Official Review: Everything is gonna be alright by Treava

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Everything is gonna be alright" by Treava.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Everything Is Gonna Be Alright can be described in one word – scandalous! If you are the type of girl who enjoys salon gossip, then this book is for you. Written by Treava, it is a short, juicy read under the other fiction genre.

The narrative describes the struggles that Samantha (Sammy) goes through as she grows into adulthood. Her carefree teenage days end when she heads off to college. She is miles from the love of her life, Troy. They agree to have an open relationship. This agreement is aimed at avoiding lies, unfortunately, it ends badly. Sammy ends up knocked up by another man. She marries him to save face. Sammy could not be more miserable. She is trapped in a loveless marriage where she endures all types of abuses. Can she find the inner strength to turn her life around?

The writing style is casual and colloquial. The focus is on relating Sammy's story, not on grammar. The title, Everything Is Gonna Be Alright, is an example of the type of language used throughout the book. Words like “gonna” are commonplace throughout the book, as a result, it feels very natural, like a conversation.

I raised my eyebrow at a couple of things which seemed unrealistic to me. Sammy explains how her mother was a supermom. A lot of exaggeration takes place. According to her, her mother worked three jobs, but somehow managed to be there for all three of her children’s various sports and social events.

I found it hard to connect to Sammy's character. She comes across as shallow, selfish and fleshly. An example of this is when she scolds her boyfriend for wasting their evening on helping an old man. I did not understand this at all, personally, I would be swooning over how compassionate my boyfriend is. It did not help that the book is written from Sammy's perspective. Everything revolves around her.

It was not until the last few chapters when her character becomes slightly more appealing. As she matures, she undergoes an introspection of who she is. Seeing her find her purpose was gratifying to me. I was satisfied with how the book ends. It ends with meaning and ties in nicely with some elements in the beginning of the book.

I rate the book 2 out of 4 stars. As earlier mentioned, it could have been more convincing. The lack of grammar, although aimed at making the book feel conversational, was distracting at times. Overall, it is not a bad book, it is entertaining. I recommend it to women who enjoy gossipy books.

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Everything is gonna be alright
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[kandscreeley]

You're right. That definitely sounds like exaggeration. 3 jobs and she got to all the sporting games? Okay... sure! Thanks for the review, though!

[ritah]

I agree with you, a boyfriend who takes the time out to help an older gentleman ought to be appreciated not scolded. The main character doesn't sound likable but I guess not many people in real life are, we all have our flaws. When it comes to the mother sometimes our love for people leads us to exaggerate their role in our lives but from your review, I'm guessing that's not how it was portrayed or came across..it does sound like you'd have to be supermom to work 3 jobs and attend all your 3 children's sports and social events, it doesn't seem attainable. Thank you for your review.

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

You're right. That definitely sounds like exaggeration. 3 jobs and she got to all the sporting games? Okay... sure! Thanks for the review, though!

Yep I rolled my eyes at that.

-- 23 Aug 2017, 09:23 --

I agree with you, a boyfriend who takes the time out to help an older gentleman ought to be appreciated not scolded. The main character doesn't sound likable but I guess not many people in real life are, we all have our flaws. When it comes to the mother sometimes our love for people leads us to exaggerate their role in our lives but from your review, I'm guessing that's not how it was portrayed or came across..it does sound like you'd have to be supermom to work 3 jobs and attend all your 3 children's sports and social events, it doesn't seem attainable. Thank you for your review.

Very true Ritah, but as a work of fiction, I don't see the need for this exaggeration. I would understand if it was an autobiography and she was glorifying her own mother.

[Azeline Arcenal]

It's too bad that it was hard to connect to Sammy's character. The grammar seems like it would bother me so I think I'll pass on this book. Great job on the review!

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

Thanks Zena.

[ritah]

Very true Ritah, but as a work of fiction, I don't see the need for this exaggeration. I would understand if it was an autobiography and she was glorifying her own mother.

You're right there are quite a few things the author could have done to make the characters more believable.

[juliusotinyo]

What an insightful review. You described the book so well. But, I can't stand gossip, I'll probably skip this one.

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

Lol I can't stand it either, that's wat made the experience of reading this book so painful!

[Donatelloo]

It is surely a nice book to read .
Sammy's struggle through her life stages seems very heart touching .
Admirable review as always??

[Manang Muyang]

So everything wasn't alright after all, Kelebogile Mbangi?

The exaggeration and negative reaction to the boyfriend's kindness may have been tools to depict Sammy's erratic personality. Such would make her conversion, if it does happen, more dramatic. It's a pity it seems you didn't appreciate the author's ploy.

Well, there's always the next book! Thanks for enduring the story and giving an honest review.

[ReviewerDiksha]

Commendable review Mbangi. But this book doesnt feel like the one for me.

[morde]

I would probably be bored within the first two capters considering its based on deception, gossip and exaggeration.

[Kelebogile Mbangi]

It is surely a nice book to read .
Sammy's struggle through her life stages seems very heart touching .
Admirable review as always??

Thank you Darakshan.

-- 28 Aug 2017, 06:39 --

So everything wasn't alright after all, Kelebogile Mbangi?

The exaggeration and negative reaction to the boyfriend's kindness may have been tools to depict Sammy's erratic personality. Such would make her conversion, if it does happen, more dramatic. It's a pity it seems you didn't appreciate the author's ploy.

Well, there's always the next book! Thanks for enduring the story and giving an honest review.

True, it could be so, but if so, it was poorly executed, I don't want to give out any spoilers so I cant elaborate on why I say so. Thank you for the pointer though.

-- 28 Aug 2017, 06:39 --

Commendable review Mbangi. But this book doesnt feel like the one for me.

Thank you ReviewerDiksha.

-- 28 Aug 2017, 06:40 --

I would probably be bored within the first two capters considering its based on deception, gossip and exaggeration.

Yep, I can agree with you on that.

[charlesjr2]

I don't see much wrong with this book. The lack of grammar certainly won't border me. As a matter of fact, I think the author Traeva did a good thing at that. Am not really a fan of all formal and big grammars. The thing that would probably put me is the exaggeration.