Rating: 
Summary: The Summerhouse
Review: The best read in a long time! I could not put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Magical
Review: Judging from the negative feedbacks of some readers, I think this book's audience is definitely female and NOT male. I really like this book because it is funny, sweet and at the same time sad. The story deals with three women who decided to have a reunion, after 19 years in Maine to catch up each other's life. Each one of these women, Madison, Leslie and Ellie has something in their past which ruined their lives and they were offered a chance by Madame Zoya to travel back to the past for three weeks to change their lives, if they choose to do so. I think this is really interesting as these women are offered the chance to correct the mistakes they made or the one decision which changed their lives, with the knowledge of the future. I think the storyline is ingenius and I feel that I know the characters personally. It is just so satisfying when I am done reading. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something that is light and is about romance. If you're one of the readers who want something that is logical, and who frown upon stuff like fortune tellers, etc, this is not the book for you.
Rating: 
Summary: wonderful, but something missing
Review: I thought J.D. book was very well written although i felt that there was something missing in all of it. It was a quick read that was brought right to my attention. Can't wait to read more of this Author's books!
Rating: 
Summary: Can't wait for Fall!
Review: I thought the premise of this novel seemed remotely interesting. I was looking for a little "light reading" and this seemed like a good choice. I'd never read Jude Deveraux so I figured I'd give her a try. This was truly a waste of my time and my 6 bucks.
Here is a brief overview of why I don't recommend this novel: 1). THE CHARACTERS. What a bunch of unsympathetic twits. I found not an ounch of credibility in their relationship to each other. Are we to believe these characters would hook up, 19 years later, after meeting once at the DMV 19 years prior. Come on. Don't insult our intelligence as readers! 2). THE FIRST 100 PAGES. What a test of endurance! I really felt the only thing interesting about Deveraux's first 100 pages was how someone could write about so little in so few pages. Its almost as if this was written on "autopilot". The set up was really poor and could not speak well for the remaining pages. 3). THE SEXIST OVERTONES. Why does Deveraux insult some of her readers by her persistent and droning theory of the human male's destruction of the female ego? What a bunch of baloney! Are we supposed to really care about these characters that hold such an ugly, narrowminded belief? What a crock. This male was offended. 4). THE HACKNEYED CHARACTERIZATION (see number 1 above). How many times have we seen this set up? Three women: one gorgeous, one talented and the other "awkward". Gee, wonder if they are destined for happiness? I wonder if they will complain about their tortured existences? You probably get the picture. Deveraux would have us believe that obsessing about "what could have been" will somehow get these characters to reach a catharsis. Oh please. Thats so juvenile. In closing, for whom does Jude Deveraux write her novels? Why are they so popular? I'm baffled by this one. Its a question I probably won't stress over too much after I toss this waste of time into the trash can.
Rating: 
Summary: Good premise; little insight
Review: The book had a good premise, but Deveraux did little to develop a promising beginning. I have never read her before, so perhaps most of her stuff is not too thoughtful? I think she is a mediocre writer at best. Once again, men are sited as the reason for all of women's ails and the panacea for our wounds.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Read This Year
Review: I have always been a fan of Deveraux and I always pick up her book without flipping the pages. When I got home and realized it was another time travel, I dreaded reading it thinking it's one of those fantasy again. THE STORY
This book is about 3 very ordinary people who have a special bond despite having met only once before 19 years ago, reuniting, reminizing and being transported to rewrite 3 weeks of their life. The first part was a little boring, but as I read more and more from the part they were at the Summerhouse, I couldn't drop the book at all. The characters may not be as well developed as the other books but considering there are 3 main characters, I think Deveraux did an excellent job. Readers are taken on a roller coaster ride as you truly feel the joy, sadness, then disappointment and amusement of the characters and these feelings touch you right down to the core. I especially like Madison's story which was extremely touching and nerving. Readers are transported through several time periods and despite that, the transitions were flawless. THE AFTERMATH
In the end, there was of course the happy ending. But my feelings didn't just end with the pages of the book. Long after I have finished it, the implications of it lingered on in my mind. It makes me start to really think how one single action can steer the voyage of life and how it would affect other people. It seems like dominos where the chain of events just hinges on that one action. The reason why it touches me so much may be because the characters have very ordinary lives just like any other people you meet on the street - Housewife who loses her identity; Successful career woman being trapped by love; and a woman who made the wrong choice and got herself trapped by marriage vows, resulting in too many sacrifices. In the end, the message is clear. Happiness lies in your hands and tread carefully because every footstep would show, and the truth is we just cannot go back in time to correct our mistakes. I will definitely recommend it to anyone who is or is not a Jude Deveraux fan, for an excellent read, and for a refreshing touch to the soul.
Rating:
Summary: ...Intriguing "What if's"....
Review: I have to say, that no matter what your age, in some moments of reflection, you do wonder... what if? and this book does address that, somewhat. A very good and engorssing book, but I thought that this novel was actually 3 separate novels... perhaps, it would have allowed for more details and in depth character development if it were.
Rating:
Summary: How to change the past....
Review: This was a fantasy read but by the time I was half way through I could not put it down. I HAD to know what happened! 3 women who met in New york on their 21st birthdays meet again 19 years later. All of them have some regrets and NOT-SO-MUCH by chance they get to go back in time to see if they want to change the paths of their lives. 2 of the three do but they all benefit from the experience. The only disappointment was the very end...a little flat to me. And the fact that I wanted to be able to do what they did and I can't!! Oh - to be 21 again knowing th things I know now! Jeanette
Rating:
Summary: Pure escapism and magic!
Review: Ever since I read "A Knight In Shining Armor" years ago, I have been a devoted fan of Jude Deveraux's books. This book is no different ~~ it's so good that I know that I will read it again. In fact, it seems that Jude writes better everytime she gets a new book out!! A brief meeting between three women at NYC DMV center leads to a reunion 19 years later. The paths these three women took in life only led to sadness and pain for all three of them. They gave up their dreams and aspirations for the men in their lives and when they got together to celebrate their 40th birthday, they commisserated in their misery. Upon discovering Madame Zoya's business card, they decided that maybe they can go back into time and "fix" what went wrong in their lives ~~ a second chance to regain control over their lives. An opportunity that every one of wishes that we could have at one point in our lives. And what the three ladies, Madison, Leslie and Ellie, have discovered surprised them. They thought they would "fix" things that went wrong in their lives ~~ only to be taught lessons themselves. It makes for a great beach read or even a rainy day read ~~ let me warn you. You cannot just dump this book halfway through and pick it up days later. This book is so enticing and will grab your attention every chance it can get. =) So knock off a day just to read this book ~~ forget the laundry piling up or send the kids to a play date. This is one book that should be savored and read with a cup of hot tea and chocolate. As a reviewer in People magazine called a book somewhere in its reviews ~~ this book is eye candy. You won't regret an afternoon of pure escapism. Calgon should use Jude's books as their motto ~~ "Take me away" instead of bubble bath ~~ it's more efficient than bubbles! 5-13-02
Rating:
Summary: Not what I'm used to from her..
Review: I'm actually pretty surprised at this book's four star average. In the world of romances, it's definitely above the norm. However, for Jude Deveraux it was nothing like I've come to expect. She is one of the few romance writers I stuck with past adolescence and will buy w/o a second thought. However, her characters in this book lacked her usual depth. The story didn't seem developed enough. Granted, it's not supposed to be believable.. but the difference is, in most of her "fairy tale" books, the writing is SO engrossing and well done that you DO believe it was possible after it's all done. In most of her books you can almost feel the love she has for the story and the characters. This feels hastily done and not thought out. I LOVED the premise, but had to force myself to get through the beginning. The ending was better, but all in all, it seemed too disjointed and felt as though she wrote it as an afterthought. (btw.. whoever mentioned the ghost-writer has a good point. this just does not feel like her.) If you admire JD because of her fantastic writing skills, this book isn't really a must read. It is nice easy fluff though if you're feeling brainlogged.
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