Money Can't Buy Love by Connie BriscoeBOOK DESCRIPTION (FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK)

Lenora Stone used to say if she didn’t have bad luck, she wouldn’t have any luck at all.  At age thirty~eight, instead of socializing with Baltimore’s A~list, she photographs them for Baltimore Scene, a glossy magazine filled with beautiful people who, unlike Lenora, never have to worry about car trouble and overdue bills.  As much as she’d love to slam the door on her overbearing boss, quitting isn’t an option.  She’s barely making her mortgage payments and, though her condo might not be a palace, it’s hers.  Lately even things with her boyfriend, Gerald, haven’t been right.  They’ve been together for three years but he can’t seem to ask the one question she’s been waiting for.  But what Lenora doesn’t know is that her luck is about to change…

Just when she thinks things can’t get worse, Lenora wins the jackpot in the Maryland lottery.  In a heartbeat, all her dreams become possible.  She quits her job and indulges her every desire ~ starting with a shiny, silver BMW and a million~dollar mansion.  Gerald is finally ready to put a ring on her finger and the city’s most exclusive women’s group is dying for her to join, officially moving Lenora from behind the lens into the limelight.  But in Lenora’s lavish new world, all that glitters definitely isn’t gold.  Her old friends are concerned about her sudden changes, and Ray, a sexy, young landscaper Lenora covered for the magazine, is looking for more than a purely professional relationship.

As her life starts to come together, the things Lenora holds dear begin to fall apart.  Has her world really changed for the better, or does fortune come with a heavy price?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Connie Briscoe is the author of seven novels, one novella, and one nonfiction book.  Her third novel, A Long Way From Home, the story of her ancestors, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Her work has appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, USA Today,and Publishers Weekly.

Her nonfiction title, a photo-essay book featuring luminaries such as actress Ruby Dee and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, was coauthored with celebrated photographer Michael Cunningham. The collection of novellas was coauthored with Lolita Files and Anita Bunkley.

She currently lives in Maryland with her family.

Connect with Connie on her blog, Writer Revealed, on Facebook and on Twitter.

MY OPINION

Oh.  My.  Word.  I wanted to reach into the book, snatch that woman up by her throat and slap her around.  And I’m not a violent person.  But Lenora Stone like to have driven me to drink.  And I don’t drink.  Yes, her crazy was that bad.

Without giving the book away, let’s just say that Lenora did everything wrong that you could possibly do when you’ve won the lottery.  Furthermore, she was the least sympathetic character I’ve read about in a long time.  And, honestly, I think that’s why I became absorbed in the story.  I kept hoping and wishing that Lenora would show some signs of growth, development, maturity, wisdom, something…  But, um, no, she didn’t.

I also felt like the writing on this book wasn’t as tight as it usually is with a Connie Briscoe book.  Lenora was incredibly frustrating as a character and, as a person, I would have cut her loose as a friend.  And the other characters in the story were just there.  They didn’t do anything to add or subtract to the story, they really seemed to serve as emotional punching bags for Lenora.

I think if you’re looking for a quick read, this is the book.  If you’re looking for something with a little more depth, pass on this one.

RATING
★★★

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me courtesy of TLC Book Tours free of charge in exchange for a review.