V b/c of her love of Albert and her lack of love from her ...
931921
Such a coda relationship btw the two, but one that shows the lack of maternal instinct in Q,V b/c of her love of Albert and her lack of love from her own Mother.  She saw pregnancy as burdensome and deadly as the high mortality rate  of mothers dying giving birth.  Plus it took a toll on her togetherness with Albert who she desired to be ONLY with ALL the time. Fascinating
1922434
Yes I have watched this DVD and I must say I was not surprised that she loved sex but hated Babies. I am so glad I was not one of her poor children. They were both so harsh on their Kids. AS for Prince Albert he was harsh on his Bertie too. Bertie well he had a wow of a time in his life and why not.!!! His Mother was always harsh not allowing him preparation for the time he would become King which happened in 1901. He reigned for 9 years. It turned out he was a natural diplomat the opposite of his cold Mother. I am interested in the History of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha later to become the House of Windsor by King George V whilst WW1 was active. The name was changed because the Royals were concerned about a back lash against a very German Monarchy including Queen Mary who has been depicted in history as a ICE QUEEN.. They George V even denied the CZAR Nicholas & his family sanction even though PM David Lloyd George was happy to give them protection. We all know the story in 1918 the entire Czar and his family and servants were all executed by the new incoming Red Russians. Well would you like to have that on your conscience. It was blamed on the Govt. until the truth was revealed some time ago now. The current Queen gets her looks from Queen Mary that is obvious to see from DVDS and Photos. This is not a surprise as I have read a book about the Princess who never married to devote her life to Queen Victoria at her insistence of course so a lot was covered on all her children.
1849480
This story of Noelle recovering from Gabriel's death was not nearly as compelling as the development of their relationship in book 1.  This author can write, but it did digress into psychobabble a little too often.  I really disliked that Noelle had to deconstruct her relationship with Gabriel and turn him into a bad guy so that she could wallow in her own self pity before she can find it within herself to move on.  Gabriel was very clear from the outset that he was damaged - and I have to agree with Jax in his rant to Noelle - she was no victim, she was a volunteer.  Everyone around her excused her taking ownership of her free will because Gabriel was painted as damaged and manipulative.

I was shocked by the scene where Cal insinuated that Gabriel was complicit in his child abuse because at 15, he should have known how to contact authorities.  Hello??  After being abused for years before, he could suddenly be well enough to call the authorities?  But only Noelle could be depicted as a victim.  Why Jax wanted her was beyond me.

That this book evoked so much emotion speaks to the talent of this author.  I just hated Noelle so much that I am sorry I read this book.
2673912
The Problem with Forever, is the first book Ive read of Armentrouts. I see her books everywhere and was ready to fall into one. The Problem with Forever is at times hard to digest. Mallory went through so much. She had Rider to protect her, through the worst parts of her life.

Though, I felt that this story was heartbreaking but also heartwarming. I never fell into the characters. I didn't find the connection with them that I desperately wanted. Its a good/enjoyable story of a girl who turned from this meek little mouse, to a girl who knew what she wanted. Who wasn't afraid to fight for what she wanted.

Some things just seemed a little glossed over. Like, oh yeah this happened but there was no emotional pull for me. I was honestly, slightly disappointed because I truly wanted to love this.  The writing is done well, the characters develop through out the story. The story itself was intriguing and I wanted to see what happened next.

Overall, I give this book Three Boundless Stars. It was a good story....Lissa
2317766
Adam Harris is leaving his wife, Maggie, after 32 years of marriage for a woman named Jillian Smith, age 30.  She is near the age of their children, Jack and Zoe.  Maggie always thought that she and Adam had a great marriage so she is totally shocked and devastated at Adams defection.

We follow Maggie as the days pass and little by little she tries to accept that her marriage is over.  She finds herself drowning her sorrows by drinking too much wine so she works to stop drinking.

As Thanksgiving approaches, she decides to have one last family dinner so she invites her son, daughter, and Adam.  After dinner when Adam confesses that he didn't really leave her for another woman but because he didn't love her anymore, her heart is truly broken.  But life goes on and so does Maggie as she slowly accepts her new life and begins to grow from it.

This novel could have been a bit better if it had been written as it had been promoted.  Thinking Maggie is in her thirties instead of her fifties and that there would be humor in the book, I was disappointed to find that it was also rather depressing.  I cant say that I cared that much for Maggie either.  Just another story of a broken marriage.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
2086746
After reading Adeline's book, I felt so sorry for her. I, however, felt just as sorry for all her family members. Adeline certainly did not get the love and care that she would love to receive. One must understand that during those times and under those circumstances Adeline was considered living in haven. School was extremely expensive and a privilege in those times. And, she kept reminding us that her classmates were from rich and powerful families. Her father and step mother must have been extraordinary people, to be able to send all seven children to these schools. They must have gone through a lot to be able to survive the war and support a family of eleven that consists of three generations. Adeline, on the other hand, was just a defiant and rebellious little girl who did not know how to show her love and respect to her family and did not receive any in return. It was a tragic. We can blame these to the hard times. In my opinion, this book should have been kept unpublished until all family members have passed away.
1124724
i had love peter in val and sara story so much, i was so happy when i found out that peter  had his own story,  but it did not please me at all, firstly i did not feel the love or the connection between peter, james or abgail the fact that james thought of abgail like a sister the sex between them remind me of incest i was not impress by james charctar and secondly there there was a lot of unanswer questions  such as why val didnot want peter to be a part of his and sara relationship any more then  he admitted to wanting him ,so what is going to happen to sara ,peter and val relationship , why was anthony in the corner that one needed to be treated like a lap dog i hope that not the trend in his story because even though i was not too happy with the one i hope to read anthony story. i think peter should as gotten better love story since he needed to be loved.
3014902
I have read other Anne Tyler books and enjoyed them but this one left me wondering what was she trying to say.  Reading about Dorothy made me wonder why he was so in love with her.  She seemed cold and uncaring of him and and even when she appeared to him after she died she had no words of love or warmth for him; she seemed almost scolding and complaining.  Also, as some other person reviewing this book pointed out, he seemed like an elderly man; not a man in his thirties.  I found myself not liking him.  On the other hand I thought his sister was very generous in accepting him back home.  Also, I did not like the way the story just jumped into the future and how his personality seemed to change, probably for the better, without any reason for this happening.
4038647
Another let down product of society and the system. That is all Brea is and probably all she was told she would ever be. She has learned not to take anything for granted especially happiness and never ever believe in love,every one leaves, no one stays. This type of thinking has given her aspirations for bigger,better things,like wealth. She is always coming up with ways to get rich,none of them pan out. She sees an add in her inbox for a fabulous BnB for 50k. She could only jump on this beauty,the answer to her dreams,finally maybe? Then there is Ben a hateful,spiteful,mean spirited product of the same system man. Did I mention he is Breas boyfriend? He is tired of her wanting to be more,strive for more,any ways it takes away from his gambling, why can't she just do what he does and settle for today and stop hoping for more? Maybe a good smacking around will knock some sense into her. Somehow she gets him to go into halves into this BnB.They get to this Podunk town to hear about the mystery money hidden in the house no one has found. One look at the place and Ben takes a hike..Leaving Brea all alone. Alone in a new town,no friends,and a sexy P.I. investigating her. Bodies start piling up as,Brea's life is finally taking on meaning. Has she finally found her happy place? Will she get to be at peace in her heart and head and lay her childhood to rest?Or will she have to sacrifice it all,just to keep the person she loves safe? But in the end is it worth it just so you end up Dying to keep it?
1428375
This story might give us a little bit of background of what her life might be like before Abigail became David's wife. The Buble did not say much about her except that she kept David from killing her household and after her husband died, then she joined him to be his wife. A little too sensual between her and David although.
4931506
I've been fascinated with Wallis Simpson since I first heard of her as a teenager, but the more I read about her, the less I like her. Seeing The Crown made me want to read this book, which left me even more disgusted with both her and Edward.

This book is well written and Morton does a good job piecing together the life of a person who basically never told the truth or was honest about anything. Given that, it's hard for him to paint a completely clear picture, especially of the man in her life (not the abdicated King) who she supposedly truly loved. Still, this book leaves one feeling that both of these people (Wallis and Edward) got what they deserved.
1015817
Lillian Aulderbury is 18 years old. She is also pretty, lively and humorous. She flirts with Sir Anthony Meade, he trifles with her affections and she vows it her mission to catch the scoundrel before he can do the same to another young woman.

She is introduced to the rakish Earl of Raeburn and asks for his assistance with the matter. Older, though I am not sure how much older, he plays along. He witnesses her sparkling entertainment and slowly succumbs to her teasing though she naively is not aiming it at him. Unfortunately he refers to her as 'child' on more than one occasion and this puts a damper on the romance. Also, for someone who is worldly, he is slow at realizing that he is in love with Lilly. It gave the romance a slight sleazy feel and why I can only rate it middle-of-the-road.
935595
Poor, downtrodden, and reserved Charlotte Wilmont has loved her best friend's older brother - Sebastian Marlowe, Viscount Trent - for years, but he barely notices her.  He is now about to be betrothed to a passionless heiress in order to save his family from financial ruin, and Charlotte is miserable.  She inherits an odd ring from her great-aunt and, while wearing it, casually wishes that she could be the woman that Sebastian loves.  It winds up that the ring has magical power to grant one wish, and the next morning Charlotte (as "Lottie") wakes up to a new life where Sebastian does indeed love her...but as his mistress, not his wife.

I enjoy Ms. Boyle's writing, particularly last year's "Something About Emmaline".  This latest offering, however, just did not appeal to me.  The plot device of having Charlotte turn up in a new life with most things reversed was fine, but it was carried on for far too long and weighed down the story.  Also, Lottie's character had a history that was unattractive and mercenary.  It is hard to understand how Sebastian would have fallen in love with such a woman.  Charlotte's assumption of her identity does soften her, but not enough. The story was much better when it returned to her old life in the last third of the book, for this is clearly when Charlotte was her most charming. Sebastian had a good deal of charm as well, as did his quirky family.  I look forward to more satisfying future installments in the series.
1011361
Karma doesn't care who you are cause it will always get you and it doesn't feel so good does it Briana? Anyway I hope the same karma comes for Kingston cause he is so weak, but the kicker is when he becomes upset with her because he thought she had a passion mark on her neck when he really did. He can dish it but can't take it. I don't know how I feel about all the deceits and I don't know why they couldn't be honest with each other and what kind of example is that to their girls. I suppose they will stay in this disfunctional relationship because it is their story.  I think it's Blair at the end who picks her up. Please hurry with part 2.
4837213
The operative word is 'poison,' not 'love.' Whatever Dr. Cane's emotional issues, as soon as she goes looking for 'a clear, tasteless, odorless liquid" to make her ex-boyfriend "sick enough to realize he wants me back," she loses all claim on our sympathy--especially when she recalls watching him grow weaker and weaker (and thus more dependent on her) as one of the best weeks of her life. She even resents that his real friends "had to go and ruin everything" by taking the gravely ill man to the hospital, where he undergoes a dangerous brain biopsy, yet still doesn't want to marry her after everything she's done for him (!).

In her narcissism, Melanie expects us to feel her pain as she loses her boyfriend, goes to jail, and is unable (whew) to get her medical license reinstated--but what about the pain of the man she nearly killed? There's a sickening air of self-pity throughout this book; "poor me," it seems to be saying, "look at how much I loved and lost." For all her education and treatment (ironically, Melanie was a psychiatric resident at a prestigious hospital when she hatched her scheme), she still seems delusional and self-serving, and her insights about her behavior as poisoned as her notions about love.
116999
Her situation was desperate
Caroline Adams needed money; Gustav de Leeuw needed a wife. So he offered to settle her debt if she'd act as his wife. Their marriage was to be temporary.

Caroline soon realized it wasn't entirely a businesslike relationship that Gustav had in mind. Yet he had told her that "love is an overrated emotion I have no time or desire for."

But she was unable to resist him or to stop herself from falling in love with him. And to Caroline's growing despair, she knew his deep cynicism was unshakable ....
1227094
* If your not into Insta Love then this is definitely not for you, also HFN.

Alexia and Alexander what can I say... They were simply addicted to each other. Both had awesome jobs, h had a great friend who try's to look out for her. H was a manwhore that had a not so much as a secret but had participated in some activities that h did not know of prior to relationship. All though he does no such thing once he meets her and is very Jealous of any type of male that come in contact. Alexia seemed to have quite a bit of admires but over all they were faithful to each other. This is a series and do end on a happy for now... Looking forward to the second volume