Customer Reviews

Missed Opportunities

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

 

 

I really enjoyed this book by Latonya Williams. It starts off with Monica an overweight sista who is trying to do big things with her career. She has a good man in her corner and all she does is complain about him.
Then the story spins of to Tamara an 18 year old who moves in with her boyfriend Barron, and soon finds out he is not the man she thought she was.
Next up is Darla an overweight White woman who is Tamara's co-worker at IT. Darla finds love on the internet, and soon realizes that the man she marries is dangerous in more ways than one!
Finally there is Brandy Tamara and Darla's other co-worker and best friend. Brandy is the ghetto fabulous single mother with attitude to match. But her friends don't really know Brandy....but they will soon find out all her secrets!
This story was really good, and the way all the characters tie together is really interesting. And there is a lot of drama, lies, twists and turns to keep your eyes glued to the pages.

By human nature, we love to peek into the lives of others, taste their drama, and secretly compare theirs to ours. In Missed Opportunities, you're allowed to indulge in this guilty pleasure. You'll witness the interlocking lives of Monica, the stuck-up, overweight "manizer"; Tamara, the young and beautiful "hopelessly in love" college student; Darla, the overweight, compassionate friend who learns a lesson in loving herself; and Brandy, the smack talking "around the way" girl.

LaTonya Williams tackles emotional issues such as obesity, self-esteem, domestic abuse, single parenthood, the downward spiral of recreational drug use . . . just to name a few. Each character's story is presented in a real world manner that makes you think, "Have I met her before?"

Overall, the characters' stories function more as a collection of short-stories rather than a novel. My greatest concern is that the back page synopsis does not do the storyline justice; Barron is not written as a main character and his story's description is incorrect. Though at times I felt as if I were in a time warp and almost became depressed by Brandy's storyline, the drama was entertaining and there were some wonderful elements of surprise. .

3 1/2 Pink Diamonds
Tasha Martin from the SistahFriend Book Club

This book had so much drama in it that you could not help but to keep turning the pages. The only problem I had was the way the chapters were set up and at times it felt like certain parts that should have been included were left out. Other than that, the book was a good read and I look forward to reading more books by LaTonya.

Latonya blesses us with a page turner yet again.

Having read Latonya's previous work, its no surprise that "Missed Opportunities" had me glued to each page, anxious to see what would happen next in the lives of Monica, Tamara, and Darla. I read this book in one day!

Monica, a manager at a major department store, struggles with her weight which has balloned to an all time high. Monica is also at wits end with her long time boyfriend Kendall. Kendall who loves Monica unconditionally, has a job, his own car, and a decent savings account but its not enough for Monica. She wants him to have more. When she realizes the prize she has in Kendall, it turns out to be too late as he finds his worth with another woman.


Tamara, a recent high school graduate moves to Orlando to be with her boyfriend of four years, Barron. However, the fairy tale life she dreamt of in Orlando comes to an end when she realizes Barron is cheating on her with another woman.

Darla, a 400 lb white woman finally finds her prince charming via the Internet. Right when Darla thinks her life is complete, she finds out a dark secret about her computer love.

If you want a good read, check this book out. You will not be disappointed.

I finished Missed Opportunities in one setting. It was a page-turner. I enjoyed the characters, Monica, Tamara, Darla and Brandy. Monica was the best character for me. I had a lot in common with her, of course. The book was real and based on reality about the way men dog you, and the women who let them dog you. It was also a friendship book, and we don't find too many friends in this modern world today.

Each character contributed their joys and pains, and I was rooting for a happily ever after ending. I was thrilled that Ms. Williams portrayed overweight women with confidence. This was the perfect book for me and I can't wait to read more from this very talented, and for real author. She is the best in my book. I am checking out her other books.

Missed Opportunities was AWESOME, Latonya Williams, did an excellent job on this book. It was very funny and entertaining. This is a must read. Monica, Brandy & Tamara are all characters that will stick with you. I laughed so hard. I'm still overwhelmed by Missed Opportunities. Can't wait for the next novel by Latonya Williams.!!!!!

When I was reading the book my neighbor complained because I was laughing soo hard! I am ordering 4 books for my girlfriends as gifts. Your third book is great and they just keep getting better!

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES is the story of four strangers connected by
their bad choices. Social climber Monica wants the finer things in
life and she doesn't care who she steps on to get it, including her
boyfriend. Tamara leaves her hometown with her long-time boyfriend
with hopes of a proposal. However, Tamara finds herself pregnant and
her man staying out all night. Tamara plots to keep her man and if
all else fails, revenge will suffice. Darla, a 300 pound beauty has
it all: a charming, handsome husband who adores her and a successful
career. Although her two friends envy her happiness, Darla's marriage
isn't as happy or committed as it seems. Struggling single mom Brandy
is always there for friends and family. But, a one-night stand with
an ex-boyfriend leads Brandy down an uncontrollable, downward spiral.
Are these women strong enough to get out of their individual ruts?

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES is an awesome, page-turner. You will share the
feelings of these women as they go through one crazy situation after
another. They will remind you of your sister, cousin, best friend and
even your co-worker. LaTonya Williams has penned a phenomenal novel
about the strength and perseverance of women. MISSED OPPORTUNITIES is
the perfect novel for a weekend of reading and I cannot wait for
Williams's next work of literary art.

Reviewed by Katrina
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

this was the first time, i've ever read anything by latonya williams and i would have to say she did a pretty good job. this story was full of drama and i liked how she intertwined all of these ladies lives into one story. i'm dying to know if a sequel is in the works because i would love to see what happens with the monica-barron-tamara situation and if brandy finally gets herself together.

Title: Missed Opportunities
Author: Latonya Y. Williams

APOOO Rating: 3
Amazon Rating: 3

Degrees of Separation

Missed Opportunities by Latonya Y. Williams tells the tale of four
women that are connected through association whether they are aware
of it or not. These four women are also bonded together through the
love for, the need for and the want for drama. First there is
Monica who over compensates in certain areas to try and make up for
the low self-esteem she possesses; next up is Darla who loves others
before she loves herself; then there is Tamara, the one of the group
who has not yet been tainted by what life dishes out but is too
naïve to see the obvious; and finally there is Brandy who brings a
bit of the streets into the mix. All of the characters, whether
individually or as a whole, bring to reality a lot of issues that
plague African American women today. There are the lies, deception
and adultery that one can expect the men in most novels to bring to
the table. There are also the issues of domestic violence, obesity,
drug use, self-worth and dependency.

The reader will be able to identify with one of the characters or
one of the issues in the novel. The author sheds light and
perspective on matters that touch one's life in some capacity. The
dynamics behind the characters in the novel are there, however, the
storylines for each character fall a little short. More substance
behind each character could have strengthened a lot of weak areas in
this book. With so many characters, storylines and issues being
dealt with in one novel, at times it may seem to the reader that
they are reading several short stories. Better character
development and less clutter may have been the solution to eliminate
this problem. Dark secrets and drama are in abundance in this novel
and may be the only two things that save this novel.

Reviewed by Sharon Russ
APOOO BookClub