Rating: 
Summary: Black Heiress Meets White Technology Whiz!
Review: Another good book in this genre. She's an heiress and artist, he's a techie and former detective. Their meeting is one of the best introductions (I won't tell you--you need to read it) and their romance is charming.
The fact that she is very rich and well connected and that he is the "commoner" is a great twist on the romance novels that tend to view Blacks as not having wealthy well-connected people in their racial group. It is fun to read how the author constructs the scene at the society ball that she takes Brian to.
This is one that I know that you will enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: DAMNED GOOD!
Review: At Last by Lisa G. Riley is probably one of the best books I've read in a long time. Because I am male, I have always been under the impression that romance novels were like chick flicks -- not intended for men. But a friend of mine, knowing that I love a good story, urged me to read this book. I have to say that I was quite pleasantly surprised. The plot is well thought-out, the characters are believable and the book is written really well.Caroline and Brian came alive for me and I totally believed their problems, their triumphs and everything about them. As a white man in a relationship with a black woman, I felt like the author was describing the problems my girlfriend and I have had. The mystery in the book is written just as well as the romance. In fact, I wouldn't classify this as a romance, I would just classify this as good fiction. I'm looking forward to more work from this author.
Rating:
Summary: Entralling
Review: At Last by Lisa Riley is a great book. I love the characters and the storyline. Caroline Singleton is an African-American artist who meets and falls for Brian Keenan, an Irish-American technology wiz kid. Caroline doesn't want to act on their attraction for several reasons, including the facts that they work together and that she's never even considered dating a white man before. Brian is of a different mind and thinks that they should at least try to get to know one another. It's quite interesting to see how all of this gets worked out. The secondary characters are developed really well and definitely add something to the book. Ida and Brickman are great as bad guys and even Caroline's and Brian's parents add something to the storyline. The book is surprisingly issue-oriented and is not just romantic suspense. For a first effort, I think Ms. Riley did a wonderful job. I have read it several times; each time, finding some small nuance that makes me smile with reader satisfaction. I'm waiting with bated breath for her next offering. PLEASE----bring it on, Ms. Riley!
Rating:
Summary: Perfect in all Respects
Review: At Last by Lisa Riley is one of the best romances I've ever read. The story of Caroline and Brian is perfect in all respects. There was perfect character development, perfect building of excitement, perfect story development, perfect love, perfect lust, PERFECT EVERYTHING. I enjoyed the book immensely. Caroline is a successful African-American artist who unexpectedly and unwillingly finds herself attracted to Brian, an Irish-American technology whiz. Caroline doesn't believe a relationship with a white man would work for her and is resistant to the attraction and their unusual connection, while Brian is gung-ho and ready to take on the world. Giving more credence to Caroline's belief that they shouldn't get involved is the fact that Brian is her boss. The story also offers the reader the added bonus of suspense. Caroline is being stalked by someone and she doesn't know who or why. The reader, on the other hand, is told almost immediately and it is exciting following the story as Caroline tries to figure out who the stalker is. Caroline's and Brian's relationship (when she finally makes up her mind that she will give him a chance) is beautiful. It has everything a healthy relationship should have: romance, trust, love, tenderness and hot, steamy, STEAMY sex. I highly recommend this book and have already read it three times in the two weeks I've owned it! The brief bio in the back of the book says that the author is currently working on her second and third books. I sincerely hope that one of those books is about Caroline and Brian. If not, I'm sure this promising author won't disappoint with her other offerings.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Wonderful
Review: At Last by Lisa Riley is one of your better pieces of fiction. I can't say that I've ever read much better, actually. The characters, Caroline and Brian, are fully developed and quite likeable. Caroline is a black artist from a wealthy Chicago family. When she meets Brian, a white technological guru, she falls for him immediately, as he does her. Being mature, reasonable adults, the two instantly try to fight the decidedly terrifying feelings that they have for each other. You see, not only are they attracted to each other, but they both feel an instant connection, as if they've known each other all along. At Last is more than a romance. We follow these two as they deal with the issues of racism and classism and we feel their anger, fear and determination as they try to figure out who is stalking Caroline. Other characters in the book include Caroline's best friend, Tracy; Brian's mother, Fiona; spurned ex-lover, Ida; nefarious crime figure, Brickman, and Caroline's neice, Genevieve, a simply adorable creature. I mention these secondary characters because they were just as real to me as Caroline and Brian were. I did not want to put this novel down, and as a consequence, was able to finish it (inhale it greedily, more like it) in a little less than two hours. The author, Ms. Riley, has done a splendid job and I am looking forward to her next adventure!
Rating:
Summary: Truly Wonderful
Review: At Last by Lisa Riley is one of your better pieces of fiction. I can't say that I've ever read much better, actually. The characters, Caroline and Brian, are fully developed and quite likeable. Caroline is a black artist from a wealthy Chicago family. When she meets Brian, a white technological guru, she falls for him immediately, as he does her. Being mature, reasonable adults, the two instantly try to fight the decidedly terrifying feelings that they have for each other. You see, not only are they attracted to each other, but they both feel an instant connection, as if they've known each other all along. At Last is more than a romance. We follow these two as they deal with the issues of racism and classism and we feel their anger, fear and determination as they try to figure out who is stalking Caroline. Other characters in the book include Caroline's best friend, Tracy; Brian's mother, Fiona; spurned ex-lover, Ida; nefarious crime figure, Brickman, and Caroline's neice, Genevieve, a simply adorable creature. I mention these secondary characters because they were just as real to me as Caroline and Brian were. I did not want to put this novel down, and as a consequence, was able to finish it (inhale it greedily, more like it) in a little less than two hours. The author, Ms. Riley, has done a splendid job and I am looking forward to her next adventure!
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best!
Review: At Last by Lisa Riley was one of the best books I've ever read. The last time I was this enthralled with a book was when I read, uh...let's see...hmm...ummm...well, it's been so long, I've forgotten! Brian and Caroline are two people who meet and are attracted to one another right away. The sparks fly immediately. But it isn't just heat emanating between these two would-be lovers, it's a sort of pre-existing knowledge. I think Caroline says it best when she says that there was "an instant knowing" even though she had never laid eyes on him before that moment. From the first page to the last, I just loved this book! The two meet and want more, but because of a few interesting dilemmas (she's just accepted a job with his firm, she's never dated anyone who wasn't black, he's never dated anyone so wealthy, etc.), they don't get together right away. I forgot to mention that he's a white guy from a decidely middle class background and she's a black woman from a wealthy (read heiress to an ice cream empire) background. I forgot to mention them because these two facts by no means make the whole story. Though, I will say that the Ms. Riley deals with the issue of race really well. One can tell she really thought about what she was writing. Anyway, there are also other interesting elements to this novel. There's a stalker, so there's suspense and there's a spurned ex-lover, so there's drama. Not to mention the city of Chicago as a third character. I wanted to hop on a plane immediately from the way the author described the city's wonderful lakefront and cultural entities. The secondary characters in this book are well-rounded and one gets to know them almost as well as the main characters. I can't say enough about this wonderful first novel by Ms. Riley. So imagine my thrill when I logged onto this website and saw that she has a second one coming out in August and it's about two of those great secondary characters I just mentioned. I simply can't wait! Well done, Ms. Riley. I hope you have a long career.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best!
Review: At Last by Lisa Riley was one of the best books I've ever read. The last time I was this enthralled with a book was when I read, uh...let's see...hmm...ummm...well, it's been so long, I've forgotten! Brian and Caroline are two people who meet and are attracted to one another right away. The sparks fly immediately. But it isn't just heat emanating between these two would-be lovers, it's a sort of pre-existing knowledge. I think Caroline says it best when she says that there was "an instant knowing" even though she had never laid eyes on him before that moment. From the first page to the last, I just loved this book! The two meet and want more, but because of a few interesting dilemmas (she's just accepted a job with his firm, she's never dated anyone who wasn't black, he's never dated anyone so wealthy, etc.), they don't get together right away. I forgot to mention that he's a white guy from a decidely middle class background and she's a black woman from a wealthy (read heiress to an ice cream empire) background. I forgot to mention them because these two facts by no means make the whole story. Though, I will say that the Ms. Riley deals with the issue of race really well. One can tell she really thought about what she was writing. Anyway, there are also other interesting elements to this novel. There's a stalker, so there's suspense and there's a spurned ex-lover, so there's drama. Not to mention the city of Chicago as a third character. I wanted to hop on a plane immediately from the way the author described the city's wonderful lakefront and cultural entities. The secondary characters in this book are well-rounded and one gets to know them almost as well as the main characters. I can't say enough about this wonderful first novel by Ms. Riley. So imagine my thrill when I logged onto this website and saw that she has a second one coming out in August and it's about two of those great secondary characters I just mentioned. I simply can't wait! Well done, Ms. Riley. I hope you have a long career.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful First Effort!
Review: At Last was a great book. I'm thankful to my best friend for giving it to me to read. The story, about a black woman and a white man, is absolutely riveting! Caroline Singleton, a wealthy African American woman meets Brian Keenan, an Irish American whose background can best be described as middle class. Anyway, they meet by bumping into one another and the attraction is immediately explosive. But they both realize that it's more than an attraction, it's actually more of an instant connection, one that they both know they aren't likely to find again.
Despite all of this, they both have reservations. Caroline because she's never dated anyone who wasn't black and Brian because he's never dated anyone so wealthy. Additionally, there's a stalker who adds the proper amount of suspense to this book.
I love the treatment the author gave this book. She's a very descriptive writer and many times I could actually see her scenes in my mind. The love story is tenderly told and the sex scenes are almost dangerously hot! The secondary characters are developed enough so that one knows them almost as well as one knows the primary characters. After reading this book, I immediately wanted to read more by this author(despite all of the mistakes I'm sure happened during the printing process) and was disappointed to find she doesn't have any others out yet. So I went to find other interracial romances and was quite disappointed by the other authors' works (I won't mention their names here). I can only hope Ms. Riley's second book will hit the shelves soon!
Rating: 
Summary: My love has come along, just in a different color.
Review: Caroline is an African American heiress making her way in the world when she literally bumps into Brian Keenan, a White senior partner in a technology firm where Caroline is interviewing. It is love at first contact in Lisa G. Riley's novel, At Last. Caroline and Brian begin their relationship on the fast track. Within the first few pages we have a couple that are overwhelmed by each other. That intensity between strangers was a bit overwhelming for this reader. As the story progresses, they find themselves fighting their attraction trying to avoid a romance in the workplace defending their interracial relationship, and trying to protect Caroline from a psychopath she doesn't even know. Throw in a crazed ex-girlfriend and you have a lot going on in this book. Ms. Riley literally has this book set in three parts. Although this allows her to pretty much develop each major dilemma they face, I would have rather had the romance and intrigue unfold together. However, she does an awesome job of noting the issues of race without ignoring them or bombarding her reader. This book is lusty enough to attract diehard romance fans, and has enough intrigue to keep the occasional romance chaser satisfied. Kotanya
APOOO BookClub
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