Yo Yo Love

by Daaimah S. Poole

“Fresh…and sassy, Poole captures the essence of Kayla, Nicki, and Yaz to a tee.”
-- RT Book Reviews

  Sassy and savvy Kayla Johnson is a serious college student at Philadelphia’s Temple University.  She’s also a fine-looking woman, with ginger-colored skin and more curves than the Liberty Bell.  But if Kayla’s all that, how come she can’t find a man worthy of her charms?
 
When Kayla sets off on a manhunt for Mr. Right, she finds herself hooking up with every hustler, nut, and fast-talking player in Philadelphia. There’s Emar, the basketball hotshot who makes his best moves off-court; handsome Terry, who gets downright scary during a weekend in Jersey; and Reese, who’d be da bomb if he’d only drop his white girlfriend. But it’s Kayla’s relationship with smooth and sexy Wil that really rocks her world and teaches her how to fight for a man—and for her own independence.  Because love doesn’t get truly crazy until it’s the real thing…and the only people who don’t get played are the ones who stay out of the game…
 
Praise for the novels of Daaimah S. Poole
 
“A definite must read." --Candice Dow on Somebody Else’s Man
 
“Colorful … if you love scandal, this is the book for you!” --Anna J on A Rich Man’s Baby
 
“Thought-provoking…Poole garners interest with strong, unpredictable characters.”
-- RT Book Reviews on Ex-Girl to the Next Girl

Genres: African American, Romance

266 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Daaimah S. Poole was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in journalism in 2003. While attending Temple, Daaimah worked almost every job imaginable – receptionist, car salesperson, bill collector, waitress, tutor, and substitute teacher. She would later say she was unintentionally doing character research.
Daaimah completed her first novel Yo Yo Love at the age of 19, without owning a computer or knowing how to type. Yo Yo Love went on to become an Essence Magazine Best Seller. Her subsequent novels, Got A Man, What’s Real, and Ex-Girl to The Next Girl, have cemented her reputation as author on the move.

Reviews

[Ruby · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just could not finish this book. It was not good and It had every clique imagines in the story.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an interesting read and very realistic for so many of the women out there. She was a yo yo for real. It should be an eye opener for the Kayla's out there. Quality vs quantity, and she did have quality with Samir . At the time he wasn't her flavor and therefore she ended up finding love in all the wrong places. Some may realize they already have the prize or have passed it up. Or what to look for in the search. I look forward to reading more from this young sister called Daaimah.i read this book in 4 hours... i couldn't put it down... this book is real and makes you think hard about how to handle your relationships.. This makes you wanna stay on top of your further and present relationships and keep your guard up and not rush into relationships...

[Kanitraahhh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. I remember I read this for the first time in 8th grade. I went back and read this over the summer and I have to say that I still like it. The main character was so naive and it's hilarious because I remember thinking that Kayla was mature and had her stuff together.

[Chantel Swift-Tillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember being in college in 2003, in my house flipping through the pages of this book. I loved it and have read it over and over. I think I would like to purchase another copy for my collection. Thank you Daaima 🫶🏿

[Jeanette Kreuper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book countless times have loved it since the 1st read

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in high school and it’s still so entertaining

[Matice Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book. I read this book in high school.

[olivia ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time at a young age. I enjoyed the story then but now, at the same age of the main protagonist, Kayla, I no longer enjoy it. It's mildly entertaining but Kayla just comes off as annoying. She wants to eat her cake and have it too. Firstly, I am no one to slut shame, I find it highly unacceptable but I will say I was surprised when she went on a trip with a guy she's only known for a week right after the incident with Emar. Like, come on. Whether Terry turned out to be nice guy (even though he wasn't) it was ridiculous. In the words of her friend Yaz, "A week ain't nothin'". Secondly, the dialogue sent me for a loop. I felt the sentences spoken were spoken too fast, I've never met someone who talked like the characters in these books. That's probably a complaint I only have.

Kayla just isn't likeable. My personal morals may be getting in the way but from calling her mother Leslie to repeating the same mistakes over and over again to going through all the BS with Wil and then to call Samir and say something along the lines of, "I don't know why you with her" [referencing Gina] was just annoying.

Kayla is supposed to be in her early twenties (as am I) but honestly she acts like a child.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seriously didn't think that I would enjoy this book that was recommended by a friend. I thought it would be your typical filled with deceit, drama, cheating men -- and some more drama type of story. YO YO LOVE ended up being more than that. I laughed till I cried. Mind you, I was about 10+ years younger when I read it, so I could only imagine how I would feel reading it now.

Kayla S. Johnson is a 20 year old college student at Temple University in Pennsylvania. She is doing well for a woman her age. She is independent and goes for what she wants. She dates a stream of different men and they all turn out to be LOSERS with capital L.

That is until she meets Wil. Not only does he have a job (gasp), he's older and much more mature. He has it going on. So Kayla thinks.

Looks like Wil has a few secrets, and they are NOT pretty... But you'll have to read to find out.

[Leixy K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books shows you how you can think you are in love and how love and good looks can blind your better judgement. this book had a great lead in, wonderful plot, and to think that you or you know someone who love has been shattered by a guy who doesnt truly love you . You must read this book.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book about chick in college falling in and out of love. Making mistakes and getting stung. I think that i would have more enjoyed it 25 years ago. But if you are in your 20s or so, you would probably enjoy this book.

[Nya Monea]

this is one of my favorite books.. I don't think it was so much the content but just one of those books that remind you of the times in your life... my soundtrack for life and the book rack of my life would tell you about the duality of who I really am. I love a juicy urban novel.

[Teshai · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just wanted to hit this girl throughout the whole damn book. She was just plain stupid, a tat of the man's name? Come on now.

I finished only because I wanted to see who she would have ended up with.

[Kellee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't tell you how many times I've read this book. Daaimah is one of my favorite authors and it all started with this book.

[Ms. Independent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, fun and interesting characters. If you've read and enjoyed books such as Flyy Girl and Coldest Winter Ever then you would probably like this book.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really for young folks...I read it my first year of high school. Loved it.

[Gaëtane]

this is actually my first ghetto book i read..lol (which was in high school) Normally this is not the type of books i read. But it teaches you a lot about respecting yourself.

[Robins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book but I dont like how she picked the wrong man and then wanted the good one after she had been played for a fool. Other than that it was a good read.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? Men hit women with surprises like this everyday

[Myah Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was a really good. It caught my eye from the moment I seen it on my mother's shelf. It was basically like, why do we as woman feel like we need a man to go on with our lives.

[Tonika Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, couldn’t put it down. Every chapter it kept getting better funny and entertaining.

[1Gloria onwugamba]

good first ghetto book to start with