What's Love Got to Do with It?,
Let me start by saying, my expectations for this book were high. It's no secret I am totally, unequivocally, absolutely, and positively anti-TCP. As such, I haven't had a chance to sample the talent of one Keisha Ervin, with the exception of her novella FINDING FOREVER published by Priority Books. But that's a novella; I need a full length story to see what an author is working with. I had heard here and there, over and over again readers raving about Keisha's novels. So, again, my expectations were high.
Ervin's new novel, "Gunz and Roses" chronicles the ..relationship' of Gray Rose, a bi-racial beauty and fashion editor, and Gavin "Gunz" Marciano, a sinfully handsome drug kingpin. Gray is looking for love and her happily ever after while Gunz is living in the moment. For him, it is what it is. And what it isn't is a committed relationship. So here we have it. Boy meets girl. Girl likes boy. Boy likes girl. Boy and girl have sex. Boy and girl argue. Boy and girl have sex. Boy and girl argue. Boy and girl have sex. Boy and girl argue...It's a vicious cycle of dysfunction and foolishness.
"Gunz and Roses" is a "story of street love," according to the synopsis. However, if that is the case, this novel failed at its very premise. Gray and Gunz were not believable as a couple. The sense of a bond or chemistry that is imperative to make the plot convincing is never established. They had sex. They argued. That a relationship does not make, much less love. Instead, it leaves readers disconnected, removed from the feelings the novel hopes to evoke.
Also, sadly, Gunz and Gray fall into the pattern of stereotypical characters. I won't even get started on their designer clothes, Gray's looks (black and Korean with BLUE eyes and bootylicious) or Gunz's swagger (10-inch thang thang with a net worth of over 50 million). "Gunz and Roses" asks readers to believe the unbelievable, but then fails to provide any accompanying support.
In addition to being an avid reader, I'm a huge movie buff. So I was very disappointed to see the scene from one of my favorite movies literally play out on the pages of this novel. Are you serious? That wasn't cool at all. Be creative. Be original.
I wanted to like this novel. I really did. There were too many shortcomings. It's unfortunate that they mired the novel to a level of superficiality and predictability. In the end, "Gunz and Roses" was flat and unconvincing.
Reviewed by: Toni2.5