Customer Reviews

Marrying Up

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

 

 

Reading this came just in time. I had a really tough read I hated, and a boring read I actually learned from. Then came Marrying Up. Foxx has shown maturity in her writing and here ability to weave a tale. The characters are strong (like the tie ins from previous novels that don't require you to have read the other novels); the plot has some romance/some suspense/some thought; and the writing is pretty good to boot.

This is a really fun read that makes you think about all the choices you make in life. It also made me think about the value of romance and the way we all go through life making decisions about living for your family vs. your legacy vs. your well being vs. your happiness.

Set against the financial backdrop of the Texas state capitol (Austin), Nina Foxx's latest book, Marrying Up, is an entertaining and delightful read. Paris Montague is happy with her no-strings,commitment-free personal life. She has bigger issues to be concerned about-like when is she going to move up in her father's lobbying firm; she wants him to allow her the chance to prove that she is worthy and capable of handling more complex projects. After all, she does have two degrees, including a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), and she is more than capable of handling whatever comes her way. Actually, some new ideas and out of the box concepts might be just what the firm needs to move into the new Millennium and a higher revenue bracket.

Unfortunately, Paris's mom, the perpetual, busy body and control freak, has other plans for Paris. She believes that at Paris' age that Paris is too old to be a single woman and she needs someone who can take care of her; preferably a wealthy man or at least one who is more well off than Paris. While Paris is busy keeping company with her `maintenance man,' her mother is busy looking for eligible men in "Who's Who in African American Wealth" and believes that she has found a suitable mate for her daughter. Enters Jabari Nolan, who is as fake as a two (2) dollar coin but as savvy and debonair as they come. However, he does not have anything in his past that a comprehensive background check would not have uncovered upfront. Question is will anyone discover who he really is before he says "I Do."

Foxx's books are usually hit or miss for me and I almost passed on her latest novel. Recently, I have been reading blogs of various authors and one of the blogs that I enjoy checking out regularly is Foxx's. I enjoy reading her blogs so much so that I decided to take a chance on Marrying Up. I am happy to say that it was a HIT for me! Marrying Up is a charming and fun read that successfully combines romance, intrigue and suspense. Foxx travels familiar terrain with Marrying Up and the ending is very predictable, but the backdrop as well as surprising twists and turns help to set it apart from similar storylines. One added bonus of Marrying Up was the opportunity to read excerpts from Foxx's blogs/journals. If you haven't had a chance to experience Foxx's commentaries, visit her site and check her out today. Foxx is a writer who does not appear to veer very far from the same storyline themes, however, for those moments when I am looking for an Entertainment Purposes Only (EPO) read she has the ability to satisfy and quench that thirst. If you read her first book, but have not picked up another one of her books, give her a chance today with Marrying Up. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

Paris Montague has a dilemma. She comes from a family where just marrying someone you love is not enough. Her mother wants her to meet a wealthy "Mr. Right" and does everything in her power to make this happen. Paris is tired of her mother's meddling because she's happy with her no-strings-attached relationship with Tyson. Tyson is starting to make a name for himself in the business world and wants a more formal relationship with Paris. Things get complicated when Paris is introduced to Jabari. Jabari is rich, sexy and perfect husband material. Paris is intrigued by Jabari but something about him seems a little suspicious. Ultimately, Paris has to come to a decision between Tyson and Jabari.

Marrying Up is a wonderful novel by Nina Foxx. Foxx showed how a mother's best intentions for their children aren't always the best for them. I liked how Paris was torn between what her family desires for her and what she desires for herself. Marrying Up had a good dose of drama and intrigue that will keep the reader on their toes. Nina Foxx has once again brought us an enjoyable, delightful read.

Paris Montague personifies money and culture, while living the good life, because that's what she knows and is what her mother Athena expects. Paris works as an administrative assistant to her step-father, Brian, at Benton and Associates, a lobbying organization with plans of moving up to partner soon. She meets regularly with her girls, Alexis and Sarah, for required maintenance at the gym by doing a Pilate's class and catch up on society highlights.

Lately, Paris has been detached from their conversations because she is intrigued by her undercover lover, Tyson. He is a man with little money, but knows exactly what to say and how to make her feel just right. There is one small problem: the rule in her family is to "never marry someone who's not as well off as you." Even though Paris loves the time she spends with Tyson, his dreams of a owning his own business are not enough to make their affair public. Besides, Athena has already selected Mr. Right and his name is JaBari Nolan.

JaBari is fine. I mean frog hair fine - have you ever seen hair on a frog? No! He is just that damn fine. Not to mention he is charming, well-educated and rich. JaBari's plan is to seduce Paris on their first date. It goes smoothly but something about him is just a little too perfect.

She wants to find out more about JaBari but she has to divert her attention to work because Brian is taken in for emergency surgery. Will Tyson's business venture pan out? Can JaBari keep his past a secret? How deep are Paris' family's bank accounts?

Nina Foxx continues to prove that she is a master storyteller who keeps the reader enthralled. MARRYING UP is a fun easy-going read with a touch of suspense that draws you into the story. Foxx brings to light the choices everyone has to make concerning happiness, values, and family. I suggest that you run out and pick up this delightful "chick lit" charmer as your next weekend read.

Reviewed by M. Bruner for Loose Leaves Book Review

Grow up.
Marry a man with prestige and money
Live happily ever after.

That is what Athena, Paris Montague's mother, has mapped out for her. Does Paris have plans or a mind of her own? Paris knows that one day she'll find her wealthy Mr. Right. What she didn't bank on was meeting Tyson James. Tyson is Paris' sexy maintenance man. Not meeting her family's expectations on the financial scale, Paris keeps Tyson a secret. JaBari Nolan is the "chosen one," hand picked by Athena herself. But for Paris, something with JaBari just doesn't add up. Will Paris go with her heart, which Tyson has unexpectedly stolen, or will she do right by the family? For love of money or for love of love?

Marrying Up was a cute read. No frills, no thrill, just a decent read.

"Get that ring before spring, girls!" Are you over 30, single and motivated by your job? Do people tend to pity you because unlike your other friends and relatives you're the only one who isn't planning a wedding or whipping out pictures of the kids? Relax, because you could be Paris Montague, daughter of Athena; the goddess of wisdom and war.

Competition is healthy as long as you're the one setting the limit on what you can and can't handle. In Paris' case, her mother wouldn't allow her contentment with a man who wasn't affluent. So what does Paris do? She hides the guy she's distributing her time with because in her tainted eyes he doesn't measure up to Mommie Dearest standards. On the contrary Mr. Right may be charming, and hand picked, but the alarms that are sounding off in her head are for more than one reason.

I picked this book because the cover was so captivating. I would've liked more of the dark side of the story to be expounded. It was a simple enough read void any real drama.

Reviewed by: Crystal

Paris , well educated, middle class, enjoying the single life with her working class maintenance man Tyson is under pressure from her middle class mother (Athena) to marry well. Athena pushes Jabari who seems to be the ideal catch onto her daughter. Will Paris bow under the pressure of her mother's and cousin Alexis, who is a mini Athena expectations? Will she develop a backbone and stand up for herself? Is Alexis who is engaged to IBM Walter, doing what she really wants for her life or just following a script? Good story tho the women apart from secondary character Sarah come across pretty shallow. The best guy in the whole book is Tyson even tho I wished he dumped Paris shallow butt for someone else lol

This book was an excellent reading choice. I liked the writer's versatile writing style,and would recommend this book.I did not know it at the time of ordering,that I had previously read it,but the content is such,that you would enjoy reading it again.

Paris is a woman with a family known for marrying with money. The Montagues are middle class hard working people who believe a woman should marry a man that is "established". Paris is secretly dating her lover Tyson who doesn't fit the family expectations. Paris meets Jabari whom her mother thinks is perfect for her daughter.....but Paris thinks there is something very shady about him.

This book was an okay read. The characters needed a little bit more development but the story line was great. I am curious to know what happens to Paris' cousin Alexis and her fiancee Walter...hopefully Ms.Foxx will pen their story.....

This book was a quick read and I look forward to reading many more novels by Ms.Foxx.


Renaissance BookClub