Sunday Brunch

Sunday Brunch #1

by Norma L. Jarrett

Waiting to Exhale meets Church Folk as five female attorneys do brunch each week to trade tales about their love lives, law firms, and the Lord!

Meet Capri, an attorney at a top Houston firm. She seems to have it all together all the time until a seductive client topples her self-control. Then there’s Jermane, a devout Catholic who met her husband in law school and has never been with another man. But now her workaholic marriage is threatened by temptation.

Angel, on the other hand, sees men merely as a means to sex. Her scorn for love of all kinds—godly or otherwise—is challenged by a serious health scare. Meanwhile, Jewel bases her dating choices on the size of a man’s bank account until she meets a new flame who causes her to reconsider her requirements.

Finally, there’s Lexi, the link between the ladies, who provides sage advice while praying for Mr. Right. But what happens when depression hits hard?

Through conversation and consolation, these dynamic characters provide one another with divine inspiration—encouraging readers to root for them along the way.

Genres: African American, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 16, 1999

About the author

Norma L. Jarrett is the author of the novels Sunday Brunch (Best Girlfriend Book – Upscale Magazine/Rawsistaz Literary Group), Sweet Magnolia (An Essence magazine national book club selection) and The Sunday Brunch Diaries (Essence Bestseller) all published under Doubleday/Harlem Moon. Her work has gained attention in Ebony, Essence, Gospel Today, Jewel, Publisher’s Weekly, Rolling Out, Southern Living, Upscale, and USA Today. Norma has been a featured guest on ABC 13’s Crossroads, Outlook Houston, the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, and other media outlets. Among other honors, Ms. Jarrett has received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for her literary work. She travels the country as a sought after panelist and speaker for events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Faith & Fiction Retreat, Harlem Book Fair, Miami Book Fair, and other venues. Ms. Jarrett is a graduate of North Carolina A & T State University and Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Norma is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Junior Service League and a founding member of The Anointed Authors on Tour. She is married and resides in Houston, Texas, where she attends Lakewood Church.

Reviews

[Nakia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even though i am a Christian, i've never really been a fan of Christian literature (the stories are usually too simple for my tastes and always have some kind of magical fairty tale ending), but due to this being a bookclub selection, I decided to put my bias aside and check out Norma L. Jarrett's novel. This story had a lot of potential but with many of the characters being painted as one dimensional, it fell flat early on. There were four other story lines in the book, each one slowly grating on my nerves. Lexi was the preacher who can't find a man, Jermane was the adulteress, Capri was the woman who won't let her guard down, Angel was the man eater and Jewel was a hot mess. I am inclined to believe that had the author cut down her character list to just three or four (Lexi and Angel were very dispensable), she may have been able to spend more time on character development and give these women more depth.

There were two positive points about this book, though.
As unreal and fictitious as it was, I grew to love Capri's budding romance and silently rooted for her, hoping that she would be willing to accept the good (but far from real life) man that God had blessed her with. Also, Jewel was the hottest mess ever but it livened up the book. Had it not been for her antics, I'm very sure that I would not have finished the finished it (I commented on one of my reading updates that she needed to be mollywhopped up and down the avenue lol). But one thing that really bothered me about her part in the book was as hot as a mess that she was, she did not fit in with the other characters, making it was very hard to believe that they would be friends with her.

This book made for a cute bookclub idea, though (brunch on Sunday) and our discussion was able to veer off of the actual book and on to themes connected to it, ie black women not opening up to men, women being in an endless cycle of the same unsuccessful/unfulfilling relationships, dating in the church, adultery, and being a hot mess on a consistent basis. I can see alot of people identifying some what with the characters but I'll pass on any more books by this author.

[Tamyka · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a 3.5. I was unnecessarily long and drawn out in a way that didn’t serve the story. By the end I still couldn’t really keep the characters, their desires/motivation, and their personal struggles straight, and I really wasn’t interested I rereading to figure it out, cause it didn’t even matter.

[Kimdewitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know how I got this book, but it was on reserve for me at the library, so I figured I must have heard about it somewhere. It is by a christian writer and focuses on trying to be religious, but it was nothing real exciting.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could tell this was a first novel. Though I did enjoy the book I was sometimes bored with the simplistic language and shallow characters. I loved the prayers sprinkled throughout and also enjoyed the ultimate theme of the book. I have the sequel and will be starting it soon.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I'm glad to know they're not teaching Sunday Brunch in a classroom...it's definitely a low-end novel. The only thing semi-fascinating is that the author's a contemporary so she's using all of these references that I know...Tyra Banks, Alicia Keyes, Janet Jackson.

[Damika · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. I had a really hard time getting into it, though. It took me three tries before I read it through.

[Ren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jewel, Jermane, Capri, Angel and Lexi met in law school and managed to forge a close friendship. Now, that law school is over, these five young professionals are trying to maintain their friendship while seeking stability on a financial, personal and spiritual level. And what better way to do that than to meet up for Sunday brunch and have girl talk?
Lexi is the principal narrator of the story but each lady takes her turn in telling her story and they leave nothing out, from fashion to their dating lives to their most intimate desires and fears. The basic storyline is great and there are even a few surprising elements. Still, it felt like too much happened too fast and the ending was a fairy-tale in a whirlwind:

- ‘Babe’ on a first date: The relationship between Capri and superstar athlete Tony Stanton developed almost literally overnight. I couldn’t understand how he started slapping her behind and calling her ‘babe’ after one date, and it was all okay. It seemed like that happened very fast.
- From constant bad dates straight to a bouquet: We followed Lexi through a couple bad relationships and really got to see why dating was so complicated for her but when she finally found a decent guy, we didn’t really get to know him or see how he really compared to the others, the ending was so abrupt.
- Loose ends: how did Rex know about Naegel? How did Kevin’s ex take his new relationship? Who was the woman at church with Kyle?

All in all, it’s refreshing to be able to read about the journeys of young African-American women who share a strong bond with their friends and who are focused on making smart choices in life.

[Courtney White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in college because it was a selection of my sorority book club. I loved the light story about 4 friends and because I wanted to go to law school, felt their lives were so fascinating. We also met the author during our book club session, I found out that she went to law school and wrote the book after she graduated.

I found myself re-reading the book after I went to law school and I appreciated the storytelling, references to Houston, and the friendship between the women. I saw pieces of myself in some of the characters and appreciated the references to and struggles with faith that the women shared in the novel. I also liked that the references weren't overbearing but realistic based on each of their separate personalities.

I love this book, brunch, and the author.

[Maeceon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunday Brunch is a very light and easy read. Some plot lines left me wanting for further development. Characters were very predictable (good or bad depending upon your outlook). I could not personally relate to any of the characters, but that being said I feel like we have all encountered one or more of the brunch personalities. While I was interested enough to finish - I was disappointed in the abrupt ending. It left me with questions that I assume were purposely left as staging for book 2 of a possible series. A emerging trend I don't appreciate. A book IMHO should be a complete work (even if it is a part of a series). The parts of the book I enjoyed the most were the sprinkling of scripture and prayers throughout. I was not really invested in any of the characters, so I am not interested in a sequel.

[Audrey Orenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author did a great job introducing us to 4 distinct characters and made they all feel real. While the characters were very different, you could feel the bond between them and see how they supported each other as friends. Some of the character's stories were a bit predictable, and it wrapped up too neatly at the end, but it is was fun to see all 4 characters develop. I enjoyed this fun, feel-good read.

[LaDonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the rest of the series.
The characters were real and relatable. The issues discussed were also real and relatable.
I highly recommend this book if you haven't already read it.

15 of 52 books read.
📚📚📚📚📚 of 5 stacks

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[Karen Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendship

Lexie is the glue that keeps these ladies together. Capri is serious. Germaine is anxious. Angel is afraid to let someone into her again. Jewel is spoiled and insecure. Lexie prays for all of her friends.

By the end of the book Jewel grows up.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like each character that was presented was a part of my journey in life. Each had characteristics that I probably experienced during my dating life. This was such a spiritual and great read. I highly recommend!

[Rachel Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT BOOK

Good from the first page to the last! The characters were so relatable. U’ll find a lil bit of urself & ur friends in each character. If ur looking for an encouraging read, this is for u.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish this book which is a rarity for me. Symplistic writing style did nothing to hold my interest. Author put more effort into what everyone was wearing than developing the characters.

[Sarah Kirkpatrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love McMillan and thought I would enjoy this author too but I did not.

[Marie Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a really good movie. Lots of good advice and scriptures sprinkled in the 4 story lines.

[sweetconnectionswithtoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loooooved this book!

[Jennifer Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

Entertaining, quick, light read. Pleasant book; no cursing or explicit sex. Mostly about finding love and encouraging faith. Girlie book.

[Dr. Joy C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a good plot.

[Rebecca Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad to see friendship and tight knit group of ladies. Too far into the Christian side for me though if I’m being honest.

[Letha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about 5 friends who are lawyers and their quest for love, success and good friendship.

This is the first book in the series per the author.

[Nobie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG This book was so good!

[Theblkrtheberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunday Brunch

A well written novel. The concept was great as well as the character development. I enjoyed reading each lady's journey and growth.

Well worth the read.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book! I love books that enforce sisterhood.

[Desiree Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read by Ms. Jarrett. It was excellent. Lexi and her girls met in Law School and have remained good friends ever since. Jewel is the materialistic one, Capri is leery of men with their cheating ways, Lexi just wants a good man, Jermane wants more attention from her husband and Angel vows never to let her feelings get involved in a relationship again. All that changes when they meet the right men. Jermane's husband realizes he has been working too hard when he notices another man paying interest to his wife. He quickly gets his act together. Capri and her basketball player Man decide to get married, after he surprises her when he meets her at the airport when she comes in from visiting with her grandmother and her sister. The night of Jewel's 70s birthday party she gets arrested at the DMV and almost misses her own party. After she gets sprung from the slammer, she makes it home, where the party is in full swing! Her beau Kevin decides this is the perfect time to ask her to marry him. She is so excited and happy! (And Kevin is good with handling money!) these friends have been through some trying times but in the end they remain faithful to God and to each other. I really enjoyed this book. Read: February 2014

[Diana Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because of the message. The characters... well, Lexis and Jewel were kind of disappointing for me. Too shallow and self-absorbed. I liked Capri and Angel, really the entire book could have been centered around them. The book was kind of preachy but it was tolerable. I was left wondering how much some of the girls really learned at the end, mainly Jewel, who was too spoiled to tolerate. Overall, it was a decent read but nothing I would ever have to read again. I just couldn't find a way to relate to the girls.

[DCbook•ish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit, I had my doubts about this novel. It was a VERY slow start for me during the first few chapters. I was ready to call it quits. However, the applicable Biblical quotes, plot and honest advice made me decide otherwise.

Now, I'm anxious to read 'The Sunday Brunch Diaries'. Stay tuned on my review.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute novel, decent chick lit. The author does a nice job of getting you attached to characters. There are a lot of Christian religious references in there, which could have been tiring, but wasn't.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a motivational, inspirational, fun,'girlfriends/waiting to exhale' type of 'easy read'! This is a book that just makes one feel good about themselves. These 5 friends deal with everyday situations and have lots of heart!