Once and Always

Rating:
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 opened 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.

Rating:
Summary: HEART WARMING
Review: Jason and Victoria are one of my favorite couples ever--and I've read a lot of Romance Novels. Victoria is a tender hearted beauty who despite her fears helps Jason heal from past wounds. Jason is not the most entertaining of Judith's heroes. However, his vulnerability hidden by a hard exterior draw you to him. I love the devious uncle in this book and am thankful he has the couple's best interest at heart.

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Summary: A MUST READ FOR ALL REGENCY ERA READERS
Review: This was not the first book of McNaught's I read but the third. I was instantly in love with her main characters. No missish weak willed heroine here! I just can't decide if this one or Almost Heaven is my favorite. All of her regency books are great, but I think this one is on the top of the cake! Victoria grew up a strong sensible no nonsense gal. Proud of her upbringing she set anyone on their ear if they speak against her. And Jason the stony hard headed man who at times you want to bash and then you see the protective endearing side of him that makes you fall in love with him. I really love the fact that McNaught doesn't use violence to prove the heroine needs the hero. Her characters are charming full of wit and you can literally feel the personalities as you read her books. No "Me Tarzan, you Jane" reading here. Very, very lively storytelling.

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Summary: Jason was dull, dull, dull-and did I mention dull?
Review: Jason never jumped off page for me like Clayton or Zach. In my mind he was just a dark shadow making the book bleak and dull. I felt sorry for Victoria for marrying this character instead of her childhood sweetheart.
Don't get me wrong-Ms. McNaught won me over as a fan with Whitney, my Love and Perfect to name a few of her wonderful novels this one just did not strike my fancy.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book......Just One Problem
Review: This is the first ever Judith McNaught novel that I read and I am an avid romance novel reader...well I'm an avid reader of almost anything. Anyhow for a first time read I must admit, it was a page turner. I laughed, cried and got a little angry with the characters, so I bargain I got my monies worth. But the one problem I had was with Victoria's sister Dorothy, yes I know she was a supporting character, but I felt as though I wanted to get to know her better and didn't get the opportunity because she seemed to always be packed off to some distant land. And at the end of the story I got the impression that there was going to be a follw up story all about her, but there doesn't seem to be any and to be honest the ending was bad it left me with a few unanswered questions. Did anyone else feel that way ?

Rating:
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..

Rating:
Summary: Had my doubts at first, but by the end, I was fascinated.
Review: I thought the book was great, like all the Judith McNaught novels I have read so far.
The very first chapter hooked me up, althogh after that, and up until about the middle of the book, I had a bit of a difficult time accepting Jason, and that is the only complain I have about this book. I think it took too long for a love story to develop between the main characters. I had already read half the book, and still there were no tender feelings between Jason and Victoria.
And I must admit that the scene of the "wedding night" made me feel very angry at Jason, as well as his stupidity the next morning, when instead of understanding Victoria's reaction, and trying to reassure her and console her and beg her forgiveness for his savage behavior, he went into a rage and tumbled down her door, making her feel even more miserable and scared than she already was.
But after that I started to like him and understand him more and more, until the final scene that melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes.
I consider this book a heart wrenching novel about pain, loss, childhood trauma and passion but above averything else, love and its healing powers.
Read it and you won't be dissapointed.

Rating:
Summary: Maybe it's me?
Review: I found this book to be very unromantic. I personally don't see what's so great about Judith Mcnaught. After reading this one and Whitney, my Love, which seem to be her two most popular, I can only conclude that some people think rape and stupid misunderstandings make for great romances. I don't. I did like the part where she sees all his scars, but that's about it.

Rating:
Summary: Great read!
Review: This was my first Judith McNaught novel and won't be my last! Great characters! Both hero and heroine have great depth. I love historical ficton. Once and Always was a delight!
A book you will not be able to put down so have those dishes done before you start.

Rating:
Summary: What A Wonderful Story. A Must Read!
Review: This is the first Judith McNaught book I've ever read and I am very impressed. I am not much on Romance books, (I like Greg Isle books) but, I found myself drawn to the description of this book and bought it on impulse. I ended up reading the entire book in one day. I absolutely could not put it down. Like another reviewer said "If the house fell down around me I don't think I could have put this book down." It draws you in from the first page and you are hooked.
The only small complaint that I have about this book (which is also the reason I don't like most romance books) is that Jason, the leading male character is so hateful and mean then when he suddenly changes his mind and falls for Victoria then the author has him calling her "Darling" and "My sweet" when that was not AT ALL in his character. That turns me off romance books, but even though this book followed suit, I will forgive it in this book because it is such a great story otherwise. So, I will still give it 5 stars!! OUTSTANDING!!