Sweet Jazz
Book Review by Shannan Harper
Review Jazz Saxophone player , Randy Jones , has done one thing no one else has been able to do in 1930 ’ s Harlem — audition and play for a club called The Big House . Why is this special ? The Club , know for its smooth Jazz and great food , has a Coloreds Only policy . Randy happens to be White . While auditioning , only one person seems to stick up for him , Club singer Cass Porter . Not only does Randy break the color barrier at the club , but he also seems to have found a place in Cass ’ s heart much to the chagrin of Junior , one of the co-owners . He , along with several others , are determined to run Randy right out of town . Cass might look like a teen on the outside , but she is definitely all grown up . Cass is determined to never let a man get close to her again , but her heart sings a different tune when she meets Randy . Can their love overcome their color boundaries , those determined to separate them , and their pasts ?
I think my favorite part about this book is the relationship between Randy and Cass , the camaraderie between the two and especially Cass ’ s sassiness . I also enjoyed the fact that the couple took the time to actually date , converse , and get to know each other before delving in to the physical side of the relationship . The story also gives a glimpse of Harlem , New York as well as some of the struggles of interracial dating during that time era . One major thing about this book is that it doesn ’ t end in a cliffhanger , but finding out that there ’ s a part two makes me excited to see how their relationship progresses . Shannan Harper is a simple person who takes pleasure in the simple things in life . She highly enjoys fourthings in particular : Jesus , books , traveling , and coffee .
You can keep up with Shannan on her blog : harperscourt77 . blogspot . com
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