Customer Reviews

Heard it All Before

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When you're a woman of a certain age, it can be difficult to find books that speak to you on your level. I'm not really one for chick lit or urban lit and that's what several contemporary authors are trying to push onto women. At times I feel like writing to the publishing houses, "Stop assuming that we're all 20, or what to be 20, and write to my demographic." Ladies, I'm happy to tell you that newcomer Michele Grant is writing to our demographic and she gets it!

Heard It All Before is the story of the solid middle class suburbanite Jewellen Capewell and her wild child sidekick, Renee Nightingale. While Renee works relationships like a novice checker player, Jewellen works hers like a skilled chess master. But when she meets the handsome Roman Montgomery, a brother with serious game, all bets are off.

I love that the author tells the story from all sides. Unlike some women authors, when her female characters are wrong, they're wrong and Ms. Grant doesn't try to sugar coat it. I absolutely adored this book and devoured it within hours on a Sunday afternoon.

Loved it! I can't say it enough. This newly published author did it right and I am looking forward to any future books she writes. At one point in the book (during a wedding scene) I was literally brought to tears with laughter. The characters are realistic, varied, interesting and totally open for readers to appreciate. The story focuses around two couples Jewel and Roman and Renee and Gregory, but there are a host of other interesting and varied characters, including family members, ex-loves, friends and even little Chase (Roman's son) that hold the reader's attention. I couldn't put the book down and can honestly say that black folks (male and female) can appreciate this book about love, life and relationships! I highly recommend it.

Right off the top, this was an enjoyable read. Not only is there humor and drama but some emotional moments as well.

Jewellen Capwell and her friends are looking for Mr. Right but have their own ideas of what he should be. Jewel does not want a "thug" and her friend, Renee Nightingale wants someone that can afford her taste.

Jewel meets Roman Montgomery and sparks fly. Problem? Rome lives in the hood. Renee finds just what she needs in Gregory Samson. Problem? Renee likes to play. Jewel meets Rome's ex, Jaquenetta and their son, Chase while Renee has her eyes on Rome's brother, Beau; these provide for some tense moments in their relationships and how these couples work on theirs make for interesting reading. When Jewel gets lost looking for Rome's house and finds herself in the wrong neighborhood, she realizes what little she really knows about her hometown. Other characters/friends in the story help to make this an enjoyable read.

I am looking forward to more from first time author, Michele Grant. Soon, I hope.

This book is an easy, fun read. I love the characterizations. Jewel is a girl I can relate to and Roman is a man I would love to date! The characters of Renee and Greg add a great counterpoint as well. Seriously, this is one of the best things I read all year - go get it.

After successful suburbanite, Jewellen Capwell and her ex-fiance went their separate ways two years ago, she couldn't wait to get back into the dating scene. However, she quickly learns dating can be emotionally draining. Jewellen has heard it all before; the games and lies from the men she's dated. When her best friend Renee invites Jewellen to attend a basketball game on the Southside, she is reluctant to go because she's afraid of going into that part of town. Although still unenthusiastic about venturing to the other side of town, she accepts the invite. When she literally falls under the spell of Roman Montgomery's alluring eyes, where she is no longer matters.

Playing games is Renee Nightingale's forte. Before anyone thinks to play her, she always has a game plan in the back of her mind. She doesn't want to reach the age of thirty still single, so she schemes to get her boyfriend Gregory to pop the question. However, the attraction to another man puts a sensual twist in her plan; will she lose it all?

Cleverly and creatively written, Michele Grant's debut novel, HEARD IT ALL BEFORE, contains plausible characters and issues about young African American professionals. The characters express their lives and situations in their own point of view. Highly spiced with boundless drama and hilarious moments, the reader surely will be entertained.

Reviewed by Sharon Lewis

of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

If this is how this author debuts I can't wait to see what else she can do. This book was so good. The characters were something else. I really enjoyed this book because it was about grown ups and not a bunch of youngins pretending they know what problems are. Excellent job can't wait to read more.

Heard it All Before by Michele Grant is an excellent debut that explores dating and class differences among the thirty-something set. Jewellen Capwell is the ultimate Black-American Princess. She was born and raised in North Dallas and has made it her business not to venture too far south. It is not that she is out of touch with being black, it is simply that she is being cautious. At 30 she owns her own temporary services business and is all about upward mobility. Though she has been dateless for a long time she has not even considered venturing to the south side to look for love. That is until her best friend, Renee, a former south side girl convinces her to attend a basketball game. Jewellen reluctantly agrees and has her world rocked by the south side hunk, Roman Montgomery. Roman puts the `F' in fine and within moments Jewellen is smitten. The question becomes is she open to love, even if she has to venture into the `hood' to get it?

Ms. Grant offers an entertaining insight into the dating world of what would appear to be opposites. However, she does a wonderful job of showing that there are not that many things that are different about the heart's ability to love. What was particularly interesting was how Grant managed to show the strengths and weaknesses in her male and female characters, showing that men are as interested in loving and being loved as women. I recommend Heard it All Before to all who love an entertaining, humorous look at love in contemporary times.

The novel was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Angelia Menchan

APOOO BookClub

I had gotten away from reading chick lit/romance novels because they'd gotten too formulaic and cheesy. But my faith in the genre has been renewed! I recently finished reading the debut novel by Michele Grant, entitled "Heard It All Before". Ms. Grant has a strong writing voice and her characters especially Jewel and Rome were well developed and fleshed out. Often times, I want to know more about the back story of a character so I can understand them better. The secondary plot point between Greg and Renee was also developed well but dovetailed nicely with the main plot. The novel spoke to me because I am in the same age bracket as the characters and like them I have had failed relationships, I have friends who have married and divorced and I have friends who seem to have given up on finding love. So of course, seeing a story that is true to life is very appealing. Ms. Grant's romantic scenes are steamy but tasteful and there is a LOT of humor and realness.

The book moves along at a fast pace but it is easy to follow and you won't want to put it down once you pick it up. Please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of "Heard It All Before" and you won't be disappointed! I eagerly await the next book!

Lawd have mercy...I have 3 children, a demanding job, a husband but this book was so good i read it in less than TWO days and was floored by the characters...i felt they appeared right before my eyes...i can't wait to see the characters brought to life on the big screen! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book! And as a native Dallasite who lived the "uptown v. downtown" motif that jewellen and roman struggle with -- it was nice to see this struggle expressed eloquently AND with a touch of humor...

I enjoyed this book it is a good read. Well developed character's- dealing with their own "issues" and hang ups! It is not a happily ever after but it "showed" REAL PEOPLE with REAL ISSUES facing themselves!