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Harlem Boyz
Four friends are on a quest for love and the journey is anything but smooth. Sharing an unbreakable bond, Shawn, Damon, Kevin, and Malcolm are all attractive, intelligent, and established men who share all their secrets with each other--well almost all their secrets. Each friend has his own struggle, be it the pains of infidelity, physical abuse at the hands of a lover, or burning for another woman's husband with a passion and intensity that refuses to be doused. Set to the pulsating rhythm and infectious beat of New York City, Harlem Boyz takes you on an unforgettable ride of sex, secrets, self-discovery...and that crazy little thing called love.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2013
31 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 16, 2013
Best book I have read all year!
June 5, 2014
The dubious adage 'lovers come and go, but friends last forever' is given a provocative test drive in author Armani Williams sophomore urban pop fiction release, HARLEM BOYZ. This is one drama-filled tale. It gives us a challenging peek into the lives of four black gay platonic best friends on a search for love (more often in all the wrong places) and happiness (once one realizes the difference between happiness and gratification).
Studious and level-headed Shawn is a dedicated high school teacher in a live-in relationship with an on-the-rise music industry singer/songwriter. But when his partner's career becomes demanding and the intoxicant of showbiz fast, loose and fidelity-lite rears its gilded head, Shawn's level-headedness explodes.
Fly, 6' 6" Malcolm, with "smooth sable skin, a movie star smile and piercing brown eyes," never had to be told how hot he is. And being the magnanimous type, he's always willing to share his sexual goods. Sure, he sags, but it's less for the swagger than the accessibility because Malcolm is an unapologetic male whore. But when he meets the man of the dream he didn't even know he was dreaming--a drop dead dred loc-sporting gorgeous and savvy young entrepreneur, he attempts to put away his whoring ways and settle down. Can he rise to the challenge? Or will the rise of his nature threaten to destroy something as beautiful as what his widowed mother now has with her new boyfriend?
If only Kevin, a Financial Aid executive at a local university, would apply his business instincts to the palpitations of his heart. His relationship with his wealthy and powerful Prince Charming devolves into something so devastating and ugly that we are on the edge of our seats for a resolve and an intervention from the brotherhood.
And then there's multimillionaire realtor Damon who seems to have it all. But his 'all' is not complete without the love and acceptance of his father who rejected him and his sexual nature a decade ago. Throw in the mix Damon's effort to wean himself off a certain married man, and you've got an example of what money can't buy.
Even though the writing is unadorned, the story-telling is lively and engaging, pulling us into the travails of this queer quartet of educated fools whose tears you'll want to wipe, whose aching hearts you'll pain to sooth and whose asses you'll be anxious to kick. These urban millennial body-by-Fischer-brains-by-Mattel Harlemites work, play and love fast and hard, dodging one emotional bullet after another, thanks to their mutual and very genuine support system; their brotherhood.
For the most part, our boyz give romantic love lip service. They trudge through lives peppered with infidelity, domestic abuse, self-esteem issues, misplaced values, and even a hysterical attempted murder. None of them seem dedicated to go the extra mile to make sure something as sacred and difficult as a genuine relationship is the pot of gold at the end of their rainbow.
Bad choices abound as frequently as good intentions. And since none of the boyz is a complete whole, it is truly the friendship that brings them mutual fulfillment. It is to the author's credit that he makes us care for these emotionally romantic losers.
And so, in the final analysis, the old adage about love verses friendship is not so dubious after all, especially for these Harlem boyz. For as they lick each other's wounds, fight each other's battles and are there for each other through thick and thin and incredibly stupid choices, friendship proves to be their constant save. This is what makes us love them, in spite of themselves. And this is what makes HARLEM BOYZ a strangely endearing read.
Studious and level-headed Shawn is a dedicated high school teacher in a live-in relationship with an on-the-rise music industry singer/songwriter. But when his partner's career becomes demanding and the intoxicant of showbiz fast, loose and fidelity-lite rears its gilded head, Shawn's level-headedness explodes.
Fly, 6' 6" Malcolm, with "smooth sable skin, a movie star smile and piercing brown eyes," never had to be told how hot he is. And being the magnanimous type, he's always willing to share his sexual goods. Sure, he sags, but it's less for the swagger than the accessibility because Malcolm is an unapologetic male whore. But when he meets the man of the dream he didn't even know he was dreaming--a drop dead dred loc-sporting gorgeous and savvy young entrepreneur, he attempts to put away his whoring ways and settle down. Can he rise to the challenge? Or will the rise of his nature threaten to destroy something as beautiful as what his widowed mother now has with her new boyfriend?
If only Kevin, a Financial Aid executive at a local university, would apply his business instincts to the palpitations of his heart. His relationship with his wealthy and powerful Prince Charming devolves into something so devastating and ugly that we are on the edge of our seats for a resolve and an intervention from the brotherhood.
And then there's multimillionaire realtor Damon who seems to have it all. But his 'all' is not complete without the love and acceptance of his father who rejected him and his sexual nature a decade ago. Throw in the mix Damon's effort to wean himself off a certain married man, and you've got an example of what money can't buy.
Even though the writing is unadorned, the story-telling is lively and engaging, pulling us into the travails of this queer quartet of educated fools whose tears you'll want to wipe, whose aching hearts you'll pain to sooth and whose asses you'll be anxious to kick. These urban millennial body-by-Fischer-brains-by-Mattel Harlemites work, play and love fast and hard, dodging one emotional bullet after another, thanks to their mutual and very genuine support system; their brotherhood.
For the most part, our boyz give romantic love lip service. They trudge through lives peppered with infidelity, domestic abuse, self-esteem issues, misplaced values, and even a hysterical attempted murder. None of them seem dedicated to go the extra mile to make sure something as sacred and difficult as a genuine relationship is the pot of gold at the end of their rainbow.
Bad choices abound as frequently as good intentions. And since none of the boyz is a complete whole, it is truly the friendship that brings them mutual fulfillment. It is to the author's credit that he makes us care for these emotionally romantic losers.
And so, in the final analysis, the old adage about love verses friendship is not so dubious after all, especially for these Harlem boyz. For as they lick each other's wounds, fight each other's battles and are there for each other through thick and thin and incredibly stupid choices, friendship proves to be their constant save. This is what makes us love them, in spite of themselves. And this is what makes HARLEM BOYZ a strangely endearing read.
October 13, 2019
Four best friends...Malcolm, Kevin, Shawn and Damon,are dealing with relationship issues of some sort, while maintaining one important aspect...their brotherhood. One is tired of living in the shadows of his well-known boyfriend, while trying to repair a bond with his father. Someone else is trying to get over a married ex. Yet another is trying to hide the fact that he’s in an abusive relationship, and the last is struggling with being faithful to one man...something he has never done before.
This is my first book by @mrarmanisworld, but definitely not my last. Once I got past the racy sex scenes, I was totally committed to this book and the characters. I recommend this 💎💎💎💎 book to the open-minded reader, who wants to get a Waiting to Exhale feel...from the male perspective.
This is my first book by @mrarmanisworld, but definitely not my last. Once I got past the racy sex scenes, I was totally committed to this book and the characters. I recommend this 💎💎💎💎 book to the open-minded reader, who wants to get a Waiting to Exhale feel...from the male perspective.
January 31, 2021
Interesting Good Read
This was a good read in the beginning I almost stopped reading because I'm not into materialistic or superficial things and that's how the writer started out giving us all the superficial all the materialistic things. the story lions were good it was a bit confusing when you read about the characters then you read about their backgrounds and having wealth teachers financial aid people on and the cost of living in New York is so high and some of this is just not not matching but nonetheless the store was good
This was a good read in the beginning I almost stopped reading because I'm not into materialistic or superficial things and that's how the writer started out giving us all the superficial all the materialistic things. the story lions were good it was a bit confusing when you read about the characters then you read about their backgrounds and having wealth teachers financial aid people on and the cost of living in New York is so high and some of this is just not not matching but nonetheless the store was good
February 21, 2022
Amazing characters
Love the character development and loving gay black MN coming together as brothers and talking about their own issues
This needs to be a movie or a series on HBO he needs to work with Issa Rae can't wait for the next book
Love the character development and loving gay black MN coming together as brothers and talking about their own issues
This needs to be a movie or a series on HBO he needs to work with Issa Rae can't wait for the next book
July 10, 2023
Awesome read
I so enjoyed this book. One of the best I've read this year so far. I'm so excited how the end of everyone life seems to be falling in places. Since there is a pt 2 before I say more I have to check it out and really see how all the life's come together. Lata
I so enjoyed this book. One of the best I've read this year so far. I'm so excited how the end of everyone life seems to be falling in places. Since there is a pt 2 before I say more I have to check it out and really see how all the life's come together. Lata
December 8, 2014
This book perhaps most reminds me of a gay, black, Harlem version of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, with more slang and more drama. The writing and the storyline were both simple, but I still found myself caring for the characters. I wasn't expecting it to be quite so explicit, and everyone in the book seems to be remarkably attractive, but I suppose you can't take on all of the cultural stereotypes in one book.
December 26, 2013
Great Read
love the different storyline between the four main characters and how they went through and dealt with their own issues. Harlem Boyz touch many different topics that anyone can relate to and touch you in a way that makes you want to know what happen to the fantastic four.
love the different storyline between the four main characters and how they went through and dealt with their own issues. Harlem Boyz touch many different topics that anyone can relate to and touch you in a way that makes you want to know what happen to the fantastic four.
February 9, 2016
Harlem Boyz
This story was really nice. Felt a tad bit rushed in moments; but still managed to be detailed. Draws you in and keeps you. I'm interested in where these guys will go. Only thing I would change, or add, is the story of how they all met lol. Good story though
This story was really nice. Felt a tad bit rushed in moments; but still managed to be detailed. Draws you in and keeps you. I'm interested in where these guys will go. Only thing I would change, or add, is the story of how they all met lol. Good story though
November 20, 2024
Fantastic book. Read it twice already.
September 27, 2014
Excellent
Nice read from start to finish. Kept me wanting more.... can't wait for the sequel. Felt like I was there with the characters.
Nice read from start to finish. Kept me wanting more.... can't wait for the sequel. Felt like I was there with the characters.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews