Customer Reviews

After The Dance

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After The Dance by Lori Johnson is a witty look at relationships that were not meant to happen. Faye Abrahams is doing just fine living without love. She has her books and cigarettes and that is enough for her. She is not interested in anything more than a good time with a fine man who will move on when it is over. She has had her share of love entanglements and is no longer in the market. Or is she? And what is she really hiding and running from?

Carl, a divorced father lives next door to Faye. He is a reformed playboy whose wife divorced him when she discovered another woman was pregnant with his child. Now he is a lonely divorced brother, who sees his kids occasionally and is interested in a real relationship. He has been checking Faye out for quite some time. She is not really his type, but he is intrigued by the fact that she always seems to have an attitude about something. He has a hard time accepting the fact that she will barely acknowledge him. Her friend, Nora, a good time girl will at least share conversation with him, but Ms. Abrahams will not give him the time of day. Or will she?

Carl decides he is going to invite Faye over to watch a movie. Initially she declines but finds her way to his door. Immediately they are involved in a battle of wills. Faye is determined to keep her distance and Carl is determined to wear her down. It was delightful watching the relationship develop as they got to know each other and as their lives and the lives of their families intertwined. After The Dance is a fast-paced fun novel with romance, secrets and laughter. I recommend this book to anyone interested in fun contemporary fiction.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

Dr. Faye Abrahams is a no nonsense woman who's tolerance level for men is simple: 3 strikes and you're out. No questions asked...none answered, nothing left to talk about. After the third time, the thrill is gone. So why put us both through anything more? This is her rule for any and every man, thanks to her first love Scoobie.

Carl is the 40-something divorcee with a set of twin girls by his wife and a 2-year-old son by a one night stand. Carl and Faye live so close to one another that they can hear what is going on in each others yards just by standing in their windows.

Chef Vernard "Scoobie" Payne, is the one and only man Faye has ever loved and hated so much it drove her nuts. After years of doing women wrong, Scoobie gets himself together, goes to culinary arts school, and becomes a famous Chef and author of his own recipe cookbook.

With the help of Faye's best friend and roommate Nora, Carl decides that he is going to invite Faye over just to watch a few movies one Friday night. Declining his invitation more times then she can count, Faye takes Carl up on his offer considering the fact that Nora is driving her crazy with the same Phyllis Hyman song being played over and over again. Not giving Carl a second glance for the last 6 months, Faye finds herself interested in Carl in more ways than one.

Faye runs into Scoobie after 12 years and it brings back all kinds of thoughts and feelings in her that she thought she had long put to rest. Now she is involved with Carl and willing to break her '3 strikes and you're out' rule and see what becomes of them. Scoobie professes his undying love for her. She leaves Carl for Scoobie to see if maybe they can try again, but it leaves Faye feeling worse then when she started. Now Carl is all messed up in the head. He knows he's made mistakes with his wife, but he's just really a one woman man now and would love nothing more than to prove that to Faye...if only she would let him.

I can honestly say I fully enjoyed After the Dance by Lori Johnson. Carl's awkward honesty and love of all things African-American was kind of refreshing. Going back in time with him reminiscing about times my parents had parties and we was up all night dancing to Al Green or Marvin Gaye or watching old school movies over and over as if I've never seen them before was also refreshing. The fact that Faye was a no-nonsense woman and stood her ground with Scoobie and any other man that came her way was cute. The way the story was told, it made you feel as if you knew all these people personally. Great job Ms. Johnson.

Reviewed by Angie
for Urban Reviews

Faye is tired of the games played when it comes to men and women and relationships. A pharmacist, her motto is "three times and done", which allows for no dating, and no time to form a commitment. Faye's next door neighbor, Carl, is a divorcee with twin daughters, a son and a baby mama. Carl is definitely interested in Faye and her proposal piques his curiosity even more. With Faye fighting the attraction and Carl trying to break her rules, AFTER THE DANCE by Lori Johnson is a scintillating and amusing romance novel.

Faye's Friday evenings consist of reading and relaxing. When Carl's son visits and screams non-stop, Faye makes her way over to help calm the child down so she can get back to her peace of mind. Taken aback by her demeanor with children, Carl is even more drawn to her. Enter his twin daughters and the rapport she establishes with them and Carl is sprung. One thing leads to another as everyone from the children, to the ex-wife and Faye's best friend add their two cents. But, Faye has a secret she is withholding and along comes her ex-beau from twelve years prior.

The author allowed us to get to know the characters. We were introduced to their families, immediate and extended and the ghost of their pasts. AFTER THE DANCE is an enjoyable read and begs the question, can you spend time with a man, allow that same man to "rock your world" and not develop feelings beyond platonic? Seems like a simple question but it is loaded with innuendo and doesn't take into account the baggage involved with either player.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I enjoyed the alternating storytelling between the two characters. The characters were vivid and hilarious, also compelling. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year.

This is another book I immediately bought on my Kindle after reading the sample. Straight - no chaser Faye is not your typical heroine. I liked her because she didn't play games. Yes, she had some pretty serious issues -and she dealt with them the best way that she could. When it came to romance, she simply stated her rules and Carl had to play by them - or not at all. I liked Carl because even with his many flaws, he was man enough to admit to his mistakes and short comings and tried to be a better man. I'll take that over any rich "Scoobie" every day of the week. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

All i can say about this book is wow. i'm not an expert on reviewing books like most people who rate them, but i know a good story when i read one. I was captivated from the opening chapter. The two main characters actually remind me of myself and someone i dated. The way the author chose to make each chapter switch back and forth from both characters point of view was genius. It actually made it an easier read. I usually forget what happens in the beginning and i have to skim back through somewhere in the middle to get back on track especially when i put the book down for a couple of days. Anyway, i highly recommend this book to anyone who like books with a little humor, romance and drama.... pick it up....

This book deserves more than 5 stars!!!! Lori Johnson done showed her tail in her debut novel!!! Magnificent, witty, and downright realistic tale of fear of commitment, but not able to deny the good love that deserves an encore!! This is a tale written by a woman but told in first person from a female and male perspective. She brought both genders to life, and I could have sworn the male perspective was written by Carl Weber. That's just how good Ms. Johnson is!!!

This is a Must read for all you romance fanatics!!!

Overall rating: 10 stars!!!

I read another book by this author which I enjoyed better. This story was so-so. It could have just been me. I read about 1/2 way through it, then went to the end. I'd probably still read another one of her books in the future.

This great read by Lori Johnson is just what you'll need. Whether it's romance, a little mystery, or a few tears, you are sure to find that and more within the pages of "After The Dance". One thing I can guarantee is a whole lot of laughter. This story is engaging from page one. The characters are superbly brought to life and are oh so real. I swear you will know Carl when you see him and wish (from your own youth) that he wasn't the one that got away.

I won't bore you by telling you what this book is about (You can read the cover and the blah, blah, blah professional reviews for that). I will tell you that this is the best debut novel I've read in a long, long time. Google me, and you'll see that I call 'em like I see 'em and will massacre a book in one of my professional reviews. What's to like about this book?

The characters: well-developed, flawed, and human.

The plot: original and watch-milk-shoot-out-your-nose FUUNNY! I literally had to put the book down and laugh for several minutes at a time throughout the time I was reading it.

The style: First-person told from a male and female point of view, each picking up where the other one left off. Genius!

The writer: doing this stuff like she's been doing it all her life. Switching from male to female point of view like bi-polar male transvestite giving birth to his first baby.

Perfect? Not quite. There is a level of predictability that one who reads this genre of books often will see coming a mile way. Okay, so take .5 away from the 5-star review.

Will I buy her next book? I'll be the first in line.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Lori Johnson. Get up and show her some love and happiness up in dis here joint. Then show yourself some love when you buy and enjoy this book.

4.5 Stars. Highly Recommended.