Pay Day

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

One little ticket is about to change their lives. . . but is it for better or for worse? When the office lotto pool lands the winning ticket for four friends, each will embark on journeys that change their lives forever. After years of stringing her along, Terrance has reluctantly married his longtime girlfriend, Sheray. . . just days before winning the lottery. Now, that he’s a rich newlywed, the former playboy is dreaming of what life would’ve been like as a rich bachelor. When the money drives a wedge between them, Sheray leaves and Terrance learns the hard way to be careful what you wish for. Angelique has been overweight since she was young. Despite her insecurities, her boyfriend, Marcus, gives her his love and affection without reservation. When she uses some of her winnings to get weight loss surgery, her new body and new attitude gets her some new attention, and could cost her the man she loves. After twelve years of marriage, Janine’s husband announces that he’s leaving her for another woman. When she realizes he could possibly get a portion of her prize, she devises a scheme to keep it from him. But when her plan backfires, will she lose it all? Raquelle’s life has just been turned upside down when she’s caught embezzling money, which she started doing to support her sick son. With a boss bent on making her pay, Raquelle is facing hard time and about to discover there are some things her lotto winnings can’t buy…or can it? With a bitter former coworker lurking in the background, these friends are discovering their big payday will definitely change their lives…just not in the ways they expected.

Genres: Fiction, African American, Audiobook, Chick Lit

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2015

About the author

ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a general assignment reporter for KRIV-TV, the Fox affiliate in Houston, Texas. She is the author of the nonfiction book Help! I've Turned Into My Mother! and three previous adult novels: My Brother's Keeper, for which she received the prestigious Gold Pen Award for Best New Author from the Black Writer's Alliance and the Nova Lee Nation Award from the Greater Dallas Writing Association; the national bestseller Let the Church Say Amen, chosen for Library Journal's Best of 2004 list for Christian fiction; and I Know I've Been Changed, a Main Selection of the Black Expressions Book Club.
Her previous Christian teen novels are Nothing But Drama and Blessings in Disguise, both available from Pocket Books.
She is also a contributor to the story anthology Have a Little Faith.

Reviews

[Ellowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. For the Love of Money is the Root of all Evil. This story takes you into the lives of four co-workers who play a lottery pool and win. You need to pick up a copy of this book to see what actually happens to these individuals. Does money cloud our judgement? Hmmmm a good question. Great job Reshonda and Rishell on writing this book.

[Bettye Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in just a few days (which is excellent for me; I don't have a lot of time to devote to reading). It's written in a skillful way that keeps you turning the pages. Typos were few and far between. I liked the format of four co-workers; I have a personal like of stories with 2-4 main characters. For a book co-written by two authors, it's also seamlessly told; no abrupt changes in writing style. It's a 3-1/2-star read for me, the drawbacks being that while I understood Angelique's and Raquelle's motivations, I found Janine's behavior incredibly stupid...what did she expect would happen after she did what she did? Most of us have at least one family member like hers, but I don't think any of us would be so dumb as to...well, I don't want to give anything away, other than to say not even for revenge. I also didn't buy Terrance's sudden about-face. That woman was suffocating him, and I don't think it would've lasted six months, money or no money. Finally, with the exception of a nice twist the authors put in regarding Terrance, the story, despite being highly entertaining, was utterly predictable. It is a testament to the authors' talents that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I'll definitely be checking out their other works.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Money can't buy happiness

This was an awesome book. We think money is all we need to make us happy, but once you read this book you'll know for sure that is not true. I loved the twist and turns in this book. Great writing as always by ReShonda!!

[Lorna Satchwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of the characters were easily confused many times. I enjoyed how the author held all the characters close to the edge enough to keep me hoping as a reader for their well being. This was my first book by Ms.Billingsley. I hope to enjoy many more of her books.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story about how money cannot buy you happiness, love, nor any kind of true joy.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book less than 24 hours ago. It was a great short read. It teaches us that money cannot by happiness. Cherish what you have.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read.

[Sophie Sealy · Rating 4 out of 5]

FUN FUN FUN book.













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[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

More money more problems

[Nevada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to catch a quick short story for the weekend. I happened upon this little page-turner.

A hopeful group of co-workers, play and hit the lottery. They are excited and feel life is about to be awesome.

Their lives become eventful. The way their lives pan out is very different than expected. Some good, others bad and none stay the same.

My philosophy on money is it magnifies the person you are. If you're a good person, money can only make you better. If you're a bad person, money can only make you worse. It doesn't change you it simply puts a light on you.

There is a lot of light shines on these co-workers. I would say this is a good book for a book club discussion.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Whoever said money makes you happy definitely didn’t have Janine, Angelique, Raquelle, and Terrance in mind. After hitting it big and FINALLY winning the lottery, these four friends/coworkers learn that money can buy many things but not happiness. This book is well written and the transition from character to character was effortlessly written. I liked how the money didn’t change their friendship and come what may they had each other’s backs through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I would recommend this read to any avid or part time reader looking for an easy and entertaining read!

[Cheryl Durham · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would you do if you won the lottery? Can you handle it? Would you lose all sensibilities? Would you tithe, keep your job, invest or take care of loved ones? This is the question facing Terrance, Janine, Angelique, and Raquelle. These four friends pooled their money together time and time again while hoping, against all hope, that the outcome would be favorable. Each friend had issues that they knew a favorable outcome would aid: a couple of the friends would address their relationship issues (thinking exiting and that the grass is greener elsewhere ideas are worth it) another would have weight loss surgery and another would address her legal problems. This quick read shows you that with every windfall there are problems. This quick read had me wishing for a favorable monetary outcome. However, in order for me to be in the running I first must have to participate in the lottery. I laughed as I was wishing on a star for a windfall. I immediately digressed to snippets of tv when I watched how the lottery ruined lives and relationships. The friends learn things about themselves and each other. It’s funny” this read and life reinforces what we’ve been taught that money can’t buy happiness. I am rolling as I think back over the friends and this book. I can see myself telling my father about this and how the outcome affected each friend. He would laugh with me and ask questions. But, he, too, would go on record saying “being broke can’t buy you anything 😂😂!” Like my dad and many others, I don’t believe money can buy happiness. However, I would love to hit the lottery and find out for myself 😂😂.

[BossyLadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This book was Oookay. I love the premise but the execution fell flat some. Did money have to mess everything up? I get that it was the decisions they made not the money but geez. No one ended up happy? I guess Rochelle's son lived bc of the new kidney so that's good news but she dumbly signed over her money to her former boss. So many dumb decisions. By the end of the book, I was so frustrated with the decision making I almost dnf'd the book. I guess the message here was that the love of money exaggerates who you really are. If you make bad decisions then money's gonna make those bad decisions on a grander scale?

[Iona R Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lethal injection of Green Cocaine

This was a page Turner no doubt. As I read each story I got so excited for each character but already knew there was a pitfall each one was about to stumble into. It was a head shaker. Caught myself talking out loud sometimes, chewing out actions that had been done or trying to hold back a tear or two. No doubt money can be your down fall if not used wisely and there will be prices$$$$$ to pay. "Pay Day" defintely shows that. A must read.

[Taneka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four office friends win the office pool lottery. What could possibly go wrong?

EVERYTHING

This was a white knuckle story. I was so furious with the decisions that many of them made. I thought this was going to be like One in a Million, but it just had unbelievable characters with unbelievable circumstances. Many of which they brought on themselves.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and entertaining listen. I was really rooting for each character and their situation as well as wanting to strangle them when they made poor decisions lol. Definitely made me think of what I wouldn’t do if I came upon a pay day of my own. I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to enjoy a quick read filled with drama and chaos and little gems to take away when it comes to family, friends, love and money.

[Tamara Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me tell you something, money just makes you more of who you already are. The characters had me laughing so hard and shaking my head at the same time. Cousin Daryl would have caught these hands because he was acting a plum fool. It was a wild ride and I truly enjoyed each and every moment of this book. Good Listen!
Thanks, kaybeesbookshelf team member

[cypher · Rating 4 out of 5]

the plot premise was engaging, i really wanted to know what happens.
a group of people who play the lottery collectively actually win, but things are not all simple.
light, catchy, with some good details.

"this should have been a celebration, but instead it looked like we were going to film an episode of the reality TV show The Lottery Ruined My Life"

[Tongeia · Rating 3 out of 5]

No surprise with this book. People win lottery and things don't get better as most of think. Who would be crazy enough to let someone else claim their money and put it in an account without your name on it. We think the grass is greener on the other side until you get on the other side.

[Suprina Bracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good! Money is the root of all evil. But you got to know who to deal with when you have a lot of it. Karma was there worst enemy. You better watch out how you treat people when you think you get a little money. You'll end up just like them.....Broke and alone!!!!

[Clevanche' · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read, I love the different characters' stories, it flowed and it certainly added to the plot development for each. We were able to get a deeper look into their personal lives to understand the decisions they made.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a good reminder that there’s more to life than money....although the money sure helps!

[Shari Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really Love this book. Money isn't everything. The only down side it could of been longer.

[Roxie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!! This book is a must read! Wow! Loved it!!

[Kimberly Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Read

Great storyline and characters. The book kept be able intrigued the entire time. The ending was very unexpected and greatly enjoyed

[Christina Achoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of drama

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Money don’t always make you happy or resolve all your issues. Not even 8 million dollars!

[Stepfanie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good lessons and I enjoyed the small story lines in jt

[SCBookGal843 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes your dream can turn into a complete nightmare. And it sure did for the characters of this book. Makes me rethink winning the lottery.

[Camisha Maze · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a quick read. It was good but definitely makes you think twice about playing the lottery. More money more problems