Lessons of Desire
by Madeline Hunter
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.50 You Save: $4.49 (64%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Lessons of Desire
Book Review: Embarassing Female Lead--Once Again!!
Summary: 3 Stars
Of course I realize that plots turn on conflict and lead characters need SOMETHING to do before the sensuality and "truwe luuve" hits them, but sheesh! The male lead is thoughtful and smart and why he puts up with the thoughtless, arrogant and foolish lead female is just embarassing. At one point, he owns it as being "an English gentleman", but then that would leave this female lead as the "Ugly American" version of an English lady. Her provoking behavior in foreign settings doesn't proclaim her own independance as much as a wish for an early death! Still this author is a master of this type of historical novel and a newcomer reader to this genre might enjoy the great settings and secondary characters. For me, this formerly auto-buy author is going to receive a little break from me for awhile until she earns my hard earned $$$ back for this dog.Book Review: I was glad to see some of her earlier writting style.
Summary: 5 Stars
I was very surprised to see so many negative reviews of this book. I actually thought I wasn't going to like it; from the exerpt I had read,and these particular character's personalities. Yet I found I loved it! For one thing, much of the writing style reminded me of Ms. Hunter's earlier works, especially "Possession." And that's what Phaedra was afraid of; not just a loss of freedom, but totally giving up herself. As for Elliot,I don't think the fact that he was a writer, or that he was willing to accept her strength and goals made him weak.He seemed like a "hottie" to me! I am a huge fan of Ms. Hunter; her worst books are better than 90% of the romance authors out there. I will always give her books a fair chance. Personally, I liked this book much better than "Rules of Seduction." Ouch, now I've gone and ruffled feathers,lol.Book Review: Obstinacy is not attractive...in either males or females!!
Summary: 2 Stars
I usually like books by this author; she breaks out of using stereotypical romance leads and gives her characters a range or emotions that approach realism (I know I know, it is excapist reading, but...) This book was not what I expected. I know it was noteworthy that the heor wasn't a stubborn @#!%* alpha-male, but the female lead took over that role instead. I never felt connection between the 2 leads. Also, I found it hypocritical that the female went into vapors everytime she possibly had to compromise on something-she was, on the other hand, very good at dishing out her own orders. Long story short, I didn't like the female lead (despite the fact that I do have feminist leanings) and I didn't really ever get why the leads fell in love, or feel any genuine connection between them.Book Review: Her Weakest Book
Summary: 2 Stars
I usually really enjoy Ms. Hunter's books - but this one was weak. First - the heroine was what myself and my romance-reading girlfriends refer to as a "feminist ninny". Not a genuine feminist - one of those ones who seem to populate romance novels purely because they are supposed to create drama through their "difference". What they actually create is a lot of irritating banter-for-the-sake-of-merely disagreeing banter; and they disagree with the "hero" just because his opinions are those of a man. They also make stupid decisions, based on their rigid "principles", which are actually just plain foolish, and even dangerous. My other major issue is - nothing really HAPPENS in this book, plot-wise. It - and its heroine - rapidly grow tedious. Ho - hum!Book Review: Not as good as her last
Summary: 4 Stars
This book wasn't as good as its predecessor in the series, but still a well-written book. I did find the heroine a bit stubborn and annoying. Most jarring was how she insisted on being independent, yet she relied on the hero to get her out of every scrape resulting from exercising her independence.
She was very stubborn about following the ideals espoused by her mother, but I found that very believable. You only need to look as far as your own friends raised by very religious parents to see how people raised with a particular philosophy will fall into step, and are reluctant to question.
I am looking forward to the next installment in the series, but mostly to Christian's story - I suspect there will be a book about Caroline as well.