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Choices #1
Choices
Four friends; Lena, who is engaged to a basketball superstar, Denise, who is hoping that she will be the first in her family to graduate college, Freedom, who lives up to her name and Carmen, who needs to work on her self-esteem--lean on each other during their days at Freedom University.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2007
49 people are currently reading
885 people want to read
About the author
Skyy
21 books208 followersSkyy is a 30-year-old writer from Memphis, TN. Her first novel, Choices, was released in 2007, and quickly gained popularity both within the gay and lesbian community and the urban fiction community. The highly anticipated sequel, Consequences, was released in 2009 with high praise, and rocketed to the top-10 best-seller lists on Amazon.com as well as at independent bookstores across the country.
Touted as the next E. Lynn Harris, Skyy blurs the lines between lesbian and straight communities in her fiction by speaking with intimate familiarity about the striking commonalities of loving and living as African American women in urban America. The books resonate with truismsamong women of all ages and gender identities.
Right now Skyy is working hard to bring her books to the screen.
In Skyy’s spare time. she enjoys traveling and spending time at home. When she is not on the road with her books, she is a club promoter.
Touted as the next E. Lynn Harris, Skyy blurs the lines between lesbian and straight communities in her fiction by speaking with intimate familiarity about the striking commonalities of loving and living as African American women in urban America. The books resonate with truismsamong women of all ages and gender identities.
Right now Skyy is working hard to bring her books to the screen.
In Skyy’s spare time. she enjoys traveling and spending time at home. When she is not on the road with her books, she is a club promoter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 25, 2016
thus was a wild ride 4 these 3 gay women on campus. they had more drama than I little bit. can't wait 2 read the next 1.
April 29, 2015
I picked this book up just because it was near the checkout at the library. I didn't even read to see what the book was about. I have to admit, if I didn't see it there I probably would have never read this book, but I'm glad I did. I got some answers to some questions that I've had for years and others that I'm still like, "I don't understand". I felt like I was learning right along with Lena.
When I first started I thought, this is probably going to be worth the read just to see what Cooley's wild behind was going to do because she kicked the party off on the first page.
The story is about 3 friends (Denise and Cooley (Carla) who are studs and Carmen who is a femme) and we follow them through their next year of college and their relationships. Lena is a freshman that has everything, the looks, body, handsome star basketball player boyfriend, rich, and legacy at Freedom College.
Lena is rooming with Denise and all of them end up fighting to hold on to their relationships as well as juggling college life, sports and pledging.
It's a good book , full of drama, but you learn that love is sometimes very painful especially when that love is not returned or attached to someone you want but can't have.
There are plenty of F/F sex scenes not to bad but the book is about lesbians so if you don't like that then you may want to either skip the scene or the book but it's worth the read.
When I first started I thought, this is probably going to be worth the read just to see what Cooley's wild behind was going to do because she kicked the party off on the first page.
The story is about 3 friends (Denise and Cooley (Carla) who are studs and Carmen who is a femme) and we follow them through their next year of college and their relationships. Lena is a freshman that has everything, the looks, body, handsome star basketball player boyfriend, rich, and legacy at Freedom College.
Lena is rooming with Denise and all of them end up fighting to hold on to their relationships as well as juggling college life, sports and pledging.
It's a good book , full of drama, but you learn that love is sometimes very painful especially when that love is not returned or attached to someone you want but can't have.
There are plenty of F/F sex scenes not to bad but the book is about lesbians so if you don't like that then you may want to either skip the scene or the book but it's worth the read.
December 28, 2019
I honestly did not expect to like this book so much but I was hooked from page one. It was wonderful... So much drama:)
November 4, 2015
Choices was a very different read for me, and while I did enjoy parts of it, ultimately it wasn't really for me. The story follows four friends during one year at college. Carmen, Denise, and Cooley have been friends forever and they meet Lena when she becomes Denise's new roommate. All four ladies are going through many ups and downs, but during it all, they have each other. The friendship bond is strong here and I loved that.
Choices got off to a rough start for me because of the dialogue. It's super inconsistent! Characters go from using a lot of slang, to being super formal (where are the contractions?!) in the same line. Then they go back and forth between the two, sometimes being somewhere in the middle. I could understand if different characters spoke differently, but everyone is like this. No one had an identifiable voice, except for Cooley, because she tended to be more vulgar than the others. However, she still suffered from the inconsistencies. This made the dialogue not flow or feel natural.
Choices also had a lot of issues with scene transitions which left me confused a lot of the time. I had to go back a page or two multiple times because suddenly I'm reading about different characters than I was before. Like, two of the women would be talking together, then two others are talking, even though they're not together. There are no breaks between scenes unless it's a new chapter! This was very frustrating for me.
Aside from those two things, I did like Choices. Not a whole lot, but it did some things really well that I hadn't read before. One thing that I loved was that Carmen, Denise, and Cooley were all out and proud, and actually interacted with other lesbians on campus. Normally, it's like the main characters are in some kind of bubble where they're the only queer people, and one of them isn't even out, or doesn't even know what they are. In this case, these women own their sexuality and don't hold back. This does get Cooley in trouble though, because she's a total player. When she tries to settle down, all of her previous hook ups come back to haunt her.
Something else I really loved about Choices was Carmen's story. This is the first time I've ever read about a character who had Lap Band surgery. She had been over three hundred pounds, but now the weight is gone. She's super self-concious though, because now women who wouldn't give her the time of day are suddenly interested. Even her cheating ex comes crawling back now that she has an "acceptable" body type.
Choices has some great stuff going for it, but the dialogue and scene transitions make it really hard to read. And while I enjoyed Cooley's reformed player storyline, it felt really disconnected from the other story arcs happening. It almost felt like she was just there to add sex scenes, since she's the only one really getting any. That page time could have been spent more on the tension between Lena and Denise, which took the backseat a lot of the time.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Choices got off to a rough start for me because of the dialogue. It's super inconsistent! Characters go from using a lot of slang, to being super formal (where are the contractions?!) in the same line. Then they go back and forth between the two, sometimes being somewhere in the middle. I could understand if different characters spoke differently, but everyone is like this. No one had an identifiable voice, except for Cooley, because she tended to be more vulgar than the others. However, she still suffered from the inconsistencies. This made the dialogue not flow or feel natural.
Choices also had a lot of issues with scene transitions which left me confused a lot of the time. I had to go back a page or two multiple times because suddenly I'm reading about different characters than I was before. Like, two of the women would be talking together, then two others are talking, even though they're not together. There are no breaks between scenes unless it's a new chapter! This was very frustrating for me.
Aside from those two things, I did like Choices. Not a whole lot, but it did some things really well that I hadn't read before. One thing that I loved was that Carmen, Denise, and Cooley were all out and proud, and actually interacted with other lesbians on campus. Normally, it's like the main characters are in some kind of bubble where they're the only queer people, and one of them isn't even out, or doesn't even know what they are. In this case, these women own their sexuality and don't hold back. This does get Cooley in trouble though, because she's a total player. When she tries to settle down, all of her previous hook ups come back to haunt her.
Something else I really loved about Choices was Carmen's story. This is the first time I've ever read about a character who had Lap Band surgery. She had been over three hundred pounds, but now the weight is gone. She's super self-concious though, because now women who wouldn't give her the time of day are suddenly interested. Even her cheating ex comes crawling back now that she has an "acceptable" body type.
Choices has some great stuff going for it, but the dialogue and scene transitions make it really hard to read. And while I enjoyed Cooley's reformed player storyline, it felt really disconnected from the other story arcs happening. It almost felt like she was just there to add sex scenes, since she's the only one really getting any. That page time could have been spent more on the tension between Lena and Denise, which took the backseat a lot of the time.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
September 19, 2024
✔Sapphic Book Bingo Challenge 2023 🌈✨: Main board - New to you author
4 stars. Drama, drama, drama. So much fun. All of the characters felt real and like people I knew in college (especially Cooley’s ass) and it was just such a good time that had me absolutely hooked from beginning to end. Everyone had so much going on and the second half really amped up the drama and I was thoroughly entertained. I’m looking forward to continuing on with the next book to see where everything goes after this. This was a wild ride and a great introduction to this series.
4 stars. Drama, drama, drama. So much fun. All of the characters felt real and like people I knew in college (especially Cooley’s ass) and it was just such a good time that had me absolutely hooked from beginning to end. Everyone had so much going on and the second half really amped up the drama and I was thoroughly entertained. I’m looking forward to continuing on with the next book to see where everything goes after this. This was a wild ride and a great introduction to this series.
July 29, 2013
I heard an interview on Michael Basiden show with this author, we immediately purchased Choice and fell in love with the Characters, I love when an author can pull you into a story and make you feel like you know characters. This book was awesome, part 2 consequences was awesome. My spouse is not sure where she put part 3 CrossRoads so we may need to repurchase.
1000 stars given.
1000 stars given.
April 7, 2008
Last Monday I got an e-mail(through my urban review group) from Skyy the author of Choices. She was asking everyone to take the Choices challenge and read at least the first chapter and if you are hooked consider taking the challenge and buying the book. Well I took the challenge; yes I am aware of the individuals that the book focus on. You have a group of friends that run as deep as friendship can run. Cooley is the first person I will discuss. Cooley is just like your average guy only difference is; there is nothing average about this chick. She is as hard as they come; they call her Killa for a reason. From her temper to her skills. Denise she is also down for the cause just at a distance. She doesn’t want to get her heart broken all over again and she is holding back when it comes to love that is until she meets her roommate Lena. Lena is very much your average chick; her boyfriend is on the B-ball team @ school, her parents are very rich and want the best for her daughter. Once school starts Lena starts having certain thoughts and wondering if Brandon is what she wants in life. Carmen; once a big girl and now a fly girl. Carmen is very conscious when it comes to her clothes and how she carries herself. It took a lot encouragement from her friends Denise and Cool as far as telling her she was IT. Carmen didn’t feel like she was it; she felt like it from the outside, but her inside she was still searching for self. This is Skyy’s first novel and if I say so my self she wrote it well. The next novel that is coming out is called Consequences and it continues with the females discussed in my blog. You’ll probably rip me a new A**hole for what I am about to say but that’s why it’s called my opinion. As much as we deny it or don’t agree there is always someone in our life(family, friends, co-workers, etc) that chooses to live the alternative lifestyle. Choices if you are open to read about new things then yes this book is for you however if the alternative lifestyle makes you feel uneasy(EVEN IN A BOOK) then just don’t bother.......Kudos Skyy and Take the Choices Challenge everyone.
May 6, 2014
Negative
I wish I could write a rave review like everyone else, but I can't. As a writer I notice every little thing while reading. I expected much more from this book since I heard so much about it for years and finally decided to spend my money on it, but I have to say I was disappointed. The timeline in the book moved entirely too fast for me skipping from days to months within a chapter or two, it needed to be edited, and mostly all the characters liked all the same thingslike "Creed" and "Orchids" which mad me mix them up as I read. There was even a mention of a stud having a four leaf clover tattoo on her neck in the second book just like Nic supposedly had in the first... It was hard for me to feel the chemistry between any of the characters other than Denise and Lena. I wish there were more of a description for each because they all look the same in my mind with different complexions, but that's just my opinion. It's still very interesting to read.
Positive
The storyline was captivating and it kept me reading. I was in love with Denise and Lena. I'd read a book just about those two, because to me they were the most interesting and had the most when it came to a back story. I'd still encourage others to buy and read the book, because it does grow as you move on to the sequels and it most definitely gets better.
I wish I could write a rave review like everyone else, but I can't. As a writer I notice every little thing while reading. I expected much more from this book since I heard so much about it for years and finally decided to spend my money on it, but I have to say I was disappointed. The timeline in the book moved entirely too fast for me skipping from days to months within a chapter or two, it needed to be edited, and mostly all the characters liked all the same thingslike "Creed" and "Orchids" which mad me mix them up as I read. There was even a mention of a stud having a four leaf clover tattoo on her neck in the second book just like Nic supposedly had in the first... It was hard for me to feel the chemistry between any of the characters other than Denise and Lena. I wish there were more of a description for each because they all look the same in my mind with different complexions, but that's just my opinion. It's still very interesting to read.
Positive
The storyline was captivating and it kept me reading. I was in love with Denise and Lena. I'd read a book just about those two, because to me they were the most interesting and had the most when it came to a back story. I'd still encourage others to buy and read the book, because it does grow as you move on to the sequels and it most definitely gets better.
February 20, 2017
3.5 stars. My partner is from Memphis so I thought I'd give this a try. Skyy does a great job creating very distinct characters and, overall, makes the book an easy read. As someone else here said, it's not the best but it's certainly not the worst. I think for me, though, that's less in the storytelling ability and more that the book was a culture shock to me. There's so much cheating, fist-fights and aggression...I'm completely not into that or haven't been exposed to it. When I told my partner she said, "What'd you expect, it's Memphis?" She also had to tell me what "Bruh" meant as I had no idea. lol. I'd say, give it a read.
June 14, 2023
Re-read as of 6/14/23, via audiobook: Just as good as last time, though it is showing its age in some parts.
Re-read as of 1/1/18: 4.5 stars
I got the urge to revisit Denise, Lena, Carmen and Cooley, and I must admit that they felt like old friends shooting the shit about hijinks that went on way back when. It's still a hell of good ride.
Re-read as of 1/1/18: 4.5 stars
I got the urge to revisit Denise, Lena, Carmen and Cooley, and I must admit that they felt like old friends shooting the shit about hijinks that went on way back when. It's still a hell of good ride.
June 4, 2013
This book is way, way outside of my usual genre, which is why I picked it up. The dialogue took me a little while to get into, but it was an engaging read after that. I thought the ending with Lena and Denise was a bit underplayed... perhaps that means I need to read the sequel!
September 16, 2017
There was a lot of potential here, but ultimately the story fell flat. Abrupt transitions and editing oversights made for a clumsy--if relatively easy--read, detracting from the narration's already cut-and-dry expositional tone. (One example--Cooley's character was given a total of 3 different last names throughout the course of the book: Montgomery, Wade and Tate.)
As is often the case with urban fiction, the characters' drama was jam-packed and often rushed, especially toward the end. The only plotline in which I found myself remotely invested (that is, Denise's and Lena's) seemed dragged out--particularly compared to everyone else's--simply to provide content for the sequel.
Unfortunately I think I let my hopes get too high. I held out for the eventual responsible resolution of the themes presented: black/female/LGBT label politicking. Toxic masculinity. Same sex intimate partner violence. Weight stigma. Molestation (I'm beyond disappointed that we didn't get to explore Cooley's internalization of her statutory rape and her father's nonchalance). Even as a purely lighthearted leisure read, I found that the frequent and explicit sex scenes didn't do much for me, much less assuage my fears of perpetuating potentially damaging (black) lesbian stereotypes. Many of the characters--not only the one characterized as sex obsessed--normalized the unsettling idea that all women are potential sexual conquests and, in turn, that lesbians are predators recruiting unsuspecting victims to "turn them out."
Nonetheless, while I didn't *hate* the book, I also didn't find that I cared about the characters' outcomes or enjoyed their representation enough to feel that my time investment was worthwhile. (2 3/4 stars)
As is often the case with urban fiction, the characters' drama was jam-packed and often rushed, especially toward the end. The only plotline in which I found myself remotely invested (that is, Denise's and Lena's) seemed dragged out--particularly compared to everyone else's--simply to provide content for the sequel.
Unfortunately I think I let my hopes get too high. I held out for the eventual responsible resolution of the themes presented: black/female/LGBT label politicking. Toxic masculinity. Same sex intimate partner violence. Weight stigma. Molestation (I'm beyond disappointed that we didn't get to explore Cooley's internalization of her statutory rape and her father's nonchalance). Even as a purely lighthearted leisure read, I found that the frequent and explicit sex scenes didn't do much for me, much less assuage my fears of perpetuating potentially damaging (black) lesbian stereotypes. Many of the characters--not only the one characterized as sex obsessed--normalized the unsettling idea that all women are potential sexual conquests and, in turn, that lesbians are predators recruiting unsuspecting victims to "turn them out."
Nonetheless, while I didn't *hate* the book, I also didn't find that I cared about the characters' outcomes or enjoyed their representation enough to feel that my time investment was worthwhile. (2 3/4 stars)
July 30, 2020
Oh boy! This was filled with drama and was a page turner for sure. So much better than the L word and would make a fantastic show! I really liked Cooley and Denise, and always appreciate studs/butch characters. The formatting was weird for me at first, but this is the first book I've read from this author and that always comes with learning curves but I got used to it pretty quickly. I really enjoyed this book and am excited to read the rest.
December 23, 2022
This is a book/series that I have re-read since the very first time I opened it 2011. I love the stories of Denise, Carmen, Lena, and Cooley, so much that I revisit Freedom University with them maybe once a year. As they navigate love, new experiences, and the challenges of life, you, as the reader, will become equally invested!
February 11, 2026
this author is one of my favorites and this set of books all for have my mind blown I have read this set at least six times I am still addicted and I still find myself attached and interested in stuck within the books as if I'm actually there but she wrote these books she put everything into these books and they are wonderful keep doing what you're doing
July 8, 2020
I truly loved this book! Very well detailed and written! The dialogue was just perfect! Being a straight male; in the past, I never thought I would enjoy a novel like this being a person who doesn’t like to read. But it was Nikki Rashan that inspired me to write my own novels.
March 9, 2021
Scandal, shade & sex— the college life
These four sistas are getting the college experience & they're all in for it —INsecure, INsane, INsatiable, INappropriate! There's no lack of drama that's for sure & can't wait to see how they manage to f*¢% up some more.
These four sistas are getting the college experience & they're all in for it —INsecure, INsane, INsatiable, INappropriate! There's no lack of drama that's for sure & can't wait to see how they manage to f*¢% up some more.
April 11, 2018
Awesome sauce
I loved this book. It was long and had substance. Cooley, Misha, Lena, Denise, Carmen, and Nic rocked my world.
I loved this book. It was long and had substance. Cooley, Misha, Lena, Denise, Carmen, and Nic rocked my world.
May 13, 2019
Couldnt put it down
August 11, 2019
Great story. I finished it in three days. Great read. Now on to book number 2.
August 25, 2020
Enjoyed every minute of it.
May 26, 2021
Great character development 👏 Ready for the next book!
April 13, 2023
It was a good book I wish it would’ve been more happening I felt like it took a while to get where it was going
October 18, 2025
I loved the characters. I love the fact they were at a HBCU. Cooley was my favorite character.
February 13, 2026
Yeah….this book was not for me. I read most of it, and wanted to read at least 80% before I stopped, the book wasn’t bad by all means…just not my taste😭
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September 1, 2011I didn't think that this book would have so much intensity when I first started skimming through it in the Library. Usually, I do not like Urban fiction, because it is either pointless or has too much improper grammar. This book was a suprise. I did not read the book's description, but instead went on cover alone when I picked it up. So, I wasn't prepared to read about lesbians and such. Suprisingly,I didn't feel odd about it. The author wrote very good characters that made you like them for who they are, and not by their sexuality. (Even though sexuality was a big part in the book). I loved Carmen's character, Denise held my heart, Cooley was funny, and Lena was so adorable to me. I can't wait to read the second book!
November 30, 2011
I LOVED this book! I read it in 3-4 days. I could not put it down! Cooley was my favorite character but I could actually relate to all of the main characters in some aspect. I love the way Skyy made their personalities so realistic. This book made me laugh, made me cry. It was not some type of filthy lesbian erotica. It was a wonderful story with a fantastic plot and a few kinky (both straight and lesbian)sex scenes in the mix. I think college aged African American lesbians is probably the target audience but I believe anyone of any gender or sexual orientation can enjoy this book!
January 20, 2014
When I was first looking at the book I didn't know what to think. Once I picked it up though I couldn't put it down. When I looked up I had read the whole series. My first time through I ran through it, but on my second time I slowed down and really went through it. Choices is full of some awesome ladies who aren't really sure what they want. I loved that the book had some more butch girls, because you don't get a lot of that.
June 4, 2015
I finally finished this book and it took me a few days to get through it. I was hoping it would be a super memorable book with all the high ratings but it was just okay for me. It was long and dragging on and on, I feel like some parts could've been left out. I did like how loyal and protective the friends were towards each other, it made them likeable. I'm still deciding if I'm going to read part two.
October 4, 2016
I loveeddd this book. It was so interesting to see Lena trying to figure who she wanted more Dee or her star basketball boyfriend (who I didn't care for by the way). I loved how close knit the ladies in this book were. Even when they messed up or let each other down they definitely illustrated what it's like to create a family outside of blood relatives. I definitely enjoyed it and I can't wait for the next book. I actually requested that my library purchase it for the collection.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews