Customer Reviews

Not Quite What It Seems

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

 

 

Not Quite What It Seems, by Essence Best Selling Author Mari Walker, is a knotted tale of the life of Jadyn Collins that slowly unravels one chapter at a time. Jadyn Collins' world pulls her in many directions. She struggles to resolve the emotional scars caused by childhood experiences. She is relentless in her pursuit to become a professional dancer. She has found love, yet her life goals do neatly align with her boyfriend's future plans for both him and Jadyn. On top of all of that, she yearns to find and reunite with her biological father separated from her and her two younger brothers by her mother when she was in her early teens.

Jadyn is the daughter of Samai Collins, the main character of Mari Walker's debut novel Never As Good As The First Time. A little older and on her own, Jadyn's character is strong enough to be the center of attention. She is driven by an inner-strength, full of sassiness and smart enough to navigate the varied situations she comes into contact with. Hence, Not Quite What It Seems is by no means a sequel to Never As Good As The First Time, and it's not really a continuation of Walker's first book. Just like the relationship between Samai and Jadyn, these two books are definitely related with the first being the foundation of the second. But Not Quite What It Seems has its own identity and can be read by itself.

Because of the ending, Not Quite What It Seems came off feeling more like two books jammed together as one. As a reader, I enjoyed the unfolding mystery of the connection between Julian, the man that she met on the flight into Florida, Jadyn's cousin Flash and Steele Money - a seemingly nobody, club promoter in the middle of nowhere. Julian slowly becomes a love interest, Flash becomes overly protective and Steele Money by no means hides his anamosity for Jadyn's presence in Palm City. By the time the dust settles in Florida, Jadyn's time there was a trip but not to Disney World...

Overall, I have mixed feelings about Not Quite What It Seems. I enjoyed what I considered the tale of two novels in, just not within the confines of the same book cover.

Joey Pinkney, Book Reviewer

Jadyn has a promising career as a dancer. She also has a loving relationship with her boyfriend Taji. But Jadyn still has some emotional baggage she's carrying due to the pain caused by her mom and stepfather. She becomes even more confused when she learns that Taji may be the one that put her chances of a big career opportunity in jeopardy. To get a break from her current problems, Jadyn decides to go to look for her biological father. But Jadyn finds a lot more than she bargained for when she's suddenly in the middle of a dangerous plot that could turn deadly.

Mari Walker does a good job of continuing the storyline from Never As Good As the First Time with Jadyn's story in Not Quite What It Seems. In this novel, Walker introduces us to Jadyn as a grown woman who has a clear path to a wonderful dance career. You see that although she knows what she wants professionally, Jadyn still has some things that she needs to resolve in her personal life. Walker does a wonderful job of illustrating Jadyn's unresolved childhood issues and the counseling she receives. There's a lot of surprising drama involving Jadyn that will definitely keep you turning the pages. Although this book is a sequel, it's truly a stand alone book. Not Quite What It Seems is another entertaining read by Mari Walker.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert of Urban Reviews

In Mari Walker's newest book, NOT QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS, she allows us to go on a ride with her main character Jadyn as she tries to desperately find her own way in life and pursue happiness. She actually continued the lives of some of her characters from her first novel NEVER AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME, and explores their lives after a period of time. Jadyn was head over hills with a man named Taji and had a great life with him but due to some issues it caused her to leave Ohio and reconnect with family that she had in Florida in search of her real father. This story was so intriguing and captivating that I found myself trying to speed read just so I could see what happened next. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great storyline, memorable characters, and situations that will leave your mouth hanging wide open. Great Job Mari!

Mari Walker does an excellent job of conveying Jayden's pursuit of happiness: This engaging story is about a woman's search for the truth; both in herself and those around her. I applaud Jayden for not accepting the mundane and for seeking the truth despite the pain she has endured.

Walker also does a great job of describing the life of a dancer, maintaining professionalism in a world where sex sells. I love this story because Jayden did not give up on her dreams and her dreams did not end in picture perfection - but she does obtain love and happiness. A real story about real people! I found this story to be engaging and it is a great read! Life is not quite what it seems at times and Walker's characters bring forth a great story about truth and the pursuit of happiness!

As NOT QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS opens, Jadyn is excited about her audition with a traveling dance troupe, but disappointed in her relationship with Taji. As she prepares to end things with him, he steps up his game and proposes. Jadyn is pleased with the attention he now pores into the relationship, but that is short-lived as she discovers a betrayal that shocks her to her core, especially since she had no idea Taji can be so deceitful. She ends the relationship and takes time off for herself.

Jadyn goes to Florida to stay with relatives and to search for her father, who abandoned her when she was child. Plagued with a recurring nightmare for years, she hopes the reconciliation will quell the nightmares and the associated feelings of loneliness and neglect she suffered growing up . While she is in Florida, she runs into a new set of problems that will take her life in a direction she never imagined.

NOT QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS is a plot-driven novel that kept me invested in the story. It is the sequel to Never As Good As The First Time, but it can stand alone because this book deals with Jadyn's situation and there is very little interaction with the main character from the previous book and Walker provided substantial information on Jadyn's background. While I became acquainted with Jadyn's character, there was very little character development around the supporting cast. Walker took the story in a surprising turn midway into the novel, which made me feel as though I picked up a different book. That plot had the flavor of street fiction, which was totally different than the book began. In addition, the rushed ending left me with several questions.

Reviewed by Paula Henderson
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Jadyn Collins hadn't grown up in the best of situations. Her nightmares continued to haunt her, though she sought counseling to help. While she and her favorite cousin, Nite, shared many things, this secret was too big to share and often times made it hard for Jadyn to maintain. Luckily, dancing had been her outlet. She'd dreamed of dancing for a major dance troop and was auditioning and waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.

What Jadyn hadn't considered was her live-in boyfriend Taji Hietkikko. Taji had been loving, caring and the right person for her, but he was so wrapped up in his own goals that she often felt like he never listened. Once Taji starts to listen, Jadyn loves how he responds; unfortunately, they may be headed for ruin instead of ecstasy.

Betrayed, devastated and in desperate need of change, Jadyn decides a little distance between her and Ohio may be for the best. Unknowingly, Florida may not be as sunny as she`d thought. Jadyn is able to find her long lost father, but she also finds herself in a very gnawing position.

NOT QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS by Mari Walker is just that, NOT QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS. Initially I liked how the story began. You get a feel for the character and the pain she has suffered. What I don't like is how she immediately begins to contradict herself the minute she lands in Florida. The drama that tries to build into a mystery simmers into a heaping mess. Nothing is really settled and instead of feeling like you've read an entire book, you feel as though someone somewhere took a wrong turn and ultimately rushed to draw the story to a close. If that isn't disturbing enough, the editing when it comes to Li'l Bri, a character, is beyond confusing. When you first meet the character, it's a woman, though you know she's a lesbian; soon after Li'l Bri is referred to as a man. WHAT?

Reviewed by: Crystal
3.5

Another amazing book! I can "see" her story as I read. It's like watching a movie in my mind. I can't put this book down! Mari's writing is addicting. I would and have and will continue to recommend Mari Walker's book to everyone.