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ahsatan82's review against another edition
2.0
This book was just okay to me because it took until disc 6/7 to really pick up (I listened). The first half of the story just seemed to be mundane and redundant to me and then the second half picked up and moved along quicker. I would have preferred to read more about the the scandalous accidental affair and those involved instead of reading so much of the husband transgressions that followed from him learning about his actress wife's affair. I think the book could have been shorter and I probably would have given it a better rating.
quietbookworm's review against another edition
2.0
Full disclosure: I am a former fan of EJD. I loved his earlier work, but started noticing a formula to his books that left me more frustrated than pleased when I finished. After [b:Genevieve|181409|Genevieve|Eric Jerome Dickey|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309283440s/181409.jpg|175290] and [b:Chasing Destiny|181406|Chasing Destiny|Eric Jerome Dickey|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309281841s/181406.jpg|2933279], I swore I wouldn't pick up another EJD book, because he didn't have likeable characters and the vaguely incestuous relationships (everyone sleeps with everyone else!) were irritating. Fast forward 6 years, and his latest read is available as a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway. Has his style changed?
No and in this regard EJD fans should be well pleased. An Accidental Affair takes the glamour of Hollywood and exposes the seedy side by examining the effects of a sex scandal on a "loving marriage." The premise is fascinating and gets at those very real questions of how would you handle your life under a microscope? In this instance, a lot of screwing literally and figuratively goes on. I won't post any spoilers here, but the behavior of all of the characters (except for Driver and possibly Isabel) was petulant, selfish, and overdramatic. This is fine when characters are multidimensional, but they exhibited very little redeemable qualities. I wanted James and Regina to be together, but only so they can stay blissfully miserable and distrustful of each other.
Even though I hated the characters, EJD knows how to write a story and weave a plot with many twists, which helped me power through. If you can tolerate the loathsome power duo James and Regina, you are in for a treat. Several quips made me smile and with one I out and out guffawed (yes, you read right, guffawed). I really wished I could have given the book more stars because I'm reminded of how great EJD is with language; however, most of what makes me enjoy a book is actually liking the characters. When the only characters I care about play a bit role, the most enthusiasm I can scrounge is okay. If you are a true EJD fan you will be well-pleased.
No and in this regard EJD fans should be well pleased. An Accidental Affair takes the glamour of Hollywood and exposes the seedy side by examining the effects of a sex scandal on a "loving marriage." The premise is fascinating and gets at those very real questions of how would you handle your life under a microscope? In this instance, a lot of screwing literally and figuratively goes on. I won't post any spoilers here, but the behavior of all of the characters (except for Driver and possibly Isabel) was petulant, selfish, and overdramatic. This is fine when characters are multidimensional, but they exhibited very little redeemable qualities. I wanted James and Regina to be together, but only so they can stay blissfully miserable and distrustful of each other.
Even though I hated the characters, EJD knows how to write a story and weave a plot with many twists, which helped me power through. If you can tolerate the loathsome power duo James and Regina, you are in for a treat. Several quips made me smile and with one I out and out guffawed (yes, you read right, guffawed). I really wished I could have given the book more stars because I'm reminded of how great EJD is with language; however, most of what makes me enjoy a book is actually liking the characters. When the only characters I care about play a bit role, the most enthusiasm I can scrounge is okay. If you are a true EJD fan you will be well-pleased.
tiffanis29's review against another edition
3.0
I truly enjoyed the characters. All of them. I still don't really trust Regina. I think she is a social climber or sociopath.
mistahreadwrites's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chatb's review against another edition
1.0
This is by far the worse book I've read by EJD...and I have read all of his novels except Tempted by Trouble. I could not connect with any of the characters. Not to mention his lackluster descriptions. I have no clue what James looks like, or Regina and she is supposed to be stunning. The vague description he did provide, she sounded pretty average to me. Also, there were 3 grammatical errors in the book which I found a little shocking. And while the writing style remained the same (for the most part), the dialogue was over the top and unbelievable and just plain corny. Speaking of corny...Johnny Handsome. Really? That's the best name EJD could could come up with? The book picked up in action but it was too late. I also felt EJD could have done more with the Steve Martin character. Needless to say, I was disappointed in this book.
shelfaddiction's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read EJD in a long time. I loved his earlier books. I was a little nervous picking this book up because many reviewers said that his writing style has changed and it's not as good as it previously was. Personally, I could detect the changes, but they aren't necessarily bad or good. For example, I could have done without all of the media reports scattered throughout the book. I see why were there, but they weren't really an important part of the story line. In the beginning of the book there were so many, I really just skimmed over them after reading several back to back.
This book took me way to long to read. I like books that I can get through in one or two sittings. It took me 14 days to read this book. And that is unheard of for me. I just kept putting it down over and over again. I was halfway through before things started to really pick up. Seriously, the cheating wife, Regina didn't make her appearance until almost page 200. Until then the whole story was about James wanting revenge, James contemplating running away, James changing his name and hiding out in the ghetto, James sleeping with several of his neighbors. I mean really,it seemed like it was going on and on, yet, nowhere in particular.
Now down to the two main characters. James & Regina...what can I say? They are both crazy!!! Due to their both being crazy and capable of doing anything to anybody, including each other, they deserve each other.
So finally, Regina shows up after coming out of hiding and BAM, the action starts with a vengeance. There's drugs. murder, deceit, blackmail, and all sorts of hidden agendas. It's hard to distinguished who the bad guy really is. By his actions, James is bad guy, but is he a product of his circumstances? Does what happened to him make his sins any more forgivable? Is Regina's ex, the bad guy? His hands are very dirty, but did he get what he deserved? Was Regina the spark that lite the fire? If so, did she get off easy in the end? So many questions, and depending on your point of view you could see this many different ways and left me thinking about it. The story left me thinking, what would I have done if my husband did this to me? Would I have been able to go off and seek vengeance like James did? In short, no! Hell No!
The end was surprising. Almost sad. I'm not going to give anything away, but James and Regina surly deserve to end up with each other and any happiness or misery that their marriage happens to bring them in the future!
Overall, I liked the book. I only wish that the action started a little sooner. Or maybe the book was just 50-75 pages too long. Regardless, if you can hang in for the first half, the payoff is worth it.
This book took me way to long to read. I like books that I can get through in one or two sittings. It took me 14 days to read this book. And that is unheard of for me. I just kept putting it down over and over again. I was halfway through before things started to really pick up. Seriously, the cheating wife, Regina didn't make her appearance until almost page 200. Until then the whole story was about James wanting revenge, James contemplating running away, James changing his name and hiding out in the ghetto, James sleeping with several of his neighbors. I mean really,it seemed like it was going on and on, yet, nowhere in particular.
Now down to the two main characters. James & Regina...what can I say? They are both crazy!!! Due to their both being crazy and capable of doing anything to anybody, including each other, they deserve each other.
So finally, Regina shows up after coming out of hiding and BAM, the action starts with a vengeance. There's drugs. murder, deceit, blackmail, and all sorts of hidden agendas. It's hard to distinguished who the bad guy really is. By his actions, James is bad guy, but is he a product of his circumstances? Does what happened to him make his sins any more forgivable? Is Regina's ex, the bad guy? His hands are very dirty, but did he get what he deserved? Was Regina the spark that lite the fire? If so, did she get off easy in the end? So many questions, and depending on your point of view you could see this many different ways and left me thinking about it. The story left me thinking, what would I have done if my husband did this to me? Would I have been able to go off and seek vengeance like James did? In short, no! Hell No!
The end was surprising. Almost sad. I'm not going to give anything away, but James and Regina surly deserve to end up with each other and any happiness or misery that their marriage happens to bring them in the future!
Overall, I liked the book. I only wish that the action started a little sooner. Or maybe the book was just 50-75 pages too long. Regardless, if you can hang in for the first half, the payoff is worth it.
shakirrashaan's review against another edition
5.0
EJD is BACK!
I'll admit I purposely skipped Tempted by Trouble because a few other die-hard fans were really not impressed with that book, so bridging from Resurrecting Midnight to An Accidental Affair was perfect for me!
The fact that this book was rooted in Hollywood - not the glitz and glamour Hollywood, but the dirty, nasty, underhanded Hollywood - was an absolutely perfect backdrop for the types of things that went on in this novel.
James Thicke was yet another arresting character from EJD's Universe that I would not mind seeing a cameo from in a future work, and Driver... man, Driver... if I EVER make it to the big time, I want Driver to have my back, period, and that's all I'm going to say about that, you'll have to read the book to know what I'm talking about.
I'm glad he came back with something so powerful, and I'm happy that he will be back on the grind with the next project (no, I'm not saying what it is, you have to get the book)
Some other thoughts that are in my head:
I'll never look at post-it notes the same way again.
The slogans and phrases on the shirts were absolutely freaking hilarious!
The capture and essence of the Internet and social media helped drive this story in ways that not too many could have pulled off.
There's not much else that I can say without giving away the book in some way, so I will end this by saying:
GET. THE. BOOK! I can't say it enough... GET. THE. BOOK!
Shakir Rashaan, author of the Chronicles of the Nubian Underworld and Deviant Intent series
I'll admit I purposely skipped Tempted by Trouble because a few other die-hard fans were really not impressed with that book, so bridging from Resurrecting Midnight to An Accidental Affair was perfect for me!
The fact that this book was rooted in Hollywood - not the glitz and glamour Hollywood, but the dirty, nasty, underhanded Hollywood - was an absolutely perfect backdrop for the types of things that went on in this novel.
James Thicke was yet another arresting character from EJD's Universe that I would not mind seeing a cameo from in a future work, and Driver... man, Driver... if I EVER make it to the big time, I want Driver to have my back, period, and that's all I'm going to say about that, you'll have to read the book to know what I'm talking about.
I'm glad he came back with something so powerful, and I'm happy that he will be back on the grind with the next project (no, I'm not saying what it is, you have to get the book)
Some other thoughts that are in my head:
I'll never look at post-it notes the same way again.
The slogans and phrases on the shirts were absolutely freaking hilarious!
The capture and essence of the Internet and social media helped drive this story in ways that not too many could have pulled off.
There's not much else that I can say without giving away the book in some way, so I will end this by saying:
GET. THE. BOOK! I can't say it enough... GET. THE. BOOK!
Shakir Rashaan, author of the Chronicles of the Nubian Underworld and Deviant Intent series
shaybooks's review against another edition
3.0
I did not like the way it ended, but it was a good book.