I really enjoyed this book! I am a fan of Chicki's work and Hot Fun did not disappoint. The changing points of view among the characters flowed flawlessly and each perspective added something interesting and dramatic to the story line. I loved that the story covered some very serious issues in our society, but they were skillfully woven into the story and were not overly abrasive or jarring. The passion levels of the multiple love stories range from sweet to super hot and they were all executed wonderfully. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written, multicultural drama with enough of the good stuff to keep you wanting just a little more of these characters. Kindle Edition As a born and bred Jersey girl, the description of this book got my attention when I saw that the story was about the Jersey shore. This is the first book that I read of Ms. Brown's, and I absolutely loved it! As a Jersey native, Ms. Brown took the reader through a story based on 4 girlfriends and their trial and tribulations during a shared summer vacation at the Jersey shore. Ms. Brown's accurate description of various Jersey shore towns and attractions was spot on, I could close my eyes and visualize everything that she described. I loved how she told the story from the individual perspective of each of the 4 women, each chapter had me enthralled in all the drama, suspense, and fun that the women had during their summer vacation. If you want to laugh and enjoy a great story, read this book! I can't wait to read the sequel to this book, Hollywood Swinging! Ms. Brown, you have a new fan and I look forward to reading more of your books! Kindle Edition I really enjoyed this book. What really got my attention was the rotation of the female characters' POV with each chapter. Overall, loved the story and was sad to see it end BUT then realized that there was a sequel, Hollywood Swinging, which I just purchased. I'm hoping to see if any of the other characters will pop up, especially since we were kind of left hanging what happened with their relationships and situations. Kindle Edition I grew up along the Jersey shore but I never rented a house at the beach with a bunch of friends, which is one of the reasons I bought this book. The story is told through the point of view of each of the four women. While Kinnick lives dangerously, the other three woman are sensible but cynical. There's plenty of emotion and a lot of heart as the drama unfolds. A satisfying tale of summer at the beach and definitely recommended. Kindle Edition 3.5 Stars
This is my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed it. I do have to say there was a lot going on because there were so many characters in the house, but the dynamic was really good. The book picked up for me following Kinnik's attack. This happens about 65%-70% into the book. The book was really just floating along until that point, with nothing really attention holding happening. Shontae and Devon's story was a good one. I loved how their relationship evolved slowly. You could really see Devon's feelings for her from the very beginning. Jo and Walter were also one of my favs. Every time Walter's appearance was described with his matching cane I could just picture him in my head with his leisurely stroll. I think if the book concentrated on less characters it would have been more successful, but it was good nonetheless....off to read Hollywood Swinging. Kindle Edition
Seven very different singles – four women and three men – rent a New Jersey beach house for the summer: author Shontae Nichols, self-employed accountant and realtor, Linda Harris, Linda’s sister, hip-hop video dancer Kinnik Watkins, cosmetologist, Jovita Blassingame, Calculus professor Curtis “Doc” Whetstone, actor and drama instructor, Kip Lee, and new housemate, up and coming film actor, Devon Burke.
During their two month stay, romances bloom friendships are tested and when a tragedy strikes one of the housemates, they all learn the answer to the age-old question: Can men and women ever be just friends? Hot Fun in the Summertime
Chicki Brown ß 4 characters
This book was an impulse purchase. I was actually promoting my own book in a few author pages on Facebook and came across Mrs. Brown's link for 'Hot Fun in the Summertime.' The synopsis intrigued me so I decided to go ahead and buy it. I had done this with another book recently and was severely disappointed so I was a tad skeptical, but all of my trepidation was was erased immediately after just a few pages. I can really say I loved this book. During the slow periods at work I was glued to my phone, reading it on my Kindle app, and was done two or three days later.
Sometimes when you have books featuring multiple characters with multiple POVs, they can either run together or be so scattered that it's hard to keep up. But this book really flowed for me, and I just wanted to keep turning the page (or rather, swiping the page). I had my opinions and emotions for each of these characters, but I was most sucked into Shontae and Devon's roller coaster. At first I thought I took to Shontae so much because we're both writers, but I found it was also because of our hesitancy when it comes to men due to past heartbreak and disappointment. I could really relate to her skepticism about Devon, though it did come to a point where I wanted to shake her because I felt she was a little TOO stubborn. But hey, that's just my opinion. :) Jo reminded me so much of a close friend of mine and I pictured her whenever there was a scene that included Jo, and I felt for her when she didn't get what she wanted from her man, Walter. I could so clearly picture Linda and Doc and I loved seeing their relationship develop. Jerome was the classic knight-in-shining-armor to me, and I absolutely loved him, even though I wasn't a big fan of Kinnik. And Kip...I just loved Kip. :)
I've already purchased the sequel, 'Hollywood Swinging' as well as another title from Mrs. Brown, and I look forward to reading them. This is definitely an instance when impulse buying turned out to be a good thing, because I've found a wonderful author to support. Kindle Edition Hot Fun in the Summertime is a great read where each of the main characters have a chapter to themselves, giving me as the reader a chance to get to know everyone really well. First person has a way of showing me a deeper understanding of the characters, so I was doubly pleased to find a 1st-person book that was also well written with voices that sprang off the pages. Gotta love some deep and meaningful prose, people!
Each character has visited the beach house to spend the summer doing what they love—delving into their creative passions while at the same time getting together and relaxing away from their everyday lives. I wanted a bit of that, let me tell ya, but as me going away for a whole summer is out of the question, I settled for living through these characters.
Inevitably, romance blooms (love it!), and each person discovers new things about themselves and the ones they fall in love with. Every great book has a dilemma, a tragedy, something for the characters to get over/past, and Hot Fun in the Summertime is no exception. Getting so deep into the characters’ point of views lent the book a sharp edge, in my opinion (oh yeah, I'm entitled to it lol), which made the angst and drama all the more poignant for me. No plot spoilers—it’s better that you read for yourself what befalls this band of people and how they cope with it. If I tell you, I'd have to do it Mission Impossible style, where the note blows up and takes you with it. Yeah, top-secret plotness going on here.
BEST BITS: The house looked great sitting atop the sand dunes with a bright border of red tiger lilies outlining the wrap-around porch.
The reality of karma in our lives was no joke. She was only attracting what she’d put out in her own life.
The house was so quiet when I started fixing dinner on Friday, I could hear the waves outside, a sound usually drowned out by conversation, music or those yapping men on ESPN.
The private room faced east, and someone had angled the blinds slightly to allow sunlight into the room.
I had always wanted Doc to appreciate my intelligence, but now I wanted him to find me desirable…
VERDICT: Hot Fun in the Summertime has some fantastic descriptions and scene-setting, but the icing on the cake for me (big azz cake with a cherry on top too) was being able to understand everyone so clearly and see some of myself in them, making me empathise, nod, smile, and want to cry for them. Oh yeah, bring on the introspection here as you think about what you'd do in their situations. There are some “real” aspects in Hot Fun in the Summertime that rang true for me, bringing me even closer to the people. For example, not being able to get a loan or credit because your rating is shot to pieces. Not knowing whether to tell other people of your suspicions in case you’d got it wrong—the turmoil that goes with such suspicions; should I, shouldn’t I say? What if I’m right and me keeping quiet makes everything worse? I loved the little touches like that. A superb read. Really, really good. Kindle Edition Author: Chicki Brown
Published By: C. B.
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
Hot Fun in the Summertime by Chicki Brown was another one of her good old romance ovels...showing relationships with family and friends. This novel was written in first person making it very easy to follow. Ms. Brown was able to bring out each character...Shontae, Linda, Devon, Doc, Kinnik, Walter, Jo, Kip and a few others with all of their interwoven unique personalities and strong bonds that made this a phenomenal 'Jersey Shore' read. I liked how this author brought a group of friends together to rent a summer house on the Jersey shore.
In this read hearts are on the mend, new loves begin, old scars serve as areminder of pain that has led to strength, and friendships grow stronger. It is a story of love, hope, and renewal. Be ready for lots of drama, suspense and romance...having many twist and turns with these seven people(four women & three men) who walk very different life's that come together for two months...sharing chores, fun, friendships, romance, lots of tension and tragedy. Will they all be able to work together to finds out the real meaning of love and friendship? Will they have fun and relaxation on the beach? This is where I say to find out the answers to these questions and more you must pick up this read to find out just what all is going in this read.
If you want a good laugh and a excellent read...you have come to the right place for Hot Fun in the summertime would be my recommendation for you. Ms. Browns' sequel to this book is 'Hollywood Swinging' and the story
continues....
Kindle Edition The only thing negative I have to say about this book is I couldn't put it down and read until 5am when my eyes gave out.
Each character has a unique, intriguing personality and I would be hard pressed to say who my favorites were, although Devon and Doc are on the top. Linda is responsible and has it all-together, yet is afraid of love. Shonte is a writer (which I loved reading about) and has no interest in romance and love. Kip is a player who sounded like a lot of fun, Kinnik, whose name sounds like unique, is a partier who is used by guys, although she doesn't see it that way. Doc is a professor with a strong mind, a great sense of responsibility, yet is deep down a teddy bear with a heart of gold. Jo is a heavy set woman who feels sexy and beautiful, which is a wonderful testament to women of any size. Her man, Walter, seems shady, but is a man who loves his woman. Each person is so different, yet they have similarities and learn to be friends.
Through the book, hearts are on the mend, new loves begin, old scars serve as a reminder of pain that has led to strength, and friendships grow stronger. It is a story of love, hope, and renewal.
LOVED IT! Kindle Edition 3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this novel about a group of friends who rent a house at the Jersey Shore for the summer. The point of view rotates between the four main female characters, a somewhat jaded writer who is afraid to let her guard down with a man and be vulnerable to heartbreak (Shontae), a troubled hip-hop dancer whose priorities are out of wack (Kinnick), a voluptious makeup artist who struggles with independence from her much older but loving boyfriend (Jo) and a no-nonsense accountant/realtor who is recently divorced and not sure she is ready for another relationship (Linda).
The character voices in this book are very distinct and so it was easy to keep up with the different storylines and the writing was really good. I thought the book started off really engaging and then sort of dragged at points. I guess one complaint is that much of it could have been cut out. Another complaint is that the author definitely focused on mostly Shontae and Kinnick and I would have liked to have seen some more resolution with the characters of Linda and Jo. I really liked where Linda's love interest was heading and was wanting of more. Finally, I had to suspend reality with respect to Kinnick because the character of Jerome felt a little too good to be true.
All in all, a fun read and I will probably read the sequel when it comes out. Kindle Edition