#BookReview: SECOND HOUSE FROM THE CORNER by Sadeqa Johnson

"You know how you know some serious shit is about to go down & you're afraid for the character because their life is about to be in shambles? I'm there. RIGHT. NOW." - Me, 01/18/16

I was not ready for the twists and turns of Second House on the Corner. When I started it, I was like, oh, a story about a stressed about stay at home mom trying to deal with her husband and the kids while putting her dreams on hold. That's what I thought. But y'all...Y'ALL, Sadeqa Johnson played me!

From the outside looking in, Felicia Lyons is living the good life. Her husband Preston brings home the bacon and Faye, as Felicia is called by family and friends, or Foxy as she's called by Preston, fries it up in the pan. Taking care of a husband and three kids is a challenge, but she's managing. Things are looking up for her when she gets invited to audition for admission to a creative women's group. This is just what she needs to reignite her passion for acting. And then the bottom falls out, which is where my quote up top comes in.

Faye... hey, girl, hey....

Felicia...

FELICIA!!!!

Secrets from Faye's past creep in like thieves in the night and steal all of her joy. When she opens the door to past relationships, all hell breaks loose and she finds herself on the verge of losing her husband, her children and her home.  Her only saving grace is her Gran back in Philly. And even though Gran can't solve her problems for her, she's a voice of reason and shelter in a storm.

I loved the characters that Sadeqa Johnson created. The relationship between Faye and Preston was so loving and sexy and Johnson perfectly played out the typical male reaction when he finds that the woman he placed on a pedestal isn't the angel he always believed her to be. I also enjoyed Faye's relationships with her kids - the mature Rory, the needy middle child Twyla (and I loved her nickname, Two) and baby Liv. The author outdid herself with this book and I can't wait to see what she puts out next.

304 p.
Published: February 2016


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