Customer Reviews

Milk in My Coffee

5 star:		(318)
4 star:		(116)
3 star:		(38)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

For lack of a better word, this book was WHACK! The writing was so terrible that if it weren't for a book club reading, I would have returned the book to it's owner (glad I didn't buy it). Eric's use of analogies was so infantile that I am in disbelief that he attended UCLA's writing program. Here are a few examples of these CHEAP analogies:
"..my stride to the subway entrance[was]slower than molasses in Alaska."
"I hated being played like a game show."
"I hated the hypocritical feeling I was feeling. It was as thick as cold oatmeal"
"My breathing was as thick as Aunt Jemina Syrup."
Need I show more? WHACK!!!!!
Every time I read the word "SmooVe" I cringed. It was not cute, it was annoying. And what was up with Kimberley calling her mother "mom-mom"???
Eric juxtaposed being a white woman vs. being a black woman. On one side I read how black women are ghetto, crazy and loose. Kimberley (the 'white' woman) was also loose, but she had class, adventure and sanity. At one point in the book when Kimberley does get upset with Peter, she says "Sorry. I guess my black side is coming out". Eric, how dare you!
This book did not teach anything new or interesting about interracial dating, it only brought forth black and white (and especially black) stereotypes. The book was boring, the twists were predictable so the only things that jumped out at me was the terrible writing style.

MILK IN MY COFFEE by Eric Jerome Dickey

This is the second book by Eric Jerome Dickey that I've read, and so far I am really enjoying his books. MILK IN MY COFFEE is about a successful African American man living in New York that becomes involved romantically with a woman that is white. And it is not something he broadcasts to the world. It's not that he's ashamed of being involved with a woman that is not black, but he knows it is something that his friends and family will not approve of.

Told in a very lighthearted yet down-to-earth way, MILK IN MY COFFEE addresses the age-old issue of interracial relationships. Jordan Greene is casually involved with one woman, who is black, but unintentionally gets involved with another woman that happens to be white, an artist named Kimberly Chavers. They find they are soul mates, and every thing is perfect except for the issue of race. It's a complicated scenario, more so because of the interracial stigma that is still pretty much inherent everywhere. They feel the sexual tension between them almost from the start, but keep their relationship purely platonic, at least for as long as they can. But as they begin to get to really know each other, both of them wonder where this is heading and whether they have a future together. Kimberly's friends seem to be a little more understanding, but Jordan's friends go ballistic when they think that HE thinks black isn't good enough for him.

The book gets complicated when Jordan's brother Reggie goes missing, and Kimberly has a secret past that comes back to haunt her. Not to be revealed here so as not to reveal any spoilers, this reader was very surprised with this turn of events. The ending was worth getting to, and there will be more books by Eric Jerome Dickey read in this house. Anyone wanting to be introduced to the books of Eric Jerome Dickey should start with this one. Highly recommended!

I'll admit that I initially did not want to read "Milk In My Coffee" because I didn't think I'd enjoy the storyline. I've read interracial storylines before, but had reservations when it came to reading one written by a man. However, once I began to read, I was more impressed by the writer's skills, creativity, and hard work and didn't focus so much on the storyline. MIMC is full of what I call classic EJDisms (all the techniques for which he's known): metaphors, side-splitting 'run-to-the-bathroom' humor, strong characterization, plot twists, great attention to detail, and tension). The characters Kim, Jordan, J'Nette and Solomon were fleshed out very well. You could close your eyes and envision them. MIMC also had plenty of surprises and the writer PUT you THERE in the scene. He does have a great way of showing and doesn't merely tell. Those are the good things. The only distraction is probably the part where a trip is taken to Memphis. I found myself wanting to skip over that particular section because I was more into what would happen between Jordan and Kimberly. Overall, this story is well written and worth reading and adding to your EJD collection. Looking forward to reading the Mothers & Sons Anthology and Liar's Game.

I am a black man dating a white woman. You don't see many books or people expressing their ability to identify with that at all. When I picked up the book, I thought I would come across a piece that told my story or at least broke it down in a similar way. Everything rolled along fine with the read until the buildup for the entire premise was just thrown out so the author could have a "clever" plot twist. Instead, what he did was alienate his plot. No doubt, he was trying to turn it around. All in all, looking at it from another standpoint, I see the piece as a celebration for black relationships. Expressing the greatness that could come from two black people in love. Fine. The main character fell for one type of woman, lost faith in her, and subsequently found his diamond in the rough. I could see that from another point of view. But, I looked for something else and what I got in return was a cop out.

Eric must have a secret camera into the hearts, minds and souls of every interracial couple today. It spoke to me and my fiance directly, page after page. I found myself not able to put it down till the last breathless words were completed. I learned things about how my partner may feel, despite his love for me, just because we're of a different race. I even learned a thing or two about friends' attitudes, things that Eric spoke so openly about through his conversational style of writing.

This story is a MUST READ for any couple already in, or just considering, a mixed relationship.

Eric hits on all the reservations, all the lingo, all the stereotypes that make dating outside your race the thing that it is -- undeniably difficult yet sweet.

Once society gets past the color barrier, it's refreshing to watch their eyes open to the fact that we're just MEN and WOMEN in love, not BLACK or WHITE men in love with BLACK or WHITE women. Regardless of our shells, don't our hearts all pump the same color blood?

I am a white woman and after reading many of this books reviews have come to realize that this book was not, initially well received by the black community. From what I've read, the 'backlash' was because it centered on an inter-racial relationship, which is not openly accepted; even in this day and age. I realize my perspective is completelty different, but Sistah's PUL-LEAZE

This author is magnificent. He captures relationships like no other author I can think of (okay, besides Terry McMillan), he is funny, real, and makes us keep picking his books up! Also, Kudos to a man who can 'understand' a woman's thoughts; this is displayed in his on-target storytelling that every woman I know relates to and loves.

Although this is a 'black' novel (and perhpaps I should take that into perspective) there are still stereotypes of 'white' women in this novel that aren't so great either. It was odd to me to hear the main character's personal struggle in dealing with a white chick; a pale one. The bottom line is that not every story is a pretty one when it comes to human beings. We are all different.

I felt this story was awesome. A very entertaining story about friends, relationships, family, ups-and-downs, with a 'white' chick thrown in.

Bottom line, this book was extremely enjoyable, realistic, and human. Period.

I must have not read the same book as the rest of you. The whole story is totally unrealistic and is full of character assassination. I know that everyone has there own little secrets but none of these people are true to themselves or the people they say that they love. I have to agree w/the QUEEN from Washington she is one of the few people that told the truth about this book. One last commit for Jonathan Smith for you to even have the preconceived notion that black women are out there torturing black men tells me that either you are not African American or you have already cross over the other side and my point is that you my friend will never be able to understand the depth that this reader is trying to give to you. And if you ARE black then you need to ask yourself who are you being true to.

Okay, first off, I was biased against this book. Let me be totally honest, I wasn't feeling the whole interracial thing, and Milk In My Coffee? The title itself turned me completely off.

BUT... It is EJD and as we all know, he IS the man. If it ain't good, then Mr. Dickey didn't write it.

So, after reading every other book that Eric Jerome Dickey has ever had published, I picked up this one. And I must say, against all odds, I seriously enjoyed this book. It was well-written, as we have all come to expect from any Eric Jerome Dickey book, and I was engrossed from start to finish. This author can do no wrong!

Milk In My Coffee talked about how two feel in love with one another despite their differences. They realized that color doesn't matter and that they would be together despite what everybody thinks. We should all learn from this and my black sisters let's not hate on the other sister's who date our black men because we date their men as well. If you like milk in your coffee I say more power to you and don't playa hate.

Very good book! My first by this author. The main character Jordan has a very real quality...like you were inside his mind. You don't find that happening very often with male characters and especially not with an African American Male character. I felt like I was learning more about how some men think and feel.

The different views on race and interacial dating and skin color as percieved by different types of people was very interesting. I liked reading all angles of the topic; the many different outlooks people can have about skin color.

I enjoyed reading about a Southern man/person who goes back home to where he grew up. It was very real and very much like what I have experienced in the south when visiting my family.

The book was funny too! The initmate moments were not gross which they usually are in books but were still discriptive and often sensual in a very realistic way.

I will definitely buy and read all of this author's other books!