Customer Reviews

If I Ruled the World

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My little sister read this book first and told me it was good. Maybe my expectations were a little high because this book was dubbed "The best urban tale since The Coldest Winter Ever." Being that I loved Sistah Soulah's book I was amped to read Joylynn's book. It started off good, and I thought it would get even better but it flattenned out. Harlem's journey through life was mundane compared to Winter's. Almost every twist in this book was predictable. The whole "Jazzy ALMOST being related to her" was corny to me. Harlem did what she did in the woods without a single person ever finding out????? I mean come on. "The Coldest Winter Ever" stands out to me, this book gets lumped in with everything else if you ask me. "The Coldest Winter Ever" was a 400 page, page turner. This book had Harlem being a tuff talker using phrases like "get to steppin" like its 1995. There was no Santiaga, no Midnight, the crackhead mother in this book is less realistic than Mrs. Santiaga. To get to the point this book was just OK, a borrow not a buy.

I am an avid reader of African American contemporary fiction. But as much as I love to read, most of the books are predictable and the story lines are pretty much the same. But this one totally caught me off guard. I have not shed a tear while reading a book in years and I defintely got emotional while reading this book. Yeah, some parts were just like all the others, but JOY did her THANG and added a remix to her writing that was refreshing and needed in the market today. Happy reading!

Joy, you did your thing on this one! I finished this book in under 48 hours, it was so real! As soon as I got it, I put the other book down I was reading and started this one! One of the best books I've read this year, it's in my top 10 for sho! I won't tell the story, but it's a real good read. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

I enjoyed this book so much that I did not want it to end. This book kept my attention and had me laughing and crying. I felt like I personally knew the characters. Job well done.

Imagine yourself as a little girl watching the world around you go from happy to sad to miserable. Without her mother's smile, her daddy's embrace and her little brother's giggles, Harlem soon realizes that she has to learn the art of survival. Tossed from bad to situation to another bad situation, Harlem grates into her soul that it is her against the world.

After years of holding in her anger and tears she is finally on top with her best friend Morgan by her side. As the bell chimes and the door opens, Harlem finds herself introduced to yet another situation, Jazzy and York. Jazzy is smoother than anyone she's ever known and York has that boldness that she is attracted to. Will Harlem's decision either make or break her?


4.5

I loved this story.Harlem went through so much with her mother and her love life and with her best friend Morgan,but she made it through.It was like she almost felt she couldn't get through it,but like we all learn in life you have to go through some rain to finally get the sunshine.I don't want to give away to much of the story because Y'all need to get this book.I loved this book so much I even wanted a sequel,but let me say this,the story is great as is and if Ms. Joy ever decides to do a sequel I will be the first one in line for the book.

Captivating from page one; this is by far the best book I've read all year. Harlem wasn't your typically street-girl-done-come-up character. Her mentality was unique. The girl was classy beyond words and wise beyond her years but with a hint of ghettoism when she needed it the most. I read this book in less than a day. When I wasn't completely shocked, I was laughing with exhilaration or crying with heartbreak. Here's a story that forced me to take a closer look at my own life and uncover a personal hidden strength for what God has in store. It's too good of a book for me to tell the storyline so go out and support this amazing author by buying it yourself.

I won't take much of you time bout the book......Cause It's a must read you would not put it down. It's hott like that and that you will not be disappointed...It's and page turner and you get your money Ms.Joy is nice like that.

Kim From Brooklyn, New York

I read this book in four hours!!! Even though I woke up late the next morning from being up half the night reading If I Ruled the World, it was worth it. The plot was fast-paced, and I could definitely identify with Harlem. Don't sleep on this one readers!!!! I can't wait to read more from this excellent author.

This book was so well written. I woke up thinking about it. I felt like I really knew Harlem, like we were actually girls. I was so glad to see a woman succeed without having to trade her soul to get it. Harlem was so down to earth and so real. the life she lived was just as rael. I give so much props to the author. I have just added another book to my Top 10.