Flat characters and predictable plot line
926299
I wanted to like this book. I really, really tried to like this book! But I just couldn't get into it. I haven't read the other books, so maybe that makes a difference. But on it's own, this book is flat and repetitive. I wasn't looking for grand literature, but a nice summer read would have been nice. Instead of developing the characters and giving them depth, the main characters repeat the same feelings and thoughts over and over and over again. I wanted to cheer for Gwen and Rick, but there wasn't enough depth to them to really care about them as a couple. I felt like the author had a good idea for a story; as if she could possibly be a pretty good writer, but she really needs to focus on making her characters a little less shallow and a little more lifelike. I also felt like the whole Camille/Dylan storyline was out of place, like it was another book altogether. I'd rather have seen some of Gwen's siblings or friends developed further. Or if the Camille/Dylan line is important, to develop it even farther and give it a bit more tension in the story as a whole. Overall this book had the lines of promise--it just never gets there.
2169734
The idea of having the animals talk was certainly unique, but that was the only thing about this book that was different or entertaining. All the characters were predictable and the author's PC views were obviouis. From the nasty, overbearing old-fashoned parents to the feisty, unconventional modern woman thumbing her nose at the fuddyy duddies of her day, we know how the author feels about the mores of the past. This author has a future writing plots for the next tough lady lawyer TV show. Yawn.

The mystery was not difficult to unravel, and overall this was a boring book with little to offer. I felt that I had wasted my time after having read it.
3274514
Overall I found this book unsatisfying. With three main characters, one is suffering loss, one is obvious, one is concerned, you'd expect some real emotion and fireworks. While the book goes through the motions, I never saw the kind of depth that would make it a must read. The characters are pretty flat. The plot is predictable. The end comes way too soon and doesn't satisfy at all. Perhaps if it was twice as long and had time to build the tension and depth it would be better. My conclusion is that while it's a quick read and exhibits potential, it isn't worth the time and is completely forgettable.  It was free so I don't feel cheated but it isn't a very good promotion for the author's work.
1289199
cliches, undeveloped characters, flat writing, no new insights, hard to believe events, blah storyline, no insights into real life events
960717
The plot begins with what I viewed to be a good idea so I read on in good faith. But the thought provoking plot about life and death doesn't lead to anything.

All I found was a plot that built and built, but in the end there was nothing gained or truly learned. There is zero character developement and they were all flat to begin with, though each looked promising at the outset.

The book is to say the most, disappointing. What looks to be a good story turns out rather flat, however intriguing its message, there is no real story to convey that message.
3228853
shallow characterization, predictable plot, one third of the way into it and just can't read anymore... wish I had not bought it
4658964
Really?  This was just to simple of a story line without any real highs or lows.  You just end up thinking the characters are not all that bright.
1330669
How could this book get only positive reviews and so many sales? Have they been bought?

This book is nothing special. The plot is very predictable: An adopted girl inherits a big estate in Californian wine country from her biological grandmother. She falls in love with a neighbour. From start till finish they are in love with each other. No plot here. Almost at the end of the book of course he saves her life, but he breaks up with her for almost no reason. One week later he's back as if nothing had happened. There is simply no plot here.

In the meantime a serial killer is on the loose, which of course wants to kill the heroine, who in the end turns out to be his daughter.
Within the first chapters we know who the serial killer is. There isn't any suspense or plot here either. The only remaining question is: Will he die or not, once they will of course catch him.

The characters are really one-dimensional. They hardly have any doubts about each other, or about themselves. Their shortcomings and the break-up seem very artificial.

There are many unlogical turns and behaviours in the plot. How can you inherit an estate, and start renovating it from top to bottom, when the owner isn't even dead yet? The heroine reacts without any fear alone in an old house with a serial killer in the vicinity, just after she was almost paralysed by fear after somebody had been in her hotel room.

This book is in the category "Inspirational romance". But in the whole book There is no religious dimension. Hero and heroine pray together once, and once or twice she uses the word God. That's all.

For me this book is a marketing scam. The whole book reads as written by a ghost writer, like somebody who paint by numbers. for example: since the rules for romance stipulate that the main characters need some flaws and a break up, he put those in, once a story was done.
3079123
I picked this book because it was an available e-book at my library, but my time would have been better spent elsewhere.  The characters are so flat and impossible to care about, the book is completely predictable and it's filled with single sentence paragraphs that are supposed to impart an impact.  They don't.  Don't waste your time too.
4237539
I just finished reading this book.  I managed to get through it but wondered why I didn't put it down and forget it.  I decided there was just enough plot that it could have been good, maybe even great.  First off, I really didn't like the main characters. They were flat with little personality development. I never could relate to them.  I thought the writing style itself was weak and immature as were the characters.  The plot was very predictable. Once the triangle of Kate, Jared and Nikki appeared, I knew the ending.  There were no plot twists or surprises.  Perhaps the book needed better editing. I like paranormal mysteries and romances. There are books out there with similar plots but are written much better.  Linda Howard's "Dream Man" is one example.  My advice to aspiring writers is if you are going to recycle an over used plot, you have to do something to it to make it unique so that it stands out as special. It needs content, not just words.  I wish nothing but good luck to this author.  I think she has talent.
4398032
It was an easy read but very predictable. I recognized common, time worn themes throughout the book with few surprises. If you just want to read a novel and be slightly entertained, this is for you. Otherwise, skip it.
163915
This book is disppointing the story predictable and the characters flat and unbelievable. I would not recommend this book and was glad i did not have to pay for this.
4859395
I was excited to read because of so many good reviews.  Sorry to say this was such a simple predictable story.  The big "twist" at the end lacked any notion of being clever or well thought out.  I kept on reading, waiting for a shocking turn of events, but it never came.  The selection of a villain felt as if the author put the names of ten characters from the book on the wall, threw a dart at her list while blindfolded, then chose the name closest to her randomly thrown dart.  In short, this is a very one dimensional suspense, and the number one rule with a good suspense is that there are at least two dimensions and ideally many, many more.
3215563
Very disappointing.  Written in a flat juvenile style. Basic premise is hidden at the beginning but revealed through increasingly obvious hints as the rather pointless plot progresses.  You will know who is being cloned and why by the halfway mark.  At the point where it is revealed and where you hope the story might actually begin, it just ends!  Save your money.
67167
This book has a fairly straight-forward plot and cardboard characters, which is sad since the general story line could make for a great book.  The author is not a threat to any established authors in the genre, there is no real character development and no plot twists or development of the storyline.  In many cases, the characters are just not believable and the reader never really develops a relationship with any of them.  This is the first work I've read from this author and I'm not inclined to read more.

I bought the book on Kindle because of the ratings and I'm really thinking that it's possible they have been padded by the author or friends of the author, as others have suggested.  It's not outright bad, but it's not the best writing you'll find.
4138217
I expected this to be much better, based on the reviews. I was disappointed, however. It was an easy read, a decent story, BUT it was extremely predictable, making the biggest plot "twist" completely unsurprising. The author seemed to go out of her way to drop hints about the truth of the twist while still trying to deliberately draw the reader away from that very same reality. It made the heroine of the novel look like a complete idiot, in my opinion.
266555
The initial chapter was interesting and sweet, but there was nothing to hold my interest until the predictable ending. The characters were one dimensional and the conflict was tiresome. There wasn't much story, just the same argument on repeat between the hero and heroine.