I really liked this book, I mean it was a refreshing jolt from the mind numbing Chick Lit I had been trying to read lately. I loved the quirky jokes,...moreI really liked this book, I mean it was a refreshing jolt from the mind numbing Chick Lit I had been trying to read lately. I loved the quirky jokes, the sassy attitudes, and just the British wonderfulness of it all. I loved Jo, she is my kind of girl, but yes, she is tease and yes, she has a lot of drama lol. I also really like Vanessa too, she is my kind of woman. I just love the family dynamics and the luxurious but down to earth feel of London. I really wouldn't mind reading it again. (less)
I really wasn't sure if I would like this book once I started it. I was worried that it was going to follow the same format that so many other knittin...moreI really wasn't sure if I would like this book once I started it. I was worried that it was going to follow the same format that so many other knitting books follows which is single mom, tragedy, knitting club, finds love, happy ending. This one started to follow the trend and the veered off on a different path and I found myself enjoying it more and more towards the end. Instead of finding her true love and living happily ever after, Jo finds release from her soon to be divorced husband and a controlling mother, and she finds her own way, and I could appreciate that. (less)
Going into this book, I tried to clear my mind of all the negative reviews and Twilight references so I could just read it and enjoy it... I also foun...moreGoing into this book, I tried to clear my mind of all the negative reviews and Twilight references so I could just read it and enjoy it... I also found myself anxiously awaiting the sex scenes because again, this is mainly what I hear about in relation to this book. So, let's start with the good parts. I loved every single sexual scene in this book. The intensity and passion between these two is very fun to read about and it's just steamy and erotic. I believe one reason I loved this book is because there are things about Christian that I have fantasized about myself so to read about it was pleasurable for me. Christian is an interesting character, I understand the Edward references, but he is so much hotter than Edward and at least he has some depth to him, a past that may explain some of his behaviors. I found him to be the driving force behind this book and thankfully, he does not disappoint at any moment. Now for my dislikes, which are few but meaningful. The writing is not horrible, I have read worse, but James' has a strange fixation with word usage and she overdoes it. You see the same words and phrases so much that you almost dread it and can anticipate when it's going to pop up. That annoyed me. Also, Anastasia as a character really rubbed me the wrong way. She is very much like Bella and my dislike for them is for all the same reasons. Too insecure and yet, has this strange cockiness that comes and goes. Mainly, I have never felt that either Ana or Bella deserved the men they are with. Quite frankly, I don't think they know what to do with them lol. I also didn't like that with all that dirty talk, James couldn't bring herself to say the word p****, opting instead to say "There" or "Down There". I'm sorry honey, but you crossed the line into smut world and you may as well have gone all the way! But, other than technical issues like words being used in improper ways or editing issues, I didn't find too much that I disliked about the style of this book. I took off a star for the writing issues, but the other four stars were well earned in my book. I think the problem is that Goodreads tends to make people feel like Literary Specialists, and books like this get dumped on because they are guilty pleasures. I don't feel shame or guilt for reading it, just pleasure mainly, because it was hot and I enjoyed it thoroughly. (less)
Wow. This was a very intimate ride with some unforgettable characters! I became part of this family and let me tell you, it was so frustrating. Ria mu...moreWow. This was a very intimate ride with some unforgettable characters! I became part of this family and let me tell you, it was so frustrating. Ria must be one of the smartest dumb women I have ever read about. She has common sense and book sense but chooses to ignore anything negative. I just wanted to scream and shake her so many times throughout this book. I didn't feel like she was a heroine of any sort because she never has that strong moment where she lets go of useless people in her life. Rosemary... there are no words. I can't describe how I felt about her without giving too much away. Anyhow, I love the drama, the scandal, the ignorance, the every day feel of this book is wonderful. I could not put it down once I started. I hated the ending though, which I felt left way to many things unresolved, so I gave 4 stars instead of 5.(less)