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Cass Ewan #2
The Littlest Doubts
The much-anticipated sequel to Christina Dudley's debut novel MOURNING BECOMES CASSANDRA.
- GenresContemporary
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2010
7 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Christina Dudley
28 books266 followersChristina Hwang Dudley is the author of clean historical and contemporary romance.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
Her historical romances include the Hapgoods of Bramleigh and Ellsworth Assortment series of Regency romances, including THE NATURALIST and TEMPTED BY FOLLY.
In contemporary romance, her forthcoming PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN (Third State Books, 2024) riffs on Austen, but this time the story is set in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Asian American protagonists who hail from different ends of the economic spectrum.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 20, 2011
Closer to 3.5 but couldn't justify rounding it up.
This book continues the story of Cassandra, a widow in the process of adopting the child of the unwed teenager she has mentored. We also follow the rocky road of romance once again as she works out her feelings for Daniel, the gorgeous but womanizing hunk she's falling in love with. Like it's predecessor, "Mourning Becomes Cassandra", the writing holds a realism seldom found in Christian novels, while keeping the message a sound one. The characters are human not perfect, not cardboard cut-outs, not black and white but all the shades of grey found in real life. That is what makes this book so endearing.
I especially loved the fact that Ms. Dudley tackled the touchy topic of what it would really be like to fall for a cover-model-drop-dead-handsome man who has women falling all over him everywhere he goes. Seldom do you see stories deal with the insecurities and problems that would develop, especially if the man has quite a reputation for indulging in all the benefits and has no qualms about it - publicly and otherwise. The reader has the opportunity to question, "What would I do if I found myself falling for a man whom I have caught humping more beautiful woman than I knew existed" and "How would I handle it if he professed his love for me but every time I see him, another woman is fawning over him." Hard questions, no easy answers and most assuredly not the flowery gloss-over most romances use.
The problem with the book lies in the way Cass doesn't handle it. These two are the reason we are reading the book! They are the couple to root for, to get that happy ending. Although they do get it, through the majority of the book we see nothing but Cass being really nasty to Daniel. She insists on seeing only the worst in him and rather than being honest and open when she has doubts, she repeatedly jumps to conclusions, judging him while refusing to tell him the reasons for her behavior. That is SO far from biblical teachings (Doesn't it say in Matt 18:15, that if we find offense, we should go directly to the person and clear it up?) As the misunderstandings mount, one wants to slap Cass upside the head or chuck the book at the wall (yes, my wall gets a lot of abuse.) At least TRY to practice what you preach!! By the end of the book, poor Daniel was such a confused mess over Cass's mixed messages, he didn't know up from down. With those misunderstandings taking up so much space, the reader never gets to see the relationship develop in any good way. Which brings us to a very confusing HEA. I absolutely loved this couple, the potential was so great and the dynamics were so original and interesting that when it fell, it hurt worse than if it had just wallowed in mediocrity.
This book continues the story of Cassandra, a widow in the process of adopting the child of the unwed teenager she has mentored. We also follow the rocky road of romance once again as she works out her feelings for Daniel, the gorgeous but womanizing hunk she's falling in love with. Like it's predecessor, "Mourning Becomes Cassandra", the writing holds a realism seldom found in Christian novels, while keeping the message a sound one. The characters are human not perfect, not cardboard cut-outs, not black and white but all the shades of grey found in real life. That is what makes this book so endearing.
I especially loved the fact that Ms. Dudley tackled the touchy topic of what it would really be like to fall for a cover-model-drop-dead-handsome man who has women falling all over him everywhere he goes. Seldom do you see stories deal with the insecurities and problems that would develop, especially if the man has quite a reputation for indulging in all the benefits and has no qualms about it - publicly and otherwise. The reader has the opportunity to question, "What would I do if I found myself falling for a man whom I have caught humping more beautiful woman than I knew existed" and "How would I handle it if he professed his love for me but every time I see him, another woman is fawning over him." Hard questions, no easy answers and most assuredly not the flowery gloss-over most romances use.
The problem with the book lies in the way Cass doesn't handle it. These two are the reason we are reading the book! They are the couple to root for, to get that happy ending. Although they do get it, through the majority of the book we see nothing but Cass being really nasty to Daniel. She insists on seeing only the worst in him and rather than being honest and open when she has doubts, she repeatedly jumps to conclusions, judging him while refusing to tell him the reasons for her behavior. That is SO far from biblical teachings (Doesn't it say in Matt 18:15, that if we find offense, we should go directly to the person and clear it up?) As the misunderstandings mount, one wants to slap Cass upside the head or chuck the book at the wall (yes, my wall gets a lot of abuse.) At least TRY to practice what you preach!! By the end of the book, poor Daniel was such a confused mess over Cass's mixed messages, he didn't know up from down. With those misunderstandings taking up so much space, the reader never gets to see the relationship develop in any good way. Which brings us to a very confusing HEA. I absolutely loved this couple, the potential was so great and the dynamics were so original and interesting that when it fell, it hurt worse than if it had just wallowed in mediocrity.
August 5, 2010
The sequel to Mourning Becomes Cassandra! I loved it! Of course I was crazy about Daniel the whole time so that may have something to do with it! Very fun read and deep characters with meaningful conversations. I can't wait till she puts out something else!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2023
better than the first but …
Enjoyable, funny, hea. But so frustrating. Why have someone say they love you and you insist on them dating? Why would someone say I love you, propose and then make out with dates? Why would a reformed player not explain himself when questioned about very questionable situations. Why would a reformed player get hurt and angry about doubts about his integrity. Although it worked out in the end very unsatisfactory story line.
Enjoyable, funny, hea. But so frustrating. Why have someone say they love you and you insist on them dating? Why would someone say I love you, propose and then make out with dates? Why would a reformed player not explain himself when questioned about very questionable situations. Why would a reformed player get hurt and angry about doubts about his integrity. Although it worked out in the end very unsatisfactory story line.
November 25, 2023
Beautiful Act 2 of this love story
I so enjoyed the characters in this series! They felt imperfect and so very much like real people I might meet! I loved that it wasn't just predictable pap and that so many characters were both loveable and quirky/annoying. It was a delightful story that moved me and made me laugh. Definitely recommend! ;-)
I so enjoyed the characters in this series! They felt imperfect and so very much like real people I might meet! I loved that it wasn't just predictable pap and that so many characters were both loveable and quirky/annoying. It was a delightful story that moved me and made me laugh. Definitely recommend! ;-)
January 7, 2023
wonderful
Actually, I’d give this 10 stars, as it follows the previous book on Cassandra, bringing her, finally, full circle. And had me on a roller coaster all the way. Superb writing, Ms Dudley.
Actually, I’d give this 10 stars, as it follows the previous book on Cassandra, bringing her, finally, full circle. And had me on a roller coaster all the way. Superb writing, Ms Dudley.
March 8, 2024
Terribly preachy and religious
June 9, 2010
My latest! Here's the latest review to roll in:
"Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
Got my first chance to dig in last night as I climbed in to bed at 11:00 and finished just now. Am in my pj’s still thanks to cancelled baseball games and a day of reading and coffee! I loved it...I miss [the characters:] already and it has only been 20 minutes since I was through!"
"Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!
Got my first chance to dig in last night as I climbed in to bed at 11:00 and finished just now. Am in my pj’s still thanks to cancelled baseball games and a day of reading and coffee! I loved it...I miss [the characters:] already and it has only been 20 minutes since I was through!"
June 7, 2013
This is the sequel to Mourning Cassandra. As I mentioned in that review, I read both of these books on vacation over a couple of days and LOVED them. I was sorry to see them end...I liked the characters and thought I could be friends with them.
July 17, 2013
I had to purchase this right after reading the first book, "Mourning Becomes Cassandra" and loved the conflicting relationship between the main characters. Both books have alot of religious references but the storyline was very romantic and interesting.
August 3, 2010
What a fun read, the perfect summer page-turner!
October 20, 2010
Great to read the follow-up to "Mourning becomes Cassandra". And I liked the way it worked out!
March 7, 2012
You feel like the characters are friends- and you eavesdropping.
July 27, 2012
Gosh. Despite not liking a lot of things about this book, I really liked it. I don't know what's happening to me. I must be experiencing a softening of the brain.
August 28, 2010
Good followup to Mourning becomes Cassandra.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews