Between Good and Evil

by Rochelle Alers

They came of age during America's most turbulent decades . . . on the streets of one vibrant, at times hard-hearted metropolis. In this dazzling new novel, rich with historical detail, three very different young New York City men will walk the fragile line between right and wrong, good and evil, making choices that will irrevocably shape their lives—and unforeseeable fates . . .

Kenny, Frankie, Ray. For these best friends, life on the Upper West Side during the upheaval of the 1960s showed undreamed-of possibilities—and temptations. Moved by visionaries like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcom X, Kenny risks the draft as he plunges into civil rights activism. With surprising business savvy, Frankie expands his grandfather's Harlem underworld empire to feed the growing demand for drugs—and his hunger to be the city's biggest kingpin. Ray dreams of being a doctor, but his near-addictive desires lead him to a near-fatal confrontation . . . and a different sort of healing.

But as the 1970s unwind, Kenny dedicates himself to revenge as well as social work—forming a dangerous alliance that puts him at an inescapable crossroads. Used to sexual playgrounds like Studio 54, Frankie falls for the one woman he shouldn't want. And Ray embarks on a dangerous double life that throws him into conflict with his deepest convictions.

With its relentless materialism, the 1980s will take these friends from a scandal-ridden Gracie Mansion mayoral campaign to wrenching urban change that will alter their old neighborhood forever. Kenny, Frankie, and Ray must decide how far they will pursue dreams that can guarantee success—or disaster. And each must come to terms with the kind of man he wants to be—no matter the consequences . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

Published December 16, 2025

About the author

Rochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.

Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.

Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.

Reviews

[Kate Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is billed as a coming of age novel about three young men in NYC from the 1960s to the 1980s, it is more about the life of one of these boys mothers. Justine, a young black woman, is blackmailed into carrying her employers child and is promised that once she’s done they will help her get the schooling she wants. However, when she gives birth to unexpected twins, she keeps one of the babies and raises it as her own. This is one of the young men, Kenny. The next portions of the story follow the friendship between the three boys (Kenny, Frankie, and Ray), interspersed with sections following the burgeoning relationship between Justine and Frankie’s Uncle Francis. As the boys grow up, they grow a bit apart as adults do, but find their ways back to each other as adults.

This book does a lot more telling than showing but is still worth reading.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.

[Ryan Brandenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this expansive novel that centers around a captivating ensemble of characters in New York City during the 1960s to the 1980s. The writing is exceptional, and I was immediately drawn into the narrative. What follows is a multi-decade tale centered around a mother and an intriguing predicament she encounters—and how this situation profoundly influences the rest of her lives and the lives of those around her.

My sole critique is that while the book is described as being centered around three boys (Kenny, Frankie, and Ray), it primarily focuses on Kenny’s mother, Justine. Although I still enjoyed the storyline, the book’s description could certainly benefit from a revision. I have noticed a trend in recent books featuring the troupe of male friendship, which is why I was particularly eager to read this one. Despite my enjoyment, the book did not quite align with the description.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book before it releases on December 16, 2025.

[Gary Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Herbibliomaniac · Rating 4 out of 5]

4🌟

Thanks to Netgalley, Rochelle Alers, and RBmedia for sending an Arc audio for me to review.

To start off with, the blurb for this doesn't entirely match the actual book itself. Do not get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. However, it's not really coming of age, and while it does in a sense center around the three boys talked about, it also involves mothers. The beginning of this book and everything after the beginning of this book, are 2 very different things. It starts off with the mother and an experience that happened to her. It goes to show how that experience changed not only her life, but her sons life, and those around them. Not only does it show the results of trauma, but also life in a different time for these characters. For two of the boys, it shows their entire life from conception to adulthood.

All in all I really did enjoy listening to this, the narration was great and the story was captivating

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway. I will read and review at a later date.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard one to rate. I feel like it kind of wasn’t really about anything? But it wasn’t boring. I don’t think the blurb accurately reflects what happened in the book, but I also can’t think of how it would be described either. I did enjoy it though.

Thanks NetGalley for an ALC.

[Filomena Mealy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between Good and Evil was a powerful, emotional, and deeply engaging read. Rochelle Alers does a wonderful job bringing both the characters and the time period to life in a way that feels rich, personal, and unforgettable. This book is more than just a story—it feels like a journey through friendship, identity, struggle, and survival during a time of major social change.

One of the strongest parts of the novel is the bond between Kenny, Franky, and Ray. Their friendship felt real, layered, and meaningful, and it became the emotional heart of the story. Watching these three best friends grow up together on the Upper West Side during the turbulence and upheaval of the 1960s added so much depth to the book. Their lives were shaped not only by their own dreams, choices, and relationships, but also by the world changing around them.

I really appreciated how Rochelle Alers captured that era with such feeling and authenticity. The book reflects the tension, uncertainty, and transformation of the 1960s while still keeping the focus on the people at the center of it all. That balance made the story feel both intimate and historically meaningful.

What made this book especially memorable for me was how emotionally grounded it felt. The characters are not perfect, and that makes them all the more believable. Their friendship, loyalty, and personal struggles gave the novel real heart. I found myself invested in each of them and curious to see how life would shape their paths over time.

Overall, Between Good and Evil is a compelling and rewarding read with strong characters, emotional depth, and a vivid sense of place and time. It is a thoughtful story about friendship, choices, and the fine line people often walk between right and wrong. I would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven fiction with heart, history, and meaning.

A moving and memorable read.

[Jazisunray Skillern · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an unforgettable, sweeping saga of friendship, ambition, and the search for identity amidst the social and cultural upheavals of New York City from the 1960s through the 1980s. With a cast of vividly rendered characters and a setting pulsing with authenticity, this novel captures the essence of an era and the indelible bonds forged on the Upper West Side.

The intertwined journeys of Kenny, Frankie, and Ray are at once deeply personal and emblematic of the times. Kenny’s passionate plunge into civil rights activism, inspired by icons like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, is both stirring and fraught with risk, offering a nuanced portrait of idealism under pressure. Frankie’s meteoric rise from the Harlem underworld to the heights of the city’s illicit commerce is rendered with sharp intelligence and a keen sense of moral ambiguity, while Ray’s struggle between his dream of becoming a doctor and his own self-destructive desires is heartbreaking and utterly human.

As the narrative moves through the tumult of the 1970s and into the relentless materialism of the 1980s, the stakes for each friend grow ever higher. The novel deftly explores themes of loyalty, temptation, and the cost of ambition, set against a richly detailed urban backdrop that evolves alongside its protagonists. From the glitz and decadence of Studio 54 to the shifting political landscape of Gracie Mansion, every scene rings with historical accuracy and emotional truth.

Ultimately, “Kenny, Frankie, Ray” is a powerful meditation on dreams—those that inspire us, those that haunt us, and those that force us to confront who we truly are. It’s an evocative, page-turning epic that will resonate with anyone who has ever faced the crossroads between who they are and who they hope to become. Highly recommended.

Thank you, Rochelle Alers, RBmedia, and NetGalley, for this ARC audiobook.

[Cathy VanLear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads and Alers for the opportunity to read and write an honest review of Between Good and Evil.

This saga of friendship and search for identity set in the cultural and social upheaval of New York City from the 60s to the 80s was an enjoyable read. The characters were fleshed out and vivid, showing goodness along with flaws. The setting was authentic rendering a true picture of unbreakable bonds forged on the Upper West Side during this turbulent time frame.

While I enjoyed the history woven into the fabric of this novel, the events seemed uneven with some time periods discussed in depth and others barely touched or just skimmed over. The other slightly negative undertone for me was the necessary and honorable messages about racism and civil rights often appeared heavy handed by being discussed through longer speech instead of through actions.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this novel and would recommend for anyone searching for true identity!

[Timitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review

Between Good and Evil was a highly engrossing tale that kept my attention throughout. I expected something totally different from it because of the promises made pretty early on that didn't fully pay off in the end which left me feeling out of sorts and a bit disappointed. It was still an enjoyable read but I wished it had gone in the direction hinted at. However, I loved that it centered and followed Kenny, his mother, Frankie and Ray. Their journeys were interesting and intriguing. Some parts were even rage inducing while others were shocking. I loved the twists and turns this one took even though I saw some of it coming. The narrator did a pretty good job of it. The accents, tones, nuances and characterizations were well done. I enjoyed listening to him. He had a pleasant voice.



Copy provided by publisher through NetGalley

[Kimberly Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts off in the past, telling the story of a young woman who is tricked into a life changing decision by her employer: a rich woman, and her mother. It shifts into telling the story of her son and his friends and their childhood growing up in NYC. The story is beautifully told and I found myself not able to put down the book, mainly because I wanted to get to the moment mother reveals to son her backstory and why he's being raised without his father. Unfortunately, as I was nearing this culmination of the story, I realized there weren't enough pages left to give me the closure I needed. How frustrating to see such a wonderful book completely loss its momentum right when I expected it most. Loved the story, and the characters, but because the ending was less than satisfying, I'm giving it 3 stars.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this novel! The writing was smooth and made for a quick read, though I would have loved to have had more time in this world, especially at the end. It has a kind of timeless quality that I couldn’t quite put my finger on but that felt vast and sweeping. Makes me want to go back in time and simultaneously plan my next trip to the Big Apple! I’m sure the characters will stay with me for a while; their stories were compelling and honest and loving, and their hardships came across as genuine and complex. Justine in particular is unforgettable. What an unfathomable choice she was forced to make and that shaped not just her life, but that of so many others. The ripple effect is real! Thankful to have won a finished paperback copy of this title in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and RBMedia for the audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

First, the publisher needs to correct this book’s blurb already. The blurb is not accurate, but I won’t let that detract from my overall love of this story!

This book is a historical fiction revolving around Justine and her son Kenny and their neighbors and friends in NYC. The book tells their life stories from the 60s and beyond.

The way this book spans multiple decades reminds me of Firefly Lane and Boyhood. It centers on life, love, family, friendship, grief and life’s challenges.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a saga with characters whose drama is all interconnected.

[Pam Venne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of three young boys of different races who form a strong bond in grade school that lasts throughout their lives. Each is tempted differently as the world races by them in the 1960s in East Harlem, with sex and drugs prevalent. Two of the boys have extended families; one is a single child of a widowed mother.

If you are looking for a book to discuss values and the impact of the 1960s on New York youth, this might be a great choice.

It was a fun read and my first time with this author. There were many times I could not wait to get back to the book to find out what happened! So if you are into suspense, this might be a perfect choice.

[Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Justine was forced to give birth under circumstances she would have never chosen for herself. As a single mother, raising her son, she has to tell so many lies to not be found. Her son, Kenny befriends two neighborhood boys and the book follows the trials and tribulations of their life.

This box is chaotic of stories, POVs, and some dialogue writing. As others have commented, the blurb doesnt match the story itself.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

[Kwana Swain]

This was about the life of young Justine and how two cruel women changed her forever, I'm a fan of Rochelle, but I have to say I'm a little disappointed in this story because she didn't dig deeper into Justine story and instead focus on Justine son Kenny and his friendship with his blood brothers Ray and Frankie. I enjoyed the boys friendship and how they were there for each other through the years. I received this as an ARC.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh!!! I liked the idea of the story. 3 friends through touch lives sticking together. But Justine takes over most of the story. The dialogue between the characters was just awful to read…the only reason I forced myself to finish was to get to the revenge happening…I don’t think I’ve ever rated a book 1…because I would have bailed.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Updated Thoughts: Between Good and Evil (1/11/2026)

After reflecting more on the story, I realized this novel is not solely about the friendship between Kenny, Frankie, and Ray, though their bond is a meaningful thread throughout. For me, Justine’s story ultimately became the emotional core of the book. Her manipulation as a teenager by Precious Boone and Lilian Crawford shaped so much of her life, and her anger and resentment felt justified and deeply human. What stood out most was how her pain did not poison her relationship with her son, even as it limited her ability to truly live freely because of the secret she carried.

I also appreciated how the three friends remained connected despite their different races, choices, and upbringings. Their loyalty added warmth to an otherwise heavy story. Overall, this is a strong coming of age novel layered with multiple intersecting stories that show how personal decisions and social forces can shape an entire lifetim

I enjoyed this novel and found it engaging and thoughtfully written. While it was initially presented as a coming of age story centered on three young men from the 1960s through the 1980s, the heart of the book is really Justine and her journey through the Civil Rights era and beyond. Her story, along with the lives of the boys and memorable supporting characters like Uncle Frankie, was compelling and emotionally grounded. The characterization was a clear strength, and I appreciated how history and social issues were woven into the narrative. Although the pacing moved unevenly at times, the novel remained a fast and absorbing read with meaningful themes about family, resilience, and race in America.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

[Terese · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed Ending

The book was long winded it stayed on Justine too long which was ok if it had gave her some love life for herself
I did not like the ending
She asked her son to get those women and you left us hanging without a possibility for a book two

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately did not. The audio book was so hard to get through. If you are going to do accents for the different characters you need to make sure they are the correct ones.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting and fun historical fiction with some great plotting and some excellent characters throughout. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intriguing!

This was a very interesting story with complicated characters. The loss of innocence and the resorts to evil seemed won't justified. I would recommend it.

[Beverly Ann Beauchamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story.

[Denise Heins · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 rounded up.

[Lisa Brinkman · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF Cheesy pedestrian novel better suited for beach reading- and even then Meh

[John Michael Stroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting. Loved it! Thanks to Goodreads Giveaways for the free advance copy.

[Robyn]

Reading List 2026 #4

[Mandy Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out interesting, but did not come together for me in the end. Very disappointed in the ending and lack of explanations & closure.

[Candy Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed these characters!!!
Friends for life through thick and thin

[Mary Tharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story brought me back to the 60's and 80's,