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Reye's Gold
Reye and Stephen are in their last year of college when coincidence pushes them together. A magnetic attraction develops, drawing them into an impetuous love affair. They part with graduation, but realize too late that they were better together than they ever will be apart.
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First published January 1, 2010
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About the author
Ruthie Robinson
17 books58 followersI grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. Attended Clark College as an undergrad, and completed my Masters at the University of Texas in Austin. Both of my degrees are in Economics. After working in the Banking industry, I am now doing what I love - telling stories.
I enjoy reading, gardening, movies and hanging out with my spouse of twenty-seven years and our two young adults. I currently live in Austin, Texas.
I enjoy reading, gardening, movies and hanging out with my spouse of twenty-seven years and our two young adults. I currently live in Austin, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
January 13, 2011
I was so curious about this book! I see that it has quite a positive rating on Amazon, but as everyone knows these days that ratings can be manipulated shamelessly so that doesn't help. There is no editorial review available and of all the ratings not a single person gives a synopsis. I had no idea of the plot. Added to that, this publisher does not allow a peek inside nor does it provide e-books, so I couldn't even see a sample of the writing. I waffled for awhile as this is a a new to me author and i was a bit hesitant to spend the money on an unproven commodity. But, in the end, my curiosity won out. I figure, if i hated the book, I'd punish myself by not getting a couple of week's worth of Lattes.
But, happily, that is not the case. I really, really enjoyed this book.
Reye Jackson (pronounced Ray) is on her way back to school after a small break when she literally bumps into Stephen Stuart at the airport. The two laugh over their mishap and get to chatting during their flight. It turns out they are both students at the Unversity in Austin. She is a senior finishing up an degree in education and he is in his third year of Law school. After they land, Reye boldly programs her number into his phone and he promises to call.
This was a great start to the book. Even though this book is the debut book for this author it never really felt that way. She doesn't fall into the first book trap of overtly long exposition and data dumps. Instead the story really, really, flows with a naturalness that allows the story to move.
Stephen doesn't call Reye right away and even though she is disappointed, she is also philosophical about it. No biggee. But the two run into each other on the soccer field where they both play for the Unversity's pick-up intramural league. They are both shocked but pleased to see each other. And it is at this point that the relationship really starts.
Again, I was struck by how natural the story flowed. One thing I think the author did well was to create an atmosphere showing that Reye and Stephen were college students. These two aren't 30 something professionals who approach every relationship with an eye to whether or not it will have a future. They are about-to-graduate students who aren't quite looking to settle down, but are ready to embark on the careers they are training for right now. While they are dating they also study, hang out with their friends, go to parties and navigate this relationship which is new to both of them.
One thing that I thought was refreshing in this book is that it is Stephen who is having most of the adjustment problems. In most IR books where the hero is white, he is portrayed as being genuinely confused about why the AA heroine is generally so resistant to the pairing. But in this case, Reye is the one who is remarkably well adjusted and takes their relationship in stride. It is Stephen who is the worrier, mostly hyper sensitive to his family and friends' reactions.
I also liked the fact that the author did not make him a Super Hero. You know, the guy who all but does back-flips and hand stands for heroine and is so wonderful and reassuring and understanding all the the while the heroine is being snippy and bratty? Nope, Stephen is realistically flawed. He's the brat sometimes. This is not to say that he is a bad character, on the contrary I really liked him. I actually thought he was very nuanced. The author does a great job of articulating his struggle in his own head even when he isn't aware that is what he is doing.
There is also a lot of what I like to call additional flavor to the book. Reye and Stephen have a lot of interest and activities outside of each other. She is working on an internship and we get to see a lot of that, they both play soccer and that plays a large part in the story. There are also some great supporting characters in Reye's brother Sam who is a grad student and in some of Stephen's frat brothers. A minor character also gets a very satisfying redemptive arc that didn't feel at all fake.
of course this book includes conflict and most of it is internal, even as Stephen seeks to externalize it. At the end of the school year he precipitates a break up. What follows are chapters of the 'Great Grovel.' I am always gratified when an author allows a jerky hero to grovel to get back in the heroine's good graces. This author does a great job of it. And Reye doesn't make it easy either. Not only that there were some genuinely amusing parts as her family gets in on the fun.
All in all this was a really nice book. A satisfying romance with just the right amount of angst with a couple that was full of sexy chemistry. And I must say this did not read like a first book. The writing was incredibly polished.
Highly recommend!
But, happily, that is not the case. I really, really enjoyed this book.
Reye Jackson (pronounced Ray) is on her way back to school after a small break when she literally bumps into Stephen Stuart at the airport. The two laugh over their mishap and get to chatting during their flight. It turns out they are both students at the Unversity in Austin. She is a senior finishing up an degree in education and he is in his third year of Law school. After they land, Reye boldly programs her number into his phone and he promises to call.
This was a great start to the book. Even though this book is the debut book for this author it never really felt that way. She doesn't fall into the first book trap of overtly long exposition and data dumps. Instead the story really, really, flows with a naturalness that allows the story to move.
Stephen doesn't call Reye right away and even though she is disappointed, she is also philosophical about it. No biggee. But the two run into each other on the soccer field where they both play for the Unversity's pick-up intramural league. They are both shocked but pleased to see each other. And it is at this point that the relationship really starts.
Again, I was struck by how natural the story flowed. One thing I think the author did well was to create an atmosphere showing that Reye and Stephen were college students. These two aren't 30 something professionals who approach every relationship with an eye to whether or not it will have a future. They are about-to-graduate students who aren't quite looking to settle down, but are ready to embark on the careers they are training for right now. While they are dating they also study, hang out with their friends, go to parties and navigate this relationship which is new to both of them.
One thing that I thought was refreshing in this book is that it is Stephen who is having most of the adjustment problems. In most IR books where the hero is white, he is portrayed as being genuinely confused about why the AA heroine is generally so resistant to the pairing. But in this case, Reye is the one who is remarkably well adjusted and takes their relationship in stride. It is Stephen who is the worrier, mostly hyper sensitive to his family and friends' reactions.
I also liked the fact that the author did not make him a Super Hero. You know, the guy who all but does back-flips and hand stands for heroine and is so wonderful and reassuring and understanding all the the while the heroine is being snippy and bratty? Nope, Stephen is realistically flawed. He's the brat sometimes. This is not to say that he is a bad character, on the contrary I really liked him. I actually thought he was very nuanced. The author does a great job of articulating his struggle in his own head even when he isn't aware that is what he is doing.
There is also a lot of what I like to call additional flavor to the book. Reye and Stephen have a lot of interest and activities outside of each other. She is working on an internship and we get to see a lot of that, they both play soccer and that plays a large part in the story. There are also some great supporting characters in Reye's brother Sam who is a grad student and in some of Stephen's frat brothers. A minor character also gets a very satisfying redemptive arc that didn't feel at all fake.
of course this book includes conflict and most of it is internal, even as Stephen seeks to externalize it. At the end of the school year he precipitates a break up. What follows are chapters of the 'Great Grovel.' I am always gratified when an author allows a jerky hero to grovel to get back in the heroine's good graces. This author does a great job of it. And Reye doesn't make it easy either. Not only that there were some genuinely amusing parts as her family gets in on the fun.
All in all this was a really nice book. A satisfying romance with just the right amount of angst with a couple that was full of sexy chemistry. And I must say this did not read like a first book. The writing was incredibly polished.
Highly recommend!
June 6, 2012
*********might be spoilerish***********
Okay, where was the relationship here, actually, there was none, they had a sexual friendship, that's all they did, no real date, well, one to the movies, but all their dates, from the first was about
sex.
She kisses him the first time she meets him, when next they meet at his frat party, the dry humped each other on the steps of the frat house, second time at her house for dinner sex, all their dates was for sex she went along with this just sex relationship but is surprised when he leaves her,gets mad that he did, honey you are treated how you allow yourself to be treated. He doesn't take you out as he would a regular girlfriend or his woman, just comes to you for sex. Sex does not mean love, if it did, it was being bought from the men/women of the evening for centuries.
I know one thing though,the way he acted after he left her, getting drunk and sleeping with anything in a skirt even while he realized he loved and missed her, disgusted me and she remained single. He wasn't worth it, he made his choice. He was a wimp, the decisions he made, his age does not give him a pass from, he was in his last year at university.
I was looking for a love story, but this wasn't it, this was a sex story. That heroine was just too loose with herself for me.
Okay, where was the relationship here, actually, there was none, they had a sexual friendship, that's all they did, no real date, well, one to the movies, but all their dates, from the first was about
sex.
She kisses him the first time she meets him, when next they meet at his frat party, the dry humped each other on the steps of the frat house, second time at her house for dinner sex, all their dates was for sex she went along with this just sex relationship but is surprised when he leaves her,gets mad that he did, honey you are treated how you allow yourself to be treated. He doesn't take you out as he would a regular girlfriend or his woman, just comes to you for sex. Sex does not mean love, if it did, it was being bought from the men/women of the evening for centuries.
I know one thing though,the way he acted after he left her, getting drunk and sleeping with anything in a skirt even while he realized he loved and missed her, disgusted me and she remained single. He wasn't worth it, he made his choice. He was a wimp, the decisions he made, his age does not give him a pass from, he was in his last year at university.
I was looking for a love story, but this wasn't it, this was a sex story. That heroine was just too loose with herself for me.
November 17, 2015
I’m not sure what the 1 or 2 star givers are raging about, talking about too much sex and instant like and no romance in this book. So totally missing the point. I wonder if these people ever experienced college life or if they just forgot how it was being 20-somethings just kicking it and going for the occasional hook up without it having to end up in marriage.
Having said that…
I loveLOVE this book. I like the realness of the romance, which didn’t start out to be one in the first place. We have two students, who had a chance encounter at the airport going back home, were attracted to each other and when they met again on campus decided they would like to do the FWB thing. Because even though they were attracted to each other, they were not looking for something serious considering they were in their final years and needed to concentrate on their studies. Especially Stephen was dead set on keeping things casual, Reye on the other hand could see them being more. Not a big conflict as far as big romance themes go, but it’s the way Ruthie tells the story that makes this such a good book.
Ruthie Robinson have a understated way of narrating drama. And it wasn’t drama per se but more the natural course of a relationship when evolving from FWB status to ‘I might be in love with you’.
I also like how she created great multidimensional characters with diverse interests/activities and how she incorporates those in the story and still kept it going without distracting the reader from the romance. It never got to be overflowing. I like how Reye was a soccer player and very involved with kids with learning problems like she used to have when she was a child. I loved that she came from a good home and had a strong sense of self. Loved how her big brother and her dad came thru for her.
Also, I was ambivalent towards Stephen, thought he had douche tendencies. But he redeemed himself when he was prepared to grovel to get the girl. I liked how he worked through his issues. He overanalyzed everything, refused to be led by his feelings. Until ration needed to take a backseat because emotions took over.
Having said that…
I loveLOVE this book. I like the realness of the romance, which didn’t start out to be one in the first place. We have two students, who had a chance encounter at the airport going back home, were attracted to each other and when they met again on campus decided they would like to do the FWB thing. Because even though they were attracted to each other, they were not looking for something serious considering they were in their final years and needed to concentrate on their studies. Especially Stephen was dead set on keeping things casual, Reye on the other hand could see them being more. Not a big conflict as far as big romance themes go, but it’s the way Ruthie tells the story that makes this such a good book.
Ruthie Robinson have a understated way of narrating drama. And it wasn’t drama per se but more the natural course of a relationship when evolving from FWB status to ‘I might be in love with you’.
I also like how she created great multidimensional characters with diverse interests/activities and how she incorporates those in the story and still kept it going without distracting the reader from the romance. It never got to be overflowing. I like how Reye was a soccer player and very involved with kids with learning problems like she used to have when she was a child. I loved that she came from a good home and had a strong sense of self. Loved how her big brother and her dad came thru for her.
Also, I was ambivalent towards Stephen, thought he had douche tendencies. But he redeemed himself when he was prepared to grovel to get the girl. I liked how he worked through his issues. He overanalyzed everything, refused to be led by his feelings. Until ration needed to take a backseat because emotions took over.
March 23, 2014
Most time the guys start as a dick, but halfway through their dickishness starts to become charming or something along those lines.
Or the guy is really a decent fella but forced into dickishness due to circumstances beyond his control, and he spends the majority of the novel saying "hey, I'm really a good guy if you give me a chance."
Something like that.
The guy in this - dubbed the golden One by the girl - is basically just a straight up prick. Not due to circumstances out of his control. He's just a prick who doesn't know how to treat people. He starts off moderately charming but it's all downhill from there.
The girl goes on with her falling in love routine, but the guy basically denies her every opportunity he gets.
Cock-a-doodle thrice, I deny you.
At first it was a little bit refreshing that the guy wasn't one of those insta-love types. At the beginning I was willing to give this 4 stars because it was so refreshing to get a guy who wasn't all, "I'm so in love with you" from chapter 2. It was more a case of the girl being the aggressor in the relationship and I thought, well hey, this is different.
Until it became flat out offensive and unforgivable. And watching the girl willingly allow herself to be used and abused was painful and slightly disgusting to be honest.
I don't know how people are giving this 5 stars. What happen to pride and self respect people?
And the worse is the ending.
For real. No self respect. No pride. Nothing like that at all. She just basically lets him walk all over her. She's so in love, being in his presence is all she wants/needs.
Pathetic.
Gave it 2 stars instead of 1, because for the first half or so, I really thought there was going to be a moment of reckoning where she'd have an epiphany and realise that she was being used by a guy that was basically ashamed of her/having any sort of feelings for her. That moment of dawn never happened. Horrible message for young people. Horrible message in general.
I'm actually concerned that this is rated so highly. Do people not see the massive problem here?
Or the guy is really a decent fella but forced into dickishness due to circumstances beyond his control, and he spends the majority of the novel saying "hey, I'm really a good guy if you give me a chance."
Something like that.
The guy in this - dubbed the golden One by the girl - is basically just a straight up prick. Not due to circumstances out of his control. He's just a prick who doesn't know how to treat people. He starts off moderately charming but it's all downhill from there.
The girl goes on with her falling in love routine, but the guy basically denies her every opportunity he gets.
Cock-a-doodle thrice, I deny you.
At first it was a little bit refreshing that the guy wasn't one of those insta-love types. At the beginning I was willing to give this 4 stars because it was so refreshing to get a guy who wasn't all, "I'm so in love with you" from chapter 2. It was more a case of the girl being the aggressor in the relationship and I thought, well hey, this is different.
Until it became flat out offensive and unforgivable. And watching the girl willingly allow herself to be used and abused was painful and slightly disgusting to be honest.
I don't know how people are giving this 5 stars. What happen to pride and self respect people?
And the worse is the ending.
For real. No self respect. No pride. Nothing like that at all. She just basically lets him walk all over her. She's so in love, being in his presence is all she wants/needs.
Pathetic.
Gave it 2 stars instead of 1, because for the first half or so, I really thought there was going to be a moment of reckoning where she'd have an epiphany and realise that she was being used by a guy that was basically ashamed of her/having any sort of feelings for her. That moment of dawn never happened. Horrible message for young people. Horrible message in general.
I'm actually concerned that this is rated so highly. Do people not see the massive problem here?
November 5, 2010
WOW...IMHO this is a surprisingly WONDERFUL debut by Mrs. Ruthie Johnson...I found myself thoroughly CAUGHT UP in the storyline and the witty dialogue throughout...once I started this book I COULD NOT put it down...the SIZZLING and INSTANT attraction between Reye and Stephen...the growth and maturity of the main characters; unfortunately resulting MOSTLY after there break-up is A+...and even some of the secondary cast REDEEMS themselves as the story unfolds...Stephen TRULY comes off as a selfish JERK at times...and even his friends call him on his poor treatment of Reye...and I so ENJOY watching him "BEG" for a second chance with Reye once he realizes he TRULY loves her...BUT will Reye risk her heart AGAIN...read it and find out...DEFINITELY looking forward to reading more from Mrs. Johnson!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2012
For the most part I liked this read. The chemisrty when they first met (their plane ride) really endeared me to both characters. The "cat and mouse" shifts between them were typical of most initial relationships. (Will he call me or won't he call me? - LOL)
I appreciate that Stephen is more conflicted than Reye about what his family and friends will think; it's realistic. I can respect the fact that Stephen was up front and truthful from the beginning about what he "wanted" or at least what he thought that he wanted from Reye (friends with benefits). I mean, Reye knew what she was getting into, right? So, she shouldn't have been surprised at how things played out at the end of their last Spring semester. After all, they are college students who aren't necessarily focused on having a serious relationship.
I know that when emotions get involved its hard to end things -like Reye could have early on. I wasn't surprised when Stephen broke things off. What bothered me was how he did it. Even though you can tell that he had some kind of real feelings for her; he was such an ASS about it. His tone was totally like "I don't really give a f**k" - so unecessary.
FINE!, (*sighs*) It happens. I like how the author portrays all the suffering both Reye and Stephen went through for the six months that they were apart. How one grew and another just stagnated. This is where I got a brief glimpse (even in his turmoil) of his love for her. It was great that Stephen realized his "huge mistake" and prepares himself to correct it.
But, the author didn't make him grovel long enough for me. She takes him back in a few weeks! He proposes; she says "yes" way quicker than I would have. Wow...*rolls eyes*! I'm just saying...The author could have taken a little while longer for Reye to trust in his committment. For the author to establish a real faceted relationship - showing the audience with the passing of more TIME how much he loved Reye and how truly sorry he was. The HEA would have meant so much more to me if she had.
I appreciate that Stephen is more conflicted than Reye about what his family and friends will think; it's realistic. I can respect the fact that Stephen was up front and truthful from the beginning about what he "wanted" or at least what he thought that he wanted from Reye (friends with benefits). I mean, Reye knew what she was getting into, right? So, she shouldn't have been surprised at how things played out at the end of their last Spring semester. After all, they are college students who aren't necessarily focused on having a serious relationship.
I know that when emotions get involved its hard to end things -like Reye could have early on. I wasn't surprised when Stephen broke things off. What bothered me was how he did it. Even though you can tell that he had some kind of real feelings for her; he was such an ASS about it. His tone was totally like "I don't really give a f**k" - so unecessary.
FINE!, (*sighs*) It happens. I like how the author portrays all the suffering both Reye and Stephen went through for the six months that they were apart. How one grew and another just stagnated. This is where I got a brief glimpse (even in his turmoil) of his love for her. It was great that Stephen realized his "huge mistake" and prepares himself to correct it.
But, the author didn't make him grovel long enough for me. She takes him back in a few weeks! He proposes; she says "yes" way quicker than I would have. Wow...*rolls eyes*! I'm just saying...The author could have taken a little while longer for Reye to trust in his committment. For the author to establish a real faceted relationship - showing the audience with the passing of more TIME how much he loved Reye and how truly sorry he was. The HEA would have meant so much more to me if she had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It kind of had a different spin, because it dealt realistically with Stephen's fear of the future with Reye. I agree the love scenes were HOT, but it flowed with the story.
I felt both Reye and Stephen were relate-able characters and they had a very strong supporting characters. Their dialogue flowed and although Stephen was a bit selfish, it is to be expected, after all he was an only child.
I really appreciated the fact that Reye really made Stephen work to prove his love the last time. Reye was so cool with the way she handled him, even though she loved him and didn't believe he loved her back, she was not a push over. Stephen was in total denial about his feelings, but I guess it was understandable because it was all new to him (love & inter-racial dating). This story was good from beginning to end. Excellent job for the first timer, Ms Robinson. Only issue is making sure the next book is just as good.
I felt both Reye and Stephen were relate-able characters and they had a very strong supporting characters. Their dialogue flowed and although Stephen was a bit selfish, it is to be expected, after all he was an only child.
I really appreciated the fact that Reye really made Stephen work to prove his love the last time. Reye was so cool with the way she handled him, even though she loved him and didn't believe he loved her back, she was not a push over. Stephen was in total denial about his feelings, but I guess it was understandable because it was all new to him (love & inter-racial dating). This story was good from beginning to end. Excellent job for the first timer, Ms Robinson. Only issue is making sure the next book is just as good.
November 6, 2015
Hmmm.. well I read the book and I will say that it was a simple read. I was expecting a little drama or some type of action of some sort.. you know the moment in a book where you fall in love with the characters... yeah was hoping for it but it never came for me.
Besides the temporary parting... the book just was simple. Girl meets commitment “phobe" and it's all sugar and spice from there.
So I would suggest this book as a pick me up after a dark read maybe.
Signing off... a little too basic for my liking.
Besides the temporary parting... the book just was simple. Girl meets commitment “phobe" and it's all sugar and spice from there.
So I would suggest this book as a pick me up after a dark read maybe.
Signing off... a little too basic for my liking.
May 1, 2012
Bloody interesting!!! Loved it too much and definitely a keeper!!!
February 29, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice and simple kind of romance. I called Stephen a dumbass a couple of times but I still think it was a beautiful relationship that He and Reye shared.
February 19, 2012
I enjoyed this book. It is a nice, quick read. I liked the interaction between the characters. I loved the way they met and couldn't help smiling at their antics.
Additionally, the conflict read true. It wasn't earth shattering. It was just that the two were on different paths, yet the chemistry between them kept pulling them together. I thought that was refreshing.
A couple of things stopped me from rating this book more highly. First, the author would tell us something about Reye and immediately have her behave in a contradictory manner. For example, There were quite a few eye roll moments like these.
Second, there were numerous typos. I don't mind a couple of typos, but this book had more than its share. Additionally, on several occasions, a word or sentence would appear in very small print as if corrections had been made but the font didn't match. It's incredibly distracting.
Overall, this read like a first novel. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and it won't keep me from reading more from this author. She tells a good story and I suspect it gets better.
Additionally, the conflict read true. It wasn't earth shattering. It was just that the two were on different paths, yet the chemistry between them kept pulling them together. I thought that was refreshing.
A couple of things stopped me from rating this book more highly. First, the author would tell us something about Reye and immediately have her behave in a contradictory manner. For example, There were quite a few eye roll moments like these.
Second, there were numerous typos. I don't mind a couple of typos, but this book had more than its share. Additionally, on several occasions, a word or sentence would appear in very small print as if corrections had been made but the font didn't match. It's incredibly distracting.
Overall, this read like a first novel. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and it won't keep me from reading more from this author. She tells a good story and I suspect it gets better.
June 14, 2012
This is a truly wonderful novel. Reye is an amazing woman from the very first page to the very last. Yes, she is young and she does some growing throughout the novel, but at every step I felt for her and believed in her. Stephen, however, was a bit harder to associate with. Yes, he's a sexy and confident male lead, and he *almost* treats her perfect, but you never feel like he really deserves her, that he really is too weak and noncommittal for the kind of man she deserves. It's that *almost* that causes the main point of conflict in the final act. However, it is also one of the triumphs in the book. It's not a spoiler to say the relationship has a breakup, it's a virtual given for the IR romance genre, but what's unique is the path that takes them back together is not a "they saw each other across the room" type of moment in final pages. Instead, soon (in terms of # of pages at least) after he leaves, Stephen knows what he lost and he grows in the man you really want him to be. We are then treated to the wonderful final chapters where he really courts Reye again, and we get to see the relationship develop for the second time and in fashion that makes Stephen worthy of Reye this time around.
September 10, 2024
Reye's Gold tells the story of Stephen and Reye, an interracial couple, whose chance meeting turns into something more significant. However, Stephen (who is white) refuses to acknowledge just how important Reye is becoming to him because he does not want to deal with the issues that come with being a part of an interracial relationship. Reye, on the other hand, is willing to make Stephen a part of her world regardless of the consequences. And so the story unfolds and we see two people grow and learn from their mistakes. This is a solid story with good supporting characters. The relationship was mature but there were some gaps for me. Where were Reye's friends? Why didn't she evaluate her relationship with Stephen more often? Why didn't she question him about never hanging out in public? I think that would have been a nature conversation to have when you feel like you're being hidden. This story reminded me of Inside Out by Grayson Reyes-Cole except the roles are reversed. In that story, Rhett constantly calls Tracy out for hiding him and their relationship though he loves her and doesn't want to lose her. I wanted to see more of that here. Otherwise, Reye's Gold was a good, solid story.
July 1, 2011
Let me just say........WOW! The author has done an excellent job with this story. The essence of any good romance is how two people meet and fall in love with each other. The same should also be for IR romances but alas my experience has been less then stellar because many IR authors get two engrossed in the racial differences and forget to develop a realistic, meaningful story of how two people meet and fall in love. Thankfully Ms. Ruthie Robinson has done both and done them extremely well. I believe the story of Reye and Steven and more importantly I saw their complete love story over time and I became invested in the final outcome. Her writing was not bloated with unnecessary fillers but every word mattered and carried you through to a wonderful conclusion. Ms. Ruthie, you knocked this one out of the part and if you continue writing such wonderfully engaging novels you can consider me one of your biggest fans.
May 29, 2015
Great read!
I'm giving this four stars because of the cover....honestly how many of you readers like myself reference the cover of the book when the author describes the lead characters? Aside from that, this was a good book. Yes it ended abruptly but it was enough to the story that I felt satisfied. I will read this again. And I am one of those females who shamelessly check out good looking men in line be it the airport, grocery store, bank etc. And my family is similar to Reye's where color is a non issue. This book felt real and the chemistry between the H and h was palatable.
I'm giving this four stars because of the cover....honestly how many of you readers like myself reference the cover of the book when the author describes the lead characters? Aside from that, this was a good book. Yes it ended abruptly but it was enough to the story that I felt satisfied. I will read this again. And I am one of those females who shamelessly check out good looking men in line be it the airport, grocery store, bank etc. And my family is similar to Reye's where color is a non issue. This book felt real and the chemistry between the H and h was palatable.
April 30, 2012
One of the first multicultural romances I ever, it remains one of my favorites. Mainly because I can identify with the scenario of the main obstacle as something similar happened to me, though without the HEA, so it touched me on another level.
I like both characters despite shaking my head at Stephen more than a few times. I appreciated that the reader gets a peek into the thoughts of both Stephen and Reye so that you get where both are coming from throughout the story. It's an entertaining read that I didn't want to put down.
Totally recommend it!
I like both characters despite shaking my head at Stephen more than a few times. I appreciated that the reader gets a peek into the thoughts of both Stephen and Reye so that you get where both are coming from throughout the story. It's an entertaining read that I didn't want to put down.
Totally recommend it!
February 24, 2014
Excellent
I've had a chance to re-read all my favorite parts and have come to the conclusion that this story is beautiful, the characters are wonderful, and the writing is superbly done...it doesn't get much better...
I've had a chance to re-read all my favorite parts and have come to the conclusion that this story is beautiful, the characters are wonderful, and the writing is superbly done...it doesn't get much better...
October 21, 2011
One of the best IR I have read in a long time. Realy good story about the heartbreak of being in an IR relationship.
December 18, 2014
Awesome
Love her books you really get caught up in the story and the love I can't wait to read more from this author
Love her books you really get caught up in the story and the love I can't wait to read more from this author
July 16, 2016
Three solid stars...
I give this three solid stars and not one more, not one less. I understand that it was a debut novel for the writer. As debut novel goes, it was pretty good and I can't help being curious of what her next book will be like. I mean she is obviously talented. The first part of that book was incredibly easy to read with an heroin that was not only engaging, but incredibly modern.
I mean Reye is definitely someone relatable and worth identifying with. She is an athletic, beauty with brain, with a generous heart, and some practical sense. She is the' I will not sit idly waiting for the prince charming to make his moves" type of girl. She is the breaker of rules. She is full of confidence. She is the "I lost my panties at this party but at least I didn't drink" type of girl. Yup, she is my homie. She is purely brilliant in that first part playing cat and mouse with that boy. You truly understand his predicament. The girl is hot. Lauryn Hill slash Mame Adjei Hot!
We all have a friend like that, and that's if we ourself cannot identify with her. Some readers call her loose. I applaud the girl for having the guts to go after what she wants... to state her demands clearly.
For all the haters out there...
Except, she doesn't stay that way and Mig is there watching that train getting home and losing steam with teary eyes. It did start good in the "girl meets cute boy" world. For Reye, it all happen in a plane getting home to Austin with this awesome cute guy, Stephen. It is followed by a sexy courtship, when they go on a first date and things doesn't really go as planned, or things went too much as planned ( see for yourself, fellow reader) . So mostly, it starts with the tale of some almost loose panties in a party...
Stephen, the aforementioned reincarnation of Prince Charming, also dubbed the Golden one, and aka Golden Dick for Mig, dutiful son of an Evil Dallas Prom Queen, warns Reye that he doesn't want anything too serious. He just want to taste the milk and he doesn't have his wallet with him and that's all he could offer for now, because his royal parents had expectations for him and he didn't imagine that bringing home a black girl could be what they had in mind. See, they're from Dallas and the society there is strangely backwards. They could give a black girl a humanitarian award in a ceremony full of tokenism but she can't aspire to be one of them. I totally get it.
But not Reye, who obviously was probably not really listening to him at that time because of said Loose panties... So they engagein a torrid affair. Strike that... Think... scorched, blazing, steaming hot affair.
Okay maybe not but close... Okay not close at all... But steamy nonetheless.
(Sigh)
Ok.
That's my cue.
That's my train stop. Yup. I'm getting down here.
The cuteness and sexiness of the first encounters gets old rather quick I tell you. I mean really quick. I mean one third of that book is truly dynamic with the encounter, the chase, the courting and stuff, the banter... etc... Yummy. Another third is sex scenes after sex scenes
The last part being dubbed the groveling part by many readers is also the most rushed and the most uninspired I have to say.
Do you know why Jane Austen is so famous and revered around the world ? Mig's idea... at least. It's because she knows how to redeem a douchebag. Because Stephen and Darcy have much in common. They do. They are both handsome, rich, white and totally entitled. Except, Darcy does groveling well.
He save the girl's family reputation. He opens up to the girl. He realized quickly that telling a girl: 'although I tried fighting it because of your poor circumstances, ( you're black) I can't help being in love with you, I have to have you, marry me. " is no way a flattering way to win a girl's heart.... And win Mig over for that matter.
That's the bulk of this. I was not satisfied with the ending or the middle. I mean I like Reye and Stephen... They were young full of life 3D characters. But I like them up to the point where she flipped personalities, lost all her backbone and he becomes a useless jerk. I mean the book is filled with lost opportunities. I mean they could have broken up sooner , spare us a few boring sex scenes, and showed what life without each other really like. And I mean not the go-to trope where the guy becomes a drunk manwhore. It was too easy. We didn't even get too deep into the grovelling part. It was a quick affair thanks to this awesome "african-american" family. They're the Cosbys.
A few meet-and-greet with the family and we're back in the saddle. The guy doesn't even doubt once that she will take him back. I didn't doubt. It was that predictable. Don't be mistaken, I love characters with flaws... Well-rounded characters who are not perfect... Selfish characters... Self-centered... even... But I love a good storyline to go with all that even more.
The guy is not independent. His car is a graduation gift. He relies on his family's money for everything. He is basically pampered by his mom who spies on him. She doesn't let him do groceries, laundry, anything...not even choose his own girlfriend. I mean it's scraped on the surface but not nearly as developed as Reyes's ambitions and the problem she could have with her mom. Worse, they are made to appear sexy and desirable traits. They are not sexy factors. They are deal breakers. Why a girl as independant as Reye who owns her home, drives her own car, pays her own bills etc would want to waste her time on this guy? Yes he is cute. But Pandas are cute too. Still, you don't want one at home. Who wants to raise a manchild, a spoiled one at that? If Reye kept it real and gave him a bit of hell for it...I'd be down for the ride. But mostly she kept drooling over this guy as if he was the most amazing guy in the world and you never get exactly understand why.
His fear of commitment, his lack of independence and ambitions for himself, this should have been part of the book in addition of the racial-multicultural issues because then, I'd have no problems giving this five stars. Ultimately the characters are enticing, the story has heart and soul. I love Sam. He was a good confident. I wish my brother was more like him. I kept picturing young yummy taye diggs. The secondary characters were well-done.
I also found interesting that she didn't have any girlfriend to talk to. It suited the character well. It explained her lack of social graces at times. She didn't play coy or demure. She was kind of a tomboy. It was refreshing.
She also exudes confidence which is something to be admire in another sistah. I like that she never questioned once that she was good enough for him in front of other girls. She sets a good example in that. She was comfortable in her skin and that's true beauty.
See, plenty of good things about this book. It's a three stars book I tell you.
-------------
PS: I almost forgot. I was confused at the pc-label repetitions... She is a latina...She is african-american...etc... I hope the writer grows out of it.
PS2: I hated that Stephen's father told him he had a black girlfriend that he didn't fight for. What What?
Is it a fetish that runs in the family? You cannot be serious.
I give this three solid stars and not one more, not one less. I understand that it was a debut novel for the writer. As debut novel goes, it was pretty good and I can't help being curious of what her next book will be like. I mean she is obviously talented. The first part of that book was incredibly easy to read with an heroin that was not only engaging, but incredibly modern.
I mean Reye is definitely someone relatable and worth identifying with. She is an athletic, beauty with brain, with a generous heart, and some practical sense. She is the' I will not sit idly waiting for the prince charming to make his moves" type of girl. She is the breaker of rules. She is full of confidence. She is the "I lost my panties at this party but at least I didn't drink" type of girl. Yup, she is my homie. She is purely brilliant in that first part playing cat and mouse with that boy. You truly understand his predicament. The girl is hot. Lauryn Hill slash Mame Adjei Hot!
We all have a friend like that, and that's if we ourself cannot identify with her. Some readers call her loose. I applaud the girl for having the guts to go after what she wants... to state her demands clearly.
For all the haters out there...
Except, she doesn't stay that way and Mig is there watching that train getting home and losing steam with teary eyes. It did start good in the "girl meets cute boy" world. For Reye, it all happen in a plane getting home to Austin with this awesome cute guy, Stephen. It is followed by a sexy courtship, when they go on a first date and things doesn't really go as planned, or things went too much as planned ( see for yourself, fellow reader) . So mostly, it starts with the tale of some almost loose panties in a party...
Stephen, the aforementioned reincarnation of Prince Charming, also dubbed the Golden one, and aka Golden Dick for Mig, dutiful son of an Evil Dallas Prom Queen, warns Reye that he doesn't want anything too serious. He just want to taste the milk and he doesn't have his wallet with him and that's all he could offer for now, because his royal parents had expectations for him and he didn't imagine that bringing home a black girl could be what they had in mind. See, they're from Dallas and the society there is strangely backwards. They could give a black girl a humanitarian award in a ceremony full of tokenism but she can't aspire to be one of them. I totally get it.
But not Reye, who obviously was probably not really listening to him at that time because of said Loose panties... So they engage
Okay maybe not but close... Okay not close at all... But steamy nonetheless.
(Sigh)
Ok.
That's my cue.
That's my train stop. Yup. I'm getting down here.
The cuteness and sexiness of the first encounters gets old rather quick I tell you. I mean really quick. I mean one third of that book is truly dynamic with the encounter, the chase, the courting and stuff, the banter... etc... Yummy. Another third is sex scenes after sex scenes
The last part being dubbed the groveling part by many readers is also the most rushed and the most uninspired I have to say.
Do you know why Jane Austen is so famous and revered around the world ? Mig's idea... at least. It's because she knows how to redeem a douchebag. Because Stephen and Darcy have much in common. They do. They are both handsome, rich, white and totally entitled. Except, Darcy does groveling well.
He save the girl's family reputation. He opens up to the girl. He realized quickly that telling a girl: 'although I tried fighting it because of your poor circumstances, ( you're black) I can't help being in love with you, I have to have you, marry me. " is no way a flattering way to win a girl's heart.... And win Mig over for that matter.
That's the bulk of this. I was not satisfied with the ending or the middle. I mean I like Reye and Stephen... They were young full of life 3D characters. But I like them up to the point where she flipped personalities, lost all her backbone and he becomes a useless jerk. I mean the book is filled with lost opportunities. I mean they could have broken up sooner , spare us a few boring sex scenes, and showed what life without each other really like. And I mean not the go-to trope where the guy becomes a drunk manwhore. It was too easy. We didn't even get too deep into the grovelling part. It was a quick affair thanks to this awesome "african-american" family. They're the Cosbys.
A few meet-and-greet with the family and we're back in the saddle. The guy doesn't even doubt once that she will take him back. I didn't doubt. It was that predictable. Don't be mistaken, I love characters with flaws... Well-rounded characters who are not perfect... Selfish characters... Self-centered... even... But I love a good storyline to go with all that even more.
The guy is not independent. His car is a graduation gift. He relies on his family's money for everything. He is basically pampered by his mom who spies on him. She doesn't let him do groceries, laundry, anything...not even choose his own girlfriend. I mean it's scraped on the surface but not nearly as developed as Reyes's ambitions and the problem she could have with her mom. Worse, they are made to appear sexy and desirable traits. They are not sexy factors. They are deal breakers. Why a girl as independant as Reye who owns her home, drives her own car, pays her own bills etc would want to waste her time on this guy? Yes he is cute. But Pandas are cute too. Still, you don't want one at home. Who wants to raise a manchild, a spoiled one at that? If Reye kept it real and gave him a bit of hell for it...I'd be down for the ride. But mostly she kept drooling over this guy as if he was the most amazing guy in the world and you never get exactly understand why.
His fear of commitment, his lack of independence and ambitions for himself, this should have been part of the book in addition of the racial-multicultural issues because then, I'd have no problems giving this five stars. Ultimately the characters are enticing, the story has heart and soul. I love Sam. He was a good confident. I wish my brother was more like him. I kept picturing young yummy taye diggs. The secondary characters were well-done.
I also found interesting that she didn't have any girlfriend to talk to. It suited the character well. It explained her lack of social graces at times. She didn't play coy or demure. She was kind of a tomboy. It was refreshing.
She also exudes confidence which is something to be admire in another sistah. I like that she never questioned once that she was good enough for him in front of other girls. She sets a good example in that. She was comfortable in her skin and that's true beauty.
See, plenty of good things about this book. It's a three stars book I tell you.
-------------
PS: I almost forgot. I was confused at the pc-label repetitions... She is a latina...She is african-american...etc... I hope the writer grows out of it.
PS2: I hated that Stephen's father told him he had a black girlfriend that he didn't fight for. What What?
Is it a fetish that runs in the family? You cannot be serious.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2025
I'm not done with it yet but I will say this... this book is a wish fulfillment fantasy..
I said before that Stephen was pretty realistic to a point (attracted to a blk woman but not enough to committ only using her for sex and keeping company with racist people) and reye is realistic (too open about herself and her feelings willingly enters a situationship she knows won't end well and is too bold and delulu and easy) but they stop becoming realistic ehen they end up together in the end that's why it's wish fulfilment...in reality men like Stephen string women like reye along for years only to then marry a beth
I said before that Stephen was pretty realistic to a point (attracted to a blk woman but not enough to committ only using her for sex and keeping company with racist people) and reye is realistic (too open about herself and her feelings willingly enters a situationship she knows won't end well and is too bold and delulu and easy) but they stop becoming realistic ehen they end up together in the end that's why it's wish fulfilment...in reality men like Stephen string women like reye along for years only to then marry a beth
May 8, 2019
With this book, Ruthie Robinson won the 1st Annual Romance Writers Contest in 2010 that was sponsored by Sister2Sister and Genesis Press; the largest privately owned African-American book publishers. Ms Robinson is a terrific writer that keeps you reading and wanting more. The character development is terrific, with great descriptions and depth, so that they become real to the reader. In addition, I love that she deals straight on with the issue of race in our current world.
You can never go wrong reading anything by Ruthie Robinson!
You can never go wrong reading anything by Ruthie Robinson!
January 20, 2020
Reye & Her golden boy
This the book recommended to me by a friend and am glad I read it. This book is a quick read and it hold a lot of little gems. The book tells the story of Reye and her golden boy Stephen I thought the chemistry was just right from the characters. Look forward to reading the next book
This the book recommended to me by a friend and am glad I read it. This book is a quick read and it hold a lot of little gems. The book tells the story of Reye and her golden boy Stephen I thought the chemistry was just right from the characters. Look forward to reading the next book
February 21, 2021
O Ms. Robinsonnnnnn....
This book gave me all the feels I love, it was
1. Consistent
2. Romantically centered
3. Lit cast of secondary characters
4. Both sweet and intense
5. Believable
6. Left me yearning
7. O-so-Original
Thank you!!!
Encore!!!
This book gave me all the feels I love, it was
1. Consistent
2. Romantically centered
3. Lit cast of secondary characters
4. Both sweet and intense
5. Believable
6. Left me yearning
7. O-so-Original
Thank you!!!
Encore!!!
February 11, 2020
So booorrrring.
July 13, 2022
I've read this book a million times and it is still one of my favorites. ❤️
August 30, 2014
This book was a real nice surprise!!
See, I usually read the bad reviews first, to check if any of the book I intend to buy and read contain any of the (many) things that annoy me in this genre. And from the 1 star review I had read, it sounded not good. I was about to forget about the book but, I don't know why, I finally got it. And, damn, was I pleased I overlooked the bad review! This is a very good book; I really liked it.
1st thing : the writing is very good, it flows effortlessly, making us privy of the characters' inner thoughts and struggle without feeling it repetitive. The plot was simple without over the top dramas, but realistic conflicts.
2ndly, I really liked both leading characters. I liked that they didn't fall instantly in love, at first sight. I liked how they attraction grew, and how they acknowledged it. I liked that it took some time for deeper feelings to develop. And that they came to that realization at different moments. It felt realistic. And I like that the dynamics of their relationship was a it different than usual, that Stephen was the one having more issues than her.
I liked how we get to learn about Reye's life, studies, passions, outside of her relationship with Stephen. I really, really like Reye. I liked that she went for what she wanted, but never behaved crazy, yelling, or going into hysterics. I liked that she was both confident and unsure, sensitive and smart. I liked that she was such mature young girl. The only thing that bothered me a bit, about her, is how few interactions she had with her peers, outside of Sam, her brother, and Stephen. It felt as if she had no friends, either college/soccer friends, or even people she would just talk to after class, or even at her job. She was never showed interacting with people outside of her close circle. I wish she had had more social interactions on her own. But at the same time, not everybody is a social butterfly, so I supposed she was just a solitary person. That's why the way her relationship with Stephen developed, the fact they didn't went out much didn't felt too weird, even though I guess it was part of the unspoken "let's be casual" rule.
I also like Stephen. I liked that he wasn't an uber alpha male, despite his "golden boy" status. I don't think he was a big jerk (after all, he has always been honest with Reye about the status of their relationship), but he sure was a coward and at some point careless towards Reye. And I liked that he was flawed, that he was the one having issues, that after acting out, he got his shit together and decided to go for it.
Finally, I liked that there were no moustache twirling villain, that ultimately Reye and especially Stephen were always the one making choices, even when they were pressure. I liked that the characters who opposed them were given enough context and background to explain their actions. I wouldn't mind reading more about Joe, and the kids Reye was in charge of, especially Shonda and Shane...
I think some of the resolution was a tiny bit to easy : especially regarding Reye's family. And I would I have done without Stephen's father big reveal/past story : it felt a bit too much.
So yeah, that was a surprisingly very good read and I will now look out for more of Ruthie Robinson's work.
See, I usually read the bad reviews first, to check if any of the book I intend to buy and read contain any of the (many) things that annoy me in this genre. And from the 1 star review I had read, it sounded not good. I was about to forget about the book but, I don't know why, I finally got it. And, damn, was I pleased I overlooked the bad review! This is a very good book; I really liked it.
1st thing : the writing is very good, it flows effortlessly, making us privy of the characters' inner thoughts and struggle without feeling it repetitive. The plot was simple without over the top dramas, but realistic conflicts.
2ndly, I really liked both leading characters. I liked that they didn't fall instantly in love, at first sight. I liked how they attraction grew, and how they acknowledged it. I liked that it took some time for deeper feelings to develop. And that they came to that realization at different moments. It felt realistic. And I like that the dynamics of their relationship was a it different than usual, that Stephen was the one having more issues than her.
I liked how we get to learn about Reye's life, studies, passions, outside of her relationship with Stephen. I really, really like Reye. I liked that she went for what she wanted, but never behaved crazy, yelling, or going into hysterics. I liked that she was both confident and unsure, sensitive and smart. I liked that she was such mature young girl. The only thing that bothered me a bit, about her, is how few interactions she had with her peers, outside of Sam, her brother, and Stephen. It felt as if she had no friends, either college/soccer friends, or even people she would just talk to after class, or even at her job. She was never showed interacting with people outside of her close circle. I wish she had had more social interactions on her own. But at the same time, not everybody is a social butterfly, so I supposed she was just a solitary person. That's why the way her relationship with Stephen developed, the fact they didn't went out much didn't felt too weird, even though I guess it was part of the unspoken "let's be casual" rule.
I also like Stephen. I liked that he wasn't an uber alpha male, despite his "golden boy" status. I don't think he was a big jerk (after all, he has always been honest with Reye about the status of their relationship), but he sure was a coward and at some point careless towards Reye. And I liked that he was flawed, that he was the one having issues, that after acting out, he got his shit together and decided to go for it.
Finally, I liked that there were no moustache twirling villain, that ultimately Reye and especially Stephen were always the one making choices, even when they were pressure. I liked that the characters who opposed them were given enough context and background to explain their actions. I wouldn't mind reading more about Joe, and the kids Reye was in charge of, especially Shonda and Shane...
I think some of the resolution was a tiny bit to easy : especially regarding Reye's family. And I would I have done without Stephen's father big reveal/past story : it felt a bit too much.
So yeah, that was a surprisingly very good read and I will now look out for more of Ruthie Robinson's work.
February 23, 2017
I love this story!!
Great story and ive read it many times. Now if only there were a part 2 to update their story!!! I like how real they seem and everything wasnt so easy for them but they worked it out. Feels like the author is retelling her own experiences or something. one of my favorite stories.
Great story and ive read it many times. Now if only there were a part 2 to update their story!!! I like how real they seem and everything wasnt so easy for them but they worked it out. Feels like the author is retelling her own experiences or something. one of my favorite stories.
June 6, 2012
This story was pretty good. It's an interracial love college love story with believable characters. Likeable, though, is left to question. I both liked and disliked both main characters. The story is a HEA and both characters redeemed themselves. There weren't really outstanding parts to the story.
Stephen was surprisingly alpha-like in the bedroom. I was surprised because I didn't expect that from him, a man who kept Reye as a dirty secret. I did not think he respected Reye, even though he told her it was going to be casual. also I was disappointed in Reye with how incautious she was with herself.
Needless to say, both of them redeemed themselves and I was happy with the way the author did not make it a quick solution for the two of them. It was a good story all-in-all.
Stephen was surprisingly alpha-like in the bedroom. I was surprised because I didn't expect that from him, a man who kept Reye as a dirty secret. I did not think he respected Reye, even though he told her it was going to be casual. also I was disappointed in Reye with how incautious she was with herself.
Needless to say, both of them redeemed themselves and I was happy with the way the author did not make it a quick solution for the two of them. It was a good story all-in-all.
February 23, 2015
I know this is the author's first book so I will take it easy. But this book reminded me so much how I hate romantic novels. I'm currently in an interracial relationship, dealing with some of the same issues that Reye dealt with. But what bothered me the most was how predictable this book was. There was no doubt in my mind that they would get back together.
The plot was good, but I wished it would have focused more on their issues and how they overcame them rather than the sex. It seemed like every other moment they were thinking about how they could get into bed with each other.
So as a first novel, this wasn't bad. Could I have written a better story? Probably. But this was an ok start.
The plot was good, but I wished it would have focused more on their issues and how they overcame them rather than the sex. It seemed like every other moment they were thinking about how they could get into bed with each other.
So as a first novel, this wasn't bad. Could I have written a better story? Probably. But this was an ok start.
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