SAY YES - Donna Hill
Kensington/Dafina
August 2004
SYNOPSIS: The national bestselling author follows up her acclaimed IF I COULD with this passionate, provocative tale that continues the saga of a woman who dared to say no to a loveless existence and now must deal with the consequences and pleasures of living life on her own terms.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE: (4) Wayne Jordan
REVIEW: A few years ago, I reviewed Donna Hill’s first mainstream release, IF I COULD, a story which examined the lives of three “sista” friends dealing with the ups and downs in their lives. The central character in that story, Regina Everette, leaves her “perfect” world to find herself. A story of her journey of self discovery, IF I COULD followed her struggle to rebuild her life and discover the woman that lies inside.
With SAY YES, the first in Kensington/Dafina’s new romance line, Hill continues the story of these three women and the issues that continue to plague their lives. While not the traditional kind of romance, and more mainstream in quality, this story is quintessential Donna Hill, and a worthy follow-up to the original story.
Again, Regina’s story is the focus, but this time we see the fulfillment of her relationship with Parker. It’s not yet time for their happily-ever-after, however, since problems arise to threaten their future with each other. Regina’s children feel no love for Parker who they believe is preventing their parents for reconciling. Along with this, Parker discovers that his daughter’s mother is dying and he had to take care of her, giving rise to further complication in the relationship. Both characters deal with these problems with maturity; and though there is uncertainty at times about the outcome of the situation, there is not doubt that Regina and Parker love each other.
Ms. Hill also takes us deeper into the lives of Antoinette Davis and Victoria Hunter. Of those characters, I found Victoria’s story to be the more interesting. I found her obsession with the color of her skin and the uncertainly of the color of the child in her womb to be at times annoying, but could accept her insecurity since her story is the story of men and woman who battle with issue of self acceptance despite the positive qualities they possess. It is her husband’s love that shows her how to love herself.
SAY YES is a complex character study that is more mainstream than romance. Readers expecting a traditional romance may be disappointed, but will be content that each of the major characters finds happiness. Ms. Hill has never been conventional, and SAY YES which pushes the boundaries of the traditional romance, is definitely a perfect example of this persistent quality that makes it a hallmark of her creativity.
waj@romanceincolor.com (15th August 2004)