Review by Booklist Review
When Darnel Black finds Keisha, his bride-to-be, in bed with his best friend, Omar, on the night before their wedding, something inside him snaps. Darnel beats Omar so badly that he ends up in the ICU, and Darnel ends up in jail. Darnel hates infidelity with a vengeance. He saw how his womanizing father, James, affected his mother. Darnel made an oath to be faithful to Keisha, one he has kept for 10 years, ever since high school. But Darnel hasn't exacted his full revenge yet, and the consequences of his wrath will affect everyone around him. Best-selling Weber, a popular fiction writer in African American literature, has once again created a gritty, realistic story about human relationships. Each chapter in this novel is a first-person narrative that takes the reader deep into that character's mind. With its graphic descriptions, robust characterizations, and strong plot, this is a book that will appeal to a wide audience.--Mosley, Shelley Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Prolific, bestselling street-lit author Weber (Something on the Side) delivers a soap opera-style cautionary tale of promiscuity and lust that, though twisty and entertaining, has its share of problems. Things quickly go wrong for the Black family-divorced father James, his ex-wife Crystal, engaged-to-be-married son Darnel and 25-year-old daughter Jamie-when Darnel catches his fiancee, Keisha, cheating on him with his best friend, Omar. After getting arrested for beating Omar "until I got all my venom out," Darnel's pain and humiliation drive him to stalk and torment Keisha. Meanwhile, Jamie learns a dangerous secret about her boyfriend, Louis, and ladies' man James falls under the spell of a woman with questionable motives. As James, Darnel and Jamie switch narrative duties, betrayals and odd plot twists become the norm with at times shocking results, but awkward dialogue and implausible motivation distract from the fun. Though some of the surprises fall flat, this trashy page-turner should give fans what they want. (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Verdict: Weber (Something on the Side) knows street lit, and his effort relies on nonstop drama to chronicle a man and his two grown children's seedy relationship issues. Fans will enjoy the juicy tidbits-if they can endure the trite dialog and unsatisfying ending. Reservedly recommended for large public libraries. Background: When Darnel catches his fiancee cheating with his best friend on the eve of their wedding, he sets out to stalk her, destroy her relationships, and ultimately break her down. Jamie, Darnel's sister, is struggling to understand her boyfriend's suspicious behavior, and the patriarch, James Black, a ladies' man, is too preoccupied with a new relationship to help his children. In the end, each member of the Black family must overcome their individual issues or risk being consumed by them.-Natasha Grant, New York (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
