Scan barcode
vhegde's review
4.0
I received this book long back by netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
Well my first impression was: "Why the hell hadn't I read this book soon?!"
This book is the not so traditional tale of the know-it-all powerful guy[Grayson Thorne] who is need of a governess to discipline his two notorious children with a reputation of sending off governesses is well known. He cannot remain distracted as he is approaching his deadline to create a way to convert geothermal energy into electricity. Then comes the beautiful, imaginative and smart, Lucinda Stafford who wants to stay in Iceland and discover its beauty by being independent. She defies her parent's request to return back to New York and marry some guy. But one big hurdle awaits her path- she is inexperienced and she is madly attracted to Mr. Thorne. It's the same case with Grayson himself.
But unlike a conventional romance theirs is a avoid-or-argue story. But they both compromise only on one thing- Mair and Neils, Thorne's darling children. That's the wonderful highlight of the story. The motherly affection and heated passion make a blend so perfect that one has to grip the book till the end.
Wait that's not the end of surprises. The story also brings in some fantasy which I thought was rather not essential but still makes up for a good story.
All together the book is everything that is not suggested by the title. No character in the story makes you feel that. Then again the question remains: Why name such a warm, wonderful book Heart Of Ice?!
Well my first impression was: "Why the hell hadn't I read this book soon?!"
This book is the not so traditional tale of the know-it-all powerful guy[Grayson Thorne] who is need of a governess to discipline his two notorious children with a reputation of sending off governesses is well known. He cannot remain distracted as he is approaching his deadline to create a way to convert geothermal energy into electricity. Then comes the beautiful, imaginative and smart, Lucinda Stafford who wants to stay in Iceland and discover its beauty by being independent. She defies her parent's request to return back to New York and marry some guy. But one big hurdle awaits her path- she is inexperienced and she is madly attracted to Mr. Thorne. It's the same case with Grayson himself.
But unlike a conventional romance theirs is a avoid-or-argue story. But they both compromise only on one thing- Mair and Neils, Thorne's darling children. That's the wonderful highlight of the story. The motherly affection and heated passion make a blend so perfect that one has to grip the book till the end.
Wait that's not the end of surprises. The story also brings in some fantasy which I thought was rather not essential but still makes up for a good story.
All together the book is everything that is not suggested by the title. No character in the story makes you feel that. Then again the question remains: Why name such a warm, wonderful book Heart Of Ice?!
trisha_thomas's review
2.0
"I wanted to bathe in the spectrum and feel a rainbow on my skin."
I think this was a very good book but possibly marketed to the wrong group. I grabbed this one because it showed as YA. It tends to be the types of books I read because the sexual stuff and adult drama tends to be lower key in them.
This one, not really. It's a book about adults. And they are adults that behave like adults. That's not a bad thing, it just meant that I was surprised by it.
I did like the story line - the governess and the Icelandic landscape. It felt very Jane Eyre but with it's own twist. The Gothic story, however, was not a main theme, and was definitely pushed aside for the main romance story.
I think this was a very good book but possibly marketed to the wrong group. I grabbed this one because it showed as YA. It tends to be the types of books I read because the sexual stuff and adult drama tends to be lower key in them.
This one, not really. It's a book about adults. And they are adults that behave like adults. That's not a bad thing, it just meant that I was surprised by it.
I did like the story line - the governess and the Icelandic landscape. It felt very Jane Eyre but with it's own twist. The Gothic story, however, was not a main theme, and was definitely pushed aside for the main romance story.
pratikshyamishra's review
3.0
I liked the relation that Lucinda shared with the children. I liked the starting of the plot, but the paranormal elements were confusing. And the ending seemed haphazardly done. I still liked it.
tawallah's review
3.0
I received this free from Net Galley in exchange for a honest review.
First off, I really liked this cover. And it captures the atmosphere of the book well. The beauty and mystery of the Aurora Borealis with the daring female- Lucinda Stafford. And this book is all about her - and that is a plus in my view.
I really enjoyed getting to know Lucinda Stafford. She was smart (educated at top American university for women in early 1900s), sassy, brave to meet any challenge with aplomb and believable. I loved her interaction with Mari and Neils, her pupils, and how this was related to her childhood. Her fears with the children were understandable. And I cheered as she stood up to Grayson Thorne, her boss. She is no whiner or a pampered heiress at all. I can relate to her need to define herself not based on your background or being a woman but on a task which she thinks most would find unsuitable for her.
But the romance is predictable, no real surprises there. What I was a bit disappointed about was the mystery/paranormal element. I felt that the paranormal portion was just added as a filler. It was often hinted at and never developed fully. This is a pity. It would be great to learn more about Icelandic folklore. And to give credit to the writer, she made me want to visit this rugged island.
My overall rating was 3 stars. An engaging read for those who love romance novels with well written heroines. Or if you like governess stories.
First off, I really liked this cover. And it captures the atmosphere of the book well. The beauty and mystery of the Aurora Borealis with the daring female- Lucinda Stafford. And this book is all about her - and that is a plus in my view.
I really enjoyed getting to know Lucinda Stafford. She was smart (educated at top American university for women in early 1900s), sassy, brave to meet any challenge with aplomb and believable. I loved her interaction with Mari and Neils, her pupils, and how this was related to her childhood. Her fears with the children were understandable. And I cheered as she stood up to Grayson Thorne, her boss. She is no whiner or a pampered heiress at all. I can relate to her need to define herself not based on your background or being a woman but on a task which she thinks most would find unsuitable for her.
But the romance is predictable, no real surprises there. What I was a bit disappointed about was the mystery/paranormal element. I felt that the paranormal portion was just added as a filler. It was often hinted at and never developed fully. This is a pity. It would be great to learn more about Icelandic folklore. And to give credit to the writer, she made me want to visit this rugged island.
My overall rating was 3 stars. An engaging read for those who love romance novels with well written heroines. Or if you like governess stories.
More...