11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The One Who Got Away, February 17, 2008
This review is from: Tappin' On Thirty (Paperback)
Candice Dow returns with an entertaining and humorous tale of lust, love, longing, temptation and betrayal between two former high school sweethearts in Tapping on Thirty.
Even though, Jason "Scooter" Evan is the boyfriend that every girl wants, long distance and the desire to no longer be in a long-distance relationship, find Taylor Jabowski breaking up with her high-school sweetheart, during their college freshmen year.
Fast forward ten years later to a single Taylor, who is approaching 30 and still looking for Mr. Goodbar. As Taylor prepares for her ten-year, high school reunion, she realizes that while she has dated many, she has never loved anyone as much as she loved Scooter. They were once the future high-powered couple, Taylor wanted to become an attorney, and Scooter wanted to become a doctor. They both achieved their dreams, and Taylor could only imagine what their lives would be like now, as she ponders what could have happened between she and Scooter, if she had not broken up with him.
Taylor is pleasantly surprised when Scooter attends the reunion alone, and when she finds out he is not married, she immediately begins formulating a plan for them to get back together. There is only one problem--isn't there always--while single, Scooter is not unattached. He has a live-in girlfriend, Asua, who is a fellow doctor, and the only reason he attended the reunion alone is because his demanding, ambitious girlfriend was on-call that weekend. But make no mistake; Asua is not going to allow her man to leave her without a fight. While Taylor might not have realized that she had a good man and let him go, Asua does not plan to make that mistake. Besides doctor trumps attorney any day. Hmmmph.
The chain of events that happened next, between Scooter and these two women, made me want to jump in the book and give Scooter a beat down. If Dow wanted the reader to experience and live vicariously via these characters, she succeeded, especially in regards to Scooter. His indecisiveness and scheming made me want to slap him upside his head and shout...'Man up! Be a man. Grow some xxxxx!" Scooter is definitely a memorable character as I cannot remember the last time I admired yet disliked a male character as much as him. He gives meaning to `whole lot of book sense but not a lick of common sense.'
And...Taylor, I felt her pain and angst. I have known quite a few Taylors, and in some regards was even one myself, prior to meeting and marrying my husband. Taylor did not ask me...but I could have told her Scooter's heart was feeling one thing but his head was another matter. Especially since he was sharing pillow talk with another woman when he was not with her...another woman that Taylor conveniently forgot he lived with as she made plans to spend the rest of her life with him.
Dow touched many a nerve with Tapping on Thirty. I laughed, shouted, cried, cheered, got upset and repeated the cycle all over again while reading this engaging and entertaining novel. She painted a very realistic of what many Black, gifted, talented, professional women approaching thirty experience. She also showed how empowering and liberating the experience can be if one is true to self. Readers who enjoy chick lit, women's fiction and contemporary fiction will enjoy this novel. I recommend Tapping on Thirty to fans and new readers alike as there is little bit of something for everyone in this book.
Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's Whatever!, February 5, 2008
This review is from: Tappin' On Thirty (Paperback)
Devin Patterson has everything he wants with the exception of love. The woman of his dreams was snatched up by another man while Devin played the fool in his own marriage. Now he's searching for someone worthy of his attributes and he's wondering where all the women with class are hiding. Pressed about finding someone now, he wonders if he's tapped out before he's even hit the big 3-0.
Taylor Jabowski had the world's greatest boyfriend in high school. Alone, desperate and tired of the pity, Taylor has decided that she's going to her high school class reunion with the hopes of a love connection. While she knows that the odds are stacked against her, she's not willing to face another birthday without a significant other.
A chance meeting and Devin knows he's willing to give love another chance. As time stands still for Taylor , it's too late because she's already skipping towards love. While the two become instant friends, something bigger, stronger is definitely in the air. Will this connection lead to exploration?
Oh my god, I loved this book! I couldn't help but feel that this duo could benefit from a second chance at love for dummies! `Tappin' on Thirty' is hilarious, smart and appealing. I found myself unable to put the book down and I was so happy at the way the book bounces between the characters allowing them to tell their unique stories.
Reviewed by: Taye
4.5
Caught In The Mix
Ain't No Sunshine
A Hire Love
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
With age comes wisdom, January 29, 2008
This review is from: Tappin' On Thirty (Paperback)
TAPPIN' ON THIRTY is the story of Taylor and her need to reconcile the love for her high school sweetheart, Scooter. The night of her high school reunion, Taylor and her best friend Courtney are psyched about the event because both are successful lawyers and don't look like they are tapping on thirty. However, for Taylor this is her chance to tell Scooter she made a mistake in ending their relationship and she is banking on them reconciling. One thing, Scooter is in a committed relationship, but can true love be stopped?
Devin is a successful attorney, who had an unsuccessful marriage and it has made his relationships short-lived. The only good thing to come from the marriage is his little girl. When he meets Taylor at a business conference, he is smitten, but realizes quickly she is in love with someone else and he has to settle for friendship. However, the two share a mutual attraction and they stop the friendship before it grows to something more. Fate however, has a way of changing things that seem impossible.
Taylor was hoping to recapture the love of her youth and Scooter didn't want to lose the one good thing he had from his past. Turning thirty is a monumental experience, it also reminds us that our youth is behind us and with it come wisdom and truth. Although, Taylor, Scooter and Devin each want a lasting relationship, they need to mature emotionally to understand what love really means. The characters were well-developed and the message of the story resonates long after the last page. I appreciated the ending not being perfect. TAPPIN' ON THIRTY tackles familiar circumstances, but with a reality check for its characters and readers.
Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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