I recommend this book to readers of all genres, especially our youth today, to let them know that we love them and there is help for them. They are not out there alone.

Reviewed by: Cheryl H
APOOO BookClub

The story is very well written. I was engrossed and I almost didn't want to finish the book. The characters stuck in my mind long after the last page was read. Julia Press Simmons did an amazing job with this story. I would recommend it to women every where. If you have ever been through anything...this is a story for you. I look forward to the next book by Julia.

Angel Michelle 

Author of Another Woman's Husband

This book started off with drama, and ended with a twist. This was an easy read, and I can't wait to read more from this author.

KD Harris

Author Of Poison and Poison 2

Strawberry Mansion: A Philadelphia Story was a easy and quick read with a powerful message of hope . This is not just a Philly story but a USA story. Across America in each town and state is a Tabitha, Lisa and Shanice three girls you cant nor wont forget because of their struggle.

Kisha Green

Author of And Even If I Did

Tabitha Williams, nineteen, doubles as a punching bag
every time her boyfriend drinks one too many. When she
stabs him and flees to her mother’s house with her three-
year-old daughter, she thinks it’s finally over.
Unfortunately, the drama has just begun! “Will she find
the courage to leave him for good? And will he let her?”
Lisa Perkins, seventeen, is the “strong one,” or at least
that’s what Tabitha and Shanice think. However, this
couldn’t be further from the truth. When she leaves her
home after her mother refuses to believe that her
stepfather has raped and impregnated her, she thinks
that distance will solve everything. She finds that she
couldn’t be more wrong. Shanice Thomas, fourteen, is
giving teenage rebellion a whole new meaning. Her
mother recently found Christ, and the party that was
Shanice’s life is apparently over. Thrust into situations
she isn’t equipped to handle, Shanice suddenly finds
herself learning painful new lessons about the
consequences of sleeping around.

Strawberry Mansion: A Philadelphia Story is fierce fiction
peppered with urban grit! It not only explores the girls’ struggles
in vivid detail, it highlights their loyalty, love, and kindness for
each other! You won’t be able to put this book down!


This is a journey of three Sista-friends, Tabitha, Lisa and
Shanice. You will not only recognize them, you will feel them
instantly, because they love and laugh, hurt and cry and dream
the dreams we all dare to dream.  Each one is seeking to get
through, get past, get over, and to survive inside the lives they
were handed. You will relate to their struggle. You will applaud
their victories. With realistic precision, debut author Julia Press
Simmons has penned a modern day opus!

~ L.M. Ross, author of "Manhood," and "The Moanin' After"