If Only You Knew [Paperback]

Alex Hairston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004

Twenty-five-year old Jamal King is a talented up-and-coming painter, a devoted grandson, and a dedicated friend and lover to his girl, Jessica. Maybe because his mother was always out of town, looking for – or running away from something, Jamal really wants to create a family of his own. In fact, he’d like Jessica to be his Ms. Right, but her gold-digger ways make her seem more like Ms. Right Now. Still, Jamal is feeling positive about their future – until a night at a mutual friend’s party quickly shatters his illusions

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Sepia (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583143955
• ISBN-13: 978-1583143957
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,191,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love Can Conquer All, April 16, 2007

By 

T. Rhythm Knight (Coral Springs, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If Only You Knew (Paperback)

In Alex Hairston's, If Only You Knew, Jamal King is everything you would expect an artist to be. Jamal is sensitive, handsome, loving...and broke. Unfortunately, the love of his life, Jessica, does not see life through the same lenses as Jamal. While Jamal is content living the simple life, Jessica dreams of diamonds, a huge house and a Mercedes Benz. When Jessica meets Trey, a big-time drug dealer, she manages to throw both her and Jamal's life into a downward sprial as she goes about the business of chasing the almighty dollar.

I found this book to be an excellent read. Hairston managed to capture the essence of several African-American men who want nothing more than to love their women and live an honest life. Jessica represents some of our young African-American women, who believe money can buy happiness. Hairston did an excellent job of showing us that unconditional love can take you further than a Mercedes anyday--especially when it is attached to respect it is genuine.

Spring is here and if you are looking to take a break, pick-up a copy of If Only You Knew by Alex Hairston.

T. RHYTHM KNIGHT

APOOO BookClub

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real page-turner, October 31, 2004

By 

Evette (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If Only You Knew (Paperback)

Alex Hairston has done it again. This book left me yearning for more. Alex does a fantastic job with character development. I felt like I knew each one of them personally. The title really fits the story. Jamal has a heck of a lot of DRAMA to deal with. It was refreshing to read about a brother with values and morals. Alex did an outstanding job writing from both the male and female perspective. He was able to capture a true female voice. I highly recommemnd this book to anyone looking to read a book with substance.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Does money makes the world go round?, May 11, 2004

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If Only You Knew (Paperback)

Jamal King is a talented artist who makes a modest amount of money selling his art wherever he can. He also works as an assistant manager of an arts and crafts store. The love of his life, Jessica, has a desperate need for all the things money can buy; clothes, cars, houses and plenty of cash to line her purse. Of course, at this time Jamal can't supply those things for her so she casts her eyes on a friend they grew up with who makes plenty of money, but who also makes plenty of trouble, not only for himself but for Jessica and everyone around him as well.

Meanwhile, Jamal has found a long lost love from high school. She seems genuinely interested in Jamal's work as an artist and is supportive of him. She too, has been unlucky in her choice of lovers, but things seem right with Jamal and they move in together. Soon after they connect, Jamal's artwork attracts the attention of an attractive, African American art promoter. He needs to travel to art shows in order sell his works and it looks as if he's going to make a ton of money. That's when he finds out what his new love is really all about.

Meanwhile his favorite uncle dies and leaves behind a secret that hits the family like an exploding bomb. His twin sister's marriage is in trouble and a troublesome aunt is released from jail.

Using tangled love affairs, mixed-up family situations, explosive friendships complete with gunshots and cops, Alex Hairston has woven an exciting tale that holds your interest from the first page.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers