First published 1997
Yolanda, Riley, Dwight, and Leland gather monthly to read from their shared journal called "If This World Were Mine." The four friends met at Hampton Institute and have maintained their bond for years through honest storytelling. Yolanda works as a media consultant with fierce independence. Riley gave up her marketing career for marriage and motherhood. Computer engineer Dwight carries anger at the world. Psychiatrist Leland questions his clients' romantic choices while navigating his own identity as a gay man. Their tight circle faces disruption when gray-eyed John Basil Henderson enters their lives. The former NFL star brings secrets from his past that threaten the group's stability. Career pressures and romantic conflicts strain friendships that once seemed unbreakable. Resentments surface and long-buried truths emerge during their monthly meetings. When death threatens one member, the crisis forces each friend to confront their true feelings. The group must decide whether their shared history can overcome present challenges and future uncertainties.
Genres: fiction, romance, friendship, african-american, contemporary, lgbt
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, friends-to-lovers
Setting: Hampton Institute
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
320 pages · Hardcover · Doubleday
Content warnings: mental-illness