Would I Lie to You?

Nappily #2

by Trisha R. Thomas

Venus feels history repeating itself, and she's not loving it. She ended a relationship with Clint because he couldn't commit, cut off her long, processed hair, and started on a new path, with a new boyfriend.
But she's been with Airic for more than two years and they still haven't set a wedding date. When a new project takes her to Los Angeles for a temporary assignment, Venus welcomes the opportunity to spend some time with her family in California and to see if a little absence makes Airic's heart grow fonder.
But in L.A., savvy, ambitious Venus runs head-on into a new complication- the equally savvy and ambitious Jake Parsons, a former rap star turned clothing designer. Jake's as suave as he is successful, and ten years her junior. Venus's job is to create a marketing campaign for his urban wear. Jake's job, it seems, is to distract her from her long-distance romance with Airic.
But when Venus's mother is diagnosed with breast cancer, her entire world seems to crumble. Everything she thought would make her happy- her new look, her successful career, her fiancé- can't stop the sadness and emptiness she feels. Before she throws in the towel, she's offered one more chance, a chance for change, for growth, and maybe even for a new love. Will she take it? Or give in to the notion that her life will always be close but no cigar? Moving, romantic, and inspiring,
Would I Lie to You? is one woman's happy, light-hearted story of giving in instead of giving up.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, African American, Chick Lit, African American Romance

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 3, 2004

About the author

Trisha R. Thomas is the author of the highly acclaimed Nappily Series, best known for her debut novel Nappily Ever After (Random House).

Reviews

[Brooklyn Darkchild · Rating 3 out of 5]

You’re Lying To Yourself

In music they call it the Sophomore Jinx; do they have that in literature?
I had such high hopes for this sequel, cause I really loved Nappily Ever After, but this particular chapter of the Venus Johnston saga left me angry and frustrated. First of all…
Venus needs a beating.
Okay, I’m Harsh.
I Accept who I am.
My daughter would say she Needs A Hug…but darn it: she needs her butt whupped. And there’s probably some pill somewhere she should be on. I mean: what is she doing to herself? When we last saw Venus in Nappily she was unappreciated on her job and by her live in lover, the future Dr Clint Fairchild. Venus threw Clint out when he gave her a dog for her birthday instead of an engagement ring, and Clint promptly married someone else. Now Venus has a brand new job, and she has Airic. She’s been with him since Clint got married two years ago, but that doesn’t stop her from hopping her behind on a plane and jetting out to LA to work on a new account.
True Love???
You Make The Call.
But I’ll tell you this: Venus and Airic still haven’t Set The Date Yet either .
Now I Understand how, given her present set of circumstances, Venus would fall head over heels in love with Jake, the former rapper turned clothier who heads JPWear, a brand Venus was hired to rejuvenate. He’s young, he’s fine, and he’s NICE—and not in a Suspect sort of way either. So why is she trippin??? I DON’T KNOW. Then, when her mother discovers a lump in her breast, Venus loses her flippity-flappin mind. Yes, I Said It.
I wanted to smack the pee out of her, I really did.
I absolutely could not relate to anything this child was going through. Venus was annoying, and abrasive. Her own mother didn’t want her around, and though I understood where Ms Thomas was trying to go with Venus’ behavior, it just didn’t work for me. Yes: I understood that Venus was stuck in her own personal quest for perfection. And yes: I even understood the dilemma Venus found herself stuck in, trying to decide between The Safe Choice and the one who made her heart soar. But the way she treated Jake was unconscionable.
Aside from the character machinations, I missed the first person glimpses into Venus’ mind that Nappily offered. The exclusive use of third person perspective left me cold, and I felt Ms Thomas spent way too much time “explaining away” things the story should have been showing us all along. This hasn’t made me give up on the series, yet I will be approaching the next part: Nappily Married, with a Grain Of Salt.

[Sherrill Dodson-lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I am hooked on these books

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fire the editor

Whomever edited the book didn't do a good job. The book had too many grammatical mistakes - especially with missing periods. Also some of the words ran together and was missing spaces between the words.

[Joiii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I cried throughout this book. I loved itttt. I want a Jake 😂 I'm so glad for Venus happy ending.

[Sophie Sealy]

Jake and Venus in love????? What a joke, I read lust. want and settlement there. The only “person” in love was Henry

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Venus is back. I still find her character a little much at times. Her character is judgmental and, somewhat flaky sometimes. She was with Clint (who makes a reappearance in this book) for 4 years. Supported him through medical school. Only to have him up and marry some other woman he's known for a fraction of that time. Why go out to dinner with him? I get it. It's water under the bridge. BUT he did treat her like she didn't matter. The dinner scene is a mess. The book starts out and she has been with Airic for two years. They are engaged. She sees how he treats his two daughters from his first marriage. From a distance. Sending gifts and dry cards but no fatherly bonding. There are bumps in the relationship, as with any other. But, she seems like she just wants to be married and have this happily ever after. She meets Jake while out in LA on a temporary work project. He is a former rapper and now has a clothing line. She plays with his emotions while dealing with Airic. Then she gets pregnant with no preamble. Would I Lie to You like Nappily Ever After is a good read. It's a fun read. When Venus's mother was sick, (even though she got on my nerves then to) it was a situation that was real. Some of the characters (even Venus) and situations are relatable.

[Misha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend

Fantastic book with an important message! Only concern is that there were various typos (missing periods, misspellings) in the eBook version.

[Tynece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Venus is working my nerves in this book.....

[Ashley S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light at the end of the tunnel

I enjoyed Venus roller coaster ride! Sometimes we must take the long route to achieve the happiness we deserve. Trust and believe it’s worth it,

[Lakecia Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes Venus! Her dreams came true. Everything she had been planning for. LESSON: Not everything you want requires planning! Most time it requires your leaping out on faith and taking risk! Jake may have been younger but he is more wiser and much more of a man than Airic and Clint could be meshed together.

Crazy how I was feeling sorry for Airic until it was revealed just how warped and what a jackass he truly is! First, he withholds important legal business matters from Venus. Second he neglects her when she needs him most. Then he was willing to take the risk of becoming a father AGAIN...and skipping out on his responsibilities AGAIN...blaming it on finances!

So glad she kept moving forward. Clint was just as selfish! Now that he is not happy with Miss Permed Hair Lightskin he demands her to divulge feelings, like he was all that! Huh! So glad she sent his ass away with his tail tucked.

[D Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off slow but it does pick up in the last third of the book. I didn’t like Venus. She’s seemed like a perpetual victim and couldn’t admit her mistakes. How many times can you make the same mistake but with different men. The rest of the characters were wonderful. I loved her family and was glad that they didn’t put up with her mess. Wendy was a great friend and I think Airic would have been a better friend than fiancé. He gave her all of the warning signs, over two years, so I’m not sure why she was surprised at the hospital. Jake has the patience of a saint. I’m glad she realized what she had with him and found her happily ever after. I would recommend this book.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life isn't always a neat little package.

This is the continuation of Venus' story, life after Clint. An opportunity for Venus to reevaluate her future and happiness. Although she's engaged to be married, things aren't turning out as she expects. She has temptations that add to her questions, and then learns about her mother's illness. With all of the unexpected occurrences, she must evaluate herself and her relationships. After which, she finds clarity and ultimately happiness. Life can't always be planned and in the order we'd like.

[Uchenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was hard for me to get thru due to the randomness of the writer. It was just like the first book it is hard to follow which character you are reading about. It took forever to get to the climax of the book. I thought this book would be about the hair journey of being or having natural hair as a African American and the ups and downs about it. I don't think I will be reading the rest of the series because not what I expected.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like it even though it was focus on different person since how she want to have fairy tale life, but in reality, she refused to accept that until a guy who was in her life told her that... It seems that she didn't want to be alone, but need to have someone in her life.. Anyway, this book was good so far, but easy to read to finish it..

[Rachel Leber · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was entertaining but i found the main character to be immature and at times the story line was trite. That said it was fun to read for the most part, and served me well at a time when my brain was on overload otherwise (needed something fun, light and simple)

[Kristen M. Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

a goooooood read!

I’m so glad I started this book series. I may be late in reading but I love it. Book 2 had me on edge. Venus (the character) had me fussing out loud. I’m ready for Book 3.

[BookWorm620 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one

Another good read after you finish Nappily Ever After. It started a little slow but got better. I’m enjoying this series now on to the next one

[Brandi Armstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read

Venus was all over the place. I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I’m hooked on the series.

[Ms. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book it keeps your interest. It's a rollercoaster of emotions.

[Julia Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installation of Venus Johnston! Now she has that engagement ring she wants, but something else is off! Her mom is sick so she goes to LA to help her out as well as help out this sexy ex-rapper now business owner who has his eyes set on her. Will she stay with her fiancé or go with this new exciting man? Fun back and forth and gets you wanting to read more!

[Millicent Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great job

I read the first book 30 years ago I regret that it has taken me this long to complete the sequel to the first book. I loved both 1st and the 2nd book. "Bravo"

[Cheryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow-up! I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was slow and I felt some parts were missing later on in the book. However, the ending left me somewhat surprised but made me hopefully for my future!!!

[Karen Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am natural because of Venus Johnston Parsons. I read this book the first time in 2010. It is still good.

I liked Jake from the first. Airic was too stiff. He did not know or maybe couldn't remember how to have fun. That intensity would be his downfall.

Venus was given all the signs that is why her final decision was inevitable.

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do our expectations get in the way of our reality? The second book of this series touches on choices, expectations, forgiveness, false perceptions, heartbreak, etc. Venus is back; she moved to a new city, health challenges, and dealing with her preconceived notions. She learned about a family members illness that pushes her to face reality about her life choices. In the story, she has several flashbacks to significant periods but will she learn from her mistakes? Wendy, Henry, Airic, and Clint point out her faults. Does she settle for society expectation or accepts the accountability for the issues present in her life? In Tyler Perry's Nobody Fool, the character, Danica, could have been Venus in so many ways by living her life unrealistic standards. We live our lives sometimes by the opinions of gossip columns, blogs, and magazines. Everything that glitter is not gold!!!!

[Kishma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the drama in this book but Venus got on my nerves more than a few times. She is the problem, she causes problems and then sings “woe is me.” Anyway, I will continue reading the series because I’m vested in the story now. I want to know what will happen next. I will say that I was disappointed that Clint was only a small part of this story! I want more of a storyline with Clint and Venus.
On a side note: Am I the only one who was confused on parts of the dialogue? At certain points, I couldn’t figure out which character was speaking. That might be a flaw in the editing.

[Karen Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Time Reading

I am natural because of Venus Johnston Parsons. I read this book the first time in 2010. It is still good.

I liked Jake from the first. Airic was too stiff. He did not know or maybe couldn't remember how to have fun. That intensity would be his downfall.

Venus was given all the signs that is why her final decision was inevitable.

[Mrsbettis · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the first half of the book Venus was really getting on my nerves...too old to be so scattery but then i found myself in the book. LÖL.
I have a Jake. I had an Airic and this book told a very classic tale.
A delightful read.i literally ended on a smile.

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book !!!

I really enjoyed this story with its twists and turns :)
I know no one is perfect but all the typos were an eyesore.
Other than that, this was a great and easy read! I'm addicted to the life of Venus and I'm excited about the next book.
On to the next one...

[Kiron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book re-introduced me to reading for pleasure after my first year of grad school. Easy read.