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kerite 's review for:
Something Wonderful
by Judith McNaught
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.