margahhrett's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
blackmomreads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
duckyreads's review against another edition
I need AJ to stand up…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Toxic relationship
ezichinny's review against another edition
4.0
Forbidden Love, Secrets and Drama!
I always loved his storytelling style. There is something beautiful and tragic about down low love.
Clearly you have two people who love each other but the fear of rejection by Dray’s father reduced their relationship to part time and with full secrecy.
I was rooting for them but I knew a price would be paid for their duplicitous lifestyle.
I liked AJ and Dray but felt bad because they never acknowledged or accepted responsibility for the damage their secret was doing to others. They were only concerned with how they were deceived.
I never understood how the villain could stoop so low. I would have loved a look at their lives 10 years after. Like an extended epilogue. But I liked the ending as it was fitting. Really good story
I always loved his storytelling style. There is something beautiful and tragic about down low love.
Clearly you have two people who love each other but the fear of rejection by Dray’s father reduced their relationship to part time and with full secrecy.
I was rooting for them but I knew a price would be paid for their duplicitous lifestyle.
I liked AJ and Dray but felt bad because they never acknowledged or accepted responsibility for the damage their secret was doing to others. They were only concerned with how they were deceived.
I never understood how the villain could stoop so low. I would have loved a look at their lives 10 years after. Like an extended epilogue. But I liked the ending as it was fitting. Really good story
sumayyah_t's review against another edition
3.0
Your typical "I love my man so much I'll even lie to myself to keep him." AJ loves Dray, who loves him - but only in secret. Dray gets a career and a woman, but insists on keeping AJ as his "man on the side" and AJ, for all his intelligence, goes along with it in order to prove his "love." I found the Dray selfish and demanding, AJ weak and unimpressive. The ending felt entirely too "slapped together" and rushed. This book was average.
greenreader's review against another edition
3.0
This is the closest thing I read to a beach read. I love E. Lynn Harris, but his novels have become more equivalent to soap operas over the years. This is the 1st time he's used Professional Basketball for one of his gay/str8/bi Af. Am. romances. In the past he has always focused on the closeted gay world of college & professional football. E.Lynn Harris use to play college and perhaps professional football himself, and started his literary career with the highly acclaimed novel "Invisible Life". His first 4-5 novels seemed to explore the subject of the Af. Am./White gay/bi relationships a bit more seriously. Then he started introducing some scandalous & dramatic "diva" characters that were fun, but seemed to make for a lighter read. I miss the early days of Basil Henderson, and his romantic exploits. Hopefully "Basketball Jones" will have more substance than your average diva, but it's reading very quickly, and I think I'm going to have to wait for his next novel to be really impressed again. Perhaps I'll be happy to say I was wrong with his newest novel.
munchin's review against another edition
4.0
Drah-ma!
I enjoyed this book a lot. Okay, some plot details were a little contrived but it was thoroughly entertaining and the ending of the book was the exact opposite of a cop-out. E. Lynn was greatly maturing as an author and it's sad that he's no longer with us. But be glad that he left us 'Basketball Jones.'
I enjoyed this book a lot. Okay, some plot details were a little contrived but it was thoroughly entertaining and the ending of the book was the exact opposite of a cop-out. E. Lynn was greatly maturing as an author and it's sad that he's no longer with us. But be glad that he left us 'Basketball Jones.'
beblackbeloved's review against another edition
4.0
A deliciously dramatic tale of a young man forced to hide in the shadows because of love. Filled with sexy characters, mouth-dropping secrets, and shady queens — I honestly didn’t want to put this novel down. E. Lynn Harris’ was a trailblazer, and his work continues to give queer black men a voice. These juicy page-tuners are so entertaining, and a much needed escape. Grab the wine, and enjoy!
(Rating: 3.5/5)
(Note: The ending did feel a bit rushed. And the main character holding on to information that really could have changed things annoyed me. E. Lynn Harris has definitely written better. But for what it was, I really enjoyed this.)
(Rating: 3.5/5)
(Note: The ending did feel a bit rushed. And the main character holding on to information that really could have changed things annoyed me. E. Lynn Harris has definitely written better. But for what it was, I really enjoyed this.)
lindsayhotrod's review against another edition
2.0
I was looking for something fluffy to get through a long road trip and found this at the library. Sounded like it might be a twist on romance type genres, which made me a little interested. It's soapy as hell. I expected that, but by the end (it was short and I felt like I had to finish it) I was yelling NO WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT at the characters in the book and I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might fall out. The characters aren't likable, and seem drawn as broad caricatures. Every outfit is described in brand name dropping excess, and I found that really distracting. Just didn't hit the spot.