The Ugly Girlfriend

The Lonely Hearts #1

by Latrivia S. Nelson, Latrivia Welch

LaToya Jenkins is the quintessential smart, successful, grounded and determined. She only has one problem socially - she's overweight. As the "big one" of her girlfriends, she often faces rejection from the men of their social circle because of her size and/or her dark skin. And due to a painful past relationship, she gives up on love completely until, she takes on Mitchell "Mitch" O'Keefe as a new client. The Irish born architect needs a professional cleaning service to help him literally clean up his life after a nasty divorce, but he winds up finding a true friend in LaToya, the owner of It's An Honor Cleaning Service. While LaToya is handicapped emotionally by her baggage, Mitch thinks she's the strongest woman he's ever seen and a breath of fresh air in his hectic life. His only goal is to prove to her that his interest in her is more than lust sparked by curiosity. Read the story of two beautiful people in totally opposite ways who help each other see that beauty is not skin deep but soul deep in the first book of Latrivia S. Nelson's Lonely Heart Series, The Ugly Girlfriend.

Genres: Interracial Romance, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Novella, Fiction

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2010

About the author

Latrivia S. Nelson (Latrivia Welch) is the author of Ivy's Twisted Vine (the largest modern interracial romance novel in its genre) and Dmitry's Closet, President of Nelson Pressed, Inc. (small marketing firm that strategically promotes self-published authors) and Public Relations Senior Specialist for the award-winning, highly-acclaimed firm, The Carter Malone Group (the largest female Public Relations firm in Memphis).

Nelson graduated from LeMoyne-Owen College (Memphis, TN) with honors obtaining a Bachelors Degree in business administration with a concentration in management (2003), Strayer University (Washington, DC) obtaining her MBA with a concentration in marketing (2007) and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice at Capella University with a concentration in organized crime.

As an observer of life, Nelson has enjoyed the numerous opportunities afforded her and writes about the wonderful and interesting people and places that she has encountered in her novels. She has been highlighted in Ebony Magazine, Elite Magazine (Memphis, TN), RSVP Magazine (Memphis, TN), the Commercial Appeal Newspaper (Memphis, TN) and numerous online publications.

Ivy's Twisted Vine first debuted in February of 2008 and has since been featured by over 500 bookstores, book clubs, individual reviewers, online publications and blogs. It has sold thousands of copies in the states and has become very popular in Europe and Japan.

Nelson is the proud mother of two beautiful children (Jordan and Tierra) and the wife of decorated US Marine (Retired) Adam Nelson. They live in suburbs of Memphis.

Go to www.latrivianelson.com , www.dmitryscloset.com , and/or www.dmitrysroyalflush.com to learn more.

Reviews

[postcrdprincess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book by accident, and I was glad I did. This book struck several personal cords with me. 1) It was about a black woman, 2) she was not your typical size 6; she was actually a size 14, and 3) she always felt like she did not fit in with her circle of friends. Because I was able to relate to LaToya on a personal level I was able to thoroughly enjoy the book.

This was an interracial romance, and I was glad the author didn’t take the typical path of black woman meets white man falls in love and they spend most of the book defending their love for one another with their family. Instead she allows the two characters who have normal human hang ups because of previous relationships to become friends (even if it by way of her working for him), realize there is an attraction, go with that attraction, and ultimately find love with one another.

Now that doesn’t mean they had it easy. There is the fact that Mitch has a son, an ex-wife; who wants him back once she realizes that he’s moved on (I won’t spoil the plot around that situation), and the drama with laToya’s best friend who never really thought LaToya was as good as her (you’ll need to read to find out how all that goes down).

This was the first time I read a book by Latrivia S. Nelson, and I can definitely say that I was impressed. She made the characters in this book real and believable. She has a new fan and I can’t wait to read the other books that she has written.

[Lizzie Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still really hate to give a book a 2 rating but I just can't bring this one up to a 3. The storyline is a good one, but it was so rushed. It was really hard at times to determine who was talking and there were editing issues. The way the h's friends treated her at times was appalling and while I realize some women can be this way I think most of us who are not model thin and beautiful don't surround ourselves with friends who judge us harshly for that. I honestly think if the story and characters were more fleshed out and transition between characters was more clear I would like it a lot more.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed the book, I found it too short and the concluding chapters a bit lacking in substance. It felt rushed. Also, if the author does not have an editor then please get one as it would make your work so much more enjoyable and if she does have an editor then perhaps it may be time for a change.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but the pace was what earned it 3 stars. Latoya has some self-esteem issues and meets a client that is going thru a nasty divorce. End of synopsis if you dont want me to spoil the rest.

So either way Latoya and Mitch relationship moved too fast. There wasnt enough time for the reader to develope those feelings that they had felt. It was like the author said "they fell in love after a few weeks, now lets move ahead". I dont know about you but as a reader I like to live those moments with the characters. And then the ending was like, what the? Cliffhanger or did the author just get bored and wanted to end it already?

I loved the characters, they felt real. Although there was some cheesy moments but dang it I loved those cheesy moments! I wanted more of those moments, more of the lovers leaning on each other for support, hell I wanted a better ending!

So I gave it three stars. quick read. Read it in three hours with breaks and distractions.

[Elle1986 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm... I am struggling to find the right words for this book. I didn't hate it but I also didn't really love it. I was extremely excited because the character had some meat on her bones so I was like... whoot whoot let me check it out (If you have read any of my reviews you know I am not a fan of the extremely thin, flat stomach, perfect body characters) however I just didn't feel the connection with the characters.

I think I was expecting something a little different when I went into the book but that is not to say that other readers will not like this book... it had a nice message in the story.. which is why I gave the book 3 stars.

So with this being said this book would be a great pick me up.

Signing off.. It wasn't for me but that doesn't mean it isn't for you.

[Kourtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've lived with Spina Bifida for 27 years noe and it has definately made dating super difficult because I get judged on my outward appearance rather than my inside. This was such a positive short love story that gave me even more hope thwt my very own Mitch is out there eaiting for me eith open and accepting arms. Bravo to Latrivia Nelson!

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read and my first time reading this author. LaToya Jenkins is a smart, successful full figured woman she is the friend who doesn't get hit on in the club out with her girlfriends. Due to a painful past relationship, she gives up on love completely she is happy to work spend time with her friends. Mitchell "Mitch" O'Keefe is a new client who after a bitter divorce he needs a housekeeper so he hires a new cleaning services. These two become friends I liked both of these character's Mitch is a successful Irish architect. I did have some issues with her friend Angela she really wasn't her friend. LaToya has issues with self-esteem due to her weight and the color of her skin. I like the fact that LaToya and Mitch took their time in their relationship instead of rushing to have sex they got to know each other and his son like her also. This was a good read this book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Xenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely interracial romance novella about an African American woman who is full figured and mostly ignored by men because of it. The heroine is a size 14 which quite frankly is NOT full figured unless you are only 5 feet tall. I am a size 14 and at 5'6" I am quite slim. Society's idea of what full figured is is skewed. Anyway, this novella reflects how shallow society has become in choosing partners for love. A handsome and successful white male truly falls in love with the heroine. Her girlfriends who are considered more desirable by men are not really in relationships that are quality and substantial.

It is nice to read about the "ugly duckling" getting the handsome guy for a change.

One thing about these self published ebooks though is that the authors really need to proofread them better. They all tend to have spelling and/or grammar mistakes. I read a lot of them and there is rarely one that does not contain errors.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I read it on the kindle. Unlike a lot of the other books it did not start with the main characters jumping straight into bed with one another. Is started off slow and gradually picked up like a lot of relationships do. However the characters seemed to jump into the love part of the relationship rather fast and a lot of the story seemed unbelievable. The parts of the story that I really was fond of was how lead female really handled herself in the face of much adversity as well as so called friends being exposed. The parts that were really believable were how others view a woman that they feel is inferior to themselves and the reasons why they feel they can degrade someone.
The lead characters were really easy to love and to understand even though the story around them was purely fantasy.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely interracial read

This book is about a black woman who was not your typical size, she is full figured and always felt like she did not fit in within her circle of friends and was forever getting rejected by men. Despite this though she was as bitter as you would think. She was still strong and for the most part confident and independent.

LaToya Jenkins is presented to Mitchell O'Keefe by one of her clients Byron, LaToya owns a professional cleaning service and Mitch needs someone to organise his house as although he moved to Phoenix over a year ago his place is still riddled with moving boxes, this is mostly due to his very busy and demanding schedule.

Unfortunately for the two this romance was not easy sailing as Mitch has a son and an ex-wife who has now decided she wants him back when she realises that Mitch has moved on and no longer wants her or is interested in arguing with her. There is also the drama with one of LaToya's 'supposed' best friend who always thought LaToya was never as good as her, as light as her, as small as her... (you'll have to read the book to find out more.
A word of warning though is that this book is quite small (142 pages). So it is a very fast read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves interracial reads or who ever felt out of place.

[Cherryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet romance!

OMG... With a friend like Angela who needs enemies. She had her nerves berating LaToya like that. Like she was a subhuman with no feelings and then try to take back what she said. I like the fact that LaToya and Mitch took their time in their relationship instead of jumping in and knocking boots first thing. Even Mitch's son Jack fell in love with her. The only time that his ex Elaine wanted him back was when he showed interest in someone else.

Latrivia wrote a heart warming romance about a man adjusting to his new life as a divorcee and a woman with low self esteem because of her weight issues. She had to learn that she had more to offer than her size 14 body. To Mitch, she was beautiful inside and out. She never was the ugly girlfriend.

[Genney Blass · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I Truly enjoy this book. Loved, loved, Latoya and Mitch, what a cute couple they made. It was love, life and triumph of working with each other. How two people with conversating and enjoying each others company can be truly soulmates at the end. When Mitch did his speech, how emotional he spoked, I cried what a beautiful heart he has and the love he had toward his son and Latoya. Her Girlfriend, oh, I was happy when she left with her mouth open when she heard Mitch speech. I my mind I said to her "Yeah and what, Bitch" "You are not special, Ms. Bougie almighty" excuse me, among other words. Funny, Thank you to the Author I truly enjoyed this book. Thank you.

[Aramis90 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't bother

From beginning to end, LaToya (our heroine) is so unlikable. If she isn't constantly commenting on her weight (side note, a size 14 is not big), she comments on her skin tone. Being a bigger woman, dark skinned woman, I wanted to give this novel a shot despite the reviews I've read, but this novel simply depressed me. Even the "friends" in the book were simply awful one dimensional characters to showcase the societal view of plus sized black woman. But why would they even be friends with the way they treated LaToya, it didn't make a lick of sense. It was a waste of time and money.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st read by Nelson, she has given me a now series to look for in the future. I love LaToya. She is a black woman with her own, but she does have concerns and a few issues of her own. She does not place the blame for her life or lack of it on others. Her friend or so-called friend need to take a few lessons. I am very happy to see that Mitch could see beyond the facade.

[Kio Mendosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is no mystery that I am a big fan of Latrivia Nelson's work, but I think that she really outdid herself with this one. I can see why this book is in the top ten of multicultural books on Amazon. It made me cry.

[Elise-Pinterest+Goodreads=The Perfect Book Boyfriend · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very quick read. It was interesting and charming. If you are looking for a book with a plus size heroine this one will fit the bill. She owns her own business and he is Irish. Sweet. I like LN so if you are a fan of hers, you will enjoy this. I would lend for a weekned read. TTFN.

[Rosalyn Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet story, but i would have preferred for it to be a little longer, with a meatier plot and more conflict. otherwise i was still able to breeze right through this. thing is, the story isn't that memorable. atthe same time, however, it was still well written, as per usual for ms. nelson

[Mspraise50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I could relate to the plus size of LaToya. I loved the honesty of the story too. Well worth a read.

[Mary Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a lovely feel good story...don't over think just enjoy.

[Emily Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving it 4 stars because it was very rushed. It could have been 5, easy. Wonderful book, wonderful message.

[Charlene Silvernail · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ugly duckling was really a beautiful swan

This was a great book and just goes to show that the ‘ugly duckling’ can be beautiful. It’s not because of looks or skin color, it’s because of the inner beauty like honesty, love, integrity, honor. LaToya had that in spades while Angela, on the other hand, was petty, superficial and out for herself. The color of the skin doesn’t make a person promotion worthy but putting in the hard work and work ethics, good ideas and follow-through that put Mitch above Byron. Skin color had nothing to do with it, which is what Angela found out…too late as she ruined their friendship because she really didn’t value LaToya…because of her weight, her profession, etc.

[Ann Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never understand how a size 14 is considered by some to be almost obese. In the 1900s a size 16 was considered the perfect size for a model. Size 16. This size wasn't considered obese or out of order. It was considered the perfect size for women. Today, bones pass as perfect and a normal size 14 for the average woman is considered gross and/or obese.

This heroine would fit in perfectly in my family. Kind hearts and shapely bodies, even with a little pooch makes them beautiful to me.

We've got to get back to embracing diversity in body and race.

Loved this story, even though I wanted more.

[CLorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to this series

I enjoyed this quick read. The main characters were very likable. I especially liked how vulnerable Mitch allowed himself to be. Latoya had too many hangups About her size and the color of her skin. She allow these hangups to interfere with how she viewed the world and herself. With friends like Angela She didn’t leave any enemies. It was disheartening to see how this so-called friend was so dismissive and mean. But we all know that color conscious people exist in this world. I have read one other book in the series and intend to read them all.

[Carolane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m trying to read more stories by authors of color with diverse characters.
I enjoyed reading about this couple in their 30s/early 40s and have Latoya deal with issues of weight, race, friendship, etc. The characters were super mature and the story was short. I think because of that maturity there wasn’t a lot of drama (hence the length). It’s of those books that gives you a good lesson/reminder at the end. I really did like the main character, she was so strong even with her insecurities....and she loves to read!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is for everyone

I really did appreciate this book. Successful, intelligent, lovable, hurt and ignored, all of these adjectives describe LaToya Jenkins and how many other dark skinned plus size African American women.
Men in our circles seem to be in shortage any way but to be disrespected by our friends because of our color and size is worst.
I found it interesting because LaToya was a catch but it took Mitch to see her worth in order for her to see it as well.
I truly enjoyed this book!
It's a must read!

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked but have reservations

It was a nice little quick read, and I get the premise of being the so-called "ugly" because you're bigger and not actually ugly. Trying to squeeze subjects like fat phobia and colorism into under 200 pages is a tight one. I just knew there was gonna be some bs about her friends because their advice for her to get a man was to lose weight then, guys will want you. I guess I didn't care for the man telling her she was fine as she is for her to finally come to that conclusion herself, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very exciting...not terrible. There was a lack of character depth and plot development. We were told continuously about her issue with her weight, but there was no real feeling. It was just mentioned a lot but not developed on, I was not able to feel her hurt throughout the story...the only reason I knew she had an issue with it, was because she said so.

[Rbarrowes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best story I've ever read in a long time.

This story relates to me and about 85% of the women I know. We're all Latoya's out there and we all needs a Mitch in our lives to makes us whole. It's. beauty story and I would read it again and I would also reccomend it to all my friends.

[April Marro · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why did I give it a one star rating you ask?

I just could not wrap my head around why a successful competent woman would surround herself with such shallow vapid women. And I understand a size 14 may seem large for thin body types but she is an average size.

She also didn't feel good about herself until a man came along to tell her. The story was too formulaic bigger girl is sad friends are skinny man tells her she's pretty they fall in love, girl likes her body.

[April Sunshine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute quick read. Although Latoya's friends were all complete jerks , she handled them better than I would have. This book desperately needed an epilogue- just fell too flat at the end. The author described the character as dark skinned a lot but it came off as a tad offensive. Just my opinion.