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All That and a Bag of Chips
Venice Taylor believes that her relationship with sexy football star, Jarvis Anderson, is unbreakable; especially since they have been intense lovers for almost four years. During that time, they experienced some unique events that drew them closer together than most couples their age. Jarvis and Venice have no choice but to trust that the love they share will withstand any challenge. Heading off to separate colleges would undoubtedly be a test of their undying love and fiery passion. Even though they have agreed to see other people during college, Venice is not counting on falling in love with another man. That is, until drop dead gorgeous Craig Bennett, a Junior Architecture Major, enters her life like a hurricane. From the moment their eyes meet, Venice realizes that she is in trouble. Craig stirs feelings inside of her that she has only previously felt with Jarvis. Within weeks, Venice finds herself in a full-blown love affair. At the same time, she is hoping and praying that her secrets will not destroy her new relationship with Craig or cause Jarvis any undeserved pain. Torn between the two most passionate men that she has ever met, Venice has to make a decision. But, at what cost?
- GenresRomance
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
31 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Darrien Lee
21 books117 followersDarrien Lee, a graduate of Tennessee State University, is a two-time Essence bestselling author with four published works with Strebor Books. She has been featured in several periodicals, including Romantic Times magazine and the Nashville Tennessean. She lives in LaVergne, Tennessee, with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 2, 2009
Synopsis-In this boook Venie has to make some very big decisions. She has to choose from two boysshe fell in lovewith.Its very stressing to her but she finds a way to get through it.
Classification- This book is targeted more for teenagers or adults because its at a more mature level. This book is mostly entertainment and romance with a little drama.
Criticism-This book was good literature. I enjoyed that this book was so realistic that it seemed like you were watching it in a movie or was in the same situation. Something that could have been better was the ending could have been more detailed.
Classification- This book is targeted more for teenagers or adults because its at a more mature level. This book is mostly entertainment and romance with a little drama.
Criticism-This book was good literature. I enjoyed that this book was so realistic that it seemed like you were watching it in a movie or was in the same situation. Something that could have been better was the ending could have been more detailed.
October 10, 2016
Whenever, I'm between books and I feel the need to read something, I pick this up.
February 28, 2018
Really good book! It's a good series to read
February 16, 2025
All That and a Bag of Chips
Venice is going off to college. After saying goodbye to her family and Josh, she goes to say goodbye to her long-time boyfriend Jarvis (who’ll also be leaving for college the next day). Jarvis is planning to major in Criminal Justice so if he doesn’t play for the pros he can be an FBI. They’ve been together for the last four years. They both say if fate puts them back together, they’ll get married after they graduate.
Jarvis tells Venice her stuff is his and just remember she’s on loan. Venice asks if they did the right thing. Jarvis says his mind says yes, but his heart says no. They promise to see each other at homecoming and Venice tells Jarvis don’t get something he can’t get rid of or become someone’s baby daddy. He promises there’s no chance of that and she knows where his heart is. After, Venice leaves Jarvis mumbles we didn’t do the wrong thing.
When Venice catches up with Galen, he’s with his boys who all don’t make it a secret that wanna holla at Venice. One catches Venice’s eye (Craig) and he feels the same and thinks he wants to get to know her. Galen tells Venice if she were going to talk to one of his friend Craig would be the coolest one but go slow. Later, Venice and Monique (go to a block party). Craig is there and he and Venice share a slow dance. Craig volunteers to take Venice home and escorts her to her dorm giving her a hug before he leaves her.
The next morning, Venice calls Jarvis and tells him about Galen’s friend and how it felt like she was cheating. He tells her to just take it slow and if she wants to try to have a long-distance relationship he’s down. Neither of them were really cool with what their parents forced them to do. After hanging up with him, Venice sheds tears. Craig invites her to breakfast and they talk about their majors. Venice’s major is sports medicine. Craig’s is architecture. Craig knows he’s in love. Two hours past and they enjoy good food and conversation. After this, Craig gives her a tour of the city. He invites her to go to a drive-in movie with him and says maybe one day he’ll cook for her. Then he walks her back to her dorm room. He then kisses her and she allows it easily.
Craig apologizes but Venice says it’s not a problem. After he leaves tho, Venice lets loose a tear. Venice tells Galen to come over and she questions him about Craig’s last relationship. Galen says he’s glad she’s gone. She bossed Craig around to much and he came more alive when she was gone. Galen asks her if she’s fallen for him. Venice says she doesn’t need ex drama.
A month later, Venice has dated Craig a few times. Jarvis hasn’t dated anyone. She does mention to Jarvis that she’s meet someone. He says she’ll have to give him a minute. Venice and Jarvis have been talking less with him being busy with football and classes. She talks to Craig every night. They met in the courtyard between classes and grab lunch. Even tho he has co-op studies at an architectural firm two hours away, he sets aside quality time. One day while Venice is trying to study for an exam (and finding it hard to absorb anything) Craig shows up and offers to take her for a ride.
Craig takes Venice over to his place and apologizes for not taking her sooner but the house has been remodeled. She meets his sister Bernice and he cooks chicken for her with his special sauce. While he does this, he quizzes her on her test. After wads, they listen to music and it leads to passionate kissing. Then it starts to lead to more but Craig says he needs to know where he stands. Galen told him that there was someone back at home that she still had feelings for. She admits this and says they agreed to cool it and he’s away at college. She says they went through something that she doesn’t want to get into but maybe later. Bottom line she has feelings for the both of them. Craig ends up taking her back to her dorm. (They also have a talk about protection).
On a Friday, Venice finishes her exam early and goes to get her hair done. Later she and her girl Chanel hang around the field and listen to the band practice. Then Craig and Skeeter show up and they all hang out for a minute. (Craig and Venice plan to hang out later. Galen catches up with Venice at a sandwich shop and confronts her about why she didn’t answer his text last night. Then accuses her of letting Craig hit. She throws her cup of drink on him. Craig straightens him out when Galen goes over and tells him he owes Venice an apology and he knows him better than that.
Venice goes off on Galen and then forgives him. Josh tells her to apologize to him because he was just trying to protect her. She says she will. She apologizes to Craig but he says he’s already forgotten. After his choir practice, they meet up and play pool. After going to a football game and watching Galen play and going bowling with both sets of friends, Venice and Craig go to his place and call it a night. Craig and Venice both go back and forth wondering should I make a move but neither want to give the wrong impression (although they both want each other bad). Finally, Venice falls). When Venice wakes up, she and Craig do make love. She’s not the only one. Her girl Chantelle made love with Craig’s friend Spoonie. Over time, Venice knows she’s falling in love with Craig.
Still, she only tells him she’s going out of town when she goes to Jarvis’s homecoming. She and Jarvis immediately make love as soon as she arrives. But Jarvis knows what’s up when he sees she’s not tight. Jarvis wants to know if she told him they were married and had a baby. Venice says she doesn’t want to talk about it. Jarvis asks where he stands and she says he’s “a special friend”. Jarvis says she needs to tell him and she says she’s not ready. Jarvis says as far as he’s concerned, she’s still his wife and they can still make it work. He says he still hopes when they graduate, he can put the ring back on her finger. (She’s wearing hers as a thumb ring. He’s wearing his on a chain around his neck).
The visit is one event after the other of love-making and home-coming events. While making out, Jarvis tells her he wants her back. Jarvis asks her to come back in two weeks. She says she’ll try. Before she goes, he lets her know he’s there for her. Back home, she immediately tells Craig that she and Jarvis married junior year, had a baby, lost the baby, still stayed married, but their parents made them get divorced this spring. That’s where she was this weekend. She promised she’d go to his homecoming. Craig is pissed. It comes out that they sleep together. It comes out that Jarvis knows about him. It comes out that Venice is in love with both of them. Craig asks if she’ll see him again and she says she can’t answer that. Craig tells her he needs some time to think. (Venice asks him for patience until she can decide what she wants to do).
Venice doesn’t hear from Craig for 2 weeks. When he finally does see her he says he’s still pissed at her but he’s willing to take things one day at a time. While she’s at his place and he’s in class, there’s a message from his ex. Craig tho calls the ex and tells her he’ll be spending home-coming with someone else. Craig tho doesn’t touch Venice when she spends the night. (This all ends after a Tamia and Levert concert). Chantell confesses to Venice she’s late. After a ball, Chantell tells Spoonie she might be pregnant. Later she goes to a doctor and finds out she isn’t. She decided to call it off with her man in Atlanta. Craig gets mad at Venice for drinking a little too much at the ball. Venice finds out Monique was raped by two guys after the ball (who she gave a ride too). She doesn’t want to report it.
At the pep rally, Craig takes care of the guys that raped Monique. Venice gets an angry call from Jarvis about her not returning his text at 2am when she was with Craig. He says the first chance he gets he’s coming down there to settle things once and for all. Out of anger and frustration, Jarvis ends up going to the movies with and sleeping with another lady named Lydia. He tells her it can’t happen again. Before going to check on the band, Craig makes love to Venice (this time more aggressively). He also gives her oral. He tells her he has a surprise for her later but surprises her with a necklace. In another surprise, Craig surprises Venice by singing at the half time show and dedicating the show to the woman who’s wearing his heart around her neck. Oh I forgot to add that Miranda shows up at Craigs house. She also shows up at an after party and tries to get in Venice’s face. Something strange happens that night after they make love, Venus wakes up screaming please don’t. She tells Craig it was just a bad dream. Venice invites Craig to come home with her for Thanksgiving. When she gets back in her dorm, Jarvis calls and says he doesn’t want to share her anymore and he’s coming there so they can talk about it.
Bryan tells her there was a guy in Venice’s past that pulled a knife on her and tried to rape her. Jarvis stopped by and kicked the door in and beat the guy up. Other girls came forward and said he’d raped them. Sometimes she has flashbacks. Venice pays Craig a surprise visit at work in Jonesville, but while there they get a call from Bryan saying her father took ill and has been in the hospital. So, Craig and Venice head to her hometown. Jarvis has called but is surprised to hear she’s there with Craig and makes a smart-alecky comment when she says she misses him. Seeing that he’s upset her, he tells her to just take care of her dad. On Sunday, Craig surprises her dad at church by singing his favorite song. Overall before they leave his has her mother, father, brother and his friend’s approval.
When Craig gets back, he gets a call that he’s made line. He calls Venice and tells her he won’t be able to come home with her on Thanksgiving. They’re pulling a line that night. Craig stops by later so he can see Venice before he goes on line. While Craig is pledging, Venice goes to spend the weekend with Jarvis (but doesn’t tell anyone). Since, Craig can’t come home with her, Venice invites Bernice. Chanelle crosses over. While visiting Sydney, (Galen’s girl) she discovers she’s pregnant. Craig comes off line after 5-long weeks. That night, Venice spends the night and Craig says he’s not giving her up. If he (Jarvis) wants her he’ll have to come take her.
While Christmas shopping, Galen surprises Venice by telling her about the baby and that he and Sydney got married. Venice has a fight with Bryan over her driving home. So, Craig volunteers to drive her. Only Jarvis comes by for dinner (which causes tension). Jarvis takes every opportunity to try to sneak in touches and kisses. Even going so far as to say he still thinks of Venus as his wife in front of Craig. Craig for his part handles all this better than any black man I’ve ever met. They all met up at a club. Jarvis tells Venice he wants to talk to her and then later finds a way for Chanelle to sneak her over. They end up making love. After it he demands she not give her body to anyone else. She suggests they break up, but that’s not really what she wants. He says she says she loves him but it’s hard to believe it. When she leaves, she tells him she has no regrets.
That night, Jarvis sneaks in her window and they end up sleeping together and having sex the next morning. (Craig is downstairs). She also makes love to Craig later after they spend the day together. He leaves the next day and she won’t see him for 3 weeks. Her father tells to clear things up before he has to bust a cap in one of em. At a Christmas party, Jarvis is pushed slightly by Venice’s old lover showing up to give Venice the ring he’s been carrying around for weeks and propose to her. The next morning, Venice is sick because of nerves. Then she finds out Josh has been in an accident. When she goes to see him she finds out he’s in a coma. Josh moves his finger and the doctors say they think he’ll be ok. Craig decides to get a flight out (even tho Venice tells him she’ll be ok).
Craig finds the ring while making out with Venus. He asks does she want to marry him. Venus says she doesn’t know. Craig says he’ll make it easy. He got offered a job in Japan for 2 months and he can leave, but Venus says he can’t. They still need to talk about this some more. Craig and Jarvis have a man to man talk in the hospital. Craig returns to school and tells Venus let him know what she decides. Josh recovers slowly. Venis and Jarvis see a marriage counselor and Venus confides in him about Craig. He tells them he doesn’t think they’re ready but if they do decide to get married make sure that all their issues are resolved. Jarvis tells Venus they don’t have to rush into marriage. She can decide on her own time.
When back at school, Venus goes to visit Craig (before he leaves). She tells him she hasn’t given Jarvis an answer and they end up making love. He tells her he’ll never let her go through with it. Craig asks her several times to stay the night but she declines and leaves (saying she needs time). Venus when there sat on a box that Craig says is his cufflinks but it’s not. It’s the ring Craig was planning to give Venus on New Years. The next several days, Venice talks to Craig but avoids seeing him. Before he leaves, Craig gives Venus a charm bracelet with charms representing places they’ve shared.
Venus tells Jarvis she’ll marry him over Spring Break. Craig doesn’t take this well but agrees if he’s back from Japan he’ll come to the wedding. Days before the wedding, Venus confesses to Josh she’s pregnant but she hasn’t told Jarvis. Craig does show up
The ceremony goes on. Craig doesn’t interrupt but ends up walking out. Venice is slightly disappointed Craig didn’t interrupt and profess his love for her. Venus finds out she’s pregnant but it’s a possibility it can be Craigs because he told her the last time, they had sex the condom broke. Venice once again loses the baby. The doctor says whether he was the father isn’t relevant. (She does have a pychic dream before her wedding that she loses the baby.) The doctor says she will be able to have kids (when Jarvis asks) if she’s keep away from stressful situations.
My Thoughts:
This was unbelievable on so many levels! It was unbelievable that a minister would marry two juniors in high school without parental consent. Or was it that the parents forced them to get married because of the baby? Which is also unbelievable and sounds like something that would have happened decades ago! Not so unbelievable that they might have gotten pregnant and lost the baby. Not even so much that their parents made them get a divorce. But that two teenagers that in love would break up that are ON THEIR WAY TO COLLEGE because it’s what their PARENTS wanted. NOPE! NOT BUYING IT!
Initially what made the book hot was the passion. On this read, the characters annoyed me. The disrespect of Venice to Craig was just UNREAL! Supposedly *THIS* is the man you’re seeing NOW! Damn that you have a past with your high -school boyfriend that you both AGREED not to see. You broke up because it’s what your *parents* wanted. As dumb as that was you agreed to honor that. Now you’re with *this* man but you run off to your ex’s home-coming and sleep with him. Then he stupidly agrees to just go with the flow and what do you do. You sleep with him while you and the man your with are in your hometown. You sleep with your ex while he’s in the SAME HOUSE with you. Then she actually has the NEVER to expect him to be at the wedding. If I choose someone over someone else, do you really think I’d ask the one that lost out to the wedding?
I don’t even see why Craig first of all took her back. Second of all agreed to this sharing arrangement. Because he HAD to know this wouldn’t work. I could NEVER love anyone that much that if I wasn’t enough. That’s what annoyed me about Craig and that I also found unbelievable because I *know* someone who did this and it’s like what are you thinking to have thought that was a good idea? But then you can’t be mad at Venice because people only do to you what you *let* them do. So, really Craig should have RAN in the other direction when he found out about Jarvis.
Jarvis was just an ass! He cheated in school. He treated Venus like she was his *possession* talking about how her stuff *belonged* to him. But Venus was weak for this ish every single time and crumpled. And YES. The reason he rushed the proposal didn’t have NOTHING to do with him not belong able to hold out. He just didn’t want Craig to have her. It was all good until she actually *found* someone on campus. He probably thought she’d just wait around for him.
You know who else irritated me? Craig’s ex. Why would you cling so hard to a man that didn’t want you anymore? If you messed up accept it and MOVE ON! YOU let it go. DEAL WITH IT! It’s so pathetic when people come back and try to reclaim something that’s not there’s anymore.
Rating: 8 This whole plot (scenario) really just kind of pissed me off because some women can’t get one good man in their lives and then there are women like this one who messes over one for another one that ain’t bout much.
Venice is going off to college. After saying goodbye to her family and Josh, she goes to say goodbye to her long-time boyfriend Jarvis (who’ll also be leaving for college the next day). Jarvis is planning to major in Criminal Justice so if he doesn’t play for the pros he can be an FBI. They’ve been together for the last four years. They both say if fate puts them back together, they’ll get married after they graduate.
Jarvis tells Venice her stuff is his and just remember she’s on loan. Venice asks if they did the right thing. Jarvis says his mind says yes, but his heart says no. They promise to see each other at homecoming and Venice tells Jarvis don’t get something he can’t get rid of or become someone’s baby daddy. He promises there’s no chance of that and she knows where his heart is. After, Venice leaves Jarvis mumbles we didn’t do the wrong thing.
When Venice catches up with Galen, he’s with his boys who all don’t make it a secret that wanna holla at Venice. One catches Venice’s eye (Craig) and he feels the same and thinks he wants to get to know her. Galen tells Venice if she were going to talk to one of his friend Craig would be the coolest one but go slow. Later, Venice and Monique (go to a block party). Craig is there and he and Venice share a slow dance. Craig volunteers to take Venice home and escorts her to her dorm giving her a hug before he leaves her.
The next morning, Venice calls Jarvis and tells him about Galen’s friend and how it felt like she was cheating. He tells her to just take it slow and if she wants to try to have a long-distance relationship he’s down. Neither of them were really cool with what their parents forced them to do. After hanging up with him, Venice sheds tears. Craig invites her to breakfast and they talk about their majors. Venice’s major is sports medicine. Craig’s is architecture. Craig knows he’s in love. Two hours past and they enjoy good food and conversation. After this, Craig gives her a tour of the city. He invites her to go to a drive-in movie with him and says maybe one day he’ll cook for her. Then he walks her back to her dorm room. He then kisses her and she allows it easily.
Craig apologizes but Venice says it’s not a problem. After he leaves tho, Venice lets loose a tear. Venice tells Galen to come over and she questions him about Craig’s last relationship. Galen says he’s glad she’s gone. She bossed Craig around to much and he came more alive when she was gone. Galen asks her if she’s fallen for him. Venice says she doesn’t need ex drama.
A month later, Venice has dated Craig a few times. Jarvis hasn’t dated anyone. She does mention to Jarvis that she’s meet someone. He says she’ll have to give him a minute. Venice and Jarvis have been talking less with him being busy with football and classes. She talks to Craig every night. They met in the courtyard between classes and grab lunch. Even tho he has co-op studies at an architectural firm two hours away, he sets aside quality time. One day while Venice is trying to study for an exam (and finding it hard to absorb anything) Craig shows up and offers to take her for a ride.
Craig takes Venice over to his place and apologizes for not taking her sooner but the house has been remodeled. She meets his sister Bernice and he cooks chicken for her with his special sauce. While he does this, he quizzes her on her test. After wads, they listen to music and it leads to passionate kissing. Then it starts to lead to more but Craig says he needs to know where he stands. Galen told him that there was someone back at home that she still had feelings for. She admits this and says they agreed to cool it and he’s away at college. She says they went through something that she doesn’t want to get into but maybe later. Bottom line she has feelings for the both of them. Craig ends up taking her back to her dorm. (They also have a talk about protection).
On a Friday, Venice finishes her exam early and goes to get her hair done. Later she and her girl Chanel hang around the field and listen to the band practice. Then Craig and Skeeter show up and they all hang out for a minute. (Craig and Venice plan to hang out later. Galen catches up with Venice at a sandwich shop and confronts her about why she didn’t answer his text last night. Then accuses her of letting Craig hit. She throws her cup of drink on him. Craig straightens him out when Galen goes over and tells him he owes Venice an apology and he knows him better than that.
Venice goes off on Galen and then forgives him. Josh tells her to apologize to him because he was just trying to protect her. She says she will. She apologizes to Craig but he says he’s already forgotten. After his choir practice, they meet up and play pool. After going to a football game and watching Galen play and going bowling with both sets of friends, Venice and Craig go to his place and call it a night. Craig and Venice both go back and forth wondering should I make a move but neither want to give the wrong impression (although they both want each other bad). Finally, Venice falls). When Venice wakes up, she and Craig do make love. She’s not the only one. Her girl Chantelle made love with Craig’s friend Spoonie. Over time, Venice knows she’s falling in love with Craig.
Still, she only tells him she’s going out of town when she goes to Jarvis’s homecoming. She and Jarvis immediately make love as soon as she arrives. But Jarvis knows what’s up when he sees she’s not tight. Jarvis wants to know if she told him they were married and had a baby. Venice says she doesn’t want to talk about it. Jarvis asks where he stands and she says he’s “a special friend”. Jarvis says she needs to tell him and she says she’s not ready. Jarvis says as far as he’s concerned, she’s still his wife and they can still make it work. He says he still hopes when they graduate, he can put the ring back on her finger. (She’s wearing hers as a thumb ring. He’s wearing his on a chain around his neck).
The visit is one event after the other of love-making and home-coming events. While making out, Jarvis tells her he wants her back. Jarvis asks her to come back in two weeks. She says she’ll try. Before she goes, he lets her know he’s there for her. Back home, she immediately tells Craig that she and Jarvis married junior year, had a baby, lost the baby, still stayed married, but their parents made them get divorced this spring. That’s where she was this weekend. She promised she’d go to his homecoming. Craig is pissed. It comes out that they sleep together. It comes out that Jarvis knows about him. It comes out that Venice is in love with both of them. Craig asks if she’ll see him again and she says she can’t answer that. Craig tells her he needs some time to think. (Venice asks him for patience until she can decide what she wants to do).
Venice doesn’t hear from Craig for 2 weeks. When he finally does see her he says he’s still pissed at her but he’s willing to take things one day at a time. While she’s at his place and he’s in class, there’s a message from his ex. Craig tho calls the ex and tells her he’ll be spending home-coming with someone else. Craig tho doesn’t touch Venice when she spends the night. (This all ends after a Tamia and Levert concert). Chantell confesses to Venice she’s late. After a ball, Chantell tells Spoonie she might be pregnant. Later she goes to a doctor and finds out she isn’t. She decided to call it off with her man in Atlanta. Craig gets mad at Venice for drinking a little too much at the ball. Venice finds out Monique was raped by two guys after the ball (who she gave a ride too). She doesn’t want to report it.
At the pep rally, Craig takes care of the guys that raped Monique. Venice gets an angry call from Jarvis about her not returning his text at 2am when she was with Craig. He says the first chance he gets he’s coming down there to settle things once and for all. Out of anger and frustration, Jarvis ends up going to the movies with and sleeping with another lady named Lydia. He tells her it can’t happen again. Before going to check on the band, Craig makes love to Venice (this time more aggressively). He also gives her oral. He tells her he has a surprise for her later but surprises her with a necklace. In another surprise, Craig surprises Venice by singing at the half time show and dedicating the show to the woman who’s wearing his heart around her neck. Oh I forgot to add that Miranda shows up at Craigs house. She also shows up at an after party and tries to get in Venice’s face. Something strange happens that night after they make love, Venus wakes up screaming please don’t. She tells Craig it was just a bad dream. Venice invites Craig to come home with her for Thanksgiving. When she gets back in her dorm, Jarvis calls and says he doesn’t want to share her anymore and he’s coming there so they can talk about it.
Bryan tells her there was a guy in Venice’s past that pulled a knife on her and tried to rape her. Jarvis stopped by and kicked the door in and beat the guy up. Other girls came forward and said he’d raped them. Sometimes she has flashbacks. Venice pays Craig a surprise visit at work in Jonesville, but while there they get a call from Bryan saying her father took ill and has been in the hospital. So, Craig and Venice head to her hometown. Jarvis has called but is surprised to hear she’s there with Craig and makes a smart-alecky comment when she says she misses him. Seeing that he’s upset her, he tells her to just take care of her dad. On Sunday, Craig surprises her dad at church by singing his favorite song. Overall before they leave his has her mother, father, brother and his friend’s approval.
When Craig gets back, he gets a call that he’s made line. He calls Venice and tells her he won’t be able to come home with her on Thanksgiving. They’re pulling a line that night. Craig stops by later so he can see Venice before he goes on line. While Craig is pledging, Venice goes to spend the weekend with Jarvis (but doesn’t tell anyone). Since, Craig can’t come home with her, Venice invites Bernice. Chanelle crosses over. While visiting Sydney, (Galen’s girl) she discovers she’s pregnant. Craig comes off line after 5-long weeks. That night, Venice spends the night and Craig says he’s not giving her up. If he (Jarvis) wants her he’ll have to come take her.
While Christmas shopping, Galen surprises Venice by telling her about the baby and that he and Sydney got married. Venice has a fight with Bryan over her driving home. So, Craig volunteers to drive her. Only Jarvis comes by for dinner (which causes tension). Jarvis takes every opportunity to try to sneak in touches and kisses. Even going so far as to say he still thinks of Venus as his wife in front of Craig. Craig for his part handles all this better than any black man I’ve ever met. They all met up at a club. Jarvis tells Venice he wants to talk to her and then later finds a way for Chanelle to sneak her over. They end up making love. After it he demands she not give her body to anyone else. She suggests they break up, but that’s not really what she wants. He says she says she loves him but it’s hard to believe it. When she leaves, she tells him she has no regrets.
That night, Jarvis sneaks in her window and they end up sleeping together and having sex the next morning. (Craig is downstairs). She also makes love to Craig later after they spend the day together. He leaves the next day and she won’t see him for 3 weeks. Her father tells to clear things up before he has to bust a cap in one of em. At a Christmas party, Jarvis is pushed slightly by Venice’s old lover showing up to give Venice the ring he’s been carrying around for weeks and propose to her. The next morning, Venice is sick because of nerves. Then she finds out Josh has been in an accident. When she goes to see him she finds out he’s in a coma. Josh moves his finger and the doctors say they think he’ll be ok. Craig decides to get a flight out (even tho Venice tells him she’ll be ok).
Craig finds the ring while making out with Venus. He asks does she want to marry him. Venus says she doesn’t know. Craig says he’ll make it easy. He got offered a job in Japan for 2 months and he can leave, but Venus says he can’t. They still need to talk about this some more. Craig and Jarvis have a man to man talk in the hospital. Craig returns to school and tells Venus let him know what she decides. Josh recovers slowly. Venis and Jarvis see a marriage counselor and Venus confides in him about Craig. He tells them he doesn’t think they’re ready but if they do decide to get married make sure that all their issues are resolved. Jarvis tells Venus they don’t have to rush into marriage. She can decide on her own time.
When back at school, Venus goes to visit Craig (before he leaves). She tells him she hasn’t given Jarvis an answer and they end up making love. He tells her he’ll never let her go through with it. Craig asks her several times to stay the night but she declines and leaves (saying she needs time). Venus when there sat on a box that Craig says is his cufflinks but it’s not. It’s the ring Craig was planning to give Venus on New Years. The next several days, Venice talks to Craig but avoids seeing him. Before he leaves, Craig gives Venus a charm bracelet with charms representing places they’ve shared.
Venus tells Jarvis she’ll marry him over Spring Break. Craig doesn’t take this well but agrees if he’s back from Japan he’ll come to the wedding. Days before the wedding, Venus confesses to Josh she’s pregnant but she hasn’t told Jarvis. Craig does show up
The ceremony goes on. Craig doesn’t interrupt but ends up walking out. Venice is slightly disappointed Craig didn’t interrupt and profess his love for her. Venus finds out she’s pregnant but it’s a possibility it can be Craigs because he told her the last time, they had sex the condom broke. Venice once again loses the baby. The doctor says whether he was the father isn’t relevant. (She does have a pychic dream before her wedding that she loses the baby.) The doctor says she will be able to have kids (when Jarvis asks) if she’s keep away from stressful situations.
My Thoughts:
This was unbelievable on so many levels! It was unbelievable that a minister would marry two juniors in high school without parental consent. Or was it that the parents forced them to get married because of the baby? Which is also unbelievable and sounds like something that would have happened decades ago! Not so unbelievable that they might have gotten pregnant and lost the baby. Not even so much that their parents made them get a divorce. But that two teenagers that in love would break up that are ON THEIR WAY TO COLLEGE because it’s what their PARENTS wanted. NOPE! NOT BUYING IT!
Initially what made the book hot was the passion. On this read, the characters annoyed me. The disrespect of Venice to Craig was just UNREAL! Supposedly *THIS* is the man you’re seeing NOW! Damn that you have a past with your high -school boyfriend that you both AGREED not to see. You broke up because it’s what your *parents* wanted. As dumb as that was you agreed to honor that. Now you’re with *this* man but you run off to your ex’s home-coming and sleep with him. Then he stupidly agrees to just go with the flow and what do you do. You sleep with him while you and the man your with are in your hometown. You sleep with your ex while he’s in the SAME HOUSE with you. Then she actually has the NEVER to expect him to be at the wedding. If I choose someone over someone else, do you really think I’d ask the one that lost out to the wedding?
I don’t even see why Craig first of all took her back. Second of all agreed to this sharing arrangement. Because he HAD to know this wouldn’t work. I could NEVER love anyone that much that if I wasn’t enough. That’s what annoyed me about Craig and that I also found unbelievable because I *know* someone who did this and it’s like what are you thinking to have thought that was a good idea? But then you can’t be mad at Venice because people only do to you what you *let* them do. So, really Craig should have RAN in the other direction when he found out about Jarvis.
Jarvis was just an ass! He cheated in school. He treated Venus like she was his *possession* talking about how her stuff *belonged* to him. But Venus was weak for this ish every single time and crumpled. And YES. The reason he rushed the proposal didn’t have NOTHING to do with him not belong able to hold out. He just didn’t want Craig to have her. It was all good until she actually *found* someone on campus. He probably thought she’d just wait around for him.
You know who else irritated me? Craig’s ex. Why would you cling so hard to a man that didn’t want you anymore? If you messed up accept it and MOVE ON! YOU let it go. DEAL WITH IT! It’s so pathetic when people come back and try to reclaim something that’s not there’s anymore.
Rating: 8 This whole plot (scenario) really just kind of pissed me off because some women can’t get one good man in their lives and then there are women like this one who messes over one for another one that ain’t bout much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2021
Although this books setting is very much early 90s theme. The concepts and topics is still relevant for thin happening now. The story is a bout a girl name Venice who is entering her first year of college. This is will be the first time that she has been away from her hometown boyfriend. Due tot he distance and passion between them. Their parents suggested a separation during this time for them both to focus on their studies. During her studies Venice made another guy by the name of Craig and she found herself in love with two men.
This book provided me with all the excuses to stay single (lol). Not only did Venice get to date multiple men but she was able to get them both to agree to it. She spend most of the book going back and forward on who she loves most but I am very happy that all parties were aware of the stakes, which was refreshing. I dislike the unnecessary slang and lack of accountability of the main characters.
3/5
This book provided me with all the excuses to stay single (lol). Not only did Venice get to date multiple men but she was able to get them both to agree to it. She spend most of the book going back and forward on who she loves most but I am very happy that all parties were aware of the stakes, which was refreshing. I dislike the unnecessary slang and lack of accountability of the main characters.
3/5
February 11, 2025
Book one in a series of five and an almost yearly read for me, "All That and a Bag of Chips," is a must-read for those who have been reading for a while and those that are just starting. Darrien Lee takes us on a fantastic journey through fmc Venice Taylor, who's torn between her high school sweetheart, Jarvis Anderson whom she has to leave due to unforseen circumstances and her new love Craig Bennett, whom she meets at college and never saw coming. You will laugh, cry, cheer, and feel complete vindication on Venice's journey of being a young woman, figuring it all out.
June 17, 2019
Love this book! It’s always a good read!
March 5, 2017
A tangled web of deception and lies mixed with some college drama. It was too much at times and during the story I was like...really???...but I finished it.
February 6, 2015
Even in the youthful, exploratory days of college. This was revealed to me in a wonderful way by Darrien Lee in her exceptional debut novel ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS...From it's inception, this reader was drawn into the drama of Venice Taylor as she shared a UNIQUE relationship with Jarvis. They have experience more stuff BEFORE their separate college departures than some of us do in our entire lives.
Heading to separate campus, their eternal passion is brought under fire when Craig Bennett appears on the scene. Without giving detail, I was immediately drawn to the authenticity of this character and his ability to stay noble through an incredible storm, so much so that there was tear shed as his endlessly giving heart mirrored my own. But is his illuminating presence enough to garner the heart of Venice?
For that answer, you have to read this splendid piece of work. Passion fills this story, as the mature, sometimes wild love scenes make the plot all the more tantalizing. With Galen, Joshua, Chanelle, Monique, Bryan and Sinclair providing strong supporting roles to accompany the triangular lead, the title of this book definitely says all. It is truly ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS!!
Heading to separate campus, their eternal passion is brought under fire when Craig Bennett appears on the scene. Without giving detail, I was immediately drawn to the authenticity of this character and his ability to stay noble through an incredible storm, so much so that there was tear shed as his endlessly giving heart mirrored my own. But is his illuminating presence enough to garner the heart of Venice?
For that answer, you have to read this splendid piece of work. Passion fills this story, as the mature, sometimes wild love scenes make the plot all the more tantalizing. With Galen, Joshua, Chanelle, Monique, Bryan and Sinclair providing strong supporting roles to accompany the triangular lead, the title of this book definitely says all. It is truly ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS!!
February 13, 2015
My coworker told me about this author and I was so lost. She recommended the book to me and once I started to read it. I couldn't put it down. I stayed up all night to find out what was Venice going to do. Venice was torn between to lovers it had me on the edge of my seat. As my grandchildren slept, I am in my room screaming and squirming in my bed because I was not agreeing with Venice. Now that I am done with the book I am so open to find out what happened next. The next sequel to the saga is "Been There, Done That" and Craig seem like he is going to be the lead in this novel. I want the book so bad but I am deciding if I want to spend the $12 on kindle (wireless) version. But I can't wait for the price to go down.
Do anyone have that book so I can borrow it on my device. I know they give you about two weeks to read but to be honest. I am going to finish it in a day or two. It's the weekend and I am wide open. WHAT IS VENICE GOING TO DO IN THIS NOVEL, WILL SHE AND CRAIG BUMP INTO EACH OTHER, WILL JARVIS DIED. Someone help me...
Do anyone have that book so I can borrow it on my device. I know they give you about two weeks to read but to be honest. I am going to finish it in a day or two. It's the weekend and I am wide open. WHAT IS VENICE GOING TO DO IN THIS NOVEL, WILL SHE AND CRAIG BUMP INTO EACH OTHER, WILL JARVIS DIED. Someone help me...
September 20, 2011
In All that and a bag of chips, Darrien Lee starts out her series of four books. In this romantic dilemma Lee boldly attacks love in a new way. She expresses the thoughts of confused Venice Taylor who thinks she has it all together with her love Jarvis, until she meets Craig Bennett. Venice under goes heart surgery as she is torn between the two.
Here, Lee traps the reader with a love story that most women would die to be a part of. Having, two successful, handsome looking men propose to you. Her poetic love language that she explores within this novel is beyond beautiful! I would definitely take her boldness in exploring new ideas and insert them into my own writing.
Here, Lee traps the reader with a love story that most women would die to be a part of. Having, two successful, handsome looking men propose to you. Her poetic love language that she explores within this novel is beyond beautiful! I would definitely take her boldness in exploring new ideas and insert them into my own writing.
October 22, 2014
I have mixed feelings about this story, I found it verbose. Too many unnecessary details that had me bored.
I was very irritated with Venice immaturity and found the character to be self absorbed. She was juggling two men and they had to absolutely adore her or she would start crying.
I would have enjoyed it more if it was not so drawn out.
I was very irritated with Venice immaturity and found the character to be self absorbed. She was juggling two men and they had to absolutely adore her or she would start crying.
I would have enjoyed it more if it was not so drawn out.
November 16, 2007
Romance and Drama! This is really a good book!
March 5, 2008
THISZ BOOOK ISZ AWSOME THISZ ISZ MAH TOP FIVE I LOVE THISZ BOOK!!! I WILL B HAPPY TO LEAND THISZ TO U
May 16, 2008
Nobody believes in condoms in this book. She was screwing them both CONSTANTLY. That was one selfish inconsiderate heffer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 28, 2009Loved It!
April 5, 2010
This book and it's sequel are two of my favorites. I love the story and how it's written where I can see the events almost like watching a movie.
December 4, 2010
This was such a great series I could not wait until this author wrote another book. I've read several of this authors books and I am awaiting for another book from this author.
January 5, 2011
A wonderful book to read with lots of romance and drama.
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May 21, 2011i really loved this book an i still read it now and then.
July 28, 2011
An excellent read from start to finish. You will not be able to put it down.
August 19, 2011
Great great book. Reminded me of my days in college. A must read.
February 23, 2013
Excellent read!!!!!!you will not be disappointed ...
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April 23, 2013I absoultely loved this book. It was HOT!!!!!
May 21, 2013
this book was great i wasnt really a book reader until i read this it was interesting something i could relate to .it was also funny , deep and makes you rethink the decesions we make in life
February 9, 2015
story line was slow seems like a good book but not for me did not finish reading
May 11, 2013
She was a bad girl. She had two while some was trying to get one
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