Customer Reviews

Tappin' On Thirty

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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

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

I enjoyed reading the story, but after getting to know Scooter & Taylor, and rooting for their relationship to survive, the outcome was a bit disappointing. Scooter seemed like he knew what the right move was to make, but just didn't have the backbone to do it. Similar to how Devin behaved in Caught In The Mix It was nice to see Devin make a reappearance in this book. As I was reading it I was often asking myself why he was there, but in the end it all made sense, and I am anxious to see how his story turns out in the next book. I am only rating this 3 stars though because the love scenes were definitely not up to par with the love scenes in the first book. I also think the male leads need to be a bit more stronger and follow their guts more often, instead of doing what they think everyone else will think is right.

Taylor Jabowski is haunted by a lost love - Scooter. Memories of that lost love become more prevalent after a class reunion. Scooter was there and looking good as ever. Despite Scooter's current relationship, Taylor is not ready to give up on what could have been or what still can be. So caught up in the past, will Taylor miss out on the future?

Candice Dow's account of love-lost is fresh, funny and captivating. TAPPIN' ON THIRTY was a rewarding read.

4.5 stars

Taylor, Courtney, Scooter, Akua, Devin and the rest all brought a different flavor to the book. I must say I didn't see the end coming. Very good read.

What would you do to get back with the "one that got away?" When you see the love of your life and those old feelings re-surface, would you act on those feelings or leave it in the past? Candice Dow does a fantastic job of showing his and her side of the coin. I got so into the story, I wanted to reach in and slap the mess out of both Taylor and Scooter. It was great seeing Devin Patterson again, from "Caught in the Mix," and seeing how he's progressed. I love reading stories where characters from past books are re-visited. "Tappin' on Thirty" had me reading well into the night, trying to finish it. I loved it!

Taylor is fast approaching the age of thirty and she has come to the realization that she should have never ended her relationship with her high school sweetheart Scooter. With their high school reunion just around the corner, Taylor has decided to re-claim Scooters affection even though he has moved on with his life.

Devin Patterson has a great job, an ex-wife and a daughter! He meets and is ultimately smitten with Taylor. Devin is also approaching his 30th birthday and he has hopes to share his life and success with the right women eventually. Will this be his time? Or will the connection between these two turn out to be more than they bargained for?

Great page turner!

I enjoyed it, even though some of the things that happened in the book I would never do.

Taylor Jabowski regrets that she let Scooter, her high school sweetheart slip through her fingertips. When her high school reunion rapidly approachs, can she win his heart again?

Scooter on the other hand has forgotten all about Ms. Taylor so he thinks until they meet back up at the reunion. Old flames spark. Lost love lingers. Lust lurks. Scooter is torn between his past love for Taylor and current love for girlfriend Akua.

While all this is brewing, Devin and Taylor's paths cross. Devin Patterson is still harboring old feelings about his ex-wife getting pregnant.The best thing that happened to him out of that union was his precious litte girl, Nicole.

I sooooo loved this book. Candice is so awesome putting pen to paper. Kudos Candice! Keep writing and I'll keep reading!