katiegetslit_erature's review against another edition
I have so many thoughts to sort through and weigh. A star rating would be impossible!
sejacobson14's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up when I lived with my grandmother one summer. She had several cheesy romance books laying around, so I picked one up for some mindless entertainment. This has become one of my favorites. I have gone on to read Judith McNaught's other books, but none come close to Whitney, My Love. I admit I do love the romance books! :)
annestef1a's review against another edition
2.0
I'm writing this review as I am on page 329 of 420 because I know this is a HEA, and I am afraid that my feelings about this will be muddled then. This review will be a vent, a necessary one so I can finish the last 100 pages.
Okay. So... The truth of the matter is the hero doesn't just rape her physically but also psychologically.
Right now, I feel like my heart, my principles, and something in me as a woman were shattered by this book. But due to my optimistic side, I hoped and hoped that the heroine would get a backbone and get back at him, preferably murder him, or if the writer could turn this around in at least an acceptable conclusion, then maybe, just maybe, it could deliver a traumatizing but important message in a relationship.
But boy, oh boy, was I wrong. At this point, the hero is so unredeemable that I feel like in a coma. First, the hero arranged, no, bought their marriage to her father when she was a complete stranger to him. She was defiant at his every turn and was adamant to marry the one she was infatuated/in love with. But when she realized that he was nothing but a fortune hunter, she started to really like the idea of being with the hero. So, she planned to ditch her pride and say it honestly, but before that could happen, a misunderstanding ensued, and the hero raped her. Because he believed a gossip girl that she wasn't a virgin. The hero is completely horrified at what he's done, and after one drunken night and a week of work, he is back on track. He goes to the opera with women and even confesses that he can laugh now. The heroine, on the other hand, is in the cusp of mind fuxkery, because she hates him for what he's done, but she doesn't want him gone. So, the best friend intercepted and told the hero to come to a wedding where the heroine would on as a bridesmaid. The hero went and just looked at her longingly. And in the heroine's mind, that look is the apology, the plea that he wants her. That's when she realized she was in love with him and forgave him. When she got home, she received the letter from the hero a week ago, which contained money and a note stating their marriage was off and that she could marry the one she loved. No takebacks of what he'd given her father. She was livid at this that she can be bought and off by his money. So to get back at him, she flirted with other men at the reception and mocked his profession of love for her, for he has indeed a very disturbing way of showing it.
So, he walked out. And weeks later, he was with a lady, now rumored to be his wife or at least fiance. He gets that a lot. Hero treats the heroine like she is air now. She, however, is in complete tatters because she wants him back, and the best friend verified that it was her fault for ending their relationship and that she must get him back–Pride be damned.
This is where all pieces of my soul reject my mind and body. Because...why? Why is she the one to crawl back to him? Why is she the one to go into his state and meet his family to wait for him and his new lady? Only to be treated by fury...and how in rage he was when he saw her there. I mean, why? Why did the situation flip a 180 degree of logic? Why is she the one to apologize? Has she done something wrong to him? Except not stroke his ego and complete lack of effort for an apology after raping her? When he hasn't even uttered a single sorry?
***
Now that I finished the book. I can now completely conclude that this is the kind of Historical Romance that will make you grateful you were born in the 20th century. The hero's damnation didn't stop there as well as the heroine's utter stupidity. Although I can forgive her a little since she is 19 years old and gently bred in that era. In this light, this book is kind of an ode to those teenage girls in that era regarding marrying at that age–One word: Don't.
Okay. So... The truth of the matter is the hero doesn't just rape her physically but also psychologically.
Right now, I feel like my heart, my principles, and something in me as a woman were shattered by this book. But due to my optimistic side, I hoped and hoped that the heroine would get a backbone and get back at him, preferably murder him, or if the writer could turn this around in at least an acceptable conclusion, then maybe, just maybe, it could deliver a traumatizing but important message in a relationship.
But boy, oh boy, was I wrong. At this point, the hero is so unredeemable that I feel like in a coma. First, the hero arranged, no, bought their marriage to her father when she was a complete stranger to him. She was defiant at his every turn and was adamant to marry the one she was infatuated/in love with. But when she realized that he was nothing but a fortune hunter, she started to really like the idea of being with the hero. So, she planned to ditch her pride and say it honestly, but before that could happen, a misunderstanding ensued, and the hero raped her. Because he believed a gossip girl that she wasn't a virgin. The hero is completely horrified at what he's done, and after one drunken night and a week of work, he is back on track. He goes to the opera with women and even confesses that he can laugh now. The heroine, on the other hand, is in the cusp of mind fuxkery, because she hates him for what he's done, but she doesn't want him gone. So, the best friend intercepted and told the hero to come to a wedding where the heroine would on as a bridesmaid. The hero went and just looked at her longingly. And in the heroine's mind, that look is the apology, the plea that he wants her. That's when she realized she was in love with him and forgave him. When she got home, she received the letter from the hero a week ago, which contained money and a note stating their marriage was off and that she could marry the one she loved. No takebacks of what he'd given her father. She was livid at this that she can be bought and off by his money. So to get back at him, she flirted with other men at the reception and mocked his profession of love for her, for he has indeed a very disturbing way of showing it.
So, he walked out. And weeks later, he was with a lady, now rumored to be his wife or at least fiance. He gets that a lot. Hero treats the heroine like she is air now. She, however, is in complete tatters because she wants him back, and the best friend verified that it was her fault for ending their relationship and that she must get him back–Pride be damned.
This is where all pieces of my soul reject my mind and body. Because...why? Why is she the one to crawl back to him? Why is she the one to go into his state and meet his family to wait for him and his new lady? Only to be treated by fury...and how in rage he was when he saw her there. I mean, why? Why did the situation flip a 180 degree of logic? Why is she the one to apologize? Has she done something wrong to him? Except not stroke his ego and complete lack of effort for an apology after raping her? When he hasn't even uttered a single sorry?
***
Now that I finished the book. I can now completely conclude that this is the kind of Historical Romance that will make you grateful you were born in the 20th century. The hero's damnation didn't stop there as well as the heroine's utter stupidity. Although I can forgive her a little since she is 19 years old and gently bred in that era. In this light, this book is kind of an ode to those teenage girls in that era regarding marrying at that age–One word: Don't.
caroli22's review against another edition
5.0
This book. was. amazing. Since I've read "Until you" I've always found Whitney such an interesting character and it was splendid to read her history. It was an emotional rollercoaster! Judith McNaught has suprised me once more, I love the humor she writes, you actually imagine the scene happening and you're all alone laughing to a book! Whitney really grew up in this book and it was amazing to see her developing into a real Woman! Clayton developed as well, he was really confused with his emotions and he would, most of the time, not trust her, which is something he learned at the end of the book, that scene was pleasing ahahah! Judith McNaught writes amazing books that will always have a special place on my bookshelf :) 5 BIG stars
shan198025's review against another edition
4.0
I read this a few years ago and have wanted to reread it to see the scenes that were changed. I guess the original scenes didn't bother me. The whole book is full of big MISUNDERSTANDINGS
rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
5.0
Well, where do I begin with this book. First let me say this, if there was a 10 star to this review, I would give it. Wait, I’m making my own rule this evening and give this book 10 stars, 2 snaps with a twist. WOW, WOW, WOW. This book had everything and the kitchen sink in the world of drama, romance and soap operas.
I could not, could not put this book down. It gave highs, lows, laughter, hi expectations and utter sorrow. Oh I loved the journey between Whitney and Clayton. As I read this book, I thought of Scarlet O’Hara a Rex orRet. I can’t remember.
Anyway, I was waiting for Clayton to say Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn. Whoa, this book was explosive. People, I don’t mean to carry on like this over a book, but oh this was a good one. Trust me, read the book. Give your review of what you think about it.
Oh, one more thing. Thank you Stephen for putting two and two together as you were listening to your brother at his lowest point and bringing together two people who foolishly are blind to see that they both love each other.
I could not, could not put this book down. It gave highs, lows, laughter, hi expectations and utter sorrow. Oh I loved the journey between Whitney and Clayton. As I read this book, I thought of Scarlet O’Hara a Rex orRet. I can’t remember.
Anyway, I was waiting for Clayton to say Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn. Whoa, this book was explosive. People, I don’t mean to carry on like this over a book, but oh this was a good one. Trust me, read the book. Give your review of what you think about it.
Oh, one more thing. Thank you Stephen for putting two and two together as you were listening to your brother at his lowest point and bringing together two people who foolishly are blind to see that they both love each other.
saras_books77's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Child abuse
Our "morally grey" hero does not draw the line at sexual violencelydiapugh's review against another edition
1.0
Not really a fan of the male character. He makes all these horrible assumptions about a woman he is supposed to love and then RAPES HER because of his assumptions and she still wants to marry him while dealing with the sexual trauma of being raped by him. Ugh. No.
marymisk's review against another edition
2.0
It could've been good but it went on forever and every time you think they have their issues resolved, something else happens. I also felt that Whitney forgave him too easily and somehow turned his issues into her being the problem. Not to say that she didn't have issues, but there were certain things that he was clearly the person in the wrong and she somehow talked herself into thinking she was to blame.
planningwithgrammy's review against another edition
This book does not begin where the 1st book left off. This book jumps hundreds of years. So there's no direct connection despite the last name. The love affair between Whitney and Clayton is very intense at times throughout the book I get to know Whitney more and hurry unique personality and why she would be attractive to Clayton but I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because at the end it's just heart wrenching heart wrenching heart wrenching. I'm really quite surprised how the author had one of the characters do things though are not considered OK yet they're still in love very complex situations that would create very addressed in conversations to talk about some I really got into the book am because about when Whitney felt pain I felt pain on the scenarios that just kept repeating themselves of the onwards just the biggest roller coaster ever so did I like the book yes but I don't know if I like the rollercoaster I know I don't like them in real life either