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Whatever It Takes
Bestselling author Tu-Shonda Whitaker has penned a witty and sizzling romance that will leave you begging for more.
India Parker has gotten to the point in her life where she accepts she will always be alone. All of that changes, however, when her best girlfriend asks her for help in catching her husband cheating on camera.
When India returns the camera, she comes across pictures of Devin, her friend’s twenty-three-year-old son. Only he’s not a boy anymore, and he wants to prove to India that he’s man enough for her. This sexy novella shows that “Tu-Shonda Whitaker just keeps getting better and better” (T. Styles).
India Parker has gotten to the point in her life where she accepts she will always be alone. All of that changes, however, when her best girlfriend asks her for help in catching her husband cheating on camera.
When India returns the camera, she comes across pictures of Devin, her friend’s twenty-three-year-old son. Only he’s not a boy anymore, and he wants to prove to India that he’s man enough for her. This sexy novella shows that “Tu-Shonda Whitaker just keeps getting better and better” (T. Styles).
- GenresRomance
94 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2017
17 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker
11 books118 followersTu-Shonda L. Whitaker is the award winning, Essence bestselling author of Flip Side of the Game and Game Over.
She is also a contributing writer to the anthologies: Cream and Kiss The Year Goodbye.
Whitaker was awarded the Ella Baker and W.E.B. Du Bois International Award for fiction writing. Her most recent title, The Ex Factor has been featured in several magazines such as Vibe Vixen and Romantic Times Book Review as one of the hottest, sensual, and humorous tales released this year.
Whitaker lives in New Jersey with her husband and their children.
She is also a contributing writer to the anthologies: Cream and Kiss The Year Goodbye.
Whitaker was awarded the Ella Baker and W.E.B. Du Bois International Award for fiction writing. Her most recent title, The Ex Factor has been featured in several magazines such as Vibe Vixen and Romantic Times Book Review as one of the hottest, sensual, and humorous tales released this year.
Whitaker lives in New Jersey with her husband and their children.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 11, 2017
This was my first time reading anything by this author and I must say, I found this novella to be hilarious. While I never read books according to seasons, I was curious about this one more than the others that the publisher had emailed me and ended up liking it more.
First of all, you can't go into this short story looking for a lot of depth to characters or something that will rock your emotions in a serious way. It was more on the humor and erotic side. Everything happened fast. Nothing was realistic, but it's definitely interesting.
So the premise is about an older woman dating a younger man, and all the drama that comes with it. I don't know how I'd feel about my best friend having a relationship with my son, so I could understand why India would be apprehensive about telling Devin's mother. But the fact that they even went out to various public places wasn't exactly keeping things secret, so that had me rolling my eyes at her. As for Devin's mom, she was crazy. Sneaking around and watching her husband, trying to catch him in the act, that's messed up and if she's going to spend her life doing that then maybe she shouldn't be with him. The whole thing was just wild, but it made for an enjoyable read, to me.
Of course, India had all these issues with dating Devin, as anyone would. Throughout the story, and even though it's already short, she kept bringing up all the reasons why they shouldn't be together. She worried about him wanting children because she felt that time was running out for her, and she feared he wouldn't want to settle down. She even allowed her insecurities to almost destroy what they were starting to have, but thankfully by the end, India was able to get over all that and just be with Devin.
Overall, like I said, it's not deep. Just a short and sexy novella that's warm for the cold weather, funny and light enough to not leave you feeling gloomy. Cute story, Ms. Whitaker.
First of all, you can't go into this short story looking for a lot of depth to characters or something that will rock your emotions in a serious way. It was more on the humor and erotic side. Everything happened fast. Nothing was realistic, but it's definitely interesting.
So the premise is about an older woman dating a younger man, and all the drama that comes with it. I don't know how I'd feel about my best friend having a relationship with my son, so I could understand why India would be apprehensive about telling Devin's mother. But the fact that they even went out to various public places wasn't exactly keeping things secret, so that had me rolling my eyes at her. As for Devin's mom, she was crazy. Sneaking around and watching her husband, trying to catch him in the act, that's messed up and if she's going to spend her life doing that then maybe she shouldn't be with him. The whole thing was just wild, but it made for an enjoyable read, to me.
Of course, India had all these issues with dating Devin, as anyone would. Throughout the story, and even though it's already short, she kept bringing up all the reasons why they shouldn't be together. She worried about him wanting children because she felt that time was running out for her, and she feared he wouldn't want to settle down. She even allowed her insecurities to almost destroy what they were starting to have, but thankfully by the end, India was able to get over all that and just be with Devin.
Overall, like I said, it's not deep. Just a short and sexy novella that's warm for the cold weather, funny and light enough to not leave you feeling gloomy. Cute story, Ms. Whitaker.
December 31, 2017
This is my first time reading this author, and I must say I was thoroughly captured by her book. I was able to read it in one night. The characters are all very good starting with the main one India. She is a 36 year old woman who is now tired of looking for the right guy and is expecting her life. When she returns her friend camera the friend’s 23 year old son makes a play for her and does stop until she agrees to go out with him. She has a few problems besides the age. One this is her friends son, two why can’t she find someone closer to her own age, and three it is either him or the neighbor ( no ) or it is sitting home by herself eating. See what happens. Yes there are sex scenes and they are hot. Overall a good book with good characters and that is what keeps this book going. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
January 26, 2021
Whatever it takes
Whew this was a hilarious love story. The perfect amount of drama to keep the reader enthralled with the characters and the type of laughs that Mrs Whitaker is known to give her readers...
India... Lovely character. Hilarious! Her insecurity in herself was just what this story needed to make it more realistic than fiction
Tracy... A true blue friend
Joan... A good friend but this chick is nuts😂😂😂
Devin... Tender roni who knows what he wants.
Honorable mention... Mr Marcus. This old dude is pure comedic relief. Not a scene that he was in where I wasn't crying real tears!
The plot was amazing and even though it was a shorty, it was really good and left me wanting just a few more pages.
Whew this was a hilarious love story. The perfect amount of drama to keep the reader enthralled with the characters and the type of laughs that Mrs Whitaker is known to give her readers...
India... Lovely character. Hilarious! Her insecurity in herself was just what this story needed to make it more realistic than fiction
Tracy... A true blue friend
Joan... A good friend but this chick is nuts😂😂😂
Devin... Tender roni who knows what he wants.
Honorable mention... Mr Marcus. This old dude is pure comedic relief. Not a scene that he was in where I wasn't crying real tears!
The plot was amazing and even though it was a shorty, it was really good and left me wanting just a few more pages.
December 12, 2023
India Parker is tired of asking Santa to bring her a man, so she has accepted that she'll be alone. Until, her best friend asks her to return a camera. Little did she know, that small deed would lead to a secret situationship. One that can potentially become so much more.
I literally laughed until I cried smiles reading this novella by @tushonda. That mama was not playing about her son, and as a mom of 3 grown men…I totally understand.
I'm looking forward to seeing this one play across the scene.
I literally laughed until I cried smiles reading this novella by @tushonda. That mama was not playing about her son, and as a mom of 3 grown men…I totally understand.
I'm looking forward to seeing this one play across the scene.
December 4, 2017
Quick read. Older woman, younger man. Older woman is friend's with younger man's mother. Woman has hangups about the age difference and cannot get past this. There is one twist in the book. But overall, ok read. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review.
December 4, 2017
Nice to see this reissued. India finds herself interested in her friend's son Devin- who is 23. It's not as steamy as it could be and it doesn't really address the huge age gap but you know what- it's a quick, entertaining read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
December 9, 2017
Love has no age limit
This was a good quick read. It totally shows that there is no age limit on love. In this book we have three best friends. When one friendnfalls in love with her friends 23 year old son what will she do. Read the book to find out.
This was a good quick read. It totally shows that there is no age limit on love. In this book we have three best friends. When one friendnfalls in love with her friends 23 year old son what will she do. Read the book to find out.
December 19, 2023
The movie based off this book comes out in a few days, is how I even heard about this author. I laughed so hard at this book. It was hilarious, erotic, and just a fun quick read. I am definitely looking forward to the movie, but also to read more of this authors work.
December 26, 2023
Can't wait to watch the movie!
I have not laugh so much, while reading this book. Lord that Tracy was a hot mess she kept me Laughing and her Neighbor Mr. Marcus. And Joan and those bushes. Now I can watch the movie on BET plus.
I have not laugh so much, while reading this book. Lord that Tracy was a hot mess she kept me Laughing and her Neighbor Mr. Marcus. And Joan and those bushes. Now I can watch the movie on BET plus.
November 30, 2017
This sultry novella made me laugh more than it made me cringe with Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker's memorable characters!
January 11, 2018
When Love Calls
Cupid has no age limit for love. This May/December romance is a laugh out read. With just the right amount of romance.
Cupid has no age limit for love. This May/December romance is a laugh out read. With just the right amount of romance.
January 22, 2018
I received this novella through NetGalley. This story was OK, I felt it could’ve been shorter, seemed like it was dragging for a moment.
September 29, 2019
❤️
It was soooo funny. I don’t typically enjoy short reads but I loved this one. I will reread it sometime in the future.
It was soooo funny. I don’t typically enjoy short reads but I loved this one. I will reread it sometime in the future.
March 24, 2020
This is a very short book, but for some reason it took me forever to finish. I have read other books by this author and enjoyed but this storyline was just for a quick read.
May 23, 2022
Tu-Shonda always delivers. This was so lighthearted and funny. I enjoyed India and Devin’s journey of love.
April 2, 2023
Cute.
This was a cute and quick read. It doesn't come off as realistic and it's wildly predictable, but I was in the mood for such literature! Lol!
This was a cute and quick read. It doesn't come off as realistic and it's wildly predictable, but I was in the mood for such literature! Lol!
July 13, 2024
Entertaining enough
Some parts were cool, some were funny, some were just silly to me. I was entertained enough to finish it.
Some parts were cool, some were funny, some were just silly to me. I was entertained enough to finish it.
January 17, 2018
A short read about a woman involving herself with the son of one of one of her close friends. It was enjoyable
Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this book.
Thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this book.
December 4, 2017
Whatever It Takes was originally published in 2005 as part of the Kiss the Year Goodbye anthology. I absolutely love the cover of this novella. The model’s cheekbones are serious goals. I don’t think my contouring skills are good enough to even achieve a cheekbone look like that.
I’m always down for an older woman/younger man story. We don’t have enough of them so I was excited to read this novella. The fact that Devin is the son of India’s best friend is even better. It makes this story even more taboo. Imagine my disappointment that Whatever It Takes did not deliver the panty-melting sex scenes that I was hoping for.
There’s not much build up of the attraction between Devin and India. One day India shows up at her girlfriend’s house and Devin answers the door. There’s flirting and then next thing you know, Devin shows up at India’s house confessing that he’s always been attracted to her. Okay. So no history or build-up or flashback scenes to where they were in each other’s presence and fighting the attraction. We’re just gonna go with it. Got it.
The first time India and Devin have sex there was more telling than showing. We get a summary of what they did and where but weren’t privy to any of the details. I was disappointed. I need the juicy hot details! The nosey neighbor Mr. Marcus was comic relief that I found more annoying than funny. His part in the book was entirely too damn long. He could have been cut out and replaced him with some detailed sex scenes!
I’m all for women of all ages getting theirs but don’t throw romance and love into the mix and think that I’m going to believe it. As Devin and India’s relationship progressed, India started coming off as desperate. I would have preferred if the relationship stayed sexual and was just a short-term affair. I actually couldn’t see what they had in common where their sexual relationship would turn into a romance.
The novella was too short to fully flesh out the characters and their relationship. Since Whatever It Takes was originally published in 2005, it was very outdated. The one thing that stood out was the fact that India smoked a lot. In the year of 2017, it’s rare that the main character, especially a woman, would be written as a heavy smoker. It’s unattractive. I wish the novella had been updated to be more current. It felt like I was in a time machine and not in a good way.
I’m always down for an older woman/younger man story. We don’t have enough of them so I was excited to read this novella. The fact that Devin is the son of India’s best friend is even better. It makes this story even more taboo. Imagine my disappointment that Whatever It Takes did not deliver the panty-melting sex scenes that I was hoping for.
There’s not much build up of the attraction between Devin and India. One day India shows up at her girlfriend’s house and Devin answers the door. There’s flirting and then next thing you know, Devin shows up at India’s house confessing that he’s always been attracted to her. Okay. So no history or build-up or flashback scenes to where they were in each other’s presence and fighting the attraction. We’re just gonna go with it. Got it.
The first time India and Devin have sex there was more telling than showing. We get a summary of what they did and where but weren’t privy to any of the details. I was disappointed. I need the juicy hot details! The nosey neighbor Mr. Marcus was comic relief that I found more annoying than funny. His part in the book was entirely too damn long. He could have been cut out and replaced him with some detailed sex scenes!
I’m all for women of all ages getting theirs but don’t throw romance and love into the mix and think that I’m going to believe it. As Devin and India’s relationship progressed, India started coming off as desperate. I would have preferred if the relationship stayed sexual and was just a short-term affair. I actually couldn’t see what they had in common where their sexual relationship would turn into a romance.
The novella was too short to fully flesh out the characters and their relationship. Since Whatever It Takes was originally published in 2005, it was very outdated. The one thing that stood out was the fact that India smoked a lot. In the year of 2017, it’s rare that the main character, especially a woman, would be written as a heavy smoker. It’s unattractive. I wish the novella had been updated to be more current. It felt like I was in a time machine and not in a good way.
December 8, 2017
India Parker is 36 years old and has just decided to accept that she will always be single. However, when her friend asks India to return her digital camera, India meets Devin, her friend's 23-year-old son. There is an instant attraction between them, but India tries to convince herself that nothing can happen because of the age difference.
I did not get the feeling that these two actually liked each other beyond their lust. They treated each other horribly/said a lot of terrible things to each other, which made it hard for me to root for them to end up together.
I did not get the feeling that these two actually liked each other beyond their lust. They treated each other horribly/said a lot of terrible things to each other, which made it hard for me to root for them to end up together.
December 4, 2017
First time reader of this author and I will be reading more. From the start India had me cracking up. The small references to Berny Mac was hilarious and the quick easy way you call into her life and become invested in her story is a testament to Tu-Shonds's story telling abilities. I want more! This was a fun read with lots of laughter and interesting characters. There is sex, but unlike a lot stories these day's it didn't rely on it to keep you engaged. It was all about what connects India and Devin emotionally. I loved that, and I love this book.
* This book was gifted to me for my honest review*
* This book was gifted to me for my honest review*
June 1, 2018
Short and quick read about an older woman getting involved with her friend's son. It was an okay read for me, I liked it. Would love to see it fleshed out into a full-length novel.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews