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Never Say Never
When she falls for Tyler, a white attorney, Desiree, a paralegal at a small Connecticut law firm, is torn between her family, who would never accept her dating a white man, racial intolerance, and love. Original.
342 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 12, 2010
Warning: major RANT ahead.
I have had this book on my TBR for along time and was pretty stoked to read it. But I hadn't even gotten through the first several chapters when I felt the book turn majorly sour on me.
If I had a checklist of all the things I absolutely HATE to be present in an IR romance novel, this book would get a tick mark on each one.
- The Racial issue is the only relationship conflict? Check.
- The Racial issue is the main plot line? Check.
- No matter where the H/H go they get stared at? Check
- Everyone disapproves of /is shocked by/is dismayed by the relationship. Check
- Family, Friends and random strangers on the street feel that it is ok to loudly denounce the relationship? Check.
- Hero is perfect, patient and rational, while heroine is neurotic and judgey? Check.
- Slavery is brought up as a argument point. Check.
- 'What about the Children? Won't somebody Please think of the Children!' lament. Check.
I read this book with a big heapin' helping of WTF? Every single character (except the hero) viewed everything through the lens of race. The h/h work at a law firm where dating between co-workers is not frowned upon, but they get the side-eye by every single person at the firm because they are an IR couple. You'd think the this firm was in Whitey-Whitetown, Alabama or something. But no it is in Danbury Connecticut! At one point a character teases the heroine for dating "Mr. Tall, White and Handsome." In a confrontation with her ex-boyfriend the heroine disparages him for dating a nonblack model. He patiently explains to her that the woman in 'Mixed and therefore is considered African-American." There were so many conversations, descriptions, explanations throughout the book that hooked on race and racial assumptions. It was as if this was the only aspect of anything that consumed the life of this character.
There were two scenes that really put this book over the top for me. First, the heroine, Desiree and her two sisters are shopping and they happen to see a biracial toddler (a friggin' TODDLER!) crying because he wants a toy. Do they look at him patiently and understand that a toddler wanting a toy and crying if he can't get it (or if he is hot,tired and cranky) is normal behavior for any toddler? No. They blame the parents (who happen to be a black mother and white father). You see the reason this toddler was bad is because black and white people have different parenting philosophies and the children get confused. Hence, they act out in public.
And second, Desiree is at a party where she meets and has a great conversation with a handsome black guy who happens to be gay. At one point he wistfully says he'd trade his sexuality in a heartbeat to be hetero because it would be so much easier. Desiree commiserates with him on that but then shamefully confesses that her romantic/sexual problems are so much worse. She's seeing a White man. So there! There was just so much wrong with that exchange on so many levels that I couldn't even process it.
Aside from the anvilicious racial 'problems' that are on each page, there were strange lapses in logic in the book. At one point Tyler (the hero) tells us that his ex-wife is very rich and comes from old money and spoils their kids. But she shows up at his office to ask for $800.00 to buy a present for their son. Desiree's father is outraged the her sister's boyfriend, Abdul, doesn't believe in Christ. And yet, it was clearly explained that he was a Black Muslim. You invite a guy to your house for a meal and start berating him about his religious beliefs?
I also had to check to see when the book was published. It read almost like it was written in the early 90s, but it was written in 2008. At one point there is mention of 'typewritten sheets.' It just struck me as an odd phrase to use in the computer era.
I don't need my books to be sanitized of any mention of racial conflict, but this book has the subtlety and nuance of a hammer to the head. I felt... harangued by the time it was over. I clearly understand that there are people who do not agree with IR relationships but the sheer volume of the disapproval and the racial preoccupation and the stereotyping by almost everyone made for a very distasteful read for me.
I can't recommend this book. And I especially would never recommend this book to anyone who is new the the sub-genre. I think it really highlights those things that people who shy away from reading IR romances fear this is what they are all like. Read Three Wishes instead if you want a wonderful love story that also touches on some complex racial issues without being preachy or cliche.
I have had this book on my TBR for along time and was pretty stoked to read it. But I hadn't even gotten through the first several chapters when I felt the book turn majorly sour on me.
If I had a checklist of all the things I absolutely HATE to be present in an IR romance novel, this book would get a tick mark on each one.
- The Racial issue is the only relationship conflict? Check.
- The Racial issue is the main plot line? Check.
- No matter where the H/H go they get stared at? Check
- Everyone disapproves of /is shocked by/is dismayed by the relationship. Check
- Family, Friends and random strangers on the street feel that it is ok to loudly denounce the relationship? Check.
- Hero is perfect, patient and rational, while heroine is neurotic and judgey? Check.
- Slavery is brought up as a argument point. Check.
- 'What about the Children? Won't somebody Please think of the Children!' lament. Check.
I read this book with a big heapin' helping of WTF? Every single character (except the hero) viewed everything through the lens of race. The h/h work at a law firm where dating between co-workers is not frowned upon, but they get the side-eye by every single person at the firm because they are an IR couple. You'd think the this firm was in Whitey-Whitetown, Alabama or something. But no it is in Danbury Connecticut! At one point a character teases the heroine for dating "Mr. Tall, White and Handsome." In a confrontation with her ex-boyfriend the heroine disparages him for dating a nonblack model. He patiently explains to her that the woman in 'Mixed and therefore is considered African-American." There were so many conversations, descriptions, explanations throughout the book that hooked on race and racial assumptions. It was as if this was the only aspect of anything that consumed the life of this character.
There were two scenes that really put this book over the top for me. First, the heroine, Desiree and her two sisters are shopping and they happen to see a biracial toddler (a friggin' TODDLER!) crying because he wants a toy. Do they look at him patiently and understand that a toddler wanting a toy and crying if he can't get it (or if he is hot,tired and cranky) is normal behavior for any toddler? No. They blame the parents (who happen to be a black mother and white father). You see the reason this toddler was bad is because black and white people have different parenting philosophies and the children get confused. Hence, they act out in public.
And second, Desiree is at a party where she meets and has a great conversation with a handsome black guy who happens to be gay. At one point he wistfully says he'd trade his sexuality in a heartbeat to be hetero because it would be so much easier. Desiree commiserates with him on that but then shamefully confesses that her romantic/sexual problems are so much worse. She's seeing a White man. So there! There was just so much wrong with that exchange on so many levels that I couldn't even process it.
Aside from the anvilicious racial 'problems' that are on each page, there were strange lapses in logic in the book. At one point Tyler (the hero) tells us that his ex-wife is very rich and comes from old money and spoils their kids. But she shows up at his office to ask for $800.00 to buy a present for their son. Desiree's father is outraged the her sister's boyfriend, Abdul, doesn't believe in Christ. And yet, it was clearly explained that he was a Black Muslim. You invite a guy to your house for a meal and start berating him about his religious beliefs?
I also had to check to see when the book was published. It read almost like it was written in the early 90s, but it was written in 2008. At one point there is mention of 'typewritten sheets.' It just struck me as an odd phrase to use in the computer era.
I don't need my books to be sanitized of any mention of racial conflict, but this book has the subtlety and nuance of a hammer to the head. I felt... harangued by the time it was over. I clearly understand that there are people who do not agree with IR relationships but the sheer volume of the disapproval and the racial preoccupation and the stereotyping by almost everyone made for a very distasteful read for me.
I can't recommend this book. And I especially would never recommend this book to anyone who is new the the sub-genre. I think it really highlights those things that people who shy away from reading IR romances fear this is what they are all like. Read Three Wishes instead if you want a wonderful love story that also touches on some complex racial issues without being preachy or cliche.
September 22, 2009
Boring, annoyingly cliche. I gave up on page 54.
November 19, 2008
Identified with the story. Loved the book
Read
April 12, 2009This is very stupid, but it took me forever to read this book because I hated the cover. I think there's something creepy about the guy.
Anyway, the book was OK.
Anyway, the book was OK.
September 16, 2008
"Never Say Never" is a refreshing debut with a intriguing mix of drama and romance. Michele Cameron weaves a CAPTIVATING novel that touches on several HOT BUTTON social issues, such as; sexual harassment, religious beliefs, office romance, interracial relationships, and divorced parents with children. Mrs. Cameron gives a VIVID glimpse into these issues and she delivers it in a responsible, mature, and ENTERTAINING manner. Tyler is quite the thoughtful, attentive, supportive, "take-no-non-sense" gentleman. And he's not ONLY good to Desiree, but he's good for her. Desiree is afraid to LEAP into another romance, but she's especially hesitant about becoming involved with Tyler because one he's her boss and two regardless of how far we've come in this day and age, interracial relationships are still very much TABOO. As they struggle through their issues, I found the budding relationship between Tyler and Desiree to be an INTENSE, heartwarming, sensual and at times even AMUSING ride. Despite the sometimes slow-paced flow, I was still CAUGHT up in the romance and the tension-filled opposition that Tyler and Desiree encountered; not just from strangers, but also from their co-workers and their families. Will Desiree allow an intolerant society and the possible disapproval of her family to DICTATE who she loves or will she fight for the true love she's FINALLY discovered with Tyler?!! So, once again despite the typos and/or editing issues, which sadly seems to be the norm in so many romance novels today, I still enjoyed this tale and will keep an eye out for more of Mrs. Cameron's work.
June 27, 2010
2.5 STARS
I thought based on the reviews over at Amazon that I'd definitely like this book. I mean it's got everything that makes romance novels enjoyable (strong male lead character, heroine who finds love where she least expects it, etc.). But for me the story fell flat. I felt that Ms. Cameron had a wonderful idea, but there just wasn't enough of something.
Definitely won't be reading this again or recommending it to anyone to read.
I thought based on the reviews over at Amazon that I'd definitely like this book. I mean it's got everything that makes romance novels enjoyable (strong male lead character, heroine who finds love where she least expects it, etc.). But for me the story fell flat. I felt that Ms. Cameron had a wonderful idea, but there just wasn't enough of something.
Definitely won't be reading this again or recommending it to anyone to read.
January 19, 2013
I loved this book, there was a complete romance in this book. It was about a relationship not about sex even though there is hot sex in the story.This couple went things that you would think I/R couples go through I liked that. I can't wait to read another book by this author good job !
December 20, 2008
I had to read this for a class. Romance really isn't my genre, so I guess I'm not a good judge of this particular book.
January 23, 2009
*****EXCELLENT******
April 10, 2010
Not as good as I had hoped.
April 23, 2009
Good Story.
Read
January 30, 2010I thought this book was a good read. I would recommend it.
April 12, 2010
This was a good read about looking past what others expect and look towards what's good for & to you...
May 16, 2010
I liked the book, tyler was a strong man he know what he wanted and he made a way to get it. He was honest with his feelings, he didn't care what people said about their relationship. good man
July 31, 2013
I liked the issues in this book but was lacking great love scenes.
May 3, 2015
Good Read!I'd buy more of Ms. Cameron's work.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews