The previous reviewers have stated very well, the merits of this book! I could not put it down. It was reviting, it was suspenseful. Judith McNaught weaves a wonderful story.

It kills me to say this, (because I'm a huge fan of Judith McNaught's work), but I really hated this book. It made absolutely no sense to me. To simply put it, it was a mess. The beginning of the story had a lot of potential, but it will quickly take you down on this never-ending nose dive further along into the story.

I love Judith McNaught's books and i liked this one alot. Worth the time for the read and the characters are great. Storytelling is an art that she has mastered.

I was hesitant to read this book because it seemed to much intrigue and not enough romance from the title and cover. But, I was wrong! It was great and I could not put it down. I will re-read it someday. She creates just enough danger to pull the reader in and more than enough romance to keep you interested. I wanted to dislike the male lead, Valente, but by the end of the book, I was hooked on him, just like Leigh. The only reason that I was disappointed in the other romance blossoming in the story is because I would rather they have their own book!! Thanks, Judith, keep them coming.

If there is anyone who is new to McNaught and this has been your first novel and was disappointed (as I), please don't let it be the last from this author. That would be a tragedy. Check out PARADISE and read the 5-star rave reviews on here. All her historical romances are worth reading as well.

I wasn't overly impressed with this one but I honestly can't find myself rating anything she's written below 4 stars simply because I revere her a lot as a writer. Ms. McNaught is a phenomenal author and one can witness it in all of her previous novels. She has penned many beautiful, poignant love stories, and she won't ever change as my #1 favorite romance writer.

...however I felt something for this one was lacking.

Certain parts of the book seemed hastened while certain scenes seemed dragged out. Ms. McNaught is a great when it comes to building up the anticipation of the union between the hero and the heroine but I felt none in the case of Leigh and Michael; it was too abrupt. I was still rooting for Logan and Leigh to be reunited throughout much of the duration and had difficulty processing Michael into the picture until the very end but by then, the story was already ending. In short, their passion seemed somewhat forced, something that I never felt before in any of her previous novels where the flame steathily crept in with burning intensity and swept me right along.

On the positive side, it was a unique, well thought-out plot despite pitfalls along the way. I liked the way how she fused Leigh's and Michael's pasts together when she recognized "Falco" (reminiscent a la "Remember When"). Her secondary characters were brilliant and this is where her trademark JM writing shined. Sam Littleton was a far more intriguing character, who reminded me of a sassier and wittier version of Sloane Reynolds in "Night Whispers" but with the same warmth. And acting twice as a supporting character, Courtney Maitland never failed to amuse me with her no-nonsense humor and sass. What a character. I would love to see her become her own heroine in another novel.

.....

BUT. Most of her other contemporaries are all gems, especially Paradise, Perfect, and Double Standards. ALL her historical romances are treasures ("A Kingdom of Dreams" being my zenith favorite).


Despite some disappointments in this one, I still remain JM's loyal fan for life. She has written many splendid previous novels and I say this without any reservation.