Customer Reviews

Can't Get Enough: A Novel

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Can't Get Enough, Connie Briscoe's follow up to PG County, returns us to the prestigious Silver Lake community and continues where its predecessor ended. It instantly reconnects with Maryland's Prince George County's most memorable cast of characters who, for the most part, are still rich and still restless - a perfect combination for trouble and drama. Barbara, the wife of philandering millionaire Bradford Bentley, has sobered up and now takes her frustrations out in the gym instead of drowning her sorrows in Belvedere vodka. The results are fantastic - she is feeling good and looking even better. When her real-estate colleague, Noah, 15 years her junior openly flirts with her, he awakens feelings and thoughts that even the most faithful of attention-starved housewives cannot ignore. She wrestles with her feelings for both her husband, Bradford, whose womanizing ways led him to ignore and embarrass her for years by openly conducting affairs with younger women, and Noah, a handsome, attentive and sensual being, who is playing for keeps.

A newcomer to Silver Lake, a one "Baroness Veronique," befriends Barbara and plays devil's advocate to the blossoming romance between Barbara and Noah. However, it is revealed much later that this royal newcomer has ulterior motives with an interesting twist near the end of the story. The Baroness is the envy of the neighborhood after building a replica of a French chateau directly across the street from the conniving Jolene, the latest former mistress of Bradford. Jolene is a scantily clad pariah, shunned by most of Silver Lake for her involvement with Bradford. However, public scorn only fuels her desire to win back Patrick, her well-respected and admired ex-husband. She stoops low and uses their daughter Juliette in a ploy to seduce him. Patrick, however, is smitten with good-natured Pearl, the sweetheart of the neighborhood and friend to everyone. When Patrick rejects Jolene, she, in an act of desperation, retaliates against Pearl in such a mean spirited and hurtful manner that startles all of Silver Lake.

There is no peace, even for the "nice guy" as lovable Patrick struggles to raise Lee, his troubled teenaged daughter from a previous relationship. Lee's half-sister, Juliette, adds gasoline to the fire when she starts to exhibit traces of Jolene (evoking a "Mini Me" persona of her man-chasing mother) when she sets her eyes on her Lee's boyfriend.

Reminiscent to a daytime soap opera, the setting is posh. Everyone is beautiful, possesses an American Express Black card, drives luxury cars and wears designer attire. It seems like owning Armani suits, furs, Jimmy Choo shoes and Mikimoto pearls are an unwritten prerequisite for Silver Lake residents. Briscoe masters the storytelling aspects well by devoting alternating chapters to each main character which allows them to develop nicely while building suspense in an entertaining melodramatic offering. She adds solid doses of scandalous behavior, lying, cheating, double-crossing, and scheming to keep the pages turning until the end.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub
Nubian Circle Book Club

Gucci. Prada. Jimmy Choo. All the right labels adorn the black "new monied" denizens of Silver Lake in Prince George's County, Maryland. For two of these ladies, Barbara Bentley and Jolene Brown, money is of no consequence. They have luxurious homes in the north Silver Lake district, the wealthiest black enclave in the United States. Jolene is newly divorced after a scandalous affair with Barbara's husband, Bradford, the summer before, but Jolene can't let a little social humiliation get her down.

Then there is Pearl Jackson, also divorced, but residing in a less tony townhouse in Silver Lake. Pearl owns her own beauty salon and is the love interest of Patrick Brown, Jolene's ex-husband. Without the financial resources of Barbara and Jolene, Pearl has no problems with priorities. Even though Jolene wants her man back, Pearl is more than enough for Patrick, although his ex-wife cannot fathom the attraction. When a new mansion is built in Silver Lake, the streets are buzzing with curiosity and rife with rumor. A huge gala is planned at the newcomer's estate to welcome virtually all of the tight-knit community. Soon everyone wants to be the best friend of the newly arrived occupant in a virulent outbreak of status-envy.

From expensive hair weaves to designer duds to clandestine affairs, Briscoe whips up a froth of feminine follies, not the least of which involves a handsome hunk with dreads who has to beat the ladies off with a stick, his eyes for one woman only. And she is already married. This is upscale Maryland society at its dishiest and the author knows how to capture a moment and a man, her feisty protagonists fighting for dominance. There's a lesson for all, but especially Barbara, who finds out the hard way that "the devil you know is better than the one you don't".

If there is such a thing as literate chick lit, Connie Briscoe has cornered the market, "Sex and the City" sistah style, with an excess of panache and spirit to carry off the whole crazy romp. It may not be brain surgery, but the difference is obvious: this writer isn't just name-dropping designers du jour and indiscriminate sex, she is a skillful writer with a sense of timing, interesting characterization and believable plot development. Desperate Housewives, eat your hearts out. Luan Gaines/2005.

In P.G. County, you couldn't help but feel sorry for Barbara Bentley, but in this book, your cheering for her; In this book, she's gotten sober, sexy and savvy as a part time real estate agent, and a new interest which has turned the tables on her hubby, who know doesn't know what to do; Jolene comes back with a roller coaster of her own; licking her wounds and missing her now the well is dry ex hubby, and plots to get him back from Pearl with no success; And a mysterious countess builds a major mansion in the neighborhood which has everyone guessing her identity; Juicy, racy and bound to keep you turning the pages;

In this sizzling sequel to the P.G. County the drama continues. Barbara Bentley, THE social scion of Silver Lake has had it with her philandering husband Bradford. All the bling in the world does not take the place of attention and affection...add to that the fact that Barbara is keeping company with a handsome and much younger co-worker, and you have a very vulnerable fifty-one year old woman. Suddenly Barbara is much happier, begins dressing more hip, and begins "working" even more... doesn't she deserve some happiness of her own? So what if what makes her happy is only 38 years old...but what will happen if Bradford finds out?

Jolene Brown has reached her lowest point ever. She's screwing the company painter who just happens to be an ex-con, she's lost her husband to that fat matronly Pearl Jackson, and she has been ostractized from all social events at Silver Lake. But things may be looking up for Jolene; she's just hit the Maryland lottery for a cool five million, and she's got an agenda to win her husband back. When she finds that he cannot be swayed by money or cleavage, she enlists the help of her ex-con lover Brian in a scheme to ruin the new lady in his life, Pearl. But Brian is greedy and vindictive, and suddenly Jolene finds herself right back where she started...

Pearl Jackson realizes that her new life with boyfriend Patrick is far from a bowl of cherries..between that horrid ex-wife Jolene and his two teenage girls---to say that their relationship is a challenge would be an understatement. But Pearl seeks solace in her pride and joy....her beauty salon, her very own business. And business is good, until the night that Pearl receives an uninvited guest......

And through it all, everyone in Silver Lake is waiting to find out who is building that huge new mansion....is it a celebrity, or royalty, as some are saying? And into the lives of the ladies of Silver Lake steps Baronness Veronique, socialite extraordinaire, the woman that everyone wants to be friends with...but could it be that the Baronness has come to bring even more turbulence to the lives of the ladies of Silver Lake? In true P.G. County fashion, the author brings hot drama to the pages and to her fans in this sequel.


DYB

Can't Get Enough continues where P.G. County left off, this time focusing on the women. After almost a year of sobriety, Barbara Bentley's part-time real estate job really keeps her busy and away from her philandering husband Bradford. Things get a little steamy when a young colleague gives her ego a much needed boost. Jolene, Bradford's ex-mistress, is back with more mischief. Since becoming the black sheep of the P.G. County social circle, she's been trying to reclaim her previous social status. When Jolene wins the lottery, she thinks she will be back on top and be able to get her ex-husband back. Pearl is enjoying the success of her beauty salon and her relationship with Patrick. She faces some challenges though as she tries to build relationships with Patrick's two teenaged daughters.

Connie Briscoe does a masterful job with this satisfying sequel. There's also a mysterious new character (Veronique) added to the story to spice things up. Briscoe once again gives us entertaining characters that leap off the page. After reading this novel, you'll find that you "Can't Get Enough" of Connie Briscoe's intriguing novels.

Few can do it better than Connie Briscoe and in Can't Get Enough she proves she's at the top of her game. The novel picks up where P.G. County left off and resumes the story of Barbara Bentley, wife of philanderer Bradford, and her equally enthralling co-residents of a wealthy Washington, D.C. suburb.

Barbara is trying to cope with life as a rich businessman's wife -- is she happy with the high-end shopping, the swanky parties, and does she really have to continue putting up with catty Jolene, her hubby's former flame? Life is about to get interesting as Barbara takes up a new interest - selling real estate.

Then there's Pearl, a hefty yet sincere single mother that has caught the attention of Patrick, Jolene's ex-husband. If only Jolene would stick her nose in her own business, maybe she'd really find true happiness, instead of finding herself getting into deeper trouble.

And who can forget the new neighbor on the block -- the beautiful and mystical Veronique, a baroness who brings lots of rich tales and drama to the lives of her new friends.

Both amusing and delectable, Can't Get Enough is a pleasing and spirited novel - one that may entice and surprise you with its climatic twists; and one that includes all the ingredients of a perfect summer read.

Well, it's finally here, Connie Briscoe's CAN'T GET ENOUGH, which is the sequel to P.G. County. After reading it, I can truly say the folks in P. G. County just can't seem to get enough. They continue to be embroiled in each other's lives, playing "keep up with the Joneses" and let's hide my little secret this week. You will wonder aloud if some will ever learn from past indiscretions.

Ms. Briscoe adds a new twist: royalty moves into Silver Lake. The excitement has all the residents trying to figure out who it is and how to get on the guest list to the housewarming party. This new resident is none other then a Baroness, and she wastes no time getting to know her neighbors. The women all vie for her friendship as they spend time giving her all the juicy details and gossip about the neighborhood. What they don't know is the Baroness is planning some retribution of her own. Just who is her intended target?

The Bentleys return in this story with Barbara making her mark in the working world. She has new friends, a new wardrobe, and a whole new attitude. Her husband, Bradford, is in for the time of his life; the new Barbara seems to be a challenge for him as the tables have now turned. Jolene Brown, who still craves being rich and respected by any means, has lost the one man who truly cared for her. She realizes a few trysts too late just what she had. That realization doesn't sit well, as she begins to brew up some trouble of her own for her husband and his new girlfriend. Sadly, they have a hard time sustaining their relationship much less entertaining the antics of a scorned wife.

Connie Briscoe has crafted yet another intriguing saga about the inhabitants of Prince George County. Candidly written and expertly put together, Briscoe shows exactly why she makes a great storyteller. This book has something for everyone to love or hate, be it in the form of the self-made millionaires like the Bentleys, the do-it-yourselfers like Pearl, or the social climbers like Jolene. They all presented some very real issues to discuss, like living with and after adultery, being overweight and dating, revenge and jealousy, and blending families together. Integrating a couple more characters to the fray with a few surprise twists added just the right touch to keep me interested and reading into the night. This book could possibly stand on its own, but why spoil the fun? Read the first book also.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Few can do it better than Connie Briscoe and in "Can't Get Enough" she proves she's at the top of her game. The novel picks up where "P.G. County" left off and resumes the story of Barbara Bentley, wife of philanderer Bradford, and her equally enthralling co-residents of a wealthy Washington, D.C. suburb.

Barbara Bentley, the queen of P.G. County, was once a woman who never met a martini she didn't like. But clean and sober for a year now, she's a part-time real estate agent working with a young, handsome man who's got his eyes on her "property." She's eating up the attention, since she's not getting any from her philandering husband, Bradford. He's too busy traveling, making deals and bedding young hoochies. Then there's Jolene, Bradford's social-climbing former mistress, who fully intends on winning back Patrick, the husband she lost as a result of her affair. He's hooked up with Pearl, a plus-size sistah with real values and Jolene's plan to break them up may have gone too far. And who can forget the new neighbor on the block -- the beautiful and mystical Veronique, who builds a mansion next door. Everybody wants to be her friend, but she's not really interested. She's busy working on the best laid plans yet....

Both amusing and delectable, "Can't Get Enough" is a pleasing and spirited novel - one that may entice and surprise you with its climatic twists. Again, Connie has delivered a great story line of greed, jealousy, bitterness, adultery and of course betrayal. Great writing and great character development has proving to be some of the important ingredients to a great read.

"Can't get enough" was a pretty good book, however, it didn't really get me going like "PG County". Althoug this book had a good story line, I expect so much more. Connie Briscoe is a very good storyteller and I am one of her biggest fans, I expect this book to be explosive. I expected this book to really wow me. Since the author decided to write a continuation book based on PG County, this book should have be more drama filled. I expected the character Jolene to run into more severe life threatening problems, such as going to jail or even death. Since the author didn't kill any characters in the book makes me believe another series is in the works.

I expected the author to include more drastic events regarding Pearl's beauty salon, such as Jolene's daughter being hurt or murdered as a result of her deceitful ways. I thought he book was pretty good, but not as drama filled it should have been.

This sequel to PG County was a genuine page turner. Although it could stand on its' own, having read the prequel gave us the history and background we used to relate to the characters' strong feelings and actions. We identified the main theme being conflict, but at the end, the word resolution was in order. Reading the personal growth of each character was a good way to "close" the drama in Silver Lake (or so we think). Postive or negative, we thought each character reaped what had been sown; in addition, with all of the emotion emitted throughout the book, we could personally connect to the characters in some way. At the end, we couldn't get enough of Mrs. Bentley and all her neighbors in Silver Lake.