Black Coffee discussion

This will be the official discussion thread for the May Group Read: Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith.

This seems to be a very popular book at the moment. We will begin reading on May 15th.

Will anyone else be joining?

Yes, I have the book and been looking for a reason to read this. I'll be ready, #excited!

I will join, but I may be a few days late in starting. I’m looking forward to this read.

I plan to join

It's currently available for 6 bucks on Amazon! I would like to join but it might take me a bit to get going.

Most definitely. I started reading 2 months ago but I found it hard to keep my interest. Now that we have a book discussion going on here, this will motivate me to continue reading.

I'm in.

Hello! 👋🏽👋🏽 I’m Natasha from Louisiana. I’m looking forward to starting this book and being part of the discussion! Happy Friday!

Tentative Reading Schedule

Parts 1-2 *** Discussion will start Sunday, May 20th *** Msg 20

Parts 3-4 *** Discussion will start Sunday, May 27th *** Msg 27

Parts 5-7 *** Discussion will start Sunday, June 3rd

FYI.... the Kindle edition is still $6 on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Ribbon...

Thanks, Lulu. I have 33 pages to go....Eamon, Evi & Dalton got me in a whirlwind (their own).

Had the impression this was her debut book of any kind. She has a story collection that was really well received -at least critically. I must read it Every Kiss a War.

That’s awesome!! Thanks for posting!!!

Whiskey and Ribbons has been included on a number of “lists” the last couple of months. An author would kill for something like this:

LISTS!
-Entertainment Weekly: 50 Most Anticipated Books of 2018
-Electric Literature: 46 Books By Women Of Color To Read In 2018
-The Rumpus: What To Read When 2018 Is Right Around The Corner
-The Millions' Most Anticipated: The Great 2018 Book Preview
-Texas Book Festival's 2018 Reads
-Steph Post's The Great 2018 Spring Book Preview
-Book Riot's 10 March New Releases To Put On Hold @ The Library Right Now
-Book Bub's 17 New Books for Jodi Picoult Fans Coming in 2018
-Book Bub's 23 New Books You'll Be Dying To Talk About
-Alternating Current/The Coil's Books We Can't Wait To Read In 2018
-Princeton Book Review's Books To Read Next
-Geekster's 10 Books To Look Forward To In 2018 (in Dutch!)
-SheRead's 2018's Books By Diverse Writers
-The Root: These New and Upcoming Books by Black Authors Will Give You Life in These Perilous Times
-Popsugar: 20 Best New Books To Read In March
-Harper's Bazaar: 18 New Books You Need To Read In March
-Nylon's Ten Great Books To Read In March
-Amazon's Best Books Of the Month For March
-Audible's Best New Releases Editor's Choice for March
-Southern Living's This Year's Best Spring Break Reads
-Parade Magazine's 20 Must-Have Books For Your Spring Reading List
-Book Bub's 21 New Books To Read Over Spring Break

That’s fantastic! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

That is impressive!!!! I’ve fallen behind on the reading, but I’m enjoying it so far. I’ll be back to start the discussion later on this evening!

Columbus wrote: "Whiskey and Ribbons has been included on a number of “lists” the last couple of months. An author would kill for something like this:

LISTS!
-Entertainment Weekly: 50 Most Anticipated Books of 201..."

Wow!

Carol wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Whiskey and Ribbons has been included on a number of “lists” the last couple of months. An author would kill for something like this:

LISTS!
-Entertainment Weekly: 50 Most Anticip..."

Have you started it yet, Carol?

Now, I have to go back and read this book after all. Lol

Part 1 & 2 Discussion starts here, may contain spoilers.
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1/3 through the reading and I can see why this book is on everyone's list. This starts off as an unusual combination of both grief and romance. I do love the title and the explanation of it. " Women, you are sleek and gorgeous. You hold us together, you’re the ribbons. We’re men. Dangerous only if you take us too seriously. We’re the whiskey. To whiskey and ribbons,”

How do you feel about the POVs? Eamon being the past, Evangeline being the present, and Dalton being a combination of both? -- Is this working for you so far?

I'm not sure I care for Evangeline. It's been 6 months since Eamon's death. I'm not sure if she is trying to move on or just find a way to deal with her grief. What do you think?

Learning that Dalton was biracial was kind of a surprise for me, because I don't think race plays a major part in this story. I automatically thought that Eamon and Dalton had the same biological father, but then we learn about Steve (Dalton's biological father)....I still think there may be a twist about this part. What say you?

What are your thoughts so far? How are you enjoying the story?

I finished the book about a week ago and I enjoyed it. It has a very easy, free-flowing prose so one would be able to get through it rather quick.

I loved the fact the author explained the title so distinctly and you didn’t have to work your brain like a Rubik’s cube to figure it out. The title fit so perfectly I thought.

Lulu, at the beginning of the book i didn’t really know what to make of Evangeline. I was puzzled and a little bewildered why she would pursue this so soon after the death of her husband. The author didn’t really make that clear to me. It was a little clunky how the author transitioned from Eamon’s death straight to Evi straddling Dalton’s lap. Huh!? What did I miss!?

And there’s no spoiler there for those who are just starting the book. The first line of the book:

My husband Eamon was shot and killed in the line of duty while I was sleeping.

Also, sometimes you have to pay close attention whether the author is purposely showing a flaw in the character with these puzzling decisions or actions. I didn’t see that to be the case here.

Columbus wrote: "Carol wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Whiskey and Ribbons has been included on a number of “lists” the last couple of months. An author would kill for something like this:

LISTS!
-Entertainment Weekly: 5..."

No. I was waylaid by Birds of Opulence.... :)

I’m also on the fence about my feelings for Evangeline. I also know that grief can be trigger so many actions/motivation. Reading Eamon’s account of Evangeline does does provide some additional context of her personality. I’ll keep reading! 😉

Carol wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Carol wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Whiskey and Ribbons has been included on a number of “lists” the last couple of months. An author would kill for something like this:

LISTS!
-Entert..."

Haha....I understand. So many good book discussions/buddy reads so little time.

The only character I liked was Eamon. He stayed consistent.

SPOILERS!!!!!
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So....I don't even know what I'm feeling at this point! LOL!

I'm totally confused when it comes to whats going on between Dalton and Evangeline. He's professed his love for her, but she's just acting like a jealous high school girlfriend. Has Dalton always been in love with her? Could this be why he's so flippiant when it comes to Frances and Cassidy? I still feel like Evangeline is just looking for someone to fill the void of not having Eamon around.

The complexity of all these relationships is just killing me. LOL

Speaking of relationships....I hope we learn a little bit more about Penelope and Loretta's friendship. I know that it was said that Dalton was the product of a one night stand, but I feel like Loretta knows more than she's let on.

Again, I'm loving the movement of the story and the writing, but I'm not so much in love with the characters.

How's the reading coming along for you guys? Thoughts? Opinions? Questions?

Initially there were so many things to love about this book: close knit family and extended family, awesome relationship between two brothers, sweet love story, women loving and supporting each other, a father who was a “dad and all wrapped around a dedicated fallen officer. In addition, the audio version was superb! The voice of Eamon, performed by Larry Heron, was almost musical! Speaking of music, I adored all of Dalton’s musical references and listened to a few of them while reading.
But then.....it turned into something else! It felt more like YA fiction. Not that I mind YA, I just wasn’t prepared for it. So much childish emotion! I really got to the point, I wanted to abandon it, but I paid too much for the book and audio. So, I let it drag me along. Ugh! Evangeline and Dalton....just annoying!
I agree with Lulu, I wanted more story about Penelope and Loretta.
The ending....didn’t like it at all. Perhaps it’s generational though. I am probably one of the most senior members of this group. You guys tell me how you feel about this.

Here's my review.

This book started off good but then it just lost me. I liked two of the narrators. I really liked Eamon. I liked Eamon's relationship with Dalton. I especially liked how Eamon loved Evangeline. I thought Dalton was boring. Was he coveting his brothers wife their entire marriage? I liked Evi up until six months after the baby was born. She was so selfish. Did she really love her husband? I didn't like her telling Dalton what to do with his "relationship" with-was it Chasity. Sis, started making plans for the future real fast. I became bored with Evi and Dalton.

A little late but I have my copy!!!!

The Charmer: Lets Talk About Books wrote: "Here's my review.

This book started off good but then it just lost me. I liked two of the narrators. I really liked Eamon. I liked Eamon's relationship with Dalton. I especially liked how Eamon l..."

Agree! Also, I wonder what the rest of the family felt about this.

This book had me intrigued but lost me as I traveled
the pages. Being 71 years old could have made a difference. I enjoyed reading the post here more than the pages of the book.

Trudy wrote: "The Charmer: Lets Talk About Books wrote: "Here's my review.

This book started off good but then it just lost me. I liked two of the narrators. I really liked Eamon. I liked Eamon's relationship ..."

I know. They can't be okay with this.

Gwen wrote: "This book had me intrigued but lost me as I traveled
the pages. Being 71 years old could have made a difference. I enjoyed reading the post here more than the pages of the book."

Naw, Ms. Gwen, it's not your age. The story started out good and then it fell off.

Spoilers!!!! Open for All Discussion
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I know we aren't suppose to start the third section of the discussion until tomorrow, but I think the majority of us are done. I finished last night....fell asleep thinking about this story and woke up thinking about this story.

This story started off so good to me...the potential was definitely there, but that second section felt a little silly to me and by the end of the third section I was over it all. So no Ms. Gwen, it is not your age or if it is, it's my age too.

Everybody got on my nerves....except Eamon and Noah. Dalton started off super cool and then I thought he was in love with Evangeline, but then its like I'm obligated to do this. What was that all about?

I don't know....my head is in such conflict with my feelings over this story. LOL!!!

Lulu, sometimes when reading new literature it’s easy to lose track of experiences. One of the joys of being in this groups places me with a diversity of readers who help me to keep my mi d working. Thank you fir your reply, it’s nit my age but the book.

Gwen wrote: "Lulu, sometimes when reading new literature it’s easy to lose track of experiences. One of the joys of being in this groups places me with a diversity of readers who help me to keep my mi d working..."

Gwen, how did you feel about Evangeline and Dalton forming a relationship?

It was really hard to suspend reality with this book. Perhaps because there are things I can relate to, such as kinships and death of loved ones, but geez!! Evangeline and Dalton and Frances irked me quite a bit. Still shaking my head!

Lulu wrote: "This will be the official discussion thread for the May Group Read: Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith.

This seems to be a very popular book at the moment. We ..."

A great choice. Thanks