Mr. Right Now by Monica Jackson
Dec. 29th, 2006 07:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jmc_bksLet me first explain that I periodically check Ms. Jackson's blog, because I'm interested in what she has to say about black romance and its segregation from white mainstream romance. Mr. Right Now was reviewed at Dear Author last month, and I commented that the backblurb seemed interesting but I was put off by the heroine's name. It made me think of an unwashed automechanic a la Cooter on The Dukes of Hazzard; my second thought when I see that name is the cafeteria chain in Texas -- my stepmom loves their liver and onions, prompting yet another gross image in my mind every time I saw the name. Ms. Jackson was gracious enough to do a global search and replace in the e-copy she sent me, renaming her heroine Ruby for my benefit.
As usual, the book description is off. It reads as if the book is about three heroines equally, when it really is a paranormal romance centered on Luby. Cat and Danielle play important roles, but they are by no means center stage in the book. MRN opens up with Luby meeting Jake Kosevo in the elevator of her apartment building. He's the new guy in the building, and she's immediately attracted to him almost to the point of obsession. But since white guys aren't her thing, she decides to introduce him to Danielle, who needs a good man in her life. The attempted match doesn't work out, because Jake is into Luby. But why is she so utterly attracted? In some ways it seems abnormal...but Luby has no idea how abnormal or why.
What did I like about the book? Luby's perspective and voice as a character. She's good at her job (as far as I can tell); she has a life with patterns and goals and desires. She has issues, but isn't bogged down by them. Her circle of friends feels real. The way they talk to each other and back each other up works. Until the spouse swapping, that is. There'd be some serious hair-pulling and bitch slapping going on in my circle of friends before anyone traded. :shrug: But the set up of it worked well enough. The only disappointing thing about the friendship, IMO, is that the circle dissolves in the end. It makes sense for each of them to be moving on with their lives separately, but I hate (in romance) that the h/h HEA tends to end other relationships. I also appreciated the sexual tension between Luby and Jake, and their acknowledgement of the attraction -- before they have sex and after. And I love that they TALK to each other.
The book is narrated in first person, primarily via Luby, but with brief interludes from Jake's perspective and even a passage in the POV of the villain. I liked getting Jake's perspective, but felt ~meh~ about the villain, thinking that it didn't contribute much to the story.
What didn't work for me? A couple of things. First, the magic and world building. There are snake people and demons and a sort of vampire bite that are not very well explained, and the basic rules of the magic aren't ever firmly established. Ms. Jackson posted an explanation on her blog, which was helpful, but I still felt like I was missing something as I read. Second, there are a couple of continuity problems. In one passage, Luby is doing laundry in the basement, putting clothes in the dryer when Jake comes in. She later leaves and her clothes are back in the washer. At another point, she takes her grandmother shopping Saturday morning; later that evening, Danielle mentions that tomorrow will be Saturday. Etc. Since this was an ARC, I'm assuming these things were corrected before the book went to print.
One thing perplexed me: twice Luby tells herself that she won't be a "white man's whore" both before and after she sleeps with Jake. I don't understand where this is coming from in this character. She generally ignores white men. Is this a knee jerk response because of historical sexual politics between black and white in the US? Is there something more in her backstory? She and Jake were pretty open about what they wanted from each other, so the "whore" usage seemed really harsh and out of place to me.
I like Ms. Jackson's voice and writing style; the bare bones of this story were interesting, but it felt hurried and rushed. While the book itself isn't going to be on my Top Ten of '06 list (there is very little romance on the list, btw), I enjoyed it enough that I'll be looking for Ms. Jackson's other books, including the upcoming anthology, Creepin' (which she has mentioned in passing on her blog but which is not listed on Amazon for some reason).
ETA: Here's the link to the latest RtB criticism of reader-bloggers (which I refer to in the cut/link to the review). If the topic were a turkey, I'd say "stick a fork in it, it's done."
When three best girlfriends decide it’s time to get married, the first order of business is to find some decent husband material. But looking for Mr. Right is about to lead three nearly-thirty sistahs down a rocky road of matchmaking… Luby Uniquoncie Jones—a career girl on a fast track to success. She prepares for romance like she lands a new account…no nonsense and all business. But can commitment ever become her bottom line?
Danielle Sellers—lucky in looks, but unlucky in love, she has a weakness for sexy bad boys who set her on fire then leave her crying. Now she’s worried that a good man won’t be able to turn up her heat. Catherine "Cat" Bronson—fine and fun-loving, already has the sweetest guy in the world, but she’s joining this "dating thing" anyway. If she goes too far, she may lose the good thing she’s got.
Soon Luby, Danielle, and Cat have entered dating hell, complete with disastrous set-ups, crazy attractions, and a wild ride on Cupid’s rollercoaster. There may be thrills, and there are sure to be spills, but the biggest surprise will be the truly fine one-in-a-million man who comes along with a heart open to true love…
As usual, the book description is off. It reads as if the book is about three heroines equally, when it really is a paranormal romance centered on Luby. Cat and Danielle play important roles, but they are by no means center stage in the book. MRN opens up with Luby meeting Jake Kosevo in the elevator of her apartment building. He's the new guy in the building, and she's immediately attracted to him almost to the point of obsession. But since white guys aren't her thing, she decides to introduce him to Danielle, who needs a good man in her life. The attempted match doesn't work out, because Jake is into Luby. But why is she so utterly attracted? In some ways it seems abnormal...but Luby has no idea how abnormal or why.
What did I like about the book? Luby's perspective and voice as a character. She's good at her job (as far as I can tell); she has a life with patterns and goals and desires. She has issues, but isn't bogged down by them. Her circle of friends feels real. The way they talk to each other and back each other up works. Until the spouse swapping, that is. There'd be some serious hair-pulling and bitch slapping going on in my circle of friends before anyone traded. :shrug: But the set up of it worked well enough. The only disappointing thing about the friendship, IMO, is that the circle dissolves in the end. It makes sense for each of them to be moving on with their lives separately, but I hate (in romance) that the h/h HEA tends to end other relationships. I also appreciated the sexual tension between Luby and Jake, and their acknowledgement of the attraction -- before they have sex and after. And I love that they TALK to each other.
The book is narrated in first person, primarily via Luby, but with brief interludes from Jake's perspective and even a passage in the POV of the villain. I liked getting Jake's perspective, but felt ~meh~ about the villain, thinking that it didn't contribute much to the story.
What didn't work for me? A couple of things. First, the magic and world building. There are snake people and demons and a sort of vampire bite that are not very well explained, and the basic rules of the magic aren't ever firmly established. Ms. Jackson posted an explanation on her blog, which was helpful, but I still felt like I was missing something as I read. Second, there are a couple of continuity problems. In one passage, Luby is doing laundry in the basement, putting clothes in the dryer when Jake comes in. She later leaves and her clothes are back in the washer. At another point, she takes her grandmother shopping Saturday morning; later that evening, Danielle mentions that tomorrow will be Saturday. Etc. Since this was an ARC, I'm assuming these things were corrected before the book went to print.
One thing perplexed me: twice Luby tells herself that she won't be a "white man's whore" both before and after she sleeps with Jake. I don't understand where this is coming from in this character. She generally ignores white men. Is this a knee jerk response because of historical sexual politics between black and white in the US? Is there something more in her backstory? She and Jake were pretty open about what they wanted from each other, so the "whore" usage seemed really harsh and out of place to me.
I like Ms. Jackson's voice and writing style; the bare bones of this story were interesting, but it felt hurried and rushed. While the book itself isn't going to be on my Top Ten of '06 list (there is very little romance on the list, btw), I enjoyed it enough that I'll be looking for Ms. Jackson's other books, including the upcoming anthology, Creepin' (which she has mentioned in passing on her blog but which is not listed on Amazon for some reason).
ETA: Here's the link to the latest RtB criticism of reader-bloggers (which I refer to in the cut/link to the review). If the topic were a turkey, I'd say "stick a fork in it, it's done."
