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Sorority Sisters
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for developing me into a
beautiful and talented woman.
Thank you for being my protector
and my guide.
And as I make my way along my journey,
bless me with the wisdom to make
intelligent choices.
So begins Sorority Sisters by Tajuana "TJ" Butler, a dazzling new voice in African-American fiction. In this wonderful debut novel, five young women from diverse backgrounds pledge an African-American sorority and learn the true meaning of sisterhood.
CAJEN is a naive freshman whose brief affair with Jason, the campus Romeo, has life-changing repercussions. With hardly a chance to cope with her new circumstances, she finds herself dealing with the stress of pledging while battling feelings of depression and guilt.
TIARA grew up as the oldest of five children raised by a single mother in the projects of Gary, Indiana. Motivated by Rhonda, her mentor through the Big Sisters program, she has worked hard for everything she has achieved. Simply being in college is a victory for her.
CHANCEY is brilliant, with a photographic memory that has allowed her to breeze through school. In fact, she skipped her freshman year entirely and entered college as a sophomore. She has always been made to feel like an outsider because of her intelligence, and the sorority represents an opportunity for her finally to fit in.
STEPHANIE is the spoiled only child of a prominent, wealthy family from Savannah. She is used to getting the best and expects no less. But Stephanie is adopted and harbors a secret about her birth mother that she fears win cause others to think less of her.
MALENA is ambitious, talented, and smart. She knows what she wants and is steadfast when it comes to achieving her goals. Her strength and resolve ultimately benefit the group as a whole.
These five very different young women are thrust together and soon must learn to unite and draw upon one another's talents. During the course of their pledge process, they struggle to discover and define their futures, finding strength in the group and within themselves.
In Sorority Sisters , Butler writes with sensitivity and authenticity about issues revolving around class, friendship, self-discovery, sexuality, and love. She has created characters who remain with you long after the last page has been turned. A gifted young storyteller, Tajuana "TJ" Butler has a voice we'll be hearing from for a long time.
From the Hardcover edition.
Thank you for developing me into a
beautiful and talented woman.
Thank you for being my protector
and my guide.
And as I make my way along my journey,
bless me with the wisdom to make
intelligent choices.
So begins Sorority Sisters by Tajuana "TJ" Butler, a dazzling new voice in African-American fiction. In this wonderful debut novel, five young women from diverse backgrounds pledge an African-American sorority and learn the true meaning of sisterhood.
CAJEN is a naive freshman whose brief affair with Jason, the campus Romeo, has life-changing repercussions. With hardly a chance to cope with her new circumstances, she finds herself dealing with the stress of pledging while battling feelings of depression and guilt.
TIARA grew up as the oldest of five children raised by a single mother in the projects of Gary, Indiana. Motivated by Rhonda, her mentor through the Big Sisters program, she has worked hard for everything she has achieved. Simply being in college is a victory for her.
CHANCEY is brilliant, with a photographic memory that has allowed her to breeze through school. In fact, she skipped her freshman year entirely and entered college as a sophomore. She has always been made to feel like an outsider because of her intelligence, and the sorority represents an opportunity for her finally to fit in.
STEPHANIE is the spoiled only child of a prominent, wealthy family from Savannah. She is used to getting the best and expects no less. But Stephanie is adopted and harbors a secret about her birth mother that she fears win cause others to think less of her.
MALENA is ambitious, talented, and smart. She knows what she wants and is steadfast when it comes to achieving her goals. Her strength and resolve ultimately benefit the group as a whole.
These five very different young women are thrust together and soon must learn to unite and draw upon one another's talents. During the course of their pledge process, they struggle to discover and define their futures, finding strength in the group and within themselves.
In Sorority Sisters , Butler writes with sensitivity and authenticity about issues revolving around class, friendship, self-discovery, sexuality, and love. She has created characters who remain with you long after the last page has been turned. A gifted young storyteller, Tajuana "TJ" Butler has a voice we'll be hearing from for a long time.
From the Hardcover edition.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1998
13 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 29, 2015
The journey to true sisterhood
This story gives a positive, yet realistic account of how five different individuals enter a pledge process and finish with a bond of sisterhood. We witness the formation of a true sisterhood where the internal struggles/triumphs of each individual become the unified struggle/triumph of the group. I wish there was a followup so that we will know how these five young ladies sustain their bond in years to come. Good read.
This story gives a positive, yet realistic account of how five different individuals enter a pledge process and finish with a bond of sisterhood. We witness the formation of a true sisterhood where the internal struggles/triumphs of each individual become the unified struggle/triumph of the group. I wish there was a followup so that we will know how these five young ladies sustain their bond in years to come. Good read.
June 24, 2015
Quick, easy read. In the beginning it seemed like there were a lot of characters, but I was eventually able to keep them separate. The book wasn't too heavy and it didn't take me a long time to complete it. I enjoyed the characters' time with each other. I liked reading about them getting to know each other.
February 21, 2020
A very good read about a group of women who don't know each other at the beginning, but become great friends after all participating in rush week to join a sorority. I loved the interaction between the characters and enjoyed the story very much
February 1, 2009
This book was just O.K. I wouldn't recommend you to read it. It was about a bunch of college girls who become friends through their sorority pledge process. Each of them has a different background and a different story throughout the book. It wasn't earth shattering and was rather typical in my opinion. I wouldn't even recommend it as fun beach reading (which was what I was hoping for but without the beach).
April 24, 2011
Just a fun and interesting read. I really enjoyed this book.
January 4, 2026
Sorority Sisters (Updated)
Jason (who we learn right away is a player) finally convinces Cajun to give him her time and body. After waking up, he says he’ll be busy because of “Hell Week”. As she leaves, she plays it cool and says she’ll call him but deep down she’s wondering what he’s thinking about the night they shared.
Stephanie talks to her mother (Patricia Madison) on the phone and is disturbed to find that once again her father isn’t there. Her mother seems to think he’s going through a mid-life crisis because he’s bought an expensive SUV but Stephanie wonders if he’s having an affair. Stephanie tells her mother about how bored she’s growing of the guy she’s dating (Jeff) because all he cares about is sex, money, and basketball. She meet another guy that she meet and went out with. Only he turned out to be bi-sexual. Her mother tells her to stop trying to rush love. They talk about rush and despite her worries that “maybe” she’ll get in, her mother says she has to because she’s “legacy”. When they hang up, we learn that Stephanie is scared that the members of the Sorrority she’s pledging will find out she’s adopted.
Malena and Tammy were juniors and had been good friends since freshman year, and they had met Anthony and Philip one night when they went out to the Noncommissioned Officers Club on the army base. Tammy is head over heels in love with Ray but Malena’s attention has been on another guy (Ray). They started up a conversation after she found out he was in a frat and told him she was interested in pledging. He asked for her number and she realized she was more into him than Anthony. Malena makes a point to remind Tammy that they have to cut their time with the guys short Saturday because they have rush on Sunday and she needs to study for mid-terms. But she’s really planning to spend time with Ray.
Malena and Tammy are dropped off and she tells him goodbye. He’s confused by her abruptness. She tells him she’s just concerned about her “grades” and says she’ll see him Friday. She plans to have one more date with him. Then she’ll go online. When she’s crossed she’ll tell him she “needs some time to herself”. Anthony is nice enough (sensitive and attentive) but he’s just not ambitious (he’s content being in the military with no further direction). Ray’s left a message and invited her to dinner and a move at 9. Malena tells Tammy she’s going to break up with Tony Friday. She thinks Ray is ready to be settled. Tammy tries to advise her that things are still new and that Tony *would* marry her but Malena’s pretty much already made up her mind.
Tiara calls up her Big Sister Rhonda at one in the morning to help with her intent letter. Rhonda praises her on it and thinks she’s come a long way from the sassy little girl she first meet. The conversation turns to men and we learn that Tiara is adamant not to let herself ever get close to a man because her father left her mother for a white woman. Her mother turned trick and had five kids afterwards and they downgraded from a house to a small cramped apartment. Rhonda tries to tell Tiara that she won’t fall into that trap because she’s different and not all men are like her father. She’ll meet the right man one day and he’ll knock her off her feet. Tiara is like yeah we’ll see.
Don and Chancey have been going out for six months. Ever since she arrived at college and he helped her unpack. Don is one of the university’s star athletes on the football field and is given special treatment by the alum’s. Chancey has a lot to say about this when she finds out he’s being given money (illegally) but she still allows Don to talk her into buying a dress, shoes, and get her hair done for rush. (Don feels like she dresses down her appearance too much).
Cajun wakes up to a burning sensation when she uses the bathroom and then notices a blister on her vaginal area. She’s in the hallway of one of her classes when she hears Jason’s voice. She listens in and he and frats are talking about a freak to likes to give oral. Cajun gets Jason alone and asks why he hasn’t answered her message. She hasn’t heard from him in three days. (Before he was sending her daily notes). He just says frat stuff and he’ll try to make time for her Friday or Saturday. Later, the burning hasn’t gone away and Cajun finds out from the school’s doctor that she has herpes.
After dinner at Soloman’s (an exclusive restaurant with no prices on the menu), reality hits Chauncey and she sees that Don will be away and playing professional ball sooner than she thought. He’s already gotten an advance (which is how he’s been taking her out more often, how they’re eating there, and he has a new expensive car). While at a campus party with her friends Gina and Sandra, Tiara notices a guy she’s seen around (Ben). He doesn’t approach her but she vows to keep her eye on him. The next day, Gina tells her she might not be able to pledge because of her work hours. Tiara says they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it and promises Sandra even tho she’s not pledging they’ll always be friends.
Stephanie’s best friend Sydney drops a bomb on her that she won’t be able to pledge because she’s pregnant by Scott (a guy Stephanie dated). Sydney went to herself to a party drunk and they talked and danced. Somehow she wound up at his apartment (not even knowing how she got there) and found herself naked in his bed. Stephanie calls her selfish and tells her she doesn’t care what she does about the pregnancy. She can believe she’s abandoned her to pledge alone and “chose Scott over her”. Ray surprises Malena by “attempting” to make her dinner. He tells her he’s gotten a new job and will be looking for a place to stay. He wants her to be his lady, he loves her, and wants her in his future. (She feels the same and they end up making love).
After rush, Cajen, Stephanie, Malena, Tiara, Chancey, Tammy and two other girls reieve phone calls from the dean of pledges. With each call, she calmly congratulated each person for being accepted as a potential pledge, then rambled off an address and ordered each of them to be there in ten minutes—no later—and she warned them not to wear any articles of clothing of which they were fond. They were also strictly informed not to tell anyone where they were going. The address they were given was an apartment complex located fifteen minutes away from campus. Several seniors and graduate students lived there. Once they get there Dean Big Sister Nina tells them to keep whatever happens there quiet. She then officially announces them pledges and line sisters. They’re given numbers, and the big sisters ordered them around, yelled in their faces, and expected them to know everyone’s names and entire life histories. They were learning sorority history, both old and current, and were expected to regurgitate it on the spot.
Stephanie is made president, Malena vice president. Two (unnamed girls) immediately drop deciding it’s not for them. The next meeting is on Tuesday. Tammy drops out because she says it would put a strain on her and Phillip’s relationship. At the meeting, they get to know each other’s dislikes, decide Chauncy’s photographic memory is a plus, and plan a male auction as a fund-raiser. When they meet up again, Tiara tells them that she’s found a way to involve Ray and Don (they’ll carry Malena-in African attire- on stage). Tiara announces the name of the 10 finest men on campus to be in the auction. Jason is one of them. Cajun jumps up and says she has to make a phone call. She locks herself in the bathroom and repeatedly calls Jason’s number but gets no answer. (His pledges crossed a week ago).
They all hear her yell “I HATE YOU!” and slam the phone down. Stephanie ends up confessing her secret but Chancey says that if her parents raised her they *are* her real parents. They find out her real mother Helen Brown is a crack head. Tiara tells her as far as she’s concerned she’s a miracle. Malena teases she still see’s her as a spoiled brat and Chancey says she sees her as line president, a strong, black, woman, and one day soon her sorra. It finally comes out that Jason gave Cajun herpes. Tiara immediately wants to kick him out of the show but Cajun says she can handle it. All her sisters tell her they’re upset too for the disrespectful way Jason did her. At the rehearsal, Dean Big Sister Nina tells the group to make sure they have white dresses, shoes, and panty hose. She gives them an address and a time but leaves out the date. She also tells them they’ll need black dresses, shoes and panty hose. They would also need to make sure everyone had a black sweat suit, black socks, and black tennis shoes. Then she gives them yet another address and time and says they’ll be using this address before the other.
Cajun “runs into” Jason (little does she know Stephanie and Tiara set this up). He claims he’s called her but he didn’t want to leave a message so he wouldn’t get her in trouble with her Big Sisters. When Cajun confronts it, he denies it. He says he doesn’t have any symptoms. Cajun tells him he needs to go to a doctor, thanks him for ruining her life, and calls him a waste of her time. Jason apologizes and tells her he still wants to see her and they can work through this. He says the other girls mean nothing and suggests they leave the discussion in that room and move forward. Cajun gets mixed reactions from her line sisters. Stephanie tells her to continue to live in her fantasy world and they’ll be there when he hurts her again. Tiara says he’s not worth it. Malena and Chauncey say it’s up to her but don’t sell herself short.
The auction raises 642.00. Cajun gets a call from Nina to be dressed in their black sweat suits and drive to a certain park by 11:45 PM. Park their cars and go to a gray pavilion. hen she said if no big sisters show up in an hour, we are to go to the blue pavilion and call her to make sure she has already left. If she’s not there, we are to call this new number she gave me for further instructions. They debate it and then decide to turn it into a midnight picnic. The sisters toy with them a little bit before tellin them to meet them at Jackson and Vine at one. It’s twelve fifty.
The five line sisters complete the induction ceremony and cross. Gifts are given by the older sorras and a coming out party is thrown for the “Phenomenal Five”. Cajun looks all over the party but can’t find Jason and is disappointed. But Ben walks Tiara back to her dorm after the party’s over. When Cajan and Stephanie get back to the dorm, they find Jason coming out with the girl that bought him at the auction. Jason starts to leave with her to “get a snack” but Cajun grabs his arm and starts to plead with him that she needs him and demands to know if he loves her. Stephanie tells her to let it go and Jason leaves and says he’ll talk to her tomorrow when she’s calmed down. Stephanie stays with her until she’s cried, fussed, and cussed herself to sleep.
Eric (Cajun’s close male friend) takes her to lunch and she demands to know why he hangs out with her. He tells her simply she’s beautiful inside and out and admits he wants to be with her but he also knows she doesn’t want to be with him. Still, he gives her a beautiful watch as a crossing gift. Cajun gets upset by the gift and tells him she wants to leave. Then he gets upset. Finally she admits to him she has herpes. He says it doesn’t change the fact that she’s still beautiful to him inside and out.
Stephanie dumps Jeff and makes up with Sydney. Tiara thinks about the kiss Ben gave her after he walked her back to her dorm. Later, the next day he calls her, picks her up, and takes her on a date… at a museum. She’s thrilled. Not only is he fine, his choice proves he’s culturally aware. Chauncey and Cajun see each other on the way to Chauncey meeting up with Don. Cajun tells her she and Eric decided to just remain friends but they said they’d see where it went. They told each other they love each other and she meet it. Jason interrupts them but Cajun tells him its over-well rather it never even started.
Don takes Stephanie to the football field and proposes. She accepts under the conditions that he’ll stop acting like her father and accept that she’s not the model type and never will be. Tiara goes out with Ben again and sets the records straight when he wants to skip the movie and go back to his room that she’d rather see the movie. And if she’s not the kind of girl that rushes. He says no rush at all.
Stephanie tells her mom she’s not dating anyone and she’s not wasting time anymore with jerks who happen to have money. She’s decided to be more selective about the men with whom she spend my precious time. She don’t want to get pregnant before she’s ready, or catch a disease. So, right now she’s spending time appreciating and getting to know me, and when the right man comes along, it won’t be rushed. She won’t have to be fake, and she won’t be frustrated or confused. And, as you always tell me, I’ll know when he’s the right one
Ray asks Malena to share a space but he words it the wrong way and says its for financial reasons. He then gets upset when she’s not enthusiastic about it. She says to give her two weeks to think about it. The five sisters meet at Stephanie’s after their first chapter meeting and church. Malena accepts Ray’s offer to move in together. Tiara is still seeing Ben and taking it slow. Cajen still says she and Eric are “just friends” but we can tell by the “dreamy” way she says his name they aren’t. Chauncey revels she’s engaged and says she wants them to all be bridesmaids. Even tho she’ll follow Don -and change schools in a year- she says they’ll all keep in touch and Stephanie says she’s sexy, single, and satisfied.
My Thoughts:
*Interesting that she (Tiara) blames the white female for her father's bs. No-one put a gun to his head. It was his choice to leave. (But in a way this book was before its time because now a days this is so common that its just SAD).
*(Stephanie) It's really kind of frustrating because I had (have) a friend like this that used to think money equaled Mr. Right and then just wound up getting disappointed all the time. But at the same time as a woman that's been there that's equally frustrating to have to go through endless dating just to find that right person. (And by the way that same "friend" ended up single and with a child). And a cousin of mine had the same experience and found out the man was bi (only he didn't tell her but she read the signs when a male "friend" showed up to the date). SMH
*(Tiara) I admire her character and her "I refuse to be some man's plaything even if it means I'll stay single" attitude. Not only does it display her strength but in her determination to despite her circumstances not fall prey to want she's seen and come from but grow from it and strive to be better. We read about her transformation from a sassy little girl to an independent woman that's pursuing her dreams. I just don't like that despite all that when the story ends she's into a man. Why make her an example of an independent woman and then go against that chapters later and show her falling for someone. But then I can attest that sometimes the thing you say you don't want or need is exactly what you end up getting sooo…
*Hmmm (Don). Don't have a problem with him spoiling her and buying her a nice outfit for rush so she'll look on point. Do have a problem with him having a problem with how she dresses and it hit a nerve when he says "You look like a little girl and I know you’re my woman." That rubbed me wrong! Maybe a little more wrong than illegal money thrown at athletes can they can throw or bounce a damn ball.
*(Chauncey) But then in the exact opposite of personalities I like that she isn't all independent and high minded about being with a rich man and just lives it up. Sometimes I wanna say yeah right when females are quick to go "I don't need no man taking care of me". Sure you don't *need* it but I bet if it was offered to you some of them wouldn't turn it down neither.
*(Stephanie) I think she calls Sydney selfish, I think she's the selfish one. I'm trying to think how I'd feel if one of my girlfriends told me they were seeing my ex. I guess if it was one I still had feelings for (snorts yeeeah) I'd be hurt. But obviously Stephanie doesn't have feelings for Scott. I'd probably just want to know WHY. And then "I only remember pieces of the evening" Did he do a Cosby on her? Because that's what it sounds like. That he slipped something in her drink. Your friend is knocked up with a baby she doesn't want and your feelings are hurt because she slept with a guy you don't even care anything about anymore. And then Sydney isn't even admitting that she's seeing the guy. NIIICE Stephanie to leave your BEST FRIEND hanging like that.
*(Cajun) As I'm reading this scene with Cajun confronting Jason I'm cringing inwardly because I've been there. Even reading it is painful. It's so sad to me that strong, beautiful, African-American women lower their value and play themselves for men that really aren't worth their time of day. Seeing Cajun beg like that just reminds me that the lack of pride we have in ourselves sometimes as women when men are involved is very real. And I wish it wasn't that way!
*(Chauncey) I don't really know what the point was of bringing up who have you been with *then* and attempting to start a mini argument about Shanika and what they did (didn't do) in the past. I thought it was un-necessary. I guess (maybe) I'd wanna know but if it's in the past then it's a dead issue. Well that's how I see it. Unless she's still getting to know Don (which ok I'll take into consideration).
Rating 8 1/2
Without getting into my personal feelings about sororities from my experience with the very one in this book, I liked what the book did give us. Which was a taste of what the pledge process is like. It does this discreetly and when it gets to hazing it skims it in a light manor when describing "Hell Week" and the night the five can't be "mentally or physically broken".
I appreciated the strong set of ladies (Stephanie, Cajun, Tiara, Melena, and Chancy). And the various qualities they represented (good and bad). For example I saw represented class (Stephanie), strength, (Cajun), vulnerability and insecurity (Cajun), independence, (Tiara), determination (Tiara), and intelligence (Chauncey). These are things I think all African American women as a whole possess and can relate to in each of the five characters. Even when these ladies showed flaws by the end of their journey they'd each matured and corrected what I saw as downfal
Jason (who we learn right away is a player) finally convinces Cajun to give him her time and body. After waking up, he says he’ll be busy because of “Hell Week”. As she leaves, she plays it cool and says she’ll call him but deep down she’s wondering what he’s thinking about the night they shared.
Stephanie talks to her mother (Patricia Madison) on the phone and is disturbed to find that once again her father isn’t there. Her mother seems to think he’s going through a mid-life crisis because he’s bought an expensive SUV but Stephanie wonders if he’s having an affair. Stephanie tells her mother about how bored she’s growing of the guy she’s dating (Jeff) because all he cares about is sex, money, and basketball. She meet another guy that she meet and went out with. Only he turned out to be bi-sexual. Her mother tells her to stop trying to rush love. They talk about rush and despite her worries that “maybe” she’ll get in, her mother says she has to because she’s “legacy”. When they hang up, we learn that Stephanie is scared that the members of the Sorrority she’s pledging will find out she’s adopted.
Malena and Tammy were juniors and had been good friends since freshman year, and they had met Anthony and Philip one night when they went out to the Noncommissioned Officers Club on the army base. Tammy is head over heels in love with Ray but Malena’s attention has been on another guy (Ray). They started up a conversation after she found out he was in a frat and told him she was interested in pledging. He asked for her number and she realized she was more into him than Anthony. Malena makes a point to remind Tammy that they have to cut their time with the guys short Saturday because they have rush on Sunday and she needs to study for mid-terms. But she’s really planning to spend time with Ray.
Malena and Tammy are dropped off and she tells him goodbye. He’s confused by her abruptness. She tells him she’s just concerned about her “grades” and says she’ll see him Friday. She plans to have one more date with him. Then she’ll go online. When she’s crossed she’ll tell him she “needs some time to herself”. Anthony is nice enough (sensitive and attentive) but he’s just not ambitious (he’s content being in the military with no further direction). Ray’s left a message and invited her to dinner and a move at 9. Malena tells Tammy she’s going to break up with Tony Friday. She thinks Ray is ready to be settled. Tammy tries to advise her that things are still new and that Tony *would* marry her but Malena’s pretty much already made up her mind.
Tiara calls up her Big Sister Rhonda at one in the morning to help with her intent letter. Rhonda praises her on it and thinks she’s come a long way from the sassy little girl she first meet. The conversation turns to men and we learn that Tiara is adamant not to let herself ever get close to a man because her father left her mother for a white woman. Her mother turned trick and had five kids afterwards and they downgraded from a house to a small cramped apartment. Rhonda tries to tell Tiara that she won’t fall into that trap because she’s different and not all men are like her father. She’ll meet the right man one day and he’ll knock her off her feet. Tiara is like yeah we’ll see.
Don and Chancey have been going out for six months. Ever since she arrived at college and he helped her unpack. Don is one of the university’s star athletes on the football field and is given special treatment by the alum’s. Chancey has a lot to say about this when she finds out he’s being given money (illegally) but she still allows Don to talk her into buying a dress, shoes, and get her hair done for rush. (Don feels like she dresses down her appearance too much).
Cajun wakes up to a burning sensation when she uses the bathroom and then notices a blister on her vaginal area. She’s in the hallway of one of her classes when she hears Jason’s voice. She listens in and he and frats are talking about a freak to likes to give oral. Cajun gets Jason alone and asks why he hasn’t answered her message. She hasn’t heard from him in three days. (Before he was sending her daily notes). He just says frat stuff and he’ll try to make time for her Friday or Saturday. Later, the burning hasn’t gone away and Cajun finds out from the school’s doctor that she has herpes.
After dinner at Soloman’s (an exclusive restaurant with no prices on the menu), reality hits Chauncey and she sees that Don will be away and playing professional ball sooner than she thought. He’s already gotten an advance (which is how he’s been taking her out more often, how they’re eating there, and he has a new expensive car). While at a campus party with her friends Gina and Sandra, Tiara notices a guy she’s seen around (Ben). He doesn’t approach her but she vows to keep her eye on him. The next day, Gina tells her she might not be able to pledge because of her work hours. Tiara says they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it and promises Sandra even tho she’s not pledging they’ll always be friends.
Stephanie’s best friend Sydney drops a bomb on her that she won’t be able to pledge because she’s pregnant by Scott (a guy Stephanie dated). Sydney went to herself to a party drunk and they talked and danced. Somehow she wound up at his apartment (not even knowing how she got there) and found herself naked in his bed. Stephanie calls her selfish and tells her she doesn’t care what she does about the pregnancy. She can believe she’s abandoned her to pledge alone and “chose Scott over her”. Ray surprises Malena by “attempting” to make her dinner. He tells her he’s gotten a new job and will be looking for a place to stay. He wants her to be his lady, he loves her, and wants her in his future. (She feels the same and they end up making love).
After rush, Cajen, Stephanie, Malena, Tiara, Chancey, Tammy and two other girls reieve phone calls from the dean of pledges. With each call, she calmly congratulated each person for being accepted as a potential pledge, then rambled off an address and ordered each of them to be there in ten minutes—no later—and she warned them not to wear any articles of clothing of which they were fond. They were also strictly informed not to tell anyone where they were going. The address they were given was an apartment complex located fifteen minutes away from campus. Several seniors and graduate students lived there. Once they get there Dean Big Sister Nina tells them to keep whatever happens there quiet. She then officially announces them pledges and line sisters. They’re given numbers, and the big sisters ordered them around, yelled in their faces, and expected them to know everyone’s names and entire life histories. They were learning sorority history, both old and current, and were expected to regurgitate it on the spot.
Stephanie is made president, Malena vice president. Two (unnamed girls) immediately drop deciding it’s not for them. The next meeting is on Tuesday. Tammy drops out because she says it would put a strain on her and Phillip’s relationship. At the meeting, they get to know each other’s dislikes, decide Chauncy’s photographic memory is a plus, and plan a male auction as a fund-raiser. When they meet up again, Tiara tells them that she’s found a way to involve Ray and Don (they’ll carry Malena-in African attire- on stage). Tiara announces the name of the 10 finest men on campus to be in the auction. Jason is one of them. Cajun jumps up and says she has to make a phone call. She locks herself in the bathroom and repeatedly calls Jason’s number but gets no answer. (His pledges crossed a week ago).
They all hear her yell “I HATE YOU!” and slam the phone down. Stephanie ends up confessing her secret but Chancey says that if her parents raised her they *are* her real parents. They find out her real mother Helen Brown is a crack head. Tiara tells her as far as she’s concerned she’s a miracle. Malena teases she still see’s her as a spoiled brat and Chancey says she sees her as line president, a strong, black, woman, and one day soon her sorra. It finally comes out that Jason gave Cajun herpes. Tiara immediately wants to kick him out of the show but Cajun says she can handle it. All her sisters tell her they’re upset too for the disrespectful way Jason did her. At the rehearsal, Dean Big Sister Nina tells the group to make sure they have white dresses, shoes, and panty hose. She gives them an address and a time but leaves out the date. She also tells them they’ll need black dresses, shoes and panty hose. They would also need to make sure everyone had a black sweat suit, black socks, and black tennis shoes. Then she gives them yet another address and time and says they’ll be using this address before the other.
Cajun “runs into” Jason (little does she know Stephanie and Tiara set this up). He claims he’s called her but he didn’t want to leave a message so he wouldn’t get her in trouble with her Big Sisters. When Cajun confronts it, he denies it. He says he doesn’t have any symptoms. Cajun tells him he needs to go to a doctor, thanks him for ruining her life, and calls him a waste of her time. Jason apologizes and tells her he still wants to see her and they can work through this. He says the other girls mean nothing and suggests they leave the discussion in that room and move forward. Cajun gets mixed reactions from her line sisters. Stephanie tells her to continue to live in her fantasy world and they’ll be there when he hurts her again. Tiara says he’s not worth it. Malena and Chauncey say it’s up to her but don’t sell herself short.
The auction raises 642.00. Cajun gets a call from Nina to be dressed in their black sweat suits and drive to a certain park by 11:45 PM. Park their cars and go to a gray pavilion. hen she said if no big sisters show up in an hour, we are to go to the blue pavilion and call her to make sure she has already left. If she’s not there, we are to call this new number she gave me for further instructions. They debate it and then decide to turn it into a midnight picnic. The sisters toy with them a little bit before tellin them to meet them at Jackson and Vine at one. It’s twelve fifty.
The five line sisters complete the induction ceremony and cross. Gifts are given by the older sorras and a coming out party is thrown for the “Phenomenal Five”. Cajun looks all over the party but can’t find Jason and is disappointed. But Ben walks Tiara back to her dorm after the party’s over. When Cajan and Stephanie get back to the dorm, they find Jason coming out with the girl that bought him at the auction. Jason starts to leave with her to “get a snack” but Cajun grabs his arm and starts to plead with him that she needs him and demands to know if he loves her. Stephanie tells her to let it go and Jason leaves and says he’ll talk to her tomorrow when she’s calmed down. Stephanie stays with her until she’s cried, fussed, and cussed herself to sleep.
Eric (Cajun’s close male friend) takes her to lunch and she demands to know why he hangs out with her. He tells her simply she’s beautiful inside and out and admits he wants to be with her but he also knows she doesn’t want to be with him. Still, he gives her a beautiful watch as a crossing gift. Cajun gets upset by the gift and tells him she wants to leave. Then he gets upset. Finally she admits to him she has herpes. He says it doesn’t change the fact that she’s still beautiful to him inside and out.
Stephanie dumps Jeff and makes up with Sydney. Tiara thinks about the kiss Ben gave her after he walked her back to her dorm. Later, the next day he calls her, picks her up, and takes her on a date… at a museum. She’s thrilled. Not only is he fine, his choice proves he’s culturally aware. Chauncey and Cajun see each other on the way to Chauncey meeting up with Don. Cajun tells her she and Eric decided to just remain friends but they said they’d see where it went. They told each other they love each other and she meet it. Jason interrupts them but Cajun tells him its over-well rather it never even started.
Don takes Stephanie to the football field and proposes. She accepts under the conditions that he’ll stop acting like her father and accept that she’s not the model type and never will be. Tiara goes out with Ben again and sets the records straight when he wants to skip the movie and go back to his room that she’d rather see the movie. And if she’s not the kind of girl that rushes. He says no rush at all.
Stephanie tells her mom she’s not dating anyone and she’s not wasting time anymore with jerks who happen to have money. She’s decided to be more selective about the men with whom she spend my precious time. She don’t want to get pregnant before she’s ready, or catch a disease. So, right now she’s spending time appreciating and getting to know me, and when the right man comes along, it won’t be rushed. She won’t have to be fake, and she won’t be frustrated or confused. And, as you always tell me, I’ll know when he’s the right one
Ray asks Malena to share a space but he words it the wrong way and says its for financial reasons. He then gets upset when she’s not enthusiastic about it. She says to give her two weeks to think about it. The five sisters meet at Stephanie’s after their first chapter meeting and church. Malena accepts Ray’s offer to move in together. Tiara is still seeing Ben and taking it slow. Cajen still says she and Eric are “just friends” but we can tell by the “dreamy” way she says his name they aren’t. Chauncey revels she’s engaged and says she wants them to all be bridesmaids. Even tho she’ll follow Don -and change schools in a year- she says they’ll all keep in touch and Stephanie says she’s sexy, single, and satisfied.
My Thoughts:
*Interesting that she (Tiara) blames the white female for her father's bs. No-one put a gun to his head. It was his choice to leave. (But in a way this book was before its time because now a days this is so common that its just SAD).
*(Stephanie) It's really kind of frustrating because I had (have) a friend like this that used to think money equaled Mr. Right and then just wound up getting disappointed all the time. But at the same time as a woman that's been there that's equally frustrating to have to go through endless dating just to find that right person. (And by the way that same "friend" ended up single and with a child). And a cousin of mine had the same experience and found out the man was bi (only he didn't tell her but she read the signs when a male "friend" showed up to the date). SMH
*(Tiara) I admire her character and her "I refuse to be some man's plaything even if it means I'll stay single" attitude. Not only does it display her strength but in her determination to despite her circumstances not fall prey to want she's seen and come from but grow from it and strive to be better. We read about her transformation from a sassy little girl to an independent woman that's pursuing her dreams. I just don't like that despite all that when the story ends she's into a man. Why make her an example of an independent woman and then go against that chapters later and show her falling for someone. But then I can attest that sometimes the thing you say you don't want or need is exactly what you end up getting sooo…
*Hmmm (Don). Don't have a problem with him spoiling her and buying her a nice outfit for rush so she'll look on point. Do have a problem with him having a problem with how she dresses and it hit a nerve when he says "You look like a little girl and I know you’re my woman." That rubbed me wrong! Maybe a little more wrong than illegal money thrown at athletes can they can throw or bounce a damn ball.
*(Chauncey) But then in the exact opposite of personalities I like that she isn't all independent and high minded about being with a rich man and just lives it up. Sometimes I wanna say yeah right when females are quick to go "I don't need no man taking care of me". Sure you don't *need* it but I bet if it was offered to you some of them wouldn't turn it down neither.
*(Stephanie) I think she calls Sydney selfish, I think she's the selfish one. I'm trying to think how I'd feel if one of my girlfriends told me they were seeing my ex. I guess if it was one I still had feelings for (snorts yeeeah) I'd be hurt. But obviously Stephanie doesn't have feelings for Scott. I'd probably just want to know WHY. And then "I only remember pieces of the evening" Did he do a Cosby on her? Because that's what it sounds like. That he slipped something in her drink. Your friend is knocked up with a baby she doesn't want and your feelings are hurt because she slept with a guy you don't even care anything about anymore. And then Sydney isn't even admitting that she's seeing the guy. NIIICE Stephanie to leave your BEST FRIEND hanging like that.
*(Cajun) As I'm reading this scene with Cajun confronting Jason I'm cringing inwardly because I've been there. Even reading it is painful. It's so sad to me that strong, beautiful, African-American women lower their value and play themselves for men that really aren't worth their time of day. Seeing Cajun beg like that just reminds me that the lack of pride we have in ourselves sometimes as women when men are involved is very real. And I wish it wasn't that way!
*(Chauncey) I don't really know what the point was of bringing up who have you been with *then* and attempting to start a mini argument about Shanika and what they did (didn't do) in the past. I thought it was un-necessary. I guess (maybe) I'd wanna know but if it's in the past then it's a dead issue. Well that's how I see it. Unless she's still getting to know Don (which ok I'll take into consideration).
Rating 8 1/2
Without getting into my personal feelings about sororities from my experience with the very one in this book, I liked what the book did give us. Which was a taste of what the pledge process is like. It does this discreetly and when it gets to hazing it skims it in a light manor when describing "Hell Week" and the night the five can't be "mentally or physically broken".
I appreciated the strong set of ladies (Stephanie, Cajun, Tiara, Melena, and Chancy). And the various qualities they represented (good and bad). For example I saw represented class (Stephanie), strength, (Cajun), vulnerability and insecurity (Cajun), independence, (Tiara), determination (Tiara), and intelligence (Chauncey). These are things I think all African American women as a whole possess and can relate to in each of the five characters. Even when these ladies showed flaws by the end of their journey they'd each matured and corrected what I saw as downfal
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2020
I enjoyed this book. The story reminded me of college and it is so evident that it was written in the 90s with references to CD players and landline phones. It gave me a nostalgic feeling but also my own college experience. True sisterhood and friendship were the main themes of the story and that was definitely communicated. I loved how the author chose to bring together women from different backgrounds and showed how they can create such a bond.
Character development was there but it wasn’t that strong. I also could not figure out who was speaking sometimes because the author went back and forth with voices. Overall decent read.
Character development was there but it wasn’t that strong. I also could not figure out who was speaking sometimes because the author went back and forth with voices. Overall decent read.
January 1, 2020
I liked how it dealt with some real themes as it relates to college life, relationships, and academics. While the intake process has changed from what was described in the book you can see the development of the bonds of sisterhood being formed as the young ladies went through the process.
October 12, 2017
Okay rest
The book was decent. I've read more enjoyable sorority novels. Was a bit birthing at certain points. It dragged..... Didn't create any feelings of suspense
The book was decent. I've read more enjoyable sorority novels. Was a bit birthing at certain points. It dragged..... Didn't create any feelings of suspense
June 22, 2024
ehh, predictable & judgy. 😖
June 7, 2024
I noticed that this book was written by a member of my sorority from my very own chapter and had to read it.
The book does such a great job of depicting relationships that we have with our sorority sisters, especially as we are first meeting each other.
The book sets forth each young woman’s background and reasons for gravitating towards their sorority of interest. Each of the women are dealing with the typical issues a young undergraduate woman handles. As the story goes along we get to peak inside the process that turns the young women from strangers into sisters of a strong and historic sisterhood.
The book does such a great job of depicting relationships that we have with our sorority sisters, especially as we are first meeting each other.
The book sets forth each young woman’s background and reasons for gravitating towards their sorority of interest. Each of the women are dealing with the typical issues a young undergraduate woman handles. As the story goes along we get to peak inside the process that turns the young women from strangers into sisters of a strong and historic sisterhood.
June 19, 2023
I picked this up on a whim at a library sale for $.50. My immediate interest was to fulfill a 2019 ATY and Popsugar prompt, but I was particularly interested as all the characters were African-American/black/non-white (whatever term you prefer) and the author was a woman of color.
It brought back memories of my own college days to a great degree. I forget just how focused most females are on the males! :)
This was a really enjoyable and interesting read and I will gladly read others written by Butler!
It brought back memories of my own college days to a great degree. I forget just how focused most females are on the males! :)
This was a really enjoyable and interesting read and I will gladly read others written by Butler!
September 6, 2009
the ups and downs of a young african woman finding her place through college and sorority life.
May 24, 2011
This is short. I think I'll give it a try.
December 10, 2011
Main characters were too dingy for my taste. Stopped reading after intro of main characters.
April 29, 2012
Dragged in some places. Not the easiest book to read as if you take a break you then need to refer back to find out what a particular character was doing 3 chapters ago .
September 7, 2012
Pretty good book, these young ladies grew together in their friendship as they were pledging the sorority together.
June 8, 2013
For sure not the best book I've read or even the most engaging, but was able to relate to it.
May 28, 2016
This book changed my perception of sorority life and ultimately the author and I share some common ties.
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