Friends 2 Lovers

Jonathan Anthony Burkett
Xlibris (2009)
ISBN 9781436394055
Reviewed by Marissa Libbit for Reader Views (2/11)


“Friends 2 Lovers” by Jonathan Anthony Burkett is the fictional story of Claude, a young man overcome with more obstacles than most teenagers should endure.  A product of growing up in a tough inner city neighborhood, he sees violence firsthand that would traumatize most.  The apple of his family’s eye, Claude tries to please his parents by staying on a straight and narrow path.  When violence hits too close to home the course of Claude’s life is changed when he moves to Florida to live with friends of the family. In this family is his best friend Kelly.  She has always been supportive of Claude.  Though dating other people, when they both end up going to the same college their relationship takes a turn closer towards each other.  Finally feeling loved and supported wholly, their love triumphs over adversity. 
  
“Friends 2 Lovers” is a modern fairy tale type romance where happily ever after wins out in the end.  Claude is a likable character that the audience will root for as his family experiences make him empathetic.  Kelly is an upstanding young woman who fits his needs well.  I appreciate the positive message that this book gives:  Out of the most dire circumstances, love and happiness can prevail. 
    
The beginning of “Friends 2 Lovers,” where Mr. Burkett sets a clear picture of the environment that Claude belongs to, is definitely the strongest part of the book.  I felt the tension, wanted to read what would happen next, and rooted for Claude.  However, once the book took the main characters to college the story really dragged.  I just didn’t feel there was enough action to keep me interested.  It was clear early on how the book would turn out, and there were little surprises to make this book a page turner.  Also, I found the dialogue unrealistic.  They talked way too much about their love, in my opinion, with each other, with her mother, with friends.  It was too casual and easy for them to discuss with anyone, and that doesn’t ring true for most people.  That said, Mr. Burkett accomplished his goal with Claude:  showing that one can rise out of negative life experiences to find happiness.

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