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heathernh1996's review against another edition
2.0
Not sure why this is so popular. It's fun, I guess, but super light and the characters are not very realistic. The first time I tried to read it, I stopped a few pages in because the characters were so exaggerated. This time, I'm half way through and might quit. I was surprised at the sex scene because the lead-up hadn't convinced me it was coming. It might be ok for a chapter per day reading, but is too annoying to be read voraciously.
sandygx260's review against another edition
5.0
This book was ridiculously enjoyable. Not normally what I read but when a male friend recommended it to me way back when and lent me his copy, I read it and purchased my own copy which I do re-read on occasion.
It's perfect. Truly the cliche you'll laugh and cry book. I am dead jealous of how she pulled this story together in such a magical bundle.
It's perfect. Truly the cliche you'll laugh and cry book. I am dead jealous of how she pulled this story together in such a magical bundle.
lenorayoder's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
This book is very hard to rate. I love a lot of the plot, though it’s a little slow to get started. Great ending. I like the characters at the end of the book, but the writing for our heroine is all over the place for the majority of the story. She’s inconsistent and unlikeable, and several times characters (mostly the heroine) make decisions that are entirely in service of a plot point the author wants to get to, and those decisions feel obviously out of character. Some great writing, but also some lazy writing. Annoyingly frequent fatphobia. A bit frustrating in that with some editing I think this book could be really great, the story has great bones.
As a big time travel fan I have to add that the way Deveraux navigates it in this book is genius. We learn just enough for the time travel to make sense and no more - no getting lost in the weeds, no angsting over paradoxes. Its rules and function are perfectly molded to serve the characters, romance, and plot.
Worth the read, especially since it’s my understanding that this is kind of a landmark romance book, but making it through the beginning was tough.
As a big time travel fan I have to add that the way Deveraux navigates it in this book is genius. We learn just enough for the time travel to make sense and no more - no getting lost in the weeds, no angsting over paradoxes. Its rules and function are perfectly molded to serve the characters, romance, and plot.
Worth the read, especially since it’s my understanding that this is kind of a landmark romance book, but making it through the beginning was tough.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
tallyhotel's review against another edition
5.0
First goodreads reading: Jan/2010
I re-read this book every so often because I really enjoy the story. It's not the traditional story, but it is lovely nonetheless.
I re-read this book every so often because I really enjoy the story. It's not the traditional story, but it is lovely nonetheless.
buttonsandbooks's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Have you ever picked up a book because someone raved so much about it that you figured it was worth a shot? I never would've picked this up if a woman working at my optometrist's office hadn't raved over and over again about how I should read this and how she's read and reread it so many times. She actually teared up telling me, so I thought why not?
Dougless (a woman) is itching to get engaged. It seems to be all the elementary school teacher really cares about in life. So much so, that she's letting her live in boyfriend Robert make her pay her half of a vacation when she believes he's going to propose. It's 1988 after all and women's rights, he says. Instead, he surprises her with her jerk of a 12 year old daughter coming along and the two abandoning her at a historic church on their English vacation. Dougless, alone and sobbing, prays over the tomb of Sir Nicholas for a knight in shining armor and in appears Nicholas, straight out of 1564.
I had so many issues with this book it's hard to even describe them all. My biggest gripe is that Dougless is so pathetic about Robert and overly desperate to get engaged. It was just gross. I love a strong female MC and she was NOT it, but did get slightly more tolerable as the book went on. Nicholas is a rake and constantly seems to have his hands up another woman's skirt and yet, Dougless lets it go and finds him irresistible. I just didn't buy this guy turning over a whole new leaf. I got super over the time travel details. The one shining thing about this for me was the ending. That was well done.
⭐
Dougless (a woman) is itching to get engaged. It seems to be all the elementary school teacher really cares about in life. So much so, that she's letting her live in boyfriend Robert make her pay her half of a vacation when she believes he's going to propose. It's 1988 after all and women's rights, he says. Instead, he surprises her with her jerk of a 12 year old daughter coming along and the two abandoning her at a historic church on their English vacation. Dougless, alone and sobbing, prays over the tomb of Sir Nicholas for a knight in shining armor and in appears Nicholas, straight out of 1564.
I had so many issues with this book it's hard to even describe them all. My biggest gripe is that Dougless is so pathetic about Robert and overly desperate to get engaged. It was just gross. I love a strong female MC and she was NOT it, but did get slightly more tolerable as the book went on. Nicholas is a rake and constantly seems to have his hands up another woman's skirt and yet, Dougless lets it go and finds him irresistible. I just didn't buy this guy turning over a whole new leaf. I got super over the time travel details. The one shining thing about this for me was the ending. That was well done.
⭐
trekkie1999's review against another edition
5.0
I had not read a romance novel before, but I'm suddenly very glad I did. I don't think my life will be the same.
nixromano's review against another edition
5.0
This book started my love for Jude Deveraux's stories. Loved it!
emms_across_formats's review against another edition
5.0
If I had rated this book when I read it way, way back when it first came out? 5 stars
If I read it now for the first time? DNF
Like all genres, romance is geared towards its audience. The audience, at the time it came out, is well reflected and represented. *shrug*
Art reflecting life reflecting art.
If I read it now for the first time? DNF
Like all genres, romance is geared towards its audience. The audience, at the time it came out, is well reflected and represented. *shrug*
Art reflecting life reflecting art.
add24's review against another edition
4.0
I don't usually read "romance novels", but a good friend insisted I give it a try and I loved it. The ending wasn't what I hoped for, but it was a nice, easy read.