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Friends and Lovers
The author of Sister, Sister tells the humorous, poignant story of two romances between young African-American couples--one of which ends in a storybook marriage, and the other, which ends in an unexpected pregnancy and a painful reunion.
Hardcover
First published November 1, 1997
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About the author
Eric Jerome Dickey
60 books3,628 followersEric Jerome Dickey was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended the University of Memphis (the former Memphis State), where he earned his degree in Computer System Technology. In 1983, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in engineering.
After landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer, Eric Jerome Dickey's artistic talents surfaced, inspiring him to become an actor and a stand-up comedian. Yet Eric quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well. From creative writing classes to avidly consuming the works of his favorite authors, Eric Jerome Dickey began to shape a writing career of his own. Having written several scripts for his personal comedy act, he started writing poetry and short stories. "The film work gave me insight into character development, the acting classes helped me understand motivation...All of it goes hand in hand," Eric explains. He joined the IBWA (International Black Writers and Artists), participated in their development workshops, and became a recipient of the IBWA SEED Scholarship to attend UCLA's Creative Writing classes. In 1994 his first published short story, "Thirteen," appeared in the IBWA's River Crossing: Voices of the Diaspora-An Anthology of the International Black Experience. A second short story, "Days Gone By," was published in the magazine A Place to Enter.
With those successes behind him, Eric Jerome Dickey decided to fine-tune some of his earlier work and developed a screenplay called "Cappuccino." "Cappuccino" was directed and produced by Craig Ross, Jr. and appeared in coffee houses around the Los Angeles area. In February 1998, "Cappuccino" made its local debut during the Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles.
Short stories, though, didn't seem to fulfill Eric Jerome Dickey's creative yearnings. Eric says, "I'd set out to do a ten-page story and it would go on for three hundred pages." So Eric kept writing and reading and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent. "Then a door opened," Eric says. "And I put my foot in before they could close it." And that door has remained opened, as Eric Jerome Dickey's novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction.
Eric Jerome Dickey's book signing tours for Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game took him from coast to coast and helped propel each of these novels to #1 on the "Blackboard Bestsellers List." Cheaters was named "Blackboard Book of the Year" in 2000. In June 2000, Eric Jerome Dickey celebrated the French publication of Milk in My Coffee (Cafe Noisette) by embarking on a book tour to Paris. Soon after, Milk in My Coffee became a bestseller in France. Eric Jerome Dickey's novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. In January 2001, Eric Jerome Dickey was a contributor to New American Library's anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories, also a Blackboard Bestseller. He also had a story entitled “Fish Sanwich” appear in the anthology Mothers and Sons. In June 2002, Dickey contributed to Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica (Warner Books) as well as to Riots Beneath the Baobab (published by Inte
After landing a job in the aerospace industry as a software developer, Eric Jerome Dickey's artistic talents surfaced, inspiring him to become an actor and a stand-up comedian. Yet Eric quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well. From creative writing classes to avidly consuming the works of his favorite authors, Eric Jerome Dickey began to shape a writing career of his own. Having written several scripts for his personal comedy act, he started writing poetry and short stories. "The film work gave me insight into character development, the acting classes helped me understand motivation...All of it goes hand in hand," Eric explains. He joined the IBWA (International Black Writers and Artists), participated in their development workshops, and became a recipient of the IBWA SEED Scholarship to attend UCLA's Creative Writing classes. In 1994 his first published short story, "Thirteen," appeared in the IBWA's River Crossing: Voices of the Diaspora-An Anthology of the International Black Experience. A second short story, "Days Gone By," was published in the magazine A Place to Enter.
With those successes behind him, Eric Jerome Dickey decided to fine-tune some of his earlier work and developed a screenplay called "Cappuccino." "Cappuccino" was directed and produced by Craig Ross, Jr. and appeared in coffee houses around the Los Angeles area. In February 1998, "Cappuccino" made its local debut during the Pan African Film Festival at the Magic Johnson Theater in Los Angeles.
Short stories, though, didn't seem to fulfill Eric Jerome Dickey's creative yearnings. Eric says, "I'd set out to do a ten-page story and it would go on for three hundred pages." So Eric kept writing and reading and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent. "Then a door opened," Eric says. "And I put my foot in before they could close it." And that door has remained opened, as Eric Jerome Dickey's novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction.
Eric Jerome Dickey's book signing tours for Sister, Sister; Friends and Lovers; Milk in My Coffee; Cheaters; and Liar's Game took him from coast to coast and helped propel each of these novels to #1 on the "Blackboard Bestsellers List." Cheaters was named "Blackboard Book of the Year" in 2000. In June 2000, Eric Jerome Dickey celebrated the French publication of Milk in My Coffee (Cafe Noisette) by embarking on a book tour to Paris. Soon after, Milk in My Coffee became a bestseller in France. Eric Jerome Dickey's novels, Chasing Destiny, Liar's Game, Between Lovers, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, Drive Me Crazy, Genevieve, Naughty or Nice, Sleeping with Strangers, Waking with Enemies, and Pleasure have all earned him the success of a spot on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar's Game, Thieves' Paradise, The Other Woman, and Genevieve have also given Dickey the added distinction of being nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. In 2006, he was honored with the awards for Best Contemporary Fiction and Author of the Year (Male) at the 2006 African American Literary Award Show. In 2008, Eric was nominated for Storyteller of the Year at the 1st annual ESSENCE Literary Awards. In January 2001, Eric Jerome Dickey was a contributor to New American Library's anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories, also a Blackboard Bestseller. He also had a story entitled “Fish Sanwich” appear in the anthology Mothers and Sons. In June 2002, Dickey contributed to Black Silk: A Collection of African American Erotica (Warner Books) as well as to Riots Beneath the Baobab (published by Inte
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
March 15, 2017
Decided to re-read this because I'd promised myself I'd throw a few of the 90s urban fiction classics on my reading list this year. I hadn't read this since my teenage years, so it was almost like I'd never read it before.
The first half of the book sucked me in immediately. EJD used first person POV for each character, giving them their own chapters, which made it easy to get comfortable with everyone in the book. Because it is about exactly what the title says, Friends and Lovers, I was quickly drawn into Tyrel and Leonard's friendship, and Shelby and Debra's friendship, and their subsequent dating escapades with each other.
But during the second half of the book, it kind of took a turn for the worst. Time stood still as much of it focused on three very slow but very significant days, which was a complete 180 from the first half of the book that zoomed through a year and half. There were also a lot of completely ridiculous scenarios that I cant divulge without introducing a few spoilers. Just know that none of it was realistic and it was HUGE turn off and is why I'm rating it so low. I can only blame this mishap on EJD possibly having never experienced tragedy before (at the time this was written), and assuming that in the face of it, people would continue on with life as if nothing happens with no respect for their friends' circumstances.
And speaking of having no experience: the women were written like a man would write them, meaning not at all how women are or should be portrayed. It was obvious that this was written by a man, no questions about it. lol
Friends and Lovers got my hopes up, but then let me way down. I think readers who can suspend reality will enjoy this novel though, and the 90s references make for a really cool trip down memory lane. Also, even though I was disappointed with it, I think that with a lot of tweaking done to the second half, this would make for a great Lifetime movie or Starz miniseries, especially if the era is made a focal point.
The first half of the book sucked me in immediately. EJD used first person POV for each character, giving them their own chapters, which made it easy to get comfortable with everyone in the book. Because it is about exactly what the title says, Friends and Lovers, I was quickly drawn into Tyrel and Leonard's friendship, and Shelby and Debra's friendship, and their subsequent dating escapades with each other.
But during the second half of the book, it kind of took a turn for the worst. Time stood still as much of it focused on three very slow but very significant days, which was a complete 180 from the first half of the book that zoomed through a year and half. There were also a lot of completely ridiculous scenarios that I cant divulge without introducing a few spoilers. Just know that none of it was realistic and it was HUGE turn off and is why I'm rating it so low. I can only blame this mishap on EJD possibly having never experienced tragedy before (at the time this was written), and assuming that in the face of it, people would continue on with life as if nothing happens with no respect for their friends' circumstances.
And speaking of having no experience: the women were written like a man would write them, meaning not at all how women are or should be portrayed. It was obvious that this was written by a man, no questions about it. lol
Friends and Lovers got my hopes up, but then let me way down. I think readers who can suspend reality will enjoy this novel though, and the 90s references make for a really cool trip down memory lane. Also, even though I was disappointed with it, I think that with a lot of tweaking done to the second half, this would make for a great Lifetime movie or Starz miniseries, especially if the era is made a focal point.
March 6, 2009
This book is titled
Friends and Lovers
by Eric Jerome Dickey. This book is a fiction. The main theme of the story is that friends can sometimes turn in to lovers but it doesn't mean that things will work out for the best.
The book is about two men and two women Leonard, Tyrel, Debra and Shelby. They all meet at a club and schedule another date to see each other again. Leonard who is an up and coming comedian who’s not really enjoying the single life meets Debra, a shy hard working black woman whos not loving the single life so much either. Eventually Debra and Leonard become engaged then married and end up with a happy relationship. On the other hand Tyrel is a very dominant male whose mind is strictly on work while Shelby is a very out spoken woman. Shelby and Tyrel lived in the moment of ecstasy in which led to them not talking for a while. Leonard and Debra of course upset that their best friends do not get along until a tragic accident puts Shelby and Tyrel in the same room again. To find out much more than what i am telling you, read it for yourselves.
The book is a very heart racing, tear shedding fiction. Some parts told of things in which happens in an every day relationship such as friends becoming lovers. People think that friends turned lovers will never split but this book proves this theory wrong. I would have not expected Tyrel and Shelby to even get along because of how stubborn they were. The book told of many descriptive details such as how each character felt for the other. People were actually able to feel the pain and love of each character. There was one character who I wasn’t bored with from beginning to end. The characters name is Richard. Richard was a comedian who’s always lived in the shadow of Tyrel when it cam to the lady’s. Now Tyrel is struggling and Richard is shining. He reminds me of my and an old friend. She used to get all the boys and I just sat there in the background unnoticed. I had it out for this character because I can relate to him so much. In a way reading this book has take atoll on me. All the drama between the two reminded me of a certain someone and me. It bought back old memories.
I would recommend this book to anyone who lives in the shadow of a friend when it comes to a relationship. Also any man or woman who might just be going trough the same issues as the characters in the book. However I would not recommend this book to a person who holds no feelings, because they would not be able to understand the book. I also would not recommend this as a read out- loud for little kids because some parts told of explicit details. I would compare this book to Drama High by L. Divine because it goes trough the same issues such as going out with a friend who turns lover. This is a good book because it is very exciting and it will have you wanting to read more and more. I wasnt able to stop reading until i knew what would happen next.
The book is about two men and two women Leonard, Tyrel, Debra and Shelby. They all meet at a club and schedule another date to see each other again. Leonard who is an up and coming comedian who’s not really enjoying the single life meets Debra, a shy hard working black woman whos not loving the single life so much either. Eventually Debra and Leonard become engaged then married and end up with a happy relationship. On the other hand Tyrel is a very dominant male whose mind is strictly on work while Shelby is a very out spoken woman. Shelby and Tyrel lived in the moment of ecstasy in which led to them not talking for a while. Leonard and Debra of course upset that their best friends do not get along until a tragic accident puts Shelby and Tyrel in the same room again. To find out much more than what i am telling you, read it for yourselves.
The book is a very heart racing, tear shedding fiction. Some parts told of things in which happens in an every day relationship such as friends becoming lovers. People think that friends turned lovers will never split but this book proves this theory wrong. I would have not expected Tyrel and Shelby to even get along because of how stubborn they were. The book told of many descriptive details such as how each character felt for the other. People were actually able to feel the pain and love of each character. There was one character who I wasn’t bored with from beginning to end. The characters name is Richard. Richard was a comedian who’s always lived in the shadow of Tyrel when it cam to the lady’s. Now Tyrel is struggling and Richard is shining. He reminds me of my and an old friend. She used to get all the boys and I just sat there in the background unnoticed. I had it out for this character because I can relate to him so much. In a way reading this book has take atoll on me. All the drama between the two reminded me of a certain someone and me. It bought back old memories.
I would recommend this book to anyone who lives in the shadow of a friend when it comes to a relationship. Also any man or woman who might just be going trough the same issues as the characters in the book. However I would not recommend this book to a person who holds no feelings, because they would not be able to understand the book. I also would not recommend this as a read out- loud for little kids because some parts told of explicit details. I would compare this book to Drama High by L. Divine because it goes trough the same issues such as going out with a friend who turns lover. This is a good book because it is very exciting and it will have you wanting to read more and more. I wasnt able to stop reading until i knew what would happen next.
February 21, 2023
2.75 ⭐😅🤭🤷🏿♀️
July 5, 2008
AAMBC Reviews, May 25, 2008
If you ever want to get to know a true artist, why not embrace a writer like Dickey. The characters in this book are so relatable that it is almost like your inside the book. There is a play on this book as well same tittle and I strongly suggest you read this book. You can't say your a true book reader without obtaining this novel.
If you ever want to get to know a true artist, why not embrace a writer like Dickey. The characters in this book are so relatable that it is almost like your inside the book. There is a play on this book as well same tittle and I strongly suggest you read this book. You can't say your a true book reader without obtaining this novel.
December 31, 2020
For me this could have potentially been a great story....there were too many unresolved issues and an unnecessary killing in this story (sorry, I'm not a fan of this type of literature) ...reading the synopsis and the title will definitely have a person fooled. In addition, for me there was a lot of unnecessary dialogue, which would have shorten this book tremendously! Also, Shelby was wrong throughout this story, she was the main reason for the break-up between her and Tyrell....if she would have just been honest and not try and chase what Debra & Leonard had.....simply talking to Tyrell and creating her own HEA the story would have been a lot different for her. It really did take too much for her and Tyrell to finally get to their HEA...which included losing a love one.
May 14, 2017
Love! action,reaction,tears and emotional pain that's what all these characters go through in this storyline...(paperback!)
November 19, 2023
Started to feel like a second chance romance, which I’m a sucker for.
November 20, 2022
My heart is crushed. I didn’t want this to be over.
I won’t lie, This is my first EJD read. I know I know. I own a few of his books, they line my shelves and sit unread and now I vow to read each one. RIP KING
I loved this so much.
True love doesn’t have to be boxed in. What works for one, might not work for someone else. Intuition is a MF, and truly live with your heart.
Love your friends today and live like tomorrow might not come.
♥️🫶🏽
I won’t lie, This is my first EJD read. I know I know. I own a few of his books, they line my shelves and sit unread and now I vow to read each one. RIP KING
I loved this so much.
True love doesn’t have to be boxed in. What works for one, might not work for someone else. Intuition is a MF, and truly live with your heart.
Love your friends today and live like tomorrow might not come.
♥️🫶🏽
February 11, 2020
I haven’t read a good African-American romance novel in a very long time. I think I read so many when I was younger that I got tired of it. But that was refreshing. It was well written, there were emotions, there was character development and depth...and it was relatable.
I was expecting something to come of the Jackson character...felt like a loose end.
I was expecting something to come of the Jackson character...felt like a loose end.
January 13, 2019
This was a re-read. This is my very favorite book from my favorite author. I had every intention on reading this time a little slower so I could have a reunion with these characters that I hadn’t had since I read this in the late 90’s. It didn’t quite happen that way as my reunion was almost like a starving BBQ where I began remembering the storyline and couldn’t stop myself from reading a little faster to get to those good parts I remembered. Although I didn’t cry when Leonard died like I did when I first read this novel, I still had an ache in my chest at Debra’s loss of her soulmate and for the little boy she was carrying in her womb who would never meet his Daddy. *Sigh* But it was fun catching up with Shelby and Tyrel’s emotional love affair. Their fire could never be extinguished even though Shelby hurt Tyrel down to his core when she lied about the abortion and then just left him high and dry without them talking about their feelings. Suffice it to say, I’m glad Dickey brought them back together in the end, but it’s because of Leonard’s death that has always made me feel uncomfortable and moody about it. For years, I begged Dickey for closure with Debra and he definitely satisfied it with a well thought out cameo in his novel “The Blackbirds”. She’s doing well as a doctor and her son grew up to be a solid example of his late father. All is wonderful again in my fictional world after this truly satisfying re-read of a true favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2018
Ahh Friends and Lovers, I don't have one wrong word to say about this book. I came to know the characters as my very own friends. I loved the book, beautifully written and masterfully presented. Mr. Dickey you have done it again, all hale the king of Romance.
October 14, 2025
it’s gonna be a movie
I wanted to get through this because I heard there will be a movie adaptation to it. I enjoyed the 90’s Girlfriend feels where you see the different lives play out amongst these friends. There is something for everyone. Heartbreak, heartache, love, friendship, forgiveness, and so much more. I really enjoyed this and plan to read more books by Eric.
I wanted to get through this because I heard there will be a movie adaptation to it. I enjoyed the 90’s Girlfriend feels where you see the different lives play out amongst these friends. There is something for everyone. Heartbreak, heartache, love, friendship, forgiveness, and so much more. I really enjoyed this and plan to read more books by Eric.
January 8, 2023
I loved loved loved loved this book. Once again, I re-read an EJD book and once again I loved it just as much.
I think that Friends to Lovers is becoming my new favorite trope: It’s something about watching a healthy foundation of a friendship blossom into romance. This story follows two sets of friends that meet create healthy friendships and then pursue relationships.
This was a funny, sexy, realistic story that brilliantly captures the ebbs and flows of relationships and friendships. The one thing that I love about EJD is how friendships are written. The way that the characters although are friends, have more of a family bond. And again the organic and raw dialogue the evoked real emotion out of me.
The third part of this story had me in my feels. I cried throughout a lot of it. I loved how he shows how grief brings people together and how people process it differently. Lord I was not ready.
This book made me laugh so hard that my stomach hurt. Made me cry thug tears. Made me yell at the characters. Whew! I may re-read it AGAIN
My only gripe: The book was written in the POVs of Debra, Tyrell and Shelby. So in this book Tyrell and Shelby date as well as Debra and Leonard. I thought that it was a little strange that we never got Leonard’s POV, but got Debra’s.
I think that Friends to Lovers is becoming my new favorite trope: It’s something about watching a healthy foundation of a friendship blossom into romance. This story follows two sets of friends that meet create healthy friendships and then pursue relationships.
This was a funny, sexy, realistic story that brilliantly captures the ebbs and flows of relationships and friendships. The one thing that I love about EJD is how friendships are written. The way that the characters although are friends, have more of a family bond. And again the organic and raw dialogue the evoked real emotion out of me.
The third part of this story had me in my feels. I cried throughout a lot of it. I loved how he shows how grief brings people together and how people process it differently. Lord I was not ready.
This book made me laugh so hard that my stomach hurt. Made me cry thug tears. Made me yell at the characters. Whew! I may re-read it AGAIN
My only gripe: The book was written in the POVs of Debra, Tyrell and Shelby. So in this book Tyrell and Shelby date as well as Debra and Leonard. I thought that it was a little strange that we never got Leonard’s POV, but got Debra’s.
February 19, 2009
A tragic love story. A very good read. Makes you learn not to take the person you love for granted.
March 11, 2009
I thought that this book was very interesting it was one of the few books I have read by this author and I truly enjoyed each and everyone of the characters.
March 13, 2009
Another wonderful work from Eric Jerome Dickey! This book is about love, hate and moving on. It was also a major page turner! Loved it!
June 30, 2016
Touching, Realistic, Deep, Riveting, Refreshing & Emotional! An Exciting Read! I Loved It!
December 31, 2018
This is one of my favorite books of all time! I fell in love with Eric Jerome Dickey's writing because of this book. I read this book at least once a year.
November 16, 2025
Re-Read Review (2025)
I first read Friends and Lovers back in 2001, and whew — coming back to it years later was like reconnecting with an old friend who still knows exactly how to stir up drama, emotion, and nostalgia.
Eric Jerome Dickey’s storytelling still hits. The characters are messy, lovable, frustrating, and real in that classic EJD way. The chemistry? Still chemistry’ing. The dialogue? Still sharp. And the emotional chaos? Timeless.
Some parts definitely feel like the early-2000s era they came from, but honestly, that became part of the charm during the re-read. It reminded me why so many of us fell in love with Black fiction during that time.
A solid, nostalgic 4-star re-read — and now I’m ready to press play on the Lifetime movie.
I first read Friends and Lovers back in 2001, and whew — coming back to it years later was like reconnecting with an old friend who still knows exactly how to stir up drama, emotion, and nostalgia.
Eric Jerome Dickey’s storytelling still hits. The characters are messy, lovable, frustrating, and real in that classic EJD way. The chemistry? Still chemistry’ing. The dialogue? Still sharp. And the emotional chaos? Timeless.
Some parts definitely feel like the early-2000s era they came from, but honestly, that became part of the charm during the re-read. It reminded me why so many of us fell in love with Black fiction during that time.
A solid, nostalgic 4-star re-read — and now I’m ready to press play on the Lifetime movie.
November 7, 2014
I just finished reading this book, and I was sorry to see it end. This is a hard book to put down. I found myself turning down lunch out with co-workers so I wouldn't lose my reading time. I loved Debra and Leonard. What happened with them was a total surprise. I kept trying to think what comedian he may have been based on. Shelby kind of worked my nerves a little bit. But it was obvious that she and Tyrel were meant for each other. I wanted to punch Richard out myself! It's almost hard to see why Shelby would have even considered a man like him at all. Anyway, I totally enjoyed this book, as well as Mr. Dickey's other two that I have read, Milk In My Coffee and Sister, Sister. I swear that man must have been raised by a house full of women. He writes his female characters as a woman would. I found myself checking the back cover a few times to make sure it was a MAN who had written it. I think he is going to be a SERIOUS voice in black writing. His books are fast-paced, based in reality, and as I said, excellent reads! Keep up the good work. As a frustrated writer myself, I hope he doesn't get TOO mad if I steal his style! I can see that this will be an
September 7, 2017
I read a few books by Eric Jerome Dickey that I really enjoyed so I picked up "friends and lovers" at the library today. I literally just began reading. I'm on page 12. The first thing that bothered me about this book was what Dickey wrote for the character Leonard. I quote; "You know I'll snatch that weave out of her head and break both of her knees for you...". I don't like that I even felt as if Dickey found it amusing to write about Leonard assaulting Lisa. Fiction or not. It's how he portrays his what may or may not be true views when writing. It just rubbed me the wrong way to think that he could write about it in a comical way.
August 26, 2009
Friends and Lovers was a sad, but conceptual novel. Eric Jerome Dickey's books always gives a lesson from the evaluation of the book. This lesson from this book shows that you should not take people for granted, or deny their friendship/relationship.
June 28, 2023
it a old book i need to read it again
February 3, 2021
Friends and Lovers by Eric Jerome Dickey is an amusing novel, that pairs the main themes of love and friendship (hence the title) to explore the complexities of relationships. Readers meet the four main characters of the story, Shelby, Debra, Leonard, and Tyrel, as they navigate their advancing adulthood, budding careers, and singlehood. Leonard and Tyrel are best friends, but more like brothers, who have been inseparable since childhood. Shelby and Debra are best friends who met in college. It is in the girl’s decision to go on a night out, when they cross paths with Leonard, which ultimately changes the course of all their lives forever.
I enjoyed this book. Is it a profound body of literary fiction? Nope. However, I do not think that was the intent of the story, and the book was definitely not a flop. The author wrote a good tale that included an interesting plot, good characterization, and a great depiction of the time period’s setting. The book was first published in 1997, so it contains much of the cultural settings during that time period. It was so nostalgic to read, and included mentions of walkmans, CD boom boxes, car wheel clubs, and the macarena dance.
What I enjoyed most about the novel were the characters depicted in the story, especially the four main characters. The main theme of friendship reverberates throughout the book and can be seen illustrated within the story through the literary device of character development. By the conclusion of the book, you really do feel that you personally know the main characters. Readers can see the progression of the characters through the matriculation of the story.
This is not the first novel that I have read by Eric Jerome Dickey, and will surely not be the last. If you have never read his books, what can you expect? You can expect a rather simple read, with an uncomplicated story line and good characters.
I enjoyed this book. Is it a profound body of literary fiction? Nope. However, I do not think that was the intent of the story, and the book was definitely not a flop. The author wrote a good tale that included an interesting plot, good characterization, and a great depiction of the time period’s setting. The book was first published in 1997, so it contains much of the cultural settings during that time period. It was so nostalgic to read, and included mentions of walkmans, CD boom boxes, car wheel clubs, and the macarena dance.
What I enjoyed most about the novel were the characters depicted in the story, especially the four main characters. The main theme of friendship reverberates throughout the book and can be seen illustrated within the story through the literary device of character development. By the conclusion of the book, you really do feel that you personally know the main characters. Readers can see the progression of the characters through the matriculation of the story.
This is not the first novel that I have read by Eric Jerome Dickey, and will surely not be the last. If you have never read his books, what can you expect? You can expect a rather simple read, with an uncomplicated story line and good characters.
May 1, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It depicted the trials and tribulations of being in relationships and how tragic they can be. A reality that we sometimes find hard to get to grips with. However, the book was a very easy read and actually made me laugh at points which is a plus. I'm glad I flew through this treasure.
November 30, 2025
I read this book years ago and didn't remember a thing so in honor of the movie coming out I decided to do a reread.
This book is called Friends and Lovers but the book is mainly centered Shelby and Tyrell. Shelby was a hot ass mess and didn't deserve Tyrell nor her HEA. I loved Leonard and Deborah for each other.
This book is called Friends and Lovers but the book is mainly centered Shelby and Tyrell. Shelby was a hot ass mess and didn't deserve Tyrell nor her HEA. I loved Leonard and Deborah for each other.
January 26, 2021
A very nostalgic and quirky read with descriptive language. But there are parts of the book that linger too long.
May 21, 2023
The plot twist was too devastating. Some of the black references were too forced but that’s in all of his books lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2025
shelby is my spirit animal
December 3, 2025
A 90’s love story 😍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews