| Title | : | Love Lost (Love's Improbable Possibility, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781301915415 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published May 10, 2013 |
You ever wonder what events led up to an individual’s inability to trust in love?
Rayna Brimm survives a series of betrayals and loss, only to forge ahead into self-preservation. After receiving her degree, she finds herself in California and tries to build a self-contained life.
Enter Azmir Jacobs. A tall, dark, handsome, and very wealthy man, whose street credibility and executive power in the corporate world has beautiful women at his beck and call. However, only one woman has caught his eye: the resilient Rayna Brimm, who turns out to be more than he bargained for.
Even though both have checkered pasts, can Azmir conceal his convoluted life long enough to prove he can provide Rayna the stable and reliable love she clearly needs and deserves?
Just when you thought you’d begun the read of an urban novel, you turn the pages and find the journey of a classic love tale and a story of redemption instead.
Love Lost (Love's Improbable Possibility, #1) Reviews
-
Azmir is bae and Rayna irks my nerves! If she would’ve asked “what does this mean?” one more time, I was jumping through the pages to strangle her!! Rayna had some serious insecurities and I get it she had been fkd over since her father… then O and Richard and Sebastian only added to her trust issues but come on sis!!!! Azmir was BDE on a silver platter!!! Why was she giving this man such a hard time. If consistency was a person it would be Azmir!!! I have three more books so I can only imagine what else Rayna gone take me through. At this point I can’t even put the blame on Azmir because he’s everything your want in a book bae! I need someone to tell me now if Michelle gone be ok because every time she’s mentioned my anxiety kicks in. I’m praying for her healing 😭😪🤧! This easily had the makings of a 5 star read but the storytelling was amateur and I get it this was Love’s first novel 8+ years ago so I’m not fully holding it against her. The way it was written It was like me telling a story to one of my homegirls and not an author writing a story. Full transparency tho I was warned that this was her earlier work and that she gets better so I’m taking that into consideration as I continue the series.
-
REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.
4 STARS out of 5
Genre: Adult Fiction –Romance
(NOTE: This review does not contain spoilers but I do gloss over the female/heroine’s life a bit, I just leave out major details)
Full Review Posted on 5-6-14
Ms. Rayna Brimm has come a looong way; from being an around the way girl in New Jersey to the sunny skies of California. Rayna has her own office plus an assistant while running a physical therapy center. Not to bad for a girl from the hood where the odds are stacked against her right?
Love Lost starts with Rayna as a child living in a two parent home along with her older brother Akeem and her younger sister Chyna. As life brings its ups and downs her family situation quickly changes in to a single parent home. Things spiral further out of control in her teens and a tragic set of events have her leaving behind her hometown of New Jersey to follow her dreams.
Rayna attends college in North Carolina and befriends Michelle. Michelle is from California and her family has money. The friendship with Michelle and Rayna…just works and its strong even though both girls come from two different worlds. While reading you can tell that Rayna is NOT use to girls being genuine when they befriend her, nope as a matter of fact where she comes from girls usually have an ulterior motive. Michelle is not perturbed by Rayna’s hood attitude and slang vocabulary. Instead she embraces her just as she is which seems to make a big impression on Rayna.
Eventually Rayna naturally adapts to college life, she drops the hood attitude well for the most part and she let’s go of the slang taking on a more polished or should I say a more business way of speaking. After college she goes to California with Michelle and works for her family. It’s in California that she meets Azmir Jacobs.
Money – Power and Respect, Azmir has it all! After ending a long term relationship he meets Rayna and they seem to be headed in the direction of coupledom yet Rayna has a bit of a wall up. Just when it seems like Azmir has a chance to finally knock down her walls we learn a few things about his past that are not so pleasant.
What I loved? I LOVED how he always referred to Rayna as Ms. Brimm I thought that was kind of HOT. Especially when he said
“Can I make love to you, Ms. Brimm?”
*Le sigh* Yeah, I really loved that scene!
I also loved all the celeb guest appearances. Very nice touch Love Belvin!
My Sweet and Sour
My Sweet- Azmir! All things Azmir!!!!! Love that man!
My Sour- Tara, I am not fond of her and I get the feeling I will be seeing more of her then I would care to see.
The Characters
Rayna- Strong, simple and feisty….when she has to be. Hmmm, what else can I say, she really comes a long way in this book I was very happy to see her grow from that young and very naïve girl in to a beautiful go getter woman. There are some things about her that bug me but overall I am curious as to what will happen next for her character.
Azmir- There is something about this man. He out shines Rayna and I almost wish the book was told from solely his point of view. I sense that there is more to him then what I read in Love Lost. Three things about him stood out to me, number one being the pocket watch. What’s up with that? Two being that he said he could “smell her” noting that her menstrual cycle was on. Ummm…WHAT, how is that even possible? And third, last but not least he calls his crew “the clan” Why the clan? That seems so old school and dude is like thirty-eight. WAIT, no, that’s not everything. He also says THIS after having a long lasting erection
“Yeah, about that. I haven’t experienced this in decades— if ever…”
Uh, decades? You are thirty-eight, right? Soooo I am not sure if the author is eluding to something or if this was a typo or something I don’t know BUT that statement raised a red flag for me.
Michelle- I love Michelle she is a true friend and honestly I almost shed a tear for her character….twice. I am eager to see what happens with her character.
My Thoughts
Love Lost started off very rough for me I actually picked it up, started it and then put it back thinking ehh this may not be for me. The slang was harsh in the beginning but unfortunately I’ve met people who spoke similar to the characters in this book so it was indeed accurate. Eventually, I gave it another try and it slowly grew on me as Rayna went from a young girl in to womanhood.
I thought the writing was run of the mill as far as urban novels go however I think I can honestly say I saw a small progression as I read on. In the end I found some phrases became repetitive and with the author giving dual pov’s from Rayna and Azmir some scenes were a tad repetitive as well.
My Rating and Why
I gave Love Lost 3 STARS because for me this one was good with the potential to actually be great. As previously mentioned I had a rough start with the book so I took points off for that and for the repeated phrases and scenes. And for those wondering I definitely plan to continue with the series!
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable, Sweet, Witty and Sexy
Writing Style- Good, has definite potential
Plot/Storyline- Young girl goes from the hood in Jersey to California, she meets a rich guy that shows interest yet she can’t seem to fully let go and trust.
Steam Factor- Medium/Steamy On a scale of 1-10 I say 6
Entertainment Level- From Lo-Med-Hi I say Medium, I found myself engrossed in the book by the time I hit 50%
Overall- I liked it!
My Recommendation: Check it out!!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
For more reviews got to:
www.realitybites-letsgetlost.blogspot...
Like us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/realitybitesletsgetlost
*Copy provided by author for an honest review* -
The Introduction…
I love meeting Azmir & Rayna….The background information on the so far has been totally engaging. I can’t wait to see where this developing relationship is headed. -
This book is like Fifty Shades of Grey/Crossfire meets the Thug Series, I loved it!
-
What to say...when I was asked if I would read this and give an honest review I said sure. I had just finished a book and couldn't pick what to start next (yes I am like many of you I have probably thousands of books on my TBR list) but I didn't have to decide since it was decided for me. It always makes things easier for me when I just finish a book and can't decide what to start next just to have an author ask me to review their book. I said sure and jumped right in.
This is the very first book that I have read that has the majority of the cast characters African-American. I loved the urban feel to the story. It was something I could relate to as well as enjoy!
I grew up in the "ghetto" of my town. The majority of the people who lived in my apartment complex were African-American. So when reading this I found myself laughing at so many different things. How real it felt, and how true to form she made these characters. There is so much to love about this book.
It starts off by telling you about Rayna's homelife when she is in her senior year of school. We see how bad she just wants out of the projects. The author doesn't spend a lot of time with her there in the projects but I know I want her out so bad!
She gets out and is bettering herself, goes to college and wants more than what she had back in the projects. Her best friend Michelle is the best thing for her. She is there for her and also does everything she can to help her in anyway possible. She gets a job working with Michelle. Well not really 'with' her but more as an assistant out in California at the physical therapist's office Michelle works at.
She meets Azmir, I actually love the moment of recognition! :) Things with them spark they both feel it and she is hesitant and totally understandable. He is the wealthy man who is very attractive and women throw themselves at him often. She is tired of games and men tellin lies. We don't find out exactly who and what Azmir is all about till later in the book. We also get to watch him try to woo her.
I have seen someone rate this story as Fifty meets Gideon with Thug Life mixed in.
I have to agree. BUT if you are looking for the kinky sex, that is not in here, we do get sex, good sex but not the kinky bdsm kinda sex.
The Christian and Gideon analogy for me would be more for the wealth, broken past, possessiveness, and dominating personality. I just wanted to clear that up before anyone jumps into this expecting something they may not feel they received when they finish.
I loved this and maybe I liked it more than some because I could relate on different levels. Growing up in the 'ghetto' I had to keep a certain way about me to deal with the other females as well as the guys. I had to stand strong and not ever take crap from people. If you did just lay down and let people walk all over you, well you were done for. So I could connect with Rayna on that level.
This story kept my attention and made me want more. I was left wanting to know what is going to happen and when the truth about everything would surface. I will be reading this entire series and looking forward to the next book to come out.
I know some people will find the words she used for some body parts funny but well it wasn't so over the top that I had to put it down. "pearl, love canal, strongman..." lol I have read worse words used.
~favorites~
"coochie creaming smile"
"I can smell you." Abrubptly, I rise from his lap preparing to withdraw. He tightened the grip on my hips... "Don't worry, it's not offensive. In fact, to the contrary, it's intoxicating...the bets sexual aroma I've ever experienced."
"I can tell you're not in it for this shit and I've always wanted a woman who I can...woo. You make me want to woo you, Rayna."
"I learned at a very young age to pick from the top of the tree of friends. Never pick at eye level or below you'll never grow that way."
"I wasn't accustomed to friendliness from other females and therefore would always come across guarded just in case. Where I was from girls had ulterior motives for wanting to be friendly..." -
FABULOUS!!!!!! Is the 1 word I can describe for this literary genius that has been penned by author Love Belvin.
http://media.tumblr.com/0e5d95bbd4b3d...
In the land of a gazillion books not everyone or its author will capture you. I have heard great things about this author and I had book 1 on my Kindle for quite sometime. I also have a huge TBR list which eventually it was this book's turn to be read and from page one I was enthralled and captivated. I was snared and quite honestly I didn't want to be let go of, I have found an author who speaks to my mind of clear and precise detail. Author Love Belvin, broke her characters down so completely that you as the reader will never have to wonder about them or feel as if there is something missing.
Rayna Brimm, is a young woman who in the beginning of her life, it was going incredibly well. Everything was right with in her family household. She or any of her family members ever believed there would be a serious disruption of any kind and yet the unthinkable happens. Her father leaves his wife and children to run off with his mistress thus leaving them high and dry. Her mother unfortunately couldn't rise above it, for you see everything that she was, was locked up into this man and she couldn't be there for her children. Her mom checked out mentally, emotionally and her love dried up as if she were a desert. Leaving her children to fiend for themselves and that is what they did, living in New Jersey and just trying to make it. Rayna was determined from that point on to never or ever let a man have her so caught up that if he were to leave she wouldn't be able to function, she determined that she was getting out of New Jersey and making something of herself. Young Rayna met a young man, who by the very thing she hated about with her mom, has now become her. Young love and all, she gives everything to this man and only to be betrayed in the worst way. Her brother is now locked up for murder, her mother is strung out on crack and her baby sister is living with their grandparents. Rayna makes a run for it by accepting Duke University's offer and leaves never to return.
Azmir Divine Jacobs is a man in his late thirties, grew up in Brooklyn with loving parents. His dad was a police officer killed in the line of duty and seemingly his mother disappeared from the face of the earth. Sixteen and alone, his uncle comes along to help him but he has to finish school and stay out of trouble. Once Azmir graduates from High School, he receives a full scholarship to Stanford University. Incredibly smart he drops out in his third year to start creating his own businesses with the help of his mentor Big D, he has done incredibly well for himself. He is a multimillionaire, several business and ventures under his belt and the desire to leave the seedier side of business completely alone and focus only on his legitimate ventures.
These two collide in the most cataclysmic way but from sex, oh no these two are like magnets who are drawn and stick to each other. Their eye contact meeting would lead to both in a boardroom, with Rayna's proposal to secure the Physical Therapy part of his property to expand her employer's business. It is from there Rayna and Azmir's lives or world will never be the same. Two people who may have never met are now within each other's psyche, Rayna's trust issues will only allow Azmir but so far into her life whereas Azmir believes it is destiny for him with Rayna, whom he affectionately calls Ms. Brimm.
Let me tell you this novel is so damn sexy, mysterious, suspenseful and just a complete delight. The secondary characters are wonderfully done, you feel as if you know them and not from just a passing glance. The story is realistic in a way of the feelings that are happening between the two, you can most definitely relate and understand exactly what each person is going through. This is what drew me in, the real life experiences that many of us, have experienced in our own lives.
I am getting ready to start reading Book 2 "Love UnExpected (Love's Improbable Possibility Book 2)" and I am just as excited. There are 4 books in this series and after reading Book 1 which I hadn't even finished, I immediately went and purchased the other 3 LOL!!! Yes I was not going to have my reading interrupted by not have the other stories.
Well Until My Next Review Ciao Bellas! -
Ok so...I saw this book on a friends wall...that I follow...because she is an awesome book critic...WhenI saw that she had rated this book 5 stars...I was like ok I gotta read this...but once I started reading it...I was caught off guard because it started off kind of rushed and slow to me at first...but soon I realized...the author was setting the scene and getting the characters past out the way...by giving you a little history her and there..but MY OH My I got to be honest when it got good....It got good...I absolutely lost so much sleep reading this book...It definitely hooks you...I love this story line so far...can't wait to move on to book 2...Definitely a must read..
-
Azmir and Rayna had me at hello. I was immediately sucked into their world. The chemistry between these two is so intense that at times I felt as if I couldn't breathe. I'm currently on book 4 and never in my life have I prayed that a fictional couple have a happy ending. Job well done Love Belvin.
-
Wise Impartation
Raynna’s father walked out on their family. Her mother started using drugs, leaving Raynna and her siblings to fend for themselves. Luckily for Raynna, higher education was her way out. At Duke University, she became close friends with Michelle, and once she graduated, she headed off to southern California to work at a physical therapy practice owned by Michelle’s uncle while completing her master’s.
Raynna hadn’t had much luck dating. Thanks to her father and first love, she has issues with trust. It didn’t help that the men she attempted to date were liars, cheaters and jerks.
Azmir Jacobs is a successful businessman that also has some underworld dealings. He’s at the end of his relationship with his longtime girlfriend and he hopes that their ending doesn’t affect the relationship he has with his mentor, Big D.
Raynna Brimm and Azmir Jacobs have already crossed paths. However, when they finally meet, it’s obvious that there is an attraction. While it takes a long and obvious path, I like that they slow walked into the getting to know you phase. Soon they are both looking forward to the time that they share.
LOVE LOST (LOVE’S IMPROBABLE POSSIBILITY) by Love Belvin was a difficult read. It dragged and the main character contradicted herself. Once Azmir’s character entered the story, the pace picked up, but the story was overly detailed and very repetitive. The author used really big words while also missing words or used the wrong words. There were many instances that I wished the author had stopped and focused. I don’t want to spoil things, but date rape, murder, breast cancer, a pregnancy, and an investigation are the interesting parts of the story but they got very little mentions.
I was hard pressed to finish this book as I had been reading it for some time. When I got to 91% I figured that the author was going to do a quick wrap up. Fooled me, because the book literally just stopped leaving everything up in the air. I was very disappointed as this book was already drawn out. It’s my hope that Belvin cuts down on unnecessary details and focuses on bringing the story to a close.
Reviewed by: Crystal -
In this story Rayna Brimm survives a number of betrayals and losses. Her dysfunctional upbringing causes her to have tough skin, trust issues, and she vows never to fall in love again. She forges forward in self-preservation and attends college to obtain an education in North Carolina. After receiving her degree, Rayna vows never to return home. She moves to California where she tries to build a self-contained life for herself.
Azmir Jacobs, a tall, dark, handsome and very wealthy man, has street smarts and executive power in the corporate world. Azmir has money, power and beautiful women at his call; but only one woman has caught his eye, and it’s Rayna. He discovered her in his boardroom presenting a leasing proposal. Azmir thinks he can prove to Rayna that he can provide her the stability and love that she clearly needs and deserves. Or will his lofty lifestyle and endless resources scare her away?
From the book cover I did not know what to expect. From looking at the cover one would not think it was a love story. On the cover is a picture of a watch. Maybe the time showing means time lost – love lost?
The character development is great. I love how the writer made Azmir confident and strong and powerful, not only in the streets but also in the corporate world.
This book is a love tale and story of redemption. The author tells the story from both Azmir’s and Rayna’s point of view, and the romance between Azmir and Rayna is hot. If you are a romance junkie this is a great book for you.
I highly recommend this book.
-Reviewed by Barbara -
I was looking for something new and different from the romance I have been reading and I totally found it. I've never read any type of urban novel and to be completely honest the use of the N-word turns me off and normally pulls me out of a story. This story is very different!! The first few chapters were difficult to read since I am not someone that uses this type of slang nor am I use to hearing it. This made it difficult for Rayna to speak to me. As the story progressed the dialog changed as Rayna did, this pulled me into this story and allowed me to emotionally invest into Rayna & Azmir worlds. The pace of the story is a little slow but it puts the issues into perspective as these characters navigate life around each other. I appreciated the twist thrown in, that got a vocalized opinion and set my head into a spin of where this story could go.
Surprisingly enjoying this urban romance!! -
FREE today on Amazon US (10/23/2013).
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CXUDS3G/r... -
I decided I needed to restart my journey into Love Belvin's Universe. Introducing Azmir Jacobs, dripping with manly confidence and quiet authority. Oh and Rayna is in this book too...
-
I really liked this book allot because it tackles real life situations in such an intriguing way that makes you want to keep on reading until you finish the book, this is the first book in a long time that managed to keep me up all night for not wanting to put it down.
To say that Rayna Brimm has had a troubled youth would be an understatement `cause she's been through so much that I'm even surprised that she's still standing tall. After Rayna arrives back home from spending a weekend at a college campus out of town she immediately gets some bad news about her brother and her boyfriend O.
Not knowing what to do next she goes and stay with her grandparents with her little sister, but she doesn't feel comfortable there and decides to move to North Carolina even before her school semester starts and goes to live with her friend Michelle.
Even with everything she went through she still managed to be an excellent student and when she graduates she moves to California to go and work for Michelle's family business. In California she meets a handsome mogul by the name of Azmir `'Divine'' Jacobs who starts to chase her, at first she doesn't want to give into him but when she finally opens up to him she falls for him in ways she'd never thought possible.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who love to read Erotic Romance Novels, stay tuned for my review of Ms. Belvin's second book in the series Love UnExpected, I for one can't wait to see/read how their story continues !!! -
Love Lost starts out with Rayna Brimm as a teenager in the projects of New Jersey. She survives her father walking away, her mother’s drug use, and her brother’s incarceration. She attends college in North Carolina, never looking back to her life in Jersey. Rayna and her best friend move to California after college. Throughout it all, she has several disastrous encounters with men and learns not to trust them. Rayna then meets Azmir Jacobs a wealthy man that has many facets to his life. He is a business man with street smarts. This is the story of the beginning of their relationship.
I really liked this book. I loved the interactions between the characters. My heart broke for Rayna and all the hardship she experienced as a teenager. I loved Rayna’s ability to overcome so many disappointments. I also liked her loyalty to her brother. Then we have Azmir. I’m still not sure what I think of him. I hate the man-hoes. I do like that he was at a stage in his life that he was thinking of settling down. I don’t like that he kept testing Rayna. I wasn’t sure what to think of Rayna and Azmir’s relationship. They were interested in each other but didn’t communicate regularly. I found Love Lost to be well written and easy to read. I can’t wait to read more to see how Rayna and Azmir’s relationship progresses. -
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author's prose is versatile from the right amount of street vernacular to vocabulary that I'm having to pull out the dictionary in order to get a full understanding. I love her play on words. The chemistry is palpable between the two characters. The main characters are well developed and very realistic. The author provides insight into the behaviors of each character by weaving the past with the present and providing alternating point of views. This series will easily rival or surpass The Fifty Shades or Breathless Trilogy in my opinion. The difference is the rich, enigmatic, lascivious man is one of color which is quite refreshing and the female lead is headstrong and doesn't work well letting her vulnerabilities show. I loved this book and it will not be the last book I read by this author. The way the book ends you are anxious to move on to the next one in the series.
-
I don't know where to begin! This was my first book from this author and from the looks of thing it will not be my last!! I enjoyed this book on some many levels it was crazy! It been a while that I could relate to the characters in this book I loved how she made the characters so realistic. And. Nothing untainable . I loved how it seemed to be taken under the scope as far as the editing I was never left hanging and my reading thirst was quenched with this book and I can not wait tip the sequel hopefully its not too far away! By the way I loved azmir and rayna budding relationship! ! #lovelost ecstatic
-
I must admit that it had been a while since I've read a romance novel. The story Love Lost introduced us to Rayna & Azmir who seemed to be made for each other. Azmir possessed the charming characteristics & actions of a man who was destined for success in life & love. Rayna kept her emotions at bay, & although apprehensive at times, slowly learned to accept Azmir's generosity. This book was well detailed in explaining their lives & was longer than I anticipated, but nonetheless was an enjoyable, refreshing read. I am looking forward to reading the next installment of the series to see how & if their relationship flourishes.
-
Amazing start to an incredible journey
I’m so in disbelief that with as many times as I have read this series, I never wrote a review. Rayna and Azmir were tied to one another even before meeting. Their journeys both riddled with pain but also hope. I am enjoying taking this journey with them. -
SORRY BUT THIS BOOK WAS A TOTAL BORE AND IT JUST DRAGGED ON & ON ...I FOUND MYSELF SKIMMING THROUGH IT AS PARTS OF IT DIDNT EVEN NEED TO BE THERE ... THE CHARACTERS WERE BORING & IT JUST WENT ON FOREVER
-
Rayna is a hard woman
Rayna got on my nerves for the entire book. I understood why she was the way she was but my goodness!! The story was amazing however some of the $2 words were a lot to overcome when you in the story. Mr. Jacobs was a revaluation and what a reader looks for in a book bae. I do recognize that this was the 1st at bat for Love Belvin so all of the side storylines are forgiven. It was as if she thought she would never get another published work so she threw everything in this one story. I will continue my reading to book 2 because of my wish to find out what happens with the main characters. 4 stars -
Difficult woman
This read started off slow for me but the warm up was a pleasant surprise. Rayne was such a closed off person because of her childhood and teenage relationship. She only let one person in her best friend Michelle and decides she is not worthy of a good man. Enters Admit Jacob's he sees her once and is smitten. Tries his best to woo this very difficult woman. They become friends and share this amazing sexual experience and just when things are going good. Rayne pulls away so what will happen next? -
Let me tell you .
This book here i really enjoyed . Rayna with goals and ambition she never lost track on what she want and where she wanted to be . Azmir come along and show her if a man want you he will put in the work and time . The chase was on with him and he didnt miss a beat,. This was my first book by this auther and im on the hunt to read more . Please get this book you will enjoy of the first to the last page . -
A great start to a touching love story
Rayna had a rough start in life but with the help of her friend Michelle things started looking up. Meeting Azmir Jacobs at his club first and board room next the attraction is evident. Not willing to trust so easily will they eventually find common ground? Only time will tell. What will happen with his underground shady dealings, Big D and the past lies and deceit? I must keep reading! Once again Love Belvin has me reading all day! Great series!!! -
This is my first time reading a book by this author. It was a good book I like the chemistry between Rayna and Azmir. But you know where there’s smoke there’s fire and I feel that’s what’s going to happen between them because of all the trust issues. Good book
-
One of the best love stories ever!!!!
So I read this book like two years ago and I was not aware that I did not review it. So this book is everything, I literarily fell in love with a book character Azmir Jacobs, two years later he is still the ultimate Book Bae. -
Totally out of character for me to say this or even post it. I see these 5 star ratings and I am baffled and shaking my head. Being a reader for more years than I can count and reviewing for many too, I feel like I missed something and the boasting is hurting me bad.
Love Lost begins with a tough upbringing. The main character Rayna Brimm is in a home that is broken and she has never had a role model. Being a New Yorker, I know the scene and the surrounding areas. For someone to make it out of the projects without help is not really common and I will almost say rare. The beginning of the book is filled with a lot of street talk, but it is, I kept telling myself part of the history of Rayna.
How Rayna and her family are scattered is a somewhat difficult tale. I couldn't connect with a girl embroiled in this life and completely surrounded by drugs and chaos. She is with a boy who is a low level trouble maker. He cheats, lies, does and sells drugs. Some how, this is what was hard to swallow, Rayna rises above. I guess she studied while her crack head Mom was scoring and she had nothing else to do. A short while her grand parents were talked about but it seems they could care less about Rayna.
She ends up (no spoilers) in North Carolina going to college. This was the dis connect for me. I could see, relating to my own east coast area, a kid in Washington Heights growing up and maybe going to a state college to try to rise above. I for one have been in California for a few years and I will never get the Brooklyn out of me. I talk and act exactly the same even with higher education. I could be wrong but you don't de-ghetto in a week. The references to fashion and a type of shoe was baffling to me. My only thought was a story many years ago I read about Oprah Winfrey. She said once she made it and had a segment on the news that she was going to buy good sheets and towels. This was something she dreamed of a, nice 1000 count Egyptian cotton sheet set. She talked about luxury bath towels and that story always stuck with me. Even as I watched Oprah grow, I saw her constantly talk about money. She always told people that Bill Cosby told her to always sign your checks and keep a value in your head. So, for Rayna blowing money on Louis Vuitton anything was a hairball in my throat. I hope what I wrote here makes sense.
She gets a room mate and best friend who is upper middle class. I mean Rayna had to be really "rough around the edges" and it was unspoken how she was accepted. I think maybe if people talked about her slang and made reference that she was lacking class I could have felt better. So her room mate goes home to California and Rayna is in tow and gets a job with the family business. She works towards her therapy degree and wants to focus on sports related therapy. Enter Azmir Jacobs, a man who was into Rayna. I guess he also had a similar background. Again no spoilers. Azmir and Rayna together or getting together was the love story.
I won't say I hated the book. I just had a few issues and would never post a review like this. I was asked to read book 2 and see if it gave me some closure and some answers. I will read book 2 and I hope I get that. A story of love’s redemption... something to think about.
-
Not Bad
One of Love Belvin's earlier books that I am just now reading, even though it's out of order. Still, it's a compelling story worth delving into. The thing I find most interesting is the marked growth of the author from this early work to her present day tales. Simply amazing.
Buy it, read it and enjoy!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥1/2 -
Book Review: Love Lost by: Love Belvin
I am not one that appreciates the art of foul language or reading sexually explicit scenes to detail. Which this book definitely has a lot of. The content of the book involves foul language, sex, drugs, and violence. So right off the bat I will honestly say I do not recommend this book to the youth or anyone who doesn't appreciate foul language, book porn, and crime.
I will admit though, that I was glad I decided to look past those factors and read the entire book. This book reminded me of a good life lesson. Which is if you give something a try that you normally wouldn't accept or do, you will never know what you'll find. Might be even love or a positive life changing experience. By the end of the book I was sad it was over. The ending leaves you hanging and wanting more. There is a continuation of the book and I am anticipating the read.
All in all this book, ”Love Lost” is very well written. Many of the characters of the book revolve around the ghetto, the hood, or projects and the dialogue and writing style flows perfectly with the theme and life style. I was able to feel the love growing between the characters and the pain they endured.
Simply a great story of love and trust lost which slowly rebuilds. The story is also about the main characters starting from humble beginnings and growing into success. It's a real life story kind of book. The book is worth the read and you will end up wanting to read the book that follows.
Written by: Jesenia Sanabia
