Review of Here & Now

[Bertha Jackson]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Here & Now" by Jarius Hunt.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Michael is a realtor and has no time for love. However, he does wonder what it would feel like to have someone to go home to. He has tried dating apps and websites, but they were not for him. He is black and was raised by an authoritarian military dad who was strict. Rachel is the white owner of the nightclub, The Dock, and was raised by parents who only cared if she got home on time. Online dating is not for her. Her best friend is Chris, a black woman who loves learning about other cultures. She is always setting Rachel up with dates, but they never work out. Chris wants to introduce Rachel to Michael because she thinks they are perfect for each other. Chris knows Michael through a youth mentoring center they both volunteer at. Chris and Rachel are both activists and allies in the Black Lives Matter movement. Rachel and Michael reluctantly agree to meet each other at The Dock. They hit it off talking to each other before they realize they are each other's date. They discover they have the same taste in music. However, other than music, they live completely opposite lives. Her apartment is bohemian and messy; his apartment is luxurious with everything in its place and sterile. Can two people from different cultures find love? Or, are there differences that will tear them apart? You will have to read the book to find out.

The book, Here & Now by Jarius Hunt, has many positive aspects. Jarius Hunt has done his research and was able to develop all of the characters fully. His knowledge of the Black Lives Movement, slave life on a cotton plantation during the Civil War era, and the differences in the culture of New York versus that in a small town in Georgia is amazing. I could sense the atmosphere in a New York nightclub, a highrise apartment, and a bed and breakfast establishment in a small town. I could see the difference between the house the plantation owners lived in and the slaves' shacks. I could feel the emotions of Rachel and Michael as they looked at the differences and noted that even during current times, the plantation mansion was well taken care of and ready for visitors compared to the slave shacks that did not have plagues or anything to tell the public about the starvation, abuse, and death of the slaves.

The only thing I disliked in this book was the bigotry and racism, but that is what made the story. Sometimes the truth is hard to read and swallow. But paraphrasing what Jarius Hunt stated, no one is responsible for the past because the past can not be changed, but the present can be changed.

A professional editor has exceptionally edited this 105-page error-free book. I can not think of one reason not to give this action-packed, fast-paced, well-written book less than 4 out of 4 stars.

I recommend this book to adult readers who enjoy romantic tales that cross over different cultures and books about the Civil War era or the Black Lives Matter movement. I do not recommend this book to younger readers because of the descriptive sex scenes and non-borderline profanity. I do caution sensitive readers that some of the atrocities committed against slaves are explicitly described.

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Here & Now
View: on Bookshelves

[marta baglioni]

It has all the premises to be a great book. I'd love to read it.
Thank you for the brilliant review!

[Pandora10]

The review certainly got me interested until the mention of explicit scenes and profanity. Thanks for the concise and thorough review on this book.

[Adrian Rondon Salazar]

I am intrigued to read about it, it seems to be very informative. Plus it's a romance, im sold.

[WAFULA RICHARD]

My great thanks goes to Bertha Jackson, the above reiew is really inspiring, I look forward to putting "Here & Now" on my shelves.

[Mohammed Asiri]

Well, I think It could inspire some people who like love stories and it might develop their life better therefor generally it,s nice to read it but this book can,t be reading who,s below 18 years old, due of what,s contain.

[Kavita Shah]

Will they find love or they will fall apart. It sounds interesting and I am adding it to my shelf. The covers really nice and capture the eye. Thank you for a wonderful review!

[mohamed elshemi]

I am surprised by the name of the novel
It intrigued me to know that, searching for friendship and love is a beautiful thing
Thank you

[Ada Ling]

"Can two people from different cultures find love?" - We want to know! Thanks for the great review!

[PeterRabitt20]

This book pertains to our time. I like reading about the inclusion and integration of cultures. I think as a society it is our strongest point. Thanks for sharing this review.

[Lauren Hanna]

This seems like an intriguing book that I look forward to reading. It sounds like the author did a great job on his research. Thank you for your honest review.

[Khushboo Barwar]

I love the title of the book. I think it’ll be interesting to see what happens when two people from entirely different cultures collide with each other. I agree that the past can’t be changed and we can only learn from it. This book is going straight into my bookshelves. Thanks for this amazing review!

[Hala Ejaz]

nice book to read it also highlighted fact that online dating some how not every one piece of cake. Plus to harsh parenting can result in a child full of fear and emotion that can't be expressed.

[Mwila Chibeka]

The book is worth reading, I loved the a child must be raised not on fear but with hood morals and discipline the fact that it touches different cultures and attributes to how we as humans should work on racism.great book only that there is Tacoma without any positive feedback

[David Wuashie]

I guess I will definitely love this book when I get to read it. This book will teach me a lot of things I need to know because I see my self in Micheal.