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Willfully Blind
Willfully Blind follows the lives of two couples in polar opposite relationships, navigating everyday struggles brought on by an unwillingness to take ownership of self-sabotaging choices.
The fading summer marked what had become a tradition amongst friends: an annual Labor Day gathering. Hosted this year by Courtney and Daryn Upton in Elmhurst, Illinois, a suburb outside of Chicago, the happy couple provided the perfect haven to reconnect with a few of their closest friends. But as the summer ends, so begins strained relationships and conflict that threaten to rip apart even the most enduring of bonds.
Relationship challenges are nothing unique, but for Dirk and Lisa, their love begins to feel much like a burden. Meeting one night at a college party, the two start dating soon after, and nearly ten years later, they remain together, cohabitating. But with Dirk's frequent indiscretions, unwillingness to commit, and an embarrassing final straw, Lisa sets a plan in motion to move on. A decision that leaves Dirk scrambling in the eleventh hour to save the love he suddenly realizes he can't live without.
In direct contrast, Dirk's friend Courtney and his wife Daryn epitomize a healthy and fruitful relationship. Married four years, the two live the life most couples work towards but rarely lay hold of. All is well... until it isn't. Daryn, born into an affluent family and assuredly overindulged, regularly overspends, much to Courtney's chagrin. Driven by his structured and methodical nature and a near obsession with being fiscally responsible, Courtney attempts to reel his wife's bad habits in vain. It isn't long before Daryn's stubborn opposition triggers unresolved trauma from Courtney's childhood, and soon Daryn watches her doting husband transform into a vicious, borderline abusive stranger.
The fading summer marked what had become a tradition amongst friends: an annual Labor Day gathering. Hosted this year by Courtney and Daryn Upton in Elmhurst, Illinois, a suburb outside of Chicago, the happy couple provided the perfect haven to reconnect with a few of their closest friends. But as the summer ends, so begins strained relationships and conflict that threaten to rip apart even the most enduring of bonds.
Relationship challenges are nothing unique, but for Dirk and Lisa, their love begins to feel much like a burden. Meeting one night at a college party, the two start dating soon after, and nearly ten years later, they remain together, cohabitating. But with Dirk's frequent indiscretions, unwillingness to commit, and an embarrassing final straw, Lisa sets a plan in motion to move on. A decision that leaves Dirk scrambling in the eleventh hour to save the love he suddenly realizes he can't live without.
In direct contrast, Dirk's friend Courtney and his wife Daryn epitomize a healthy and fruitful relationship. Married four years, the two live the life most couples work towards but rarely lay hold of. All is well... until it isn't. Daryn, born into an affluent family and assuredly overindulged, regularly overspends, much to Courtney's chagrin. Driven by his structured and methodical nature and a near obsession with being fiscally responsible, Courtney attempts to reel his wife's bad habits in vain. It isn't long before Daryn's stubborn opposition triggers unresolved trauma from Courtney's childhood, and soon Daryn watches her doting husband transform into a vicious, borderline abusive stranger.
371 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 22
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
B. Angela Redd
2 books6 followersB. Angela Redd, a voice of raw emotional truth in modern fiction, explores the depths of human emotions in the real-life messiness of relationships. Redd’s educational background in journalism ignited her passion for storytelling. Her masterfully crafted stories explore the intricacies of intimate relationships while capturing the complexities of love, heartache, and redemption. When she isn’t busy writing, Redd enjoys gardening, kayaking in Michigan’s Great Lakes, and camping with family and friends.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 23, 2022
Real Life Romance: The Complexity of Human Romantic Relationships
From the very beginning, I was pulled into this story. The characters were so flawed and human: Daryn, Courtney, Lisa, and Dirk. I found it hard to completely hate any character even when they did something disrespectful because on some level I could always see where they were coming from. Every page I found myself invested in the 2 relationships as each relationship experienced their trials. My favorite couple was Courtney and Daryn alrhough they had their issues. Lisa and Dirk were another story. I was fed up with Dirk. But I was really invested in the progress of all the characters since there was no good or bad character. Every character had a back story that made you empathize. I don't want to spoil anything but the characters kept me invested the entire time then, there was a plot twist that I didn't see that absolutely shocked me with one of the couples. I don't want to spoil anything but I am waiting on the next book to see what happens between these couples. I normally don't do too much drama, but this! This was good. I was rooting for Courtney and Daryn to make it. While I was waiting for Lisa and Dirk to move on. Although Dirk was not my favorite, I can honestly say that the characters was so well written that I could even sympathize with my least favorite character at times even if I didn't want to. Lol. Overall, I did not want this story to end. I was very sad when it ended. This was such a realistic take on relationships but it was refreshing. It takes you past the regular rainbows and flowers and into a world where people are actively working on their relationships. This is real life love and I loved it more than anything else flowery I could have read. I would honestly recommend this to people who are looking to read a realistic love that goes beyond happily ever after and shows how we all choose to stay willfully blind to the ones we choose to love.
From the very beginning, I was pulled into this story. The characters were so flawed and human: Daryn, Courtney, Lisa, and Dirk. I found it hard to completely hate any character even when they did something disrespectful because on some level I could always see where they were coming from. Every page I found myself invested in the 2 relationships as each relationship experienced their trials. My favorite couple was Courtney and Daryn alrhough they had their issues. Lisa and Dirk were another story. I was fed up with Dirk. But I was really invested in the progress of all the characters since there was no good or bad character. Every character had a back story that made you empathize. I don't want to spoil anything but the characters kept me invested the entire time then, there was a plot twist that I didn't see that absolutely shocked me with one of the couples. I don't want to spoil anything but I am waiting on the next book to see what happens between these couples. I normally don't do too much drama, but this! This was good. I was rooting for Courtney and Daryn to make it. While I was waiting for Lisa and Dirk to move on. Although Dirk was not my favorite, I can honestly say that the characters was so well written that I could even sympathize with my least favorite character at times even if I didn't want to. Lol. Overall, I did not want this story to end. I was very sad when it ended. This was such a realistic take on relationships but it was refreshing. It takes you past the regular rainbows and flowers and into a world where people are actively working on their relationships. This is real life love and I loved it more than anything else flowery I could have read. I would honestly recommend this to people who are looking to read a realistic love that goes beyond happily ever after and shows how we all choose to stay willfully blind to the ones we choose to love.
May 21, 2022
I could not put this book down. The characters were very relatable. I enjoyed watching Dirk evolve from a man child to a man willing to take responsibility for himself and his family. I followed the trajectory of Daryn and Courtney’s relationship. I was completely sucked in by their drama. And found myself taking a side as though they were actual people I knew. It was interesting to me that as Dirk evolved, Courtney seems to ‘devolve’ from responsible family man to man child. The book left some unfinished business at the end that I hope Redd resolved in the sequel.
June 14, 2022
Utter Rollercoaster That Kept Me Coming Back For More!
I thoroughly, and I do mean this, enjoyed Willfully Blind. You yanked me into your world, and by the end, I did not want to leave. Your narrative was rich and wrought with strong tension. The depth of your characters stamped mental images into my mind — that have shown no sign of disappearing. I’ve attached voices, mannerisms, wants, needs, and flaws to your leads all from what you’ve written. It was obvious the time you’d spent cultivating who they were. Not only that, you had the skill level to achieve it. Your voice was assured and made the story that much more gripping and engaging. There were so many exciting moments, but they always felt purposeful and added to the plot.
I was rooting for Dirk and shouting at Daryn, to no end, my voice was dry by the end of the story. I loved how you used all your characters. No one felt like filler. Your smaller characters enriched your world and made your lead characters shine. I won’t spoil anything, but you put your characters through EVERYTHING (as every good writer should), and I came away from the read deeply satisfied with the narrative choices you’d taken.
If there is a Willfully Blind 2, sign me up!
I thoroughly, and I do mean this, enjoyed Willfully Blind. You yanked me into your world, and by the end, I did not want to leave. Your narrative was rich and wrought with strong tension. The depth of your characters stamped mental images into my mind — that have shown no sign of disappearing. I’ve attached voices, mannerisms, wants, needs, and flaws to your leads all from what you’ve written. It was obvious the time you’d spent cultivating who they were. Not only that, you had the skill level to achieve it. Your voice was assured and made the story that much more gripping and engaging. There were so many exciting moments, but they always felt purposeful and added to the plot.
I was rooting for Dirk and shouting at Daryn, to no end, my voice was dry by the end of the story. I loved how you used all your characters. No one felt like filler. Your smaller characters enriched your world and made your lead characters shine. I won’t spoil anything, but you put your characters through EVERYTHING (as every good writer should), and I came away from the read deeply satisfied with the narrative choices you’d taken.
If there is a Willfully Blind 2, sign me up!
May 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I absolutely loved how the characters came to life on the pages. So much so that Daryn one of the main characters, got so deep under my skin that I was annoyed with her through the entire book. Her very self serving attitude along with her lack of accountability just really made me dislike her. While on the other hand I loved Dirk’s character, he is another main character, who’s in one of the other relationships in the book. You see him in the beginning basically as a playboy not respecting or treating his partner as he should. Well, after a situation occurs in his relationship that really gives him a reality check, you watch him completely transform into the man he should’ve been all along. Of course he is still flawed, but you see his character grow and take accountability for his behavior that really has you rooting for him to win in the end. The book will have you experiencing many different emotions as you turn the pages, laughter, happiness, irritation, anger, and even sadness as you peak into the lives of the characters in the book. Because of this I highly recommended this book!
July 6, 2023
Excellent
I am ready for book two. When will it be available? It was nice to read a book about successful African Americans.
I am ready for book two. When will it be available? It was nice to read a book about successful African Americans.
June 27, 2022
I received an ARC from Reedsy Discovery. Read the original review at: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/wil...
Now we understand relationships go through seasons. Sometimes we fail to understand how one relationship can go through uncertainty and compromise. In the beginning, this is Lisa's and Dirk's story. She lets him come and go as he pleases. He's still living that frat boy life. There have been infidelities, but she keeps the faith he will commit.
Readers are invited to follow two couples one married, one in a long-term relationship and they work through their issues. Daryn and Courtney are a successful married couple. But spending is the issue. Daryn is over the top with buying things. Courtney and he wants her to save for their future. She doesn't think it's a big deal because it's her money. Besides she comes from a family with privilege and her parents provided the best. They seem to have it all; true love, a beautiful home, and thriving careers. But when her spending habits arent' to Courtney's liking friction begins.
At first, I was annoyed and too hard on Lisa. I think because it reminded me of my doomed relationship. It was challenging to revisit mine. To forgive me for sacrificing so much of my 30s for him. This might hurt but I spoke a few times about my toxic relationship experience. Feelings ring true like when Daryn tells Lisa:
I mean look, a relationship should not have you floundering around in a tizzy trying to maintain it
I was challenged to give Dirk the benefit of a doubt. I was not on his team, especially after the FB incident and he still had the nerve to flirt with another woman. Lisa was not the best version of herself when she tells him she hates him.
Willfully Blind is keenly observed in psychological reality. B. Anglea Reed captures the brave act of staying with someone when all seems lost. I couldn't guess where the story went but it was fitting and ripe for a sequel. Readers who like stories about Black love and the ups and downs of relationships should add this to their bookshelf.
Now we understand relationships go through seasons. Sometimes we fail to understand how one relationship can go through uncertainty and compromise. In the beginning, this is Lisa's and Dirk's story. She lets him come and go as he pleases. He's still living that frat boy life. There have been infidelities, but she keeps the faith he will commit.
Readers are invited to follow two couples one married, one in a long-term relationship and they work through their issues. Daryn and Courtney are a successful married couple. But spending is the issue. Daryn is over the top with buying things. Courtney and he wants her to save for their future. She doesn't think it's a big deal because it's her money. Besides she comes from a family with privilege and her parents provided the best. They seem to have it all; true love, a beautiful home, and thriving careers. But when her spending habits arent' to Courtney's liking friction begins.
At first, I was annoyed and too hard on Lisa. I think because it reminded me of my doomed relationship. It was challenging to revisit mine. To forgive me for sacrificing so much of my 30s for him. This might hurt but I spoke a few times about my toxic relationship experience. Feelings ring true like when Daryn tells Lisa:
I mean look, a relationship should not have you floundering around in a tizzy trying to maintain it
I was challenged to give Dirk the benefit of a doubt. I was not on his team, especially after the FB incident and he still had the nerve to flirt with another woman. Lisa was not the best version of herself when she tells him she hates him.
Willfully Blind is keenly observed in psychological reality. B. Anglea Reed captures the brave act of staying with someone when all seems lost. I couldn't guess where the story went but it was fitting and ripe for a sequel. Readers who like stories about Black love and the ups and downs of relationships should add this to their bookshelf.
January 3, 2026
The relatioship at the beginning of this book is enough to make me want to know what happens throughout the whole thing! Love can be so intense sometimes... or hate.
June 4, 2022
Absolutely wonderful!! I can’t wait for the sequel. Greatly written and kept me locked in.😊😊
June 1, 2022
I wholly enjoyed this book. A friend recommended it, and I didn't know what to expect from the title. It didn't take me long to get pulled in. Courtney and Daryn had one set of issues and Dirk and Lisa, though totally different, mimicked a similar theme of distrust and blindness. The characters were truly realistic and dealt with the kind of relatable mess that most couples experience in some way or another. I recommend this book; it was an entertaining read that will keep you engaged from start to finish!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews