Rating: 
Summary: Much ado about nothin'.
Review: Long and tedious. A lot of yabbing about nothing. Johansen tried to show that Nell was growing out of the awkwardness of immaturity and self-doubt by giving her a much more appealing face. I remain unconvinced. An appealing face she may have, but her lack of maturity, her selfishness and self-righteousness for revenge at whatever cost even if it is to step all over everyone who cares for her makes her seem more like the Terminator in my eyes. The plot jumps wildly all over the place. And as I mentioned, the constant gabbing about nonessential things was irritating at best. A better writer could shrink this 400-page book to 100 and make it much more enjoyable
Rating: 
Summary: Just plain loved it
Review: The suspense, romance, and thrills of The Ugly Duckling are truly breathtaking.Iris Johansen is now among my best-author list and I can't wait to enjoy more of her works.New surprises and twists turn up on every page I just couldn't put it down. As you read this story, you uncover new events that you could never have predicted.It is easy to get caught up in this story, its characters and its blooming romance. I practically cried at the end.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable...
Review: I was surprised at how much I liked this book. It's the kind of novel that one reads on vacation or in an airplane to kill time. But I found myself caught up in the plot, however predictable. An "unwimpy" heroine is also a nice change.
Rating:
Summary: Is beauty worth a bullet?
Review: Plain Nell is at a glamorous party to promote her husbands career when chaos errupted. A spray of bullets and the sharp edge of a knife shatters all Nell's dreams and all she loved.
She lived. Now she has a new face. A face that is so beautiful it is unforgettable. Set on revenge, she builds up her strength in rehab and learns all she can on guns and survival.
Another man is after her target too. Together they are hot and cold, a team and enemies. This man knows more about the attack than he lets on and Nell wants answers. This is Mission Impossible meets Modern Contemporary. Worth every minute of your time.
Rating:
Summary: a basic YING-YANG book only good for female readers
Review: So skin-deeply, so superfluously written by a supposed to be talented female author. But as most books written by women(except Taylor Caldwell), this book is in the territory of a female writer,who thought the plots were already too frightening to be put off, yet to the male readers, it's like 'CRY WOLF' fairy tale. Give me a break, please write romance, do not mix up or try to overlap other territories that might be totally ridiculed by you gentle kind. Thanks, but no cigar
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put it Down
Review: Nell Carter is inspirational as the shy wive Richard Carter stole from her normal life whaen a killer goes after her but she searches for revenge for her beloved daughter Jill's death
Rating:
Summary: The worst story I've read in a long time
Review: This genre of book always requires the reader to "suspend disbelief". That's to be expected and well written books make it easy to do. This book demands the reader "suspend disbelief" on virtually every page. The characters are paper thin cliches. The plot makes wild, improbable jumps. Overall, this is the worst book I have read in several years. I won't be looking for others from this author
Rating:
Summary: First-Rate Suspense Thriller
Review: It's easy to tear something down. It's much harder to applaud strengths. THE UGLY DUCKLING is one of the finest examples I've found of the contemporary suspense thriller. The characters are alive, complex, and fascinating...not just the heroine and hero, but the supporting cast as well. Plus, they grow and change with events, a rarity among today's much more superficial thrillers. The plot itself is right out of today's headlines, as believable as the front page of the LOS ANGELES TIMES or the NEW YORK TIMES. If you enjoy thrillers that are rich in complexity, multilayered, and peopled with folks who are both down-to-earth and strong, you'll very much like THE UGLY DUCKLING. By the way, this is the first Iris Johansen book I've read, too
Rating:
Summary: forget it
Review: What a waste of time. The story was contrived, unconvincing and not at all compelling. This was the first book by this author I have read. Maybe I expected something different
Rating:
Summary: A riveting story of a women's loss and the power of revenge.
Review: The Ugly Duckling tells of a womens stuggle to cope with the loss of her child, and how with the reluctant help of a mysterious man, she overcomes her desire for death and replaces it with lust for revenge. In the process she becomes a stronger, and very different person. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, with its mixture of romance,mystery, and a triller ending
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