Customer Reviews

As If Nothing Happened

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Monica Carter's debut novel, As If Nothing Happened, you will find different levels of sisterhood. This is a friendship novel that deals with many relationships, and touches deep on issues that has lived within every woman at one time or another.

Joya, Jennifer, and Vyonne have known each other since college. Their friendship has been through several ups and downs. Each woman possesses her own special characteristics. One woman speaks her mind no matter how it may affect others. One woman is so used to keeping things to herself, she does not know how to share when the time is right. The other does not know real love when it is standing there in her face. Once you turn the first page into these three women's lives, you will not stop until you reach the end.

This is a great story about how women deal with different issues that are presented to them. I had an issue with the writing style. I could not put my finger on it, but the words did not seem to flow. The storyline kept me reading, but I felt as if something was missing from the form of the book. However, I would recommend it to others because of the storyline. The drama keeps you wanting to know more.

Jacki
APOOO BookClub

As If Nothing Happened, the debut release by Monica Carter, is the story of three unique personalities that come together as friends. Each individual is enduring major turmoil in her own life but acting as if nothing happened.

Joya is in the midst of a career disaster and in denial and distress regarding a horrific act that was performed against her but which she chose to share with no one. Yvonne is judgmental and knows what is best for everyone else when it comes to their marriage but she has not taken the pulse on her own relationship lately. And Jennifer, poor Jennifer, she just didn't know how to make the right decision because she was always making poor choices and suffering the consequences of her actions. Each woman is so wrapped up in her own woes and boundaries that she cannot see beyond her own territory. Will this friendship be able to endure the latest ups and downs of life? Can they love each other beyond their flaws and secrets?

Carter weaves a colorful tapestry about friendships and the ties that bind them. The storyline is engaging and a quick read. It is filled with real life experiences, emotionalism and enough drama to keep you turning the pages. The characters will have you shaking your head, talking to them, fussing at them and chuckling at their antics. As If Nothing Happened is a 3.5 on the APOOO chart; and a good read for a laid-back, relaxing afternoon.

Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

As If Nothing Happened is an exciting novel. It captures your attention and continues to build excitement as you turn the pages. The Author has a gift with words. As If Nothing Happened is filled with drama, emotion and real life experiences. I appreciate the way the Author builds the characters and demonstrated that love and friendship are the foundation to lasting relationships. Yes, the characters had different perspectives and experiences, but they had a common bond, love and friendship. The Author did an outstanding job in building these three different characters and interweaving their lives together so that their love and friendship overcomes anything they might face. Just like God's love for us will withstand any test or challenge we might encounter, these three ladies' friendship withstood the test of time, indifference, and even misunderstanding. If you are inspired by love and determination, then this book is a must for you. This book will inspire you to accept your friends as they are rather than trying to change them into someone else. Hats off to this new writer, for she definitely has a gift for writing and inspiring others in the way she develops the plot and amazing outcome. Keep pressing forward and know that God will bless you to achieve your goal. May God richly bless you.

"As If Nothing Happened" is a page turner about love...unconditional love between three long time girlfriends (Joya, Jennifer & Yvonne). There's is a love that supercedes the romantic and often misplaced and misguided love of their parents and significant others. Joya is the ultimate single, career woman. Her strength becomes her weakness as she is forced to come to grips with needing
someone else. Jennifer is the woman who believed she had it all. She started believing her own press, but forgot to read the fine print which said...this could happen to you. Yvonne is a good-hearted,little sister type who has an adult body and a child's mind. Though the details of their individual lives are varied, they are there for each other through thick and thin. If you have ever loved a friend beyond their faults, beyond their "drama" or to the point where it cost you something to maintain the relationship...you will love this book.

Monica Carter is an outstanding author!! "As If Nothing Happened" is a wonderful, page turning novel!! I didn't want to put it down. The characters and situations in the book are so close to real life people we know and things that happen between friends on a day to day basis. If you want to read a good book - this is the one!!

So you think you know your best friends? And you think they know you? What secrets are you harboring from your friends because you don't think they will understand and might pass judgment on you? These questions are the foundation of As If Nothing Happened, Monica Carter's debut novel. Three friends, Yvonne, Joya and Jennifer, have been close since college but their friendship is taking a turn and the reader is left to wonder if their friendship bond will survive the unknown.

Joya is the mediator of the group. Yvonne and Jennifer go to her for non-biased advice about everything but Joya doesn't feel that she can turn to them with her problems. The pressures of her job have invaded her personal life and she feels that she can't confide in anybone. Yvonne is torn between her former lover who has power in the bedroom and her current man who is mentally as well as physically stimulating. Jennifer is supposed to have the perfect marriage, child and family. As the reader uncovers plot twists, everything is not as it seems between friends for their situations are drastically different than what they portray to one another. While not necessarily living a lie amongst each other, they would each rather maintain their perceived image while restoring their image within.

What makes this a wonderful read is the realism created through the characters. Yvonne, Joya and Jennifer come alive from the pages. Their situations are real and how they deal with their personal issues is true to form. Nobody wants to look bad in front of others, but as they realized, it's good to have a confidant to turn to. True friendship is a blessing from above and Monica Carter has highlighted the importance of cultivating endearing friendships. If you're looking for a book to recommend to your girlfriends, As If Nothing Happens will strengthen the ties that bind you to your friends.

The book was hard to put down. There were spots that made me upset, though. I could not believe the character Jennifer. She was believable. I just couldn't believe her. I didn't feel like she had changed all that much in the end, except to think that maybe she would be able to direct her energy and directness in a positive way, but TACTFULLY-no. I don't feel she learned her lesson.
Yolanda and Kyle's relationship puzzled me. Maybe it's just me but I didn't understand how he could `get over' one thing but not the other! It seems to me that he should have either been mad about it ALL or nothing! And I feel with Yolanda's good looks and talent, that she should work on being a stronger person. (I know its fiction, but still...)
Joya I could understand. She was a private person who was constantly being invaded on. I don't feel like her friends used her for her money, however, her mother sure did and that was terrible. I don't feel any of that was fixed, though Joya sure tried. She was working hard and with A LOT of things going on!
It was a good read with very colorful characters. I didn't have a problem with the movement of the story, though sometimes I did get a little lost in the dialog, but as with a lot of books you just have to keep going and come back if ya have too!
Congrats Monica on your successful efforts and I look forward to reading your next venture. You would be a GREAT mystery writer; your energy just jumps off the page! I could just see you penning that high-speed chase. I felt it. Good Job.

As If Nothing Happened by Monica Carter, is the deftly told story of Joya, Yvonne, and Jennifer, three female friends whose lives suffer major upheavals where one is in the midst of a career disaster, another is facing the possible end of her marriage, and the third seems to be losing her grip on daily life itself. Yet each of them acts as if nothing happened as they seem to be gradually losing touch with one another. Is there any hope of regaining their sisterhood? As If Nothing Happened is confidently recommended as an attention engaging, emotionally powerful and thoughtfully entertaining tale of learning to recognize and empathize.

This book captures the very essence of everyday, drama-filled, emotion driven lives of normal, young, and vivacious women in our society today. I absolutely loved this book because I was able to look at each character and find a piece of myself in them. The author did a magnificant job of taking these three very different young ladies and slowly weaving them together until they were as tight as a beautiful rattan basket. There friendship withstood the test and the results were outstanding! Hats off to this up and coming author, for she definitely has a good thing going!!! It has been said that an IVY never dies. To this author I say that " the IVIES are wrapped all around you and like the Ivy, your talent will never die"!!! Good luck and God bless you forever more!!!

First of all I would like to say that I could not put this book down. I woke up did a little cleaning and decided to do a little reading. This book had my attention the whole day. It reminded me so much of just everyday life. The situations in the book are real, and cause you to empathize with the characters as if you knew them from school or your neighborhood. I know that this book can relate to any race or gender. I highly recommend people to read this book. The author did an excellent job at getting you to be apart of the characters' lives.