Nappily Ever After

Nappily #1

by Trisha R. Thomas

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM STARRING SANAA LATHAN

What happens when you toss tradition out the window and really start living for yourself?

Venus Johnston has a great job, a beautiful home, and a loving live-in boyfriend named Clint, who happens to be a drop-dead gorgeous doctor. She also has a weekly beauty-parlor date with Tina, who keeps Venus's long, processed hair slick and straight. But when Clint--who's been reluctant to commit over the past four years--brings home a puppy instead of an engagement ring, Venus decides to give it all up. She trades in her long hair for a dramatically short, natural cut and sends Clint packing.

It's a bold declaration of independence--one that has effects she never could have imagined. Reactions from friends and coworkers range from concern to contempt to outright condemnation. And when Clint moves on and starts dating a voluptuous, long-haired beauty, Venus is forced to question what she really wants out of life. With wit, resilience, and a lot of determination, she finally learns what true happiness is--on her own terms. Told with style, savvy, and humor, Nappily Ever After is a novel that marks the debut of a fresh new voice in fiction.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, African American, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

321 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Trisha R. Thomas is the author of the highly acclaimed Nappily Series, best known for her debut novel Nappily Ever After (Random House).

Reviews

[Nizzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Using the main character Venus, it seemed the author tried to convey the message that you cannot love someone else until you love yourself. While I appreciate the effort, I thought the idea was not fully developed, because Venus’ revelation fell flat. After she cut off her ‘relaxed’ hair and cut off her man, she somehow came to the realization that her life revolved around her hair. I didn’t believe her transformation.

I also do not understand how this book leads into a series. The characters were not enjoyable enough to read/listen any more about them. They have their fair share of drama, but it’s mostly predictable. I thought that there was too much dialogue that didn’t help the story along and failed to give additional insight into the characters thoughts or feelings.

I also found it bothersome that the narrator would break out singing whenever a song was mentioned.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's important for women who are not of color to learn about how much thought and effort is put into certain hairstyles and appearances... how much of an impression styles can make on society...how women of color are perceived by their hair. White women (such as myself) often take this for granted.

[AMEERA · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Lynecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect to relate to this story so hard!
Can't wait for the Netflix movie with Sanaa Lathan.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not just a "black woman" version of chick lit, This also isn't a 'hair care' book, so put it down if you think it is. - Although yes, it is a book about a black woman, Venus Johnston, and, it is a book about hair...technically.
It is so much more than that. Its about self-esteem, Its about loving yourself before you realize that you can love someone else, its about...Everything, every woman. Every Race, Colour and Religion goes through.
Its like the ultimate girl's guide to knowing that everything is going to be okay. Eventually. And even when you wanna scream and shout and hide in a corner and cry, its okay to do that too.
Nappily Ever After, isn't a 'bougie chick lit book' as someone else referred to it on here, its an every woman book. and every woman should read it.

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

****UPDATE**** (2 October 2018) So the Movie is out now! It's on NETFLIX. The lead is not Halle Berry. It's our favorite lady from Love & Basketball! THE MOVIE WAS WAY BETTER****UPDATE****

****ORIGINAL REVIEW (29 October 2011)****
I heard Hollywood was going to turn this book into a movie starring Halle Berry, so I had to check it out! I figured if they were soliciting an Academy Award/Oscar winning actress, then it had to be crème de la crème..... ummm not so much .

The story begins in the future [If you call the '90's future....but hey I didn't realize this book was THAT old] with Clint at the alter thinking about his "bride to be". [Almost like he needs the reassurance to continue standing there.] When She walks in, wearing a dress that stops at the beginning of her legs (his words, not mine), making everyone whisper in wonder "why she there", and has him (the groom) all dry mouth (again, his words)and sweating. And to top it off, he invited her. Heck, "HAND DELIVERED" the invitation. Then he finds himself second thinking while Treulich geführt is gearing up on the organs.

Then the story rewinds and we're propelled in the commentary tangent of a woman in the mist of liberating her scalp from the "creamy crack" with "THE BIG CHOP". [HOLD UP! Go Back! I have like a million questions...Who was that chica at the wedding? Should I Hate her or the Bride? Someone's the homewrecker or BIATCH ! Right?]

The drama in the beginning was my driving force! But sadly by the time I got to page 119, I was drained and nursing a boredom induced migraine. [This is not your typical love triangle. I didn't hate any of the characters. However much I wanted. They didn't really make a significant impact. Kandi came across stupid and desparate. Venus came across stupid and with way too much "I'm-a-strong-black-woman-ess". Clint? Well, Clint was a "man".] So I skipped to the last few pages, where the future came back into focus. It's nice to see some of the drama DIE and the characters lived Nappily Ever After [For now, at least]!

I guess I'll wait to see the movie(March 2012). There just wasn't enough action for me. I would rather see Halle Berry play Kandi and Alicia Keys play Venus. Ms. Berry can act her way out of a paper bag and can play ANY role!

I may check out the other books in the series. Alot of people gave Trisha R. Thomas' books high ratings, so I'll give her another shot. If it snagged the attention of a director, hey!

[Never Without a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

[Michelle Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some spoilers here.

I tried to love this book. I would have settled for even liking it.
For some reason, I could not enjoy it. I read it a number of years ago, I must have been in a totally different place.

Venus is a long haired black woman, as any black woman knows, that is a premium in the black community. She becomes extremely frustated with her life situation, which includes not having her boyfriend do what she wants her to.

We then follow a tangle of her vascilating between does she want to continue the relationship? The boyfriend seems genuinely hurt and confused.
I never bought that the deliberate cutting off of her hair really helped her embrace her true self.

I was not satisfied with this book. Disappointed is more accurate.
There is a great deal justification for something I think of as disgustingly immoral no matter who does it, that would be adultery. I don't care how much pain a person is in, there is no reason to intentionally hurt another party by committing adultery. Enough moralizing, I just think it is an avoidable intentional knowingly hurtful act.
I had nothing but dislike for charachters that do this, excuses sound just like that excuses. I cannot like a person or charachter who justifies this act.

I understood why the book ended as it did however, it was not satisfying. It all felt contrived and the ending was not what the reader would expect or hope for.
I don't believe that Kandi(a secondary charachter) will have a HEA I could see why one would think Venus might.
I had to really concentrate to finish this book, I just was not invested in the charachters.

[Ebony Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Trisha Thomas book! I can relate to the main character in this book. The main character is like most African-American professional women; well spoken, educated, and also trying to maintain their straight hair. Venus Johnston is the main character and she decides to cut her so-called "good hair" off and it changes everything in her life. This book hits home with me because so many times I have heard African-American women wish they could go natural but get scared because they wonder what their men, family, or peers will say about their natural hair.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed emotions about Nappily Ever After. It starts with Venus cutting off her long relaxed hair. For most that have made that transition (such as myself), it's a big deal. You either love it or hate it. It changes the way you see yourself. It can also change the way others see you. At any rate, her and her live in, long term boyfriend Clint are breaking up after his procrastination to propose. Clint is a catch. He is upwardly mobile, a handsome doctor. Venus is a nuanced character. Sometimes identifiable, sometimes not very likeable. It was a fast read. I guess "Chick Lit". I am interested in seeing how things go in the rest of the series.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book — I loved the themes addressed here such as loving yourself, acceptance, and relationships. Overall, the story is very engaging and I can relate to “going natural.” I said bye bye to relaxers a few years ago and haven’t looked back. As a black women, having straight hair was engrained at an early age so making the transition back to your natural state is mental as well and I love how the author touches on what a lot of black women experience.

[MarloweOverShakespeare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have to round up a book club for this series. And I can't wait to see this on screen when it finally releases - cause I can definitely see this series being acted out. So much entertainment with lots of heavy moments. I'm officially hooked. On to #2!

[Destanye B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, especially because they are turning it into a movie (and it'll probably be an excellent movie) however, I was not too impressed with the book. I feel like with books you have the leisure to give background and really develop your character. Unfortunately I think Trisha's characters were all over the place and extremely immature. The premise of Venus cutting off her hair was to start again and really uncover who she was. All I found out was that everything had to do with Clint and did she really find herself? Khandi was a laughable character who sounded like a gold digger with feelings. I mean she wants him because he's going to be a doctor and she doesn't even really divulge anything personal about herself. She can't cook and really doesn't have anything but looks. I say she's a gold digger because she doesn't really even know him and she decided to marry him for what, security? Clint is naive who purposes to someone after three off and on weeks. On top of that he doesn't even want to e a doctor and he's living a life he really doesn't want to live. At the beginning of the book he even said that he was making a mistake. Which makes it seem that he'll marry whoever as long as she's pretty and not complicated. Ugh I was disappointed to say the least

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I hadn't read it since the early 2000s, I read Nappily Ever After again in preparation for the Netflix movie. I remembered only small details of the book, and didn't realize just how deep the story was beyond the broken relationship between Venus and Clint. Each character's backstory added dimension that I didn't expect. The only problem I had with the book, though, is the pacing; there are times the story moves a little too fast just to tie up loose ends. And because we didn't see exactly how Venus and Clint's relationship developed or evolved - it begins with their breakup - it's hard to determine if they should still be together. I'm cool with the ending, because I think maybe that's how it should be.

I did end up watching the movie last night. Ehh....🤷🤔

[Ginny · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the conversations I had with a couple of friends after I finished it. But that's about it. I wanted to love this books sooo badly since I am looking for a new series to dive into, but this one will not be it unfortunately.

I understand the power of hair, but so much of Venus' personality and life was tied up in her hair that it was almost unbearable. I don't think she was happy with or without hair and really wish she would just TALKED to people instead of going around like people should have been able to read her mind.

[Kenyia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I read it a while ago, so I didn't know that the author had written more books.

[Deidre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh this started it all, this is such a good book. I haven't read it in years but after it I started collecting all of the rest of the books and now I have them all.

[Mackinsey McElgunn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book. I loved the overall story, a woman gets fed up with her objectification based on a very Eurocentric standard of beauty, and cuts her hair in an attempt to learn more about herself and her Blackness. I felt that the "good hair" conversation is one that every Black American woman has grappled with in her lifetime, and this woman's journey would be a very earnest and relatable one for many women. However, the characterization was a HOT MESS.

As someone who is somewhere between a Millennial and Gen Z, I admit that this inner battle is not one that I have struggled with personally. I grew up in an era where natural textures are much more accepted, and where relaxers have long been out of fashion. This does not excuse Venus's borderline obsession with how males perceive her after she cuts her hair. I completely understand second guessing herself, but her disappointment and near anger towards men who don't find her as attractive turns what should be a very empowering moment into one that circles back to seeking the attention from the same males we were expected to dislike. I was confused by character moments where Venus kicks Clint out of the house, and yet continues a strictly sexual relationship with him only to be mad and jealous that he begins dating??? What is he supposed to do?? Also, the internalized misogyny was not lost on me, as Venus speculates on the type of woman Clint must have moved on with. I understand that his book was written in 2001, and that certain tropes have not been questioned at this time, but that doesn't excuse the respectability politics the main character falls into.

Also what on Earth were the male characters in this book? Why were they all written like the author googled "How do Black men act?" They were so stereotypical that they came off as Black in name only.

I wanted to like this book, but it fell flat in so many different aspects. I welcome any comments that can help me understand some points of the book.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll definitely be reading all the books in this series. I went natural five years ago this month. For those that may not know what that means, let me explain: it means that I stopped putting relaxers in my hair and let it come out of my head the way God made it.

When I read this book, I truly felt a bond with Venus. When she cut all her hair off and went natural, people acted as if she was a different person, as if her beauty disappeared along with the processed hair she had removed.

I shared in her struggles of learning to love myself and see myself as beautiful and that beauty had absolutely nothing to do with outward appearances.

That being said, this book was also full of twists and very unexpected turns. Venus's life was falling in around her. When she was dating Clint, she kept up an absolutely perfect appearance, wrongly thinking that if she supported him through medical school, her prize would be a marriage proposal. She had no idea that she was making him feel pressured. As her personal world crumbled, so did her professional one. Venus wanted to be an account manager at her current firm and bypassed her bosses and went directly to the client to pitch her talents. Right around that time she began getting nasty notes left in her work mail calling her names and threatening her. She had no idea who it was.

She and Clint broke up. Clint moved on just as Venus realized how wrong she was and wanted to start again. She lost that relationship, but she gained loving herself.

This book is dedicated to women, and men, everywhere who are brave enough to go natural in both the literal and figurative sense. It is only when we truly love ourselves that we can receive the true love of someone else.

[Page Passion · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's rare that you find an urban/black book that talks about real issues that black women are dealing with. Hair is a prominent discussion among black women. Whether it is real, fake, glued on, or sewed in, its always a topic of discussion. The entire time I read this, the saying "a woman's hair is her crowning glory" came to mind and it made me think how we've all been brainwashed to think we are nothing if we don't have long locks flowing down to our back. Venus was my favorite character because she took the plunge by cutting all her hair off (something I plan to do since I hate my perm like she did) and it made her realize what she truly wanted in life. The book is less bout romance and more about taking charge and figuring out what you want in life and not what others want for you, which was quite refreshing to read about. I ended up giving this three stars even though I wish I could give it three and a half. I'm not sure what the next books could be about but I think I may check at least the second one out.

[Ausurelee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sssooo...I was determined to read this before I watched the movie. Needless to say, I'm am.so glad that I did. It was a nice movie, but the book is the version that kept me hooked! I mean, they went as far to change the main characters name. There may be a good reason behind the change, but it threw me off at first. Anyway, one reason I loved this book, would be the sheer fact that it isn't the happy ending you would expect. This story is all about self love and the journey to find it.

[Veronika]

I heard that Halle Berry may be staring in the movie adaption for this book and that she may be shaving her head! ...so in that case I really want to try and read this book before the movie comes out.

Hopefully with the release of the movie it will inspire more African-American women to go in the natural direction with their hair! :)

[LaRhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

its alright....don't think ill be reading to others

[KG · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't a great work of literature, but I really liked it. It was very relatable.

[Pat Stevenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn’t my cup of tea. Too cliched and too many stereotypes. I think I’m just done with this type of fiction.

[BernieMck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a book club and I really enjoyed it. A nice read with messages of healthy self esteem and self love.

[Millie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite message in the book: “I wanted to take each day as it came, without expectations and without fear.”

[Valerie Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to love it.
Didn’t like it.

[Randi B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars from me. This book started off strong, the first few chapters were so good! It had the makings of a 5 but lost momentum.
I loved how the book started, it was very relatable. The struggle with hair, more specifically black hair, growing up “dealing” with it and how having to “tame” it shapes you even as an adult. When Venus was describing the hours spent in the hair salon and the endless relaxer cycle, I was having ptsd moments lol.

There are 3 main characters, and the chapters alternate through their pov.:

Venus- black woman in her 30’s, tired of playing games with Clint, you gonna marry me or not? She’s frustrated with Clint, her life and even her hair! So she decides to chop it off (I get it! I didn’t go that far but I did make the choice to Loc my hair, no regrets!)

Clint- Young black doctor fresh out of medical school. He and Venus have been together for years, so when she hits him with this ultimatum it shakes him. Through his pov you learn why he is so apprehensive about marriage. The book starts off at HIS wedding, but you don’t know who his bride is until the very end.

Kandi- The one night stand who just won’t go away. Kandi wants nothing more than to be married and have a family, and she has her sights set on Clint! A doctor, say less. She is very much a “pick me”, and through her pov you can see how her upbringing shaped that. She frustrated me the most, have some self respect girl.

So starting that strong I was like yes this book is about to be everything! Eh, it had its moments, but maybe it’s just the time period the book was written/set in (90’s). I think if it was revamped with now in mind it would be a little more entertaining. Some of the dialogue was wordy and redundant, so I would find myself getting bored. I’m gonna check out the movie on Netflix and see how they incorporated today into it.

[♡*WithLove, Reesie*♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

More drama than cared for but i understand that's what makes a story. But it felt, messy. Some like messy though and this is a book published in 2002, so i have i realize society has changed, people's motives & desires (tho basics -money, love, revenge, etc) are the same no matter the year, there were things i felt would not fly freshly published 2020.
I read this, in order to watch the movie, which I enjoyed so much more!
I didn't like how, one guy loved a character, wanted her but so quickly falls in love with another character after spending such a short time together ; whose motives also seemed unclear. It left me not believing or rooting for the relationship.
(How rare a movie is better than the book,but here i am.)
I dont plan to read the other books in the series, but I am glad i did read this.
It was interesting to see how hair had its place in lives in 2002, compared to now in 2020, natural hair is almost a culture norm, media accessed, multi dollar industry.