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The Ex Factor
This emotional, erotically-charged novel follows three half-sisters and their complicated relationships with one another and with the men in their lives.
Celeste thinks all she wants in life are her family and a nice home in the suburbs. Yet lately she’s got a hunch that her sexy husband, Sharief, a New York City policeman, is patrolling more than just the streets. Celeste is sure he’s cheating on her. When she finds out that the home-wrecker is none other than her own sister Monica, all hell breaks loose.
Monica never intended to fall in love with her sister’s husband. But who knew that Sharief would make every inch of her body tingle with a single touch? Monica knows she should have righted her wrong before Celeste found out, but she’s in too deep–in more ways than one.
Imani is not pleased that her low-life boyfriend, Walik, just got out of the slammer and wants her back. Sure enough trouble comes knocking. But when a fine Puerto Rican DJ named Kree seduces her and showers her son, Jamal, with attention, Imani finally gets a shot at happiness and ghetto-free love.
Fielding the curve balls tossed their way, Celeste, Monica, and Imani learn that it takes more than sisterhood to cope with love, life, and men–the ones they’ve got, and that elusive ex factor.
Celeste thinks all she wants in life are her family and a nice home in the suburbs. Yet lately she’s got a hunch that her sexy husband, Sharief, a New York City policeman, is patrolling more than just the streets. Celeste is sure he’s cheating on her. When she finds out that the home-wrecker is none other than her own sister Monica, all hell breaks loose.
Monica never intended to fall in love with her sister’s husband. But who knew that Sharief would make every inch of her body tingle with a single touch? Monica knows she should have righted her wrong before Celeste found out, but she’s in too deep–in more ways than one.
Imani is not pleased that her low-life boyfriend, Walik, just got out of the slammer and wants her back. Sure enough trouble comes knocking. But when a fine Puerto Rican DJ named Kree seduces her and showers her son, Jamal, with attention, Imani finally gets a shot at happiness and ghetto-free love.
Fielding the curve balls tossed their way, Celeste, Monica, and Imani learn that it takes more than sisterhood to cope with love, life, and men–the ones they’ve got, and that elusive ex factor.
- GenresUrban
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2006
15 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker
11 books118 followersTu-Shonda L. Whitaker is the award winning, Essence bestselling author of Flip Side of the Game and Game Over.
She is also a contributing writer to the anthologies: Cream and Kiss The Year Goodbye.
Whitaker was awarded the Ella Baker and W.E.B. Du Bois International Award for fiction writing. Her most recent title, The Ex Factor has been featured in several magazines such as Vibe Vixen and Romantic Times Book Review as one of the hottest, sensual, and humorous tales released this year.
Whitaker lives in New Jersey with her husband and their children.
She is also a contributing writer to the anthologies: Cream and Kiss The Year Goodbye.
Whitaker was awarded the Ella Baker and W.E.B. Du Bois International Award for fiction writing. Her most recent title, The Ex Factor has been featured in several magazines such as Vibe Vixen and Romantic Times Book Review as one of the hottest, sensual, and humorous tales released this year.
Whitaker lives in New Jersey with her husband and their children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 1, 2014
I enjoyed this book a great deal. I must say it was one of my favorites of the books I have read this semester. The Ex Factor is a novel that tells the story of three sisters and their complicated relationships with one another and the men they “love”. One sister is still in love with her ex despite all the trouble he has gotten into and all he has put her through. She even continues to deal with abuse and mistreatment from her ex once a “better” man wants to be in her and her son’s life. The other two sisters are involved in a very dangerous love triangle with one another and one’s husband. Tu-Shonda Whitaker uses descriptive dialogue and dialect to deepen the characterization of her characters. The characters in this story are African American and it is very obvious through the specific dialect that is used in their dialogue. This is even used with the young characters in the novel such as 7 year old Jamal. The following excerpt from page 60 shows how Whitaker uses dialogue and specific detail to further develop her characters.
Jamal started to whisper. “Uncle Rief told Aunty Monica he was goin’ punch her in the face.”
“What?” Imani couldn’t belive it.
“Yeah,” Jamal continued to whisper, “you should’ve heard him, he told her, ‘I can’t even believe I was feeling you, trick.’ Then it was a lot of noise. Like the crumble, crumble, crumble, raaaahhhh. Then Aunty Monica said, ‘boy, is you crazy, Jamal is asleep in the other room.’ Then Uncle Rief said, ‘Hol’ up, shawtie, you might see me in the streets but you ‘on’t know me.’ Imani, he sound just like a rapper.”
“Jamal, stop lyin’! I already told you about lyin’ so much!”
“Imani, I ain’t lyin’, you shoulda heard him, she told him ‘My Adidas’ll walk all over your face, dawg. Punk, lazy-eye? You tryna flex? You booty-scratchin’ fart face! Yo’ breath smell like pissy eggs! And if you mess with me, I’ll knock yo’ teeth out and put ‘em back in crooked!’ Yo, that’s a wild boy, Imani!”
While reading this book I felt that I could actually hear the dialogue that they held amongst one another. The dialect gave me the impression that they were possibly characters from somewhere similar to my hometown and similar to people I actually know. The dialect and dialogue made this an easy read and held my interest throughout the entire piece. I thought Whitaker used dialect and dialogue to assist her in the characterization of her characters very well. Portions of this novel could be used to show students how the dialogue and dialect can affect the how a character is perceived by a reader. I would use caution and choose appropriate examples during a mini lesson to teach my students to use both dialogue and dialect to develop their characters.
Jamal started to whisper. “Uncle Rief told Aunty Monica he was goin’ punch her in the face.”
“What?” Imani couldn’t belive it.
“Yeah,” Jamal continued to whisper, “you should’ve heard him, he told her, ‘I can’t even believe I was feeling you, trick.’ Then it was a lot of noise. Like the crumble, crumble, crumble, raaaahhhh. Then Aunty Monica said, ‘boy, is you crazy, Jamal is asleep in the other room.’ Then Uncle Rief said, ‘Hol’ up, shawtie, you might see me in the streets but you ‘on’t know me.’ Imani, he sound just like a rapper.”
“Jamal, stop lyin’! I already told you about lyin’ so much!”
“Imani, I ain’t lyin’, you shoulda heard him, she told him ‘My Adidas’ll walk all over your face, dawg. Punk, lazy-eye? You tryna flex? You booty-scratchin’ fart face! Yo’ breath smell like pissy eggs! And if you mess with me, I’ll knock yo’ teeth out and put ‘em back in crooked!’ Yo, that’s a wild boy, Imani!”
While reading this book I felt that I could actually hear the dialogue that they held amongst one another. The dialect gave me the impression that they were possibly characters from somewhere similar to my hometown and similar to people I actually know. The dialect and dialogue made this an easy read and held my interest throughout the entire piece. I thought Whitaker used dialect and dialogue to assist her in the characterization of her characters very well. Portions of this novel could be used to show students how the dialogue and dialect can affect the how a character is perceived by a reader. I would use caution and choose appropriate examples during a mini lesson to teach my students to use both dialogue and dialect to develop their characters.
December 6, 2010
For Mama Bryd character alone this book is worth a read. It been a while since a book has made me laugh out loud. The rest of the story is filled with drama from three sisters. Celeste is married and trying desperately to hold on to her husband who she feel is cheating. Monica is a single nurse and she is having an affair with a married man. Imani is a single parent to Jamal (who also adds comedy to the book) and is trying to hang on to Walik (Jamal's father) who she has been with for 10 years.
April 6, 2016
Great book about a single parent family of 3 sisters. I enjoyed this fast paced, dramatic, surprising and humorous book. I devoured it in 2 days because it was so juicy. I loved the lesson at the end! It made it all worth it. As a woman some of us have lived through any one of the circumstances in this book.
March 14, 2008
Didn't like this one at all. Too immature and silly! No substance or character development whatsoever!
April 8, 2009
this book was way to funny...it could of had a dash of matureness in it tho..
recomend it to: teenagers
recomend it to: teenagers
October 4, 2019
Man when I tell you this book had me on edge.. I mean it lol. I had to take a break a few times because I started to actually get angry. It was such a good read and I just love the way TuShonda writes. I plan on purchasing all of her books, including her books where she uses Pseudonyms.
February 14, 2019
I love this book for all the wrong reasons and I want to read it all over again....................like right now!
I want to have a read out loud session................where my girls?
I want to have a read out loud session................where my girls?
January 20, 2020
corny jokes and too much talk for "poop" and "farts". hated it.
August 28, 2022
A great book that had me all in my feelings.
January 2, 2017
I love how all of the sisters evolved at the end of the book! Awesome
April 25, 2015
I read this book as part of a monthly book club challenge & really enjoyed reading about the relationship drama of the three sisters and there mother. The scenes with the kids in the book will have you laughing out loud or wanting to spank them. The tension between the sisters is very real & provides plenty of drama & heartache. Very good read.
March 28, 2008
this book was very good to me i really liked imani's parts she was the most interesting to me. This book was about three sisters and their mom. celeste, monica, imani they all are very different to be sisters you gotta read it.
Read
November 15, 2007I bought it but havent read it yet!
February 6, 2009
Awesome book.
Read
February 11, 2009This book was hilarious, Even though the characters in the book weren't likeable it still was a good book
September 2, 2009
If you want some juicy ghetto drama this is the book for you. I think we all know someone like the characters in this book.
October 28, 2009
This is a very entertaining book. Every page kept me laughing.
December 19, 2010
THE BEST BOOK EVER..GREAT SISTER BETRAYEL BOOK!!
July 26, 2011
I enjoyed the book had a lot of drama it all worked out at the end
October 24, 2011
Great read drama, anticipation,and hilarious. . enjoyed the book
January 9, 2014
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. Not one part to me is boring, considering I'm not one who really finds reading a hobby. It is definitely one of my favorite books.
May 26, 2014
Good book.
June 8, 2014
This book was one of a kind!! Family drama that you wouldn't expect and lots of funny moments. This book flowed well amd kept me engaged.
April 18, 2015
Love love love this book!! This family makes mine look sane lol drama packed, comedic (gottta love mama bryd!!) and ended with so good advice...will definitely be reading more of her books!
December 21, 2016
good book....
January 9, 2017
This book was the perfect mix of ratchet activities and entertainment. I devoured it.
December 23, 2019
good book
April 7, 2008
This book was crazy!!!
August 25, 2013
Drama on every page. I loved it!!!
July 12, 2013
Mama Byrd had me Rollin. Really great book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews