32 Candles

by Ernessa T. Carter

Davie Jones--an ugly duckling growing up in small-town Mississippi with a mother who couldn't get any meaner--is positive her life couldn't be any worse. Just when she's resigned herself to her fate, she sees a movie that will change her life--Sixteen Candles. But in her case, life doesn't imitate art. Tormented in school and hopelessly in unrequited love with a handsome football player, Davie finds it bittersweet to dream of Molly Ringwald endings. When a cruel school prank goes too far, Davie leaves the life she knows and reinvents herself in the glittery world of Hollywood as a beautiful and successful lounge singer. Just as she's about to ride off into the L.A. sunset, the past comes back with a vengeance, threatening to crush Davie's dreams--and break her heart again.

With wholly original characters and a cinematic storyline, 32 Candles introduces Ernessa T. Carter, a new voice in fiction with smarts, attitude, and sassiness to spare.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, African American, Book Club, Contemporary, Humor

335 pages, Hardcover

First published June 8, 2010

About the author

Ernessa T. Carter has worked as an ESL teacher in Japan, a music journalist in Pittsburgh, a payroll administrator in Burbank, and a radio writer for American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest in Hollywood. Shes also a retired L.A. Derby Doll. A graduate of Smith College and Carnegie Mellon Universitys MFA program, 32 CANDLES is her first novel."

Reviews

[Jennifer Barbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swallowed this book whole, skipped a couple of showers and showed up late to work after casually starting to read this two days ago, and being so thoroughly sucked in that my life dimmed a little around the edges. What a wonderful, sparkly surprise this book was! "Chick Lit" is such a nasty phrase that's bandied about and hurled at some of the most politically backwards, uninspired novels I've had the misfortune of reading. Oh, if only there were more novels like 32 CANDLES to reclaim the woman's novel from the trite romance mire! The protagonist Davie Jones is sufficiently complex, unique, edgy and sometimes even downright dastardly to accomplish something seldom felt in women's fiction - an actual feeling of realism. In fact, I take it all back. I won't call Ernessa Carter's novel "women's fiction" because it transcends that. This is just darn good writing, and as good a summer read as I could ever desire. If my copy wasn't autographed, I'd pass it around like a joint at a drum circle.

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

"I cut the article out and placed it reverent-like between the pages of my hardback edition of The Colour Purple. It was my favourite book and home to Celie, the black character I identified with most in the world, because she was ugly and got treated ugly but still found her way to a happy ending. Sort of like Molly Ringwald. And exactly like me. Eventually. I hoped." - Ernessa T. Carter, 32 Candles

It's been years since I've read anything resembling chick lit (disclaimer: I know the term is considered quite contentious and probably even derogatory by some but I have no idea what to call this genre otherwise) but this one came highly recommended so I thought I'd give it a go. With the birthday-themed title I decided to read it on my actual birthday and I'm glad I did.

I think one of the main reasons I fell out of love with this genre in the first place is because of its lack of diversity, though I'm sure that has changed from a decade ago. Reading a book like this with a black heroine was very refreshing and, like I'd suspected, more relatable.

The story started off sadly. Our afro-wearing heroine, Davidia, nicknamed "Monkey Night" by her classmates, doesn't know who her father is, is abused by her mother and eventually decides to stop talking due to the abuse she experiences. And she happens to fall in love with the most popular guy in school.

Davidia sees her life through Molly Ringwald eyes; Ringwald's movies played a huge role in determining how she view the world, and it's even more poignant when we realize how isolated she is, with no friends and nobody to show her love:

"What's a Molly Ringwald ending?" Mama Jane asked.
"It's a perfect ending. It's when somehow, against all odds, people manage to surmount all issues of class, status, and personality to get together at the end of a story."

Having a black heroine means the need to discuss issues like colourism and hair texture; they are definitely part of the black female experience after all, and why diversity in this genre is needed.

I really enjoyed this book. It was extremely well-written, thought-provoking, and funny. There were lessons learned, and a clearer understanding of peoples' behaviours. Highly recommended.

[LaDonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little over 7 years ago (09/15/2010), my husband surprised me and brought home an autographed copy of 32 Candles . He had met the author and said that he could not wait for me to read it. He believed that I would love it! According to him, the buzz around the book was great! I read the book's description on the lip of the dust jacket. Then, I read the inscription:

"Thank you so much for supporting this book! You're fantastic... -- 100% Best, Ernessa T. Carter"

The book's description sounded interesting and I loved the hot pink cover. I promised my husband that I would read the book sooner rather than later. Over the past 7 years, I moved the book around my bookshelves. Occasionally, I dusted it off. But, I never read it.

It was not until last week, when I was on a desperate search for a book that would lift my spirits that 32 Candles was, once again, on my radar. I sought a book that would make me laugh, smile, and maybe, cry a little. The cynicism, divisiveness, and antagonism that surrounds us everyday has truly gotten to me. As I looked through my library books and bookcases, the hot pink dust jacket caught my eye. The time had come to read 32 Candles .

Surprisingly, when I closed the book for the last time, words escaped me. Looking back at the inscription, Ms. Carter gave 110% of herself in this novel. She presented and tackled taboo subject matters in a manner that they could be received, acknowledged and openly discussed. Ms. Carter wowed me with her well-developed and relatable characters. Each character that was introduced served a purpose in moving the story forward. Were there some predictable elements to story? Yes. Were there some times when I felt that I have read and/or seen this before? Yes. But, overall, did I feel that I gained something by reading this book? YES!!

Take a chance on 32 Candles . You will not be disappointed!!

[Stacie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read through a few other reviews of this book on the site, to try to figure out what all the fuss was about it -- especially after the book left me with a more than sour taste in my mouth. Flipping through the pages in my head, I still can't figure out what it is that everyone found "cute" or "heartwarming" about this tragically obscure tale.

Carter introduces Davie, a poor dark-skinned girl nicknamed "Monkey Night" by her classmates. She's ugly, awkward, and heavily abused by her slutty/alcoholic mother, Cora. At a young age Davie takes her own version of a vow of silence, and promises to never speak again, as speaking only ever results in a beating from Cora. Even when one of the most prominent African-American families in the country moves to her hometown of Glass, Mississippi and she finds herself swooning over their son, James Farrell, she still can't find the courage to open her mouth and speak. After a sad and embarrassing night spearheaded by James' nasty and mean-spirited sisters, Tammy and Veronica (OMG they sent her fake invite to their super-exclusive party, only to make jokes and laugh at her when she shows up, HOW ORIGINAL) she flees the city, lands herself in a truck stop and finds a ride to Los Angeles. Suddenly, she's in Los Angeles, discovering herself as a singer and paying her way through a Psychology degree at UCLA.

As a huge fan of all of the 80's teen films referenced in this book, I was very excited to read this book. Especially to see how a woman of color was able to relate to the Molly Ringwald leads. Instead, I was left disappointed, as if Davie never completely understood the films she was watching. Yes the films were all tales of class differences and happy endings, and should completely lend themselves to Davie-James comparisons, but did Davie ever stop to think about why these boys loved Molly Ringwald's characters? She was smart, strong, funny, quirky and cool. Davie's not a dumb girl so I never understand why her character is so dense and unaware of social norms (especially after spending so much time idolizing the "it-girl" of the 80s).

I found myself frustrated with Davie through the first 2/3s of the book. When James walks into Davie's bar and falls in love with her (eye-roll) why couldn't Davie just speak her mind to James, and reveal her true identity to him? Even after her successes as a lounge singer and college student, she still couldn't grow up, become an adult, and evolve into a person who can have a real/healthy relationship. Just when I was most annoyed with Davie and about to throw down the book, Carter throws in the most random twist of all.

Turns out Davie can't tell James anything about her past because she's INSANE and had spent the years leading up to re-meeting him, stalking him and doing everything in her power to ruin his life and those of his sisters. But Carter tells us all of this in flashback, after the fact. As if to say, see, this is why she couldn't stay intimate with James, doesn't it all make sense now? No. It doesn't. We've all been embarassed, rejected, dumped, etc., in our lives, and few people are insane enough to devote so much time to ruining the lives of those that have caused them this pain. Her plans are so intricate that my eyes widened at each page turning. I was no longer annoyed or frustrated with Davie - I was weirded out and disgusted. Get a grip, girl.

We're supposed to understand Davie even further when she decides to visit her mother in Glass and we find out (in one of the most anti-climactic moments of the novel) that Davie's father, her namesake, isn't just her father, but Cora's father as well. Yes, Davie is an inbred. Ah! It all makes even more sense now right? Well, at least that's what Davie says. She even smiles when she realizes that at least her craziness is caused by the fact that she's another inbred country fuck-up. What?!

After James discovers the truth about Davie and her crazy messed up life, the two break up and Davie sees a movie billboard for the film Atonement. Lightbulb moment! I must atone for my sins! She begins to make amends with everyone she fucked over, by playing cupid to all these people and helping them find love. She develops a sort of celeb babysitter service where she helps high profile figures get their shit together by sleeping on air mattresses in their living room and controlling their every move. Yea. Davie's the type of girl I want fixing my life.

When James reappears in Davie's life requesting a blow job and the telling of all her secrets for the rest of their lives, I'm not happy she's finally getting her "Molly Ringwald ending", instead I'm thinking James is insane for not getting a restraining order against this crazy chick.

[Maggie Desmond-O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a book doesn't need to shake up my world to make an impression on me. Sometimes it just needs to make me smile. At least, that's the conclusion I've drawn after finishing 32 Candles, which made me smile more than any book (adult or YA) I've read in recent memory, and has charmed its way straight into a permanent place on my bookshelf.

In the wake of books like The Help by Kathryn Stockett (which I personally thought was disappointing after all the hype), there's been a lot of discussion about whether books that deal with racism and racial identity can be or should be breezy and lightweight and funny. And yeah, in the case of The Help, which was written by a white woman, and whose movie is directed by a white man, maybe that's a discussion that needs to happen. But every time I read a book like 32 Candles, I'm reminded why we need more breezy and lightweight and funny books that deal with those issues: because those are the books that I think are ultimately going to make a difference. Those are the books that make people care.

I can't imagine anyone not caring about 32 Candles' protagonist, Davidia/Davie Jones. She's smart, funny, sweet and sharp in all the right ways, and someone I would love to meet in real life. We watch her grow up from a sad little kid with issues to a fierce adult with issues she works through in hilarious, delightful ways. I had more fun with this book than I've had with a book in forever. Maybe than I've had with a book, ever. I laughed out loud. I cringed. I cried. I didn't want it to end. It made me rethink my general dislike for romantic comedy, which is one of the highest compliments I could ever give a book.

I did have a few quibbles with it (when do I not?): the ending focused on things I didn't really care about, I wasn't so sure how I felt about the midway big reveal. But as I've said time and time again, I don't need a flawless book. I just need a book that's got the sort of je nais se quoi that makes me willing to forgive the flaws. And 32 Candles has je nais se quoi in spades.

In short, I really, really loved this book. I could freaking marry this book. I don't care what you normally read - literary fiction, Harlequin romances, nonfiction, science fiction, adult, YA - you will find something to love about this book. If you're trying to convert a friend to YA, this is an especially perfect read, because it's technically adult (and has some seriously sexy times) but also has enough teen longing to make the hardest of the hardcore YA-haters weep for more.

Do I need to spell it out for you? Just read it!

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story!

Please keep in mind, the antics of "Davie and friends" could never happen in real life. So it would be hard to relate to the book as far as plot goes. But by page 50, Daviie became my instant character best friend. Her personality literally leaps off the pages.

I was happy when she got her revenge on the Farrell family and even happier when she got her atonement. I am glad to own this book as it has become a fast favorite!

[Asma H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever felt ugly?

Imagine having a face that even your mother didn’t love. What if everyone you knew constantly reaffirmed the negative thoughts you had about your looks? Let’s go even further than that and assume that your unsightly appearance wasn’t just a suspicion you had but common knowledge in your tiny town.

32 Candles is the story of Davie, a dark skin black girl who grew up poor and in a constant state of yearning. In the beginning of the novel we are introduced to a young Davie who has decided to stop speaking because no one has ever bothered to listen to her. Throughout her early years, she suffers abuse and ridicule at the hands of her peers and her own mother. Davie’s life is such a shitfest that being ignored is something that she becomes thankful for.

Ernessa Carter’s debut novel hit closer to home than anything I have read in the past year. There is something so uniquely black about this novel. Davie’s experience as a black woman isn’t necessarily the same as mine but it doesn’t have to be. There are issues that transcend time, place, and ethnicity within the black community and colourism is one of them. For as long as I can remember, to be light was to be beautiful. It’s something I became aware of at an early age but I didn’t fully grasp the harmful implications until later. This novel does a pretty good job of displaying how deeply colourism can affect a person’s self-image and it’s quite heartbreaking.

In terms of narration, Carter created a strong, hilarious, and flawed narrator whom I could sympathize with without feeling manipulated. There are many difficult scenes in this story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Davie’s thoughts on them because she doesn’t hold back. Her truths are brutal. Davie doesn’t give you room to overlook ugly realities and uncomfortable situations. My girl tells it as it is and you dear reader will get a front row seat to pain that flows so deep, it’s numbing. There is so much cruelty in this story and you will have no choice but to acknowledge it, to feel it. All her life Davie has had to put up with the realities of being broke, of having features that are widely considered unattractive, and of being utterly alone. The sad thing is that despite Davie’s story being one of fiction, her struggles are all too real for so many people.

About three quarters into the story, Davie just kind of loses it and it was glorious. Imagine having your most shameful secrets exposed and losing whatever you have held closest to your heart. For a little while nothing will seem to matter anymore. You can do whatever you want because man, what is there left to lose? Hitting rock bottom is kind of liberating that way. At this point in the story Davie reflects on how she is viewed and just thinks fuck it. Fuck the notion that your worth is related to your physical beauty. Fuck the idea that you aren’t beautiful. And fuck anyone who has ever made you think that you aren’t worthy. I was sitting in a food court at this part of the story and your girl literally screamed. I am not kidding I was so happy for Davie, so proud of her that I couldn’t contain it. People were looking at me like I had lost my damn mind but I didn’t care because Davie was doing big things. This badass narrator was kicking ass and taking names.

Okay so the writing was definitely more serious in the beginning but my favourite part would probably be Davie’s atonement near the end. Davie does not use this time of loss to succumb to self-pity and anger. She looks back on her life and tries to make things right to the people she has hurt. I thought that was such an incredibly brave thing to do. It’s hard enough to apologize to someone’s face when you’ve seriously fucked up. Davie goes further than that by giving each person the exact type of support they need to turn their life around.

Another thing I loved about 32 Candles was how distinct the supporting characters were. Davie had a unique relationship with each of them and each of these different types of friendships offers a unique insight into Davie’s character. There was one relationship dynamic that I haven’t even come across in a book before. Surprisingly, James was the only character that I didn’t feel like I knew that well. Davie was infatuated with him so we got her biased view as opposed to an actual understanding of who he was. I guess this is true to life in a way because people tend to view their crushes in a favourable light.

Overall this was a great novel that I will read again and again and again. I’ve mentioned that there are some painful scenes in this book but there are also scenes that were so heart-warming they had me welling up. Reading about a character as strong and honest as Davie made me feel more comfortable in my own skin. I’m going to force this book down my friends’ throats and politely recommend it to relatives, acquaintances, and complete strangers.



initial reaction

i'm going to marry this book

[Book Riot Community]

I immediately bought this book after reading that the main character, Davidia, wanted a “Molly Ringwald Ending” after she watched 16 Candles. AND THEN as soon as I finished reading the ebook I immediately bought the book in paperback because I needed this book to sit on my shelf so I could smile at it. The story starts with Davidia using Molly Ringwald movies to escape her terrible childhood until she finally flees, leaving behind her “Jake Ryan” and her hopes for her own Molly Ringwald Ending. You’ll have to read to see how her adult life turns out… But I can say that this book had it all: great story, real characters, humor, heart, heartbreak, spirit, and that magical feeling you get when you rewatch your favorite ‘80s movies. — Jamie Canaves


from The Best Books We Read In June: http://bookriot.com/2015/06/30/riot-r...

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, man. This book. “That shit was funny, but it ain’t right.”

We’re introduced to an elementary school aged Davidia. I liked and was nervous for her from the start. She was a combination of a Luna-esque loveable weirdo and smelly kid. It doesn’t get much better as we follow her through to high school. The first 70 pages of the book were interesting, but I really started to enjoy the story when she abruptly transforms into Davie. She paints a picture of her new life in LA, complete with new people, covering this new stage in her life. We catch up to Now, where she’s actively involved in her very own Molly Ringwald Ending. Life sucked for a while, then got better, and now has gotten amazing. It’s nothing too fairytale (though there is a meet cute) just a former loser now living a better life.

And then… To backtrack, Davidia was subject to a lot of ridicule as the school/town weirdo (she didn’t talk from the age of six). Her tormentors are actually the reason she left Mississippi on her own as a girl. She may have had some mental health issues and we get that scoop in Part III. At first it was juicy. People are people and you know what? Eff it, sometimes we feel like taking matters into our own, vengeful hands. It’s not right and it’s not good but it feels glorious, so we do it anyway. I was glued to the pages. Then it got freaky. Because along this psycho journey some innocents got ground-into-the-earth stepped on. At this point I knew everyone and had been Davie’s confidant for so long that I was fascinated. It was honest and it was flawed messy, it was awesome. It was all just so fucked up. Truly.

I liked all these characters because they were just that—characters. They were smart, they were pathetic; they were funny, they were heartless. I also liked how the passage of time was noted in small details. There were sprinkled references to styles, songs, technology, or appropriate pop culture. Plus, the book would occasionally hark back to Molly Ringwald’s eighties oeuvre (which I actually kept forgetting was a plot point). The story continually moved forward and I liked the way it was laid out. Very entertaining.

It’s not in-the-grand-scheme-of-things epic, but it is the kind of ‘this girl I know’ epic, stories I would have to phrase that way because I wouldn’t want anyone on the receiving end to judge my good friend Davie. I don’t know that I’d re-read it because stumbling into it unsuspecting was most of the fun, but I’ll be getting my own copy just to keep Davie on my shelves.

[mina reads™️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ish stars .........this book was a wild ass ride. Enjoyable but wild. If you can suspend your disbelief it’s pretty entertaining. Very dramatic and well written. It’s also pretty funny and outrageous at times. Lots of unexpected things happen in this which I really appreciated, and Davida is a really unique narrator. This would have been a 5 star read, but after the 50% mark around the time James was reintroduced I felt my enjoyment decline. I really just didn’t feel attached to him and he bored me. Also, Miss Davida needs to get a real therapist!!!!

Things I didn’t like:

The fact Davida never got therapy

The fact that Davida was super under qualified for that job she was doing at the end.

The fact that I felt literally no attachment to James whatsoever and that was disappointing seeing as he’s the driving force behind Davida’s actions for like 15 years

The fact that Nicky was like...a mentor and a father figure but also a lover, a landlord, and her boss. It was so weird and not right. However, I did like Nicky alot and I feel like putting his character in that weird position did him a major disservice

Things felt too easy at a certain point in the narrative and lacked depth, the work completely detached itself from any sense of realism after a while

And again lemme reiterate, the fact that Davida never got professional help. SHE NEEDED THAT SHIT!!!!!


First 50 percent or so was phenomenal and then it went a bit downhill for me. It was still entertaining but less great then the first half.

[Read In Colour · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was just as good the second time around, y'all. I even got choked up at the end like I didn't know what was going to happen.

[Camie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who doesn't like an ugly duckling to swan story? Davie Jones grows up hard with an abusive mother and kids who make fun of her even calling her "monkey night" in her predominantly black school in Mississippi.But after watching the movie 16 Candles she dreams of leaving her hecklers behind for the bright lights of Hollywood. This is an easy to read, in turns funny and sad book about a sassy character who causes plenty of commotion trying to take back control of her life and find acceptance and love. Similar in pluck to Bridget Jones' character or Stella who tries to get back her groove, will Davie find her
" Molly Ringwald" happy ever after ?3 stars

[Wobilba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book exceeded my non existing expectations considering in went in blind lol.
I LOVED it! It was extremely fun, witty, heartbreaking and highly entertaining. I had a love/hate relationship with the heroine and I’m glad it ended the way it did because I was ready to rant and throw a tantrum but now all i feel is a very deep sense of satisfaction.
I’m glad I took this journey of love & self discovery with Davidia.

[❤:. . • ○ ° Zatarra Reads . . • ○ ° ❤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a great read! Fun and full of twists. I thought the premise of the book...so cute. Bonus, much of the book is linked to the 80s (#ILOVETHE80s). So, it was a definite winner-winner-chicken dinner in my book.

The main character is Davie Jones, a small town girl from Mississippi who was teased all throughout her hometown and up until her high school years. The local popular kids in high school decide to play a horrible prank on her one day. Devastated by this, Davie decides to runaway. Far, far away. All the way to L.A.

At least 10 years has past since then and Davie's life in L.A. is going much better now. A once silent and shy girl in high school, now turned Jazz singer in L.A., is learning to find her voice, literally (read the book, you'll understand).

She has started to become so independent. But then, there's Nicky. Her old boyfriend/overbearing boss of the night club where she has been singing ever since she was 15 years old (No they were not sleeping together when she was 15 years old).

Yes, Davie and Nicky have history. Like, 5 years worth of ex-lover history. Oddly, they are best friends and Davie does trust Nicky quite a bit. So when Davie gets the idea to start a singing telegram business in downtown L.A, Nicky is the perfect person to partner with.

Everything is great. Until Davie accidentally runs into James, an old high school classmate from Mississippi. And things start to change. Big time!

James' life is linked to Davie, her Mississippi past/secrets, her current L.A life and other terrible truths Davie thought were just that - secrets. The ugly truth could destroy many lives and many relationships. And, Davie could lose everything...past, present & future.

This is definitely a chick-flick type of book. It is for a mature adult audience. The writing is solid. The characters believable and is a great stand alone novel. Although, I didn't care for all the foul language at times, the book was very entertaining and fun to read. I gave the book a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend this if you're in the mood for, ugly girl turns swan, with some devilish twists.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The other day on Twitter, a friend asked my how do I fit in time to read with all of the television that I watch. In an earlier post I talked about doing most of my reading on my commute, which pretty much guarantees me about 10 hours of reading a week. When I get home I am usually watching tv and surfing the 'net (is that term still relevant?). Rarely do I pick up a book at home because the television will always distract me. But last Thursday & Friday, I was so engrossed in 32 Candles, that I have no idea what shows were on. And I missed my self-appointed bedtimes both nights, reluctant to put it down. I read it in two days, it was that good.

Davie is a modern day Celie growing up in a small town in Mississippi. Her looks and station in life have rendered her invisible to those around her and she prefers it that way. Sent to the movies one day while her mother "entertains" a gentleman friend, Davie discovers the movie Sixteen Candles and though she knows that life probably isn't attainable for her, it does help her to dream. In school she is saddled with the nickname, "Monkey Night" and a crush on the richest most popular guy in school, James Farrell. A traumatic event is the last straw and Davie runs away to Los Angeles, where she reinvents herself as a lounge singer. Years go by in her new life and then she bumps into none other than James Farrell himself. Will her Sixteen Candles dream come true or will he still see her as old "Monkey Night".

This is one of the funniest, smartest books I have read in a long time. Ernessa T. Carter, in her first novel, has managed to create an iconic character in Davie who you, of course, find yourself rooting for from start to finish. But don't sleep, though. You may feel sympathetic towards her, but she's got some tricks up her sleeve! Definitely on my favorites list this year.

[jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you discount jane austen's Pride and Prejudice this is my first ever romantic novel. actually, i read a couple of queer YA ones, which makes this is my first adult heterosexual romantic novel after P&P (does Emma count as a romantic novel?). i am pointing this out for the double reason that 1. i am clearly no expert in the genre so my opinion of the book must be read with this in mind and 2. i want to bring to people's attention the fact that i read it and finished it. in fact, i read it fast. and with relish. this will offset, i hope, my middling score.

now, i've read other people's reviews of this novel here on GR and i am forming the general idea that people find truly disparate things in romantic novels. some of the reviews are delighted with the quick-paced quirkiness of this book. some are outraged by protagonist/narrator davie's nastiness. some find the story implausible. maybe, when it comes to our fantasies of love, we get somewhat rigid, want our formulae to be upheld and preserved.

leaving aside the accusation of implausibility (of course it's implausible! it's a romantic novel! love doesn't happen like that! never!), i find this book ingenious and smart in its conscious reprise and subverting of the romantic trope (incarnated in the brat pack movies, especially Sixteen Candles). for one, all the characters are black. if you are a white reader who mostly reads books by white authors (like i am), you tend to forget this while reading 32 Candles. crazy how we simply assume that everyone in the world is white. EC is an astute writer and plays on this with subtlety and intelligence.

if all your characters are black and you set your book in L.A. (where i lived for some years), you are necessarily drawing attention to the ways in which L.A. has both moved toward de-segregation and remains profoundly segregated. rich black people live (mostly) in the same parts of town where rich white people live, but they hang out with each other. same as white people do. this multicultural city retains its caste system.

but then it's not caste, is it, because the heroes of this book, the Farrells, sit on a large financial empire. at the same time, this tremendous financial empire is built on hair care products for black people.

EC explores the fault-lines of black life in america with a truly light touch and a great deal of humor. this novel is funny! this white reader, me, found EC's light touch truly effective. in fact, on quite a few occasions i found it positively brilliant (like, for instance, when davie refers to the high school one town over as "The White People," even though it's not an all-white school, just because it's a better school).

as for nastiness, nastiness is all over this book. there is a lot of hurt, and hurt people can be, and often are, nasty. also, people are people, and they will fuck each other over. then there are good people who can also, occasionally, be nasty, because goodness doesn't need to be all-encompassing to be real. nicky, for instance, is both good and nasty. that's how life is.

considering what she's been through, davie seems to me a model of sanity. again, EC traces the fault-lines of her brokenness with great delicacy, subtlety, and humor (did i mention that this novel is funny?). davie is smart, good and, yes, occasionally nasty.

so maybe i was more interested in race, trauma, and the reorganizing of the romantic plotline than in the romantic adventures of davie and james. but if you like romantic stories you will like this, because it's brilliantly written and very very sweet.

[Sam I AMNreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

2/2/2019: saw this marked down to 1.99 today if anyone's interested.

4 stars..

I'm no fan of John Hughes movies, never really was, but I can also understand the fairy tale endings and romantic appeal in a big way. And Davidia Jones just thinks she deserves her Molly Ringwald ending. 16 Candles is her favorite movie, and her movies are essential for her. She quickly finds her Jake Ryan in James, a new boy at school who is as sweet as he is beautiful.

This book had far more layers than that (this review won't even scratch the surface), though, from concepts of beauty in an all-black town , self-loathing, abuse, and class divides, finally to choosing your own family and making your own way against all odds. It even features easy-to-fall-into relationships that are, at their core, complacent, and how to heal and move on with someone you care deeply about. (This is one book where centralizing the story on Davie, as she's later known, and her relationships wasn't distracting--it was just her book) The beginning of this book is not gentle, much in the same way her idol's life is at the beginning of 16 candles, Davidia's is in shambles. Far worse off than Sam, though, Davidia chooses not to speak due to prior trauma with her abusive mother. James is extraordinarily warm and kind but Davie's life are quickly set about a different path through necessity, heartbreak, and desperation.

But we don't see all of the 16 years between 15-31 as clearly--and warning here--Davie edits for us too. We learn that Davie has made some terrible, awful, hurtful choices herself. I wondered if I would ever come around on her again.

I need to mention though, because I see others reviews say this isn't romance, I believe it is at its core. James eventual pursuit of Davie is clearly entitled, won't take no for an answer (see where he reminds me of Hardy Cates), but in a much less threatening way. However, this bit is a pretty big hang up for me--it was a little too persistent for me to love their courtship at the beginning. The meat of that romance is where this wonderfully grounded novel shine, along with its humor and sneaky social observations. I also have to say another highlight is the end, where we begin to see Davie as a protagonist making her own way and dealing with her choices-maybe in a miraculous way, but I love good endings.

There's an awful lot of growth. James isn't as fully fleshed as he is 'perfect' but the surrounding secondary characters with all their flaws, love, mistakes, loyalty, along with Davie's absolutely stunning journey more than make up for it.

I do warn, if it's not clear, this book isn't always easy to stomach. It didn't have me weeping, but it is certainly not fluff. It is a novel that is centrally about redemption, surviving,thriving in hostile environments through loyalty, luck, and love-and yep that romance too.

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Highly recommend! This book was very hard to put down. The story is broken down into Then, Now and the In between sections. At times sad, at times funny, but all the time engaging and well written. Davida Jones has a rough life. She yearns for more as she grows up Mississippi. All she wants is to have her "Molly Ringwald" happy ending. Will she get it? I wont give that away. But this book does read sort of like an 80's feel good John Hughes type of movie/book. There is the bullied ugly duckling, the handsome jock, mean girls, a mean Mom, unlikely friends, pain, romance, yearning for love and acceptance. You get the picture. Davida Jones has loved James for most of her life from afar and when he comes back into her life, her past comes back to her - especially his sister, Veronica who once played a very cruel prank on her. I wont give away the rest of story line but will highly recommend this book.

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught me by surprise. Terry McMillan promoted it via twitter. It had been a long time since I read a book that was not published by my company, so I was eager for something new. It swallowed me hole. In the beginning I really did not know where it was going, and was a little lost on the Molly Ringwald references, but it did not hold me back or slow me down. Not to produce any spoilers but I loved the ending. It felt complete and I was happy, and had no clue what I was going to do now that I finished the book. Oh, the joys of reading!

[Sarah Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Davie grew up with a mean, alcoholic mother in Mississippi. Between her mother and the kids at school who call her Monkey Night (ugly as a monkey, dark as night), Davie receives so much emotional abuse that she shuts down and stops talking. All the while, Davie dreams of finding love and happiness like Molly Ringwold in 16 Candles.

This book shifts between past and present, and we come to know Davie the ugly duckling child and Davie the beautiful singer swan. What is billed as a romance is (with a few steamy scenes), but then has some very difficult revelations that mirror Celie in The Color Purple and Precious in Push. The combination is awkward and uneven, rather than a healthy balance. I found it very difficult to understand Davie's evolution, which I had thought would be central in the book. Instead, the reader is jarred by the difference between the ugly duckling and the swan and has no indication as to how this change occurred.

Moreover, there are some really strange high school mean girls cum crazy stalker moments, which added to the weirdness of it all.

If I found the character more believable, I might have been able to get into the story more, but I could not get past the holes in character development.

Appeals: emotional and physical rags-to-riches, ugly-ducking swan story; plenty of 80s and 90s references; romance

[Latiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so disappointed after reading this book. The reviews sounded great. The blurb on the inside jacket of the book seemed promising and Terry Mcmillan tweeted that it was a great read. I don't agree. At. All. The book starts off kind of interesting, but midway through the reader is handed an invitation to crazy (you have to read the book to understand the reference). I cannot recall ever reading a book where I started off liking the main character and was totally annoyed with him/her by the final page. Carter's character Davidia is my first. The storyline becomes incredibly predictable toward the end and feels a bit rushed and thrown together. Perhaps, I should say only half of the book is terrible. Either way, I am glad I checked it out from the library instead of buying it.

[Monica **can't read fast enough** · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't have any expectations going into 32 Candles, but what I got was a very enjoyable read. Carter gives her readers a strong heroine that comes into her strengths believably; faults and all. Davie survives the horrific combination of neglect and abuse at the hands of her alcoholic mother whose main means of support is received through the many men who frequently come in and out of their home. Davie suffers through the abuse and taunts of her peers because of her poverty as well as being a dark skinned little girl. An incident spurs Davie's self imposed muteness that eventually provides her protection from the outside world. By shutting off her voice, she is no longer a particularly interesting target and it makes her different enough for most people to leave her alone. Davie learns that the best way to not be disappointed in life is to not want anything. If you don't desire anything then you can't be hurt when nothing is given to you. This works for Davie until theFarrell family moves to town and Davie dares to dream of having someone unattainable.

Thanks to Davie's one indulgence, Molly Ringwald movies from the 1980's, Davie believes that sometimes the strange girls can win in love. The Farrell children turn Davie's high school upside down with their money, perception of class, and facade of big city sophistication. Not only does their family own a large African American hair care business, but their father has political aspirations as well. Although Davie once again finds herself a victim of targeted cruelty, she doesn't see herself as someone who has to continue to suffer in silence. When Davie runs, it's both brave and reckless, but it turns out to be the best thing that she could have done for herself. Davie was way too young to run the way that she did, and the limitless dangers that could have found her is frightening. Yet what she finds on the other side is a self made family, a talent that she didn't know that she had, and the ability to see herself as much more than "Monkey Night".

Carter provided an interesting and realistic cast of characters and a story that is entertaining. 32 Candles is exactly what I want in women's fiction. Although the beginning starts off with Davie being pretty young, 32 Candles does not in anyway read like a YA/NA story. Yes, their is angst and unrequited love, but there was not one eye roll moment for me in this one. For me, the best part of the book is when it's revealed that Davie isn't as submissive and forgiving as she seems. She gets hers back in unexpected and inventive ways. Her payback has consequences that she didn't expect and she has to decide what she is going to do about the part she played in manipulating other people's lives. 32 Candles takes an interesting look into the life of a young woman who if valiantly trying to avoid, but can't help accepting, 'invitations to crazy' no matter how hard she tries.

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[Doyin · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHY IS THIS BOOK NOT A MOVIE?! I would pay American dollars (even foreign monies, if necessary) to watch a movie based on this book.

[Treece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Davidia/Davie and James is one of the most amazing, sizzling couples I've come across in a while. Their story starts in Glass, Mississippi and through a sheer quirk ends/begins in LA. Surrounded by an eclectic mix of supporting characters, Davie and James sucked me into their world until I felt as if I knew these people. The narrator, Adenrele Ojo, captures Davie's personality, her uniquely radiantly descriptive and sarcastic voice, making her lovable when she was at her human worst.

Ms. Carter's plot twists kept me on edge, especially when she does a chronological shuffle a'la' Tarantino style. Revelations that crucial to her relationships and life are revealed. The thread of Davie's Molly Ringwald obsession resonated throughout as her connection to the desire in us all to have a HEA crosses all lines that keep us separated. I cried, laughed a great deal and cheered until the end. The ending slammed shut with a John Hughes finale that made me long for an epilogue but after all the revelations, I felt Ms. Carter had done her work well. The 1/2 star I held back is because I selfishly wanted more and was denied. This is a must read for 2019.

[Lauren Cecile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, witty, well written and highly entertaining.

[Cheryl James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes when your born and raised into crazy all you know is crazy!!

April book club selection😎

[Shelly Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a hard one to review and a even harder one for me to give a low score to. I kept reading, waiting... HOPING for it to get better and get back to the book I started reading, but it didn't. It was quickly turning into a "hate read" (when you read and keep rolling your eyes) so I stopped a little over halfway through the book.

The book starts off like the Color Purple and though it was intense, I was down with it. The main character Davidia Jones even reminds you of (and makes references to) Celie from the Color Purple. She and Davidia are both black, poor, dark-skinned, and seen by everyone around them as ugly. Davidia is constantly physically abused by her mother who is basically the town whore, bringing in a endless stream of men into the home. Davidia is ridiculed by both her peers and adults. She finally decides to remove herself from the world around her by no longer really engaging. She stops talking AT ALL and escapes by listening to music and watching John Hughes movies starring Molly Ringwald.

Davidia becomes obsessed with the Farrell family, a rich, light-skinned wealthy family that moves to her small Mississippi Town. She particularly becomes obsessed with James Farrell, who represents everything that Davidia is not - he's light, well liked, wealthy. He's her Jake Ryan from 16 Candles.

After an embarrassing incident that involves Jake, Davidia, and his family, she decides to run away from her small town and never look back. She goes to Los Angeles, starts a new life as a lounge singer (of all things), and evolves from "ugly" Davidia Jones to sassy, quick-witted and admired Davie Jones. And THIS is where the story take a turn that was so abrupt that it left me with whiplash.

I won't go into full detail but I'll just say that the John Hughes movies that Davie fantasized about suddenly became her life, without warning. All the intensity, depth, complexity at the beginning of the novel gave way to a zany romantic comedy that could've stared Kathrine Heigl. I kept reading it thinking, "Is this the same story??? What am I reading?" I kept scrolling back to the beginning and going back to the present and wondering, how the story changed into this? WHY did the author do this? It felt so jarring and disjointed and I just couldn't keep going.

I'll put it this way... I love the Color Purple and I love Pretty in Pink but in NO WAY would I want those two movies spliced together! That's what happened with this book. It was my favorite buttercream pecan gelato mixed with my favorite guacamole--and all I was left with was a nasty taste in my mouth.

I would read this author again because overall, I liked her style of writing. I would just hope for a more consistent execution the next time around

[Steph | bookedinsaigon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been hearing unequivocal love for this book for, oh, about two years or so before I finally had the opportunity to participate in a blog tour for 32 CANDLES. First stop: dive into the book that a small but important contingent of the blogging population has been raving about ever since its publication. And I wasn’t disappointed. I so wasn’t disappointed, in fact, that 32 CANDLES is easily one of my favorite books of 2011 so far, and one of the most adorable books I have ever read.

The star of the show is Davie Jones. Neurotic without going overboard, self-reflective without it getting in the way of pure entertainment, and unapologetically weird, Davie stands out from the slew of debilitatingly neurotic female protagonists that usually feature in romantic comedies. Davie is like a black Bridget Jones without the weight obsession, which, let’s admit it, got frustrating real quickly. Davie’s weight obsession equivalent is her endless fascination with James, which in her high school stage was admittedly a bit scary. But somehow Ernessa Carter, through the voice of Davie Jones, makes everything okay. We don’t judge Davie for her neuroses; we love her all the more for them.

No romantic comedy is complete without a swoon-worthy romantic interest, and James has got the role down pat. He is a perfect black man, and yet somehow his perfection seems like a perfectly natural part of his character, instead of a fictional construct forced upon readers that screams “I am perfect! I am perfect!” without ever actually showing us why. So, another point in 32 CANDLES’ favor. Yay!

I’m sure there are many other reasons I can go on and on about—how the secondary characters take on lives of their own; or how the plot, while twisty and turny, wraps itself up in the most delightful and unexpected of ways—but I hope it suffices to say that 32 CANDLES will retain a permanent position on my shelf, as something I will reread whenever I want a dose of a good ole romantic comedy that won’t ever fail me. Brava, Ernessa Carter, and I want more!

[kisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three words for this book...PREDICTABLE, PREDICTABLE, PREDICTABLE...Oh yeah and did I mention...PREDICTABLE!!! I hate predictable books and most romance novels are in fact predictable which is why I don't like romance novels. This book is filled with romantic cliche's (hints the 16 candles spin). However Ernessa Carter had managed to make me stand against everything I believe in when it comes to literature! how did you do it Carter?! I really enjoyed this book. There were things that I didn't like but easily got over. For instance, I felt that some things in this story just werent realistic and at times a bit corny. Also I did have a problem with her evolution from being a mute and not being a mute as well as Being "ugly" and then becoming "beautiful" over night. How did that happen? She just washed her hair put on a dress and now she's evolved? Not buying it. But overall this book was hilarious and definitely a page turner. She has some very strong themes in this novel; love, mental health, abuse and neglect, abandonment, colorism, healing, secrets. And those are just to name a few. And unlike many of the reviews I've read so far, I completely utterly loved the ending (and I absolutely hate cheesy, corner, predictable, happy endings! lol) Very good book.

[Not Now...Mommy's Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! From page one I was enchanted with Davidia Jones, an ugly duckling who learns to finally be comfortable in the skin she's in. I identified so much with Davidia! I saw the end coming from page one but still I cried and jumped on the phone to call as many people as I could to share the warm and fuzzy feeling I got at its conclusion.

Plenty of laugh out loud moments, memorable characters, and quotes I will forever remember ("I will never let a man hand me an Invitation to Crazy".) - this book is well deserving of a 5-star rating!