The Accidental Diva

I loved this book! It was an easy, fun, delightful, and juicy read (took me about 8-10 hours!). What I love so much about Tia Williams is that she shows black women that we do have a place in New York City, the fashion world, and the magazine industy. For the longest, as a fan of Sex & the City, I felt that because the show never had an BAPs, we weren't in that world. Well Tia proved me wrong! I love her so much. And if you're looking for some fun sex scenes, information on some hot spots in NYC, and a downright fabulous tale, then pick up this book. I will let you know that sometimes, it's predictable, but hey, chick lit is not meant to be Toni Morrison-esque. It's supposed to be fun for the moment!

Yes, this book starts out slow but once you get past the 12th page (i'm being generous) it really takes off. Billy has a very interesting job (sorry, I'm a beauty-nerd) and interesting friends but the character of Jay is really multi-dimensional and jumps off the page. I'd like to read more about Jay some day!! I liked how the author balanced the world of the glitterati and that of the complex yet fascinating black-man with a past. Some cliches are present but the original thoughts are what will have you recommending this to a friend. Near the end of the book, I didn't want it to end as I fully enjoyed being in their world. Cute little ending that will give you a warm fuzzy glow.

Can you say fabulous? That is exactly what this book is. The cover is what first caught my attention, then I read the front flap and discovered it wasn't just another "wrong side of the tracks" book. It was real and direct. I felt the characters and their struggles as if they were my own. Billie and Jay were strong in their own ways standing by each other without being judgemental of the others' lifestyle. This book was not only about beauty and fashion, it was about Jays' fight to survive the streets and become a better, more mature person. THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE.CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE......

This book suprised me by how good it was. I thought that it was going to be another novel in the already too full genre of ghetto love tales, but I was wrong. Willam's characters were complex and her writing was both fluid and intelligent. I picked up the book in the bookstore, intending to only flip through it because I saw this beautiful sister on the cover, but then I got caught up in the story and ended up buying it! You know a book is good if you buy it in hardcover!!I hope Tia Williams continues to write and that she continues to explore the different aspects of the black experience. Often I try to relate to many of the black books that are out there and find that it is very difficult to do so having grown up in the south, the daughter of college educated parents. Like books by Jenoyne Adams, Danzy Senna, Kim McLarin, and Dianne Mckinney-Whetstone, William's book seemed to invite people who are black middle class into the conversation about what true blackness is. (Not to make the book sound like it is this heavy, serious thing--because it is truly an exciting read.) I just want people to appreciate this book for everything that it does. Go out and buy the book, you won't be sorry.

I loved this adorable, fun, funny read. It's beautifully written--the story is layered enough to make it a page-turner, light enough to let you skim along happily. You'll feel you know the characters well by the end, and you'll wish you could find out how their lives turn out. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to read a sequel one day!