Customer Reviews

Around the Way Girls

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

First off please tell me this cover is a freaking joke? These raggedy, hard time, tired looking rats! KaNoisha Codrington klc523@sbcglobal.net 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

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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.

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

I had not had a chance to read La Jill Hunt before, but a friend recommended this as a good place to start. Like one of the other reviewers, I read this in about four hours. The LL song is one of my favorites and the author gets this image of 'around the way girls' perfectly.

The stories are so realistic you feel like La Jill knows the life of these women based on her real life experience. You know how some *bougie* type writers try too damn hard to write about the love, disappointment, and the real day-to-day life of black women in the city? But they just don't get it, it comes off as fake sounding.

As a white male, living in Detroit, before that Brooklyn, I am probably not the typical reader of contemporary fiction by black urban females. What can I say? I loved reading this book. I love Nikki Turner, Deja King and even some Zane novels. I can relate to this book because it could be about some friends or acquaintances of mine--it's just so realistic in that way. I like that in this book the story by La Jill portrays proud, dynamic, smart African American women, who are out there, trying to make it on the grind.

And I *especially* appreciate that her characters are NOT so-called 'hoes' or other words I won't repeat here. She does not degrade black females, making them into just another racist stereotype. Can't wait for more of La Jill's books!! Anyone know if she has more books coming out?

THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ.OVERALL IT WAS GOOD.THS STORY IS ABOUT THREE GIRLS WHO ARE AROUND THE WAY.THEY STRUGGLE WITH REAL LIFE DESICIONS AS THEY TRY TO GET AROUND.FIRST THERE IS CREAM WHITE,THEN THRE IS SYDNI JOHNSON,AND LAST ANGEL SANTIAGO.ALL OF THEM ARE CAUGHT UP IN LOVE BUT JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THERE IS TO FACE,SO THYE HAVE CHOICES TO MAKE.THIS BOOK I MUST SAY IS VERY WELL WRIITTEN.

Around the Way Girls is a collection of three very well-written short stories. Each story like a sentence, a collection of words formed to complete a single thought. Each story is centered on women who can be thought of as "Around the Way Girls", but each woman is so much more. My displeasure with short stories being too short is further solidified with this book. I want more, admittedly because I'm greedy, and while I'm aware of the degree of difficulty in penning a short, my complaint is meant more as a compliment to these three authors.

Busted and Disgusted, by Angel Hunter, details the life of Cream White, an exotic dancer who has decided she wants something more out of the life with her dealer boyfriend, Wise. Together they have made a life for themselves and their son and her cousin, whom she has raised since her mother passed away at an early age. Cream has decided its time for her family to get out of the game. However, her best friend Amber has other plans for Cream and Wise which calls into question the whole notion of friendship. Amber and Cream pull a hustle on two unsuspecting men, which nets Cream with the necessary money to leave the ghetto, but she also snares more problems. What is urban fiction without a strong dose of drama? Cream has plenty of drama in her dealings with Wise, being good friends with the owner of the club where she dances and with her relationship with Amber.

Southern Comfort, by La Jill Hunt, focuses on a strong desire for a woman to live her own life. Sydni Johnson wants nothing more than to have her brother back and get the hell out of New York. Transplanted from Atlanta 5 years' prior, she's never been happy and has countless reasons to return home. Between the death of her brother, the dirty old man her mother is about to marry, a sister who is lost to the streets, and a guy who loves her so much it hurts, Sydni has drama too. She has a plan and she is determined to work her plan. As Southern Comfort climaxes, the drama that unfolds is shocking, the conclusion mind draining. Nicely written, well developed and action-packed to the very end. Syndi's life is certainly something.

Played, by Dwayne S. Joseph, is the only short story authored by a man. I could tell the difference in the perceptions of the female protagonist because I found myself shaking my head at her ignorance. As titled, Played is exactly what ole girl Angel Santiago got, but I must give it to her, she did what she had to do in the end. The journey she takes while hustling in the game is all about control. The fact is, she has to have it all, the way she wants it and this isn't lost on her male companion Frido. However as a player, she eventually meets her match. Isn't that a law of nature or something? Keeping track of Frido and being his girl is something that she really didn't want to do but she was caught up in the moment and her payback, or should I say Frido's payback, is worth the read.

Together, these three shorts were an excellent way to spend an afternoon. I was caught up in the varied, but somewhat similar, lives of the strong female lead characters. Around The Way Girls is an excellent way to portray the literary value of street fiction.

I READ THIS BOOK IN ONE NIGHT..... IT WAS OFF THE DAMN HOOK. AFTER READING AROUND THE WAY GIRLS. I AM GOING TO PURCHASE DWAYNE S. JOSEPH'S BOOK. PLAYED WAS MY FAVORITE. DON'T GET ME WRONG, THE OTHER STORIES ARE EXCELLENT ALSO.

A compilation of three short stories by Angel M. Hunter, La Jill Hunt and Dwayne S. Joseph, "Around the Way Girls" brings us an tale of three women whose individual obstacles cause urban life to be more than just a mere dose of reality...

Busted and Disgusted by Angel M. Hunter

High Rollers, an exclusive strip club, is where Cream works to financially support her six year old son, Shacquille and her sixteen year old cousin, Shala. Even though Cream receives monetary help from Wise, Shacquille's father, her independent nature takes precedent due to a poverty laced childhood. After seven years of being in a relationship with Wise their relationship has reached an impasse. Not only is Cream suspicious of Wise's nocturnal activities and his ability to be faithful, she has also wearied his lack of quality time, mental and emotional support and more importantly his failure to bond with their son. To make matters worse there may be a new addition to their family. All while Cream is in the midst of making some life altering changes. The only thing holding her back is the financing needed to bankroll her venture. When an opportunity arises to help Cream pursue a better life, so does the biggest wake up call of her life. As the pieces begin to fall into place, Cream is faced with the ultimate betrayal and a life threatening situation, can she make the choices when life as she knows it, is on the line?

Southern Comfort by La Jill Hunt

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. southern hospitality has long been second nature to Sydni, her sister Miriam a.k.a. Magic, and her brother Aaron. Shortly after the death of their grandmother, their mother decides to relocate her family to Brooklyn, New York for a much needed new start. Unhappy with the decision Sydni has a sense of foreboding about New York. With the passage of time Sydni and Aaron remain close and use each other as sounding boards as they confide in each other about their lifetime goals. A sudden tragedy takes away the reality of the future causing Sydni to become even more determined to leave NY and lean on her friend Byron; the one person who holds the key to her future, but at what cost?

Played by Dwayne S. Joseph

Angel is a smart young woman with an attitude to match, who constantly demands attention. But looks can be deceiving, Angel is not your typical "around the way girl". Beautiful, confident and single, Angel resides at home with her mother and works at a local law firm. Disinterested in drug dealers, hustlers, or any man who is out to make fast money, Angel is content with being single and spending her nights clubbing with her friends. An evening at the club takes an unexpected turn which may prove costly when Angel meets Frido, a well known drug dealer with a dangerous attitude. When her friends intervene in an attempt to warn Angel that Frido is not good for her health, Angel is caught between listening to her crew and the newfound admiration for life on the edge. A dangerous decision that may not only fatally affect her but also the ones dearest to her heart.

-Monique Baldwin-Worrell, founder of Flavah Reviewers

I love The Around the Way Girls series of books. In this book I especially like the story about Sydni. When it was time for the story to end I found myself wanting to read more. The story of Cream and Angel were okay, but Angel made me mad her for all the crap she took from Frido. I knew from the moment that he was introduced that he was playing her!!!

These are soome of the best short stories I have read. I usually dont like books that has short stories from different authors but this book does that method justice. I cant wait to read the SEQUEL(S)!