Customer Reviews

First Comes Love (Urban Christian)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have heard that if you want a lasting marriage, then you ought to marry your best friend. London Harris and Bernard Phillips, the main characters in Shana Johnson Burton's First Comes Love, may beg to differ. London and Bernard have been best friends since they were very young, but after what they have done their friendship may be changed forever.

While consoling each other, London and Bernard hastily got on an airplane heading for Las Vegas to try to have some fun and cheer up. They went as friends, but returned to Atlanta as man and wife. Usually what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but not for them. Determined to right the wrong they have made, the two agreed to have the marriage annulled first thing Monday morning, but not if London's grandmother, Essie, has anything to do with it. Essie pulls out her worn Bible, providing them with the scriptures that say they must stay married. Will they listen and do as God would want them to do? Or will their friendship finally come to an end?

First Comes Love is filled with real-to-life feelings of regret and confusion. I felt the hurt and the pain of London and Bernard sacrificing their happiness to please someone other than themselves. The emotions were real and at times raw. My favorite character was Essie; she reminds me of myself. She told it to London and Bernard how it was with no sugary words; straight no chaser. That is always the best way. The editing needed to be polished, but it was not anything too distracting. I recommend First Comes Love to Christian and contemporary fiction readers.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

This book demonstrates how satan uses our times of sorrow to destroy us, but how God uses it for our good! Both London and Bernard suffered crushing heartaches from breakups/revelations with the people they loved. As we often do, they decide to "run" away from their sorrows and seek some good ole fashion fun. While in Vegas, they did as others have done and got married. Though, their friendship is priceless, are they good together as husband and wife? Was this God's will for them? From the outside looking in, it seems like the ideal pairing; they love the Lord, they are best friends and they geniunely care for one another.

However, it is as husband and wife that they find out all of the nuances of living together, what it means to say I Love You, what making a commitment means, what it means to TRUST the Lord and the most important lesson of all - the art of perseverance. When we say "I do" it's the becoming one that takes work. The wisdom shared and advice given by the grandmother is priceless!!!

This book is engaging and thought provoking. The story is well written (minus some editing issues), and relateable. It truly is an entertaining and enjoyable read!

I could not put this book down. London really gave Bernard hell.
My goodness how much can one man take. Never read anything from this author before, but you can bet I'll be looking for her books again. I would be nice to here from this couple again.

This was a good story line about life long friends that got married during a drunken night in las vegas. Bernard took the marriage serious from the beginning but London didn't. However, in the end she almost lost Bernard but he was honest about his love for her throughout the book. Highly recommend. It was a nice ending and they ended up being together through the storm....

London and Bernard have been best friends for years. Over time, they have become the go-to persons when problems arise, when they want to have fun, and when they need to vent over broken hearts. When London finds out her current boyfriend is actually a married man, she runs to Bernard for the comfort and support she needs. Even though she is drowning in the sorrows of her relationship ending, London is happy to learn Bernard is planning to propose to his live-in girlfriend. Unfortunately for Bernard, the proposal doesn't go as planned and both friends end up brokenhearted. What better way to get over your ex than a trip to Vegas with your best friend and paid for by the person who did you wrong? Although it seems like a great idea at the time, when the best friends wake up in the same bed married, they wonder what they have gotten themselves into. London's grandmother is there to give them an answer and some Biblical knowledge that forces them to give their marriage a real try. Will they be able to have a lasting marriage or will both of them end up without a spouse or a best friend?

Shana Johnson Burton's FIRST COMES LOVE is the roller coaster ride of London and Bernard's relationship. Burton does a good job of taking the reader inside each of the character's minds and keeps us guessing as to what will happen with the two. The novel was well written and while it wasn't something I could read in one sitting, it was interesting enough to keep me coming back for more. In my opinion, the grandmother comes off a little too preachy but she also falls into the stereotypical role of the all knowing, Bible-thumping old lady many of us know well. Overall, Burton did a good job with this novel and I look forward to more works from her.

Reviewed by Criss C.
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

London Harris has just learned that her boyfriend, Creighton, who she's dreaming of forever with, is already someone's husband. Heartbroken, she and her best friend, Bernard, share a few scoops of ice cream. Bernard Phillips shares with London his intentions to pop the big question to his live in girlfriend, Vanessa. However, Bernard finds that Vanessa isn't exactly feeling the same way for him.

Where do broken hearts go? Las Vegas, the city of sin. `Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.' That is unless you're related to Essie Harris, London's grandmother, who already knows that something in the milk ain't clean. When she learns that London and Bernard got married while intoxicated, she quotes scripture and verse why the two should continue with their marriage. Will she be able to make London and Bernard understand the importance of being husband and wife?

As unbelievable as it may sound, Bernard is ready to take on all of his husbandly duties. He's loved London forever and now that they are married he's willing to do anything to ensure her happiness, even if it means hurting himself. London is so used to having things her way that she's closed off from even allowing the thought of happily ever after with him to enter her mind set. As they journey through a long, challenging time the two crumble under the pressure. Without GOD and a will to fight, London finds herself leaning back into Creighton's direction and Bernard is ensnarled by Rayne. Is it too late for the Phillips to make it last?

"First Comes Love" written by Shana Johnson Burton is a charming story about the road less traveled. I enjoyed the characteristics, especially the very opinionated grandmother, whose strength and joy in the Lord was uplifting. Now even with the good, I have to admit, I wasn't feeling the illusion of sex. Ya'll know I like REAL SEX! Otherwise, "First Comes Love" is a good read.

Reviewed by: Crystal

London and Bernard had been best of friends for years. During a drunken stupor they went to Las Vegas and got married! The two of them must decided if they were meant to be together or if their union was a bad drunken decision that needed to be amended.

I loved that though all the trials and tribulations they still remained friends. Even though it was hard at times they didn't let anything come between their friendship. While London kept pushing Bernard away and was not willing to try to make things work they had to put their faith in a higher power in order make things work. This book will have you rooting for love to conquer all as it takes you on a roller coaster ride!

Reviewed by:
Graceful
[..]

'First Comes Love' is a Christian fiction novel written by Shana Johnson Burton. The main characters in this story are London Harris, a real estate agent, and Bernard Phillips, a restaurant owner. The two have been best friends since they were children, nothing more, nothing less.

The story starts out with the two of them being dumped by their significant others. After this took place, they decided to get away to Vegas so they could forget their troubles for the time-being, or so they thought. After a wild night of drinking, the two end up in bed together the next morning and realize they got married the night before.

The two decided that they would just as quickly annul the marriage, since they realized marriage wouldn't work for them, and friendship would. But when news of the secret marriage got back to London's grandmother, a strong believer in God and the bonds of marriage, she urged them to try to make it work.

Bernard and London decided to try to make it work, more so for her grandmother's sake than their own. Despite numerous efforts, mostly on Bernard's part, their marriage went through many ups and downs. But in the end was it too little, too late?

Overall this book was a very good read. It got a little confusing during the first few chapters when the author would flashback to the main characters childhoods. I don't feel that was necessary to get the point of the story across. I would give this story 4 stars out of a possible 5, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good novel that gets the theme across without the constant use of profanity and sexual scenarios.

Lalia Washington
Reviewer, I Pen Designs/I Pen Books
6/09

Best friends London and Bernard jet off to Vegas for a night of parties and casinos to numb their broken hearts. What they don't count on, however, is waking up next to each other the following morning with a nasty hangover and a signed marriage certificate. London and Bernard nix their plans to quietly and quickly annul the marriage when London's grandmother uses a fast tongue and biblical principles to convince them to try to make their marriage work.

It doesn't take the newlyweds long to realize that maintaining a friendship is a lot harder than sustaining a marriage. Their constant bickering leads London to finding solace with Creighton, an old flame who's trapped in a loveless marriage of his own. Their marriage is further strained when Rayne, a sexy new temptress, sets her sights on Bernard. After a night of passion leads to unintended consequences, London and Bernard seek God for answers and are forced to decide if loving someone means holding on to that person at all costs or being willing to let go.

Recently dumped by their mates, best friends London Harris and Bernard Phillips decide to take an impromptu trip to Las Vegas. While trying to drown their problems in the limelight of Vegas, they create new ones. While having a little too much fun in Vegas, they find themselves in bed together, and MARRIED!!! As best friends, they clicked. They could finish each other statements, amd they knew what the other was thinking. But as a married couple, they kinda sucked. They were constantly arguing about little things like bills, cleaning the house, etc.

They finally came to a decision to just annul the marriage before they completely ruined what little friendship they had left. That was until London's grandmother Essie made a suggestion. She asked them to seek God before making this decision, and find out what his plan is for their marriage. After deciding to take Essie's advice, they tried to seek God for guidance by reading the Word of God, and attending church. But will that be enough to hold their marriage and their friendship together?

First Comes Love does have some truth to it. This book is filled with a lot of real life feelings, like how heartbroken you are when you're dumped by your mate. Shana Burton brought to life some of the emotions you feel throughout a relationship, and what it takes to seek God before just taking matters into your own hands. My favorite character in the book was Essie because she didn't hold any punches. She gave you the truth by the way of the Lord. She reminds me of my mother...someone who holds nothing back. If it hurts your feelings, oh well. Pick yourself up and move on. There were some grammatical errors, but nothing to distract you from the story. Ms. Burton did a good job with First Comes Love.

Reviewed by Jackie
for Urban Reviews