Rating: Summary: Not Up To Par for this Couple! Review: I've always eagerly awaited each book this team writes, but was sorely disappointed in A Certain Smile. I enjoyed the action, the intrigue, but was extremely disappointed in its ending and think there were many other solutions that should have been investigated.
Rating: Summary: A Certain Bore Review: I've always enjoyed Judith Michael much more than other currently popular novelists, but not this time! These characters are too annoying to bother with. I started skimming after about 20 pages and then took it back to the library. Thank goodness I didn't buy it.
Rating: Summary: JUDITH MICHAEL IS A PERFECT AUTHOR! Review: Judith Michael has never disappointed me. She's one of those rare writers whose books never bore us. Judith has written only 10 books, but I could read tons of them, during my whole life, and the pleasure would still be the same. And in A CERTAIN SMILE, Judith Michael made me feel as if the caracheters were my friends, my siblings again. This is a book we wish it to never end. Buy it! You won't be disappointed! Also read from Judith Michael: POT OF GOLD and ACTS OF LOVE
Rating: Summary: They Need to Try Again Review: Like most of the reviewers, I agree that this was not the best work by the husband and wife team. I was greatly disappointed. It seems like I waited a long time for a new Judith Michael book to be released and this one was not worth the wait. The characters were flat, the story line implausible and the ending contrived. I wish I read the reviews before I bought the book!
Rating: Summary: A Certain Smile Review: Like most of the reviewers, I agree that this was not the best work by the husband and wife team. I was greatly disappointed. It seems like I waited a long time for a new Judith Michael book to be released and this one was not worth the wait. The characters were flat, the story line implausible and the ending contrived. I wish I read the reviews before I bought the book!
Rating: Summary: Below Par Review: My favorite collection of books consist of Judith Michael, Katherine Stone, and Mary Higgins Clark. However, this book, "Certain Smile" would certainly not be one of those favorites. I usually re-read my favorite books no less than once a year, I struggled through this book the first time, let alone a second time. I believe the plot to be a little far fetched, without any plausibility. Who would do all these things with a stranger in a foreign country that the lead character does? Most of the books by Judith Michael are page turners for me, but this one is a putter-downer. I expect more from this writing team than this book, especially when we are all anxiously awaiting and anticipating each one. The ending was VERY disappointing. While not all books can have happy perfect endings (but why not?), this one really needed it to make up for the storyline. I'll of course buy the next Judith Michael book, but now, my expectations are lower, and perhaps, I'll read it at my library before making the purchase.CMG
Rating: Summary: They Need to Try Again Review: One of the worst for this writing team. Where's the beginnning, middle and especially the end of this book...
Rating: Summary: Incredibily disappointing ending! Review: Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book very intelligent book...But, the ending I find was truly disturbing. Why end such an "intense love"? Miranda and Li's relationship could have easily overcome and continued, regardless of family, government, geography, and so-called nationality. I found myself feeling betrayed and unable to believe that such an ending is necessary or believable, if their relationship was of such intensity...truly disappointed with the forced ending.
Rating: Summary: Blah ze ending to a somewhat interesting story Review: Yes, I am hooked on the writing talents of Judith Barnard and Michael Fain. Yet as I make my way through their books I find Certain Smile to have left me hanging. I rather enjoyed becoming aquainted with the main characters, Li and Miranda. Theirs is a romance that springboards from a reality close to home: they are of seasoned ages, he a professional, she a budding professional, both having children, both at a point in thier lives where taking chances on the unusual (dating strangers in a foreign land) is not all too ridiculous. Mostly, I enjoy the pictures the authors drew for me of a land I've not had the privilage of visiting. It inspired me to be more inquisitive of the culture. However, beyond these few basics which kept me reading, I was disappointed in the outcome of the relationship. Miranda's character, in the end, showed lack of maturaty inconsistent with the tenor of the relationship as it was developed throughout the story. Additionally, a bit of the storyline was next to unbelievable... the wheelings and underhanded dealings of Li's son... but that along with the romance is what makes this all fanasy. And fantasy is the escape I enjoy in my free time reading!
Rating: Summary: Blah ze ending to a somewhat interesting story Review: Yes, I am hooked on the writing talents of Judith Barnard and Michael Fain. Yet as I make my way through their books I find Certain Smile to have left me hanging. I rather enjoyed becoming aquainted with the main characters, Li and Miranda. Theirs is a romance that springboards from a reality close to home: they are of seasoned ages, he a professional, she a budding professional, both having children, both at a point in thier lives where taking chances on the unusual (dating strangers in a foreign land) is not all too ridiculous. Mostly, I enjoy the pictures the authors drew for me of a land I've not had the privilage of visiting. It inspired me to be more inquisitive of the culture. However, beyond these few basics which kept me reading, I was disappointed in the outcome of the relationship. Miranda's character, in the end, showed lack of maturaty inconsistent with the tenor of the relationship as it was developed throughout the story. Additionally, a bit of the storyline was next to unbelievable... the wheelings and underhanded dealings of Li's son... but that along with the romance is what makes this all fanasy. And fantasy is the escape I enjoy in my free time reading!
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