Customer Reviews

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life: A Novel

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4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
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I loved Last Night A DJ Saved My Life. Lyah LeFlore made Destiny Day come alive with her realistic prose. I especially loved how she made musical references to some of my favorite songs. The heroine was fiesty, and definitely doing her thing, but she was still vulnerable and that made her quite endearing. The storyline had me talking out loud to the characters, trying to help guide them on their journeys. It's a perfect summer read and it'll make you want to go to a good party and dance! Too bad I can't go to a real Destiny Day party! Loved it! Highly recommend it.

I loved the book. A real page turner. Destiny Day is definitely doing things her way. The situations and experiences that Destiny and her friends go through are those that all readers can relate to. I haven't read a book this fun in a while. Kudos to Lyah

Up and coming club promoter, off the chain night-life, lots of men, and great friends... Who could ask for more!!! I read LeFlore's first novel co-written with Burley and I enjoyed her solo style so much more... This novel was fast paced, heart thumping, and the story was flossy, yet had a heart... I loved this book! I look forward to reading future novels by this fresh new voice in Black fiction...

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life : A Novel by Lyah Beth Leflore

Pumps Up The Volume

"East Boogie, Illinois," native Destiny Day allows nothing to get in her Prada feet wearing way in maintaining life at a rate of speed intended for that infamous pitfall of love not to catch up to her heart. While the concept of the story is not a new one, "Last Night A D. J. Saved My Life" pumps up the volume with sizzling sultry New York upscale soirée promoter. She's soaring high in her professional life as the crème de la crème in designing exclusive parties in lavish venues for the rich and famous in a glitzy backdrop of VIP's, in film, sports, & hip-hop industry. The author skillfully infuses the story with the lead characters interesting two best friends, a blend of support and sublte envy. This intersperses with how she handles a bevy of men grappling for her attention and keeps the reader jerking the pages of this debut novel forward.

The story is multi-tiered with a harrowing subplot that allows the reader excellent insight to why Destiny carefully nurtures her heart from the heartburn of love and life gone bad. But, when one is moving so fast in the opposite direction of love, you're bound to meet up with it again, as you swing into a full circle. That's right, by the time the mid thirty-ish Destiny rounds 360 degrees, she lands on the monopoly of Mr. Potential. The charming Taye Crawford, a sexy irresistible financial advisor. His mere presence is enough to remind Destiny's heart that she's human and subject to the vulnerability of love, maybe not by choice, but by inextinguishable chemistry. This of course stabs of reality! Another positive in this book, it solidly cast aside the stereotype that promotes the notion that there aren't any good black men left, but that the true quandary lies in our choices. Will she continue to choose quantity over quality when it comes to men? Will Destiny's desires be fulfilled and she end up with a man whose an asset or liability? Well, those questions are answered in "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life," in a unique quick whipping writing style that's both fresh and in your face! And, if the title alone takes you back, you're going to really love the chapter titles.

This is a well-written novel and I recommend the fast, sexy read for an awesome summer get away.

San Antonio Black Magazine Reviewer
Vanessa Morman, author of Non-Negotiable

Anyone who enjoys music and how it affects your life will enjoy Lyah Beth LeFlore's novel LAST NIGHT A DJ SAVED MY LIFE. And for those who aren't big music fans don't be fooled by the title, this book is about much more.

Destiny Day is a party promoter in New York who seems to have it all. She runs a strict business with the help of her staff, also known as "The Girls", which includes one of her close friends Jenna. She also manages DJ Peter, who not only is a DJ, but is also ready to step into the music industry if he can get Destiny behind him. While her business is doing great, her love life is another story. She is involved with several different men, yet she won't settle down and admit that love can exist. Finally, when a man comes into her life to show her what she could have, she makes decisions that push him away as well. However, even without a steady man Destiny is not alone because also along for the ride are her best friends Izzy, Rico, and Josephine.

Izzy is an aspiring actress who, like Destiny, was orphaned by her parents at a young age. She was raised by her grandmother and has issues with her mother that she must face before she can move on with her life. Rico is a makeup artist with the skills to make anyone beautiful, but he is too busy chasing men to reach his full potential. Lastly, Jospehine is a mother figure, advisor, and confidant for Destiny. She has lived a full life and holds the wisdom Destiny needs to grow as a woman.

LeFlore has managed to mix various stories and address different issues without one overshadowing the other or the plot becoming too confusing. Her novel is about more than music; it is about facing one's past in order to get to their future and teaches lessons on forgiveness. Also, the emphasis is not just on loving others, but loving yourself and making decisions that will make you truly happy. Of course the novel is also about how music speaks to individuals, draws a connection between them, or affects the way they live their lives. LAST NIGHT A DJ SAVED MY LIFE is a different type of love story that can change the way you think about life, love and music.

Reviewed by Criss Coles
for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

The cover caught my attention because it looked fun and interesting. I did get fun but I didn't feel like I got something new. I could see my friends in some of the characters and I enjoyed how the book took me into the music and club scene since I am a recently turned 21 reader. It was a fun book that I recommend to music and club lovers. Otherwise, don't bother.

The author speaks to her readers through the electrifying character of Destiny Day. Destiny seems fated to be a vixen like her mother Juanita. She escapes reality and responsibility by maintaining her position as the Queen of the Club in the A-List life. Her cultural manouvering will never help her escape the inevitability of life, which catches up to her in the form of handsome men Malik and Taye whom she much eventually chose between.

Author Lyah Beth LeFlore shows how well a person can develop their lives and make changes if they so desire through the character of Destiny as she gains more character and becomes a better person and friend through the relationships she has with her close circle of friends. Destiny grows in depth as the book progresses and she is faced with her ego (the Queen persona) versus reality (life situations that others face from choices they are making to live). Destiny is finally forced to grow up and join the regular world in the end, making this book a down to earth, regular read.

For those who want to dance along with the characters, laugh at a few jokes and cry at about a few bad decisions, this book is one to pick up.

Sticking with same theme of the glamorous lifestyle of New York City's party people, Lyah Beth LeFlore goes at it solo with her latest novel, Last Night a DJ Saved My Life. Party promoter, Destini Day has escaped the midwest life she grew up in and now throws the best parties at the best clubs in New York.

Committment shy, Destini has her choice of the best men. As long as they can afford her and please her in bed, and not ask for anything more, they are in, but any signs from these men that they want more, they are out. The married and freaky Curtis, the evasive Malik, and DJ Peter are all keeping Destini satisfied until she meets Mr.Taye Crawford. There is something about this man that makes Destini want to step back and re-evaluate her stance on long-term relationships. Is he the one? Destini seeks advice from Ms Josephine, an older and wiser friend who draws from her own experiences in an effort to stop Destini from making the same mistakes she did.

Though this novel lagged in parts, I found it to be an interesting read. It is always fun to read about the lifestyle so different from your own, like the lifestyle of the nouveau rich, hip hop and rap artists, and their party hardy attitudes. Also, it was a treat to visualize the high fashion clothes and shoes described in the novel. I always appreciate when a storyline with substance is added. I think those who enjoy Urban and Hip-Hop reading will enjoy this book.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

I like the energy of the book. But the characters like Izzy and Rico I found to be more mulitfaceted than Destiny. Destiny sounds pretty,driven and of course she has a the "sad" story plot. But I expected her character to bring more. Yeah she is a hot party planner living in mom's shoes but felt something was missing from the character/reader connection. I thought Izzy had more juice! Lyah Beth, write a book about her!Plus the "the knight in shining armor" came around like around page 176. The book is only around 250 pages! By this time I was waiting to met Mr.Taye Crawford and when he arrived he seems just as boring as Destiny's charater. I was very disapointed. This book is no "Accidental Diva"