Following a terrifying encounter in the quiet English countryside, a young woman flees to New York in search of a new life. Adopting the initial M ...
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Nov 27, 2010
Tilly
rated it: 
I feel like I'm going to shoot myself. I cannot not finish a book, so I'm still going, page 276 and no, it is not getting better.
My issues are plenty... Considering it is set in this day and age, the characters and their dialogue is completely ridiculous! No one thinks or talks like these people.
She kept trying to make the main character, M, the model, seem smart and 'well bred', but instead made her seem pretentious and unbelievable... Not to mention none of the supposed facts abou More...
My issues are plenty... Considering it is set in this day and age, the characters and their dialogue is completely ridiculous! No one thinks or talks like these people.
She kept trying to make the main character, M, the model, seem smart and 'well bred', but instead made her seem pretentious and unbelievable... Not to mention none of the supposed facts abou More...
Nov 20, 2011
Sidna
rated it: 
Years ago I read "A Woman of Substance" by Barbara Taylor Bradford about a young girl in England named Emma Harte, who worked a maid in a wealthy home. She managed to found a great department store empire in London named Harte's and amass a fortune. Along the way she married two or three husbands and had several children. The book was not great literature, but it was a good story.
Since then Bradford has written six more books about Emma and her heirs. None of them has been as More...
Since then Bradford has written six more books about Emma and her heirs. None of them has been as More...
Apr 11, 2010
Susan
rated it: 
Standing the test of time is what I’m thinking as I close this book – my fourth Barbara Taylor Bradford read. Breaking the Rules is a book that I wouldn’t have bought for myself. However, when my son saw that it was on offer (along with a book his fiancee bought), he thought of me. He remembered my disappointment when I couldn’t make it to a BTB event with the best-selling author herself.
I remember reading A Woman of Substance back in the ‘90s, closely followed by owning the dramatis More...
I remember reading A Woman of Substance back in the ‘90s, closely followed by owning the dramatis More...
Feb 21, 2010
Becky
rated it:
Thought this was a new Barbara Delinsky book at a quick glance-over - didn't realize it was Barbara Taylor Bradford until I started reading it.
I don't think I've read Bradford before, and I quickly realized there is a reason for it. Perhaps her earlier books are better, I don't know, but Bradford is not a strong author. Her characters and her dialogue are very weak; almost childish sounding at times. Every main character is beautiful; every main character falls in love with another b More...
I don't think I've read Bradford before, and I quickly realized there is a reason for it. Perhaps her earlier books are better, I don't know, but Bradford is not a strong author. Her characters and her dialogue are very weak; almost childish sounding at times. Every main character is beautiful; every main character falls in love with another b More...
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Aug 14, 2010
Helen
rated it:
Years ago, i read Barbara Taylor Bradford's first trilogy of books about Emma Harte and her family. I loved them! 'A Woman of Substance' in particular was fabulous! An epic, gritty and passionate family drama of great depth, full of characters you really cared about. It's a novel i'm really fond of and have dipped into many times over the years. And so i'm sad to say that this latest Harte instalment is very disappointing. I shouldn't have been surprised because i've read the other recent Harte
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Oct 31, 2009
Laurel-Rain
rated it: 
When a young woman flees to New York after a terrifying encounter in the English countryside, she reinvents herself and embarks on a journey that will lead her to fame, love, and good fortune.
But just when everything is finally coming together for her, the mysterious "M" is about to encounter a dark figure from her past--a psychopath with deadly intent who has vowed to shatter her world forever.
As we finally learn M's true identity and understand the complex d More...
But just when everything is finally coming together for her, the mysterious "M" is about to encounter a dark figure from her past--a psychopath with deadly intent who has vowed to shatter her world forever.
As we finally learn M's true identity and understand the complex d More...
Dec 04, 2009
Mindee
rated it:
This book was horrible. It started out good and got my attention, then it went about 50 pages of nothing. I almost just stopped reading it (which I should have) but I hate not finishing a book I start. Then something else interesting would happen and I thought, Okay, now it will pick up. Boy was I wrong. Their were so many characters that the author would go into detail about for 20 pages or so, and then they weren't in the book anymore. The book is over 400 pages and in the 300's or so it intro
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May 27, 2011
Laura
rated it:
This was a good book, and a nice sequel. Now I really want to go back and read A Woman of Substance again, which is one of my all-time favorite novels.
I felt the first part of the novel started slow. Even though I love fashion, I wanted to get to the characters that I've grown to know and love. I always kinda forget how formal BTB's writing can be, so it usually takes a little bit for me to jump into that world. In the end, though, I'm always glad I do.
If you've read the pr More...
I felt the first part of the novel started slow. Even though I love fashion, I wanted to get to the characters that I've grown to know and love. I always kinda forget how formal BTB's writing can be, so it usually takes a little bit for me to jump into that world. In the end, though, I'm always glad I do.
If you've read the pr More...
Jul 04, 2010
Meg
rated it:
This was so disappointing. I remember reading one of this author's early books, about Emma Harte starting a department store. It was good, but it seems like many of her later books all build on the same characters. They weren't as interesting as the first, so I stopped reading. This book had no mention of the Hartes, so I thought it was safe.
Not. The main character here goes by a pseudonym for the first 2/3 of the book then it turns out she's a Harte and the story went downhill from there More...
Not. The main character here goes by a pseudonym for the first 2/3 of the book then it turns out she's a Harte and the story went downhill from there More...
Jul 03, 2010
Nicole
rated it:
I don't know quite what to say about this book. I was bored for the first two-thirds of the book because everything seemed to just go right for everyone in the book. Though that may sound odd, when every new character that appeared I was looking for something sinister about them because it was just weird that there wasn't any conflict in the book.
The story wasn't bad, but it was all a bunch of fluff and I probably would have been happier spending my time reading another book.
The story wasn't bad, but it was all a bunch of fluff and I probably would have been happier spending my time reading another book.
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Dec 06, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
Quick read about a young woman with a mysterious past. I've been disappointed in this author's recent books (and stopped reading them midway), so I was pleasantly surprised that I completed this one. However - everything seemed to be so perfect for M, and with the exception of the first part of the story, everything came easy to her, and the tension in the novel was minimal. Not a deep or thoughtful novel - the story and characters were much on the surface.
Nov 15, 2009
Andrea
rated it:
I have never read Barbara Taylor Bradford before but knew the name as a popular author. I was shocked to find this book so boring and predictable. It was so predictable, in fact, I was sure I was in for a big twist but it never came. I found the writing to be humorless and immature, actually. Not the clever writing I expected. I actually listened to the audiobook and found Kelgren's reading to be very good considering the somewhat insipid material.
Sep 23, 2011
Mj
rated it:
Thoroughly enjoyed the book and M - the new strong female character from Barbara Taylor Bradford. See lots of opportunity for a follow-up book. Don't understand why the average ratings are so low. This book kept me reading and turning pages - wanting to finish each chapter and start another. Didn't want to put it down until the end and can't wait to read more about M. Am a huge Barbara Taylor Bradford fan and this book didn't disappoint
Apr 27, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
Typical rather frothy romance, everything ties up rather too neatly in the end. M is in the US having left her family and a secret to find her own way. she quickly becomes a suer model, meets Larry, a handsome movie star, marries him and moves to Europe. Her family is the owner of a department store, Hartes. Her sister's both find love and marriage, and their arch enemy their cousin is destroyed. Everybody lives happily ever after.
Feb 17, 2010
Ashley
rated it:
Quite possibly the worst book I've ever read. I couldn't even finish, and that is the first time I've ever stopped in the middle of a book. I read to nearly 3/4 of the book, and the action was dull and didn't leave me with the "I want to know what happens next" feeling I expect to have with most books. I've never read any other books by the author and after this complete epic fail I doubt I'll pick up another by her.
Jan 16, 2010
Jeanie
rated it:
Although the plot is complex, this is still a light read. Good for a beach trip or when you get to curl up in the glow of a fire on a snowy day, snug in a big cozy chair with a mug of hot chocolate (laced?) Yes, sad things happen to the heroine, but she is a drop-dead gorgeous woman who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and I just can't connect with her.
Oct 02, 2010
Myrna
rated it:
This book was okay ... it was a nice finish to wrap up the series. I hated to say good-bye to some of my favorite characters.
It was a little too descriptive in a few of the romantic scenes. I prefer a little more left to the imagination. There was also one occurrence of the "f" word which is always a big turn-off to me and it find it totally unnecessary.
It was a little too descriptive in a few of the romantic scenes. I prefer a little more left to the imagination. There was also one occurrence of the "f" word which is always a big turn-off to me and it find it totally unnecessary.
Jan 29, 2011
Miranda
rated it:
Have you ever read a book and at the end wonder why you wasted your time? This was one of them. The character development was horrible. The conversation in the book was forced. And even though there was supposed to be family ties and emotional ties, the book was emotionless. It was a waste.
Nov 22, 2009
Kristen
rated it: 
This is a great final book in the Emma Harte series, or a stand alone, when everyone gets a happy ending, by the time the book's done. I started reading some books in the series this summer and will go back to the first ones in 2011. This deals with a bit of happiness for Linnet and centers for Emsie "M" O'Neill as well. I've enjoyed the series and hope you'll do too. Enjoy!
Jan 24, 2012
Jacque
rated it:
This story spans several years of a woman's life. M is a strong heroine most of the time but it wavers back and forth. I wish there was more depth in some of the characters. M is really to perfect. The story is not very memorable.
Jul 11, 2010
Ashley
rated it:
This book I randomly picked from the 'new' shelf at the library. It was about a rising model and a movie star that fall in love but are haunted by their past. It kept my attention but it wasn't incredibly suspenseful.
Jan 14, 2010
Linda
rated it:
Pretty tedious book -- no reason to care abut the characters and their not so big problems. Another episode in the continuing sage of the Harte store -- with a pretense of no connection until the end of the book.
Apr 17, 2010
Linda
rated it:
More of the Emma Harte women. "M" goes to NY to become a model. She meets a handsome actor, ends up marrying him. Then the entire clan is threatened again by Jonathan Ainsley. He is eventually murdered, and the Harte's go on.
Feb 01, 2010
The book got a little mushy with the relationship between M and Larry. Enough was enough already. They wrapped up the dilema with Jonathan a little too quickly for my liking. But in general I like the books in the Harte saga.
Nov 05, 2009
Leila
rated it:
This author tried to deliver a sense of mystery to the characters, but it all ended up being very predictable and quite silly. The story line was like a storm in a teacup. I was quite dissapointed with the book, it left me with nothing? And I hate writing negative comments, because I wish i had the talent to become an author, but I have to be honest, it was a waste of my time reading it.
Feb 10, 2010
Mardel
rated it:
This was a light quick read, no depth, nothing to think about, just fun escapism. It was better than several the author's other recent books and I did enjoy reading it although I thought the ending was rather weak and pulled together in a hurry.
Oct 21, 2009
JoAnn
rated it:
This was a very good story. It moved quickly and was full of action. The characters were interesting and realistic. I enjoyed the novel very much.
Mar 07, 2010
Leah
rated it:
I almost never start a book and then not finish it, but I just can't stomach this one at all. I read about 80 pages, but I refuse to waste any more time.
Dec 06, 2009
Fran
rated it:
I really didn't like this book and can't figure out why I kept reading it. The dialogue was stilted, the characters were one dimensional and yet I continued to read.
Aug 26, 2010
Tina Christina
rated it:
I've always loved the writings by Barbara Taylor Bradford. There are times when you do feel connected with her work.
