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Summary: A NEW PAGE TURNER!
Review: What a welcome addition to the contemporary world of fiction.Bold, sassy and full of humor, Mr. Murray introduces a novel about an inter-racial couple who fell in love at first sight. But does love really conquer all? How can Renee break the news to her "smart talking" mother that she's fallen in love with Jay, a man she met by chance, in only a few days, and oh........he's not black. Filled with all that you can imagine about a mixed relationship, can Renee and Jay overcome the obstacles that society has set in place? Will they make it past the family introduction? A novel that has you guessing until the very end, Renee and Jay is a story that's written and told candidly about exactly what happens when opposites attract. My hats off to Mr. Murray for writing such a GREAT BOOK! I absolutely loved it!
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Surprise
Review: After reading the lastest EJD and ELH books I was just browsing for my next book and the jacket just caught my eye. I read the summary and decided what the heck try somebody new (I keep reading the same type of stuff). This book had me going from the first chapter. It is refreshing, cute and honset. I don't want to give away the book but all I can say is give this one a try, I think that if you are like me and enjoy EDJ, ELH, MM and TM you will really enjoy this book and will look forward the the next one just as I am.
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Summary: An accurate portrayal of Roanoke
Review: Renee and Jay is a true-to-life portrayal of a tender interracial relationship in Roanoke, VA. I know because I live in Roanoke, and I found myself saying, "That's too true!" as I read. The reviewer from Oakland, CA says Roanoke is "self-segregated." There's some truth to that, but I'm sure there's self-segregation everywhere. Roanoke is just a little more "self-segregated" than most cities. But generalizing that Renee and Jay is "rife with stereotypes" and leaving it there without explanations is wrong. Rightly or wrongly, these stereotypes are alive and well in Roanoke, VA, and these stereotypes determine, to an extent, the way the people of Roanoke lead their lives. As I'm sure is the case in Oakland, a person is shaped by his or her environment. Renee, for all her stereotypical thoughts, could be ANY African-American woman in Roanoke, VA. Her voice, then, is the product of her environment and shouldn't be questioned by anyone who has never visited or lived in Roanoke, Virginia, or the South. I would never presume to tell any author that his or her book that takes place in Oakland, CA is "rife with stereotypes." I'd just accept the author's world the way it is ... and enjoy the story. Renee and Jay would be a good story whether it took place in Roanoke or not. Two VERY different people hook up and prove, like the poem in the book, "in the dark, we're the same."
Rating: 
Summary: Almost there.
Review: Can a deli-owning, aspiring poet from an Italian immigrant family and a sassy sistergirl raised by an independent woman find happiness in self-segregated Roanoke, Virginia? That is the question posed in this humorous account of Renee Howard, a customer service worker at the local cable company and Giovanni Luchesi, better known as Jay. A cast of colorful secondary characters can be found here whose antics will have you either laughing out loud or wanting to wring their necks. This book, rife with stereotypes about race and class of both blacks and whites, had some strong points but just missed the mark in being a finely crafted modern day interracial romance. This book promises to be a controversial read by this first time author.
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Summary: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
Review: JJ Murray gives us a delightful and entertaining debut novel about the interracial relationship of Renee and Jay. When Renee is stranded in the blizzard of the century the last thang on her mind is falling in love. She is more interested in eating and was happy that if it must happen at least her car slid and got stuck in front of Luchesi's restaurant. Enter Jay Anthony Luchesi's to the rescue. Jay has had a crush on the chocolate honey since high school and it's love at first sight when Renee is stranded in front of his restaurant. For Renee "what's love got to do with it" all she wants is a nice meal, the last thang on her is mine is a man, especially a "goofy white man" who believes in love at first sight. After being stranded overnight with Jay, Renee has been bitten by the love bug and begins to sing a new tune. Just one (of many) problem, she and Jay have to keep their relationship underwrap. Even though its a new millennium, its still Roanoke, VA and jungle fever just ain't happening their. And then there's the matter of family and friends...what will they do when they find out that Renee and Jay have been sneaking around and "engaging with each other". Murray weaves hilarious sub-plots and gives new meaning to "colorful characters" as we journey with Renee and Jay in an unlikely courtship. Renee and Jay is a refreshing and witty look at interracial relationships that rings true to life. I was hooked from Chapter One and I enjoyed how the writer developed the relationship of Renee and Jay. Although, Murray sometimes falters by focusing too much on "my people", constanting referencing body odors(Jay's...what was up with that), and sometimes the AA female characters appeared overly stereotypical. For example, when Renee wasn't complaining about body odors or constantly saying "my people" she was coming across as too sharp-tongued, attitudinal and with a significant chip on her shoulder. Sometimes I wondered how Jay even wanted to be around her more or less in a relationship with her. Shirl-Renee's mom was sometimes so over the edge that I lost all credibility where she was concerned. And then their was Renee's, loud mouthed friend, Collette who gave new meaning to the word "sistagal". These situations aside, I was pleasantly surprised that a white boy could tell a story from a sister's perspective and he didn't do too shabby a job. With Renee and Jay, Murray gives us a romantic, sensitive, engaging and humorous look at relationships across black&white color lines. Renee and Jay is a page turner and will have you swiftly turning the pages as you anticipate the next twist and turn in the storyline. The storyline was so engrossing that I finished the book in one sitting. If you're looking for a refreshing, change of pace read then check out Renee and Jay by JJ Murray. Oh but I must warn you this book is highly controversial and not meant for everyone...but for those with an open mind you will enjoy it for what it is...a fictional novel.
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Summary: Utterly fresh, delightful!
Review: J.J. Murray's RENEE AND JAY is one of the funniest, most refreshingly poignant and honest novels I have read in years. Murray is a talent to watch. I can't wait for the next book. I couldn't help noticing Ms. Shelton's review below. She is, of course, entitled to her opinion, but I find her review offensive because it is simply racist. The color of J.J. Murray's skin is irrelevant. Ms. Shelton seems to be under the impression that only African-Americans are allowed to write about African-Americans, and that Caucasians who write about African-Americans are taking publishing spots away from African-Americans who would otherwise get published. How ridiculous! A good book is a good book and will get published, whether the author's skin is black, brown, white, or green. Perhaps Ms. Shelton herself is a failed author. If so, and she has not been able to sell her work, I am not at all surprised. Her review is illiterate. I have resolved to ignore hateful racist nonsense like Ms. Shelton's, and hope you will, too. RENEE AND JAY is a wonderful novel that made me laugh and cry. It should be a movie. Thank you, J.J. Murray, for bringing me such pleasure.
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Summary: A pleasue read that is quite good
Review: African-American Renee Howard's drive from her job as a customer service representative for Star City Cable to her home usually takes a few minutes. However, not only was she crawling home due to the snowstorm that socks Roanoke, Virginia, her car skids sideways and becomes stuck, leaving her stranded at Luchesi's Restaurant. In the restaurant parking lot, Renee meets the manager Giovanni "Jay" Luchesi, who tries to help her out of her stuck spot. That fails so she enters the restaurant where the heat between the Italian stallion and the African-American sister could have melted the snow if they stepped back outside. Even after the snow is gone, RENEE AND JAY continue to see each other because they have fallen in love at first sight. However, his father and her mother object to any relationship between them not just because of the issue of interracial coupling though that is part of the concern. Still Jay and Renee go out of their way to understand the essence of their beloved because both want a lifetime relationship filled with loving and nurturing. Renee is a likable humorous individual trying to make it and will garner empathy. On the other hand, Jay is too stereotyped as no one could be so 100% pure white bread like him in a city 25 per cent Black, which in turn makes his efforts to become a bit toasted fail to ring genuine. Though R and J are not Romeo and Juliet or Tony and Maria, the story line deeply explores the problems confronting interracial couples from within and from loving relatives who genuinely want the best for their beloved. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Romeo & Juliet for the New Millennium!
Review: J. J. Murray's debut novel, RENEE AND JAY is the interracial Romeo & Juliet for the new millennium. A snowstorm leaves Renee stranded out front of Luchesi's restaurant, where she meets the owner's son, Giovanni, aka Jay. Though Renee professes herself to be strictly into black men, she finds herself very intrigued by Jay, and by the next morning Renee and Jay are wistfully thinking of love and a relationship with each other. Renee's own pessimism plays a key role in defining her could-be relationship with Jay, but her mother and Jay's father...as well as their small-minded community questions the "colorful" relationship. If that's not enough, the surprise of a baby drives everyone, including Renee into even more confusion, but Jay is steadfast in his love for Renee and is determined to prove to her that the two make a perfect pair. Renee and Jay is a great read, and I really could not stop reading it until I got to the last page. The characters were outrageous and funny, the humor in the novel was obvious. I will admit; however, that the story is heavy with the "my people" comments presented by Renee, the main character, and oftentimes, I found myself saying, okay, we get it, you're black, it was that thick at times. Aside from that, the story was funny and well written, and I think Murray did an excellent job with this debut novel and the subject matter, and I look forward to reading more books by him. Reviewed by Shonie
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Summary: Virginia really is for lovers!
Review: J. J. Murray has thoroughly "schooled" both black and white America on loving with the heart and not the eyes. Reading the first chapter of Renee and Jay, which is off the roof, was just like having a conversation with myself. This is a hot new romance that'll sho nuf melt all of that ice in Roanoke's winter storm. You're on the playing field with Tyree and Dickey and Terry McMillan. Renee's got the black girl attitude! You write the black woman's role pretty well; that you have in common with Dickey. I was amazed at how well he does that, and you're doing it too! Renee and Jay is a real Romeo and Juliet set in small time Black America! It's a soap opera in the palm of your hands . . . and there's no waiting for tomorrow's episode. I laughed. I cried. I hoped and I prayed and rejoiced in the beauty of the book's ending. I absolutely loved this book as much as I've ever loved Morrison, McMillan or McElroy Ansa. You have arrived and I cannot wait to read Something Real. Talk about bridging gaps and bringing people from all walks of life together . . . you've done it with Renee and Jay. People often wonder about the dynamics of interracial relationships (what comes up, what to say and what not to say). I hope that others will read it and walk away with a refreshing spirit and a more peaceful outlook on life and race relations. I certainly have. It's one thing to say what we believe, but Renee & Jay walks miles in the shoes. I commend you; the book is so well-planned, thought out and pieced together: the jig-saw puzzle of the century has been pieced together gracefully with this beautiful love story! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you JJ Murray! If you're a lover who loves romance, Renee & Jay has a place on your reading list. Get it today!
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Summary: Yay Mr. Murray!
Review: Mr. Murray actually was my English teacher my sophomore year (I was in his class when the sequel to Renee and Jay came out), so I borrowed the book from a friend to see if I'd like it. I have to give kudos to Mr. Murray for being able to write from the persona of a 26-year-old African-American woman. That takes some talent. Anyway, the book is well written and has a good flow to it, even if it is a bit of a short read (or maybe I just read it really fast?). The twists and turns in it were really cool, and quite a few of them unpredictable. It's also a really funny book, and Renee has a huge sense of humor (even if some people found it inappropriate), and I adore how Mr. Murray described Roanoke. That's probably when I laughed the loudest. One problem I had with it when I was halfway through was that all the white women in it were either all really mean or racist, but eventually there were some cool white chicks in there. Another problem I had was Renee had a really mean, bitchy side to her, one that came out perhaps one time too many. But, all in all, it's a great book for summer reading, or if you have a long trip to take, and I recommend it! Lane P.S.- Mr. Murray, if you ever check these things, know this now: Battle Royale should be on the Center 10 Utopia Reading list!
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