Her Little Black Book: A Novel

Bennett Family #4

by Brenda Jackson

It's less than a week before Sonya Morrison's wedding when she decides to pass her legendary little black book on to her cousin Courtney Andrews along with all of her best wishes. Courtney, who's fast approaching thirty, thinks every woman she knows has somehow met a man who is husband material except for her. So Sonya's little black book seems to be just what she needs. That's until Courtney discovers she and her cousin have completely different tastes when it comes to men.

But just when she is about to give up and toss the infamous little black book into the garbage, she meets Lake Masters. Nearly ten years her senior, he's a lot older than the men she's normally attracted to, but he's handsome, intelligent, wealthy, and a man who is determined to sweep her off her feet. But the road to love is never easy and Courtney may find that her little black book is more a curse than a blessing.

Genres: Romance, African American Romance

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.

In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.

In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.

Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.

Reviews

[MavLit Publishing · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first and probably only Brenda Jackson book that I'll ever read. I'm respectful of her legion of reading fans and the fact that she cranks out so many books. But I guess I'm not the true "romance" reader. Can't get into the protagonist male as being described as having a "manhood" and "erection" while the antagonist males are described as having "pricks" and "peckers". The protagonist male made love while the antagonist guy just did the nasty. And I suppose I can't get into everyone being described as perfect. Pity me for me being such a male, heh-heh-heh.

[Lolita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Author has over 150 Romance Novels and she did not disappoint with this one. Courtney Andrews, twenty-nine, is single and has a great job. She has everything going for her except a good man. Courtney grew up in a dysfunctional family. Her father Ronald Andrews and uncle Joe Morrison have a problem staying faithful to their wives and have had many affairs. Because of this Courtney doesn’t know what to expect from a good man. Courtney’s life changes when her cousin Sonya gifts her with her little black book. Courtney soon finds out that men that look good on the outside are not necessarily what she needs. Courtney dates many losers until she meets Lake Masters, but is he too good to be true. Follow the roller coaster ride with Courtney as she looks for true love. A great book, very easy read.
Diva Reviewer - Jo

[JigsawGirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

The language was very flowery, or old fashioned. The number of times the male anatomy was referred to as a "pecker" was off putting. I thought the story was supposed to be about Courtney and Lake. This book included Courtney and Lake's developing relationship and a number of others.

Then I felt there was way too much info on both Courtney and Sonya's cheating fathers and the women involved in the cheating. One father who got remarried to someone 20+ years younger than him who is giving him the blues. The other father with his multiple cheating ways and his wife trying to desperately hold on to him for some reason.

Too much cheating, drama, and excuses for bad behavior. I did think the narrator did a good job.

[Rowena Winfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ice Water Needed

Everyone knows the purpose of a little black book. But few people know that some women keep them as well!
When soon-to-be-married Sonya passed on her little black book to her "cousin-as-close-as-a-sister" Courtney, we knew that drama was going to happen! But so much drama? Unimaginable!! This book is a non-stop roller coaster ride, with twists and turns you won't see coming!!
This book is definitely not for the ultra conservative or the prudish!! That is why I titled my review as I did! But if your libido needs a little revving up, this book will do it! My significant other is still beaming!

[Turtleberry Turtleberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney met Lake after a series of disastrous dates thanks to the names in her cousin Sonya's little black book. Sonya gave her the book after her own wedding because she thought Courtney needed to enjoy life more. Lake new instantly that Courtney was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He just needed to convince her.
This book also went into the relationship that Courtney's parents had with each other, as well as Sonya's mother's love life post-divorce. I enjoyed each of the tales. This book was really good.

[Elizabeth C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic

Loving the Bennett Masters Series. This was an adventure keeping up with all the stories and entanglements. Great read, perfect for the beach, poolside or side patio.

[KAREN MCCRAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Wow no wonder Courtney had issues her father was a piece of work. I also would have like to see how her uncle felt when he realized his Ex had found someone who appreciated her. Lake was just the man for Courtney

[Arnissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot to unpack

This book was good in the end. The beginning there were a lot of characters introduced which threw me off a bit. It didn't focus solely on Courtney and Lake. The story came together towards to end. Overall, it wss a goid book..

[Gloria Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Little Black Book

Awesome. Exciting. A real page turner. Peggy and,
Barbara are two awesome sisters with 2 awesome daughters,but ended up with scrubs for husbands. I love Lake. He reminded me of Thorn( sort of) Action and love in the end.

[Elise Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I enjoyed every bit of this book. Some men are really ridiculous and sad

[bronda j. johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something good come out of evil behavor.

Love the way Brenda Jackson writes one learns bad behavior does not. It is nice to believe there some for everyone.

[KAIZER ROBINSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow start but good.

The book was a slow start but overall good. Learned some people don’t deserve second or third chances and to take a chance on love.

[Jessica Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick a fun read that doesn't fit the usual romance novel tropes

[MILLIE JOHNSON · Rating 2 out of 5]

She is one of my favorite authors. But this was very disappointing, with no real plot, no substance, and trying to develop too many characters in just a few pages. Pass on this.

[Ty Sellars · Rating 4 out of 5]

It left me wondering. i wish there was more details in the end.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and all of the characters were interesting.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to read an old school romance writer like Jackson after the likes of Jasmine Guillory, Kennedy Ryan and Tia Williams. Liked the ending though.

[Tammy Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Little Black Book by Brenda Jackson. This book was a great read I loved this book. I just didn't like the ending. This book is about Courtney Andrews cousin of Sonya Morrison she decides to pass her famous little black book to Courtney. Sonya gave her the black book because she found out she didn't need it any longer she meet the man of her dreams. She want her cousin to find happiness and have fun and stop avoiding relationship because of her father infidelity and cheating ways. Courtney refused to let a men treat her with disrespected and dishonest. Both cousins knew finding love was hard the main reason for holding them back was trust issues. Courtney was trying to be supportive of her parents marriage but she saw her father cheating her mother with multiple women even had two women and had children with them. It hard to trust anyone when you had to watch your Mother and Aunt Hurt, humiliate, Disloyalty,Disrespected. Her father and uncle Disregard for your wedding vows. Courtney Andrews had no respect for her father cheating ways and how he treat her mother. I really admired Courtney and Sonya how they did let what there fathers did to the mother's define who they are. I also loved how she mentor a young lady she was a talented artist Jetricia who had a hard life her mother in prison and her sister Bethany help raise her she feels she a burden to her sister who put her dreams on hold to raise her sister. She meets Lake Masters at her cousin party he was intrigued by Courtney Andrews they both are attracted to each other. Lake Masters has meets his soul mate he was straightforward and told his intention to win her over. Courtney Andrews didn't not believe what he was saying she didn't have a good track record with men look at the first 3 loser she found in the black book. It let her know what she didn't want. Lake Master was a savvy business man who owned his own advertisement business. He went after what he wanted and got it when he put his mind to it. He was family oriented he was very close to his family he loved his brothers and sisters. He loved his mother his father died when he was before he turn 6 years old. I like the fact he thought his mother phenomenal women who raise 7 children is commanded it say a lot about his character. Courtney didn't know how to take Lake Master at first because he was so straight-forward and cut to the chase. Courtney felt he was to good to be true because of her father and uncle cheating was.

[Rhapsody Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story, it’s the typical romance yet not quite as typical as the author used the opportunity through her characters to mirror and highlight some of the realistic complexities in relationships. We see strong women choosing to stay in dysfunctional and toxic relationships with men who repeatedly disrespect and dishonor them, the impact on their self-esteem/worth, how their choices impact their children (in this case daughters) who live in this normalized dysfunction that ultimately influenced their choices, how they see their selves in the world as it relates to men, how they choose men, engage with men, their capacity and willingness to trust and how they eventually try to overcome, triumph over and the mistakes of their parents to find and keep the love they want and desire. I especially enjoyed how the author had the matriarchs work on their issues and be transformed and how she endowed her stronger male characters with personal integrity.

[Ash Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

29-year-old Courtney isn’t interested in a serious relationship; instead, she’s seeking a friends-with-benefits arrangement. On the other hand, 39-year-old Lake is ready to settle down, but he’s not looking for anyone who will bring drama into his life. However, Courtney’s life—filled with family tensions and the challenges of mentoring a teenager—comes with its fair share of complications. Despite the chaos, Lake finds himself falling for her.

I give this book 4 stars! While I enjoyed Courtney and Lake's dynamic, I found myself more captivated by the unfolding drama involving Courtney’s parents. I’m genuinely hoping to see her mother find her spark again in the next installment with a new love interest. Overall, it’s a fun read!

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this book was a little too fantastical for my taste. I love a good romance as much as the next person but all the heat that was coursing through everybody's veins, bolts of lightning when looking into eachother's eyes, molten gazes sweeping over everything, shaky knees, countless other quivering and throbbing body parts -- it sure made love sound EXHAUSTING. I rolled my eyes more times than I care to remember and skipped quite a few pages when the sex scenes were too over the top. If you need a bit of fluff sometimes to clear your head of any intelligent thought, this book is a good choice...and even from that perspective, I thought it was a little too much.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a okay read for me. I liked the storyline, however, I thought it had the potential to be way better or at least more interesting. It was hard to for me to focus on all of the character's stories, because I thought it was only going to be about the main character Courtney and would have liked to read more on her relationship with Lake, but it was still good. Overall I say it was a quick enjoyable read.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was OKAY. Not what I was expecting.

[Mariann · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one of many of her novels I have read I am an avid romance novel reader and have since read more books than I can list.

[Zeena Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to make you mad and fall in love at the same time. A very good book. But then again I'm never disappointment with a book when Brenda Jackson is the author.

[Tilequa · Rating 4 out of 5]

PRETTY GOOD LOVE BRENDA

[Atiya · Rating 2 out of 5]

hated it

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book way okay, but not my favorite of Brenda Jackson. I didn't like the whole little black book angle, but i finished the book and didn't regret it.

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

never got into it

[Nadine Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Quick read. Enjoyed the love stories of older couples and younger ones. One never knows whom you'll fall in love with (Sonya n Michael).
Plan to read more of Ms. Jackson's stories/books.