A Woman's Worth

by Nikita Lynnette Nichols

Monique Morrison had made a huge mistake when she moved into a home to play house with Boris Cortland. With on again then off again wedding plans and a woman who had already signed on to play the role of his wife, Boris was in no hurry to seal the deal. In his mind, Monique wasn't going anywhere, so why not continue to play the field? Though she was in church Sunday after Sunday, praying for God to touch Boris' heart and turn him from his wicked ways, it seemed Monique's pleas were constantly unanswered. Suffering from neglect, rejection and verbal abuse, Monique had all but given up on her dream of having a relationship that represented true unconditional love until Adonis Cortland moves in and does for Monique all of the things that Boris wouldn't do. Could Boris' cousin be the man that Monique had been praying for?

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction, Drama

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Page Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of promise in the beginning, but as it went on, it just got more ridiculous for me. Monique lacked a lot of common sense to me and Adonis was doing the most for someone who was not giving as much. Then, once I got to the end, I threw my hands in the air like, "For real? You've got to be kidding me!" First it made it appear that Monique was going to make the ultimate stupid decision, then it went a full 180 to a plot twist that made zero sense at all. I was just disappointed all around. I don't think I'll read anymore of this series, but if I feel like reading something else Christian fiction wise, I might pick up something else by this author. She wrote some moments that were entertaining, and I liked the character development, but where she lost me was in the resolution of the plot.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book read like a bad rom-com with surface-level relationships that heavily relied on grand gestures that were meant to be romantic but were often downright creepy. The writing was entertaining for the most part (I died at "your lustful horns are showing" in the opening chapter), but too many important characters lacked depth and development. The Christian themes were pretty balanced, aside from the sermon which seemed a bit much but fit with the story.

A Woman's Worth opens with Arykah checking out the new member of the worship team in a way that leads Monique to reprimand her with "your lustful horns are showing". This new member Adonis is the cousin of Boris, the worship leader and Monique's fiance. Adonis recently moved in with Boris and Monique. Boris is shown to be unappreciative of Monique by how he wanted to order pizza despite seeing Monique prepare lunch before church, not doing dishes, and not putting gas in her car. Boris dismisses Adonis' attempts to get him to appreciate Monique, which leads Adonis to sending Monique a bouquet of flowers to her work. This marks the beginning of Adonis showering Monique with gifts despite knowing she is engaged to his cousin.

Eventually Monique discovers Boris has been cheating on her with someone in the worship team. She calls Arykah, who says "you know he's a hoe!" and that she'd been telling her about him for months. Monique decides to move out and leave Boris. Adonis keeps in touch with Monique to make sure she's doing okay.

When Monique's birthday rolls around, Adonis surprises her with a Tiffany's tennis bracelet, a spa day, and dinner on a yacht. (That's an awful lot of money to spend on someone he isn't dating. Thankfully he doesn't expect anything in return.) Adonis also takes the liberty to fill her car with gas and put new rims on the tires. Monique later returns to Boris' place to pick up some things and Boris grills her about her seeing someone based on the car and her tennis bracelet. She does not tell him about Adonis. Boris gets jealous and is under the influence, leading to him pleading Monique for another chance and getting rough with her before she leaves.

Arykah eventually meets Lance, a pastor, and they start falling for each other. At one point Arykah winds up at Lance's house soaking wet from the rain. Lance invites her in and welcomes her to pick a change of clothes from the closet. Everything is EXACTLY her size. All designer brands. When asked about this, Lance said God inspired him to pick out clothes for his future wife. (This really creeped me out. It gives off major stalker vibes and an almost Cinderella feel as though 'if these clothes fit then you MUST be my wife!') Arykah sees it as romantic.

Boris has an electrical accident at work that sends him to the hospital. Monique visits him in the hospital and since they have such a great conversation and he swears he changed, she decides she must be the one to take care of him instead of his other available family members. Surprise surprise, they end up getting back together. The wedding is still on because even though Monique briefly called off their engagement, she forgot to cancel the wedding.

While discussing Monique, Boris, and Adonis, Lance tells Arykah that all of them were in the wrong. Monique was shacking up with a man who was not yet her husband, called off the wedding but didn't cancel it, and ran back to him claiming he changed. Boris was horrible for being unfaithful and not appreciating Monique. Adonis was wrongfully showering his cousin's fiancee with lavish romantic gifts.

Lance preached a literal sermon. Arykah loved it.

Fast forward to Monique and Boris' wedding. Monique is at the alter with Boris when she declares her love for Adonis. Lance and Arykah give their approval as Adonis arrives right on cue and whisks Monique away in a limo, bags packed, on their way to Jamaica to be married, since she always wanted a beach wedding. When she asks him about how all the people they left behind would react when they got back, he said they didn't have to come back. So it ends with Monique and Adonis running off to get married in Jamaica and running away from the consequences of their actions. How romantic.

The biggest thing that bugged me about this book was how Monique and Arykah were so swept away by the grand gestures of Adonis and Lance, letting them make decisions for them. Especially Monique. Yes, Adonis treats her with respect and is faithful to her, which makes him better than Boris. However, the lavish gifts and whisking her away for her birthday and to get married without involving her in the decisions come off as though he believes she should just trust him because he knows better. Getting married is a huge decision and they didn't even DATE before running off together. But Adonis is perfect so she should just trust him, right?

Overall, this book teaches that a woman is worth basic respect and should be showered with lavish gifts and romantic gestures where everything is decided for her. Adonis is painted as too perfect and doesn't develop much as a character beyond him stepping into the role of Monique's knight in shining armor who saves her from her awful fiance. Monique's discovery of her worth is compressed into one major decision in the finale. All in all, the writing was enjoyable, but the cliche romantic tropes and underdeveloped characters left me underwhelmed.

[Nicole Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Amaryllis told Monique "I'm about to give you a ghetto bible lesson" I knew I had a new favorite author!
I know some don't understand the big idea about her stressing the ladies are plus sized, but my plus sized sistahs understand and are grateful! We are beautiful.
I tremendously enjoyed this book.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a true christian story. it had not a curse word in it...i loved it! great story with just enough drama to hold your attention. i read this book within 5 hrs of receiving it and it took that long because i had to watch my president give his state of the union address.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a great message in this book for everyone. Great read!!!!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an great read. Very easy and an eye opener. Makes you think twice about how a man treats you.

[Desiree Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good. I like this author and have read all of her books. Read: 2010.

[Gay Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the beginning for Lady Elect Arykah and Monique. I read Lady Elect thru Lady Elect 4 before reading this novel. There are some differences, the story of both Arykah's and Lance's parents is different in this novel than in the latter ones.
I again laugh, cried and meditated. The sermon Lance gave shortly after meeting Arykah was really inspiring.
I truly enjoyed the five novels I have read and am now making my way thru Nikita's novels that I have not read. Up next is Amaryllis.

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Monique was in love with Boris despite him continuously disrespecting and disregarding her. Sad. She allowed his cousin Adonis to do the things Boris was disinterested in doing to, with, and for her. She was impressed with the slightest things so that tells me she was definitely used to having low expectations.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew Monique worked my nerves by the end of this book , I got so mad at her . Adonis is a gift from GOD . This book really highlighted issues with women & their self esteem . Knowing your worth , means you carry a value even when the price tag can’t be found . I took a lot away from this story but I still want more .

[Tamara Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love a good romance, especially a Christian romance. So much of this book resonated with me. I know what it is to be with someone who doesn't appreciate who they have, and I also know how it feels to be with someone who treasures me. Bravo to the author!

[Tiffany Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!!!

This book was filled with life lesson on romance, love, being, in love and how being blinded by the wrong love can cost you your destiny( your true love).

[Sasha Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author!!! I've actually read 2 series from her and she always leaves me wanting more! I highly recommend.

[Tasha Milteer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good read. I found myself laughing out loud, sucking my teeth and saying aweee.... all through the book.

[Snenhlanhla · Rating 3 out of 5]

L

[Kadiesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book.

[Lynette Hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

OUTSTANDING AND FUNNY

[Stephanie Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading in Reverse

It's sad to say that I have read all the rest of this series. Lol. Let me tell you this book was as good read last as it would have been read first. Ms. Nichols is doing this. Give it a chance and I promise you will not be sorry.

[Rasheeda Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad this book ended the way it did. I was on the edge of my seat reading this book. Not ideal but God can work relationships out of the most unorthodox situation. Sadly not a lot of women know their worth and I'm glad monique found hers.

[Sandra (Book Loves) Atueyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless

A Woman's Worth by Nikita Lynnette Nichols is a good book. This author did a good job. It's well written and page turner. It's dealing with emotional, physical and spiritual.

In the beginning of this book, Monique was dealing with a man who doesn't care about her feeling. He wasn't faithful and loyal to her. He was totally disrespectful and ungrateful to her. She was a emotional wreck. In the ending of this book, she finds a man who cares about her. She finds her happiness and her angel. Adonis is a good man for her. He's totally different as Boris.

I'm looking forward to read other books from this author.

Good read!
Sandra

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting/engaging read I must admit I never read a christian fiction book. I was kind of skeptical of christian books but this was great. Adonis is truly a heaven sent I wish I had a clone of him in my life. This book does not need a sequel it ended the right way :)(:. I just wish the author did not make a big deal out of Monique's weight and the fact she was insecure and did not stick up for herself but I guess that is why the book is called a Woman's Worth :-( . . . That's about the only problems I had....

[Francoise Crowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reading this author and I absolutely love her. From the beginning of the book I found myself identifying with the characters and could not put the book down. I believe this author has a a gift not only for writing but showing how regular God loving people struggle with life and its inconsistencies while still being covered with God's favor and love.

[Marlene Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Live, Love and be loved

I enjoyed this book is wish I had read them in order thus first then Lady Elect then Lady Elect 2 but that's alright because this book just sealed the how on why on the other 2 books. This is an excellent book and very tasteful writing and trust it is someone's life story. Hats off to the author. I will read other writings.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh

I'm so mad at this book I could spit. I HATE reading about women who are apparently stuck on stupid. And the ending was beyond unsatisfying, way too little to make up for the anger I experienced the entirety of the book. It couldve been so good. 3 stars for the funny parts and the fact that I was able to tolerate it enough to finish it

[Jennifer Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

a wonderful book of true love a recognizing your soul-mate. I love your writing style. you have truly inspired me, not only to fulfill my childhood passion of wanting to write but also of waiting for my souli-mate.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian fiction page turner that keeps you entertained and wanting to know what happens next. Great storyline with likable, believable characters. You will definitely have something to think about and want to do a self examination after reading this book!

[gwendolynkpernell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Woman"s Worth

I love it. A very good read. I will be recommending it for people to read. Looking forward to read other books from Ms. Nichols because I loved " A Woman's Worth and "Lady Elect."

[Stacy Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

Another great book by Nikita Lynette Nichols. I read this in one day, I just couldn't put it down. The characters are so real and relatable. I feel like I know them personally and to me that is the best part of a book. Highly recommend this book.

[Donna]

Loved this book. I learned not to go with my feelings alone, you have to look within a person and the way he treats you that determines will determine character.

[Benzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book! A must read for everyone who has ever dated or married someone that has made you doubt your worth. Know your worth ladies.