Urban Love Is

by Erick S. Gray

For some, love starts with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends in tears. For four friends from Queens, it’s about to get complicated… Best friends Terrance, Trey, Ash, and Devin grew up together in Queens, New York. While bonded by friendship, can they count on each other when life gets heavy and their complex love lives threaten the very essence of their being?     Terrance married young, leaving behind his player days for unconditional love. After five years of marriage, the hard-working family man feels that his world is perfect—until he discovers otherwise.    Trey is a ladies’ man who wants to have his cake and eat it too. Old habits die hard, but will he ever experience the happiness he deeply desires, or will he keep the carousel spinning?     Meanwhile, Ash is coming home from prison. He has a lot of catching up to do—with the ladies, that is—and he wants his boys to join him for the ride, just like the good old days.    Devin believes in monogamy—not loving a thousand different women, but loving your woman a thousand different ways. He’s in love with Danielle and believes he’s found true love. Is it real, or merely an illusion?   

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2021

Reviews

[Shakera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. Typically, Urban Fiction is not the genre I choose for my reading pleasure, but I wasn't disappointed. Trigger Warning: contains scenes that depict domestic violence, spousal rape, and murder suicide.

[Tami Cleckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was fast paced, interesting men, full of drama. My least favorite character was Ash but you will have to read the book to find out why. The sex scenes were hot, language kept me engrossed. Finished book in 3 days but that is because I had to eat, sleep & work, otherwise I am sure I would have finished in a day.

[DeAja · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. There was a few times I contemplated DNFing this but I was curious to see how the storylines would play out. The writing was fine enough. The main reason the rating is low is because of the despicable characters, especially Terrance and Ash.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down! Just like the rest of his books it was so exciting & the ending is one you'll never expect!!!

[Angee · Rating 5 out of 5]

1

[Emiya Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of the book. Talks about some relatable things with women, men, marriages, and love

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book frustrated me

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unhinged from start to finish. I’m addicted.

[Lay Tonic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I finished this book was soo good. I love him as an author and the tropes always keep me reeled in.

[Max D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this is what urban love is, I don't want it.

All in all, it was okay, if not a little less than. The story is quite dated even though it published in 2021. It seems like it takes place in the early 2000s. So if you used and/or remember pagers and payphones, then it may be right up your alley. There's even a quick mention of R. Kelly (gross).

It's from the perspective of 5 different characters, but they're all unlikeable. Gray could've just had it from the perspective of 2 of the male characters, and their counterparts. It probably would've flowed better. Some characters just felt like filler.

The story was also extremely predictable and trite. The writing was lackluster. He used "sinuous" a dozen times (only to describe hair), and all the women described pretty much had the same description.

Wouldn't suggest to other readers.

[Vee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: SA, DV, Transphobia, Gang violence
Okay, so initially I hated this book. Well, hate is a strong word, I disliked the storylines. But the last five or so chapters were so good!
I did NOT expect the ending.
I was fully ready to 1 star this, but the ending brought up my rating.