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ka_it_lyn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
I thought the ending was a bit rushed and the cuts between the present and ten years ago a bit jarring. That being said, once I started this book I couldn’t put it down, and only did so because it got to be 3 in the morning. Gorgeous prose, but wish the love scenes were detailed a bit more (couldn’t tell if clothes were on or off, felt rushed, not particularly sensual).
lausol's review against another edition
1.0
I'll be honest, I was far more interested in Lizzie and Will's relationship and Verity and Michael's mother/son relationship than hers and Stuart's (which was crazy stupid and made me laugh everytime she compared it to Darcy/Elizabeth).
sarah1984's review against another edition
2.0
I found the characters to be completely without passion for each other, something which I believe to be an important part of a romance novel. I was drawn in by the blurb on the back which mentioned that the heroine was a cook for a big English household. The cooking featured a bit, but the book didn't set the right tone for the food, it didn't make the hero fall in love with the heroine, most of the time it seemed to be so good it made the diners uncomfortable, not exactly romantic. Not recommended for anyone looking for actual romance in their romance books.
rjordan19's review against another edition
3.0
Verity Durant is a cook of legendary prowess. She's also known for her scandalous love life. Upon the death of her employer, Stuart Somerset comes to oversee Fairleigh Park.
I think you should give this book a try if you like
Cinderella-ish stories
Experienced heroines
Saga-like stories – this one spans 10 years!
Stories that jump between time (think Day of the Duchess by Sarah Maclean) to tell the history of the characters and what's going on in the present.
I loved the descriptions of food in this book. LOVED IT. I love to cook and eat, and find myself always interested in the food from the time period. The details, oh my mouth was watering. I wanted to sit at a table where Verity cooked.
But this book....was not my favorite. For a number of reasons. Personal things I prefer that usually make my enjoyment less were in play here. Personally, I don't like time jumps and this book goes back and forth between 10 years to give the couple's history. I don't like deceit and I felt it in this book. I prefer my heroines to be virgins, and especially disliked how close her former and current lovers were. There were other perspectives than the main characters. There was a side love story, although I do think in this case it actually wrapped in well together. I think that's all I can say without spoilers.
I will say the ending was wonderful. I'm not sure how that happened, as usually the book does NOT get better for me once I've reached this point, but I really did enjoy the ending. I encourage you to try it, I know I am quite picky. It has by no means put me off Sherry Thomas. I loved the first one I tried, The Luckiest Lady in London, so much I think I will read all of her work.
I give 2.5 rounded to 3
Serious spoilers ahead!!!!!
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I HATED that it took them some absurd amount of time to even talk to each other in 'present time'. Yes you get flashbacks but really 200 pages before they even talk? That super annoyed me. I hated her deceit. The fact that Verity knew exactly who he was when he she went to him after her fall out with his brother (HIS BROTHER! UGH!) and didn't say boo, then continued to hide herself and not say boo...the fact that it was 300 pages before he even knew she was the same person as 10 years ago...I didn't like the time jumping. I couldn't get into the present time, I couldn't get into the past. I kept waiting for something to happen in the present and the past wasn't pulling my emotions. I didn't like Verity. She was a survivor but I felt like she also used people and I just felt awful for Stuart. I felt like Stuart deserved better than what he got. I hated that Stuart was engaged and he cheated on her (not technically with intercourse but if you've read the book, come on, none of us would be okay with that happening). At least it was addressed and it was all 'okay' in the end. I didn't like the perspective switches to his betrothed, but that's just a personal thing for me. I prefer one couple in a story.
I think you should give this book a try if you like
Cinderella-ish stories
Experienced heroines
Saga-like stories – this one spans 10 years!
Stories that jump between time (think Day of the Duchess by Sarah Maclean) to tell the history of the characters and what's going on in the present.
I loved the descriptions of food in this book. LOVED IT. I love to cook and eat, and find myself always interested in the food from the time period. The details, oh my mouth was watering. I wanted to sit at a table where Verity cooked.
But this book....was not my favorite. For a number of reasons. Personal things I prefer that usually make my enjoyment less were in play here. Personally, I don't like time jumps and this book goes back and forth between 10 years to give the couple's history. I don't like deceit and I felt it in this book. I prefer my heroines to be virgins, and especially disliked how close her former and current lovers were. There were other perspectives than the main characters. There was a side love story, although I do think in this case it actually wrapped in well together. I think that's all I can say without spoilers.
I will say the ending was wonderful. I'm not sure how that happened, as usually the book does NOT get better for me once I've reached this point, but I really did enjoy the ending. I encourage you to try it, I know I am quite picky. It has by no means put me off Sherry Thomas. I loved the first one I tried, The Luckiest Lady in London, so much I think I will read all of her work.
I give 2.5 rounded to 3
Serious spoilers ahead!!!!!
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Spoiler
I HATED that it took them some absurd amount of time to even talk to each other in 'present time'. Yes you get flashbacks but really 200 pages before they even talk? That super annoyed me. I hated her deceit. The fact that Verity knew exactly who he was when he she went to him after her fall out with his brother (HIS BROTHER! UGH!) and didn't say boo, then continued to hide herself and not say boo...the fact that it was 300 pages before he even knew she was the same person as 10 years ago...I didn't like the time jumping. I couldn't get into the present time, I couldn't get into the past. I kept waiting for something to happen in the present and the past wasn't pulling my emotions. I didn't like Verity. She was a survivor but I felt like she also used people and I just felt awful for Stuart. I felt like Stuart deserved better than what he got. I hated that Stuart was engaged and he cheated on her (not technically with intercourse but if you've read the book, come on, none of us would be okay with that happening). At least it was addressed and it was all 'okay' in the end. I didn't like the perspective switches to his betrothed, but that's just a personal thing for me. I prefer one couple in a story.
cranberrytarts's review against another edition
4.0
I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read this. It's been in my TBR pile since it released, but I kept skipping over it. What an excellent read! I loved the writing - Thomas really draws the reader in with bold descriptions and beautiful prose.
The characters were unconventional and lovely - a cook and a barrister in a historical novel? Wonderful. I can't wait to pick up another Thomas book.
The characters were unconventional and lovely - a cook and a barrister in a historical novel? Wonderful. I can't wait to pick up another Thomas book.
lottpoet's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ela_35's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 53%
I was bored and I didn’t like the characters.
The characters did things that made no sense. I don’t understand why Verity wouldn’t let Stuart see her. I didn’t really like their personalities either.
There were scenes from Stuart’s fiancée’s POV which I didn’t like.
There were a lot of flashbacks which made the story confusing and it meant that there was less time spent in the present.
There was Michael who I didn’t understand why Verity wouldn’t talk to him and I didn’t really understand the situation with her aunt.
I am a bit curious about what that is all about but so far in the book, the main characters meet twice in the present but they always meet in the dark as Verity doesn’t want Stuart to see her, which I didn’t understand at all.
I didn’t like this book and I won’t be continuing with this series.
I was bored and I didn’t like the characters.
The characters did things that made no sense. I don’t understand why Verity wouldn’t let Stuart see her. I didn’t really like their personalities either.
There were scenes from Stuart’s fiancée’s POV which I didn’t like.
There were a lot of flashbacks which made the story confusing and it meant that there was less time spent in the present.
There was Michael who I didn’t understand why Verity wouldn’t talk to him and I didn’t really understand the situation with her aunt.
I am a bit curious about what that is all about but so far in the book, the main characters meet twice in the present but they always meet in the dark as Verity doesn’t want Stuart to see her, which I didn’t understand at all.
I didn’t like this book and I won’t be continuing with this series.
thenia's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written love story between two people that were just right for one another but didn't have the right timing.
Verity and Stuart first meet under strained circumstances but neither of them can deny the attraction between them. They connect in a deeper level but their paths diverge and do not cross again for many years. When they do meet again it seems that they might have a second chance but the reality is a lot more complicated than they'd wish.
Original premise, complex, flawed characters and a happy ending that's sweeter because of the difficulties the heroes had to overcome to get there.
Verity and Stuart first meet under strained circumstances but neither of them can deny the attraction between them. They connect in a deeper level but their paths diverge and do not cross again for many years. When they do meet again it seems that they might have a second chance but the reality is a lot more complicated than they'd wish.
Original premise, complex, flawed characters and a happy ending that's sweeter because of the difficulties the heroes had to overcome to get there.
patriciasjs's review against another edition
4.0
Considerado o melhor romance do ano 2008 pelo Library Journal, com críticas espantosas e elogios como «delicioso», «irresistível» e «espantoso», O Fruto Proibido sai da mente brilhante daquela que é considerada «a mais original escritora de romances históricos da actualidade» pela própria Lisa Kleypas, não para a nossa mesa mas para a nossa estante.
Vencedora do RITA Awards, Sherry Thomas traz-nos um verdadeiro banquete de sensações, onde a história da Gata Borralheira ganha outro paladar e nos transporta através dos sentidos para um “felizes para sempre” totalmente inesperado, onde os prazeres da mesa se unem ao romance sensual e onde a nossa imaginação ganha vida através de uma escrita maravilhosa e intrépida.
Neste momento, esta é a minha escritora preferida de romances históricos depois de ter lido o maravilhoso Um Amor Quase Perfeito (opinião) e, por isso, ler este livro, onde um dos meus contos preferidos ganha uma nova dimensão e onde o meu mais recente hobbie é protagonista, tornou-se quase uma leitura obrigatória. De salientar a magnífica capa e os extras lá dentro, este é um livro que delicia ainda antes de o lermos.
Quando iniciei esta leitura já conhecia o estilo soberbo da escritora, as suas personagens fortes e humanas, a escrita bela e encantadora mas mesmo assim, não pude deixar de ficar surpreendida com a beleza e encanto deste livro. Através de descrições gastronómicas de deixar água na boca, de uma história de amor que põe a da Cinderela e do seu príncipe a um canto, temos um romance extremamente sensorial, trágico e romântico, em que o destino tudo pode alterar e em que os segredos e mistérios têm um lugar primordial na lista de ingredientes.
Mais uma vez, temos um leque de personagens espantosas, com defeitos e ambições, que nos chegam ao coração de uma forma vagarosa e bastante emotiva e que nos fazem desejar um final feliz a todo o custo. Uma protagonista decidida, uma mulher que não liga a regras e longe das convenções conquista-nos pela sua força e dedicação, estando longe da protagonista virginal, passiva e jovem, Verity é perfeita para esta história. Somerset está, também, longe do protagonista habitual. Nada de mulherengo ou perverso, um homem ligado a um sonho de uma noite e que lutou contra todos para chegar longe, este faz as delícias de qualquer romântica que tenha imaginado um Mr. Darcy mais sedutor. Cada personagem foi pensada e magistral a cada momento mas tenho de chamar a atenção para o outro casal da história porque maioritariamente, quando existem dois casais num romance, há um que se sobrepõe a outro e eu não achei isso neste livro. Cada um me conquistou à sua maneira e não posso deixar de salientar o quão maravilhoso foi ver esse outro amor ganhar vida.
O enredo é sublime, um recontar mais sensual e misterioso da Cinderela, um conto de fadas da vida real que ganha vida humanamente e no qual podemos acreditar pois poderia ser uma história verídica. Gostei muito de cada detalhe da história, da forma como a autora vai ligando as peças, como junta várias histórias à mesma, dando-lhe um final perfeito. Os pormenores culinários fizeram a delícia da minha alma recém-descoberta de cozinheira, demonstrando um certo conhecimento da área e um gosto pela boa comida que é transmitido através de cada descrição da comida. Também de salientar o cuidado da pesquisa histórica em cada momento do livro que assim obrigava como também no caso gastronómico, é sempre bom puder observar estes pequenos extras.
Por fim, não consigo escolher um dos livros como favorito e o lugar de Sherry Thomas está mais que garantido na minha estante. Esta é uma escritora obrigatória para qualquer amante de romance histórico, da mais exigente à novata, para se deixarem encantar por um amor intemporal que remete a conto de fadas.
http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.pt/2012/05/opiniao-o-fruto-proibido.html
Vencedora do RITA Awards, Sherry Thomas traz-nos um verdadeiro banquete de sensações, onde a história da Gata Borralheira ganha outro paladar e nos transporta através dos sentidos para um “felizes para sempre” totalmente inesperado, onde os prazeres da mesa se unem ao romance sensual e onde a nossa imaginação ganha vida através de uma escrita maravilhosa e intrépida.
Neste momento, esta é a minha escritora preferida de romances históricos depois de ter lido o maravilhoso Um Amor Quase Perfeito (opinião) e, por isso, ler este livro, onde um dos meus contos preferidos ganha uma nova dimensão e onde o meu mais recente hobbie é protagonista, tornou-se quase uma leitura obrigatória. De salientar a magnífica capa e os extras lá dentro, este é um livro que delicia ainda antes de o lermos.
Quando iniciei esta leitura já conhecia o estilo soberbo da escritora, as suas personagens fortes e humanas, a escrita bela e encantadora mas mesmo assim, não pude deixar de ficar surpreendida com a beleza e encanto deste livro. Através de descrições gastronómicas de deixar água na boca, de uma história de amor que põe a da Cinderela e do seu príncipe a um canto, temos um romance extremamente sensorial, trágico e romântico, em que o destino tudo pode alterar e em que os segredos e mistérios têm um lugar primordial na lista de ingredientes.
Mais uma vez, temos um leque de personagens espantosas, com defeitos e ambições, que nos chegam ao coração de uma forma vagarosa e bastante emotiva e que nos fazem desejar um final feliz a todo o custo. Uma protagonista decidida, uma mulher que não liga a regras e longe das convenções conquista-nos pela sua força e dedicação, estando longe da protagonista virginal, passiva e jovem, Verity é perfeita para esta história. Somerset está, também, longe do protagonista habitual. Nada de mulherengo ou perverso, um homem ligado a um sonho de uma noite e que lutou contra todos para chegar longe, este faz as delícias de qualquer romântica que tenha imaginado um Mr. Darcy mais sedutor. Cada personagem foi pensada e magistral a cada momento mas tenho de chamar a atenção para o outro casal da história porque maioritariamente, quando existem dois casais num romance, há um que se sobrepõe a outro e eu não achei isso neste livro. Cada um me conquistou à sua maneira e não posso deixar de salientar o quão maravilhoso foi ver esse outro amor ganhar vida.
O enredo é sublime, um recontar mais sensual e misterioso da Cinderela, um conto de fadas da vida real que ganha vida humanamente e no qual podemos acreditar pois poderia ser uma história verídica. Gostei muito de cada detalhe da história, da forma como a autora vai ligando as peças, como junta várias histórias à mesma, dando-lhe um final perfeito. Os pormenores culinários fizeram a delícia da minha alma recém-descoberta de cozinheira, demonstrando um certo conhecimento da área e um gosto pela boa comida que é transmitido através de cada descrição da comida. Também de salientar o cuidado da pesquisa histórica em cada momento do livro que assim obrigava como também no caso gastronómico, é sempre bom puder observar estes pequenos extras.
Por fim, não consigo escolher um dos livros como favorito e o lugar de Sherry Thomas está mais que garantido na minha estante. Esta é uma escritora obrigatória para qualquer amante de romance histórico, da mais exigente à novata, para se deixarem encantar por um amor intemporal que remete a conto de fadas.
http://girlinchaiselongue.blogspot.pt/2012/05/opiniao-o-fruto-proibido.html