I don’t even know where to start with this review, I was so blown away! This is a 500 page book I picked up years ago in 2013, that I read in paperback over the Christmas holiday. Yes! It is a page turner and such a beautiful story.

About the Book:

Essence bestselling author Tracy Brown’s scorching new urban tale about falling in love and one girl’s descent into the murky and unrelenting depths of drug addiction

Jada left home at the age of sixteen, running from her own demons and the horrors of physical abuse inflicted by her mother’s boyfriend. She partied hard, and life seemed good when she was with Born, the neighborhood kingpin whose name was synonymous with money, power, and respect. But all his love couldn’t save her from a crack addiction. Jada goes from crack addict and prostitute to survivor and back again before she finds the strength to live for herself and come out on top. And her stormy romance with one of the fiercest hustlers on the streets makes White Lines one of the most unforgettable urban loves stories of the year.

5 + Outstanding Stars!

I’m not a fan of stories that are just guns, drugs, thugs, and not much else in terms of a story.  White Lines has none of this in a negative way! It’s not the main focus of the story, but does contribute to Jada’s history in a big way. Set in the 80s- 90s, during the height of when crack cocaine really did run New York , Jada’s story is a beautiful one set in this time.

Jada’s story and connection with Born, the guy she falls for and her best friend Sunny, for me was such a beautiful coming of age story.  A joy, pleasure, and tear-jerker at times to read. It starts in the present day (2007) Jada has lost her mother to cancer. Then goes back to the back story in the 80s, following Jada and her sister as  teens and their story to the present day. Man, I was just blown away, the author has a way of really pulling readers in with her depth of character development and story-telling skills. I actually felt almost everything that Jada, Born, Sunny, and all the main characters felt as I read though these 500 pages. 

What I really enjoyed was the growth that Jada goes through, her fight with her demons, the streets, life, and becoming who she is at the end. By the time she’s thirty, she is stable, a mother, and a successful journalist. And after ten years of absence as they broke up due to Jada’s demons Born is back in her life, just when her mother passes away. Within these pages are I’d say two other sub-stories one for her first love Born, and her best friend Sunny.  They are both so touching especially Sunny’s. I am not one for spoilers but what I will say is they are both gripping sub-plots and well written, placed in a very iconic time for New York city, for those from poor backgrounds. I just loved it! I recommend it to all those who love romance, coming of age stories, stories with a good amount of reality set in a period of history that has happened. If you like to read work by authors who write gritty stories, but bring an element of something really special with their tales give this a try. I have bought parts two and three and will start reading right now! Over the rest of the holiday. I am a new fan of Ms. Brown.