by Virginia DeBerry & Donna Grant

I had no idea this was a sequel or spin-off of Tryin’ to Sleep in the Bed You Made. I read it so long ago that I don’t remember the plot or the people involved. (I read so much that, for some reason, I only remember books that I hate. So if I can’t remember key plot points – that’s a good thing.) If you haven’t read the first one or can’t remember it, no worries, this book stands well on its own.

Gayle Saunders & Patricia Reid are childhood friends who, now as adults, start and run a successful doll company based on Gayle’s daughter, Vanessa. The business is doing great, but their personal lives struggle. Gayle’s husband has disappeared with all her money and her daughter Vanessa, a dancer, is becoming difficult and rebellious. Pat’s husband Marcus is under tremendous pressure from his job and she turns to a business associate to get the attention she craves.

That’s a lot of drama, huh? I haven’t even scratched the surface of all the other issues that are dealt with here, including bulimia, golddigging, and gambling. At times I felt a little overwhelmed by all of the things they tackle in this book. There is enough material here for 2 or 3 books. But the pace is good and, with the exception of the too neatly tied up ending, I never felt too bogged down by it. If you are a fan of the books co-written by DeBerry & Grant, then you won’t be disappointed.