husnaibrahim_'s review against another edition
4.25
The way this book is structured is so different and confusing but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.
I loved almost everything about this book. I mean I'm no stranger to Nora's writing style, having read numerous works under her real name and her pseudonym in the "In Death" series. I found that this book shares a similar structure with “The Witness” and “Shelter in Place,” two of my favorite books by her. So, I’m not surprised I was naturally hooked from the get-go.
First and foremost, I have to say I loved the Nouvelles. They aren’t your typically normal family, but their unique dynamics, from Max down to Mouse, are oddly perfect. Their lifestyle, as part magicians and part elite thieves, had me hooked honestly. I liked how their easily welcoming nature, especially to stray children, brought us Luke, and that was a significant part of what made them endearing.
Now, Luke and Roxanne might not be conventionally perfect characters, but that’s what makes them so compelling. I think they were both complicated characters that made tough decisions in difficult situations even though that might not have been what was best for either of them, but they had immense backbone. I think if this were any other book, I would have been weirded out with their family dynamic and relationship dynamic when it came to each other. But Nora makes it work here, and I guess that simmering sexual tension doesn't hurt also.
That’s probably why, despite everything that unfolded in the middle and latter parts of the book, I still found myself rooting for them. Okay so, perhaps Luke could've groveled a little bit more, or tried a different approach to make amends. Because I expected more from him especially with people like that Finestein guy and lily in his life.
Speaking of Lily, I adored her character and what she brought to the story. She's a master of using her womanly charms to her advantage, and I couldn't help but admire her for it. I'm also glad nothing romantic happened between her and the Finestein guy, as I was getting that vibe, and it would have pissed me off if it happened. Because Max, although no longer physically present, remains irreplaceable. He was an extraordinary man and father, which added to the depth and I just love everything about this book honestly.
Now, after indulging in the “In Death” series, I've grown used to revisiting characters in their later books. So Sometimes I forget, and it saddens me when I finish a stand-alone book by this author, realizing that’s the end of the story. But such is life.
I loved almost everything about this book. I mean I'm no stranger to Nora's writing style, having read numerous works under her real name and her pseudonym in the "In Death" series. I found that this book shares a similar structure with “The Witness” and “Shelter in Place,” two of my favorite books by her. So, I’m not surprised I was naturally hooked from the get-go.
First and foremost, I have to say I loved the Nouvelles. They aren’t your typically normal family, but their unique dynamics, from Max down to Mouse, are oddly perfect. Their lifestyle, as part magicians and part elite thieves, had me hooked honestly. I liked how their easily welcoming nature, especially to stray children, brought us Luke, and that was a significant part of what made them endearing.
Now, Luke and Roxanne might not be conventionally perfect characters, but that’s what makes them so compelling. I think they were both complicated characters that made tough decisions in difficult situations even though that might not have been what was best for either of them, but they had immense backbone. I think if this were any other book, I would have been weirded out with their family dynamic and relationship dynamic when it came to each other. But Nora makes it work here, and I guess that simmering sexual tension doesn't hurt also.
That’s probably why, despite everything that unfolded in the middle and latter parts of the book, I still found myself rooting for them. Okay so, perhaps Luke could've groveled a little bit more, or tried a different approach to make amends. Because I expected more from him especially with people like that Finestein guy and lily in his life.
Speaking of Lily, I adored her character and what she brought to the story. She's a master of using her womanly charms to her advantage, and I couldn't help but admire her for it. I'm also glad nothing romantic happened between her and the Finestein guy, as I was getting that vibe, and it would have pissed me off if it happened. Because Max, although no longer physically present, remains irreplaceable. He was an extraordinary man and father, which added to the depth and I just love everything about this book honestly.
Now, after indulging in the “In Death” series, I've grown used to revisiting characters in their later books. So Sometimes I forget, and it saddens me when I finish a stand-alone book by this author, realizing that’s the end of the story. But such is life.
whaney's review against another edition
4.0
A good read for an older Nora Roberts book. She never disappoints. Characters that I fell in love with.
agmaynard's review against another edition
I had read this a long time ago, and only picked it up again for Romance Book Club. It's badly dated to me.
queletn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
sandlynn's review
5.0
I first read Nora Roberts’ Honest Illusions, which was published in 1992, twenty years ago. Before then, I wasn’t a huge fan, but this book was the impetus for my collecting her work and enjoying a number of her other books. I recently re-read Honest Illusions with my book group and became reacquainted with how much this one stood out for me.
The story focuses on a family of magicians/high-end thieves based out of New Orleans, but traveling the world — performing magic as well as making off with the jewels and art of the well-to-do. Maximillian Nouvelle is the patriarch, Lily, his lady love, Roxanne, his precocious eight year old daughter and Luke Callahan the adopted son he picks off the streets doing petty thievery at twelve. We follow this family, their close friends/confidants, but particularly the relationship between Luke and Roxanne as they grow up, form an attraction, and fall in love. At the same time, the family — and particularly Luke - attracts a powerful enemy which threatens both their happiness and their way of life.
First I wanted to say that Honest Illusions still holds up. It has a plot line that some might find certifiably bonkers in terms of all that happens. Even though this is a contemporary romance - contemporary as of 1992 — it reminds me of the old school historical (and some contemporary) romances of the 70s and 80s that were sweeping sagas of families, following characters from childhood to adulthood. The unique setting involving a troop of traveling magicians, who steal on the side, is well-done (even though I couldn’t understand why they continued to steal once they became famous and wealthy). The descriptions of both the magic as well as the heists are believable and are well-incorporated. I especially enjoyed how the dialogue between characters would include them doing their magic like it was second nature to them. Although I found the villain of the story - Sam Wyatt - to be a bit over the top, I liked how he was originally incorporated into the plot and how Luke’s backstory was used against him. Still, I did wonder if Luke had confessed what was happening to his family whether they could’ve worked together to defeat Sam, since they were so clever in their various plots. And in the end, I thought Sam’s reaction to having the tables turned on him was a bit strange. Not to spoil anything, but he seemed too together - too cold and diabolical - to lose it like he did.
In any case, Honest Illusions certainly stands on its own as a unique, smart, and entertaining example of Nora Roberts in her heyday. Fortunately, she had many, many more books to share with us and, apparently, still does. I gave this an A-.
The story focuses on a family of magicians/high-end thieves based out of New Orleans, but traveling the world — performing magic as well as making off with the jewels and art of the well-to-do. Maximillian Nouvelle is the patriarch, Lily, his lady love, Roxanne, his precocious eight year old daughter and Luke Callahan the adopted son he picks off the streets doing petty thievery at twelve. We follow this family, their close friends/confidants, but particularly the relationship between Luke and Roxanne as they grow up, form an attraction, and fall in love. At the same time, the family — and particularly Luke - attracts a powerful enemy which threatens both their happiness and their way of life.
First I wanted to say that Honest Illusions still holds up. It has a plot line that some might find certifiably bonkers in terms of all that happens. Even though this is a contemporary romance - contemporary as of 1992 — it reminds me of the old school historical (and some contemporary) romances of the 70s and 80s that were sweeping sagas of families, following characters from childhood to adulthood. The unique setting involving a troop of traveling magicians, who steal on the side, is well-done (even though I couldn’t understand why they continued to steal once they became famous and wealthy). The descriptions of both the magic as well as the heists are believable and are well-incorporated. I especially enjoyed how the dialogue between characters would include them doing their magic like it was second nature to them. Although I found the villain of the story - Sam Wyatt - to be a bit over the top, I liked how he was originally incorporated into the plot and how Luke’s backstory was used against him. Still, I did wonder if Luke had confessed what was happening to his family whether they could’ve worked together to defeat Sam, since they were so clever in their various plots. And in the end, I thought Sam’s reaction to having the tables turned on him was a bit strange. Not to spoil anything, but he seemed too together - too cold and diabolical - to lose it like he did.
In any case, Honest Illusions certainly stands on its own as a unique, smart, and entertaining example of Nora Roberts in her heyday. Fortunately, she had many, many more books to share with us and, apparently, still does. I gave this an A-.
laney623's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite Nora Roberts book. And I have read them all :)
nancybeth's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, a bonkers romance that is something I wouldn't normally enjoy, but Nora Roberts is damn good at what she does. I was so invested in the family dynamic. I normally hate flashbacks, and yet the time with the h/h as children was my favorite part of the book. I cried multiple times at Luke's acceptance into the family and growing trust and understanding of what it meant to be loved unconditionally. I laughed too - both at the intended jokes and the ridiculousness of them basically being step-siblings. Luke seemed to be the ONLY person who saw anything taboo about their relationship. I loved both main characters, but more importantly, I loved the family and community that surrounded them, especially Lily and Max.
For the not so good, and what brought down my rating: This book was way too long. It should have been cut by 100-150p. It dragged in each of the 3 parts. The romance could have been interwoven into the magic a bit more. I HATE one of the tropes in the latter half of the book and the blackmail plotline made me mad at how it destroyed the relationship. And Luke definitely needed to grovel more, but I was also pissed at Roxie. The magic was a little too detailed for me, but I think it is only because I wanted to see more of their relationship in the magic. I did appreciate how seriously both characters took their jobs, in spite of any troubles they were dealing with together.
For the not so good, and what brought down my rating: This book was way too long. It should have been cut by 100-150p. It dragged in each of the 3 parts. The romance could have been interwoven into the magic a bit more. I HATE one of the tropes in the latter half of the book and the blackmail plotline made me mad at how it destroyed the relationship. And Luke definitely needed to grovel more, but I was also pissed at Roxie. The magic was a little too detailed for me, but I think it is only because I wanted to see more of their relationship in the magic. I did appreciate how seriously both characters took their jobs, in spite of any troubles they were dealing with together.
barkylee15's review against another edition
5.0
I've read quite a bit of Nora Roberts books before, and enjoyed all of them, but never have I come across one that pulled me in so deep and made me feel the pain, love and joys of each and every one of the characters. It was a great, detailed story that spanned over about 20 years, and I love the way it progressed and was told. In my opinion, this is Nora Roberts at her best.