Nicholas McCane
I literally just closed the book, then rushed to give my review. Wow, is the first word that comes to mind. I feel ashamed as an African living in America that I waited so long to read this. I was one of those ignorant people who allowed the American school system to teach me about him. Well, that and the movie “Malcolm X” directed and co-written by Spike Lee.
I couldn’t put this book down. And while I read it, I listened along to Laurence Fishburne who narrated it. The minister’s words, with Fishburne’s voice, created a masterpiece.
Malcolm X began serving a prison sentence in 1946. While inside, he read everything possible and ended up educating himself. In prison is also where he converted to the Nation of Islam. Man, oh man, I wish that the holy city of Mecca would have taught him Islam instead.
I truly believe that Malcolm X was a sponge who was only attempting to soak up the truth. All he wanted to do was build an all black organization whose ultimate aim was to help create a society in which there could exist honest white-black brotherhood. Unfortunately, the Nation of Islam did him in. I learned plenty of things from this book, but one of them is this:
Put your trust in God, not man, because man can never be a god.
I literally just closed the book, then rushed to give my review. Wow, is the first word that comes to mind. I feel ashamed as an African living in America that I waited so long to read this. I was one of those ignorant people who allowed the American school system to teach me about him. Well, that and the movie “Malcolm X” directed and co-written by Spike Lee.
I couldn’t put this book down. And while I read it, I listened along to Laurence Fishburne who narrated it. The minister’s words, with Fishburne’s voice, created a masterpiece.
Malcolm X began serving a prison sentence in 1946. While inside, he read everything possible and ended up educating himself. In prison is also where he converted to the Nation of Islam. Man, oh man, I wish that the holy city of Mecca would have taught him Islam instead.
I truly believe that Malcolm X was a sponge who was only attempting to soak up the truth. All he wanted to do was build an all black organization whose ultimate aim was to help create a society in which there could exist honest white-black brotherhood. Unfortunately, the Nation of Islam did him in. I learned plenty of things from this book, but one of them is this:
Put your trust in God, not man, because man can never be a god.
If You Lie
To be honest, I didn’t like this book. I stuck it out because it’s one of my book club picks. I really enjoyed the first chapter. I was 100% invested. But then the book got extremely boring. I found myself not connecting with any of the characters. The protagonist was unlikable and a little annoying to me. The antagonist was meh and didn’t scare me. The twist at the end was predictable. I just wanted it to end, but unfortunately, it just kept going.
To be honest, I didn’t like this book. I stuck it out because it’s one of my book club picks. I really enjoyed the first chapter. I was 100% invested. But then the book got extremely boring. I found myself not connecting with any of the characters. The protagonist was unlikable and a little annoying to me. The antagonist was meh and didn’t scare me. The twist at the end was predictable. I just wanted it to end, but unfortunately, it just kept going.
I wanted to love this so bad. The Perfect Marriage was my book club’s first book. Our club loved it and most of them ranked it 4 to 5 stars (I gave it 5). We own her entire catalog and couldn’t wait for The Perfect Divorce. I had it preordered and everything. My wife bought the blood red version, and I got the signed copy with sprayed edges. We also got the audiobook. We wanted the full experience. WELP, that was a mistake.
Let’s start with what I like:
1. Adam Lazarre-White narrated Sheriff Hudson’s character (He does S.A. Cosby’s Books).
2. Short Chapters
3. Quick read
What I disliked:
1. The all men are idiots and/or cheaters trope. Authors really need to develop male characters. There are a million ways to make your reader hate a character.
2. The all police are idiots trope. I believe these tropes are only used to make Sarah's character appear extremely intelligent. In one scene, Sarah’s husband (Bob Miller), who is a successful lawyer, has to be interviewed by law enforcement. Bob and his attorney agreed to the interview (which would never happen). While speaking with law enforcement, Bob makes incriminating statements. He also has text message conversations with a killer about a murder he set up (including incriminating photos).
3. No character development. A decade has passed in the book and Bob and Sarah are the same people they were in The Perfect Marriage.
4. Predictable ending.
5. And of course, Bob and Sarah’s rich ass hired a guy to do some work around their home. You probably already pictured him. If not, let me help. A Hispanic male named Alejandro. He’s full of tattoos and an ex-inmate. Rich people stereotype of Hispanics.
6. Sarah said that during the case with her ex-husband (Adam), Sheriff Stevens gave her sensitive information. She said that the new sheriff (Hudson) wouldn’t do that because he’s professional. For the rest of the book, Sheriff Hudson shared sensitive information with her.
7. There were multiple POVs which I have no issues with. But all the characters had the same voice. It was like they were all Jeneva Rose. It was ridiculous. Sheriff Hudson, Sarah Morgan, and Bob Miller all talked the same. It was this one phase that they all used repeatedly, “Matched my gaze”. OMG, it was so annoying. “He met my gaze,” “She met my gaze”, “he matched my gaze”, “she matched my gaze”. This was almost in every chapter of the beginning and middle of the book. Why is everyone saying the same thing? I’ve heard no one say that in real life, so I find it hard to believe that everyone speaks like that. Anyway, I DNF’d multiple times. I only continued reading so I could discuss it with the book club.
The sequel proved unnecessary, and hopefully, there won’t be a third one.
Dear authors: Women readers don’t like to read about women being overly sexualized and made to look unintelligent in books. And men don’t like to be stereotyped as being all cheaters and lack common sense. That is all.
I’m giving it a generous ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wanted to love this so bad. The Perfect Marriage was my book club’s first book. Our club loved it and most of them ranked it 4 to 5 stars (I gave it 5). We own her entire catalog and couldn’t wait for The Perfect Divorce. I had it preordered and everything. My wife bought the blood red version, and I got the signed copy with sprayed edges. We also got the audiobook. We wanted the full experience. WELP, that was a mistake.
Let’s start with what I like:
1. Adam Lazarre-White narrated Sheriff Hudson’s character (He does S.A. Cosby’s Books).
2. Short Chapters
3. Quick read
What I disliked:
1. The all men are idiots and/or cheaters trope. Authors really need to develop male characters. There are a million ways to make your reader hate a character.
2. The all police are idiots trope. I believe these tropes are only used to make Sarah's character appear extremely intelligent. In one scene, Sarah’s husband (Bob Miller), who is a successful lawyer, has to be interviewed by law enforcement. Bob and his attorney agreed to the interview (which would never happen). While speaking with law enforcement, Bob makes incriminating statements. He also has text message conversations with a killer about a murder he set up (including incriminating photos).
3. No character development. A decade has passed in the book and Bob and Sarah are the same people they were in The Perfect Marriage.
4. Predictable ending.
5. And of course, Bob and Sarah’s rich ass hired a guy to do some work around their home. You probably already pictured him. If not, let me help. A Hispanic male named Alejandro. He’s full of tattoos and an ex-inmate. Rich people stereotype of Hispanics.
6. Sarah said that during the case with her ex-husband (Adam), Sheriff Stevens gave her sensitive information. She said that the new sheriff (Hudson) wouldn’t do that because he’s professional. For the rest of the book, Sheriff Hudson shared sensitive information with her.
7. There were multiple POVs which I have no issues with. But all the characters had the same voice. It was like they were all Jeneva Rose. It was ridiculous. Sheriff Hudson, Sarah Morgan, and Bob Miller all talked the same. It was this one phase that they all used repeatedly, “Matched my gaze”. OMG, it was so annoying. “He met my gaze,” “She met my gaze”, “he matched my gaze”, “she matched my gaze”. This was almost in every chapter of the beginning and middle of the book. Why is everyone saying the same thing? I’ve heard no one say that in real life, so I find it hard to believe that everyone speaks like that. Anyway, I DNF’d multiple times. I only continued reading so I could discuss it with the book club.
The sequel proved unnecessary, and hopefully, there won’t be a third one.
Dear authors: Women readers don’t like to read about women being overly sexualized and made to look unintelligent in books. And men don’t like to be stereotyped as being all cheaters and lack common sense. That is all.
I’m giving it a generous ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review: NetGalley
Release Date: 6-15-25
Author: S.A. Cosby
No Spoilers: (Whatever I mention is in the book’s summary)
Yes, I realize how lucky I am, lol. I’m a huge fan of this author and have read his entire catalog. On 2-7-25, I preordered the physical copy. I couldn’t wait any longer, so I requested an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This crime thriller novel features a Virginia man (Roman), who has to come home and help his brother, who has gotten into some trouble. Roman ends up getting involved with two brothers (Torrent and Tranquil) who are leaders of a gang. Torrent is my favorite character, by the way.
As you can imagine, all kinds of crazy stuff happens which translates to action for us readers. I could not put this book down. There’s also a twist at the end. This author gets better and better every time. King of Ashes have taken over my top spot. Here’s my new rankings.
1. King of Ashes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Razorblade Tears ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. All the Sinners Bleed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
4. Blacktop Wasteland ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. Brokedown Prophets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. My Darkest Prayer ⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review: NetGalley
Release Date: 6-15-25
Author: S.A. Cosby
No Spoilers: (Whatever I mention is in the book’s summary)
Yes, I realize how lucky I am, lol. I’m a huge fan of this author and have read his entire catalog. On 2-7-25, I preordered the physical copy. I couldn’t wait any longer, so I requested an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This crime thriller novel features a Virginia man (Roman), who has to come home and help his brother, who has gotten into some trouble. Roman ends up getting involved with two brothers (Torrent and Tranquil) who are leaders of a gang. Torrent is my favorite character, by the way.
As you can imagine, all kinds of crazy stuff happens which translates to action for us readers. I could not put this book down. There’s also a twist at the end. This author gets better and better every time. King of Ashes have taken over my top spot. Here’s my new rankings.
1. King of Ashes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Razorblade Tears ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. All the Sinners Bleed ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
4. Blacktop Wasteland ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. Brokedown Prophets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. My Darkest Prayer ⭐️⭐️⭐️