Remember When

Rating:
Summary: Once again... outstanding!
Review: I don't understand how anyone could give this book less than 5 stars. It is not written in Judith McNaught's typical style... couple meets, couple falls in love, misunderstandings occur where both think the other has wronged them, and then all works out... this was better! If you enjoyed 'Paradise' and its sequel 'Perfect', I guarantee you will love this one. 'Remember When' briefly mentions Matt Farrell from 'Paradise' and it is about a once nobody turned tycoon but it is not boring because there isn't so much strife between the main couple. I think it's better because of it. There is enough strife in real life. Cole meets Diana when he's a college student working as a stable hand and she a pampered but not stuck up daughter of a wealthy man. They have a great friendship from the beginning... and it only gets better. I love reading when a couple stands up to anybody for the other. If you don't like that then don't read it. This will remain in my keeper shelf.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as her usual work
Review: Once I find an author or musician I really love, I have a tendency to read or listen to that particular person's every single work that I can get my hands on. Well, I read this book for that reason and I must say that it's a little disappointing.

While it's so much better than other tons of romance novels out there, it just simply leaves me with the feeling of... being cheated a little bit. I have read lots of books by McNaught and have come to have a certain expectation from her work. This book starts out very well - builing up characters' personalities, background, etc. It has the usual love-hate relationship, emotional battles and everything. But the thing that disappointed me the most is McNaught didn't really explain how Cole really came to love Diana. There wasn't much of a battle inside of him. One minute, he just wants her for purely selfish reasons, then next, he's telling her that he loves her. It felt as if they cut about a 100 pages out of the book.

If you are like me who absolutely HAS TO read everything that McNaught has written, then go for it, you might be a little disapointed. If you have nothing better to do, read it, why not. But if you want to spend your precious time to actually feel, understand and get to know the characters as well as the story it's telling, then I suggest you to get "Paradise", "Whitney, my love," or "Something wonderful." You won't be disapointed.

Rating:
Summary: Boring? Are you crazy? I couldn't put it down...
Review: The reviews found here on Amazon.com are surprisingly superficial. Boring? Are you crazy? This book kept me thoroughly entertained. I couldn't put it down -- finished in less than a day.

This is the first book I have read by Judith McNaught. As someone who is a sucker for the Elizabeth Bennett/Mr. Darcy type of romance novel, I found this story endearing. Diana Foster and Cole Harrison are kindred spirits that have adapted to the world with the emotional tools learned from childhood. Diana, with a priveliged upbringing not devoid of suffering, yearns to have control over her life and is obsessive and driven. Cole, who rose above his humble beginnings, resents the rich class he now entered. The two share a history of respect and admiration that bonds them during crises of public perception and scandal, and in the end, proves rewarding.

The characters are eloquently described,and feel like familiar friends by the end of the novel. My only criticism is that I would have strengthened the last quarter of the book in order to delve further into the characters' feelings. I fully recommend this book.