From Romantic Times:
(41/2 stars) This funny, fast-paced romance is written from both the hero and heroine’s points of view. Clever characters keep this from being an average “woe is me” story and the circle of friends nicely sets up companion pieces. One hopes the author will flesh out the secondary characters and continue to entertain us with their love affairs in the future.
Christine has been through enough engagements — three — and it’s time to focus on her career. Men have their uses and so, why not use them? After the third near-marriage, Christine has a weekend fling with Steven and vows to keep it casual. Steven thinks they could have a future but circumstances are not in their favor.
Fast forward five years and their respective careers bring them together for a news story. The spark is still hot between them. Christine’s problem is that she has not been able to move past the three disasters and give Steven the chance that they both deserve. There’s a part of her that cannot trust. Watching this relationship develop, in their own words, is very interesting and neatly done.
From Publisher's Weekly:
A younger man challenges a driven San Francisco career woman's heart and mind in Grant's sassy "he said/she said" romance. Cynical journalist Christina Brinsley's dismal track record with men includes three broken engagements. Steven Williams, a sexy dreadlocked delivery man, tries and fails to convince her that he's trustworthy. After witnessing Christina's bitter breakup with her latest boyfriend, Steven reconnects with her, and they have a fling before he begins grad school at Columbia. Five years later, Steven's a transportation science professor and Christina's a Valiant News Network special correspondent investigating the misuse of funds earmarked for Project Mercury, a transportation research project connected to Steven's foundation, Chi-Wind. Grant (Heard It All Before ) smoothly explores their passionate reunion as their burgeoning trust and affection are put to a serious test. (Feb.)
From Publisher's Weekly:
Grant's scorching debut follows the pursuit of love and happiness for Dallas girls Jewellen Capwell and Renee Nightingale and their possibly very significant others, Roman Montgomery and Gregory Samson. Marriage appears to be the golden goal, but, of course, the path to their respective altars is strewn with obstacles. For Jewel, a North Dallas girl of some privilege, it's her ex-boyfriend and Roman's preference to live in Big D's South Oak Cliff “hood” close to his clingy ex-wife and his son. Renee and Greg's Achilles heels are their roving eyes, leading to big trouble when each finds someone else to pique their amorous interest. Grant depicts their dilemmas with a pitch-perfect voice, delivering funny yet believable stories embellished with a gusto that readers who enjoy Carl Weber and Mary Monroe will relish. (Jan.)
From Borders Books:
In a sparkling debut, Grant weaves a fresh, engaging urban love story about been-there-before singles finding love where they least expect it.
From Romantic Times:
(4 stars) The protagonist in this very light and entertaining read is totally believable and funny. Talented Grant entices, captivates and mesmerizes her readers. Job well done!
From Angelia Menchan, APOOO BookClub
Heard it All Before by Michele Grant is an excellent debut that explores dating and class differences among the thirty-something set. Jewellen Capwell is the ultimate Black-American Princess. She was born and raised in North Dallas and has made it her business not to venture too far south. It is not that she is out of touch with being black, it is simply that she is being cautious. At 30 she owns her own temporary services business and is all about upward mobility. Though she has been dateless for a long time she has not even considered venturing to the south side to look for love. That is until her best friend, Renee, a former south side girl convinces her to attend a basketball game. Jewellen reluctantly agrees and has her world rocked by the south side hunk, Roman Montgomery. Roman puts the `F' in fine and within moments Jewellen is smitten. The question becomes is she open to love, even if she has to venture into the `hood' to get it?
Ms. Grant offers an entertaining insight into the dating world of what would appear to be opposites. However, she does a wonderful job of showing that there are not that many things that are different about the heart's ability to love. What was particularly interesting was how Grant managed to show the strengths and weaknesses in her male and female characters, showing that men are as interested in loving and being loved as women. I recommend Heard it All Before to all who love an entertaining, humorous look at love in contemporary times.
