Customer Reviews

Here And Now

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Kimberla, I read "Behind Closed Doors" and love it so I knew I would love "Here and Now". I found myself crying and cheering for the characters in this book. I read the book so fast I had to re-read it and enjoyed it more the second time around.

I felt as if Kimberla was writing about my life through some of these pages. I found myself talking to Racquel and telling her to think about what she was putting her husband through and stop before she loose him.

Marcella was very strong and I gave her credit for trying to give her children a better life. I found it very encouraging that she went back to school. That was a big plus.

Once again I loved this book from cover to cover. Kimberla, I've already put my order in for "Casting the First Stone". I can't wait to start reading your 3rd novel. I wish you much success. Keep them coming girl. Be Blessed!

I read Roby's other books, Behind Closed Doors and Casting the First Stone, before reading this one. I liked the other two books a lot, so I figured I'd enjoy Here and Now as well. Boy, was I wrong. This book was just WAY too depressing, it was just tragic events piled on top of tragic events. I know Roby was striving to teach the lesson of not thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, but this was a bit much. Although we do finally get to see some type of light at the end of a very long tunnel, Lawson spent way too much time depressing us with the painful details of these women's lives, and then gave a very poorly-thrown-together happy ending, with everyone having learned their lesson. I was not impressed with Lawson's storytelling in this book, but she does have an impressive writing style, and I will read future books by this author.

Kimberly I feel like I've been knowing you for years. I read all your books in a matter of hours rather than days and weeks. I can hardly put them down. Where do I begin. Marcella, Marcella, Marcella. She learned a lot of things the hard way, but that's not the point. The point is she learned them. I applaud this particular character. She went though sooooooooo very much. I can relate to her. At one point I felt overwhelmed with her going through so much. I had to put the book down and pray. I felt a great amount of fear rose up in me. My heart went out to her. I had to remind myself that it was just a book. I've gone through a lot of things in my life and just like Marcella it was by the Grace of God I Made it. I'm so very glad she had a friend. Somebody who listen to her without judging her. Rachel I begin to pray for her myself, because she was truly obsessed with having a baby. I want a baby too, but I'm like her husband, lovemaking became more like a routine chore, rather than a beautiful, intimate time that a couple shared. I wish that when I get married, my husband have some of the character her husband had (committed to the marrieage, to her, to the family, understand, communicative, romantic, sexy, independent, dependant, loyal and fun to be around.) And Tyrone, that lowdown dogsnake at least he was good for something. I was at least glad he had since enough to have insurance. I don't know how I would have handled my teenage daughter doing what she did. I don't know what's worse; reading the diary or having to confront her about it. I simply could not believe it. After reading that passage I began to survey my own friends who have teenage children to see what they would have done. No one knew. But it makes you think. Overall the books was absolutely intrigueing, just like all of your work. Like I said I hope to one day be able to meet you to be able to spend time with you and pick your brain. It just amazes me as to the characters in your next book will be doing. I love the book and all it's concepts. As usually I learned a lot and would highly recommend it to anyone whom ask. Keep up the work girlfriend. Oh yea the aunt and uncle was tooooo funny.

Here and Now Not your typical story......Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy February 16, 1999 Roby has written a novel in the tradition of strong black women raising children with the support of family and friends. However she has mixed just the right amount of fantasy with TRUE REALITY. The women in this book are typical of us all. Each character thinks the other should be greatful for her blessings. It is the epitome of "the grass is greener in someone elses yard". The person with the wonderful husband wants wonderful children, the person with a wonderful pair of children wants a great job and the one with the great job want to be a part of a family. While each of people is wishing for something better for themselves they are always looking out for one another. A page turner and you never get what you were expecting.

When reading a novel I look for four common themes- Reality, Comedy, Tragedy and Triumphs. This novel reflects these four emotions, making it a 4 star pick. The story focuses on two sisters Marcella and Raquel, whom like many other siblings believe their lives, would be so much happier if it mirrored the other sister's. Very similar to the anecdote; Be careful what you wish for, both sisters experience unexpected tragedy in their lives, which leads them back to each other, and the reality is; The grass may not always be greener on the other side. I truly enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to others.

Reviewed by Ronisha E. Wood

THIS IS THE STORY OF TWO SISTERS WHO CAN'T SEEM TO BE HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY HAVE. ONE SISTER HAS 'BABY DADDY DRAMA', THE OTHER SISTER CAN'T SEE THAT SHE ALREADY HAS WHAT ANY AVERAGE WOMAN WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE, A GOOD MAN, NICE HOUSE, MONEY IN THE BANK,AND THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THE BOOK STARTED OFF SLOW, BUT GOT BETTER AS TIME PROGRESSED. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO IS FEELING THAT THE GRASS MAY BE GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE.

Kimberla Roby, you go girl! I couldn't put this book down. How did you do it? Here and Now was definitely a true read. Marcella and Racquel's situation were soooo real. This was a definite tear jerker. I cried. I laughed. I yelled. I screamed. I rejoiced. I got mad. I did it all. I could relate to some of the issues in the book. I was surprised with what happened to both Sharon and Nicholas. You outdid yourself with this book. I thought Behind Closed Doors was great. I don't know what else to say. I can't wait to read Casting the First Stone. Keep um coming!

THIS NOVEL STARTED OFF AS A GREAT ONE, BUT TOTALLY SUCKED IN THE MIDDLE. THE PLOT TAKES A NOSE DIVE AFTER AWHILE AND THE STORY BECOMES KIND OF STUPID AND NOT BELIEVABLE. THE CHARACTERS WERE NOT VERY REAL. THE NEXT BOOK SHE WRITES(IF I BUY IT AT ALL) I WILL BUY USED.

This quote cannot describe this book any better. I read Behind Closed Doors, and I really enjoyed it, despite all the critisim the book was given. I like Roby's writing style and her great stories so I decided to give this book a try.

The story starts with Marcella, a single mother of two children, who is struggling to make ends meet. She is basically a receptionist at an accounting agency, but she wants to become an acountant. Marcella's sister, Raquel, is an elementary school teacher who is having some serious marital problems. She is trying so hard to become pregant but she isn't successful. This is the main reason why her husband, Kevin, becomes distant from her. The book basically takes you through the lives of these sisters and how thery deal with horrible situations that they confront.

I recommend this book because it touches on reality. I can relate to Marcella because I am a single mother and I am a full time student also. So it is hard to spend that quality time with your child, and sometimes you take things for granted. The only problem I had was with Racquel. She was really getting on my nerves with all of the crying and complaining she was doing about getting pregnant. She was so obsessed with having a baby that it was annoying and very selfish of her. Overall, it was a pretty good read.

:)

Kimberla Lawson did a wonderful job explaining the lives of two sisters; Marcella and Rachel. I really enjoyed this well written down to earth reality book.