Rating: 
Summary: I LOVE this book
Review: The very first time I finished reading this book (over the period of two days) I turned it over and re-read it all over again. I loved Whitney, I still love Whitney, I WANT to be Whitney! It is such an incredible adventure to read this book. BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but doesn't measure up to the hype
Review: I finally broke down and bought this because it seems to be mentioned on nearly every romance novel recommendation list. After reading it, I decided that it was good. McNaught certainly met all the requirements of Romance Novels 101 in this novel: we have the beautiful, spirited heroine; the good-looking, wealthy, titled hero who falls for her at first sight; the episodes of jealousy between the hero & heroine; the inevitable conflicts that keep them apart. However, perhaps this by-the-book approach is why I only gave this novel four stars. I've been reading romance novels for years, and being a discriminating romance-novel reader, I now look for something that will engage my interest more than the standard bodice ripper. There wasn't too much that was original about this novel, although it was certainly more detailed than most other romance novels. To be fair, though, I guess it was original when McNaught first wrote it. Another thing that irritated me a little was the heroine. I guess I just felt she needed her "come-uppance"; she had a million men pining over her, and it just got tiresome reading about that after a while. Also, I hated how mean she was to the hero initially. Even before she finds out that he "bought" her, she's childish and rude to him. Finally, --and this has been mentioned by others--the continual plot twists that keep the hero & heroine from being together happily became exasperating after a while. After a while, I just wanted to smack both of the protagonists. Despite these faults, this is a classic romance novel that would be worth reading for romance novel enthusiasts.
Rating:
Summary: The absolute best book!
Review: I can't even begin to put into words how much this book means to me. I'm now working on my third reading copy of it. I can only go a few months and then I'm there picking it up once again for another read. It's a breathtakingly beautiful story. I've loved all of Judith McNaught's books. But Whitney holds a special place in my heart. You won't regret giving it a try.
Rating:
Summary: Judith McNaught utterly shines!
Review: Judith McNaught utterly shines in this spectacular debut novel that launched her career. WHITNEY, MY LOVE was a delight from start to finish. Never having read the original version of this book, I read the glorious 708 page extended version without ever taking a break. Emerging my self from a blurry-eyed dream that is this novel, I'm pleased to say this classic lives up to it's reputation. Whitney Stone, a young and impetuous girl believes herself in love with Paul, the recipient of all her youthful feelings and dreams. Her disapproving father deems her behavior inappropriate and she finds herself sent to France with her beloved Aunt and Uncle. These she is allowed to bloom into the beautiful, unique women she is. She finds herself groomed into a lady and becomes the toast of Paris. As she perfects her arts as a lady she deems it time to return home to win the heart of Paul, her childhood sweetheart. Unbeknownst to her, her father has betrothed her to Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore. Her father's uncontrollable debts have wiped out her inheritance and her dowry and the Duke is the answer to his financial difficult. Whitney, however, wants nothing to do with the Clayton and pursues Paul and finally wins his heart. From there, you'll have to read the story yourself! There is a disturbing scene in this book that is often times discussed. I'll leave the reader to draw his or her own conclusions and opinions on it. I, however, found this to be a powerful story and enjoyed it immensely. I'm certain I will not forget the names Whitney or Clayton Westmoreland and they will continue to burn in my mind as one of the more stormy and passionate couples I have ever read about it. One might draw parallels to GONE WITH THE WIND and this novel, However where Scarlet O'Hara does not realize her love for Rhett Butler until it is much too late, Whitney is not so foolish. Enjoy reading this classic romance! ...
Rating: 
Summary: Think about it
Review: First he buys her, then he "welts" her behind with a riding crop, then he rapes her, then he makes her apologize for not fogiving him fast enough for the rape thing, then he verbally abuses her, then he decided to take their child away from her-but only after she has become attached to it of course, then they live happily ever after. Hmm.. I wonder if Whitney ever got to take Clayton over Her knee for his mistakes. I don't think so.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Whitney with a new, expanded ending
Review: I picked up "Whitney, My love" the other day at the bookstore. Mind you, I've read this book before. Probably at least a dozen times. For those of you that have not, this book was what started me on the long and glamorous road of romances. Judith McNaught is a flawless storyteller, and she creates very VERY real and believable characters. You will laugh with them, cry with them, groan at their stubbornness, and even if you disagree with their actions, you'll still be flipping pages restlessly wanting to get deeper into the story. That, my friends, is the mark of a great author, and McNaught is one of the best. That being said, 'Whitney' is not my favorite romance by her (keep reading). The story is a very classic mix of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Country girl blossoms into the belle of the county and wows everyone, while at the same time she's mixed up in a rather tumultuous relationship with the Duke of Claymore, who's a bit of a pompous jerk as well as being utterly divine. They clash, crash, laugh and end up falling silly all over each other. There are a few scenes in this book that are not for those that like their romance utterly sweet--at one point Clayton is actually abusive to Whitney (as you can read in the other reviews)....but you as the reader really want to smack her around at times, so it's not that hard to believe, even if it is a bit hard to swallow. After re-reading a few times, there were a few things that I found tiresome, despite my love of Judy McNaught's writing. Whitney's obsession with her childhood love, Paul, came across as more irritating than sweet. Sometimes Whitney let Clayton walk all over her, much to the disgruntlement of this rather obstinately stubborn reader. Also, the conflict is very seesaw style that a lot of romances rely on -- "Now they're fighting, now they're not, now they're fighting again, etc." Despite these (very few) flaws, 'Whitney, My Love' is still head and neck above the rest of the competition, and you will run right out and buy everything else Judith McNaught has written after reading this book. Trust me. Also, if you like a long, intensive story, this is a book for you -- 'Whitney' tops out at 708 pages. Those of you that have read this book before, this edition actually has an extended ending, which surprised and delighted me. I'm always up for a bit more of my favorite story.
Rating:
Summary: JUST READ IT!!
Review: I accidently discovered the magical world of Judith McNaught a little bit more than two years ago and I have been enthralled by its beauty ever since then. To put it mildly, my world revolves around her and I have read her work often enough to qualify to teach a course on it.
Whitney, my Love was my second book by her and it has been my favorite seven books of her time.
In this book, JM created a heroine of amazing spirit and a hero of remarkable character. Unlike many romance novels, the love between Clayton and Whitney is so evident and so skillfully portrayed that we can see an actual development in their relationship.
JM had changed my life and made me into lunatic, I can only hope she will the same effect on you.
Rating: 
Summary: Great dialogue, not-so-great hero
Review: I loved Whitney and Clayton during the beginning of the book, I found them charming and witty, with excellent chemistry. However, after the rape scene both characters (especially Clayton) lost all appeal to me. I kept hoping Clayton would pay for the rape (and it clearly was rape in it's most brutal form) against Whitney, but no, SHE must beg and grovel at his feet for forgiveness. I mean, the man raped her, and she is worrying that "his pride suffered". Huh? He even taunts her about the rape later in the book. And, just when you thought it couldn't get worse, after marrying Clayton, Whitney's adoring husband accuses her of some hair-brained story without bothering to confront her about his suspicions. And while she is pregnant with his child, no less. He treats her like scum, and she takes him back again with open arms! Why, Ms. McNaught? Why would you turn a bright, intelligent, independent woman into an abuse victim? It's like the battered wife coming back for more. Instead of admiring Whitney I felt so sorry for her. Towards the end of the book she seemed to lose all vivaciousness and courage. The dialogue, pace, and secondary characters are so fantastic that I felt cheated after reading the book. I felt pity for Whitney and thoroughly disliked Clayton. I presume Clayton's despicable behavior were meant to demonstrate his deep love and obsession with Whitney. But his actions failed to show any deep remorse. Ms. McNaught is a gifted storyteller, and some of her other books are fantastic (A Kingdom of Dreams being my favorite), but this book failed to endear me to the main characters, especially Clayton Westmoreland.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite of All Judith McNaught's...
Review: I have just recently read all of Judith McNaught's books, but this one is my favorite. None of the others go quite to the emotional depth that this one does... you can truly feel the emotions the characters experience. It is a great book... Now, has anyone else noticed that ALL and I mean ALL of the main guy characters in Judith McNaughts books are tall, have curly black hair, and either gray or blue eyes? Read them and find out for yourself- but not a one of them is blond! I thought that was kind of funny.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty much everything
Review: This is a very easy book to review. It is my favorite romance, and arguably McNaught's best work; certainly the one that made her a star of the genre. The novel mixes almost perfectly all the ingredients we want in a romance: we have Whitney, a beautiful young heroine who is intelligent and impulsive, and needs to be loved, particularly by her autocratic father. There is the duke in disguise who basically buys her from her father without her knowledge and then sets out to woo her as himself, not his title. Naturally, they clash, and there are innumerable fights, reconciliations, and ultimately the inevitable happy ending. What makes this book so good is not that is original, for after all it is a fairly typical romance. What makes it stand out are McNaught's easy prose, her well-developed characters, and above all her ability to make the reader want to be inside the tale. Others have criticized the fact that Whitney is basically raped by her fiance in retaliation for something she did not do, and she goes ahead and marries him anyway. From a feminist perspective, this criticism is absolutely valid. Romances, however, are not meant to appeal to feminists. Overall, Whitney is a strong, independent character most readers fall in love with. If you want something to dream about, this is the book for you.
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