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Summary: A Novel to Read not Once, but Always
Review: I must admit that I was skeptical about reading a *gasp* romance novel when my friend came to me with Once and Always. But after reading a couple of chapters, I was and still am hooked. Basically Judith McNaught has taken every romantic fantasy that I've had and put them into this one historic novel. Victoria, a fiery American, goes to England to live with a distant cousin, Jason Fielding, a dark man with a disturbed past. And, of course, they inevitably fall in love. The tension between the two is unbearable and wonderful at the same time. I've never been so emotionally involved with a book and never before have I been in love with a fictional character as I now am with Jason Fielding. A must read for the hopeless romantics out there.
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Summary: A book worth reading...(3 1/2 stars)
Review: "Once and Always" was a good story. I love the way that Judith McNaught takes her time in letting you really know the characters..she doesnt skimp when in comes to character development..I love this about her. Victoria and Jason were definitely interesting and well written. I enjoyed their story, but I cant say that this was one of my favorites by McNaught. I had a few problems with Jason. He was INCREDIBLY difficult to like. I did feel a softening towards him as I came to understand him better, but I never felt like I could embrace his character 100% .....I was also bothered by the character of Andrew..I hate it when another suitor is thrown into a story and he is more endearing than the hero!! I also felt that the ending was thrown together too quickly. All in all a pretty good read, but not my favorite..
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Summary: Ms McNaught - this is unexpected
Review: I am a H-G-G-E McNaught fan - don't get me wrong. Like other books I was enjoying the poignancy of a good romance novel until the time I came to read about Jason's past. To evoke sympathy among the readers, will Ms McNaught go to any lenght? That story had no basis what so ever. All through the pages, the Indians were portaryed as "dirty", "ragged" - now where did these come from? Being of Indian origin myself I was absolutely disgusted. There is also the question of religion. Throughout generations and even now the dominant religion in India has been Hinduism. So why were the "poverty stricken dirty Indians" dragged into the sadistic torture of a white British(who by the way unjustly occupied India during that era and tortured the rightful citizen and looted the country) Christian boy? If any one finds an answer please tell me.
I've read all of Mcnaught books and laughed and cried and loved the characters. But I was very very disappointed at the in accuracy and cruel words hurled at a particular race (who by the way are very educated and cultered) just to tickle sentiments for the hero.
I think it is badly done Ms Mcnaught!
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Summary: If you can read, read this book!
Review: Ever since I can remember my mother has been reading romance novels. She's a real big Judith McNaught fan and she insisted that I read some of her novels. I enjoyed all of them but ONCE AND ALWAYS was my favorite. It's not everyday that you read such a love story and actually fall for the hero in the book. Why can't all guys be as wonderful as Jason is? If you're into romance novels, ONCE AND ALWAYS is a must and if you aren't, after reading this beautifully mastered love story, you will be a fan. Enjoy!
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Summary: good beginning
Review: I admit that Judith McNaught has a flair for drama, and I stopped reading her books after finishing Kingdom of dreams, coz that was just SO corny for me. But I started reading again and found out that "Once and Always" is the perfect, new beginning for me. Of course, as a McNaught, u'll never run out of those witty come-backs or some of her oh-god-how-i-love-you-so lines from the main characters, and an over the top climax. When I read McNaught, I forget about realism and I get carried away with the emotions she worked up on both her characters and her readers. But even as I love this book, there are still some flaws. I read some stories where the father lost his son and that will be the main conflict in the story where the hero has a hard time getting over the incident. Here, I find it difficult to believe that Jason has felt something genuine for Jamie, his son. He didn't even cry when he died, yet he did cry when he thought Victoria died. I know it made the plot a little easier to maneuver, but I thought that part was a little bit shallow. Anyway, I still gave this book 5 stars not because of technical or moral weaknesses but because u'll surely enjoy this book and fall in love with it just like I did.
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Summary: A great hero makes for a great read
Review: Judith McNaught has a flair for creating great heroes, and Jason is no exception. Victoria is no slouch either. Add a well-written storyline and you've got another fun read.Jason is one of those tortured heroes. He has a deep dark past that causes him to distrust women. Victoria is a spitfire, but also is generous and understanding. When these two fight, you won't be able to put the book down you'll be so enthralled. When they fall in love, you'll fall in love. When they fall on hard times you'll feel for them. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the plot device of using Jason's friend to be Victoria's guide to Jason's past, and heading the star-crossed lovers in the right direction. I think it would have been more emotional and interesting to read to have the two lovers discover together the hurt in their past. The ending of this book is not to be missed, though (and I won't give any of it away to ruin the fun). If nothing else, buy the book and read it for the ending. You won't regret it!
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Summary: Judith Mcnaught is superb!
Review: I picked this book up and from start to finish could not put it down! I just loved Jason and Victoria. I felt so bad for Jason, you could almost feel his pain and Vicotria was the kind of strong heroine that I love to read about in a book! She was strong and loving and knew that this scrumptious hunk of a man was gonna love her and didnt stop until she made it happen!! If all of Judith Mcnaught's books are like this one, I will be going and buying every last one of them!
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Summary: Not my thing
Review: OK this story has so much to offer but the hero was an absolute jerk and I have NO IDEA why she stayed with the guy. I mean the guy was nasty to her....I also don't like it when a guy in LOVE will go and fool with his mistress. Just doesn't do it for me. If your a McNaught fan I'm sure you'll like it but otherwise I could have done without.
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Summary: WOW!!!!!!!!
Review: Wow!!! This was the first Judith McNaught book that I read and I was a little weary of buying it but boy am I glad that I did. It is wonderful!!! Victoria is funny and courageous. Jason is a little hard but from the very begginning you sympathize with him and just want to give him a lot of love. These characters were perfect for each other. The book is so good that I went out and bought another 5 of McNaught's books and they didn't disappoint!!!!! If anything they got better!!!
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Summary: What do you think? It's by JM
Review: Much like its title, Once and Always, had captured my heart the first time I its covers and kept it ever since (ok, so it's not exactly like the title...)
This book, have always been to me, one of JM's most treasurable masterpieces. Only she can create characters that can make some of the stupidest mistakes yet still redeem themselves and become perfect again by the end of the book.
Victoria's gentle courage and beautiful nature is something that I, as a female, have always strived to be. And despite Jason's flaws and mistakes, he is still one of those men (a JM man) who melts your heart and makes you love him all the same.
I know that some other reviewers have some major complaints about the main characters. And despite Jason and Victoria has dug themselves into my heart and earned a place there for all time, I am not blind to their faults. I do not deny that Jason and Victoria may have some flaws but these flaws did not ruin my image of them, but only seemed to endear them further in my eyes. No one's perfect and I doubt there are not many people who wants to read about perfect heroes and heroines who never make any mistakes. But JM's characters come as close as they could to perfection without making them seem unrealistic and unbelievable. Jason and Victoria are two of JM's most splendid and unbelievable creations (and if you read JM, you will know that's not just any compliment) who will stay with you forever.
The only, ONLY complaint I ever had of O&A is that it ended too soon. It is my only favorite JM book without the famous JM trademark ending. And I pray for the day that she would extend the ending to O&A like she did Whitney, My Love.
Once and Always is a story of two people who finds love when they least expected or wanted it. It is a fairy tale that tells of a courageous, young woman who brings light and laughter to the home and heart of a man who had long forgotten the meaning of love.
Once and Always is a story that will melt even the coldest heart and make even the most skeptical cynic believe in the magic of love and the beautiful world of Judith McNaught.
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