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Chocolate Covered Forbidden Fruit
Thalia, a 25-year-old wild girl gone good, moves back to her old neighborhood after a failed engagement and manages to catch the eye of the town's most wanted man--the incredibly sexy, single, devoted, and charismatic Reverend Isaac. Not only is there a large age difference between Thalia and the middle-aged pastor, but he also happens to be the father of Madison, her best friend since junior high school. Madison isn't trying to deal with her father dating anyone after her mother's death.
Thalia asks Isaac to keep their relationship a secret, but he's been intrigued by her ever since she was a teenager, and now he wants the world to know. When tragedy strikes, their love is exposed to her family, his colleagues, his congregation, and her best friend. Now it seems like the whole town is in an uproar.
The gossiping church mothers in Mount Pleasant aren't the only problem that Thalia and Isaac have, though. A former lover rears his ugly head and forces their relationship to change for the absolute worst. Can this May-December romance survive when it seems fate is just not on their side?
Thalia asks Isaac to keep their relationship a secret, but he's been intrigued by her ever since she was a teenager, and now he wants the world to know. When tragedy strikes, their love is exposed to her family, his colleagues, his congregation, and her best friend. Now it seems like the whole town is in an uproar.
The gossiping church mothers in Mount Pleasant aren't the only problem that Thalia and Isaac have, though. A former lover rears his ugly head and forces their relationship to change for the absolute worst. Can this May-December romance survive when it seems fate is just not on their side?
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
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265 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 27, 2016
I need to think on this one. Review to come VERY soon.
***VERY MILD SPOILERS***
Okay... So I thought on it & here's the thing. I love the premise of this book. It touches on some very deep and real circumstances in life. When it comes to our ambitions, desires, faith, character, family, friends, & hope in a higher power. It battles and shows the journey to such things in a very realistic manner. If you haven't gone through some of these scenarios, then you most certainly know someone close to you who has. So all things under this umbrella with this story, was on point for me.
What I didn't like or connect with, that didn't really come off as true to form for me, was Rev. Issac's reaction to his daughter. When he found out or admitted that he already knew what she was keeping from him. I know this type of man. Several actually. My sister is married to one. A Pastor of a Baptist faith, in fact.... And I'm just being honest here; though he (Rev Issac) may love his child with all his heart, when it comes to the commands of his God, he would not have accepted so easily & flippantly what his daughter was about. More hurt & disappointment would have been there. Definitely. So this felt like it was written as more of an appeasement of sorts. But given the type of man we've witnessed Issac to be, concerning his faith, his devotion & unwavering belief in God's word; his initial reaction to his daughter was a complete contradiction of all that. Not to mention how quickly it was squashed considering how long it was a "secret"
Therefore, I didn't believe in the outcome with that.
Also, didn't like how this one ended. Or the shocking details of what occurred 2 weeks before a wedding & during the Honeymoon & ultimately, how things were brought to a close. I was hoping for more. And I certainly couldn't get behind how the mess occurred in the first place when NOTHING had been going on for years between the two parties.
Then the lame way how out of nowhere, we get 3 alternate endings.
WTHeck was this? At first I thought they printed the wrong pages from a previous chapter, until I read through it more closely. It was all just pretty disappointing to me. Rushed. And gave the impression that the Author just couldn't choose where exactly she wanted the story to go after a certain point. And also that she couldn't choose a solid ending, so she threw all of them in there.
Such a shame. Up until all of the mess, it was a really good, thought provoking read. But because of how things played out towards the end & ending(s), I could only give it 3 stars.
***VERY MILD SPOILERS***
Okay... So I thought on it & here's the thing. I love the premise of this book. It touches on some very deep and real circumstances in life. When it comes to our ambitions, desires, faith, character, family, friends, & hope in a higher power. It battles and shows the journey to such things in a very realistic manner. If you haven't gone through some of these scenarios, then you most certainly know someone close to you who has. So all things under this umbrella with this story, was on point for me.
What I didn't like or connect with, that didn't really come off as true to form for me, was Rev. Issac's reaction to his daughter. When he found out or admitted that he already knew what she was keeping from him. I know this type of man. Several actually. My sister is married to one. A Pastor of a Baptist faith, in fact.... And I'm just being honest here; though he (Rev Issac) may love his child with all his heart, when it comes to the commands of his God, he would not have accepted so easily & flippantly what his daughter was about. More hurt & disappointment would have been there. Definitely. So this felt like it was written as more of an appeasement of sorts. But given the type of man we've witnessed Issac to be, concerning his faith, his devotion & unwavering belief in God's word; his initial reaction to his daughter was a complete contradiction of all that. Not to mention how quickly it was squashed considering how long it was a "secret"
Therefore, I didn't believe in the outcome with that.
Also, didn't like how this one ended. Or the shocking details of what occurred 2 weeks before a wedding & during the Honeymoon & ultimately, how things were brought to a close. I was hoping for more. And I certainly couldn't get behind how the mess occurred in the first place when NOTHING had been going on for years between the two parties.
Then the lame way how out of nowhere, we get 3 alternate endings.
WTHeck was this? At first I thought they printed the wrong pages from a previous chapter, until I read through it more closely. It was all just pretty disappointing to me. Rushed. And gave the impression that the Author just couldn't choose where exactly she wanted the story to go after a certain point. And also that she couldn't choose a solid ending, so she threw all of them in there.
Such a shame. Up until all of the mess, it was a really good, thought provoking read. But because of how things played out towards the end & ending(s), I could only give it 3 stars.
August 5, 2022
Honestly, I chose this because I know the narrator is good, but I wasn't in the right headspace for this story so I ended up dnfing. Might come back to it at some point.
March 11, 2014
This was a really good book. All I can say is please read this. It's a strong read. I've read this book 5 times an still cry. The love in this book was powerful also the scriptures tooo.
June 4, 2012
Spectacular...OMG! I bought this book as gifts for a few friends.
This book was well written, great characters, and the plot was so on point,
This book was well written, great characters, and the plot was so on point,
March 12, 2023
This book is nothing that I thought it would be and that excites me. tones in this book age with the character, which makes it a refreshing read. Initially I assumed it would simply be a quirky romantic comedy because I do not read synopses. However, I was surprised with a character driven story that included a heavy amount of character growth. The ending was very sassy, and Trista really had me going but the story was an enjoyable ride of surprises, nonetheless.
November 15, 2022
Great read. I too keep your attention. Forbidden fruit is always the most tasty.
January 8, 2009
What Time Is It In Your Life?
Thalia Tyree, a third grade teacher, is seeking love in all of the wrong men. Desperation seeps from her pores, as she is more than friendly on an outing with her girls to Daytona Beach for the Black College Reunion. Alcohol and sex prove to be disastrous as Thalia once again finds that her hook up is actually somebody else's guy. Just when matters seem to be at there very worse, Thalia finds that she's been given a pass to the next level and meets Andre' Teasdale, a former football player who is now a detective residing in Philadelphia. Before the two could say their farewells, plans to meet in Philadelphia were being made and Thalia finally believed that her luck with men had finally taken a turn for the better.
Years have passed, her finger now possesses a tan line, but wedding plans are on the back burner. With so much unhappiness, ugliness and always being overlooked by Andre' has, Thalia come to find that this is not the ending she saw for her life?
Thalia has finally allowed God to be a lamp unto her path. She clearly sees that a house is just a house and has been resurrected from her old destructive nature. Thalia packs up and prays for the strength she needs in order to make her destination. From Philadelphia, Thalia has a layover in Chicago. As she tries to make the best of her time, she bumps into Reverend Doctor Isaac Flack, her best friend's father. Unbeknownst to the good Reverend, he's been the source of many of Thalia's sinful thoughts. Was this a coincidence or is this God's work?
They talked about Jesus Christ and Thalia and Isaac won't be the exception. As long as they hold on to their faith and love, they can power over everything. With love, calamity, genuineness and anticipation for what tomorrow may bring, readers will instantly be drawn to the charismatic change that God's love has.
There is nothing that you can not do, with God at the lead of your lives.
Thalia Tyree, a third grade teacher, is seeking love in all of the wrong men. Desperation seeps from her pores, as she is more than friendly on an outing with her girls to Daytona Beach for the Black College Reunion. Alcohol and sex prove to be disastrous as Thalia once again finds that her hook up is actually somebody else's guy. Just when matters seem to be at there very worse, Thalia finds that she's been given a pass to the next level and meets Andre' Teasdale, a former football player who is now a detective residing in Philadelphia. Before the two could say their farewells, plans to meet in Philadelphia were being made and Thalia finally believed that her luck with men had finally taken a turn for the better.
Years have passed, her finger now possesses a tan line, but wedding plans are on the back burner. With so much unhappiness, ugliness and always being overlooked by Andre' has, Thalia come to find that this is not the ending she saw for her life?
Thalia has finally allowed God to be a lamp unto her path. She clearly sees that a house is just a house and has been resurrected from her old destructive nature. Thalia packs up and prays for the strength she needs in order to make her destination. From Philadelphia, Thalia has a layover in Chicago. As she tries to make the best of her time, she bumps into Reverend Doctor Isaac Flack, her best friend's father. Unbeknownst to the good Reverend, he's been the source of many of Thalia's sinful thoughts. Was this a coincidence or is this God's work?
They talked about Jesus Christ and Thalia and Isaac won't be the exception. As long as they hold on to their faith and love, they can power over everything. With love, calamity, genuineness and anticipation for what tomorrow may bring, readers will instantly be drawn to the charismatic change that God's love has.
There is nothing that you can not do, with God at the lead of your lives.
November 17, 2014
I was really not sure about reading this book because it is way out of my comfort zone, but I decided that I would just go with it and give it a try. I have to say that the book was well written, engaging and it flowed very well. I thought it was easy to understand and was quite enjoyable. I am glad that I decided to go ahead and finally read it.
In this book we follow a girl named Thalia Tyree and her near obsession with the Pastor Isaac Flack, who just happens to be her best friends dad. So this is pretty much a story about her life, her ups and downs, in and outs, failures, mistakes and accomplishments. She also gets herself into some pretty sticky situations. She goes on a vacation with her friends to Daytona Beach, things get a little wild and stuff happen while they are there. There is some dark content to this book that I did not expect at all, and of course a few 'sexy times' as well.
I really like Thalia a lot and the fact that readers watch her grow throughout the story. At first I was not to sure about her and did not like her all that much. But she grew on me pretty quickly through all of her mistakes and short comings. There are a lot of interesting characters to sort through in this story, most of them are very likable and then there are a couple that I would prefer to shoot, but they make great, believable villains.
This book presents a pretty powerful message and also had a lot of different elements such as religion, romance, love, darkness, and recklessness and it really made the story more interesting to me and presented some unexpected events. I found that it also made the story unpredictable and that is always good.
I recommend this to anyone as long as you can handle some darker issues and a few rather descriptive sex scenes. I think this is a pretty decent read since the story is more about Thalia maturing and making some bad decisions along the way and how she deals with some rather severe issues in her life.
In this book we follow a girl named Thalia Tyree and her near obsession with the Pastor Isaac Flack, who just happens to be her best friends dad. So this is pretty much a story about her life, her ups and downs, in and outs, failures, mistakes and accomplishments. She also gets herself into some pretty sticky situations. She goes on a vacation with her friends to Daytona Beach, things get a little wild and stuff happen while they are there. There is some dark content to this book that I did not expect at all, and of course a few 'sexy times' as well.
I really like Thalia a lot and the fact that readers watch her grow throughout the story. At first I was not to sure about her and did not like her all that much. But she grew on me pretty quickly through all of her mistakes and short comings. There are a lot of interesting characters to sort through in this story, most of them are very likable and then there are a couple that I would prefer to shoot, but they make great, believable villains.
This book presents a pretty powerful message and also had a lot of different elements such as religion, romance, love, darkness, and recklessness and it really made the story more interesting to me and presented some unexpected events. I found that it also made the story unpredictable and that is always good.
I recommend this to anyone as long as you can handle some darker issues and a few rather descriptive sex scenes. I think this is a pretty decent read since the story is more about Thalia maturing and making some bad decisions along the way and how she deals with some rather severe issues in her life.
October 19, 2011
This was my first book by this arthur and I really enjoyed this book it was a very good made you laugh and cry...
July 12, 2019
Too much going on and plus I do not like “choose your own ending” Stories 🤨
March 19, 2022
I truly enjoyed this book, and I want to read other books by this author. A young women fell in love with her best friend's father. Although she wanted a man who would love and respect her, she never expected to fall for him. This book had tragedy, love, heartbreak, and family. There were some sex scenes in the book, but that is not the focus.
November 10, 2022
This book kept me entertained from start to finish ! And what I love about the book is the main character Thalia, had a strong head on her shoulders and common sense. All around this was a good book to read ! I felt all of the emotions whole reading this one.
August 24, 2017
This was a really good story I listened to in one day on Audible.
November 7, 2020
True love story
I've read this book many times over the years. I always come back to it when I need a reminder of how things work out with you trust God. Thalia reminds me so much of myself. The story that unfolds between her and Isaac is one for the books. I'm in love with this relationship.
I've read this book many times over the years. I always come back to it when I need a reminder of how things work out with you trust God. Thalia reminds me so much of myself. The story that unfolds between her and Isaac is one for the books. I'm in love with this relationship.
June 25, 2012
I read this book last year, couldn't believe I hadn't written a review for it. This story was so good I recommended it to my friends.
It's a fast paced page turner. It starts off with Thadia and her friends going on spring break, where she thinks she has met Mr. Right. She moves to be with him only to find out it was a big mistake.
Thadia and Rev. Flack run into each other and end up spending some time together. They decide to pursue a relationship and fall in love.
Rev. Flack showed that you can be a man of GOD and still be a sexy man. He was so patient and kind, until he found out what Colin did.
Colin was a discussing monster. I really like how Ms. Russell develop the characters in this book. This book introduced me to her as an author, since then I have read Going Broke, Dead Broke and Fly On the Wall. They were all equally as good.
I highly recommend this book
It's a fast paced page turner. It starts off with Thadia and her friends going on spring break, where she thinks she has met Mr. Right. She moves to be with him only to find out it was a big mistake.
Thadia and Rev. Flack run into each other and end up spending some time together. They decide to pursue a relationship and fall in love.
Rev. Flack showed that you can be a man of GOD and still be a sexy man. He was so patient and kind, until he found out what Colin did.
Colin was a discussing monster. I really like how Ms. Russell develop the characters in this book. This book introduced me to her as an author, since then I have read Going Broke, Dead Broke and Fly On the Wall. They were all equally as good.
I highly recommend this book
November 3, 2020
Reading this book took me out of reality and put me in the story
September 4, 2020
Damn!! This was a great read (well listen). iiKane did e great job narrating this book. Love the Mom she reminded of my Mom and yes I cried like a baby.
October 15, 2020
Wow this book was all over the place. I heard this book recording on audible. The only downside to that was the random pauses with the story.
It’s amazing what a no good man will have you thinking about. Thalia was basically finding love in all the wrong places. She did not know the way to be treated by a man. With this I am happy the author gave us that backstory spring break trip to fully visualize the type of men she was dealing with. Those relationships did not fulfill her and she was not able to grow from them. I am glad that through her unhappiness with Andre, she was able to find Jesus. He brought her to the man of her dreams, pastor Issac Flac. Age truly is just a number and doesn’t define or limit the love they have for each other. I love how he is devoted to her. Where is my pastor flac.
With this, I did not like the first ending of the book. She didn’t dream about her relationship with Isaac. It could not have been a hallucination because of the time they spent in Chicago. I personally prefer ending three because I love a happy ending with her and Isaac I just wish that they could have played out what would have happened if the baby was alive.
I thought this book to be a little all over the place with all the information that it gave. I feel that all of the little information could’ve been written out of the book to make away for the storyline with Colin and the rape. It seem that it was brushed over the fact that she was raped but the fact that she was with Pastor flag and that he was so much older than her that was a big deal. When in reality he is the Best thing since slice bread. The best thing that has happened to her. It was no coincidence that they both heard that same prophecy. I do like the fact that they have always want to each other and that something came from that attraction.
I’m just not happy with the ending with Colin because now her sister is going to live in unhappy marriage and if she just left to get the cushion rug this time even with Isaac by her all the time who knows what color is capable of
It’s amazing what a no good man will have you thinking about. Thalia was basically finding love in all the wrong places. She did not know the way to be treated by a man. With this I am happy the author gave us that backstory spring break trip to fully visualize the type of men she was dealing with. Those relationships did not fulfill her and she was not able to grow from them. I am glad that through her unhappiness with Andre, she was able to find Jesus. He brought her to the man of her dreams, pastor Issac Flac. Age truly is just a number and doesn’t define or limit the love they have for each other. I love how he is devoted to her. Where is my pastor flac.
With this, I did not like the first ending of the book. She didn’t dream about her relationship with Isaac. It could not have been a hallucination because of the time they spent in Chicago. I personally prefer ending three because I love a happy ending with her and Isaac I just wish that they could have played out what would have happened if the baby was alive.
I thought this book to be a little all over the place with all the information that it gave. I feel that all of the little information could’ve been written out of the book to make away for the storyline with Colin and the rape. It seem that it was brushed over the fact that she was raped but the fact that she was with Pastor flag and that he was so much older than her that was a big deal. When in reality he is the Best thing since slice bread. The best thing that has happened to her. It was no coincidence that they both heard that same prophecy. I do like the fact that they have always want to each other and that something came from that attraction.
I’m just not happy with the ending with Colin because now her sister is going to live in unhappy marriage and if she just left to get the cushion rug this time even with Isaac by her all the time who knows what color is capable of
May 23, 2021
This book was my first read from Trista Russell and been on my TBR list for the longest. I honestly don't know how to feel about it. I only listened to the audiobook due to my busy home life and would listen to it since I didnt have time to pick up a physical book. I thought the narrators was good and made me wanted to keep listening. The first part of the story was good with the drama and twists and turns. But it fell flat for me after Talia left the detective guy. I was confused about the story because it was written like she had a crush on Pastor Flack all of a sudden not since she been best friends with Madison. The story was funny and was flowing well until the halfway mark. I stopped at Chapter 20 and decided to read the ending to see if Talia and Isaac would end up together or not. After reading the reviews, I saw the spoiler for the ending and I was not impressed. I was getting impatient lol. I have to give this novel 3.5 stars. Im still gonna read Fly on The Wall from Trista.
March 3, 2023
I feel like I’m being generous with this 4. I’m sorry, but the ending of a book makes it or breaks it for me. The ending of the book is where you get your satisfaction. And this choose your own ending shit pissed me off!!!! First of all, it immediately pulls me out of the story. I cannot suspend disbelief because in life you don’t get to choose your favorite outcome out of three. I should never be reminded that I’m reading a book while I’m in the story. Second, for me it feels like indecisiveness on the part of the author. I didn’t like that at all.
But overall the story was good, which is why despite my feelings about the ending I’m sticking with my rating. I loved Thalia and Isaacs relationship. I love that he really was a man of God. And to be honest this book has increased my own recent urge to connect with God. For that alone I should give it a 5. But that ending really pissed be off.
But overall the story was good, which is why despite my feelings about the ending I’m sticking with my rating. I loved Thalia and Isaacs relationship. I love that he really was a man of God. And to be honest this book has increased my own recent urge to connect with God. For that alone I should give it a 5. But that ending really pissed be off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2022
It’s NOT a terrible read but it’s really a lot of extra if you are reading through audible it becomes unbearable because you can skip all the extra details when reading the book but it’s hard to hear it and not want to stop reading. Like you want to know the ending, but thinking is it worth it due to the amount of elongated details. I try not to judge but I wanted to understand why not give corrections with the naïveté or incorrect processes. I am trying to not give out spoilers, but you will understand if you choose to read. What I will say is think about someone thinking if it’s worth finishing after getting to chapter 30 or 32 to determine your taste of books and how you feel if you are this far along and feel like you just want to turn it OFF.
January 2, 2023
Ooh Girl!
I originally read this when it was released in 2006. The plot was so taboo that I never forgot about it. I did forget all of the drama that was thrown in. This story was wild from beginning to end. Thalia went through so much! Especially with the men she dealt with. I’m no angel, but I don’t think I could ever indulge in that kind of chocolate covered forbidden fruit. Scandalous! The alternate endings were a fun touch. Trista Russell always delivered stories packed with lots of drama and messy moments. Revisiting this novel reminded me why I was such a fan of her work.
I originally read this when it was released in 2006. The plot was so taboo that I never forgot about it. I did forget all of the drama that was thrown in. This story was wild from beginning to end. Thalia went through so much! Especially with the men she dealt with. I’m no angel, but I don’t think I could ever indulge in that kind of chocolate covered forbidden fruit. Scandalous! The alternate endings were a fun touch. Trista Russell always delivered stories packed with lots of drama and messy moments. Revisiting this novel reminded me why I was such a fan of her work.
July 26, 2018
This was my first read from this author and I enjoyed it, but I hated the ending with all the "If you like it cut and dry, keep reading." additives. It was annoying and for them to be 3 instances of it causing unnecessary pauses in the story was ridiculous. Also, we were left hanging about what would come of the situation between Tyann and Collin. Overall, it was a good read, but I was still left with questions that it doesn't seem like will be answered.
March 20, 2020
The plot makes me feel uneasy. I guess, in life anything can happen, especially if I stop putting religious leaders in a box. I still dislike first lady Charlotte Black of Kimberla Lawson's series. This story was entertaining, and thought provoking.
Read
February 9, 2024I love how Trista Russell gives alternate endings. I'm glad Thalia got her happy ending, however, I wanted her brother in law to get what was coming for violating her. Pastor so wholesome you can't even be petty lol
January 3, 2018
Predictable but good.
March 25, 2019
This is a really good book. I recommend-this book.
September 26, 2019
Excellent! Totally unpredictable
December 23, 2020
I really enjoyed this audible book!!! the story and the love was a nice change of pace.
Trista Russell is so good. I need a book 2!!! what is gonna happen to Andre and Colin??
Trista Russell is so good. I need a book 2!!! what is gonna happen to Andre and Colin??
June 16, 2021
Great audio. It was funny, sad, and everything in between. I have a new author to follow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews