Update: Well, it appears the buddy read has fallen apart, no big loss (sorry, Sarah), but I have to confess to paging through (in a Kindle-y kind of wUpdate: Well, it appears the buddy read has fallen apart, no big loss (sorry, Sarah), but I have to confess to paging through (in a Kindle-y kind of way) this old-timey 1979 Harlequin romance very late one night when my normal defenses against crappy romances were down.
This--THIS--is why I give some romances two stars that other reviewers hit with one star. This is the one-star book to end all one-star books. This book defines awfulness. It's the most screwed up imaginable mix of virginity-prizing 70's attitudes and brutal, hurtful, torturing alpha males. And there's a happily ever after ending! The mind, it boggles.
If you're interested in a play-by-play recap of the plot, check out karen's amazing and very funny review. I can only add my heartfelt agreement to everything karen says.
Now excuse me while I go wash my hands and look for that bottle of brain bleach.
Prior post: End of May 2015 buddy read with Karly and Sarah. Ignore whatever else you may read, it's really all Sarah's fault!
Sarah is looking for horrible, awful romances to rant about, and since karen's fantastic review of this one was permanently imprinted on my brain, I suggested it. And somehow the sticky web has spread to capture Karly and me. ETA: and Nenia! Let the rantfest begin!
I have to admit I still have a soft spot for alpha male romances (albeit not the torturing, rapey type), but I suspect this book may kill it right off.
Seriously? The silliness quotient in this book is off the charts.
This is about a 16 year old Twi-hard girl who honestly and determinedly believes thatSeriously? The silliness quotient in this book is off the charts.
This is about a 16 year old Twi-hard girl who honestly and determinedly believes that the two hot guys she's met in Seattle are a vampire and a werewolf (a la Edward and Jacob). This is a girl who stamps her foot when she's angry and faints when she's overcome by emotion. I thought a couple of the earlier books in this series were cute YA books, but this one I wouldn't even recommend to my teenager. I'd hand this one to a pre-teen girl who loves the Twilight series and probably Justin Bieber, too....more
This is a 1920's melodrama. With stock characters: "wicked stepmother aunt", perfect and beautiful heroine, perfect and impossibly handsome hero (withThis is a 1920's melodrama. With stock characters: "wicked stepmother aunt", perfect and beautiful heroine, perfect and impossibly handsome hero (with EMERALD eyes!). Also misspellings. And really gushy writing. If you don't care about all that and just want to read a sweet romance where your brain cells don't need to be exercised (in fact, I'd strongly advise your brain cells to have a nice nap for a couple of hours), have at it. This is just a reminder to myself to never get sucked into reading another MLM book, even if it's free....more
Nooooo ... don't do it! Don't download this book even if it's free, unless you're a paranormal romance fan who loves gushy romances and couldn't care Nooooo ... don't do it! Don't download this book even if it's free, unless you're a paranormal romance fan who loves gushy romances and couldn't care less about good writing. (Seriously, see my Q&A below.)
There's a decent teen paranormal romance novel trying to break through the fanfic writing here but, Houston, we have a problem. Luckily for all of you, I have the solution!
This is a simple quiz question for you denizens of GR. Here's a sample of a few lines from the very first page of Prince of Wolves. (Trust me, I have very carefully transcribed it, including the punctuation. Or lack thereof.) Please read it and answer the multiple choice question below:
Wow, I mean wow, is all Jacque could think. Jacque couldn't even imagine what his entire face must look like. He was tall, probably six foot one or so, his hair was jet black, it was longer on top and she could tell that he had bangs that fell across his face sweeping to the left partially covering that eye. He had broad shoulders and from what she could see of his profile, high cheek bones, a straight nose and full lips. She quickly realized her mouth had dropped open and she was all but drooling over the handsome human being who had emerged from the vehicle. She watched as he and his driver conversed, it all seemed very formal until the driver suddenly hugged the boy with obvious deep affection. He must be more than his driver Jacque thought.
Q: Upon reading this paragraph, what was your first reaction?
A: (a) OMG, that's SO romantic! I wish I could meet a guy like that! (b) The writing and grammar are atrocious! Who in the heck proofread this book? I hope the author didn't pay them ... (c) You bullies and haters need to just leave this book alone! Team Jacob Fane for the win! (d) HAHAHAHA! ... sorry, what was the question?
If your answer was (a) or (c), have a great time reading this book and all of its many sequels. You'll enjoy it, at least until you go to college.
If your answer was (b) or (d), do not pass GO and--seriously--do not download or read this book, even if it's free. The rest of the book is just like the paragraph above.
One star. It has a few interesting ideas and plot turns, but in the end it's a fail for me. The overly gushy writing, the typos, misspelled words, and awful grammar: it's overwhelming. A hot mess that will be enjoyed only by completely non-critical PNR lovers....more
First and most importantly: if you don't like to read books that have casual sex and are sprinkled with F-bombs, or if it will distress you to read a First and most importantly: if you don't like to read books that have casual sex and are sprinkled with F-bombs, or if it will distress you to read a version of Pride and Prejudice where some of your favorite characters are gay or bisexual, this is not the book for you. Ignore the pretty cover: this is not a sweet, clean romance.
Second, if you aren't bothered by or even enjoy the type of book I've described above, this is still not a particularly worthwhile book. It's just P&P very literally transferred to modern times, with not a lot of additional insight. The only thing I found that was new and interesting was the inside description of an inner-city charitable organization and its fund-raising issues and concerns.
If this still sounds good to you, enjoy. It was definitely not for me....more