Rating: 
Summary: The night before thirty...
Review: Five women with five very different lifestyles win a contest to hang out with a national DJ and live it up on the night before their thirtieth birthdays. Sharing a birthdate are one of the few things these ladies have in common at a glance, however. Elise is the old-fashioned girl next door, running her own gymnastics studio and shying away from letting on about her romantic feelings towards Allen, a business associate. Alecia is the gold-diggin, plane-hopping chica with everything she wants - except for the undivided attention of her beau William, who just happens to be very married. Catara is the fashion genius who is confident that she will be the next big thing in design, but is self-conscious about her weight. Tanya is the hustler's girlfriend who wants to move out of the game and into a new life. And finally, LaShawnda is the once naive, sexually confused sista who longs to be out from under the thumb of her employer, Cicely, who is also her lover. Coming together on the weekend of their birthdays, these women learn from each other's issues and dilemmas. The concept is unique, but I didn't think that Butler allowed me into the psyche of these women as much as I would have liked. You won't find any earth-shattering profundities in THE NIGHT BEFORE THIRTY, nor will you find any revolutionary literary technique. However, as a light and entertaining read, this book adequately fits the bill. Reviewed by CandaceK
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating: 
Summary: Lessons Learned
Review: In TJ Butler's The Night Before Thirty, five women go on a cruise for their thirtieth birthdays and receive more than just "fun in the sun."
Alecia is an actress who likes to live the good life on a rich man's arm. Catara is a personal shopper who has dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Elise has just fulfilled her dream of opening a gymnastics center for children. LaShawnda is a receptionist who questions her relationship with her lover who happens to also be her employer. Tanya has been involved in a long term relationship with a man involved in illegal activities. All of these women live in different cities, come from different backgrounds with different problems yet they share one thing in common...they all turn 30 on the first of December. The women enter and win a contest that sends them on a cruise for their birthday. Some of the women clash, while others get along, but they all learn valuable lessons that they take home with them.
This book was a light, engaging read. We only got a glimpse into the characters' lives but it was enough to make you care about what happened to them. The concept of a "night before" party is wonderful and I would not be surprised to hear girlfriends planning their own using this book as a guide.
The ending was tied up nicely with a red bow. That does not mean that everybody had a happy ending but there was closure for all the characters. Sometimes our books should be like that, even when real life is not. I would recommend this book to people who are looking for that perfect summer read.
Reviewed by Nicole
APOOO BookClub
Rating:
Summary: Lessons Learned
Review: In TJ Butler's The Night Before Thirty, five women go on a cruise for their thirtieth birthdays and receive more than just "fun in the sun."
Alecia is an actress who likes to live the good life on a rich man's arm. Catara is a personal shopper who has dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Elise has just fulfilled her dream of opening a gymnastics center for children. LaShawnda is a receptionist who questions her relationship with her lover who happens to also be her employer. Tanya has been involved in a long term relationship with a man involved in illegal activities. All of these women live in different cities, come from different backgrounds with different problems yet they share one thing in common...they all turn 30 on the first of December. The women enter and win a contest that sends them on a cruise for their birthday. Some of the women clash, while others get along, but they all learn valuable lessons that they take home with them.
This book was a light, engaging read. We only got a glimpse into the characters' lives but it was enough to make you care about what happened to them. The concept of a "night before" party is wonderful and I would not be surprised to hear girlfriends planning their own using this book as a guide.
The ending was tied up nicely with a red bow. That does not mean that everybody had a happy ending but there was closure for all the characters. Sometimes our books should be like that, even when real life is not. I would recommend this book to people who are looking for that perfect summer read.
Reviewed by Nicole
APOOO BookClub
Rating:
Summary: The night....
Review: It was a really good read. I enjoyed the surprises each one of the characters brough tto the story. It kept me guessing. I was impressed. This was the first book I read by T. Butler. I'll be back for more.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Read... Wanted More
Review: Overall, this book was an easy read. TJ Butler has done it again. She brought the characters together, however, I like many of the other reviewers, was left hanging at the end. I would love to read a sequel to the text. The book was definitely a page turner and though I have not reached 30, I felt like the issues in the text were relevant to my life as well. I have read all of TJ Butler's books to date and I feel that God has blessed her with a tremendous gift. Buy the book and Soror Butler, definitely keep doing what you are doing!
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Since I picked up Sorority Sisters, I realized Tajuana Butler was an author like no other. Hand Me Down Heartache was good, but not quite as good as her debut. However, this novel, though it was enjoyable at times, really lacked depth. The story was over before it began. I love how she develops her characters, but where was the story, and why was it over so quickly? Hopefully a sequel will make up for it's shallow/rushed plot. Don't waste your money, get this from the library if you must.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read... Wanted More
Review: The Night Before Thirty is my first read by Ms. Butler. I think it was an overall good concept, but I felt like it left the reader hanging in the end. I wanted to know if the characters would truly carry out their revelations and if, any of the characters would keep in touch as a result of their encounter. Overall, I enjoyed this read and was left wanting more.
Rating:
Summary: A good read!
Review: The Night Before Thirty is my first read by Ms. Butler. I think it was an overall good concept, but I felt like it left the reader hanging in the end. I wanted to know if the characters would truly carry out their revelations and if, any of the characters would keep in touch as a result of their encounter. Overall, I enjoyed this read and was left wanting more.
Rating:
Summary: okay
Review: This began as a very good book, however it came to an end to fast- and too neat. Overall it is still a nice read and I agree with the other reviewer - don't but this book- lease it from the library or wait until the Mass market paperback come out.
Rating:
Summary: VERY GOOD BOOK
Review: This book touched so many subjects that 30ish aged women have to encouter. From being overweight to unstable relationships. This book was great and the story of each woman will be you or someone you know.
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