Around the Way Girls [Paperback]

Angel M. Hunter (Author), Dwayne S. Joseph (Author), La Jill Hunt (Author)

Book Description

Series: Around the Way Girls | Publication Date: March 1, 2004

There's a saying in Brooklyn that if you come from my part of town that you're from around the way. Around the Way Girls is a fast paced look at the life of some street smart women who think they know it al,l but are about to get the lessons of their lives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Urban Books (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974363693
• ISBN-13: 978-0974363691
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #957,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Cool Collection and a Fast Read, August 18, 2005

By 

Joan B. Stanford "Jazzy Pen" (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Around the Way Girls (Paperback)

Back in 1990 rapper LL Cool J dedicated a rhyme to the "around the way girl." You remember her, the one at the bus stop sucking on a lollipop. Now, more than ten years later we're learning more about the "cuties from the neighborhood" in the fiction release titled Around the Way Girls. This compilation of three short stories takes readers on a journey through the mean streets of Brooklyn and into the lives of three around the way girls.

First, in "Busted and Disgusted" author Angel Hunter introduces readers to Cream, who has had to grow up fast after her mother's death. Cream is a stripper who would love to trade in her stiletto heels and skimpy outfits for a more respectable lifestyle, but it just doesn't seem possible. Plus, she just can't shake a particular bad habit-- her son's father Wise, a known drug dealer. Her friend Amber comes up with a brilliant plan that could mean thousands of dollars and a way for their dreams to come true. But when the plan snags, life rapidly changes leaving Cream busted, disgusted and betrayed.

While this story is touching, it has been done before. The ending seemed almost abrupt. But if you love urban fiction, you'll love this story regardless.

"Southern Comfort" by La Jill Hunt is by far the most interesting. After unwillingly moving to Brooklyn with her mother, brother and sister, Sydni has been missing Atlanta ever since and vows to return. She's a southern girl at heart, but she's confident and doesn't take any mess from anyone, especially Darrius, her brother Aaron's new best friend. When Aaron is killed, her world turns upside down. Her sister becomes more promiscuous than ever before. Her mom's boyfriend can't be trusted and a white guy who's strictly a friend suddenly professes his undying love.

The plot in this story is intriguing. The author added a suspenseful twist and a dramatic ending, which make for a great read.

Rounding out the three stories is Dwayne Joseph's "Played." Angel Santiago, is a Puerto Rican party girl who thinks she knows it all and has total control of her life. Any given night of the week you can find her at a night club getting drunk with her friends Shanice, Ray and Stevie. A night of partying leaves her intoxicated and feeling the music and the next thing she knows she's in bed with two other women. She suspects she's been drugged by Frido, the drug kingpin that had been eyeing her at the club. Although she has vowed never to date a drug dealer, something about Frido draws her to him like a magnet. Hopefully, she won't get played.

With believable characters, a splash of erotica and hints of violence, Played is definitely entertaining. If you love short stories and you're looking for a fast-paced read, pick up Around the Way Girls.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Round which way............................................., August 27, 2004

By 

Nardsbaby "Connoisseur of the written word™" (Westside Chi-town, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Around the Way Girls (Paperback)

First off please tell me this cover is a freaking joke? These raggedy, hard time, tired looking rats! KaNoisha Codrington [e-mail] doesn't agree with my review so I'm giving her the 15 minutes she's begging for...

Ask LL what a real round da way girl looks like!

Girl with extensions in her hair

Bamboo earrings at least 2 pair

Fendi bag

with a bad attitude

---------------------------------------------

Busted and Disgusted Angel Hunter
Cream White, dealt an hell of a hand young played her stacked deck to the best of her given ability as she did what a girl has to do! Playing herself as a Mistress to get that cash, stripping to pay those bills she falls for a 5% Brother who hustles that she believes will be her King, and complete her dream. As Cream White (whose name ironically is synonymous to her lifestyle) realizes she's trapped in a nightmare she finally wakes up only to discover Kansas is in the opposite direction, friends really do share everything, and her Prince Charming is still a FROG! Cream's DIVA senses seem to keep alerting her to the awaiting danger she appears to be moving forcefully ahead will our Ghetto Diva realize that it's time to move on?

The potential is here for a much better story, the author leaves you assuming that our Around the way girl pumps the brakes, dries her tears, and moves on living happily ever after with Runner up #1 in Jersey....

F.Y.I...I wish I would find a Bro in the hood name Grape!


Southern Comfort La Jill Hunt
Syndi Johnson, the hardworking, shy, middle child moved from nice friendly Atlanta to busy rude NEW YORK! Against her will of course!

"I just want to go home!"

Syndi complained daily to any and everyone that would listen. As Syndi deals with the loss of her older brother Aaron, she tries to keep her heart in check for the person she blames while her best friend wishes that she would see him for more than a sounding board as he listens to her complain about living in New York, her younger sister promiscuity, and her soon to be step-father. With the weight of the world on her shoulders Syndi finds love in the one place she hadn't wanted to look. It only took 6 years of frontin'! Mr. Nice Guy has sat on the sideline loving, longing and listening in an attempt to win her heart he gives Syndi what she needs to get her back to the life she's missed so much of. Is this more than she's bargained for? Can our Mean Heroine make it back home?

Here the author tells us how things are resolved for our Around the way girl, but as for the climax while it's obvious I think key points were left to the imagination instead of being displayed.


Played Dwayne S. Joseph
Angel Santiago, whose young, and fine, parties all the time loves to be up in any club, scheming and dreaming with her crew as they enjoy life to the fullest. Angel a devil in disguise got off knowing that she had complete control over things in her life. As this Chica becomes mesmerized by an infamous Drug Dealer she unintentionally starts ignoring herself not realizing that this game she think she's controlling has a new name.

"Chica estas loco!"

As Angel's common sense seems to consistently escape her, you watch as she allows herself to fall hard...ménage a trios, lesbian affairs, videotaping, lying, and forgetting about her friends. WARNINGS are coming from every direction in every voice. Can our Fly Chica regain control over herself before she gets in too deep? Will she loose her friends in the process?


Our author here uses a female protagonist that's so narcissistic that she doesn't realize she never had control of the situation. Detailing how foolish Angel was allowed us to see as Sleeping Fool wakes up and grows up.


CREAM~SYNDI~ANGEL...as an result of the lives that they've lived seem to realize what life truly is about.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, July 19, 2004

By 

Peaches "mizzcrb" (Chester) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Around the Way Girls (Paperback)

I would recommend this book, all 3 stories kept me wanting more. I couldn't stop reading until I had finished.