renpuspita's review against another edition
4.0
4,5 stars
I won this from chat with Beth Williamson at Goodreads.
Thank you! She even not hesitant to send the paperback version, even I live outside USA. How very kind of her :')
BTW, its not affect my rating for this book. MATTHEW indeed is a good read. I don't know that this one can considered as historical romance, since its happen at 1836. In Antebellum era, precisely after the Civil War. Its doesn't feel like historical romance either (that full of lord, lady, and ball), but maybe because Matthew took place at Texas, America. And I'm not familiar with historical story in this continent. So I believe this is the first time I delved into Wild Wild West teritory.
Anyho, rather than titled MATTHEW, this book should be titled "HANNAH". Since she is more a strong character compare to Matthew. I consider to kick Matthew and smack his head for his unsensibility to act toward his wife. Hannah start as meek girl and frustated spinster (even she still 20 years old) but turn strong even ass kicking! The whole family drama with Graham clan also enjoyable to read.
Emma Lang also write a sex scenes that... if I describe, its not too hot or explicit, but the amount of sex scenes are... more than twice or thrice. Not that I'm complaining, tho ;). Matthew and Hannah are already married in the beginning of story so its natural to have them having sex as many as possible :P.
I also love Graham family, especially the ladies one. Olivia, the oldest daughter is so annoying and leash her frustation to Hannah, even seems hate her. But finally they understand each other. The little ones, Catherine, Rebecca and Elizabeth is so adorable and I'm glad they support Hannah. Graham caretaker, Eva is a wise woman, and Hannah's Granny always encourage Hannah to be a good woman.
There's a mystery surrounding Graham's family, from the murder of their parent and the lost of their younger brother, Benjamin. The problem is unsolved yet in the end, so I'm curious to know who person that responsible for disaster event at Graham's ranch, Circle Eight.
This is the first time I read cowboy historical romance, and definitely not the last.
I won this from chat with Beth Williamson at Goodreads.
Thank you! She even not hesitant to send the paperback version, even I live outside USA. How very kind of her :')
BTW, its not affect my rating for this book. MATTHEW indeed is a good read. I don't know that this one can considered as historical romance, since its happen at 1836. In Antebellum era, precisely after the Civil War. Its doesn't feel like historical romance either (that full of lord, lady, and ball), but maybe because Matthew took place at Texas, America. And I'm not familiar with historical story in this continent. So I believe this is the first time I delved into Wild Wild West teritory.
Anyho, rather than titled MATTHEW, this book should be titled "HANNAH". Since she is more a strong character compare to Matthew. I consider to kick Matthew and smack his head for his unsensibility to act toward his wife. Hannah start as meek girl and frustated spinster (even she still 20 years old) but turn strong even ass kicking! The whole family drama with Graham clan also enjoyable to read.
Emma Lang also write a sex scenes that... if I describe, its not too hot or explicit, but the amount of sex scenes are... more than twice or thrice. Not that I'm complaining, tho ;). Matthew and Hannah are already married in the beginning of story so its natural to have them having sex as many as possible :P.
I also love Graham family, especially the ladies one. Olivia, the oldest daughter is so annoying and leash her frustation to Hannah, even seems hate her. But finally they understand each other. The little ones, Catherine, Rebecca and Elizabeth is so adorable and I'm glad they support Hannah. Graham caretaker, Eva is a wise woman, and Hannah's Granny always encourage Hannah to be a good woman.
There's a mystery surrounding Graham's family, from the murder of their parent and the lost of their younger brother, Benjamin. The problem is unsolved yet in the end, so I'm curious to know who person that responsible for disaster event at Graham's ranch, Circle Eight.
This is the first time I read cowboy historical romance, and definitely not the last.
heameljon's review against another edition
1.0
The storyline has potential but the book was poorly written. The author bounces between character perspectives with any breaks. Places in the book that should transition appear as one paragraph right after the other. The sex sciences were uncomfortably written with words like: shaft and nub. I will not read any more works by this author. I would not recommend the book.
lisajo85's review against another edition
5.0
Emma Lang has done it again! MATTHEW, the first book in her new series ‘The Circle Eight', is a fantastic novel with plenty of sex appeal! It's a must have for fans of historical westerns with plenty of spice.
Life has been extremely difficult for Matthew Graham lately. His parents were brutally murdered and his youngest brother abducted. Suddenly all responsibility fell to his shoulders, caring for the ranch and his brothers and sisters. When he decided to finalize the land grant his father was working on before he died, he realizes the state of Texas will only give him the land if he's married. So Matthew invents a fiancé named ‘Hannah' and quickly realizes he only has thirty days to find a girl by that name and marry her.
Hannah Foley spent most of her time working in her grandmother's boarding house and the rest of her time accepting the fact that she may never marry. Yet one day she meets a handsome stranger in town who follows her to the boarding house and within minutes proposes to her. Matthew explains his tricky situation with the government and the fact that he has to marry a girl named ‘Hannah' within the next month. Willing to take a risk, Hannah accepts.
Newly married, Hannah and Matthew find they have no problem in the bedroom, but plenty of problems building a relationship outside of closed doors. Now there may be a problem with the land grant that will affect the future of the farm. Unfortunately for Hannah, she realizes she wants a marriage based on love and she will do whatever must be done to get it.
My opinion of Emma Lang's latest release can be summarized in just a few words; I loved this book! Ms Lang (who also writes as Beth Williamson) has been a favorite of mine since I first read Ruthless Heart last year. Her stories are interesting and extremely sexy...and MATTHEW was no different. It is a story that doesn't drag around, moves fairly quickly and contains amazing characters. It is positively a joy to read and a novel that just cannot do any wrong.
One thing I adored about MATTHEW were the characters. Ms Lang has this unique talent of creating such vulnerable characters that you can completely fall in love with. They are so absolutely charming you just get lost in all the magic of their story. Matthew was the soft-spoken, yet masculine cowboy who was fighting his growing feelings toward his wife. He was a loner, despite his large family, and had trouble accepting the possibility that he could be falling in love...with his wife, no doubt. He was just the perfect hero. Always endearing and truly adorable.
Matthew's better half, Hannah, was extremely charming as well. She has little to no experience in matters of the heart, she just knows she loves her new husband and wants to be loved in return. Her angelic innocence was something I found very enjoyable and interesting. She is easily the heroine most girls can relate to, including myself, because of her down-to-earth qualities. With this new series, Ms Lang sets up an enormous cast of characters around Matthew and Hannah. Each one is as uniquely delightful as the last. It's pretty amazing how easily you fall in love with this family and begin to desire to become a part of it.
Yet beyond all the drama and creative storytelling is an unbelievably passionate romance. Ms Lang had a difficult task when she set out to create a newly married couple, who are virtually strangers, yet share a grand attraction. Especially since they could share everything in the bedroom yet could only share a charming awkwardness outside of it. Still, she pulls it off beautifully, creating a sexy yet beautiful love story. It was delightful reading about these characters as they stumbled along the way to getting to know each other and to find their happily ever after.
If you love erotica and western historical romances, MATTHEW should be the next novel you pick up. Emma Lang is a wonderful talent who writes brilliant stories you will thoroughly enjoy. While this novel may contain plenty of scorching love scenes, at the end, you will be pleasantly surprised by the emotional and charming romance inside this novel. MATTHEW is one of the rare novels a reader picks up and never wants to end. Luckily for all of us, this is only the beginning of The Circle Eight series.
Lisa @ The Romance Reviews
nononanette's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the characters and story but it could additional development
laura_sorensen's review
2.0
The nice, easy story was ruined by the creepy softcore love scenes. Not my thang.
avoraciousreader68's review
4.0
Matthew Graham is stuck between a rock and a hard place. His parents have been murdered, his five-year-old brother is missing and if he doesn’t go to Houston and claim the 4,000 acres his dad was going to claim the family of eight will lose it and only have the 600 acres to survive on. So, 25-year-old Matt goes to Houston to claim the land only to find out he needs to be married. He says he is, but his wife Hannah stayed home to watch his younger brothers and sisters. He now has 30 days to bring his wife to Houston to sign the land grant papers. The only problem is there is no wife and he doesn’t know anyone named Hannah. Rock meet hard place.
This is a great story that was hard to put down. The characters are interesting and well-developed, the plot is good and the writing flows smoothly. Set in 1836 in the Republic of Texas you really have to feel for Matt as he shoulders the responsibility of the ranch and the care and safety of his six siblings while enduring the pain he feels for his murdered parents and his missing brother. Hannah is a smart and gutsy yet insecure person. An orphan raised by her grandmother, at 23 she’s considered a spinster. A chance meeting with Matt and lucky that her name is Hannah her life takes a sharp right turn.
A first read of Emma Lang for me, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to Book 2 Brody as well as searching out other stories by her.
*The publisher provided a copy of this book to me for review. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
This is a great story that was hard to put down. The characters are interesting and well-developed, the plot is good and the writing flows smoothly. Set in 1836 in the Republic of Texas you really have to feel for Matt as he shoulders the responsibility of the ranch and the care and safety of his six siblings while enduring the pain he feels for his murdered parents and his missing brother. Hannah is a smart and gutsy yet insecure person. An orphan raised by her grandmother, at 23 she’s considered a spinster. A chance meeting with Matt and lucky that her name is Hannah her life takes a sharp right turn.
A first read of Emma Lang for me, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to Book 2 Brody as well as searching out other stories by her.
*The publisher provided a copy of this book to me for review. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
fromjesstoyou's review
4.0
"4.5 out of 5 stars ... this novel is about a family of ranchers who try to make the best out of some awful situations that happen to them. A compelling, sweet, and spicy novel gets you to..."
Check out my review and a TWO TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2012/01/feasted-on-circle-eight-series-book-1.html
Check out my review and a TWO TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2012/01/feasted-on-circle-eight-series-book-1.html
uchenna's review
3.0
lust to love of dummy matthew who apparently after having an idyllic childhood with parents that loved and respected each other was like bump THAT my woman needs to know i'm in charge! (???) dummy.
hannah had almost no real personality besides sassy and hard working.
hannah had almost no real personality besides sassy and hard working.
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