Customer Reviews

It's Like That

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cheryl Robinson's sequel It's Like That is exactly what her readers asked for - the continuation of a great story. In the sequel to If It Ain't One Thing this second part of the story brings with it the same well-defined characters in Porter and Winona. Their struggle with family drama on both sides is wrought with secrets, infidelity, betrayal and resentments; yet there was love and compassion in the true tradition of African American families. In families one learns forgiveness. I liked that in the first book.

Battling HIV and dealing with her children, her job as a car designer, and her fiancé Porter; Winona Fairchild has more on her plate than most women. Yet; she is strong in her refusal to roll over and lay down. She is a fighter looking for answers. Winona is determined to live the best of what life is left and how she goes about is full of Robinson's signature brand of drama. The sassy Winona is a strong-spirited sister.

Firefighter Porter is still chasing his musical dream and his love for the saxophone makes him question his fire safety career. His desire to fight fires was born out of watching his older brother die in a fire as a child. Porter was slowly coming to terms with his brother's death and is now estranged from his mother whom he blamed in part for their neglect. He was ready to make some changes in his life. Marrying Winona was only part of it.

The story continues to unfold and a new character, Dr. Bryce is introduced. He finds Winona attractive and his attentions threaten her pending nuptials to Porter. What draws Winona to the good doctor is his HIV status; it gives her a bond with him that she doesn't expect. His research in finding a cure for AIDS gives her hope.

Cheryl Robinson is a good writer. She writes stories that entertain while giving the reader something to think about. Rumor has it that this book is number two in a trilogy. If so; I'd be happy to know what is going to happen next. It's Like That earned four stars out of five for continuity and an interesting read. Get lost in this complicated love story. You'll love it!

Idrissa Uqdah-Reviewer for Blackliterature.com

Automotive designer Winona Fairchild seems to have it all. In Cheryl Robinson's new novel, It's Like That, Winona, Porter and their families are back and the drama unfolds. On the surface, Winona has a great six figure job at DiamlerChrysler, two intelligent children, a home in Sherwood Forest and a man ten years her junior who loves her to death. However, Winona knows all is not well. Her son has a better relationship with his father than with her. Her sassy twelve- year old daughter has the body of a sixteen- year old and is boy crazy. Her relationship with her family is unstable and worst of all she is HIV positive, thanks to a philandering ex-husband. Winona has started reading The Purpose Driven Life, and is questioning her purpose in life. Can she, in forty days, solve the mystery of what is her purpose? Is forty days enough time to make dramatic changes in her life?

Forty days in the life of Winona and Porter brings about some surprises and decisions have to be made for the sake of their relationship and sanity. Porter has to decide whether to continue as a Detroit firefighter or follow his heart and become a saxophone player. While pondering this, a young, rebounding singer in California is hounding him about being the drummer for her band. With his professional career in limbo, he is also dealing with Winona's hesitation about their upcoming marriage. Winona is also holding back on him in the bedroom, however other women are making it clear to the good looking Porter that they are ready and available for him any time, any place. Porter has to remain strong in his commitment to Winona or yield to temptation. On day forty, Porter is finally able to take the steps toward his purpose in life.

I really like this author's style. Her novels have the right amount of dialogue, narrative and descriptive scenes to make the reading enjoyable. I really liked how she incorporated the non-fiction best seller The Purpose Driven Life and incorporated the message it conveyed into the lives of her characters. I would recommend this book to friends and other book buddies, however, I would suggest they read the prequel, If It Ain't One Thing, first. And I am sure Detroiters will appreciate her highlights of the city's finer points.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

Porter and Winona are back with a new set of issues. Porter wants to marry Winona but she has cold feet. Porter also has a chance to go to California to jumpstart his music career. But will Winona want to go along for the ride? Winona loves Porter but she's struggling to find out what her true purpose in life is. Added to the confusion is the fact that her son's father Derwin is back in the picture. Derwin left Winona many years ago but he now wants to be a father to his son. Winona also has to confront her past head on when a secret is revealed to her children. Can Porter and Winona balance their own lives so that they can finally get the love they both deserve?

It's Like That is a wonderful sequel to If It Ain't One Thing. I loved how The Purpose Driven Life was incorporated into this story. You will feel how Winona tries to transform her life by reading that book. Another good thing about this novel is that there was no quick road to a happily-ever-after ending. Porter and Winona's relationship was realistic and raw. From trust issues, painful childhood memories, and judgmental parents, this novel has it all. It's Like That proves that Cheryl Robinson is one of the hottest fiction authors of today.

I have enjoyed reading the work of this author. I think she is a very good story teller. Never a dull moment.

Its' Like That by Cheryl Robinson is a thought provoking novel about life.

Winona Fairchild, a woman who by everyone's standards has it all. She has a prestigious career, a lucrative salary, two children and a man that loves her more than life itself. She has everything that she has ever wanted. The only problem is that she also has something that she NEVER wanted--HIV.

Porter Washington is a man who is frustrated because his fiancé refuses to set a wedding date. He is a man that will stand by his woman even as she battles an incurable disease. Porter has it hard, because he is not only dealing with the issues of his relationship with Winona but unresolved family issues, and to top it all off, Baby Mama Drama!

This is a very compelling story that will leave you reflecting on the choices that you make today and how they will affect you and the lives around you tomorrow.

I commend Ms. Robinson for tackling this very difficult storyline. Most people fear HIV and Aids because it is the unknown, but Ms. Robinson provided a story that some how seemed just a little less scary. Probably because she made the characters, the people next door.
Reviewed By: Eleanor S. Shields, Black Butterfly Review

In the Detroit area, Porter Washington falls in love with successful car designer Winona Fairchild, a single mother of two, teenage Carlton and preadolescent Portia. He wants to marry Winona who admits she loves him too, but she rejects his proposal. He reason is simple he deserves better than to spend his life with someone suffering from HIV, something she has informed him of, but hides from her children.

Meanwhile her ex husband encourages Carlton to join the professional golf tour once he graduates from high school; this goes against Winona's wishes as she wants her son to go to college. However, she knows she must come to grips with telling her children about her past, especially about her sister, and do something with the persistent man she loves. Not able to do it alone, she turns to a self-help book with a journal Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life; 40 Days to Change Your Life, but cannot get Porter the least bit interested in it as he has some issues too.

The sequel to IF IT AIN'T ONE THING is a deep character study that focuses on two people in love, but with a myriad of baggage that makes commitment seem impossible. Winona is a fabulous protagonist who refuses to allow HIV to stop her, but also has plenty of other demons to contend with from her past. Though his issues are less stated, Porter is estranged from his parents refusing to speak to them as well having to decide on a musical opportunity in California which means no more Winona. Though overwhelming with so many personal problems, Cheryl Robinson provides a beacon of hope that loving relationships are key to many of life's hand grenades.

Harriet Klausner

I really did love this story. It was very hard to put this book down, so I finished it in 1 day! I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen between Porter and Winona. I'm glad there will be a conclusion to this story because it really did leave me desiring more. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because I wanted more intimacy between Porter and Winona. I was hoping that the story would develop where Winona would come to terms with her situation and move on to the next phase in her life, however, she was still trying to deal with the hand that she was dealt. The story had lots of spiritual uplifting moments as well as more education on HIV. I liked how the author threw Dr. Bryce in the mix. That was a great storyline and more positive education on HIV. I fell in love with Porter and Winona and I wish them the best and much more happiness in their future. Good job Cheryl! I can't wait for your next book.

I just bought 'It's Like That' today and I am excited to get started, after reading In Love With A Younger Man, I was so enthralled by Ms. Robinson's style of writing that I decided to do a book review of it..from one of Ms. Robinson's younger male fans..I am so ready to find out about Porter and Winona in this novel.

Winona and Porter have every reason to get married, but secrets keep getting in the way of their commitment. Neither one of them is ready to be completely honest with the other. Fear of the unknown continually paralyzes both of them. The odds of a happily-ever-after life aren't exactly stacked in their favor.

It's Like That illustrates everyday life in extraordinary ways. Fear and insecurity keep many of us from taking the steps to get what we want and need. Winona and Porter work through the obstacles (his family, her health, their exes and children) together, pushing toward a common goal - marriage. Cheryl Robinson writes with clarity and conviction, showing us that with faith, truth and love, life has a way of coming full circle.

This is a sequel to the author's other book "If it Ain't One Thing." I was glad to find out how the characters' lives progressed in "It's Like That." The sequel wasn't as interesting as the first book but that's my experience with most sequels. Nice dialogue, good flow to the book. A good read !! Hats off to Cheryl Robinson, You go Gyrl.