Rating: 
Summary: very enjoyable, but with flaws
Review: I've been reading the other reviews about this book , and I have to admit that a lot of them have valid points. I, too, am not new to Judith McNaught's books, so I know what they're saying. However, I personally really liked this book. I found the character of Michael Valente to be very interesting and different, and for me he is a memorable hero for a romance novel. I loved the circumstances of how he and Leigh Kendall knew each other, and I loved reading his thoughts. Basically, he's the reason I really liked the book; and he seemed a nice change from the usual romance novel hero. That being said, I do have to admit some faults that I found with the book.First, as others have mentioned, I don't believe Leigh Kendall could have gone from a totally loving, devoted wife, to married to someone else in three months. No matter how disillusioned she had been after Logan's death, you don't get over a 13 year marriage in which you had been so emotionally involved in a mere three months; it's ridiculous. Second, a lot of the book seems to be anti-climactic. There's a lot of hype built around Leigh's stalker, but at the end, I felt cheated. Why is he even mentioned on the back cover? After the book makes it seem like he's a pivotal character numerous times, at the end, like someone else said... nothing. The same with a lot of the rest of the story... too many loose ends that left me wondering "what was THAT?!" and also, overexplanation of those other things which the reader should be able to figure out. haha, the love scene (which again, was mentioned before). Yes, really, what was that about her body being his violin? Although I have to admit that's not as bad as some of the other things I've read in other books. I don't know.. I just felt like this book started out wanting to be a suspense type book but then just transitioned into romance novel completely. And I think either there should have been less time spent on Sam and Mack, because the police seriously have about half of this book which is really distracting, or more to make them the real main characters (although I don't like that idea because I love Michael Valente). As it is, the book is in a strange state of limbo between the two couples. now that I've written this it seems like there's more wrong with this book than there are things right, but that's not really how it is. It's always easier (for me) to criticize than to praise, and I really liked the book. It's a worthwhile read, keeping in mind that a few things may bother you, but that overall it will be an enjoyable experience. And if the things I mentioned above seem like they won't bother you, then definitely give this book a try.
Rating: 
Summary: Frustation
Review: I`m completely frustated. Like rflins said, this book is horrible. What happened to you McNaught? Did you really write this book?!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to the caliber of her earlier works
Review: Judith excels at the poignant, classic love stories, and has written some of my all time favorite historical and contemporary romances. Following the current trend, in this book she has continued her transition to romantic suspense. I like romantic suspense, but not when Judith McNaught writes it. Without looking at her other novels, this was an okay book. The secondary characters were a lot of fun, and they were my favorite part of the book. Unfortunately, I just didn't like Leigh as a character and I found Leigh's plotline to be unbelievable. I've read Judith's arguements as to why the plot should be believeable, but they all come down to "the story wouldn't have worked any other way." That says to me that the story should have been scrapped. Compared to her other books this is a huge disappointment. If you've never read JM before, try Perfect, Paradise or Something Wonderful for examples of divinely wonderful romance. If you liked this book, you'll adore her others.
Rating: 
Summary: Below the "McNaught Standards"
Review: Judith McNaught has been one of my favorite romance authors since I began reading this genre and I must say that this was not up to par with her usual titles. The book dwelled too much on secondary characters and the dialogue and descriptions became stilted. The humor was still there as well as the other characters we've encountered in her previous books, but the presence of these past characters completely overshadowed Leigh and Michael. I feel that it was a good "link" book because it tells us how the other characters from her previous books are doing but taken as itself, Someone to Watch Over Me was quite lacking. If you haven't read any Judith McNaught books, you'll actually get to like this book but many who have become familiar with this author's stamp will be disappointed. This book was not involving. I found myself skipping pages which never happened with her other books. It also didn't contain the usual elements of her writing style that brings out a rollercoaster of emotions for her readers. I'm hoping this does not become her method for writing romances in the future. I also hope she gets to finish Water's Edge which originally featured Leigh Kendall as its heroine and one that really caught my attention because based from the excerpt, Ms. McNaught would be delving into her very first time travel romance. "Paradise", "Almost Heaven" and "Double Standards" remain my favorites among her books. But I give "Someone to Watch Over Me" three stars, nonetheless, because it was a relatively good book even it fell below my expectations of what a "McNaught read" is supposed to be.
Rating: 
Summary: McNaught's best effort in years!
Review: Judith McNaught is a classic romance writer. When I first started reading romance years ago, I read almost every one of her books. She wrote both contemporary and historical novels in the 80's and 90's and I have many favourites: Perfect, Kingdom of Dreams and Almost Heaven.. But her latest books like Night Whispers and Remember When have seemed stilted, awkward and unexciting. Well, I'm happy to report that Judith's "got her groove back" in Someone to Watch over Me. This book is an excellent page turner, full of warm, complex, wonderful characters and we get not just ONE love story but TWO! The plot has been explained by other reviewers so I won't repeat it. Just let it be said that I disagree with many of their opinions regarding the characters. First of all, I rate this book as highly as Perfect and Paradise, older McNaught novels where characterization was everything and romance permeated every page. One reviewer feels the heroine Leigh is "lacking in emotional maturity" - I found her to be warm, fragile and very sweet. Michael, her Knight in Shining Armour, is every romance reader's dream: a protective, helpful Bad Boy - cold on the outside but unbelievably caring towards his true love. The Sam and Mach story was very nicely done. Sam was amazing: smart as a whip, gorgeous but still vulnerable whereas Lieutenant Mitchell McCord was scarred, rugged and ever so capable. Both heroes and heroines have all the traits we expect as romance readers. McNaught's book did NOT disappoint. Bravo, Judith, we await more high quality books such as this one with great anticipation!
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad...But Not McNaught's Best Either!
Review: Judith McNaught is one of my favorite authors in the Romance genre and I waited a long time for this book to be published. I am disappointed. "Someone To Watch Over Me" is not a bad novel, but I am used to so much more from Ms. McNaught. Her principal characters are flat. She does not develop them well, and I had difficulty relating to them. The one character I did care about, Detective Samantha Littleton, plays a minor role here. McNaught's prose seems forced and the narrative doesn't flow as her work usually does. Leigh Kendall is a talented Broadway star, married to Logan Manning, a renowned architect from an old, established New York family. They had married at a very young age and built their individual careers during their marriage. The two planned to construct a dream house, Logan's design, in the mountains near New York City. Late one snowy Sunday night, after a performance, Leigh drives upstate to meet Logan at their newly acquired property. She is forced off the road and fortunately escapes the accident with her life. When she regains consciousness in the hospital, she finds two NYC detectives ready to question her about the accident...and about her husband who has gone missing. And he remains missing. Leigh begins to discover many things she has never known about Logan's life, even though she believes that they had a very close and loving relationship. She senses that the police suspect she knows something about her husband's disappearance, when in reality her world has turned upside down. She feels frightened, alone and isolated. The people she has trusted for years become like strangers, as she uncovers more information about Logan's business and personal life. And a stranger is slowly becoming much more than a friend. I will certainly not give-up on Judith McNaught because of one disappointing read. She has written numerous novels that I consider real keepers. I am a fan. I will just have to wait for her next effort. Try this one, if you can't resist. It does measure up to most of the romantic suspense novels out there. But you may be disappointed.
JANA
Rating:
Summary: Oh Judith, why have you deserted your fans?
Review: Let me start by saying that this was a good read for a mystery novel-that is why I,at least, gave it 3 stars. If I had to rate it for the romance, which was practically nonexistent, I would give it a big round ZERO.
Unlike many of her previous and absolutely wonderful romances, this novel was purely based on plot. While she did delve into the hero and heroin's characterization, it was a desultory job compared to her earlier work. Sadly Judith Mcnaught has left the genre of Romance and have been writing suspense/mystery novels-that possess a dash of romance, for the last couple of years.
The plot is pretty simple: A famous heroine loses her husband to the hands of a murderer; the hero-a shady character from the past, appears to her aid, while the NYPD are adamant on nailing the hero in jail due to his previous run-ins with the law and his sudden connection to the heroin's life.
While the story kept you turning the page in order to find out who the murderer was, it fell flat on the plausibility of the heroin's feelings of love towards a man she barely knew while erasing her deceased husband's memory in a mere 3 months. This was the downfall of the book and I regret to say that after the heroine declares her love for the hero, I stopped caring about the whole book as a whole.
Judith should have left the romance out, which would have been a more successful novel. Her other choice was to do what she did in "Perfect":Develop a deep characterization that centers on a gut-wrenching romance, while developing a shallow mystery that would hold the story together and keep it going.
If you are a Judith Mcnaught fan, do not bother with this novel. However, if you are one of those readers that enjoy a piece of suspenseful fiction, I do not see why you would not enjoy this book.
Judith, PLEASE come back to what you are truly gifted at-telling an unbelievable love story.
Rating:
Summary: What happened to Judith Mcnaught?!?!?!?!
Review: Over the years Mcnaught has become my favorite author. I have all her books (and in all the editions). I've read some of them over ten times...I became a collector/fan/admirer. No one could have been expecting this book more. When I read it I was extremely disappointed.
I couldn't believe Mcnaught had actually written the whole book!!!
The phrasing was tedious, tiresome, the romance superficial... I had actually trouble reading the part when the couple "got together" for the first time...the way the scene was written dragged on for ages... "he did this, she did that, he did this, she did that, he did this...". I nearly screamed!!! I had to stop and do something else, or I'd actually throw the book away.
I truly hope this book was just a relapse in Mcnaught's carrer. I'll be expecting her next one and, hopefully, one much better.
She continues to be my favorite author, but this book will only be in my collection because it has her name. This book was a true Judith Mcnaught turn off...
If you are going to read one of her books, start with "Whitney, My Love" or "Once and Always": these are ones of the best books written!!!
Rating:
Summary: One word - WOW!
Review: Someone to Watch Over Me is undoubtedly one of the best among Judith's novels - and a highlight for me as a fan of more than 12 years.. Leigh Kendall is a heroine who will remind you of other "innately good" female JM characters - think Elizabeth Cameron and Meredith Bancroft. It's much more of a traditional mystery than some other novels by JM we've read, which really surprised me... but she *is* Judith McNaught after all and she does NOT skimp on the romance. In fact, there are not one but two men in this book who you will definitely want to curl up with during this snowy winter we're having...
I have to say it was worth every day of the long wait - For those who have been a little disappointed in more recent JM efforts, such as Night Whispers and Remember When, because they were much shorter than some of her earlier works, don't worry - this one is a nice, long well-rounded yarn you won't want to put down. Enjoy it.
Rating:
Summary: Good Grief
Review: The first Judith McNaught book I read was A Kindom of Dreams and I've been wondering if I would ever fall in love with another character like I'd fallen in love with Royce Westmoreland. So hungry to find such a compelling and engrossing love story as that one, I RAN to the bookstore and, unfortunately, ran into this book. What an atrocity. It's just, a real lame story. Going from A Kingdom of Dreams to this was like leaving wedding to attend a funeral. Skip this one.
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