Rating:  Summary: A bit on the Inadequate side... Review: I insisted on reading this because the book description caught my interest. The overall amazon high rating also persuaded me into buying it. The initial plot is of a Duke (Ambrose Devlin St. James) secretly posing as a Horsebreeder (Devlin Jefferys) and a young gentry woman (Megan Penworthy) who have set her heart on marrying a Duke just to spite a snobbish neighborwoman -no matter that she hasn't seen or met this every popular Duke yet. She eventually falls in love with the horsebreeder while despising the Duke...all this without realizing the connection. Meanwhile, Ambrose the Duke, remained Devlin the Horse breeder, because he wanted Megan to accept him for who he is and not for what he is... It's was truly a great plot. Unique as well. Which is why I am heartbroken to report my disappointment in this matter. The first part of this book was fascinating. Fast and engrossing. Lots of humor and tasty banters. But then all of a sudden, I began to read through the story without any emotions whatsoever. It's like going through the program without even realizing it is happening and then, it is over. Towards the middle till the end, the story also became too repetitive for my liking. It discussed the plot, explaining their thoughts, their circumstances over and over again. I think I got the picture the first time already! The banters and humor also became somewhat old towards the end. I tell you, the initial plot surely have very good potentials, it just needs more developing. It also needs an extra twist to spice it up. The primary characters are just as lacking. Devlin and Megan need lots of elaborating. They need more attitude for me to thoroughly enjoy them. I did like them a bit esp. in the beginning but not as favored as I should. Mind you, I wasn't annoyed nor do I hate them. Their character is "that" lacking, I couldn't even form a dislike towards them. Their relationship and togetherness also needs lots of expanding. There were many situations in the book wherein I expected more of the outcome and the consequences. I also find myself skipping page(s) of when Megan starts talking to her conscience. I am sorry but I didn't appreciate that style of J.L's writing at all. Once or twice would have been tolerable but not over and over again! I really hate giving ratings lower than 3 stars especially if the Author once gave me great entertainment. I've enjoyed lots of Johanna Lindseys work but sad to say, this isn't one of them. However, I believe she is a wonderful author with supreme talents, therefore, I shall continue to read more of Ms. Lindseys books. In fact, I am now in the process of reading LOVE ME FOREVER, which is the sequel of this story. A lot of Amazon reviewers did enjoy this book to even rate it a 4-5 stars rating so don't take my word for it. Read this one anyway and see for yourself. Who knows, you might enjoy it more than I have.
Rating:  Summary: most definitely a keeper Review: I loved this book. The first time I read it I couldn't put it down, I just had to read it in one sitting. I don't think I have ever laughed so much when reading a book, as I did with this one. The characters, Megan and Devlin were well written, Megan being a bit of a spoilt brat, whilst Devlin was a stuffy duke (although he does unbend while incognito and around Megan). I thought it was funny when Megan found out that Devlin was the duke that she was hoping to marry. The little twist when Megan gets kidnapped by Lachlan was great, especially when Megan wouldn't shut up and I think that Lachlan was only too glad to give her back to Devlin. Although Megan had never met Devlin previously, she had visited his ancestoral home, and wanted to marry the man who had a wonderful stable full of horses as she was horse mad. Both Megan and Devlin were unwilling to admit that they loved each other, although both were happy to admit this to Devlin's mother. You have to read the sequel 'Love Me Forever'as well to read about Lachlan.
Rating:  Summary: I Liked It and yet... Review: I thought the storyline was fresh and I fell in love with Devlin in pretty short order. There were a lot of 'laugh out loud' moments with this story. However, I couldn't give it a 5 for 2 reasons: 1. I felt Megan was just too OTT. I mean, c'mon, we need a few moments of companionability, gentleness, to set the foundation for love. I found myself wondering why the heck he wanted her. 2. I think Ms Lindsay missed a great opportunity, particularly with the Scotland trip, to interject some real gut-clenching, heart-stopping drama. For some reason she decided to make fluff of what shoulda\coulda been an emotional pivot-point of the book. That being said, I did really like the story and, in fact, read it in 1 day. If you are in the mood for a lighter romance this is a great read.
Rating:  Summary: Extraordinary!!!! Review: My first Johanna Lindsay novel was a Malory novel. I have fallen in love with that family and now I can't wait to read more about Ambrose St. James and Megan Penworthy. This book is a must read. Megan's snide remarks and taunting of Devlin had me laughing throughout the book. Especially Devlin's rage because Megan named her horse Sir Ambrose (whom she doesn't realize is really Ambrose). What is really hilarious is Megan's proud announcement to Devlin that she is going to marry Ambrose St. James, or as Devlin knows him.....Ambrose "Devlin" St. James. I love how Devlin tells Megan he told the people at the house they stay at after their marriage that he is Ambrose and she gets mad at him for telling such lies. She doesn't even catch on to who Devlin is when the owner of the home shows up (Devlin's aunt) and begins to talk about his mother. Megan wonders how the woman knows Devlin. Megan's anger and shock at discovering that she actually married the man she set her cap on from the get-go is refreshing, but what is more amusing is his strong belief that Megan really married his "stable". When Megan moves into the stable because she wants her "horsebreeder" back, Devlin knows better. This book is a must read if you're a Lindsay Fan! I've read it more times than I can count. I can't put it down each time I pick it up. It's a MUST READ!!!! You won't be sorry because once you read the first page, you won't be able to put it down. Enjoy!!!!
Rating:  Summary: Man of My Dreams is GREAT Review: This is the first Johanna Lindsey Book I read. The first romance book I ever read too. Boy did she get me hooked! I have since bought all her books and re-read all of them many times, but this is probably my favorite. I laughed. I cried. Simply the best! I won't go into a storyline of the book since many others did. I will say that you might also consider getting "Love me Forever" as Megan and Devlin are in that story as well. It seems that most of the books I've read with sequels (or series') the author only puts a page or two with the characters from the previous characters. With "Love me Forever" your get to continue on with Megan and Devlin's story a little longer (throughout the whole book!). Lindsey is very good!! I recommend all her books, especially the "Mallory" series.
Rating:  Summary: What this led to Review: This was the first book that I purchased by Johanna Lindsey. It was at a local Walgreens over 10 years ago. I loved it from the very beginning, and when I finished, I started it again, immediately! It the led to one purchase after another, until it was to the point that I didn't even read the backs anymore!! I now own every book she has written (some in paperback and hardcover). To date, my library consists of 400+ historical romance books by various authors. Johanna is at the top of the list for favorite authors STILL!! I LOVED EVERY book, and eagerly (and sometimes impatiently) await the next!!!
Rating:  Summary: Thoroughly disappointing Review: I usually enjoy Ms. Lindsey's books-- plenty of laughter and tears is par for the course. Man of My Dreams, however, was sorely lacking in both. The plot had some possibilities in the beginning but went nowhere. The characters were irritating and there was little development. I will continue to read (and enjoy) Ms. Lindsey's work, but this book is certainly NOT worth the time or money and does not measure up.
Rating:  Summary: ugh Review: I read this in high school and had such fond memories of it that I bought it again but all it is is one long fight! It's awful.
Rating:  Summary: I enjoyed readign about Devlin and Megan Review: I stopped reading romance novels about ten years ago. I had always been a fan of JL so I decided to give this chance. I was not disappointed. I liked Megan and Devlin. They were both well developed characters and had great chemistry. I liked the plot; Megan deciding to marry an unseen duke (Devlin) and his reaction to being wanted for his title sight unseen. Overall this book had the essentials that I look for in a romance novel: likable characters who have good chemistry, a believible plot and a little drama.
Rating:  Summary: Romance, humour, abduction. Review: A story told with Lindsey's customary touches of humour and occasional tongue in cheek, here is another enjoyable example of her work. Megan Penworthy is a squire's daughter, pampered and spoiled by her father. A stunning beauty, she is accustomed to men flocking to 'worship at her feet' as they say. She has lost many female friends and endured several cuts direct because of females not wanting her to be competition. The only one who seems to truly understand her is her best friend Tiffanny, with whom she's been fast friends since childhood. Feeling that she's endured one set down too many from the society matron of the of the parish, Megan decides to play on her beauty for once, to snag a Duke so that she can come back to rub her elevation in the nose of 'Lady O'. She chooses Ambrose St. James as her target, as she admires his estate (which she visited at age 12) and his stables. In the meanwhile, Devlin Jefferys shows up, determined to ask a favour of the squire so that he can hide in the country for a while to avoid having to shoot his best friend. Devlin is using a false name and position as a horse breeder to hide - can you guess who he really is? Now what do you think he feels about the Duke seemingly being targeted sight unseen, merely because of his possessions? Much about this storyline is childish in a 'nya nya' kind of way. The story is rescued from this being a genuine problem by the humour that Lindsey invests in it, and the strong friendship between Megan and Tiffanny. I also found her abduction by Lachlan (who gets his own story in 'Love Me Forever') to be an unexpected gem. Lindsey is one of my favourite authors, and I think she pulls this one off, but I did often find both Megan and Devlin to be like two toddlers sticking their tongues out at each other in the playground, although they seemed to enjoy their arguments and the passions that resulted!
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