What's Real

by Daaimah S. Poole

Philadelphia twentysomethings Janelle, Natalie, and Tanya are gonna lose it if they don't get a break from their dull daily routines. Janelle has had it with her boring job as assistant manager at a clothing store.
As for Natalie, with a baby to take care of and a husband who won't even change a diaper, she need a time-out. Tanya is just looking for a good time and a man with a big, thick... wallet.
Given the chance, these girls like to play, and their playground of choice is Miami. Almost as soon as they hit the beach they find themselves drawn into a fast-moving, flashy world of rappers, ballers, celebrities, and VIPs with cash to burn.
But before thid wild ride of over, they just may find that all that glitters ain't gold and a good reality is worth way more than a fleeting fantasy.

Genres: African American

304 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2005

About the author

Daaimah S. Poole was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in journalism in 2003. While attending Temple, Daaimah worked almost every job imaginable – receptionist, car salesperson, bill collector, waitress, tutor, and substitute teacher. She would later say she was unintentionally doing character research.
Daaimah completed her first novel Yo Yo Love at the age of 19, without owning a computer or knowing how to type. Yo Yo Love went on to become an Essence Magazine Best Seller. Her subsequent novels, Got A Man, What’s Real, and Ex-Girl to The Next Girl, have cemented her reputation as author on the move.

Reviews

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I'd love to give this more than two stars but I just can't do it. The story itself could have been much better and I'm still not sure exactly what happened. I can't remember off the top of my head right now but I know for a fact that I've read at least one, possibly more, of Poole's books that I liked a lot.
This was full of the most simple sentences possible. Think, I went to the store. That really, really bothered me.
The characters themselves were okay but the books situations and drama didn't flow together at all. Maybe a little at first come to think of it but it ended very quickly. Poole would just have one character doing something that had nothing to do with the rest of the story and then not even go back to it later to clear it up. This happened over and over with each main character.
I have to say that I'm really disappointed in this. I will read something else by her, mainly because I already own some, but also because I know she can be a much better writer than shown here.

[Melanie Chabrol- · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank goodness I finished this book. The beginning was great and so was the ending. It started off with 3 Philly girls going to Miami for the weekend get away and then suddenly through out the book it talked about Natalie,Janelle and Tanya. I could not get my stories straight and whom was married and whom had kids. Cannot figure out why it is called this, and it is the first book of Daaimah Poole's I have read, I hope the others are better.

[Sharleah Bullock · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take on a Girls Trip

This book was a entertaining read! I picked it up to read again years later and was glued to Tanya, Natalie and Janelle's stories all over again.

A great read that won't leave you disappointed!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and flowed well although some of Tanya's parts I read through quickly because it was a bit too dramatic for me.

[Nikayla Whitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting books. A lot of twist and turns also very relatable with every character.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read way better by this author. Three young women from Philly. Three point of views. It starts out with a trip to Miami. Natalie just leaves her husband and not even year old baby. Telling her husband she is going to the store. Janelle takes a legitimate vacation from her retail job and home life. Her mom moved back in with her after getting laid off. Bringing Janelle's two much younger brothers with her. Tanya who is the single mom to two kids. She uses men for their money. There were some confusing points to the book. There seemed to be character and situations introduced for no reason. There was also a lot of filler that didn't need to be there. No follow up either. Natalie's character was the absolute pits. Her husband treated her like crap. His mother verbally abused her... So of course she would want him back after a divorce. Tanya was not much better. The character back stories were told in such a way. I would skip it. Even if you are a fan of this author.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a simple read for me. I was disappointed in how the author ended the three women's stories. I felt like she could have given the reader a better ending to how the women changed their lives, if their lives changed at all.

Natalie was never sure of herself even after everything she experiences. I felt like she was a true let down to say the least. She made me want to scream many many times throughout the duration of the story. She never found her enter female strength to be a strong determined woman. Her story angered me because she was so dang wishy washy and always leaned towards the old Natalie. She never learned anything.

The other two ladies seemed to have learned from the things they experienced in the stories. I just wanted to know where they were 5 years from the time the story ended.

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three young ladies who decided to take a trip to Miami; one is married with a child, another is free and single, while the other is a single mother of 2.

Not sure who's the most annoying between Tanya and Natalie. Natalie was all over the place with husband Anthony. He was a mama's boy who showed absolutely no interest in their son yet she was willing to beg to remain married to him.

Tanya was all about using what she had to get what she wanted. She was a self centered poor excuse for a parent ; repeating the pattern of the mother she grew to despise.

Janelle was just a lovestruck girl who proved to be naive about basic situations.

Interesting read

[Kellee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't one of my favorites by Daaimah and with so many characters, I got a little confused, but I still wouldn't give this book away.

[1Gloria onwugamba]

one of my favorites. those girls were really funny they each had different. now you cant really learn anything from these ghetto books nothing is positive but hey it was good time passer

[JazzyRacquel]

♥ I'm Just Not A Fan of Daaimah Poole ♥

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realized I read this one a while ago, but it is great.

[Unique811 · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was good. it was all over the place but it was still a good book.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I am missing my James Patterson's so it's time to go back and come back to these books later. Well after I read Frostbite by Eric Pete

[Supneet · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to read how 3 different women discovered their real lives!!
It was an easy read, simple language yet lot of emotions passed through