Renee and Jay

I would like to state, very plainly, that I absolutely love this book! My only question is how on earth did any white man on this planet, in this country, capture the mind of a black woman the way that JJ Murray did with this book??? Now of course not all black women think the same (duh!), but there were just certain details added I had no idea that people outside of the Afro persuasion knew about. For example, "the pink" check that we do after putting in a relaxer and washing it out. Or that one ghetto fabulous friend that we all have who likes to dress like it's her birthday everyday. Details, details. Anyway, the main character was actually believable in this one. She was smart, pretty, and down to earth. I loved her counterpart, Giovanni, the cute Italian who doesn't happen to look like a Roman God, as in other iterracial novels that make me cringe. Now I've read other reviews that say that, I dunno, the main character is a bossy shrew... Ok, ok I understand how you could say that. It may seem true, but go back and look at the relationship. Giovanni may be a bit quiet at times, but the boy puts his foot down when necessary. They're a match. Read carefully. Overall this is finally one book that I didn't feel like I wasted my money on. It made me laugh from the very beginning. It'll even make your eyes water a little. So check it out! I'm getting the sequal (Renee and Jay 2) today. I'm so excited!

The phrase "love at first sight" is not just a saying, but a reality with the novel, RENEE AND JAY. A hard-working african-american woman and a italian waiter meet after her being stuck in a snowstorm in Roanoke, VA, and from there, the seeds of love were just being planted. Neither one of them knew it yet, but that storm would change their lives. It was realistic about the opposition from his father and her mother, and even though Jay was stronger in his conviction of love for her, Renee had enough self-doubt to lend this story true credibility. It's all about how much you are willing to give of yourself and how hard you are willing to fight, just to stake your claim at happiness. The best part of this novel is the characterization of Renee. I don't know if Mr. Murray lived around african-americans for an extended amount of time, or if it is in fact that his wife is black, but he hit the nail dead center on how to interpret Renee. The mannerism were so in touch and on point, it was almost scary to think that this book was written by a white man. Definitely talented, Mr. Murray gets my vote to support a second novel. Good Work!

This book made me smile.:-)It was nice to finally read a book that was not all bitterness, anger, depravity, etc. The relationship between Renee and Giovanni was refreshing, real and very touching. Renee is a young African-American woman, who like most women today, are looking for "Mr. Right". She just doesn't expect her soul mate will be a white, pale, Italian. What both Renee and Jay learn is that you can't choose whom you love. The heart knows no racial barriers. Mr. Murrays' characters are well developed. Giovanni is an honest, caring, hardworking, young man who is not afraid to express his emotions. Renee reminds me of friends I've known through the years, beautiful, fun-loving, intelligient and faithful to family and loved ones. It was also good to see the acceptance of the relationship by Renee's mother and Giovanni's father. Everyone knows that the relationship will have extra burdens because it is an interracial one, but it was nice not to have that thrown in your face throughout the whole book. It was basically a funny, down-to-earth love story. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would like to see more of these characters. (Maybe a sequel). Can't wait to read more from this author.

What a welcome addition to the contemporary world of fiction.Bold, sassy and full of humor, Mr. Murray introduces a novel about an inter-racial couple who fell in love at first sight. But does love really conquer all? How can Renee break the news to her "smart talking" mother that she's fallen in love with Jay, a man she met by chance, in only a few days, and oh........he's not black.Filled with all that you can imagine about a mixed relationship, can Renee and Jay overcome the obstacles that society has set in place? Will they make it past the family introduction?A novel that has you guessing until the very end, Renee and Jay is a story that's written and told candidly about exactly what happens when opposites attract.My hats off to Mr. Murray for writing such a GREAT BOOK! I absolutely loved it!

J. J. Murray's debut novel, RENEE AND JAY is the interracial Romeo & Juliet for the new millennium. A snowstorm leaves Renee stranded out front of Luchesi's restaurant, where she meets the owner's son, Giovanni, aka Jay. Though Renee professes herself to be strictly into black men, she finds herself very intrigued by Jay, and by the next morning Renee and Jay are wistfully thinking of love and a relationship with each other. Renee's own pessimism plays a key role in defining her could-be relationship with Jay, but her mother and Jay's father...as well as their small-minded community questions the "colorful" relationship. If that's not enough, the surprise of a baby drives everyone, including Renee into even more confusion, but Jay is steadfast in his love for Renee and is determined to prove to her that the two make a perfect pair.Renee and Jay is a great read, and I really could not stop reading it until I got to the last page. The characters were outrageous and funny, the humor in the novel was obvious. I will admit; however, that the story is heavy with the "my people" comments presented by Renee, the main character, and oftentimes, I found myself saying, okay, we get it, you're black, it was that thick at times. Aside from that, the story was funny and well written, and I think Murray did an excellent job with this debut novel and the subject matter, and I look forward to reading more books by him.Reviewed by Shonie