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ssejig's review
3.0
Declan Fitzgerald's family is decidedly northern, which makes it so strange that he's drawn to buy a supposedly haunted plantation house. One where a a woman died many years ago, killed by her husband's twin. He's also drawn to Angelina Simone, local bar owner. She is mysterious and gypsy-like and she's drawn to him as well. They'll have to battle their own attractions as well as threats both parental and supernatural.
infiniteviolette's review against another edition
2.0
I will pretty much read any book that takes place in New Orleans...and thus decided to pick up this Nora Roberts book. I actually have never read anything by her before so I figured I'd give this popular author a shot. The book wasn't bad...but it was just very lackluster for me. I didn't really connect to the story. And while it wasn't an unbearable read, I'm reluctant to pick up anything by her again. This book just fell flat for me.
ferfranca's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
trishjbutler's review
4.0
A Nora Roberts book that does exactly what it says on the tin.
For me, a Nora Roberts book is a bit of escapism- rich, gorgeous people, talented in many things and very sexy. Add to that mix a good, solid story that may even be predictable, and that’s what I expect. Midnight Bayou is this in almost all respects.
Declan gave up being a lawyer in Boston to travel to New Orleans and update an old plantation house that he has always been drawn to. Lena is a bar owner/tender that he is drawn to as well and sparks fly in all kinds of ways. Add in that the plantation house is haunted and you have a nice mix of a romantic story.
Roberts, as usual, paints a wonderful picture of the world her heroes are inhabiting, whether it’s New Orleans itself, the old house, the overgrown gardens and the bayou, or even the heat of the area. The ghosts ramp up some tension, but it only goes so far, which is fine, but leaves the last third of the book a little flat in that area.
I read this book into the small hours and usually I would give a book like that 5-stars, but two reasons stopped me. Firstly, the miraculous female orgasms during sex that held little foreplay, and secondly the abrupt ending.
This was a reread for me, as it had been so long, I couldn’t remember all the details, but it’s unlikely I’ll give it a third go.
A must for NR fans.
For me, a Nora Roberts book is a bit of escapism- rich, gorgeous people, talented in many things and very sexy. Add to that mix a good, solid story that may even be predictable, and that’s what I expect. Midnight Bayou is this in almost all respects.
Declan gave up being a lawyer in Boston to travel to New Orleans and update an old plantation house that he has always been drawn to. Lena is a bar owner/tender that he is drawn to as well and sparks fly in all kinds of ways. Add in that the plantation house is haunted and you have a nice mix of a romantic story.
Roberts, as usual, paints a wonderful picture of the world her heroes are inhabiting, whether it’s New Orleans itself, the old house, the overgrown gardens and the bayou, or even the heat of the area. The ghosts ramp up some tension, but it only goes so far, which is fine, but leaves the last third of the book a little flat in that area.
I read this book into the small hours and usually I would give a book like that 5-stars, but two reasons stopped me. Firstly, the miraculous female orgasms during sex that held little foreplay, and secondly the abrupt ending.
This was a reread for me, as it had been so long, I couldn’t remember all the details, but it’s unlikely I’ll give it a third go.
A must for NR fans.
carolina_santos's review against another edition
4.0
Nora Roberts books always feel like an escape from the real world. I have read numerous books from her, and while they may not be the worlds greatest books, they all have a special place in my heart. Whenever I feel down, or I have finished reading an heavier, darker story, I gravitate towards Nora's books because they are make me feel at peace. With that begin said, I recently reread "Midnight Bayou", which is the first book I ever read from Nora and, for that, I have a deep affection for it. I loved this story, the characters are very interesting and somewhat complex, the mysteriousness that surrounds the whole story of the Manet house adds character to the book, not to mention that after reading this book I really want to visit New Orleans.
It's a nice book to read when you need to escape reality.
celeste57's review against another edition
4.0
Another Nora novel. But this time, it’s in Louisiana!
Nora always does a wonderful job of researching her settings, and Midnight Bayou was no exception. The plantation on the bayou felt so quintessentially Louisiana, and Nora did a good job of nailing the spirit of New Orleans and the Cajun accents and the Southern way of life in general.
Ghost stories are a common theme in Nora’s work, but this one takes a bit of a different route for her. Reincarnation plays a big role, which was more unusual. Watching the story of the past mix and mingle with the plot of the present proved just as interesting as any other storyline laid out by Nora, but that was compounded by said reincarnation element, and how that element was affected by gender.
Another common theme in Nora’s novels is the revitalization of a dilapidated but formerly beautiful structure. Which is generally how the ghosts come into play. I love all of the construction elements in Nora’s stories, because construction is in my family’s blood. My dad and uncle and brother all work construction for a living, and something is always in the process of being built around our family’s little self-made community. It’s part of the reason I have a thing for HGTV. Because of that, the construction elements of Nora’s novels always resonate with me, because she does an exceptional job of conveying the blood, sweat, tears, and pride that go into building or rebuilding something with your own hands.
As always, the characters were enjoyable and well fleshed out. The romance was sweet and passionate and compelling and laced with drama and laughter. And, as always, the ending was a happy one.
Nora always does a wonderful job of researching her settings, and Midnight Bayou was no exception. The plantation on the bayou felt so quintessentially Louisiana, and Nora did a good job of nailing the spirit of New Orleans and the Cajun accents and the Southern way of life in general.
Ghost stories are a common theme in Nora’s work, but this one takes a bit of a different route for her. Reincarnation plays a big role, which was more unusual. Watching the story of the past mix and mingle with the plot of the present proved just as interesting as any other storyline laid out by Nora, but that was compounded by said reincarnation element, and how that element was affected by gender.
Another common theme in Nora’s novels is the revitalization of a dilapidated but formerly beautiful structure. Which is generally how the ghosts come into play. I love all of the construction elements in Nora’s stories, because construction is in my family’s blood. My dad and uncle and brother all work construction for a living, and something is always in the process of being built around our family’s little self-made community. It’s part of the reason I have a thing for HGTV. Because of that, the construction elements of Nora’s novels always resonate with me, because she does an exceptional job of conveying the blood, sweat, tears, and pride that go into building or rebuilding something with your own hands.
As always, the characters were enjoyable and well fleshed out. The romance was sweet and passionate and compelling and laced with drama and laughter. And, as always, the ending was a happy one.
nickigrant93's review against another edition
5.0
Out of all the Nora Roberts books I've read, this one is my favorite. The ending was slightly disappointing only because the spirts of the reincarnated didn't get full closure but over all it's definitely a book I'd read again.
allykinng's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
The original concept is really good, however the author does not pull it off well. Further, there is no real ending to the book. It just sort of... ends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
Minor: Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
happytrailsbayls's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mindi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0