I felt more comfortable in the course knowing that I had an edge. This study guide really clarified ideas brought up in the text and gave me practice in areas where I needed more clarification. Thanks to you, I passed with flying colors!

I read "The Real Deal" sometime last year. Recently, I decided to give it another go--basically because I needed something to read to kill time at that particular moment. Well, sadly, the second time around only confirms my disappointment. I'd have enjoyed the book were it not for one thing, Samone--specifically, her attitude.

I enjoyed all the other characters, from the lead male(s) Jonathan and Max, to the supporting character of Samone's married best girlfriend (who was a hoot a times). And there were genuine, heady, feel-it-down-to-my-toes moments I got a glimpse of during some of Samone and Jon's scenes together; most notably, Jon breaking out some old-school tunes as he prepares to make a move on Samone. (The author put me right there in the room with Samone and Jon, setting the mood perfectly--especially with her line about going back to the days when kissing "was all there was that mattered.")

Alas, these highlights were few and far between, and their effects were almost always countered by Samone's attitude...and actions.

Then again, maybe that was the author's intent all along. Perhaps on some level she wanted to reader to experience the sense of "confusion" which is so evident with regards to the thoughts and actions of Samone. That, I could get with were it not for one thing--the author's character development. As a character, the writing for Samone lacks conviction in such a manner that we readers are not compelled to CARE whether or not Samone will ever come to realize what she needs to cut loose (Max) versus the gem that she needs to keep (Jon).

Since I'm on the subject of Samone's actions, let me say that I'm with the reviewer who said she was still scratching her head over Samone introducing Jon to an ex-boyfriend(?) as "my lover." I was beginning to think it was a "New York thing," something the ultra-cool and hip do. But upon my second reading, I realize it wasn't that; however, I still can't say exactly what it WAS supposed to be, either.

The "my lover" scene is one of many examples of Margaret Hodge-Johnson's inability to maintain clarity regarding character development. One minute, the reader is led to believe Samone is slowly beginning to ease into some sort of level of comfort with regards to being in an interracial relationship, that she's FINALLY beginning to return to affections and (more importantly) RESPECT that Jon was giving her; the next minute, the author has Samone go act totally contrary to the moods and behaviors she was establishing, as in the case of the "my lover" scene, or even MORE confounding the (sub)plot re: the death of Samone's beloved Uncle Chicken: At this point, Samone's supposed to be feeling something beyond "like" for Jon, right? So what does she do when Uncle Chicken dies? She literally leaves Jon and goes to Max--the SAME Max she walked away from because he in no uncertain terms was telling her he wasn't ready to take their relationship to the final level of committment, marriage! If Jon was p/o'd regarding Samone's actions, the author never conveyed it; doesn't matter though, *I* was plenty ... for him! It was right about that point that any sympathy I had for the character of Samone vanished.

In addition to my dislike of Samone, I was also put off by Hodge-Johnson's inability (or is it refusal) to give the reader some closure and/or answers to many of the situations and questions which were raised duirng the course of the story. The most obvious "loose end" which she never resolves is whether or not Samone actually LOVES Jon. We know Jon loves HER; but it's never fully (nor CONVINCINGLY) proven that she returns his feelings.

In short, the ending (like much of the what Samone did in the book) left me confused.

Samone Lewis really wants to marry her boyfriend of 4 years. Problem is, Max won't commit. In the midst of her relationship woes comes Jon Everette. Jon is friendly and funny and...white. Samone, who is black, has issues with an interracial relationship. Somehow, though, her objections falter in the face of her attraction to Jon. The two become friends and then lovers. But in the meantime, both struggle to bury the ghosts of their respective previous relationships. I enjoyed this book. I liked how the author puts pen to paper. I liked her choice of words, her descriptions, her way of placing me into the setting of this book. I really felt Samone's frustration of her relationships, her sorrow over her bad choices, her dislike of her job and just how she lives day-to-day in the hustle and bustle of New York City. She really does leap off the page as a fully formed, believable, REAL character. She is presented as a sympathetic person who has some very real character flaws. Just like you or me. The reason I think this a good book, but not a great one is because I think that all the other characters get short shrift. While Ms. Johnson-Hodge does an excellent job of getting me into Samone's head and allowing me to know exactly where she is coming from, I had to fill in the blanks on the other characters. I really wanted to know more about Max and especially Jon. Why did Samone love Max so much that he stops her in her tracks? Why does Jon like Samone so much considering the fact that she seems to direct so much angst his way? I wanted Max and Jon to be just as real and vibrant as Samone and they simply weren't. If these two were more fleshed and I knew more of their hopes, dreams and motivations like I did Samone's, this could have easily been a '10'. I absolutely believe that Ms. Johnson-Hodge is a good writer and has many more stories to tell and I will definitely be on the look-out for them.

Sure the book centers around an interracial relationship but the underlying theme of love is so strong I lost the sense of any racial differences between Samone and Jonathon until the instances where the story made me aware of it. Isn't that what love is supposed to be like? Ms. Johnson-Hodge wraps a wonderful story around the main characters. The strength Samone exemplifies was felt deep in my bones as I read this woman's story. Samone felt like either an old college friend or a part of me I had forgotten. I absolutely LOVED the story and could not put the book down. It was well worth the lost sleep! The day after finishing it, I purchased a copy for my best friend. I enjoyed it so much I have placed this book on my "Definitely Read Again" list.