Aspiring dancer Jadyn Collins has a poor history with men from the father who leaves her as a child to the stepfather who abuses her and on to current boyfriend, Taji, who doesn't seem to respect her or her dreams. When Taji learns that Jadyn's career might actually take off, in direct conflict with his desire for her to become a traditional housewife, he sabotages her opportunity. Jadyn leaves him and her Ohio roots in a quest to find the one man whose departure she least understands, her biological father.

NOT QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS is not quite what I expected. The first half of the story explains Jadyn's dysfunctional life and sets up her quest to find her father. Once Jadyn hits Florida, however, her burning quest fades into the background with only enough mention to assure readers the author hasn't completely forgotten about this storyline. Rather, the second half of the novel focuses on Jadyn's involvement with her cousin and his thug associates, a plot turn that comes across as slightly gratuitous and largely disappointing. There's enough action to satisfy many readers but those looking to travel Jadyn's journey to understanding and redemption through her familial search will be left wanting, her eventual reunion with her father a mere afterthought.

Mari Walker writes with her usual mix of urban sensibility and literary flair. Again she interjects an element of faith in a way not often seen in contemporary urban novels. I wanted to love this book as much as I loved prior titles from Ms. Walker, but NOT QUITE WHAT IT SEEMS felt as though the story went on a tangent and never got back on track.