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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This is my first time reading Julie Garwood and I must admit it’s a great one. Has all the makings for a good old fashioned romance novel - the big, badass alpha male; the innocent and sweet heroine who shows that she’s more than a pretty face; the villain; the sex; a pretty good plot.
What surprised me is there really is a decent story line here (although predictable, but so what, this is an indulgent read after all) and our hero and heroine are more than a two dimensional (I’m being generous, but I liked this book so never mind).
Quick summary WITH SPOILERS:
Duncan and Madelyn’s brother (what was his name??) are at war with each other. Madelyn's brother had one of his henchman rape Duncan’s sister (fortunately we are not subjected to THAT because I would have put the book down at that point, just saying).
Duncan subsequently kidnaps Madelyn and in the process falls in love with her. And in the process Duncan’s whole clan falls in love with Madelyn.
There were a couple of laugh out loud moments so that’s always nice.
Would read again.
What surprised me is there really is a decent story line here (although predictable, but so what, this is an indulgent read after all) and our hero and heroine are more than a two dimensional (I’m being generous, but I liked this book so never mind).
Quick summary WITH SPOILERS:
Duncan and Madelyn’s brother (what was his name??) are at war with each other. Madelyn's brother had one of his henchman rape Duncan’s sister (fortunately we are not subjected to THAT because I would have put the book down at that point, just saying).
Duncan subsequently kidnaps Madelyn and in the process falls in love with her. And in the process Duncan’s whole clan falls in love with Madelyn.
There were a couple of laugh out loud moments so that’s always nice.
Would read again.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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:
No
now that's what i'm talking about
This was a better read than I expected, I know I read this book somewhere in my youth, but I couldn't remember reading it. Even while I read it I didn't remember what was coming 90% of the time. Toward the end, I guessed/remembered a few details, but that's it.
Still it was a cute book, and I enjoyed the read.
Still it was a cute book, and I enjoyed the read.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I reread this one once I'd learned that Julie had left us, because I remembered it being one of my favorites of hers from when I was a wee babe just dipping my toe into HistRom. I think the first one I ever read was The Secret and then this one and I remember loving both of them.
However, now, at my advanced age, I found myself getting annoyed with the MPDGness of Madelyne (please don't hate me...I still love her) and I had to remind myself that this book was likely written in the age of MPDG and Garwood was writing what was selling at the time, much like most of the HistRom written today has very feminist FMCs and MMCs. I'm sure in the next 20 years when I reread those I'll be annoyed with them as well.
However, the story itself was lovely and I was pleasantly surprised by Duncan. I'd fully expected him to be much more caveman-ish...but he wasn't at all. He was much more progressive than I remembered him being and I very much enjoyed his adoration for Madelyne, almost from the moment she warmed his feet.
All in all, revisiting Garwood was a treat and while it took me a minute to get settled into not just the time period she was writing about but the time period in which the book was written, I still had a great time.
I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below.
Characters: 7/10
Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10
Writing: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Intrigue: 6/10
Logic/Relationships: 7/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Total rating 44/70 divided by 7 = 6.2
⭐⭐⭐
However, now, at my advanced age, I found myself getting annoyed with the MPDGness of Madelyne (please don't hate me...I still love her) and I had to remind myself that this book was likely written in the age of MPDG and Garwood was writing what was selling at the time, much like most of the HistRom written today has very feminist FMCs and MMCs. I'm sure in the next 20 years when I reread those I'll be annoyed with them as well.
However, the story itself was lovely and I was pleasantly surprised by Duncan. I'd fully expected him to be much more caveman-ish...but he wasn't at all. He was much more progressive than I remembered him being and I very much enjoyed his adoration for Madelyne, almost from the moment she warmed his feet.
All in all, revisiting Garwood was a treat and while it took me a minute to get settled into not just the time period she was writing about but the time period in which the book was written, I still had a great time.
I use the CAWPILE Review method for my reviews (see explanation here), just to keep me honest and help me understand what exactly I liked/didn't like. My ratings are below.
Characters: 7/10
Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10
Writing: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Intrigue: 6/10
Logic/Relationships: 7/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Total rating 44/70 divided by 7 = 6.2
⭐⭐⭐
adventurous
medium-paced
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I really liked this one. Madelyne and Duncan were true lovers and I love how their relationship developed.