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Basketball Jones
E. Lynn Harris has wowed and seduced more than three million readers with the wicked drama and undeniable heart in his novels. Now he’s back with another winner sure to top the bestseller lists—a rip-roaring tale of sex, secrets, betrayal . . . and blackmail.
Aldridge James “AJ” Richardson is living the good life. He has a gorgeous town house in always-flavorful New Orleans, plenty of frequent-flier miles from jet-setting around the country on a whim, and an MBA—but he’s never had to work a regular job. He owes it all to his longtime lover, Dray Jones. Dray Jones the rich and famous NBA star. They fell in love in college when AJ was hired to tutor Dray, a freshman on the basketball team. But Dray knew if he wanted to make it to the big time, he must juggle his public image and his private desires. Built on a deep, abiding love, their hidden relationship sustains them both, but when Dray’s teammates begin to ask insinuating questions about AJ, Dray puts their doubts to rest by marrying Judi, a beautiful and ambitious woman. Judi knows nothing about Dray’s “other life.” Or does she?
In Basketball Jones, E. Lynn Harris explores the consequences of loving someone who is forced to conform to the rules society demands its public heroes follow. Filled with nonstop twists and turns, it will keep readers riveted from the first page to the last.
Aldridge James “AJ” Richardson is living the good life. He has a gorgeous town house in always-flavorful New Orleans, plenty of frequent-flier miles from jet-setting around the country on a whim, and an MBA—but he’s never had to work a regular job. He owes it all to his longtime lover, Dray Jones. Dray Jones the rich and famous NBA star. They fell in love in college when AJ was hired to tutor Dray, a freshman on the basketball team. But Dray knew if he wanted to make it to the big time, he must juggle his public image and his private desires. Built on a deep, abiding love, their hidden relationship sustains them both, but when Dray’s teammates begin to ask insinuating questions about AJ, Dray puts their doubts to rest by marrying Judi, a beautiful and ambitious woman. Judi knows nothing about Dray’s “other life.” Or does she?
In Basketball Jones, E. Lynn Harris explores the consequences of loving someone who is forced to conform to the rules society demands its public heroes follow. Filled with nonstop twists and turns, it will keep readers riveted from the first page to the last.
246 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
70 people are currently reading
1168 people want to read
About the author
E. Lynn Harris
47 books747 followersE. Lynn Harris was born in Flint, Michigan and raised, along with three sisters, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he was the school's first black yearbook editor, the first black male Razorbacks cheerleader, and the president of his fraternity. He graduated with honors with a degree in journalism.
Harris sold computers for IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and AT&T for thirteen years while living in Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. He finally quit his sales job to write his first novel, Invisible Life, and, failing to find a publisher, he published it himself in 1991 and sold it mostly at black-owned bookstores, beauty salons, and book clubs before he was "discovered" by Anchor Books. Anchor published Invisible Life as a trade paperback in 1994, and thus his career as an author officially began.
Invisible Life was followed by Just As I Am (1994), And This Too Shall Pass (1996), If This World Were Mine (1997), Abide with Me (1999), Not A Day Goes By (2000), Any Way the Wind Blows (2001), A Love of My Own (2002), I Say A Little Prayer (2006), Just Too Good To Be True (2008), Basketball Jones(2009), and Mama Dearest(2009),all published by Doubleday, and In My Father's House(2010), published by St. Martin's Press. Ten of Harris's novels hit the New York Times bestseller list, and his books have also appeared on the bestseller lists of the Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. In 2003, Harris published his first work of nonfiction, a memoir entitled What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, which was also a New York Times bestseller. Today, there are more than four million copies of his books in print.
Harris's writing also appeared in Essence, Washington Post Sunday Magazine, and Sports Illustrated, as well as in the award-winning anthology Brotherman: The Odyssey of Black Men in America, Go The Way Your Blood Beats. His novella, "Money Can't Buy Me Love" was published in Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories. Freedom in This Village, a collection of short stories edited by Harris, was released in the fall of 2004. His short fiction appeared in Gumbo: A Celebration of African American Writers (Harlem Moon), a 2002 collection he edited with writer Marita Golden.
Harris won numerous accolades and prizes for his work. Just As I Am was awarded the Novel of the Year Prize by the Blackboard African-American Bestsellers, Inc. If This World Were Mine was nominated for a NAACP Image Award and won the James Baldwin Award for Literary Excellence. Abide with Me was also nominated for a NAACP Image Award. His anthology Freedom in this Village won the Lambda Literary Award in 2005. In 1999, the University of Arkansas honored Harris with a Citation of Distinguished Alumni for outstanding professional achievement, and in October 2000 he was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. He was named to Ebony's "Most Intriguing Blacks" list, Out Magazine's "Out 100" list, New York Magazine's "Gay Power 101" list, and Savoy's "100 Leaders and Heroes in Black America" list. Other honors included the Sprague Todes Literary Award, the Harvey Milk Honorary Diploma, and The Silas Hunt Award for Outstanding Achievement from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Harris was a member of the Board of Directors of the Hurston/Wright Foundation and the Evidence Dance Company. He was the founder of the E. Lynn Harris Better Days Foundation, a nonprofit company that provides support to aspiring writers and artists.
E. Lynn Harris passed away in 2009.
http://us.macmillan.com/inmyfathersho...
Harris sold computers for IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and AT&T for thirteen years while living in Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. He finally quit his sales job to write his first novel, Invisible Life, and, failing to find a publisher, he published it himself in 1991 and sold it mostly at black-owned bookstores, beauty salons, and book clubs before he was "discovered" by Anchor Books. Anchor published Invisible Life as a trade paperback in 1994, and thus his career as an author officially began.
Invisible Life was followed by Just As I Am (1994), And This Too Shall Pass (1996), If This World Were Mine (1997), Abide with Me (1999), Not A Day Goes By (2000), Any Way the Wind Blows (2001), A Love of My Own (2002), I Say A Little Prayer (2006), Just Too Good To Be True (2008), Basketball Jones(2009), and Mama Dearest(2009),all published by Doubleday, and In My Father's House(2010), published by St. Martin's Press. Ten of Harris's novels hit the New York Times bestseller list, and his books have also appeared on the bestseller lists of the Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. In 2003, Harris published his first work of nonfiction, a memoir entitled What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, which was also a New York Times bestseller. Today, there are more than four million copies of his books in print.
Harris's writing also appeared in Essence, Washington Post Sunday Magazine, and Sports Illustrated, as well as in the award-winning anthology Brotherman: The Odyssey of Black Men in America, Go The Way Your Blood Beats. His novella, "Money Can't Buy Me Love" was published in Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories. Freedom in This Village, a collection of short stories edited by Harris, was released in the fall of 2004. His short fiction appeared in Gumbo: A Celebration of African American Writers (Harlem Moon), a 2002 collection he edited with writer Marita Golden.
Harris won numerous accolades and prizes for his work. Just As I Am was awarded the Novel of the Year Prize by the Blackboard African-American Bestsellers, Inc. If This World Were Mine was nominated for a NAACP Image Award and won the James Baldwin Award for Literary Excellence. Abide with Me was also nominated for a NAACP Image Award. His anthology Freedom in this Village won the Lambda Literary Award in 2005. In 1999, the University of Arkansas honored Harris with a Citation of Distinguished Alumni for outstanding professional achievement, and in October 2000 he was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. He was named to Ebony's "Most Intriguing Blacks" list, Out Magazine's "Out 100" list, New York Magazine's "Gay Power 101" list, and Savoy's "100 Leaders and Heroes in Black America" list. Other honors included the Sprague Todes Literary Award, the Harvey Milk Honorary Diploma, and The Silas Hunt Award for Outstanding Achievement from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Harris was a member of the Board of Directors of the Hurston/Wright Foundation and the Evidence Dance Company. He was the founder of the E. Lynn Harris Better Days Foundation, a nonprofit company that provides support to aspiring writers and artists.
E. Lynn Harris passed away in 2009.
http://us.macmillan.com/inmyfathersho...
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October 11, 2023
Sometimes I don't know if I chose the life I lead or if it chose me. No, I don't mean the age-old question about whether or not one picks one's sexual orientation (I know I was born this way), because I've always been comfortable with the skin I'm in. I'm talking about the situation I'm in with Dray. Why couldn't I have picked someone who wanted only to be with me? Why didn't I meet a man who was man enough to admit who he really was?
I remember reading this book when it came out in January of 2009 and I remember clearly when E. Lynn Harris died, about 7 months later. And the statement his family released about his death. I don't know why, perhaps because both things happened pretty close together, this book - which I own - has always stayed with me. It's weird what books get a special place in your heart, and not even due to good writing or good plot. This is one of them, for me.
Coming on GR you can see that the m/m market is dominated by white, hetero females. This book which was written by a gay black man is a lot different than what is written most frequently as m/m nowadays. I personally don't have a problem with people writing about groups they don't belong to - it's called fiction for a reason -, but there's a hugely different feel between a book that focuses on a m/m relationship penned by an actual gay man and one penned by a heterosexual female. Just as I've noticed *clears throat* that lesbian fiction written by heterosexual men is wildly different than the lesbian fiction I read that is written by actual lesbians. *cough cough*
ANYWAY. I'd hesitate to classify this as a romance even though it does focus on the romantic relationship between two gay black men and does have lots of sex scenes both on and off-page (but mostly off). Instead, this is what I call "dick lit" which is like "chick lit" but by men. The focus here is not really on how the hero falls in love or what the hero does in the bedroom but instead on the hero's wants, needs, life, desires, and what is important to him in all aspects of his life. Yes, his relationship with Dray is one part of that, but the book's focus is not on falling in love or on getting to that kiss-and-get-married ending that romance always heads for.
E. Lynn Harris is not the only male to write 'dick lit.' Mike Gayle, a black heterosexual British writer, writes great books about m/f relationships and life which fall into this category, like
My Legendary Girlfriend
Turning Thirty
Mr. Commitment
His 'N' Hers
and Dinner for Two
among others. Funny, cute, and romantic and all told from a guy's point of view, Gayle's books charmed me. (I think they call this "lad lit" in Britain.)
Nick Hornby also writes what I call 'dick lit.' I would describe High Fidelity as this kind of book, even though some may disagree with me... it's like the male version of Bridget Jones's Diary.
Now that we've covered that.
AJ has had a long-term relationship with NBA star Drayton Jones. They've been together for seven years, but Dray is deep in the closet and their whole relationship is top secret. No one knows about them, not AJ's family, not AJ's best friend... this is a secret he keeps from everyone.
AJ gets benefits from this relationship - TONS of money which he uses not only for his own personal wants but uses to buy a house for his mom and 16-year-old sister, cars for them, etc. etc.; great sex; and he gets to be the partner of the man he's in love with. But his life is a complete secret from everyone and he's always going to be Dray's dirty little secret. Dray expects AJ to be at his beck and call, he expects AJ to drop everything and travel at a moment's notice, and he takes AJ's loyalty and love for granted.
This only becomes worse when Dray gets married to a white woman - in an attempt to solidify his straight-man status.
I showed no reaction when he announced that he was marrying Judi in what was to be one of the biggest weddings Miami's Star Island had ever seen. I'd seen it coming and told myself that I'd hold it together when he broke the news. I wanted to show him I could take care of myself. Needless to say, I didn't attend. Instead I spent the entire month of June touring Europe on Dray's dime so I didn't have to endure all the press attention their nuptials captured.
Dray always thinks of himself first. It's obvious he loves AJ deeply, but he is selfish and narcissistic and brushes aside AJ's wants and needs like they are nothing. When AJ makes plans to visit his family and a chance comes up for Dray to see AJ, he just expects AJ to drop everything and cancel to come see him immediately.
"When?"
"Today."
"Oh, I don't know if I can do that," I said.
"Why not?"
"I was thinking about going to see my family."
"You see them all the time. Now do what I said, Mr. Richardson, and get that fine ass of yours on a plane ASAP."
This happens more than once. He doesn't acknowledge or respect that AJ has a life of his own.
Although I have two degrees, including an MBA from Georgia State University, I haven't worked a nine to five since I met Dray. When we first moved to Atlanta, I was kept busy furnishing his new condo and my town house...
...
...then pursued my MBA at night but didn't tell Dray about it because he made it clear he wanted me to be able to travel at a moment's notice to attend his road games.
That's messed up, earning a degree at night that your man doesn't even know about. I mean, that's indicative of this whole relationship. AJ takes care of and babies Dray, and Dray just soaks it all up like it's his due. Even when they had just met and were both poor in college. Yes, Dray is giving AJ money (as a kept man) and a lifestyle that is very rich, and obviously they both love each other, but AJ hides things from Dray that he thinks Dray 'shouldn't have to deal with' or 'doesn't want to know about.' His secret MBA, his desire for Dray to kiss him more and be more affectionate, and later in the book a crisis he's going through - all of these things he 'shields' Dray from out of some bizarre idea of protecting his fragile man-child boyfriend. I personally don't think he was doing Dray any favors. I also don't think a healthy relationship is based on one person babying and catering to the other person's every whim.
Dray completely thinks AJ is in the palm of his hand and he never even considers how his words or actions might affect him. They way he just tells AJ he's getting married to a woman AJ has never met and later the way he acts when is just disgusting and abhorrent to me. He's truly narcissistic and unable to even understand how his actions and words are affecting loyal, nurturing AJ. He's also got a do-what-I-say, don't-ask-questions; when-I-say-jump-you-ask-how-high kind of thing going on which made me feel strongly for AJ.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Hey, I don't want to talk about it."...
I reached out to him. "Okay, come over here and let me take your shoes off and we'll take a nap."
"I knew you'd take care of me. Nobody can make me feel better than you, AJ."
I don't know how AJ has put up with this for all these years and, the point of the book is, AJ is starting to wonder this, too.
Was I really about to lose everything? I could stand losing the house and I could even stand losing all Dray's money, if it came to that. But the thought of not having Dray in my life was something I couldn't fathom. I needed him and I hoped Dray needed me, too.
Will things with Dray come to a head? Will AJ finally leave the man he loves, fed up with all his bullshit? Will Dray ever come out of the closet? Can AJ resign himself to being 'the dirty little secret' forever? Should he have to? Is there only one love, one true love in a person's life or can there be more?
There's also a mystery here, which I won't broach because I want it to be a surprise for readers, but there's a lot of secrets and snakes in this cast of characters.
For a moment I wondered about what would happen if someone exposed Dray and ended this lie once and for all. At least then we could finally live our lives openly and honestly for the first time. But I knew that closeted as Dray was, even if the truth came out, I was kidding myself by thinking we could live our lives freely.
Don't get me wrong, there are cute and romantic moments in this.
The funny thing about the strange relationship I shared with Dray that was different from a lot of gay couples I knew was that I was completely faithful to Dray. I saw fine dudes all the time, and it wasn't as if they didn't notice me. But I wasn't about to risk the life I had for a roll in the sack with some wannabe thug. Plus I was the old-fashioned type, never one to go around looking for something bigger or better. My mother raised me to be more responsible than that.
And Dray cooks AJ breakfast after a night of sex. We all know how I feel about that. ROMANTIC.
"What are you doing here?" I said, sitting up in the bed.
"What, you expecting your other boyfriend?" Dray teased.
"Now, you know he comes during the day when we know you're at practice."
"Just don't let me catch you with that nigga."
"Who said he was black?" I said as I got ready to leave the bed, only to be pulled back by Dray grabbing the bottom of my white T-shirt.
...
When I came back some ten minutes later, after making sure I'd brushed and flossed my teeth, combed my hair, washed my face, and moisturized my body, Dray wasn't there. I called out his name but he didn't answer. I went down the stairs and when I got halfway down I could smell food. Wonderful food.
That sounds like a lot of work just go down to breakfast with your lover of seven years, but perhaps I'm just a more of a slob than AJ (LOL) but this is indicative of their whole relationship - AJ feels like he always has to look perfect and be in perfect shape in order to please Dray.
I walked into the kitchen and there was Dray in his boxers and T-shirt, managing three different pots and pans on the stove top.
"I hope you're hungry, baby, because I sure am."
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm cooking us breakfast."
...
"When was the last time you cooked for me?" I asked. It had been so long that I'd forgotten what a great cook he was. When we started dating in college, he used to make hamburgers and homemade potato chips and then pour blue cheese over them. I loved the fattening snack.
"It's been a while. That's why I'm making your breakfast favorites." Gesturing from one pan to the next, he said, "We got scrambled eggs with onions and cheddar cheese, grits, honey-glazed bacon, and some store-bought biscuits. It looks like you're out of blueberry jam but I found some strawberry."
"It smells great."
This sounds cute, doesn't it? But Dray ruins everything when
"What would you like to drink?"
"Some coffee."
"That's not good for you, baby. How about some cranberry juice?"
"So I can't have coffee?"
"Cranberry juice."
"Why?"
"Because it's better for you."
"So you know what's best for me," I teased.
"I think I do."
Ever tell me what to eat or what not to eat and risk losing a finger. Definitely never going to be allowed to kiss or touch me ever again.
Not joking. But AJ seems just fine with all this. o.O
Anyway, you can see why I don't classify this as a romance. It's not about two people falling in love, it's about a long-term couple who are already in love. And Harris sees the problems within their relationship and presents it plainly. He's not sugarcoating it or romanticizing the way Dray treats AJ.
OTHER POINTS IN THE BOOK
- Not all females are horrible people, like in some m/m I see. AJ has close, kind female friends and a loving mother and sister. There ARE some pretty nasty women in here, but also loving, kind ones.
- The book is like a time capsule to 2008. Tons of talk about Obama, if he's going to be president, if he can win against Hillary. Tons of talk about Mike Vick. Tons of talk about what was going on in popular culture in 2008. I actually really enjoyed this, it was a trip. Rather than try and make his book timeless, Harris just goes for actual conversations he and his friends were having that year.
- Lots of clothing descriptions of what everyone is wearing in every scene, lots of brand-name dropping. I went into my dressing area and pulled out some black sweats, along with a white V-neck T-shirt. I put on some white ankle socks and my bright red Converse sneakers. Expect a lot of this. Even in tense or emotional scenes, Harris will always pause to note what everyone is wearing in great detail.
- AJ is a loyal and loving person to Dray and his friends and family, but Harris isn't making him a perfect man. He can get snippy with strangers for no reason, and he does some questionable things in the book, morally.
Dray is also a mixed bag. I know I've made him sound pretty horrible in my review, but he's also loving, cute, and sweet in his own way to AJ (not enough to justify staying with him, IMO - but you can see why AJ is with him).
Tl;dr - Not what I would call an m/m romance IMO. Instead, this is more like "chick lit" written by a gay black man about the relationship of a gay black man. Instead of focusing on the sex and the romance (which ARE elements of the story), Harris chooses to make this about life. Should you stay with someone you are deeply in love with but is in the closet and makes you his 'shameful little secret?' Should you stay in a relationship with someone who you can't tell ANYONE about? What are the burdens and damage caused to a person from being in this kind of relationship? How much shit can you put up with from your lover before you throw in the towel?
Harris also covers topics like "Is it cheating if your man isn't sleeping with any other men but IS married to a woman?" "Should you date someone who is in the closet or is that unhealthy?" "How can a relationship's established dynamics change over time?" Etc. etc.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest. Harris has an honest and unique voice IMO. The book is completely not what you would expect from the cover, or at least not what I expected. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered this, 7 years ago. However, it's not literary gold or anything. Don't expect an exquisite writing style or a plot that is anything more than entertaining.
I wouldn't read this for the sex, well, personally m/m sex does absolutely zero for me. But even if you are turned on by two men having sex, this isn't exactly written to be sexually titillating. The sex scenes are NOT written the same way they are in erotica books, although there are sex scenes. This probably isn't going to be anyone's masturbation material, is what I'm saying. Read it for the story, not for the sex.
I remember reading this book when it came out in January of 2009 and I remember clearly when E. Lynn Harris died, about 7 months later. And the statement his family released about his death. I don't know why, perhaps because both things happened pretty close together, this book - which I own - has always stayed with me. It's weird what books get a special place in your heart, and not even due to good writing or good plot. This is one of them, for me.
Coming on GR you can see that the m/m market is dominated by white, hetero females. This book which was written by a gay black man is a lot different than what is written most frequently as m/m nowadays. I personally don't have a problem with people writing about groups they don't belong to - it's called fiction for a reason -, but there's a hugely different feel between a book that focuses on a m/m relationship penned by an actual gay man and one penned by a heterosexual female. Just as I've noticed *clears throat* that lesbian fiction written by heterosexual men is wildly different than the lesbian fiction I read that is written by actual lesbians. *cough cough*
ANYWAY. I'd hesitate to classify this as a romance even though it does focus on the romantic relationship between two gay black men and does have lots of sex scenes both on and off-page (but mostly off). Instead, this is what I call "dick lit" which is like "chick lit" but by men. The focus here is not really on how the hero falls in love or what the hero does in the bedroom but instead on the hero's wants, needs, life, desires, and what is important to him in all aspects of his life. Yes, his relationship with Dray is one part of that, but the book's focus is not on falling in love or on getting to that kiss-and-get-married ending that romance always heads for.
E. Lynn Harris is not the only male to write 'dick lit.' Mike Gayle, a black heterosexual British writer, writes great books about m/f relationships and life which fall into this category, like
My Legendary Girlfriend
Turning Thirty
Mr. Commitment
His 'N' Hers
and Dinner for Two
among others. Funny, cute, and romantic and all told from a guy's point of view, Gayle's books charmed me. (I think they call this "lad lit" in Britain.)
Nick Hornby also writes what I call 'dick lit.' I would describe High Fidelity as this kind of book, even though some may disagree with me... it's like the male version of Bridget Jones's Diary.
Now that we've covered that.
AJ has had a long-term relationship with NBA star Drayton Jones. They've been together for seven years, but Dray is deep in the closet and their whole relationship is top secret. No one knows about them, not AJ's family, not AJ's best friend... this is a secret he keeps from everyone.
AJ gets benefits from this relationship - TONS of money which he uses not only for his own personal wants but uses to buy a house for his mom and 16-year-old sister, cars for them, etc. etc.; great sex; and he gets to be the partner of the man he's in love with. But his life is a complete secret from everyone and he's always going to be Dray's dirty little secret. Dray expects AJ to be at his beck and call, he expects AJ to drop everything and travel at a moment's notice, and he takes AJ's loyalty and love for granted.
This only becomes worse when Dray gets married to a white woman - in an attempt to solidify his straight-man status.
I showed no reaction when he announced that he was marrying Judi in what was to be one of the biggest weddings Miami's Star Island had ever seen. I'd seen it coming and told myself that I'd hold it together when he broke the news. I wanted to show him I could take care of myself. Needless to say, I didn't attend. Instead I spent the entire month of June touring Europe on Dray's dime so I didn't have to endure all the press attention their nuptials captured.
Dray always thinks of himself first. It's obvious he loves AJ deeply, but he is selfish and narcissistic and brushes aside AJ's wants and needs like they are nothing. When AJ makes plans to visit his family and a chance comes up for Dray to see AJ, he just expects AJ to drop everything and cancel to come see him immediately.
"When?"
"Today."
"Oh, I don't know if I can do that," I said.
"Why not?"
"I was thinking about going to see my family."
"You see them all the time. Now do what I said, Mr. Richardson, and get that fine ass of yours on a plane ASAP."
This happens more than once. He doesn't acknowledge or respect that AJ has a life of his own.
Although I have two degrees, including an MBA from Georgia State University, I haven't worked a nine to five since I met Dray. When we first moved to Atlanta, I was kept busy furnishing his new condo and my town house...
...
...then pursued my MBA at night but didn't tell Dray about it because he made it clear he wanted me to be able to travel at a moment's notice to attend his road games.
That's messed up, earning a degree at night that your man doesn't even know about. I mean, that's indicative of this whole relationship. AJ takes care of and babies Dray, and Dray just soaks it all up like it's his due. Even when they had just met and were both poor in college. Yes, Dray is giving AJ money (as a kept man) and a lifestyle that is very rich, and obviously they both love each other, but AJ hides things from Dray that he thinks Dray 'shouldn't have to deal with' or 'doesn't want to know about.' His secret MBA, his desire for Dray to kiss him more and be more affectionate, and later in the book a crisis he's going through - all of these things he 'shields' Dray from out of some bizarre idea of protecting his fragile man-child boyfriend. I personally don't think he was doing Dray any favors. I also don't think a healthy relationship is based on one person babying and catering to the other person's every whim.
Dray completely thinks AJ is in the palm of his hand and he never even considers how his words or actions might affect him. They way he just tells AJ he's getting married to a woman AJ has never met and later the way he acts when is just disgusting and abhorrent to me. He's truly narcissistic and unable to even understand how his actions and words are affecting loyal, nurturing AJ. He's also got a do-what-I-say, don't-ask-questions; when-I-say-jump-you-ask-how-high kind of thing going on which made me feel strongly for AJ.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Hey, I don't want to talk about it."...
I reached out to him. "Okay, come over here and let me take your shoes off and we'll take a nap."
"I knew you'd take care of me. Nobody can make me feel better than you, AJ."
I don't know how AJ has put up with this for all these years and, the point of the book is, AJ is starting to wonder this, too.
Was I really about to lose everything? I could stand losing the house and I could even stand losing all Dray's money, if it came to that. But the thought of not having Dray in my life was something I couldn't fathom. I needed him and I hoped Dray needed me, too.
Will things with Dray come to a head? Will AJ finally leave the man he loves, fed up with all his bullshit? Will Dray ever come out of the closet? Can AJ resign himself to being 'the dirty little secret' forever? Should he have to? Is there only one love, one true love in a person's life or can there be more?
There's also a mystery here, which I won't broach because I want it to be a surprise for readers, but there's a lot of secrets and snakes in this cast of characters.
For a moment I wondered about what would happen if someone exposed Dray and ended this lie once and for all. At least then we could finally live our lives openly and honestly for the first time. But I knew that closeted as Dray was, even if the truth came out, I was kidding myself by thinking we could live our lives freely.
Don't get me wrong, there are cute and romantic moments in this.
The funny thing about the strange relationship I shared with Dray that was different from a lot of gay couples I knew was that I was completely faithful to Dray. I saw fine dudes all the time, and it wasn't as if they didn't notice me. But I wasn't about to risk the life I had for a roll in the sack with some wannabe thug. Plus I was the old-fashioned type, never one to go around looking for something bigger or better. My mother raised me to be more responsible than that.
And Dray cooks AJ breakfast after a night of sex. We all know how I feel about that. ROMANTIC.
"What are you doing here?" I said, sitting up in the bed.
"What, you expecting your other boyfriend?" Dray teased.
"Now, you know he comes during the day when we know you're at practice."
"Just don't let me catch you with that nigga."
"Who said he was black?" I said as I got ready to leave the bed, only to be pulled back by Dray grabbing the bottom of my white T-shirt.
...
When I came back some ten minutes later, after making sure I'd brushed and flossed my teeth, combed my hair, washed my face, and moisturized my body, Dray wasn't there. I called out his name but he didn't answer. I went down the stairs and when I got halfway down I could smell food. Wonderful food.
That sounds like a lot of work just go down to breakfast with your lover of seven years, but perhaps I'm just a more of a slob than AJ (LOL) but this is indicative of their whole relationship - AJ feels like he always has to look perfect and be in perfect shape in order to please Dray.
I walked into the kitchen and there was Dray in his boxers and T-shirt, managing three different pots and pans on the stove top.
"I hope you're hungry, baby, because I sure am."
"What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm cooking us breakfast."
...
"When was the last time you cooked for me?" I asked. It had been so long that I'd forgotten what a great cook he was. When we started dating in college, he used to make hamburgers and homemade potato chips and then pour blue cheese over them. I loved the fattening snack.
"It's been a while. That's why I'm making your breakfast favorites." Gesturing from one pan to the next, he said, "We got scrambled eggs with onions and cheddar cheese, grits, honey-glazed bacon, and some store-bought biscuits. It looks like you're out of blueberry jam but I found some strawberry."
"It smells great."
This sounds cute, doesn't it? But Dray ruins everything when
"What would you like to drink?"
"Some coffee."
"That's not good for you, baby. How about some cranberry juice?"
"So I can't have coffee?"
"Cranberry juice."
"Why?"
"Because it's better for you."
"So you know what's best for me," I teased.
"I think I do."
Ever tell me what to eat or what not to eat and risk losing a finger. Definitely never going to be allowed to kiss or touch me ever again.
Not joking. But AJ seems just fine with all this. o.O
Anyway, you can see why I don't classify this as a romance. It's not about two people falling in love, it's about a long-term couple who are already in love. And Harris sees the problems within their relationship and presents it plainly. He's not sugarcoating it or romanticizing the way Dray treats AJ.
OTHER POINTS IN THE BOOK
- Not all females are horrible people, like in some m/m I see. AJ has close, kind female friends and a loving mother and sister. There ARE some pretty nasty women in here, but also loving, kind ones.
- The book is like a time capsule to 2008. Tons of talk about Obama, if he's going to be president, if he can win against Hillary. Tons of talk about Mike Vick. Tons of talk about what was going on in popular culture in 2008. I actually really enjoyed this, it was a trip. Rather than try and make his book timeless, Harris just goes for actual conversations he and his friends were having that year.
- Lots of clothing descriptions of what everyone is wearing in every scene, lots of brand-name dropping. I went into my dressing area and pulled out some black sweats, along with a white V-neck T-shirt. I put on some white ankle socks and my bright red Converse sneakers. Expect a lot of this. Even in tense or emotional scenes, Harris will always pause to note what everyone is wearing in great detail.
- AJ is a loyal and loving person to Dray and his friends and family, but Harris isn't making him a perfect man. He can get snippy with strangers for no reason, and he does some questionable things in the book, morally.
Dray is also a mixed bag. I know I've made him sound pretty horrible in my review, but he's also loving, cute, and sweet in his own way to AJ (not enough to justify staying with him, IMO - but you can see why AJ is with him).
Tl;dr - Not what I would call an m/m romance IMO. Instead, this is more like "chick lit" written by a gay black man about the relationship of a gay black man. Instead of focusing on the sex and the romance (which ARE elements of the story), Harris chooses to make this about life. Should you stay with someone you are deeply in love with but is in the closet and makes you his 'shameful little secret?' Should you stay in a relationship with someone who you can't tell ANYONE about? What are the burdens and damage caused to a person from being in this kind of relationship? How much shit can you put up with from your lover before you throw in the towel?
Harris also covers topics like "Is it cheating if your man isn't sleeping with any other men but IS married to a woman?" "Should you date someone who is in the closet or is that unhealthy?" "How can a relationship's established dynamics change over time?" Etc. etc.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest. Harris has an honest and unique voice IMO. The book is completely not what you would expect from the cover, or at least not what I expected. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered this, 7 years ago. However, it's not literary gold or anything. Don't expect an exquisite writing style or a plot that is anything more than entertaining.
I wouldn't read this for the sex, well, personally m/m sex does absolutely zero for me. But even if you are turned on by two men having sex, this isn't exactly written to be sexually titillating. The sex scenes are NOT written the same way they are in erotica books, although there are sex scenes. This probably isn't going to be anyone's masturbation material, is what I'm saying. Read it for the story, not for the sex.
May 21, 2017
An awesome read! spicy,steamy,soap opera and drama filled storyline that will keep everyone reading over and over again because it's that good and so well written...recommend to all..(paperback!)
November 21, 2016
This is my first E. Lynn Harris book, and while the plot is like a beach read / soap opera, there is just something about the book that made it compelling. A.J. (Aldridge James Richardson) has a 7-year-relationship with Dray Jones, a professional basketball player he met at Clemson when Dray has a freshman (and A.J. a senior getting his degree in architectural design).
A.J. is the keeper of the secret - devoting his life to Dray, setting aside his career (other than charity projects) and ready to fly at a moment's notice to be with Dray discretely during away games. Toss in a marriage, secrets, pregnancy, blackmail, the Glitter and Be Gay Ball, blackmail, more secrets, blackmail, and the result is a bittersweet story that can be summed up by "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." (a sentiment shared with A.J.'s mother by his beloved grandmother.)
A.J. is the keeper of the secret - devoting his life to Dray, setting aside his career (other than charity projects) and ready to fly at a moment's notice to be with Dray discretely during away games. Toss in a marriage, secrets, pregnancy, blackmail, the Glitter and Be Gay Ball, blackmail, more secrets, blackmail, and the result is a bittersweet story that can be summed up by "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." (a sentiment shared with A.J.'s mother by his beloved grandmother.)
April 1, 2022
Forbidden Love, Secrets and Drama!
I always loved his storytelling style. There is something beautiful and tragic about down low love.
Clearly you have two people who love each other but the fear of rejection by Dray’s father reduced their relationship to part time and with full secrecy.
I was rooting for them but I knew a price would be paid for their duplicitous lifestyle.
I liked AJ and Dray but felt bad because they never acknowledged or accepted responsibility for the damage their secret was doing to others. They were only concerned with how they were deceived.
I never understood how the villain could stoop so low. I would have loved a look at their lives 10 years after. Like an extended epilogue. But I liked the ending as it was fitting. Really good story
I always loved his storytelling style. There is something beautiful and tragic about down low love.
Clearly you have two people who love each other but the fear of rejection by Dray’s father reduced their relationship to part time and with full secrecy.
I was rooting for them but I knew a price would be paid for their duplicitous lifestyle.
I liked AJ and Dray but felt bad because they never acknowledged or accepted responsibility for the damage their secret was doing to others. They were only concerned with how they were deceived.
I never understood how the villain could stoop so low. I would have loved a look at their lives 10 years after. Like an extended epilogue. But I liked the ending as it was fitting. Really good story
September 2, 2012
It's been quite a while since I've read a book by E. Lynn Harris. I enjoyed his books because of the m/m element. This was tame compared to the m/m books I read now. Some of the reviews said the sex scenes were smoking and I'm thinking WTF? no they are not!
So let's get to the story. This was the first book that I listened to on audio that I'd not read before. The first person narrative was very glaring. Now I understand why some people hate first person stories.
I was disappointed with how the story played out. There could have been way more excitement to the plot. Once AJ mentioned that he'd left his diary in Maurice's house I knew Maurice would betray him. When AJ found out that Maurice was the blackmailer and went back to his house for the money and journals, why or fuck why would you stay in the closet reading the journals? Just get that shit and bounce. Also once AJ confronted Maurice why would Maurice not say "Oh shit that motherfucker got my money in his bag??" It was pretty pathetic to then have AJ say he's gonna give some of that money to Brad Pitt's charity. If my gravy train was drying up and I was fortunate enough to get the money back I'd keep all of it. But that's just me.
I like the idea that Judy sought out Dray to trap him for his paper knowing that he was on the downlow. It would have been great to see how that all went down when everything came out. But no, all we find out is that he got a divorce because she cheated. Now why would this golddigger not spread all his business about sleeping with men??????
This was a hot mess. I'm done Boo!
So let's get to the story. This was the first book that I listened to on audio that I'd not read before. The first person narrative was very glaring. Now I understand why some people hate first person stories.
I was disappointed with how the story played out. There could have been way more excitement to the plot. Once AJ mentioned that he'd left his diary in Maurice's house I knew Maurice would betray him. When AJ found out that Maurice was the blackmailer and went back to his house for the money and journals, why or fuck why would you stay in the closet reading the journals? Just get that shit and bounce. Also once AJ confronted Maurice why would Maurice not say "Oh shit that motherfucker got my money in his bag??" It was pretty pathetic to then have AJ say he's gonna give some of that money to Brad Pitt's charity. If my gravy train was drying up and I was fortunate enough to get the money back I'd keep all of it. But that's just me.
I like the idea that Judy sought out Dray to trap him for his paper knowing that he was on the downlow. It would have been great to see how that all went down when everything came out. But no, all we find out is that he got a divorce because she cheated. Now why would this golddigger not spread all his business about sleeping with men??????
This was a hot mess. I'm done Boo!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2009
This is the first novel I read by E. Lynn Harris. It's about a guy named AJ who is in love with Dray, an NBA basketball star. For me, it played out a little too much like a soap opera, but I can appreciate the sincerity in AJ's voice. What resonated for me was how honest their love was for each other, even if they had to succumb to society's pressures. In the end, does love prevail?
With the passing of E. Lynn Harris, I appreciate his contribution to the literary world, tackling controversial content about sexuality no one else would touch. In the end, he was true to himself and hopefully he left this world content with his work. Kudos to E. Lynn Harris and RIP!
With the passing of E. Lynn Harris, I appreciate his contribution to the literary world, tackling controversial content about sexuality no one else would touch. In the end, he was true to himself and hopefully he left this world content with his work. Kudos to E. Lynn Harris and RIP!
March 19, 2020
Some of the plot points were a bit predictable or illogical, but this book was very enjoyable to read. I felt a lot of emotions and I didn’t want to stop reading until I finished.
Minor Spoilers Ahead
I expected this story to be a romance, but it’s ultimately about the main character’s growth and progress. The ending was satisfying, mostly because it allows the reader to see the growth of the main character.
Minor Spoilers Ahead
I expected this story to be a romance, but it’s ultimately about the main character’s growth and progress. The ending was satisfying, mostly because it allows the reader to see the growth of the main character.
August 12, 2010
All right, I'll admit that I picked up the audio book of "Basketball Jones" because of its cover image! : ) This is the first book I have read/listened to by E. Lynn Harris and I'm very sorry to see he passed away in 2009 because I think I am a fan. The story centers around an issue I had never really thought about before: closeted gay male athletes in professional sports.
Aldridge "AJ" Richardson is the secret boyfriend of a hot NBA player, Drayton Jones. Dray has been taking care of AJ ever since they began their relationship years ago in college. Once Dray feels the pressure to conform and marries his rich heiress wife, Judi, AJ's life begins to change drastically. At first there didn't seem to be much of a plot to this book but readers will be able to guess that eventually someone will threaten to take AJ and Dray's relationship public.
Soon the secret lovers are dealing with one (or more!) mysterious blackmailer(s) that want to tear them apart. Some of the plot twists I could see coming miles away, while others came as a total surprise. While the tone of this book overall was quite "fluffy", AJ's deliberation about whether or not to end his relationship conveys a deep emotional resonance to readers.
On the audio book version of "Basketball Jones," Narrator Mirron Willis does a truly masterful job of evoking each character with his voice. I felt like I could picture each of the characters in my head very clearly, especially AJ's new friends Jade and Cisco the trainer. I'm going to pick up Willis' narration of "Invisible Life" next!
Aldridge "AJ" Richardson is the secret boyfriend of a hot NBA player, Drayton Jones. Dray has been taking care of AJ ever since they began their relationship years ago in college. Once Dray feels the pressure to conform and marries his rich heiress wife, Judi, AJ's life begins to change drastically. At first there didn't seem to be much of a plot to this book but readers will be able to guess that eventually someone will threaten to take AJ and Dray's relationship public.
Soon the secret lovers are dealing with one (or more!) mysterious blackmailer(s) that want to tear them apart. Some of the plot twists I could see coming miles away, while others came as a total surprise. While the tone of this book overall was quite "fluffy", AJ's deliberation about whether or not to end his relationship conveys a deep emotional resonance to readers.
On the audio book version of "Basketball Jones," Narrator Mirron Willis does a truly masterful job of evoking each character with his voice. I felt like I could picture each of the characters in my head very clearly, especially AJ's new friends Jade and Cisco the trainer. I'm going to pick up Willis' narration of "Invisible Life" next!
August 29, 2011
I've read several of Harris's books and am deeply grateful to him for even writing books for the broad market about not only gay men, but minority gay men. That I can say without reserve. I tend to lose my admiration however, when I start reading the books, which tend to be about the gossipy and intriguing lives of a supposed African American elite, where everyone is wealthy, beautiful and still connected to their mamas and comfort food. In this book, you have a beautiful black man with soccer balls for an ass (that is the description in the book) who is in love with a famous NBA star who obviously has to keep it secret. The crazy thing is that the protagonist doesn't really have a problem with this at all. He is proud of himself for not demanding honesty of his partner and his life. It gets thrust upon him anyway by the end of this gossipy tale of betrayal and heartache. BORING. It's probably wrong to demand more of writers when they have a unique position. The reality is that E. Lynn Harris had the ability to write seriously about gay black men and the down low but he buried it in tales of the rich and famous. Opportunity lost, on all levels really, because who relates to the rich and famous? Instead, we are supposed to enjoy the gossip, be glad that those rich bastards got what was coming to them, and learn nothing from the experience. God bless the late Mr. Harris, but he found a lucrative niche, and never tried to do more with his writing.
December 14, 2019
This was one of Mr. Harris best books I loved how the story flowed and how real it was. This was my second time reading this book Mr. Harris was my first introduction to M/M. AJ Richardson is living the good life he lives in a nice townhouse in New Orleans that his lover pays for. Drayton "Dray" Jones has it all NBA career a secret his lover AJ who tutored him in high school when some of the guys on the team start questioning his relationship with AJ he marries Judi who I didn't like. AJ goes along with it because he loves Dray and takes care of him financially but someone else knows about the relationships. This was a good read I loved how Mr. Harris wrote the sex scenes where hot and I felt bad for AJ at times although he knew what he was getting into. This book was bitter sweet I think this was Mr. Harris last book that he wrote. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.
November 21, 2020
A deliciously dramatic tale of a young man forced to hide in the shadows because of love. Filled with sexy characters, mouth-dropping secrets, and shady queens — I honestly didn’t want to put this novel down. E. Lynn Harris’ was a trailblazer, and his work continues to give queer black men a voice. These juicy page-tuners are so entertaining, and a much needed escape. Grab the wine, and enjoy!
(Rating: 3.5/5)
(Note: The ending did feel a bit rushed. And the main character holding on to information that really could have changed things annoyed me. E. Lynn Harris has definitely written better. But for what it was, I really enjoyed this.)
(Rating: 3.5/5)
(Note: The ending did feel a bit rushed. And the main character holding on to information that really could have changed things annoyed me. E. Lynn Harris has definitely written better. But for what it was, I really enjoyed this.)
February 15, 2020
AJ was W E A K! I almost don't even feel sorry for him for the things that happened in the book due to his own behavior. The only thing I feel bad about is what happened to him as a teenager.
I did appreciate the fast paced plot. it was also nice seeing the 2007/2008 celeb references. #nostalgic
I did appreciate the fast paced plot. it was also nice seeing the 2007/2008 celeb references. #nostalgic
March 26, 2020
I could never quite over the fact that AJ let the supposedly fantastic Dray treat him like trash. We have a leading man whose life revolves around a lover who doesn't acknowledge him, keeps him a secret, and demands total loyalty and for him to jump like a dog at his every command.
It was just a big NO from the very beginning for me. I felt sympathy for AJ's situation, but that was about it.
It was just a big NO from the very beginning for me. I felt sympathy for AJ's situation, but that was about it.
March 3, 2022
Could have used way less misogyny and homophobia. Also, the entire romance was given to us as exposition and all the reader got was the ugly soap opera blackmail plot.
March 24, 2022
What a delight this book was!
This book was pulp fiction at its best. It has everything that makes a perfect potboiler - an vacuous lead, great sex, blackmail, mysterious side-characters, evil villains - just everything. And E. Lynn Harris somehow manages to concoct a convincing story out of it all!
I love how the book began. The protagonist AJ, already knew what was wrong with the situation he was in and yet continues to be in it. It's a contradictory premise and I was ready to be frustrated with AJ. But as we learn more about the relationship, I felt more and more sympathetic to him. Who wouldn't want to be a hot, rich basketball player's kept man?! It's almost as if E. Lynn Harris acknowledges this predicament and hence we stop questioning it. He gives AJ a very credible voice.
As the book goes on, the protagonist makes more and more decisions just to keep his boyfriend happy and have amazing sex with him. What's more important: telling your closeted boyfriend that his life could be ruined by a serious blackmail threat OR getting dicked down by your man who you don't meet enough? E. Lynn Harris leaves us in no doubt about what the right decision here is.
We also get a deliciously evil villain in Maurice. I loved the idea of Maurice plotting the demise of every one he didn't like. He went about it in style and held back nothing, true villain-style. I was waiting for Maurice to throw subtle shade at AJ when they met. I wanted him to ooze with obvious villainy in every scene he was in . It's obvious that Maurice is the villain pretty early on, so I didn't get why the author tries to keep it a surprise. I wish they'd done away with all pretense and just really got into it. I was waiting for Maurice to perhaps come on to AJ and then denounce all his secrets in the end. It does work as it is, though.
This is such a fun book overall. Something you can really bite into on a rainy afternoon and be completely entranced by. I loved that E. Lynn Harris embraces the soap-opera-ness of the book fully and yet manages to keep it believably grounded!
This book was pulp fiction at its best. It has everything that makes a perfect potboiler - an vacuous lead, great sex, blackmail, mysterious side-characters, evil villains - just everything. And E. Lynn Harris somehow manages to concoct a convincing story out of it all!
I love how the book began. The protagonist AJ, already knew what was wrong with the situation he was in and yet continues to be in it. It's a contradictory premise and I was ready to be frustrated with AJ. But as we learn more about the relationship, I felt more and more sympathetic to him. Who wouldn't want to be a hot, rich basketball player's kept man?! It's almost as if E. Lynn Harris acknowledges this predicament and hence we stop questioning it. He gives AJ a very credible voice.
As the book goes on, the protagonist makes more and more decisions just to keep his boyfriend happy and have amazing sex with him. What's more important: telling your closeted boyfriend that his life could be ruined by a serious blackmail threat OR getting dicked down by your man who you don't meet enough? E. Lynn Harris leaves us in no doubt about what the right decision here is.
We also get a deliciously evil villain in Maurice. I loved the idea of Maurice plotting the demise of every one he didn't like. He went about it in style and held back nothing, true villain-style. I was waiting for Maurice to throw subtle shade at AJ when they met. I wanted him to ooze with obvious villainy in every scene he was in . It's obvious that Maurice is the villain pretty early on, so I didn't get why the author tries to keep it a surprise. I wish they'd done away with all pretense and just really got into it. I was waiting for Maurice to perhaps come on to AJ and then denounce all his secrets in the end. It does work as it is, though.
This is such a fun book overall. Something you can really bite into on a rainy afternoon and be completely entranced by. I loved that E. Lynn Harris embraces the soap-opera-ness of the book fully and yet manages to keep it believably grounded!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2021
Now that’s what I’m talking about! I could not turn this Audible book off. Excellent writing and the narration was performed perfectly. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
May 17, 2009
This book was tossed at me, so I walked into it pretty blind. But I admit after the first page I was hooked.
I've read E. Lynn Harris before. In fact, his was the very first gay book I ever touched back in my early teen years. And, amazingly enough, it dealt with the exact same thing: a gay man falling in love with and willing to play secret lover to a "straight" guy. Angst and frustration abounds. But Harris got me to feel not just frustration at witnessing the story, but I felt the same push-pull that AJ felt. Dray was a good guy, stuck in a tough spot. They both had their reasons for it all. It was heart-wrenching in places.
The blackmail mystery was good, I thought. I saw all the red herrings but couldn't figure out who it was until just before the reveal. That added a lot of emotions to it all and turned the screws just a bit more.
I agree with another reviewer and would love to have a sequel, if only to find out what happened with the fine Cisco. Maybe Cisco needs his own story with a dash of catching up on AJ and Dray.
All in all, Basketball Jones was a quick and dirty drama-and-angst fest. Delicious!
I've read E. Lynn Harris before. In fact, his was the very first gay book I ever touched back in my early teen years. And, amazingly enough, it dealt with the exact same thing: a gay man falling in love with and willing to play secret lover to a "straight" guy. Angst and frustration abounds. But Harris got me to feel not just frustration at witnessing the story, but I felt the same push-pull that AJ felt. Dray was a good guy, stuck in a tough spot. They both had their reasons for it all. It was heart-wrenching in places.
The blackmail mystery was good, I thought. I saw all the red herrings but couldn't figure out who it was until just before the reveal. That added a lot of emotions to it all and turned the screws just a bit more.
I agree with another reviewer and would love to have a sequel, if only to find out what happened with the fine Cisco. Maybe Cisco needs his own story with a dash of catching up on AJ and Dray.
All in all, Basketball Jones was a quick and dirty drama-and-angst fest. Delicious!
February 8, 2009
Time Out
E. Lynn Harris' latest endeavor, "Basketball Jones," takes readers into a very familiar setting. Aldridge James "AJ" Richardson is an openly gay man. The love of his life, however, is not. Dray Jones, an NBA player, has been involved with AJ since college. Because of society's prejudices, his status as an athlete, and his family, AJ has been sworn to secrecy about their relationship. But when someone threatens it all, is it time to come out of the closet?
"Basketball Jones" is a very quick read. As usual, Harris delivers a well-written novel with good pace and timing. But even so, the story was predictable and one to easily be forgotten as nothing stood out. I couldn't help the feeling of deja vu. Not in the sense that I've read this exact story before, but rather the formula ~ gay guy + down low/confused guy + sports + family, particularly a father that won't understand + wife and/or baby to camouflage. I like E. Lynn Harris, but I'd like to see something a little different with his future endeavors.
Reviewed by Lela
E. Lynn Harris' latest endeavor, "Basketball Jones," takes readers into a very familiar setting. Aldridge James "AJ" Richardson is an openly gay man. The love of his life, however, is not. Dray Jones, an NBA player, has been involved with AJ since college. Because of society's prejudices, his status as an athlete, and his family, AJ has been sworn to secrecy about their relationship. But when someone threatens it all, is it time to come out of the closet?
"Basketball Jones" is a very quick read. As usual, Harris delivers a well-written novel with good pace and timing. But even so, the story was predictable and one to easily be forgotten as nothing stood out. I couldn't help the feeling of deja vu. Not in the sense that I've read this exact story before, but rather the formula ~ gay guy + down low/confused guy + sports + family, particularly a father that won't understand + wife and/or baby to camouflage. I like E. Lynn Harris, but I'd like to see something a little different with his future endeavors.
Reviewed by Lela
September 6, 2009
Much of this was a soap opera. There did become a mystery element halfway through, and I was intrigued to see how that would play out. But for most of it it was kind of a sappy romance novel. The characterizations were strong, but of a variety of weak-willed characters!
It was, however, a very quick read. I read it in one afternoon!
It was, however, a very quick read. I read it in one afternoon!
August 9, 2011
E. Lynn Harris (may he rest in piece) is and has always been a brilliant write. Needless to say I finished this book in less then two days. It was a really great story, although a little too far fetched for the averaged brotha. But I loved it.
September 14, 2011
The book I read over the summer was basketball jones. I realy enjoyed this book. this was about two men that had been dateing for seven years and his friends still did not know about him being on the down low. The two main characters of this book was AJ and Dray.
February 28, 2023
I’d rather be alone for the rest of my life than have to experience a “love” like the main characters. Half way through I knew exactly how it was gonna end, so that was disappointing. Jade and AJs friendship is the best thing about this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2012
From the first word of this book I wanted to know more about the main character and read as many pages as possible.
July 11, 2012
Way out of my normal reading. Well written. Good characterizations. Interesting plot twists.
I would read him again.
I would read him again.
September 8, 2012
A page turner could not put it down.
September 9, 2012
Sorry but this book made me questions everymans sexuality! Great book though!
October 5, 2020
Just had to slide Basil on in there. Love story of forbidden love.
May 22, 2017
good book ,very interesting, i give this. book a 5 star...
May 29, 2017
This is my second time reading Basketball Jones. I have this book in hardcover and signed by one of my author idols. It's a sacred treasure so when I got the email from BookBub that the ebook was on sale for $1.99, I jumped right on that.
Reading this book a second time gave me an insight into relationships with celebrities that I haven't explored yet in my own writing. I think that's why I love this book. It's not just a star-crossed lovers romance. It's a story of friendship, betrayal, and living in your truth.
The story is told from the POV of Aldridge Richardson "AJ" an openly gay black man. He's not in the closet but his relationship with Drayton "Dray" is. They've been together since college and now that Dray is an NBA superstar, their love is completely hush hush, to the point that it's sad.
AJ wants nothing more than to be able to love his man openly, because it's not all about what Dray can do for him. He truly loves that man. But, Dray is selfish...a little too selfish for my liking...and boy is Dray controlling. I wanted to like Dray because AJ liked Dray, but I just couldn't. Everything was always about him and what he needed and wanted. When AJ wanted to visit his family, Dray wanted him in Atlanta because he might stop by. Every time AJ made a friend or was out in public, Dray was too paranoid to let it happen. He didn't understand or accept AJ's commitment to never speak on their relationship.
AJ sacrificed everything for Dray, and not once in the entire book did it seem like Dray appreciated it. That was an issue that I wished the author hadn't done. I don't think Dray was supposed to be unlikeable or the villain, but he was to me. From AJ's POV, there was real love between him and Dray, not some superficial love. There were moments when you can feel it, but it was overshadowed by Dray's unwillingness to see anything from AJ's point of view, as if understanding that the love AJ had for him was an afterthought, or ranked lower than his career and what his family's opinion on homosexuality.
This is a story of "we could have had it all, but you had to go and fuck it up", but it's a real look into how destructive homophobia in sports, in families, and in the world in general can be.
As much as I wanted Basketball Jones to have a happy ending, I don't see it as an HEA. There's character growth in AJ when he truly realizes that he can no longer be Dray's sidechick, and has to live in his own truth, but the way he came to that realization is what tugs at my heartstrings. There's no growth in Dray, who admits at one point that he knows he is AJ's first and only love. Knowing that did nothing to make Dray a better person; he still went on living his life with marriage of convenience and a baby that may or may not be his. As AJ talks about his growth and life post-Dray, we still don't know if Dray is suffering the loss of AJ. As a reader, I needed that answer. The story feels incomplete without it. The ending makes you yearn for a reconciliation or an all-out fight, something that would close the door on that chapter of AJ's life.
If he was still alive, I'm confident that E. Lynn Harris would have given us that in another book. He was good at wrapping up loose ends that way. Unfortunately, we will never know. However, in that misfortune, us readers have the next best thing, our imaginations.
This reader believes that Dray is AJ's person and vice versa. The universe will bring them together again, and this time will be different.
Reading this book a second time gave me an insight into relationships with celebrities that I haven't explored yet in my own writing. I think that's why I love this book. It's not just a star-crossed lovers romance. It's a story of friendship, betrayal, and living in your truth.
The story is told from the POV of Aldridge Richardson "AJ" an openly gay black man. He's not in the closet but his relationship with Drayton "Dray" is. They've been together since college and now that Dray is an NBA superstar, their love is completely hush hush, to the point that it's sad.
AJ wants nothing more than to be able to love his man openly, because it's not all about what Dray can do for him. He truly loves that man. But, Dray is selfish...a little too selfish for my liking...and boy is Dray controlling. I wanted to like Dray because AJ liked Dray, but I just couldn't. Everything was always about him and what he needed and wanted. When AJ wanted to visit his family, Dray wanted him in Atlanta because he might stop by. Every time AJ made a friend or was out in public, Dray was too paranoid to let it happen. He didn't understand or accept AJ's commitment to never speak on their relationship.
AJ sacrificed everything for Dray, and not once in the entire book did it seem like Dray appreciated it. That was an issue that I wished the author hadn't done. I don't think Dray was supposed to be unlikeable or the villain, but he was to me. From AJ's POV, there was real love between him and Dray, not some superficial love. There were moments when you can feel it, but it was overshadowed by Dray's unwillingness to see anything from AJ's point of view, as if understanding that the love AJ had for him was an afterthought, or ranked lower than his career and what his family's opinion on homosexuality.
This is a story of "we could have had it all, but you had to go and fuck it up", but it's a real look into how destructive homophobia in sports, in families, and in the world in general can be.
As much as I wanted Basketball Jones to have a happy ending, I don't see it as an HEA. There's character growth in AJ when he truly realizes that he can no longer be Dray's sidechick, and has to live in his own truth, but the way he came to that realization is what tugs at my heartstrings. There's no growth in Dray, who admits at one point that he knows he is AJ's first and only love. Knowing that did nothing to make Dray a better person; he still went on living his life with marriage of convenience and a baby that may or may not be his. As AJ talks about his growth and life post-Dray, we still don't know if Dray is suffering the loss of AJ. As a reader, I needed that answer. The story feels incomplete without it. The ending makes you yearn for a reconciliation or an all-out fight, something that would close the door on that chapter of AJ's life.
If he was still alive, I'm confident that E. Lynn Harris would have given us that in another book. He was good at wrapping up loose ends that way. Unfortunately, we will never know. However, in that misfortune, us readers have the next best thing, our imaginations.
This reader believes that Dray is AJ's person and vice versa. The universe will bring them together again, and this time will be different.
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