Customer Reviews

Please Please Please

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Please Please Please is a great book about a "bad girl" who doesn't know her own strength. If you've read a negative review about this book, it was written by someone who 1. didn't get it, or 2. has been stung by the good ol' fashioned fun-killing morality bee. For cool young urbanites like myself and yourself, the book has all the necessary insights into "our" world. Every book written by a black author is not a history lesson, people! This one is far from it. I matched every character to someone in my own real life drama, so Please Please Please satisfied my own sordid hunger for sensuous literary misogyny. I've never read a character quite like this before, but Babysister's get up and go kinda reminded me of Stella's get up and go (if I HAD to compare). Females like Babysister have never had the chance to be the main character in books. They have, however been the ones getting all the male attention in your social circle, though!

Babysister is not so much dysfunctional as she is spoiled. She saw her mother die when she was little, and so earned all her daddy's attention and all her brother's resentment. Babysister is like those people who step on toes, but have too much fun and energy to realize their dysfunction. She does what she wants to do, but gets all she deserves, good and bad. She never apologizes when she should, and that just adds to her believability. Trust me, I KNOW this person! The standout of the supporting characters is definetly Babysister's funny but all-about-business friend, Lisette. I mean, this girl right here, she practically pops off the pages, okay? This novel screams, "Hollywood feature!

Another character I really dug was Sharice, the new age, culturally conscious single mom who tames Babysister's Bigbrother, Malcolm. Without big brother Malcolm, of course, there could never be a Babysister. But just like real life brother and sister, they never learn to appreciate one another. Say the title with that James Brown-esque desperate, pleading lilt and you'll understand the passion that drives this outstanding book. Babysister's sexiness, jealousy and lustful weaknesses speak for themselves. When you ask yourself, "Is she really gonna do this?" your heart rate and reading speed will increase simultaneously.

Now, go. Buy. Read. Enjoy!

With a powerful punch of her characters, and well written plot and dialogues, Renee Swindle pulls in her readers within the first pages of this book. Her main character "BabySister" is a no-nonsense, go-gettem' sistah who don't take any punches at all. She goes for broke, and i mean that literally. This is a well written novel by a first time author and i really enjoyed the book. I purchased this book on 7/31 and finished it today (8/1) so that tells you one thing. Once you begin to read this interesting tale of friendship and love, and go through the journeys with BabySister, Darren, and Deborah you will not put this book down until the last drop. These characters are warm, funny, witty, and keep you coming back for more. Watch out Terry McMillan, cause Ms. Swindle is coming up right back at 'cha.

This book was HILARIOUS! I read it in one setting over a year ago and have been recommending it to all of my friends--young and old. Please, Please, Please is the story of the ULTIMATE BAD GIRL, Babysister. Babysister is a 20-something sista' who's all about self...self-centered, self gratification, self-absorbed, self determination, lack of self control, self-absorbed, selfish and who's a character that would make you want to slap her silly if only you thought it would help; but you know it won't. Babysister is so bad, and her escapades are so out-of-the box that you find yourself going "should I kick her butt or laugh"...and in reading the book you will experience both feelings. As the storyline goes... Seems that Babysister was spoiled by her dad at an early age; of course, because Dad spent so much time, love and money on Babysister that did not ingratiate her with her older brother Malcolm; not that Babysister seemed to mind. Since Babysister was used to getting her way and everything she wanted or desired as a child, she assumed that life would continue that way indefinitely and didn't even think about changing as an adult. Afterall, who said that Darren, her best friend Deborah's boyfriend was off limits...especially when she wanted him. Of course, Devious Darren was tempted and wondered if he could tangle with both Babysister and Her Friend/His Girlfriend Deborah. Afterall, there was just something about Babysister that he had to have...but the question was could he hook up with Babysister without hurting Deborah? So What if he did? If Deborah was unfortunate to get hurt in the meantime so be it.. because she was so naive that she would take him back no matter what...or would she?

As I mentioned earlier, I read this book almost a year ago. However, as I sit writing this review and remembering details of Babysister's antics it's as though I only read this book yesterday. The storyline was exciting and memorable, the dialogue was witty and the characters had depth. The main characters were familiar and easy to understand as well as the supporting characters including Babysister's dad, girlfriend Lisette, brother Malcolm and especially Sharice--Malcolm's Afrocentric girlfriend. The book is RAW in that it doesn't present the most positive aspects of the AA community or relationships and a few brothers were upset because of the male bashing; however, I do not believe that Ms. Swindle's intent was to write a historical piece or even a social commentary on the AA community but rather to provide a FICTIONAL NOVEL which offered a change of pace, and was lighthearted, entertaining, hilarious, (somewhat)controversial and a novel that would have folks reading and talking about it for months(years) to come. I commend Ms. Swindle on a job well-done. Despite Please, Please, Please, being Ms. Swindle's first book, her writing style was beyond the depths of a first time writer and I look forward to follow up books from Ms. Swindle.

I found myself begging Babysister to do the right thing. I begged Darren to do right by Deborah. I begged Deborah to open her eyes. Please, Please, Please! But they didn't listen to me (lol). This was a page turner. You'll find your self rooting for the bad guy the whole story long!

I really like this saga of BabySister and her troubles. Yes, she was spoiled and yes she learned some valuable lessons about love,life and friendship. I think that it was ironic that when BabySister had a problem or something was wrong, her father gave her food. Well, when stuff started going really bad, she quit her job and food was her saviour. I am glad that her father finally set her straight at the end, which he should have done all along. I am a true believer that God puts people in our lives for a reason and the reason that Darren came into BabySister's life was to teach her to grow up and that life ain't easy. Also, what goes around comes around, you can't do dirt to someone and then not expect it not to come around to you. BabySister definitely got hers! This book was well written, it was entertaining and there wasn't a boring moment in the whole saga. Renee did a good job and I can't wait to read more of her books.

Even though the characters don't really ring true and it's still an obvous fantasy, Swindle brings far more realism and readbility to the table than the thousands of other "sistah" books out there. I think it's because she set out to simply write a story as opposed to writing a particular type of story. The atmosphere simply came out in the telling. The plot (yes, there actually is one!) has a few twists you don't expect, a main character you alternately like and dislike, and the whole book some wickedly funny humor throughout. Definitely a good beach/train/bus/late night read. Hope to see more from this writer. This could also make an interesting film, with the right actors...

Babysister is a woman we could all love to hate, but
Ms. Swindle makes it hard. Babysister witnessed her
mother's murder and her father has tried to compensate
by spoiling her since she was four years old.
Consequently, whatever Babysister wants, Babysister
gets. Moreover, Babysister has a hard time thinking
about anyone else's wants or needs and the effects of
her actions. She has been loved by a multitude of
good men but has never loved them in return until she
meets Darren. Darren is fine, intelligent,
considerate and rich. Darren is the first man that
makes Babysister feel loved, needed and special.
There is just one problem; he's Deborah's man.

Deborah is Babysitter's best friend. Despite
Babysister's personality flaws, Deborah has stood by
her side since Babysister lost her mother. However,
Babysister has always envied and resented Deborah.
Although, Babysister is a beautiful woman, she sees
Deborah as more beautiful. And to make matters worse,
Deborah does not realize the power over men that her
beauty gives her and that irks Babysister to no end.
Be it right or wrong, Babysister justifies her love
affair with Darren by convincing herself that Darren
and Deborah won't last anyway. If it weren't
Babysister, then it would just be another woman,
right?

Except, what happens when Darren dumps Babysister to
go back to Deborah? How will Babysister react when
she receives Darren and Deborah's wedding invitation?
Oh, did I mention that Darren told Deborah about his
affair with Babysister? Will Babysister sacrifice a
life-long friendship for the only man she has ever
loved? I enjoyed this novel immensely. The
characters are believable and each has a life lesson
for each of us. And best of all, there are more than
a few surprises in the plot. Those of us that enjoy
contemporary African-American literature will find
that "Please, Please, Please" fits the bill nicely.

Leanna
R.E.A.L. Reviewers

I truly enjoyed reading Renee Swindle's work. Someone recommended it to me after reading Carl Weber's Looking for Luv (another great book about Black men and their adventures looking for love)... Babysister (the name already tells you that she is not just spoiled, but also a spoiled BRAT) is a character that you love to hate. She knows what she's doing is wrong, but ever since she was four years old, everyone gave her whatever she wanted... and if it wasn't given freely, it was given out of guilt. This is how Babysister grew up in a bubble... she was always protected by somebody... her father, her best friend, her brother (although jealous, he still protects her)... There had to come a day that the bubble was going to burst... and I'm glad it did!!!
This book is more than just a story about cheating on your best friend... it's about growing up.... and you truly watch Babysister grow up.....
Wish I could have read a little more about Darren's fate... but then again... that could be Renee's next book!!!! *wink*

After completing Renee Swindle's, Please Please Please, I couldn't wait to do my online review ... I found the book to be surreal, dramatic, an eye opener and redeeming read. My heart went out to Babysister because of the lack of self-love she had for herself. She was looking for love in all the wrong places. I kept praying for her to redeem herself and find her true passion in life. She seemed so lost from time to time. Even with the love and support and her father, Deborah, Rob, Lisette, Sherice and Darius and Jorge. Her weakness? One word, Darren. He was a true piece of work and took the statement, "all men are dogs" to a new height. This proves that year's of friendship, trust, honesty and love should be valued and treasured. Bestfriends have a "special" bond that's more like family. I'm glad Babysister learned that lesson, even if it took the most shocking moments of her life for it to come to light. Sometimes it's a hard pill to swallow but, water can make it easier. She needed to grow-up and while reading this book, you see it happen before you eyes with every turn of the pages. Renee did a wonderful job with her first novel and I look forward to reading her second novel upon it's release. I hope she'll give us a part II to this wonderful story for sure.

Babysister got what she wanted and some things she didn't bargain for. I was entertained by this story. I didn't originally think I'd like this book too much, but Renee Swindle did a great job. I was surprised at some of Babysister's actions, but all I can say is "you reap what you sow" and "with friends like these, who needs enemies?"