Customer Reviews

Nobody But You: A Grayson Friends Novel (Grayson Friends Novels)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Secret child... check
Thrilling plot...check
Hot desire... check
Love that transcends the page... check
A perfect romance told perfectly... check

Put that all together and you have the latest romance by Francis Ray, Nobody but You. This is a wonderful novel that takes the reunited lovers and secret child themes so dear to all of us romance readers and gives them a heart racing plot set in the dynamic world of NASCAR. I fell in love with Cameron from the moment he found out he had a son and staked his claim. This is one for the keeper shelf.

What a THRILLING read! I was CAUGHT UP in not only the second-chance romance between Caitlin and Cameron, but also the fast and fun thrills of the whole NASCAR scene. I must admit I found it DIFFICULT to empathize with Caitlin, I mean I understand her fears, but I could NEVER agree with keeping a child away from his father without just cause (such as mental or physical abuse). Cameron's DEFINITELY a ONE-OF-KIND guy, there aren't many men that would be as FORGIVING or accommodating as he was with Caitlin after the ULTIMATE betrayal. And Joshua was quite the little CHARMER, throughout this novel, I couldn't help but fall in love with him and all his antics throughout this story. Mrs. Ray once AGAIN, had me LOL, reaching for the KLEENEX, and CHEERING as Cameron and Caitlin made an attempt to move pass ALL the hurts and the fears in order to give their son the family he so desperately wanted. I also enjoyed the informative tidbits Mrs. Ray provided throughout about NASCAR and the racing world. I simply love this story; the cast of characters, the bitter-sweet storyline, the racing chills and thrills and as ALWAYS the close-knit family ties, just a wonderful treat! I can't wait for the next installment in the Grayson Friends Series.

Wow- this book is so well written. The research done on the world of Nascar and racing was so enlightening. The romance was awesome, but it was really nice to have all the behind the scenes detail. As always, the author gives us a very rich story, filled with love and family. You can't go wrong with this book. And let me just say, the race track isn't the only thing smoking!

Roshuane in TX

What's going on Ms. Ray? Usually I give your novels no less than "4 stars" but lately you've been putting out some corny stuff. Caitlin's fear of Cameron's profession, being over protective of Joshua, Joshua's whining, and bossy Cameron made this novel...nails across the chalkboard. The characters that really caught my attention were Hope, Sean, Russ, Duncan, Paul and Stella. This by no means will make me stop reading Ms. Ray's novels but after "The Way You Love Me" and "Nobody But You", come on you can do better.

This is my first book by this author, so I had no expectations going into it. What I came out with was an easy, fairly predictable, warm romance. The drama with Caitlin's fears felt a tad constructed, and seemed to go on far too long than a woman of her intelligence would have normally allowed. Cameron shaded a little too close to the perfect side, but together, there was a definite appeal that helped to compensate for some of the novel's shortcomings. Good for a fast, unchallenging read.

The whole story was just too unrealistic to me. No man would be that calm and understanding as Cameron after finding out his son was kept from him for 4 years. Caitlins character made me upset from the first moment she was introduced in the story. She kept her son away from him because she didn't agree with his RACING career. What kinda mother deprives her kid the right to a father that she knows is a good man. Seriously racing??? being a drug dealer or just dead beat dad sure but really? Esp knowing that your child longs to have a father in his life. I'm just very disappointed in this novel. Love Francis RAy but not this book. I'm only on chapter 3 and ready to give it up now.

Cameron McBride is becoming a rising star on the NASCAR circuit. When he has an accident on the race track and is rushed to a local emergency room, the last person he expects to see is, Caitlin Lewis, the woman who broke his heart five years earlier. He takes the opportunity to seek answers from Caitlin until he's faced with an unknowing fact. Now he has to face reality, he will stop at nothing to get Caitlin back.

Caitlin Lewis left the man she loved, Cameron McBride, on their wedding day because she couldn't accept his dangerous profession. She left with a secret that she's managed to keep until she runs into Cameron at the local hospital. Now she has to reveal the truth and overcome hurtful facts.

Francis Ray continues her family and friends series with this installment of Cameron and Caitlin's story in NOBODY BUT YOU. She descriptively narrates a love story that is laced with betrayal and managed to interweave updates on a few characters from past books. I love Ray's storytelling in this lastest book in the series and look forward to the next one.

Reviewed by Jaime L. Lincoln
for the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I read a lot of romance novels so this was a nice change. Ms. Ray takes her readers into the NASCAR industry which was interesting. I enjoyed Cameron and Caitlin story but found the author's writing was repetitious. i.e. Catlin's fears and the McBride family curse. Cameron was a good man to put up with Caitlin and her fears. The ending is quite touching.

Crashing while racing turned out to be the best thing that Cameron McBride could have ever done. Running into Caitlin Lawrence, the ex-fiancée who left him at the altar a broken man was the last thing he expected. The meeting paled in comparison to looking into the eyes of the son he never knew existed. Unwilling to let his son go, Caitlin will have to come to terms quickly with how her life will change forever because Cameron is in his son's life to stay.

Knowing first hand what the dangers of racing are, Caitlin doesn't want that life for herself or her child. Taking the cowards way out and running wasn't done with malice but with the need to keep her heart safe. Now that Cameron has found them both and refuses to be left out anymore Caitlin will have to come to terms with her fears or risk losing everything, winding up alone and miserable.

The beauty of the written word is an author's ability to manipulate reality and make it their own. Nobody But You, is the story of an African American NASCAR racer and his quest for racing excellence as he tries to come to terms with a child he just met. Cameron McBride is an adrenaline junkie with an undeniable passion for driving fast and winning. The love of his life and the mother of his child Caitlin Lawrence's idea of a good "career" is something safe. Caitlin's horrific fears about racing made for some interesting situations that bordered on paranoia at times.

As always Francis Ray's writing abilities are impeccable but Caitlin's mental weakness transferred to her son and really made it hard for me to get behind her. The "I thought it was better to keep your child away excuse" also resulted in some lost brownie points as far as the heroine was concerned. Cameron I actually loved, he was a man who loved his family, life and his job with equal amounts of passion. Joshua the son of Caitlin and Cameron and was precious and thoroughly entertaining. The best part for me of Nobody But You for me was how much research went into preserving the integrity of NASCAR rules, history and the race experience. The detailed descriptions of even the safety equipment made me want to give NASCAR a look this summer. Now that I've ready the third book in the Grayson Friend's series I'm interested in reading its predecessors to see if this series is as engaging as the Grayson family saga.

Indy
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Let me say first of all I love this book, I got finished in less than 24 hours, not only is it exciting but Ms Ray really did her homework on race car driving. Cameron finds out he has a long lost child, which he didn't know anything about from the love of his life Catlin who also left him on their wedding day. Cameron is upset with Catlin for keeping his son away from him, so he puts his foot down about his rights' as a father. Cameron vows to be a permanent part his son life whether she likes it or not. Catlin is still worried about the race car driving but really tries to make things work for the sake of the son plus she has never really gotten over Cameron, and now 5 years later he is even more sexy and tempting. Catlin also has her own issues with trust and the kind of career choices Cameron has made, Catlin feels the race car driving, is way to dangerous and can even be fatal to have a child around. Cameron and Catlin try to fight the attraction but it's still there, so are Catlin fears. Cameron and Catlin both want to do what is right but old fears, from the past may break them up again. Cameron wants everything racing, his son and to be a family. Catlin is still not sure because of her past. It makes you wonder can you really bury the past in order to start a new future. You really get to see if this is possible. What I like most about this book, was there were both valid points for why Cameron and Catlin felt the way they did and the choices they made. Ms Ray also gave us a little side story about Cameron parents I would love to read their story and here more about this curse.
keep up the good work