Customer Reviews

If It Ain't One Thing

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I really enjoyed this book. Once you begin to read it, most likely you won't want to put it down. The author begins by telling stories of two different people, Porter Washington and Winona Fairchild, with completely different lives but with similar issues. They are both in a major transition period in their lives; most of their battles were internal and somehow the author was able to make them entertaining. By fate, they were able to meet up and the story picked up even more steam. After I read it, I was convinced either the Ms. Robinson knows people such as the ones in the book, or she has the greatest imagination I have ever seen. This is a book where you will make yourself read it from beginning to end just from there being so many twists and turns. So far, I've read two of her books and they have both been top-notch with me.

There was so much going on in this book! A definite MUST READ!

The characters in this book are definitely memorable. There was so much DRAMA going on right from the start I was HOOKED!

There is baby mama drama, baby daddy drama, gay friend drama, the baby ain't mine drama, my family ain't &^%$ drama, adultery, I'm HIV Positive drama, smart mouth kid drama, just so much DRAMA!

Porter Washington is the guy your mother warned you about as a teenager and the guy you had to have as an adult. He is the young, uniformed, tall, dark and handsome man most women dream about. Winona Fairchild, what can I say about her but girl turned her life around drastically. There were so many twists and turns in the book I couldn't put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next! They say love is a many slender thing but in this case I just wonder how long the honeymoon is going to last!

I chose this book as our bookclub March selection and it was a great read and discussion. We even had a phone conference with the author which was fantastic!! I'm ready for the sequel (you can send me advanced copy if you like...lol!)

This novel by writer Cheryl Robinson was previously published as Memories of Yesterday. Cheryl has become a remarkable success story after self publishing her first two novels When I Get Free and Memories of Yesterday. Both received stellar reviews while cultivating an intense fan base for her work.

New American Library recently released her second novel and I can definitely understand why. If It Ain't One Thing is a remarkable story written in a style that will hold your attention chapter after chapter. The author tells the story from the point of view of two main characters; Detroit Firefighter Porter Washington, a fine single brother with plenty of issues and Winona Fairchild, hard working single mother of two with several skeletons in her closet. How Porter and Winona come together and attempt to build a relationship is a story that takes us inside the souls of two people who have had their share of pain and sorrow; disappointment and now yearn to find just the right match..

Vividly drawn; the two characters become people that you care about and want to see survive their challenges in life. This novel is a modern day urban love story that at times is rough and brutal but also depicts tender love and human emotion. Porter is a brother without a cause. His work with the Detroit Fire Department has a lot to do with his older brother's death in a tragic house fire when he was a young boy. Left with their grandmother when their parents' marriage is on shaky ground the two brothers have only each other to sustain them. His brother's tragic death leaves him feeling pretty much alone in the world. It is a situation that leaves him looking for love in all the wrong places. He becomes your average playah with an unfaithful live-in girlfriend; mounting bills he can't pay and a splintered relationship with his parents.

Winona; a Detroit native had relocated to Texas after a traumatic break-up with her son's father. Having disappointed her own father due to the mistakes she made in life; she was made to feel that she could never go home again. After years of feeling insecure and unloved because she saw herself as an ugly duckling; her appearance changed as she got older. Yet; she still feels unattractive in her heart and she continues to make the same mistakes with the wrong kind of men in her life.

She makes a decision to make a major change when she lands a top position with a major corporation in Detroit and leaves Texas to return to her hometown and to mend fences with her judgmental father. She also has plans to finally confront her son's father.

The story is full of both surprise twists and turns and the expected considering the background of the two main characters. I laughed and cried with Porter and Winona as they struggled to find their way towards a future together. This novel should garner a well-deserved wider audience with it's re-release by a major publisher. Robinson has given us a novel that deserves a sequel.

With muscles like the Incredible Hulk, smooth brown skin like a chocolate river, and a personality that could melt ice, Porter Washington would be an apple in any woman's eye. Yet in the eyes of his long-term girlfriend, Reesey, Porter isn't good enough and can't do anything right. The outward beauty of Reesey blinded Porter in his early years, but with maturity he has learned to look for inner beauty. With his meager wages, Porter struggles to provide the lavish lifestyle Reesey demands. A devastating revelation is discovered that leaves Porter questioning everything he once knew. Also, there is a tragic circumstance from his childhood that is a constant reminder to him of someone that he loved and lost. Porter finally decides enough is enough.

Winona Fairchild has had her share of heartache. She strikes out at an early age and finds who she believes is her soul mate, only to be left jilted at the alter, pregnant and alone. Things finally seem to be looking up when Winona receives the job opportunity of a lifetime. She relocates back to Detroit from Houston to find herself facing her previous transgressions . Caught up in their own dysfunctional and tortured pasts, Porter and Winona seem to be poised on the brink of unhappiness henceforth and forevermore. Will they be able to relinquish the memories of yesterday and accept a brighter tomorrow?

IF IT AIN'T ONE THING is a compelling read. It touches on many social issues that plague society today such as parenting issues, sexuality identity, sensuality, and professional life in a flowing manner. Ms. Robinson does a good job in taking two underdogs who didn't always make wise decisions and injects some positivity into their lives. (RAW Rating: 3.5)

Reviewed by Nedine

of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

I read Cheryl's first book When I Get Free and I was captivated by her writing. This second book If It Ain't One Thing was previously published as Memories of Yesterday. Both titles are very fitting. I was drawn into these characters lives just as much as I was Tower's( When I Get Free)Cheryl has a way of holding her readers hostage with snappy lines and truely heart felt stories. This is a must read and it covers some serious issues in relationships today. You feel like you know the characters in this story. You root for some, you hate some. With a thick plot, drama and laughter you can't go wrong. I highly recommend this book.
reviewed by
Dawnny

Porter Washington is a Detroit firefighter. He has the good looks women love, but he comes with a lot of baggage. Porter splits with his high school sweetheart, Reesey, when he finally recognizes that the blue -eyed baby with his name is not his child. He has a turbulent relationship at best with his parents, an unlikely friendship with the flamboyant drag queen Jade and a difficult time choosing appropriate relationships. Porter is about ready to give it all up and turn everything over to God when he sees a pretty lady. His first sighting of her is at the gym, then at his parent's restaurant and finally while on the job, he saves her son`s life.

Winona Fairchild is the single mother of two. She makes the move from Houston back to her hometown of Detroit. Winona brings a lot of secrets with her. Her son's real father lives in Detroit. Winona buys a house across the street from where he lived in hopes of seeing him again. Winona's intent is to continue the charade of hiding Carlton's father identity. She alienates herself from her parents and has a new job that is not what she expected. Winona's friend Gina is a godsend and the family dog, Sampson helps her keep her sanity. When Porter and Winona finally come together, sparks fly. But, there are problems. Porter is 10 years younger than Winona and Winona has not told him all there is to know. Can they overcome these obstacles? That is the question.

I enjoyed this book when I read it as Memories of Yesterday and enjoyed it again the second time. While the children really got on my nerves, this was a good read with quite a few laugh out loud moments. However, I wish certain characters like Jade, Pam and Damion had more of a closure to their story than just fading away. Porter and Winona characterizations were good and once I finished the book, then I could understand their actions and reactions. I believe If It Ain't One Thing by Cheryl Robinson has potential to make for an interesting discussion; I am going to recommend it as a book of the month for my local book club.

Jeanette

Motown Review Book Club

I didn't know anything about this author or book before making the purchase and I consider myself lucky to have found such a great read! From the beginning to the end this book offers no dull moment. Porter is a genuine character that you easily fall in love with. Winona is a very flawed character that you cannot help but love despite her flaws. This book is very refreshing as the language is natural and not forced and the emotions are raw and real. This is not just your typical love story or your typical anything as there are some really deep subjects that are also discussed and faced through out the story. No page is wasted, as a lot of books these days tend to be overwritten and everyone in the book is pertinent to the story. I am so glad I was aware there was a sequal before I finished because at least it is now on the way! Please purchase as your money will be well spent!

"If It Ain't One Thing" is an exhilarating read. It's well written, humorous and touching. The characters are appealing and the romance that blossoms between Porter and Winona is awesome.

I'd give this book 4 ˝ stars.

This is the second book I've read by Cheryl Robinson (the first one was When I Get Free). Her characters seem real because she is able to show each one of the characters emotional state of mind. Porter Washington is unforgettable.

Cheryl Robinson has become one of my favorite writers in about 16 months time. If it aint one thing solidifies my opinion of her as a writer and I am happy she is in the game. She captures the male prespective perfectly and I do appreciate that because we are real people in her books. Not some overly disgusting creatures with one thing on our minds.

I absolutely abhorred the main woman character in this book. Even after a shocking secret is revealed I still hated her, although I shouldn't have. She was as bitter as they came and my opinion only softened on the very last page of the book. I loved the character of her son though.

Ms. Robinson seems to write her books around things that can really happen and I think that is what I appreciate the most.