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gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition
1.0
This book was fantastic for most of it. However, I just don't feel right giving a good rating to a book with so much domestic violence. The first episode was very bad, but the male love interest was repentant. However, the second episode, which was awful but not as bad, showed a clear pattern. It is typical for abusers to profess love and remorse after abuse, and this is exactly what happened. The female main character defends him and his abusive ways, because she loves him. We are supposed to assume that this is the last episode of this violent jealousy, but with an abuser, he will keep doing it. It such a disappointment that such a good book was ruined by the character's abusive behavior and the author's romanticization of it.
rnfisher's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite book of all time! I read this book when I was in high school and I have reread it too many times to count over the years.
felizas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
There were a number of missteps that didn't make sense in Whitney, My Love, but on the whole, I enjoyed this very much.
I don't know if this is a new trend in romance writing but I rather like the examples the heroines are setting in that they take a second look at a situation and try to be more introspective about themselves.
For the most part, McNaught got the manners and expectations of the time period right. She has a very cozy style of writing.
Forgot to mention a couple of things...McNaught mentions at the back that this edition (hardcover) has added scenes which were not present in the paperback...I'm rather curious as to the differences. Also, the first half of the novel in which Whitney is such a hoyden and then goes off to Paris just don't ring right.
The reasons for Whitney's childhood behavior are vaguely written and poorly justified. The time she spent in Paris feels disconnected to the story. More like an excuse that was tossed in by the writer to make it easier to transform our butterfly. And then Whitney has such contradictory behavior. In some ways, she is very wise and in others she's an idiot. I kept trying to justify her odd reactions with her youth-but the bronzing she received in Paris just didn't mesh with this. The writing was just a bit too lazy...
I don't know if this is a new trend in romance writing but I rather like the examples the heroines are setting in that they take a second look at a situation and try to be more introspective about themselves.
For the most part, McNaught got the manners and expectations of the time period right. She has a very cozy style of writing.
Forgot to mention a couple of things...McNaught mentions at the back that this edition (hardcover) has added scenes which were not present in the paperback...I'm rather curious as to the differences. Also, the first half of the novel in which Whitney is such a hoyden and then goes off to Paris just don't ring right.
The reasons for Whitney's childhood behavior are vaguely written and poorly justified. The time she spent in Paris feels disconnected to the story. More like an excuse that was tossed in by the writer to make it easier to transform our butterfly. And then Whitney has such contradictory behavior. In some ways, she is very wise and in others she's an idiot. I kept trying to justify her odd reactions with her youth-but the bronzing she received in Paris just didn't mesh with this. The writing was just a bit too lazy...
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
This is thick book and I liked Whitney and Clayton enemies to lovers romance misscomnication was too much.
br33zy268's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was fine. To be perfectly clear, miscommunication isn’t my favorite trope to begin with and this one just dragged ON AND ON omg. Especially towards the end I’m like you can’t be serious. It was also way too long for the story she was trying to tell. In no way did she need 700 pages. This could have easily been 300 pages, maybe 400 if I’m being generous, but yeah.
All that being said, pretty entertaining, scratches the toxic male lead itch. Read it through the night and was highly amused. No thoughts, just vibes.
All that being said, pretty entertaining, scratches the toxic male lead itch. Read it through the night and was highly amused. No thoughts, just vibes.
tuttidolci's review against another edition
2.0
This book failed to meet my expectations. Why was it so different from the first one in this series (A Kingdom of Dreams)?
First of all, the "hero." I hated him from cover to cover. Yeah, sure, he met all the historical romance novel pre-requisites. He was beautiful and wealthy and titled and worldly and all that jazz. However, he was also:
-arrogant
-smug
-hateful
-a brute
-a self-righteous jerk
-insecure
-volatile
But his biggest flaw? That he never truly atoned for, nor redeemed himself enough for the hurt he caused the heroine - and THAT is a crucial thing when the hero hurts the heroine in a capital way. This guy not only hurt her once, but several times. His atonement for his actions against her (when he came to his senses) was ALWAYS lame. Unfortunately, I never found a reason to warm up to him enough and accept that he could be worthy, despite his original character flaws.
But the "heroine"? She was so wishy-washy and I hated the games she played. She went from being hurt and humiliated by the hero in one page to surrendering to him the next, and it was almost sad. Sure, several of the situations where the hero hurt her were due to misunderstandings. However, after it happens over and over again, it gets tiring and boring. And just when you think that the Happily Every After is (at last) comfortably seated within their lives, YET ANOTHER conflict is thrown into the mix (as if the hero, heroine, AND READER hadn't already had enough) and drags on unnecessarily for a couple more chapters. Truth be told, when I got to that part, I thought, "WHY?!"
That said, the story DOES have a few likeable scenes that had me wavering between 2 and 3 stars, but in the end, I simply felt disappointed.
First of all, the "hero." I hated him from cover to cover. Yeah, sure, he met all the historical romance novel pre-requisites. He was beautiful and wealthy and titled and worldly and all that jazz. However, he was also:
-arrogant
-smug
-hateful
-a brute
-a self-righteous jerk
-insecure
-volatile
But his biggest flaw? That he never truly atoned for, nor redeemed himself enough for the hurt he caused the heroine - and THAT is a crucial thing when the hero hurts the heroine in a capital way. This guy not only hurt her once, but several times. His atonement for his actions against her (when he came to his senses) was ALWAYS lame. Unfortunately, I never found a reason to warm up to him enough and accept that he could be worthy, despite his original character flaws.
But the "heroine"? She was so wishy-washy and I hated the games she played. She went from being hurt and humiliated by the hero in one page to surrendering to him the next, and it was almost sad. Sure, several of the situations where the hero hurt her were due to misunderstandings. However, after it happens over and over again, it gets tiring and boring. And just when you think that the Happily Every After is (at last) comfortably seated within their lives, YET ANOTHER conflict is thrown into the mix (as if the hero, heroine, AND READER hadn't already had enough) and drags on unnecessarily for a couple more chapters. Truth be told, when I got to that part, I thought, "WHY?!"
That said, the story DOES have a few likeable scenes that had me wavering between 2 and 3 stars, but in the end, I simply felt disappointed.
briesespieces's review against another edition
1.0
There were so many annoying and inconsistent moments and I just could not bring myself to finish the book!
deevarr's review against another edition
4.0
Angsy
Let me start with the bad. The book was too long. In my opinion, the problem that came with making this book too long is that too many unnecessary things were added to the book that made it draaaag on. Also, a really good book ultimately became aggravating. I wish that the story never ventured into claymore finding that letter about her fake pregnancy. I already had issues with claymore’s past behaviors and choose to move past it when Whitney forgave him. But when he once again flew off the handle because he believed Whitney had deceived him, I was done with him. I am happy that they had their happy ending but I do not like the man. I hated how they couldn’t seem to give each other grace or communicate. Rather they would react to wherever their suspicions and mistrust led them. But most of all I hated how he lashed out at her in his fits of rage. He was too volatile for my liking.
Ultimately I gave this book a 4/5 rather than the 5/5 I had originally planned to give it before the book once again took that turn for the worst.
On a positive note this book is very angst, entertaining, witty and sometimes unpredictable. Despite all of her flaws (and she has many), I couldn’t help but fall in love with Whitney.She kept me on my toes with all of her antics and schemes.
The writing was also very good. Despite its over 700 pages, I couldn’t put the book down and was entertained throughout.
Let me start with the bad. The book was too long. In my opinion, the problem that came with making this book too long is that too many unnecessary things were added to the book that made it draaaag on. Also, a really good book ultimately became aggravating. I wish that the story never ventured into claymore finding that letter about her fake pregnancy. I already had issues with claymore’s past behaviors and choose to move past it when Whitney forgave him. But when he once again flew off the handle because he believed Whitney had deceived him, I was done with him. I am happy that they had their happy ending but I do not like the man. I hated how they couldn’t seem to give each other grace or communicate. Rather they would react to wherever their suspicions and mistrust led them. But most of all I hated how he lashed out at her in his fits of rage. He was too volatile for my liking.
Ultimately I gave this book a 4/5 rather than the 5/5 I had originally planned to give it before the book once again took that turn for the worst.
On a positive note this book is very angst, entertaining, witty and sometimes unpredictable. Despite all of her flaws (and she has many), I couldn’t help but fall in love with Whitney.She kept me on my toes with all of her antics and schemes.
The writing was also very good. Despite its over 700 pages, I couldn’t put the book down and was entertained throughout.
hendriana's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
3.5