tsukikomew's review against another edition
2.0
This review was posted at Tsuki’s Book Blog on Friday May 10, 2013.
I typically love Maya Banks' books but this one bothered me. I had a lot of trouble getting over the general premise as well as the total 180 from the hero. It just seemed ridiculous but let's just start with the summary.
Rafe had an accident a few months ago and has been missing a chunk of his life. At a party he runs into the beautiful Bryony but when he doesn't remember her, she hits him. Once he tracks her down he discovers they were involved and she's pregnant with his child. In a true HP hero fashion, he takes over her life and demands they return to the island where they fell in love and see if he can remember. On top of that he happens to now own her family land and plans to build a hotel on it even though he promised her he wouldn't.
Rafe is surprised to learn he was completely different while with Bryony and has trouble wrapping his mind around it. He discovers he loves the island life with Bryony and embraces the changes as he struggles to remember the girl he supposedly loved. Once his memory comes back he realizes why he forgot her and their time together and now he has to prove himself.
I tend to not care for amnesia stories since they always forget convenient things. How realistic is it, Rafe lost only the memories containing Bryony? It wasn't exactly traumatic for him to have a girl in love with him. Sure the plane crash was traumatic but to forget an amazing relationship because of it, seemed odd. I get the guilt over it but seriously?!
I didn't like either character for the most part. Rafe was completely selfish and I didn't care for amnesiac self either. He knew he was a horrible person before the plane crash but when he questioned himself over his behavior with Bryony, he should have known what he was doing.
At the same time Bryony was too much of a doormat. She believed a guy she only knew for a few weeks wouldn't use the billion dollar land for a resort when it would make him so much money? He was an ass and yet she believed him. She was asking for it frankly and I couldn't believe she would get righteous over the guy when he did exactly what she expected him to do.
I just had so much trouble liking these characters and even in the end I didn't really care if they got together. He was a totally different person after he lost his memory but I didn't like the guy before that. I don't believe people can change that drastically in a short amount of time. He completely flipped his entire personality and outlook on life after knocking up a chick. I get it when priorities change but he changed everything about himself in a matter of a few weeks. It just seemed unbelievable.
I would recommend this book if you loved the other books in the series and you wanted to complete it. Also if you love unrealistic amnesia stories then this might be for you.
2 Stars
Published by Harlequin--Desire
September 1, 2011
186 Pages
Provided by--the Library
I typically love Maya Banks' books but this one bothered me. I had a lot of trouble getting over the general premise as well as the total 180 from the hero. It just seemed ridiculous but let's just start with the summary.
Rafe had an accident a few months ago and has been missing a chunk of his life. At a party he runs into the beautiful Bryony but when he doesn't remember her, she hits him. Once he tracks her down he discovers they were involved and she's pregnant with his child. In a true HP hero fashion, he takes over her life and demands they return to the island where they fell in love and see if he can remember. On top of that he happens to now own her family land and plans to build a hotel on it even though he promised her he wouldn't.
Rafe is surprised to learn he was completely different while with Bryony and has trouble wrapping his mind around it. He discovers he loves the island life with Bryony and embraces the changes as he struggles to remember the girl he supposedly loved. Once his memory comes back he realizes why he forgot her and their time together and now he has to prove himself.
I tend to not care for amnesia stories since they always forget convenient things. How realistic is it, Rafe lost only the memories containing Bryony? It wasn't exactly traumatic for him to have a girl in love with him. Sure the plane crash was traumatic but to forget an amazing relationship because of it, seemed odd. I get the guilt over it but seriously?!
I didn't like either character for the most part. Rafe was completely selfish and I didn't care for amnesiac self either. He knew he was a horrible person before the plane crash but when he questioned himself over his behavior with Bryony, he should have known what he was doing.
At the same time Bryony was too much of a doormat. She believed a guy she only knew for a few weeks wouldn't use the billion dollar land for a resort when it would make him so much money? He was an ass and yet she believed him. She was asking for it frankly and I couldn't believe she would get righteous over the guy when he did exactly what she expected him to do.
I just had so much trouble liking these characters and even in the end I didn't really care if they got together. He was a totally different person after he lost his memory but I didn't like the guy before that. I don't believe people can change that drastically in a short amount of time. He completely flipped his entire personality and outlook on life after knocking up a chick. I get it when priorities change but he changed everything about himself in a matter of a few weeks. It just seemed unbelievable.
I would recommend this book if you loved the other books in the series and you wanted to complete it. Also if you love unrealistic amnesia stories then this might be for you.
2 Stars
Published by Harlequin--Desire
September 1, 2011
186 Pages
Provided by--the Library
katmorrisey's review against another edition
Honestly. I've been trying to read this book for 2 years., and I think it's time I finally give up and move it off my currently reading shelf. :/
theeditorreads's review against another edition
4.0
Rafael de Luca, Ryan Beardsley, Devon Carter, and Cameron Hollingsworth are friends since their freshman year in college. Together they run an investment company which invests in property and hotels. At present, the other three have his back when Rafael doesn't recall anything. He has an awful headache but refuses to leave his business party midway. Rafael has selective amnesia from an accident four months ago, which obliterated his memory of almost a month before that.
“Excuse me, but have we met?” became the worst pick up line ever as Rafael receives a punch to the nose for asking this to Bryony Morgan (who says she's pregnant with his baby). Aaah... She's feisty!
Set in equal parts in New York and Moon Island, I found it really funny that, for a change, during their entire Moon Island stay, she was the one driving him around. I want to settle down in Moon Island, with a book, it is so idyllic. And Mamaw, Bryony's grandma, is a piece of cake, providing all the laughter. Mamaw is one sassy lady! The little snatched moments are so beautiful when they both try to remind him of their past. And their chemistry, oh so sexy.
I was anxiously waiting for the moment when Rafael's memory comes back. But, the author decided she had to keep the suspense a little longer. And when it all stumbled out, oops...I never expected to face a Harlequin hero like that. But, in the end, it was so adorable, the way everyone conspired against her to make her listen to what Rafael had to say.
P.S. Ryan and Bryony's fellow-feeling at the end was endearing. I can't wait to read his story, which is in the second book [b:Wanted by Her Lost Love|11394468|Wanted by Her Lost Love (Pregnancy & Passion, #2)|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388691272s/11394468.jpg|16326781] by [a:Maya Bans|24978|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1490067531p2/24978.jpg].
Devon's marriage with the Copeland's daughter Ashley finds a mention here (they are the couple from the third book: [b:Tempted|12482534|Tempted (Pregnancy & Passion, #3)|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1414421474s/12482534.jpg|17467280]).
“Excuse me, but have we met?” became the worst pick up line ever as Rafael receives a punch to the nose for asking this to Bryony Morgan (who says she's pregnant with his baby). Aaah... She's feisty!
Set in equal parts in New York and Moon Island, I found it really funny that, for a change, during their entire Moon Island stay, she was the one driving him around. I want to settle down in Moon Island, with a book, it is so idyllic. And Mamaw, Bryony's grandma, is a piece of cake, providing all the laughter. Mamaw is one sassy lady! The little snatched moments are so beautiful when they both try to remind him of their past. And their chemistry, oh so sexy.
I was anxiously waiting for the moment when Rafael's memory comes back. But, the author decided she had to keep the suspense a little longer. And when it all stumbled out, oops...I never expected to face a Harlequin hero like that. But, in the end, it was so adorable, the way everyone conspired against her to make her listen to what Rafael had to say.
P.S. Ryan and Bryony's fellow-feeling at the end was endearing. I can't wait to read his story, which is in the second book [b:Wanted by Her Lost Love|11394468|Wanted by Her Lost Love (Pregnancy & Passion, #2)|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388691272s/11394468.jpg|16326781] by [a:Maya Bans|24978|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1490067531p2/24978.jpg].
Devon's marriage with the Copeland's daughter Ashley finds a mention here (they are the couple from the third book: [b:Tempted|12482534|Tempted (Pregnancy & Passion, #3)|Maya Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1414421474s/12482534.jpg|17467280]).
Spoiler
Rafe and Bryony have a baby girl, Amy, which revealed in the third book.thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
3.0
Requested on NetGalley
Overall Rating 3.5
Story Rating 3.5
Character Rating 3.5
Note: This was the first book in a new series by Maya Banks and I think we are in store for 4 unique stories. I can't say that I have read to many pregnant women romances so I was unsure of what to expect.
What I Loved: Maya Banks has a way of making you understand the motives and emotions of her characters even when you don't like them for it. She did a perfect job with Rafael, even though there was a point I wanted to kick him a shins. You know a character gets to you when you want to interact with them! I really loved Bryony and my heart ached for everything to work out well between them.
What I Liked: This was an interesting twist on an amnesia story (won't give anything away) and it played out well. I really liked Rafe's friends and can't wait to read their stories.
Complaints: I felt the story lagged a little in the middle but that section worked well with the end. I think it had more to do with my not quite trusting Rafe.
Why I gave it a 3.5: Maya Banks weaved a very unique love story that pulled at my heartstrings and a leading lady that I cared about deeply!
Overall Rating 3.5
Story Rating 3.5
Character Rating 3.5
Note: This was the first book in a new series by Maya Banks and I think we are in store for 4 unique stories. I can't say that I have read to many pregnant women romances so I was unsure of what to expect.
What I Loved: Maya Banks has a way of making you understand the motives and emotions of her characters even when you don't like them for it. She did a perfect job with Rafael, even though there was a point I wanted to kick him a shins. You know a character gets to you when you want to interact with them! I really loved Bryony and my heart ached for everything to work out well between them.
What I Liked: This was an interesting twist on an amnesia story (won't give anything away) and it played out well. I really liked Rafe's friends and can't wait to read their stories.
Complaints: I felt the story lagged a little in the middle but that section worked well with the end. I think it had more to do with my not quite trusting Rafe.
Why I gave it a 3.5: Maya Banks weaved a very unique love story that pulled at my heartstrings and a leading lady that I cared about deeply!
00laura23's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
I love a good amnesia story, and this one wasn’t bad. Byrony is strong, smart, caring, and sweet. She saw a different side of Rafael then what he presents to the world. Rafael is strong, a shark in business, smart and has a compassionate side that is hidden until love finds him.
For me this book fell short. I felt like I was missing out on a lot of information, partly due with the fact that the story started in the middle and some of the backstory was missing. This information I feel like was important to the story. I also found the conclusion to the issues simplicity and wanted more.
I love a good amnesia story, and this one wasn’t bad. Byrony is strong, smart, caring, and sweet. She saw a different side of Rafael then what he presents to the world. Rafael is strong, a shark in business, smart and has a compassionate side that is hidden until love finds him.
For me this book fell short. I felt like I was missing out on a lot of information, partly due with the fact that the story started in the middle and some of the backstory was missing. This information I feel like was important to the story. I also found the conclusion to the issues simplicity and wanted more.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
3.0
3.4 stars
Heroes with amnesia and angry pregnant heroines do not make a compelling plot for me, but Maya Banks managed to squeeze my favorite trope into this story as well: the redemption trope! I loved the final 40 pages or so of this angsty Desire, but didn't feel there was enough tension between the protagonists. I expect a little more sizzle from this imprint, but it just wasn't there.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Heroes with amnesia and angry pregnant heroines do not make a compelling plot for me, but Maya Banks managed to squeeze my favorite trope into this story as well: the redemption trope! I loved the final 40 pages or so of this angsty Desire, but didn't feel there was enough tension between the protagonists. I expect a little more sizzle from this imprint, but it just wasn't there.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
tempest_1313's review against another edition
2.0
I usually enjoy Maya Banks' books. I quite adore her erotica, even if the prose is usually 3-star, at best. But the male lead in this book is just too much of a bastard. I don't buy his change of character, in the least. No one that mercenary just develops morals, overnight, because they fell in love. And let's not forget that he was perfectly capable of using the heroine, while keeping his heart, before his amnesia. He seduced her, manipulated her, lied to her, and pretended to be in love with her, just to steal her family home. He left her alone, pregnant, and living on false promises, with no intention of ever returning, once his business deal was final. His giving up the deal, in the end, was not nearly enough penance for me. This book left a bad taste in my mouth.
emilyhei's review against another edition
4.0
The first time Bryony Morgan met Rafael de Luca she saw a overworked, uptight man whose only goal was to buy her property. A month later she was in love with Rafael and his promises to come back after he handled some business affairs.
Four months later, a very pregnant, Bryony lands Rafael with a right hook, vowing to never fall for his charms again. Rafael doesn't remember Bryony, an accident claimed his memory after leaving her on the island the one thing he does know though is that she is carrying his baby.
Bryony wants to help Rafael reclaim his memories, hoping that her instinct about him is right and that their time together was not full of lies. Only time will tell in this captivating read.
Hanky alert, Maya Banks keeps you guessing until the very end.
Four months later, a very pregnant, Bryony lands Rafael with a right hook, vowing to never fall for his charms again. Rafael doesn't remember Bryony, an accident claimed his memory after leaving her on the island the one thing he does know though is that she is carrying his baby.
Bryony wants to help Rafael reclaim his memories, hoping that her instinct about him is right and that their time together was not full of lies. Only time will tell in this captivating read.
Hanky alert, Maya Banks keeps you guessing until the very end.