Rating: 
Summary: NOT THE AVERAGE RELATIONSHIP NOVEL
Review: Not your typical relationship novel, DATING GAMES has an extra pinch of something akin to what one finds in a thriller. It's not the same ole, "I lost my man, I want a man, or I don't need a man" seen in contemporary relationship novels. This book focuses on the importance of family, showing how our lives are truly a reflection of those we encounter, and the impact our actions have on those around us. With witty dialogue, unforgettable characters, and a heart-stopping ending, DATING GAMES is sure to be a favorite amongst R.M. Johnson fans.
DATING GAMES starts off with the introduction of thirty-three year old Livvy Rogers, a single mother who wants to be a registered nurse. Livvy has had a rough life and has been very unlucky in love. She is fiercely devoted to her twin daughters Hennesey and Alize, who are as different as night and day in attitude, demeanor, and their goals in life. Hennessy's love interest Rafe is a recent parolee who is set on cleaning his life up and staying away from those people who could affect his probation. Unfortunately, his parole officer has set him up with a job working with his old buddy Smoke, who appears to be legit on the surface but is still involved in illicit activity. R.M. Johnson does a superb job in developing his characters so that each one comes across as being a uniquely memorable individual. He also manages to elicit sympathy for his characters, tossing them into unbelievable situations that leaves the reader praying that things will work out. When the lives of these characters criss cross, this novel takes on the type of climactic ending only seen in a thriller. R.M. Johnson does not disappoint in creating conflict and setting about taking the reader on a journey that will change each of the character's lives forever. Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: NOT THE AVERAGE RELATIONSHIP NOVEL
Review: Not your typical relationship novel, DATING GAMES has an extra pinch of something akin to what one finds in a thriller. It's not the same ole, "I lost my man, I want a man, or I don't need a man" seen in contemporary relationship novels. This book focuses on the importance of family, showing how our lives are truly a reflection of those we encounter, and the impact our actions have on those around us. With witty dialogue, unforgettable characters, and a heart-stopping ending, DATING GAMES is sure to be a favorite amongst R.M. Johnson fans.
DATING GAMES starts off with the introduction of thirty-three year old Livvy Rogers, a single mother who wants to be a registered nurse. Livvy has had a rough life and has been very unlucky in love. She is fiercely devoted to her twin daughters Hennesey and Alize, who are as different as night and day in attitude, demeanor, and their goals in life. Hennessy's love interest Rafe is a recent parolee who is set on cleaning his life up and staying away from those people who could affect his probation. Unfortunately, his parole officer has set him up with a job working with his old buddy Smoke, who appears to be legit on the surface but is still involved in illicit activity. R.M. Johnson does a superb job in developing his characters so that each one comes across as being a uniquely memorable individual. He also manages to elicit sympathy for his characters, tossing them into unbelievable situations that leaves the reader praying that things will work out. When the lives of these characters criss cross, this novel takes on the type of climactic ending only seen in a thriller. R.M. Johnson does not disappoint in creating conflict and setting about taking the reader on a journey that will change each of the character's lives forever. Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating: 
Summary: Raw and Gritty
Review: Poverty and crime set the stage for this urban soap opera as five characters seek nirvana from the mean streets of Southside Chicago but instead wind up in an abyss of lies and tragedy. From the author of three successful contemporary novels, RM Johnson's DATING GAMES is the gritty urban story readers have been waiting for.
Livvy Rogers and her identical twin daughters Hennessy and Alize live a less than grandiose life in the projects of Chicago. Livvy, a thirty-three year old nurse's assistant is at the end of her rope with her dead end job and raising her seventeen-year-old twins. Not to mention her on again, off again relationship with Carlos is beginning to wane when she meets used car salesman Wade. Before long, Livvy is head over heels in love until she stumbles upon evidence Wade tried desperately to withhold from her. Hennessy and Alize have such divergent approaches to life; if it were not for their uncanny resemblance one would never believe them to be sisters. Hennessy has plans of becoming a physician while Alize is more concerned with who will become her next conquest. But the one thing these sisters have in common is former felon, Rafe. Having served a three-year bid of a five-year sentence, Rafe, is focused on living the straight and narrow and avoiding the one man responsible for his incarceration - Smoke. With a guilty conscious Smoke becomes Rafe's Svengali in hopes of renewing their friendship. Quickly Rafe finds himself entangled in a life he vowed never to live again and this time it will implicate an innocent bystander with Hennessy or Alize. DATING GAMES is every indication that urban fiction is on the rise by popular demand. RM Johnson has given readers a glimpse of his versatile writing ability by incorporating youthful characters with a street life setting, deviating from his customary writing style. There is always the chance this may serve as a deterrent for readers who prefer a more mature storyline as is his previous works. This reviewer prefers the latter and at times grew weary of the sophomoric antics of Hennessy, Alize and sometimes, Livvy; however, I must admit DATING GAMES is one the best well-written street life fiction novels to date. One thing fans can rely on is Johnson's compelling characters who experience a gamut of human emotions as they struggle to free themselves of one another and their environments. I recommend DATING GAMES to individuals who enjoy urban fiction and look forward to reading more from RM Johnson.
Reviewed by Nicki Lancaster
APOOO BookClub
Rating:
Summary: A PLOT TO CALL HOME ABOUT
Review: RM Johnson's latest novel, Dating Games is an exciting plot driven urban novel that is sure to keep readers turning the pages. Johnson successfully manages to intertwine love, family relationships, guns and drugs into an action love thriller. Dating Games brings you into the world of the Rodgers family. Mother Livvy wants more out of her life than her current job as a nurse's assistant and has a hard time finding and developing meaningful relationships with men. Her twin daughters, Hennessey and Alize are total opposites of each other and each has her own issues with men and relationships that are reflective of her personality. RM brings these characters together with the loves of their lives and creates a story full of suspenseful drama. Livvy battles to rid her life of a toxic sore of a man while trying to preach about good relationships to her daughters. While Hennessey and Alize do find her advice amusing, considering the source, they do come to understand her words of wisdom better after tragedy strikes. Livvy is also forced to take a look at herself in respect to the advice she is dishing out as well as the fragile relationship between her and her daughters. RM Johnson has drawn well rounded characters that readers can see from the beginning to the end of their dilemmas. Younger readers may be able to identify with the choices of the teenaged daughters and mature readers will be able to sympathize with the journey of Livvy. Even though his straight forward tell-tell style may not give the reader the feeling of being there, his mastery of controlling and driving the plot to a dramatic end will definitely make up for any possible losses. In Dating Games, RM Johnson shows a highly skilled talent of piecing together a strong plot to create energy and suspense. I highly recommend this novel for readers who enjoy urban love stories with a thriller of a twist.
Rating:
Summary: Off the chart!
Review: This book had everything - drama - lot's of it! Intrigue - Suspense, love, betrayal, etc. You name it and it was there. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of his novels. They just keep getting better and better.
Rating:
Summary: MUST READ MUST READ!!!!
Review: This book is one of the best I have ever read it's so real you get so attached to the characters the ending had me literally crying. This is the first book I have read by this author!! I must say well done!! I would definitely reccomend to anyone. I could not put it down!
Rating:
Summary: MUST READ MUST READ!!!!
Review: This book is one of the best I have ever read it's so real you get so attached to the characters the ending had me literally crying. This is the first book I have read by this author!! I must say well done!! I would definitely reccomend to anyone. I could not put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: This book was awesome. This was a good book for the young readers. It was very drastic and crazy what young girls would do for money. Let your nieces, cousins, and little sisters read this book.
Rating:
Summary: PAGETURNER!
Review: This book was good from the first page to the last! Just when things got slow something happen! RM Johnson did an excellent job writing this one. This story is a little on the line of The Coldest Winter Ever. If you liked that one you'll love this one! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Deserves more than just 5 stars!
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a great read!!
Review: This is a great book, once your start reading it you won't be able to put it down. This is definitely a great read!!
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