Behind Closed Doors

by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Regina Moore and Karen Jackson, lifelong best friends, are living the kind of life most women only fantasize about. With beautiful homes, fulfilling careers, and two adoring husbands, their joy could not be greater, their worlds could not be richer. But suddenly, shattering truths about the loving men they thought they knew turn happiness into anguish and rage. For Karen and Regina, nothing they believed in or cherished can ever be the same as it was. Yet, in the painful process of starting over, new doors will open, and two women who once had it all will rediscover the power of honesty and friendship ... and learn the true scope and meaning of love.

Genres: Fiction, African American, Romance, Audiobook, Adult Fiction, Chick Lit, Relationships

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

New York Times Bestselling Author, Speaker, Encourager of Women & Podcast Host, Kimberla Lawson Roby, has published 30 books which include her faith-based, nonfiction titles, THE WOMAN GOD CREATED YOU TO BE: Finding Success Through Faith—Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally and THE WOMAN GOD CREATED YOU TO BE: Companion Workbook & Discussion Guide, as well as some of her novels, such as CASTING THE FIRST STONE, SIN OF A WOMAN, A SINFUL CALLING, SISTER FRIENDS FOREVER, A CHRISTMAS PRAYER, THE PRODIGAL SON, THE PERFECT MARRIAGE, THE REVEREND’S WIFE, IT'S AS THIN LINE, and her debut title, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, which was originally self-published through her own company, Lenox Press. She has sold more than 3 million copies of her books, and they have frequented numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Essence, Upscale, Black Christian News, AALBC.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, The Dallas Morning News, The Austin Chronicle and many others. Kimberla is also the host of The Woman God Created You to Be Podcast.

Over the years, Kimberla has spoken to thousands of women at conferences, churches, expos, workshops, luncheons, libraries, colleges, universities and bookstores. She shares her own personal journey straight from her heart and has a strong passion toward helping women become all that God created them to be.

Kimberla is the 2013 NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction, the recipient of the 2017 SOAR Radio Trailblazer of Honor award, the 2017 Southwest Florida Reading Festival Distinguished Author award, the 2017 AAMBC Christian Fiction Author of the Year award and the 2014 AAMBC Female Author of the Year award, the 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 African-American Literary Awards Show (New York, NY) Female Author of the Year award, the Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2001 for CASTING THE FIRST STONE, and in 2001, Kimberla was inducted into the Rock Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame (Rockford, IL). Additionally, in August 2020, she was named by USA Today as one of the 100 black novelists you should read, and in February 2021, her nonfiction book, The Woman God Created You to Be: Finding Success Through Faith—Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional, giving her 4 NAACP Image Award nominations in total.

Kimberla’s books deal with very real issues, including women empowerment, sexual harassment, racial and gender discrimination in the workplace, problems within the church (and the consequences), Christian/family/moral values, drug and gambling addiction, marriage, infidelity, single motherhood, breast cancer, infertility, sibling rivalry, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, mental illness, and the care-giving of a parent to name a few. In addition, Kimberla’s books offer a message of redemption, forgiveness, and the realities of everyday life. Kimberla resides in Illinois with her husband, Will.

To share your thoughts with Kimberla regarding her work, please e-mail her at: kim@kimroby.com

Reviews

[Alaina]

dnf @15% “even though she was darkskin she was beautiful” that’s enough

[Jassy Tamyra West · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the characters was annoying except one. I think I’m going to have to take a break from Kim Roby books because it seems all her characters have an obsession with designer things and living above their means. I’m just so tired of hearing all these brand name mentions, is she getting a check for all these endorsements?

With that being said it was kind of entertaining, but the endings always seem stupid to me. Regina was my least favorite yet she still ended up happy.

[Joi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really pissed me off. I usually enjoy Roby's books, but this one not so much. I didn't like the light skin vs. dark skin stuff that one of the main characters kept spouting. I didn't like it at all. I felt both of the females to be naive. How is someone going to tell you how to save your marriage when they couldn't even save their own?

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not, I repeat, do not consume via audio book. The narration is beyond annoying, but the book itself isn’t bad at all. Though the book was originally released over 20 years ago, it didn’t feel dated at all. Running themes throughout include Christianity, friendship, addiction, infidelity and colorism. Though the writing was simplistic at times, and wasn’t as realistic as I had hoped it would be, it was rather positive at the very end which I appreciated. I’d read many other books by Roby years ago, and from what I can remember, it’s along the same level of entertainment and fun. If you’re already a fan of hers or African American, Christian fiction in general, I’d definitely suggest reading it.

[K2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm being nice with the two stars.....Writing is bland and boring....Writer IMO seems jugmental about life and social issues.....oh well this story sucks.....lol

[Carol Hornsby-mccoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok ladies, here's a good example of 80/20 love. Why would Larry leave 80 to get 20 then have the audacity to want to come back home. Can you say "looser"! It took Regina a minute to get it together and believe me she had her faults, but as faith would have it she met her true love. Karen did good as a women she stood her grounds and her prayers were answered. Good read.

[Markeisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totally forgettable but kept me engaged until the abrupt ending. I saw exactly where this was going but hearing "African American terminology" and slang from an audiobook was funny enough.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimberla Lawson Roby is one of those authors who I ATE UP when I was old enough to finally read her books so I’m going back through and doing re-reads.

The thing that I love most about KLR is that they’re easy reads. You’re going to get a steadily paced book that’s not going to waste any time getting to the “juice” lol.

In this book you have (light skin) Regina and (dark skin) Karen who have been best friends since they were 6 years old. Why do I mention their skin tones you ask? Because the author makes this a very big part of Regina’s personality and as much as it annoyed and even triggered me, we’re not going to pretend that we don’t very much know someone who is this way and thinks this way… even in 2024. What I do wish is that it was discussed BETTER. While there were brief moments of confrontation and possibly even chances for self-accountability from Regina in this regard — Karen not only let her off the hook entirely too easy for what amounted to a lifetime of micro aggressions — but even made excuses for her! It was never addressed again and Regina is left to believe how she behaves is ok.

While the story was entertaining in the way a good juicy black movie from the 90s is… honestly… I didn’t care for any of the characters. (Much how we look back on certain 90s film and call them “toxic”, even if still good)

Regina is a colorist.
Karen is an enabler (in more ways than one)
John is a mama’s boy (albeit a reforming one)
And Lying ass Larry is a text book narcissist.

Oh and Marilyn, I’m not even going to give her much time. You could see her contribution to the story line a mile away.

This book was published in 1995 and 2024 I still read, finished and wrote a full review on. Hail to our black trailblazers and I’m going to enjoy going back through her catalog.

[Tori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read an interview with Kimberla Lawson Roby a few months back and I really liked how she came across in it, so I decided that I would have to give her books a try. I got this one because it was her first and I have got to say, I found it pretty disappointing. There was nothing wrong with the book but the plot was cliche and none of the characters were really that interesting. Halfway through, I just resorted to skimming because the book was taking forever to get to the main conflict and I was starting to lose interest. That being said, it was not a terrible book, just basically like a million books that I have read before. Since this was her first attempt, I am willing to give Ms. Roby another chance and plan on picking up one of her later novels, which will hopefully be a little more creative.

[Taneka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was slow to develop. It didn't get really good until Regina went to Atlanta. I kinda had already guessed what was going on, with that woman constantly nagging Regina. Also, ladies, this is one of the reasons that you DO NOT brag about your man to other women, especially if they are single. However, Larry knew he was married and should have shut that heifer down before it even got started. I was happy with the ending. I could have done without the dark skin/light skin stuff, but I understand that no matter how much I want to believe people like that don't exist, they do.

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story about two friends Karen and Regina and their husbands. Title is apropos because you never know what goes on behind closed doors of someone else's home...even if it is your best friend since childhood. The insertion of the 3rd friend Marilyn is pretty funny because as we all know that 3rd friend usually stirs some drama and this case is no exception. This is an older book so things are "dated" but the story itself is timeless.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 (mainly audiobook)
The writing was great. I loved the scandals and sassiness, especially with the narrator. There were parts that made me laugh and other parts that had me saying (in a good way) “oh heck no!”

[Kellee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow read, predictable

[Tynika Reads 🌺 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book dragged for which is why it took so long for me to finish it. I have put it down a few times. When it finally did pick up a few bombs in the storyline dropped that kept me interested enough to finish it. I am not giving up on this author but this book wasn’t the greatest to me.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just okay!

[Alicia Krage · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my first time reading anything by this author and I'm not sure how to feel about it. There wasn't really any substance to it, basically just a soap opera in book format. 🤷

[Brandi Billingsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lol, she was a funny read

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

No one ever understands what goes on between a husband and wife in their own home. Regina was already paranoid about her husband but when he started changing up their plans or going out of town without her, she figures there more to the story than he's telling.

Karen understands her situation is different but no better than her friend Regina. Her husband is faithful but he's addicted to gambling. He's spending his entire check at the horse track. She's not having it and has put him out with the ultimatum of get help or they're divorcing.

Marilyn, whose friends supposedly with Regina and Karen , is not married and does not have a boyfriend. What is doing is sleeping with Regina's husband, Larry. What a real friend.

I liked the book but hated the insecure way Ms. Roby depicted Regina. She also made her appear arrogant in regards to her light skin and how she viewed dark skinned people.

[Alisha Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a day. Just finished shortly after midnight lol but I enjoyed this book. I actually enjoyed this book by this author more than her other books. I read it was her first novel but honestly I think her writing style has changed a lot since then and not in a good way like she has gotten lazier with her writing. Perhaps she put her all into her first novel unlike the others. I don’t know if I’ll read any more of her books unless it’s one of her older novels from the 90s and early 2000s if it’s as good as this. I do feel like all her books have the same theme, affluent blacks who are label obsessed. I did enjoy the character development of Regina in this novel though.

[rad librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and was not impressed by the reading. The book has a slow start and didn't get interesting until the Atlanta hotel scene. It was not a bad book, but this is definitely not a book that will stick with me. I learned that this was Kimberla Lawson Roby's first book and I saw that she have published so many other books with great reviews, so I won't count against her. I'm open to reading more from her.

[Kevia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really loved the end. She put him in his place and treated him like the dog he was.

[Marisol Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast beach read. A la waiting to exhale.

[Kimberly J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know. It was a slow read for me, and the characters were boring.

[Ida · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled to continue with this book. I only finished it because I kept hoping it would get better, but it didn't. I can't decide whether it was a book about empowered women, or a satire about shallow, clueless women. The two main characters tried to be strong, intelligent women, but made idiotic decisions and were obsessed with money, status, competition. The writing was juvenile, and painstakingly detailed in ways that were not necessary. As an example, in one scene, the author describes in step by step fashion walking out of the shower, grabbing a towel, lathering lotion, looking for robe......and you think it's all leading to something but it doesn't. Regina's shallowness and obsession with being light skinned is downright offensive. At one point she encounters a "chinese bellboy" and "wonders if he understands English." The way it was written in to the story didn't make sense and didn't add anything to the story either. The only reason I gave it 2 starts is because Regina's husband and her friend both eventually call her out about her obsession with being colorstruck. I"m glad this one is over.

[Katia Casimir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behind the closed doors

By Kimberla Lawson Roby


Regina & Karen deux bonnes amies de longue date, heureusement mariées à Larry & John.

Regina & Larry, mariés depuis 2ans, semblent avoir un problème lorsqu’il est temps d’un moment de qualité. Elle trouve Larry distant à ses besoins, de surcroît son insécurité face à son mariage devient un irritant pour le couple.

En voulant faire une surprise à Larry, lors d’un voyage d’affaire de celui ci, elle fera une méchante découverte qui bousculera son univers.

Pour Karen, c’est un 2 mariages. Tout semble aller bien avec John jusqu’à ce qu’elle découvre son addiction aux jeux. Pour Karen, c’est un gros problème! Elle prendra les grands moyens en lui donnant un ultimatum qui déterminera où ira son union.

Entre leurs situations particulières, elles arrivent à s’épauler, à être là une pour l’autre. À se reconnaître en tant qu’individuelle! À établir leurs limites tout en se respectant, et faire la paix avec leurs choix.

Genre// Drame
Pages // 276p

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

[Myesha-Tiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Quote: “You never know what might be going on behind closed doors.”~Karen

Karen and Regina definitely have relationships problems. Karen with a gambling husband and Regina with a husband who sneaks off and doesn’t tell her where he has been. Right away Regina is uppity and colorist, she’s light skin, and is the first character we meet and is friends with Karen who is dark skin and no nonsense.

Karen is an amazing friend to Regina, while Regina is a friend she is in secret competition with Karen, which is ridiculous honestly. When Regina’s husband does the unthinkable Karen is right by her side.

When Regina’s husband tells her what he thinks of her even after his own actions I can’t disagree because he is correct but that doesn’t excuse him.

Regina and Karen’s conversation on colorism is definitely one that was needed but I do think Karen let her off the hook a little bit at least Regina seemed to be reflective.

Karen’s relationship with her husband is also hard to see play out, dealing with addiction and making it believable is hard to do and Kimberla does just that.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't remember if I read this book. before or not. I'm usually not into urban fiction, but my OCD kicked in, and I had to know if I read it or not. Not. Anyway, 1/2 way through the 3rd chapter, I was finding the storyline boring, but I was already invested and purchased the novel.

This book was written at the start of Lawson's literary career, so Im hoping she has learned to develop better round characters who are not stereotypical to black culture (gluttony) .

I can go into character breakdown, but I dont feel like it; let's just say the timeline of events needed flushing out. Anyone going through a separation, divorce, and then quickly begins dating after having suicidal tendencies needs psychological help. Im not sure what the legal rules of separation are in Illinois, but I'm quite certain it is not two months.

Regina is not the only character in need of counseling. Karen can stand to have a session or two. Her idea of relationship dynamics (husband to wife, mother to daughter, sister to sister, friend to friend) needs a microscope review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story because it reminds me of what men still do today.
Go out and find another woman, (and I was so proud of Regina) knowing before you got with her that you was married. So that's exactly what Larry done and she claims to be friends with his wife and her other friend Karen tried to tell her that Marilyn was not her friend.
So Regina caught her and Larry together in Atlanta, she came back home waiting on him to call her when he got back.
But anyway he told her that he was in love with her and that she was having his baby. To make a long story short Regina told Larry he would be back, and guess what he came back. I was so proud of her because she didn't take him back.
You never missed the water till your well runs dry.

[Sam Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the story to be superficial at best and insulting at worst.
The characters fell flat and at times just seemed to be carbon copies of each other. "Never see come see", characters that clearly never expected to have what they did and really had no clue what to do with it. Obsessed with brands to an unhealthy extent
The author clearly wanted to say something but never committed to any revelations with any depth. She hinted at stuff but then never paid them off and what she did it for, she didn't take the reader through, just told them that it happened.
Don't get me wrong, this is a fun read. However it paints black people as materialistic and ghetto, which is exactly the bias I try to escape.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Behind closed doors was a good read about relationships, addiction, live, betrayal and finding a happy place.

You never know what is happening behind closed doors. Everything may look peachy keen on the outside and on the other side of the threshold shit is fucked up. Never want to be like some else or want what others have. You don’t know what they could be going through.

InBehind closed doors you’ll find out of these relationships can withstand the storms that are ahead of them. Will the stay together? Will they separate. Will they find a new love? It’s worth reading and finding out.