At Last

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!

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!

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.

This book was sooo good! Caroline, an African-American artist, is on her way to an interview when she bumps into Brian, a white techno whiz, as she goes to get into the elevator. Things just get better from there. Caroline is amazed at, and scared of, the instant attraction she feels for Brian. Brian, being an alpha male, is thrilled by it and ready, willing and able to follow up on it.However, the attraction is not the only thing that makes Caroline hesitate. She is also hesitant about getting involved with a white man, something she has never done before. To top all of that off, it turns out that Brian is 1/4 owner of the company where she accepts a job, meaning he is also her boss. Talk about your obstacles to love! Phew!Besides the romance, there is also suspense. Caroline is privvy to some dangerous information that she doesn't even know she has and Brian has this crazy ex-girlfriend who he hasn't dated or seen in years, who suddenly decides she wants him back.Through a crazy quirk of fate, she works at the same office. The ex tries to make Caroline's work life miserable.The book is one of the best I've ever read. It's well-written, descriptive, exciting and entertaining. The author does a great job of discussing the issue of interracial dating without beating you over the head with it. As a white woman, I learned quite a bit about why blacks may have problems with other blacks dating outside the black race. Caroline is beautiful, intelligent and talented. Who wouldn't want to be her? But the real reason I would want to be her is because she has Brian. If there were more men like him, women would never get divorced! He's awesome!I highly recommend this book. It's quite entertaining, though I could have done without the mistakes I found.

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.