Where Did We Go Wrong?
Where Did We Go Wrong? is an honest portrait of modern relationships. It is part soap-opera, part daytime talk show and part late-night Cinemax movie. Brisk pacing, memorable players and snappy dialogue that will pique readers' interest as the characters struggle to balance their need for love and fulfillment with a desire to live an independent life. An enjoyable, lightweight read for anyone craving a mix of chick-lit drama and spicy romance. --Kirkus ReviewsWhere Did We Go Wrong? by Monica Mathis-Stowe is entertaining and unpredictable. The friendships that cement into sisterhood between Joy, Gabby and Maxine is tested by the non-stop drama these late-20-somethings find themselves creating. Being sisters from other misters is the only thing that keeps these Morgan State University graduates together. Equal parts dysfunction and support, the bond formed in college is barely strong enough to keep the rocky relationships from disintegrating into nothingness. Sometimes friendship is a matter of familiarity. Monica Mathis-Stowe orchestrates a scintillating adventure in Where Did We Go Wrong? that will leave you affected by the world that is left behind after the last page is turned. The author gives each of the three women distinct attitudes and sets of behaviors. The power struggle between the two alpha-women Gabby and Joy is juxtapositioned by Maxine's nurturing, timid nature. The interactions are as interesting as they are authentic - with the strengths and weaknesses giving Where Did We Go Wrong? its own feel. Where Maxine wants everything to be alright, Gabby thrives on conflict. Where Gabby wants everyone she comes into contact to benefit her, Joy wants her friends to be strong and independent. Where Joy finds herself sad because she is alone, Maxine is sad because she has a family and wants to do so much more for them. I also loved to hate Gabby. Even though this is a novel about three friends, Gabby is the arch-villain that takes center stage of every scene of which she is a part. As the book progresses, she gets more evil and harsh in ways that will leave your eyebrows raised to your hairline in sheer shock. Joy and Maxine have interesting experiences in Where Did We Go Wrong?, but Gabby is pure hell in human form. Because of this, she drives the drama further than the other two women could have without Gabby. Without this addition to the trio, Where Did We Go Wrong? would be another run-of-the-mill Lifetime Movie in book-form. In more ways than one, she is the keystone to this book's success. If you love drama, Where Did We Go Wrong? is the perfect read. The action never dies down in a novel that Monica Mathis-Stowe made sure will do more than keep our attention. This book deals with issues like domestic abuse, long-distance relationships, extramarital affairs and strained friendships in a way that keeps your heart pounding and your brain turning. --Joey Pinkney, Book ReviewerThree best friends have been holding down each other since college. But are there some secrets that are too much for anyone to hold? Enter the world of Gabby, Maxine and Joy, who find themselves entwined in secrets, lies, and betrayal. Will their friendship last? Gabby has always been known to get what she wants. When her plan comes to life, she traps a NFL baller, gets pregnant and makes him pay child support for the next 18 years. But things go from great to bad when Gabby pins her newborn on someone else, and marries another man who suffers from mental illness. Gabby can't hold her lies together when confronted with the truth. A DNA test brings all of Gabby's lies to light and what follows next is deadly consequences. Will Gabby be able to live with what her lies created? Maxine has the perfect life. A husband who is on his way to making partner, two handsome sons and the house of her dreams. But Maxine is living in hell. Her husband refuses to let her return to her job as a teacher, they are over their head in debt, and her husband uses her as his own punching bag. When an altercation lands Maxine in the hospital, the perfect life as Maxine has come to know is no longer. With her husband in prison, Maxine is finally taking control of her life. She begins teaching again and runs into a new co-worker named Kevin. Things seem to be moving in the right direction, but is everything what it seems? Is Maxine moving too fast that'll end up in another disaster? Where Did We Go Wrong was a great read. Monica Mathis-Stowe tackled so many issues but kept the story line intact. The friendship of these three women remained strong through every obstacle. I can't wait to read Where Did We Go Wrong Again to see where the characters' paths take them in the next book. You will not be disappointed at all with Where Did We Go Wrong. --Urban Reviews