Book Review: "Busy Ain't the Half of It" by Frederick Smith and Chaz Lamar Cruz

Frederick Smith and Chaz Lamar Cruz's Busy Ain't the Half of It is a sexy, thought-provoking, emotional story about two queer Black men struggling with career and romantic crises and seeking their happy endings.

Justin and Elijah are uncle and nephew, but they’re close enough in age that their relationship is that of both father figure/son and friend.

Justin is a successful news anchor raising teenage twins while trying to navigate being a comfortably gay man in the public eye. Elijah is trying to get some traction in his acting career and enjoying his first really serious relationship.

But when new management at the network wants to replace Justin, and Elijah’s boyfriend wants to take the next step in their relationship, both men will face questions about what they want from their future, their men, their friends, and their lives.

I really enjoyed this book and these characters. They’re cocky and vulnerable, brash and sensitive. There’s drama and joy, love and chaos. I don’t find a lot of books with queer Black men at their core, so this was a good read, and it reminded me a little bit of the novels of E. Lynn Harris, which I used to read.

Thanks to Pride Book Tours and Bold Strokes Books for providing a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review!!