Lickin License

by Intelligent Allah

Reviewed by: Delonya Conyers
September 2011

Candy Shop is the hottest hair salon in Harlem; owned and operated by Candy.  Candy is a brick house that could have any man she wants but after the murder of her hustling boyfriend Dez Candy has been fulfilling her once secret desire for women.  After five years of sleeping with only women Candy has successfully earned her licking license.  Candy’s currently involved with a tenderoni from Brooklyn named Vera who’s just shy of turning twenty-one.  But the relationship between Candy and Vera is jeopardized once Candy hires a new stylist named Vanessa.

Vanessa is an aspiring author who has no idea that her new job at Candy’s Shop will lead her to find love in the most unconventional relationship ever as she’s pursued by both Candy and Rich. Rich is a charismatic Harlem money maker that is as notorious for his street dealings as he is for his philandering.  Vanessa is unaware of Candy’s attraction for her an immediately falls for Rich’s charm and power.  Candy isn’t the least bit deterred by Vanessa and Rich’s coupling knowing that Rich’s love them and leave them attitude will leave Vanessa ripe for Candy to swoop in as the clean-up woman.

 Also routing for the demise of Vanessa and Rich is Chanel another stylist in the salon who has been fighting her obvious feelings for Rich and is salty watching Vanessa claim a position that she feels is rightfully hers.  Chanel and Candy join forces in an attempt to both claim their separate prizes however it’s Candy that will be claimed when Vanessa makes her an offer she can’t refuse.  Author Intelligent Allah does an excellent job exploring the Vanessa/Rich and Vanessa/Candy relationships so much so that the readers will believe that unlike in real life a relationship between Rich, Vanessa and Candy is feasible.  Turning obvious fiction into something plausible is a true sign of a talented author and Intelligent Allah easily does so within the pages of Lickin License making for an entertaining read.

What did you like about the book?
The author managed to make fiction appear factual an integral part of a good storytelling that is sometimes overlooked.

What did you dislike about the book?
The urban dynamic of the novel wasn’t as polished as the contemporary part of the book. Rich’s street dealings were authentic however Vanessa attempt at getting her hands dirty weren’t nearly as believable. 

What could the author do to improve the book?
Attention should be given to making sure that the urban aspects are just as authentic as the contemporary parts of the novel. Blending the two genres isn’t an easy feat but clearly this author is talented enough to pull it off. 

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