Reason Why

by Vickie M. Stringer

Let That Be the Reason was the breakthrough debut novel that became an urban-lit classic and launched Vickie Stringer's career as bestselling author and publisher. Imagine This was the bestselling sequel and now comes the prequel The Reason Why, the long-awaited revelation of how Pamela and Chino became an urban contemporary Bonnie and Clyde. Pamela was a naive coed from Detroit, going to classes by day and clubs by night. The hottest spot was Jazzy Jay's, and that's where one of the guys slipped his gun into her pocketbook, knowing that the police who had just descended on the club wouldn't check the girls for weapons. She didn't know his name or anything other than he was cute and charming. But when she tracked him down to return his property, she found out his name was Chino; his game was hustling; and his plan was to make her his woman, his wifey, and give her more than she ever bargained for out of life, love, and the pursuit of money.

Genres: Urban, African American

304 pages, ebook

First published July 24, 2009

Reviews

[Christa Van · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chino is a street level drug dealer and Pam is a college girl attending Ohio State. They meet at a club in Columbus and fall for each other pretty quick. Chino is a rising star in his business and Pam enjoys the money and prestige it brings. Pretty soon she is skipping classes and distancing herself from her family in Detriot. She starts to question her relationship when Chino gets busted during a shootout. What about her dreams of having a life like her parents? Suburban house, stability and low risk lifestyle? Chino says he wants that too but is it really possible to get out of the game? While Chino is in jail, Pam seeks refuge with her friend Erik, a friendly guy from school. Unfortunately, one of the crew sees them together and now Chino thinks she is cheating. It doesn't take a genius to see there is trouble afoot for our young lovers. Soon Chino meets Tracey and others and the conflict erupts. Events happen that make going back impossible. Lots of action and an ending that isn't unexpected.

[Autumn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish this book because of how bad Ms. Stringer wrote this book. In her failed attempt to make the conversations the characters had very street or gangster-like, she repeated many things over and over again that made it very annoying to read. I don't read many urban fiction books, but when I do I generally like them. Reading this book made me feel real ignorant.

[Anna Mullings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the narriation but I feel like some of the story is missing some many questions to the point it makes no sense
like how did tracy ended up being wife how did they get to that ?
how did she find out she was pregnant when did this happen?
what happened after she shot him?

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book so far. I just started it today and I am already on Ch.13

[Tamara Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Reason Why” focuses on the transformation of Pam Xavier from a naive college girl to experienced street hardened woman. Although Pam has book smarts, she has no street smarts which makes her easy prey how street hustlers.

When the book begins, Pam is a sixteen year old college student newly arrived in Columbus, Ohio from Detroit, Michigan. Pam’s life up until this point has been a sheltered one and Pam’s aching to experience freedom from her parents. While at nightclub with her friends one night, an unknown guy slips a gun in her purse to hide it from police since the police aren’t searching women for weapons. While she’s angry at the mystery man for putting the gun in her purse, she think he’s cute and charming so she hides his guy.

The next day, Pam confides to her roommate Tomiko what happened the previous night. Tomiko scolds Pam for being so naive and they both go searching for the mystery man to give him back the guy. Eventually, they find the mystery man with his friends and the man introduces himself as Chino. Pam is charmed by Chino and they start dating and eventually get engaged.

Chino is eighteen and is a known drug dealer in Columbus. When he meets Pam, his plan is to make her his woman and his wife. The longer Pam and Chino are the together, the more Pam turns her back on the things of her past including her education and her family.

Pam finds herself intoxicated by Chino’s money, power and the way her makes her feel overall. She loves being on Chino’s are and although she know he’s a drug dealer, she thinks he’ll quit once they get married.

When Chino is arrested and sent to prison due to his drug dealings, this begins a series of events that leads to a dramatic conclusion. By the end of the book, Pam and Chino’s lives are permanently changed.

Although this book is actually a prequel to “Imagine This” by Vickie Stringer, the author does a great job in creating a solid stand alone novel that can be read in sequence or by itself. This book was an okay read but I felt annoyed while reading because of the immaturity of Pam but by the end of the book, I felt that Pam was forced to grown up due to the education she learned on the streets by being Chino’s woman.

[Ta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off good. Nice love story. Pam had one friend who was only ever mentioned twice throughout to book. She is only 17. This book was all over the place. Poor character development. I was waiting for Eric to be the jacker/stick up man. Tracy to be the girl in the movie theater with Chris. Why were Chris, Corey, Tish, Mike & Josh ever mentioned? Why why why? Conceptually pretty good, just as the synopsis states. If there is a sequel hopefully Ms. Stringer will develop and follow a storyline better.

[Jasmine Tuttle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Book was Pretty Good ! It mostly talked about Chino and his Lifestyle and tuned in a couple of times on him and Pam! I hate how he did Pooh in the end but she should've just kept on her Path ! I can't wait to read part 2 because I definitley anticipating on seeing what's going to happen next .

[Tatyana Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I have to say about this book is that she's so damn dumb. Giving up a bright future for yourself for some boy who gonna either end up in jail or dead.

[Dolores Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much conversations between the characters and not enough overall story progress. All that went on, to end the way it did, was frustrating. Lesson: Don't loose yourself trying to love someone.

[Carol Hornsby-mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I didn’t see this coming. That just goes to show you, you never know who your soul mate really is. When you have to do what you do in order to survive after being in the game; Do You!

[Elijah Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An authentic hood love story.

[Shà · Rating 1 out of 5]

straight garbage and predictable and it was a waste of time
it dosent deserve the one star im giving it really

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly the ending was nothing what I had expected! This book is a good read and one I couldn’t put down.

[Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well….that was a disappointing ending.

[Darnetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vickie M. Stringer's latest release, The Reason Why, is the prequel to Let That Be the Reason where we were introduced to Pamela and her alter ego, Carmen; a single mother who provided for her child by any means necessary. The Reason Why totally delivers on its title by showing readers how Pamela and Chino hook-up. For Pamela, it was a normal night at the club until Chino walked up to her and slipped his gun into her purse. Though Pam was hesitant, Chino dropped game on her and the rest is history. Their relationship seemed to move with lightening speed. Love came almost instantaneously and with high costs. Pamela went from a naïve college student to a ride-or-die chick. But what happens when the chips are down and the hustler folds his hand? If you read Let That Be the Reason, then you know the answer, but The Reason Why tells you how it all began.

Stringer created something readers have been asking for. Though I read Let That Be the Reason years ago, I remember wondering how Pam and Chino's relationship began. This was a quick-read and definitely in the author's fashion. Since the story is based in 1988, I question some of the word usage. But overall, it was a good, urban love story. Stringer fans will enjoy The Reason Why and new readers are guaranteed to pick-up the subsequent novels.

Darnetta Frazier
APOOO BookClub

[Shawndtrana Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

i feel like this book can be used as a lesson teacher to all young girls that have a good thing going in their life not to mess it up for a man nor boy. this book is about a young naive girl that does not really know what it means to be a hustlers girl fried.the reason why is a book that tells the real daily life a young girl going out with a guy that has a lot of money due to his drug selling and corner hustling.in the biginnig of the book

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok. So I read part 2 before part 1. So it clarified some things. Now I understand why Pamela was so hooked on Chino. He was her first love. He did her dirty though. For such a street smart guy he was dumber than dumb. Believing all that garbage about Pam and Erik. She should have left him in the jail and kept it moving. But she didn't. Like the second book better than the first. Moving on to part. 3

[L4dyred · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a good book I was just unhappy with the ending but I'm not the author of the book and can't always get what I want. I guess thats why I always come back to Vickie stringer books cuz she knows how to keep the reader interested

[Yvette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had me confused because of the order of events with the other 2 books (Let This Be The Reason & Imagine This), I suggest you reread the other two books first.

[Buckey · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book sooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!!!!

[Chanterial · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book I would get into it then it would get boring but I'm going to read the others because I hate not finishing books

[Fiestymomof5kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book it very was one of my favorite books every I thought it was grubbing and well told. I love this book so much.

[JazzyRacquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥ Love This Book ♥ Page Turner ♥

[Unique811 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really enjoyed the book, but i was very hurt that he didn't believe her.