Been So Long

by Adrienne Thompson

A woman, her married lover, an ex-boyfriend, and the ties that bind them together. Whatever Mona wants, Mona gets...including another woman's husband. But when a face from the past re-enters her life, she begins to question the decisions she's made. Will she make a change or stay the course with her lover? *this is not your ordinary inspirational novel*

Genres: African American, Romance, Contemporary

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2012

About the author

Married at sixteen, a mother twice by seventeen, and thrice a mother and divorced by twenty-four, Adrienne Thompson is no stranger to adversity. Not your typical teenage mother, she went on to complete her college degree and to earn her nursing license. She attributes God's faithfulness as the catalyst for her success in life. Now, having raised three children as a divorced mother, she is sharing a long hidden talent and passion with the world. Using the lessons that life has so expertly taught her as a guideline (betrayal, abusive relationships, self-esteem issues, witnessing the deteriorating effects of drug abuse), she has created stories that will both entertain and inspire the reader.

Adrienne currently resides in Arkansas in her newly empty nest. Formerly an RN, she now writes and publishes her stories full time. She is also a motivational speaker.


Order of the Been So Long Series:

Rapture
If
Been So Long
Little Sister
Been So Long 2
Been So Long III
September


Order of the Bluesday Series:

Bluesday
Lovely Blues
Blues In The Key Of B
Locked out of Heaven


Order of the Your Love Is King Series:

Your Love Is King
Better


Order of the Ain't Nobody Series:

Sedução (Seduction)
Ain't Nobody


Order of the Latter Rain Series:

After the Pain
No Pain, No Gain
Joy and Pain

Happy Reading!!

Reviews

[Sophie Sealy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while the need to yell at characters and question the writer arises. To do it loudly and toss your ereader around for a bit. Better yet strap your ereader to your treadmill with rubber bands (it works) to burn off nervous energy and frustration. To roll your eyes at any interruptions, forgo food and sleep. Does this happen to you? Do you think it can't? I dare you to read this book and sing my song. Oh yeah don't get to comfortable because part 2 is next. FYI read the sequel first "Rapture".

[OOSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Time Has Come

When Mona-Lisa Dandridge was a freshman in college, she met Wasif Masood. He was a fine looking man. When she first saw him she was at a loss for words. Mona was already dating her high school sweetheart Cory, but when she saw Wasif, all sense of reality was lost. It was then that she decided Wasif Masood would be hers and Cory was a thought in the distant wind.

Years passed and Mona was true to her word. Her and Wasif were together and living the life of their dreams. They became parents to handsome twins, Wasif was a well known cardiologist, and Mona was a homemaker living in a beautiful home with everything provided for her and her boys. They were the perfect family. The perfect family with secrets. What are these secrets? Will it tear their family apart?

Adrienne Thompson’s “Been So Long” was a fabulous read. Once I picked the book up, I could not put it down. I completed it in a matter of hours. It was an emotionally intense read with unbelievable heart wrenching events. When I made it to the end of the book, I didn’t want it to end. I wanted more of the life of these characters. With this said, I give Adrienne Thompson 5 well deserved stars. I look forward to reading more of her books.

Reviewed by: Sabrina

[Katwanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy smokes! I read this book in a few hours, I could not put it down! It was compelling from beginning to end. Very interesting plot, not your typical romance or love triangle. Mona-Lisa Dandridge's love life is wrong in more ways than one due to her moral compass being totally out of whack but, I liked her and she was a good mother. Some things were predictable but they didn't hurt the story. Although, Corey was a very good man, person, and right for Mona-Lisa hands down, I did feel sorry for her lover, Wasif, at the end. That is what a good writer can do, make you feel sorry for the person you should be sorry for. Thank you, Ms. Thompson, for this very juicy tale of love and infidelity.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre...

I was disappointed with this book. There were four books in this series and all of them had 4 1/2 star ratings. The funny thing about fiction is that even though we know it is not real, we still expect it to be believable and for me, this wasn't. It was mediocre at best and typical.

[Shasta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Healing

While I know healing and happiness can't be as short as reading a novel by Adrienne Thompson, I do believe it's possible. Her books give me such a feeling of hope and inspiration for tomorrow.

[Slim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book...kept me very interested!!!
and the ending..........author...I wanna kick your butt...I turned the page for more and there was no more! I WANT MORE! LOLOLOLOL

[Kimberly Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Well developed plot, great story line, and I LOVED the way Corey handled himself and Mona-Lisa.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 1 day! I love how real these books are. It's a normal ride where you can really relate to some of it. It is not your average christian fiction. It truly shows someone in a true walk with Christ. I would recommend this book to everyone. I want to give spoilers with this series so bad but I am going to keep it to myself :)

[Dione Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok...

I liked the energy of this story. Was I'm is a whole mess. I can't wait to find out what happened to Monas sister.

[Tremayne Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been So Long by Adrienne Thompson is actually a love-triangle involving Mona-Lisa Dandridge and two other gentlemen. As the story progresses, she becomes a mistress to one man (Wasif) but falls for her ex-boyfriend from college (Corey). There was so much going on among them that it kept my interest (and actually read the book in 4 hours).

One can easily tell that the author was heavily influenced by Anita Baker (each chapter is a song title of hers), but how Adrienne did it was that the chapter is relevant to the title of the chapter (and not the actual song itself). As I am an Anita Baker fan myself, there were times I found myself humming the respective song the chapter title was in my head. And I actually thought to myself, if Anita were a reader, she would applaud Adrienne's method of using her titles to create such a beautiful gem. If I could put words in Mona's mouth, she'd be singing the chorus to Anita Baker's "Soul Inspiration."

The shock came at the end when it came to her little sister Cleo. I had a suspicion during my reading, and got the shock in the Epilogue.

Great job Adrienne and I look forward to reading the sequel (Been So Long 2 - Body & Soul) along with Little Sister.

And if I can say so myself, Adrienne, your book "brought me joy."

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite editing errors this was a very good story about a young Black woman with a history of childhood neglect and poverty who escapes her memories by settling for the good life with a man she meets and becomes pregnant by while in college. The story begins 15 years later when now with two boys, a home, luxuries and the role of mistress she realizes that she has settled for far less than she could have had. When an old friend reenters her life she realizes how much she has sacrificed just to live a comfortable life. The revelations are heartbreaking and you find yourself saddened by the choices she continues to make and the impact of those choices on others. I would categorize this as light Christian fiction. It is a good discussion book for women.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely entertaining! Read it in just a few hours...found myself laughing out loud at tines, shaking my head and dying to see what happened next! So sad to see it end!! Went right back to. Download other books by Ms Thompson...cant wait to read more! Refreshing African American contemporary love story

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in the crew that read it in a matter of hours. I cut on some cartoons for the kids to watch and got consumed in Mona-Lisa's complicated love life. I loved her and Corey because ladies... if you don't know let me tell you that we are a mess and Corey handled Mona's messiness with such tact, love, and care DESPITE the circumstances.

[Phoenix Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this story in 4 hours and it was one of the best I've read this year! I downloaded a sample and was immediately drawn in! Great Story and I'm looking forward to reading more from Ms. Thompson! Definitely recommend it!!! You will not see the ending coming at all!!!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My Goodness, I really enjoyed this book!! I really hope there is a part 2. I felt bad fo Mo but I still felt bad for herkid's father even though he used her. And poor Corey, he waited almost a lifetime I guess that was real true love. I gusee what goes around comes back around!!

[Monique Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book...it was different! I will read more from this author.

[Juanesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A read that you will definitely fall in love with. I'm sure I'll be filling my library w/her work.

[Singlefabulous Andlovingit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! I caught myself reading with my mouth wide open, because it was so intense. I can't wait for the next book.

[Lady K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there a part two? What an awesome read!!

[Salanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend reading this book. It is an easy read...great book for book club.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the entires series in a matter of days!!! I loved it!!!

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Triangle

Mona-Lisa was a young lady in a love triangle. She was with the man that could take care of her and her children, but she was in love with the man that could bring her happiness.. Mona had a very horrific childhood she would do anything she could to get away from her past! In the beginning she had the man , the children and the house and money she needed to live. She didn't realize how much she wasn't in love with Wasif until she laid eyes on her long lost college love Corey.. That's when every thing starts to change!!! Get ready for some twist and turns, It's been so long, has some unexpected turns that you weren't expecting!

[Deitra Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.. I'm currently reading the series.. this is not a deep book.. but entertaining, it is!!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the series....couldn't put the book down

[Andrea Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE anything she writes. I always finish her books way too fast!!

[Sanelle Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

I enjoyed the book! It was a very quick read. I can not wait to begin the next book in the series.

[Venessia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mona- Lisa Dandridge had twin sons 14 years ago by Dr. Wasif Mahood......she and their 14 year old sons Blair and Morgan were perfectly content with the life they had. A gorgeous home, nice cars, access to unlimited credit cards...only catch is Wasif can only come visit once a week...the rest of the time he was either at work operating or with his wife...oh about that.... Despite the fact that he dated Mona 4 years before he got married, his culture demanded that take an arranged wife and he was not one to defy his Father. Mona thinks she has escaped her poverty stricken past and bad memories of her troubled family life. Little did she know her past was coming back to haunt her......her High School sweetheart Corey that she left for Wasif ends up being her sons basketball coach and Mona ends up wondering did she make the right decision. Will she choose possessions or love? Will she continue to accept being a kept woman or trade in her lavish lifestyle for an amazing man who isn't' as wealthy. Will Wasif allow Corey to come back and take his old woman back? Even tho the twists in the story were predictable and so was the ending I still enjoyed reading this story.

[Selena Haskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is second book that I read by Adrienne Thompson, and I enjoyed this one as well. I did not like Mona Lisa though, because I felt she knew her heart was with Corey, but settled for Wasif for his money. I understand Mona's background of abuse so maybe that played a part in her decision of not accepting Corey's honest love. Wasif was a rich weak-willed jerk who would do anything to please his father, despite his feelings for Mona. I believe Wasif loved Mona, but not enough to sacrifice his family's tradition in marrying within their race and culture. At times I felt the dialogue between Wasif and Corey was similar emotionally, and only time I was really reminded that Wasif was a different race was when he used a few words in his native tongue. Some of the scenes were a bit repetitive, such as Mona going to the hospital or picking up the kids. She really didn't seem to have a life. However, towards the end I found myself cheering for Mona because I'm a hopeless romantic. I do look forward to reading the other parts of this series. Keep up the good work Adrienne!

[Btween The · Rating 5 out of 5]

Between the Pages Book Club members enjoyed this book because the fictional characters took us on an emotional journey about a women that struggles to make moral or ethical decisions based on love, her past, or being alone to raise her children! Adrienne Thompson easy writing style made this book easy to read and opened up some great discussions among the group........keep writing Adrienne and we will keeping reading!