Starting off like always! By taking out a small amount of time to once again express my appreciation for all the authors that I’ve read this week.
I see your time, efforts, and dedication to your expression of art. And.
My week was… something!
This week I got hit with a severe case of dry eyes. It impacted my vision so much that I actually had to take a break from screens!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: And you are primarily an E-Book reader…
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: And you post about your reads on six platforms for which you need a screen…
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: And you work with data behind a computer!
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So naturally you used your limited vision for work, because lets be honest… you need that money! So that means you couldn’t read and you couldn’t post!
SheReadsaLot:
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Right?!
SheReadsaLot: So about that… I couldn’t post, but Assistive Reading did help me out with reading, even if it was slow!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Seriously Ma’am you couldn’t go one day without a book?
SheReadsaLot:
Some stats about my week
- I completed 8 books this week (5 not posted)
- by 6 different authors
- totaling 2.693 pages read
- making it 336.6 pages per book
- averaging 384.7 pages read per day
Overview of the books read/posted
- In the Safety’s Zone by Mrs. Dandridge Monroe
- The Slums: Episode Two by Mrs. Kutura B.
- Ordinary People by Mr. Rhayne Coleman
Week Opener
I started this week with Mrs. Dandridge Monroe latest release, In the Safety’s Zone, book seven in the Desperados series.
About Aphrodite, FMC, top athlete, 25, her parents are her biggest opps.
SheReadsaLot:
And Anthony, MMC, Antwan‘s little brother, NFL player, was his own biggest enemy courtesy of his mom, and his sperm donor is a very, very, very close second.
Anthony has been working on himself, reflecting and keeping his head down. And is surrounded by people who speak life into him.
Making this not solely a lovestory,
“You showed me it wasn’t a risk. That falling in love with you, that loving you was almost guaranteed to work. It felt right. It feels right. Even when you do the little things that make me want to kick you out of the bed, I still wouldn’t want to be away from you long.”
Monroe, Dandridge. In the Safety’s Zone: Desperados Book Seven. Kindle Edition.
but also a story about healing,
“Shit, I was hoping I was healing you. Making you feel the way I do when I’m wit’ you.” “That’s what you’re doing and I never thought that healing would be so unsettling.” “That’s the part no one tells you. You get used to the neglect. To the toxicity of your previous interactions and normalcy will feel foreign. It takes a lot for that feeling to wane but I hope like me you’re in it for the long haul.”
Monroe, Dandridge. In the Safety’s Zone: Desperados Book Seven. Kindle Edition.
redemption
“…anyone who doesn’t see greatness in you is only looking at you through jealousy-colored glasses and you can’t trust their asses, anyway.”
Monroe, Dandridge. In the Safety’s Zone: Desperados Book Seven. Kindle Edition.
And breaking free from who and what no longer serves you.
“Are you done?” I bit back what I wanted to say and huffed a laugh instead. “Yes, with you and with this. Don’t call me when shit falls apart. On top of your husband being a cheater he’s also a gambler. You were holding on to a man for a lifestyle he had to use your child to provide. And you alienated her.
Monroe, Dandridge. In the Safety’s Zone: Desperados Book Seven. Kindle Edition.
Having said all that Mrs. Monroe was dropping gems.
Example 1:
“You bust your ass to be rich and then you gotta keep a muzzle on to stay that way? What’s the point? There’s too much shit going on that’s bad in this world for people to just chill and only worry about themselves.”
Monroe, Dandridge. In the Safety’s Zone: Desperados Book Seven. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Too many people that have the reach to enact change preferring to remain silent, so they won’t lose their riches.
SheReadsaLot: If wanting a better and more empathetic society makes you lose out on supporters and consequently riches, you should indeed be wondering about the stance you are taking.
Example 2:
Friendships aren’t built on someone being subservient and trying to earn a place.
Monroe, Dandridge. In the Safety’s Zone: Desperados Book Seven. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Weren’t we just talking about this?
SheReadsaLot: We sure were! It seems as if the introduction of Social Media has made people confuse popularity with friendship. And…
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: What is it?!
SheReadsaLot: I hope that people will be introduced to true friendship once again, ones where it is okay to have different likes and dislikes, ones where it is okay to hold each other accountable, and ones that offer true and genuine support.
With these themes, and gems (there were a lot), you would think that this was a heavy read
SheReadsaLot to Audience: And it was at times… There was a particular scene that Mrs. Monroe wrote so vividly and harrowing that it brought tears to my eyes… Having me in need of a little breather before I was able to continue on.
However the genuine love shown on page between the MC’s, family and friends? Had me laughing and gushing throughout this read.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: As I said, a Bountiful read!
“…The idea of you, the thought of you it’s enough for me to want to keep going. Stay motivated to reach even higher than I did before.”
Monroe, Dandridge. In the Safety’s Zone: Desperados Book Seven. Kindle Edition.
My second post for this week was Mrs. Kutura B.‘s very much anticipated upcoming release of The Slums: Episode Two.
When I started The Slums: Episode One, I was under the impression that at least one of them had a bit of sense. After finishing it however, all delusions I had on that front were gone. And then we got left on a cliffhanger that had me itching to get my hands on Episode Two.
So naturally when Mrs. B. was looking for ARC readers, I jumped on the opportunity. And when I got my first email on the 25th of September welcoming me to the ARC-team for The Slums: Episode Two, I was ecstatic, and ready to dive right in.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Yup, that is an accurate depiction of me, because Mrs. B. let us know that her book was in editing but soon!
SheReadsaLot to Mrs. B.:
That soon came a few days later, and Mrs. B. started this read off with the following content warning:
The Slums Episode Two is a raw and unfiltered urban tale that explores themes of domestic violence, drug use, child neglect, sexual content, profanity, emotional abuse, and mental health struggles. It’s gritty, explicit, and unapologetically real. This story is meant to reflect the harsh truths of some people’s reality and is written with honesty and grit.
The Slums: Episode Two by Mrs. Kutura B.
Those who’ve read Episode One, know that The Slums is
The Slums: Episode Two takes it all to a new high.
I started off this read getting stressed out by these characters.
*Flashback to SheReadsaLot only 15 pages in*
For those of you who don’t know how I feel about the three Main Characters… Let me introduce my opinion to you once more.
Tasha, mother of 3.
SheReadsaLot on Tasha:
Mikki, Tasha’s sister, mother of two.
SheReadsaLot on Mikki:
and Dreka, “best friend” to Tasha, about to become a mother…
SheReadsaLot on Dreka:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: As you can see, I’ve been judging them just a lil’ bit.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Ma’am! You was judging H-A-R-D, and a LOT!
SheReadsaLot: You can’t really blame me, when the characters are acting as if they are in a competion for dead beat parent of the year! Just,
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Ma’am you started judging way before that became known!
SheReadsaLot: I mean!
“None of this shit would even be happenin’ if you left that nigga years ago. You weak as fuck,” he said, staring out the window.
B., KuTura. ARC- The Slums: Episode Two. Kindle Edition.
SheReadsaLot:
The Slums: Episode Two is releasing tomorrow October 6th, meaning I can’t and won’t do too much on this here review. But let me tell you just a lil’ bit about why these characters had me stressed out, besides showing that they really don’t know what parenting is supposed to be about.
These people firmly believe in a piece of man is better than no man, they have no loyalty, no discernment or willfully ignore it, they are selfish, they expect other people to tell them things they themselves are fully aware off, and refuse to hold themselves accountable for their actions and inactions!
SheReadsaLot to the Main Characters:
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Now you are most probably wondering why I am here talking about these people, knowing that I only like to talk about books that I recommend.
And it is because I do recommend this book. This book is a T-I-M-E! It has the drama, it has the complexities of life,
SheReadsaLot: Eventhough I am for sure judging them!
It’s like a telenovella, you see the train wreck happening, and you just can’t look away. I was at work, trying my hardest to get some actual work done, but this read had me firmly in it’s grasp!
SheReadsaLot to Mrs. B.: I’m not saying I’m asking for Episode Three, but I’m not not asking either!
SheReadsaLot to Audience: October 6, The Slums: Episode Two will become available, but for those who haven’t read Episode One yet? You can find it here.
*SheReadsaLot reminiscing about The Slums Episode Two*
Week Closer
My last book for this week was Mr. Rhayne Coleman‘s upcoming release (October 11th) of, Ordinary People.
This is the continuation of Loving Ashley. About Ashley who after some questionable decisionmaking, finally made the right one with Micheaux.
In Ordinary People we get to know more about Micheaux and his group of friends, in the weeks and days surrounding the Ordinary People Festival.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Let me tell you all, that I wasn’t aware of a continuation of Loving Ashley, and still this continuation felt very much needed.
If you read my review on Loving Ashley, or my post on Ordinary People, you may be aware of my feelings on Ashley with the good behind.
*SheReadsaLot thinking about Ashley’s wishy washy ways*
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Ma’am, if Ashley stressed you out with his ways, why in the heck did you sign up for this ARC?
SheReadsaLot: Ma’am you know that characters or reads that stress me out in a positive way, is like spice to me! I can’t possibly read something unseasoned! And besides I like Ashley, he just made questionable decisions.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: So what are your feelings on Ashley right now?
SheReadsaLot: Ashley has my full support right now, I knew he was going to get it together!
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: Now Ma’am! You know that these good people can see what you wrote on your post right?
SheReadsaLot: I can change my mind though! And I never said I didn’t like Ashley… Like I said, his decisionmaking was questionable…
SheReadsaLot to Audience: Having told you about Ashley and his turn around, let me tell you all a bit more on what you will get with this read.
We get to see a diverse group of friends, who truly accept each other, and aren’t afraid to call each other out on disrespectful behavior.
SheReadsaLot to Micheaux: Yes Micheaux, stand up for your man, nip potential disrespect in the bud before it becomes a true problem!
In Loving Ashley we got to see how Cian felt and perceived his family. In Ordinary People we see how someone’s perception on events can be skewed and in turn, skews the opinions of those closest to you. In other words… a subtle read on remaining open minded.
SheReadsaLot to SheReadsaLot: There are limits however, some things aren’t even up for debate or playing devil’s advocate on!
SheReadsaLot:
We get closure with regards to Ashley‘s “ex-boyfriend” who wasn’t a true “boyfriend” to begin with.
We get to see a different side to Ashley, acceptance, and we get regaled with so much laughs throughout.
SheReadsaLot to Audience: In short…
And that is how we’ve come to the end of this Week in Review!
👩🏾SheReadsaLot 
