Forever After (Arabesque) [Mass Market Paperback]

FOREVER AFTER by Kimberley White

September 5, 2004

FOREVER AFTER by Kimberley White was my second BET Arabesque romance, and so far I'm batting 100. In the opening chapter, 27-year old Jova Parker is dealing with an ex-boyfriend who has just sued her for damages, and she was nowhere near the accident that totaled her vehicle. The ex is Herman Norman, and although their relationship had started out on the right foot, he turned into a person that she had a hard time respecting. The last straw was the accident he had while driving her Lincoln, claiming SHE owed him money for his medical bills.

In the mean time, Jova is grieving over the death of her mother, but had been busy building up a clientele at her new salon, Tresses and Locks, bought with her mother's insurance policy. Jova felt that she will make her mother proud, by creating a successful business in her honor.

Across the street is David's Garage, and Davan Underwood, David's nephew, has just moved to Detroit from Utah to help out his dying uncle. He's noticed Jova, and introduces himself to her. There are sparks, but Jova is not ready for a relationship so soon after she'd been treated so badly by Herman, and does her best to keep her emotions in check. At the same time, Dawn, who also works at the salon, finds herself attracted to Davan, and soon starts to believe there is a real relationship going on between them.

Davan doesn't give up where it concerns Jova. He does his best to convince her to go out with him on a date, asking her to give him a tour of the city. Jova considers this new relationship a purely platonic one, at first. But Jova slowly let's go of her stubborn attitude and let's him into her heart. Problems arise between Dawn and Jova because of Davan's interest in Jova, and soon Dawn quits the salon, accusing Jova of backstabbing her.

As Jova and Davan's relationship slowly blossoms, Davan's Uncle David requests to meet her. David's relationship to Davan is similar to that of father and son, and he insists on meeting Jova. Jova and David hit it off and she in turn looks up to him as the father she never had. While his health deteriorates, she helps take care of him and befriends him, making Davan very happy that the woman he loves and his surrogate father have become good friends.

Herman isn't out of the picture and he returns periodically to threaten Jova and asks for money to save him from the men who he owes money to. His gambling habit has gotten out of control, and for some reason he thinks she can help him. She thought he was out of her life for good, but despite their break up, his influence on her life has a negative impact, and it begins to affect how she deals with her romance with Davan.

I enjoyed FOREVER AFTER, and felt it was a great story. It was more complicated than the average romance. However, I did feel there was a problem with some of the writing. A few of the chapters ended abruptly, and the transition to the next chapters felt stilted and stiff. Other than that, I am recommending FOREVER AFTER and would definitely read another book by Kimberely White.

When Jova Parker, owner of Tesses & Locks a hot new Salon met Davan Underwood an auto mechanic helping in his uncle's business, she never expected the life changing events that would follow.

Jova met Davan after being sued in court by her ex, Herman. Davan immediately knew he wanted Jova and proceeded with a vengence to make her a part of his life. At times Davan's aggessiveness in persuing their relationship could be interpreted as demanding, but his honest affection and consideration of Jova's needs were what lend balance to his quest.

Jova had given up hope on finding a man who would be true to commitment. After her break-up with Herman she vowed "no more relationships". She had endured enough hurt by men who promised their heart but ended up destroying hers. This was a major reason Davan's unwavering attempts to change Jova's perspective about a relationship scared as well as fasinated her. While Jova struggled to believe this wonderful, tall, dark, handsome, and caring man could truly have a heart to match his outer appearance. There were still old demons and jealousies that continued to haunt their blossoming love.

Davan's uncle David although a secondary character proved a key player in both Jova and Davan's lives. Herman was a conviving, scheming, bottom feeder until the very end. While Dawn was a scandalous witch who should one day find true justice for her evil deeds. I loved cousins Kay and Hooper, the crazy and in love couple that makes you love them too. Ms White, has the ability to allow the reader to share the characters, heartache, disappointments, and fear as well as experience their love, desire, and truimphs. Her characters aren't perfect and their lives reflect that. Sometimes issues are still left for the reader to wonder??

BRAVO, Kimberley this is another great romance. Other must reads by Ms White is TANGO, and ONLY IN MY DREAMS.

The characterizations and the plot were immensely intriguing and not predictable at all. There were twists in the story that made it hard for me to put the book down. Jova and Davan were one of the most sexiest couples I have ever read about and enjoyed in a novel. The way their relationship blossomed was sensual, sexy and real...I could see love beginning like that. Their relationship was very believable and Jova reminded me a lot of my hairdresser! The relationship between Herman and Jova was also very believable; those are the parts of the novel that definitely had me on the edge of my seat and talking out loud--(in my best girlfriend voice)-- "No she not about to ride him around in her new man's car!!"

I also thought that the way the author dealt with the relationships between Davan and Uncle David, and Uncle David's friendship with Jova, was extremely beautiful and sensitive. Uncle David was definitely a positive influence in Davan's life; this was evidenced in the way Davan treated Jova. The author dealt with many issues that are pertinent to the "now" in African-American communities like entrepreneurship, death and dying, and the importance of respect in relationships. I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of Kimberley's work in the near future.