Customer Reviews

Not a Day Goes By: A Novel

5 star:		(134)
4 star:		(60)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

E.Lynn Harris has done it yet again and he brought Basil Henderson along for the ride. I expected nothing less from this awesome,talented and powerful author. I couldn't wait to get my copy and had it reserved for weeks before it's release date. The story pulls you in to an unforgettable and shocking tale of your past coming back to haunt you and it will definately keep you glued to your sit. From beginning to end this was a HOT book to read. Our book club is eagerly waiting to discuss this book as we do all of his others. This book deserves a plus 5 star rating and will be on the bestseller list for weeks and months to come. You won't be disappointed with this book and if you're not an E.Lynn Harris fan already, there must to something wrong with you. You'll never forget him, his style or the characters he's created that, you'll come to love and hate. BRAVO! BRAVO! to E.Lynn. I'm looking to the memoirs book and I know there's a part II to this awesome and fierce book. Yancey and Ava are screaming it now. Plus, they need the tables turned on them and the screws tighten just a bit more. Hope you're listening to them.

E. Lynn:

First off, let me commend you on yet another masterpiece! I read Not a Day Goes By cover to cover within a day, just as my roommate did. It was excellent! You know, that Yancey may have a heart after all. But, it's impossible to drink from a well that's gone dry. Then there's Basil who is so confused he doesn't quite know what to do with himself. Yanceys' roommate Windsor was a wonderful addition to the story. I see that you left it somewhat open...does that mean that we will see Basil and Yancey again? My book club, Sistah Circle hosted your book signing of Abide With Me at Black Images in Dallas. I recall then that you said Basil might get his own book. Let me tell you, "YOU HAVE OUT DONE YOURSELF!" This book was absolutely marvelous. I received all of the invitations for Yancey and Basil's wedding, excellent idea. Whomever came up with that idea, always keep them on your team. Excellent marketing strategy. E. Lynn, what can I say besides, I simply love your books. Again I will say, since you first came into sistah's lives with Invisible Life, you have caused us to look and think twice about the men we deal with. We often times find ourselves saying, 'I hope he is not a Basil Henderson!' and praying that he is not. Please hurry with the next one, E. Lynn Harris books are my favorite. Please, do keep up the great work.

Toni Jackson Dallas, TX

Not A Day Goes By Is A Must Read!

I've been a fan of E.Lynn Harris' since the debut novel of Invisible Life and have read every book in the series. E. Lynn remains a consistently good writer! Not A Day Goes By is another page turner and as such I read the book in one sitting. The story is well-crafted with a good storyline; realistic and dimensional characters; vivid imagery and shocking plot twist and turns. Basil and Yancey are back to put on the wedding of the century. But just before the big day secrets and deception rear their ugly heads. Harris begins Chapter One with Basil comtemplating the upcoming wedding day and whether or not he's making the right decision. From there you're hooked and must read the rest of the book to find out why. Not A Day Goes By has the Classic Recipe for a delicious book: love, sex, romance, deception, raw ambition and intrigue. Add to it a pinch of lust, trust, betrayal, revenge, and a sprinkle of the sport's and entertainment industry. Mix it all together and you have all of the necessary ingredients. Not A Day Goes By is prepared with all of the plot twists, memorable characters and shocking surprises that keep one coming back to an E. Lynn book.

This is a well thought out story of love, sex, hidden secrets, and betrayal. I really liked this book. E. Lynn Harris is probably the most popular black fiction writer today, and his novels blend romantic stories that deal with controversial issues such as race, AIDS, and bisexuality.

In this story, Basil Henderson, a handsome ex-football player who has a history of loving both men and women, decides to marry Yancey, a fledging Broadway star. There marriage is only two months away and fate seems to be threatening their possible future together. Ava, Yancey's mother, who has always controlled her daughter, is about to meet her match in Basil. Is Yancey as bad as she seems, or is she really in love? Is she for real? Or is she just out for Basil's money? And how can Basil keep his other sexual life a secret from his future bride? Is he ready to be a give up his affairs with men. The story becomes more and more complicated as secrets are kept and more lies are told. What will really happen?

I did care about these characters and how their lives were going to turn out. I think that's a good sign of a talented writer. I will be eager to see what this author has in store for us in his next book. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. It's got my recommendation!

This is the first E. Lynn Harris novel I have ever read. Let me tell you that it will not be the last. His sharp writing, precise wit and incredible narration are one of the best I have recently read. I love the story of ex-football player turned sports agent John "Basil" Henderson and up-and-coming, ego-is-larger-than-actual-fame Broadway star Yancey Harrington Braxton. Their love story illustrates how childhood traumas could affect adult relationships. I love John's character; he is a very earnest and very confused man. In fact, all of the characters are earnest and real. I have met my fair share of Basils or Yanceys or Avas (Yancey's wayward mother) in life. This is a great novel. E. Lynn Harris is a very talented contemporary writer. I strongly recommend that you give this book a whirl.

I'm very bias when it comes to Mr. Harris. What can I say except he is a incredible writer. I love the way each of his novels pick up where the other left off, yet introducing new characters and discovering things about some of the old ones along the way. Each and every novel he has written I own. I never would have imagined that I would be reading novels that mostly consist of bisexual and gay men. But wow! The stories are just so fantastic I can't seem to get enough! Any E. Lynn Harris novel is a MUST HAVE!!!!!!!

I rated this book by E. Lynn Harris as average. I did enjoy it but compared to the previous four, this one was okay. I love the way E. Lynn Harris inter-connects his characters with sequal like theme. I was glad when Basil's problem was exposed. His behavior made a lot of sense. I guess he will be on the prowl again hurting and destroying another life. He met his match with Miss Yancey. Miss Yancey is another story entirely. Her mother was the master manipulator. Basil's one desire, conquering Raymond Tyler, adds an unsettled edge to Basil.

OK! I'm really upset that I'm finished with the book already - but I couldn't put it down!

My cousin bought the book for me and had Mr. Harris autograph it for me at a store in ATL. So, while I waited for the book to arrive, I had to collect my other E. Lynn Harris books that I had "loaned" to other "addicts". I re-read "If This World Were Mine" and "Abide With Me" and then I was really ready for "Not a Day Goes By". Man - I am really suffering from a "jones" for E. Lynn Harris novels. I guess I'll just have to wait it out for the next "work of art". He is DEFINITELY in a class by himself.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go back and start from the beginning - "Invisible Life" and "Just As I AM" here I come!

The much-anticipated sixth novel by E. Lynn Harris hit number 2 last week on the New York Times Bestseller list. His last two books, Abide with Me and If This World Was Mine also were on the lists and in my opinion they were better constructed books. I am breaking my own rules in comparing because I really think each book should be judged individually it it's own merit. I can't say anything bad about; It was indeed a page-turner. If there were halves I would give it a 3 1/2. It just didn't quite warrant a four. Some reviewers have expressed disappointment and have given it low ratings. I think that is a bit much, but this last one did leave me somewhat hanging, hungering for more. I must admit I had doubts that a union between the self-absorbed, psyche damaged, wannabe star Yancey and the flip-flop, psychotic Mr. Basil could be successful. They both are so stuck on themselves and selfish but people change, right? Basil with some psychiatric treatment behind him feels he is in a position to love Yancey Braxton and gives the relationship his all, resisting temptation with both men and women. Yancey loves Basil, but not completely which leaves room for her to be influenced by her crazy, sluttish mother. They have plans for Yancey and Basil's wedding day and it doesn't look good. With all the superficial buppies, wannabe stars, and name dropping, my yearning for living in New York has somewhat dimmed. Imagine throwing a wedding and inviting celebrities in order to boost your career and to get in the hot publications. I am glad a brother is getting so much publicity and attention for this novels and I recommend all of his books starting with Invisible Life. I also look forward to his memoir.

By far this is the best novel the E.Lynn Harris has written. It took me 2 days to complete this novel and the only disapointment that I felt was that I was finished within two days. I enjoyed the way the novel switched the narrative on Basil and Yancey so that readers could get a feel of what they both were going through at the same time. By making Basil's personality a little softer he allows the readers to feel comfortable when taking his side on several issues which in his previous novels Basil is the person that we all love to hate but cannot resist.