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Summary: Lisa Kleypas shines
Review: To echo the other reviewers, this was a spin on 'Sommersby', albeit with a happy ending - and it was great! Lara was a young, blushing bride whose dreams of a happy union were totally crushed when she realised just how little she meant to her husband. His disappearance results in her discovering her sense of self-worth. Naturally, she is shocked at his return, and bewildered by the very different person he has become. He does not simply claim his husbandly rights, as he wants to prove to her that he is a better man with more appreciation for her than he exhibited previously. Lara's hesitance and fear of the marriage bed is understandable - would you be eager to taste the delights of sex when in the past it has been painful and humiliating? I think not. Hunter's character is fantastic, and he really seems to need something from Lara - this need translates into a deep, abiding love. I think that the character's actions were in keeping with their personalities. Never did I feel that Ms Kleypas was reaching - there is even a justification as to how "Hunter" knew so much about the original. This was a tender, moving novel, and the passionate suspense was very well done.
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Summary: PASS ON THIS BOOK
Review: I cannot understand the good reviews for this book. It just plain stinks. She is totally unfeeling and should not have been portrayed as a heroine. He is just dumb to continue his pursuit of her. I guess I would just rather rent the movie Sommersby than to have to sit through this book again. I could not feel any sort of emotion throughout the book for two characters who are so unsuited for each other in such an overused plot. I guess I may have also been expecting too much.
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Summary: A TSTL Heroine
Review: I bought this book with the highest expectations, having heard many good things about Lisa Kleypas, whom I've never read before. But was this a disappointment. The only person I liked in the entire book is Hunter, who's a real darling. As for Lara, she's a cold and manupulative b****. Although the author tried to portray her as a kind and compassionate woman by writing about how much she cares for the orphans, she somehow came across as phoney rather than anything else. Not only does she withheld Hunter's marital rights from him, she also used him every opportunity she gets without giving anything back in return. During the entire book, she was selfish while Hunter was understanding, self-absorbed while Hunter was sensitive. Even though she spouted some mumbo jumbo about wanting an independent life through most of the book, she never hesitate to use Hunter to get what she wants as opposed to getting it for herself which is what a truly independent heroine would have done. And to try to balk out of their bargain after she's made a deal with Hunter regarding that charity ball...Did I mention dishonorable as well as a lack of sense of fair play?
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Summary: Another Great Book
Review: While there are some implausible aspects to this story it was so well written. I loved the characters. The scenes between the main characters were so steamy they'll fog up your glasses! Definately a keeper in my book.
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Summary: This was my first read by Kleypas & I really enjoyed it
Review: Using the premise of the famous "Sommersby" movie, but set in Regency England, STRANGER IN MY ARMS tells the tale of a woman married to a horror of a man who's been lost at sea and is presumed dead. When he returns she is shocked and upset. She's made a new life for herself and does not want him back. But the man who returns to her is a changed one, he's kinder, he's honorable, he acts like he genuinely cares for her, and he awakens feelings in her she never had for her husband. He's now a man she could easily fall in love with. But is he an imposter and is everything they're building based on a lie? I thought this was a very romantic and sensual story. It had a strong, lovable hero and a heroine who was easy to empathize with but in all honesty some of her actions/reactions mystified me. She was a smart, self-sufficient person but she let her nasty Uncle and his abhorrant wife treat her like dirt without a word of complaint. She was also a bit of a tease throughout most of the book. Her "kiss me", "touch me" then "no, wait I've changed my mind stop NOW" made sense the first few times considering her past sexual experiences but quickly got on my nerves when it was continually repeated. She really tortured this poor guy ;) Even though I saw Sommersby I found this spin on the plot just as interesting and liked it even better because it ended happily. I cared about the characters, felt them fall in love and was only a little annoyed towards the end when their actions didn't ring true to their feelings. All in all this was a very well developed and a touching romance. I really enjoyed it.
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Summary: I was disappointed
Review: Overall, the book wasn't the worst I could read. Hunter was an amazing character - strong, sensitive, passionate, loving. Lara, on the other hand, struck me as cold. Granted the "old" Hunter wasn't a prize by any stretch of the imagination but she didn't exactly appear to have been the model wife either. Especially if the way she dealt with the new and improved Hunter was any indication. She seemed to be a hypocrite to me. So caring, loving and devoted to everyone else but she barely spared any feeling for her husband. If her husband was as big a jerk as she had thought then the differences in his demeanor were obvious from the start. He said he wanted things to be different and wanted another chance. She certainly thought everyone else deserved one - why not the man she married? The book was also unrealistic. Nobody, unless you're identical twins, could so much resemble someone else - looks and mannerisms. Plus to know so many intimate details about Lara's body (birthmarks and other markings) was difficult to believe from a man like the "old" Hunter who obviously had paid little attention to his wife's body. The "new" Hunter was incredible though. He was so accommodating it was laughable considering the time the book was set in. And the fact that she actually withheld his "husbandly rights" in those days was nothing short of heroic since at that time she technically HAD no rights and nothing of her own to withhold. Men owned their wives then, disturbing as the thought is now. Its my opinion that you'd be better off saving your money or using it to purchase on of Ms. Kleypas' other books, might I recommend Someone to Watch Over Me or Kingdom of Dreams? If you are determined to read this - do yourself a favor and borrow it from the library.
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Summary: KLEYPAS IS BRILLIANT!
Review: I could not believe some of the bad reviews i have been reading!"STRANGER IN MY ARMS"is the beautiful story of a woman who learns to trust a man through his love.I have not yet read a Lisa Kleypas book that deserves a bad review.The characters of Lara and Hunter are wonderful!Hunter adores Lara,and is willing to give her as much time and space as she needs,to release her fears. If you like your men gentle but masculine,tender but passionate,then this is for you.Other Kleypas books that i can recomend...."THEN CAME YOU","DREAMING OF YOU","SOMEWHERE I'LL FIND YOU" AND "BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE",in that order!Don't worry about the bad reviews.They aren't worth the space that they're printed on!
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Summary: WHY DID A TREE HAVE TO DIE FOR THIS BOOK?
Review: I read "Someone to Watch Over Me"--- and loved it which is why I bought this book. A major mistake. I agree with the comment that this book should rate less than one star. There was no real plot and everyone with the exception of Hunter is an idiot. I really thought he should have left the book as a bachelor and started a whole new life in another book with another heroine and a whole new supporting cast. This book was a real mess with no real sense of direction and tries to take on too much pyschological mumble jumble. And I generally like Lisa Kleypas' books.
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Summary: I Loved It
Review: This is the best Lisa Kleypas I have read. This book is for every woman who has ever been in a battered relationship and wished for someone to rescue them and teach them to trust again. Lara is strong yet vulnerable. Hunter is strong and sensitive and caring, everything any woman would ever dream of. I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end.
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Summary: loved this book!
Review: i read some of the other reviews and had to get my opinion in. i noticed a lot of bashing and didn't want people to just see bad reviews. i loved this book, thought the chacterers were well developed and the plot line creative and original. i've read all of her other books, and this one is of my favourites. i liked lara as a person, and thought hunter was wonderful as a hero. i couldn't put it down while reading it, and neither could my friend who i gave a copy to. i would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good historical romance, it can't get much better than this. i also recommend "then came you" and "dreaming of you" which are both wonderful wonderful books.
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