Member Reviews
This was a great rom-com, really fun storyline with more in-depth conversations woven within. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and it was a fast read.
This book just wasn't for me. I had a difficult time with the main character, Nik. The book begins with her long term boyfriend breaking up with her because he thinks their relationship is boring. He's the perfect guy on paper, and her parents love him. His parents love her. They are just going through the motions of a relationship because it makes sense. (This is revealed in Nik's reflections throughout the book.)
I initially related to her and her relationship with her parents. She's a people pleaser and doesn't want to upset or disappoint her parents. She lives her life to please them. I can understand that, but this back and forth with her parents continues throughout the book, with her friends and her love interest all telling her the exact same thing: She needs to find herself.
I honestly didn't feel III invested in her search for herself because it seemed based on suggestions from others, or initiated by others. I just couldn't finish it.
As a white woman, this was a great book for me to understand the nuances of interracial dating. I had no idea it was so complex! The book was a great rom-com, but it also went into more serious social issues.
Meet Nicola, a 26 year old, who is shocked to find herself single after an unexpected break up with her boyfriend Bron. After being blindsided by the break up, Nicola's friends encourage her to begin a process of self discovery, including boundaries, new hobbies & a new man....
I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy 'White Boyfriend' during the initial chapters as Nicola's character seemed so sure of herself, I was unsure if she would be able to grow much as a character.
BUT...
I absolutely enjoyed Nicola's character, the plot, her friends, bur most importantly her growth. Nicola seemed so sure of herself but once she tested the waters of unfamiliarity she was more vulnerable.
The white boyfriend, Mike, I absolutely adored him, I loved his mindset and his ability to be so chill whilst calling out Nicola on some of her racial stereotypical views!
I do wish that there was more depth to the implications of her interracial relationship but I was satisfied with the feel good vibes of the story.
If you're looking for a light hearted, funny yet emotive read, then definitely give this one a try.
Big thanks to @bookouture for asking me to take part in this book blog tour. Well done @leeshamccoyauthor !!
When I read title and the description of this book I was intrigued. I really wanted to like this book but it was so boring to me. There wasn't much to the plot and I didn't really connect to the characters at all. I did dnf this because I really couldn't push myself to finish.
I love how this one was more about a woman finding herself than worrying about an actual man. We have all tried to change ourselves after a break up and trying to figure out where we go next. Also, like how Bron was not planning on falling for Mike but she did. Sometimes things happen when we least expect them too. Overall I thought this was a really cute read.
An ok read… you can’t help but to get pulled in from the first page. Though it doesn’t really keep up that momentum. More about a woman learning who she was and learning to love herself. Loved her friendships, her toxic family not so much. Admittedly I did only choose to read it because the title made it sound more interesting than it ultimately was. and Nikki was a bit irritating.
This book was listed as a heart-warming rom-com, and by the title I thought it would look into the ups and downs of an interracial relationship in a sweet and funny fashion.
I wasn't sure I found it to be a rom-com at all. There wasn't an HEA and exploration of interracial relationship was only in passing.
However this was a relatable and stunning story of healing after a major breakup, and of the mostly undiscussed second coming-of-age -- the one where we finally start to break free of the outdated models of behaviour set for us by caregivers. The one that tends to happen in the mid-late twenties.
Nikki was a wonderfully authentic and honest character. And so many times I felt connected with her. A careful reader will find a lot of tips on navigating difficult periods in life, and lots of wellness and empowerment woven into the story. There was also plenty on the power of good friends and sisterhood. Nikki's friends will make you want them to be your friends too. (Well, if you don't mind sex-obsessed friends.)
Then there was Mike. Admittedly I liked him, but in a "meh" sort of way. There was some chemistry, but honestly, there was way more chemistry and excitement with the vibrators (thanks for the rose plug!). I was a little disappointed that after all the sexy talk and vibrator action, sex scenes were closed door. But it also made me feel like one of Nikki's friends, rather than being inside of Nikki's head, and the tone reflected that too. Very warm and friendly.
I wanted to give this four stars but because I really don't find it to be rom-com, I decided on three. But as a healing/breakup/wellness book. It was a beautiful story.
I wanted a change of pace from my usual gritty murders but this went too far in the opposite direction. It was a bit of a snooze fest. Pretty much nothing happens for 75% of the book and then the ending is abrupt and disappointing. A lot of the book reads as a list of what Nikki does with her day. I would also class this as a book about self discovery and not a romance. In fact, very little romance occurs. Considering the book is called White Boyfriend, Mike doesn’t actually feature very much and there is very little about their interracial relationship.
I loved Nikki’s friendship group but there were a lot of characters to keep track of and I did keep getting them muddled. There was also a lot of dialogue in places that didn’t flow particularly well. They talk about sex a lot but then any actual sex is just hinted at or purely stated as they had sex. I did like Nikki but it was frustrating that she kept making up problems in her head and even when she talked them out she chose to ignore everyone and keep believing in the imaginary issues.
I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed this book. LeeSha has a brilliant natural writing style and the narrative draws you in. It's a brilliant feel-good book that you can get lost in - perfect escapism and a very enjoyable read!
There’s something about the warmer weather that makes me crave rom-coms and this one told me exactly what to expect. However, it was about so much more than I had even bargained for.
Nikki used to have her life all sorted with Bron but when he leaves, Nikki is completely knocked for six. She is terrified about telling her parents because they love him but she also realises that she doesn’t know who Nikki is anymore. So her best friends make it their mission to get Nikki back to who she really is. She’s thrown into the dating pool and into new hobbies in a bid to rediscover Nikki. That’s when she meets Mike, the first white guy she has ever been interested in.
Nikki’s parents are very religious and her father in particular exhibits abusive behaviour. He has no regard for what his daughter wants and repeatedly interferes with the situation between her and Bron. I got so angry with him and found myself begging Nikki to distance herself immediately from her parents. It’s rare that I encourage a character, particularly in a rom-com, to do that but I was worried that her dad’s behaviour would get to her in an irreparable way.
Despite the fact she feels a touch of sibling rivalry towards him, Nikki does have a great relationship with her brother. It was really lovely to see their relationship and the way her brother constantly had her back. He has butted heads with their dad before too and is very much on his sister’s side. Healthy, supportive sibling relationships are my absolute favourites to read, so I loved this aspect of the book.
Nikki’s friends are so much fun to be around. I felt like one of their gang during their nights out and I loved getting to know them individually. Their conversations are full of heart, humour and honesty, which is exactly what Nikki needs from her girlfriends. They are where most of the funny bits come from in the book and I knew these girls really existed.
Of course, there is plenty of commentary on modern dating and the soul-destroying process that single women who date men are expected to go through. LeeSha McCoy does a great job of illustrating how tedious and awful that is. Almost every woman reading will definitely see themselves and their previous experiences in this aspect of the book. Through Nikki, the author sees us all.
Nikki struggles to understand why she likes Mike as much as she does because he is different from the men she has been with before. She is worried about what her parents will think when they are introduced to her white boyfriend but throughout her time as a singleton, Nikki learns that the only person she really needs to make happy is herself. It really is a beautiful story about a young woman realising that her parents’ approval isn’t necessary for her happiness. That’s perhaps the most important lesson that any of us can learn.
White Boyfriend is a funny, moving and page-turning rom-com about finding yourself after a major life turn. It’s uplifting, inspiring and hilarious and Nikki is very easy to champion. I think I’d have liked a little more time with the girl gang but I certainly had a blast with them while I could. It turns out that destiny isn’t always in your comfort zone and sometimes only courage can get you there.
This book left me feeling very let down. The summary made the story sound juicy, and I was hoping for an exciting romance. The story read more as a coming to self journey. For starters, the book is extremely slow paced. The romance didn’t start blooming until about 60% in, and it was very hidden by all of the side stories and extra characters. The tussle felt more like a summer rain, so it was a inconvenience for some and overlooked by most. It wasn’t what I bargained for, and I felt unfulfilled and somewhat cheated by the end of it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One thing I really disliked about this books was the over preference given to Christianity. I read many books by Catholic authors, but I felt The White Boyfriend went too far and forced the religion upon readers. One thing I loved was the family background and their personalities apart from the religiousness, of course. I really like how McCoy gave the 'protective part' to the female MC, as compared to the cliche of the girl getting in trouble and the boy helping her. I would have given this 4 stars of not for the ending which I though was very unreasonable. I received a free e-ARC of this book through Bookouture and NetGalley. All opinions in the review are my own.
Really like this. She had an over bearing dad who wanted what he wanted for her. She wanted to live her life the way she wanted. I enjoyed the storyline
LeeSha McCoy wrote a heartwarming book centred around self-love and fulfilling relationships whether that's romantic, friends or familial.
Nikki was a very relatable character and I think that's why she became very easy to connect to. McCoy does a great job at setting up her backstory and weaving together Nikki's insecurities as we begin to embark on this self-love journey.
People-pleasing seems like a direct consequence of those with strict parents/parent. McCoy shows us how it can ultimately begin to rule every aspect of your life. From the relationships you keep to even the way you view yourself every morning.
My absolute favourite thing about this entire book was the way friendships were displayed in this book. It's often said that friends are the family we choose for ourselves. Nikki's friendships were so loving. They encouraged her. Supported her. Grew with her. Cried with her.
It was clear that Nikki struggled with control but I think that stems from her parents being so strict. There's evidently a link between her overthinking control issues and her inability to stop her people-pleasing habits.
It manifested into her relationship with Mike and it's hinted at about her years with Bron. Two very different guys but have profound impacts on who Nikki becomes. Whilst, I was unsure about Mike I liked who Nikki became once she met him.
My only small problem was that I think this is more contemporary fiction than a romantic comedy. The romance was key to the plot (of course) but this felt like Nikki's story to self-love.
A plot angle that I will always happily advocate for.
There’s a longer review on my blog here: https://theblackbookblogg.com/white-boyfriend-by-leesha-mccoy/
Nikki goes through her journey of finding who she is and loving herself. Gives me a reminder to focus on me and love this path I take in life. Light read!
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'White Boyfriend' by Leesha McCoy.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for LeeSha McCoy, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 10th March 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'This feel-good read about finding yourself is perfect for fans of How to Be Single, Just the Way I Am and Spoiler Alert.' I am a huge fan of 'How To Be Single' and 'Just The Way I Am' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 35 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in .
This book is written in first person perspective and the protagonist is Nikki. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them.
'White Boyfriend' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book LeeSha discusses/includes sexual content so would recommend for 16 years plus.
OMG!!!! I CANNOT REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I LAUGHED SO MUCH!!! What an absolutely page turning, refreshing, laugh a minute read!!!! It is perfectly written to hook the reader in and the title, cover and synopsis is perfect for the storyline.
I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this book which got me hook, line and sinker!! I absolutely devoured it in one reading and was completely absorbed throughout!! I loved that it feels that Nikki is talking directly to me over a cup of tea at the kitchen table. I coinldnt stop laughing from the first page to the end. I adore the fact that although there are quite sad moments and emotional times that within minutes LeeSha has you laughing until you are in tears again. This book is a complete breathe of fresh air and is the perfect mix of 'Bridesmaids' and 'The Hangover' and 'Bridget Jones Diaries' but funnier!!!! I genuinely couldn't recommend this book any more!!!! This is the most hilarious book I have read this year, and more. If you are looking for a light hearted read filled with romance, alcohol, sex, love, comedy, sadness, family and so, so much more you are in the right place!! This is a book about a woman finding herself and what is right for her and when I read the 'Thank Yous' at the end and discovered how Nikki helped LeeSha through her own struggles I loved Nikki even more! I enjoyed that this book delved into subjects such as interracial dating and I was absolutely intrigued but also saddened by some of the things I learned and how, even though we are in they tear 2023, people still have issues about the colour of someone's skin. This is a great book for anyone who does and maybe they will get their head out of the sand and history!!
I was devastated when I came to the end of this book but I absolutely LOVED reading LeeSha's notes at the end and even the acknowledgements where her personality absolutely shines through!!
The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely invested in them especially the gang who I thought was an absolute bunch of kick @#& b#*ch and who I absolutely LOVED getting to know!!! The all teach women everywhere to live life to their fullest in their own ways. They are wild, free and a hundred laughs a minute but has a deep side too which was lovely to see. I really enjoyed watching Nikki's personality grow and change throughout the story and I'm extremely happy that she finally had it out with her Dad. She really comes to life in this book with her larger than life personality she is definitely someone I would love to meet!!! I had tears streaming down my eyes I was laughing so much with her and the rest of the gang!!! This book is much more realistic than many romantic comedy's I have previously read. It wasn't just Nikki who I loved though but all her absolutely fantastic friends Rhian, Alicia and Chat who made the most amazing friendship family I have ever met!!! They love, fight, laugh and are everything anyone could want in a family. would love to have such amazing sisters around me!!! Each friend had such a unique personality with their own pros and cons and they are each going to be hard to forget. I really am going to miss this fantastic gang and would love to meet them all again. It would be amazing if wach of them had their own books as well as us seeing how Nikki gets along. Hint, hint Leesha 😉!!
If you have never met this gang, you my friend are SERIOUSLY missing out!! This is a bunch you will never forget and will have tears streaming down your face in laughter and fill you with love and warmth!!
A MASSIVE WELL DONE to LeeShw on a HUGE success!!! I loved every page of your book and I cannot wait to read more of your past and hopefully future books. Welcome to my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes 🥂
Overall a laugh a minute, heart warming, addictive genuine page turner that will have you crying with laughter.
Genres covered in this book include Romance, Humorous Fiction, Literature, Suspense and Entertainment amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of 'How to Be Single' , 'Just the Way I Am', 'Spoiler Alert', 'Bridget Jones Diary', 'Bridesmaids', 'The Hangover', Kristen Bailey and anyone who wants a fun lighthearted read.
328 pages.
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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While I liked the idea of this story, and I was particularly drawn to the cover of this book, I did find some elements of the story slightly disappointing.
I love the dynamic between Nic and her friends. They are a fantastic group of women who support each other and cheer each other on - everybody needs friends like that! I also enjoyed the personal growth which Nic went through - from meeting her at the beginning of the story where she was so lost without Bron to the end where she was fully independent. Always a pleasing thing to read!
I did, however, find that I was not a fan of the language used. I felt that all conversations were about sex and I'm sure that friends definitely do have discussions about topics that don't always come back to sex. Also, I'm not a fan of the friends calling each other Bitch all the time - Are there really people that talk like that with their friends?
An enjoyable story.
Nikki and Bron are the perfect couple. Their parents are happy as can be waiting for the engagement to be announced. When suddenly Bron decided he’s bored in their life and walks out on Nikki, she is devastated and her parents just want her to fix it. But Nikki isn’t sure that’s what she wants anymore and her friends encourage her to jump back in dating. She meets Mike, the first white guy she’s ever dated and the complete opposite of Bron.
I thought this was more of a romantic comedy by the title, White Boyfriend, but soon realized it was a journey of self discovery for Nikki. Sure, it was laugh out loud funny and endearing in parts but mostly a beautiful, feel good, amazing journey with the perfect satisfying ending!
I was definitely pulled into this book, and really felt for Nikki when Bron walked out on her.
Nikki is a great main character, and I really felt she was well-developed. It was interesting to see how her culture and upbringing had impacted her character and her decisions. As a mum to a mixed race daughter, it was refreshing for me to read a novel with a heroine other than a “pretty little white girl” at its core. Nikki’s character is likeable, charismatic, unique and appropriately complex.
I enjoyed following her quest with Mike, and the added drama of Bron popping back up certainly complicated things.
I mostly thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I do fell the anticipation of the ending and the ending itself didn’t quite match up.
Having said that, Leesha’s character development and the themes of family, friendship and dating were all well explored and executed.
Overall, a fun and entertaining story that kept me interested from the beginning. Full of romance and comedy, I would recommend this book and author to fans if Portia Macintosh, Paige Toon and Christina Lauren.