Okay, before we start, I have a confession to make—I completely, wholly, utterly judged this book by its title. I know, I know, I am without shame. But seriously, when I saw that sassy title--Cherry Money Baby—I knew that I had to give it a shot. And it lived up to the title. I loved Cherry--she’s foul-mouthed, harsh, unrelenting, and tell-you-like-it-is—and I loved her for that. Being a small-town girl myself, I could really connect with her. I understand how small towns can sometimes be—sheltered, biased, yet with a sense of community and strength. Cusick’s writing was honest and in-your-face. What really impressed me was his dialogue. Some writers tend to “overwrite” dialogue—making it sound too formal and structured. Cusick kept it to-the-point and broken up, so that I felt like this novel really was happening right in front of my eyes. His vocabulary was colorful and vibrant. The book was slightly dull at the beginning and at some parts in the middle, but only for a chapter or so. I really recommend this book for anyone who is interested in a modern novel with a small town twist!
“The wheel spun free of Cherry’s hands. Weightless silence. Then the passenger’s side smashed into the concrete divider.”
I would recommend this book for ages sixteen and up, for profanity, sexual references, and the use of drugs and alcohol.
So, will Cherry decide to stay in her simple life….or will she jump into the life of Ardelia Deen feet-first? Read Cherry Money Baby to find your answer!
