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Cheaters
Known as a writer whose stories � balanced romance, scandal, and a considerable amount of heart� (A.V. Club), New York Times bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey fearlessly explores how bad even good people can sometimes behave in the game of love....
Stephan loves ’em and leaves ’em, just like his dad. Chanté thinks she’s found her dream man—until his wife and kids come banging on her door. Jake is a player—left with bad dreams he just can’t shake. Darnell is true to his wife...but the temptation’s getting tougher every day. Tammy is caught between the man she loves, and the woman he’s promised to. And while Karen lectures her friends about fooling around, she may not live up to her own high standards....
This is the world of Eric Jerome Dickey. It’s heart-wrenching and hilarious, smart and soulful, and as honest and recognizable as your own—and that of everyone who never loved you back.
Stephan loves ’em and leaves ’em, just like his dad. Chanté thinks she’s found her dream man—until his wife and kids come banging on her door. Jake is a player—left with bad dreams he just can’t shake. Darnell is true to his wife...but the temptation’s getting tougher every day. Tammy is caught between the man she loves, and the woman he’s promised to. And while Karen lectures her friends about fooling around, she may not live up to her own high standards....
This is the world of Eric Jerome Dickey. It’s heart-wrenching and hilarious, smart and soulful, and as honest and recognizable as your own—and that of everyone who never loved you back.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1999
110 people are currently reading
3,914 people want to read
About the author
Eric Jerome Dickey
62books3,486followersEric Jerome Dickey was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended the University of Memphis (the former Memphis State), where he earned his degree in Computer System Technology. In 1983, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in engineering.
After landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer, Eric Jerome Dickey's artistic talents surfaced, inspiring him to become an actor and a stand-up comedian. Yet Eric quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well. From creative writing classes to avidly consuming the works of his favorite authors, Eric Jerome Dickey began to shape a writing career of his own. Having written several scripts for his personal comedy act, he started writing poetry and short stories. "The film work gave me insight into character development, the acting classes helped me understand motivation...All of it goes hand in hand," Eric explains. He joined the IBWA (International Black Writers and Artists), participated in their development workshops, and became a recipient of the IBWA SEED Scholarship to attend UCLA's Creative Writing classes. In 1994 his first published short story, "Thirteen," appeared in the IBWA's River Crossing: Voices of the Diaspora-An Anthology of the International Black Experience. A second short story, "Days Gone By," was published in the magazine A Place to Enter.
With those successes behind him, Eric Jerome Dickey decided to fine-tune some of his earlier work and developed a screenplay called "Cappuccino." "Cappuccino" was directed and produced by Craig Ross, Jr. and appeared in coffee houses around the Los Angeles area. In February 1998, "Cappuccino" made its local debut during the Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles.
Short stories, though, didn't seem to fulfill Eric Jerome Dickey's creative yearnings. Eric says, "I'd set out to do a ten-page story and it would go on for three hundred pages." So Eric kept writing and reading and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent. "Then a door opened," Eric says. "And I put my foot in before they could close it." And that door has remained opened, as Eric Jerome Dickey's novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction.
Eric Jerome Dickey's book signing tours for Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game took him from coast to coast and helped propel each of these novels to #1 on the "Blackboard Bestsellers List." Cheaters was named "Blackboard Book of the Year" in 2000. In June 2000, Eric Jerome Dickey celebrated the French publication of Milk in My Coffee (Cafe Noisette) by embarking on a book tour to Paris. Soon after, Milk in My Coffee became a bestseller in France. Eric Jerome Dickey's novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. In January 2001, Eric Jerome Dickey was a contributor to New American Library's anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories, also a Blackboard Bestseller. He also had a story entitled “Fish Sanwich� appear in the anthology Mothers and Sons. In June 2002, Dickey contributed to Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica (Warner Books) as well as to Riots Beneath the Baobab (published by Inte
After landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer, Eric Jerome Dickey's artistic talents surfaced, inspiring him to become an actor and a stand-up comedian. Yet Eric quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well. From creative writing classes to avidly consuming the works of his favorite authors, Eric Jerome Dickey began to shape a writing career of his own. Having written several scripts for his personal comedy act, he started writing poetry and short stories. "The film work gave me insight into character development, the acting classes helped me understand motivation...All of it goes hand in hand," Eric explains. He joined the IBWA (International Black Writers and Artists), participated in their development workshops, and became a recipient of the IBWA SEED Scholarship to attend UCLA's Creative Writing classes. In 1994 his first published short story, "Thirteen," appeared in the IBWA's River Crossing: Voices of the Diaspora-An Anthology of the International Black Experience. A second short story, "Days Gone By," was published in the magazine A Place to Enter.
With those successes behind him, Eric Jerome Dickey decided to fine-tune some of his earlier work and developed a screenplay called "Cappuccino." "Cappuccino" was directed and produced by Craig Ross, Jr. and appeared in coffee houses around the Los Angeles area. In February 1998, "Cappuccino" made its local debut during the Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles.
Short stories, though, didn't seem to fulfill Eric Jerome Dickey's creative yearnings. Eric says, "I'd set out to do a ten-page story and it would go on for three hundred pages." So Eric kept writing and reading and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent. "Then a door opened," Eric says. "And I put my foot in before they could close it." And that door has remained opened, as Eric Jerome Dickey's novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction.
Eric Jerome Dickey's book signing tours for Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game took him from coast to coast and helped propel each of these novels to #1 on the "Blackboard Bestsellers List." Cheaters was named "Blackboard Book of the Year" in 2000. In June 2000, Eric Jerome Dickey celebrated the French publication of Milk in My Coffee (Cafe Noisette) by embarking on a book tour to Paris. Soon after, Milk in My Coffee became a bestseller in France. Eric Jerome Dickey's novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. In January 2001, Eric Jerome Dickey was a contributor to New American Library's anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories, also a Blackboard Bestseller. He also had a story entitled “Fish Sanwich� appear in the anthology Mothers and Sons. In June 2002, Dickey contributed to Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica (Warner Books) as well as to Riots Beneath the Baobab (published by Inte
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
January 23, 2012
I read this book years ago after meeting Mr. Dickey at a book signing. Interestingly enuf, he'd ask me my name n where I lived I told him and it's weird the character Tammy (my name) lives in the IE (where I live) she sings. (I sing) amazing.. Physically at that time she was plump back then so was I.. Felt as if I was reading about myself.. Amazing!!!
July 19, 2021
Loved this!
Very well written
Very well written
April 26, 2015
Stephan is a young man who is haunted by his father constantly cheating on his mother when he was younger. Now an adult Stephan has turned into his father. Never settling down and going through a string of women. He and his 2 friends, Jake and Darnell meet 3 female friends, Chante, Karen, and Tammy. Stephan and Chante hit it off immediately as does Darnell and Tammy. Darnell is an unhappily married man. His wife does not understand him and is not affectionate towards him. He soon starts to fall for Tammy as she understands him completely. Darnell eventually leaves his wife for Tammy.
Stephan and Chante however have a few obstacles as they both try to fight their feelings for each other, and Stephan has not given up his cheating ways completely. They end up happily together.
Chante is also betrayed by her best friend who was sleeping with Chante's boyfriend. This book has lots of juicy drama. I have read many of EJD's books and this one has become one of my favorites. A juicy plot and not so much sex as with some of his other books.
Stephan and Chante however have a few obstacles as they both try to fight their feelings for each other, and Stephan has not given up his cheating ways completely. They end up happily together.
Chante is also betrayed by her best friend who was sleeping with Chante's boyfriend. This book has lots of juicy drama. I have read many of EJD's books and this one has become one of my favorites. A juicy plot and not so much sex as with some of his other books.
Currently reading
October 15, 2010 The novel im reading now is called Cheaters by, Eric Jerome Dickey. So far in the book, Stephen is cheating on 3 girls and having fun doing it. Chante got cheated on by a married man who has kids. Darnell and his wife are having some issues with Darnell always busy typing his book.
This book is writen by chapters but each chapter is about a different person, and how cheating is involved in their life and how they cope with it. This book only talks about three peoples life, Stephan, Darnell, and Chante.
My connection to this book is that I have a friend who has cheated on their loved one but has played the game well because that person still does not know.
I wonder if Stephen would get caught by one of the other girls. I wonder how would he feel and his reaction to it.
I predict that Stephan will soon end up settling down with one girl but not so sure of what girl.
I enjoy reading this book!
This book is writen by chapters but each chapter is about a different person, and how cheating is involved in their life and how they cope with it. This book only talks about three peoples life, Stephan, Darnell, and Chante.
My connection to this book is that I have a friend who has cheated on their loved one but has played the game well because that person still does not know.
I wonder if Stephen would get caught by one of the other girls. I wonder how would he feel and his reaction to it.
I predict that Stephan will soon end up settling down with one girl but not so sure of what girl.
I enjoy reading this book!
June 6, 2017
Eric Jerome Dickey!!!! So far, excluding the Gideon series, this is my favorite book by EJD. I absolutely love how EJD moves aside as the author and let the characters speak in their own voice. The character development in this book had me both hating and loving the characters at different points in the story. It was a good story with a good but unexpected ending. If you haven't read Cheaters, check it out.
February 19, 2009
What can I say Eric Jerome Dickey can do no wrong when it comes to writing magnificent fiction. I'm very bias, I know I am.
March 5, 2025
Cheaters
This novel is about six individuals (Stephane, Chante, Darnell, Tammy, Karen, and Jake) whose lives and stories intertwine through the one thing they all have in common, toxic relationships. Stephane is a player, that hops in and out of relationships as quickly as he changes clothes. A habit he's seemed to have picked up from dear old Dad.
Chante, seems to have it all together (financially stable, nice apartment, good neighborhood, degree) on the outside but she can't keep a man to save her life, and winds up with the ones that are either ghosters, married, or side line her somewhere in their rooster of females.
Then we have Darnell, a unhappily married man whose a lawyer, but aspires to be a writer. Darnell's wife Dawn is beautiful and, on the outside, looking in it might seem like they have the perfect life but the reality is Darnell has been feeling a void sense the day the "I Do's" were exchanged.
Then there's Tammy, a struggling actress/singer, with family drama who also has an unfulfilling relationship. Then we have Jake, (the worst of the worst) who has a good woman (Charlotte) that loves him and that he's engaged to but because he can't seem to keep his piece in one place and is always looking for "the grass being greener on the other side" (or rather the sex being better in the next bed) he creeps from woman to woman.
Lastly, we have Karen, a (seemingly) satisfied single woman, that's very judgmental and opinionated. And so the story begin as the main characters (Chante and Stephane) meet at a gas station after a serious of fall outs and breaks ups lead them to this point. Then later they're path's cross again at a night club (Shelly's) and their friend's all meet causing their stories to tangle into each other.
My Thoughts
Over all this is one of my favorite books because it's written in such a real way! It doesn't give you a sappy, sugar, coated, fluff piece of happily ever afters at the end. Because YES THIS is how relationships go. This story gives you the good, the bad, and the very UGLY!
This was so easy to relate to this novel because I KNEW these men. I knew a "Craig" that ghosted. I knew a "Craig" that tried to pull the same thing when I worked in retail by coming through my line and using me. You're gonna find "Michaels" that are married with the crazy significant others that come banging on the door when you think they're committed to you and you only. Or "Thaiheeds" that just want you as side chicks (unknown to you because they can't tell you the truth that they have somebody). Your gonna have "Jakes" who you could be a "Charlotte" and be the best thing they ever had but they mess around anyway because they're SELFISH, a**holes and then have the nerve to come back and wanna cry and beg when the game is up and the player has played himself out. Then they wanna realize what they had in front of them all the time. Then we have the "Stephane's" who I'm undecided about.
Then as a woman I could easily relate to the women. I often felt like MAN. Has Eric Jerome Dickey been looking through my window or something? Because I have been "Chante". (HAVE I?} The woman with a degree that easily falls in love with love and is just as easily manipulated by it. Bouncing from relationship to relationship. "Searching Searching" (as the real Chante Moore sings). At times I've been "Tammy". In love with someone unavailable. The one I could relate to less was "Karen". And now I'll talk individual characters.
CHARACTERS:
CHANTE:
Definitely my favorite character. And how interesting was it that the author specified she tends to look like one of my favorite singers of all times (Chante Moore) the very one she's named after? Not only could I relate to her as a character and saw her situations vividly (because most of them had happened in my own life), I admired her fully! I admired that this lady truthfully didn't need all these sorry men. She had it together. (She just didn't see that). She had her own! But I UNDERSTOOD her NEED! I admired that unlike a lot of us who cry and eventually just give up on finding out why we got dumped for no reason, she REFUSES because this bastard OWES her an answer and she's gonna hunt him down until she gets it! And when she gets it she makes him pay LITERALLY! I like when she turned into a BADASS and switched it all up. Her look, her style, her attitude! The symbolization of her tattoo was inspired! I WANNA BE THIS WOMAN! She had sass! She had FIGHT! She had ATTITUDE! And she was beautiful (if she looked anything like Chante Moore). And I think she deserves better than Stephane Mitchell.
TAMMY:
What I liked about Tammy was she was the peace-maker. She was the heart of her girls. I I wasn't too crazy that she allowed herself to get as involved as she did with a married man, but I can't judge her in full because I also know that stuff happens that sometimes you can't turn off. You love who you love. Sometimes it's not neat and clean. I thought she went a little far with taking off her bra in front of Darnell, but for the most part, she exercised great control. I liked that despite where she came from (and her family issues) she was able to overcome all that in the end and was able to start her life over (in Paris). It was a little chilling when she said: "You know I'm not coming back". I don't blame her, but I wondered why if she was so tight with Chante and Karen why she couldn't tell them herself. I also wondered why she couldn't tell them about her family. Ok, so well I wouldn't have told Karen but Chante?
KAREN:
Did not like Karen! Where do I start? Karen was the kind of character who just seemed to like to cause drama for no reason. Then she'd back that up with well I was just being real!. It's a difference between being real and being nastily judgmental. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't know how to carry off "being real". And again I know a "Karen" who is quick to point out what you're doing wrong in your life, but when you return the favor they get pissy and excuse themselves (physically remove themselves) out of the conversation. Such as when Karen just all of a sudden conveniently had to go to the bathroom when things got hot. Tammy tries to make an excuse for her. "You know she's had it hard." A LOT of people have it hard! That's NOT an excuse to be an asshole to someone else. I didn't really feel sorry that Karen got that beat-down from Chante. Nor was I sorry that she got used by Craig. Did you really think you were different? I wondered was she the one he took to the play on Chante's birthday or was it the one that he claimed to be his "sister".
CHARLOTTE:
WOW! Let me just give this character APPLAUSE! Other than Chante she was my 2nd favorite. Her comeuppance was just CHILLING! The first time I read this and found out what was causing those clicks on the phone I just paused. DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! All the while she never loses her shit (like Toyomi). When it all goes down with Jake and he's caught through it all she's just a pillar of strength and CALM! I don't know how in the hell she held it all in. Although, I don't understand one thing. Some people are more "tame" in sex and that's ok. You have to work with your partner as Darnell suggested. Give and take is what makes a relationship. However, I felt Jake just a little bit when he said she came in, did the same thing, didn't put any effort into wearing something sexy for him. Although this is NOT an excuse for Jake's BS, I just wondered would it have killed Charlotte to wear a little silk or something racy for the man?
PAMELA:
I'm surprised tho that she up and left Jake. I thought she'd be happy. But then I guess even sideline chicks have limits. I kind of want to be mad at Pamela because it's different when you know a man is with someone and still choose to pursue the thing versus when you're just unaware and blind. However, this day my anger with Pamela is minimum. Rather I'm gonna feel sorry for Pamela. She represents so many women in this world that settle for being side chicks and can't see that they deserve better. All that service she did for Jake and all the good sex she was giving could have been used on HER OWN MAN! But in this social media age, it gets MORE and MORE and MORE accepted and that's what really makes me MAD. Pamela deserves better than Jake's trifling butt.
DAWN:
Dawn would it have killed you to read the man's script? You don't have anyone to blame but yourself for how your story turned out. That's ALL Darnell seemed to want you to do. I don't think he said he wanted to quit being a lawyer. He just wanted to pursue his writing ALSO. Dawn as a character was ANNOYING!! Always in Darnell's ear bitching. I could NOT marry someone who didn't support and encourage my passion. And then the slip she made at the end because of the assumption she made when maybe she should have asked the question did you sleep with Tammy. I was slightly impressed that she was bold enough to show up at the other woman's performance WITH her husband. Like yeah, I see you.
BRITTANY:
I also have to give her applause because she finally got fed up with Stephan and kicked him to the curb after she realized he only came back to her when he was at an emotional low. I felt bad for her man (the one outside) that wanted to marry her. Like Charlotte, he has no idea that this woman (that obviously he's crazy over) is screwing around with someone from her past. And this just to me seems wrong because (unlike Charlotte) he's being toyed with. So you see it's not just the men in this story who are jerks.
TOYOMI:
Hmm! She was OVER THE TOP, but sometimes men drive you to be over the top by their bs. Although she already did a good job of that on her own. So I can't blame it all on Stephane. This is something else men do. In their speed to bed the next behind and pair of breasts they don't always get to know what kind of person they've penetrated until it's too late, and they find that they're BAT ISH CRAZY! Then they're stuck with and can't get rid of them. Just one of the "wonderful" aspects of being a player.
STEPHANE:
I'm unclear how I feel about this character. From the first chapter, I guess we're supposed to feel sorry for him because he has "Daddy issues". His Daddy messed around on his mother, and the gene passed down to him. Ok. Only he HAS Pops that taught him better, and he's still hoeing. So now what? It wasn't like he didn't have a male influence in his life. So try again. I never understood until I had the misfortune of dating a "Stephane" and people would tell me (what at the time sounded like a whole bunch of bs to me) me "No one ever taught him how to love". And I I just can't give this character that. His Daddy's blood may run through his veins, but he has his own mind. No one's making him mistreat these women. I think it also tried to use the excuse that he's in love with being in love. The only time I felt sorry for Stephane was when Samantha just walked away (and then tried to come back). Why he kept letting this continue I'll never know. But if this was also an excuse to play them before they play me, I can't get with this either. I can't even get with the idea it leaves us with that he's happy now with Chante and he's a changed man because that remains to be seen.
JAKE:
UGG! I just can't with this character. All I'll say is GOOD FOR YOU! You got what you deserved in the end. LEFT ALONE by your woman AND your side piece.
DARNELL:
Now unlike his friends, I don't dislike this character as much. And this is the ONLY one in this story I give a pass to because all this man wanted was support from his woman. And that isn't even that much to want. And I won't (and don't) blame him because he turned to another woman to get what he wasn't at home. The earring was a nice touch. Also, the end of going to Paris not coming back to find Tammy was nice.
POPS:
I liked this character! I liked that out of all this crappy, behind, men we see he was supposed to be the example of a "good man". And he was. He stepped in when his friend did his woman wrong and did right by her. When she fell on hard times he brought food by. He even raised her kids as if they were his. When he saw Stephane screwing up (like his Daddy), he calls him out on his ish and he tells him don't bring it around his house. Pops didn't play. And you know what? I think there ought to be more men like Pops. Role models. Little boys turn into trifling men who only imitate what they see in front of them. It's men like this that can change these kinds of toxic relationships demonstrated by these men in this novel.
RATING: 10 I LOVED THIS BOOK! I loved it for its TRUTH! I loved it for its RELATABLITY! I loved the strength (and weaknesses) of each character and how each one gave a life lesson. Stephane shows (well verdict still undecided but the author's intention probably) that men can change for the right woman.
Chante show's us the beauty of evolution and strength of a woman (in all relationships), Jake shows us (men) not to be short-sighted and lose the pot of gold because your chasing rainbows and lepricons. Charlotte shows us (as women) to always be one step ahead of not only your man but men in general. And don't forget to switch it up every now and then for your man. (It's hard enough to keep these men). But be a little unpredictable, sexy, and fun.
With Dawn we learn to always support your man. Because what you don't do the next woman will. From Darnell we learn don't get so caught up in your career goals to neglect the person you've committed yourself too. You should put the same kind of hours (and work) into your relationship that you do your job. With Karen we learn DON’T BE A DAMN FOOL! If you see signs that someone isn't about ish then how bout you LEAVE THEM and not wanna cry and act like your all surprised when they don't treat you right.
The lesson from Tammy DON’T TEMPT MARRIED MEN but the up side is that if you're lucky enough sometimes they do leave. With Brittany it's don't be a Pamela it's women have some respect for your damn selves and don't be side chicks! PLEASE! And with Pops it's always be a role model men to your sons. Did I miss anybody? Basically I can read this book over and over and over and love it every single time. You definitely won't be cheated if you read this novel!
Additional Thoughts:
*I like Faye Anne! She SHUT IT DOWN! Rolled up on her sorry, behind, baby daddy and his new flavor of the month packing and firing shots. I wish I could be that bold. Sometimes you just have to be ratchet.
*Am I wrong for actually wishing for a minute that Toyomi would have run Stephan off the road. All I'm thinking of is the crazy chick from A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. That's who Toyomi reminds me off. But then Stephan is just as foul as Darnell.
This novel is about six individuals (Stephane, Chante, Darnell, Tammy, Karen, and Jake) whose lives and stories intertwine through the one thing they all have in common, toxic relationships. Stephane is a player, that hops in and out of relationships as quickly as he changes clothes. A habit he's seemed to have picked up from dear old Dad.
Chante, seems to have it all together (financially stable, nice apartment, good neighborhood, degree) on the outside but she can't keep a man to save her life, and winds up with the ones that are either ghosters, married, or side line her somewhere in their rooster of females.
Then we have Darnell, a unhappily married man whose a lawyer, but aspires to be a writer. Darnell's wife Dawn is beautiful and, on the outside, looking in it might seem like they have the perfect life but the reality is Darnell has been feeling a void sense the day the "I Do's" were exchanged.
Then there's Tammy, a struggling actress/singer, with family drama who also has an unfulfilling relationship. Then we have Jake, (the worst of the worst) who has a good woman (Charlotte) that loves him and that he's engaged to but because he can't seem to keep his piece in one place and is always looking for "the grass being greener on the other side" (or rather the sex being better in the next bed) he creeps from woman to woman.
Lastly, we have Karen, a (seemingly) satisfied single woman, that's very judgmental and opinionated. And so the story begin as the main characters (Chante and Stephane) meet at a gas station after a serious of fall outs and breaks ups lead them to this point. Then later they're path's cross again at a night club (Shelly's) and their friend's all meet causing their stories to tangle into each other.
My Thoughts
Over all this is one of my favorite books because it's written in such a real way! It doesn't give you a sappy, sugar, coated, fluff piece of happily ever afters at the end. Because YES THIS is how relationships go. This story gives you the good, the bad, and the very UGLY!
This was so easy to relate to this novel because I KNEW these men. I knew a "Craig" that ghosted. I knew a "Craig" that tried to pull the same thing when I worked in retail by coming through my line and using me. You're gonna find "Michaels" that are married with the crazy significant others that come banging on the door when you think they're committed to you and you only. Or "Thaiheeds" that just want you as side chicks (unknown to you because they can't tell you the truth that they have somebody). Your gonna have "Jakes" who you could be a "Charlotte" and be the best thing they ever had but they mess around anyway because they're SELFISH, a**holes and then have the nerve to come back and wanna cry and beg when the game is up and the player has played himself out. Then they wanna realize what they had in front of them all the time. Then we have the "Stephane's" who I'm undecided about.
Then as a woman I could easily relate to the women. I often felt like MAN. Has Eric Jerome Dickey been looking through my window or something? Because I have been "Chante". (HAVE I?} The woman with a degree that easily falls in love with love and is just as easily manipulated by it. Bouncing from relationship to relationship. "Searching Searching" (as the real Chante Moore sings). At times I've been "Tammy". In love with someone unavailable. The one I could relate to less was "Karen". And now I'll talk individual characters.
CHARACTERS:
CHANTE:
Definitely my favorite character. And how interesting was it that the author specified she tends to look like one of my favorite singers of all times (Chante Moore) the very one she's named after? Not only could I relate to her as a character and saw her situations vividly (because most of them had happened in my own life), I admired her fully! I admired that this lady truthfully didn't need all these sorry men. She had it together. (She just didn't see that). She had her own! But I UNDERSTOOD her NEED! I admired that unlike a lot of us who cry and eventually just give up on finding out why we got dumped for no reason, she REFUSES because this bastard OWES her an answer and she's gonna hunt him down until she gets it! And when she gets it she makes him pay LITERALLY! I like when she turned into a BADASS and switched it all up. Her look, her style, her attitude! The symbolization of her tattoo was inspired! I WANNA BE THIS WOMAN! She had sass! She had FIGHT! She had ATTITUDE! And she was beautiful (if she looked anything like Chante Moore). And I think she deserves better than Stephane Mitchell.
TAMMY:
What I liked about Tammy was she was the peace-maker. She was the heart of her girls. I I wasn't too crazy that she allowed herself to get as involved as she did with a married man, but I can't judge her in full because I also know that stuff happens that sometimes you can't turn off. You love who you love. Sometimes it's not neat and clean. I thought she went a little far with taking off her bra in front of Darnell, but for the most part, she exercised great control. I liked that despite where she came from (and her family issues) she was able to overcome all that in the end and was able to start her life over (in Paris). It was a little chilling when she said: "You know I'm not coming back". I don't blame her, but I wondered why if she was so tight with Chante and Karen why she couldn't tell them herself. I also wondered why she couldn't tell them about her family. Ok, so well I wouldn't have told Karen but Chante?
KAREN:
Did not like Karen! Where do I start? Karen was the kind of character who just seemed to like to cause drama for no reason. Then she'd back that up with well I was just being real!. It's a difference between being real and being nastily judgmental. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't know how to carry off "being real". And again I know a "Karen" who is quick to point out what you're doing wrong in your life, but when you return the favor they get pissy and excuse themselves (physically remove themselves) out of the conversation. Such as when Karen just all of a sudden conveniently had to go to the bathroom when things got hot. Tammy tries to make an excuse for her. "You know she's had it hard." A LOT of people have it hard! That's NOT an excuse to be an asshole to someone else. I didn't really feel sorry that Karen got that beat-down from Chante. Nor was I sorry that she got used by Craig. Did you really think you were different? I wondered was she the one he took to the play on Chante's birthday or was it the one that he claimed to be his "sister".
CHARLOTTE:
WOW! Let me just give this character APPLAUSE! Other than Chante she was my 2nd favorite. Her comeuppance was just CHILLING! The first time I read this and found out what was causing those clicks on the phone I just paused. DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! All the while she never loses her shit (like Toyomi). When it all goes down with Jake and he's caught through it all she's just a pillar of strength and CALM! I don't know how in the hell she held it all in. Although, I don't understand one thing. Some people are more "tame" in sex and that's ok. You have to work with your partner as Darnell suggested. Give and take is what makes a relationship. However, I felt Jake just a little bit when he said she came in, did the same thing, didn't put any effort into wearing something sexy for him. Although this is NOT an excuse for Jake's BS, I just wondered would it have killed Charlotte to wear a little silk or something racy for the man?
PAMELA:
I'm surprised tho that she up and left Jake. I thought she'd be happy. But then I guess even sideline chicks have limits. I kind of want to be mad at Pamela because it's different when you know a man is with someone and still choose to pursue the thing versus when you're just unaware and blind. However, this day my anger with Pamela is minimum. Rather I'm gonna feel sorry for Pamela. She represents so many women in this world that settle for being side chicks and can't see that they deserve better. All that service she did for Jake and all the good sex she was giving could have been used on HER OWN MAN! But in this social media age, it gets MORE and MORE and MORE accepted and that's what really makes me MAD. Pamela deserves better than Jake's trifling butt.
DAWN:
Dawn would it have killed you to read the man's script? You don't have anyone to blame but yourself for how your story turned out. That's ALL Darnell seemed to want you to do. I don't think he said he wanted to quit being a lawyer. He just wanted to pursue his writing ALSO. Dawn as a character was ANNOYING!! Always in Darnell's ear bitching. I could NOT marry someone who didn't support and encourage my passion. And then the slip she made at the end because of the assumption she made when maybe she should have asked the question did you sleep with Tammy. I was slightly impressed that she was bold enough to show up at the other woman's performance WITH her husband. Like yeah, I see you.
BRITTANY:
I also have to give her applause because she finally got fed up with Stephan and kicked him to the curb after she realized he only came back to her when he was at an emotional low. I felt bad for her man (the one outside) that wanted to marry her. Like Charlotte, he has no idea that this woman (that obviously he's crazy over) is screwing around with someone from her past. And this just to me seems wrong because (unlike Charlotte) he's being toyed with. So you see it's not just the men in this story who are jerks.
TOYOMI:
Hmm! She was OVER THE TOP, but sometimes men drive you to be over the top by their bs. Although she already did a good job of that on her own. So I can't blame it all on Stephane. This is something else men do. In their speed to bed the next behind and pair of breasts they don't always get to know what kind of person they've penetrated until it's too late, and they find that they're BAT ISH CRAZY! Then they're stuck with and can't get rid of them. Just one of the "wonderful" aspects of being a player.
STEPHANE:
I'm unclear how I feel about this character. From the first chapter, I guess we're supposed to feel sorry for him because he has "Daddy issues". His Daddy messed around on his mother, and the gene passed down to him. Ok. Only he HAS Pops that taught him better, and he's still hoeing. So now what? It wasn't like he didn't have a male influence in his life. So try again. I never understood until I had the misfortune of dating a "Stephane" and people would tell me (what at the time sounded like a whole bunch of bs to me) me "No one ever taught him how to love". And I I just can't give this character that. His Daddy's blood may run through his veins, but he has his own mind. No one's making him mistreat these women. I think it also tried to use the excuse that he's in love with being in love. The only time I felt sorry for Stephane was when Samantha just walked away (and then tried to come back). Why he kept letting this continue I'll never know. But if this was also an excuse to play them before they play me, I can't get with this either. I can't even get with the idea it leaves us with that he's happy now with Chante and he's a changed man because that remains to be seen.
JAKE:
UGG! I just can't with this character. All I'll say is GOOD FOR YOU! You got what you deserved in the end. LEFT ALONE by your woman AND your side piece.
DARNELL:
Now unlike his friends, I don't dislike this character as much. And this is the ONLY one in this story I give a pass to because all this man wanted was support from his woman. And that isn't even that much to want. And I won't (and don't) blame him because he turned to another woman to get what he wasn't at home. The earring was a nice touch. Also, the end of going to Paris not coming back to find Tammy was nice.
POPS:
I liked this character! I liked that out of all this crappy, behind, men we see he was supposed to be the example of a "good man". And he was. He stepped in when his friend did his woman wrong and did right by her. When she fell on hard times he brought food by. He even raised her kids as if they were his. When he saw Stephane screwing up (like his Daddy), he calls him out on his ish and he tells him don't bring it around his house. Pops didn't play. And you know what? I think there ought to be more men like Pops. Role models. Little boys turn into trifling men who only imitate what they see in front of them. It's men like this that can change these kinds of toxic relationships demonstrated by these men in this novel.
RATING: 10 I LOVED THIS BOOK! I loved it for its TRUTH! I loved it for its RELATABLITY! I loved the strength (and weaknesses) of each character and how each one gave a life lesson. Stephane shows (well verdict still undecided but the author's intention probably) that men can change for the right woman.
Chante show's us the beauty of evolution and strength of a woman (in all relationships), Jake shows us (men) not to be short-sighted and lose the pot of gold because your chasing rainbows and lepricons. Charlotte shows us (as women) to always be one step ahead of not only your man but men in general. And don't forget to switch it up every now and then for your man. (It's hard enough to keep these men). But be a little unpredictable, sexy, and fun.
With Dawn we learn to always support your man. Because what you don't do the next woman will. From Darnell we learn don't get so caught up in your career goals to neglect the person you've committed yourself too. You should put the same kind of hours (and work) into your relationship that you do your job. With Karen we learn DON’T BE A DAMN FOOL! If you see signs that someone isn't about ish then how bout you LEAVE THEM and not wanna cry and act like your all surprised when they don't treat you right.
The lesson from Tammy DON’T TEMPT MARRIED MEN but the up side is that if you're lucky enough sometimes they do leave. With Brittany it's don't be a Pamela it's women have some respect for your damn selves and don't be side chicks! PLEASE! And with Pops it's always be a role model men to your sons. Did I miss anybody? Basically I can read this book over and over and over and love it every single time. You definitely won't be cheated if you read this novel!
Additional Thoughts:
*I like Faye Anne! She SHUT IT DOWN! Rolled up on her sorry, behind, baby daddy and his new flavor of the month packing and firing shots. I wish I could be that bold. Sometimes you just have to be ratchet.
*Am I wrong for actually wishing for a minute that Toyomi would have run Stephan off the road. All I'm thinking of is the crazy chick from A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. That's who Toyomi reminds me off. But then Stephan is just as foul as Darnell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2020
Preface: I found this book on my mum’s bookshelf and decided to give it a read. I completed this book a few weeks ago and I have a few concerns with it. I talked to @shadesnpages when I finished and she described the author as the Tyler Perry of literature and I can understand why. Now this book is older than my life, so if you haven’t read it by now, you probably don’t have any intention to.
Bookish 💭:
1. My biggest concern was with negative the depiction of black woman. The main female group in the novel were Chantè, who is very much a woman scorned. She was vindictive and always seeking retribution for her previous heartbreaks. Tammy, who is a wannabe superstar with a tragic past and Karen, who is a pro-black community college drop out, and cashier.
Karen 🤡- The holier than thou friend condemning Chanté because she’s sexually active (even though she masturbates and slept with her best friend’s ex boyfriend knowing she still wasn’t over him.) Karen obviously has her flaws, but gives her unwarranted opinions as “I’m trying to help you so you should take my advice or I’m gonna get mad at you and throw all your business in your face�.
Black woman were rarely portrayed as anything positive independently from a man. They were almost always arguing or being catty towards each other.
2. The perpetuated acceptance of struggle love as the standard for black women. That if you haven’t “struggled� to be with your partner that you don’t deserve to be loved. That black woman are encouraged to lower your standards for men who aren’t worthy of you is the only way you’ll receive love. I had a conversation with a friend a year ago and I’ll never forget what he said. “A black educated woman will almost never find a man who is as successful or equally yoked, so she’ll always have to lower her standards for him.� This book only perpetuated the rhetoric what we’ve been seeing from men and the media and I’m tired.
Chantè constantly goes back and forth with men even though they show her time and time again they’re garbage juice.
There were so many other aspects of this book that I did not like.
* Stephan look like he has a thing primarily for mixed woman.
* The relationship between Chanté and Stephan felt too instalovey and lacked any real development or depth.
* Woman within the same friend group degrading each other but calling it friendship.
* Men where literally forcing women to get abortions, but then be upset when they themselves have psychological relapses.
* Stephan, Darnell and Jake where literally covering for each other and then pulled the “I covered for you so you have to cover for me.�
* The double standard of sex between men and women. The men do a whole lot more sculdugary than women but the woman always gets more flack. We see it in real life and here we see it even more.
* Literally calling woman the b-word. (Jake deserved everything he got. I’m glad she put a restraining order on him)
* The tit-for-tat Darnell and Dawn were doing. She stepped out of the marriage so she allowed him too. (Honestly what does this accomplish.) *I don’t condone cheating in any form (Darnell was undoubtedly emotionally cheating). Dawn was a supportive wife while her husband was in law school. Helping him be a good student and getting his degree. She wants the traditional family life, kids. That’s all she’s ever wanted. Darnell now wants a career change and is writing his first book. She doesn’t want him to pursue this passion because it’s not stable. It could be a hit or miss and she doesn’t want to destroy the future they were trying to build together off of a fly by night fantasy. He sees her as unsupportive which she vocalized her feelings multiple times. Often you see the man leave the woman who has spent years building him up for a new woman (basically kick her in her butt) and this just always rubs me the wrong way. Especially when she was there for him at his lowest and clearly still loves him.
Overall this book was not it. Was it suppose to do something that I missed or...? Nothing life changing or enlightening or even uplifting of black people at all. I’ve seen on ŷ white people give his book 4 or 5 stars, and I’m like, why? This is the most toxic nonsense I’ve ever read in a published work before. Eternalizing the narrative black woman have been working hard to change for decades. I felt sympathy for all the women in this book who were exploited by these men. I’m just sad this is some people’s only depiction of black relationships and presumed it was healthy when it wasn’t.
Rating: 2/5⭐️
Has anyone read this book before & what did you think ? (Low key threw me into a reading slump)
Bookish 💭:
1. My biggest concern was with negative the depiction of black woman. The main female group in the novel were Chantè, who is very much a woman scorned. She was vindictive and always seeking retribution for her previous heartbreaks. Tammy, who is a wannabe superstar with a tragic past and Karen, who is a pro-black community college drop out, and cashier.
Karen 🤡- The holier than thou friend condemning Chanté because she’s sexually active (even though she masturbates and slept with her best friend’s ex boyfriend knowing she still wasn’t over him.) Karen obviously has her flaws, but gives her unwarranted opinions as “I’m trying to help you so you should take my advice or I’m gonna get mad at you and throw all your business in your face�.
Black woman were rarely portrayed as anything positive independently from a man. They were almost always arguing or being catty towards each other.
2. The perpetuated acceptance of struggle love as the standard for black women. That if you haven’t “struggled� to be with your partner that you don’t deserve to be loved. That black woman are encouraged to lower your standards for men who aren’t worthy of you is the only way you’ll receive love. I had a conversation with a friend a year ago and I’ll never forget what he said. “A black educated woman will almost never find a man who is as successful or equally yoked, so she’ll always have to lower her standards for him.� This book only perpetuated the rhetoric what we’ve been seeing from men and the media and I’m tired.
Chantè constantly goes back and forth with men even though they show her time and time again they’re garbage juice.
There were so many other aspects of this book that I did not like.
* Stephan look like he has a thing primarily for mixed woman.
* The relationship between Chanté and Stephan felt too instalovey and lacked any real development or depth.
* Woman within the same friend group degrading each other but calling it friendship.
* Men where literally forcing women to get abortions, but then be upset when they themselves have psychological relapses.
* Stephan, Darnell and Jake where literally covering for each other and then pulled the “I covered for you so you have to cover for me.�
* The double standard of sex between men and women. The men do a whole lot more sculdugary than women but the woman always gets more flack. We see it in real life and here we see it even more.
* Literally calling woman the b-word. (Jake deserved everything he got. I’m glad she put a restraining order on him)
* The tit-for-tat Darnell and Dawn were doing. She stepped out of the marriage so she allowed him too. (Honestly what does this accomplish.) *I don’t condone cheating in any form (Darnell was undoubtedly emotionally cheating). Dawn was a supportive wife while her husband was in law school. Helping him be a good student and getting his degree. She wants the traditional family life, kids. That’s all she’s ever wanted. Darnell now wants a career change and is writing his first book. She doesn’t want him to pursue this passion because it’s not stable. It could be a hit or miss and she doesn’t want to destroy the future they were trying to build together off of a fly by night fantasy. He sees her as unsupportive which she vocalized her feelings multiple times. Often you see the man leave the woman who has spent years building him up for a new woman (basically kick her in her butt) and this just always rubs me the wrong way. Especially when she was there for him at his lowest and clearly still loves him.
Overall this book was not it. Was it suppose to do something that I missed or...? Nothing life changing or enlightening or even uplifting of black people at all. I’ve seen on ŷ white people give his book 4 or 5 stars, and I’m like, why? This is the most toxic nonsense I’ve ever read in a published work before. Eternalizing the narrative black woman have been working hard to change for decades. I felt sympathy for all the women in this book who were exploited by these men. I’m just sad this is some people’s only depiction of black relationships and presumed it was healthy when it wasn’t.
Rating: 2/5⭐️
Has anyone read this book before & what did you think ? (Low key threw me into a reading slump)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2014
This is the second book from Mr. Dickey I've read. I wanted to give this book at least 4 stars, because after reading The 0ther Woman, I was anxious to read his other work. Now, don't get me wrong, the writing is great and the characters were engaging it's just...the theme is so stereotypical. It's about a group of friends who meet and then their lives change as far as relationships and family life goes. The main male character, Stephen, is a player. Been one all his life and the main female lead is a hopeless romantic who is desperate for a man's love.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to be loved, but there's a point where you got to say, I can do bad all by myself. It's not the end of the world to be single and spending Valentine's Day with the girls. I guess I was irritated that the circles of friends ended up being involved with each other one way or another. But that was the point of this book, I guess.
All in all, Mr. Dickey did a good job of writing a cliche well. I didn't hate this book, just didn't enjoy it like I thought it would.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to be loved, but there's a point where you got to say, I can do bad all by myself. It's not the end of the world to be single and spending Valentine's Day with the girls. I guess I was irritated that the circles of friends ended up being involved with each other one way or another. But that was the point of this book, I guess.
All in all, Mr. Dickey did a good job of writing a cliche well. I didn't hate this book, just didn't enjoy it like I thought it would.
June 25, 2017
I read this book in high school , Let me tell you....this book is so real !!!!. I liked Chantae & Tammy, but Chantae sure did sell herself short some times Karen was such a b*tch..... Stephon got on my nerves he was such a dog..... Jack was worser though omg living foul asf I liked his fiance she deserved better. Jack is like every little boy in grown men bodies walking around these days. I,liked Darnell too it made me sad how his Dawn always knocked him down reading that makes me not want to be that type of woman nor wife to my man. Good title and who you expect to be a cheater was a REAL plot twist. Enjoyable insightful read about relationships problems that can still be relatable till this day The games people play in relationships are so unnecessary, and this book brings some of those things to light.
April 27, 2024
I’m making my way back through EJD’s catalog and Cheaters was high on my list because it had my mama and aunties in a CHOKEHOLD when I was growing up. And I know why.
To me, Cheaters is the male version of “Waiting To Exhale.�
It gave sex and MESS! Whewww did it give mess. To be honest, everybody ain’t sh*t in this one lol But Darnell in the biggest way. He really proved to be king of the turds in the end 🙄
On a true scale, I would give this 4.5 stars because right at the end there was a “grab her by the p*ssy� moment that gave BOOK ICK in the biggest way for me.
EJD knows how to write characters though and good plot line. I’m enjoying this trip through his catalog.
To me, Cheaters is the male version of “Waiting To Exhale.�
It gave sex and MESS! Whewww did it give mess. To be honest, everybody ain’t sh*t in this one lol But Darnell in the biggest way. He really proved to be king of the turds in the end 🙄
On a true scale, I would give this 4.5 stars because right at the end there was a “grab her by the p*ssy� moment that gave BOOK ICK in the biggest way for me.
EJD knows how to write characters though and good plot line. I’m enjoying this trip through his catalog.
October 14, 2020
0.5 star
The stories were cheesy.
The characters were quite unlikable. Well, it was expected since this book is about cheaters as the title clearly says. But still, the misogynistic men kept annoying me. At least, . But it wasn't enough to counter all the negatives.
I actually felt a misogynistic undertone throughout the book, though it seemed like the author was trying to cover it up.
The biggest factor that made me feel that way is how this book depicted female friendship. The friendship between major female characters was rather shallow and full of deceit and hostility while one between major male characters was fine, albeit not perfect. It was as if the author was trying to degrade female friendship so that he could put male friendship on the pedestal. Or maybe he was just using a misogynistic stereotype without thinking. I don't know which is worse.
This book had an anti-abortion message, transphobia, and homophobia as well. Also, one of the main characters and her friend verbally attacked an interracial couple who were strangers to them. And they never felt remorse about their behavior.
Furthermore, I quite disliked Darnell's story. He was pretty much a Mary Sue, or Marty Stu for he was male. He was an aspiring writer. And
The stories were cheesy.
The characters were quite unlikable. Well, it was expected since this book is about cheaters as the title clearly says. But still, the misogynistic men kept annoying me. At least, . But it wasn't enough to counter all the negatives.
I actually felt a misogynistic undertone throughout the book, though it seemed like the author was trying to cover it up.
The biggest factor that made me feel that way is how this book depicted female friendship. The friendship between major female characters was rather shallow and full of deceit and hostility while one between major male characters was fine, albeit not perfect. It was as if the author was trying to degrade female friendship so that he could put male friendship on the pedestal. Or maybe he was just using a misogynistic stereotype without thinking. I don't know which is worse.
This book had an anti-abortion message, transphobia, and homophobia as well. Also, one of the main characters and her friend verbally attacked an interracial couple who were strangers to them. And they never felt remorse about their behavior.
Furthermore, I quite disliked Darnell's story. He was pretty much a Mary Sue, or Marty Stu for he was male. He was an aspiring writer. And
September 10, 2021
I feel like I’ve been reading this book forever! I’m sad that I’m finished and I’m definitely going to miss these characters. There were a lot of characters to keep up with in this book and I often got confused on who was who. I really enjoyed this book.
July 1, 2024
I can’t say I enjoyed this as much as I anticipated. Several story lines that were hard to keep up with sometimes. Overall okay. 3 ⭐️
March 23, 2022
Dickey decides to make trans people a plot point in this novel in a sinister way. That moment and the mashup writing style where the audience is supposed to assume the motivations of most of the characters is...a choice.
August 15, 2011
Everyone cheats.
Or So "They" Say.
I guess it depends on the circumstances.
Well, this is the story of 2 groups of friends: Stephan, Jake and Darnell, and Chante, Tammy and Karen; and the absolute mess their dating lives are in. Stephen is the resident "pimp", juggling several women at a time, Jake is the commitment-phobic who somehow finds himself engaged yet still keeps a woman on the side and Darnell is the "happily" married friend who finds himself tempted to cheat because...well:
Whose marriage is "happy" all of the time???
On the other side of the coin there is Chante: who goes through men like water simply because she gets caught up in them before she finds out who they really are; Tammy: the artistic free spirit who hides deep secrets, even from her friends; and Karen: who hasn't achieved all that her friends feel she could yet is highly judgmental of Chante's merry-go-round cast of lovers.
Trust and believe that somehow or another these two groups are destined to meet, and to clash...and to??? I bet you can figure out at least some of it on your own, but other bits will leave you breathless.
I LOVE EJD's style of writing: the choppy sentence fragments that are more bits of thoughts and images than actual dialog/descriptions. One of my characters, Princess, is written in this style. His metaphors are laugh-out-loud funny, his pace is mile-a-minute, and there's never a dull moment or lack of action anywhere. I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed with the resolution of one of these couples storyline. To say anything more would be to have to click the dreaded Spoiler Alert button, but suffice it to say I wish they had Left It Where It Was Out. Their original decision was a much braver one I think. One the whole, though, this book left me full and satisfied, like a Sunday dinner at Big Mama's house.
Simply delicious...
DISCLAIMER NOTICE: I bought this book from an online friend who was "looking for a good home" for some of her books.
Or So "They" Say.
I guess it depends on the circumstances.
Well, this is the story of 2 groups of friends: Stephan, Jake and Darnell, and Chante, Tammy and Karen; and the absolute mess their dating lives are in. Stephen is the resident "pimp", juggling several women at a time, Jake is the commitment-phobic who somehow finds himself engaged yet still keeps a woman on the side and Darnell is the "happily" married friend who finds himself tempted to cheat because...well:
Whose marriage is "happy" all of the time???
On the other side of the coin there is Chante: who goes through men like water simply because she gets caught up in them before she finds out who they really are; Tammy: the artistic free spirit who hides deep secrets, even from her friends; and Karen: who hasn't achieved all that her friends feel she could yet is highly judgmental of Chante's merry-go-round cast of lovers.
Trust and believe that somehow or another these two groups are destined to meet, and to clash...and to??? I bet you can figure out at least some of it on your own, but other bits will leave you breathless.
I LOVE EJD's style of writing: the choppy sentence fragments that are more bits of thoughts and images than actual dialog/descriptions. One of my characters, Princess, is written in this style. His metaphors are laugh-out-loud funny, his pace is mile-a-minute, and there's never a dull moment or lack of action anywhere. I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed with the resolution of one of these couples storyline. To say anything more would be to have to click the dreaded Spoiler Alert button, but suffice it to say I wish they had Left It Where It Was Out. Their original decision was a much braver one I think. One the whole, though, this book left me full and satisfied, like a Sunday dinner at Big Mama's house.
Simply delicious...
DISCLAIMER NOTICE: I bought this book from an online friend who was "looking for a good home" for some of her books.
July 15, 2012
Primero està Stephan , el que tiene màs minas de las que puede manejar PEEERO todavìa està a tiempo de pasar a OTRA vida .
Le sigue Jake ,que es igual de infiel que Stephan PEEERO no va a cambiar nunca .El eterno pirata . El que va a tener sesenta años y va a seguir corriendo atràs de cualquier veinteañera que se le cruze.
Le sigue al final Darnell , el que todavìa cree en la monogamia y pretende ser fiel para toda la vida ---Hasta que cae rendido ante una chica sensible que no hace màs que admirarlo . Sin embargo , a diferencia de los anteriores Darnell es el que se resiste . (Y eso que lo de el es amor) . El que es infiel con el corazòn.
El 90% de los hombres que aparecen ademàs de esos tres principales son una
A ver....
No quiero caer en la misandria que mi psicòloga cree que me domina el caracter de tanto en tanto pero me parece honesta la manera en que el autor representa a esa mayoria de hombres . Punto .
Màs alla de mi opiniòn sobre lo que trata la historia (bastante larga , por cierto) , el libro megustó muchísimo . Es entretenido , dramático por momentos pero al final resulta ser el más light que leí -hasta ahora -de Dickey . Habla de la infidelidad , el machismo ,la amistad entre hombres ,la amistad entre mujeres , la mala influencia de los matrimonios en conflicto sobre la crianza de los hijos , los celos entre amigos y otras cosas más.
Muy bueno.
February 3, 2013
This is one of my favorite books by EJD. It has a great story line, lots of drama, and some humor too. I also loved the characters and I would definitely recommend this book. It was a page turner and I couldn't put it down. Thanks EJD for a very entertaining book that I could read again and again. A Great read.
November 15, 2008
Great Book!!!
November 18, 2008
The first book I've ever read by EJD. Had a nice twist. Very interesting. I enjoyed his characters here, as always.
June 14, 2011
This read had me up all n the a.m reading..I could not put it down, awesome read, loved it. One of my favorite reads.
September 30, 2014
Between A Yearning For Love & A Attraction For Lust!
September 6, 2016
GREAT BOOK!!!
June 21, 2017
This was my second book by Eric Jerome Dickey and he did not disappoint!
February 7, 2018
This book had so much drama.
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April 23, 2018I love EJD!! The whole series is page turners
January 5, 2023
This will be a long one so please bare with me.
I was a huge EJD fan back in my middle school and high school days (when I had no business reading them ik lol). One day I decided to download a bunch of his books that I loved and re-read them as a adult to see if they still hit the same.
Spoiler� this one did! I loved loved loved this book immensely!
This book is written in three POVs. The POV of main male protagonist Stephan, main female protagonist Chanté and Darnell. I did feel like it was a little random to get Darnell’s POV, but his story was interesting enough. The book follows Chanté’s andher friend group with Karen and Tammy, as well as Stephan’s friend group with Jake and Darnell.
The main thing that I loved about this story is that it showed young, successful, black professionals, doing young successful, black ish. I loved reading about their clubbing adventures, relationships woes, friendships and family drama. The dialogue in this book was everything! EJD is the king of creating realistic dialogue that will literally make you laugh out loud.
This book spoke to my childhood so much, due to it being published in 1999 ( I was 8 lol). It reminded me so much of the early 00’s which is my fav era (idc idc). The pagers. House phones being the main point of communication. Being caught cheating via VMs and three way calls (took me tf out).
And lastly the character growth. I’m always a sucker for this. We see Stephan grow a lot from the beginning of the book as well as Chantè. I won’t go in-depth too much with this, because I don’t want to spoil it.
Oh and I almost forgot!! The seggs!! On the scale of hallmark romance to Porn XXX, this one falls in the BET uncut part of the spectrum (see the early 00’s reference there lol)
This is a good work of fiction with a dash of romance. I hated that it had to end.
If you was looking to go back in the EJD backlog, this is a good one to start with.
I was a huge EJD fan back in my middle school and high school days (when I had no business reading them ik lol). One day I decided to download a bunch of his books that I loved and re-read them as a adult to see if they still hit the same.
Spoiler� this one did! I loved loved loved this book immensely!
This book is written in three POVs. The POV of main male protagonist Stephan, main female protagonist Chanté and Darnell. I did feel like it was a little random to get Darnell’s POV, but his story was interesting enough. The book follows Chanté’s andher friend group with Karen and Tammy, as well as Stephan’s friend group with Jake and Darnell.
The main thing that I loved about this story is that it showed young, successful, black professionals, doing young successful, black ish. I loved reading about their clubbing adventures, relationships woes, friendships and family drama. The dialogue in this book was everything! EJD is the king of creating realistic dialogue that will literally make you laugh out loud.
This book spoke to my childhood so much, due to it being published in 1999 ( I was 8 lol). It reminded me so much of the early 00’s which is my fav era (idc idc). The pagers. House phones being the main point of communication. Being caught cheating via VMs and three way calls (took me tf out).
And lastly the character growth. I’m always a sucker for this. We see Stephan grow a lot from the beginning of the book as well as Chantè. I won’t go in-depth too much with this, because I don’t want to spoil it.
Oh and I almost forgot!! The seggs!! On the scale of hallmark romance to Porn XXX, this one falls in the BET uncut part of the spectrum (see the early 00’s reference there lol)
This is a good work of fiction with a dash of romance. I hated that it had to end.
If you was looking to go back in the EJD backlog, this is a good one to start with.
June 13, 2020
So...okay, I always enjoy well written and descriptive language and this read has ALL of that. EJD always has a way of incorporating real songs and settings into his works that makes me feel like I'm there. I love that. The only thing that threw me off were the amount of characters because I would see one name and be like man I forgot how I pictured him/her and who was this person again? What was their back story? Made it a little tough to follow because I would forget and have to go back to make sure I knew what was going on with who...HOWEVER, throughout this read I was like “OMG I KNEW IT!� out loud way more than once lol! I would be on the edge of my seat expecting something and BOOM! Just as I expected, it happened. This is a really realistic read and it's very...let's just say there is teaaaaaa honeyyyy! Also! The racism topics and the mentioning of the police brutality is STILL RELEVANT SADLY! It taught me some history about police brutality cases :( RIP! Other times throughout this book I felt annoyed because it’s like...all these grown ass people who can’t fix their relationship issues? Come on. Have a sit down, a proper one without being shady or petty, and TALK IT OUT and WORK ON IT. It has to be mutual though, and if the other person isn’t willing to try then goodbye, wtf? How hard is that. Also, Tammy is so dumb. He. Is. Married. Go find another single man wtf. I hate women like that. Some of the tit for tat repetitive lines were kinda corny to me... “Jerk� “Jerkette� like okay 😭 moving forward. Also...I feel like Stephan didn’t even deserve Chanté. At the end of the day he still did Toyomi wrong and should’ve suffered more for it, thats just how
I see it! Darnell is trash for going to Paris though. Anyway, other than that I enjoyed it.
I see it! Darnell is trash for going to Paris though. Anyway, other than that I enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 9, 2022I won’t stop recommending Rafael for his great work, I noticed my wife was getting too much closer with my best friend chris, my wife chats now in private, her calls are in secret and she changed her phone password, I was wondering what was going on until I came across a recommendation about the professional on TV about phonetracker spy who helped a woman hack into her partner's phone remotely to access everything so I decided to contact and write the investigator on his private Google mail at " [email protected] " and he never disappointed me, he helped me hack into my wife's phone, I didn't need to touch her phone, in less than 1 hour after her phone was finally hacked, her messages were coming into my phone instantly and I can listen to her calls too. Now I have access to her phone remotely to access her Facebook, WhatsApp, Text messages, monitor to track her GPS Location too. You can contact Rafael on his email if you are interested in getting informations and truths in your marriage or relationship. I'm a witness to this good service, just so it might benefit anyone out there.
February 22, 2024
Eric wrote this book the way a masculine man would attempt to write a romance book. If we're going to look at it in the proper sense of the word, this is not a romance book. It's more about life, relationships, friendships, lotsssss of sex and what's life without romance? Yeahh, I guess I could categorize this as romance with a caveat.
It is told in the POVs of three people; Stephan, Chanté and Darnell. For Chanté and Stephan, I'd refer to them as two stubborn people whose trajectories in life has made them make some decisions they make in this book. Chanté has been quite unlucky in love and she's trying to save her bleeding heart from men while Stephan is a ho with Daddy issues who eventually decides to do right, thanks to his Stepdad.
Generally, we see the life being a cheater brings you and the redemption from it all.
This book is an experience that feels like a documentary and I love it
It is told in the POVs of three people; Stephan, Chanté and Darnell. For Chanté and Stephan, I'd refer to them as two stubborn people whose trajectories in life has made them make some decisions they make in this book. Chanté has been quite unlucky in love and she's trying to save her bleeding heart from men while Stephan is a ho with Daddy issues who eventually decides to do right, thanks to his Stepdad.
Generally, we see the life being a cheater brings you and the redemption from it all.
This book is an experience that feels like a documentary and I love it
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