Rating: 
Summary: FANTASTIC!
Review: The BEST Sandra Brown book I've ever read.This book has mystery, romance, intrigue and surprises where you least expected. I hated to finish it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Beach/Business Trip Book
Review: This is my first Sandra Brown novel (given to me by a relative) and was an enjoyable read. Not too heavy, easy to read and possessing a consistent "page-turner" flow, I enjoyed the book. Is it the suspense-laden quality of a Iles or Ludlum--no, but a good read nonetheless. Brown's emotional perspective and detail make it different from many others' writings, but not in a sappy, drippy sort of way. The detail of the sexual interactions between various characters was specific but not too graphic-but may be more than some readers are accustomed to in a suspense novel. Overall, a good book and worth the high price of a paperback these days.
Rating: 
Summary: A Twinkie
Review: I have seen this book described as a romantic mystery. There wasn't much mystery. I knew where the story was going after about 60 pages. Romance? Not much. Explicit, uninteresting sex? Yes. I read one of Sandra Brown's earlier novels and remember it only because I disliked it so much. But with all the hype and glowing reviews surrounding this book, I thought I'd give it a try. The beginning...the prolog of the 'book within a book'...was very good. I was intrigued and found the character description of the crusty old sailor quite appealing. But the rest of the story was a let down. The writing was okay and the pace moved along at a pretty good clip, but the story line was lightweight and predictable. It wasn't a total waste of time. It was like eating a Twinkie when what you really want is a big slice of triple chocolate cake with fudge frosting.
Rating:
Summary: Didn't want to like it -- but I couldn't put it down
Review: Although I agree with much of the criticism -- predictable plot, contrived characters, implausible ending, sappy, shallow, and so on, the bottom line is -- I couldn't put it down. I didn't want to like this book. In the first chapter, I found myself saying, "Oh, no. Not another perfect rich couple." Thank heavens that didn't last long. I found myself caring about the characters, and although Maris is a goody-goody, I liked her and admired her. Yes, the sex scenes are explicit, but remember that Brown is a romance writer. I seldom read romances, but when I do, I understand that steamy sex is part of the formula (and these are steamy!). I disagree that the profanity and vulgarity are excessive -- they are used to good effect and are never gratuitous. If I have a complaint about Brown's writing, it's that she trys too hard to be a "good writer." Her metaphores are too numerous, make the book longer than it needs to be, and sometimes intefere with the flow of the story.
Rating:
Summary: A marked improvement from her past generic thrillers
Review: It sure is easy to criticize the far-fetched plot which is predictible but I am not going to - for Sandra Brown's latest suspennse thriller threw me off-kilter with its refined style and dramatic prose - a marked improvement from the generic thrillers she had crafted over the years. For once the tantalizingly baiting prologue is actually an anonymous manuscript sent by recluse P.M.E at Georgia. It gets fortunately siphoned as a potential script by hot-shot editor Maris Matherly Reed - so much so that she is willing to travel from Manhattan to the remote island to groom the budding prodigy. This pivotal trip marks the beginning of a scheme by Parker Evans to seek vengeance and justice as the chapters unveil. Deception, betrayal and infidelity treacherously swarm into Maris's life and threatens her when she finds the enemy to be a breath away.... Sandra Brown started out as a romance writer and this time round she judiciously uses her talents for creating incendiary chemistry between her protagonists to good use. The dangerous romance between Maris and Parker simmers; the emotional development of the two complexed and dramatic. Being a writer also helps when the plot revolves around publishing and literary knowledge to fortify the credibility of the story. With some nifty twists and its frenetic pacing, Envy engages as a romantic suspense thriller and a heart-thumping foible on revenge and rivalry. As a bestselling author, her desire to make progress despite her much-to-be-envious-about achievements certainly left me impressed.
Rating: 
Summary: Bummer
Review: Brown's old books are much better than this drivel. The book is in no way up to the standards of Brown's old paperback romances. The hero is very poorly defined. I couldn't figure out why a supposedly classy lady would like such a jerk. And the villain was too over the top to believe, i.e., the murder of the heroine's father-- such an unnecessary event and out of character for the supposedly sharp witted dad. The whole book was a patchwork of bits and pieces that failed to jell together into a novel. Farfetched and poorly written, I'm glad that I got this one from the library and didn't waste my money on it.
Rating:
Summary: The real mysterty?: How did this get published?
Review: I bought this book in hardcover at an airport, wanting a fun, bubble-gum read for my travels. I was being entertained until I repeatedly came upon antisemetic comments in Ms. Brown's book. As a mystery writer, I'd think that she could be more subtle in hiding this and more creative to divert from stereotypes of races and religions. When I dislike a book, as I vehemently disliked Brown's "Envy", I give it to the Salvation Army, library or a used book store. In the case of "Envy" I put it where it belonged- in the trash.
Rating:
Summary: Envy and Retribution
Review: Before you are too many chapters into the book, you pretty much have assigned the parts of the "Envy" manuscript to the "Envy" characters in Sandra Brown's new book. That's okay; you're supposed to. Maris is an editor at a small but prestigious publisher in New York. She is tantalized by the prologue to the "Envy" manuscript submitted by a casually disguised author. When she attempts to track him down, she's met with unexpected hostility which only whets her appetite for the rest of the book. Parker is the author, and you are encouraged to cast him in the nice guy part of the unfolding "Envy" manuscript. Noah is Maris's oily husband. You are permitted to cast him as the bad guy. Sandra Brown doesn't mean to make guessing the characters much of a mystery. The mystery is in how the situation will be resolved. The disappointing thing about this book is Maris's enthusiasm for Parker's writing. The reader is offered a chapter of "Envy" after every two or three chapters of the regular book. But kids,it's nothing to, er, write home about. Sometimes, it's darn stilted. Where was Brown's editor? I don't write that well, but I found myself rearranging her sentences and redlining paragraphs in my head to make the manuscript more interesting. But that's not why you read Sandra Brown. You know the good guys will win. You know that love will triumph. You like the characters and know they will be able to resolve their differences. Plus there is a neat and very satisfying plot twist at the end. Happily ever after!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: This book is not only well written but the characters are real and captivating. I enjoyed it immensely and could not put it down until I finished it to the end. I love how the two stories intertwined and you never knew what was going to happen next. It was like getting two great books in one. Definetly recommend this for a fun read.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Ever!!
Review: I am a Mother of Three children and gave up on reading years ago. Now that they are older, I am back. This was my first ever novel by Sandra Brown. I had no idea she had ever written romance prior because I would have never bought the book. I read the book in three days. I loved it!! I am now ordering all that I can get me hands on. She is a marvelous storyteller. I told my husband I had forgotten how great it was to escape in a book. This one does that for you. I hated putting it down. It is a great book and perfect for new fans. Enjoy it! I know I sure did.
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