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Black & Ugly #1
Black & Ugly
Parade Knight hates her complexion. As a result, she considers herself to be unattractive and condones the misuse of her body.
Sky Taylor is beautiful, fly and wanted, and loves reminding Parade of her imperfections especially after suspecting that she may be sleeping with her man, Jay Hernandez.
Miss Wayne is hilarious and a self-proclaimed girlfriend who enjoys the attention his friends bring. If you let Miss Wayne tell it, he's not a gay, he s just one of the girls. Daffany Stans uses her body for profit and hides a health secret so serious that it could endanger the lives of her friends, considering their sex partners are so closely related.
Black & Ugly is a tale of four totally different friends from the same block, whose friendship is tested during a seemingly innocent game of Truth or Dare. When fatal secrets begin to surface, will Parade give up the friend whose shadow she has walked in all her life? And will Miss Wayne and Daphne abandon their friends to save themselves?
Sky Taylor is beautiful, fly and wanted, and loves reminding Parade of her imperfections especially after suspecting that she may be sleeping with her man, Jay Hernandez.
Miss Wayne is hilarious and a self-proclaimed girlfriend who enjoys the attention his friends bring. If you let Miss Wayne tell it, he's not a gay, he s just one of the girls. Daffany Stans uses her body for profit and hides a health secret so serious that it could endanger the lives of her friends, considering their sex partners are so closely related.
Black & Ugly is a tale of four totally different friends from the same block, whose friendship is tested during a seemingly innocent game of Truth or Dare. When fatal secrets begin to surface, will Parade give up the friend whose shadow she has walked in all her life? And will Miss Wayne and Daphne abandon their friends to save themselves?
241 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
63 people are currently reading
3206 people want to read
About the author
T. Styles
101 books608 followersStyles is the award Winning CEO of The Cartel Publications - an international, independent publishing house. She also owns Cartel Urban Cinema, an independent film production company. To date T. Styles has written 76 original novels under various pen names. Her novels have been published under her own house as well as Kensington and St. Martins.
Her screenplay “Concrete Beach”, reached the semifinals round for the Academy Nicholl Fellowship, a screenwriting competition, hosted by The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscars). In addition, her other screenplay “Blurred”, reached the top 15%, validating what her fans already know...that T. Styles knows the art of storytelling.
Styles’ publishing house, The Cartel Publications, is the face of today's urban fiction and street fiction industries. In both the digital and print world, the Cartel represents the best her generation has to offer in African American literature. She has aptly been dubbed "Urban Fiction Empress" and "Literary Master".
Styles is multifaceted and facilitates her popular seminar "How To Write A Novel In 30 Days", using her non-fiction novel of the same title. Styles consults authors and publishing houses on what it takes to achieve success and longevity in the book industry, using the Cartel as a guide.
She has been featured in The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, Essence Magazine, Don Diva Magazine, Oprah Winfrey's Network and Urban Book Source. She has been awarded Author Of The Year by AAMBC and was voted Most Underrated Author by The Urban Book Source.
Her screenplay “Concrete Beach”, reached the semifinals round for the Academy Nicholl Fellowship, a screenwriting competition, hosted by The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscars). In addition, her other screenplay “Blurred”, reached the top 15%, validating what her fans already know...that T. Styles knows the art of storytelling.
Styles’ publishing house, The Cartel Publications, is the face of today's urban fiction and street fiction industries. In both the digital and print world, the Cartel represents the best her generation has to offer in African American literature. She has aptly been dubbed "Urban Fiction Empress" and "Literary Master".
Styles is multifaceted and facilitates her popular seminar "How To Write A Novel In 30 Days", using her non-fiction novel of the same title. Styles consults authors and publishing houses on what it takes to achieve success and longevity in the book industry, using the Cartel as a guide.
She has been featured in The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, Essence Magazine, Don Diva Magazine, Oprah Winfrey's Network and Urban Book Source. She has been awarded Author Of The Year by AAMBC and was voted Most Underrated Author by The Urban Book Source.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 15, 2009
What I learned about was how some people have insecurities with their skin color and kept saying while reading the book, "get over it". God created as we are and accept it. I laughed at the gay guy that wanted to be a woman in the book. Regardless of the deceit, some parts was hard for me to keep up with who was talking and what was going on...action...and some grammar issues...but overall, it was a fast-pace read. I would like to see how she did with part 2. Hope it gets better. Been awhile since I read the last book, I hope I can hang. Usually, I am not into street lit because of all the vulgar language and sexual scenes, but she kept me on the toes. 2.5 stars.
July 2, 2008
This book was horrible! It was ghetto and it was on a very basic reading level!
I didn't enjoy this book at all! I read it in two days. One part of the book the main character's mother threw her dirty panties into the main characters face! What the hell...LOL
I didn't enjoy this book at all! I read it in two days. One part of the book the main character's mother threw her dirty panties into the main characters face! What the hell...LOL
February 12, 2012
Must read. This was a wonderful story that had me laughing on minute and crying the next. I didn't want to put it down.
May 14, 2008
The book "BLACK & UGLY" is a example of what deceit is. The book starts with a beautiful brown skinned girl with a coke bottle for a body and a has a bowl of candy for a heart but has low self-esteem named Parade Knight. She was a kind, satisfied, poor, sweet, but at the same time sneaky girl. Parade lived in the Projects in Baltimore, Maryland with her jealous, conniving, envious snake of a mother. She also lived in the same neighborhood with her real family, the people who she loved most her best friend Sky Taylor, Ms. Daffany Stans and Miss Wayne.
Unfortunately for Parade her mother wasn't the only person that treated her like trash. Her mother would remind her everyday how ugly she was because of her black skin. She would also do spiteful things just to hurt Parade for her pleasure. Parade's mom got a satisfaction of seeing Parade hurt. Meanwhile her oh so good best-friend Sky did the same thing. Sky was the total opposite of Parade. She was the type that if you told her that the sky was falling she would just say that it was god coming down to admire her beauty. Yep that Sky was a mess. She had this mentality because she was light skinned with hair down her back and boy was she a brick house. Oh yeah and because of her handsome 6'2 230 pound boyfriend Jay Hernandez. He was Sky's man on the surface but underneath it all he wanted to be Parade's. You mine wells say that Jay was their man since they both were sleeping with him.
Now I know Ms. Parade sounds deceitful but she doesn't have anything on Ms. Daffany Stans. Who is also a friend of the girls and she is hiding a huge health secret that could not just affect her but that people she calls her friends also known as the only family she has outside of her crack-head mom. Then you got Ms. Wayne who's name really is Wayne but let him tell it he's just one of the girls. Though Ms. Wayne is the gay guy out the bunch he's the one that always has Ms. Parade's back when Sky makes her feel like trash. He even supported the fact of Parade sleeping with Jay. I'm supposing that's because he's the one who told Ms. Parade to tell Jay that "sex doesn't grown on trees and ain't nothing around here free."
Subsequent to what Ms. Wayne told Parade her and her secret relationship with Sky's man turns around. It goes from just sexual encounters once a week to damn near everyday. Along with the frequent sexual encounters Jay starts to give Parade money. Once he realizes that things with him and Sky are falling apart he becomes fully aware that he has a thing for Parade but is it to late for him and Parade to develop a relationship outside of just sex?
So now that I gave you a taste of what the book has to offer doesn't it make you want to read more? Get the chance to experience the rush from all the loose ends I left hanging. Obviously if you don't, that's your lost and me as a reader and writer wouldn't want you to miss out on such a delicious book like this!
June 11, 2009
This book helped me to realize, that dark skinned is beautiful.
September 6, 2021
Parade has been made to feel ugly all her life by her mom and one of her closest friends, Sky. Her other 2 childhood friends TDaffney and Ms. Wayne see her for the real person that she doesn't believe she is. Sky is evil, conniving and vindictive. A incident happens and will these friendships or situationships survive.
September 14, 2010
Not my usual fare. I read this one for work when we received a fairly strong complaint against it being in our library's collection. I went in expecting a lot of dirty words and some graphic sexual content and it certainly had both of those, but nothing that particularly shocked me...but then I have a pretty high tolerance.
The basic story centers around Parade, a woman in her early 20's living in the "urban" streets of Hyattsville, MD (I'll explain the quotes later). She is a dark-skinned black woman who grew up being told by her mother and good friend Sky that she was ugly. Because of this, her confidence is pretty low. She can't keep a job and her relationships with men are left to hidden affairs. What follows is kind of an examination of life in this world and the way Parade ultimately finds confidence and a way to live her own life. One of the main plots centers around Parade's very pretty friend Sky, who gets into an argument with a woman at a party and ends up killing her. This murder leads to some interesting plot twists when the murdered woman turns out to be the wife of a successful drug dealer in nearby Washington, D.C.
The setting fits more directly into the themes of Urban Lit more than it does into reality. I live in Baltimore and have been to Hyattsville many times...it's nowhere near as bad as it's described. I almost laughed at one point seeing part of the story occur in nearby Arundel Mills Mall; although it's never really described this is a fairly popular high-end shopping center in the area that's largely populated by high school kids after about 4 in the afternoon. I've been to movies there many times and I've never ever seen the nightclub atmosphere Styles describes in the book.
The ideas within the book are pretty strong, I just wish a more capable writer attacked this subject matter. Even being written in "urban" dialect her ear for dialogue and turns of phrase is pretty weak. The characters are all pretty transparent and I don't think it would have taken a lot to flesh them out just a little bit more. A large theme of the work seems to be realizing that the choices you make and the lifestyle you lead have a direct impact on what happens to you, but I think this could have been explored much more deeply than it was. I'd love to see a stronger writer tackle these ideas...I think they have a lot of merit. This is one of the main complaints I have with the whole genre---great ideas, great that it gives voice to concerns not otherwise heard, but unfortunate that better writers are dealing with the topics.
The basic story centers around Parade, a woman in her early 20's living in the "urban" streets of Hyattsville, MD (I'll explain the quotes later). She is a dark-skinned black woman who grew up being told by her mother and good friend Sky that she was ugly. Because of this, her confidence is pretty low. She can't keep a job and her relationships with men are left to hidden affairs. What follows is kind of an examination of life in this world and the way Parade ultimately finds confidence and a way to live her own life. One of the main plots centers around Parade's very pretty friend Sky, who gets into an argument with a woman at a party and ends up killing her. This murder leads to some interesting plot twists when the murdered woman turns out to be the wife of a successful drug dealer in nearby Washington, D.C.
The setting fits more directly into the themes of Urban Lit more than it does into reality. I live in Baltimore and have been to Hyattsville many times...it's nowhere near as bad as it's described. I almost laughed at one point seeing part of the story occur in nearby Arundel Mills Mall; although it's never really described this is a fairly popular high-end shopping center in the area that's largely populated by high school kids after about 4 in the afternoon. I've been to movies there many times and I've never ever seen the nightclub atmosphere Styles describes in the book.
The ideas within the book are pretty strong, I just wish a more capable writer attacked this subject matter. Even being written in "urban" dialect her ear for dialogue and turns of phrase is pretty weak. The characters are all pretty transparent and I don't think it would have taken a lot to flesh them out just a little bit more. A large theme of the work seems to be realizing that the choices you make and the lifestyle you lead have a direct impact on what happens to you, but I think this could have been explored much more deeply than it was. I'd love to see a stronger writer tackle these ideas...I think they have a lot of merit. This is one of the main complaints I have with the whole genre---great ideas, great that it gives voice to concerns not otherwise heard, but unfortunate that better writers are dealing with the topics.
October 11, 2012
WOW.... for the first couple of pages I was so tempted to put the book down because I just couldn't believe the sh*t I was reading. It takes A LOT for ME to be OFFENDED by something, let alone a book, but I just kept thinking, this author is bold.... I still want to try and finish reading it tho. I'm glad I did. The characters are all a hot a** mess, but I love it! Lol, once you get past the harsh words, its actually a really good story line. It was different for me,not your usual, "I have to hustle to take care of myself, but I fell in love with a drug dealer, and now we have enemies" type story. This was a little of every problem all in one book. I'm still confused with the ending and the actual truth behind Sky but overall I love the twist and will def be reading book two.
March 21, 2010
Somone loaned me this book and I finally read it after having it for like, 6 months. I read it in a couple of hours because I could not put it down! From page one I was drawn into Parade's story. Parade has NO self esteem because her mother has made her believe that she is 'Black & Ugly'. If you are a fan of urban fiction, and maybe even if you're not, I would suggest reading this book. It's action packed and full of twists and turns. Check it out!
December 13, 2015
After Years of Waiting...
After waiting some years for this novel to hit Kindle, I finally was able to cuddle up with my Kindle Fire and read Mama T's first known published novel. I must admit that I was disappointed. A couple of the reviewers mentioned that the writing was a little juvenile, and I agree, but thankfully I know Mama T's writing has improved tremendously since this so I might give the sequel, "Black And Ugly As Ever," a chance.
After waiting some years for this novel to hit Kindle, I finally was able to cuddle up with my Kindle Fire and read Mama T's first known published novel. I must admit that I was disappointed. A couple of the reviewers mentioned that the writing was a little juvenile, and I agree, but thankfully I know Mama T's writing has improved tremendously since this so I might give the sequel, "Black And Ugly As Ever," a chance.
April 14, 2012
U have to love urself b 4 u can love someone else. I felt bad for Parade but I'm happy things started to fall in place for her even tho sum things she did I didn't agree with but it's a lesson learn.....
March 25, 2009
*book waz gud * Diz book tellz y u shouldnt let people take advantage of u*
November 5, 2009
Black is Beautiful
Read
September 9, 2020As a black american female with darker skin, this book hits a little closer to home. Parade was a very relatable character. She is all the little black girls who grow up being told they are ugly because they have dark skin or their hair is a little kinkier and so they search for love and validation in all the wrong places. I was insecure as a child. I hated my hair, my skin, my features and I thought I was ugly. I had family members who would "joke" about me being ugly or dark and I unintentionally internalized that, never realizing it until I was old enough to understand. Of course I have a loving mother who would always tell me " You're so gorgeous" but you think "Parents are supposed to say that stuff to their children". I felt like well maybe if my skin was light then I would be beautiful. All that way of thinking changed when I was sixteen and on my way to school. It was raining, my day had already started off terrible and I just hated that I woke up that morning. I was standing there and waiting for the bus and there was someone waiting beside me, chatting on the phone. He asks the person to hold on and he looks over to me and he says, "You are so beautiful, do you know that?" And I smiled at him and thanked him and he let me be. His words always stuck with me and changed the way I saw myself and thought about what it meant to be beautiful. I've had men and women compliment me and yes it does feel amazing, but I had to teach myself to love myself and compliment myself and to stand in my beautiful with confidence because sometimes the voices that tell you that you're ugly are louder than the ones that tell you that you're beautiful and if you don't see it yourself, then no amount of compliments will ever make you truly feel whole. You have to be you so take a look in the mirror and try and see you and that goes for anyone who feel insecure. We all have those days. Anyway the rest of the characters were okay. The story was pretty decent. Sorry for the long rant.
November 27, 2017
Wow, this story had me a little upset with how Sky kept belittling Parade on her looks. I'm glad that Miss Wayne and Miss Daffany were their always encouraging Parade about how she look and that she should put Sky in her place. But then again eventually Parade woke up and begin to speak up a little for herself. On the other hand I'm glad that Jay finally hit sky where it really hurt, and then it upset me that Parade was going behind Sky's back to sleep with her man and then to still be up in her face and allowed her friend to talk bad about her in front of her face. First off you have to love you first and not allow others to make you feel like you don't look good. If you can look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself every day that you are beautiful then you feel good about yourself. If you allow negative people in your space you allowing them to tear down your confidence. Although Sky thought her shit didn't stink it really did and where did she end up at.
July 4, 2020
I thought when I first read this book I wasn't going to be into it based on the author's writing style but it quickly grabbed me and I was brought along for the full ride. I found it to be quite suspenseful and always kept me involved. The ending was a surprise that shouldn't have been really, but it shocked me and kind of pissed me off. So much so that I have requested the library to order the next book in the series as I need to know what is going to happen.
I have recently discovered Urban writers and I have found that they have a style of storytelling that puts you into the thick of things and it feels quite real. Many of the books I have read are raw and captivating and this one is as well.
I have recently discovered Urban writers and I have found that they have a style of storytelling that puts you into the thick of things and it feels quite real. Many of the books I have read are raw and captivating and this one is as well.
June 13, 2020
I enjoyed this book. Parade is a young lady that might have been born an ugly duckling but grew up to be a beautiful black swan. Sky seems to think cause she's light-skinned she's better than Parade, so she degrades her when she likes. Along with 2 other friends, these ladies have a lot going on but it makes for a good read.
December 19, 2023
Sky and Parade's mom food a # on her...they definitely treated her bad out of jealousy...I'm glad Miss Wayne and Miss Daffany always tried at to tell her how beautiful she was....that Jay was just as bad with his manipulation...he was too afraid of loving Parade in public because he pretended to hate black girls....great read
March 14, 2018
Yessss! This is definitely a good read. !
Such a good book! I read it in high school and it’s still so bomb! I love the fact that the story takes place in the good ole DMV because that’s where I’m from! I can truly relate! Can’t wait to read the sequel now!
Such a good book! I read it in high school and it’s still so bomb! I love the fact that the story takes place in the good ole DMV because that’s where I’m from! I can truly relate! Can’t wait to read the sequel now!
July 30, 2018
I really enjoyed the book even the unexpected ending. I wasn't aware that there was a part 3 until I receive the update from Amazon and I definitely have high expectations of this book and will be purchasing it very soon
August 4, 2018
wow!!
what can I say....a page turner...you will not be disappointed..go out and buy this book today..now for part 2 😀
what can I say....a page turner...you will not be disappointed..go out and buy this book today..now for part 2 😀
October 1, 2018
I don't trust Smokes
February 2, 2019
I enjoyed this book, there were a lot of Drama!!!
March 4, 2019
Good book
January 8, 2025
Such a good read this book had my jaw dropping at the connections. This is a 4 book series and I think I may give the second book a go.
March 18, 2025
This was an okay read. It started off well but then the ending just fell flat for me. It felt too rushed and didn’t really leave me wanting to pick up book 2.
April 18, 2015
First off. I've never read Urban Fiction before, so this was my introduction into the genre via a book club that I'm starting at the library I work at. Its a fast-growing genre among a lot of the library's patrons, and I thought it would be a great way to get people in the library reading, as well as a way for the patrons to get new copies quickly. With that said, I will discuss my thoughts about the book... Warning: there will be spoilers.
It was interesting, I was a bit out of my comfort zone when reading this book. The story follows 4 main characters: Parade Knight, Sky Taylor, Miss Wayne and Daffany Stans.
Parade Knight is primarily who the book is based off of, she's a rather sad girl that is emotionally, psychologically, and physically abused by her mother, her "best-friend" Sky and the men she has affairs with. Throughout the book I just felt very sorry for her, but on the other hand I also felt like while she didn't deserve what she was going through, she also didn't help her situation. She was almost taking part in her own abuse by just letting it happen. As you continue to read the book though, she finally stands up for herself and seems to realize that she's not "black and ugly" that she is a beautiful person. While that's all well and good, however, the writer doesn't seem to actually mature Parade very much. Despite her coming to her senses, for the most part she has the maturity level and emotional capacity of a teenager, despite her being 22.
*Spoiler alert*
Sky Taylor is the "best-friend" to Parade Knight. She's the character who belittles and uses Parade the most (next to Parade's mother). I guess she's what you would call a "ghetto-princess". She's the "beautiful one". The type where every girl wants to be her and every guy wants to be with her, however, she knows how to be "real". I didn't like this character but I appreciated the fact that this character knew who she was. Yes, her worst qualities are that she's selfish and manipulative. She uses Parade as a bodyguard who does all of her fighting for her, granted she'll give her her old clothes and perfume because Parade doesn't have the money to go shopping, she does it with a bad heart. She may be beautiful on the outside, but she's very ugly on the inside (at least to me). Not to mention she tries to pin a murder on Parade in order to win the heart of her boyfriend (who was actually sleeping with Parade). The only redeeming quality to Sky Taylor was that upon the threat of being executed by a hit man did she confess to the fact that she was the one that stabbed the gangster's wife at the party and stole her jewelry, but even then we're not getting the whole truth from her.
*Spoiler alert*
Daffany Stans is one of the girls that Parade and Sky spend time with. In the book she has a dark secret. The secret is that she is HIV positive, but she doesn't know for sure who gave it to her because she's a prostitute. The man that she suspects of giving her HIV was one of her clients and neighbors who found out that he had it after a routine check up. She found out that she was HIV positive through a routine checkup through the clinic, and while it has devastated her and changed her personality, it hasn't made her change her vocation. She's still turning tricks. That's just so sad and so dangerous. Not to mention, in the book its not like the author has written it to where she had no other choice but to go back, the author didn't give the character options to get help. This is what upsets me the most. Daffany seems like a character that had an interesting perspective and story. There could've been real character development, but instead the author used her as a side-character. I was really disappointed. She was by far the most complicated and the most interesting character to me.
Miss Wayne firs off, is a man, a gay man, who considers himself to be one of the girls. He's by far the "better" character, as in he doesn't have a debilitating disease that he's not taking care of, and he also seems to have a rather high self-esteem and also seems to be a semi-good person. I say semi because while he rebuilds Parade's self-esteem after Sky tears it down, he's also very catty and a credit card thief. While he a rather entertaining character, he's just that, entertaining. I felt that he could've had potential for a more interesting story.
What I don't understand is why none of these characters have regular jobs, or are even trying to find a regular job. No one is actively looking for a job, its not until near the end of the book does Parade get a "real" job. She works at a friend's hair salon as a shampoo girl. That's the only real job in the story. No one else though is actively trying to better their life. They are all seeming to rely on what they're currently doing and what they were raised on to get "ahead" in life. Other than Miss Wayne, all of the men are pretty much just violent, abusive (physically and/or emotionally), controlling, lying brutes.
There's a twist in the epilogue however that is intriguing.
It was interesting, I was a bit out of my comfort zone when reading this book. The story follows 4 main characters: Parade Knight, Sky Taylor, Miss Wayne and Daffany Stans.
Parade Knight is primarily who the book is based off of, she's a rather sad girl that is emotionally, psychologically, and physically abused by her mother, her "best-friend" Sky and the men she has affairs with. Throughout the book I just felt very sorry for her, but on the other hand I also felt like while she didn't deserve what she was going through, she also didn't help her situation. She was almost taking part in her own abuse by just letting it happen. As you continue to read the book though, she finally stands up for herself and seems to realize that she's not "black and ugly" that she is a beautiful person. While that's all well and good, however, the writer doesn't seem to actually mature Parade very much. Despite her coming to her senses, for the most part she has the maturity level and emotional capacity of a teenager, despite her being 22.
*Spoiler alert*
Sky Taylor is the "best-friend" to Parade Knight. She's the character who belittles and uses Parade the most (next to Parade's mother). I guess she's what you would call a "ghetto-princess". She's the "beautiful one". The type where every girl wants to be her and every guy wants to be with her, however, she knows how to be "real". I didn't like this character but I appreciated the fact that this character knew who she was. Yes, her worst qualities are that she's selfish and manipulative. She uses Parade as a bodyguard who does all of her fighting for her, granted she'll give her her old clothes and perfume because Parade doesn't have the money to go shopping, she does it with a bad heart. She may be beautiful on the outside, but she's very ugly on the inside (at least to me). Not to mention she tries to pin a murder on Parade in order to win the heart of her boyfriend (who was actually sleeping with Parade). The only redeeming quality to Sky Taylor was that upon the threat of being executed by a hit man did she confess to the fact that she was the one that stabbed the gangster's wife at the party and stole her jewelry, but even then we're not getting the whole truth from her.
*Spoiler alert*
Daffany Stans is one of the girls that Parade and Sky spend time with. In the book she has a dark secret. The secret is that she is HIV positive, but she doesn't know for sure who gave it to her because she's a prostitute. The man that she suspects of giving her HIV was one of her clients and neighbors who found out that he had it after a routine check up. She found out that she was HIV positive through a routine checkup through the clinic, and while it has devastated her and changed her personality, it hasn't made her change her vocation. She's still turning tricks. That's just so sad and so dangerous. Not to mention, in the book its not like the author has written it to where she had no other choice but to go back, the author didn't give the character options to get help. This is what upsets me the most. Daffany seems like a character that had an interesting perspective and story. There could've been real character development, but instead the author used her as a side-character. I was really disappointed. She was by far the most complicated and the most interesting character to me.
Miss Wayne firs off, is a man, a gay man, who considers himself to be one of the girls. He's by far the "better" character, as in he doesn't have a debilitating disease that he's not taking care of, and he also seems to have a rather high self-esteem and also seems to be a semi-good person. I say semi because while he rebuilds Parade's self-esteem after Sky tears it down, he's also very catty and a credit card thief. While he a rather entertaining character, he's just that, entertaining. I felt that he could've had potential for a more interesting story.
What I don't understand is why none of these characters have regular jobs, or are even trying to find a regular job. No one is actively looking for a job, its not until near the end of the book does Parade get a "real" job. She works at a friend's hair salon as a shampoo girl. That's the only real job in the story. No one else though is actively trying to better their life. They are all seeming to rely on what they're currently doing and what they were raised on to get "ahead" in life. Other than Miss Wayne, all of the men are pretty much just violent, abusive (physically and/or emotionally), controlling, lying brutes.
There's a twist in the epilogue however that is intriguing.
December 28, 2016
wow what a great book, fast paced and never a dull moment. Kept me entertained until the last page, can't wait to see how poor Parade's life is still spinning out of control. Ms Wayne is a mess i can't wait to read his story, they are all a hot mess together!
September 26, 2024
Enter the world of four friends...Parade, Sky, Daffany and Miss Wayne. What appears to be “girls til the end” turns out to be full of treachery and deceit.
Parade Knight is a beautiful brown-skinned girl who has been called Ugly by her mean mother and so called best friend, Sky.
Sky Taylor is a pretty, light-skinned girl who is addicted to fast cars and labels. She loves putting her best friend down, but unbeknownst to her, Parade has been sleeping with her man behind her back.
Daffany Stans has been taught her body to survive. Little does she know, this lifestyle comes with consequences and repercussions. She’s keeping a secret from her friends that will change her entire world.
What can I say about Miss Wayne, other than he is a TRIP honey!
A girls night out leads to a dead body, bloody clothes, and a price on someone’s head. After the smoke clears, whose left standing.
I enjoyed this 💎💎💎💎💎classic by @authortstyles, and am wondering what took me so long to read it. I highly recommend this book if you haven’t read it already.
Parade Knight is a beautiful brown-skinned girl who has been called Ugly by her mean mother and so called best friend, Sky.
Sky Taylor is a pretty, light-skinned girl who is addicted to fast cars and labels. She loves putting her best friend down, but unbeknownst to her, Parade has been sleeping with her man behind her back.
Daffany Stans has been taught her body to survive. Little does she know, this lifestyle comes with consequences and repercussions. She’s keeping a secret from her friends that will change her entire world.
What can I say about Miss Wayne, other than he is a TRIP honey!
A girls night out leads to a dead body, bloody clothes, and a price on someone’s head. After the smoke clears, whose left standing.
I enjoyed this 💎💎💎💎💎classic by @authortstyles, and am wondering what took me so long to read it. I highly recommend this book if you haven’t read it already.
April 30, 2010
Overall book was a nice read.
Parade grew up being called black and ugly by everyone even her own mom. She made herself be black and ugly and let everyone talk to her like she wasn't nothing.
Her friend Sky was the main one that talked to her like she was below her.
Her friends Miss Wayne and Daffany didn't get why Parade took that talk from Sky.
Parade was the one to always save Sky from drama because Parade can fight good and Parade was always there to protect Sky but, Sky never protected Parade.
Parade wanted to be Sky so when Sky boyfriend Jay and her started sleeping together Parade liked that.
At a party someone got killed woman got killed and her husband set out to find out who did it.
Cannon comes into Parade life but, have his own reason to why he pops up and is sweeting Parade.
Sky becomes jealous of Parade and dumped by Jay for Parade.
Book was a good book.
Parade grew up being called black and ugly by everyone even her own mom. She made herself be black and ugly and let everyone talk to her like she wasn't nothing.
Her friend Sky was the main one that talked to her like she was below her.
Her friends Miss Wayne and Daffany didn't get why Parade took that talk from Sky.
Parade was the one to always save Sky from drama because Parade can fight good and Parade was always there to protect Sky but, Sky never protected Parade.
Parade wanted to be Sky so when Sky boyfriend Jay and her started sleeping together Parade liked that.
At a party someone got killed woman got killed and her husband set out to find out who did it.
Cannon comes into Parade life but, have his own reason to why he pops up and is sweeting Parade.
Sky becomes jealous of Parade and dumped by Jay for Parade.
Book was a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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