Nappily Ever After by Trisha R Thomas

Nappily Ever After

by Trisha R Thomas

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM STARRING SANAA LATHAN

What happens when you toss tradition out the window and really start living for yourself?

Venus Johnston has a great job, a beautiful home, and a loving live-in boyfriend named Clint, who happens to be a drop-dead gorgeous doctor. She also has a weekly beauty-parlor date with Tina, who keeps Venus's long, processed hair slick and straight. But when Clint--who's been reluctant to commit over the past four years--brings home a puppy instead of an engagement ring, Venus decides to give it all up. She trades in her long hair for a dramatically short, natural cut and sends Clint packing.

It's a bold declaration of independence--one that has effects she never could have imagined. Reactions from friends and coworkers range from concern to contempt to outright condemnation. And when Clint moves on and starts dating a voluptuous, long-haired beauty, Venus is forced to question what she really wants out of life. With wit, resilience, and a lot of determination, she finally learns what true happiness is--on her own terms. Told with style, savvy, and humor, Nappily Ever After is a novel that marks the debut of a fresh new voice in fiction.

Reviewed by layawaydragon on

3 of 5 stars

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CW Warning: Fatphobic, Rape Attempt, Biphobic, Homophobic, Colorism, "prissy foot negro", Toxic Masculinity and "playa playbook" nonsense.

Has 3 POVS: Clint, Candy, and Venus.

-->Interesting start with the wedding, not knowing who's marrying Clint.
-->Interesting history of black hair products and her childhood.
-->There's lots of the typical judgemental bitchiness between Venus and Candy.
-->Well done redeeming Candy given she's knowingly the other woman.
-->Fuck Principal Erin.
-->Great examples of Code Switching, which even Clint does even though he doesn't realize/admit it.
-->Therapy isn't bad, fuck you Clint.
-->Totally saw who the notes were from way before it was revealed.
-->Venus chasing after Tyson was scary and made me worry.
-->Airik was a cute bright spot.

I was frustrated with Clint not getting what Venus was saying, but she did handle it badly. I don't think him and Candy had enough character progression. Venus did great though, even if the way of it sounds silly on paper, that how it often works in real life.

I really liked Venus's brother Timothy and Clint's family. Venus's family is homophobic though and I got real tired of Clint blaming the marriage phobia on the first wife.

The narrator was great and an amazing singer. Glad that was included.

Got itchy at towards the end, seemed to go so slow and still had 2 hours left. It picked back up towards the very end where we come back to the wedding.

I like the resolution. Glad they can all act like adults and it works out. It's a nice sentiment. But kinda felt like "stay in your league". Maybe that's just be me.

Fatphobic nonsense:
Singling out the woman manager with "excess poundage" when everyone in the damn meeting went for the donuts first like Venus planned.
Descriptions: "obese", "layers of skin", laughing at plus size women modeling lingerie,

Biphobic:
Candy states she's glad Tyson's only flaw is being married and not being " bisexual, an excon or broke and needing a place to stay."

Venus blames herself for a "inviting" a man to sexually assault her. And I don't mean, just to keep the peace in the office and all that shit. She really believes it! WTF?

I didn't realize this was a series until I went to review it here. I read the blurbs and some reviews for the subsequence installments and don't think I'm going to continue given everything. I'll put the second book on my maybe TBR just in case but Nappily Ever After ends well and I kinda don't want to ruin it.

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  • 6 May, 2018: Reviewed