Customer Reviews

Double Pleasure Double Pain

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Entertaining, genuine and down to earth, DOUBLE PLEASURE
DOUBLE PAIN is the tale of Kyla, a 26-year-old "super-junior" at the local college who hasn't quite got her act together. After eight years of school, she doesn't know what she wants to do with her life, and is settling for a part-time job at a department store when she knows she could do better. And she's somewhat content with Jeff, a "good man" who loves and supports her, while her best friends Vanessa and Tori provide her comic relief.

Then a pleasant surprise takes the form of one of her classmates. In one of Kyla's social work classes (her umpteenth major), she meets Stephanie, with whom she has an immediate connection. They are both trying to get ahead in life and among the oldest students in the class. When Kyla discovers Stephanie is a lesbian, it surprises and fascinates her. Soon Kyla has to deal with her own blossoming attraction to a woman stirring up feelings she didn't know she had.

Stephanie doesn't step to Kyla at first, but let's their friendship develop slowly. Kyla gets to know her on a personal basis, even meeting Stephanie's 9-year-old son, Jaron. After a while, the ladies are sharing more than just classes--and Kyla doesn't know what to do.

The rest of the novel basically deals with Kyla's emerging sexuality and trying not to break anyone's heart, whether it's Stephanie, Jeff or her own. By the time she decides between her "safe" life with Jeff or the lesbian unknown, she's gained what's most important: the confidence to know whom she really is.

Double Pleasure Double Pain is a fast read. It's surprising to see just how Kyla will end up. Through her inner turmoil, the reader takes a voyage with Kyla through her sexual journey--and it's well worth the trip.

I read this book in one sitting, and it truly was a page turner. It was funny and real. While I have to say I've read some "self-discovery" stories similar to this one, Nikki Rashan does a really good job in not making it a sappy fairy-tale. Kyla has to struggle with her discovery, like most of us do, asking the stereotypical questions that makes it hard to identify yourself as being, "like that." I also liked the fact that Rashan didn't make it a story of a woman done wrong by a dog of a man, or a lesbian pursuing a confused straight woman who was fighting her feelings all the way. Kyla's fight was much more poignant than that.

If you have been searching for something good to read, I suggest you order this book NOW! I started reading it and could not stop! It is a serious page turner. I have never read anything that I could identify so closely with. All of the feelings and emotions conveyed by the characters were so realistic. At times I felt as though I was reading my own thoughts! This book surpassed my expectations and I plan to tell all my friends that they need to buy it TODAY!!!!! Excellent job Nikki, I look forward to reading more of your work.

Wow is all i have to say. I thought this book was just about a bi-curious woman and to my surprising, it was a hell of alot more than that. It showed every struggle the main character went through; things I never would even think about. I really enjoyed this book and you would too!
--I read it in a DAY!--

This was a very interesting read....I finished this book in two days mostly because i was curious as to what would happen next.I thought I predicted how this book was going to end,but the author took me by surprise.I cant wait to read the sequel.Kyla sure had alot on her plate...I promise I wanted to jump in the book and slap the hell out of Tori.To me,she wasnt a true friend to begin with,And Kyla should have been put her in her place.How could she call her all those names,when she was the biggest hoe in the book.

Nikki gives us a realistic look at how confused we can sometimes be. I have never personally experienced this type of scenario, but I have been caught between the love of someone who was off limits and someone who was totally free to be mine - and not knowing which to choose. It allows different readers to see that they are not alone in their struggles, and the best thing they can do to overcome it is follow their minds and hearts. It is nobody's decision but there own. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel - I think Nikki has more life lessons to come.

With the limited number of African American texts which feature diversity in terms of sexual identity politics, I was hoping for this new piece to do more. As a member of a women's reading circle, I suggested this book as the required reading for our group's September selection. All of the eight members of our group were disappointed. We were looking for a strong, intelligent, and positive protagonist in Kyla. Instead, Kyla's character was constructed as a sexually confused young woman who suffered from psychological emptiness and sought a cure for those issues through her sexuality. The letdown of such a character is that the author was successful in helping to maintain the ideologies regarding gays and lesbians as mentally confused individuals. The carelessness from which this book was written hurts would-be people like the 26 year-old Kyla who truly wrestle with identity politics within a hostile environment. I am saddened by this author's lack of effort.

I loved this book, everytime I put it down and told myself " I'll read more tomorrow, it was a fight with myself because I really wanted to read more " This book is great for straight people, bi people and gay/lesbian. I myself was in the mix with a man & woman so I can relate and it was a real eye opener, taught lessons, and was a pure page turner ( never got boring ). Although the way it ended, kind of had me upset; but happy. I really hope there is a part two, and things turn around for Ky,. You will not waste your money on this book, trust me. And if you liked this book you should try reading " she slipped and fell " by shonda. Its also a lesbian novel. [...]- thanks happy reading. Corin NJ.

I am not a big reader and definitely love this book , you just cant stop reading after you start. Made me laugh at times :)and keeps you wanting more and more ,you just want to read it all at once. I JUST LOVE IT , Well Done NIKKI RASHAN wishing you many blessings ,so we can enjoy more of your work.

I just finished reading this book in a matter of 2 days and I am so glad I took the time to do so. This book although fiction is real life for many females who are struggling with their sexuality. The only difference may be the names, location and maybe a few situations. There are many woman out there who are Kyla, but are too scared of being ridiculed and shamed to come to terms with their true identity. I will say that if you are that female struggling with yourself, once you read this book you will have a different outlook. This book takes you on a journey with Kyla as she evolves until the point where she is comfortable in her own skin and not worried about what people have to say, but her own happiness. When they say that people come into your life for a reason, it really is true. For Kyla it was about self discovery and acceptance of who she really is. Some people just need that one person to crack the door open for them. When you read this book you will not be disappointed. As I read this book I could literary feel her pain, emotions within my body and soul as if I was Kyla. This is a very good read. I borrowed this book from the library, but I will be buying it for my collection.