In 2022 I have decided to start each month of the year off by reading the work of an author that is new to me. “A Novice’s First Take” will be my raw feelings, thoughts, and opinions about these authors’ stories. It will consist of three sections; my pre-reading thoughts, my raw thoughts, and hindsight. Of course the Pre-Reading Thoughts section briefly describes my thoughts from reading the synopsis alone. My Raw Thoughts section features the unstructured immediate thoughts that I have while reading. Lastly, the Hindsight section highlights my overall reading experience and my big takeaways. If you haven’t read it already, there will be some spoilers in the Raw Thoughts section.
I have been seeing the name “Shae Sanders” for a while, but I never picked up her work until now. For the month of March I have decided to pop my Shae Sanders “cherry” by reading The Replacements. The title itself, “The Replacements: A Grumpy Boss Romance”, tells it all. The story follows Savannah Dayne, a soon-to-be divorced housewife, and her journey through her divorce from her husband Maurice. The first thing on her to-do list is to get a job (for some unconventional reasons). This is where she meets her new boss, Taurus Jackson. Taurus is a rude know-it-all with a bad ass attitude. While the attraction is there from the beginning, their opposing personalities cause them to clash a little. When the lines of professionalism blur and opposites attract, sparks fly between the two.
My Pre-Reading Thoughts:
I don’t have too much experience with workplace romances. The only ones that I can remember reading are Work Song by Danielle Allen and the Strictly Professional series by Christina C. Jones. I’m definitely open to reading more though. It’s something about that forbidden tension, “we shouldn’t be doing this, but we are”, “fuck the rules” vibe that is intriguing. I’m curious to see what The Replacements is going to give!
My Raw Thoughts:
Savannah Dayne
I’m always searching for similarities between myself and the characters that I read about. The line, “estrogen and independence were all I knew”, resonated with me because it describes an upbringing that is similar to mine. Off rip I can see that Savannah is the type of woman that knows she doesn’t need a man, but it’s what she wants. She is a giver and a nurturer. Someone who is pleased by pleasing others, which is why being a housewife fits her.
Mo thought he could step to Sav with those sorry excuses. Sorry to tell you she fucked with a real one, now she hates lames! When she laughed in his face, I was livingggg!
Savannah’s mother pushing her own trauma onto her daughter is going to be the death of their relationship. She is acting like Sav is out here living foul. Mama probably is jealous of her daughter’s life, but in a way she is being real. As a parent to a grown adult though, just be there and if the pieces crumble, be the support she needs. At the same time I understand where she was coming from from a financial standpoint because it’s important to have money of your own. Savannah had her getaway cash though!
Taurus Jackson
This man done said Savannah is “a few pounds past thick” !? SCREAMING!
Mr. Jackson definitely is not nice, but maybe his employees take that as him being mean because they aren’t used to people acting like that?? Scratch that, this nigga definitely is ignorant as hell lol. It’s kind of a mixture of both. People aren’t used to hearing others speak so bluntly. I know Taurus had my eyes wide in shock a few times, especially when he was talking to Savannah. It was funny to me though, especially on the plane! The seat neighbor on the plane needs to mind her damn business! I’m CACKLING!
See, I can already tell he’s about to jump to conclusions about Mo’s presence at Savannah’s apartment and mess everything up. Of course he’s scared to get hurt, he’d rather end it first, no matter who gets hurt in the process. Anything to maintain control. I know this ain’t about to last long though. He is playing himself by trying to play tough lol.
Chile, he just confessed how he really feels in his heart when Sav tried to quit, then he tried to play it off. SIR, we know the truth! You in love alreadyyyy.
This whole mess about Taurus and Sav’s business being put on blast in the streets just shows how messy men can be. Not y’all damn near forty running back to the group chats to spill the tea!? They always say, “Think of who is the messiest person you know, it’s a man isn’t it?” YES!
Babyyyy, Taurus ate Maurice tf up! Had him on stuck mode outside of the courthouse. Then he bitched Messy Chris in front of his wife. That’s what I’m talking about! Mr. Jackson doesn’t play about his woman and I’m living for it!
Hindsight:
Now that I am done reading I can definitively say that I enjoyed this story! It was executed well, lacked typos, had dialogue that flowed well, and the characters stayed true to their personalities. I was definitely entertained by it, seeing as though I read it all in one day lol. I respect good writing, and Shae Sanders writes well. The story wasn’t too dark or traumatic (now I love me a good dark traumatic story! Don’t get it twisted lol), which was refreshing for me. The Replacements is enjoyable without the extra heaviness. Plus Sav and Taurus just fit as a couple. The tension, the sensuality, the messiness that came with their relationship!? Andddd Sav was a plus sized queen “a few pounds past thick”?!? *chefs freaking kiss*
One aspect of this story that I loved about this story was the discussion on housewives through the lense of Black women. In my personal experience, I don’t think I know Black women who are housewives. A lot of times Black women do not have the financial safety to be a housewife and/or we have been raised by generations of women who have had to provide for their families while doing the second shift work (cooking, cleaning, taking care of their spouse and children after work). That is why Savannah was criticized. Her being a housewife came off as laziness to others. I respected Savannah’s husband hunt because she just wanted to live her life the way SHE wanted to! I loved the idea of her living luxuriously and not having to work. That arrangement worked for the situation she was in. If that works for YOU, then take advantage of the opportunity to be a homemaker if that’s what you want! There is nothing lazy about making a house into a home and catering to your family. I’m sure if given the chance, a lot of us would take that opportunity at some point. It was just good to have that representation. Black women deserve to live freely!
So on that note, Bravo Mrs. Sanders! The Replacements may be my first read by her, but it definitely will not be my last. I’m excited to read more from her and see what it’s giving. If you end up reading The Replacements by Shae Sanders, I would definitely be interested in hearing your thoughts!
Until next time, happy readinggggg🖤
Ciao,
J. Lynae 💋
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