If we stay true to ourselves...

Ms. Palfrey uses a very common scenario in the African American community as the foundation of her story line: grandparents raising grandchildren. Bobbie Strickland is a successful black, female professional. She is raising her granddaughter because her daughter, Darlene, is strung out on drugs. Bobbie is a spiritual woman and attends church faithfully. Through the course of the story, Bobbie must learn several lessons and rely on her faith to conquer the challenges of her life. 

Ray is Bobbie’s love interest and she makes him work for her attentions. Ray is a retired military man who has unexpectedly found himself single without much warning from his spouse. Ray also has a “situation” with his son that he must accept in order to help his son overcome and which threatens his relationship with Bobbi. 

The title of the book is an excellent example of foreshadowing: there really were few surprises in the plot. Although, I did find this novel an easy read, it was somewhat melodramatic. And, even though I love my strong, black brothers, Ray is just a little too good to be true and one-dimensional, as are most of the supporting characters. Yet, if you enjoy reading books with an element of spirituality and romance, then “Everything in It’s Place” might be the book for you. 

Leanna