Anybody lucky enough to have experienced the artistry of Valerie Wilson Wesley already knows that her ability to blend wry humor with stark reality is unsurpassed. And now she plies her talents in a new direction in an insightful, poignant story of family ties unraveling and lost loves regained.Eva is alone with an empty heart in a big, empty house. Hutch fears he is falli Anybody lucky enough to have experienced the artistry of Valerie Wilson Wesley already knows that her ability to blend wry humor with stark reality is unsurpassed. And now she plies her talents in a new direction in an insightful, poignant story of family ties unraveling and lost loves regained.Eva is alone with an empty heart in a big, empty house. Hutch fears he is falling in love with the neglected wife of his wealthy, philandering best friend. Charley, Eva's law school-bound daughter, forgets her plans for school to become a stand-up comedian. Steven, Hutch's son, harbors a secret that will rock his father's world. And into the mix strolls Isaiah Lonesome, Charley's ex-boyfriend, a handsome hunk of a twenty-eight-year-old jazz musician who will teach Eva to play some lusty new riffs on love's oldest song. And in the end, everyone learns that when it comes to living life to the fullest, and in the quest for true love, it ain't nobody's business how one goes about it. Valerie Wilson Wesley's Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do is a delightful story of an African-American family in transition that is, at once, touching, sad, and funny, and that celebrates love, personal freedom, and the pursuit of happiness with charm, humor, and wisdom.
Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do
Anybody lucky enough to have experienced the artistry of Valerie Wilson Wesley already knows that her ability to blend wry humor with stark reality is unsurpassed. And now she plies her talents in a new direction in an insightful, poignant story of family ties unraveling and lost loves regained.Eva is alone with an empty heart in a big, empty house. Hutch fears he is falli Anybody lucky enough to have experienced the artistry of Valerie Wilson Wesley already knows that her ability to blend wry humor with stark reality is unsurpassed. And now she plies her talents in a new direction in an insightful, poignant story of family ties unraveling and lost loves regained.Eva is alone with an empty heart in a big, empty house. Hutch fears he is falling in love with the neglected wife of his wealthy, philandering best friend. Charley, Eva's law school-bound daughter, forgets her plans for school to become a stand-up comedian. Steven, Hutch's son, harbors a secret that will rock his father's world. And into the mix strolls Isaiah Lonesome, Charley's ex-boyfriend, a handsome hunk of a twenty-eight-year-old jazz musician who will teach Eva to play some lusty new riffs on love's oldest song. And in the end, everyone learns that when it comes to living life to the fullest, and in the quest for true love, it ain't nobody's business how one goes about it. Valerie Wilson Wesley's Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do is a delightful story of an African-American family in transition that is, at once, touching, sad, and funny, and that celebrates love, personal freedom, and the pursuit of happiness with charm, humor, and wisdom.
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Nakia –
This year, in an effort to prune my bookshelves, I challenged myself to read books that I've owned for years that are taking up space. Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do has been around forever (probably "borrowed" from my mom), tattered and used but never read, so I finally decided to give it a shot. Glad I did. The story starts off with Eva's husband, Hutch, walking out on her in an effort to find joy (likely some kind of midlife crises). Eva is more angry than devastated, as Hutch has always bee This year, in an effort to prune my bookshelves, I challenged myself to read books that I've owned for years that are taking up space. Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do has been around forever (probably "borrowed" from my mom), tattered and used but never read, so I finally decided to give it a shot. Glad I did. The story starts off with Eva's husband, Hutch, walking out on her in an effort to find joy (likely some kind of midlife crises). Eva is more angry than devastated, as Hutch has always been a kind, caring, and gentle husband during their ten years of marriage. Hutch doesn't know why he walked out on Eva, but he moves in with his philandering best friend in an effort to clear his head and figure out what he should do. Of course, that isn't a good idea, and signals the end for Eva, who suspects Hutch has been cheating. Both Eva and Hutch have grown children from previous relationships who choose sides, and have their own bit of drama to throw in the family dysfunction. And then, unexpected, very unconventional side pieces became devastating distractions, steering Eva and Hutch even further away from each other. I initially thought this book was boring as hell and have no idea why I didn't put it down. However, midway through, every character did something outrageous that should've resulted in a good, hard slap upside the head, so of course I had to keep reading to see who would get mollywhopped. Soon I was hooked and the book turned into one of the most heartwarming reads I've read in a long time. Pink and purple hearts were floating out of my eyes and ears by the time I finished the last page. This book took me back to the 90s, when we had our pick of well developed, entertaining contemporary stories about the highs and lows of Black family life and relationships by Terry McMillan and Bebe Moore Campbell, Connie Briscoe and Pearl Cleage. I enjoyed it so much and I'm glad I didn't let the beginning deter me from finishing. Geared to an older female audience, I think anyone interested in families falling apart and trying to piece it all back together again, will enjoy this one. I also think this would make an EXCELLENT film or miniseries *looks at Oprah*
Megan Baxter –
Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do is a fairly light comedy, less in the sense of being funny than in the Northrop-Frye sense of everything being resolved into its proper place and marriages cementing everything by the end of the book. As such, it's just okay. There are parts I liked a great deal, but then there were issues, and some of the dialogue was, quite frankly, clunky. Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do is a fairly light comedy, less in the sense of being funny than in the Northrop-Frye sense of everything being resolved into its proper place and marriages cementing everything by the end of the book. As such, it's just okay. There are parts I liked a great deal, but then there were issues, and some of the dialogue was, quite frankly, clunky. Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here. In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
Mahoghani 23 –
This book spoke of the cycle that we repeat because of the way we were raised. This book was funny and adds spice to the cliché, "What goes around, comes around." Donald was taught the worst lessen. Hutch needed space to realize what he needed was already at home plus learning to speak the truth. Steven needed to see that his father was human and not a superhero. Eva needed to learn to let go her pent up anger. Charley just needed to live her life for herself and not for someone else. Good book This book spoke of the cycle that we repeat because of the way we were raised. This book was funny and adds spice to the cliché, "What goes around, comes around." Donald was taught the worst lessen. Hutch needed space to realize what he needed was already at home plus learning to speak the truth. Steven needed to see that his father was human and not a superhero. Eva needed to learn to let go her pent up anger. Charley just needed to live her life for herself and not for someone else. Good book to read and once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. Valerie, you wrote this one really well.
Belkys –
Love all her books
Ronald Wise –
This story is about the disintegration of a middle-class Black family in New Jersey. There is a wide variety of characters and the author does a superb job of representing each of them fairly through some creative encounters and dialogs. I learned of this book from the list "African American Fiction: She Say" in Nancy Pearl's Book Lust. This story is about the disintegration of a middle-class Black family in New Jersey. There is a wide variety of characters and the author does a superb job of representing each of them fairly through some creative encounters and dialogs. I learned of this book from the list "African American Fiction: She Say" in Nancy Pearl's Book Lust.
Tiffany Mulan –
I liked this one! My copy and a lot of typos though, so sometimes it was hard to stay focused lmao, but I enjoyed this one, it was cool. I saw good character development, and I like the mentioning of the music and location during that era. A LOT of it related to some things today as well!!! It was cute though
Yolanda Knight- Palmer –
I really enjoyed this story,the characters were well developed., It kept me laugh ing throughout the book.
Mshirluke –
excellent
Diana –
I actually enjoyed this book. It was very entertaining, if not a bit predictable. The characters were well developed and the story had a nice amount of drama to keep it going.
Stasha –
Really funny,except for the fact that the mom went after her daughter's ex-bf! Really funny,except for the fact that the mom went after her daughter's ex-bf!
Tyesha West –
Just started but it's a refreshing change to the murder mysteries I have been reading Just started but it's a refreshing change to the murder mysteries I have been reading
Cle Buckley –
Great read from what I can remember.
Shamekia –
This was my favorite non mystery book by Valerie Wilson Wesley. I wasn't disappointed as this book kept me laughing. Great read! This was my favorite non mystery book by Valerie Wilson Wesley. I wasn't disappointed as this book kept me laughing. Great read!
Heidi –
Picked this up in the Newark airport for flight home to Seattle. Not the greatest read but entertained me for a few hours.
Lupita –
loved it!
Dahlia –
It was okay, but I liked the Tamara Hayle series and Always true to you in my fashion a lot more
Larhonda Boone –
A SCRIBBLER'S Review "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do" is a fun, light, entertaining read that examines relationships on every level: marriage, friendship, mother-daughter, father-son, and everything else in between. Eva Hutchinson, our protagonist, is bitter after her husband Hutch one evening picks up and leaves. His explanation is as muddled as her desire to have him back, and the pain and fun breeze on from there. Entertaining read! *For the Scribbler What struck me most with this novel (apart A SCRIBBLER'S Review "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do" is a fun, light, entertaining read that examines relationships on every level: marriage, friendship, mother-daughter, father-son, and everything else in between. Eva Hutchinson, our protagonist, is bitter after her husband Hutch one evening picks up and leaves. His explanation is as muddled as her desire to have him back, and the pain and fun breeze on from there. Entertaining read! *For the Scribbler What struck me most with this novel (apart from the entertainment factor), was the dialogue. Wesley has a way of capturing conversations that ring true and are importantly believable. If, as a writer, you struggle with dialogue and would like to see how fluid it can and should be, how natural your characters should sound, then by all means pick up this book. Heck, pick it up anyway, if not for just a fun distraction.
Quivale –
Tena Kirkland –
Jamonte Roberts –
Shan –
JAMILA S. MENDEZ –
Jenny –
Cirell Howard –
Stephanie Lewis –
Michele Wesley –
Vanessa –
Dee –
Tee –
Lakiya Chapman –