The Pursuit of Happiness By D.A. Young

It took me forever to finally sit down and write this review. I guess I didn’t want the book to end and needed a moment to process all that black girl magic D.A. Young was serving up. Ladies this book was everything! The author addressed so many political and social issues that are important today and not only that offers ways we can help in our own community. Sometimes authors can sound overly “preachy” in books but this book it was like she was speaking life. I loved all the pop culture references and the way the author addressed racism and sexism.  (Ok on to this review)

We are back on the row with Casey & Sid. If you are like me you have been waiting impatiently for this story. Sid although her mouth is straight fire is very complicated she has demons from her past that she battles with daily. The problem with demons is that if you don’t confront them they will eat you alive. No one can ever accuse Sid of being a coward but she was hurt very deeply as a child and that has shaped the woman she is today. Now I know her nick name is Sid-vicious but she cares deeply and the only man who can deal with her antics is Casey.

This book made me see Casey in a different light. When this man loves he loves hard but his insecurities of losing Sid can often get the best of him. I loved how the author dug a little deep into both characters past. We got to see a young Sidra & Casey as kids fighting for love and the factors that both shaped them into who they are today. I do wish with Casey’s violent tendencies in this book we would have got to see him grovel a little bit more or take corrective action ( I never did see him atone for his behavior). For me the story was kind of overshadowed by the “secret” Sidra carried (and all the players) e.g. her mom/dad but the issue with Dom and Casey when did they get cool and how did it come about? I would have loved to see how that wrapped up and more on the wedding.

 Like all the authors stories we get to catch up with our favorite characters and let me tell you Lex & Viv were the break out stars in this book for me. I cannot wait to hear more about this imposing threat and how these two even came about. Ella is another play that slowly came to the forefront of this book. I believe she has more of a story to tell and her past won’t be so pretty as well.

I think this book was a little more action packed than the last with Sidra’s past and the characters who make a play to destroy her happiness. This story had a few twists and turns that I did not see coming. One thing I give the author kudos for is the family tree in the beginning of the book. Because this story dealt with some heavy issues Sidra’s mother was a great comic relief.

D.A. Young has done it again by serving all this realness in her latest instalment. I previously mentioned that this book was a little different than the others and I loved that the author dug deeper and produced something that was touching and eye opening. You have a fan in me D.A. Young I cannot wait for the next book. I highly recommend this series. Please judge this book for yourselves and not based on this one review. 

The Pursuit of Happiness By D.A. Young

When I first heard about this author it was from fellow blogger @musingsirj Now I will be the first to tell you that we agree to disagree on books BUT she did not lead me wrong when told me that author D.A. Young was the truth. Remember the days of getting a fully developed story? When I tell you ladies this author is that and more. Her Men of Whiskey Row series has me hooked and I cannot wait for the next installment.

The latest book in this growing series is The Pursuit of Happiness this is Darby and Ms. Avery story. In the last book ( New Beginnings)  we were left with quite a cliffhanger. This story picks up where that one left off. Let me tell you I absolutely loved this story.

Darby was known as the wild child, the love them and leave them type. At the beginning of this story we get a little flashback on how his past helped shaped the man he is today. I will admit Darby was a playboy but meeting the spicy Ms. Avery has turned his world upside down.

Ms. Avery is a woman wanting to break free of the self-imposed prison she is in. Darby makes her want to be the woman she has always dreamed of becoming but insecurities has stopped her. Darby has a lot of baggage including a few surprises but can Ms. Avery ride it out with him?

I loved that even though these two had their issues as readers we got to see them work through them and develop their relationship. One issue I had is that although this book is a series the author does focus on all the characters and just when you are starting to get into one characters storyline it’s a transition to the next character. Don’t get me wrong I love catching up with all the characters but if this is to be a story about two characters the main focus needs to be on them. Because this series has a few characters each with great stories that need to be told I think the author could benefit from a family tree. With all the anguish between Alexi & ViVi I would love to see more how this storyline was going to play out. ( I know, I know their story is coming, but I am on pins & needles with the bombshell that just dropped). I did love the meeting in the chop shop with three of the main characters. D.A. Young knows how to keep the readers interested and on the edge of their seat. I cannot wait to see how this all will play out. Readers if you are looking for a well told story with depth and layers please one click this author. You will not be disappointed. Please read this book for yourselves and not based on this one review.