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A Personal Matter
The acclaimed 2004 interracial love story is finally an ebook! Ben "Ice Man" Richards is hated and feared at the Atlanta law firm of Hughes Weston and Moore where he's only one big case away from making partner. But when his assistant and secretary both quit rather than take another second of his abuse, he's paired with Alayna Jackson, a young black paralegal with "issues" of her own. When fire meets ice, the steam practically rises off the page as Alayna and Ben discover the pleasure of the business of loving each other.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2021
116 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Karyn Langhorne Folan
26 books93 followersKaryn Langhorne Folan graduated from Harvard Law School and after practicing and teaching law for several years, decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. She is the author of twenty-one books and counting, including three young adult titles for the popular Bluford High series, four romance novels, several works of nonfiction. She has also been the ghostwriter for personalities in the entertainment and music industries. She is married and has two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 22, 2017
Not good at ALL
The romance behind this story was impossible to get behind. It was hard to read because of the way it made all white people seem. I understand the struggle and how it's hard for people if other races to understand the black plight, however, at no point do I think that it is acceptable to act with hatred and unfiltered prednisone towards people who've done nothing to you. I also thought that this story was not one of love. The conversations between the h and H were just awful. The "supposed" chemistry was a lot of banter that had hateful racist undertones. And the first sex scene was just bad. When she got a look at his penis she called it a "pink banana" and proceeded to think that he needed to keep his clothes on. She also at one point thought of him as a hairy Neanderthal. It was just bad, mostly because how are we as the readers supposed to be attracted to the H. How are we supposed to fall in love with him as she does if she shudders when she looks at his body. This author is clearly out of touch and doesn't understand love, or interracial love. The writing was stifling, the love and chemistry wasn't there, the secondary characters were pretty much irrelevant. The woman in this story was hateful, prejudice, and just horrible. I hated this story.
The romance behind this story was impossible to get behind. It was hard to read because of the way it made all white people seem. I understand the struggle and how it's hard for people if other races to understand the black plight, however, at no point do I think that it is acceptable to act with hatred and unfiltered prednisone towards people who've done nothing to you. I also thought that this story was not one of love. The conversations between the h and H were just awful. The "supposed" chemistry was a lot of banter that had hateful racist undertones. And the first sex scene was just bad. When she got a look at his penis she called it a "pink banana" and proceeded to think that he needed to keep his clothes on. She also at one point thought of him as a hairy Neanderthal. It was just bad, mostly because how are we as the readers supposed to be attracted to the H. How are we supposed to fall in love with him as she does if she shudders when she looks at his body. This author is clearly out of touch and doesn't understand love, or interracial love. The writing was stifling, the love and chemistry wasn't there, the secondary characters were pretty much irrelevant. The woman in this story was hateful, prejudice, and just horrible. I hated this story.
May 11, 2020
A lot of emotions
This was a interesting romance between Ali and Ice . It took a while before I say a connection or chemistry but when it happened I was pleasantly happy for them . I felt bad for Alayna and what she had to endure at such a young age . I definitely wanted to slap Tiney a couple of times . Over all a good intellectual romance
This was a interesting romance between Ali and Ice . It took a while before I say a connection or chemistry but when it happened I was pleasantly happy for them . I felt bad for Alayna and what she had to endure at such a young age . I definitely wanted to slap Tiney a couple of times . Over all a good intellectual romance
January 11, 2019
This was my first book from this author and I enjoyed it. I did feel like it was a little slow in developing the relationship, and there wasn't a lot of meat that made it seem like their relationship was all that great, but it was still interesting. Good book
August 3, 2019
Good
Really enjoyed well written liked the characters and rooted for them. Good balance in terms of thoughts on race and couples.
Really enjoyed well written liked the characters and rooted for them. Good balance in terms of thoughts on race and couples.
April 27, 2021
Unexpected Treasure
I absolutely LOVE this book. It's outrageousely funny and sexy and heartbreaking and so so REAL. I saw so much of the women in my family and community in the Black female characters. It truly was like having a conversation with a friend rather than reading a book about strangers. And Alyana's interactions with Ice (Ben) are the open meaningful honest conversations people of color wish they coud have with their White coworkers and friends, but rarely get the opportunity to have. Ms. Karyn exhibits an incite into people and our hidden beliefs/thoughts that doesn't place blame on any one group. Rather, it forces us to self-evaluate and confront our unknown demons to create authentic relationships. Ms Karyn Langhorne Falon is definitely going on my favorite authors list.
I absolutely LOVE this book. It's outrageousely funny and sexy and heartbreaking and so so REAL. I saw so much of the women in my family and community in the Black female characters. It truly was like having a conversation with a friend rather than reading a book about strangers. And Alyana's interactions with Ice (Ben) are the open meaningful honest conversations people of color wish they coud have with their White coworkers and friends, but rarely get the opportunity to have. Ms. Karyn exhibits an incite into people and our hidden beliefs/thoughts that doesn't place blame on any one group. Rather, it forces us to self-evaluate and confront our unknown demons to create authentic relationships. Ms Karyn Langhorne Falon is definitely going on my favorite authors list.
July 24, 2017
Funny
The main character comes off very judgmental,opinionated and brainwashed...she came across as a bigoted jaded black female....which was unflattering because she is intelligent enough to know better..I get that she had a tremendous responsibility that fell on her young shoulders..I get that the chip on her shoulder was a mountain...but her thoughts about people who did not have her skin color was kinda disappointing..I do get that self preservation is important...but so is meeting your soul mate....no matter what the color of their skin is...it is very amusing which kept me going to end....that and maybe Ben's unrelenting power of persuasion for Alayna...maybe his positivity will rub off on her....someday
The main character comes off very judgmental,opinionated and brainwashed...she came across as a bigoted jaded black female....which was unflattering because she is intelligent enough to know better..I get that she had a tremendous responsibility that fell on her young shoulders..I get that the chip on her shoulder was a mountain...but her thoughts about people who did not have her skin color was kinda disappointing..I do get that self preservation is important...but so is meeting your soul mate....no matter what the color of their skin is...it is very amusing which kept me going to end....that and maybe Ben's unrelenting power of persuasion for Alayna...maybe his positivity will rub off on her....someday
June 17, 2021
An engaging, funny and intelligent read!
I have been looking for other novels written by Karyn Langhorne. Since reading Unfinished Business years ago, I fell in love with her characters. I felt for them, laughed with them and cried with them. This book did not disappoint.
I have been looking for other novels written by Karyn Langhorne. Since reading Unfinished Business years ago, I fell in love with her characters. I felt for them, laughed with them and cried with them. This book did not disappoint.
July 24, 2021
A personal matter
Always distrustful Alayna can't bring herself to trust white people even though most of her issues with them are legitimate. As a black person in corporate America you have to work harder than your counterparts. She walk around her office space with a chip on her shoulder, until she is assigned to work with ice man. He gets to see what her anime life is like and he lets her in on what is keeping him up at night as well. They come together help each other and fall in love. Ice helped her to realized she can't protect her sister(daughter) from every mistake she will make and help her to live her own life.
Always distrustful Alayna can't bring herself to trust white people even though most of her issues with them are legitimate. As a black person in corporate America you have to work harder than your counterparts. She walk around her office space with a chip on her shoulder, until she is assigned to work with ice man. He gets to see what her anime life is like and he lets her in on what is keeping him up at night as well. They come together help each other and fall in love. Ice helped her to realized she can't protect her sister(daughter) from every mistake she will make and help her to live her own life.
May 16, 2021
Great storyline and characters!😍
A Personal Matter wasn't rushed. The flow of this story was perfect. This author is fantastic storyteller!! I'm ready for other good reads by her!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
A Personal Matter wasn't rushed. The flow of this story was perfect. This author is fantastic storyteller!! I'm ready for other good reads by her!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
July 8, 2022
This book was lowkey/highkey a little racist. I think my main qualm is that they kept trying to throw reverse racism scenarios in there to make Alayna seem unreasonable , but 9/10 she was right for being skeptical. Linc had his issues, and we'll get to that but trust that thing he said about a black person not being able to get away with what Ben did at the office was absolutely correct I had to take off 1 star for the racial dynamics in this book there was just..... alot. I removed another star for the use of the f- slur and the mild homophobia. The redeeming quality of this book was how solid the plot was. Martine's entitelment was just the right amount of blood boiling. I didn't like how her situation was resolved, but I think it served its purpose in that we had to see Alayna not really have eerything pan out exactly as she wanted it to and give up some control in that way. This book would've been four stars if they had excluded the racial dynamics and maybe made it a little smuttier. 2/5
August 7, 2021
This is my first time reading a book written by Karyn Langhorne Folan. It started out a little slow at first but picked up by midway and became interesting. It focuses on racism and prejudices that many people have no matter their race. Alayna Jackson frustrated me a bit and her constant thinking of negativity towards others made her difficult to deal with especially at first with her man, Ben aka "Ice or Freezer". She also had difficulties letting go of her younger sister and allowing her to grow up and learn from her own mistakes. Alayna had a lot on her plate when it came to raising her sister after the death of their mom. I commend her for that. But, I am glad that she and Ice as well as her sister got their HEA! It took a while! It was a good read!
April 8, 2021
Great Story
This is my second book by this author. At the beginning of the book, the Author reminded us that the book was relatively old and that it might seem dated. However, the book did not seem dated at all. It was emotional and funny at the same time. Ben and Alayna worked at the same law firm. They were paired together on a big case. They were both prickly but fell in love.
This is my second book by this author. At the beginning of the book, the Author reminded us that the book was relatively old and that it might seem dated. However, the book did not seem dated at all. It was emotional and funny at the same time. Ben and Alayna worked at the same law firm. They were paired together on a big case. They were both prickly but fell in love.
April 18, 2023
Heartbreaking
This is a story of both romantic love and parental love. The twist that shows how the love for your parent as they struggle through the stages of dementia. This story was told from true events in such a struggle with this decease. As we grow our family we never expect to have to care for our parents the way they cared for us from birth and into adulthood. The love story along with empathy gave me a tingle. Office gossip is ugly and can ruin a person's image.
This is a story of both romantic love and parental love. The twist that shows how the love for your parent as they struggle through the stages of dementia. This story was told from true events in such a struggle with this decease. As we grow our family we never expect to have to care for our parents the way they cared for us from birth and into adulthood. The love story along with empathy gave me a tingle. Office gossip is ugly and can ruin a person's image.
May 19, 2021
High enjoyable and mature
I can see why the author did not make changes. This is a really good book and ends on a strong note. I really like the chemistry between the hero and heroine. The little sister's spoiledness is understandable and I really like her boyfriend. Looking forward to another book by this author.
I can see why the author did not make changes. This is a really good book and ends on a strong note. I really like the chemistry between the hero and heroine. The little sister's spoiledness is understandable and I really like her boyfriend. Looking forward to another book by this author.
July 17, 2021
Black and white overkill
Wow, this story is really dated. The whole race card issue was just too much. Everything revolved around the issue of color. Also, Alayna was portrayed as your stereotypical angry black female. I’m so tired of that rhetoric.Then the story just dragged on and on. It was okay but I probably won’t get caught up in any more of her books.
Wow, this story is really dated. The whole race card issue was just too much. Everything revolved around the issue of color. Also, Alayna was portrayed as your stereotypical angry black female. I’m so tired of that rhetoric.Then the story just dragged on and on. It was okay but I probably won’t get caught up in any more of her books.
January 15, 2020
Enjoyed
Started a bit slowly, and some references were lost on me as I'm English. That said it was a well written and for me informative read. Will look out for more of this author's work.
Started a bit slowly, and some references were lost on me as I'm English. That said it was a well written and for me informative read. Will look out for more of this author's work.
December 13, 2020
Ali and Ice. What a pair. They both started out rough and seemingly unredeemable, but over time and with a little knowledge they softened up. There were some cringe-worthy moments and comments, but the story held. I've read their story three times and in a few months I will revisit it again.
May 21, 2021
So many hangups
Alayna had so many hangups it was hard to get past them. I enjoyed her at moments once she and Ben got together but it took a really long time for them to get together. The side plots completely took away from the couple’s story.
Alayna had so many hangups it was hard to get past them. I enjoyed her at moments once she and Ben got together but it took a really long time for them to get together. The side plots completely took away from the couple’s story.
August 12, 2021
Finished
This book was slow torture. A possible good read one moment and confusing the next. Also, where was the romance. I finished the book and I’m also finished with this author!
This book was slow torture. A possible good read one moment and confusing the next. Also, where was the romance. I finished the book and I’m also finished with this author!
November 12, 2021
So Freaking Awesome
Ms Langhorne is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her characters bounce with energy. The dialogue flows naturally and the banter is pitch perfect. The romance builds at a good pace. Race is dealt with realistically. I highly recommend this book!
Ms Langhorne is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her characters bounce with energy. The dialogue flows naturally and the banter is pitch perfect. The romance builds at a good pace. Race is dealt with realistically. I highly recommend this book!
May 6, 2025
My 7th time reading
I have this in paperback and loved it. When it came out in ebook, I was more than happy to have it again.
A joy to read. The humor is cracking and the romance is slow and blooming. I’ve reread her other books and just as terrific.
I have this in paperback and loved it. When it came out in ebook, I was more than happy to have it again.
A joy to read. The humor is cracking and the romance is slow and blooming. I’ve reread her other books and just as terrific.
July 23, 2017
Review to follow ... eventually. ☺
September 10, 2019
First Try
This was my first book by this author and I am very impressed. I loved the depth she gave the characters. I loved ice and Ali’s relationship it was so real.
This was my first book by this author and I am very impressed. I loved the depth she gave the characters. I loved ice and Ali’s relationship it was so real.
May 6, 2020
Good read
Enjoyed reading this book. Story line was good. But not enough sex. And the romance took too long to come about. However, I would still recommend this book.
Enjoyed reading this book. Story line was good. But not enough sex. And the romance took too long to come about. However, I would still recommend this book.
April 28, 2021
Enjoyable
I loved this cute and funny story. When I say funny I mean laugh out loud funny. I loved the characters in this story.
I loved this cute and funny story. When I say funny I mean laugh out loud funny. I loved the characters in this story.
May 3, 2021
Great book!
Wonderfully crafted story. An absolutely refreshing read. The author is genius with the hilarious delivery of the story! I'm excited to read more of her work.
Wonderfully crafted story. An absolutely refreshing read. The author is genius with the hilarious delivery of the story! I'm excited to read more of her work.
September 10, 2021
Sometime one must face the fact we are all the same under the skin.
September 25, 2021
They went from combative enemies to aggressive, borderline disrespectful lovers. Sorry, I just didn’t feel the love.
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May 6, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/6/2022)! 🎁
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews