Un-Nappily in Love is the latest novel from Bestselling author, Trisha R. Thomas, which chronicles the hair and love issues faced by the charismatic and adventurous lead, Venus Johnson. I was introduced to Venus Johnson about three years ago and I have anxiously awaited her adventures ever since. Having survived custody battles, murder trials, infamous televangelist and the havoc that southern humidity can wreak on a girls ‘do, you’d think that Venus and her ever so handsome husband Jake could conquer all. But this time around there’s a new frontier to survive–stardom.
Jake’s past as a rapper, gives him the unexpected opportunity to star in a movie with the hottest star, Sirena Lassiter. She and her long flowing locks have conquered the music charts, the big screen and has landed her on the cover of every magazine. The question is, can she conquer the love between Venus and Jake? Since Venus is my girl, I was rooting for her. But Thomas weaves in quite a few kinks (no pun intended) to the story that are all too familiar to many women. Is giving your heart to and loving a man enough to keep the relationship strong? What do looks have to do with it? Jake has always loved Venus and her natural hair, but when beauty is so narrowly defined and dictated by media machines, just how deeply are we influenced? How does what is popular make us feel about ourselves?
Ultimately, Venus and Jake’s journey makes us question if we will allow our past to dictate our future. Now rest assured, Venus didn’t sit in a corner or take a retreat to get the answers. She lived out loud from chapter one to “The End” in true Venus fashion and I was all too happy to go along for the ride. After all, Venus is one of those characters I’d love to spend an afternoon with. A BFF in my imagination. I’d love to ask Thomas just how she created Venus. I’m sure there’s a story behind that. Be sure to put Un-Nappily In Love on your summer reading list. It’s a page turner.
If you’ve read Un-Nappily In Love or any of the other books in the series, let me know your thoughts.
