Customer Reviews

For Better, For Worse (Soul Food Series)

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First it was Soul Food the movie, then Soul Food the television series and now Soul Food: For Better, For Worse, the book. Written by Leslie E. Banks, the Soul Food book series has all the makings of a hit with two additional installments to be released.

Soul Food: For Better, For Worse is the continuing story of Bird, the baby of the family, and Lem and their trials and tribulations. As Lem secretly tries to improve his life, Bird continues to distrust him. Taking her issues to her sisters Teri and Maxine, the Joseph sisters continue to exhibit the behavior for which they are known. Teri, the family leader, is high-strung, opinionated, and distrustful of Lem. Maxine is the classic middle child, poet, and listener. Kenny, Maxine's husband, continues to be the foundation of the family, Lem's brother-in-law and best friend. The entire family is alive and well, exhibiting classic behaviors that we can all attest to.

An excellent storyline is presented as we learn of Lem's desires, through his musings, to be successful. Bird and the family's suspicions of him further complicate matters as the story climaxes to an exciting conclusion. Bird has an eye opener by way of her distrust that ultimately she must come to terms with. There is a lesson to be learned for all of the family members. In traditional Leslie E. Banks style, you are given characters that come alive from the pages on which they are written.

If you loved the movie and the television series, you will love the written word of Soul Food: For Better, For Worse. Another kudos to Leslie!
Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves, Apooo BookClub

Can't get enough Soul Food? Does the long hiatus between seasons leave you frustrated and fiending for more? Well fiend no more! You can now get your Soul Food "fix" from SOUL FOOD: FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE, the very first novel adapted from the hit television series.

Desiring to prove to his wife, her family, and himself that he is more than an ex-con, Lem secretly starts taking a class to learn how to start his own business. When an opportunity to illegally obtain the cash he needs presents itself, will Lem stand firm in his resolve to remain crime free? Or will the temptation be too strong to resist?

Bird, Lem's wife, doesn't know what to think of Lem's weekly disappearing acts. She wants to believe in him, but the odds aren't stacked in his favor. When the stress of worrying about Lem begins to affect her health, will Bird finally step out on faith and believe in her husband, or will she succumb to the mentality of "once a con, always a con" effectively ruining her chances of a happy marriage?

Emotion packed and exceptionally well written, Leslie E. Banks gives us another peek into the lives of Teri, Maxine, Bird, and their respective families. I found myself totally enraptured with the storyline and the depth of the emotions so vividly portrayed. Soul Food fans everywhere are sure to enjoy this extremely well written novel.

Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers