Rating: 
Summary: Not up to the usual standard.
Review: "A Certain Smile" was an interesting book but not as good as some of the previous books by these authors. I did enjoy the food descriptions throughout the book, even though other readers could not stand them. I wish the ending had been a little more complex and workable. I enjoyed the characters of Miranda and Li, however, I could not stand Sheng. Miranda's children should have been in the picture a lot more than they were.
Rating: 
Summary: An easy book to put down.
Review: Also an avid fan of this writing team, this book doesn't compare. It's took me 2 weeks to get to chapter 7...an easy book to walk away from. There is monotonous detail without depth, potentially interesting characters who are superficially developed and a transparent story line. I don't know how this product slipped past Judith & Michael's own quality control.
Rating:
Summary: Not one of their best works.
Review: Bestselling husband and wife author-team Judith Michael has situated this familiar midlife, "coming of age" tale in a truly unique location. Colorful descriptions of Chinese culture and atmosphere will certainly infect some readers with the travel bug. But, while Miranda's character is well-developed and likable, Li's borders on stereotypical, and at times the threats to their relationship seem artificial. The ending also seems somewhat weak and wishy-washy for such a promising storyline. Not to give away the ending, but after 10 days of knowing each other, Miranda and Li struggle with the implausible -- one page has her staying in China (what about her kids in the US?) and the next page has him leaving China and moving to the US. Make up your minds! Unfortunately this is not one of the authors' best works, but it is entertaining if you are interested in Chinese culture and people. -Sharon Galligar Chance
Rating: 
Summary: Great story, disappointing romance
Review: Fashion designer Miranda Graham is lost and struggling in Beijing when assistance comes in the form of Chinese businessman Yuan Li. The descriptions of China are wonderful and the people are interesting. The story, while having implausible moments (would you really go out with a perfect stranger in a foreign country if you were shy and scared?), flowed well. Li was not a very well defined character and came out a bit stereotypical, but my main problem with this story was its unsatisfying and wishy-washy ending. I respect difficult decisions like this, but these characters could have come up with something better.
Rating:
Summary: Great story, disappointing romance
Review: Fashion designer Miranda Graham is lost and struggling in Beijing when assistance comes in the form of Chinese businessman Yuan Li. The descriptions of China are wonderful and the people are interesting. The story, while having implausible moments (would you really go out with a perfect stranger in a foreign country if you were shy and scared?), flowed well. Li was not a very well defined character and came out a bit stereotypical, but my main problem with this story was its unsatisfying and wishy-washy ending. I respect difficult decisions like this, but these characters could have come up with something better.
Rating: 
Summary: AWFUL STORY
Review: I could not finish this book, let alone get past page 25. The story was too slow to develop, quite boring. I found it very disturbing that a Chinese man would befriend/stalk a stranger at the airport. Neither character was very interesting. It doesn't make sense that he would show so much interest in Miranda, to show her around the country. The fact that Li was being followed didn't add anything for me. I wish I could give it NO stars but I am forced to give it ONE star.
Rating:
Summary: YAAAAAWNNNNNNN
Review: I don't know what they were thinking when they wrote this book. I love the in depth research of China but if I wanted a book on travel I would have bought one. I think that their other books such as Deceptions were MUCH better than this! It needed more spice and intrigue rather than the in depth dialogue on Chinese dumplings.
Rating: 
Summary: Why are there 2 titles for this book???
Review: I don't understand why this book is "titled' Constant Image by Judith Michael when the title on the book cover is "A Certain Smile!" Can anyone answer this question for me?
Rating:
Summary: Unsatisfied, but could here be hope in a sequel someday...
Review: I like this author's past works, but this book was not very good. It is very stereotypical of Asians and as a Asian myself, its almost offensive. Its a negative portrayal of Asians and totally unnecessary. Plus the woman in the book is argumentative, too sensitive, close minded and racist. The descriptions of China were very good, however. Maybe the authors can redeem themselves by writing a sequel which addresses these problems and everyone lives happily ever after?
Rating:
Summary: Unsatisfied, but could here be hope in a sequel someday...
Review: I like this author's past works, but this book was not very good. It is very stereotypical of Asians and as a Asian myself, its almost offensive. Its a negative portrayal of Asians and totally unnecessary. Plus the woman in the book is argumentative, too sensitive, close minded and racist. The descriptions of China were very good, however. Maybe the authors can redeem themselves by writing a sequel which addresses these problems and everyone lives happily ever after?
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