What do you think?
Rate this book
Invincible Women #1
Like the First Time: A Novel
THE GOOD SISTER. Claire Bennet has lost her job for the second time in as many years due to downsizing. She doesn't know what she's going to do since her checking account has almost been stripped bare and her older brother is always a day late and a dollar short. With no man in her life, her parents' home is all she has and she's going to lose that unless she can think of something quick.
THE GOOD LOVER. Fashionable and trendy Brooke Dunlap has also been downsized, but she's not worried because she expects her wealthy boyfriend to propose any day now. Unfortunately, Randaolph Peterson III has other plans and dumps her. Now Brooke is left devastated with no engagement ring, a pile of bills and a Jag that's in the shop.
THE GOOD WIFE. Lorraine Averhart lost one of her dearest friends to cancer only months before and with that friendship, their dream of opening their own florist shop. But when Lorraine sees the wonderful candles, soaps and bath gels Claire has created, she pushes them to go into business together. With Brooke's savvy about what women want, Claire's products and Lorraine's money, they're sure to be a hit. They've got nothing to lose, so why not?
But Lorraine's marriage comes under terrible strain as the business takes off and a new a temptation appears on the horizon; Claire becomes involved with one of the most powerful men in town; and Brooke is forced to reevaluate what matters most: a fat bank account or love and belonging somewhere she can call home?
THE GOOD LOVER. Fashionable and trendy Brooke Dunlap has also been downsized, but she's not worried because she expects her wealthy boyfriend to propose any day now. Unfortunately, Randaolph Peterson III has other plans and dumps her. Now Brooke is left devastated with no engagement ring, a pile of bills and a Jag that's in the shop.
THE GOOD WIFE. Lorraine Averhart lost one of her dearest friends to cancer only months before and with that friendship, their dream of opening their own florist shop. But when Lorraine sees the wonderful candles, soaps and bath gels Claire has created, she pushes them to go into business together. With Brooke's savvy about what women want, Claire's products and Lorraine's money, they're sure to be a hit. They've got nothing to lose, so why not?
But Lorraine's marriage comes under terrible strain as the business takes off and a new a temptation appears on the horizon; Claire becomes involved with one of the most powerful men in town; and Brooke is forced to reevaluate what matters most: a fat bank account or love and belonging somewhere she can call home?
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
16 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Francis Ray
72 books541 followersFrancis 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
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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 20, 2017
The statement, "Opposites attract," could not have been truer than in this story. In order to fall in love, you must be willing to accept the pain that comes along with it sometimes.
Claire has lost her second job, both due to downsizing. Bills are piling up and she's afraid she's going to lose the home she purchased for her parents. Brooke, a female used to the high-end things including men, lost her job as well but has never saved a dime but instead purchased expensive items and now has no financial backing to stand on. Lorraine, is a wife and a mother that wished to open her own business. These three women get together and open Bliss, a store similar to Bath & Body Works.
Hamilton, Lorraine's husband, hopes her business fails and becomes very unsupportive. This causes friction in the marriage. Gray Livingston, a well-to-do businessman, is very attracted to Claire but has no trust in women because of his ex-wife's infidelity. John, a mechanic who owns his own business, is attracted to Brooke but realizes she's used to being catered to and fights with all his will against the attraction he feels for her.
Uncomplicated story that describes the ins and outs of human emotions. Funny at times and very well narrated.
Claire has lost her second job, both due to downsizing. Bills are piling up and she's afraid she's going to lose the home she purchased for her parents. Brooke, a female used to the high-end things including men, lost her job as well but has never saved a dime but instead purchased expensive items and now has no financial backing to stand on. Lorraine, is a wife and a mother that wished to open her own business. These three women get together and open Bliss, a store similar to Bath & Body Works.
Hamilton, Lorraine's husband, hopes her business fails and becomes very unsupportive. This causes friction in the marriage. Gray Livingston, a well-to-do businessman, is very attracted to Claire but has no trust in women because of his ex-wife's infidelity. John, a mechanic who owns his own business, is attracted to Brooke but realizes she's used to being catered to and fights with all his will against the attraction he feels for her.
Uncomplicated story that describes the ins and outs of human emotions. Funny at times and very well narrated.
March 8, 2012
Like The First Time by Francis Ray
A few woman get laid off due to bad economic times and one other wants to get with them to do something she's put off her whole life.
One is good at selling, one at making beauty products and one has all the money. They can go in together and make it work.
Although they put their all into this project some of their spouses or loved ones think they have made a mistake. This book follows
their lives and how they are able to accomplish it all and what they've had to give up for it.
Such an awesome idea for things you can do at home but it's more work than just for one person on their own.
Such a diverse group of women, strong, easy to keep track of them and their loved ones.
A few woman get laid off due to bad economic times and one other wants to get with them to do something she's put off her whole life.
One is good at selling, one at making beauty products and one has all the money. They can go in together and make it work.
Although they put their all into this project some of their spouses or loved ones think they have made a mistake. This book follows
their lives and how they are able to accomplish it all and what they've had to give up for it.
Such an awesome idea for things you can do at home but it's more work than just for one person on their own.
Such a diverse group of women, strong, easy to keep track of them and their loved ones.
Read
July 28, 2015Beautiful Black Love
This book chronicles developing love and knowing one's self within new, as well as established relationships. It was refreshing and touching, (and rarely explored) the three unlikely females, coming together with different needs and diverse backgrounds to develop loving and supportive relationships with each other, and creating a successful business out of a family legacy passed down just for private consumption. I loved the generational love, respect and legacies that were displayed and the beneficial acknowledgement of the younger people that went beyond the financial wealth of some of the characters. Well Done.
This book chronicles developing love and knowing one's self within new, as well as established relationships. It was refreshing and touching, (and rarely explored) the three unlikely females, coming together with different needs and diverse backgrounds to develop loving and supportive relationships with each other, and creating a successful business out of a family legacy passed down just for private consumption. I loved the generational love, respect and legacies that were displayed and the beneficial acknowledgement of the younger people that went beyond the financial wealth of some of the characters. Well Done.
August 9, 2023
Okay so I really liked the ending of this book and the female leads being very strong and great friends. Buttttt... I felt like this book was drawn out a lot and felt pretty slow. It could have been 100 pages less in my opinion. Also, Hamilton was so freaking dumb it annoyed me. But overall really sweet book and I really loved it!
March 18, 2013
I simply loved this book! A really good read and I highly reccommend it. Ms. Ray has done it again!
April 21, 2018
Three friends at the crossroads of their lives decide to open a business: BLISS sells custom made candles, soaps, oils, etc. Along the way two of them fall in love. Claire falls in love with Grey who she has had a crush on since 6th grade; Brooke falls in love with John, a widower with two small kids and Lorraine falls in love all over again with her husband of 26 years, Herman.
This book is typical chic lit but very entertaining.
This book is typical chic lit but very entertaining.
December 17, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised, good read. It started a little slow, but it was a good love story.
March 29, 2008
LIKE THE FIRST TIME is a wonderful story about three women who through test and trials, find the true meaning of friendship and love, but the greatest discovery is the love of SELF first. I found it almost impossible to put this book down. The characters are so like able and real that I found myself rooting for them and their happiness right from the start. Francis Ray weaves a wonderful tale of life's ups and downs and shows us that through perseverance and endurance we can overcome and find happiness.
June 7, 2009
This book was amazing...I loved the writing and the detail, and how the lives of the main characters came together, not to mention the evolvement of each of them. I wish I had a man that loved me as much as Hamilton loved Lorraine! This was one book that really made me want to run to my computer and write...
July 9, 2008
Three sister friends from different walks of life, with different goals and choices. Together they not only form a company but build a sister/mother/daughter/ friendship/relationships that enables then all to becom.e Like The First Time
September 10, 2015
Great Read
Loves f2f his book as it showed the resiliency of these woman. I would recommend this book to all my friends. It will help us believe we can accomplish anything if we are focused and hard working.
Loves f2f his book as it showed the resiliency of these woman. I would recommend this book to all my friends. It will help us believe we can accomplish anything if we are focused and hard working.
July 30, 2008
Francis Ray's style of writing is very versatile & extremely knowlegable this book made me want to open my own business!
November 2, 2008
Good Read.
June 15, 2012
Good book but too predictable
September 10, 2012
Love this book! Sorry I haven't read it sooner. I will definitely be reading the rest in the series.
April 7, 2014
Good book, but could've been shortened by 50 pages. Lol
January 12, 2015
I picked this one based on it's high ratings. it was just ok. I would like to try the products featured in the book more than anything else.
September 28, 2015
Awesome book!
August 13, 2014
Yay! They all married the perfect guys. If only real life was like this more often than not.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews