The Night Before Thirty

by Tajuana Butler

Book Overview

New, from the number one bestselling author ofHand-me-down HeartacheandSororitySisters, a novel about five women on the verge of turning thirty, whose lives are changed forever when they meet through... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812967984
• ISBN13: 9780812967982
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: One World/Strivers Row
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Good Read... Wanted More

Overall, this book was an easy read. TJ Butler has done it again. She brought the characters together, however, I like many of the other reviewers, was left hanging at the end. I would love to read a sequel to the text. The book was definitely a page turner and though I have not reached 30, I felt like the issues in the text were relevant to my life as well. I have read all of TJ Butler's books to date and I feel that God has blessed her with a tremendous gift. Buy the book and Soror Butler, definitely keep doing what you are doing!

Thorough Novel...Excellent Book

This novel written by Ms. Butler, is a interesting novel. A radio show hosts a contests for 5 participants whose birthday is Dec. 1st, turning 30 to join one of the radio personalities who also shares a birthday on the same day for a weekend getaway. Each lady selected has their own internal issues they are dealing with. Catara has dreams to become a fashion designer, and is very critical of her weight. Tanya has a drug dealer boyfriend, that she has basically given an ultimatum to. Lashawnda is having an identity crisis--is she a lesbian or heterosexual. Elise has her heart set on a colleague but not quite sure if the feelings are mutual. Alecia is a woman of beauty and wealth, but she's in love with a married man of status and class....will he chose her? I enjoyed the novel from beginning to end. I only wish there was more to read. However the book ended on a positive note.

Lessons Learned

In TJ Butler's The Night Before Thirty, five women go on a cruise for their thirtieth birthdays and receive more than just "fun in the sun." Alecia is an actress who likes to live the good life on a rich man's arm. Catara is a personal shopper who has dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Elise has just fulfilled her dream of opening a gymnastics center for children. LaShawnda is a receptionist who questions her relationship with her lover who happens to also be her employer. Tanya has been involved in a long term relationship with a man involved in illegal activities. All of these women live in different cities, come from different backgrounds with different problems yet they share one thing in common...they all turn 30 on the first of December. The women enter and win a contest that sends them on a cruise for their birthday. Some of the women clash, while others get along, but they all learn valuable lessons that they take home with them. This book was a light, engaging read. We only got a glimpse into the characters' lives but it was enough to make you care about what happened to them. The concept of a "night before" party is wonderful and I would not be surprised to hear girlfriends planning their own using this book as a guide. The ending was tied up nicely with a red bow. That does not mean that everybody had a happy ending but there was closure for all the characters. Sometimes our books should be like that, even when real life is not. I would recommend this book to people who are looking for that perfect summer read. Reviewed by NicoleAPOOO BookClub

You Go Girl!

Turning thirty can be a pivotal time in a person's life and it is this period that is chronicled in the book The Night Before Thirty, by Tajuana "TJ" Butler. Five women, from all walks of life, come together after entering and winning a national radio contest to join an on-air personality as she celebrates turning 30. They all share the same birthday, which makes the trip even more special. Each woman has experienced heartache and disappointment in relationships and sometimes it good to have a little "girl talk" amongst strangers. Nothing like airing your feelings between people whom you'll never have to see again. I think it can be liberating. What is the atmosphere to spur on this exchange? A contest where the winning prize is a $1000.00 shopping spree, a trip to the spa, and a day cruise to the Bahamas definitely will do the trick.The women, Catara Edwards, Elise Ross, LaShawnda Davis, Alecia Jewel Parker, Tonya Charles and their hostess, DJ Louisa Montero, embark upon this journey. Each woman has her own strengths and weaknesses and through this weekend together bonds are formed. They tackle "girl" issues such as weight and self-esteem, promiscuity, abusive relationships and sexual curiosity. All done in a succinct manner to keep the story a light and breezy summer read. Ms. Butler has done a great job of allowing the reader to get to know each character in a short amount of space. To me, it could have been expanded because I'm still curious as to what happened when the cruise ended for some of the women. Some parts of the story were a bit far fetched in that as a woman, I can't imagine telling all of my business to a total stranger within the course of such a short time span. But that is how fiction works, sometimes we don't agree but the point is made.Thinking back to when I turned 30, it would have been nice to share the experience with my girls, around a fruity cocktail, reminiscing on life up to that point. It's nice to see that a slumber party still meets the need of a good session to talk and share life.

VERY GOOD BOOK

This book touched so many subjects that 30ish aged women have to encouter. From being overweight to unstable relationships. This book was great and the story of each woman will be you or someone you know.