Luxe Two: A La La Land Addiction

Luxe Series #2

by Ashley Antoinette

Bleu is addicted . . . addicted to the luxe life and it has led her down a road of self-destruction. She knows what it feels like to be turned out by the game.

With a crack cocaine addiction that she can't seem to escape, she is desperate for a saviour. Her problem is she has two great loves that want to come to her rescue. When her best friend, Noah comes searching for her she is faced with a dilemma. Will she let him save her? Or will she stick with the kingpin, Iman, who has loved her since their first encounter?

Or will both men lose her to a love she can't get rid of . . . one that abuses her . . . and one that will be the death of her . . . the love of the high, in Luxe 2: A La La Land Addiction by New York Times bestselling author Ashley Antoinette.

Praise for Ashley Antoinette:

'Caution: will leave you breathless. It's that intense' Essence Magazine on Luxe

'Antoinette will have readers hooked on this edgy, twisting tale of innocence lost' Booklist on Luxe

'[Ashley and JaQuavis] may just be the most successful literary couple in America' New York Times T Magazine

'[T]he duo is taking the world of street literature by storm' Rolling Out Magazine

'A fast-paced tale [and] addition to a well-known author's long list of extremely popular tales' Library Journal

Genres: Audiobook, Urban, Fiction, African American, Romance, Crime

Kindle Edition

Published October 4, 2016

About the author

ASHLEY ANTOINETTE COLEMAN is one of the most successful female writers of her time. The feminine half of the popular married duo, Ashley and JaQuavis, she has co-written over 40 novels, including the bestselling Cartel series. Several of her titles have hit The New York Times bestsellers list, but she is most widely regarded for her continuing racy saga, The Prada Plan. Born in Flint, MI, she was bred with an innate street sense that she uses as motivation in her crime filled writings.

Picking up a deal with publishing powerhouse St. Martin's Press while simultaneously inking deals at Warner Brothers Studios and NBC/Universal, Ashley shows no signs of slowing down. She is currently hard at work on a new book series and two television pilots.

To keep up with everything Ashley Antoinette follow her...
twitter @novelista
Instagram @ashleyantoinette

Reviews

[Yellagirlgc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bleu had a very addictive personality inherited from both parents. While Noah loves her unconditionally Iman has conditions with his love for her. The ending upset me but I won't spoil it for anyone else. A third book is highly anticipated. There are plenty of loose ends that could be tied up. I read this book quickly without wanting to put it down.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I AM NOT FREAKING HAPPY WITH THIS ENDING.......
Just tear my heart out why don't you.

[Danita Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have a childhood friend? Are they your best friend still? Did you fall in love with that person? Well, I have a childhood friend and her and I still stay in touch. With that say, as always, Ashley Antoinette did not disappoint me. It was a well written conclusion of twist and turns of a young girl with dreams despite her circumstance. This second part was just as nail biting as the first. I just wish some of the shady characters get what they deserve. Again, I cried, and it was a somewhat happy ending, and I enjoyed the whole journey of Blue Montclair. I do hope there is a third part. Another page turner in the books.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This shit really hurt my goddamn motherfucking feelings. I don't know why I keep torturing myself with Ashely Antionette Coleman. I'm sure this won't be the last time I ask myself that question.

I still fucking hated Bleu in this book. But in the end, she actually did redeem herself, which I didn't think would be fucking possible. She got clean when she found out she was pregnant. And she understood herself as an addict. She didn't even want to get clean. She didn't get attached to the baby until she saw him, because she always knew there was a strong possibility that she would use, and I guess didn't want the added guilt of harming a child she had grown attached to.

Bleu actually made a good choice. She was in love with Iman and Noah, which I understand. She knew Iman was her trigger. She knew that she could get clean and her new vice would be Iman, and that the feelings she had were too intense for her to be safe with him. Anything he did or didn't do would trigger her to use. And she knew that Noah's love for her was so unselfish and that He was the one she needed to be with. They were soulmates. Both men loved her enough to let her go, and she chose Noah, with no hard feelings from Iman. He had been in love with her since they were kids. And AS SOON AS she made her decision to dedicate herself to him, BOOM!

I knew Noah was gonna die, and my heart still broke. I cried. I'm actually sick of Ashely Antionette making me fucking cry. But then again, I respect her as a writer for even being able to do that, hence me continuously torturing myself with her books. But I digress. Noah was such a good fucking person. That bitch Naomi...I knew her raggedy ass was gonna set him up! Instead of her proving her love for Noah by being supportive to her man and his friend, OR walking the fuck away if she felt their bond was too close and they were too intimate, she tried to go against the grain, letting her insecurities show. Ms. Monica warned his ass. Now her son is dead. I'm so mad...like that shit was a real person.

I have a bunch of questions. There's some shit that was left unaddressed or some loose ends that weren't tied that I really fucking wanted tied.

1st of all, with regard to Iman and the shit in LA/Mexico, what the fuck happened to Cinco and Sandoza? Sandoza already had 1 foot in the damn grave before Tan was killed. The book ends four and a half years after Tan's funeral. Is Iman the boss? Is Sandoza dead? Did Iman retire? Where is Cinco? That crazy nigga had a whole vendetta against Iman. He killed his own sister to get to Iman. What the fuck happened with that? I know Sandoza and the Cartel families didn't just decide to let Tans death go. And with them not knowing Cinco was the killer, they would have put the blame for Tans death on Iman because he was her husband and was supposed to protect her. Or did they find out Cinco killed her? Did Bleu end up telling the truth as part of her recovery? How did Iman respond? What did he do? Iman, Cinco, and the Cartel were a big part of this story. I'm annoyed that storyline wasn't wrapped up, even though the story was still excellent.

2nd, with regard to Noah (just thinking about him makes me want to cry), how the fuck could Naomi get away with helping DeMarcus kill Noah without Khadafi finding out? He was the one who hooked Noah up with Naomi. She was the one communicating with him. He actually wanted to be a father to his son once he found out he had one. So I know he wanted retribution for that death. DeMarcus was supposed to be dead. Naomi warned him to get out of Flint when she punked out of killing him. Where did he go? How was he able to come back into the city without Noah knowing? And did he kill Naomi? He should if he fucking didn't. That bitch is a fucking snake! She was going to kill his ass if she hadn't let her conscience get to her, then the very person she was going to kill him for came to DeMarcus to help him kill him. How the fuck could he trust a bitch like that?

3rd, Bleu had a $100k price on her head. What the fuck happened with that?
UPDATE: He set the niggas ablaze that put the contract out. I forgot about that.

PS...the one who narrated THIS one I like.

[Anayah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author frustrates me and stimulates me at the same time and I don’t know how to process this.

The plot can possibly be predictable if you’re familiar with this genre/sub genre, but I am not so I’m here for the ride.

And boy oh boy will this book take you on a ride.

Buckle up.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a story! This second book gave a front row seat to an addict’s fight for deliverance.

[Teresa mcgaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is raw. It shows without sugarcoating how addiction will wreck your life and destroy everything around you. It shows without remorse how drugs corrupt men and actions that are deemed in society as punishable by death are accepted as norm in this world. Bleu has fallen to the very bottom of the hole and doesnt seem anything can save her. She settles for being second woman to Iman just to stay in his life. She doesn't seem this as addiction but rather overwhelming love. Iman's brother n law has ulterior motives and makes Bleu a pawn in her game. But if he wins the game she can lose everything. Back home Noah is becoming King of the streets of Flint. But at what price? After Bleu is dragged back home by law enforcement Noah learns how fall she has fallen from Grace. Will his overpowering love be enough to save her from herself or is she doomed to walk in her mother's footsteps. I hope we get a third book because i have some questions and want some more closure on other characters but if not this is a good duology.

[The Book Chick · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I'd been encouraged by several people to read this. The author did a lot of promo for this series and I was reluctant because I'd read several reviews saying it was melancholy. The author was interacting on her page one day and I told her I hadn't read it yet and she said that I really should. Many people had said that it was a change up on her writing style. Here are my thoughts:

I rocks with Ashley Antoinette okay. I felt as though Moth To a Flame was her best work by herself to date but then there's this series. While I still think that Moth to a Flame is really good and it'll be one of her classics for sure and I was one of the ones who'd wanted a sequel, which I think she's secretly working on. I think her writing in this series had more depth. I've come to expect certain things from her and the duo and I think she took it up a notch here BUT I HATED the end. My less than perfect score is not for the end although I seriously wanted to take off a star for it. I generally don't like to strike points based on how I would've written or preferred an ending. But I really wanted to.

So Bleu is automatically a great character. Ashley wrote this young girl with so much depth. She kept me rooting for her.

Iman was also a great character. He was dealing with a complex issue and I remember thinking Ashley really did make this guy different. She kept him alpha, yet showed his vulnerability.

Noah was an excellent character. He was likable, yet did things that were crazy leaving you wondering how you could even like him. He was irrational at times.

So here are my issues: Ashley is the writer in the duo that cannot leave the words opulent and massive alone. She over uses these to the point that they are a trademark. Not in a good way.
There are always details that are missing with the Colemans. The story isn't always tight. For instance, in this installment the very beginning didn't address Noah and Iman's initial introduction and it also has Iman showing up to a place directly after Noah leaves. Noah's presence there is understandable. How did Iman know? I guess you could use GPS to slide out of that but it's not tight enough. Then Iman never asks Bleu about Noah. Not once after the initial meeting.
So... Cinco's ethnicity is confusing. In installment one He is said to be Hispanic and black. But the problem is how???? Iman was Hispanic and black for sure and that is why Sandoza had a problem with him being with Tan originally. Did I miss that Sandoza had a black wife? Was Tan mixed like Cinco?
Sienna sacrificing herself was silly. It didn't have the impact that it was intended to have.

The loose ends are very ugly. The whole thing with Bleu and her friends robbing Cinco never came out. The fact Cinco raped Bleu never came out. The fact that Cinco supplied Bleu never came out. The fact that Cinco repeatedly took advantage of Bleu and Savior could be his child never comes out. The fact that Cinco killed Tan never came out. The fact that Naomi left Demarkis alive was never revealed to Noah.
Did Iman take over the Mexican empire?

The way this ended seemed as though there would be no part 3. If eventually there is, maybe some of the things above will be addressed. Did I mention I hated this ending? There can be no Luxe without Noah. Here is the moment when I wish they do some of that tricky dream stuff or bringing back the dead type stuff that I rail them about should come into play.
Still with all of the missteps her storytelling ability is capturing. Don't ask me how. It's something I can't explain. I really think her character development is what holds everything together. I also noticed that by herself, the love scenes are more sweet and intimate than racy. Actually there is more content here that isn't sexually motivated and I found it refreshing but I still wanted Bleu and Noah to take it further.
If you know someone like I do that has a drug addiction this story will resonate. If you have a drug addiction and you want to kick it I wouldn't read this. The detail on the actual use is so palpable it's frightening.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a tricky book for me to rate. It took about 100 pages or so for me to even care what was happening to the main character, Bleu. I won this book in a giveaway and jumped right into reading it without reading the 1st book and I thought that was part of the problem. While this book can be read as a standalone novel, I think starting with the 1st book of the series will help the reader understand Bleu's journey into crack addiction much better.

The author deserves credit for her raw and honest portrayal of a woman struggling with an addiction to crack cocaine. The descriptions of what Bleu was struggling with internally were the best parts of the book. While Luxe 2 was certainly not without flaws, overall I am glad I read it. Sometimes it is good to read a book that is a bit different from the ones you normally read.

[Queen Rosalind · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot of emotions! This book made me cry, gave me joy, sadness, hope and left me wanting more! Ashley Antionette is one of the best! She never left me wanting more! Beautiful ending!

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not the level of writing that I have come to expect from the husband and wife duo. I realize it was the wife solo on this project, but maybe her other half is what was missing. :( I felt like chunks of the story were missing. There was maybe a paragraph worth of "luxe" that was to be relied on for us to believe the lead had such a far fall from grace.

I see the reviews and feel like we listened to two different books.

Pros
• The sleepy narration made this book easy to listen to fall asleep while listening.

Cons
• The sleepy narration made this book easy to listen to fall asleep while listening. It took me 2 weeks to listen to his book
• Repetitive dialogue –Remove the repetitive passages and you would cut the book down by a 1/3 and had more “meat” or action
Inconsistent characters

Random
Naomi was a smart, intelligent, hustler in book 1 and was presented as a ghetto loud mouth in book 2. Complete character change without explanation

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I. Was. Not. Ready *insert crying emoji*
I will agree with many others and say I was not pleased with (part of) the ending. The author did what a good author would do and that's give the readers something that wouldn't expect/like lol. After everything I still was torn between Noah and Iman, if I had to choose, but the way Bleu broke it down made sense. And the way things were going you wouldn't think that girl (Bleu) was ever going to catch a break, sheesh! Either way I enjoyed this installment and if there's another I plan to read it as well. Well written urban fiction, definitely didn't disappoint (except that one part lol - still in my feelings).

[Madlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so disappointed in Lux book 2 as well. I like books that has substance, purpose, realistic drama, connection, thriller and intriguing follow on. This book had none of those things to offer. I don’t think I will be reading any of the wife solo books anymore. I enjoy reading husband and wife because it’s more exciting and has a great storyline I could follow.

[lexiskat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bleu had me on a mfn emotional rollercoaster. I literally had to detach my feeling from this book bc I wouldn't have finished it. Noah was just that. The man she really needed in her life. The ending took me for a loop bc why, but I'm happy the book ended with Bleu taking care of herself and in a better place.

[Leatrice Fullerton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author did a very good job of incorporating suspense in this storyline. I hated the ending! It was sooooo sad.

[Jerricka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me through a journey. Emotionally. I was not expecting anything that happened. This series is great. A must read

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Cryssy · Rating 5 out of 5]

*BLANK STARES*

Ashley Antoinette has written another page turning novel that I could not put down. If you read the first book to this series, then you know all of the troubles that Bleu Montclair was faced with. In this book, Bleu is battling against the same demons and a few new problems that come along. What I love about this book is that it is written so detailed and life like. A lot of the situations that happen can easily be imagined because we may all know someone who has been on one side of the fence or the other if not both. Bleu once again goes through heartbreak, heartache, and hard lessons learned. There were points in this book that left me in shock and awe. Other points in this book almost broke my heart. You know the author did a good job when you grow attached to some characters and develop a hate for the others. Lol What I did gather from this book is everything that glitters isn't gold and that old habits are hard to break. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy good urban literature and also fan of this author.

[Renee' Davila · Rating 2 out of 5]

REALLY?

I wanted to read both books before writing my opinion. I felt like there was so much left open before ending. Iman's brother-in-law wanted him dead, so that he could have what he felt was rightly his. Did Iman find out who killed his wife? Why didn't Bleu tell Iman who was supplying her? She told Noah about his girlfriend. I know that Bleu was supposed to be "innocent", but she was too naive. Especially for her street background. Almost every page, she was crying about something. To the point that it was so annoying, I would stop reading for awhile. Ms. Ashley has always been one of my favorite authors, but I felt like she rushed this.

[marla mcfarlane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what i expected

Bleu's addiction was something serious. Noah was truly a selfless lover. His love for Bleu was pure and I was disappointed that I did not get to read about them having a happily ever after. Really to have him just killed like that was low and that was the main reason for my rating.

[Djuana Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I couldn't put this book down. It picked up where the other book left off. Bleu struggled so much in her life. This book really shows how strong addiction is and it's triggers. Bleu finally got her life together in the end. You can't help but to root for her. This is the best book of 2016.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love you at your worst and I want to love you back to your best 🖤


Didn’t think it’d be possible, but Bleu actually changed for the better. I loveee me some Noah and I’m glad she was smart enough to finally choose him. I’m still in shambles over that ending smh.

This series was more of a cautionary tale than a romance.

[Danielle Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the story but wished for a different ending.

[Nini]

⚠️ Trigger Warnings: Graphic depictions of drug use, addiction, and drug overdose, overdose-related death.

This story just continued to break my heart, and that ending. Ugh 💔

One thing I started noticing in book one, but became even more apparent in this book, was just how codependent Bleu really is. So much of her self-worth was tied to Iman, and the fact that she eventually realized he was one of her triggers was such a lightbulb moment for me, and everything started clicking, bc honestly, I agree. And that's not to say Iman didn't genuinely want what was best for her, bc I believe he did, but so much of what Bleu went through and was surrounded by, were all connected to him in some way. Whether he realized it or not, he was tied to so many of the demons she was fighting

Bleu already had such a rough start at life, and seeing how much her addiction consumed her was heartbreaking. I also think if you've ever struggled with addiction yourself or watched someone you love go through it, this book could be a very difficult read. It's obviously not a guide to understanding addiction, but I do think Bleu's story gives you something to think about, esp when it comes to how ppl end up in these situations and how much more there is to addiction than simply choosing to use drugs.
And then there's Noah, poor Noah. My absolute favorite character. He was Bleu's saving grace in so many ways, but sadly, that same unwavering loyalty to her ultimately played a part in his death. He was so solid, patient, loving, and still had that roughness about him that I loved. I really wish things had turned out differently for him.

Now, that Naomi? I don't even want to giver her the satisfaction of taking up too much space in my review. She was fucked up for what she did! I understood her feelings about Noah and Bleu's relationship, bc let's be real, their closeness would've made anybody uncomfortable. I sure as shit would, but not only did she lie about handling that situation for Noah, she helped bring about his death! Girl, you could've just left!!!! 😒 But if there's one thing we know about Ashley Antoinette, it's that she's gonna kill off your favorite character and can give two fucks about you how feel 😭😭

[J G · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure Ashely Antoinette is capable of writing a book where anything good happens to these freshly 18 yet so bad and so different enough to change 20+ year olds who lust after these girls that are like I said 18, so young. Her mom is clean and sees her daughter hurting and addicted to crack and kills Herself to show her a lesson even though her being a crack addict for 20 years and then getting sober because her life is ruined is enough (her daughter doesn’t talk to her and her husband died in a crack fueled shoot out with the police) and she still kills herself to drive home the lesson felt like over kill drama for the sake of drama. Noah dies for no reason he’s such a great guy and she rushed his death we don’t even see the funeral and he’s talked about in such a disposable way like he’s not a person what kinda ending is “God put Noah on this earth to teach bleu a lesson and when she learned that lesson that God intended for her, God called him home” ?? and we have no resolution with china or Cinco? Does she really never tell him savior could be his? Choppy writing

[Kellee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started off a little slow for me, but it was good once it picked up the pace.

[RaiineRiot · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5- The fact that they killed off Noah, and let the bitch Bleau live and all now she still hasnt told fucking Iman that his brother in law is a fucking disgusting snake just pisses me the fk off. I kept having to remind myself that shes a dmn crack head every chapter jus pissing me off over n over

[J-maa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m lowkey pissed. She got me again. Here I was thinking that, since I’m familiar with her style now, I could avoid the heartbreak. And yet, here I am—heart heavy and sad 😒💔💔

[S. Reid]

SO, AFTER READING THIS INSTALLMENT ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO & RE-LISTENING TO THE AUDIBLE MANY TIMES OVER I'M FINALLY READY TO WRITE MY REVIEW SUMMARY. LONG REVIEW SUMMARY AHEAD.
I COULDN'T STAND IMAN NOR DID I LIKE BLEU IN THE ENTIRE SERIES,& BLEU MONCLAIR IN ANYTHING SHE'S BEEN BROUGHT INTO!HERE'S THE REASONS:
IMAN WAS A 26-30 YEAR OLD MARRIED DUDE WHO HAD CHEATED ON HIS WIFE TRISTAN SANDOZA MANY TIMES OVER & FOUND HIS ATTENTION TURNING TO A POOR BROKE 18 YEAR OLD GIRL BLEU MONCLAIR FROM FLINT MICHIGAN TO CHEAT ON TRISTAN WITH!
IMAN MANY TIMES OVER PLACED ALL BLAME ON WIFE TRISTAN, WHO'D PUT UP WITH ALOT OF HIS SIDE B*TCHES ON MANY OCCASIONS OVER THEIR YEARS TOGETHER, FOR HIS LOSING INTEREST IN HIS WIFE & MARRIAGE BY CHEATING ON HER WITH MANY FEMALES, ACCUSING HER/TAN OF CHANGING AFTER SHE LOST THEIR UNBORN BABIES (THIS N*GGA GOT SOME F**KING NERVE!), THEN TELLING HER THAT HE NEEDED WIFE TAN TO BE WEAK LIKE BLEU IS IN ORDER FOR HIM TO FIND THE ATTRACTION IN HIS WIFE TRISTAN AGAIN! WHAT THE ACTUAL F**K?!?!?!?
ONLY THEN DID IMAN REMEMBER HOW MUCH HE STILL CLAIMED TO LOVE HIS WIFE EVEN THOUGH IT CAME OFF AS THOUGH HE ONLY SCREWED HIS WIFE TO HELP HIM BE COOL WITH THE DEAL HE'D MADE WITH HER DAD & HIS BOSS SANDOZA, AS WELL AS TO ASSIST WITH ATTEMPTING TO GET OVER THE SIDE B*TCH HE WANTS TO KEEP:BLEU!
IMAN WAS AN ADULTERER & DID NOT DESERVE THE GIRL! HE WAS JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER DUDE WHO WANTS TO KEEP THE WOMAN HE'S MORE FAMILIAR WITH (TRISTAN) IN HIS MAIN CRIB & HIS SIDE H*E (BLEU) IN A STASH SPOT!
I WONDER HAD IMAN KNOWN THAT CINCO HAD BEEN SCREWING BLEU IN THE STASH SPOT IMAN HAD HER IN & PLANNING & SCHEMING ON BOTH IMAN & TAN WHILE SHE GOT HIGH AF OFF CINCO'S SUPPLY?!
I WONDER IF IMAN KNOWS THAT CINCO, WHO HAD BEEN F--KING H*E ASS BLEU ON THE REGULAR --NOT HIM- IS SAVIOR'S REAL DAD?
SANDOZA MADE IMAN HIS SUCCESSOR OVER HIS OWN SON CINCO, WHICH HAD BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE FOR WHAT CINCO ENLISTED BLEU TO DO IN ORDER TO GET BACK AT IMAN!
I OBVIOUSLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH BLEU THINKING THAT SHE HAD A RIGHT TO LIVE IN THE MANSION THAT BELONGED TO TRISTAN & IMAN & TELLING IMAN THAT HE MOVED HIS OWN WIFE IN BLEU'S PLACE, WHEN BLEU SHOULD NEVER HAD HAD A PLACE IN IMAN'S PLACE OR LIFE!!!!!!!
TO ANY & EVERYONE STILL QUESTIONING WHICH WAS THE BETTER MAN, THERE NEVER WAS ANY COMPETITION! NOAH CLAIMED BODIES & TOOK A PRISON BID FOR BLEU ENCOURAGING HER TO LIVE HER LIFE IN LA & NOT TO WAIT ON HIM IN FLINT! WITH MESSIAH BY HIS SIDE, NOAH FOUND BLEU IN THAT CRACK DEN & NURTURED HER BACK TO HEALTH WITHOUT EVER BEING WRITTEN TO HAD BEEN PHYSICALLY INTIMATE WITH THE WOMAN HE'D LOVED WITH HIS WHOLE HEART!
THINK ABOUT IT: NOAH PUT FOLKS IN THE GRAVE FOR BLEU BUT NEVER KNOWN WHAT SHE FELT LIKE INTIMATELY BECAUSE HE FELT HIS LOVE FOR HER WAS GREATER THAN SEX!
MEANWHILE IMAN & CINCO BOTH HAD BLEU'S BODY -SEPARATELY- & TREATED HER LIKE THE H*E SHE CARRIED HERSELF TO BE! WITH IMAN CLAIMING TO LOVE BLEU BUT WASN'T MAN ENOUGH TO CLAIM HER OUT RIGHT--CHOOSING MONEY WITH HIS WIFE'S MOB FAMILY OVER BLEU EVERY FRIGGING TIME! THAT'S NOT LOVE! IMAN NEVER SACRIFICED ANYTHING FOR BLEU; CINCO & BLEU DID IMAN A FAVOR BY BREAKING INTO HIS MANSION & KILLING TRISTAN!
IN DOING SO, A LEFT BEHIND MASKED GUN-TOTING, BLEU GOT A FRONT ROW SEAT OF JUST HOW MUCH IMAN LOVED HIS WIFE WHEN HE'D IGNORED BEING HELD AT GUNPOINT (BY BLEU) TO BEG HIS HANGING OUT OF THE SHOWER, LIFELESS WIFE TRISTAN TO 'WAKE UP, BABY' AS HE SHED TEARS OVER HER DEAD BODY, BREAKING A MASKED GUN-WIELDING BLEU'S HEART AS SHE RAN OFF!
BLEU WAS A GULLIBLE DRUG ADDICTED SIDE H*E WHO NEEDED TO STOP BLAMING EVERYONE ELSE FOR WHAT SHE ALLOWED TO OCCUR IN HER OWN DOWNFALL! NO, IMAN WAS NOT BLEU'S TRIGGER; HER PARENTS WERE NOT HER UNDOING EITHER. BLEU'S BAD CHOICES WERE/ARE HER OWN DOWNFALL!
NO ONE HAD DONE MORE FOR BLEU THAN NOAH HAD, YET BLEU STILL REFUSED TO ACCEPT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WHAT SHE HAD DONE TO HERSELF PAST THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD, WHICH ULTIMATELY MADE ME STRONGLY DISLIKE BLEU ALTOGETHER.
IT WAS ONLY AFTER SHE'D WITNESSED WHAT HER ADDICTION & CONTINUED DRUG USE HAD DONE TO HER SON SAVIOR DID BLEU BEGAN TO CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT SHE HAD CAUSED & FEEL REMORSEFUL.
I KNOW THAT THE AUTHOR WANTS READERS OF THE SERIES TO BELIEVE THAT NOAH LANGSTON WAS KILLED BY DEMARCUS & NAIOMI OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL WHERE BLEU HAD JUST GIVEN BIRTH TO SAVIOR. BUT, IT'S MY BELIEF THAT NOAH MAY HAVE BEEN SAVED BY HOSPITAL STAFF & REVIVED & IN HIDING WITH HIS FATHER KHADAFI, WHO'D FAKED HIS DEATH! AFTER ALL, NO ONE HAD APPEARED TO HAD AVENGED NOAH'S 'DEATH'IN THE AFTERMATH. THE END OF THE BOOK HAS BLEU FEELING A BREEZE BEFORE WALKING AWAY FROM NOAH LANGSTON'S TOMBSTONE, WHICH LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT NOAH MAY NOT BE DEAD.
I BELIEVE ASHLEY NEED TO ALLOW IMAN TO FINALLY CONFRONT BLEU ABOUT THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE TRISTAN & WRITE THAT BLEU MONCLAIR IS ARRESTED, TRIED, & CONVICTED FOR BEING AN ACCESSORY TO TRISTAN'S MURDER (READERS MAY RECALL BLEU LEFT DNA IN THAT BATHROOM SINK WHEN SHE'D THROWN UP AFTER WITNESSING CINCO SHOOT & KILL HIS OWN SISTER TRISTAN. CINCO DID THE DEED BUT LEFT NO EVIDENCE ESCAPING OUT A WINDOW & NOT BEING SEEN. BLEU WASN'T SO LUCKY.)!IT'S MY BELIEF THAT IMAN KNEW FROM BLEU'S HEIGHT, WEIGHT, BODY MAKE, ETC. THAT IT WAS BLEU WHO HAD HELD HIM AT GUNPOINT IN HIS MANSION! IMAN EVEN QUESTIONED HER WHEREABOUTS THE NIGHT TRISTAN HAD BEEN KILLED WHEN AN DISHEVELED & UNCOUTHED BLEU HAD THE AUDACITY TO SHOW UP AT TAN'S FUNERAL, WHICH I FOUND ALL TYPES OF DISRESPECTFUL!HOW COME HE HAD NOT CONFRONTED HER YET?
IMAGINE GOING THROUGH ALL OF THAT TO RETURN TO FLINT & SETTLE FOR A DEGREE FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE. BLEU MONCLAIR WASTED HER OWN LIFE & NOAH LANGSTON WASTED TIME IN PRISON (BEING BEATEN UP & STABBED REPEATEDLY WHILE THERE!) ONLY TO LOSE HIS LIFE & BLEU GAINED A GENERIC DEGREE BACK IN THE HOOD WHERE SHE'D GROWN UP IN.
ON A GOOD NOTE, MY BABY MESSIAH WILLIAMS WAS INTRODUCED IN THIS ONE WHICH MADE HIM MY SECOND FAV IN THE BOOK BEHIND NOAH LANGSTON OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH YEAH, IIKANE DOES A MUCH BETTER MALE INTERPRETATIVE VOICE THEN MOST OTHER FEMALE NARRATORS-ALMOST AS GOOD AS MY FAVORITE (FEMALE)NARRATOR WESLEIGH SIOBHAN!
ALL DONE.....FOR NOW.

[Stephanie Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Say No!

It is of my opinion that, if you have a predisposition running amuck in your family, the best thing for you to do is stay totally away for that thing because it will ultimately destroy you!!!
Noah was definitely one of the good guys and I hated to read of his demise; however, Bleu carried on... for her son and for herself!!! I'm sad Iman didn't get the girl but he has a son and that's better than any chick!!! I would definitely like to read more of Iman again!!!
Spoiler Alert ... Great series and now I know why Messiah calls Savior his nephew ... Bleu needed a new friend and Messiah filled those shoes for his friend, Noah (Ethic 2). Noah would have wanted Messiah to look after Bleu and Savior! It's not that Iman would not bring smoke to the city of need be but Messiah did it out of respect to Noah!

Great read!!! Do yourself a huge favor and read this series a.s.a.p.