I had never read a romance novel by Catherine Anderson before, but based on the generally good or better reviews her work appears to receive, and particularly based on the glowing reviews for ANNIE'S SONG -- I frankly expected a much better read.
I had no problem with the plot; it's not without its charms. Two people who marry "of convenience" and learn to fall in love afterward are interesting to me (and a lot of other romance readers).
My problem is with the pairing of the cardboard-ish goodness of Alex and the dull-ish "fey" Annie, which simply struck no sparks with me. Alex's physical attraction to Annie happens a little too soon for my taste. Annie's parents are harsh disciplinarians one minute; too sorry over their harsh treatment of her the next - there seemed to be no stability to their characters. The parents' characters seem shallow; manipulated like puppets to serve a brief purpose.
And I have to mention the ease with which Alex finally makes love to the eight-months-pregnant Annie, the PHYSICAL ease, if you get my drift. You'd think Annie was taunt as a gazelle - no awkwardness or discomfort there. I'd thought the consummation would wait until post-birth, but Ms. Anderson surprised me, not too pleasantly... I hasten to add, I've got no problem with pregnant women having sex in or out of a romance novel, but the ultra-romantic, difficulty-free, plus multi-orgasmic scenerio, kind of made me want to laugh.
All in all - I was just not thrilled by the way this story is told, and will probably not read anything else by this author. Character development was neglible and there just wasn't anything especially fresh in her style that would persuade me to read another one of her books.
I had no problem with the plot; it's not without its charms. Two people who marry "of convenience" and learn to fall in love afterward are interesting to me (and a lot of other romance readers).
My problem is with the pairing of the cardboard-ish goodness of Alex and the dull-ish "fey" Annie, which simply struck no sparks with me. Alex's physical attraction to Annie happens a little too soon for my taste. Annie's parents are harsh disciplinarians one minute; too sorry over their harsh treatment of her the next - there seemed to be no stability to their characters. The parents' characters seem shallow; manipulated like puppets to serve a brief purpose.
And I have to mention the ease with which Alex finally makes love to the eight-months-pregnant Annie, the PHYSICAL ease, if you get my drift. You'd think Annie was taunt as a gazelle - no awkwardness or discomfort there. I'd thought the consummation would wait until post-birth, but Ms. Anderson surprised me, not too pleasantly... I hasten to add, I've got no problem with pregnant women having sex in or out of a romance novel, but the ultra-romantic, difficulty-free, plus multi-orgasmic scenerio, kind of made me want to laugh.
All in all - I was just not thrilled by the way this story is told, and will probably not read anything else by this author. Character development was neglible and there just wasn't anything especially fresh in her style that would persuade me to read another one of her books.
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