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Butterscotch Blues
Sandy Hutchinson has skin so dark and chocolately brown, her friends call her "the Black Diva." At the age of thirty-four, she and her three girlfriends have shared a tight bond since college, and been through the ups and disappointing downs of dating. With high aspirations about careers and love, they sometimes fell a bit short of their dreams, but nevertheless are always there for one another to offer sympathy and support. There's Martha Alston, a successful assistant district attorney, who has the beautiful apartment and luxury car, but is still missing the most important element---someone to love. Britney Weller, timid and overweight, wasn't certain if she would ever find happiness, but when Maurice enters her life, she wonders if this time love will treat her differently. Then there's Janice Duprey, vivacious, warm and giving, she foolishly wears her heart on her sleeve, hoping each time things will somehow turn out differently.
Sandy wonders if love has alluded her as well, until the day she meets Adrian Burton, a Trinidadian with caramel skin, naturally wavy hair, and eyes the color of butterscotch. Sandy, plagued with low self-esteem since childhood, is dubious that he could be attracted to her. But Adrian is earnest in his intentions; he opens his heart and wins her over. Together they share a whirlwind romance filled with blissful happiness, until the night of a fateful call from the hospital and she learns of his ailing ex-wife. Now, Sandy must decide if her love is strong enough to help get them through what may be their darkest hour.
Sandy wonders if love has alluded her as well, until the day she meets Adrian Burton, a Trinidadian with caramel skin, naturally wavy hair, and eyes the color of butterscotch. Sandy, plagued with low self-esteem since childhood, is dubious that he could be attracted to her. But Adrian is earnest in his intentions; he opens his heart and wins her over. Together they share a whirlwind romance filled with blissful happiness, until the night of a fateful call from the hospital and she learns of his ailing ex-wife. Now, Sandy must decide if her love is strong enough to help get them through what may be their darkest hour.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
6 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Johnson-Hodge
18 books69 followersMargaret Johnson-Hodge is the author of several books that have received national acclaim. She is a winner of the 1998 Reviewer’s Choice Awards, for “The Real Deal”. “Butterscotch Blues” made the Blackboard Bestsellers List, the Essence Magazine Bestseller List and Black Expressions Book Club 2000 Book of the Year coming in at number 6.
“A New Day” made the Mosaic Magazine What’s Hot Top Five Fiction List five (5) times and “True Lies” made the Black Expressions Best Sellers List in 2002. Margaret has garnered rave reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, The Quarterly Black Review, Essence Magazine and Ebony Magazine.
She has been featured in major papers in her hometown, was a guest speaker at Georgia’s Writers, Inc. Her novels “True Lies”, “Some Sunday” and “Butterscotch Blues” were Main Selections for Black Expressions, and “The Real Deal”, “A New Day”, “Warm Hands”, “A Journey To Here” and “This Time” were alternates selections.
Both Showtime and Hallmark Hall of Fame have considered her books for movie options and with the release of her sixth novel “True Lies”, Publisher Weekly declared: “Johnson-Hodge's popularity continues to grow. Audiences tired of shallow buppie antics will respond favorably to the earthy dramas she describes.” Her seventh novel, “A Journey To Here” was released to great reviews and the book garnered her a nominee for Author of The Year.
In 2005, Margaret donned a new cap - publisher - and released her eighth book – “This Time”, through her own publishing company – Sutton Place Publishers, Inc. "This Time" was well received by both critics and readers a like.
Born and raised in New York, Margaret no longer lives there, but New York is where her heart remains. She continues to craft stories about the great city in which she grew up and looks forward to telling more of them.
A mother and full-time author, she writes on a near daily basis, rarely taking a break from her craft. “There is always some story inside of me,” is how she sees it “and I just try and get it told.”
“A New Day” made the Mosaic Magazine What’s Hot Top Five Fiction List five (5) times and “True Lies” made the Black Expressions Best Sellers List in 2002. Margaret has garnered rave reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, The Quarterly Black Review, Essence Magazine and Ebony Magazine.
She has been featured in major papers in her hometown, was a guest speaker at Georgia’s Writers, Inc. Her novels “True Lies”, “Some Sunday” and “Butterscotch Blues” were Main Selections for Black Expressions, and “The Real Deal”, “A New Day”, “Warm Hands”, “A Journey To Here” and “This Time” were alternates selections.
Both Showtime and Hallmark Hall of Fame have considered her books for movie options and with the release of her sixth novel “True Lies”, Publisher Weekly declared: “Johnson-Hodge's popularity continues to grow. Audiences tired of shallow buppie antics will respond favorably to the earthy dramas she describes.” Her seventh novel, “A Journey To Here” was released to great reviews and the book garnered her a nominee for Author of The Year.
In 2005, Margaret donned a new cap - publisher - and released her eighth book – “This Time”, through her own publishing company – Sutton Place Publishers, Inc. "This Time" was well received by both critics and readers a like.
Born and raised in New York, Margaret no longer lives there, but New York is where her heart remains. She continues to craft stories about the great city in which she grew up and looks forward to telling more of them.
A mother and full-time author, she writes on a near daily basis, rarely taking a break from her craft. “There is always some story inside of me,” is how she sees it “and I just try and get it told.”
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 8, 2009
Your hearts desires/and then you can't
BUTTERSCOTCH BLUES is amongst the greatest books I've read! It deals with very real issues, AIDS, the color syndrome amongst blacks, love, marriage, friendship, and loneliness. Four friends literally transform before your very eyes.
Sandy, after being involved in a ‘so I won't be alone relationship,’ finally gets the picture. She meets Adrian, a beautiful man, who opens her eyes, to the beauty of being a beautiful dark skin black and opens her mind to the reality of safe sex as well as her heart to an abiding love.
Janice is the friend we all have. She can't seem to get that she keeps settling and giving way too much of herself in these one sided relationships finally gets some guts, a brain and a real man.
Martha the money-making sistah whose standards are set entirely too high can't get a man so she is turning into a bitter, depressing drunk who sees that she has to let it be and finally gets a man who is intelligent enough to do whatever he chooses, but he does things to impress self.
Britney has weight and low self esteem issues. Finds a sponsor who shows her love isn't always a size 6 and she begins to take more pride in herself.
It's so much more it's about the power of an abiding love! As you read you're like okay this is it do it and then it's too late they break up she can't cope and when finally all the cards are on the table and ... I am still crying! This is the first book I've read by Margaret Johnson-Hodge I will be checking out her other ones real soon.
BUTTERSCOTCH BLUES is amongst the greatest books I've read! It deals with very real issues, AIDS, the color syndrome amongst blacks, love, marriage, friendship, and loneliness. Four friends literally transform before your very eyes.
Sandy, after being involved in a ‘so I won't be alone relationship,’ finally gets the picture. She meets Adrian, a beautiful man, who opens her eyes, to the beauty of being a beautiful dark skin black and opens her mind to the reality of safe sex as well as her heart to an abiding love.
Janice is the friend we all have. She can't seem to get that she keeps settling and giving way too much of herself in these one sided relationships finally gets some guts, a brain and a real man.
Martha the money-making sistah whose standards are set entirely too high can't get a man so she is turning into a bitter, depressing drunk who sees that she has to let it be and finally gets a man who is intelligent enough to do whatever he chooses, but he does things to impress self.
Britney has weight and low self esteem issues. Finds a sponsor who shows her love isn't always a size 6 and she begins to take more pride in herself.
It's so much more it's about the power of an abiding love! As you read you're like okay this is it do it and then it's too late they break up she can't cope and when finally all the cards are on the table and ... I am still crying! This is the first book I've read by Margaret Johnson-Hodge I will be checking out her other ones real soon.
September 2, 2014
I had completed a different book regarding four female friends. This one was just okay for me. Knowing myself the way I do, I WOULD NOT have made the same decision as Sandy!! This bk as my other bk made me re-evaluate my relationship with the female friends who I consider close the my heart. The emphasis of the book were male/ female relationships & problem-solving or not solving between the genders, games both genders play in relationships, family issues, parent issues & acceptance. The story line did tug at the heart-strings. I am willing to read other bks by this author to see what her range of writing is.
September 1, 2007
Mo' Betta Blues
"Butterscotch Blues" was an engrossing tale of lasting love, lovers leaving, feeling worthy/unworthy and friendship. The characters ring with clarity and individuality and lure you into a story that could just as well be your own. "Butterscotch Blues" leaves the heartwarming taste of longing in your mouth! It will make you cry for the love you lost and the foolish games you've played and bring you to the understanding that... "tomorrow isn't promised." This was my first venture into Margaret Johnson Hodge and I highly recommend this novel. You will not be disappointed.
"Butterscotch Blues" was an engrossing tale of lasting love, lovers leaving, feeling worthy/unworthy and friendship. The characters ring with clarity and individuality and lure you into a story that could just as well be your own. "Butterscotch Blues" leaves the heartwarming taste of longing in your mouth! It will make you cry for the love you lost and the foolish games you've played and bring you to the understanding that... "tomorrow isn't promised." This was my first venture into Margaret Johnson Hodge and I highly recommend this novel. You will not be disappointed.
December 29, 2025
Definitely in my top 5! A good lovw story, high and lows, grips at your heart strings. I read good book over 15 years ago and it's remained imprinted in my heart since then. 10 outta 10 always recommend! 👌🏽
November 20, 2017
I was not expecting all the twits and turns in this story, and that ending was a total shocker.
July 27, 2022
The author foes a great job of discussing colorism. At first, I was caught off guard by the main character's obsession with light skin, light eyes, and loose hair. Then, as the book went on, Hodge showed how Sandy was trying to unlearn thar belief. I still can't believe Adrian is gone, but I'm so happy Sandy found love 💕✨✨✨
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2011
I know I read this 10-11 years ago, but couldn't remember anything other than it was sad story and didn't remember why. It all came back to me once I hit pg 245. I knew at that point exactly what would happen and I started crying and didn't stop until a while after I'd finished reading it.
This is a 'life lessons' book. You know all the familiar sayings; 'Life Is too short', 'Be True to yourself', 'Live life to the fullest', and a 'Love like there is no tomorrow'. These are taught and learned by the four women who try their best to be there for each other while dealing with their own lives.
I would definitely would recommend, and make sure you have plenty of tissues.
This is a 'life lessons' book. You know all the familiar sayings; 'Life Is too short', 'Be True to yourself', 'Live life to the fullest', and a 'Love like there is no tomorrow'. These are taught and learned by the four women who try their best to be there for each other while dealing with their own lives.
I would definitely would recommend, and make sure you have plenty of tissues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2007
This book was so good, I was in it head first I couldn't put it down. Though it was sad and theres a lot about strong situations and things that are heavy. I think anyone that reads this would enjoy it.
December 20, 2010
This was a book about going for what you want and sometimes finding heartbreak in the meantime. It made you appreciate what you have and to cherish each day while they are there. Don't wait for the end of the rainbow because it may never be there.
May 27, 2011
This book was so sad in the end. I really loved it and it touched on a really important issue that we have in America but everyone's afraid to talk about and that was AIDS. It really brought you to a point of no return. Very good book.
January 28, 2008
An interesting but quick read.
January 3, 2009
Sandy found her true love but he ended up dying from AIDS after they had been married for three months! It was a very emotional book but very good!
February 26, 2009
This book is one of my all time favorites. I think I've read it about three times, and suggested that all of my friends read it.
September 27, 2011
I read this book years ago! I remember crying at the bus-stop trying to finish the last few pages! Tear jerker for sure!
May 4, 2013
I read this book several yrs ago and it still remains my favorite. I just loved the relationship that Sandee had with her boyfriend. Cried at the ending. Sad.....
February 18, 2014
The best book I have ever read. I read it at 16 and at 30 nothing moved me more. If you have never read it please do.
May 3, 2015
This book book my heart, but I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Excellent Read!
November 19, 2016
This book is amazing
I have read this book at least 10 times since getting it last year. This book is amazing love the Author.
I have read this book at least 10 times since getting it last year. This book is amazing love the Author.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews