Accept the Unexpected

by L. Cherelle

Keleya Smith is a confident Southern woman who finds herself at an inadvertent crossroad at age twenty-six, waiting for life to unveil meaning and purpose. She thought she had the ultimate catch with Kris, but their four-year relationship is destroyed with one night of deceit. The breakup forces Keleya to come to a discomforting she is unfulfilled, often seeking refuge in her hobby, family, and friends. Despite the emotional damage, Keleya remains loyal to love. So when fate drops someone new at her doorstep, she transfers the yearning for intimacy, respect, and friendship to Jordan—an attractive twenty-nine-year-old native of Philadelphia. This newfound relationship with Jordan catches Keleya by surprise and tests her looming desire for her old confidant Kris. But when feelings for Jordan transform into more than casual dating, her faith in authentic relationships is challenged by an unforeseen circumstance. In the struggle to manage trust and vulnerability, Keleya finds herself caught in a whirlwind of old loves and new possibilities. On top of romantic woes, Keleya has to navigate relationships with her best friend, JaCola, and immediate family members. Now, more than ever, she is at odds with her gossiping sister, Nkosazana, and pained by the broken relationship with her father. Over the course of a year, Keleya has to face some shocking truths. But in the end, she finds solace in her love life and herself.

216 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2011

About the author

Lauren Cherelle uses her time and talents to traverse imaginary and professional worlds. She holds a BFA in graphic design, an MBA from the University of Tennessee, and writing certifications from the University of Louisville. In 2016, Lauren co-founded a literary collective for Black lesbian and queer women of color. Her co-edited projects include "Solace: Writing, Refuge, and LGBTQ Women of Color," "Lez Talk: A Collection of Black Lesbian Short Fiction," and "Black from the Future: A Collection of Black Speculative Writing," and "Black Joy Unbound: An Anthology." Her writing reflects the lives of Southern Black girls and women. Join Lauren on Twitter and Instagram: @laurencre8s.

Reviews

[Renee Cronin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a clear reminder of what happens when you don't have proper communication and allow assumptions to guide your decisions. I look forward to reading more from L. Cherelle.

[OOSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly Good!

"Accept the Unexpected" by L. Cherelle revolves around the relationship of Kelaya and Kris. The couple are African-American lesbians who find their relationship at a crossroads after a night of deceit. After the deceit is brought to light, the question of shall they stay together is raised.

Kelaya, who is the main character, must decide for herself what she wants in a relationship and what she expects from a potential partner. Kelaya spends time with family and friends as she decides if she wants to try her hand at the dating scene again. Enter Jordan, a woman who Kelaya's friends thought would be a good match for her.

Kelaya and Jordan hit it off immediately as they have many things in common and are looking for the same character traits in a relationship. Everything seems to be going perfect in their relationship until Kris re-enters the picture. The rollercoaster of if Kelaya will stay in her current relationship or return to Kris begins and it is a familiar twist of emotions that all of us, whether heterosexual or homosexual, can understand.

I would recommend "Accept the Unexpected" to everyone because forgiveness, redemption, and love are topics that everyone can understand. I look forward to reading more of L. Cherelle's work.

Reviewed by: Tiffany