Venus Johnston has a great job and a long-term, live-in boyfriend who happens to be a drop-dead gorgeous doctor. She also has a weekly date at the beauty parlor to keep her long, nappy hair slick and straight. But the tedious hours and harsh chemicals in the salon have long grated on Venus, and one frustrating day, she trades in the long hair for a dramatically short, natural cut—and sends her commitment-balking boyfriend packing. It’s a bold declaration of independence and one that has effects she never could have imagined; reactions from friends and coworkers range from concern, to contempt, to outright condemnation. When her ex starts dating a voluptuous, long-haired beauty, Venus is forced to question what she really wants out of life. With wit, resilience, and determination, Venus finally learns what true happiness is, on her own terms.
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"This was the first book I read by Trisha and I was very impressed and could not wait for book number two to come out. I lived the main character because she started to make herself happy by doing something that the person she was with would disagree. I learned to never pressure anyone to do anything they are not ready for and you should not rush someone b/c if they do respond to your request it will be to make you happy and they will despise you and you them. Be patient and your Mr. or Mrs. right will come when it is the right time."
— Lmackey (4 out of 5 stars)
“Empowering…Thomas refuses to let her characters slide into stereotype, and she keeps the pace fast and funny.”
— Publishers Weekly“Thomas offers painful but amusing insights into the politics of beauty, black culture, and male-female relationships; her first novel places her in a league with Terry MacMillan and Bebe Moore Campbell.”
— Booklist“Not only has the author chosen the perfect title for her charming work, she’s also created an unusual love story from diverse perspectives. When Venus’ romance with Clint crumbles, she decides to cut off her long, gorgeous locks. This act symbolizes so much related to the self- image of black women that it’s a radical act. Narrator Lisa Renée Pitts is outstanding as the story’s primary character, and she absolutely shines portraying the older relatives. Her delivery of the slightly raunchy banter between three old guys is sheer fun, and her depictions of the mother-daughter exchanges are priceless. The topics of sexual harassment, living up to family expectations, and the lives of black Americans are genuine and relevant. Valuable life lessons are offered without being preachy and should appeal to a wide audience.”
— AudioFile“Nappily Ever After is not only a witty look at the trials and punishment of the singles scene, but it’s also a smart examination of how much African-American women often define themselves by the appearance of their hair. With snappy dialogue and characters readers will recognize from their own lives, Nappily Ever After is unapologetically all-natural—a fun, thought-provoking read.”
— Tananarive Due, author of The Black Rose“Trisha Thomas’s debut novel is a fusion of humor, a fast-paced plot, and characters we care about. Venus Johnston’s journey is a familiar and compelling one that will have satisfied readers craving an encore from Trisha Thomas.”
— Patricia Elam, author of Breathing Room“A vibrant tale of a young woman’s journey to independence. The characters are real and emerge from this novel as people you actually know. It’s an exquisitely passionate novel from an immensely gifted new author.”
— Pamela Walker-Williams, author of In a Heartbeat“Irresistibly cheerful, feel-good feminism underpins this pleasant little tale, although the men are in no way villainous, and the talented author writes just as sympathetically from a male point of view…[A] winning debut.”
— Kirkus Reviews" I really enjoyed the book. There is a lot of things to discuss. I read the next book in the series just because I wanted to see what happens next. "
— Kellice, 2/15/2014" I was young when i read this, i guess it was okay "
— Khelani, 2/12/2014" This was a good book with a few unexpected twists/turns "
— Sam, 2/5/2014" This was a good book. I read it a while ago, so I didn't know that the author had written more books. "
— LaKeisha, 1/30/2014" wasn't my type of book. couldn't get into it "
— Chela, 1/19/2014" I think situations drove apart a couple who would continue to improve together. Just when attachments and many pleasing moments have happened, a situation surfaces to change things. It is good that the characters have the good inner strength needed to get through difficult moments. "
— Venise, 1/15/2014" The book that got me hooked on the series. I read something in Essence magazine about this book. Read it, Loved it, and have been hooked on the series every since. "
— Sherrill, 11/21/2013" I enjoyed this story of a woman who gives up her beauty regimen and her man in one fell swoop. A deft look at the investment of family and friends in women's appearances. "
— Sharon, 11/2/2013" Well written. Not quite a trashy romance, but it had it's parts. LOL! "
— Angelica, 6/24/2013" This book was great...I'm looking forward to the movie! "
— Jessica, 2/6/2013" I really enjoyed this book. Especially because I'm on a journey to natural and finding myself as well. It was so easy to relate to the tough moments and the revelations they went through. I look forward to reading the others in this series. "
— Courtney, 1/15/2013" Struggled to get through this book. I expected hair to be more of an issue. Venus' hair was an issue occasionally throughout the book. The book was more about her relationships and career moves. I expected more and have read better. "
— Sontue, 11/1/2012" Ohh this started it all, this is such a good book. I haven't read it in years but after it I started collecting all of the rest of the books and now I have them all. "
— Deidre, 7/16/2012" I liked the book, although Venus was made to look like a lunatic. She just never thought anything through but just made implusive, irrationable decisions. I'm thinking of reading the next book but I can't figure out which one comes next, they are spread out over a space of almost 10 years. "
— Lorinda, 7/16/2012" Finding yourself and what you really want in life is important. "
— Porcha, 6/6/2012" Nothing special about this book. "
— Shavonne, 4/3/2012" was it just me? "
— RK, 2/19/2012" Wonderful male character. Really enjoyed the beginning - about Black women's hair. "
— Brenda, 12/6/2011" Basically a romance novel. "
— Lisa, 11/23/2011" Halle Berry read this book and loved it so much, she is turning it into a Hollywood film starring herself and Alicia Keys. Should be funny, dramatic, and all that jazz. "
— Andrea, 5/9/2011" Wonderful male character. Really enjoyed the beginning - about Black women's hair. "
— Brenda, 4/20/2011" This was okay, fluffier than I expected. "
— Karen, 11/3/2010" The book that got me hooked on the series. I read something in Essence magazine about this book. Read it, Loved it, and have been hooked on the series every since. "
— Sherrill, 4/2/2010" Could not put it down ran out to get the next book in the series. "
— Sherrill, 4/2/2010" I enjoyed this story of a woman who gives up her beauty regimen and her man in one fell swoop. A deft look at the investment of family and friends in women's appearances. "
— Alice, 2/7/2010" It's a little slow, but the only reason I keep reading is to know what happens to Venus because she is the only one going through a major problem regarding her hair and how it affects her relationship with Clint. The other characters seem a little dull to me. "
— Samantha, 9/18/2009" Well written. Not quite a trashy romance, but it had it's parts. LOL! "
— Angelica, 8/20/2009" Love the idea of her letting the hair go to find herself. Had an issue with the lack of self defense towards the co-worker in the parking garage. "
— Tamika, 8/6/2009" This book was great...I'm looking forward to the movie! "
— Jessica, 6/6/2009Trisha R. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science from California State University-Los Angeles. Before writing her first novel she taught Language Arts to budding future writers in middle school. Her first novel, Nappily Ever After, was a NAACP Image Award Finalist for Outstanding Literature.
Lisa Renee Pitts is an award-winning actress in theater, television, and film, as well as an accomplished audiobook narrator and an AudioFile Earphones Award winner.