Friends and Lovers

Close on the heels of last year's popular Sister, Sister, former stand-up comedian Dickey offers another sexy, sophisticated portrayal of hip black L.A. Introspective nurse Debra and outspoken, impulsive stewardess Shelby have had their share of bad-news brothers, so when they meet Leonard and Tyrel, best friends who work for the same software company, both women have their doubts about getting involved. The relationships take different courses: Debra puts sex off until she and Leonard (who enjoys a blossoming career moonlighting as a comedian) get married, while Shelby and Tyrel learn the hard way that long-lasting romance doesn't begin between the sheets. In the end, it takes disaster in the life of the newlyweds to bring Shelby and Tyrel back together. Short chapters written in the voices of his four main characters and engagingly trendy dialogue keep the pace brisk as Dickey skillfully fleshes out two dynamic African American women whose talk and travails ring true. Literary Guild selection. (Nov.)