If You Were My Man: A Novel

Invincible Women #6

by Francis Ray

Nathalyia Fontaine has been the sole proprietor of the restaurant Fontaine since her husband died four years ago. She hasn't dated anyone in all those years, choosing not to open her heart again, or risk revealing her dark past. That is, until she meets Rafael Dunlap.

Rafael is a hostage negotiator with his own set of problems. Though he loves women, he vows he'll never marry because his job is just too unpredictable. He can't imagine leaving a widow and children behind. But his thinking and game plan of loving and leaving changes when he meets Nathalyia. Though she tries to resist him, Rafael sweeps her into a whirlwind romance. When the unexpected happens, and Nathalyia is forced to keep it a secret, she ends things with Rafael before he can break her heart. But when Rafael is in harms way, will Nathalyia resolve to tell him the truth before it's too late? Or will past demons keep them apart forever?

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, African American

322 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2010

About the author

Francis Ray was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling African-American writer of romance novels. Her literary fiction series – Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends – have consistently made bestseller's lists. She was born in Richland, Texas, and studied nursing, receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1967. She began writing in 1987, while continuing to work as a nurse, and had her first book published in 1992.

AWARDS
Romantic Times Career Achievement
EMMA
The Golden Pen
The Atlantic Choice
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award Winners for AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE Reviewers' Choice Awards – Best Books Not Even If You Begged, St. Martin's Griffin (February 2008)
Borders 2008 Bestselling Multicultural Romance Award for Nobody but You
Written's 2010 Readers Choice Book of the Year for If You Were My Man

Reviews

[Francis Ray]

IF YOU WERE MY MAN has gone into it's 2nd printing.
Thank you!

[Shauna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't get why this book has such a high rating. It sucked in my opinion. The writing itself was sub-par, very robotic and almost scripted. It followed the "romance" format to a tee: girl meets boy, they fall in love, some kind of adversity to overcome, happily ever after. It was boring. It had no imagination. It was predictable and I wish I could get my life back that I wasted reading it. I KEPT reading it because I'd thought surely something was going to happen. It kept alluding to something fantastically evil that was to be carried out by the sister but alas, that whole subplot ending took about 1.5 pages and was again very typical & predictable. The whole praying before meals in restaurants thing was off-putting, especially since this isn't even touted as a Christian book and certainly nothing else they did in the book was anything you'd find in a Christian novel. If you're looking for a good book that will keep you interested this isn't it. Read something by one of the great romance writers: Norah Roberts, Julie Garland, LaVyrle Spencer, Jude Deveraux, anything but this garbage.

[SassyMama · Rating 4 out of 5]

If You Were My Man...simply WONDERFUL...I LOVE the Dunlap Men...and the women ain't too bad either...LOL...once I got some uninterrupted time the story just flowed across the pages....couldn't put it down...and the secondary cast of characters as usual is quite COLORFUL...and I'm so glad Theresa gets her just desserts...she is a REAL piece of work...and I ABSOLUTELY enjoyed Clarice and Jake...they were too CUTE and HILARIOUS...once AGAIN Mrs. Ray crafts an ENGAGING fairy-tale-like HEA...so, now that all the Dunlap brothers are married or paired up...any ideas who or what's next for the Invincible Women series...I HOPE this isn't the end of this series.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this one was a good read. I was really looking forward to reading Rafael's story and it was definitely worth the wait for me. Rafael was determined he wasn't going to fall in love like his brothers did and he was so wrong. I really liked the other characters in the book especially Jake and Clarice. I am definitely looking forward to reading the next novel by Ms. Ray.

[Marina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book was ok, the cover of the book was nothing like the actual book. A little misleading.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really care for the book - story could have been much better as the plot was ok.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

i think this book was really slow to read, i like my action up front!

[Beverly Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My man forever

I enjoyed read it this book it keep me wonder when both of will wake up and realize that that love each. The responsibility of a restaurant for Nathalyia and Rafael was excellent. Jake and Clarify was also outstanding too. Secrets can hurt if they don't come out first, excellent!!!

[Annalicia Taylur || pagesescape · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was extremely boring at the beginning and extremely hard for me to get through. Took me almost a month to complete this book. The plots only got entertaining close to the end. The writing was robotic.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my I just love Francis Ray. I had this book on my bookshelf at home and something told me to grab it and read it. This is one of those books that I didn't want to put down. The characters in this book remind me of some people that I know in my life.
It wasn't the thug lovin', drug, sex and crime books that I am use to reading. It's is good to change up every once in a while. I look forward to reading more books by Francis Ray.

[Jadaloves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francis Ray has a unique way of weaving a story together that draws you in and keeps you entertained. There is always something about the story that makes you want to know more. She managed to do that with this book as usual. Although the story was simple and predictable, it was still entertaining and engaging.

I love that Nathalyia is a strong woman who owns her own business. But despite this she is not a shrew or a hardened task master. Although she requires the best from her employees, she also cares deeply for others, and is willing to work and grind just as hard and long as they do. I love that she takes an interest in children with terminal illnesses particularly sickle cell. Since I was born with sickle cell myself, it was interesting to read about the situation in a fictional novel.

I also really like Rafael although he is very reminiscent of some of Ray’s other fictional leading men. I think it’s great that he is so close to his family of four brothers, and even has a great realtionship with his brother’s wives. He’s not above taking advice from his sister-in-law, or some teasing or hard lessons from his brothers and co-workers.

Ray keeps it interesting by having a trifling sister of Nathalyia’s appear and guilting her into helping her. She also throws is a little side story involving a couple of the supporting characters. But the side story did not overshadow or take away from the main story. As a matter of fact I will say that the side story actually enhanced the overall plot and story.

I only had a couple issues with the book. First, in almost every instance the book used the word through, it was misspelled though instead. I wonder how almost all of them were missed, but it was pretty distracting at times. Another issue, of which I’ve grown accustomed to when reading her books, is that sometimes the language and scenes were just a little bit too mushy for my taste. Other than that, still a great read. This is a nice easygoing book to read on a lazy summer day or if you’re in the mood for a little romance.

[Gypsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I Were Your Man is the story of Nathalyia Fontaine and Rafael Dunlap finding love in each others arms. In this page turner, Francis Ray, true to form, incorporates a hint of suspense and uneasiness to the romance. In If I Were Your Man, the main characters are drawn to each other despite very different backgrounds. What starts as an affair quickly develops into something much more. The novel asks the question, “Should we be ruled by fear or love?"

As with similar romance novels, secondary characters lack dimension, there is not a substantial back-story, and the plot is somewhat predictable. However, the story unfolds nicely and at an acceptable pace. Ray is an expert at making reader feel at home and comfortable inside the story. The reader will at times identify with each main character and will be drawn to the lushness of the situations described. If I Were Your Man is a quick read and great for a lazy Saturday afternoon. Francis Ray continues to be a go to author for African American Romance. Romance enthusiasts and novice alike will enjoy this book.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! The story was romantic & sweet, not sure if it was what I expected based on the teaser chapter I read before deciding to buy but sweet & romantic nonetheless. I loved the interaction between Rafael & Nathalyia, I've been reading so many books that are more about the sex (not that i'm complaining heavily) than the story itself that I found it very refreshing the way the didn't just jump into the sack. She held out for a bit and they actually dated and that gives readers the chance to understand each character more. Sure parts of it were a bit typical, like her initial reaction the pregnancy. Again this is one of those conflicts in a plot that I am really, really over but all in all I would still recommend this book. The development of the characters felt believable, the secondary characters contributed enough to be noticed but they didn't overshadow or threaten to overshadow the protagonists, not every author can balance that. The story line with Nath's sister could have used more development but still a very good read.

[Vacirca Vaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good romance. At first I was a little distracted trying to read other novels as I read this (rushing to avoid fees at the library). However, once I gave this my full attention it was good. Francis Ray is a household name when it comes to romance and she did not disappoint. It wasn't a novel I'd rush to Hollywood to turn into a movie, but it was entertaining. The main characters--Nathalyia and Rafael--were gorgeous, sexy, successful, loving, but with troubled histories that caused them to make drastic decisions that threatened to keep the lovebirds apart. I appreciated the author's ability to highlight their flaws in a way that made them human while you still rooted for them. As always, the characters came to their senses and all was well in Lala land. *swoon* It's a great novel to curl up with at the beach or a nice, breezy summer day in the backyard on a hammock. It didn't stress me out and it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat. It relaxed me as I fantasized about the lovely world of romance--as it was supposed to do. Overall it was sweet.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will read anything that Francis Ray writes. She is one of my favorite romance authors. Some of her books, though, straddle the line between romance and women's fiction. This is one of them.


If You Were My Man is about Nathalyia Fontaine, the proprietress of a popular restaurant that she started with her late husband. Since his death, she has put everything she has into the running of the business (and running from her past) with little time left for anything or anyone else. Likewise, Rafael Dunlap, a hostage negotiator, has made his career his main focus. Because of the dangerous nature of his job, he avoids serious relationships and marriage so he doesn't hurt anyone. However, the two can't deny the spark between them and embark on a romance that is threatened by circumstances from Nathalyia's past.


Another winner from Francis Ray.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a rich environment where the characters are richly formed. The story takes us on a journey where you know the foibles of the main characters.
Nathalyia is a dynamo as the owner of the restaurant Fontaine. However, she has no social life. Is there a man that can compete or understand the life she has built for herself? Rafael Dunlap is a man who has come to a cross road in his life. Will he continue to be a love them and leave them kind of man? He is not the typical player by any means. It is just that unknown emotional hurts might stop him from claiming the woman he adores.
These are the questions that this story answers. I also loved the interactions of the secondary characters. They are touching and sometimes humorous. Yes, these are the people that help kick our main characters in gear and in some cases get their own happily ever after.

[Vonetta Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters. This was a good story. Natalya needed passionate love and Rafael needed a woman to make him reconsider his stance on family even though he has a great one himself.

In the end they found their way back to each other which included marriage and a baby and the best of all-deep passionate love. ❤️ 💗💗

[Racquel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I really fell into the story and lives of Officer Dunlap and Mrs. Fontaine. I also really enjoyed the relationship between Clarice and Jake. They were really cute :)I pretty much loved everything about this book with the expecption of one thing. I didn't like how towards the end, Rafael took forever to make up his mind. For some reason I felt like it was dragging. But other than that, it was great :)

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book became stupid very quickly. I was feeling the chemistry between Nat and Rafael but the conflict that drove them apart was completely dumb. I'm not looking for a grand twist with my romances but I appreciate a little bit of thought. This seemed forced and directionless. The saving grace of the novel was the relationship with Clarice and Jake. I would have loved the book more if it was told from their POVs only.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

If You Were My Man by Francis Ray
Mathailda owns the prestigus restaurant in South Carolina.
Rafael is on duty with his special ops buddies, he mostly talks others down or out of the line of fire.
They have started dating and family gets in the way. Her sister is in town and bad things start happening at the restaurant.
And now she is pregnant.
His sisters and family come to the rescue towards the end of the book to get them both to realize what's important.

[Savannah Hendricks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read one of "these" books, but so far, it's pretty darn great LOL

[Akima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good, It's amazing how true love always finds its way through any situation. I love the Dunlap men in this novel and the writing is excellent

[ChaosDuchess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Read straight through the last half - up til 3am!

[Ashley♥Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read an "African American Romance" before but it didn't seem any different from a normal romance. The story wasn't bad and the characters were enjoyable.

[Shelita · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT WAS OKAY KINDA WAS DRAGGED TOWARDS THE END THOUGH =}

[Chere' Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishes that she would have let the chips fall where they may and not have the characters beat around the bush. I liked the book, not as good as I know who holds tomorrow. That is a good BOOK!!!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books I think back on from time to time and remember...it was clever, sweet, and had a good storyline. I generally like this author...need to find more by her!

[Michelle Chavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I couldn't put it down. The Dunlap men are something else! And they take care of their women. Kinda sad this is the last one in the series.

[Ravenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is filled with hope ford single women. Stay true to yourself and wait on the right person, things will work out for the good! If the plot in this book is to be believed.

[Kali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read so many dry books lately it was time for a quick guilty pleasure! I'm not ashamed!