The Wrong Brother by Maureen Child: I enjoyed the tone of this book, the story was OK and the relationships were erealistic and well-drawn. For a shor...moreThe Wrong Brother by Maureen Child: I enjoyed the tone of this book, the story was OK and the relationships were erealistic and well-drawn. For a short book the secondary characters were well drawn too which is an aspect of Maureen Child's writing I have always enjoyed. However, minor details in this book annoyed me such as the hero "striding" and "stalking" everywhere, the lack of condom/sexual health discussion which is a norm in contemporary fiction and the lack of one is a sign of irresponsible adults IMO, and where I was teetering between a 2 or 3 star rating the 5th paragraph from the end solidly confirmed a 2 star for me *spoiler*
Where the female protagonist in her happiness says " rain? What rain? All I can see is sunshine and rainbows". Groan! Without this 1 trite sentence I would be going for a 2.5(less)
This book had me crying my eyes out. Gabriella walks out on Stephen on the day of their wedding. She runs off to Italy where her childhood friend meet...moreThis book had me crying my eyes out. Gabriella walks out on Stephen on the day of their wedding. She runs off to Italy where her childhood friend meets her quickly followed by Stephen who wants to know her reasons for leaving him at the altar. Gabriella's reasons are heartwrenching and the hurt that Stephen feels at her rejection is palpable yet he is strong, loving and knows that he cannot heal her. Bravo. Wonderful book. My only reason for four rather than five stars was that the "angry" in the book didn't resonate for me. Yes, there was anger but the word was overused and I ended up ignoring the word as I read. This did not change the impact of the story for me at all.
PS the edition I read had a laughing couple on the cover (not listed on Goodreads). This showed to me how cover designers are not briefed properly and possibly the lack of interest/understanding from the publishing team doing the broefing.(less)
I enjoyed the majority of this emotional see-saw book. The protagonists were secretly married years ago as they wanted to surprise their family with t...moreI enjoyed the majority of this emotional see-saw book. The protagonists were secretly married years ago as they wanted to surprise their family with their union but broke up before they got to tel them. 3 years later they find themselves at a family reunion and constantly hurting each other though their emotional connection shows through constantly. *spoiler alert*
Their issue had been whether Alys followed Rand to his work. She refused to give up her new company for him. The end does bring him to a compromise which would have resulted in a great ending for the book but Alys decides she'll throw in the towel and be a homemaker instead which tainted the book for me but mught work for a much more traditionalist readership. There were religious undertones in the story as well as a priest and other religious symbols who served as a moral reminder. I felt this was woven well into the story and the characters and was not didactic or preachy. Religion was treated in the same way it may take part in a general fiction story rather than inspirational romance. Overall an OK read.(less)
The male protagonist in this book is described as hawt just like Burt Reynolds. Then add alphabrute, angsty melodrama rich girl becomes poor and poor...moreThe male protagonist in this book is described as hawt just like Burt Reynolds. Then add alphabrute, angsty melodrama rich girl becomes poor and poor boy becomes rich, buys her old homestead, tortures her for breaking up with him, makes a generalised racist comment about the role his Asian mistress plays and it all escalates into jealous temper tantrums and chest-beating. Unfortunately, the two protaganists do connect in this dysfunctional romance. Horrid HEA life ahead of them.(less)
I am such a Sara Craven fangirl and this book didn't disappoint me. It was a slow build to a sexual love. There are 2 evil other women in this one as...moreI am such a Sara Craven fangirl and this book didn't disappoint me. It was a slow build to a sexual love. There are 2 evil other women in this one as well as a decoy safe fiance that the heroine purports to love. It is angsty and it is Old Skool. <3(less)
I'm not sure what to make of this book. It reads like a greek tragedy. melodrama, angst and a chorus of voices acting as the female protagonist's cons...moreI'm not sure what to make of this book. It reads like a greek tragedy. melodrama, angst and a chorus of voices acting as the female protagonist's conscience. I will need to process the book for a bit longer before I write more.(less)
I have such love for Andrew Daddo's picture books. The joyful relationship between the dad showering his gorgeous baby in this book is tangible. Emma...moreI have such love for Andrew Daddo's picture books. The joyful relationship between the dad showering his gorgeous baby in this book is tangible. Emma Quay's illustrations are delightful. A gorgeous present for new bubs and parents :)(less)
This is a fab story on how children can take over your life. The exhaustion on Mrs Large face perfectly captures that moment of breaking point. The dr...moreThis is a fab story on how children can take over your life. The exhaustion on Mrs Large face perfectly captures that moment of breaking point. The dream of an uninterrupted bath!(less)
I loved this book. It started it out slowly for me but with enough humour to keep me engaged. But when our 2 protagonists finally meet it was all spar...moreI loved this book. It started it out slowly for me but with enough humour to keep me engaged. But when our 2 protagonists finally meet it was all sparks for me. There quiet discussions, cheeky asides and their insights to each other that everyone else seemed oblivious towards was just beautiful. There are subtle twists that I found unexpected such as the revelation of the Duke's intention earlier than I had expected and the beautiful revelation of his love for Genevieve. Reading this book had me devouring every word. I could ignore any anachronism (which I didn't really pick up on but were pointed out to me by another reader) - hell he could have bought her a TV set and I wouldn't have cared. This book is not about the surroundings or the details of their clothes or their titles, it is all about the dialogue and emotions. It is an intense relationship build that is core to the book. <3(less)
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