Customer Reviews

A Happy Life (Love Spectrum Romance)

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

 

 

A Happy Life was a feel good read. I ejoyed the humor, wit, and playfulness of all the characters. When we first meet Justice Dillard she is a Parking Enforcement Officer who has just booted Anthony "Tony" Williams car. Although their meeting is brief, Tony is immedately taken with the no-nonsense beauty and does a little friendly flirting. Sometime later, Justice is in a new job as a 9-1-1 operator and rushing to work to keep from being late when she is pulled over by Officer Tony Williams. Justice finds it ironic Tony is a police officer and after their first meeting is sure she will get a ticket, however, Tony lets her go with a warning and a plan to win the heart of Justice.

Justice has a rule about dating officers but Tony's persistence and her attraction to the former pro football player breaks down her resolve in playing the friendship game they erected at first, and she finally lets go to experience the emotions that had been building between them from day they first met.

There is a great supporting cast on Justice and Tony's wonderful and eventful journey to their "Happy Life". From Tony's first encounter with Charlie, Chelsea chasing Trevor through the parking lot and Tony uttering "that's one scary woman" prompting the gang to reply in unison "WE KNOW!!". As well as Tony's sister Brenda, cousin Billy who is a cop and his wife Sharon. Justice's best friend Mike, the parents and the insightful little Rachel, Darius, and the twins. As well as the tragic efforts of Tony's ex, Alexis.

Sometimes too many characters detracts and makes the storyline cluttered, this is not so with A Happy Life. Ms Harris has done a great job in keeping the pace and focus of this story. I don't know what she'll do for an encore but I do hope to see this special group again.

Althought this book is very good, it has not business being in the interracial collection. It is about a black female 9ll operator and a black male cop. The only white talk about in the book was friend and co-worker Trevor and a female name Laura. Buy the book because it is good. But if you was to read about interrcacial couple this is not the book.

As delightful as this story was...and it was delightful, I have to first clear up a glaring error about the category in which this book was placed. It is not, I repeat NOT, an interracial novel. There is a slew of characters, most of whom are African American, a couple of whom are white. However, at no time is there even a hint of any of these characters crossing racial lines. With that said, I thought the story was whimsical, fast-paced, and interesting. I would have put it in the category of young adult fiction, but for the sometimes racy and mature subject matter. Two people, Justice and Tony, meet in unusual but not unlikely circumstances and find themselves instantly attracted. In fact, they are soul mates. It takes a lot of drama and incredible circumstances for them to finally reach the happy ever after conclusion of the many major life upheavals--and consequently the book--for the reader to take a breath. Yet, it's worth the couple of sittings it should take to breeze through A Happy Life. I don't think anyone can argue that Justice and Tony earned the life they got. Overall, some more chapter, paragraph, and sentence breaks may have stopped the hyperventillation without taking away from the storyline. I got the impression that author was afraid that if she slowed down the reader would think too much about the multitude of characters and not-to-be-believed "incidents" driving the novel. This book is true escapism for those who just want to laugh, shake their heads, and expend little or no mental energy in trying to figure out the characters and their motivations. Good first outing. Somebody please take it out of the Interracial category!

Justice Dillard is the only child of two successful attorneys. When she fails the bar exam the first time after graduating law school Justice decides she's not ready and finds work as a Parking Enforcement Officer. Tony Williams ex-football player turned cop first encounter with the beautiful and witty Justice is when his car is booted. Justice quickly dismisses his attempt to get personal without ever knowing about his fame on the grid-iron.

Tony next meets Justice on his turf. She's speeding to her new job as a 9-1-1 operator when he pulls her over. Both are shocked to see each other again but Tony is glad to learn that Justice works close enough for him to try again to get to know her better. In the beginning Justice only agrees to go out with Tony as a friend, later when Tony confesses he wants more for them, she admits the same and gives them a chance.

There are so many great stand alone characters in this story that it's hard to call them secondary. I'd like to see Garrett and Sandra's story, possibly one on how Billy and Sharon got together and Mike and Amber's trip to the altar. I liked both sets of parents and the fact Justice's best friend was male and Tony never seemed jealous. I loved little Rachael she was one smart cookie. I liked Charlie too and I don't like dogs. There are so many funny and sentimental scenes. There is some drama to try and take away from the stability of the couple but they hold on to their love.I didn't like how the story scenes ran into each other leaving the reader to determine the time frame. All and all this was a good story.

Justice and Tony meet as Justice and her traffic patrol partner are just finishing the installation of a boot on Tony's car. Despite his annoyance at dealing with the immobilization of his car, Tony is drawn to Justice immediately and lets it be clearly known. Justice, though flattered and physically attracted, is not interested in Tony who she perceives as a "playa".

Shortly after this first incidence, Tony and Justice meet again when Police Officer Tony pulls Justice over for a traffic violation. Justice is still both attracted and annoyed, but after a third chance meeting can no longer fight her growing interest in Tony.

A short volume of only 192 pages, "A Happy Life" nonetheless covers a long range of time and a myriad of issues. The supporting cast consists of a host of family and friends that add nicely to the story of Justice and Tony.

One of my major complaints about the books is that the author's writing style lacks substantive transitions. Often I'd have to reread several sentences as the author jumped from one scene/timeframe to another in mid-paragraph. This made for a frustrating read at times. Also some of the dramatic flavor of the story was abruptly and unrealistically introduced. More background on these issues would have made for a more complete, satisfying story.

All in all however, this is a fast-paced romance that presents a well-rounded view of Justice and Tony's story.

A HAPPY LIFE by Charlotte Harris portrays two strong-willed individuals, Justice Dillard and Tony Williams. They meet under the most unusual circumstances; she is a parking enforcement officer and he is the recipient of overdue parking tickets. Justice is a law school graduate and unlucky in love. You may find yourself asking, as I did, "why is she writing parking tickets and putting boots on cars with a law degree?" Tony has a prior occupation that he does not reveal and a former lover who makes it her business to reveal herself.

At first glance, A HAPPY LIFE is a whimsical and typical romance tale of the cat and mouse chase, but as you read the pace of the story picks up and the drama and climax is tantamount to unbelievable. The book takes you from the main characters initial meeting through their trials and those of their friends and co-workers. The secondary characters, Justice's best friend, who happens to be a male, her co-workers and her parents to Tony's sister, his cousin and his mother, add an enormous amount of humor to the story.

The dialogue among the characters is strong and realistic and the use of imagery is very good. I could visualize the scenery and the characters emotions with ease. Harris does a nice job of setting the stage for possible eternal love with obstacles along the way. All in all, A HAPPY LIFE is a tantalizing romance.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves

of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers