Customer Reviews

Changing Faces

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Whitney, Charisse, and Taylor have been best friends for most of their lives. And although Whitney and Charisse have known each other the longest (since childhood), it certainly seems as though they have known their beloved friend Taylor just as long. All three, however, are facing challenges in their personal lives...but will their friendship survive?

Gorgeous, smart, and fat, Whitney has had lifelong struggle with her weight. With an equally skinny and critical mother and sister, it has taken everything that she has to maintain a modicum of self-esteem. But one day--with another decision made to diet and exercise and lose weight--Whitney meets the delectable Rico in the health club. At first Whitney refuses his advances...how can someone like Rico be attracted to a fattie like her? But Rico is relentless, and after several days of mindblowing sex and constant attention, Whitney lets her defenses down and allows love in....so why is something telling her that it may blow up in her face after all?

Charisse is losing control; at home, at church, and with her friends. After years of dominating and controlling her submissive husband Marvin and their children, Marvin has decided that he has had enough. He will do what he wants and when he wants to...and only on his terms. Charisse is shocked and outraged, and turns to her pastor for help...after all, what is a decent, God-fearing woman to do when her husband has lost his mind? Pastor Damon has certainly proven himself good for the soul...and the body. Charisse has declared war on Whitney, Marvin, and her Mama; the latter for being hateful and abusive and raising her to be the same way. One final confrontation with mother Mattie has Charisse facing the biggest challenge of her life....will her friends be there to see her through?

Taylor seems to have it all; money, smarts, looks, a successful career and a great boyfriend in Cameron. She has fabulous friends in Whitney and Charisse, and since they are constantly feuding she has become the social equivalent of Switzerland as of late. All seems right in her world...if only she could get Cameron to stop dragging his feet about thoughts/talk of marriage. Soon Taylor finds herself facing a health crisis, the conclusion of which will reveal shockings truths about her relationships and those closest to her.

With the edge-of-your seat reading that we have become accustomed to receiving from Ms. Roby, this one does not disappoint. Readers will be shocked and intrigued until the very last page.



DYB

CHANGING FACES by Kimberla Lawson Roby is engaging from page one. Roby shows that she is indeed a masterful storyteller who can write about diverse characters, not just her ever-popular, preacher-you-love-to-hate, Rev. Curtis Black. In her new release, she introduces readers to three women with relationship issues who have been friends for years (reminiscent of Waiting to Exhale minus a friend). When one of them changes, their friendship could forever be damaged.

Whitney is a beautiful, professional woman who struggles with her weight. She has tried just about every diet that exists, but each attempt has ended in failure. She admits to being a compulsive overeater, but it doesn't help that her thin mother and sister are unsupportive and never offer an encouraging word. Whitney simply wants someone to love her for her. That someone may just be Rico, the gorgeous man she meets at the local gym, who is not bothered by her size, but is willing to help her goal of shedding pounds before her class reunion.

Taylor is a great attorney who's been dating Cameron for two years and still has not received the marriage proposal that she's been waiting for. Cameron continues to ask for Taylor's patience as he tries to get his architecture business off the ground. However, as Taylor experiences a medical scare, she re-evaluates her life and her patience may have just run out, especially when she sees that Cameron is not as attentive as he should be.

Charisse is probably the most flawed character of the three. She claims to be a devout Christian, but she's got many skeletons in her closet. Normally, she is vocal, opinionated and very much in control of every facet of her life. She even runs her husband as if he's a trained puppy. But when he discovers one of her sinful secrets, his subservience goes out the window as he threatens to go public with what he knows. Meanwhile, Charisse's relationship with her daughter continues to deteriorate and resemble the dysfunctional relationship she has with her own mother.

While it was nice to see the author step outside the philandering preacher storyline (although a preacher is present in this book), I was slightly disappointed that she chose the passe' girlfriends-with-problems theme. Nonetheless, the novel touches on realistic issues such as food addiction and mental illness. Charisse's story, which showed the most creativity and had a number of twists, could have easily been the main storyline with Whitney's as a sub-plot. CHANGING FACES was touching and funny with several laugh-out-loud moments and readers will certainly root for their favorite heroine, but the story was also painfully predictable at times. Overall, Roby is still a great storyteller and I'm looking forward to seeing what she'll come up with next.

Jazzypen rating 3.5

Friends, Whitney, Taylor and Charisse are as different as salt and pepper. Whitney is constantly battling her weight, self-esteem issues and a mother and sister who insist on putting her down. Taylor is a successful attorney who has been dating a man for two years that refuses to commit despite her overwhelming desire to be married. Charisse is a control freak who makes her husband and daughter miserable while pretending all is fine around church members and friends. As the story ends, each woman either finds or loses her way.

Changing Faces is a thought-provoking read. The author explores various issues facing African American women in today's society while managing to keep her readers entertained. Roby's ability to draw her readers into the intertwined lives of three women while exploring each of their lives individually is commendable. During the course of the story I found myself cheering for one of the women, getting mad at one and shocked by the actions of the other.

For the reader that is not into romance novels, Changing Faces is the perfect read.

T. RHYTHM KNIGHT
APOOO BookClub

Whitney, Charisse, and Taylor are long-term friends who have been through things since their college days and always seem to have each others' back. Whitney struggles with her battle between losing weight and feeding her addictions. When a man comes into her life, she's convinced it's a set-up and preps herself for heartbreak. Charisse is a self-proclaimed Christian, but quick to pass judgment on those around her, including her husband who she controls as one would a puppet. Unfortunately, she doesn't quite see her faults, nor her own role in being controlled by her overbearing mother. Taylor is on the fast track in her career and ready to settle down in her personal life, but her equally successful boyfriend won't totally commit. While she wants to be loved, and appreciates him in her life, she must balance her desires with what he's offering and make a decision once and for all.

I really enjoyed CHANGING FACES. The strength of the novel is not only in the dialogue, but in the message. Kimberla Lawson Roby presents a realistic look into the lives of characters the reader can relate to, understand, and applaud when they do the right thing. In addition, she also makes it apparent that people have flaws and sometimes deep-rooted issues that cause them to act in a way that could be detrimental to those around them, despite their need to keep up appearances. With surprising twists, colorful characters, and an unexpected ending, Roby rounds out the book with messages centering on the importance of relationships with family and friends.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Not one of my favorites by her but not bad either. Some parts were alittle over the top, but it kept my interest, and I would recommend it to my friends

This was a great book. I read it in one day. The characters in this book were like real life people. They had real life issues that are happening everyday. I am originally from Chicago so the references to places in Chicago were great. They made me a little homesick. I have enjoyed all of your books and can't wait until your next release. If you have not bought this book you need to buy it now. Keep up the good work!!!!

Three women, three very different lives, and a whole slew of problems. One can't stop eating; one can't stop yelling: and the other won't stop bleeding. Best friends since high school, Whitney, Taylor and Charisse know success - and secrets. But can friendship sustain them through their crises?

Women of all ages and races will relate to these strong-willed characters and their heartfelt struggles, told in Roby's straightforward style. Encouraging and real.

Kimberla Lawson Roby is an excellent writer. I really love her books. I own all of her books exccept for "Love and Lies", (I plan on reading it later) Anyway the characters were realistic with real life issues. The topics discussed were serious issues that some women face today. There is a lesson to be learned from each character's lives. The author did at good job of introducing the characters to the readers. I was shocked at what happened towards the end. I could not believe what a particular character did even though they were capable of doing it. Then the other was not that suprising because their were clues throughout the book, but I was surprised at the extent of it. I recommend this book to anyone who want more than just a fairy tale. I would love to see a part two to this book as well.

Wow. Ms. Roby did a great job with this one. I could not put this book down. Truly a page turner. The characters were so interesting. I would find it hard to believe that any woman could not find a few similarities between herself and some of the characters in the book.

These three ladies are what true friendship is made up of. Yes you have the one that is overweight,has relationships that sex is the major role. But baby can she dress. Then you have the one that thinks everyone is wrong but her and is very judgemental. lastly of course the friend that everyone can count own and is always trying to hold it all together. You will love there story and feel for each ladie and I am sure we all will find a little bit of our story within their tales