Customer Reviews

Caring What People Think

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Caring What People Think, by Daphne Glenn Robinson, is the story of Russell Brown and Dannica Rawlins. Russell met Dannica at a conference for Human Resource Professionals. Russell is a thirty-eight year old human resource director who enjoys his job. There is only one thing missing from his life - a wife. Dannica is the complete opposite. She hates her job as a human resource manager and having to deal with whinny employees. In fact, Dannica has nothing good to say about anything, past or present, about her life - until she meets Russell.

Russell and Dannica are instantly attracted to each other. Russell believes that God answered his prayers and sent him someone he could grow old with. Dannica never imagined that anyone could love her unconditionally. But, she has secrets that she refuses to discuss. As Russell and Dannica rush to marry, Dannica begins to unravel. It is up to Russell to pray and seek the guidance they need.

Robinson style was very easy to follow. The characters were flawed and personable. The drama surrounding Russell and Dannica's relationship proved to be what good romance novels and mysteries are about. However, for me, the story dragged a bit. All in all, I would recommend this book.

Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub

Caring What People Think is a wonderful fictional work about learning to be honest with yourself and accepting yourself despite what you think others think of you. The twists and turns that Daphine Robinson creates allows the reader to intimately know the characters within this story sometimes even before they truly 'discover' themselves. Relationships and past histories sometimes prove to be barriers to the right decisions needed to give or receive love. This book will have you crying with the good guys when they are hurt or disappointed and cheering for them when they succeed. Thank you, Daphine, for an entertaining work that is also inspiring.

I almost put this book down because Dannica was starting to get on my nerves, but then I had an "a-ha" moment as a I reflected on self. How many times do we hold ourselves back (or others) from accomplishing our true mission? Or - how often do we get in the way of our own victories?

Dannica was a good reflection of what happens in every day life for so many of us.

In my marred vision, I had hoped she would catch on sooner, but in God's timing, all things worked together - For Good.

I would recommend this novel to all, as an inventory novel of self values.

Who truly cares what others think? (hmm...I'm a work in progress, learning not to care...)

Russell Brown has dated some interesting women in his lifetime, and now he's tired of just casual dating. He's ready to find that special someone that he could spend the rest of his life with. Being one of the most eligible bachelor at Outreach Fellowship Church, the vultures are swarming. That is until he meets Dannica Rawlins, who is the complete opposite of Russell. She's battling with depression due to the death of her father. She is not interested in meeting anyone right now. She needs to deal a lot of things that are going on in her life right now, and finding love is not one of them.

With both of them being in the Human Resources profession, they meet at a conference and instantly click. After just a few months, Dannica became Russell's wife, but the honeymoon didn't last long at all. Dannica starts to unravel when a lot of secrets from her past start to surface. Not knowing what to do or how to handle his new bride, Russell turns to the Lord for some guidance...but is it too late?

Caring What People Think was a very uplifting story about two people that were trying to find some peace and happiness. Dannica was trying to find her way with the loss of her father and dealing with depression. Russell had decided that he was not going to just date anyone anymore, and was truly looking for his wife. Instead of just waiting for our Father and letting him take control, many times we try to take control of situations that we have no control over. We have to learn how to wait and have faith that God will take care of us and never lead us down the wrong path. With her two main characters, Robinson explains how they were in the darkest places. And instead of letting God lead them to the light, they tried to take things in their own hands and got nowhere. It was not until God took control that then they found the gratification and peace they'd been looking for. Caring What People Think is a good read. It started a little slow, but if you hang in there, it will pick up the pace and you won't want to put it down.

Reviewed by Jackie
for Urban Reviews

This book dealt with depression and suicide, two issues usually not discussed in the African American community. Dannica is battling the demons of her past when she meets Russell. He sees the God in her and makes it his mission to get to know her. Their quick courtship led to a quiet wedding but their lives would be forever changed by a few actions.

Caring What People Think is a powerful novel. However, there are several editing issues that stop this from being a 4 star read. There are also several character development inconsistencies that made one flip back to re-read. The strong Christian undertone is supported throughout the book and offers opportunity to recommit to Christ at the end. A Christian fiction with a much needed tale of redemption and eternal happiness.

I love characters, characters with depth, characters that make me feel and make me care about their journey. The main character of Daphine Glenn Robsinson's latest novel, CARING WHAT PEOPLE THINK does all those things for me. We get inside Dannica Rawlins' mind, a mind riddled with depression and low self-worth since the passing of her father and her leaving the church...and God. When a successful, strong, loving, faith-filled man falls for her, Dannica must decide if it's time to allow God to wash away her pain and let joy and love into her heart and soul. I enjoyed following Dannica on her path, and I equally enjoyed reading a Christian fiction in which the main characters were REAL and not so sanctified that they couldn't be reached. Several messages resonate throughout Robinson's novel, but there was one that connected with me and made these characters and the story all the more entertaining: you can overcome past hurt and be happy with the help of God and the help of people who truly love you. Although there were a few things that slowed the read for me, like lengthy dialogue and some telling, overall this is a story I would definitely recommend to others who want to be filled with faith yet not preached to.

Caring What People Think is an honest account of living around the available gift of Jesus Christ. Dannica was a young woman who struggled with rejection and devastating loss, and instead of turning for comfort, she internalized her agony; Agony that often surfaced as anger and resentment. All along her blessings continued to flow with friendships and a heaven sent love. The story accounts the many ways we try to control our lives on our own, but in the end realize we are unable to have the contentment and peace in that life without humility and spiritual grace. Each character was uplifting and defined. I was truly moved by the mention of prayer and its importance throughout. The ending was a beautiful testimony of being delivered from the darkest of pits and basking in the light of God's love. For anyone feeling lost and detached from the spirit and love of God, Caring What People Think is truly an inspiration and a reason to reach for the gift of Jesus Christ.

I am a newcomer to Ms. Robinson's works, but after reading Caring What People Think, I am committed to reading her other works. Robinson deftly crafts a storyline around believable characters. The story moves swiftly and is satisfying in the end.

Once again, Mrs. Robinson has written a novel that causes you to examine yourself. She did an excellent job in presenting several taboo issues for some Christians such as depression and mental illness. The storyline was realistic. I saw some of myself in some of the characters. This book has given me a new outlook on how important a personal relationship with Jesus is. Well done, Mrs. Robinson!!

Mrs. Robinson has done it again. She has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Her first book dealt with infidelity in a way that wasn't "fairy tale" and painted a realistic picture of reprecussions. This book deals with the issue of depression, yet another subject we don't want to openly talk about. Yes, I also read this book in a day and I love that before it can slow down there is always more unexpected drama. At times I felt Dannica was misunderstood, at times she worked my nerves, at times I could comletely relate, but by the end of the book she had me wanting to rededicate my life to God. If you have battled depression this will minister to you and if you know of someone battling deprssion it will cause you to be more sensitive and prayerful.