Rating: 
Summary: Garwood's Goods Judged GREAT!!!!!!!!!
Review: I absolutely loved The Bride. Garwood delivered a high action tale that kept me completely riveted. I was afraid to put the book down for fear that the words would disappear. None of Garwood's other characters are quite as developed or easy to connect with as Jamie and Alex Kincaid! Jade and Caine come in a close second!
Rating: 
Summary: A Big Disappointment
Review: The romance genre has progressed a lot in recent years, so what was once considered a classic may now seem rather dated. This is the case for Julie Garwood's The Bride, which was released to general acclaim in 1989. Because of the stereotypical characters and the confusing writing, it took me a month to read a novel that I would normally finish in one or two days. This is not to say that there isn't some evident skill and humor in the writing as well as some nice plotting (though the plot moves too slowly). But this is marred by the very confusing points of view (one character will have a thought while another speaks in the same paragraph!) and the overly familiar characters. For me, interesting, lively characters are the key to an absorbing read. We are in medieval England and Jamie, the youngest, most hard-working and responsible of Baron Jamison's four daughters, is forced to marry the Scottish laird Alec Kincaid, who is rumored to have murdered his first wife. In order to improve relations between the two rival countries, both Scotland's and England's kings have insisted on the match. Alec and Jamie are both strong-willed, lively characters who share some interesting banter, conflict and a searing sexuality. But Alec is the familiar invincible warrior who is a gruff misogynist on the outside with a compassionate heart of gold hidden on the inside. We learn nothing about his upbringing or the pivotal experiences that have shaped his life other than his first wife's untimely death. He remains an inscrutable stereotype for whom I could develop little sympathy or caring. Jamie is the perfectly compassionate, totally loving and giving woman who is too good to be true. Her only flaw is the nasty temper that clashes so often with Alec's own nasty temper. This too is a cliché in romance that wears thin on the reader as it constantly appears: Alec and Jamie are always at war with each other, wanting their way as they battle for supremacy. But while Jamie is too good to be true in most ways, she is also too bad to be true, showing a shocking and offensive lack of tact when dealing with Alec in front of his men, contradicting and humiliating him whenever possible. This made it difficult for me to really believe she was real or to wholly like her. There runs throughout the novel the mystery of who murdered Alec's first wife and now endangers Jamie, but this person's identity is very easy to guess from the beginning. A twist here could have given the novel more interest.
Overall, I found The Bride quite disappointing, especially because of the high praise it received from so many earlier readers. While many aspects of the story are diverting enough, it lacks the character depth, story momentum and overall sparkle that current readers expect from a romance.
Rating: 
Summary: Heart-warming
Review: If you loved this love story you must read The Wedding.
Rating:
Summary: So so,
Review: I was not impressed with this writer or her book! I have been a reader of romance novels for a very long time and to date I cannot remember having disliked a story line so much. The Bride by Julie Garwood is boring and predictable. I admit this was my first Garwood book but I will also admit that it will be my last! I'll stick to Gabaldon, Roberts, and the real queen bees of romance novels, in my opinion, Ross, Evanovich, and Quinn.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing special.
Review: First, I would like to say that I haven't quite finished this book. I ordered it, and three other Julie Garwood, because they got great reviews. I read "Honour's Splendour" and "Saving Grace" before this one, and they impressed me, but so far I can't see what the hype about this book is all about. I actually find it rather slow, and every once in a while I have considered just putting it down and moving on to something else, but I am hoping it will improve, although that isn't likely since I am on page 206 already. It isn't a horrible book, I just find it slow and plotless. So far the only thing that's happened in the book is that Alec showed up, married Jamie, and now they are at his castle, and after 206 pages there should be more story to it. There has been no suspense, not even all that much romance. One thing I have noticed with Julie Garwood books is that they are almost all identical. The heroines all have almost the same personalities, and it's the same with their men. Many of the things that happen to them are similar. In ways, it is almost as if when you read one Julie Garwood book, you have read them all. But except for this one, I have still found them enjoyable and entertaining, except for "The Bride." But don't let me discourage you. This isn't a bad book, it just isn't anything special.
Rating:
Summary: WOW...
Review: This was my first Garwood book and it gave me such a wonderful impression of her writing! If you want something refreshingly, buy or borrow this book because you'll get hooked on her!! It's been a week or so since I read it and in that time, I've read four more of her books. This one's still my fave though! And I'm reading it again just as soon as the weekend comes. Alec Kincaid is magneficently portrayed. He wants the girl and he's going to get her. You can see them falling in love. From first sight, he's already so protective of her. So sweet. And the reactions he has to the "changes" she made to his fortress are hilarious! Jamie, a man's name, is about the most spunky, beautiful girl on earth, or so you would think after reading this. She is quick to "defend" her husband. J.G. has everything. Romance, comedy, and suspense. That's why it's so interesting! I love how the suspense is there, but in the background, so the love story still has centerstage without being boring and drawn-out. GREAT READ!!
Rating: 
Summary: What's So Great About It?
Review: I feel like SIMON COWELL and I'm sorry, but I just don't see what was so great about this book. It was boring and the plot was very weak. Need I say more? Well, I will. I usually love this author.
Rating:
Summary: Lovely Romance
Review: I loved the chemistry between Jamie and Alec, it made the book so much more enjoyable. You kept getting reminded of the things that she was capable of. Poor Alec didn't stand a chance against her. The love and romance was there all the way, because despite of everything Alec made time to be a husband to his wife. He always found a way to get his wife to wear his plaid. It was comical! They were both worthy opponents. I will definitely be reading more books by Julie Garwood.
Rating:
Summary: Good but not one of my favorites.
Review: I guess I made the mistake of reading The Wedding before The Bride. I thoroughly enjoyed The Wedding and in fact it was my first Julie Garwood book to read. The Bride was boring to me- it was too much like her other books. I do like the women having strong personalities. But I was ready to get through with this book so I could move on. I did finish reading it but I won't recommend it. It drug on too much at times. Oh, well!
Rating:
Summary: My favorite romance novel
Review: This was the first Julie Garwood, and one of the first romances, I read. I love this novel, and find myself returning to it again and again. The chemistry between Jamie and Alec is undeniable, the comic secondary characters are great, and the mystery is suspenseful. Plus, there's the added bonus of men in kilts!!! This is definitely one of Garwood's best.
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