Unfortunately, I started reading this book
923048
Unfortunately I started reading this book at 12:30 at night... and couldn't put it down till I'd read half of it. I've been involved in two men's groups, occaisionally attend men's weekends, have been on the steering committee for a national church-related men's organization - even given a sermon on fatherhood.  Its remarkable to come across a book that cuts across the social and economic strata, that demonstrates the fundamental goodness in men - from those who've spent time behind bars to one slated to become president of a multibillion family-owned corporation. And what a breath of fresh air to find a book written by entrepreneurs !
3411532
I thought it would be a much more interesting read
1697368
I just have not found myself happy reading this book--first the terrible beginning chapters detailing the death and destruction of so many lives in a mass shooting...it felt like reading the headlines, way too much senseless death of innocent people.  Then the same ol' same ol' psychopathic serial killer slowly picking off more of these poor survivors, for years it goes on.  Just not giving me anything to hold on to or hope for.  I've always turned to Nora Roberts for a break from the constant tragedies we read about 24/7 these days, I work in the field of child abuse and really need to immerse myself in good people living good lives.  Some of this is my fault for not reading the description of the book before getting it, but I also think the subject matter is awful for today's world.
4945411
Oh how I wanted to like (love) this book - it started so well - after the first 80 pages it went downhill for me. My Lord, How much drama can you put into one book??? I was exhausted just reading it. It has made up my mind to Not read any of the author's other books,. I just couldn't take anymore - the fire - the father - the uncle - the bus driver - the trip - the fire again - I kept thinking to myself "this cannot possibly be written in here - this is not where she's going with this.?" but yes that was where the author went - I'm sorry , but just not for me I guess. And it started out so well - I really should give it 2 stars but the book had so much promise, the writing was well done but the rest of the book did not survive.
2704557
I read alittle of the book and lose interest.
4094903
I liked the concept of this book, but getting starting this book I was met with so much introspection from the main character it brought the book to a screeching halt for me. This book needs a lot of refinement. It is disappointing as it is now.
2984497
Among other books, I liked this one to begin my reading.
3366669
It was so sad that I got to a point where I could read no more.  I imagine it was happier at the end, but I still won't finish it.  I am still upset that Vick got off so easily.
3169828
At first, I thought I had discovered a gem.  The writing style is good, and the basic premise is interesting, to say the least.  However, the further along I got, the harder it was to keep reading.  The slightly likeable characters became much less so, and the storyline lost it's appeal.  I have to wonder if the author agreed, because as another reviewer pointed out, when the end finally came, it seemed like the author was just as glad to be done with it as I was glad to be done reading it.  A disappointment.
4941498
All that I can say at this point unfortunately, is that I am looking forward to reading this book. I have given it a high rating nevertheless.
3928401
I almost stopped reading it after it started out so gruesomely. I kept hoping it would get better (more positive) as I went on, so I kept going. Now, of course, I have to read the next one to see what happens. Poor girl. I'm glad her and Drew got another chance though.
475584
I couldn't finish the book. I just read the first 4 chapters before dropping it. I think it's the first book of this kind I'm not able to read through.
English it's not my first language, maybe that's why i found it difficult to follow the characters and the plot. I should have paid more attention to the subject of the book, as I know now that it doesn't interest me much. So maybe, this is just my fault...
144931
I tried to read, then I lost interest.  I've read many books since I purchased this one.  I will try to read again.
2822958
I quit reading after the first chapter because of the content.
625810
but yet I keep attempting to read this garbage.  I loved the first 6 or so books.  I guess since then I just keep reading them in an attempt to revive that same feeling.  But it's dead.  Very very dead.  Thank god that I at least learned to get these from the library and not waste money on them.  I think this book, especially after that last disaster, has taught me to not even waste my time on them.  So that's it, I'm leaving the house of Jordan and I'm not sad about it.  Next time I see news that a new book is coming out, I'll only feel sorry for the poor souls that it traps, instead of being one.
3193784
I started reading this book and thought it was pretty interesting. Then I lost my book and had to borrow my friend's copy to finish reading it. In between the two reading times, somehow I began to lose interest in the book. I liked the main male character, Dominick.

Tabitha was an interesting female character. Her job as the local midwife gave her opportunities other women her age wouldn't have had like going about town without a chaperone, knowing the townspeople's secrets, and the ability to provide for herself financially without having to have a husband.

The first half of the book, I truly didn't know what was going on. I didn't know if I was supposed to like and trust Raleigh (ex-fiancee) or not like and distrust Dominick. I wasn't sure who was the bad guy and who was the good guy. I wasn't sure if Dominick was playing Tabitha false. I wasn't sure where my allegiances were supposed to lie. You would think this would make for a good mystery but it really just kept throwing me off balance.

The second half of the book started to bug me a little bit. I know that Dominick is British and an aristocrat by birth but the "Oh my dears" and overinflated language started to get old. There were parts of the book that I had no idea what the author meant. For instance:

  "My dear, now that my right arm has healed enough for me to write and my uncle has dropped anchor in Hampton Roads, Kendall is allowing me to see you. His coachman will bring you to Norfork, and Letty will be your chaperone. Please do not delay. Your, Dominick. Tabitha stared at the penultimate word. An error or a deliberate statement? No matter. He had written."

What? Penultimate? So I had to look it up in the dictionary. Penultimate - Next to the last in order. Still not a clue what the author was trying to say and I consider myself a pretty smart cookie. Even at the very end, the main character, Tabitha, was finding out stuff about Dominick's character that she wasn't sure that she liked about him but there are only 10 pages left in the books for these characters to make up their minds about each other.

It was also very much like picking the petals off a daisy "I love her. I'll stay. I love her. I'll leave. I love her. I'll leave her with Raleigh. I love her." Too much indecision and grandiose ideas of honor. Don't get me wrong! I love books about honor and courage and doing the right thing and giving of yourself for what's best but this seemed to go on to long.

Christianity:  "I need to make up for it" is the Christian theme of this book. Raleigh needed to "make up for" what he'd done to Tabitha. Dominick needed to "make up for" what he'd done to his family, his past, his people, his country...pretty much everyone Dominick knew! Tabitha needed to "make up for" her failure as a Christian. Everyone here had a skewed view of God and needed to make it all right by their own efforts. In the end, the characters each come to terms with God in their own way but there is a lot of this before it gets to reliance on God.

Recommendation: I think I'm being harder on this book than necessary and most of you will really like it!  Let's get down to it though...is it hot? Yes, in parts. I loved that Dominick was sure of himself and all the ladies wanted him. I like that he kissed Tabitha within the first three chapters. I liked that the characters had some heat between them. As the book went along, the relationship became more sweet with gentle cheek brushes and long walks on the beach.

Hotness Factor: 5
4070981
I'm almost finished with this book, but, were it not for my reluctance to ever quit reading a book until the end, I think I would have stopped long ago.  It isn't that it's a bad book, I've decided it was written for teen-age girls, and is much too long.  I am very tired of the crying about everything.  Yes, losing one's mother is cry-worthy, but not every other experience in life.