Customer Reviews

Behind Closed Doors

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

After reading Casting the First Stone, Kimberla Roby's 2nd novel, I had to read her 1st, Behind Closed Doors. For a first attempt at writing a novel, this book was acceptable. The storyline was excellent, but her use of language and point illustration were below average. Her brand-name droppping brought her writing style down even more i.e., "She placed her Coach purse in the lower-right hand drawer and sat her black Coach briefcase on the floor." Everytime a handbag, among other things, was mentioned, the brandname was sure to follow. Spare me! Less is more sometimes. Furthermore, her sentences did not flow very well. It was as if she was writing for her junior high english teacher and afraid of getting her paper back full of red marks. Each sentenced was structured "too perfectly." However, if you look over the writing style and focus on the storyline you will find a very entertaining story of two friends going through the trials and tribulations of being "thirtysomething." What do you do when you have what you've always dreamed of -- perfect house, perfect careers, loving husbands, etc., and things go awry? Read and find out....

I had read this book once before, and as I was going through my numerous books, I decided to re-read this one. When I first read it I didn't realize how much name dropping the author did. I mean did we really have to know what kind of outfit each character had on or that it was a designer label? Come on now!! As for the book, the storyline was entertaining, but it seemed that towards the end the author just decided to quit writing and come up with an easy ending. I have also read her book Here and Now, and you can definitely tell the difference from first novel to second. Much success to Kim in the future. Peace!!

I think the book was a rush project. Ms. Roby did not take the time to develope her characters and the use of the designer labels wore me out! I thought it was a bite over exxagerated and not detailed in areas that may have helped readers enjoy it more. She's young and I do hope to read her writings in the future hopefully showing her developing more as a writer. I wish her the best of luck on her future projects.

I read "Behind Closed Doors" after reading and enjoying the author's latest book, "Casting the First Stone". The difference in writing skills is like night and day. I assume Kensington Books, Ms. Roby's publisher of all but her first book made sure an editor helped before publication. Her first book was self-published, certainly a brave effort, but the lack of editing is glaring.

My impression of "Behind..." was that Ms. Roby had talent, wrote an entertaining and plausible story that most people can identify with (hence the book's popularity) - HOWEVER...numerous grammatical and spelling errors, atrocious sentence construction, and a virtual altar to naked and rampant materialism (how many Coach handbags and briefcases can one describe??)were a huge and disappointing distraction. One could open a department store or two with the number of name-brands mentioned ad nauseum.

If this is supposed to be a model for the attitudes of the black middle class then this country and its children are all in serious trouble. Consumerism at all cost rather than an investor/wealth-building mentality seemed to be the message. More troubling is the fact that despite these serious shortcomings the book was lauded to the skies. It is one thing to praise and encourage budding talent while offering constructive feedback to ensure constant improvement and "bigger and better things". It is quite another to ignore serious flaws and lavish awards instead. It is like awarding an A for C- or D work - how does this benefit the author??

A disturbing thought is that there is such a dearth of good writing that there are no standards anymore. Either people do not read at all or do not remember what good writing looks like. As a result anything that seems entertaining is assumed to equate to 5 stars.

Read her latest book to see the difference, then revaluate this first book.

I am currently going thru a very painful seperation with an unfaithful husband. The circumstances in this book are similiar. I found myself identifying with the character Regina totally. Girlfriend even smokes the same brand of cigarettes that I do...Capre menthol 120s.

This book got so deep and personal that there were many times that I had to put it down because my body began to shake.

This book is definately a must read. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. Trust me.

I enjoyed reading this book. The characters were real and the story was well written. It's just too bad that the main characters had to put up with foolish men but that's what really made the book feel real.

The book was terrific, it kept my interest for the book going. Kimberla is a very good author. Childhood friends; Regina Moore and Karen Jackson have achieved the American dream of the successful careers, the handsome husbands and extravagant homes in the Chicago suburbs. Eventually all isn't all well when Karen's husband John begins throwing away his paycheck to the race track, and Regina's husband Larry starts spending his more time at the office 'so he says,' but her woman's intuition tells her he's creping'.

Both women experience heartache and their biggest fears come to life. Regina Moore is a independent, loving, strong, and determined wife who insists on savoring her marriage no matter what the costs. With all the sleepless nights and questions of his faithfulness Regina has stressed herself out, but won't give up on her husband even though he is cheating on her. Some men look at women as always being the strong one, but Regina realizes she is weak at times too and this characteristic is more than believable to me. Behind Closed Doors deals with interesting topics like infidelity, gambling, friendship, and betrayal. Infidelity may be thought of as common. For Instance Regina's husband Larry is cheating on her with a close friend. Also, gambling can destroy a relationship or it can strengthen the bond between a couple as it does in this novel. Karen's husband John has a serious problem with gambling that he is not willing to confront. With the struggles they go through, they continually dust themselves off to rise and put their lives back on track. Friendship is the glue that holds them together.

I enjoyed Behind Closed Doors. It is a reminder that money does not bring happiness and that the grass is not always greener on the other side. The characters struggle with relationship issues such as gambling and cheating and learn painful lessons in dealing with these problems. This is a very shocking and realistic book that keeps you turning the page and waiting for the outcome.

THIS WAS DEFINITELY A VERY GOOD FIRST EFFORT, AND I DID ENJOY THE BOOK. THIS THE THIRD BOOK BY THIS AUTHOR THAT I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF READING. TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS REVIEW, I STRONGLY SUGGEST READING "BEHIND" FIRST AND THEN GOING ON TO THE OTHERS. HER SOPHOMORE THEN JUNIOR EFFORTS WERE A LOT BETTER THAN THE FIRST. THIS ONE GOT A LITTLE LONG WINDED AND TIMES WHEN IT CAME TO DESCRIBING THE CARS, JEWELS, CLOTHING, HOUSE, ETC. NOT WITHSTANDING ALL OF THIS, IT WAS ENTERTAINING, I READ IT IN 3 HOURS.

Great story-line! Poor character development and an easily GUESSABLE ending. There are very contemporary as well as traditional issues surrounding marriage and relationships and Ms. Roby MISSED her opportunity. By dwelling and wasting space on what color and style of clothing and hosiery the characters were wearing, she failed to clue us in on who Regina, Larry, Karen and John really are!

The minute I picked up this book, I knew it was going to be one of those books that would cause me to late leaving the house. I could not stop reading. Kimberly did an excellent job with this novel. She showed two truly different personalities with Regina and Karen. And she even threw in a little surprise with Regina's husband and other "girlfriend". The characters were real and caused me to have certain emotions.Anger and joy (especially when Regina finally woke up and when Karen chilled out) If I can read a book and start talking back to the book when one of the characters do or say something crazy, then definitely the author was successful. Bravo Kim!! Keep up the good work!