Customer Reviews

Good to the Last Drop

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Elissa Gabrielle makes a huge splash in the world of erotica with her debut novel, Good to the Last Drop. This tantalizing story centers on a newly married couple, Amber and Khalil Devereaux, two college sweethearts that have weathered the storms in their relationship to finally make it down the aisle.

One of the major storms was Khalil's constant indiscretions during college, one resulting in a child. Amber is portrayed as the quintessential forgiving "good girl" girlfriend and she manages to forgive him and forge ahead. Khalil has reformed and vowed to never hurt Amber again. Can Khalil live up to this vow or will bad karma come back to haunt his relationship? Khalil's best friend and right-hand man, Shawn, has been with the both of them through all their trials and tribulations and is not only Khalil's voice of reason, but Amber's rock that she leans and depends on. With his help and support, they are able to repair the foundation of their relationship. Shawn also seems to have found happiness of his own in his new fiancée, a stunning woman named Aaliyah. Yet, Aaliyah is very mysterious and harboring a secret of her own that could crush the very ground that her relationship with Shawn is built on. Amber also has two best friends- the flamboyant gay guy, Scott and the ghetto fabulous Keisha, who despise each other immensely but their love for Amber, bonds them together. There interactions provide many laugh out loud moments of comedy throughout the novel.

This story is written in a very relaxed, conversational tone. Through the first person accounts of each character, the reader feels as if they are a part of a funny dialogue. I was totally engaged with the rapid storyline that Gabrielle presented. Some of the scenes were so hot and detailed that I had to fan myself to keep from blushing. There are some minor errors that appeared in the book but they did not overshadow the flow of the story. Overall, this book was a major page-turner that left me wanting much more after the last sentence was read. If you are a fan of erotica, this is one story that you will not want to pass up! I look forward to reading more from Gabrielle, as this debut novel has solidified her place in the erotica genre.

Angelique
APOOO BookClub

Have you ever read a book that made you fight back your tears while reading in public? I hadn't, until I read Good To The Last Drop by Elissa Gabrielle. I was fortunate enough to come in contact with this highly talented author who told me that the book would definitely give me a "good laugh". Little did I know that this beautifully packaged book would throw my emotions into a wild spin cycle to rival a defective Maytag front-loading washing machine!

With the author's comment in mind, I began my journey into the world of newlyweds Khalil and Amber Devereaux. Although hesitant at first about the seemingly long list if characters that were introduced in the first couple of chapters, I soon realized that Gabrielle had the finesse to fully flesh out each and every one. By alternating the first person perspective between her cast of characters from chapter to chapter, Elissa Gabrielle adeptly revealed the inner workings of the people I would soon grow to love.

Admittedly, I did laugh at many scenes throughout the novel - Scott (the flaming gay best friend of Amber) and Aaliyah (the fiancée' of Khalil's best friend) bickering in his car which quickly leads to his pulling over to put her out, for instance - but I found that the sections that shine in my memory the brightest were the ones that held more emotional depth. I was so invested in these people that when I witnessed the final climactic moment between two of the main players in this dramatic tale, the tears would not stop forming in my eyes. Would this ultimately destroy them? My heart was so conflicted, and I was taken by surprise at how passionate I felt about the situation. This is the essence of a truly great story: the ability to lose yourself, forget that this is fiction, and believe that these people's destinies are being exposed with each turn of the page.

Elissa Gabrielle has sufficiently created a love story that will not easily be forgotten by her readers. In a time when so many writers tend to go for the pretty ending all wrapped up in a shiny satin bow, Gabrielle is refreshingly unique in her literary performance. You should not count on your classic fairy-tale ending, but you can anticipate both the feeling of satisfaction you get from a good read and the expectation of more excellently woven stories to come.

Review by Naiomi Pitre, author of Broken Vows and official reviewer for Big Time Publishing Magazine.

"Good To The Last Drop is a look into relationships and the tangled webs they can weave."

"The story unfolds with the storybook wedding of Amber and Khalil who were college sweethearts and appeared to have weathered the storms of the past and are in for a bright future together, especially with support from a close group of friends."

"Unfortunately, the past does not always stay where it belongs nor does it like to keep secrets with baby mamma drama, infidelity, lust and lies, how will their marriage survive or better yet should it?"

"Elissa Gabrielle does a great job in this novel portraying the fact that as human beings our words, actions and thoughts are often in conflict with each other."

"Good To The Last Drop delivers as the title promises, and it also leaves you with a sense of wanting more."

I was truly impressed with author Elissa Gabrielle's debut novel. Elissa puts a few spins on this book that made for an excellent read. One that had me on a emotionally roller coaster, I laughed, I wanted to curse out the character in the book, I wanted to cry for them, I routed for them. As I continued to read, I could not figure out where she was going next but when she did get there, it was more then I bargain for.

We meet newlyweds Amber and Khalil Devereaux collage sweethearts on there wedding day. Everything goes off with out a hitch. They are truly in love and have been through hell and high water to get to where there are. You have to read to see if this couple can weather the up coming storms that come their way. As I continued reading this first person novel that switch narrators each chapter was truly a joy as I was able to get in each characters head. This power couple has it going on as they both have reached their dream and all their hard work has paid off. When a secret is revealed, it threatens to break up this happy home. Can they fight their way back? On the other hand, will this be the end of Amber and Khalid as a couple? You have to read this must read to see if love alone is enough to hold this couple together when lies, deceit and hearts are broken.

The memorable cast was great and another advantage that makes this novel come full circle.

I truly enjoyed this book. The only thing disappointed me was I would of like to of read more on the conversation that took place when Aaliyah's true motives were revealed. The book ended with a bang and lives are sure to change.

SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc.
5 star rating.

Elissa Gabrielle mesmerizes you with memorable characters Amber, Khalil, and Shawn. Amber and Khalil have endured much adversity from their college sweetheart years to their wedded bliss. Shawn has always been the rock that they both leaned on for support and wisdom. Amber has two best friends in Keisha and Scott with his theatrics and prissy ways.

Ms. Gabrielle introduces us to characters on Amber and Khalil's wedding day. Shawn brings his surprise guest, his fiance', Aaliyah, who seems familiar to them, but is supposedly a stranger. Aaliyah proves to be strange in her antics and actions as she mingles with Amber and Khalil, causing them to question her relationship with Shawn, but they choose to keep their episodes to themselves giving her the benefit of the doubt. Shawn is happy with his newfound love and extremely happy for his best friends as he tries his best to ensure that Khalil abides by his sacred vows.

Good To The Last Drop is an enchanting debut novel. Upon embarking on this journey with Ms. Gabrielle, you will thoroughly enjoy this drama filled, exciting, fun-filled ride filled with comical scenes elicited with none other than Scott and his facetious remarks. Good To The Last Drop entails enchanting camaraderie between the characters as they interact while facing daily challenges and their love and loyalty are tested. I look forward to reading the continuation of this storyline. The one drawback was editing and grammatical errors, but other than that, excellente!!! 4.25****

Forgiveness is the cornerstone to every lasting marriage. Amber and Khalil are college sweethearts and they have weathered horrible storms but they survived. Shawn, Khalil's roommate and best friend, has been their strong shoulder to lean on and his bizarre sense of humor has released tense many nights. The supporting cast - Aaliyah (Shawn's girl), Scott (Amber's gay friend) and Keisha (Amber's best friend) - supply this moving tale of relationships with a triple dose of expresso by mixing drama with a touch of cream. You would have thought that Amber and Khalil endured enough before their engagement but would things get worse once they tie the knot?

GOOD TO THE LAST DROP was steamy, hot and invigorating. The character development is steady and the realness mirrors life - like high price of designer coffee. Just like a steamy café latte, this smoothly written novel will get your blood racing and heart pumping with its vividly explicit words. There were a few minor errors within the text but did not take away from this erotic love story. Gabrielle has made her mark on the world of African American publishing with this page-turning debut novel. Can't wait to read the next one...

Deltareviewer
Reviewing for Real Page Turners

Amber and Khalil were college sweethearts until he decided he would cheat on her just one time. That one time led to many more and a few unwanted pregnancies. One pregnancy led to the birth of a daughter, but it did not lead Khalil to stay with her mother. Amber forgave Khalil, resumed their relationship and as GOOD TO THE LAST DROP by Elissa Gabrielle opens, Amber and Khalil are soon to be married.

GOOD TO THE LAST DROP also features the friends and foes of Amber and Khalil and their machinations, to either see the relationship succeed or fail. Amber and Khalil's best friend from college, Shawn, is truly a practical jokester; when he shows up at their nuptials engaged and newly located to New York City, all wonder who this woman is that has captured his heart. Shawn's fiancée' is truly an enigma. Khalil seems to know her but cannot quite place her. Amber receives strange vibes from her but wants to welcome her into the folds of their friendship. Couple this with the friendships of the queen of the group, and another of Amber's friends and you have the making of a drama-filled, fast-paced story of deceit, betrayal, love and loyalty.

Elissa Gabrielle has portrayed characters who speak to the heart. The story is told alternately in each of the characters' voices with dialogue that is honest and enriching. They provide no pretenses; they pull no punches as their antics make for some laugh out loud moments and some trying times of tears and regrets. The sexual exploitations are detailed, the language at times is raw and the drama leading up to the climax, at times, is over the top. Several areas can be described as implausible or just plain confusing, considering one character's makeup. One thing about this novel, just when you think you have it all figured out, the author throws a wrench in the storyline that leaves your mouth agape. GOOD TO THE LAST DROP is the portrayal of when forgiveness wins out but at what cost to the heart.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

What a debut! Hats off to Gabrielle! This author has definitely captured my attention. I was in a trance from the first page until the last word. The author brought the characters to life and I felt as if I knew them personally. The sex is hot and the emotions are what we experience in our daily lives. This is one to add to the collection! Watch out world, Elissa Gabrielle has arrived!

Amber Clarke is one of the happiest women on Earth; she just married the man of her dreams, loves her job and has all of her closest friends and family there to celebrate.
Khalil Devereaux is a ladies man in every sense of the word he is really trying to stay true to the one woman he has finally realized he loves with all his heart. After all of his indiscretions they finally make it down the aisle, will all the secrets be behind them or is Amber's faith in Khalil tested again?
I enjoyed their story of love, betrayal, lust, friendship. Where I really enjoyed the story it was a bit repetitive at times; however I look forward to reading the sequel.

After years of havoc, hurt, deception and infidelity, Amber Clarke and Khalil Devereaux have finally jumped the broom. With the past behind them, the newlyweds are soaring high. Right?

Amber is the world's greatest person. Genuine, considerate and kind, she's always the one person everyone thinks of when they need a friend. Khalil has lucked out as he finally comes to the realization that his past indiscretions could've cost him the love of his life. Shawn is everyone's boy. This brother is a super hero/ role model all in one. When things were rocky between the lovers, it was Shawn's shoulder they both cried on. Shawn is happy to see their love come full circle. Maybe bliss is waiting in the wind for Shawn.

Karma comes quick. What happens when love and happily ever after are tempted with lust and secrets? Good To The Last Drop is freshly brewed with plenty of strong characters and a piping hot story that makes reading enjoyable. Laugh out loud funny, with a invigorating voice and spin on life. HOWEVER, the character descriptions and their issues became redundant.

Reviewed by: Crystal