| Title | : | Been There, Done That |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1593090013 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781593090012 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 352 |
| Publication | : | First published July 1, 2003 |
This compelling continuation of the Craig Bennett and Venice Taylor saga reveals Craig to be still smarting from Venice's decision to marry her high school sweetheart despite the passion she and Craig shared during their college romance. Devastated by the loss, Craig has dedicated himself to building his company, Bennett Architectural, Inc., into a multimillion-dollar empire and rising to career success.
Unfortunately, his personal life is not quite as fruitful—even though he has had several meaningless flings with beautiful, intelligent women—due to the impenetrable wall of regret preventing him from reaching out to another woman. As fate would have it, Craig finds himself faced with a challenge that tests his will, trust, and capacity to love and forces him to confront the issues that have been plaguing him for the past seven years.
In Been There, Done That , Darrien Lee crafts a fascinating novel complete with intricate relationships, life-changing decisions, and painful matters of the heart.
Been There, Done That Reviews
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I got so excited about this book that I actually re-read "All That and a Bag of Chips." That's unusual for me. But it really added to my enjoyment of "Been There, Done That." I read both books in two days. I barely worked, didn't do the laundry, and I ate take-out, anything to spare some time to finish these books. I read as if my life depended on it. Darrien Lee wrote characters that haunt you until you finish the book. As a reader you find yourself needing that closure. And when you finally do finish the book you find yourself wishing that you hadn't read it so fast, because now the suspense is over. What a trip Darrien Lee took me on. Venice, Craig, and Jarvis are both passionate and layered. And the supporting cast of the book are outstanding. They complement the story so well. So now I really can't wait for "What Goes Around, Comes Around." I'm sure I won't be disappointed. So please do yourself a favor, order "Been There, Done That", then order "All That and a Bag of Chips." You need them both!! You won't be sorry. Enjoy!
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Been There Done That
It’s years later, Craig has started his own company. Venice and Jarvis are happily married and have a five-year-old son. Craig never quite got over Venice but it’s dating an aggressive woman named Melanie. Jarvis is now a successful NFL athlete and Venice is a sports doctor. She decides to take some time off to spend off to travel with Jarvis and spend more time with Brandon. Jarvis decides he wants another baby, and they get started right away but have a hard time getting pregnant. Right before the Super Bowl, Jarvis confesses to his friend Josh that he has brain cancer and only has months to live. He wants Josh to get Craig and Venice back together. Craig is the only one he trusts not to take advantage of Venice and he’s been keeping track of him and knows he’s still single and in love with her. Jarvis despite Josh’s disagreement says he’s not telling Venice that he doesn’t have long because he doesn’t want her to take her focus of their son (which was SELFISH)! That night the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl (and what a weird coincidence, I’m reading this the Saturday before the Super Bowl 2022).
On a stormy night, Jarvis has a stroke, goes into cardiac arrest, and is put on life support. Because he’s already signed papers that he doesn’t want to stay on life support it’s soon disconnected. Venice falls into a depression, nearly committing suicide by not eating. Josh convinces her that she needs to live for her son. Craig sees the headlines that Jarvis has passed and goes to Detroit for one of the memorial services. He sees Venice and wishes he can take away the tears and the pain but doesn’t say anything to her. After the memorial, he goes back to (Philadelphia?). His “booty call” Melanie ca has been sweating him even though he hasn’t made it a secret he’s not looking for a relationship or love. He knows he should call it off (and not be playing these women just for sex). And he plans to call it off with her at dinner. He also plans to get some peace of mind from his nagging thoughts of Venice by taking a trip to Jamaica. Craig calls it off with Melanie and gives her the “let’s be friends” line and we want different things. Melanie is delusional and thinks she’s the best he’s ever had and he’ll be back. Josh suggests after finding out Craig will be in Jamaica that Venice should go also. She decides to take her son and Jarvis’s sister Portia.
Craig really isn’t enjoying himself. There’s been tons of beautiful women hitting on him aggressively, but that’s not what he’s there for. That is.. until he sees one that catches his eye jogging one morning that looks amazingly like Venice and vows to find out who she is (little does he know it IS Venice). Craig and Venice finally come face to face at a restaurant. It doesn’t go well. Venice is upset that Craig fell out of touch (even though he tries to explain it would have been too hard). To make matters worse Melanie shows up (Craig again calls it off with her and sends her home). Venice tells Craig to stay away from her, but Joshua (unknown to her who has a partner there giving him the 411) encourages her to hear Craig out. Craig and Venice see each other one morning jogging. As Venice passes Craig he has an anxiety attack, but when she stops to help him he’s short with her. Later though, things warm up between them when Portia is stung by a jellyfish. Craig brings her back to the room and they both apologize to each other. He admits to her that Melanie isn’t his girlfriend. The spy reports back to Josh saying that she even let him hold her hand and kiss her on the cheek. Josh says he’ll be down soon to check the progress.
Craig stays away for two days, but then sees Vince and the kids at a carnival. He then invites them to his place and cooks for them. While the kids are in the pool, things heat up and he and Venice share a steamy kiss. Craig admits he’s still in love with her. but Venice is thinking of Jarvis and can’t say the same. She decides to tell Craig it’s best if they just remain friends. Anything else could cause a scandal. Josh shows up and while he watches the kids, Venice goes to speak with Craig. While their things get steamy with them again and Craig explains why he stayed away and tells her she’s the only woman he’s ever loved. She protests that the timing is wrong, but he says that he’s not going anywhere. She agrees to have dinner with him later so they can talk. But another unexpected woman pops up -a woman from Craig’s design firm-that had made plans to seduce him. Craig also sends her on her way. Craig and Venice come close to making love, but she pulls back (because of Jarvis). The next morning he proposes with the ring he previously bought her. Venice finally admits to him she still loves him and her answer is maybe (she needs to talk to Brandon and her in-laws first). Katrina vows to do whatever it takes to get Craig. Venice and Craig finally say goodbye. Venice heads back to pack up her and Jarvis’s house. Craig heads back to Japan. Venice vows, for now, to wear the ring on her right hand. Venice is worried about how it’ll look if she marries Craig now (and how it’ll impact her family) but Jarvis’s mom gives her (her) blessing and tells her don’t worry about what people think. If she loves him mary him. Brandon also gives her his consent.
Venice goes to visit Craig in Philly and accepts his proposal within seconds of being at his house. Not only that she wants to get married the next day. They start the “honeymoon” early. But something comes up and Craig has to fly out to discuss some emergency plans with a client. Katrina pays Venice a visit and threatens to blackmail her to the media making it look like she was having an affair with Craig while her husband was dying. Venice kicks her out but starts to have second doubts (not to hurt Brandon and her family). When Craig comes home, he finds the ring and a note saying she can’t marry him right now. He eventually finds her at his sister’s house. Josh assures him he’ll handle Katrina. I think Venice finds out she’s pregnant, They then leave to get Brandon so they can take him back to Philly, but Mrs. Anderson says to let him stay until Thanksgiving so they can throw him a party and he can say goodbye to friends. Venice visits Jarvis one last time to say goodbye at the gravesite. Meanwhile Manly and Josh intimidate Katrina by sending her pictures of her as a stripper and stopping by to tell her (her) old pimp has disappeared (they also find out she was arrested for prostitution). Jarvis comes to Brandon and tells him to give his mom a message “Leave the window open”. Katrina finds out about Craig’s wedding plans and plans to sabotage the ceremony, but Josh and Manley find out about her tabloid source and they have their own plans for her.
Katrina tries to bust up the wedding with her associate Nathan, but it turns out to be a set up full of cops. They arrest her. Manley shows up and tells her he’s been trying to interview her because someone killed Gunner and she was the last person he was seen with. He also tells her he knows she’s been trying to blackmail someone and if she doesn’t stop she’ll be arrested. Lynette has shown up (her sister) and promises to take her home after Manley says she should consider resigning as well. Katrina sends an apology to Craig and Francine (Craig’s secretary) says after she “gets well” she might get her job back. Meanwhile, Craig and Venice marry in his hometown, Because Francine told him about Katrina’s plans, he changed location. Later that night, Craig gifts Venice with a charm bracelet and she gives him a deed to a building with more space for his company. On Valentines, Venice surprises Craig with the news she’s pregnant with twins. Venice delivers the first baby (a boy named Craig Jr) but has problems with the second (a girl Clarissa). Jarvis comes to her again and places his hand on her second and the baby is ok. They all live happily ever after.
My Thoughts: When I first read this book I thought it was HOT, RACY, SENSUOUS! And don’t get me wrong it was still a good book. But I guess my taste changed. All Venice did throughout this book was cry over Jarvis and make love to Craig. That was the WHOLE book! Now I have never been there and done that. I’ve never had to grieve a spouse (or anyone for that matter) that I loved that much. But a part of me was thinking well at least you got to know love. It might not have been as long as you wanted. Josh says something like not all people get a second chance at love. Hell not people get the FIRST chance at love. Katrina and Melanie annoyed me because Stevie Wonder could have seen that Craig wasn’t feeling these chicks AT ALL! Melanie even knew what she was (a booty call). I may not have liked that Craig played these women but at least I could respect him for telling them upfront. Things would be A LOT easier if men did that. Craig interestingly though was the man I saw in my head wanting for myself IRL. He’s gorgeous. He’s an architect. I’ve always wanted someone who can design something I’ve seen in my head for a while. He can sing. I’ve also wanted someone who can sing to make come true a fantasy I’ve also had in my head. Craig just seemed like the ideal man. That is right up until the moment he put his hands on Venice and shook her. Then I started to see that maybe Craig really wasn’t so perfect. But then I guess I’m glad he at least had a flaw. Otherwise, this is the kind of story that *would* make you roll your eyes! But if you like that kind of story where the woman marries two perfect men who are both rich and spoil the hell out of her and everything turns out happily ever after you’ll eat it up. Everyone gets a fairy tale romance in this. Even secondary characters that really didn’t have anything to do with the main story and honestly just felt excessive. WE GET IT! They all ride off to live in a castle together Venice and Craig, Lamar and Tressa, Manley and Francine, and Skeeter and Arnelle. I guess I’ll have to read those books to find out what their story is because I did but I forgot. I’m surprised that Mrs. Camille didn’t end up with someone and I wouldn’t be surprised if Craig hooked her up with his yard person. Or maybe her house came with a man that did repairs. Also, slightly weird that Jarvis kept showing up. UH IDK. I've never had the "pleasure" of seeing someone I loved that's passed on show back up. The end was just.. eerie. His chain turns up but it was buried with him? Oh kaaaay.
Rating: 8 -
Part 2 of All that and a bad of Chips! Superb
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All of her books SUCK and I know because unfortunately, I read more than one of them.
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Loved this too. One of my top ten fav books along with All That and A Bag of Chips. A must read b/c it's the 2nd part of A Bag of Chips.
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It was a sweet story.
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Love Love Loved this book.. It made me fall in love with Ocho Rios...... love this entire series.....
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I enjoyed Craig and Venice story and was pleased to see how her character developed in this book
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After 70 pages I just couldn't finish this. The writing isn't smooth, the main character has no depth, the sex scenes just come and go with no build up. This book was not for me and I'm okay with that. I also read the 1st book to this sequel and it also was not good to me.
