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Almost Heaven (Sequels #3)

4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 · rating details · 10,228 ratings · 310 reviews

No beauty in England could outshine Elizabeth Cameron, Countess of Havenhurst. But beneath her exquisite emerald eyes and cloud of golden hair lived a girl of rare gentleness, pride, and splendid, even ferocious, courage. In Ian Thornton's powerful embrace, Elizabeth felt the first stirrings of a passion that blazed through her senses, never to be denied. Yet for Thornton,...more

Paperback, 544 pages

Published September 1st 1997 by Pocket Books (first published 1989)

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Apr 28, 2011 Dina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Dina by: K.

Shelves: historical-romance, dik

I absolutely LOVE this book! This is what I posted at the RF (Amazon) when I read it for the 1st time, and I'm simply copying my post here on GR because I'm lazy and don't feel like writing a full review...

Well, I've just finished reading Almost Heaven and I'm glad to say that I'm in love with Ian, Elizabeth, and everyone and everything else in the book. :) I especially loved Ian for having no fear admitting to himself he was in love with Elizabeth without knowing if she felt the same, and I ado...more I absolutely LOVE this book! This is what I posted at the RF (Amazon) when I read it for the 1st time, and I'm simply copying my post here on GR because I'm lazy and don't feel like writing a full review...

Well, I've just finished reading Almost Heaven and I'm glad to say that I'm in love with Ian, Elizabeth, and everyone and everything else in the book. :) I especially loved Ian for having no fear admitting to himself he was in love with Elizabeth without knowing if she felt the same, and I adored Elizabeth for standing her ground and not cowering when Ian tried to send her away.

I though the Big Misunderstanding issue would turn me off because I'm not a fan of this kind of plot device - and there were not only one, but two in this book -, but JM made it believable to me. Ian and Elizabeth were so much in love with each other that it rendered them defenseless, insecure and wary. The more you love someone, the more you're open to being hurt by them.

Quoting Elizabeth: "I've hurt you terribly, my love, and I'll hurt you again during the next fifty years. And you are going to hurt me, Ian - never, I hope, as much as you are hurting me now. But if that's the way it has to be, then I'll endure it, because the only alternative is to live without you, and that is no life at all." Oh my!

And I can't resist adding my favorite passage:

"If you would take one step forward, darling, you could cry in my arms. And while you do, I'll tell you how sorry I am for everything I've done -" Unable to wait, Ian caught her, pulling her tightly against him. "And when I'm finished," he whispered hoarsely as she wrapped her arms around him and wept brokenly, "you can help me find a way to forgive myself."

Tortured by her tears, he clasped her tighter and rubbed his jaw against her temple, his voice a ravaged whisper: "I'm sorry," he told her. He cupped her face between his palms, tipping it up and gazing into her eyes, his thumbs moving over her wet cheeks. "I'm sorry." Slowly, he bent his head, covering her mouth with his. "I'm so damned sorry."

OMG, I cried when I read that! And I'm not ashamed to say, my eyes are "suspiciously bright" right now, while I'm typing this...

I'll stop now. Otherwise, I'll just end up posting every single line of dialogue exchanged between Ian and Elizabeth. :)
(less)

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May 05, 2013 Victoria rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: could-not-finish, annoying-hero

Going back to other books I've read from this author I feel like I'm still holding grudges against Clayton, Jason, and Jordan. Their actions against their partners were horrible. I found them way too ruthless but their stories were compelling enough to enthrall me to the very end. Almost Heaven is a long book, 475 pages long, and I stopped reading it at page 370. The writing, as always with McNaught, was brilliant, and even though I found Elizabeth's character (unlike other McNaught's more inter...more

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Oct 27, 2009 Barbara M. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites

Almost Heaven? No this book...WAS Heaven!

24 likes · like · see review

Dec 03, 2011 Jana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

It's very typical Judith McNaught, still very different from the rest of her books. Ian for instance isn't English, but 'brutal Scot' and just because he's Scot seemed like McNaught saved all of her best words and emotions for this man. But like in most of her books, her dialogues are so beautifully written that are you pulled into her world, with this book even more because English ton doesn't approve showing public emotions, Ian approves them very much. Dialogues between him and Elisabeth who...more It's very typical Judith McNaught, still very different from the rest of her books. Ian for instance isn't English, but 'brutal Scot' and just because he's Scot seemed like McNaught saved all of her best words and emotions for this man. But like in most of her books, her dialogues are so beautifully written that are you pulled into her world, with this book even more because English ton doesn't approve showing public emotions, Ian approves them very much. Dialogues between him and Elisabeth who is a true gem as well left me in awe, because there is this special connection that I feel most of the time when I read McNaught's books and I don't know how she does it. She is so mature and effortless writer.

Ian is definitely the proudest man I have encountered in this genre, but he as well had something that I hadn't seen before: a happy and normal upbringing. Writing it like this black on white, it doesn't sound like something special, but in this genre where all men are dangerous alphas, he is alpha with irresistible signature. It's his awareness, bluntness, softness, emotional intelligence and how properly smart this man really is. His perceptions are flawless, he gets under your skin after a few pages because you don't expect some of the things that he does, but again that's why he's so different: his roots alienate him from the previous McNaught stories. I mean most of rouges in this genre are brain gifted, but I guess I liked him more than the rest was because he was so believable. His maturity was touching and this guy was normal, considering the setting.

And his pace with Elisabeth was incredible.

I love the floatness of this story and how simple and understandable everything was. And it's actually the only book that I read so far that wrote against the British ton: that it's not as perfect as this genre wants us to see it, it gave me blacker vision of that society. It seemed very accurate, with its unbelievably cruel rules if you are not playing for the same team.

Yeah, definitely almost heaven experience. (less)

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Jan 01, 2012 Sian Milne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Oooooo this was the best of the 3!!

Oh sigh and swoon over Ian...what else is there to say about the gorgeous hero of this book...

In this 3rd and final book of the series we meet Ian Thornton and Elizabeth Cameron.
Elizabeth is apparently a good friend of Alexandra from the previous book (where this was mentioned im unsure as i didnt remember her being mentioned).
Anyhow they meet at a weekend party, flirt and dance, kiss and start to fall in love. Then there is a lot of misunderstandings and confu...more

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Jun 17, 2010 abi rafon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: author-judith-mcnaught, r-historical, favorites, owned, r-favorites, fav-historical-romance, favorite-couple

the first mcnaught that i read. the dialogues were simply the best, heart warming awesome and ah, almost heaven. there are so many conflicts but i really, really enjoyed it. i think ian thornton and elizabeth are just meant for each other. it took me a day or two to totally lessen the feelings i had when i reached it's ending.

the book was beautiful.

unforgettable scenes and unforgettable dialogs especially this one:

"If you would take one step forward,
darling, you could cry in my arms. And whil...more

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Jul 19, 2012 Kay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads, 2012-reads, historical, faves-highly-recommend

Re-read: July 17-19, 2012
I didn't think it would be possible for a book I've read before to keep me awake until 4am. But it can happen just as how ALMOST HEAVEN allowed me only 2 hours of sleep before I had to wake up for work the next day. This just shows that Ms. Judith McNaught should come out of hiding and grace us with her books again!!

*********************************************************
First read: June 27-28, 2010
You just can't go wrong with novels by Judith McNaught. Almost Heaven w...more

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Feb 12, 2009 Sarita rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Keia, Garrace, Julie, Haliegh

Recommended to Sarita by: Barbara M.

Shelves: all-time-favorites

GREAT BOOK!
I got so caught up in this book! I couldn't put it down! My husband even made the comment, "You're gonna be reading that one all day, I can tell." lol
It was a wonderful story. My heart was hurting, beating, crying, and shouting for joy! hahaha

Thanks Judith McNaught for creating another 5 star story.

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Aug 05, 2012 Melody rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, all-time-favourites, tear-jerker, 5-stars

Almost Heaven is simply magnificent and one of the best books by Judith McNaught! The story was superb and the characters were great. I love Elizabeth and Ian and it was a real pleasure to catch up with Alexandra, Jordan and the Dowager Duchess (see Something Wonderful). The end was so beautiful (I admit it, some passages made me cry) and everything was enhanced with small touches of humour.

It was my last historical romance by Judith McNaught and I'm glad I saved the best for last. Almost Heave...more

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Feb 18, 2011 Dinjolina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: angst, best-romance, favourite-books, historical-romance, out-of-this-world-revelations, romantic-suspense, superb-heroine, heroes-with-a-temper

I loved the heroine so much I actually cried when Ian told her why he wanted a solicitor.I got sniffy about a book.I really did.Weird!

I can not write a rew without it having spoils because i just want to rant on and on about all the things that happened.
I...I'm so in love with this book it hurts me that i finished it.
God...
Just...read it,ok?
One word about the plot and it would be one word too many.So...read it.

:snif:

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 07, 2009 rouselle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chic-lit, fiction, historical-romance, read-before-2009, romance

These kind of novels take me back to my high school days when romantic novels were my guilty pleasure. Although my taste in books, even back then, runs the gamut from classics to plays to romance, I always seek to finish one romantic-novel per day. In the past, you can find stories that were uniquely plotted (for a love story, at least). Nowadays, almost every romantic novel printed out will have a twin (or even octuplet) because one book/story will have different "copies" and similar stories. I...more

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May 03, 2013 Lord Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 10-or-more-year-age-gap, era-regency, genre-historical-romance, place-england, place-scotland, reunited-2nd-chance, romance

While this was a nice enough book, it was long. There's just something extremely intimidating about books with over 500 pages. (This is one of the perks of ebooks- I don't know how long they are, so I don't feel intimidated.) In this case, I really felt that the page count could have been cut down quite a bit, though. Around pages 300-400, I was almost tempted to give up, because it just wasn't very interesting. After that it picked up again, but it took me much longer to read than usual, mostly...more

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May 01, 2013 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: no-politer-word-for-porn, made-me-sad

TO reach (almost) heaven, the 2 main characters went through hell.
I would have pities them had the agony not been self-induced, to a certain extent.
Now I apologise for my vehemence yesterday, swearing off McNaught books for a while. I should have known that the author I swear off would be the first shelf I look to when searching for a new book to devour. I blame it on the fantastic blurbs of all McNaught books, as well her excellent way with words that is sufficient for one to completely overloo...more TO reach (almost) heaven, the 2 main characters went through hell.
I would have pities them had the agony not been self-induced, to a certain extent.
Now I apologise for my vehemence yesterday, swearing off McNaught books for a while. I should have known that the author I swear off would be the first shelf I look to when searching for a new book to devour. I blame it on the fantastic blurbs of all McNaught books, as well her excellent way with words that is sufficient for one to completely overlook the storyline, at times.
Thankfully, this book was better than Perfect (in my opinion). Elizabeth was delightful - strong-willed, brave, courageous, anything but whiny. Ian, on the other hand...
I thought reading 3 books penned by McNaught was sufficient experience to judge that she had a tendency to conjure up couples of unequal depth and likeability. I believed that it would always be the female to look out for, to swallow a dose of aspirin when coming across her name in the pages, but here, man was I dead wrong. This time the male lead pushed most, if not all, my buttons.
In my previous (rather rude) review, I mentioned that a unjustifiably wronged hero, should never look back and discard excessive baggage. Gee, my precise prayers were answered as this was precisely what Ian (view spoiler) did. However, I believe that he was not wrongfully wronged, and because of that, all hos hot-headedness which I would advocate to heroes in other McNaught books didn't dazzle me in this number. In fact, coupled with Elizabeth's innocence and fierce devotion to her brother, I pitied her disposition and felt sorry for her being paired up with a lousy bargain of a partner by fate-aka-McNaught. Elizabeth suffered more than she should have, which was undoubtedly magnified in given the social norm and her circumstances. All because of Ian the idiot.However, in all respects the effect wasn't too bad as Elizabeth proved to be a shining gem in comparison, and I felt in this novel McNaught dealt with misunderstanding, heartbreak and reconciliation fairly well. I felt the torment that stubborn prig Ian felt when he realised that cutting others who wronged him could ultimately lead to him suffering the most, and that not everyone is infallible.
Apart from the above themes, this book is pretty bland and ordinary for a romance novel. If anything, read it for McNaught's writing and prose - that is enough to keep one hanging on to the very last page of the novel.

3.51 stars(less)

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May 03, 2012 Dawn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mcnaught-judith

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. How do I begin? I loved it. But I almost only gave it 4 stars because I felt both Ian and Elizabeth claimed to love each other desperately, but there was no trust at all.

Ian is a rich and powerful man. Elizabeth doesn't realize that. Her uncle forces her into marriage to get her off his hands. Two years previous, she was ruined socially by an encounter with Ian at a ball. Her brother created the scandal when her friend(?) set the two of them up to meet secretly in a garden and be discovered by h...more How do I begin? I loved it. But I almost only gave it 4 stars because I felt both Ian and Elizabeth claimed to love each other desperately, but there was no trust at all.

Ian is a rich and powerful man. Elizabeth doesn't realize that. Her uncle forces her into marriage to get her off his hands. Two years previous, she was ruined socially by an encounter with Ian at a ball. Her brother created the scandal when her friend(?) set the two of them up to meet secretly in a garden and be discovered by her brother, Robert. Robert, of course, challenges Ian to a duel. Robert is a reprobate. He tries to kill Ian by drawing prematurely. But, being a bad shot, only hits him in the shoulder. He tries unsuccessfully to kill him two times later. At that point, Ian has him kidnapped and put on one of his ships for the new world. It was either that or turn him over to authorities which he knew would destroy Elizabeth.

In the mean time, Elizabeth has to sell all her possessions just to pay off Robert's gambling debts. She is supported by her uncle who resents her. He decides to auction her off to one of the men who had offered for her two years earlier. He sends out 15 letters and only gets two responses. He gets a response from Ian but it turns out to be a mistake made by Ian's inept secretary.

Anyway, Elizabeth shows up at his cottage in Scotland thinking that is his only residence. Ian is still quite angry over the incident two years earlier and she leaves when her uncle sends for her while Ian is away. Ian chases her determined that she not marry either of the other two unworthy candidates. Ian makes a bargain with Elizabeth's uncle unbeknownst to Elizabeth. Therefore, he is in the position of having to earn her love.

Elizabeth's friend, Alexandra (from Something Wonderful), has decided to reintroduce Elizabeth into society with the help of her husband, Jordan, and his mother, a Dowager Duchess. So many things happen it is impossible to summarize everything.

The culmination is when Robert shows back up and convinces Elizabeth that Ian is a scoundrel and a criminal and to run away with him to America. She sells her jewels and disappears for 6 weeks. Ian begins a frantic search but eventually ends up arrested for their murder. Elizabeth circumvents Robert's attempts to keep her from seeing a newspaper and when she realizes what is happening, heads to London to rescue him. The scene in the courtroom is amazing.

She does her part to clear him but the damage is done to their relationship. Elizabeth tries and tries to reconcile. But Ian is wounded and begins divorce proceedings. Elizabeth runs off to his Scotland cottage to thwart Ian's efforts at divorce. Ian decides to take refuge there without realizing that's where she is. The reunion is oh, so sweet.

What a great book. (less)

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Dec 25, 2011 Yona rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

That's a book, which made me smile for a while.

It was everything a book should be - funny interesting and everything in between.

In places i laughed so much that i had tears in my eyes and it was a long time ago since a book made me laugh so much.

Elizabeth and Ian had to go trough so much, but with every wall that stood in their way their love grew bigger, they stared to understand each other so much that in the end they were like two sides of one coin.

I loved how much patience Ian had when he wa...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Faye rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance-novels, read-in-2011, judith-mcnaught

I've started reading the book on my phone when my best friend gave a copy to me, then on my desktop. I must say that I was taken aback to see that I have to read 900 pages in PDF no less to finished the book. But I did finish it in a day after I started. That much I can say is how good it is.

Well, I started my taste of historical romance novels by the same author and this is her third book on the Sequel series, I’ve read the first one but haven’t started on the 2nd one since my copy of it in...more I've started reading the book on my phone when my best friend gave a copy to me, then on my desktop. I must say that I was taken aback to see that I have to read 900 pages in PDF no less to finished the book. But I did finish it in a day after I started. That much I can say is how good it is.

Well, I started my taste of historical romance novels by the same author and this is her third book on the Sequel series, I’ve read the first one but haven’t started on the 2nd one since my copy of it in my phone got corrupted. Anyway, in this book, Mc Naught has introduced Elizabeth, a young girl who once had a very promising future of finding a good husband (well, a wealthy and titled one for what her brother thinks mattered) when she met Ian Thornton, the notorious, handsome man who made her young heart beats faster whenever she’s near him but there’s a catch, Ian does not belong on the circle she moves with. He’s definitely not a wealthy man, he gambles a lot, not titled for that matter, and has a very bad reputation among the tons of the society while Elizabeth is a countess herself even a penniless countess at that.

When the two met, Ian being older is more forward with his actions that brought the demise for Elizabeth’s reputation. When they met at the cottage alone together, the others found out because of Elizabeth’s greedy and ambitious friend, Valerie, who betrayed her for the duke Beth is supposed to be betrothed. Ian, thinking that Beth is betrothed even before she met him at the cottage felt betrayed and he is a very proud man, thinking that all she can offer is superficial beauty, he begin to regret his acquaintance with her. Elizabeth on the other hand felt her world crumble when her half-brother challenged Ian at a duel and cheat then later on left her alone with Havenhurst, their house, at it’s worst condition. The young woman begin to learn how to live for herself and for the loyal servants who remained with her while the proud Scott man worked his way on gaining a lot of wealth that he once try to offer to the green-eyed woman who captured his heart.

Two years later, they met again with a lot of hurt and pain each of them endured because of that fateful meeting at the cottage. Elizabeth was now an outsider to the society who once welcomed her with open arms while Ian even if he became wealthy still felt betrayed. All begin to become clear when Ian found out about Elizabeth’s condition and he at once tried to correct his misdoings. After all, it was his fault that Elizabeth was now an outcast, he will ask for her hand even if he has to buy her to the cruel, greedy uncle standing now as her guardian. But what will happen if Elizabeth found out that he is the reason her brother never returned?

I would not continue on the latter part of the story and spoil everything. I just wanted to give a glimpse of the story. Both the characters here are proud man and woman and would not give in but their love made them do things to ensure that they will still have each other. I must say that the author’s wit and humor haven’t diminished from the last time I’ve read her book (Once and Always). In this book, she presented Ian, a man with a mind so powerful that he can will his heart to forget the ones he loved in order to avoid being hurt again. Now what would a woman do to be able to reach him again? Elizabeth’s patience and love were very inspiring.

Because of Judith Mc Naught, I am beginning to love historical romance even if I have read only two of her books. I really loved the ending, with Ian saying to his son that heaven, or almost heaven is the idea where you’re most loved people are there with you (or to that extent, I just paraphrased it). It was a very nice read. There are scandals, humor, wit battles, drama, family issues, what more could you ask?
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Sep 27, 2010 Michelle Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2010-read, favorites, historical

ABSOLUTELY LOVED "Almost Heaven"!!! My favorite Judith McNaught book so far.

I was so drawn into the story. It completly captured me. I have no negative things to say about the story at all, except that it is over!

I swear the blubs at the back do not do these books justice.

The characters Elizabeth Cameron and Ian Thornton were written so beautifully and just kept reading and reading.

I don't know what to say? I was so in love with this story I don't know how to review it except to praise how wo...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Nicoletta rated it 5 of 5 stars

questo libro è stato assolutamente una sorpresa
all'inizio faticavo ad entrare nella storia perchè molto lenta a partire, soffermandosi su quello che era accaduto e a cui non riuscivo a dar una logica
poi nel momento in cui Perpetua( Lucinda: così l'ho battezzata quando sono arrivate in Scozia) ha cominciato a farmi scompisciare dalle risate non sonoo riuscita più a staccarmene
è stato bellissimo e altrettanto irritante di leggere come una giovane donna riesce a tener testa ad un branco di uomini e...more

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Dec 26, 2010 Tash rated it 3 of 5 stars

Judith McNaught is an excellent writer and one of my favourites. No one writes romance like she does but. I decided to stop being biased and vent a little. After reading four Judith McNaught books I'm quite tired of the similar plots and characters she has in every book. It's the same characters with the same misunderstandings and same stupidity and the same sex scenes. The simiar sex scenes are a little creepy sometimes. For example, everytime the hero's fingers go near the 'triangle' every her...more

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May 05, 2013 Jenika Ioffreda rated it 1 of 5 stars

I quite liked other books by Judith Mcnaught so I was curious to read more of her stories.
Sadly halfway to this books I gave up, I really didn't like the heroine, Elizabeth.
(view spoiler)...more

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Jun 15, 2011 Amanda Ryan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I’ve been on a Judith McNaught kick the past few weeks. Why, you ask? Because ALMOST ALWAYS McNaught weaves a lovely and intricate tale that’s dreamily romantic with the perfect sultry touch. I love that her stories encompass a wider range of time, as opposed to other stories I’ve read that cover a few days or weeks. Her stories are almost always believable, which only adds to their romance.

Almost Heaven is the story of Ian and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is kind, richly beautiful (though completely na...more

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May 15, 2011 Stevie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical romance, enemy to lovers, alpha male spitfire female fans

Recommended to Stevie by: previous works of the author and goodreads reviews

Shelves: favorites, alpha-male, animosity-to-lovers, author-auto-buy, feisty-heroine

Simply wonderful romance. McNaught can create beautiful characters and intriguing stories. This particular story had a naive but completely lovable female lead. She was so very sweet and of course extraordinarily beautiful, but thoughtful and regarded herself as more than a pretty face. Ian, was the typical noble rogue who steels her heart, who has risen from a tragic past only to find his only weakness to be Elizabeth, but also saw her as more than a pretty face. And of course they clash over a...more

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May 09, 2011 Elise Wilson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Judith McNaught is one of my favorite authors and once again she delivered as a master storyteller. When I read a book I generally seek out the themes and what impressed me most about the book. In this case I found the book to center on the themes of trust, forgiveness and as a result of these, love. McNaught does a good job of bringing these to the fore, using likable characters like Elizabeth (heroine) and Ian (hero).

The use of secondary characters, particularly the grandfather also helped the...more Judith McNaught is one of my favorite authors and once again she delivered as a master storyteller. When I read a book I generally seek out the themes and what impressed me most about the book. In this case I found the book to center on the themes of trust, forgiveness and as a result of these, love. McNaught does a good job of bringing these to the fore, using likable characters like Elizabeth (heroine) and Ian (hero).

The use of secondary characters, particularly the grandfather also helped the themes along. I love a family tale, where there is reconciliation. True to form McNaught's prose is great -- there is humor (I was in tears on some parts), there is joy and sadness -- and a bit of mystery. In other words, the book made me feel and this is a good thing.

However, I did not give it 5 stars because I thought the book failed about 3/4 way in (SPOILER ALERT), when Elizabeth foolishly believed her brother, who had proven to be less than trustworthy, over her now husband, with whom she had taken vows to love and honor -- and with whom she had spent meaningful time. By not at least giving Ian the chance to explain his side of things, she showed that she did not trust her husband nor truly love him -- enough. I'm not sure why McNaught included this portion in the book. If she wanted to reconcile the disappearance of the brother, she should have done it in a way that made Elizabeth seem mature and intelligent -- which is how she had been portrayed throughout the book. In fact, the whole courtroom drama seemed out of place to me. And worse yet, McNaught made it seem as if the onus was on Ian to be the forgiving spouse! I was greatly annoyed.

Having said that, McNaught being the great storyteller that she is managed to somewhat redeem the story (and soothe my annoyance) with a well done ending and epilogue. It was touching, especially having Elizabeth return to Scotland to await his arrival! And it is for this reason that I would recommend it to other readers of historical romance. It was not my favorite McNaught, but it is a good read.(less)

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May 14, 2013 Rose rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, 5-star-books

This is my second historical romance read by this author. The few critiques I had of my first (Kingdom of Dreams), namely the slightly elementary dialogue being out-of-place at times for the specified time period, were 100% resolved in this book. Everything came together beautifully and satisfied the picky plot critic in me. Even with all of McNaught's over the top, fantastic situations, I thought this book was very down-to-earth, heart-warming, and real. I loved every line of dialogue and every...more

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Apr 17, 2011 Kimberly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

The last of the Westmoreland series, this book had the characters from, Something Wonderful, that helped these two main characters get together. In true McNaught style she brought together two gorgeous, stubborn people whose love must be tested before settling into a real relationship. Elizabeth Cameron, the debutant and Ian Thorton, rake of secret wealth fall in love under deceit and pride. My favorite part was when the seducer became the seduced. Elizabeth taught Ian how to love and he taught...more

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Jul 22, 2010 Quinn rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library-book, regency-victorian-romance, aar-top-100-2007, aar-top-100-2010, favourites, i-own

I shouldn't have loved this book as much as I did. The regency era is my least favourite historical romance period, and I'm not a fan of the big misunderstanding being relied upon as a primary plot device (and this had a couple of them). I've read only one other 'beloved' McNaught (A Kingdom of Dreams), which I liked well enough, but didn't love.

But. Almost Heaven has found its way into my heart. It's one of those books that gives you (well, me) that indefinable feeling when reading it.

Elizabeth...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Contessina rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: highlanders, alpha-male-character, historical-romance

Bir buçuk günde okudum ama bittim azizim bittim . Gözlerimden uyku şapır şapır damlıyor . Ama değdi be . Beğendim yani . O Ian neydi öyle yahu ? İnsan mısın be adam ? Üstünü şekerle kaplatıp vitrine koyarım ben seni . Ehem ... ama bir sorunum var . Kızı yine sevmedim . Hikayenin bazı kısımları yine gözümü tırmaladı . Bilmiyorum ne olacak benim bu yazarla çekişmem ;)

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Jan 23, 2011 Eva Nickelson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

I enjoyed this book. The relationship between Elizabeth and Ian blossoms in this story. The secondary characters are both new and old (some were introduced in Something Wonderful), but all are treated with a detailed brush which only adds to the story.

The relationship itself is slightly different than most novels. The plot twists which lead to the climax are neither unexpected or overly contrived, and it leads to all the loose ends being tied up. The fact that both of them hurt the other in such...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Catia Pereira rated it 3 of 5 stars

Dentre os 3 livros da série "Sequels" este - Almost Heaven - foi o que eu mais gostei de ler. Uma história divertida e emocionante. Se por um lado, é interessante ler livros agrestes, realistas e crus; por outro lado, é também muito bom ler um livro como este que nos faz viajar para outro tempo e nos convida a acreditar em sentimentos puros. O casal protagonista - Ian e Elizabeth - foram desenhados com personalidades diferentes mas com algo em comum: carismáticos e destemidos.
Estes três livros...more

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Mar 11, 2013 Giulia~Bubbles rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

Originally reviewed at www.devastatingreads.blogspot.com

I have stumbled on Judith McNaught purely by accident. Thank goodness one of my good friends has read her, and enjoyed her work. As she said, this author is special. I have only read two of her books so far, but I adored both of them.

Almost Heaven is the story of Elizabeth Cameron and Ian Thornton (whose name now gives me shivers because I adore him), who meet by chance one weekend and are thrown together into unlikely circumstances by Eli...more

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What's The Name o...: historical romace- sassy heroine [s]	11	164	Dec 07, 2012 04:03am

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About Judith McNaught

Judith McNaught is a bestselling author of over a dozen historical and contemporary romance novels, with 30 million copies of her works in print. She was also the first female executive producer at a CBS radio station. McNaught is credited with inventing the modern Regency Historical romance subgenre.

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Quotes from Almost Heaven

“If you would take one step forward, darling, you could cry in my arms. And while you do, I'll tell you how sorry I am for everything I've done -" Unable to wait, Ian caught her, pulling her tightly against him. "And when I'm finished," he whispered hoarsely as she wrapped her arms around him and wept brokenly, "you can help me find a way to forgive myself."
Tortured by her tears, he clasped her tighter and rubbed his jaw against her temple, his voice a ravaged whisper: "I'm sorry," he told her. He cupped her face between his palms, tipping it up and gazing into her eyes, his thumbs moving over her wet cheeks. "I'm sorry." Slowly, he bent his head, covering her mouth with his. "I'm so damned sorry.” — 216 people liked it

“Listen carefully to me, darling, because I'm giving you fair warning that I won't let you do this to us. You gave me your love, and I will not let you take it away. The harder you try, the harder I'll fight you. I'll haunt your dreams at night, exactly the way you have haunted mine every night I was away from you. You'll lie awake in bed at night, wanting me, and you'll know I'm lying awake wanting you. And when you can't stand it anymore you'll come back to me and I'll be there waiting for you. I'll cry in your arms, and I'll tell you I'm sorry for everything I have done and you'll help me find a way to forgive myself.” — 111 people liked it

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Almost Heaven (Sequels #3)

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