Customer Reviews

Happily Never After

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

APOOO Rating: 4

T Wendy William's Happily Never After is a look into the life of Dorothy Lacroix Leonard. On the outside, her life appears to be picture perfect. Dorothy is a stay-at-home mom and married to Dr. David Leonard. They have three beautiful children, a wonderful home, a place with the elite in the black community; all they could ask for.

The story starts off with Dorothy's childhood in New Orleans. She meets some promising medical school students through her cousin. One of them is David who she keeps in touch with through letters and they eventually fall in love. When Dorothy finds David doing some questionable things the night before their wedding, she is hesitant to proceed with the marriage but she allows his charm to win her over. Once married, David did not want her to leave the house at all. Maybe it was for her protection or maybe it was David's controlling personality. When situations turn ugly, Dorothy starts to see David's true colors.

Williams brings all the characters to life. She takes you into the life of the class of people that thought they were better than others but you get to see the real deal. And looks can be deceiving. This is definitely a page-turner. It will have you so upset but happy at the same time. The cover fools you into thinking it may be a contemporary story. Even though
it is set in the 70s and 80s, it is an enjoyable read.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub

Wendy T. Williams gives you a look inside the life of bougie blacks who pretend to be something they're not. Apparently, looks are deceiving. Definitely a page-turner by an excellent writer. I'm looking forward to her next book, since I own them all. I'd recommend it!

I was a little hesistant about reading this book but I really enjoyed it. The fact that it took place in the 70s did not bother me, however, I did not care for the ending at all. Overall, this book was a pretty good read.

HAPPILY NEVER AFTER tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a man she hopes will make her happy. Dorothy's life in New Orleans was simple and rich with the love of her family. Her closeness to her strict father, taught her about love. Unfortunately, the lessons were easier said than done.

Dorothy met David Leonard at her family reunion, but she was smitten with his best friend. After the first few dates with the best friend, Dorothy realizes she probably chose the wrong guy. Dorothy and David reunite when she goes away to college and they correspond by mail. However, when a tragedy befalls her family, David was there to offer her unconditional support. They eventually fall in love and once David finishes medical school they plan their wedding. Dorothy knew she was in love, but loving David wasn't easy. From their wedding day on she put on a good face, when inside she was losing herself and her strength. She also failed in honoring what her father considered very important in a marriage - respect. As the years progress and even though they had a dream home, cars and beautiful children, the marriage everyone thought was perfect, starts to unravel. The things Dorothy hides behind closed doors start to see the light of day. Dorothy must gain strength to save her family and have her own peace.

The cover for HAPPILY NEVER AFTER is a bit deceiving, because readers may think they will be reading a modern tale of love, but the story actually takes place during the early 60s through the 70s. Personally, I love reading stories that take place during that time period and this was no exception. Williams tells this story with an enriched sense of the era, she paints a realistic picture of Louisiana and Texas during this timeframe. The main characters were well developed and the supporting casts of family, friends and nemeses added texture and believability to the story. The pacing was well done and the break down of the sections by Happily, Never and After were brilliant because readers are able to plot the course of this relationship. The story deals with familial issues, drug abuse, relationships and self-esteem. My only true issue with the novel was the ending was too easy and too perfect.

Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Let's see, the storyline was boring as well as some of the characters, Dorothy was a spineless jellyfish, David should be hung by his "family jewels". The ending was a disappointment and the only interesting characters were Chanelle, Cleo, Ophelia, Jerome and Tiny. The only reason this review got "3 stars" was because I couldn't give it "2 1/2 stars".

From the start to the end Dorothy was a FOOL!!!!! I'm just glad that I did not buy this book I got it from the library.

Over all, the book was good. i enjoyed the story even though I was fooled by the cover. I also think that it was the author's intention to fool the audience with the cover to get you interested (it worked). It was a good read and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Okay...I have waited for this book for a long time and I was sooooo glad that I was able to get it when I did. This book is good, starts out slow and some of the beginning is kinda of drawn out but it is still a good read.It will make you laugh,be mad and cry all at the same time.