He's Just a Friend

Soulmates Dissipate #3

by Mary B. Morrison

The national bestselling author of Never Again Once More and Soulmates Dissipates delivers her most emotionally and rewarding work to date, a new novel about a woman's quest for the true meaning of love. Having dated twenty-six men in fifty-two weeks, Fancy Taylor wants to settle down. And after a year of living recklessly, she has enough experience to know that if a man is married, he's bad news. Unfortunately, irresistible Byron Van Lee--who has a big car, big income, big ego, and big you know what--neglects to mention his wife and kids until after Fancy falls for him big time and all the way. Determined to make Byron all hers, Fancy dreams up an outrageous scheme to get him to divorce his wife. Meanwhile, she turns to Desmond Brown for a shoulder to cry on. Desmond, aka Mr. Reliable, has been in Fancy's life for almost three years. He's always there to pick up the pieces or fill an empty Saturday night. Since he's an auto mechanic, he can fix her car too. His blue-collar job, however, means that Fancy is reluctant to let him close enough to even sniff her brown sugar. To Fancy, he's just a friend. To love-struck Desmond, whatever Fancy wants, he'll provide, even if it takes two paychecks. Now, Fancy is about to find out that the best laid plans will not only get her laid but also knocked-up (as in pregnant). Suddenly she has issues. Job issues. Family issues. Love issues. And, haunted by the fear that she's turning out just like her promiscuous mother--the mother who never showed her love or how to love--Fancy has to face the future and some hard choices. Should she reach for yet another falling star--or her best friend Desmond? Seeing her therapist twice a week isn't giving her theanswers she needs. Those she can only find in the depths of her own heart...

Genres: Romance, Urban, African American

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Mary B. Morrison, New York Times best-selling author is the up and coming artist with a multiple book-to-film deal. Mary has seventeen published novels including her newest release, If I Can’t Have You.

She writes for Kensington Publishing Corporation as Mary B. Morrison and Grand Central Publishing as HoneyB. In her novels Mary addresses social and sexual issues while empowering her female characters.

“Women Rule,” that’s the way I see it. “Beside every great man there is a powerful woman. The same does not hold true for every successful woman. A lot of us are single because men want to wear the pants, even if they didn’t buy them.”

Jeff Clanagan, CEO of Codeblack Entertainment and filmmaker, Leslie Small, optioned the film rights to Mary B. Morrison’s popular Soulmates Dissipate series (which includes seven novels). Her first book, Soulmates Dissipate, is being developed for feature film in 2013.

Mary is an Executive Producer on her film deal and she was Executive Producer and playwright for her stage play Single Husbands (based on her novel under her pen name HoneyB).

On June 3, 2000, Mary withdrew her retirement to self-publish her debut novel, Soulmates Dissipate. Mary has also sponsored an anthology publishing 33 students entitled Diverse Stories: From the Imaginations of Sixth Graders.

Lift Every Voice and Write is Mary’s non-profit. The organization is established to help increase literacy and support students interested in pursuing writing as a career.

Born in Aurora, Illinois, and reared in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mary is the middle child of seven. She’s a graduate of McDonogh #35 High School in New Orleans and Berkeley Community College in Berkeley, California.

Her wonderful son, Jesse Byrd, Jr. is a 2010 graduate of U.C. Santa Barbara and producer on Mary’s film deal. Jesse has recently completed his first novel and owns a clothing business, OiseauChateau.com.

Mary currently resides in Oakland, California.

Reviews

[MavLit Publishing · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book somewhat unrealistic. A gold digger of a woman who somehow runs off with Prince Charming in a limo? Nah.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basically about a promiscuous women and her love of money. Through out the book she is going through a lot of things like therapy because of how she grew up and dealing with her past. She deals with her 2 best friends which she is so ungrateful for. One of them, which is the reason for the books title , her best guy friend wants to be with her and she feels they are to good of friends to ruin what they have. He is always there for her and tries to please her but its never enough. Her other friend always criticizes her but only means to help her because she believes her friend can do a lot better than what she's doing. She goes through an emotional breakdown that makes her want to take her life. In the end she still has her friends who help and stay with her through out the way she mistreats them and looks down upon them.
My opinion of this book is that it is very realistic and some people go through a lot stuff in life. I think looking back at this girls life, its sad how she feels she has to give up her body to live a more materialistic lifestyle.
I gave this book 5 stars because it was the first book I ever read that I didn't want to put down.

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging, Crazy, Hot Steamy & Spicy! I Loved This Roller Coaster Ride! I Loved It!

[TR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this series, but Fancy is just triflin'.

[Deliah Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third installment in the Soulmates Dissipate series by Mary B. Morrison. In this novel, readers meet Fancy Taylor, a twenty-two-year-old who wants to marry a rich, handsome man with status. The problem is that while she’s on the hunt she will use anyone to get what she wants even her best friend Desmond who can’t seem to shake her damsel in distress cries.

Fancy is a diva and a selfish one who wants everyone to constantly cater to her. Her friends SaVoy and Tanya are sometimes no more than a backdrop to her. SaVoy loves the Lord and bad boy Tyronne who sleeps around town. Tanya is involved with William who keeps her on a very tight leash bordering on mental abuse. Desmond, her best friend is a mechanic with a dream of going to law school but gets no support from her. It took him several tries to save her from herself and from her other lovers before he realizes he needs to be with Carlita, a more mature woman with four kids.

There’s a lot of drama and moments where I simply shook my head at some of the decisions these young women and young men made and some of the situations, they willingly placed themselves in. But I have to remember they are young and finding their way through life with many lessons to learn. However, I couldn’t support Fancy not having any self-esteem and leaving herself open to such abuse by some of her suitors (married and single).

Also, there were moments when the story didn’t track but it wasn’t a bad read. If nothing else, it’s a guide to identify the players and signposts for women to love themselves more. Maybe I’ll read the 4th installment, Somebody’s Gotta Be On Top, to see if Fancy has matured or if she’s still up to her old tricks.

Some of my favorite lines:

The men who were fortunate to be on her regular dating schedule were now Fancy’s sponsors. Adam sponsored her rent, Toney sponsored her Top Notch hair weaves, manicures, and pedicures, and Steven sponsored her wardrobe. That’s how Fancy balanced her budget. She determined what she needed to be paid, and then calculated which guy was wealthy and worthy enough to pay her bills. If she didn’t insist that her men take care of her, they certainly wouldn’t volunteer.

Taking care of herself had become such a full-time job, Fancy seriously considered quitting her nine-to-five. She was willing to trade in all of her sponsors but not until after she was married.

[Lakecia Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book of the Soulmates Dissipates series, in which we were introduced to Fancy Taylor. Fancy's desperation to marry a rich man and love of material possessions had her making foolish choices. It was difficult to feel sorry for her, but she had the love of Desmond and Savoy to craddle her as they truly felt sorry for her. Year after year she used her body to gain entrance into the lives and wallets of rich men, only to be let down and hurt.

Good read that kept me turning the pages. It got a little weird halfway but the author brought it back together. Cannot wait to read the 4th book of this series. Will Fancy finally love herself and forgive her mother? Will Darius be good for her? Will she make a clean break from Byron? Will SaVoy and Ty have a happy marriage? Will Dez still be in love with Fancy or will he finally wake up and move on?

[Camille Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much and in the end I was wanting more! Especially when it came to Darius!! I did my research and found out there is a whole series!!!! I have 3 books out 8 and I’m waiting on the other five in mail!! I can’t wait!!!

[Tasha Milteer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pleasantly surprised at this series, it's really good. Each book gets better, I liked this better than the 1st 2.

[Racine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, Fancy is wild, but I guess trauma can do that to people. I'm wondering if she will ever deal with her trauma and mature some in any of the upcoming books in this series.

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Fancy as a friend who needs an enemy

OH MY GOODNESS....

I am so weak at Fancy Taylor, and at the same time I'm hoping that this young fly diva gets it together!

Fancy Taylor (Ms. Diva) at the ripe age of 22 thinks that her beauty and Miss. Kitty will always be the key to BIG DADDY FLY GUY! You know the one custom suits, gators, coupes, hundred thousand on his wrist. Sometimes life can be like a dream... with Fancy thinking this trick will FLIP her into the future Mrs. (((SCREECHING TIRES COME TO A HALT)))

Miss Kitty may have allstar status, but she's being ran by a rookie and ruined by veterans in the league. LITERALLY Her sponsors come and go and I do mean L-I-T-E-R-A-L-L-Y!

Ms. Diva is all that and a bag of NUTS! Sister girl is playing with a hand full of JOKERS!

If it doesn't directly concern, pertain, or benefit Fancy SO WHAT!

I mean what eles is there...Fancy is FINE, tight body, gear to the max. The problem isn't getting men to notice her, it's that she requires a certain caliber! Too bad that Fancy heart is so screwed up. Using sex to get love will only keep you in the same lonely place you were before. The two can't be confused. LOVE always comes with conditions in Fancy's case. With her as the big loser in the end. Can Ms. Diva recognize what the problem is?

Our young Diva uses the genuine love of her friends in order to get what she needs at that moment.

Desmond, who loves Fancy, and wishes she would love him in the same way. His collar isn't white, but when there isn't anyone else Fancy knows that Dez will be there for her. But as time goes she reveals her self and Dez finally sees her wicked ways.

SaVoy, her Chrisitan best friend who wants to inject Fancy with God's wonderful message. SaVoy may be a beauty but she's also a virgin. Fancy resents the relationship SaVoy has with her father. Will Fancy dreams of an illustrious man interfere with SaVoy and her King?

Tanya, although she's often left out. When there is time can Fancy remember that being a friend is being apart of their lives, even in a mininimal role.

Rape, near death experience, scrounging to make it, and God's message being slowly planted we see some of Fancy's heart.

Maybe next year things will be better.

I like the way He's just a friend, and Somebody's gotta be on top weaved together.

Okay Mary I'm all caught up and ready to see how this works out..

[Diana]

WEEKLY PROGRESS: I am reading He's Just a Friend by Mary B. Morrison,i haven't made much progress because i've been reading 1984.

TIME: I spent 30 minutes for 3 days reading this week.


GOAL-SETTING: By then end of this week,i expect to accomplish more of the book than i have recently.


META-COGNITIVE:I am enjoying my book because it seems like it will be a good book in the end,you can sort of tell when the book is climbing to the good parts. I am a quick reader and once the action starts up in the book i cant stop reading. However, the action in this book is taking a while to come. Mostly, when i read for free choice, i read in my room or in class. Reading in my room helps me concentrate, however i work well with distractions too. The distractions don't phase me when reading because i am mostly listening to my ipod when i read anyway. I did not get lost in my book this week because, like i said, i have been reading another book along with this one. Its hard to concentration one book when your reading multiple books. My reading stamina was not well last week because i had too much to do to concentrate on my book.

[LaTonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion this book was just okay. I didn't really care for the ending because I felt like there were so many unanswered questions, so hopefully more is revealed in the next book, Somebody's Got To Be On Top. I did however enjoy Savoy and Tyronne's story and hope to find out what happens with Tanya and William in the next book.
At first I gave this book 2 stars, but after reading the next book in the series, Somebody's Gotta Be On Top, I decided to give this book 3 stars because now I have a better understanding of Fancy's character and how she will eventually have some sort of relationship with Darius in future books in this series. I also loved how He's Just a Friend is weaved with Somebody's Gotta Be On Top because He's Just a Friend is mainly Fancy's point of view and Somebody's Gotta Be On Top is mainly from Darius's point of view. Very nicely done and now I'm so exited to start Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This.

[Lab · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book we meet Fancy. A high class ho-golddigger if ever there was 1.she's willing to manipulate and use men for whatever she needs, a new weave, $2000 monthly rent, a new car, there is always some fool out there willing to give Fancy what she needs, but always for a price. Fancy learns calling a man just a friend works both ways when her go to guy Desmond, who's always there everytime that Fancy needs arm candy, someone to fix her car, heart, body, or give out a loan.But he's too blue collar for her, and she refers to him as just a friend..while she digs for better, then she meets Bryon, who does everything for her, but neglects to tell her about his other life..
A good fast read. lots of sex, not for the faint hearted

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fancy Taylor was nothing but a gold digger. She did anything and everything to get her hands on some money. With Fancy always trying to get money from others, doesn't even realize the kind of friends she has that would help her any possible way they can. Having sex with four guys Desmond, Harry, Byron and Adam and then get pregnant and doesn't know who her baby's daddy is. Which leads her to getting an abortion and meeting this fine sexy guy named Darius Jones.

[Vetta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really loved all of Mary B Morrison's books however this book was the worst of them all. All this book talked about was Fancy which I did not care for her at all. I just wanted more and more of Darius. Anyway this was the third book to her series so if you r going to read the series of books then u must read this one as well although it sucked.

[Terron Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was refer to me by my girlfriend jaques. All i have to say about this book is., I totally disagree with her judgment. to actually not date someone because of situations other than physical or mental Qualities, is low, Very LOW.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC

[Kandiz Oliver]

It was a great book... I learned dat you should never take anyone for granted and about karma.. Wats goes around comes around..

[Ccpgal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this awhile ago. It was a very good read though.

[Kim C-B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drama! Drama! And More Drama! But good drama.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have all her books, very good read!!

[Pamela Greer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a part of the installment series of soulmates

[B.]

Third book in a four part series.

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS ONE WAS A SHOCKER WHEN WAT HAPPENED TO HER HAPPENED

[Ranae Baker]

I hope it's good1

[Tiffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fancy is wild! I am loving this book. Can't wait to have the time to finish.

[Iasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is just wat i like to read! full of sex and drama

[Tinika Decinco]

this book did not end very well but it does make me want to read darious jones

[Ap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I read it in 2 days, definitely a page turner. I was not aware it was a series, so I'm playing catch up.