Kristine M. (krisalis903) reviewed on
At this point in time, I have probably 2 or 3 chapters left to go, but I think I already have my verdict. I can't exactly say this book sucked because I actually wanted to finish it. I can't say I loved it either.
I CAN say, however, that Whitney Stone and Clayton Westmoreland have been the two most frustrating characters I've ever had to follow. Ever. Numerous times I wanted to just chuck it across the room because I got so frustrated with the complications.
Though maybe that means the author did her job by truly making me, the reader, feel the anger and frustration that often accompanied these two characters.
This book was pretty good for the first half. At one point, I had to put the book down because I was anticipating what was going to happen on the next page, but I didn't want to read it because I knew it would be too heartbreaking (I know, I'm a big sissy). I guess I felt so much for these two characters that I couldn't bear to read what was going to happen to them next.
The Whitney and Clayton ultimately reconcile after the first conflict, and for a second, you think all is going well and the two are going to live happily ever after... and then suddenly McNaught pulls the rug out from under you by throwing in yet ANOTHER misunderstanding not too long after the first one! Pretty soon, you begin to think, "Ok, so when are these characters going to grow up?" Granted, you can have more than one rising action and climax in a story, but to have 2 conflicts both based on misunderstandings was just... exhausting.
There were some nice touches McNaught added to this enhanced edition, such as some references to Clayton's ancestors from "A Kingdom of Dreams," which I liked. This novel also paved the way for Stephen Westmoreland's story in "Until You," which I have yet to read.
I was really surprised this book is supposed to be one of McNaught's best novels because I couldn't understand how anyone could like such a contrived and complicated story. But I'm not sure, it may have been great for a previous generation. But for me, it was mostly irritating.
I CAN say, however, that Whitney Stone and Clayton Westmoreland have been the two most frustrating characters I've ever had to follow. Ever. Numerous times I wanted to just chuck it across the room because I got so frustrated with the complications.
Though maybe that means the author did her job by truly making me, the reader, feel the anger and frustration that often accompanied these two characters.
This book was pretty good for the first half. At one point, I had to put the book down because I was anticipating what was going to happen on the next page, but I didn't want to read it because I knew it would be too heartbreaking (I know, I'm a big sissy). I guess I felt so much for these two characters that I couldn't bear to read what was going to happen to them next.
The Whitney and Clayton ultimately reconcile after the first conflict, and for a second, you think all is going well and the two are going to live happily ever after... and then suddenly McNaught pulls the rug out from under you by throwing in yet ANOTHER misunderstanding not too long after the first one! Pretty soon, you begin to think, "Ok, so when are these characters going to grow up?" Granted, you can have more than one rising action and climax in a story, but to have 2 conflicts both based on misunderstandings was just... exhausting.
There were some nice touches McNaught added to this enhanced edition, such as some references to Clayton's ancestors from "A Kingdom of Dreams," which I liked. This novel also paved the way for Stephen Westmoreland's story in "Until You," which I have yet to read.
I was really surprised this book is supposed to be one of McNaught's best novels because I couldn't understand how anyone could like such a contrived and complicated story. But I'm not sure, it may have been great for a previous generation. But for me, it was mostly irritating.
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