The Night Before Thirty: A Novel (Strivers Row) [Hardcover]

Tajuana Butler (Author)

Book Description

Series: Strivers Row | Publication Date: May 13, 2003

New, from the number one bestselling author of Hand-me-down Heartache and Sorority Sisters, a novel about five women on the verge of turning thirty, whose lives are changed forever when they meet through a national radio contest

At first glance, you couldn’t find five women more different.

Catara is a personal shopper in New York who dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Embarrassed by her weight, she lets a lack of self-confidence derail her goals. In Atlanta, Lashawnda has gone from a string of bad relationships with men into one with a woman that doesn’t seem much better. Elise is realizing her dream of opening up a gymnastics school in Louisville, Kentucky, but between working and taking care of her grandmother, she can’t find much time to nurture herself. Tanya’s relationship with her boyfriend is at the breaking point. She’s ready to leave Chicago and fast city living to settle down and have a family, but her man isn’t on the same page. Alecia lives in Los Angeles and has been getting by on her looks for a long time, but when her (married) boyfriend makes it clear that his wife comes first, she has to realize that beauty fades and she must prepare for her future.

But these women do have something in common—they all share the same birthday and are about to turn thirty. When the number one syndicated black radio show in the country sponsors a Night Before Thirty Getaway Weekend, these women meet, and while their time together is brief, the impact they have upon one another’s lives is everlasting.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A young African American female DJ, Louisa Montero, sponsors a contest to celebrate her birthday. She has a drawing to take five listeners who have the same birthday and are about to turn 30 on a cruise to the Bahamas. The winners of the Night before Thirty contest are women from across the country. Alecia Jewel Parker, from L.A., is a talented young lady who uses her beauty to get what she wants from men. Catara Edwards, from Brooklyn, is an aspiring fashion designer working at Saks as a personal shopper. Elise Ross, from Louisville, Kentucky, is a former Olympic contender and has just opened a gym in her neighborhood to teach children gymnastics. LaShawnda Davis, from Atlanta, was rescued from her meager existence and shown a different life by a black female psychiatrist. Tanya Charles, from Chicago, has been in a long-term relationship with a man who sells drugs and firearms. Each of these women comes on the cruise eager to have a good time, develop new acquaintances, and make decisions about their futures. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Praise for Hand-me-down Heartache

“A novel of love and resilience . . . [Butler] touches on the strength of relationships among women—be they mothers, mentors, or friends.” —National Women’s Review

“Butler’s second novel deals sensitively with the impact of domestic abuse on an African-American family and the choices made by a young woman dealing with issues of self-doubt while seeking acceptance in her relationships.” —Publishers Weekly

Praise for Sorority Sisters

“Not since Spike Lee’s School Daze and the much-loved sitcom A Different World has the Black experience on campus been this intriguing and, at times, funny.” —Essence

“Tajuana ‘TJ’ Butler scores big . . . an enjoyable page-turner.” —Honey

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Villard; 1st edition (May 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400060206
• ISBN-13: 978-1400060207
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,197,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, June 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Night Before Thirty: A Novel (Strivers Row) (Hardcover)

Since I picked up Sorority Sisters, I realized Tajuana Butler was an author like no other. Hand Me Down Heartache was good, but not quite as good as her debut. However, this novel, though it was enjoyable at times, really lacked depth. The story was over before it began. I love how she develops her characters, but where was the story, and why was it over so quickly? Hopefully a sequel will make up for it's shallow/rushed plot. Don't waste your money, get this from the library if you must.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons Learned, June 19, 2003

By 

Nicole McCurty (Chesapeake, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Night Before Thirty: A Novel (Strivers Row) (Hardcover)

In TJ Butler's The Night Before Thirty, five women go on a cruise for their thirtieth birthdays and receive more than just "fun in the sun."

Alecia is an actress who likes to live the good life on a rich man's arm. Catara is a personal shopper who has dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Elise has just fulfilled her dream of opening a gymnastics center for children. LaShawnda is a receptionist who questions her relationship with her lover who happens to also be her employer. Tanya has been involved in a long term relationship with a man involved in illegal activities. All of these women live in different cities, come from different backgrounds with different problems yet they share one thing in common...they all turn 30 on the first of December. The women enter and win a contest that sends them on a cruise for their birthday. Some of the women clash, while others get along, but they all learn valuable lessons that they take home with them.

This book was a light, engaging read. We only got a glimpse into the characters' lives but it was enough to make you care about what happened to them. The concept of a "night before" party is wonderful and I would not be surprised to hear girlfriends planning their own using this book as a guide.

The ending was tied up nicely with a red bow. That does not mean that everybody had a happy ending but there was closure for all the characters. Sometimes our books should be like that, even when real life is not. I would recommend this book to people who are looking for that perfect summer read.

Reviewed by Nicole
APOOO BookClub

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough Novel...Excellent Book, July 31, 2003

By 

Rita Hopes (Wilmington, Delaware United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Night Before Thirty: A Novel (Strivers Row) (Hardcover)

This novel written by Ms. Butler, is a interesting novel. A radio show hosts a contests for 5 participants whose birthday is Dec. 1st, turning 30 to join one of the radio personalities who also shares a birthday on the same day for a weekend getaway. Each lady selected has their own internal issues they are dealing with. Catara has dreams to become a fashion designer, and is very critical of her weight. Tanya has a drug dealer boyfriend, that she has basically given an ultimatum to. Lashawnda is having an identity crisis--is she a lesbian or heterosexual. Elise has her heart set on a colleague but not quite sure if the feelings are mutual. Alecia is a woman of beauty and wealth, but she's in love with a married man of status and class....will he chose her? I enjoyed the novel from beginning to end. I only wish there was more to read. However the book ended on a positive note.