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The Last Ten Percent
From bestselling author Michelle McKinney Hammond comes a captivating first novel filled with her hallmark wit and insight. Tracy awakens one morning to a radio report—the ratio of eligible men to available women is slim to none. Now, armed with actual statistics and a past of heartbreak, Tracey explores, with her four good friends, how intelligent women with impressive careers, coveted urban dwellings, and closets full of fashions can still worry so much about the shortage of men. But as life unfolds, they discover that it is not the last ten percent of eligible men in the country but true faith that will ultimately give their hearts one hundred percent love.
- GenresFictionChristian Fiction
315 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
16 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Michelle McKinney Hammond
91 books244 followersFrom her official website:
As a bestselling author, speaker, singer and television co-host, Michelle has authored over 30 books (selling over one million copies worldwide), including best-selling titles The Diva Principle, Sassy, Single and Satisfied, 101 Ways to Get and Keep His Attention, and Secrets of an Irresistible Woman. A gifted vocalist, Michelle has recorded two CD’s, It’s Amazing and Let’s Go In and co-hosted the Emmy Award-winning television talk show Aspiring Women.
She has appeared on countless television shows including Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect, E Channel’s “Soap Talk,” NBC’s The Other Half, The 700 Club, and BET’s Oh Drama! as well as a regular relationship segment on WGN Morning News. She has graced the cover of magazines such as Today’s Christian Woman Precious Times, The Plain Truth and Gospel Today. She has been a contributing writer for Spirit Led Woman, Discipleship Journal and has been featured in articles in Shine, Essence, Ebony, Jet, Black Enterprise Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press and The New York Times.
Following several successful years in an award-winning advertising career as an art director/writer/producer (her clients included Coca-Cola USA, McDonald’s, Procter and Gamble, GMC and Ford Motor Company), Michelle suffered a devastating leg injury after being hit by a car. For her the accident was a spiritual turning point, a wake up call to embrace her purpose and fulfill her destiny. These bedridden months gave birth to her first bestseller, “What to Do Until Love Finds You.” Since then Michelle has emerged as a highly-respected author, speaker and singer, reaching a diverse audience nationally and internationally. Crossing denominational lines, addressing secular audiences, as well as addressing men and women from every walk of life, Michelle is known for “keeping it real.” She addresses real-life issues with candor and wit, and the hard questions with sensitivity and empathy. This merits her reputation as a relationship and life empowerment coach, crossing the great divide and sharing keys that lead to reconciliation between the sexes.
Michelle’s underlying message is “get yourself in spiritual order and your natural life will come together.” Her passion is to give relevant and workable solutions to people’s questions based in timeless spiritual truths. Sharing solid, effective principles that will help her audience to navigate through the journey of life and reach the ultimate destination of living and loving to their fullest potential.
As a bestselling author, speaker, singer and television co-host, Michelle has authored over 30 books (selling over one million copies worldwide), including best-selling titles The Diva Principle, Sassy, Single and Satisfied, 101 Ways to Get and Keep His Attention, and Secrets of an Irresistible Woman. A gifted vocalist, Michelle has recorded two CD’s, It’s Amazing and Let’s Go In and co-hosted the Emmy Award-winning television talk show Aspiring Women.
She has appeared on countless television shows including Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect, E Channel’s “Soap Talk,” NBC’s The Other Half, The 700 Club, and BET’s Oh Drama! as well as a regular relationship segment on WGN Morning News. She has graced the cover of magazines such as Today’s Christian Woman Precious Times, The Plain Truth and Gospel Today. She has been a contributing writer for Spirit Led Woman, Discipleship Journal and has been featured in articles in Shine, Essence, Ebony, Jet, Black Enterprise Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, The Associated Press and The New York Times.
Following several successful years in an award-winning advertising career as an art director/writer/producer (her clients included Coca-Cola USA, McDonald’s, Procter and Gamble, GMC and Ford Motor Company), Michelle suffered a devastating leg injury after being hit by a car. For her the accident was a spiritual turning point, a wake up call to embrace her purpose and fulfill her destiny. These bedridden months gave birth to her first bestseller, “What to Do Until Love Finds You.” Since then Michelle has emerged as a highly-respected author, speaker and singer, reaching a diverse audience nationally and internationally. Crossing denominational lines, addressing secular audiences, as well as addressing men and women from every walk of life, Michelle is known for “keeping it real.” She addresses real-life issues with candor and wit, and the hard questions with sensitivity and empathy. This merits her reputation as a relationship and life empowerment coach, crossing the great divide and sharing keys that lead to reconciliation between the sexes.
Michelle’s underlying message is “get yourself in spiritual order and your natural life will come together.” Her passion is to give relevant and workable solutions to people’s questions based in timeless spiritual truths. Sharing solid, effective principles that will help her audience to navigate through the journey of life and reach the ultimate destination of living and loving to their fullest potential.
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December 23, 2024
The Last Ten Percent
On the way back from a shopping trip, Tracey catches her man Evan kissing another woman through the window of a restaurant. Not the first in a very long list who’ve cheated. Before she gets to the restaurant, Tracey decides to go on a ‘man-fast’. Much to the surprise of her friends and cousin (Adrian, Muriel, and Felicia). Felicia becomes scared after talking to Tracey because her own man hasn’t been answering her calls all day. So, she takes a cab by his place. She’s about to go back to her place when she sees him. He becomes annoyed after she demands to know where he’s been and he sends her home (after telling her he’s been working and they can talk when she stops acting crazy).
Adrian goes home to her husband (Ron) but he’s distracted. He can never seem to remember what she tells him about where she’s been and he blames it on work. (He works with athletes). The phone rings very late and it’s a woman. (Amber his assistant). She says it’s an emergency. He says he’ll handle it and falls back asleep. Tracey seems to think Adrian has the perfect life, but what she (and Felicia) don’t know if that even tho Adrian has a man sometimes it feels like she’s single.
Two weeks pass and Felicia, Adrian, and Tracey meet for lunch again. Felicia talks about her latest flavor of the month who lies to her and says he calls but she knows he doesn’t. She says she might just date a white man next. (She also doesn’t really care if the man is married). Tracey tells her successful white men don’t typically make black women wives, but Felicia says she’s just bitter because the woman Evan cheated on her with is white (which Tracey didn’t notice). Adrian brings up the point that Tracey and Felicia are fulfilled with their jobs -which consist of traveling and meeting people-. (They work at an ad agency). So, maybe they wouldn’t even have time for a relationship because they require a lot of work. Felicia says if she doesn’t get it herself it won’t get got and she’s tired of men being intimated by that.
As Tracey leaves, she notices Adrian has a sad expression. Felicia thinks of a comment Tracey says about her having PMS and then thinks she *should* be having PMS but she’s 3 months late. She takes a pregnancy test and it confirms what she suspected is true. She’s pregnant by Kenny. She calls her friends but no one answers. Adrian hears the phone but has received a note from her husband that says he can’t do this anymore. He hopes she finds someone happy. He has. We learn that there’s been a chasm between them since she told him of her faith in God.
After that they started to drift in different directions. Her preferring the quiet solace of her friends and church and him with his social crowd. He begin to feel like he had to compete for her attention no matter how much she tried to confess him and do right by their marriage. He says he’ll have his lawyer call her and apologizes for the bad timing. Muriel’s friend Carla, says one of her husband Al college friends is looking for a house and she wants her to meet him. But when she looks at him, he has blue eyes and blond hair. Muriel gets all flustered and freaked out realizing her instant attraction.
His name is Brad and has spent years in Africa doing missions work. After that he moved to Seatle and started his own computer business. Then a larger company bought him out. He prayed on it and it lead him to Chicago. Not being able to control her emotions any more, Muriel gets the hell out of there before Carla and Al can get her to exchange numbers with Brad. When the friends meet up again for Adrian’s birthday, she confesses that her husband has left her. Felicia can’t believe it because Adrian is perfect. She goes on to on to tell them she hadn’t been able to reach him because he was on business trip. He left her with a “severance package” and ran off with his assistant.
She tells them she needs some days. She’ll call them. Brad keeps calling Muriel. She keeps deleting his messages. She’s learned from Adrian she needs to run for cover when it comes to love. But he sends her flowers at work with a note asking if it was something he did. Carla calls and asks why she’s been so hard to reach. She says she’s been busy.
Carla says no she’s been avoiding him. Muriel says she didn’t ask her for this. She has a life. Carla says but she’s not happy and sometimes she’ll have to face her fears. Keeping up the tough act won’t last. Her huge heart deserves to be loved. Muriel says honor her personal business by staying out of it. Carla says she will but if she sees her making a mistake she’s going to call her on it. She tells her to call Brad and stop being rude. She doesn’t care what she does after that.
Before she can hang up good Brad calls and asks her to dinner. Adrian takes up painting and in a burst of freedom she takes the scissors and cuts off her long hair. We learn some interesting things about the women’s backgrounds. They meet in college and all of them were artistic. Muriel designed fashions. Adrian could sing, dance, and paint. Felicia went into interior design and Tracy into advertising. Muriel had a man in her past named Cedric that changed her but she doesn’t talk about. And Adrian got married right after college.
Felicia decides to keep the baby and sees it as a chance to love something fully without fear. Also, to not put the expectations on it that her parents put on her. So, Tracey has this friend named Derrick that likes to school her on the ways of love and men (throughout the book). They’re at the movies and they run into Evan and the white girl. On the way home to change the subject Tracey brings up Adrian and Ron, and basically Derrick says Adrian got boring. On their date, Brad and Muriel discuss their vows on taking chances. The night is great until the end when Brad invites her out again and to a basketball game with her ex. She rejects the offer and says “she’ll call him.”
Felicia pays Adrian a visit and is surprised to find she’s cut her hair, is wearing blue jeans, and her house is messy. They have a talk about how God has been speaking to Adrian and letting her know it’ll be ok. Felicia leaves without telling Adrian she’s pregnant. Adrian notices something is up but decides to let her tell her in her own time. Tracey also notices when Felicia gives her a late-night call and tells her she’s taking a break from men for a while, instead of being out on a date on a Friday.
Muriel receives a call that she has a delivery of flowers and when she answers the door it’s Brad. He makes her hold up her end of their agreement and they go house looking. At the end of the day, she agrees to let me take her on another impromptu outing. Felicia informs her Doctor about her decision to keep her baby and not tell Kenny. On the way out she runs into Muriel and lies to her that the reason she’s there is for a yearly checkout. Even lying to her when she calls her on having said she had a yearly appointment last time they all met up.
Adrian goes to the gallery of an old friend to show him her new collection of paintings. She runs into Ron and Amber. After seeing the desire still there and realizing it was her creativeness that turned him on the strongest, Adrian decides she’s going to get her man back and live out her dreams as an artist. Later for Amber!
While in the bookstore Felicia runs into Kenny and the truth comes out when he sees her selection of books. It ends with him asking if she’s sure she’s pregnant and if it’s his and Felicia telling don’t worry about doing anything for the baby. She’s got this. Then she walks out and leaves him looking after her. Muriel ends up confronting Brad about hearing from Al that he already found what he wanted weeks ago. He wasn’t referring to a house tho. This causes her to have a panic attack. Later, she confesses to him that when she dated Cedric, she told him she didn’t believe in sex before marriage and he said he could wait. But then he got pressured by his friends, accused her of cheating, and then one night he raped her and then let his friends rape her.
Tracey sees a news report with a crying woman that’s acusing Cedric (now a big-time basketball star) of raping her on the room. Cedric says it was consensual and he should be the one pressing charges. The television report goes on to say three more women came forward to say that Cedric had also raped them. Then there’s an interview with his wife saying one morning they were going away for a get away from the media. She was in the kitchen when she heard a thump and a bang. Then she went in the bathroom and found Cedric on the floor with a gun to his head (still). He’d killed himself. Tracey is then interrupted from calling Muriel to tell him by an ex that she found out was married (Edward). He invites her to dinner and tells her he’s no longer married, but Tracey quickly lets him know he doesn’t fit into her goals of being in a committed relationship, getting married, and having babies.
When the friends meet up, this time Carla is invited. Adrian shares with them what happened at the gallery. Surprisingly Muriel is the one that’s into hearing about it the most. Felicia seems to uncharacteristically coming down hard on Ron. Adrian calmly emphasis her part in her failed marriage and explains it’s because of God she can see things rationally. Felicia gets sick from the smell of the tomato sauce and unknown to her Carla is the only one guesses correctly that she’s pregnant. The others just think it’s a virus. Tracey tho is suspicious.
While looking at another loft, Brad makes his decision about it and Muriel. He brings in a picnic basket and proposes. She accepts. Then he tells her the news about Cedric-this brings the whole thing to a close- and then they go off to look at the ring Brad picked out months ago. At a gallery, Felicia finally tells Tracey she’s pregnant and while Tracey thinks she should give Kenny a chance to prove himself (and doesn’t agree with Felicia pushing him away), she gives Felicia her full support (and says she better be the god mother). They then head to Muriel’s (with Adrian) to give her the bad news.
It comes out to her friends that Muriel not only knew but she was also one of Cedric’s victims. Also, that Felicia is pregnant. They all say they’ll be behind her. Carla has a meltdown afterward and confesses to her husband she’s jealous about Felicia’s pregnancy. A long time ago she had a black boyfriend and they had a baby that her mother made her give up and have an abortion. It’s because of this she thinks she’s being punished. Her husband basically tells her it’s just not their time yet.
Muriel shares her news but Tracy becomes upset feeling betrayed that she keep it from her and that Muriel is marrying a white men (thinking of Evan). She leaves the restaurant in anger. The friends decide to let her work it out. Felicia gives the news that she’s having a girl. Adrian’s gallery exhibit is a success. Afterwards, she and Ron go out for drinks. She agrees to start over with him but to take it a day at a time. She also wants him to go to church with her so he won’t feel like he has to compete. There will also be no sex during this “courting” again phase.
Ron has Adrian’s first painting delivered to her. While opening it, Amber shows up demanding to see “her man”. Adrian quickly tells her off and shows her the door. Then she let’s Ron know (who shows up) not to EVER put them in that place again. They make plans to get together after church. Tracey, Muriel, and Felicia are invited to church by Adrian to hear her sing. Felicia gives her life to God when there. Then her water breaks. Kenny is there and tells her he loves her and she’s stuck with him-so stop trying to push him away-. Felicia names her daughter Simone. Turns out Kenny was studying to get certified.
My Thoughts:
This reminded me of a Christian version of “Waiting To Exhale”. Felicia-Robin, Tracey-Savanah, Adrian-Bernadine and Muriel-Gloria. I usually don’t think much of these types books, but with these one I could sadly see myself in every single one of these women. I was Adrian. I was never married but there were times when I would be in a supposedly “committed” relationship and still feel very much like I was still single. There was a time when I found myself being cowardly dumped by way of a note from someone saying they couldn’t do this anymore and wishing me the best. There was also a time when I was gifted with art but let it go-just not because I’d changed who I was for a man-.
There was a time I was Felicia and thought something was better than nothing. Even if that something (or someone) was someone else’s. There was a time (even still now) when I don’t know what I’d do if someone (real) did offer me something I couldn’t give them a part of me that I don’t even know if I have to give. Thankfully a un planned pregnancy never occurred to make me grow up, but I did eventually grow up and change my way of thinking. By the end of the book, Felicia stops even noticing men as much as she did. I noticed that in me too.
Muriel is in me so much it’s scary. In her and in me I saw someone that’s been faced with so many disappointments that she put up a wall so no one could get around, though, over, or under it. She had to teach herself how to “be strong” so she wouldn’t get hurt again. While her experience wasn’t mine, I did have a brush with a situation. Yet, it was just the constant stream of going through so much bs that just turned me off and made me relate the most to this character.
I didn’t really like Carla as a character because I felt like she was that “friend” that can’t be enough of a “friend” to respect what her FRIEND wants for her life. Yes, it turned out great in Muriel’s case to hook her up with Brad but why does it bother married people and people in relationships so much if a friend just wants to stay single. There is NOTHING wrong with that! I use to have a “friend” that thought just like this. And do you wanna know where that ‘friend” is today? I let them go. Yet, I even saw a piece of myself in Carla. Carla broke down because she thought she was being punished by God. She wanted a baby and didn’t see why her friend that didn’t have faith got to have one while she did all the right things.
There was a time when I felt like that. I thought I’m going to church. I’m going to Sunday School. I’m tithing. Yet I see all these people on FB in relationships. I see my EXS -who weren’t about NOTHING-in relationships. And I thought about the mistake I’d made-over not choosing who I should have- and wondered was my punishments that I was just gonna be alone forever. I was Tracey. I’d find myself in one unsatisfying relationship after the next. Relationships that weren’t even worthy of me. I thought a lot of the things Tracey thought too. Such as sometimes she thought -when thinking of Adrian’s situation- well if your faithful and you do all these things what’s the point if God lets these things happen.
Even tho this book had some really good messages though the characters. It was just the overall message of the book that didn’t sit right with me. It was the message a lot of books like this give to single women. Each one of these women by the end of the book found someone. It’s that message of if you just believe hard enough. If your open to love a little bit and let it in. If you have friends praying for you hard enough. If you wait long enough. If you do all of these things. If you have God in your life. If you do these the right man will come to you. It sounds nice doesn’t it? And I’m not saying that for some it happens just like it did for these characters. But how many single, black women, (or just women period) today don’t get a proposal in a nice home with a picnic, or a surgeon for a baby daddy that’s supportive, or a doctor. How many single women’s man just leave and don’t find their way back. THAT is my problem with this book. Still, I give it a B.
Rating: 8
On the way back from a shopping trip, Tracey catches her man Evan kissing another woman through the window of a restaurant. Not the first in a very long list who’ve cheated. Before she gets to the restaurant, Tracey decides to go on a ‘man-fast’. Much to the surprise of her friends and cousin (Adrian, Muriel, and Felicia). Felicia becomes scared after talking to Tracey because her own man hasn’t been answering her calls all day. So, she takes a cab by his place. She’s about to go back to her place when she sees him. He becomes annoyed after she demands to know where he’s been and he sends her home (after telling her he’s been working and they can talk when she stops acting crazy).
Adrian goes home to her husband (Ron) but he’s distracted. He can never seem to remember what she tells him about where she’s been and he blames it on work. (He works with athletes). The phone rings very late and it’s a woman. (Amber his assistant). She says it’s an emergency. He says he’ll handle it and falls back asleep. Tracey seems to think Adrian has the perfect life, but what she (and Felicia) don’t know if that even tho Adrian has a man sometimes it feels like she’s single.
Two weeks pass and Felicia, Adrian, and Tracey meet for lunch again. Felicia talks about her latest flavor of the month who lies to her and says he calls but she knows he doesn’t. She says she might just date a white man next. (She also doesn’t really care if the man is married). Tracey tells her successful white men don’t typically make black women wives, but Felicia says she’s just bitter because the woman Evan cheated on her with is white (which Tracey didn’t notice). Adrian brings up the point that Tracey and Felicia are fulfilled with their jobs -which consist of traveling and meeting people-. (They work at an ad agency). So, maybe they wouldn’t even have time for a relationship because they require a lot of work. Felicia says if she doesn’t get it herself it won’t get got and she’s tired of men being intimated by that.
As Tracey leaves, she notices Adrian has a sad expression. Felicia thinks of a comment Tracey says about her having PMS and then thinks she *should* be having PMS but she’s 3 months late. She takes a pregnancy test and it confirms what she suspected is true. She’s pregnant by Kenny. She calls her friends but no one answers. Adrian hears the phone but has received a note from her husband that says he can’t do this anymore. He hopes she finds someone happy. He has. We learn that there’s been a chasm between them since she told him of her faith in God.
After that they started to drift in different directions. Her preferring the quiet solace of her friends and church and him with his social crowd. He begin to feel like he had to compete for her attention no matter how much she tried to confess him and do right by their marriage. He says he’ll have his lawyer call her and apologizes for the bad timing. Muriel’s friend Carla, says one of her husband Al college friends is looking for a house and she wants her to meet him. But when she looks at him, he has blue eyes and blond hair. Muriel gets all flustered and freaked out realizing her instant attraction.
His name is Brad and has spent years in Africa doing missions work. After that he moved to Seatle and started his own computer business. Then a larger company bought him out. He prayed on it and it lead him to Chicago. Not being able to control her emotions any more, Muriel gets the hell out of there before Carla and Al can get her to exchange numbers with Brad. When the friends meet up again for Adrian’s birthday, she confesses that her husband has left her. Felicia can’t believe it because Adrian is perfect. She goes on to on to tell them she hadn’t been able to reach him because he was on business trip. He left her with a “severance package” and ran off with his assistant.
She tells them she needs some days. She’ll call them. Brad keeps calling Muriel. She keeps deleting his messages. She’s learned from Adrian she needs to run for cover when it comes to love. But he sends her flowers at work with a note asking if it was something he did. Carla calls and asks why she’s been so hard to reach. She says she’s been busy.
Carla says no she’s been avoiding him. Muriel says she didn’t ask her for this. She has a life. Carla says but she’s not happy and sometimes she’ll have to face her fears. Keeping up the tough act won’t last. Her huge heart deserves to be loved. Muriel says honor her personal business by staying out of it. Carla says she will but if she sees her making a mistake she’s going to call her on it. She tells her to call Brad and stop being rude. She doesn’t care what she does after that.
Before she can hang up good Brad calls and asks her to dinner. Adrian takes up painting and in a burst of freedom she takes the scissors and cuts off her long hair. We learn some interesting things about the women’s backgrounds. They meet in college and all of them were artistic. Muriel designed fashions. Adrian could sing, dance, and paint. Felicia went into interior design and Tracy into advertising. Muriel had a man in her past named Cedric that changed her but she doesn’t talk about. And Adrian got married right after college.
Felicia decides to keep the baby and sees it as a chance to love something fully without fear. Also, to not put the expectations on it that her parents put on her. So, Tracey has this friend named Derrick that likes to school her on the ways of love and men (throughout the book). They’re at the movies and they run into Evan and the white girl. On the way home to change the subject Tracey brings up Adrian and Ron, and basically Derrick says Adrian got boring. On their date, Brad and Muriel discuss their vows on taking chances. The night is great until the end when Brad invites her out again and to a basketball game with her ex. She rejects the offer and says “she’ll call him.”
Felicia pays Adrian a visit and is surprised to find she’s cut her hair, is wearing blue jeans, and her house is messy. They have a talk about how God has been speaking to Adrian and letting her know it’ll be ok. Felicia leaves without telling Adrian she’s pregnant. Adrian notices something is up but decides to let her tell her in her own time. Tracey also notices when Felicia gives her a late-night call and tells her she’s taking a break from men for a while, instead of being out on a date on a Friday.
Muriel receives a call that she has a delivery of flowers and when she answers the door it’s Brad. He makes her hold up her end of their agreement and they go house looking. At the end of the day, she agrees to let me take her on another impromptu outing. Felicia informs her Doctor about her decision to keep her baby and not tell Kenny. On the way out she runs into Muriel and lies to her that the reason she’s there is for a yearly checkout. Even lying to her when she calls her on having said she had a yearly appointment last time they all met up.
Adrian goes to the gallery of an old friend to show him her new collection of paintings. She runs into Ron and Amber. After seeing the desire still there and realizing it was her creativeness that turned him on the strongest, Adrian decides she’s going to get her man back and live out her dreams as an artist. Later for Amber!
While in the bookstore Felicia runs into Kenny and the truth comes out when he sees her selection of books. It ends with him asking if she’s sure she’s pregnant and if it’s his and Felicia telling don’t worry about doing anything for the baby. She’s got this. Then she walks out and leaves him looking after her. Muriel ends up confronting Brad about hearing from Al that he already found what he wanted weeks ago. He wasn’t referring to a house tho. This causes her to have a panic attack. Later, she confesses to him that when she dated Cedric, she told him she didn’t believe in sex before marriage and he said he could wait. But then he got pressured by his friends, accused her of cheating, and then one night he raped her and then let his friends rape her.
Tracey sees a news report with a crying woman that’s acusing Cedric (now a big-time basketball star) of raping her on the room. Cedric says it was consensual and he should be the one pressing charges. The television report goes on to say three more women came forward to say that Cedric had also raped them. Then there’s an interview with his wife saying one morning they were going away for a get away from the media. She was in the kitchen when she heard a thump and a bang. Then she went in the bathroom and found Cedric on the floor with a gun to his head (still). He’d killed himself. Tracey is then interrupted from calling Muriel to tell him by an ex that she found out was married (Edward). He invites her to dinner and tells her he’s no longer married, but Tracey quickly lets him know he doesn’t fit into her goals of being in a committed relationship, getting married, and having babies.
When the friends meet up, this time Carla is invited. Adrian shares with them what happened at the gallery. Surprisingly Muriel is the one that’s into hearing about it the most. Felicia seems to uncharacteristically coming down hard on Ron. Adrian calmly emphasis her part in her failed marriage and explains it’s because of God she can see things rationally. Felicia gets sick from the smell of the tomato sauce and unknown to her Carla is the only one guesses correctly that she’s pregnant. The others just think it’s a virus. Tracey tho is suspicious.
While looking at another loft, Brad makes his decision about it and Muriel. He brings in a picnic basket and proposes. She accepts. Then he tells her the news about Cedric-this brings the whole thing to a close- and then they go off to look at the ring Brad picked out months ago. At a gallery, Felicia finally tells Tracey she’s pregnant and while Tracey thinks she should give Kenny a chance to prove himself (and doesn’t agree with Felicia pushing him away), she gives Felicia her full support (and says she better be the god mother). They then head to Muriel’s (with Adrian) to give her the bad news.
It comes out to her friends that Muriel not only knew but she was also one of Cedric’s victims. Also, that Felicia is pregnant. They all say they’ll be behind her. Carla has a meltdown afterward and confesses to her husband she’s jealous about Felicia’s pregnancy. A long time ago she had a black boyfriend and they had a baby that her mother made her give up and have an abortion. It’s because of this she thinks she’s being punished. Her husband basically tells her it’s just not their time yet.
Muriel shares her news but Tracy becomes upset feeling betrayed that she keep it from her and that Muriel is marrying a white men (thinking of Evan). She leaves the restaurant in anger. The friends decide to let her work it out. Felicia gives the news that she’s having a girl. Adrian’s gallery exhibit is a success. Afterwards, she and Ron go out for drinks. She agrees to start over with him but to take it a day at a time. She also wants him to go to church with her so he won’t feel like he has to compete. There will also be no sex during this “courting” again phase.
Ron has Adrian’s first painting delivered to her. While opening it, Amber shows up demanding to see “her man”. Adrian quickly tells her off and shows her the door. Then she let’s Ron know (who shows up) not to EVER put them in that place again. They make plans to get together after church. Tracey, Muriel, and Felicia are invited to church by Adrian to hear her sing. Felicia gives her life to God when there. Then her water breaks. Kenny is there and tells her he loves her and she’s stuck with him-so stop trying to push him away-. Felicia names her daughter Simone. Turns out Kenny was studying to get certified.
My Thoughts:
This reminded me of a Christian version of “Waiting To Exhale”. Felicia-Robin, Tracey-Savanah, Adrian-Bernadine and Muriel-Gloria. I usually don’t think much of these types books, but with these one I could sadly see myself in every single one of these women. I was Adrian. I was never married but there were times when I would be in a supposedly “committed” relationship and still feel very much like I was still single. There was a time when I found myself being cowardly dumped by way of a note from someone saying they couldn’t do this anymore and wishing me the best. There was also a time when I was gifted with art but let it go-just not because I’d changed who I was for a man-.
There was a time I was Felicia and thought something was better than nothing. Even if that something (or someone) was someone else’s. There was a time (even still now) when I don’t know what I’d do if someone (real) did offer me something I couldn’t give them a part of me that I don’t even know if I have to give. Thankfully a un planned pregnancy never occurred to make me grow up, but I did eventually grow up and change my way of thinking. By the end of the book, Felicia stops even noticing men as much as she did. I noticed that in me too.
Muriel is in me so much it’s scary. In her and in me I saw someone that’s been faced with so many disappointments that she put up a wall so no one could get around, though, over, or under it. She had to teach herself how to “be strong” so she wouldn’t get hurt again. While her experience wasn’t mine, I did have a brush with a situation. Yet, it was just the constant stream of going through so much bs that just turned me off and made me relate the most to this character.
I didn’t really like Carla as a character because I felt like she was that “friend” that can’t be enough of a “friend” to respect what her FRIEND wants for her life. Yes, it turned out great in Muriel’s case to hook her up with Brad but why does it bother married people and people in relationships so much if a friend just wants to stay single. There is NOTHING wrong with that! I use to have a “friend” that thought just like this. And do you wanna know where that ‘friend” is today? I let them go. Yet, I even saw a piece of myself in Carla. Carla broke down because she thought she was being punished by God. She wanted a baby and didn’t see why her friend that didn’t have faith got to have one while she did all the right things.
There was a time when I felt like that. I thought I’m going to church. I’m going to Sunday School. I’m tithing. Yet I see all these people on FB in relationships. I see my EXS -who weren’t about NOTHING-in relationships. And I thought about the mistake I’d made-over not choosing who I should have- and wondered was my punishments that I was just gonna be alone forever. I was Tracey. I’d find myself in one unsatisfying relationship after the next. Relationships that weren’t even worthy of me. I thought a lot of the things Tracey thought too. Such as sometimes she thought -when thinking of Adrian’s situation- well if your faithful and you do all these things what’s the point if God lets these things happen.
Even tho this book had some really good messages though the characters. It was just the overall message of the book that didn’t sit right with me. It was the message a lot of books like this give to single women. Each one of these women by the end of the book found someone. It’s that message of if you just believe hard enough. If your open to love a little bit and let it in. If you have friends praying for you hard enough. If you wait long enough. If you do all of these things. If you have God in your life. If you do these the right man will come to you. It sounds nice doesn’t it? And I’m not saying that for some it happens just like it did for these characters. But how many single, black women, (or just women period) today don’t get a proposal in a nice home with a picnic, or a surgeon for a baby daddy that’s supportive, or a doctor. How many single women’s man just leave and don’t find their way back. THAT is my problem with this book. Still, I give it a B.
Rating: 8
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2014
Loved it! Very real, practical and I could so relate to the characters. Great writing!
May 12, 2019
A good story about four women who are friends as they navigate love and life. I enjoyed the author's writing style as well as the flow of the story
June 27, 2013
This is a lovely book, very catching title, was curious to know what the 10% was all about, love the story line, its will be very nice if it is actually acted.
Talks about a set of friends with the lack of husband syndrome except one who seemed to have it all initially. Adrain, the strongest character and my favorite, i really love that character. Muriel another wonderful character, with strong personality,though holding so much hurt and pain in, she at least knew when to let go and accept love. i don't know if anyone could have suffered the pain Adrain did, but she did, i love some of the quotes that were used by the author,"first you spend all your time being upset about not having a man and then you finally get one and spend all your time being upset because you can't figure him" the question always come up if Adrain that knows God still has a messed up life, what's the hope for those that don't.
Talks about a set of friends with the lack of husband syndrome except one who seemed to have it all initially. Adrain, the strongest character and my favorite, i really love that character. Muriel another wonderful character, with strong personality,though holding so much hurt and pain in, she at least knew when to let go and accept love. i don't know if anyone could have suffered the pain Adrain did, but she did, i love some of the quotes that were used by the author,"first you spend all your time being upset about not having a man and then you finally get one and spend all your time being upset because you can't figure him" the question always come up if Adrain that knows God still has a messed up life, what's the hope for those that don't.
June 5, 2015
I was surprised to see a novel by this author. I started reading and like what? Duh it says it on the cover as well. So far, it seems like an okay read but may skim through to get to the gist of it since I have so many other reads to complete in a couple of days.
Unfortunately, I could not get into this book after reading 50 pages. Has nothing to do with her writing per se, just had to keep my interest at this time. (Adrian, I thought was a man the way it is spelled, usually it is spelled as Adrienne or Adrianne when it is a woman. I found out by page 40+ that it was a woman when she was trying to date a guy named Ron.) This is more relationship based book or chick lit, which I do not read much or like at this time.
Leisure read 2015
Adrienna Turner
Author of The Day Begins with Christ
adriennaturner.net
dream4more.us
Unfortunately, I could not get into this book after reading 50 pages. Has nothing to do with her writing per se, just had to keep my interest at this time. (Adrian, I thought was a man the way it is spelled, usually it is spelled as Adrienne or Adrianne when it is a woman. I found out by page 40+ that it was a woman when she was trying to date a guy named Ron.) This is more relationship based book or chick lit, which I do not read much or like at this time.
Leisure read 2015
Adrienna Turner
Author of The Day Begins with Christ
adriennaturner.net
dream4more.us
November 16, 2007
This book was recommended to me by a college friend who lives in Boston. The book is based in Chicago and covers a lot of "personal issues" that many African American women face with friendships, relationships, careers, and spirituality. It's an easy read.
June 4, 2010
Loved it and would suggest this to ANYONE dealing with any type of personal issues as well as forgiveness. I always think that because the book came out awhile ago I wish I would have read it then, but this book was right on time for my issues in life.
August 12, 2015
I really like the development of the characters and the book and how relatable they are, but I was very underwhelmed with the ending. It could have at least had a sequel to reveal what happened with the characters.
July 1, 2007
Even though this is an contemporary Christian title, it was not preachy. As a chick lit title, I would recommend this book.
January 12, 2008
Good for her first novel...
November 15, 2009
I truly enjoyed this read. Practical life issues that are common among all. Michelle did a great job on this novel.
Read
May 28, 2010Very god inspirational book to relationships
June 5, 2010
A pretty good read.
May 28, 2012
This book is for Sistah's
Very good advice for single women
Very good advice for single women
May 23, 2013
a yearly read for me.
April 29, 2014
wonderfully written. loved the characters and this book made me think afterwards! Here's to being true to who I am and not changing 4 anybody!!!
January 10, 2016
The story was cute and true. I never thought that a novel can be Christian-like! :)
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