Helpful Score: 16
I didn't think any book could have a more emotional ending than the Lover or Outlander. Was i ever wrong! Gabriel's Woman was so gut-wrenching that I had to stop reading several times. But it's even better than the Lover. It's about Michael's friend Gabriel and it also continues Michael's and Anne's story and tells you what happened to them. It had some really horrifying parts, though. I'd call it an erotic thriller rather than a romance. The sex is very graphic and hot, wet, grunting sweating sex, not the romanticized kind you often find in romance novels. You'll find no polite euphamisms here. If you are highly sensitive or easily offended you probably won't like it. But it really plays on the emotions and if you liked the Lover I think you'll love Gabriel's Woman. What I found particularly touching was the friendship between the two men Michael and Gabriel and how they are willing to lay down their lives for each other. Since this is the story of Gabriel trying to track down and kill his rapist, there are also some disturbing descriptions of male rape as well as some rather grisly violence.
Helpful Score: 9
A little more graphic and violent than everyday romance novels, but very well written and great character exploration. I would reccomend trying this author at least once, but she might not be for everyone.
Helpful Score: 9
I LOVED this one. You can't help but feel for Gabriel. I found it very emotional...I even cried.
Helpful Score: 5
Excellent book but challenging. Because of a horribly abusive past Gabriel cannot stand to be touched. Victoria has nothing left to her but her virtue. When driven by hunger she puts it up for auction. Gabriel purchases it, but for what purpose if he will not touch her? This book is a sequel and is best read after reading The Lover.
Helpful Score: 3
Story: 5
Romance: 4.5
Overall rating: 4.75
I write this review having just moments ago finished this book. I am surprised to find myself choked with emotion. I was not enjoying this book as much as The Lover until about midway through the book. It is hard to read about Gabriel's pain yet I felt compelled to know what he had been through and if he could put his demons behind him. (By the way, I was very glad I had just finished The Lover last month so the references to the villains and the devastating history of the two men made sense. I strongly recommend reading them in order.)
Halfway through the book, I thought I preferred The Lover, but by its conclusion, I knew I preferred this story. Both are haunting, riveting, disturbing, passionate and erotic. Perhaps it is the intensity of Gabriel's rage and heartbreak that make his journey so gripping.
This style of writing is very raw--not at all like a sweet Regency romance novel. The graphic portrayals of desire, sex, revenge and catharsis may make some readers uncomfortable. Her writing is so gut-wrenching that I admit I could not read Ms. Schone every day--it would be too draining.
If a great writer is one who can grab the imagination of the reader and take her to places she never even knew she wanted to go, Ms. Schone is a great writer. I am already placing my order for the next Schone book on my list...
Romance: 4.5
Overall rating: 4.75
I write this review having just moments ago finished this book. I am surprised to find myself choked with emotion. I was not enjoying this book as much as The Lover until about midway through the book. It is hard to read about Gabriel's pain yet I felt compelled to know what he had been through and if he could put his demons behind him. (By the way, I was very glad I had just finished The Lover last month so the references to the villains and the devastating history of the two men made sense. I strongly recommend reading them in order.)
Halfway through the book, I thought I preferred The Lover, but by its conclusion, I knew I preferred this story. Both are haunting, riveting, disturbing, passionate and erotic. Perhaps it is the intensity of Gabriel's rage and heartbreak that make his journey so gripping.
This style of writing is very raw--not at all like a sweet Regency romance novel. The graphic portrayals of desire, sex, revenge and catharsis may make some readers uncomfortable. Her writing is so gut-wrenching that I admit I could not read Ms. Schone every day--it would be too draining.
If a great writer is one who can grab the imagination of the reader and take her to places she never even knew she wanted to go, Ms. Schone is a great writer. I am already placing my order for the next Schone book on my list...
