Scan barcode
rowenapotter2731's review
2.0
I am giving this a 2 star. I thought this was a different book of hers, which at the end of this book there was excerpt from Captive Bride, which I now realize is the book I was looking for. I felt this book was a watered down and less interesting version of that book. It had a slightly similar premise, but was not done as well to me. The sex was not exciting and I didn’t like the characters as much as in her other stories. The themes in this book have not aged well, just like they won’t in Captive Bride, but that book was better written so I feel it gets a bit more leeway, as it was also written much earlier than this book. This book was written in 1999 where as Captive Bride was written in 1977 so the times were a bit different and things were accepted in romance that would never be now and I believe even in 1999. So overall, not my favorite Johanna Lindsey book by a long shot and was just ok. Read her earlier books from the 70’s and 80’s. They are much better.
cheerfullrain's review
4.0
This book was first published in the 80s and it shows. If you’re going to enjoy this book, you need to go into it willing to accept that it’s a product of its time because the cultural appropriation is strong in this book. The whole setting reads like a caricature of the Middle East and it’s problematic to say the least. Instead of reading it as a historical romance, I found myself just thinking of it as an alternate fantasy realm with a vaguely middle eastern aesthetic, not unlike the Disney movie Aladdin. That having been said though, I enjoyed this book in all its ridiculousnesses a lot more than I thought I would, dubious consent and all.
spiringvenus's review
5.0
This was the 2nd time I read this book, but after starting it again by accident I remembered how wonderful it was and continued. The plot is intriguing and very different than a typical historical romance. The idea of monogamy is debated. If I had any complaints, I wish that the conclusion was a little lengthier. Lindsey spends so much time with the background and developing the relationship, I feel that the climax and following plot is a bit rushed. It is still an excellent ending, but I think with about 30 extra pages I'd be happier. Honestly I think I just didn't want the book to end!
amyiw's review
1.0
I have read a few of her books and enjoyed them but this one was a disappointment. The abrupt ending and acceptance of all just didn't sit with me. I never really got to like Derrik.
Someone liked my review above LOL so I thought I would expand on Johanna Lindsey. Some of her books could be really be sexist, and so unPC but they are set in a time period that is NOT today. Some of her books are FAVORITES of mine even though they are harsh to read in some ways with today's sensibilities. That is not why I read them. I don't think most historical romance readers do as it was sexist times. We read them to ultimately to escape. This book just didn't sit well with me and I remember the premise and characters YEARS after reading it. I sometime forget books days after reading them, whether loved, hated or indifferent. So this made an impression and it wasn't a good one. Thing is I can remember most of the books I read of Johanna Lindsey, because they made an impression. That's how good of a writer she was.
That being said, Johanna Lindsey was one of my favorite authors in historical romance as she could pull the heart strings on these stories even when the characters really are battered or treat one another poorly at some point. They come around and it is always emotional. I say was one of my favorite, not because the books are not favorites anymore, but because she passed away last year October 2019.
https://johannalindsey.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/you-will-be-missed/
This is the only book of Johanna Lindsey, that I read, that I gave lower than 4 stars, I may have been harsh as I loved or really like her other books no matter how offensive in places they may have been. I am saddened to hear of her passing.
Someone liked my review above LOL so I thought I would expand on Johanna Lindsey. Some of her books could be really be sexist, and so unPC but they are set in a time period that is NOT today. Some of her books are FAVORITES of mine even though they are harsh to read in some ways with today's sensibilities. That is not why I read them. I don't think most historical romance readers do as it was sexist times. We read them to ultimately to escape. This book just didn't sit well with me and I remember the premise and characters YEARS after reading it. I sometime forget books days after reading them, whether loved, hated or indifferent. So this made an impression and it wasn't a good one. Thing is I can remember most of the books I read of Johanna Lindsey, because they made an impression. That's how good of a writer she was.
That being said, Johanna Lindsey was one of my favorite authors in historical romance as she could pull the heart strings on these stories even when the characters really are battered or treat one another poorly at some point. They come around and it is always emotional. I say was one of my favorite, not because the books are not favorites anymore, but because she passed away last year October 2019.
https://johannalindsey.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/you-will-be-missed/
This is the only book of Johanna Lindsey, that I read, that I gave lower than 4 stars, I may have been harsh as I loved or really like her other books no matter how offensive in places they may have been. I am saddened to hear of her passing.
showmethemonet's review against another edition
1.0
1 Star Gross Nope.A half-English, half-Middle Eastern/North African? Earl travels home to his twin brother's kingdom to pose on his throne while the brother leaves to hunt his own assassin. Earl knowingly takes a kidnapped English virgin as his favorite concubine to avoid sleeping with his brothers harem - knowing full well he could just lie and say he did to get the girl released... instead he wears down her defenses, sleeps with her and tries to make her his mistress once the assassination plot is resolved. The 'hero' is a gross excuse for a gentleman who manipulates and exploits the heroine because he wants to. The end. Noooope.
kimberlycarrington's review against another edition
4.0
Juas, lo que he disfrutado con este viejunismo. La Lindsey sin darle al porro no parece ella y esta novela es muestra de ello. "Comedida" sería la palabra clave, con sus calorreos bien colocados y hasta en off (bueno, eso ya no me gusta tanto... Quiero tema, Lindsey!). Y Derek es un maromazo hecho a mi medida, chatas.
La novela pierde una estrella por el camino por la resolución, excesivamente fácil y rápida. Más páginas y un poco más de enjundia y es redonda. Aún así me lo he pasado genial leyendo! Qué gustazo un nadismo de vez en cuando
La novela pierde una estrella por el camino por la resolución, excesivamente fácil y rápida. Más páginas y un poco más de enjundia y es redonda. Aún así me lo he pasado genial leyendo! Qué gustazo un nadismo de vez en cuando
sewcialist_librarian's review
3.0
Typical Lindsey historical. Overblown emotional yarn with great characters. Quick read.
a_lit_babe's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.5
There are so many things wrong with this book but I kind was interested enough to finish it?? Uhm.