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You Get What You Play For
Screenwriter and new voice to fiction Jeff Farley delivers a nostalgic Brooklyn coming-of-age tale about finding love, holding on to dreams, and learning to forgive.
It’s 1992, Brooklyn, New York. All of the girls had bamboo earrings—at least two pair. Charisse Hawkins, adored and admired by her best friends and one of the smartest and most sought-after girls in high school, has dreams of becoming a doctor. Her mother, who works tirelessly to support her, is proud she’s on the right path.
Then she meets him, Jamal Butler, a part-time college student who lives at home and works an obscure job. Too old, not her type, and certainly not part of her plan, Jamal wants Charisse for nothing more than to please his ego and he is willing to use any tactic to gain the affection of a naive Charisse. He offers what she’s never known before—the love of a man.
Or so it seems. Life takes a sharp turn when Charisse spends her graduation day giving birth to their premature daughter. Her priorities change and so does Jamal. Suddenly Charisse’s world is turned upside down and truths are exposed about her family and friends. She begins a journey of tough life lessons as she struggles to come to grips with her role as mother and ultimately having to accept one of the simple rules of You Get What You Play For .
It’s 1992, Brooklyn, New York. All of the girls had bamboo earrings—at least two pair. Charisse Hawkins, adored and admired by her best friends and one of the smartest and most sought-after girls in high school, has dreams of becoming a doctor. Her mother, who works tirelessly to support her, is proud she’s on the right path.
Then she meets him, Jamal Butler, a part-time college student who lives at home and works an obscure job. Too old, not her type, and certainly not part of her plan, Jamal wants Charisse for nothing more than to please his ego and he is willing to use any tactic to gain the affection of a naive Charisse. He offers what she’s never known before—the love of a man.
Or so it seems. Life takes a sharp turn when Charisse spends her graduation day giving birth to their premature daughter. Her priorities change and so does Jamal. Suddenly Charisse’s world is turned upside down and truths are exposed about her family and friends. She begins a journey of tough life lessons as she struggles to come to grips with her role as mother and ultimately having to accept one of the simple rules of You Get What You Play For .
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2012
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 9, 2012
Full Circle
“You Get What You Play For” tells the story of a young woman, Charisse Hawkins, coming of age in 90s in Brooklyn. With her two besties by her side and plans to go to medical school with the dream of becoming a doctor, life is good for Charisse. But with her senior year comes about a lot of changes.
Reminiscent of Omar Tyree’s “Flyy Girl,” Jeff Farley’s “You Get What You Play For” is a winner. Farley easily takes readers on a trip back in time, effectively capturing the time and culture. In doing so he tackles familiar issues such as growing pains, peer pressure, love, consequences, maturation and forgiveness. There is nothing new here, but I appreciate Farley taking a familiar concept and making it his own.
My only complaint is that I would have preferred if more time had been devoted to the latter happenings in the novel. I won’t say the ending was rushed, but it could have played out in more details.
I enjoyed reading “You Get What You Play For” and could readily recommend it to others. Jeff Farley shines and I’d be interested in seeing what he has next to offer.
Reviewed by: Toni
“You Get What You Play For” tells the story of a young woman, Charisse Hawkins, coming of age in 90s in Brooklyn. With her two besties by her side and plans to go to medical school with the dream of becoming a doctor, life is good for Charisse. But with her senior year comes about a lot of changes.
Reminiscent of Omar Tyree’s “Flyy Girl,” Jeff Farley’s “You Get What You Play For” is a winner. Farley easily takes readers on a trip back in time, effectively capturing the time and culture. In doing so he tackles familiar issues such as growing pains, peer pressure, love, consequences, maturation and forgiveness. There is nothing new here, but I appreciate Farley taking a familiar concept and making it his own.
My only complaint is that I would have preferred if more time had been devoted to the latter happenings in the novel. I won’t say the ending was rushed, but it could have played out in more details.
I enjoyed reading “You Get What You Play For” and could readily recommend it to others. Jeff Farley shines and I’d be interested in seeing what he has next to offer.
Reviewed by: Toni
January 26, 2013
Your dreams can really derailed when living the fast life.
Charisse Hawkins had dreams of becoming a doctor at a very young age.On the right track and the top of her class she throws it all away for a guy that is suppose to be her happily ever after. Once she see her life has gotten out of control she would do anything to get it back will she be able to?
This was my first book by this author I must admit I really enjoyed it.Filled .with lots of emotions and laughter.I would recommend this book to all.
Charisse Hawkins had dreams of becoming a doctor at a very young age.On the right track and the top of her class she throws it all away for a guy that is suppose to be her happily ever after. Once she see her life has gotten out of control she would do anything to get it back will she be able to?
This was my first book by this author I must admit I really enjoyed it.Filled .with lots of emotions and laughter.I would recommend this book to all.
October 17, 2012
I think the book was okay. From the cover and even from the back, I thought the book was going to be about a grown woman. Well the book was moreso a trip down memory lane for the grown woman, Charisse. The book opens in the present travels to the past and does a poor job of merging the past to meet the present. Additionally, in my opinion the end of the book was rushed. The book wasn't great but it wasn't horrible either.
October 27, 2015
"Life always come full circle. What is meant to be will be."
This work of fiction is a very classic and all too common story we see in real life of a smart, young girl who gets distracted by an older guy. Jamal is a slick talker and the girls fall for him hook, line, and sinker. I loved that the book was set in the 1990's and I will write a more detailed review when it isn't almost midnight!!
This work of fiction is a very classic and all too common story we see in real life of a smart, young girl who gets distracted by an older guy. Jamal is a slick talker and the girls fall for him hook, line, and sinker. I loved that the book was set in the 1990's and I will write a more detailed review when it isn't almost midnight!!
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November 22, 2012Great book. It really made light of some tough time. Really funny!
September 1, 2012
I currently live in brooklyn so some of the places and streets i recognized. Ibreadvthis book in one day and fir a first effort for this writer it wasvdamn goood.
November 13, 2012
I felt sorry for Charisse because Jamal was a womanizer throughout the whole book!! There was drama all the way thru!! It was a great read!
December 7, 2015
One of the best books I've read this year. It's a must read for parents and teens. I highly recommend it.
February 28, 2013
Great read, loved the premise and story line!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews