Rating: 
Summary: Not the best but a must read if you are following the series
Review: Courtesy of A Romance ReviewEnchanted Afternoon takes place in Saratoga Springs, New York with a hero and heroine that have a big difference both in their background and education. Helena is born rich as a senator's daughter and Michael is a poor lad when they first met in Halfway To Heaven. Ironically, Helena is illiterate and Michael is a professor. Only their love and trust can heal their broken hearts and make a bright future together.
Rating: 
Summary: Not one of her best
Review: I loved Halfway to Heaven, the prequel to this novel, and was curious as to how Wiggs was going to resolve the dilemma of Helena's character. However, many of her other books have had more emotional impact than this sequel. The romance between Helena and Michael is a little cold, especially when compared to how their sparks lit the sub-story in Halfway to Heaven. The main narratives concern Helena's fear of her ex-husband, a woman's quest for independence and against domestic violence, and a father's love for his son. Their love affair reads like a foregone conclusion to the characters, not just the reader. The conflict that normally stands in the way of romance characters was weak here - both Helena and Michael admit very early that they are still in love and that breaking up was the worst decision they made. So why 350+ pages to bring them together? That's why the other narratives seem so much more powerful, because they provide the unresolved tension. On the top of my Wiggs' "must read list" would have to stand Halfway to Heaven, The Mistress, The Charm School, and The Drifter (an early work that avoids the whole Calhoun/horse connection). This book is fine to resolve "whatever happened to Helena", but it's not a stand-out. Oh, and does anyone get what the title has to do with anything? Which afternoon are we talking about??
Rating:
Summary: Not one of her best
Review: I loved Halfway to Heaven, the prequel to this novel, and was curious as to how Wiggs was going to resolve the dilemma of Helena's character. However, many of her other books have had more emotional impact than this sequel. The romance between Helena and Michael is a little cold, especially when compared to how their sparks lit the sub-story in Halfway to Heaven. The main narratives concern Helena's fear of her ex-husband, a woman's quest for independence and against domestic violence, and a father's love for his son. Their love affair reads like a foregone conclusion to the characters, not just the reader. The conflict that normally stands in the way of romance characters was weak here - both Helena and Michael admit very early that they are still in love and that breaking up was the worst decision they made. So why 350+ pages to bring them together? That's why the other narratives seem so much more powerful, because they provide the unresolved tension. On the top of my Wiggs' "must read list" would have to stand Halfway to Heaven, The Mistress, The Charm School, and The Drifter (an early work that avoids the whole Calhoun/horse connection). This book is fine to resolve "whatever happened to Helena", but it's not a stand-out. Oh, and does anyone get what the title has to do with anything? Which afternoon are we talking about??
Rating: 
Summary: Tears and cheers, a sigh of satisfaction
Review: I've been waiting and waiting for this book, after reading HALFWAY TO HEAVEN, which is the sister to this one. Helena definitely married the wrong man, for all the right reasons. But all the good intentions in the world can't turn a bad man good, and once her father and protector dies, her husband Troy (Helena and Troy-ha)turns on her. Along comes Michael Rowan, the man who tossed her aside years before. This book is the story of why he did that, and why she can forgive him for it. Funny, funny scenes mingle with horrific and harrowing scenes to create a page turner you will never forget.
Rating:
Summary: A love story to dream about
Review: Inventor Professor Michael Rowen breaks the heart of Helena Cabot because he believes she, as the daughter of the most powerful US Senator, would never marry him. Pregnant with Michael's child, Helena turns to New York's Junior Senator Troy Barnes. They forge a loveless marriage of convenience that has fooled the international upper crust into believing this couple shares the perfect matrimony. Almost a decade later, two events destroy the Barnes couple alliance. First her father dies leaving Helena with no protector. Second Troy learns that William is not from his seed. Fearing retribution for herself and her son from her authoritative abusive husband, Helena tries to obtain a divorce, but no attorney will go up against Troy. Desperate she flees to Upstate New York and opens a woman's shelter, but also turns to Michael for help. Though neither trusts one another William is Michael's son and Helena, knowing Troy has a rep to maintain, is coming. Names aside (Helena and Troy!), ENCHANTED AFTERNOON is an exciting nineteenth century romantic intrigue that provides readers with a vivid look at the plight of women in a society granting no rights. The story line is fast-paced once the key cast members are introduced so that the reader understands how they react to tribulations. Though how Troy hid his true colors from his spouse even if she lived in Sarasota Springs while he in Georgetown for much of that time seems a stretch, the audience will relish Susan Wiggs delightful historical tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: exciting nineteenth century romantic intrigue
Review: Inventor Professor Michael Rowen breaks the heart of Helena Cabot because he believes she, as the daughter of the most powerful US Senator, would never marry him. Pregnant with Michael's child, Helena turns to New York's Junior Senator Troy Barnes. They forge a loveless marriage of convenience that has fooled the international upper crust into believing this couple shares the perfect matrimony. Almost a decade later, two events destroy the Barnes couple alliance. First her father dies leaving Helena with no protector. Second Troy learns that William is not from his seed. Fearing retribution for herself and her son from her authoritative abusive husband, Helena tries to obtain a divorce, but no attorney will go up against Troy. Desperate she flees to Upstate New York and opens a woman's shelter, but also turns to Michael for help. Though neither trusts one another William is Michael's son and Helena, knowing Troy has a rep to maintain, is coming. Names aside (Helena and Troy!), ENCHANTED AFTERNOON is an exciting nineteenth century romantic intrigue that provides readers with a vivid look at the plight of women in a society granting no rights. The story line is fast-paced once the key cast members are introduced so that the reader understands how they react to tribulations. Though how Troy hid his true colors from his spouse even if she lived in Sarasota Springs while he in Georgetown for much of that time seems a stretch, the audience will relish Susan Wiggs delightful historical tale. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Touching and beautiful
Review: Susan Wiggs has already proven her talent as a writer with some amazing romance novels like Lord of the Night and The Charm School, and it's really nice to see her taking on this new kind of storytelling. She tells this one from the heart, and anyone who's read interviews with her on the subject of this book will see that she is best friends with her own sister and is therefore able to write something that's completely genuine and touching on the subject. For fans of her romance novels, there's still a love story involved, and for fans of simply great reading (or of just Susan Wiggs), this book satisfies across the board. I recommend this, or any of Susan's other books, for anyone who wants to read beautiful and genuine stories of being human.
Rating: 
Summary: Not very good
Review: Susan Wiggs is a wonderful storyteller; however, this one is not very good. The main characters are flat and I wasn't able to care about them enough to even finish the book.
Rating:
Summary: A love story to dream about
Review: This is definitly one of Wiggs' best. She goes beyond the fairy tale to explore the real meaning of love and commitment. Helena and Michael started out on the wrong foot (some sizzling scenes in the previous book, Halfway to Heaven) and then drifted apart. The wrenching choices each one made are examined in detail. Helena finds herself in the worst possible place--with a husband who has turned on her, running for her life. When Michael comes back, it's not your typical hero to the rescue, but a realistic and emotional journey for the both of them. There are some humorous scenes too. I still think about these characters and look forward to the next one.
Rating:
Summary: AN AFTERNOON'S DELIGHT
Review: This is surely the best book I've read all summer. Seldom have I read a more romantic couple in a novel. Helena and the man from her past, Michael Rowan, have such powerful chemistry it just sizzles off the page! The setting of Saratoga Springs was interesting as was the sticky business of getting the marriage annulled. In this time period (1800's) there were not very many options for a frightened, married woman breaking free of her cruel husband. This made Helena's struggles very compelling to this reader. I normally like more lighthearted stuff, but that is the charm of this book, it's about real people who know how to live life to the fullest. This book is related to the author's previous book Halfway to Heaven about the sister Abigale.
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