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COED
Can a man and a woman be best friends without somebody catching feelings?
Travis Barber and Sade Styles are best friends of the opposite sex. Despite what everyone thinks, they are not getting busy...yet.
Co-owners of a popular barbershop/salon in named CoEd, Travis and Sade spend the bulk of their days together. But when Sade’s apartment lease runs out and Travis offers her the spare bedroom of his newly built house, will they end up sharing more than just the utilities?
This witty, fast-paced romance seeks to answer the can a man and a woman be best friends without crossing that fine line into the land of lovers. Best case scenario, nothing happens. Worst case scenario, they get to know each other a little too well and end up hating each other!
Are Travis and Sade making the best move for their friendship?
Travis Barber and Sade Styles are best friends of the opposite sex. Despite what everyone thinks, they are not getting busy...yet.
Co-owners of a popular barbershop/salon in named CoEd, Travis and Sade spend the bulk of their days together. But when Sade’s apartment lease runs out and Travis offers her the spare bedroom of his newly built house, will they end up sharing more than just the utilities?
This witty, fast-paced romance seeks to answer the can a man and a woman be best friends without crossing that fine line into the land of lovers. Best case scenario, nothing happens. Worst case scenario, they get to know each other a little too well and end up hating each other!
Are Travis and Sade making the best move for their friendship?
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2017
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42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 16, 2017
*I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author*
Coed is a romantic comedy about a man and woman who invests in a barber-beauty shop business called Coed. In a scene reminiscent to the movie Barber Shop, men cut hair on one side and the women do hair on the other. Owners Travis “Trap” Barber and Sade Styles are best friends whose friendship is put to the test when Sade’s lease is up and she moves in with Travis. Being “besties” is one thing but can Trap and Sade maintain a platonic relationship while living under the same roof? The novel seeks to answer this question in a hilarious way.
I loved this book mostly because the author had me rolling. Make me laugh like that and you’re a winner in my book. When Sade moves in with Trap, they each fight to control the feelings they have for one another like Sidney and Dre from the movie Brown Sugar. It is obvious they are attracted to each other on multiple levels but Sade has a man and Trap’s a playboy. Eventually, Sade breaks it off with her boyfriend and Trap insists on attending Myrtle Beach with her to see Lalah Hathaway. What he doesn’t know is how deeply the trip would impact them both.
While Coed is funny, I enjoyed the important messages throughout the novel as well and how it took on a more serious feel toward the end. We get to understand more deeply about the past of the main characters and what contributed to them being the way that they are. It was refreshing and I appreciated this because it is not something we often think about in relationships period. That is, why do people do the things that they do? What makes them tick? So, they are exhibiting off behavior, but why? Have we sought to understand or did we write them off? Instead of casting one another off, see people through the eyes of love. Usually, when someone is being nasty it’s because they are going through something. If we thought of this more, I think the world would be in a much better position.
My least favorite part was that there were instances where the author inserted himself into the narrative. I found this distracting and unnecessary. I also think the “He Said, “She Said” at the beginning of the Chapters wasn't needed. The author is talented enough to capture whose perspective we are reading without it.
However, none of these took away from the story. At the end of the day I was still laughing my butt off and Trap and Sade’s past revealed was really the final touch this novel needed to bring it on home. I stayed up late just to see what would happen. If you’re a fan of movies Brown Sugar, Barbershop, and The Best Man, you’ll want to read this book.
I recommend it for lovers of romance, comedy and drama. It has it all.
Coed is a romantic comedy about a man and woman who invests in a barber-beauty shop business called Coed. In a scene reminiscent to the movie Barber Shop, men cut hair on one side and the women do hair on the other. Owners Travis “Trap” Barber and Sade Styles are best friends whose friendship is put to the test when Sade’s lease is up and she moves in with Travis. Being “besties” is one thing but can Trap and Sade maintain a platonic relationship while living under the same roof? The novel seeks to answer this question in a hilarious way.
I loved this book mostly because the author had me rolling. Make me laugh like that and you’re a winner in my book. When Sade moves in with Trap, they each fight to control the feelings they have for one another like Sidney and Dre from the movie Brown Sugar. It is obvious they are attracted to each other on multiple levels but Sade has a man and Trap’s a playboy. Eventually, Sade breaks it off with her boyfriend and Trap insists on attending Myrtle Beach with her to see Lalah Hathaway. What he doesn’t know is how deeply the trip would impact them both.
While Coed is funny, I enjoyed the important messages throughout the novel as well and how it took on a more serious feel toward the end. We get to understand more deeply about the past of the main characters and what contributed to them being the way that they are. It was refreshing and I appreciated this because it is not something we often think about in relationships period. That is, why do people do the things that they do? What makes them tick? So, they are exhibiting off behavior, but why? Have we sought to understand or did we write them off? Instead of casting one another off, see people through the eyes of love. Usually, when someone is being nasty it’s because they are going through something. If we thought of this more, I think the world would be in a much better position.
My least favorite part was that there were instances where the author inserted himself into the narrative. I found this distracting and unnecessary. I also think the “He Said, “She Said” at the beginning of the Chapters wasn't needed. The author is talented enough to capture whose perspective we are reading without it.
However, none of these took away from the story. At the end of the day I was still laughing my butt off and Trap and Sade’s past revealed was really the final touch this novel needed to bring it on home. I stayed up late just to see what would happen. If you’re a fan of movies Brown Sugar, Barbershop, and The Best Man, you’ll want to read this book.
I recommend it for lovers of romance, comedy and drama. It has it all.
March 11, 2017
Is there really a such thing as a platonic relationship between men and women or is that another one of those abstract concepts? That's a question that many people attempt to answer on a daily basis and it is one of the many questions author James Fant attempts to answer in his novel CoEd.
It is always interesting to see different takes on relationships and gender roles. After all, I did take a few college courses in sociology and gender studies. I've also taken a few courses in the school of life and I am always glad to glean information from a variety of sources. Romance novels are no exception and this particular romance novel was, indeed, valuable to me. Though I'm not typically big on romance novels, I can say that I enjoyed this one.
The things I did not enjoy: the setup for a couple of scenes felt predictable. There were parts of the story where the stars aligned so well to create those “awkward moments” between Travis aka Trap and Sade, so I felt I just knew what was about to happen next. However, what I did enjoy far outweighed what I did not.
There were a few things I could relate to in some way. The first being the initial platonic relationship between Trap and Sade. I remember there being some gossip that went on in the workplace about me and a male coworker because we had become friends. Some of the banter in the fictional barbershop CoEd gave me a little insight as to what that gossip about my friend and I entailed.
The next thing that piqued my interest was seeing how Sade and Trap handled their living situation. Having been involved with someone who had a female roommate with whom he had previously been intimate with, I wanted to know, even in a fictional setting, what could go on in the minds of roommates who are attracted to each other.
I wouldn't say that this book is action-packed or over-the-top drama because it isn't either of those things. It is more of a character study. Since it was so obvious that there was an attraction between the two main characters, what the heck was taking them so long to make a move on one another? What were their insecurities? What made them tick? What motivated them to continue on in a lifestyle where they both evaded and involved one another? I felt that Fant did a good job of answering those questions as the book progressed.
One scenario that particularly stood out to me was when Trap and Sade finally decided to take a major step in their relationship only for Trap to make a choice to potentially ruin it forever. This scene was the most eye-opening and thought-provoking for me because it gave me a perspective about a question that I've had for years. What question is that, you ask? Why do people (and by people I mean men) do things that seem (and often are) utterly ridiculous and then say that they did it for your own good? Then not only do they end up hurting you, but also other people. Actually seeing the thought process of Trap before, during and after he made that choice made it make a little bit of sense, though my being a woman and thinking the way many would probably expect a woman to think will probably keep me from ever fully understanding. I think I'm a little bit closer now.
CoEd kept me entertained and it allowed me to view everyday life and relationships from a different angle. The effort that Fant put into it is evident and I can really appreciate the time and energy it took to produce this novel. I was able to understand both of the main characters respectively and their story together made sense. This is the first book that I've read by James Fant, but it won't be the last. I rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.
It is always interesting to see different takes on relationships and gender roles. After all, I did take a few college courses in sociology and gender studies. I've also taken a few courses in the school of life and I am always glad to glean information from a variety of sources. Romance novels are no exception and this particular romance novel was, indeed, valuable to me. Though I'm not typically big on romance novels, I can say that I enjoyed this one.
The things I did not enjoy: the setup for a couple of scenes felt predictable. There were parts of the story where the stars aligned so well to create those “awkward moments” between Travis aka Trap and Sade, so I felt I just knew what was about to happen next. However, what I did enjoy far outweighed what I did not.
There were a few things I could relate to in some way. The first being the initial platonic relationship between Trap and Sade. I remember there being some gossip that went on in the workplace about me and a male coworker because we had become friends. Some of the banter in the fictional barbershop CoEd gave me a little insight as to what that gossip about my friend and I entailed.
The next thing that piqued my interest was seeing how Sade and Trap handled their living situation. Having been involved with someone who had a female roommate with whom he had previously been intimate with, I wanted to know, even in a fictional setting, what could go on in the minds of roommates who are attracted to each other.
I wouldn't say that this book is action-packed or over-the-top drama because it isn't either of those things. It is more of a character study. Since it was so obvious that there was an attraction between the two main characters, what the heck was taking them so long to make a move on one another? What were their insecurities? What made them tick? What motivated them to continue on in a lifestyle where they both evaded and involved one another? I felt that Fant did a good job of answering those questions as the book progressed.
One scenario that particularly stood out to me was when Trap and Sade finally decided to take a major step in their relationship only for Trap to make a choice to potentially ruin it forever. This scene was the most eye-opening and thought-provoking for me because it gave me a perspective about a question that I've had for years. What question is that, you ask? Why do people (and by people I mean men) do things that seem (and often are) utterly ridiculous and then say that they did it for your own good? Then not only do they end up hurting you, but also other people. Actually seeing the thought process of Trap before, during and after he made that choice made it make a little bit of sense, though my being a woman and thinking the way many would probably expect a woman to think will probably keep me from ever fully understanding. I think I'm a little bit closer now.
CoEd kept me entertained and it allowed me to view everyday life and relationships from a different angle. The effort that Fant put into it is evident and I can really appreciate the time and energy it took to produce this novel. I was able to understand both of the main characters respectively and their story together made sense. This is the first book that I've read by James Fant, but it won't be the last. I rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.
March 15, 2017
I really enjoyed Coed by James Fant. A friends to lovers story that deals with infidelity, forgiveness, fear, and mental illness. There were a few comical moments that helped lighten the mood of the book. I hope that we get an update on Sade and Trap's relationship and also the secondary characters in the book.
March 28, 2017
God please don't tell me that was the end. I need more of Trap and
Sade. This book was really good, so much so I want more. I am so
hoping for a second book. The book is written from two points of
view which gives you so much more insight.
This book is about best friends that run a hair salon together. They
have been friends for years and everyone, but them seem to see the
love they have for each other. When Sade moves in with Trap it
might as well been a trap. He wants her he is just scared. And when
you find out why, well you will understand. I know his particular
demon well. I having grown up with this particular demon myself.
Not the abuse but the illness. It can make you wary of those around
you. I wish Trap had told her instead of what he does. But
hopefully they can work it out. And maybe the author will grace us
with more from the duo. I know I would read it even knowing
from the ending what I do.
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope
you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this
book, please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like
it when you do; they value your opinions too.
Sade. This book was really good, so much so I want more. I am so
hoping for a second book. The book is written from two points of
view which gives you so much more insight.
This book is about best friends that run a hair salon together. They
have been friends for years and everyone, but them seem to see the
love they have for each other. When Sade moves in with Trap it
might as well been a trap. He wants her he is just scared. And when
you find out why, well you will understand. I know his particular
demon well. I having grown up with this particular demon myself.
Not the abuse but the illness. It can make you wary of those around
you. I wish Trap had told her instead of what he does. But
hopefully they can work it out. And maybe the author will grace us
with more from the duo. I know I would read it even knowing
from the ending what I do.
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope
you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this
book, please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like
it when you do; they value your opinions too.
April 11, 2017
Whoever follow my reviews know that best friends to lovers theme is one of my favourite ones. So no one will be surprised that I picked this one up for a leisure read. What I expected was a simple story of delayed attraction with the usual antics which would make me laugh and feel in turns. So I was pleasantly surprised with the unusual twists or rather the deeper look into the protagonists' actions.
There were no dearth of supporting cast in this tale. I loved the interactions of the people in the salon. It was refreshing and realistic. Usually I fall in love with the protagonists easily but this time, I wasn't enamoured of either of them till near the end. Trap and Sade, both of them, came across as superficial persons in the beginning more so Trap. Sade seemed better since she looked behind the facade of Ken. But then her actions before the finale made me like her less. Trap was such a playboy! But I loved his character towards the end. Both of their past kind of made me feel for them. Both had sufficient reasons to act like the way they did.
This was a short read. The pages literally turned themselves. But it felt a bit slow at times. I felt the author could have moved to the real meat sooner. The ending was kind of abrupt for me. I would have loved to know more of the couple version of Trap and Sade! All in all, it was a good read which tickled my sad bone along with the happy one.
I received a copy for reviewing purposes.
My one line review : A good read which touched all my feels.
My rating : 3.5/5
My reread factor : 3/5
April 12, 2017
This is a novel that is light and fun. It's not super deep and enotional.
I liked that the author took on the Friends to more aspect. I really did not understand how these two were going to make it work and let me tell you there are definitely plenty of ups and downs in their friendship/relationship.
That being said, there was something endearing about everything they overcame and the differences in their lives but the amount they actually had in common. I really enjoyed most of their banter.
The secondary characters in this story stole my heart!
I liked that the author took on the Friends to more aspect. I really did not understand how these two were going to make it work and let me tell you there are definitely plenty of ups and downs in their friendship/relationship.
That being said, there was something endearing about everything they overcame and the differences in their lives but the amount they actually had in common. I really enjoyed most of their banter.
The secondary characters in this story stole my heart!
April 13, 2017
What a great topic for a Romance. This is a common thought about friends of the opposite sex and I loved James Fant's way of delving into it.
This novel was fun and fresh. The author really has the ability to bring us new characters who we care about.
I loved the the author was able to balance a sweet romance, humorous moments, and emotional drama all in this novel. Everything offsets each other perfectly.
I personally enjoyed the relationships forged with secondary characters as well.
James Fant has done a great job making sure we are invested in not only the relationship, but the future of the business.
This novel was fun and fresh. The author really has the ability to bring us new characters who we care about.
I loved the the author was able to balance a sweet romance, humorous moments, and emotional drama all in this novel. Everything offsets each other perfectly.
I personally enjoyed the relationships forged with secondary characters as well.
James Fant has done a great job making sure we are invested in not only the relationship, but the future of the business.
April 15, 2017
This was another one of those reads where I felt I already knew what was going to happen but, I the blurb did pull me in and I wanted to read it to see if I was right...
Well, I think this story line sort of parallels with the idea of "friends with benefits". It doesn't work. However, in the case of having a roommate of the opposite gender can work if the two are completely platonic towards each other, yes? I have had friends of the opposite sex where I thought they were attractive but I was never attractive to them. These two, Travis and Sade are trying desperately to have that same type of relationship as roommates. However, you could feel a brewing happening below the surface. However, this story deals with a lot more than just two best friends of the opposite sex, living together, and trying very hard to stay Just Friends. There's fear, infidelity, trust...
although I felt some of the scenes were a bit...expected, I did enjoy the read which I was glad I did because I was hesitant to read this because it felt cliche which, the author proved me wrong, thankfully.
For my full review, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
Well, I think this story line sort of parallels with the idea of "friends with benefits". It doesn't work. However, in the case of having a roommate of the opposite gender can work if the two are completely platonic towards each other, yes? I have had friends of the opposite sex where I thought they were attractive but I was never attractive to them. These two, Travis and Sade are trying desperately to have that same type of relationship as roommates. However, you could feel a brewing happening below the surface. However, this story deals with a lot more than just two best friends of the opposite sex, living together, and trying very hard to stay Just Friends. There's fear, infidelity, trust...
although I felt some of the scenes were a bit...expected, I did enjoy the read which I was glad I did because I was hesitant to read this because it felt cliche which, the author proved me wrong, thankfully.
For my full review, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
April 22, 2017
Content Warning: Domestic Violence, Anger Issues, Cheating,
I liked it. It's pretty sexy, down to Earth, with a lot of characters and drama to go around. Travis is a player and Sade is rather old-fashioned, which she's defensive about.
COED starts with Sade moving into Travis's house and Travis has a bachelor party for a friend of his happening that night. It's clear that they've got tension and awkwardness from the get go. What happens next just speeds it up. It's a short tale, only 150 pages, and I wonder how it'd work out if given more room to flourish.
I call it sexy but don't get it confused with erotica. The characters are very hott and there's plenty of checking out, flirting, and thinking going around. The two sex scenes that immediately come to mind though are rather sad. It's not the right time with the right people, so of course the sex is bad. Poor Sade! The best she got in the story is an erotic dream.
I liked Travis and Sade's friendship. Travis was very real about the difference in emotional and psychological support received from men and women. I'm even happier he decided to be a better friend!
I love how Sade owns her sexuality
I'm glad those who got cheated on were mad at the cheaters, not the other innocent party.
I liked how Travis is on medication for his bipolar disorder.
I liked how Sade confronted her issues and moved forward with handling them instead of taking the easy way out.
I liked the scene where they're at the couple's meeting together. Sade's thought process on being a woman that gets hit by a man is so spot on, it's depressing. I remember thinking that way before I became a survivor. I just wish this idea was pushed back instead of reinforced with the Ex-Wife.
The Shop scenes were pretty funny, though the Silent Treatment ones were the best IMHO.
Travis is the most authentic sounding guy...most of the time. His childhood is spot on, those passages were amazing.
I don't "get" Travis's dumbass decision on a visceral level, but I know it's realistic and people, especially men, are just that fucking stupid. Stupid, stupid people.
I'm glad Sade got more understanding and support than just "leave his cheating ass!!". It's HARD. It HURTS. And your feelings just don't dry up automatically....
I'm glad The Stripper isn't slut-shamed by Travis, because nobody needs that nonsense and it would make him a hypocritical bastard. However, it feels like Travis has a Madonna-Whore complex, with her and Sade on opposing ends. With Sade's preaching of old-fashioned sensibilities, it's definitely keeping inline with the status quo of wifey material.
Weird that a grown man Googled why nipples got hard. (Maybe that's just me?)
Don't like how the Ex-Wife was portrayed. I've never met a DV victim like that and don't like how he gets help, but she doesn't. Usually it's the other way around. Everything about her is a cry for help, but instead, she's the instigator and the crazy one. Ugh. I hate how baby mama is always a problem character. This bullshit hits far too close to home.
I DID NOT appreciate Sade being judgmental against the Ex-Wife. (See above.)
I wish Travis and Sade went to therapy, separately, for their issues. It's a tad unfair that Travis gets help through Sade as a therapist stand-in but Sade has to conquer her own demons alone. Therapy would even this out and help raise awareness and normalize therapy, which is always a good thing.
I can do without the breaking the fourth wall moment, where Travis tell us how James Fant loves to break chapters to build suspense (paraphrasing)
I can totally see a series happening based off of other characters around COED the shop and think that'd be pretty cool.
Related Social Justice Reading:
Why the Black Community Has a Fraught Relationship With Therapy
3 Compelling Truths About Feminism That All Black Men Should Consider
Black Men and Mental Illness Can Be a Barbershop Conversation, Too
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews