Trouble Don't Last Always

Against the Odds #1

by Francis Ray

Desperate to escape her abusive marriage, Lilly Crawford files for divorce, then slips away from her small east Texas hometown with little more than the clothes on her back. She points her twelve-year-old car east, hoping to find a new beginning. When her car breaks down in Louisiana, Lilly finds unexpected employment as the caregiver for a wealthy neurosurgeon named Adam Wakefield, who lost his sight in a recent carjacking. At first, this handsome, brooding man reminds her too much of the angry husband she left behind and she reminds him of how far he has fallen from the self-assured man he once was. But as the two spend long days together, an unexpected bond develops---one that will be deeply tested. For Lilly must confront her violent husband before she can ever hope to move on and truly discover a second chance at life and love.This stunning story is gripping and unforgettable tale told with Francis Ray's trademark emotion and passion.

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Contemporary, Abuse, Fiction, African American

368 pages, ebook

First published January 21, 2004

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

[Torri (BlackRomanceConnoisseur) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francis Ray’s writing just feels like it was made for me. I’m low-key a history nerd, so I like knowing all the little fine details about books, authors, and the lore, if you will.

Trouble Don’t Last Always was originally released under a different title: The Turning Point. And what’s so powerful about that is Francis Ray was so moved by the challenges people face in situations of domestic violence and abuse that she started a foundation with the same name. If I could love her more—my goodness. You can tell she was writing from a place of deep care.

This story was beautiful. Poignant. I love the way Francis Ray builds community around her protagonists. Yes, you have the central couple, but the side characters have weight too. Their lives, their choices, their nuance, it all weaves into the main story in such a meaningful way.

In this book, Adam loses his sight. He’s a doctor, and that loss shakes his identity. He’s trying to learn how to live with his disability. The Lilly is running from a marriage to a bad man, and after someone she deeply cares about passes away, that loss becomes her turning point. So she leaves. But it doesn’t go how she imagined and she ends up somewhere completely unexpected. It’s a right place, wrong time moment that turns out to be the best thing that could’ve happened.

I don’t want to give too much [more] away, but I love these characters. Their growth, their connection, the way they hold space for each other.

If you’ve never read a Francis Ray novel, please do. I am so grateful that she left her stories here with us. Her words live on and through them, so does she. May she rest in power. 🕊️

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story deserved every bit of the five stars I rated it! If not more! This was the most passionate love story I've ever read. What I loved was how Francis Ray didn't have to layer the story with sex scenes for the passion, desire, and love to come through. As soon as I started I couldn't put it down! You have a true feel for who the characters are. I'd recommend this story to everyone! There will be laughter, tears, and great lessons learned! Loved it!!

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot, it has a lot of heart and a good plot.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't too impressed with the storyline. As I thought about it more, I was going to re-rate it as a 4, but changed my mind. The reason why I chose to rate this book at a 3, was because I was able to finish it fairly quickly and I was kept engaged with the story all the way through, but that's where it stops.

This is a classic damsel in distress plot; fleeing an abusive husband, only to fall into the arms of another man. I feel like this story has been told in several different ways, and it always ends the same way. This book reminded me of the "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" and how SHE had to take care of her narcissistic, verbally abusive, irrational, terrorist of an ex-husband. However, in this story, the damsel (Lilly Crawford) finds herself not only fleeing from that type of husband, but right back into a similar situation... taking care of a blind, irrational, angry, narcissistic man who is dictatorial to say the least.

Personally though, I have to admit that I did resonate with the book in many ways because I, myself, had been in a similar abusive relationship with a narcissistic man, so that alone kept my interests sparked and I was hoping that she found her 'happily ever after' once she was able to find herself and find purpose to her life.

What I didn't like about this book was that it was very predictable! From the very beginning you can tell what's going to happen to each and every character. There was no twist plot, or surprise to the ending or through the book. To see Lilly and Adam get together in the end was expected... and even Adam's mother and Jonathan, that was also expected... it was bound to happen. Seeing Nicole scuttle off the scene was likely, and knowing that Kristen, Adam's sister, was naive and bound to fall for anything since she had a void in her life since her father died, was typical. The only thing that surprised me was that Odette and Samuel never came back to the house after Odette's fractured ankle.

Overall, I wasn't impressed with the book, but it was a page turner. The romance scenes were not graphic, nor were they hot and steamy... maybe for a prude they probably are hot and steamy... but I'm no prude, so they were pretty boring and abstract. It got a bit 'cringey' at the end when Lilly and Adam were trying to express their feelings, along with Eleanor and Jonathan... the wording was just a bunch of rainbows and clouds... Lilly's mindset was irritating, but I guess that should be expected since her self-worth had tanked with the help of ex-husband Myron. She didn't really believe in herself or in love after Myron and couldn't believe the man she spent practically every waking moment with (Adam) would not love her after what she did to help him bounce back from his blindness. She was pretty pathetic in that regards, and never really gave it a chance until Adam proposed to her at the very end.

I'm not a romance enthusiast to say the least, and I read this book for a book club, so it wouldn't be my first choice, but I have read other books by this author and I don't really remember any that stood out. I'm just not a fan... Other reviews I've seen on here show a 5 star rating, but maybe because I'm jaded and having went through a similar situation, this just didn't impress me.

[TheBookstress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I loved this story. It was everything a romantic book should be. I would give it more stars if I could. I found myself literally in all of the female characters. This is my first book by Francis Ray. Getting ready to start book 2 and hope it warms my heart and soul as the first. For all those hopeless romantics out there this one is for you. Black, professionals and wealth and down to earth characters at its finest. I did not grow up in a close knit family so this book allowed me to belong to one as long as I had that book in my hand.

[chaniqua lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I have been a fan of Francis Ray for many years. I miss easily being able to find her books in print locally. Now I have to mostly do digital and the price is not cheap. This is definitely worth it though. I stayed up late and stole every moment I could to finish this book in 2 days while running behind 3 kids.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Francis Ray, but I wish there was more details or story towards the end after they say ”I love you” the ending seems rushed and summarized. I wanted the story to go more in depth when his vision had changed and the reactions to the changes.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

There hasn't been a book from Francis Ray that I didn't enjoy, and I totally miss her and her work. This book touched on domestic violence, which eradicating it is a passion of mine. This was such a phenomenal read and very enjoyable.

[Aubreyann Miller-ralph]

My first Francis Ray book and I enjoyed it.

[Rainy Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book more stars but I just couldn't!!!

The story was about a woman running away from an abusive husband after the death of her beloved mother in law (who was a kind and loving soul that made it so easy to like her and feel sad for her death) only to end up with a broken down car in the middle of the high way. She then decides to ask for help and starts searching for it until she comes across the house of a recently blinded neurosurgeon who is so bitter and full of rage. After hearing that his desperate mother is searching for someone to take care of her son for thousand dollars a week, she jumps on the chance to have the job. And she starts helping the H in regaining as much of his independence as possible, while their relationship begins to gradually develop from hate to a hesitant friendship to romance.

The story-line was good if not a little predictable from here, and the writing style showed different point of views, which gave the reader a more engaging experience.


The only two thing that annoyed me the most were:

1- The overkill description of the women in the book at every turn ... Well, THAT WAS SO ANNOYING AND MEANINGLESS!!! THIS IS NOT A CONTEST IN WRITING AS MUCH WORDS AS YOU CAN!!!
2- The ridiculous and totally irrational coincidence that almost all of the characters were "black", It gives off the impression that the author was trying so hard to put together as much "black" characters as she can, even when it wasn't necessary at all to give a description of the character on hand in the first place. Needless to say that describing people could not be summed up in "black" an "White"!! THIS IS NOT A DESCRIPTION AT ALL!!, It was so unrealistic and uncalled for. For me, it was a turn off in the book!

[Laverne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes love blooms in the darkest of places!

Lilly Crawford unhappily married to an abusive husband, and desperately in need of money to dissolve their union. Finds herself fleeing for her life to establish her new beginning. But sometime fate throws a wrench in our plans! During her escape, her vehicle dies and in a strange town, Lilly finds herself at a stranger’s doorstep.

Proud and prominent neurosurgeon Dr. Adam Wakefield, who brings relief to patients suffering from different types of disorders of the nervous system, has been carjacked! In addition to this his attacker has left him blind! What will he do? Will the man whose patients depend on him be able to depend on someone else for help?

We know that GOD puts people in our lives for a reason and these two strangers whose paths cross at probably the worst times in their lives will find out why. Though the road they tread is tumultuous, eventually trust and ultimately love grows; mending where brokenness dwelled.

Author Frances Ray shines a light on 2 lives that need saving revealing that love can grow from the darkest of situations, blossoming into something beautiful!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were believable and their plight kept me interested in their story.

This book was provided by the author for the purpose of this review.

Melody Vernor-Bartel

Readers Paradise

5 Bookmarks

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

trouble don't last always by Francis Ray
woman leaver her abusive husband but the car breaks down and she walks to a house within 3 miles of where her car is.
she ends up getting a job there taking care of a neurosurgeon that has recently gone blind. they discover that he can
do other things and do them well. she proceeds with her divorce long distance and does get her car out of the shop.
she enjoys helping him live with his blindness with aids available.. she pursues her career and schooling while he
is praying for his sight to come back supporting her with everything she does.
rate this a 5 for the vision problems as i am blind they hit home. also not one but several romances n the book.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

trouble don't last always by Francis Ray
woman leaver her abusive husband but the car breaks down and she walks to a house within 3 miles of where her car is.
she ends up getting a job there taking care of a neurosurgeon that has recently gone blind. they discover that he can
do other things and do them well. she proceeds with her divorce long distance and does get her car out of the shop.
she enjoys helping him live with his blindness with aids available.. she pursues her career and schooling while he
is praying for his sight to come back supporting her with everything she does.
rate this a 5 for the vision problems as i am blind they hit home. also not one but several romances n the book.

[Michelle Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book about 10 years ago and I remember loving it but to be honest I couldn't remember much more, so I decided to read it again. The second time around and I love this story just as much as I did the first time. This story shows many good life lessons. It teaches the importance of family, love, faith, courage and so much more. I fell in love with all the characters, especially Lilly and Adam. Their love story is so touching and I couldn't help but smile as these two blossomed together and overcame their problems together. I loved it from beginning to end and I plan to check out more books by Francis Ray.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read this book, it was a good novel, it showed how tragedy can sometime make you forget whats important, the main male character was a promininet neurosurgeon who lost his eyesight when he was carjacked, he needed a care taker but was very bitter, mean and not easy to get along with. the female main character was a woman who was escaping an abusive relationship and finally started to find herself, she had low self worth and esteem, this was an excellently written novel.

[Afrijewel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This an interesting love story. I remember it very well. A blind man and a woman running away from her abusive husband. Her car just happens to break down in Lousiana and from there all of God's plans for her begin to blossom. In the end, the blind man is no longer....it's a good read, trust me.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story! I loved this book and how the storyline developed. I loved Lilly and Adam's relationship. I liked the influence Lilly had not only on Adam but the rest if the family too. Such a lovely ending too.

[SassyMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Amazing

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book with believable characters and just the right amount of romantic tension. I would definitely recommend it.

[Danelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, it was a page turner kept me up way past my bedtime tonight reading it. It was a nice little love story.

[Phano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites. I have read this book sevearal times.

[Moneik Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Francis Ray wrote in a very eloquent way but conveyed each characters feeling throughout this novel!

[Breanna Essoi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the whole book in about 8 hours. Interesting story, good characters, great read!

[Shathara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Same story as Francis Ray's "The Turning Point"

[Cf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I hope there is a sequel.

[India Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Roaring Leo]

I absolute love this book, from start to end. The characters were really relatable and I just wanted to root for them.

[Mariah Kingsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever

[Michelle M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vey funny and witting novel. I would recommend it.