Rating: 
Summary: A Waste of Time! Don't Even Bother!
Review: I purchased this book after reading the synopsis at the back of the novel. It had so much potential and fell way short of the mark. Unfortunately, it was just annoying. I cannot begin to tell you the complaints. I had absolutely no love for the main characters which quickly grew into a strong dislike. Lets begin with the heroine. I hoped she would be a strong intelligent woman (which the synopsis gave every hope of being). Her intelligence never appeared except that she had this alter ego of a witty newspaper columnist. I could not believe that this woman had the smarts to write a good letter. She was a young, selfish, willful, stupid woman with no self control or pride. Didn't she have any pride or strength of character? She was WEAK! "Jerry Springer" material. I was annoyed from the beginning. The hero was vain (which I like in most heroes but not this one) and selfish. I had no sympathy for their plight and didn't believe they loved each other. Their "love" and romance was pitiful. His wife was so one dimensional as the villainess. I disliked both characters so much I almost pulled for the wife but didn't. I didn't like anyone in this novel-- I just plain didn't like the book. The author attempted to weave a strong plot but got tired and within minutes wrote the rest of the story with the "formula" of a predictible romance novel. But she gave us a dumb blond heroine and the villainess wife was brunette. Typical. Don't get me wrong... I am an avid romance reader and love the romance genre. However, I must atleast like the main characters. Terrible book. Not everyone can write a historical romance like Judith McNaught. I hope her other works are better.
Rating: 
Summary: One of THE best books I've ever read!
Review: I read through the other reviews here, and all bring up interesting points and really just goes to show that not everyone is going to love the same book, however I do disagree with all the negative comments. I'm VERY glad that I did not read these reviews before I read this book... it could have sat on the shelf never read if I had and I would have been missing out on a wonderful book! My personal opinion, this book was very well written, with an exciting plot and characters that I fell in love with. I loved EVERYTHING about this book. It will definatly be staying on my bookshelf (which I cannot say about almost all the books I read, they usually get taken to the used bookstore for credit). And I look forward to reading more of Brenda Joyce's works! Just remember that all of these reviews are nothing but opinions, and you have yet to make yours...
Rating: 
Summary: It gets a flat tire near the end
Review: I thought that this book started with an interesthing begining: A woman dressing up as a man so that she can get the scoop on what was going on in the ton, to use in her well known satirical articles in the news paper.The author uses exotic settings and characters, a Russian prince, a books sellers daughter. Two very different types of people some how comming together and finding love with one another. This book unfortuately sort of stretches out to much becoming monotoness and boring. I guess you could say it gets a flat tire near the end. I was very dissapointed, reading the back of the book I thought that I had found a treasure, but instead I came up with a chest full of hot air.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Tale of 2 Lovers Destined for One Another
Review: I thought that this book was absolutely amazing. I loved the setting, both in England and in Russia. The heroine, although I can see why other reviews suggested that she was too willful, was very spirited, intelligent, and determined. She followed the path which her heart led her, trusting it more than her mind. As for Sverayov, the hero, he was also a great character. He was devestatingly handsome and definately not lacking in courage. He was intelligent, a good judge of character - and he never once tried to deny his feelings for Carlyn. This I respected about him, because in many novels writers often have the hero be afraid of love because they feel it makes them weaker. However, Sverayov accepted that he loved Carolyn.
Rating:
Summary: Did you read the book?
Review: I thought this book was fun. I'm not going to call it a timeless classic, it wasn't. But if you are looking for a cheap fun read, i would buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: I thought it was fun.
Review: I thought this book was fun. I'm not going to call it a timeless classic, it wasn't. But if you are looking for a cheap fun read, i would buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Did you read the book?
Review: Its only my opinion but this book was terrible. I found the characters in the book lacking of any good sense. I have read the book and the reviews and I cannot understand any reason to give this book 1 star much less 4 or 5. I guess I just disagree. I love romance books but not this one. First of all, the hero was MARRIED and he put a YOUNG girl in a terrible position as nanny to his children. I like my heroes to be edgy, sexy and with some HONOR. She was young, headstrong and an idiot. I prefer characters that are beautiful, strong, brave and INTELLIGENT. Headstrong yes, intelligent no--she annoyed me. Of course, you have to draw your own conclusions (and opinion). I guess I just disagree with the reviews, I found the book to be a waste of time and money.
Rating:
Summary: Study Break
Review: Nice lite and romantic book that brings alive imperial russia.
Rating:
Summary: Let's hear it for Brenda Joyce!!!!!
Review: Splendor was the first Brenda Joyce book I read and will not be the last. I loved this book!! Ms. Joyce kept you enthralled in this wonderful love story to the very last page. The twists in the book were totally unexpected. I intend to keep reading Ms. Joyce's books until there are no more to read. This books tops my list!
Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment!
Review: The synopsis on the back cover offered so much promise for this story. Unfortunately, it fell way short of its potential. In truth, I could not like the main characters. They annoyed me (especially the heroine). I tend to like strong intelligent women and found her weak. I would never have made such foolish choices, and it went beyond love straight into stupidity. Others seemed to like this book, but I could not erase the annoyance I felt with the selfish hero and weak heroine. There is a difference between laying down your pride and foolishness. I prefer women with a little more self esteem and wisdom. In addition, I would not recommend this book to impressionable teenage minds. I don't like the way she ignored the advice of her father regarding this married man. It reminded me of a willful selfish and stubborn teenager, who thinks she knows everything. These are not traits that endear me to any character. I found her lacking. Of course, she was not all bad-- but just not good enough. I am afraid that I cannot recommend this book. This is one of the worst romance novels I have read this year.
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