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lindscodycats's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely fabulous. I love anything set in New Orleans and also with a ghost. The vibe throughout kept me wanting more. I don't know how I missed this one when it first came out.
danahuff's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this creepy ghost story/romance, but not enough to read it again.
renpuspita's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Midnight Bayou is one of oldest Nora Roberts title, although written in 2000-ish. It's also already adapted into Lifetime movies, feature Jerry O'Connell that in my opinion while he's an Irish, he's not what in my mind when try to picture the hero, Declan Fitzgerald (funny enough, the movie Declan have Fitzpatrick as his family name). Midnight Bayou is more like paranormal romance, but not that heavy in the paranormal aspect. It's have ghosts, so while it's kinda give me a heebies jeebies, the ghost itself more like memory and didn't appear at all. Only the vibes, and maybe sounds like baby crying, door slammed, music playing. So, if you like your books really haunting, the level of haunting in this book is pretty mild.
I did like the trope "he feel first, she feel harder" that Roberts incorporated and honestly many of her books have trope in which the hero fall in love first or in case of Declan, he fall in love instantly but the heroine is playing hard to get. Although Lena, the heroine, is REALLY playing hard to get. Afraid to fall in love because of her shamed past and constantly guard her heart. I did understand why she behave like that, Lena is prickly af and with good reasons. But honestly when she finally accept that she loved Declan, I just don't feel..the love? I still think that she still guard her heart although less wary than the first.
I liked the past that unravel behind the mansion that Declan try to restore, Manet Hall. It's have Romeo and Juliet vibes, complete with racism and funnily enough a mention of Pride and Prejudice that actually describe the condition of Manet Hall's family. Trigger warning, there's a pretty graphic description of rape and some scenes contain grief that result in suicide by one of the past characters so you might want to read this with caution. Sadly, the ending I feel is just so so.
For romance, it's still worth to read because I really loved to read how Declan try to woo Lena and in process catch Lena's grandmother heart too. But for haunting and chilling factor, then this book is not so much. Still, the book is perfect if you want to read a book with gothic setting and angsty galore.
I did like the trope "he feel first, she feel harder" that Roberts incorporated and honestly many of her books have trope in which the hero fall in love first or in case of Declan, he fall in love instantly but the heroine is playing hard to get. Although Lena, the heroine, is REALLY playing hard to get. Afraid to fall in love because of her shamed past and constantly guard her heart. I did understand why she behave like that, Lena is prickly af and with good reasons. But honestly when she finally accept that she loved Declan, I just don't feel..the love? I still think that she still guard her heart although less wary than the first.
I liked the past that unravel behind the mansion that Declan try to restore, Manet Hall. It's have Romeo and Juliet vibes, complete with racism and funnily enough a mention of Pride and Prejudice that actually describe the condition of Manet Hall's family. Trigger warning, there's a pretty graphic description of rape and some scenes contain grief that result in suicide by one of the past characters so you might want to read this with caution. Sadly, the ending I feel is just so so.
For romance, it's still worth to read because I really loved to read how Declan try to woo Lena and in process catch Lena's grandmother heart too. But for haunting and chilling factor, then this book is not so much. Still, the book is perfect if you want to read a book with gothic setting and angsty galore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs
shaykay's review against another edition
2.0
Midnight Bayou, why did you have to go that way! I wanted to love this one, but it fell so flat for me. I think it would've been better for me if the whole paranormal aspect wasn't there. I liked when the book did the whole flashback moments, and we got to learn more about the house that Declan's fixing. I didn't mind Declan either as the main character, and I loved scenes where he was fixing up the house or even with Lena's grandma. But his connection the Lena just didn't make any sense, and it was so cringy whenever they were together. Plus, the whole relationship he had with Effie was always so awkward. So the book overall just wasn't for me.
dianabp25's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was an easy read. I think I was expecting more mystery in it, and it definitely is more romance/drama. It is still good and I enjoyed seeing the characters develop. As someone who enjoys mysteries I would’ve liked to see the ghost part of the story to have been developed a bit more.
morellomel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Loved this story and the characters and their banter. So funny in certain parts that I was laughing out loud. The ending just seem kind of “meh” to me compared to the rest of the story, didn’t really have much of a climax, which is why I didn’t give it 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Racism, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Murder, and Suicide
rora114's review against another edition
2.0
Thought I should see what all the fuss is about Nora Roberts, and it was on sale on Audible. A nice diversion, but not something habit-forming.
kwoody24's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vperkins13mk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0