Idlewild: Carl Weber Presents

by Treasure Hernandez

When Desiree Johnson receives an unexpected call from her brother, Ernest, Jr., about their father, she and her sixteen-year-old son, Tyree, pack up and rush to her family’s summer home in Idlewild. Desiree hasn’t been to Michigan in over seventeen years, but when her family calls, she feels she has no choice but to answer.   Arriving in the beautiful town, Desiree quickly realizes that no matter how long she has stayed away, the place still holds a special place in her heart. As the summer heats up, Desiree struggles to balance the joy of returning to the community that shaped her childhood with the overwhelming memories of the love and pain she suffered the last summer she spent there.   Tyson Rockwell is taken aback by Desiree’s return. Their relationship might have lasted only a few months each summer, but their connection was powerful. Tyson might have succumbed to family pressure and let Desiree go once before, but now that she’s back, he vows it will not happen again. He needs to prove to Desiree that he never stopped loving her. The problem is that Tyson is now married with children.    Desiree’s siblings, Donna and Ernest, Jr., have their own share of childhood secrets and adult scandals. Donna is recovering from addiction and convinced her sister’s return is all about their ailing father’s money She wants to send Desiree a message—go back where you came from or I’ll ruin you. Ernest, Jr. is determined to take his rightful place as their father’s heir-apparent, and he'll do whatever it takes to keep himself at the top, even if it means backstabbing his siblings and making sure his father never recovers.   As the summer heats up, Desiree finds herself in the midst of jealousy, piling secrets, and strong, unexpected feelings for another woman’s husband. Will she stand and face it all, or will she run like she did so many years ago?  

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2020

Reviews

[Millie Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

It certainly didn't lack drama that's for sure. Doesn't matter how rich a family might be; there will always be drama just like the Banks' family from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. However, The Johnson family was more unstable and not as comical. Secrets within the family destroy the family and pretending doesn't help the family either. I don't see myself reading the next one. It lacked the suspense and thrill quality; it wasn't a bad read just didn't excite me.

[Myesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit it took me awhile to get through this book. It dragged and dragged. It really did not pick up until damn near the middle of the book. Once it picked it, it did get somewhat interesting. Nothing in the book was shocking, just mostly sad. Oh, and its a cliff hanger so if you want to know what happened you have to read the second book - which is not even out yet (which I might not make it to).

[Jasmine]

I really enjoyed this book. There were a lot of different surprises and plot twists and it was super easy to imagine each scene. I will say though, there was a few things I didn't like or that didnt really make sense to me. For starters, they never really explained the death of Lee. Unless I just don't remember, but all I recall is her grabbing the drugs before running into the room. When she was found, she was bloody.. I didnt know where that had come from and they didnt really get any confession from her boyfriend so I was just lost on that. It also annoyed me that the mom got arrested literally right at the end for the murder of the ex boyfriend that the undercover cop did! Like she tried to right her wrong by killing him for messing up their family but she dragged the mom into it and she had nothing to do with it! I just feel like it shouldn't have ended with that cliffhanger cause that would have opened up a whole new thing. Over all though, really enjoyable book and very interesting.

[Martina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure about this one. Was it supposed to feel like a soap-opera? It had lots of things happening but nothing made much sense. There is the man at death's door, but no, wait, now he's at a party, ill but with impressive grip strength. There's the lesbian having sex with a man and falling in love with him, for work? There's an open secret, sorry, it's a real secret, nope, everyone knows except no one that matters knows? And then there's the person who is so mindful of appearances that she starts screaming at the most important party of the year because... her son's date is attractive? Everything that people could've had a normal reaction to is instead dramatic, mysterious and insidious. And to top it off, it ends with a cliffhanger (multiple, really).

[BossyLadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. All I can say is that escalated quickly. This family went from having it all with a few secrets to losing everything, people dying, drug addiction, murder, arrests.... this book had it all. I didn't want it to end. There are many questions left unanswered. I hope the author revisits this family one day. Did Tyree get convicted? What happened to Jr? What happened to Bella? Did Tyson and Desiree get back together? Did Bella get caught? What happened to the mother? Did Donna get clean? Did Desiree beat Donna *ss for getting Tyree tangled up in that mess? What happened to Donna's baby? What about the father's stash of money?

[Luv J · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! THE PARENTS MESSED THEIR KIDS UP!!

I hope Tyree get out of his situation alive! I hope the dad had some money hid somewhere the kids can get to continue living in the life style they are accustomed too! Hurry with pt 2 please !! Don't take years!

[Nichole Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hop there's another book coming soon... this is a really good book to read a real page turning.

[Jacqueline Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must 📚 Hope there's a part 2

[Katie Midgley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn, things sure went left for this family.