love story! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you JJ Murray! If you're a lover who loves romance, Renee & Jay has a place on your reading list. Get it today!
Rating:
Summary: Love is.....
Review: I love this book. I am an African American female and I have dated a white male and I can relate to a lot of things in the book. It was nice to see that someone did their homework and kept it true to the game. I definitely recommend this book to anyone curious, in the middle of an interracial relationship or just someone looking for a good book to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Telling it like it is
Review: I've read the reviews both good and bad. I'm hoping I can give the most honest review on Renee and Jay. First the bad: Yes Renee had a 'tude a bit too much at times and the my people thing got old after a while. But to be honest I think the reason the book worked is becuase Renee was human. I think everyone knows a Renee. She was flawed. Not pretty rose colored glass flawed but human you love her or you hate her flawed. She just to me seemed like a real person. Now the good. This book was laugh out loud funny. Very real you really felt as if you knew these people. Pops Her momma and Giovanni. I don't think this book get it's due. Don't be put off by bad reviwes. This underneath it all is really a nice funny sweet read.
Rating:
Summary: Loved the two books; when's the third due?
Review: I read this book because the author is a teacher from Roanoke. Murray says he wrote the book because his students told him to "put his money where his mouth is"; that is, if he could write so well, then do it. As an English teacher in a small town south of Roanoke, I was intrigued. The author, Murray, has an interracial marriage, and his wife likes the book, according to the author's notes. While I agree with some reviewers that Renee's blackness was a bit overstated, as a Caucasian, I have no knowledge if that's true or not. What I enjoyed about the book is the attraction between the two characters, how the families disagreed, but came together, and the feeling of romance. The book was very believable for me, and I think the author writes extremely well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as well as "Something Real," and look forward to J J Murray's next book. I hope it's soon coming.
Rating:
Summary: I loved it
Review: Many people seem to think that this book was not good. Sure it was kinda unbelievable, and yes, Renee was a bit bossy, and ok, Giovanni was too ready to do her bidding. But I thought it was sweet. Giovanni loved Renee enough to please her, and she let him do it; what woman wouldn't? Renee was a little preoccupied with what other people would think of their relationship, but she still fell in love with and married Giovanni. I sat and read the book (hardcover) in a few hours; I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Deserves no stars
Review: i hate judging people or insulting them but this has to be the most idiotic book i have ever read renee is a witch emphasis on the letter B she spends all night with a guy in a restuarant making out and then goes home and thinks of some other guy jay is too weak and renee is insulting and her mother? please shes so mean and telling her daughter what to do after shes 26 telling her daughter she needs to be seperated from jay doesnt she know life is short and you need to be with those you love the most you can and you cant make decisions for other people you cant tell an adult who they can or cannot see i just about ripped the book apart by the end.
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