Reviews
Reviews for Just Tryin' To Be Loved...
Book Reviews
Book Blurb:
“…A great story…told with conviction, realism and humor.”
— Books2Mention Magazine
Book Review:
“Just Tryin’ To Be Loved is a great story with realistic characters. Told with conviction, realism and humor.
Mark Harris is a successful businessman who is in the process of overcoming a broken heart, after his breakup with Tony, who was repeatedly unfaithful during their relationship.
Mark becomes a workaholic to avoid dealing with his family and love relationship issues. Eventually, he meets Jared Muse, a real estate executive who offers the kind of relationship that Mark has always dreamed of.
Just when Mark’s life begins to fall into place, his ex-boyfriend Tony reenters his life. Mark’s insecurities cause him to become involved once again with Tony. This jeopardizes his life with Jared. After a while of dating both guys, Mark decides that he wants to be with Jared and ends his relationship with Tony. Unfortunately, this is where Mark’s nightmare begins.
Lies, secrets, and violence are depicted in this gripping novel. This is a story that readers will be able to relate to.
— Books2Mention Magazine
***** A Story all can relate to gay or straight
By SiStar Tea "ARC Book Club Inc." (Bronx, NYC)
First time Author J'son M. Lee brings us a novel that reads like an autobiography. The raw emotions in this story seem too real not to be experience first hand. This was a great story to say the least that all can relate to on some level.
Meet Mark a handsome openly gay black male. He has a great job, a nice condo and great friends. So what is lacking you ask? That special man to share his life with. Mark is the son of preacher (His Father) and a English teacher (His mother). Mark has struggled with his sexuality and it didn't help matters that his parents were against homosexuality. As a teenager, he had his first encounter with a man that left him even more confused. When he leaves to go off to collage he finds there are more men like him struggling with their sexuality and finds comfort that he is not alone. In his second year of college he comes to term with his sexuality and comes "out the closet," He tells his gramma whom is his biggest supporter and her words stay with him forever. Gramma responds, "tell me something I don't already know I just want you to be happy." He next tells his parents whom completely disown him and he agonizes over their reacting for years to come.
Fast forward from the history lesson that has shaped Mark to be the man he is. After a nasty break up with Tony, Mark has met someone after taking himself of the market for year and half and is ready to move on with his life. Enter Jared a sexy man who has his eye on Mark. Jared has it going on in every sense of the word and turn the heads of ladies alike but is only interested in Mark. Just when things seem like they going in the right direction enter back into the picture Tony. This is where the story gets very interesting, as we, all know how the story goes as soon as we move on it's like the ex has radar and knows that someone else is interested.
You have to read the book to see the crazy antics that goes on with a cast of supporting characters that will have you cracking up especially Cher. Author J'son does a great job with the twist and turns in this book, and ties all the character together that is almost unbelievable but make perfect sense. J'son Lee is an author to be on the look out for. This is a great story and I look forward to reading more from him in the near future.
—SiStar Tea, ARC Book Club Inc. (5 Star Rating), September 1, 2008
***** [5 STARS]
This is one of the best books I have read in the 400 plus books that I've read spanning over the last five years. I just couldn't put this book down. This is a one to two day book tops. I read this book at work and on the bus. One minute I was dying laughing and the next I was close to tears. Mr. Lee is a beast with the pen. I haven't read another book like it and I can't compare Mr. Lee to any other author. The characters popped with emotion, which ranged from pain, fear, happiness, failure, sadness to sheer joy. I was so sad to have to shut this book and see all the drama end. I was truly entertained, informed, enlightened, and down right touched. Very few novels have left me emotionally drained at the end and this one did it. I could go on and on about this book, that is just how good it was. Kudos Mr. Lee on a job well done. I can't wait for your next book.
—M.T. Pope, Author of Both Sides Of The Fence
Reader Praise
Just finished reading "Just Trying to be Loved" by J'son M. Lee. His story is filled with every emotion possible. By the time I finished his book I felt as though I knew Mark’s beloved 'Gramma'. It's amazing what we will tolerate when we think we're in love. My only disappointment was reading the last page and knowing the story had ended for now. I hope Mr. Lee has plans of writing yet another book. Until then, I have already started at page one again.
—Denise S.
I received your book on Tuesday. I feel like I am in the mind of the main character. You have really made me feel part of the story. Although I want to scream “Dump Tony, go for Jared!” But it’s
early yet and we will see how I feel after a few more chapters. Thank you for letting me in on your passion. You are a good writer, and you should definitely keep doing it. I am already a fan!
—Sara H.
Just wanted to take the time to acknowledge your well written, debut novel. The actual cover of your book does not do this absolutely devouring read any justice. Your carefully crafted characters emanated from the pages; thus, inviting the reader in...up close and personal. Your attention to detail re: the beautiful city of DC and your homage to your NC roots speaks to your southern pride and authenticity. Your book also captured the complexities of love in all its splendor, chaos and pain, regardless of sexual orientation. Simply, love is love and no one should have to endure shame or feel compelled to apologize for having the courage to be themselves. J'son, continue to nurture your "anointed" gift of artistry. I sense that you are a class act without the unnecessary pretentiousness often illustrated in "gay" circles. I can hardly wait for a possible sequel. Would love to know what became of the friendship between Mark
and Todd and the divine, luv connection between Mark and Jared. Alwayz,
—freedom clay
I just finished the book Just Tryin' to Be Loved and what a wonderful read it was. Man it had a little bit of everything in it...love, hate, mystery, intrigue, sex, lies, deceit, digital camera, big words, pain, wisdom, professionals, thugs, ghetto fabu!! I mean...you name it...it’s in there...boyeeeeeeeeeeeee you know you did a great job...I can't say that you out did yourself because the best is yet to come. God certainly has greater works for you do...
—Charles
You are a true story teller. I love the way you develop the story with all the details. You make your character jump off the page. I like the quotes from your grandmother and your preference for southerners. Your characters are basically good southern boys---romantic.
—Billi
I just finished the last page. I could not put it down!! There were so many things that I recognized, which made it that much harder to stop reading. I must say when I saw the word “yisditty” in print I screamed out in laughter. You have to be from the south to know that lingo!!!! Congratulations on a wonderful book!!! When is the next one going to be finished????? A few of my friends finished the book before I did….and THEY LOVED IT TOO!!!!
—Leasie T.
Oh my gosh, J’son, it was great. I read your book straight through—reading on the bus and metro for two days and staying up until 2am. It was that compelling. Who wouldn’t empathize with our hero or fall in love with both Gramma and the often outrageous, but indomitable Cher? Just Tryin’ To Be Loved would make a terrific movie. When I first started reading, I thought the book was going to be an erotic memoir, which would have been fine (That’s hot!), but it proved to be so much more. Your gift for description really puts the reader in your character’s shoes. One of my favorite parts was Mark’s first visit to the opera. An additional pleasure was all the Southern touches. Since I was raised by two ladies from South Carolina, the home cooking and pot likker took me down memory lane. One expression I never heard before but plan to use: “You could have bought me for a penny.” We said, “You could have knocked me down with a feather.” Your book rocks, J’son! Congratulations and love,
—Marty
Oh my goodness! I finished the book at 2:00 am on Saturday morning. I couldn't put it down. It was fantastic! I can't believe Jah or whoever he is. I'm happy for Mark though, although I was waiting for his fairytale with Jared to end but it didn't so I was glad. Now all my girlfriends want to borrow my book and I'm like...no, go buy it! I loved it! Keep doing your thang!
—Twinky
I found J’son Lee’s book, “Just Tryin’To Be Loved” extremely captivating. It is certainly a page turner. I found it extremely difficult to find a good stopping place during the two day time period that it has taken me to read the book. He is a very descriptive writer and can capture any audience. This was my first time reading literature with a homosexual theme and I found out that if a writer is a well spoken individual you forget about sexuality and indulge yourself in the story line.
—Tina W.
I AM FINISHED! That last chapter, that last chapter, somebody ought to say thank you Jesus for ... No, no, no! I would be telling. Read the book! J'son, I sincerely and truly enjoyed reading your book. As a hopeless romantic I allowed the passion and the realism I read in the book to become my thoughts. I was curious about the love between two men but got caught up and moved by the love and passion shared between two people. It was indeed about "just trying to be loved" and what happens to us as when we set out to find love and how we end up loving and being loved for all the wrong reasons. You were able to bring it all together and left me gasping at the end saying to myself "what the hell..." It was a real experience and I enjoyed reading every page of it. Congrats! I have just read a beautiful love story about things I sense that people feel and experience no matter who they are. I came away with the feeling that while I had read a love story, it was also a story of coming to terms with who you are and what you have allowed to happen to you in your life in your search to just be loved. Love conquers all, especially when you learn to love yourself. My nephew is gay and so I read with an interest in trying to understand a little better his struggle to find that special someone. You bring an honest and fresh perspective as well as an insightful look at how some in our society decide who is deserving of being loved. I have sent my nephew to the website to order the book and hopefully he will pass this on to others. Be blessed,
—Lynn
Thank you for your comments.I’m glad that you enjoyed the book and took the time to let me know. Please keep the comments coming!