Customer Reviews

Four Guys and Trouble

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Marcus Major is back with his hilarious and entertaining second novel titled Four Guys and Trouble. Major's fresh and witty voice once again captivated me and held my attention 'til the very end. This book was such a delight to read that I finished it in one sitting.

In Four Guys and Trouble, Major introduces us to four young and very successful AA men who have much drama going on in their lives. Fraternity brothers (til the end) --Ibn, Colin, Dexter and Michael are bound by "frat" and by their love for "little sister" Erika aka Bunches. When Erika's older brother died the fraternity brothers promised him that they would help Erika's grandmother raise her. Erika is now grown, pursuing a promising career as a doctor and seeking her independence from the brothas...but they're not really trying to hear that. The brothas are as different as night and day but when it comes to Erika they have a vested interest and share the same creed/modus operandi--no male is going to get close enough to Erika if any of them can help it. Now mind you these brothas don't quite have their own personal houses in order...which is probably why they take such liberty in keeping the brothas who're interested in Erika in check and at bay.

Take Ibin, he's the eternal player; he's been living with his girlfriend, Tiffany for more years than some folks have been married but he has some extreme double standards. He figures since he showers Tiffany with expensive things such as a big house, fine jewelry, designer clothing and a nice ride that he can come and go as he pleases (uum he doesn't have a clue when he strolls in at 3:00am and Tiffany asks him to drop his pants...you will have to read the book just to experience this hilarious scene). Tiffany, of course, feels differently and she would give up all the material possessions if she could just be Ibn's one and only.

Colin is in love with Stacy but is she really in love with him? Colin is a guy who appears to have come out of his mother's womb with "dominate me/control me" written over his forehead. He's a good guy who it seems that everyone he's ever dealt with has stolen his heart and messed over him...uuummmm...including his mom. When will he ever learn to stand up to Stacy? Or will he find someone else who reciprocates his feelings?

Dexter appears to be a very religious brotha...at least a praying brotha. But why? Did I hear someone call "Daddy Dexter?" But Dexter isn't married, I wonder if that prayer had anything to do with him becoming a father. I wonder if he's really happy about becoming a father.

Michael is spending time with a former college friend who had quite a reputation when she was in school. Seems she's changed; she appears to have gotten saved in the last few years. And now rather than screaming "oh god, oh god" in the bedroom she's busy praising the Lord and trying to save her man. But will she hold Michael's interest?

While the boys are busy figuring out their lives, Bunches is growing up and moving on. She's falling in love and there's nothing they can do about it...or can they?

Four Guys and Trouble is a hilarious and entertaining look at friendship, loyalty, love and contemporary relationships. The characters are colorful and the dialogue is sharp and witty. Major paints a right-on observation about contemporary relationships. There are situations that will make you laugh out loud (lol), say "no they didn't go there" and others that will have you actually feeling empathy with the boys as they face soulstirring events. Major is back and his writing is strong (although at times the language might be a bit offensive/too candid for some). If you're looking for an entertaining, fast paced, vivacious page turner then I recommend Four Guys and Trouble for your reading pleasure. Yasmin M. Coleman

"Four Guys and Trouble" is a unique and suitable title for Marcus Major's follow up to "Good Peoples." Ibn, Colin, Dexter, and Mike are friends who have taken on the task of overseeing a feisty and smart young lady called Bunches, the younger sister of a friend who died. They're also guys who talk plenty of noise about each other's business (like who the other is dating), and the guys are always eager to give their very graphic and impassioned viewpoints on the male/female relationship scene.

This book will keep you in stitches because there is page after page of hilarious lines and scenes. And although each character stands on his own, the amazingly arrogant and mouthy Ibn may garner the most attention; Ibn is a "character" in the true sense of the word who says and does some of the most outlandish things I've seen yet in print. The story is fast paced, filled with action, sex, romance, drama, and quite a few shockers. Simply put, fans of "Good Peoples" should find another winner in the unforgettable "Four Guys and Trouble".

I liked Good Peoples (Marcus major's first novel) but I love 4 Guys and Trouble! If you are looking for a book that is easy to read and is hard to put down, this is a definitely a must have! 4 Guys and Trouble is funny smart and offers a true to life depiction of friendship, love and relationships from a male perspective. But don't worry ladies, there is no female bashing here (or male bashing for that matter). It's simply a book that tells it how it is - the good, the bad, and the ugly- when it comes to both men and women.

Majors introduce Mike, Colin, Dexter, Ibn and of course Bunches. In the beginning, they are just characters, but by the end of the story, they are more like old friends. You'll understand Dexter's struggles, you'll pray that Colin gets a grip, you'll root for Bunches (she reminds me of the character, Scrappy, in the movie Rosewood who sets her eyes on Mister!) You'll fall in love with Mike, and you'll try with difficulty to hate Ibn, but find yourself liking him just because...

If I sound too excited, I can't help it - 4 Guys and Trouble is a book to get excited about! Read it, and I guarantee you'll be spreading the word about this book too. Cut up, Marcus Majors! Cut up!

4 Guys and Trouble is an outstanding, exceptional, wonderful, and noteworthy second novel by Marcus Major. It evolves into a funny story about love, betrayal, friendships, hatred, jealousy, and convictions. When friendships are tested the characters are forced to accept growth because of change. While reading this novel you are drawn into the intertwining relationships between Ibn, Dexter, Colin, Michael, and then there is Bunches. A bright young woman and her life-long friendships established as a final promise to a lost friend. There are a cast of supporting characters like Stacy who belittles Colin, Tiffany who loves Ibn, born-again Christian Sharise, Denise who is Dexter's worse nightmare come true, and Stephanie who is waiting her turn that add to already a delightful storyline.

Pages Readers Group recommends 4 Guys and Trouble and would like to thank Marcus for writing something so cool and talking to us about it. A must read...

I bought "4 Guys and Trouble" because I enjoyed "Good Peoples" so much. Mr. Major has the ability to to make his charactors so come to life, and touch your heart. This is the story of four men who have been very close friends since college, and the young woman they collectively adopted as a sister when her brother(their friend) died. The four friends are now successful professionals, and their young sister is a medical student. The reader joins them in their everyday life, and becomes part of the group. We share their joys and sorrows, and really start to care about them. We watch Erika(aka"Bunches") come to terms with her love for one of these men, and her relationship with all of them. The dialogue is witty, and the story fast moving. I am touched by the true devotion these men have for each other. Even when angry at one another, their friendship pulls them through. this is a story about people, and relationships.There aren't many stories told more from the male perspective. This is a book that will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about contemporary love and relaionships. I am neither young, nor African American, but I do enjoy a good story.By the end of the book, I cared about all these people like they were friends I'd known for years. When I closed the book, I missed them all. This is a wonderful story by a very talented writer....I strongly recommend this book!

I've always enjoyed reading about male friendships and this book was very funny and at times thought provoking. We have Dexter-trying to do the right thing but not exactly enjoying it; Ibn-the classic fine brotha with his demented views of women; Mike-the good guy until......; Colin-the doormat (I found myself praying that he would see the light); and finally Bunches-who taught the guys a few things about the opposite sex. This book will make you laugh at some of their shenanigans. I had a hard time putting it down to do the necessary things in life. I had to know how it ended. However, I did find myself wondering about Mrs. Truitt because there was no mention of her after her departure. Although I found it to be a funny and appealing book, it did enlightened me to some of the thoughts, hopes and dreams that men have. Get this for a quick and lighthearted read! Oh-Tiffany, way to go, LOL!

I bought this book on a whim because of the title. I can say I am happy that I did. This book is thouroughly entertaining. Marcus Major has earned a new fan.

I like how the author detailed the connection of the four guys (Ibn, Colin, Michael, and Dexter) to Bunches (aka Erika). The characters are all so real, especially in their relationships. I like the boldness of the way the guys interacted with each other, it is a no holds barred look at the brotherhood of men. I got so wrapped up in the stories, at times I found myself wanting to talk to some of the characters.

You Gotta Love.

OK, this review is coming from a white guy approaching middle age. Who's reading a novel where all the characters are black. Just because it looks like a good story. Well, this is what goes through the white guy's mind while reading it.

First, all the characters in the book seem to be well-educated. Or in the process of being well-educated. The "trouble" part of the title is even studying medicine. For this I have a lot of admiration.

All the characters in the book also seem to have no problems getting as much sex as they desire, with as many partners as they want. Even the married ones. And when the partners cross paths, it doesn't seem to cause the level of tragedy one might think. For this I am envious.

The characters in the book also seem to not have any problems with money. Their cars have stickers with the names "Lexus" and "Mercedes". They wear fashionable clothes, and seem to lead the lifestyles of the "What sort of man reads Playboy?" ads. Now I have a Master's Degree and have worked in the computer profession for many years. Yet my lifestyle nowhere near comes to the fairly young adults portrayed in this book. For this, I'm a bit skeptical, and this feeling would be there whether the characters are white or black.

The characters in the book use swearing a lot (and I mean a LOT) more liberally than I see in my circles. They are also quicker to use some very mean words to describe their lovers much more early into a disagreement than I see in my circles. Sure, they are just words, and they are used in a more elegant, educated manner than say your basic white redneck does. But for this, I just see a reinforcement of some of the stereotypes that the author seems to be wanting to dispel with his characters.

Oh yes, the story. Well, there really isn't that much of a plot more than a very interesting description of a lifestyle that I frankly wouldn't mind having myself. It concerns the post-college years of four men who were in the same fraternity. A friend of the four dies, and asks them to watch over his sister. Well, that sister is all grown up now, in medical school, and has her own mind. She's also become a very attractive young lady, and for a group of guys who need to buy more guns (only in a figurative sense) just to carve more notches in, we can see what problems this is going to cause.

But that's it. The book is very readable, and I recommend it, but I'd give it a higher rating if something kind of important happened. Something that goes beyond who's boinkin' who, which dominates the plot so much that at one point in the book you get four consecutive scenes of our boys in the sack. It's so prominent here I've got to think the author is a bit too obsessed with the subject.

As usually there are 4 guys involved in this book. Ibn, Dexter, Collins, and Mike. They are frat brothers. Erika aka Bunches was their frat brother's sister. His name was Trevor, and before he died of a blood disease, he asked them to look after his sister. Trevor and Bunches mother was killed in a auto accident. Their father was not around to raise them.

As the story goes, each of the guys has their own share of relationship problems, but when it comes to Bunches they committment to her brother Trevor stands above anything else. Bunches is growing up and an upcoming doctor.

The guys still see Bunches as a little girl that needs protection and they try to run every guy she meets away from her. But there is one guy they are unable to runaway.

Can you guess who it is?

I will tell you this, it is one of the guys who promised Bunches brother he would look after her.

Ibn was well educated but had double standards when it came to woman. In the end it cost him the woman he truly loved.

Dexter wanted to get out of a relationship, but a surprise was waiting for him and he tried to do the correct thing and handle his business.

Collins was a mama's boy and very naive, and I truly believe that Collins just wanted to be loved. He did get with someone who respected and cared for him and lifted his low self esteemed.

Mike, oh Mike, now I liked Mike, he seemed to have it together for most of the time. But when it came to Bunches, he too was over protective. For all the wrong reasons. He also tried to live in the past with a girl he always liked. This girl had become saved and he tried to get with it. But in the end his heart led him to the right lady.

This was a good book, very entertaining.

Marcus Major's second book, 4 Guys and Trouble, is a refreshing change from the "all-men-are-dogs" theme that is prevalent in today's literature.

The overall plot gets kudos: four intelligent and attractive black males who voluntarily pull together to honor their late frat brother and raise his baby sister after his death. They not only pooled their resources to buy rental properties (thus increasing their collective wealth), but they also did the same in order to buy said sister a new car and allow her to live rent-free while she concentrated on school. How can I be down?

Ibn, Mike, Dexter, and Colin are so different yet very similar: black men making their niches in the world while dealing with the women (or lack thereof) in their lives. The women in this book are actually stereotypical: there's the trophy (Tiffany), the ballbreaker (Stacy), the golddigger (Denise), the reformed hoochie (Shanice),the secret admirer (Stephanie)and the ugly duckling-cum-swan (Erika). Actually, the men are too: the player (Ibn), the Nice Guy (Colin), the dumb jock(Dexter), and the Good Friend(Mike). However, Mr. Major makes the sterotypes work for him and not against him. I must admit, it was a bit scary to be that up close and personal with the inner workings of the male mind.

Mr. Majors does an excellent job of portraying the tensions in all of the relationships in the book, both platonic and romantic. There were some nice surprises which played out well without being trite or too predictable (except, perhaps, for Colin's story). I like the way each character was allowed to come into his or her own (especially Tiffany). I especially liked the development of the relationship between Mike and Erika and the ensuing reaction of the rest of the crew. That was a well-written scene that made for pleasurable reading!

While all of the characters were relatively well-developed, I would have liked to have seen more of Ibn, especially the reasons why he worshipped money. I got a glimpse of why, but it may not have been obvious to the average reader. Ibn was the most likeable character; he was crass, arrogant, and a womanizer and made no apologies for those facts. He was just real.

This book is definitely a keeper!