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Baby Girl: The Novel
Sage is living the fast life with her homegirls Nesh, KiKi and Shay, dating Dope Boys and having fun when life hits her hard and she's left fractured with no clear understanding as to how to pick up the pieces. Things have changed forever and there is no going back, only forward. Sage doesn't know anything other than the life she's lived, and she's ill-equipped to undertake a new journey with the cards she's been dealt. She finds that the more she tries to do things different, the more she ends up two steps behind only to end up in the same place.
BabyGirl is a nostalgic trip down memory lane about Sage, aka Ali, who is not your average girl from South Central, Los Angeles. She's smart, wise beyond her years, and knows there's more to life than what she's seen growing up. However, Sage also likes the finer things in life, and doesn't mind getting it out the mud. She just doesn't want to end up dead or in jail like so many others. Yet, that's exactly where she will end up if she doesn't use her street and book smarts to alter her lifestyle and avoid an almost certain fate.
A coming of age tale from the hood, BabyGirl is a must read that fans of urban fiction will fall in love with.
BabyGirl is a nostalgic trip down memory lane about Sage, aka Ali, who is not your average girl from South Central, Los Angeles. She's smart, wise beyond her years, and knows there's more to life than what she's seen growing up. However, Sage also likes the finer things in life, and doesn't mind getting it out the mud. She just doesn't want to end up dead or in jail like so many others. Yet, that's exactly where she will end up if she doesn't use her street and book smarts to alter her lifestyle and avoid an almost certain fate.
A coming of age tale from the hood, BabyGirl is a must read that fans of urban fiction will fall in love with.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2019
105 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
C. Darayl Howard
9 books12 followersC. Darayl, a California native, is a graduate of Cal State Northridge. She discovered her love for writing books as a child, during which she read voraciously. Her elementary teachers soon noticed her talent for creative writing, and put her on the school newspaper. The accolades continued through high school, and she soon determined that she would follow in the footsteps of her favorite authors, Toni Morrison and Terri McMillan.
Life had it's way and CDarayl would eventually begin a career in the public sector and become the mother of five daughters. Her love for her children and desire to put them first culminated in her desire to put her ambitions to the side.
But, she still had an itch to create. She tried to scratch it with blogging, her 2nd love. She did that for a few years while also working full time and raising her children. But the desire to become an author never left her and it wasn't long before she had three novels sketched out.
CDarayl decided to go with BabyGirl: the Novel for her debut into the literary world because she wanted to bring to life her ghetto-fabulous alter-ego, Sage, and pay homage to the little girl growing up in South Central Los Angeles that loved to read.
Her first novel is a hit with readers and she is now the author of 2 more pieces and loves the response from her fans.
Life had it's way and CDarayl would eventually begin a career in the public sector and become the mother of five daughters. Her love for her children and desire to put them first culminated in her desire to put her ambitions to the side.
But, she still had an itch to create. She tried to scratch it with blogging, her 2nd love. She did that for a few years while also working full time and raising her children. But the desire to become an author never left her and it wasn't long before she had three novels sketched out.
CDarayl decided to go with BabyGirl: the Novel for her debut into the literary world because she wanted to bring to life her ghetto-fabulous alter-ego, Sage, and pay homage to the little girl growing up in South Central Los Angeles that loved to read.
Her first novel is a hit with readers and she is now the author of 2 more pieces and loves the response from her fans.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 21, 2020
Great read
From beginning to end I was intrigued. Ali was definitely a young lady learning her way without much guidance when it came to men. I love her personality, her strength, and her perseverance. I also loved her relationship with her family no matter how rocky. There was definitely some twist and turns and moments that had my jaw dropping. I won't spoil it for anyone, but I definitely recommend this book.
From beginning to end I was intrigued. Ali was definitely a young lady learning her way without much guidance when it came to men. I love her personality, her strength, and her perseverance. I also loved her relationship with her family no matter how rocky. There was definitely some twist and turns and moments that had my jaw dropping. I won't spoil it for anyone, but I definitely recommend this book.
February 25, 2020
Goodread
Really good novel! Worth the read because it holds your attention and keeps you wondering what will transpire next. Note that this is an adult novel.
Really good novel! Worth the read because it holds your attention and keeps you wondering what will transpire next. Note that this is an adult novel.
May 20, 2020
Baby Girl is told from the perspective of 19-year-old Sage aka Ali. I don’t even know how I feel about Sage. I’m still trying to think if I’m real proud of her for the baby steps she’s taking to get where she wants to be in life or if I’m like girl, you are a true product of your environment! 😂
I like Sage b/c she truly wants and is trying to get her life together by moving from her mom’s place to protect her peace, go to college, and to let go of her dependence on men (which she grows up seeing her mother do). Yet, you watch her struggle to do these things because old habits die hard (which was such a real ass aspect of this book!). She keeps getting pulled in the wrong direction by her wild group of friends, who have no real ambition, that she’s loyal to and has a lot of fun with. And she’s dating this dope boy, T-Rich, who cashes out on her, so she gets complacent because she has everything she wants with him (car, clothes, and a place to stay). Her decision making in moving in with these men was like ... 👀 and T-Rich got on my damn nerves 😂 (I already DM’d you about his ass!)
Ultimately, she realizes that this isn’t the life for her when she sees T-Rich’s true colors, that her friends have a lot of issues, and that her life could be ruined by engaging in hood activities. 😬
There’s so much conversation to be had from this book like knowing your worth when dating, using men to get ahead/secure your happiness, gold digging, friends and relationships that drag you down, and the difficulty of stepping away from a life you’ve always known! Minus a few minor errors, here’s another good Stay At Home read! Rating as I really liked it!
I like Sage b/c she truly wants and is trying to get her life together by moving from her mom’s place to protect her peace, go to college, and to let go of her dependence on men (which she grows up seeing her mother do). Yet, you watch her struggle to do these things because old habits die hard (which was such a real ass aspect of this book!). She keeps getting pulled in the wrong direction by her wild group of friends, who have no real ambition, that she’s loyal to and has a lot of fun with. And she’s dating this dope boy, T-Rich, who cashes out on her, so she gets complacent because she has everything she wants with him (car, clothes, and a place to stay). Her decision making in moving in with these men was like ... 👀 and T-Rich got on my damn nerves 😂 (I already DM’d you about his ass!)
Ultimately, she realizes that this isn’t the life for her when she sees T-Rich’s true colors, that her friends have a lot of issues, and that her life could be ruined by engaging in hood activities. 😬
There’s so much conversation to be had from this book like knowing your worth when dating, using men to get ahead/secure your happiness, gold digging, friends and relationships that drag you down, and the difficulty of stepping away from a life you’ve always known! Minus a few minor errors, here’s another good Stay At Home read! Rating as I really liked it!
October 20, 2021
Howard gives the reader a realistic glimpse into the disadvantages of growing up in any impoverished housing complex and neighborhood by highlighting the barriers presented when attempting to break the generational cycle of the depressed economic and emotional conditions endured by occupants of South Cental housing complexes. Colorful dialect reflective of the neighborhood’s lingo and well thought out character development was presented throughout the novel, and the author’s writing style was superb; made for easy reading. I read the novel straight through in one seating.
Initially, I thought this novel would be geared more toward young adults, but the novel is relevant to all age groups (I’m reaching that senior citizen category). I will definitely be reading book 2 in the near future, as I am now fully vested in the characters’ evolving life stories.
Initially, I thought this novel would be geared more toward young adults, but the novel is relevant to all age groups (I’m reaching that senior citizen category). I will definitely be reading book 2 in the near future, as I am now fully vested in the characters’ evolving life stories.
July 4, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
LOVED THIS READ. Reading this really made me look at life from a different angle. Some parts I felt on a personal level and it gave me a different outlook and how to handle things. Will pass this book on for others to read
LOVED THIS READ. Reading this really made me look at life from a different angle. Some parts I felt on a personal level and it gave me a different outlook and how to handle things. Will pass this book on for others to read
March 19, 2020
I enjoyed this book!!! Took me back to my teenage years. C Darayl Howard is a promising writer. I look forward to reading her book of poems in the near future.
July 6, 2021
Good book
This was a good coming of age story. I’d definitely love a Part 2 to see where she is later in life. Will definitely be reading more from this author ❤️
This was a good coming of age story. I’d definitely love a Part 2 to see where she is later in life. Will definitely be reading more from this author ❤️
June 26, 2021
Great Read
The street credibility is strong, and sizzling interactions prevail. Love the creativity of this writer. Interest held from the beginning!
The street credibility is strong, and sizzling interactions prevail. Love the creativity of this writer. Interest held from the beginning!
January 15, 2022
Entertaining but...
This book was entertaining but not well written at all. I can forgive an odd typo here or there but this book had so many typos and grammatical errors that I wondered if it had been edited at all. In addition, there were times when it seemed that the author completely forgot what she had written on previous pages. For instance, when Sage first introduces her friends she says that Nesh's full name is Tanesha, but later in the book she calls her "Love'Nesha twice. The same with Roderick, at one point she calls him Broderick. I almost feel like this book was a rough draft that got released by mistake. Overall, although it was moderately entertaining I could not in good conscience recommend this book and I understand why it was free on Amazon Kindle.
This book was entertaining but not well written at all. I can forgive an odd typo here or there but this book had so many typos and grammatical errors that I wondered if it had been edited at all. In addition, there were times when it seemed that the author completely forgot what she had written on previous pages. For instance, when Sage first introduces her friends she says that Nesh's full name is Tanesha, but later in the book she calls her "Love'Nesha twice. The same with Roderick, at one point she calls him Broderick. I almost feel like this book was a rough draft that got released by mistake. Overall, although it was moderately entertaining I could not in good conscience recommend this book and I understand why it was free on Amazon Kindle.
September 2, 2021
I was trying to read this book as a transition of not reading for so long, but now I'm feeling a little regretful about it. This was supposed to be the typical coming of age hood story, but unlike Flyy Girl, there wasn't any character development. The big plot points just sort of happened to the character and she learned nothing from it. I honestly felt like the author forgot certain details throughout writing the book, especially after Sage's accident--the timeline was weird, I couldn't tell if 3 months or a year had passed. I was overall a little disappointed with this read.
2.5/5 Stars
2.5/5 Stars
January 29, 2020
Sage is having fun with her friends; Nesh, Kiki and Shay. The girls are interested in having fun, dressing nice, and spending money. Sage is a smart young lady that want to get her family out of the hood. Sage enjoys the finer things in life that her mom can’t give her and her siblings. Sage life is spared but her friend dies in the accident. Sage lands in the hospital after the accident. Sage is grateful to be alive and starts to think about life. Good read.
February 21, 2023
Growing Up in the 80's
This book took me back to my coming of age in the 80's. Hanging out with your best girlfriend(s) and getting into mischief. Getting that first "real" boyfriend loosing your mind behind it.....lol Ahh the memories. Sage and girls were thick as thieves. Sage's coming of age in the 80's was full of adventures, trials and tribulations. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see how Sage navigates the waters of growing up in the next book.
This book took me back to my coming of age in the 80's. Hanging out with your best girlfriend(s) and getting into mischief. Getting that first "real" boyfriend loosing your mind behind it.....lol Ahh the memories. Sage and girls were thick as thieves. Sage's coming of age in the 80's was full of adventures, trials and tribulations. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see how Sage navigates the waters of growing up in the next book.
December 27, 2023
Baby Girl Series Book 1
This is the first book I have read by C. Daryl Howard. I like all of the characters portrayed in this novel. I wasn't familiar with a lot of the slang. I gave it four stars because there seem to be a lot of errors in the book, such as missing words or the wrong word, but I still enjoyed it and look forward to reading part 2.
This is the first book I have read by C. Daryl Howard. I like all of the characters portrayed in this novel. I wasn't familiar with a lot of the slang. I gave it four stars because there seem to be a lot of errors in the book, such as missing words or the wrong word, but I still enjoyed it and look forward to reading part 2.
August 12, 2021
Expected better
At first the book put me in the mind of Flyy Girl by Omar Tree and I was excited to read it. But it could’ve been better Sage never had any character development so the book was the same from beginning to end.
At first the book put me in the mind of Flyy Girl by Omar Tree and I was excited to read it. But it could’ve been better Sage never had any character development so the book was the same from beginning to end.
November 11, 2021
The book was just ok to me. It started off great, but about 75% through, it kind of went left and started to drag on. It was kind of like the pace of the book changed. I wasn't aware that there is a sequel. I won't be reading the sequel.
February 1, 2022
Baby Girl :The Novel
Raw experience of young girl living in the hood, trying to navigate to good,bad,the evil and some of memories God Church. As she navigate through child hood, teens, into young adult learning hard by each stage age, boyfriends,girlfriends most of about herself
Raw experience of young girl living in the hood, trying to navigate to good,bad,the evil and some of memories God Church. As she navigate through child hood, teens, into young adult learning hard by each stage age, boyfriends,girlfriends most of about herself
April 25, 2020
Omg 🔥🔥🔥
I’ve read this book twice and it doesn’t get dull. It maybe a first release for C. Darayl, she is a natural the way this story flowed. I want to know if Ali actually learned from her actions. I appreciated, Nesh making an appearance at the end. Her story broke my heart. Great book. I’m here for a sequel 🤔 In the meantime, I did order Darayl’s book of poetry. Can’t wait for the next book. Story telling isn’t easy. This book knocked it out the park. I was taken back to the 80’s with ease!!!
I’ve read this book twice and it doesn’t get dull. It maybe a first release for C. Darayl, she is a natural the way this story flowed. I want to know if Ali actually learned from her actions. I appreciated, Nesh making an appearance at the end. Her story broke my heart. Great book. I’m here for a sequel 🤔 In the meantime, I did order Darayl’s book of poetry. Can’t wait for the next book. Story telling isn’t easy. This book knocked it out the park. I was taken back to the 80’s with ease!!!
July 9, 2021
Good read
Life in the hood. Three girls, best friends, share and do everything together. A weekend trip, changed everything. Car accident, death, arrests, all the hood excitement.
Life in the hood. Three girls, best friends, share and do everything together. A weekend trip, changed everything. Car accident, death, arrests, all the hood excitement.
October 4, 2020
Okay, book
The story starts off good but then the storyline gets a little too dramatic. The ending was subtle and there was no real finality as a reader. Wasn’t bad just okay.
The story starts off good but then the storyline gets a little too dramatic. The ending was subtle and there was no real finality as a reader. Wasn’t bad just okay.
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December 3, 2022An OK read
Its a good book to pass the time however i wouldnt recommend as a favorite. It is ok if u need a quick something.
Its a good book to pass the time however i wouldnt recommend as a favorite. It is ok if u need a quick something.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews