Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made

by Virginia DeBerry, Donna Grant

Two childhood friends sharing a tragic secret, Gayle Saunders, a beauty born of working-class parents, and Patricia Reid, intelligent and haunted by her mystery parentage, embark on adulthood, facing the prospect of their futures with men and careers. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, African American, Chick Lit, Romance, Friendship, Contemporary, Womens Fiction

483 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

We are best friends who’ve been co-writing women’s fiction since 1990. For more information about who we are, what we do and...what we did, please visit deberryandgrant.com. We can also be found online at: Facebook.com/deberryandgrant
Instagram @deberryandgrant

Reviews

[Laurie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I read it when I was in my late 20s slightly after the internet had been invented. I remember that fact because I emailed the authors to say how much I enjoyed their book. And they responded! Wow, an author reached out to me! Like a celebrity. I have that email to this day-15 plus years later.

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forever binding friendship

I read this book so long ago, yet it is still amongst my favorite. This book was well written and captivates what friendships are truly made of. We all grow and sometimes we part from those we thought we couldn't live without. Gayle, and Pat who are totally different become like sisters when Pat is left on her own. They are forever binded with a terrible memory. As they loose one another and fully run into their lives it seems that they reunite unexpectingly and with a twist of things that have changed all of their lives. This was a great collaboration and I highly recommend this book.

[Mom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Powerfully told, this story that was written over 25 years ago is still relevant to this day. Vivid images come to mind as you read this heartrending account of the lives built and ruined. We become invested in these characters and feel their pain and suffering. I would advise keeping several boxes of tissues handy while reading this one.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Nastassia Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously. This is one of the best books I've ever read. My bestfriend gave it to me for Christmas last 2007, and I must've read it a million times. I'm not one to read. But, this book has really captured my heart. It reflects that sometimes, love and bond are really stronger than anything else in this world. I can see that this book was meant for me and my bestfriend. :D

[SassyMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!

I enjoyed reading this book..found it hard to put down. The trials and tribulations of friends and their lives seemed so real. I felt for Gayle..and for Pat. This is a book that I will remember. Two thumbs up!!

[The Book Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Read it many years ago and it remains a favorite of mine.

[Delaney Diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story!

Women's fiction can be such an emotional roller coaster, but I usually love it, and this was no exception.

The characters were interesting and complex, even the secondary characters. I felt like I was looking at the lives of real people, and at times it made me sad and uncomfortable. I wanted everything to tie up neatly, but it wasn’t until the end that I got the feeling of satisfaction I needed after such an emotional upheaval in the lives of the characters. They’d all been through so much, that if there wasn’t some happiness at the end, it would have been a huge let down.

Characters:
Marcus, who I basically fell in love with during the book, carried the burden of his brother’s death for years. I was so happy when he finally found his own way and lived for himself.

Pat, who I disliked for most of the book, despite knowing her problems. I sympathized with her when she was a kid, but as she grew older I disliked her more and more. I just don’t like meanness, and she had a meanness about her I couldn’t accept. She had people in her life who loved and cared about her, but her fear of rejection and losing them made her always push them away and behave in ways I found unattractive. I was so happy when she realized love doesn't have to hurt.

I had the most pity for Gayle. Despite being spoiled, she truly loved and cared about Pat. Unfortunately for her, she wanted the fairy tale life her parents told her she deserved, and in her efforts to get it, her life collapsed around her. Far from the fairy tale. Losing her loved ones and her lifestyle was devastating, but I was happy to see her grow stronger, take control of her life, and finally become the woman she should be.

I really enjoyed this book: the storytelling, the romantic elements, the heartache, and the happy ending. It’s the type of story that makes you feel deeply and makes you introspective, examining your own life and relationships. The book takes you through the lives of the characters from childhood to adulthood. The stories will make you appreciative of how good your life is when you see what the main characters go through.

At first I couldn’t understand why this was touted as “a novel…about best friends.” They grew apart and lived different lives for many years. But then I got it. Because in the end they found their way back to each other permanently. Their experiences helped them grow, but it was their childhood friends who knew them the best, despite the intervening years apart.

And in the end, they fell back into their comfortable friendship and took care of each other, the way true friends should and do.

[T Pitts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this on an old bookshelf while cleaning out my mom's "junk room". I was captivated by the bright cover, and immediately fell in love with the first chapter. These characters felt like old friends, or actually, just a couple of cousins that I hadn't seen in a while. I appreciate the writing and the story overall, but the pacing kept me from fishing the book for a while. I whole-heartedly admit that at times, I would skip several lines or maybe a page or two to get to the next scene that was interesting to me. Interestingly enough, the end actually felt rushed. Nonetheless, enjoyed this book. If I found it again in 10 years, I'd read it.

[Iuli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book not necessarily because of how it was written or the degree of sophistication. The themes of friendship, betrayal, suffering, and finding real love (not necessarily in a romantic way) touched a chord in me. So if you are down for those types of books I think you will really enjoy this one. It has a couple of interesting twists and turns and the chronological arrangement is nifty as well. I also liked the way the authors painted their characters: like real people that you can empathize with.

[Rae Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

List of things I loved:
1. chapter titles (bring them back)
2. using short quotes from the text as chapter titles (genius!)
3. old school lingo (jive turkey!😂)
4. the closure (not a single stone was left unturned)
5. the drama! (so many plot twists in the end but it didn’t feel forced or extra)
6. co-authors (I think this helped give Pat and Gayle each their own individual voice)

*read this with the book club & we loved it so much we decided to read the sequel together as well.

[Chris Birdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of three African-American children who grew up and grew apart before they could reconcile the true meaning of friendship. A young girl throws in her lot with a gambler and loses almost everything. The other became an over-achiever and workaholic while the boy tries to live with a secret which is destroying him. Gayle, Patricia and Marcus go through much pain and disillusionment before they learn the true meaning of happiness.

[Rnd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book a long time ago, and thinking that it was the best book I had read in a long time. It was different than the other books I was reading at the time, and I thought it was written so well.

[Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! So interseting and so hard to put down, I almost didn't go to class this morning because I wanted to finish it. It started slow but eventually it picked up and when I say it picked up, I really mean it. So many twists and turns!! I'm a little sad that it's over ...

[Adjoa Ife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I have ever read. I cried like a baby and I have read it multiple times through out the years. I've since passed it on to another lucky lady and asked that she sign her name and pass it on. Love love loved this book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time fav reads. Have read and re-read over half dozen times!!! Pat and Gayle really speak to me. Pat is my fav character in the book, Marcus is my second fav.

[Tiera Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10! I absolutely enjoyed this book about friendship, love and life!

[Krystal Kantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! No spoilers, but I couldn’t put it down and when I did put it down, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

[Meshia83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, BUT I do feel that the chapters were a little drawn out. I believe this book could have been wrapped up in about 3-4 chapters less that what is written. I did love the storyline and the closure that the authors provided for the characters. I feel that the book ended where everything came full circle.

[Tammy Washington · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are well developed and the story line is very relevant to life itself.
The book had peeks and valley’s and the story seemed a little drawn out once I got towards the middle.
Once it picked up, it was powerful. I was very pleased with the conclusion. Great job to the author’s

[Veronica Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was too good. I was gagged a countless amount of times 😭. very entertaining, and I would love to see where Pat & Gayle’s lives continue to go in the future! everybody say “thank you, annaelle” for her recommendation!

[Tori Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

They all need therapy, but overall good storyline. Gayle & Pat were looking for ways to survive, instead of focusing on self love and acceptance.

[Ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I'm still too young to know if my best friend and I will be able to withstand the challenges that life throws us once we are adults, I could see our friendship in Gayle and Pat's younger years. I think any girl will be nodding her head, laughing and feeling the pain of the main characters, the best friends. The character development is excllent. The authors make you really care about the characters' and their problems. I didn't want this book to be completely realistic because I wanted everyone to have a happy ending. I admit, I was skeptical about how realistic all the drama was, especially in Gayle's situation. I didn't think it was possible for anyone to hit so many lows so fast, but I still felt immense sympathy for her.

I stayed up very late to finish this novel, needing to know that karma existed and would come back to haunt all those who mistreated Gayle, Pat and Marcus. I was cringing at parts, wondering how friends could say such horrible things to other, but family and friends know what to say to hurt us the most. I highly recommend this book, it's perfect for a women's book club or just reading it wth all your girlfriends. I was relived to find out there is a sequel and I can't wait to go get it.

I wonder how the authors write together? I bet it can be a true test of friendship but they pull it off so well!

[Lynnetoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story of two best friends who were "throw-away" children at birth. The effects of being an unwanted child and the emotional toll it takes have different outcomes for each girl. The story also sheds light on the life of an unwed mother of the 50s and 70s; the options one has with money and without. The plot explores snobbery, class, income, skin-tone, hair, men-on-the-prowl and looking for love in all the wrong places.

There is a prologue which seems shallow until you have read to page 327, when I read it again. It had much more depth when I had more background knowledge. I could now see beyond the surface. The plot is a bit contrived, but not unbelievably so. It does take you down to the place that is the lowest you can sink even when trying to struggle UP and OUT! It is far from literary heights butthe author makes some essential points about what women face.

[Papaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for a book club and I love it. This book had me laughing on the train coming home from work and people looking at me like I was crazy. Pat and Gayle was good friend and had very different personalities. Pat was more worried about her future, when Gayle was more worried about getting married and not having to work. As they grow older they grow apart. But with Gayle losing everything it brought them back together. It also show how a women should never put all the trust in men as far as your financial situation, because clearly you could be left with nothing. If you have read this book yet please do you would love it.

[Keisean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned friendship between women is something that can surpass time, space and even anger. After finishing the book, I was left hanging, just a little. Then to my surprise and delight I discovered there is a sequel, so that makes me feel better knowing the story will continue and hopefully end a little better. I was a little disappointed with the return of Gayle's long, lost, dead husband in the cemetery. That was a little bit creepy and soap-opera like. But I guess it gave a nice vengeful twist at the close of the story.

[Katura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's about two best friends who are inseparable while they are young. But as we all know, life has its challenges and in this story, those many challenges push the two girls apart. I liked how the story alternated from being told from Gayle or Patricia's point of view. I thought it was beautiful that as grown women, they eventually found themselves back to each other despite all the time and drama that had passed. One of the chapter titles sums it up perfectly, " . . . ain't nothing good as an old friend."

[Stanjay Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a ride this book was! So many valuable lessons being transmitted to me, as the reader, from the two main characters, Pat & Grace. They met and became friends, sisters in life. Then life took them on separate journeys that ultimately led them back to one another. Biggest lesson: Life happens regardless of how we plan it. These characters went through things that weren't even on their agendas but they both showed such strength through it all and gave us the readers a glimpse into what courage is. Great great book! 5 stars!

[Quanah Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book twice, once when it first came out and again in a book club about 5 years ago. It's a story of a friendship that spans 20 years and the ups and downs that come with being friends for that long.

It's such a good read and you really get caught up in Pat and Gayle's lives. You root for both at different times, taking a side and then switching to the other side. Everyone who I have told about this book loved it.

[Carolyn Alleyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The writing was great and the story kept me engaged. I thought I had read it before but since I never remember what I read, it took me a few pages to figure out i had indeed read it but I didn't mind reading it again. It's a story of hope and that no matter where we come from, there's always room to grow. At the end the characters didn't let their troubled beginnings stop them from having a bright future.