This was my first delve into Joan Johnston, and I absolutely loved it and look forward to reading her back list as well as future titles.
I normally stThis was my first delve into Joan Johnston, and I absolutely loved it and look forward to reading her back list as well as future titles.
I normally stick to the regency books, but I had wanted to read a historical western romance for a while, and the mail-order bride fit well with the story. I was absolutely in love with the heroine by page 22. Her fierce love for her siblings and incredible desire to do anything to protect them from harm brought tears to my eyes.
Wonderful read.
EDIT 07/14/2013
Just finished reading this for the second time, and I loved it almost as much as the first. This time around I did notice a few things that felt like inconsistencies, but I cried just as much as the first time. I just adore Miranda (the main female) and how devoted she is to her siblings. I also enjoyed that there are a few chapters from the point of view of secondary characters. You don't often see that in a romance novel. ...more
This very short view into the world of Lila and Lincoln felt 100% incomplete. This could have easily been a whole book and would have been much betterThis very short view into the world of Lila and Lincoln felt 100% incomplete. This could have easily been a whole book and would have been much better for it. All you really get is one full day of interaction between the main characters and the knowledge that they've been exchanging letters for two years or so. There is no mention of what happened in those two years or a resolution of what happens after Lila and Lincoln actually meet.
After loving Pushing the Limits so much, I was very disappointed in this one. I stumble over using the word "story" even. I would call it a "promise." Sadly, we (so far) have no idea what becomes of that promise, or most of the drama that led to the promise in the first place....more
I really, really loved this book! I would say ultimately it deserves a good 4.5 stars, but I've been having trouble giving anything 5 stars lately. I I really, really loved this book! I would say ultimately it deserves a good 4.5 stars, but I've been having trouble giving anything 5 stars lately. I read the whole thing in a day though and stayed up until 2 AM to finish it, so that right there says something since it is nearly 400 pages long.
This book made me laugh and cry (OMG the tears). Both of the main characters have recently had horrible things happen in their lives, and they are seeing a counselor to try to work through them and move on with their lives. In the process these two very different people get thrown together when the counselor suggests that Noah gets some tutoring from Echo. What ensues is an emotional roller coaster in which both parties learn to rely on each other, trust people again, and move past the trauma of adolescence and life altering events.
I'd recommend this book to any fan of the New Adult (or YA Romance) genre....more
This book is essentially two mini stories that happen during the time frame of the first book, The Warded ManWhat a great addition to the Demon Cycle!
This book is essentially two mini stories that happen during the time frame of the first book, The Warded Man, that you never really get to see because they happen during the years long gaps in that story. I admit that I read it after I had read The Daylight War, so it was kind of a shock to see Arlen in armor, but even in armor he was so... Arlen.
I would highly suggest picking up a copy it you are a Demon Cycle fan. If you've heard about the series and haven't picked it up yet, I honestly don't know what you're waiting for. If you like epic fantasy, or stories about demons, or great adventures, go buy the first book! ...more
As this was a short story, I will make this short...
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story, and wish I could know more about these characters. Also, IAs this was a short story, I will make this short...
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story, and wish I could know more about these characters. Also, I loved the language of the story; it felt old and mysterious. ...more
I am admittedly kind of conflicted about this book.
On the one hand, I didn't really feel like the story was well told. By page 200 or so the entire tI am admittedly kind of conflicted about this book.
On the one hand, I didn't really feel like the story was well told. By page 200 or so the entire thing can be summed up with a challenge of the system then an undetermined period of time quietly stewing in angst but pretending to fit in, rinse and repeat about five or six times. By the third or fourth time I was pretty over it.
On the other hand, once it moved past that I was intrigued and it ended with a big enough shocker that I wouldn't mind picking up the next book right away. Alas, I have other books in line ahead of it, and I am also kind of okay with that.
The premise was interesting though. You never quite knew who to trust. I just think maybe it could have been done in a way that pulled me in more.
Another thing that bugged me was they never really explained how much time was passing. It would say something like, "the last time we played paintball," insinuating it had been a while, but to the reader it was the last chapter and seemed like just the day before. That wasn't the only instance that something like that happened either. It is kind of frustrating having no idea how much time has elapsed in the book. Was he there a week, three weeks, four months? I have no idea. ...more
I very thoroughly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the shape shifting elements, the dream walking, the world building, and more than anything el4.5 Stars.
I very thoroughly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the shape shifting elements, the dream walking, the world building, and more than anything else, I enjoyed the kickass heroine that, even though she's just learned about this new world and that she is a part of it, isn't going to let her predestined mate push his weight around. She is a strong lead that can take comfort from her mate while still taking care of herself. I also loved that both main characters had huge and trusting hearts and that they were willing to open their minds to the possibilities of dealing with situations out of their comfort zones. It made them much more believable and relatable.
I can already tell that I am going to really dig this series, and I am looking forward to starting the second book in this series very soon. If you enjoy paranormal romance novels, make sure Sara Humphreys is on your radar!...more
It is so hard to rate any Julia Quinn book. The thing is, I read it (twice), I laughed, I cried, I got caught up in the characters (all of whom I alwIt is so hard to rate any Julia Quinn book. The thing is, I read it (twice), I laughed, I cried, I got caught up in the characters (all of whom I always wish I knew personally), so my head is always screaming, FIVE STARS, FIVE STARS! The problem with that though is that it makes it hard to differentiate between the ones I can firmly say, 'I like this one, better than that one.' For that reason alone, I have to give this four stars, but because I am loathe to do it, I'll say 4.5 stars.
Daphne Bridgerton is the fourth in line of eight siblings, and the oldest of the girls. Having three older brothers has made he somewhat tomboyish and sure of herself. This has also however caused all the men of the ton to see Daphne as a great friend, not as a desirable woman. Since Daphne wants her own large family someday, this has started to vex her greatly, until Simon Basset (her brother's friend from school) returns to London and together they concoct a scheme that will improve her chances at finding a husband and keep marriage minded society mothers off his back.
Simon Basset, the new Duke of Hastings, doesn't want marriage in any way, shape, or form. He fully intends to let the dukedom fall out of the family upon his death. Upon returning to London though with the new title of 'Duke,' he finds himself barraged by the mothers of the ton's marriageable ladies. To save himself the hassle of the ton's ladies, and to make other men of the ton see Daphne in a new light, and let's face it, because he has so much fun in her presence, Simon enters into a false attachment with Daphne. She will save him from having to deal with so many of the ton's mothers harassing him everywhere he goes, and he will raise her status simply because if a Duke wants her, everyone else will follow suit.
What I love most about Julia Quinn's books is that more often than not the enemy or obstacle to overcome is some ghost of the past or internal thought process. I always find those struggles more fulfilling to read about than your standard "bad guy" obstacle. If you enjoy the historical romance genre, I've never met anyone who didn't fall in love with Julia Quinn's books....more
I have mixed feelings about this title. I'm going to have to say overall, 3.5 stars.
I am going to start off with just a weird impression I had before I have mixed feelings about this title. I'm going to have to say overall, 3.5 stars.
I am going to start off with just a weird impression I had before starting the book, and it has no impact what-so-ever on my review... For some reason, I went into this book thinking it was a Cinderella story. I don't know why, but I assure you, it is not. Either way, it wasn't a big deal, and I don't know why I thought that. Maybe because the first book in the series was a Beauty and the Beast retelling and this book is part of the same series and had the word Midnight in it. I don't know.
Anyways... on to the review.
I will tell you what I love about the book first: I love Richard and Genevieve's chemistry. I love Anna Campbell's style of writing. I love the overall story and conflict.
My issues with the book: I do not like that Sir Richard Harmsworth flat out plans on manipulating, using and seducing Genevieve to get what he wants. I do not like him stealing her clothes just to see her naked. This scene may have been acceptable had they already been intimate and it was set up like foreplay or something, but it isn't. They've just barely met and he takes her clothes for the sole purpose of looking at her and taking advantage of her. May I just say... run away Genevieve, run away. This was essentially my biggest issue with the book, but it was kind of a biggie.
That aside, like I said, overall I enjoyed the book, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. ...more
Admittedly this book threw me for a bit of a loop. That is not to say I didn’t enjoy it because I did. I laughed, I cried, and I looked forward to theAdmittedly this book threw me for a bit of a loop. That is not to say I didn’t enjoy it because I did. I laughed, I cried, and I looked forward to the “Happily Ever After” ending. Getting there was a bit of a roller coaster though. Overall I'd say 3.5 stars.
I loved the letters exchanged back and forth between Edie and Gowan when they’ve been betrothed and she decides she needs to set a few things straight first since she was very ill and not at all herself when they first met.
One thing I was not at all prepared for was Edie’s complete lack of enjoyment in intimacy with her husband once they are wed. I don’t think I’ve ever come across that in a romance novel. I get the idea though, and it is a very realistic one that we all face, the problem of letting our thoughts and fears shred us to pieces to where it is all that we can think of and we are unable to just relax and enjoy ourselves for a bit. It offered a great deal of realism to the book, it just took me by surprise.
Another shocker was near the end of the book when (view spoiler)[Gowan freaks out and leaves. All I could think was, “Wow Edie. Leave. Run and don’t look back.” Even getting into Gowan’s head was a little difficult for me after that because I wasn’t sure I wanted to be there. I must say though, when Layla and then Bardolf laid into him in such a blunt and cruel manner, after he has already broken some ribs to tell her he was an ass, I kind of started to feel like, “Okay, maybe I can like this guy again.” Again, I don’t really expect to hate the male lead in a romance novel for a few chapters, so it was kind of a shock. (hide spoiler)]
Over all, when all was said and done, I enjoyed this story. I was able to shed tears for the main characters, and even some of the not-so-main characters. I really enjoyed the references to other stories and poets (mainly Shakespeare and Rapunzel) and I hope Eloisa James continues to dazzle us with more reimaginings of other classic stories. ...more
I never gave a lot of thought to the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Then this moment happened in SyFy's Alice...
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and I've nI never gave a lot of thought to the Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Then this moment happened in SyFy's Alice...
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and I've never been quite the same.
After that Once Upon a Time gave us a Mad Hatter with a name, a purpose, and a rich background story that made you want to give him a great big hug.
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These are the things that made me reexamine The Hatter and a million other characters I had overlooked in the past. That and my love for modern retellings of classic tales made me want to pick up this book. I wont lie, I wasn't expecting a whole lot. I got much more than I hoped for.
It was cute. Come on, Alice runs a cupcakery. It was hot. No, I wont go in to details. It was at times heart wrenching. I admit it, I cried.
It also gave me pause to rethink the classics, and I LOVE when books (or television shows) do that. Here's the thing. You've got all these fairies and fairy godmother's flying around and making love matches, why not one for the bad guys. That is what this series is about, the fairy godmother who chose to find matches for the bad guys, and "her guys." I am really looking forward to diving into the next book of the series....more
I had to put this book down so many times during the course of reading. Not because it was boring or I had things to do, but because I had to stop reaI had to put this book down so many times during the course of reading. Not because it was boring or I had things to do, but because I had to stop reading long enough for the tears to dry up. Wow, what a tearjerker, in the best of ways. I cried for love, loss, faith, sacrifice, fear, anticipation, you name it, I felt it. It ripped my heart out and put me all back together and then did it again. Personally, I love when books put me on an emotional roller coaster.
If you've read the other books in the Friday Harbor series than you know that this series was Lisa's first delve into "paranormal" romance. I use quotations because it was such a slight touch in magic as to almost feel like just the character's take on how having such powerful emotions can feel. This last book in the series jumped into the supernatural pool.
During the entire series now we've had glimpses of Justine and her comments of "I'll curse him if he hurts you," or things of the like, but here Justine gets her own story and we find that she is a full blown witch, born through a natural line of witches. Sadly, I think, the synopsis gives away a major plot point (or at least something that would have been a neat "Oh no, what's she going to do" moment when Justine herself learns of it), so I won't bother telling you here, but my point is, this book has magic and is magic.
Edit 02/20/2013: After some separation from this book, I decided to bump it down to 4 stars instead of 5. There were a number of things with this book that didn't sit well with me after the initial high of constant tear-jerking emotions wore off. Also, I agree with a lot of the other reviews in that this is probably the weakest of the Friday Harbor series just because of the sheer unbelievability of it. Where the others in this series are tinted with magic, this one has been seeped in it and I think it could have been toned way down....more
I would say this is a solid 3.5 Stars . I liked it, but there were a few things that I would have enjoyed more had they been slightly different. AnyonI would say this is a solid 3.5 Stars . I liked it, but there were a few things that I would have enjoyed more had they been slightly different. Anyone who is a particular fan of romances of the kidnapped/captor, Native American, or the didn't-know-I-fathered-a-baby variety will likely enjoy this title a lot.
One thing that would have made me enjoy this book a little more would have been M-POV parts of the story, especially in the first half during the whole kidnap scenario. I later realized this book was originally published in the mid-nineties when the POV switch in romance novels wasn't as popular. Also given the date of publishing there's lots of flowery language which I kind of rolled my eyes at. I did like that because of the date this was originally published, the vocabulary of the book included a lot more of the higher point Scrabble words than you would see in a lot of romance novels today.
I also didn't really like the way the Lucas always seemed to be an ass and Aislinn (yes, back in the day the female leads had crazy names) always just considered it his tough exterior that she just needed to break though. Sometimes I just thought to myself, "Or maybe he's just an ass." Luckily for the reader, even though Aislinn rarely got to see his softer moments, the audience occasionally did, so that made it a lighter cross to bare.
Lastly, I didn't like (view spoiler)[ that Lucas had no part what so ever in exonerating himself. Yes, great, he was not guilty of the crimes that made him a felon, so you are allowed to like the mistreated guy, but the fact he did nothing himself to clear his name just made that part of the book feel contrived. (hide spoiler)]
All that being said, I DID enjoy the story. If I have to admit it, this book came out about the time I picked up my very first romance novel, so it was a neat look back into the past and into what first drew me to the genre in the first place.
*** I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads ***...more
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