The Blackbirds

"Everyone who heard us sing in this echo chamber called us Blackbirds." ~ pg. 69

Kwanzaa Brown, Indigo Abdulrahaman, Destiny Jones, and Erica Stockwell are four best friends with a strong sisterhood bond. They will hop on their CBRs and drive to the ends of the earth for one another. Every woman is going through her own romantic and personal drama. Kwanzaa has a one-night stand with a man who is truly one in five million. Indigo struggles with an on-again-off-again relationship with an athlete. Destiny is hiding her past and readjusting to a normal life with a boyfriend. And Erica is a divorcee in remission from cancer trying to keep her crush a secret. Whew! But one thing that is constant in these women's lives is their friendship.

My bookhearts know there are a handful of authors that I am loyal to. I will read any novel written by Eric Jerome Dickey immediately upon its availability, without passing go, without collecting $200. I am rarely—if ever—disappointed. I rate most EJD books a well-deserved 4.5 or 5 hearts. But even a devoted fan can admit when their fave didn't deliver.

"We are way past that 'amends' bullshit and you know that." ~ pg. 92

A few EJD novels ago, I noticed his writing changed. It took on a darker erotic tone. And I abso-fuckin-lutely love it! Yet, sometimes I wished he would revisit his old style of writing. You know the cliché. I should have been careful what I wished for because The Blackbirds is very much like his earlier novels. It is about the life experiences of four very different but close friends (that readers will recognize from earlier books). The women are more like sisters than BFFs. As usual, the author writes from a woman's perspective without flaw. Though it was hard to get lost in their fictional roller-coaster world with sometimes choppy dialogue and scenes not transitioning smoothly.

Don't be mistaken—The Blackbirds is a recommended read for the EJD fans who truly miss the old days of Sister Sister, Liar's Game and Between Lovers. Yes, reading about best friends was cool but I miss the drifters. I miss that edge I have grown to love. That suspense that keeps me turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning. That erotica that makes me want to put on a LBD and FMPs for baé. The Blackbirds is like that glass of sweet sun tea you've been waiting all season for. Then you taste the first sip and it's just...okay. The Blackbirds is definitely not my favorite nor is it the best he has written.

Happy Pub Day, Eric Jerome Dickey! The Blackbirds is available today.

Disclaimer: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are honestly my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: The Blackbirds
Author: Eric Jerome Dickey
Published: April 2016
Pages: 529
Edition: Galley
Rating: ♥♥♥