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Nervous

by Zane

4.35 of 5 stars 4.35 · rating details · 3,665 ratings · 173 reviews

Zane's legion of fans can't get enough of her way of telling a juicy, sexy story. In Nervous, the New York Times bestselling queen of erotica brings us a tale of a woman with a split personality. Jonquinette has always been nervous around men, but on the weekends her alter ego, Jude, goes on intense sexual escapades. When Jonquinette seeks the help of Dr. Marcella Spencer,...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published June 15th 2004 by Atria Books (first published 2003)

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Mar 15, 2009 William Beesley rated it 2 of 5 stars

I've just read my first trashy erotica novel. I went in knowing little about sexually explicit books only to be vicariously involved in a multi partner, Internet abusing, pan Georgian, sexual orgy. The sex was hard and fast, happening in three paragraphs or less and kinda scary and kinda interesting.

I read Nervous because several people have posted comments that if only the world would read more trashy erotic novels war and poverty would cease to exist. I don't know where they got their facts f...more

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Apr 02, 2009 Tatiana rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Nervous is one of many fiction novels by Zane. I chose this book because my friends and I have been trying to read any of her books that we come across. After reading Addicted I had to read this one too, especially since I had been left out of the numerous conversations about it. I of course was the only one whom had yet to read it.

The protagonist Jonquinette a young successful and beautiful Black woman. As the title entails she is very nervous, especially when it pertains to dealing with those...more Nervous is one of many fiction novels by Zane. I chose this book because my friends and I have been trying to read any of her books that we come across. After reading Addicted I had to read this one too, especially since I had been left out of the numerous conversations about it. I of course was the only one whom had yet to read it.

The protagonist Jonquinette a young successful and beautiful Black woman. As the title entails she is very nervous, especially when it pertains to dealing with those of the opposite sex. Naturally she has no boyfirend. She tries hard to avoid men all together. The only problem is she keeps blacking out and waking up covered in the scent of a man, well several different men. Everyone, including Zane's audiance and excepting all but two characters in the novel (none of the two are Jon) are aware of what's going on. All Jon knows is that she has had these black outs since she was young but she hadn't always woken up with the smell of a man or men on her body and the more it happens, the more she starts to worry. She goes to sexual addiction meetings but feels so out of place because as far as she is concerned, she is a virgin. We know that she has a split personality that is the total opposite of Jon. Her name is Jude. Jude is the promiscuous beautiful black woman that is concerned with nothing other than having sex as much as she can before Jon "wakes up". Finally after a couple nights of running out of the meetings in tears she is confronted by a fellow member, Zoe Reynard. Zoe offers to talk to Jon if she feels comfortable and refers her to the doctor that helped her through all of her problems. Nervous about going to see a shrink and to embarrassed to go back to the meetings Jon continues on with life as if nothing is going on. Just then a handsom man named Mason moves into her apartment building there is a mutual affinity but Jon is too nervous to let anything blossom between the two. Jude of course unhappy about the situation instigates more problems for Jon. After a couple run ins with Mason her black outs occur more often and she finally decides to start seing the shrink, Dr. Marcella, and Jude stars causing even more problems for her. Dr. Marcella uncovers the dark secrets from Jon's past and lets Jon in on it. More and more twists are revealed through out the novel. The plot continues on to unveil why Jude is there. The plot also follows the turbulent relationshop between Mason and Jon. Oh and there is a HUGE plot twist in the end that you will have to just read to figure out.

As Jon struggles with man vs. man and man vs. self conflicts of her past and present she looks for how to deal with them for a better future. Meanwhile, sex, nervousness, fear, love, and secrets are all reoccuring motifs and symbols throughout the novel. Jude knows something is wrong but she doesn't know what. She also knows that she cannot always go through life being deathl affraid of men her whole life or she'll miss out on one of the few good ones left, Mason.

Zane writes in a very informal manner making this book an easy read. She writes in first person for all characters and also takes on a thord person point of view at times to add elemets of curiosity that later evolve into plot twists. She wastes little time with elaborate discription but the images are far from difficult to image because of the settings she chooses for her story. The book reads fast giving it the feeling of a movie. Its an attention grabber and keeper. Zane really utillizes elements of suspense and surprise to keep the readers' attentions. Each character's different personality is displayed through the context of their chapters. By reading what is written it is obvious exactly who is talking (which comes in handy for the HUGE plot twist). When a page is filled with profanity and talk about sex, without a doubt it's Jude talking. If a page reads with a calm comforting tone, without a doubt it's Dr. Marcella. All of these factors do contribute to an interesting read, but it does take away from the depth of the characters. So though it may be an interesting read and it makes you think there is nothing intellectually compelling that one could take away form this book. It's purely "for your entertainment". I would recommend it to a mature audiance that wants to be kept interested or is looking for something that will entertain and not hurt the brain. It's a fun book and a quick read. i enjoyed it. :)
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Oct 02, 2012 Camelia rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I have had this book for years now and have never read it. I would always see the book but never bother to pick it up. Now, I know why I did not. When I first brought this book I was young and after reading it have come to the conclusion that I would have been quick to judge and not enjoy the book. I have read other books by Zane and have realize that her writing has grown since she wrote this book. I love the book but I have some complaints about it. 1) I felt that relationship between Jon and...more

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Sep 12, 2009 Raven Kenneybrew rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Raven by: a friend.

I was recommended this book by a friend. The book Nervous is about a girl named Jonquinette Pierce who has never had a boyfriend. The weekdays belong to Jonquinette and the weekends belong to, Jude. Jude emerged in second grade when Jonquinette kept getting picked on by other girls. Jude is the type that doesn't care what she do. Jude would use violence and, Jonquinette wouldn't know anything about it. When Jonquinette is seeking psychiatric help, Jude fears it might be the end for her.
Later,...more I was recommended this book by a friend. The book Nervous is about a girl named Jonquinette Pierce who has never had a boyfriend. The weekdays belong to Jonquinette and the weekends belong to, Jude. Jude emerged in second grade when Jonquinette kept getting picked on by other girls. Jude is the type that doesn't care what she do. Jude would use violence and, Jonquinette wouldn't know anything about it. When Jonquinette is seeking psychiatric help, Jude fears it might be the end for her.
Later, in the book Jonquinette meets a man who she is really having feelings for. His name is Mason. They first meet when he moved into her apartment building. Never having a boyfriend Jonquinette never really knew what so say when Mason always would flirt with her. Se opened up a little bit and they were starting to talk (date). But, one day Mason came up to visit and check on Jonquinette because he had heard she was sick and Jude had taken over. Mason not knowing about Jonquinette problem didn't know what to do or think. Jude wanting to ruin their relationship had told Mason everything "Jude" had did. The next day Jonquinette noticed Mason didn't speak to her nd knew something was wrong. He had told Jon everything that had hape that night between him and Jude. Jonquinette had explained her prolblem to him and being that he was really in love with her he told her that he was with her the whole way.
Jonquinette's psychiatrist said that it would have been best if her parents were to attend her meetings with her. So Jon got in touch with her father who had left them about six years ago because some woman had came to her parent's house saying that she was pregnant with Jon's father baby. Which, was a lie the whole thing was Jude's plan. Being that Jon's father and mother were starting to spend more time with each other they had decided to get re-married. Of course Jude thought it was stupid while, Jon thought it was a great idea. One day at one of their family meetings the truth was coming out from everybody, everyone had someting hidden from the rest. That day Jonquinette also found out that the reason she has that dsorder was because...
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Feb 13, 2008 Erica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: hot-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 27, 2009 Jamilla Lewis rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone over the age of 15

Recommended to Jamilla by: no one

"this is one of the best books ive ever read because even thought it has a lot of sex in it, it has also taught me alot about having MPD"
my outake on this book dealing with conflict is that the internal conflict that she faces with her multiple personalities is one of the toughest conflicts in a book that i have ever read. She has to deal with not only the challenges of her daily life but she also had to deal with the damage that her other persdonalities were giving her such as; waking up with h...more

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Feb 11, 2012 Lina rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: zane-project, erotica

I would categorize Nervous as the weakest of Zane's novels if I hadn't read Shame on It All. Nervous was original part of a short story Zane had written for an anthology, but it later developed into a full-length novel. Twenty-something Jonquinette suffers from Multiple Personality Disorder [MPD] and her alternate self "Jude" has repeatedly gotten Jonquinette in trouble. However, Jonquinette is completely unaware of Jude's actions, including the multiple (and seemingly) unprotected sexual escapa...more

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Jul 13, 2010 Euftis Emery rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: african-american-erotica, erotica

Use the following link to watch the video review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmL5gd...

I have been interested in picking up Nervous for a number of years and never got around to it. Browsing in the library last week I happened upon a brand new copy and snatched it up.

I was a bit surprised though to find that the book was not the steamy erotic read that I expected but more of a psychological thriller. Don't get me wrong, there is sex in this book which is carried out by an alternate personality...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Melinda rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: trashy-romance

I took me a while to read this because I had to keep putting it down. I've wanted to read Zane for a while but I really didn't think that I would relate to her work. I admit I liked it but at the same time it's one of those books that make you want to throw it against the wall because I couldn't suspend my disbelief. All in all, I liked the premise of the book and the fact that you really can have issues and there is someone who will try to love you any way. Not realistic (but maybe I'm in a pes...more

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Oct 18, 2009 Monifa Thomas rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: My friends

Recommended to Monifa by: My friend Jamila

I really love this book because of its crazy events. Besides the sex it had a story line that was interesting.I still dont understand the plot with the main character having mutiple personality disorder, Jonquinetta being a virgin and Jude being the promiscuious woman. Honestly the only reason why I picked this book up was because of Zane's sexual reputation but I went deeper into the story and asked myself, Why did she make the main character have MPD, Why did she make the two personalities a s...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Mashira rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-books

Zane is an erotic fiction about a girl living a life with a split personality. Jonquinette Pierce a nice quiet girl, who has never had a boyfriend. Growing up she was not liked by other children and she was blamed for things she does not remember doing. When older she started waking up with different scent of different men on different nights. She started to question that, because she has never been close to a man. Now she is seeking help from a doctor to help her answer all her question. Then s...more

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Dec 20, 2011 J rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

(FROM JACKET)Jonquinette Pierce has always been nervous when it comes to men. She took a job dealing with mostly women so she could avoid men. She goes to work and comes straight home during the week, but on the weekends her other self, Jude, takes over and goes on intense sexual excapades.
Jonquinette recognizes that her alter ego is a problem and seeks to resolve it with the help of Dr. Marcella Spencer, the psychiatrist Zane originated in her bestselling novel "Addicted". Jude's response is to...more

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Dec 16, 2010 Always rated it 3 of 5 stars

The thing I like about this book is that it's interesting, and unique. And because of that, it kept me reading. It wasn't an absolute page-turner, but it was sometimes difficult for me to put down. So really, props to Zane. The book was about a girl who went through so much in her childhood and throughout her life (like bullying, being made fun of, ignorant mother, and a little sexual abuse by her father) and because of this, she, or rather her body, develops two other personalities. So the mai...more

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Aug 13, 2009 Keisha rated it 5 of 5 stars

i think that this book is amazing... i really enjoyed reading this book... i really liked the main character in this story ecause she was going through alot with her personality and she really couldnt help what she does... but the only thing that i though that was messed up for her was thea that she was an attractive women and she let her mind feed her in to things that she didnt want to do.. but other then that this book was excellent... i love reading these books because some people can relat...more

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Apr 23, 2008 s0 c0nFuSeD rated it 5 of 5 stars

Book review
(Nervous)

I just recently read a book entitled Nervous. The author Zane wrote this book. This novel is a bout a girl named Jonquinette who keeps waking up and not knowing what she did the night before. Well getting deeper into this book I found out that she has a split personality, a girl named Jade. Jade is the total opposite of Jonquinette. I enjoyed this book, because it had a lot of twist and turns and it kept reveling new things, as you got deeper into the book. Also, this was on...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Amiee rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-where-are-you-reading-challeng, 2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 22, 2011 Antoinette rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobooks

Zane is very well known for her sexy novels. But underneath them all are deep, moving stories with very well-rounded characters.

If you are easily offended, then books by Zane are not for you. But, if you don't mind a good story with really good sex thrown in, then these are books for you. "Addicted" and "Nervous" (the sequel to "Addicted") were awesome. I highly recommend them both.

Awesome narration by Nicole Small. I will seek out other audiobooks with her as narrator.

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Apr 01, 2013 Rai rated it 1 of 5 stars

If I was grading this book on ridiculous, it would be getting five stars. But rating it on quality? It's lucky it gets one. I guess I can see why Zane books are so popular, the same way I can see why Justin Bieber and Brittney Spears are popular. They're catchy, they're sexy. But they're not...good. I'm glad I tried it, but I probably won't be venturing into this realm anytime soon.

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Jan 26, 2011 Adriana Calcote rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I first read started reading this book, I thought the main character was carzy and she had mental issues. But as I read further along, I began to understand more and more why she is the way she is. Some of the events that took place in her life I connected to because it either happen to me or I've seen it first hand. I really enjoyed reading this book, kept me interested.

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Mar 27, 2009 Rene rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was a good book about a girl struggling to take control about her life with out her taken complete control over her. Now you will not understand what i mean unless you read this book. Another reason i love this book because it ltes you get to view how thses type of ill people live un till you live in their shoes and thats just what this book do.

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Sep 22, 2012 Trixydan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: dont-judge-me

I'm not sure that this really qualifies as 'erotica'...and, it was a little difficult to keep reality suspended (that is, to accept the fantasy) when Jude-the-alter kept doing such obviously self degradading and distructive things...the whole premis left me pretty turned off, and the sex scenes where brief and lacking detail.

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Oct 08, 2009 Maci Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fall-2009

This book is about a woman name Jonquinette that has a split personality. The other woman in her is name Jude. Jonquinette would be the more conservative one and Jude is the more wild one. Jonquinette doesn't have much experience with men, she is not the type to flirt and engage herself with men. On the other hand, her alter ego, Jude is a sex addict and loves to meet men and sleep with them on the first date. Jonquinette goes to a therepist for her problem because she wakes up some mornings not...more

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Mar 11, 2009 Johanna rated it 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book..Definitely a page turner. I have to admite Zane is so talented in her erotic skills that as i was reading certain parts on the train i had look up every now and than remember where I was and that ohter people were around, if you know what I mean...lol

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Dec 15, 2011 Syandene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lawwwdddd ZANE!!!! Not my first Zane book but she never seems to disappoint...EVER! I cried like a baby throughout the book and of course at the end because this book is all about getting to know yourself and self-growth. Things that I'm personally working on. Awesome book. Loved it.

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Aug 17, 2010 Meanna Kintaudi added it

This was my first Zane book. I actually really liked it! It wasn't anything like I thought it would be. I thought it would be a soft-core porn novel, but it wasn't. It did have some erotic stuff in it, but it had a great plot and it was a one day read. I definetely recommend it.

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May 12, 2013 Karina Hernandez rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book I ever read of Zane. It was given to me by a patient I shared a room with while my first time in the hospital with Lupus. I was hooked. It is very naughty but pull you in to the story. I like this author even if my husband calls this my word porn.

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Jul 04, 2012 Jharrayne rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was CRAZY!! I didnt know what to do when I was two-thirds through because there were so many ways this book could have gone :/ So, I just sat there and finished it. In the end I was pleased and couldn't wait to get my hands on another Zane book as good as this one.

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Jan 17, 2013 Bint Alia rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't really know where to start or how to even start... Zane did it again! Another one of her books have been added to my faves list. I never hesitate to read her books (when I have the chance) & it wasn't a surprise that this book ended up being good, since I loved her other book, Addicted. Zane introduced me to a character with a disorder that I only heard of but never really looked into. She allowed me to connect with the character and showed me what someone with MPD goes through. Many...more

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Jan 29, 2011 Misspeache rated it 3 of 5 stars

Typical Zane. Raunchy with a slight dose of Love sprinkled in. But with a slight twist at the end..... I say slight because if you're paying attention it doesn't come as a surprise. Not developed but understandable. It was a quick read, not a waste of time but I wouldn't read it again.

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Jul 21, 2009 Kiki H rated it 5 of 5 stars

I liked this book. With the character having multiple personalities you would think this would be a confusing read but, it held it's own. It was very fast pasted and I did not find a boring part in this book. Heavy erotica but it definitely got the point across. Good read.

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About Zane

Zane is an African American author of erotic fiction. She is the daughter of two former educators: an elementary school teacher and a world-renowned theologian who is also the author of nearly two dozen books. She was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area where she still resides with her three children.
In 1997, Zane began writing erotic stories to pass the time after her children went to be...more

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