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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I really liked this one!
There were a few issues that bugged me a little bit. It bothered me the way Jordan, the MC, spoke and acted sometimes. He was definitely a tough character to like.
On the other hand, I loved Alex! Most of the time naive characters really get on my nerves. In my opinion, they can easily become complete doormats. But Alex didn’t. She was sweet, funny, and stood up for herself numerous times, which I appreciated. Both MCs balanced each other out really well, which was essential for me to enjoy the book.
There were a few issues that bugged me a little bit. It bothered me the way Jordan, the MC, spoke and acted sometimes. He was definitely a tough character to like.
On the other hand, I loved Alex! Most of the time naive characters really get on my nerves. In my opinion, they can easily become complete doormats. But Alex didn’t. She was sweet, funny, and stood up for herself numerous times, which I appreciated. Both MCs balanced each other out really well, which was essential for me to enjoy the book.
Long, but enjoyable, this is the story of a cynical duke and a naive dreamer of a girl, that ranges from funny to sad to sweet and everywhere in between.
Alexandra and Jordan go through so many ups and downs, from misunderstandings to disillusionment to betrayals and even, that a happily ever after ending seemed unlikely for them.
Regardless, after everything they've been through they deserve it, despite Jordan's moments of intense stupidity that nearly ruin everything. I am not sure if I'd be as forgiving as Alexandra is straight away, but forgiveness is one of love's side effects and she is deeply in love with him.
Interesting main couple that evolves, engaging story and colorful supporting characters, in an expertly narrated audiobook.
Last in the series comes [b:Almost Heaven|129621|Almost Heaven (Sequels, #3)|Judith McNaught|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1351327172s/129621.jpg|1395013].
Alexandra and Jordan go through so many ups and downs, from misunderstandings to disillusionment to betrayals and even
Spoiler
presumed deathRegardless, after everything they've been through they deserve it, despite Jordan's moments of intense stupidity that nearly ruin everything. I am not sure if I'd be as forgiving as Alexandra is straight away, but forgiveness is one of love's side effects and she is deeply in love with him.
Interesting main couple that evolves, engaging story and colorful supporting characters, in an expertly narrated audiobook.
Last in the series comes [b:Almost Heaven|129621|Almost Heaven (Sequels, #3)|Judith McNaught|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1351327172s/129621.jpg|1395013].
2.5 stars. Before I start in with the negativity, let me say I did enjoy this book. I was invested in the story and got a nice afternoon out of reading it, at least up until the last third or so. However, there were a lot of things that bugged me, and few things I can think of that I specifically enjoyed.
Alexandra was slightly Mary-Sueish but I liked her. She's good-hearted, and unconventional without being obnoxiously "feisty." Her youthful naivety feels genuine instead of just dumb. (I will say, though, I rolled my eyes when she's initially introduced and is implied to not be beautiful, but then is immediately described as possessing features befitting a Disney princess. But many romances are guilty of this.) Even as she matures and becomes more polished and confident, deep down she's still kind, well-meaning, and relatable, although still too much of a pushover for the hero (and the confidence she did develop seemed to go out the window once she started falling for him after he returns.) I felt badly for her throughout her various misfortunes, and wish she'd ended up with someone else.
At first, Jordan is unremarkable but mostly inoffensive. However, as events unfold, he morphs into a standard romance hero - he smirks! He glowers! He smolders with amused mastery! He sweeps the heroine into his powerful arms despite her unwillingness! Even when he's being nice he manages to be patronizing or sarcastic! No woman can resist this virile, emotionally stunted Greek god! He goes missing for a year and a half and when he returns, he's horrible and nasty to her for daring to move on after their four day marriage. Also, he thinks all women are vapid and vain and freely admits his low opinion of them, and except for Alexandra (she's just SO different!) his opinion doesn't seem to change and it's never addressed again.
Another thing I found frustrating was how Jordan constantly seemed to have the upper hand, and Alex "just couldn't resist" and kept trying so hard to please him, which was something I hoped she'd grow out of. When she learns about Jordan's hard childhood she goes completely mushy, excuses his behavior, and vows to make his life beautiful. When he's told about about her hard childhood, he feels bad but proceeds to make a wager with her that he can win her heart (which includes making her sleep with him and obey him in all things.) When his feelings develop he still can't communicate with her like a reasonable person. During the grand finale, mere minutes after he unleashes a string of vile, hateful insults and accuses her of trying to assassinate him, she literally leaps in front of him to take a bullet for him. Really, Alex?! It takes this measure of sacrifice for him to finally open up and express his love for her - while she's in a coma and barely aware, of course. He doesn't apologize for his poor treatment of her until the last couple pages, while simultaneously dangling jewelry in her face.
Lastly, and maybe this is nitpicky, but I found the age difference a tad too much - when they meet Jordan is 27, Alex is 17 and turns 18 the day they marry. I'd side-eye that in this day and age, even more so considering how experienced, worldly, and jaded Jordan is compared to his country bride's extreme innocence and naivety. She doesn't know how babies are made, and speaks and acts immaturely (not a slam on her, just a fact of the age.) She's referred to as a child so many times that it started to creep me out a bit. Within a week or so he goes from assuming she's far younger than she is, viewing her as a child and feeling nothing but paternal fondness, to being overwhelmed with desire for her. She's a bit older for the bulk of the book, but the beginning was still a bit icky for me.
Alexandra was slightly Mary-Sueish but I liked her. She's good-hearted, and unconventional without being obnoxiously "feisty." Her youthful naivety feels genuine instead of just dumb. (I will say, though, I rolled my eyes when she's initially introduced and is implied to not be beautiful, but then is immediately described as possessing features befitting a Disney princess. But many romances are guilty of this.) Even as she matures and becomes more polished and confident, deep down she's still kind, well-meaning, and relatable, although still too much of a pushover for the hero (and the confidence she did develop seemed to go out the window once she started falling for him after he returns.) I felt badly for her throughout her various misfortunes, and wish she'd ended up with someone else.
At first, Jordan is unremarkable but mostly inoffensive. However, as events unfold, he morphs into a standard romance hero - he smirks! He glowers! He smolders with amused mastery! He sweeps the heroine into his powerful arms despite her unwillingness! Even when he's being nice he manages to be patronizing or sarcastic! No woman can resist this virile, emotionally stunted Greek god! He goes missing for a year and a half and when he returns, he's horrible and nasty to her for daring to move on after their four day marriage. Also, he thinks all women are vapid and vain and freely admits his low opinion of them, and except for Alexandra (she's just SO different!) his opinion doesn't seem to change and it's never addressed again.
Another thing I found frustrating was how Jordan constantly seemed to have the upper hand, and Alex "just couldn't resist" and kept trying so hard to please him, which was something I hoped she'd grow out of. When she learns about Jordan's hard childhood she goes completely mushy, excuses his behavior, and vows to make his life beautiful. When he's told about about her hard childhood, he feels bad but proceeds to make a wager with her that he can win her heart (which includes making her sleep with him and obey him in all things.) When his feelings develop he still can't communicate with her like a reasonable person. During the grand finale, mere minutes after he unleashes a string of vile, hateful insults and accuses her of trying to assassinate him, she literally leaps in front of him to take a bullet for him. Really, Alex?! It takes this measure of sacrifice for him to finally open up and express his love for her - while she's in a coma and barely aware, of course. He doesn't apologize for his poor treatment of her until the last couple pages, while simultaneously dangling jewelry in her face.
Lastly, and maybe this is nitpicky, but I found the age difference a tad too much - when they meet Jordan is 27, Alex is 17 and turns 18 the day they marry. I'd side-eye that in this day and age, even more so considering how experienced, worldly, and jaded Jordan is compared to his country bride's extreme innocence and naivety. She doesn't know how babies are made, and speaks and acts immaturely (not a slam on her, just a fact of the age.) She's referred to as a child so many times that it started to creep me out a bit. Within a week or so he goes from assuming she's far younger than she is, viewing her as a child and feeling nothing but paternal fondness, to being overwhelmed with desire for her. She's a bit older for the bulk of the book, but the beginning was still a bit icky for me.
A great read - hard to put down if you like fluffy historical romances (which obviously I do). I thought the plot was great because it involved some fun twists that you see throughout romance and comedies - the transformation of a heroine from awkward girl to stunning socialite, a marriage of circumstance that becomes a marriage of love, a relationship where each are individually obsessed with the other but at separate times, etc. I won't keep going because I don't want to cross the line between teaser and plot spoiler.
I liked the first half of the book much more. It was funny at times but still romantic. The second half was also enjoyable but the couple sometimes acted out of character.
Still I would recommend it to anyone who likes their romance books with a little bit steamy scenes in them.
Still I would recommend it to anyone who likes their romance books with a little bit steamy scenes in them.
Roman je prosjek u pisanju ove autorice. Sve je puno njenih standardnih klišeja: seljančica koje su puno obrazovanije nego se to od njih očekuje, koje su male divljakuše, ali je to eto igrom slučaja svima napeto i uzbudljivo, pogotovo u visokim krugovima, junakinja se pretvori u ljepoticu u godinu dana, junak ima tamnu prošlost koja objašnjava sve njegove postupke i ponašanje kretena, u isto vrijeme stavlja plitka i prozirna kritika toga vremena koja ne pokazuje ništa drugo doli pretjeranu unesenost ovoga romana u modernost, a ne u vrijeme u koje je smješten. Sve puca od modernih ideja. Ono citiranje autora mi je išlo na živce i ne znam po kojoj logici je to itko ikad smatrao simbolom učenosti. Koliko ja znam, nitko nikad nije volio da netko citira non-stop nekoga i to je uvijek bio znak hinjene učenosti ili štreberskog učenja bez ikakvog stvarnog znanja. Ako ćemo o citiranju, imamo dovoljno autora koji upravo takve stvare gade, ali ja ih neću citirati.
Prednosti su da je ovo lako čitljivo, da je radnja donekle zanimljiva i ima elemente krimića (vrlo slabog, ali nema veze). Možete malo baciti mozak na pašu, ali to je sve.
Prednosti su da je ovo lako čitljivo, da je radnja donekle zanimljiva i ima elemente krimića (vrlo slabog, ali nema veze). Možete malo baciti mozak na pašu, ali to je sve.
This book has been recommended to me many times, including by Goodreads. Finally, I decided to read it as part of my meet&greet challenge. And it turned out to be a one big disappointment.
Alexandra (I would rather call her Mary Sue to avoid misunderstanding) was driving me mad. She is seventeen but acts like a twelve-year-old child. She is so naive, righteous and sweet, she made me sick. I wanted to strangle her all by myself.
My dislike for Little Miss Perfect exceeded even my liking for Jordan. I just couldn't stand her. I felt sorry for Jordan that he stuck up with her.
At some point, I was reading it only because of its great reputation. However, there is no point in doing so. I gave up at 16%, after five chapters. I'm afraid this is my first and last book by Judith McNaught.
Alexandra (I would rather call her Mary Sue to avoid misunderstanding) was driving me mad. She is seventeen but acts like a twelve-year-old child. She is so naive, righteous and sweet, she made me sick. I wanted to strangle her all by myself.
My dislike for Little Miss Perfect exceeded even my liking for Jordan. I just couldn't stand her. I felt sorry for Jordan that he stuck up with her.
At some point, I was reading it only because of its great reputation. However, there is no point in doing so. I gave up at 16%, after five chapters. I'm afraid this is my first and last book by Judith McNaught.