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julie_m's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jtapia's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
trink's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the story line, but it felt a little drawn out at times.
mrs_rebadon's review against another edition
3.0
"Petals on the River" by Kathleen Woodiwiss broke the mold so tightly clung to in most historical romances. Although the expected adventure, misunderstandings, jealousy, betrayal, passion, and murder, are still very much present, this story read differently. Woodiwiss avoids the conflict trope between the hero and heroine in favor of demonstrating a well-matched couple falling in love. Gage Thornton, our hero, purchases an indentured servant in order to manage household chores and care for his son Andrew. Shemaine O'Hearn, unjustly accused and convicted of thievery, quickly recognizes her luck in being purchased by the kind, if aloof, cabinetmaker and widower. Gage makes it clear from the beginning that he harbors an attraction for his slave, but asserts that he will never force himself on her. The two gradually learn to trust each other, learn about each other, and care about one another; ultimately Gage proposes, they marry, and love grows deeply between the two. Woodiwiss created an enchanting relationship between the hero and heroine, who never sway from each other despite the presence of numerous forces working against them.
It is this lack of conflict between the hero and heroine which made for a different type of romance - "Petals on the River" shows its age through its luxurious and complex prose and drawn-out story lines. As this book is 500+ pages total, some elements of the story dragged on, particularly the numerous occasions where a number of characters remained intent on the destruction of Gage and Shemaine's relationship and even Shemaine's murder. It led to a high body count at the book's end, as multiple deaths were necessary in order to guarantee eternal bliss for the two lovers.
Despite this book's faults (probably due to its age - published in the 1990s), I was left happy having read about Gage and Shemaine's love in a longer, detailed story. 3/5
It is this lack of conflict between the hero and heroine which made for a different type of romance - "Petals on the River" shows its age through its luxurious and complex prose and drawn-out story lines. As this book is 500+ pages total, some elements of the story dragged on, particularly the numerous occasions where a number of characters remained intent on the destruction of Gage and Shemaine's relationship and even Shemaine's murder. It led to a high body count at the book's end, as multiple deaths were necessary in order to guarantee eternal bliss for the two lovers.
Despite this book's faults (probably due to its age - published in the 1990s), I was left happy having read about Gage and Shemaine's love in a longer, detailed story. 3/5
nighteyes82's review against another edition
2.0
read several years ago.
the story was was well written but the plot bored me.
the story was was well written but the plot bored me.
rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
5.0
Wells, well I have nothing but good praises for this BOOK!! Petals On The Wind, by Kathleen Woodiwiss is AWESOME! My, my. Ok, first, the romance between Shemaine and Gage was romantic and steamy. Second throw in action, suspense, murder and a who done it.
Follow up with vengeful vixens, harlots and Marquis. You therefore then have a one hell of a whomping book to read by the fire, with a warm blanket and wine. People I recommend this writer and I recommend this book. Go read it.
Follow up with vengeful vixens, harlots and Marquis. You therefore then have a one hell of a whomping book to read by the fire, with a warm blanket and wine. People I recommend this writer and I recommend this book. Go read it.
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
2.0
I’m starting to see that with Miss Woodiwiss, it’s either a bullseye or a complete miss, as it is the case with this book.
Petals On The River disappointed me at several levels and that’s why I rated this one
with mere 2 stars.
First of all, the length of the book was one of the major flaws.
I don’t feel like the book had to be so long to tell the story of our heroine, Shemaine O’Hearn and how she constantly found herself in serious trouble.
In fact, I would have thought the same thing if the book had only half the pages. I think we could have learned the same throughout 300 pages or so.
As it is, I think most of what I read was unnecessary and could have been easily cut out.
Nothing relevant or interesting ever seemed to happen and I had to go through endless descriptions of Shemaine’s household chores and how much Gage unsettled her ‘freshly awakened woman senses’ and all that jazz, which, as you know, was extremely boring.
The only time something somewhat important happened was when our heroine found her life threatened.
Now, come on, how many enemies is it humanly possible for someone to have?
Shemaine had a bunch of them, all eagerly waiting for an opportunity to put her in a wooden pajama.
Let’s count them: Mrs Fitch, the London Pride’s captain’s wife, Jacob Potts, one of the sailors, Morrisa Hatcher, the whore, Roxanne Corbin, who spent years lusting after Gage before Shemaine arrived on the scene and Lady Edith du Mercer, who preferred her dead rather than face the possibility she could marry her grandson and sully the family’s precious aristocratic blood with her Irish blood.
And I’m just talking about the ones who actually tried to kill her, direct or indirectly. She had way more, like Mrs Pettycomb, the gossipmonger.
Really, it came to a point that this entire situation became ridiculous and the only thing I could do was sigh with dread and skip pages.
Besides that, I had other issues with the book, like the fact that Shemaine, who although not a lady came from a family with money and possessions, slipped too easily into the role of a slave and servant.
I don’t think that’s believable. First of all, someone used to that level of comfort would surely notice the difference in circumstances and there’s the fact Shemaine was supposed to be a fiery woman.
I would surely expect her to actively fight against her new circumstances and everyone involved, like Gage, the hero and the man who bought and ended up marrying her.
But no. She had a privileged life in England, was surreptitiously taken away from all that comfort and thrown into prison and a life of slavery, but she’s okay with that. She’s only grateful she was bought by an honorable man who didn’t try to rape her at his first opportunity.
That’s not right at all in my point of view.
Plus, the fact Gage bought her as an indentured servant took a lot away from what the romance could have been. Things just felt strained and forced and I didn’t like that at all.
I need things to develop at a normal pace and to feel natural. Also, I need to feel that the people that are supposed to fall in love with each other are someone on the same level and that certainly didn’t happen.
Shemaine was already reduced to a mere servant and she kept humiliating herself to Gage, not even showing a single drop of her combative Irish temperament.
I hope that what I just referred doesn’t make you think the author is worthless, because that isn’t true. She is very talented, but sometimes she just doesn’t create the right situations for a read to enjoy.
Petals On The River disappointed me at several levels and that’s why I rated this one
with mere 2 stars.
First of all, the length of the book was one of the major flaws.
I don’t feel like the book had to be so long to tell the story of our heroine, Shemaine O’Hearn and how she constantly found herself in serious trouble.
In fact, I would have thought the same thing if the book had only half the pages. I think we could have learned the same throughout 300 pages or so.
As it is, I think most of what I read was unnecessary and could have been easily cut out.
Nothing relevant or interesting ever seemed to happen and I had to go through endless descriptions of Shemaine’s household chores and how much Gage unsettled her ‘freshly awakened woman senses’ and all that jazz, which, as you know, was extremely boring.
The only time something somewhat important happened was when our heroine found her life threatened.
Now, come on, how many enemies is it humanly possible for someone to have?
Shemaine had a bunch of them, all eagerly waiting for an opportunity to put her in a wooden pajama.
Let’s count them: Mrs Fitch, the London Pride’s captain’s wife, Jacob Potts, one of the sailors, Morrisa Hatcher, the whore, Roxanne Corbin, who spent years lusting after Gage before Shemaine arrived on the scene and Lady Edith du Mercer, who preferred her dead rather than face the possibility she could marry her grandson and sully the family’s precious aristocratic blood with her Irish blood.
And I’m just talking about the ones who actually tried to kill her, direct or indirectly. She had way more, like Mrs Pettycomb, the gossipmonger.
Really, it came to a point that this entire situation became ridiculous and the only thing I could do was sigh with dread and skip pages.
Besides that, I had other issues with the book, like the fact that Shemaine, who although not a lady came from a family with money and possessions, slipped too easily into the role of a slave and servant.
I don’t think that’s believable. First of all, someone used to that level of comfort would surely notice the difference in circumstances and there’s the fact Shemaine was supposed to be a fiery woman.
I would surely expect her to actively fight against her new circumstances and everyone involved, like Gage, the hero and the man who bought and ended up marrying her.
But no. She had a privileged life in England, was surreptitiously taken away from all that comfort and thrown into prison and a life of slavery, but she’s okay with that. She’s only grateful she was bought by an honorable man who didn’t try to rape her at his first opportunity.
That’s not right at all in my point of view.
Plus, the fact Gage bought her as an indentured servant took a lot away from what the romance could have been. Things just felt strained and forced and I didn’t like that at all.
I need things to develop at a normal pace and to feel natural. Also, I need to feel that the people that are supposed to fall in love with each other are someone on the same level and that certainly didn’t happen.
Shemaine was already reduced to a mere servant and she kept humiliating herself to Gage, not even showing a single drop of her combative Irish temperament.
I hope that what I just referred doesn’t make you think the author is worthless, because that isn’t true. She is very talented, but sometimes she just doesn’t create the right situations for a read to enjoy.
yellowknoop's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book in the library on their sell section. Wanted an easy read and got so much. It became my favorite and I'm forever spoiled. This has such great ritme and is very intriguing. Re-read this so many times that I really know the story now, really
blaarrosir's review against another edition
3.0
This book kind of sucks. But it's the stereotypical historical romance and it makes me happy. Extremely cheesy, but cheese tastes so good!