Rating: 
Summary: Love the hero and heroine
Review: After 4 books by the author, I've come to realize that Karen Robards writes with a certain formula: the hero is usually socially inferior to the lily-white heroine; the first coupling between H/H always brings about shame and regrets on the heroine's part, which, accurate as it might be under the circumstances, really grates on my nerves and somehow ruins the romantic sentiments such books should conjure up. This is true not only with ONE SUMMER but also with GREEN EYES. And DESIRE IN THE SUN. And DARK TORMENT.That being said, ONE SUSMMER is still a wonderful read that I finished in one sitting. It has a heroine, Rachel Grant, who is 5 years older than the hero, one Johnny Harris, who is an ex-con and her former student. Refreshing, isn't it?! Johnny is sexy as hell and is a multi-faceted character who fascinates me with different sides of him as the story unfolds. Rachel, while less interesting and complex, is still a very likeable heroine. The chemistry between these two is incredible and well sustained throughout. One thing I find less than satisfactory in ONE SUMMER is the murder-mystery aspect of the story, which just can't grab my attention and interest. Maybe that's why the story seems to falter towards the end as its focus shifts from that relationship between H/H to the psycho-killer and his/her (don't want to give anything away) evil plotting. And what drives the killer, when it's finally revealed, had me 'huh?' and scratching my head. Nevertheless, the book still deserves a 4 star for its two refreshing protagonists.
Rating:
Summary: A Sexy Older-Woman/Younger-Man Romance
Review: Being a teacher myself, I didn't really think I could get into a story in which a teacher gets romantically involved with her former student, who is 5 years her junior. I decided to read it anyway since it got so many good reviews. I really enjoyed it. Just because Johnny is younger than Rachel and was once in a subordinate position (as her student) to her, doesn't mean he doesn't assert himself. From the outset, he shocks Rachel with his blatant regard for her as a woman when she's trying hard to treat him in a "younger former student" manner. He quickly makes it known to her that he's interested in sharing her bed (& always has been!). It is refreshing to read a romance novel where the heroine is older than the hero. This was a sexy romance, but the mystery was [tame]. All in all, I'd recommend it for romance novel readers, but not mystery readers.
Rating: 
Summary: Old, but read over and over and...
Review: Everyone always said that Johnny Harris was headed for nowhere, and their predictions were confirmed when this rebel was put in jail for killing his girlfriend. Only Rachel Grant, his English teacher, believed that he was innocent. When her former student was put on parole, he came back to their small town to accept the job Rachel offers him in her family's hardware store. As Rachel expects, Johnny creates quite a stir in town. What she does not expect is that he just isn't a boy anymore, but a man she is attracted to. Like everyone else who's written reviews, I find that Johnny Harris is the BEST hero I have ever read about in a romance novel. I find myself reading this book over and over. Rachel Grant isn't so bad herself, and her actions are usually believable and real. Although this book seems to have less going for it in the mystery department, it's still a good book and worth buying.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books
Review: I almost didn't buy this book because I wasn't sure how I'd feel about a teacher and a former student being lovers. But I am so glad I read it! For me, Johnny Harris as a romantic hero ranks right up there with Dane Hollister (from DREAM MAN by Linda Howard) and Tyber Evans (from HIGH ENERGY by Dara Joy), and that is the highest compliment I can give to any author! Karen Robards did a great job of making Rachel and Johnny real human beings--insecure at times, ashamed, proud, scared, but also compassionate and passionate. Wow, great job, Karen, I can't wait to read all your books.
Rating:
Summary: Summer of fun
Review: I always read the bad reviews before I buy a novel now. They really tell you what there is to like and not like about a story from a different point of view. So I have to say that I somewhat agree with be bad reviews of this book. The ending was not what I expected. That part of the plot she could have left out. Also there were a few words in the novel that just felt out of place, but since Karen Robards is a historical writer as well, I will give her a pass. I really loved this book however. It was great. The few criticisms I have don't take away from this great story one bit. It was romantic and suspenseful and fun. Sure Johnny was a stereotype right out of Dirty Dancing or Grease, but if you like those stories then you'll love this one too. The Four stars is only because of the ending where I detect a bit of author meddling. I won't give it away except to say that it was very convenient. Otherwise the book was just plain fun and I was sad when it was over.
Rating:
Summary: This was a twist- Younger guy / Older Woman...
Review: I am slowly going through KR's books and this is one of her older ones- but it was worth reading! It kind of reminded me of LaVyrle Spencer's books (she's great if you haven't discovered her yet). The chemistry between Johnny and Rachel was great- made for a good story! Johnny Harris is from the "other side of the tracks." Everyone said he was trouble just because of his last name was Harris- but it was "proven" when he was sent to prison for the murder of his girlfriend. Now 11 years later he is placed parole and granted a job in the town's local hardware store due to the grace of Rachel Grant, his "old" English teacher from high school. (She always did doubt his being guilty of murder.) Boy, does Johnny cause a stir in the town when he arrives and it doesn't help his having a "bad-boy" attitude. Rachel is constantly getting him out of scrapes. But he starts revealing his hurt to her, allowing her a look within his heart- while he also reveals the feelings he has always had for her going back to when she taught him in high school. He is no longer the fine lookin' "bad-boy" in school, but is now the strikingly handsome man from prison and, remember, there is a 5 year age difference but does that really matter now? And he sure isn't what Rachel would have considered "her type" of man but what about those feelings Johnny is now making her acknowledge as having? Then another murder takes place- eleven years later with all of the same familiarities of the first one. How is Johnny connected to it? It gets very unrealistic towards the end- hey, it makes for a good story... I would definitely rate this one as being an "oldie but goodie!"
Rating:
Summary: I love this book so much I bought it twice.
Review: I got this book from the library when it first came out and loved it so much I bought it. I lent it out and never got it back. So now 8 years later it's still popping into my head and had to buy it again. Johnny Harris and Rachel Grant touched my heart and they haven't let go. Don't listen to the people who say that the book is a little implausible. It's fiction for God's sake and it's the authors right to twist the plausible for the sake of the story and the story rocks.
Rating:
Summary: Best She's Ever Written
Review: I read One Summer Again recently. I had to brush up for a discussion on a bulletin board. I loved it the first time, the second time WOW. It only gets better with a re-read. Johnny really is a hero to-die-for. So hard on the surface, but beneath that shell, warm, tender and loving. Rachel, who could be judged a little prim and proper turned out to be a strong, caring woman who stood up to the whole town and her family for the sake of the man she loved. The suspense in the book was brilliant, and the ending surprising and unexpected. I have noticed that some readers were surprised that Rachel knew Johnny was innocent of the crime he was convicted of, and expressed that she showed a certain naivety. I was utterly shocked that he was ever found guilty in the first place. I thought this was the only unrealistic part of the whole book. Lets look at the facts. He had seen her that night and they had sexual relations, not surprising he was her boyfriend (if you remember they decided the sex was consentual and the rape charge was dropped). End of evidence. No physical evidence, no murder weapon, no eyewitnesses. The only evidence I can see is that the town didn't like him. If a case with so little evidence was presented to our Crown Prosecution Service by the police, they would laugh them out of the place. Our CPS would never prosecute a case on so little evidence and I'm sure the DA's office wouldn't either. I mean we're not talking middle ages here, we're talking 1980's. To me this was the only weakness in the book. Finally Johnny is my No 2 hero coming in only a bit behind Roarke (J.D. Robb) my No 1.
Rating: 
Summary: ENJOYED THE SUSPENSE,BUT NOT THE ROMANCE!!
Review: I recently discovered Karen Robards. I really liked "Walking after Midnight" , "Hunters Moon" & Nobody's Angel. Unfortunately I didn't like this book! I have to like the characters in a story in order to really enjoy it. I didn't like Rachel Grant . I didn't think she handled her personal life in an appropriate manner. I was really put off by the way she handled her break up with the man she was seeing when she started to have feelings for Johnny. I could understand her hesitation at jumping into a relationship with him,but I find it apalling that she seemed content with continuing to string Rob along while she found herself. I think this story would haved been a lot better if Ms. Robards would have given Rachel a little more substance. I got the impression from reading this story that the author was trying to shock us with Johnny's past and his vulgar language. Yet I found myself respecting him for his honesty and maturity. I feel considering his past and everything he had been thru he wasn't so bad. The mystery and suspense was very good. I was surprised by the outcome of the story. I give the author points for that aspect of this book. If you are interested in a good suspenseful read this is your book, but if you want true romance I would suggest you try another one of Ms. Robards books.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST by Robards
Review: I was reluctunt to read this book at first. The summary on the book cover isn't very tempting, but boy am I glad that I read this book anyway. I think it is the greatest book written by Robards so far. I suffered for Johnny when he related his experience in prison. I cheered for him when he finally learned to trust again. And I reached for a tissue when he decided to cut his hair and settle in for a life with Rachel. At the end of the book I really believed they will stay together untill death do them apart. I love this book and will definately read it again at some future date.
| 
