Customer Reviews

Use Me or Lose Me: A Novel of Love, Sex, and Drama

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The author first introduced the character, Farah Washington, in a previous novel. Farah had attitude and back bone. She went all out to achieve what she wanted. She worked hard! I admired her for her style, strength of determination, and independence. At the beginning of this novel, Farah was still the classy act I remembered with fondness. However, by the half way point of the novel Farah had morphed into one of my pet peeves, a wimpy heroine. Farah suddenly does not believe in her self worth, feels as though she could not hold a decent job without Lenox, and even whimpers like a beaten dog when Lenox hit her (cutting her cheek open). Hello? If a man OR woman hits the other even once, it is a red flag! I lost all admiration for my heroine. I read on hoping it would get better.

As for Lenox, he came across as little better than a pimp. He treated all his women like dirt. He claimed to love Farah, yet treated her even worse. He never beat the others. Farah came across as much classier than the others. Yet a woman such as she would not take all the verbal, mental, and physical abuse. Nor would she have used [the tape in such] petty vengeance. As I finished reading the last page and closed the book, I had no feeling of happiness or satisfaction. I felt let down. Perhaps I am simply used to "happily ever afters" when I escape into a good book. This ending left me cold, with no real closure.

I adored Maryann Reid's previous novel, but I cannot enjoy or recommend this one. I am still a fan of the author's, do not get me wrong. However, I can still be a fan and not enjoy every book she writes. I am hoping the next novel has more closure.

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

One of Maryann Reid's characters from Sex and the Single Sister is making a repeat performance in her latest novel, USE ME OR LOSE ME. New York news anchor Farah Washington wants to move up in the world in terms of her career. Although she's a popular network personality, she's still not where she wants to be: at the helm of the nationwide morning talk show Rise and Shine. But the new sistah in charge at the station, Ms. Joyce Meyers, has no such plans for the young broadcaster. This perplexes Farah because she expects for the only other African American female at the station to have her back.

Like her career, Farah's love life has come to crossroads. She is envious of the life her best girlfriend Lola leads with her baby girl and husband Chris. During the bustle at her job, Farah remains focused on the latest stories and the industry buzz, but at her apartment the silence is deafening, the bed is cold, and her biological clock ticking away.

Farah meets debonair attorney Lenox Whitworth during her contract negotiations with the network. He's a high class, well-bred brother who makes his own way and gives back to the community. They begin to form a relationship filled with high society shindigs, lavish trips, and wining and dining. Both Lenox and Farah are after something, whether it is arm candy or career advancement. As Lenox says, "If you can't be used, you're useless." Their tumultuous existence together is the driving force behind USE ME OR LOSE ME.

Reid tells Farah and Lenox's story in a way that keeps you interested and intrigued. I was incessantly trying to envision the next road she was going to take me down. The plot is not anything groundbreaking, nor are the characters eccentric or raw; but it works. A tale of romance, seduction, and life lessons USE ME OR LOSE ME is just an entertaining story.

Reviewed by CandaceK
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This was the first book I have read by Maryann Reid. I enjoyed reading it but the ending was awful.

Since many reviewers have given great synopsis of the book, I will spare you the details. I just want to add that the transformation of the main character, Farah, was totally disheartening. She goes from an independent, career-minded woman to accepting being 2nd or 3rd fiddle to her boyfriend, Lenox. He is very manipulative and is willing to shower gifts as long as Farah stays in her place.

As soon as it seems Farah has had enough and seems to find her inner strength again, Lenox shows up with a ring. The author never states whether or not Farah accepts the ring but it would been great to see Farah kick Lenox to the curb.

I cannot recommend this book and I am not sure if I will try any other books by Reid.

This book is definitely a page turner although I am not sure I am comfortable with the messages it sends. Farah endures infidelity, physical and drug abuse by a mate - not to mention career sabotage - only to take Lenox back on a whim. I was waiting for her to get him back and do it well. I didn't expect that she would duck and run.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it very interesting. I started reading the book at 8:30 p.m. and finished reading it at 2:45 a.m. I kept reading it thinking, How can Farrah let Lenox get away with this stuff. I felt so much anger towards the French girl. I mean was she a 304 or what? The aunt was pretty ruthless as well. I could not believe the relationship between Lenox's mother and father. His mistress was leavning in their home? No wonder Lenox was like he was? He got it from his fater. I really felt that Farrah's mother really pressured her about being with a man. Overall the book was very good! I really like the part when Farrah gave that french girl a good butt kicking. That was over due! I have a question did Lenoz and Farrah get back together at the end? Did she accept his proposal?

Remember Farah, from Sex and the Single Sister? She?s back! She is the featured character in Maryann Reid?s newest novel, Use Me or Lose Me. Farah has not changed one bit. This time she may have met her match with her beau, Lenox.

Farah Washington can be described as the piranha in the newsroom of Channel 7. Already the evening news anchorwoman, she is after the job of anchoring the Rise and Shine morning show. Nothing or no one is going to stop Farah from reaching this goal. She is the master manipulator. Do not get in her way or you will get stepped on. Lenox Whitworth is the super fine, wealthy Jamaican lawyer for the television station. He is in charge of Farah?s contract. He invites Farah to have dinner one night and this good looking couple immediately become the power couple amongst their peers. Lenox has money and all the right connections with the Lyncs, a social organization, and his aunt, Ms. Meyers, who is also Farah?s boss. Lenox also has lots of problems; his friends expect him to ?fix? their problems using his connections, some of them mistake his kindness for weakness, but the biggest problem is Maritza, a woman that can turn this fairytale relationship into a nightmare.

Use Me or Lose Me is a fun read. There are interesting characters and exotic locales. The vacation to St. Tropez is worthy of note. Both Farah and Lenox are very pretentious; therefore designer name-dropping fit the character?s manner and did not take anything way from the story. Farah even goes as far as to purchase Gucci-wear for her infant goddaughter. I think the readers will enjoy some surprises in the storyline and the ending. I recommend adding this to your reading list.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

But this book is hot. Ever time I think it is slowing down it picks up. And it picks up fast....I think the trips to St. tropez and Jamaica make it even hotter. And that sexy Lenox...he is finger licking. This is better than Reid's first book! Which was OK.

I started reading and found this to be so boring. I finally pushed myself through a couple more pages, still nothing. I came to Amazon to check reviews and seems everyone says it's slow until it gets to the middle. Well I can't wait that long and if Farah is going to hang around a louzy no count man for gifts..she can do that by herself lol. I'm closing this book for good!

The story line was boring until half way through. Farah and Lenox both used each other to get what they needed. Farah needed a better career and Lenox needed a female that he could show off to mama because he sure couldn't take his French play toy home to his mother,(Maritza). In the end, Lenox and Farah ended up falling in love with each other but it was a year to late to put things back together. Truth be told, I think they do good by themselves.

this book was so good it is my seconcd time reading it an omg !!! it's offical but i think the author needs to make a sequel. it left me hanging i want to kno if they made or is Lenox is still up to no good. i think everybody agrees with me to have a sequel shud come out ASAP!!!