Fans of Interracial Romance discussion

Hello fellow booklovers, here's the new thread for June's book discussion. As you might have guessed, this month's book is No Commitment Required by Seressia Glass. I really liked the way Eugenia had last month's discussion set-up so I might have to steal and/or revamp a few of her ideas. My apologies for the theft. You know the old saying, "It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission."
Anywho, I think we'll just have two discussion threads. This one will be for Chapters 1-10 and can cover any first impressions or observations regarding the first part of the book. The second thread will encompass the remaining chapters and will allow for any final impressions or likes/dislikes.
Here's a few questions to get the ball rolling:
1. What is your first thoughts regarding the story?
2. How do you feel about the characters of Michael Benjamin and Yvonne Mitchelson?
3. Do you find the chemistry between these two characters plausible, why or why not?
4. How do you feel about Yvonne's body issues? Do you find that this reconciles with the rest of her personality?
4. What are your feelings regarding Yvonne's relationship with Jeff Maxwell?
5. How did you feel about the love scene and the aftermath of it?

Please chime in as you wish. Don't leave me hanging.

Sweet!

I remember when I first read this story I didn't like Michael in the beginning because I thought he was just a non-commitment bed hopper but then I remember it was a romance and told myself to hold on. Now every time I reread it I really like it because of how he changes through the course of the story.

As for Yvonne, I really liked her right off. She knew what she want and went after it. She also said what was on her mind and carried herself with such grace. She almost made me want to be a designer after reading this book! lol. I really resonated with her personality because she liked to stay in but when she went out she integrated well with people.

I think the chemistry was hot right off. I love the way Michael looked at her when he picked her up, especially when he was checking her out as she slid into his passenger seat. Ooh and the running shorts in the office scene and of course the love scene, hehe. Smoking stuff.

I felt really bad for Yvonne regarding her body issues. Obviously she was beautiful to Michael but within herself she didn't feel attractive and I imagine she held a confidence that masked how much she was hurting inside. Or maybe she pushed it way back in her mind so she didn't think about it?

I like Yvonne's platonic relationship with Jeff. She sees him as a friend and she can rely on him but there's a tension there that I think she may have felt at the same time. Even if Michael isn't in the picture, I'm not sure if I would want them to get together. It seems to me they'd be better friends.

Love scene almost smoked my book up! I loved it and Michael's reaction when he found out was still fun to read! Afterward, it was kinda understandable how he felt but I understand why Yvonne didn't say anything. I imagine he would have hesitated like during and/or acted differently than he did.

What do you guys think?

Rae wrote: "Sweet!

I remember when I first read this story I didn't like Michael in the beginning because I thought he was just a non-commitment bed hopper but then I remember it was a romance and told myself..."

I, too, felt he was kind of a jerk at the beginning of the book. I know a lot of women who see noncommital men as a challenge and have probably ended up having a similar argument. And actually, it was quite a revelation to see how damaged Michael was by his marriage. That being said, he totally redeemed himself when he told Yvonne, "Your scars have nothing to do with it. You're beautiful despite them, and you're beautiful inside because of them." My hardened heart actually melted a little.
As for Yvonne, I am so jealous. She sounds like one level-headed and beautiful person. A good combination of confidence and vulnerability.
Yes, I think that they had a lot of chemistry. If Yvonne didn't have her body issues, I image that they would have hopped into bed a lot earlier. Actually, I think if she didn't have her body issues, I don't think she would have been a virgin. I say this because it seems her viginity was based more on fear than some moral code.
As far a Jeff is concerned, I think Yvonne is the only one who sees their relationship as platonic. I think Jeff is just waiting for the opportunity to "hit that." I, however, believe that it is impossible for men and women to be friends without one or both of them being attracted to the other at some point. I am not saying that anything ever has to happen between them, but I don't think they can have a platonic relationship in it's truest sense. So, yes, I am confessing that I have "liked" all of my male friends at some point, whether it was before, during, or after our friendship, but I have never had more than friendhip relationship with any of them.
As for the sex scene, it was hot. It was interesting to see how torn up Michael was about taking Yvonne virginity. Also, I find it interesting how they both jumped on the "friends with benefits" waggon at the first available opportunity. Why do women spend their Girls Night Out complaining about the men in their lives or lack thereof.
Anyway, that's my opinion so far.

I don't like them out of order. Just a little OCD of me.

Lonestarpt wrote: "And actually, it was quite a revelation to see how damaged Michael was by his marriage. That being said, he totally redeemed himself when he told Yvonne, "Your scars have nothing to do with it. You're beautiful despite them, and you're beautiful inside because of them." My hardened heart actually melted a little. "

I so agree! I loved that! That scene/quote coupled with the backstory of how that girl did him wrong in the past did work to redeem him and I loved how it all took time to unfold.

Really? I think that men and women can be platonic friends without attraction. It's rare but definitely possible. I've known a couple of guys where we were just friends and not interested in each other. My other guys friends probably won't fit into this category as there was some interest there though lol.

I so agree about Yvonne, she just rocks. :-)

Nope, I absolutely believe that it is not possible for a man and woman to have a platonic friendship. Just because you didn't like a couple of your male friends, that doesn't mean that at some point, even for a teeny, tiny second that they didn't think that they would like to hook up with you. Maybe they just never acted on it because they valued the friendship more.

Hmm maybe. Although I've know one or two that were interested in the same dudes I were interested in lol.

Ack!

Now I'm confused Lol.

Were my guy friends interested in the same dudes men or women??

Rae wrote: "Sweet!

I remember when I first read this story I didn't like Michael in the beginning because I thought he was just a non-commitment bed hopper but then I remember it was a romance and told myself..."

I agree with you, Rae. At first I didn't think I would like Michael either. But he won me over pretty fast. I think it was because I could see that deep down he was nursing a broken heart. And pretty soon it was clear he really did care about Yvonne. He was very good to her.

Rae wrote: "Lonestarpt wrote: "And actually, it was quite a revelation to see how damaged Michael was by his marriage. That being said, he totally redeemed himself when he told Yvonne, "Your scars have nothing..."

I have some male friends that are just that.

Great chemistry between Michael and Yvonne off the back. I loved how he appreciated her beauty immediately. Loved the love scenes. I am really surprised how much I liked this book because I don't generally like fling/hook-up storylines. It just snuck in there on me.

Eugenia wrote: "
No, LOL. what I was asking was were they male or female friends interested in the sa..."

Ah, yes. These were male friends interested in the same guys as me, yup.

Gatadelafuente (Danielle) wrote: "Great chemistry between Michael and Yvonne off the back. I loved how he appreciated her beauty immediately. Loved the love scenes. I am really surprised how much I liked this book because I don't..."

So glad you liked it, Danielle! :-)

I agree. Normally I don't like hookup, fling stories myself but Ms. Glass really put the emotion in her characters here that makes it believable why they were scared to trust.

I agree, Rae. That's why I liked it. They had a deep, unique connection. I couldn't put the book down. The doughnut scene had my mouth open.

So true. Amazing stuff. This book is definitely one of my fave IRs because of those strong elements, if not my fave. :-)

LOL that was a memorable scene indeed! Hehe.

My innocent mind was totally shocked at the doughnut incident (but only in a good way. :)

Eugenia, sure seems that way lol.

Danielle, same here hehe. :-)

Any additional thoughts on this novel as the month cames to an end? Please feel free to share.

I would like to reread it since it's been almost ten years since I read it. Hard to believe I've been an avid IR collector that long.

Thanks for leading the discussion this month, Shunda. I would probably have more to say if I had recently read this book.