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The Montgomerys #1
Heard It All Before
Accustomed to living the high life in Dallas, everything Jewellen Capwell knows about the hood comes from the movies. So when she agrees to accompany her best friend Renee to a Southside ball game, her only concern is keeping her cool around the peeps. She's not there to ogle men like Renee, but the moment Jewel lays eyes on Roman Montgomery, she begins to wonder just what she's been missing. When it comes to men, Jewel's heard it all before, but suddenly it seems like Rome's working from a whole new script . . . Renee Nightingale loves to fall in love. Right now, she's got her sights set on landing a rock from her current main squeeze, Gregory. She's not getting any younger, and she sure isn't going to reach thirty still single. And to ensure no one plays her, she's always got a game going on. So when temptation comes calling in the form of a fine, young man with a chiseled physique, she can't resist-and why should she? What Gregory doesn't know, can't hurt them-or so she thinks . . .
352 pages, Paperback
First published December 9, 2009
21 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Michele Grant
9 books220 followersMichele Grant grew up wanting to be a combination of Maya Angelou, Perry Mason, and Eartha Kitt. Deciding that law books were dusty and boas not practical for everyday wear, she’s still clinging to that Maya Angelou dream.
When not laboring away on the keyboard, she can be found trying to channel her “inner B. Smith”, growing roses, trying new recipes and wondering if just one more throw pillow works with that sofa?
She has Ella Fitzgerald and Kanye West on the same playlist in her iPod, she’s affectionately been given the nickname “Shopping Queen”, and there is not a single fall Sunday where her TV isn’t tuned in to an NFL game.
Contradictory yet contemporary, Michele sees the humor in all things and shares that with her readers.
When not laboring away on the keyboard, she can be found trying to channel her “inner B. Smith”, growing roses, trying new recipes and wondering if just one more throw pillow works with that sofa?
She has Ella Fitzgerald and Kanye West on the same playlist in her iPod, she’s affectionately been given the nickname “Shopping Queen”, and there is not a single fall Sunday where her TV isn’t tuned in to an NFL game.
Contradictory yet contemporary, Michele sees the humor in all things and shares that with her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 22, 2011
I liked this book a lot. I loved all the realistic relationships in this story. Now let me get specific about the characters in this book. Roman, the main mail character, I loved him but I did not like how he continued to just not apologize to Jewel. He was always forcing her to come to him and start the apologizing first. Had no problems with Gregory or Jewell, the main femaile character. Renee, all I'm going to say is after she was found and called out for her dirt, she still didn't see the error of her ways and ways still scheming till the end. Also didn't understand how Renee could be a golddigger when she had her own stuff. She was forever condemning Roman(an architect) about being from the hood, when she goes and cheats with his brother, Beau, who had no work ethic and according to his brother used women for their money. Stacey, girl you do not sleep with your friends' ex, especially not your friends ex fiancee who wasn't bout nothing and treated her like dirt. Veronica, didn't like her cause I thought she had rebound sex with Greg after Renee(Veronica's friend) cheated on him. It was revealed that she kicked him to the curb and told him she wouldn't be his rebound, girlfriend actually made him wait a good long time. Loved little Chase, he was too adorable. When he made the 'pillows' comment I was on the floor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2010
When you're a woman of a certain age, it can be difficult to find books that speak to you on your level. I'm not really one for chick lit or urban lit and that's what several contemporary authors are trying to push onto women. At times I feel like writing to the publishing houses, "Stop assuming that we're all 20, or what to be 20, and write to my demographic." Ladies, I'm happy to tell you that newcomer Michele Grant is writing to our demographic and she gets it!
Heard It All Before is the story of the solid middle class suburbanite Jewellen Capewell and her wild child sidekick, Renee Nightingale. While Renee works relationships like a novice checker player, Jewellen works hers like a skilled chess master. But when she meets the handsome Roman Montgomery, a brother with serious game, all bets are off.
I love that the author tells the story from all sides. Unlike some women authors, when her female characters are wrong, they're wrong and Ms. Grant doesn't try to sugar coat it. I absolutely adored this book and devoured it within hours on a Sunday afternoon.
Heard It All Before is the story of the solid middle class suburbanite Jewellen Capewell and her wild child sidekick, Renee Nightingale. While Renee works relationships like a novice checker player, Jewellen works hers like a skilled chess master. But when she meets the handsome Roman Montgomery, a brother with serious game, all bets are off.
I love that the author tells the story from all sides. Unlike some women authors, when her female characters are wrong, they're wrong and Ms. Grant doesn't try to sugar coat it. I absolutely adored this book and devoured it within hours on a Sunday afternoon.
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September 8, 2010very good book makes you want to read the whole book in one day, loved it
February 26, 2018
Nothing special. Typical
December 6, 2018
Refreshing and funny.
July 15, 2015
3.5 My first romance by Michele Grant. Four first-person narrative POVs here, from two different African-American couples in Dallas. Though they're from opposite sides of the tracks, thirty year olds Jewel and Renee have been best friends since college. The story opens with Renee urging Jewel to get back into the dating scene, and dragging her to a men's basketball game on the southside (the working class, all black side of Dallas) where her latest flame, upscale banker Gregory, is playing. At the game, Rome literally falls on top of Jewel; their mutual attraction is immediate, although Jewel is a bit put off when she discovered that not only is Rome from the 'hood, he's also divorced and has a son. But she decides to give him a chance, and Jewel and Rome are soon dating. Renee, from an underprivileged background, schemes to "land" rich banker Gregory, even though Jewel (and the reader) isn't that convinced that she cares for him. Greg is a schemer too, though; will each have met his/her match? Or will scheming prove their downfall?
Not a lot happens plotwise in this book, beyond the romance arcs of the two couples and their ups and downs. Actually, mostly downs, since the majority of the book consists of fights each couple has. Did having four points of view leave Grant no room to portray the good times? Or does she feel that the bad times are just inherently more interesting/dramatic? I would have liked to have seen a bit more of each couple getting to know one another, sharing and being vulnerable, but perhaps that's a white girl desire?
Negotiating power in relationship is a particularly difficult task for African-Americans, Grant's book suggests; black women work so hard to ensure they can support themselves they are often loathe to compromise, or even hold a conversation with their partners about inevitable disagreements. And the men aren't all that better at communicating. Anger and defensiveness almost always seem the first recourse of all four characters.
Loved Grant's writing, particularly her ability to capture the different cultural milieus several of her characters inhabit, and portray the way they "code switch" depending on their environments (or on their own personal preferences at any particular moment).
Not a lot happens plotwise in this book, beyond the romance arcs of the two couples and their ups and downs. Actually, mostly downs, since the majority of the book consists of fights each couple has. Did having four points of view leave Grant no room to portray the good times? Or does she feel that the bad times are just inherently more interesting/dramatic? I would have liked to have seen a bit more of each couple getting to know one another, sharing and being vulnerable, but perhaps that's a white girl desire?
Negotiating power in relationship is a particularly difficult task for African-Americans, Grant's book suggests; black women work so hard to ensure they can support themselves they are often loathe to compromise, or even hold a conversation with their partners about inevitable disagreements. And the men aren't all that better at communicating. Anger and defensiveness almost always seem the first recourse of all four characters.
Loved Grant's writing, particularly her ability to capture the different cultural milieus several of her characters inhabit, and portray the way they "code switch" depending on their environments (or on their own personal preferences at any particular moment).
March 15, 2012
3.5 star rating for this one......This was a GOOD read....could have been better.....the book was kinda drawn out and drag on and at times...Sometimes you couldn't really get into what the charcaters were trying to say NOT sure if that was the author's fault or the editors.....I have read one other book by Ms. Grant and really enjoyed that one so I will read more from her......The story line was good and the other characters were something else as well... Jewellen and Roman made a good couple just had to overcome some issuse......and Renee was just plain ole CRAZY.....
June 16, 2015
3.5 Stars. Started slow but got interesting in the end
It took me a while to read this one. I was enjoying Rome & Jewel's story. But Renee was getting on my last nerve. So I wasn't feeling Greggy either. But about halfway through it started picking up. I was all in then.
This was an interesting group of folks. Just can't stand Renee. Beau wasn't doing nothing for me either. But since he's the next story, guess he's gonna finally grow up despite being the oldest of the Montgomery kids. Smh.
It took me a while to read this one. I was enjoying Rome & Jewel's story. But Renee was getting on my last nerve. So I wasn't feeling Greggy either. But about halfway through it started picking up. I was all in then.
This was an interesting group of folks. Just can't stand Renee. Beau wasn't doing nothing for me either. But since he's the next story, guess he's gonna finally grow up despite being the oldest of the Montgomery kids. Smh.
September 24, 2012
Enjoyable read. I had the audiobook and wanted to read something quick.. I enjoyed the characters and the story line. Jewel and Roman both strong; stuuborn and great together when there Pride didn't get in the way. Renee and Greg, better guy than she was girl. A whole menagerie of characters in this story. Good quick read.
September 5, 2013
Really really liked this book. I listened to the audiobook. It had multiple narrators, so that really made the book come alive.
It's a sexy story about friends and friends of friends becoming involved in relationships. Some of them workout good...and some ...not so good.
Lots of Drama and adult situations.
It's a sexy story about friends and friends of friends becoming involved in relationships. Some of them workout good...and some ...not so good.
Lots of Drama and adult situations.
January 7, 2013
I wanted to read something light and heard great things about Grants books. This book fit the bill nicely...interesting, light, some humor mad a lot of realism. Looking forward to reading more by Grant.
December 27, 2012
My first book by this author and I really enjoyed it, I enjoyed reading about the ups and downs of the relationships of the three couples. Very realistic issues that couples go thru. I will read more books by this author.
May 22, 2013
This was some good writing and I even enjoyed the characters but it left me feeling weird about some of the things that happened and how it ended. Jewellen caved too many times and Greg cheated first!
August 22, 2015
My first book by this author, and I loved it! I was very impressed by the author's ability to tell the stories of two couples, from each person's perspective. Loved the characters and the dialogue. I'm definitely moving on to Book 2 in the series!
May 23, 2010
This book give a great male and female views on relationships.
April 23, 2011
Definitely a Page Turner...Once I Committed to it...It kept me coming back until I finished. Look forward to more of her work.
February 3, 2011
The author wove an interesting and detailed story giving each character not only unique characteristics, but distinct and strong voices.
April 1, 2011
Very fun and I love the different voices used. Great first novel.
April 6, 2011
Got it for a book club - was overall "meh" to me. Wouldn't run out and get another book by this author...
June 1, 2011
This is a page turner from beginning to end. You lose yourself in the characters. Very well thought out. Very detailed. Author kept you captivated thru to the end.
February 5, 2018
Really enjoyed it. The characters made it fun to read. I liked that the author wrote the story from the characters' perspectives.
July 11, 2011
pretty good book. renee is a mess of some kind.
May 17, 2012
The book was a good read. You could relate to the characters. Very realistic book.
April 22, 2013
Read the sequel to this first but this was thoroughly entertaining.
August 1, 2015
A very entertaining story, perfect summer beach read.
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June 30, 2012I enjoyed it!!!!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews