Customer Reviews

Almost Heaven

5 star:		(184)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

At the age of 18, I have only read about 30 romance novels, most of which were only "so-so". From the moment I read "Once and Always" by JM, I was in complete and utter awe at her talent; I couldn't seem to get enough of her work! "Almost Heaven", however, is without a doubt my favorite one of them all. The characters are so lovable and seem so REAL, making it almost impossible to put the book down. (even at 2 in the morning on a work day :) Elizabeth is wonderfully witty and intelligent; who knew that this sweet, charming girl possessed such an uncanny knack for bargaining? Ian is definitely the man of my dreams. Yes, he was stubborn and extremely exasperating at times, but he said things to Elizabeth that made ME swoon! This book captivates you from the first page to the last; I love it so much, I'm in the process of reading it for the seventh time as we speak...so you can probably guess how highly I recommend it!!

It was years ago when I first read ALMOST HEAVEN, up until today no other book can rival it, with the exception of OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon. Everytime I read AH, I always find something new, something that makes me understand the characters more and why they do the things they do. At one glance, ALMOST HEAVEN seems to be a Cinderella-typed of story. But, in fact, it's not. There is NO weak or wimpy heroine/hero here.(You must excuse my English)

Elizabeth Cameron, Countess of Havenhurst, makes her debut when she's 17, and meets Ian Thornton, an older and enigmatic man, a man of mysterious lineage, who has a black reputation. Durind a time period, where marriage is according to family wishes, where the important things are title and wealth and bloodline, and where the 'Ton' prefers to feed on gossips and scandals over the most sumptuos meals, our remarkable hero and heroine here fall in love with each other during a weekend party. Ian, not knowing she's a countess, asks her to marry him. But, Robert, Elizabeth's brother, barges in on them, calling Ian with foul names, saying that he's not fit to touch her. When Robert also tells him that Elizabeth is already engaged, Ian feels betrayed and thinks that she's only playing games with him or only to find someone else more exciting than her fiancee to warm her bed. Elizabeth also feels betrayed, thinking him to be fortune-hunter. Her reputation is also ruined when she's seen alone with him by the 'ton'.

They meet again 2 years later, and the attraction is still there between these two proud people. Then Ian finally knows the truth about Elizabeth, and he concocts a plan to force the society to accept her again. BUT, after all this, the two of them don't just just live happily ever after. There is more. They have to fight other obstacles, and these obstacles are not just something to spice up the story, unlike in other books. There is something hidden behind all that obstacles. Read the story and try to find it ^_^.

Ian and Elizabeth are two characters so admirable and 3-dimensional, and they both leap out of the pages of the book. So real are they, that I can't help but want to know more about them, their childhoods, their lives before they meet each other and more. Ian Thornton is not your traditional hero, he's strong, dynamic, challenging, compassionate, complex etc. While Elizabeth Cameron is definitely Ian's match. I love her integrity and compassion etc. She's both serene and spunky, and she's never the annoying, bratty (is that a correct word?), ultra-fiesty or fiesty-at-the-wrong-time type of heroine, who frequents many romance novels (I think), which I sometimes find very boring and unreal.

ALMOST HEAVEN is McNaught at her absolute best, and it just doesn't get any better than this (or Ian Thornton...'G'). Oh, I really wish JM will get back to writing historicals.

This romance novel is well-written and solid. The story has a nice pace and the plot draws you in. Moreover, the characters are so loveable. Elizabeth is enchanting, strong, intelligent and beautiful, and Ian is the perfect man for her. He is practically a genius, charming, gorgeous, and protective.

The ending of a novel is the most vital part of a book and "Almost Heaven" doesn't leave any questions unanswered. The ending is so strong and leaves you with a sweet closure that makes the characters stay with you and makes you want to revisit them often.

If the author ever reads this review I would like to say thank you for an amazing story and breathtaking characters that came to life and seemed so very real. You have a wonderful talent and I look forward to reading more of your work.

_Almost Heaven_ is in my Top 3 favorite romances of all time. I love how JM uses both humor and heartwrenching emotions in this book. The love and relationship between the hero and the heroine are very passionate, powerful and beautifully written.

Elizabeth Cameron, an English beauty and a countess, is definitely the perfect heroine for this book. She's intelligent, witty, spirited, passionate, humorous, courageous and honorable. She never let the scandal (caused by her attraction to the hero, whom society deemed unsuitable) or her frugal uncle to dampen her spirits or prevent her from keeping Havenhurst (her ancestral home - which is on the verge of being put on the auctioneer's block). She's also very real and NOT entirely flawless.

Ian Thornton is not a hero. He is "THE" hero. To me, he defines heroism. He's just magnificent that I always wish I was Elizabeth. He has no equal.

There are so many wonderful scenes in this book, and also many wonderful secondary characters such as Lucinda (Elizabeth's duenna), John Marchman (a shy, wonderful man, who is one of Elizabeth's suitors), Bentner (Elizabeth's butler, who is addicted to mysteries) and more.

_ALMOST HEAVEN_ is the ultimate reading experience, and another book I would recommend is _A KINGDOM OF DREAMS_, which is a medieval.

ALMOST HEAVEN is my favorite JM historical romance novel. Though I love this book, like most of her romance titles (e.g., WHITNEY, MY LOVE, ONCE AND ALWAYS, SOMETHING WONDERFUL, UNTIL YOU) they are based on excessive misunderstandings and the mental and internal conflicts that go on in the main characters. I can't get through one of her novels without screaming in frustration and telling her characters to get a freakin' clue! JM's novels can be very frustrating reads--an emotional drainer if you ask me. Although her stories are quite predictable, she always manages to create memorable protagonists with unforgettable, tearjerking endings. Therefore, this makes up for all the frustration that happens along the way.

I thought that the hero and heroine in this novel were somewhat unique compared to other JM couples. I instantly fell in love with Ian, because unlike JM's other male protagonists, he didn't have a mistress! I really enjoyed the first encounter between Ian and Elizabeth. It was a great change of pace for the hero to be beguiled by the heroine's mind rather than her looks. There were so many great scenes in this story. One of my favorite scenes included the rendezvous at the woodcutter's cottage. *Sigh* Yes...that special interlude had me sighing in pleasure. I couldn't get enough of Ian and Elizabeth. Their story is a truly profound, emotional ride. I highly recommend it!!

I love this book and this is, and will always be, my favorite romance novel. I find the heroine, Elizabeth Cameron, completely endearing. Extremely youthful and innnocent, she reminds me of a fairy tale princess. I realize that she has made grievious mistakes but I also take into consideration the fact that she has been abused by so many men in her life; thus, i find it easy to forgive her... Ian Thornton meanwhile, posseses the usual characteristics that mark most JM heroes (wealth, handsomeness, tough exterior, etc.) He has his own set of qualities that makes him very unique and distinct from the others, however. He's a genius who can calculate mathematical equations at the speed of light. He's an artist who can capture the finest details in a sketch. As a boy, he was able to absorb all the university textbooks by thirteen. He's an incredibly special person.

Most of all...he was the first to fall in love-and ADMIT it, unlike the other heroes. He knew from the moment he laid eyes in Elizabeth that they were meant for each other. He has this way of saying the most romantic lines...'With my body I thee worship'...'Stay still, because our child is being concieved'...'I am the man you are going to marry'...

I haven't found a book better than this, nor a man as romantic. There's just so much magic and emotion in all of the scenes that I often find myself having to buy a new copy because the previous one gets damaged after being read for countless times!^_^

I came onto this sight to look at the reveiws for Almost Heaven. I read the book a while ago and really loved it. Then, I saw that some one named Kelly had already reviewed it. Strange, I thought. But the other Kelly was not me! I'm not review it twice! Anyway, back to the book...

If only Elizabeth Cameron had listned to the little rule, rules were made to be broken, she may have had a less complicated life when she met Ian Thornton. They fall in love over a weekend at a country party, and Ian proposes, not knowing Elizabeth's standing in Society (she's a countess) and that she is laready bethrothed. Her brother comes charging into the scene, yells foul things at Ian and reveals the truth about Elizabeth. Elizabeth is heartbroken as she watches sadness turn into hate in Ian's eyes. She knows she loves him, but dosen't have the courage to say it. Her brother mysteriously dissaperes, and Elizabeth is ruined by the scandal. Two years later, Elizabeth and Ian meet again and Elizabeth discovers she still loves Ian, and the same feelings come from him. But as a dark secret is revealed fron their pasts, will Elizabeth and Ian find true happiness?

One reason I loved this book was that Ian was one of the most romantic heroes I have ever read about. I agree with a previous reveiwer that he says some heart stopping and heart melting things. You love him so much, and wish for a man like him for your own someday. Elizabeth was very naive at the begining, but transforms into a more organic and caring person the second time around. The book was written very thoughtfully and lets you feel every emotion known to man. I laughed, I cried, and I totally fell in love with this book. If you are a fan of Judith's or if you are just getting started, this is definatly a book for you. This was my first JM, and I have read everything that I could of hers since then.

Only few heroes who really affect me so much that I can't help but wish that they are alive and real, in the flesh and mine to keep. They are: Ian (AH); Jamie (Outlander/Gabaldon); Samuel (The Shadow and the Star/Kinsale); Christian (Flower From the Storm/Kinsale) and Derek (Dreaming of You/Kleypas).

Ian Thornton is just, IMHO, simply the best hero McNaught ever created and he ranks among the best of all the heroes in the world of literature. The heroine, Elizabeth Cameron, is just his perfect match. I love these two to death. Both are strong, stubborn, proud and yet vulnerable.

I agree with one of the previous reviewers: I love how McNaught combined subtle humor and heartwrenching emotions in this book. Ian and Elizabeth are fully developed, and the ways McNaught developed them are just interesting. Another thing that I love about this book is that instead of a misunderstanding, as in her other books, we get a conflict (It's alright if you don't agree with me here). I thought the conflict was amazingly written. And the Courtroom scene! That was just classic. I really admired Elizabeth in that scene.

'Almost Heaven' is my favorite McNaught and my favorite romance. I'm going to buy a new copy of AH, since my copy at the moment is in poor conditions due to countless rereads LOL. Seriously, this book is just very special to me and I would recommend it to those readers who are yet to read it and hope youl'll love it as much as I do.

I ALWAYS THOUGHT MYSELF TO BE A SOPHISTICATED READER, BEING A SCHOOL LIBRARIAN. I SCOFFED AT ROMANCE NOVELS THINKING THEM FRIVOLOUS. A FRIEND GAVE ME "ALMOST HEAVEN" AND I LET IT SIT FOR A FEW WEEKS. BUT THAT ONE BOOK HAS CHANGED MY OPINION OF ROMANCES AND MY READING CHOICES FOREVER. JUDITH MCNAUGHT HAS THE ABILITY TO TRANSPORT YOU INTO THE STORY. THE CHARACTERS BECOME FRIENDS(OR ENEMIES)AND YOU FIND YOUR SELF TOUCHED TO THE CORE WITH EMOTIONS. ALMOST HEAVEN WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH, CRY, AND CHEER----AND MAKE YOU WISH THAT IT WOULD NEVER END. I EVEN WROTE TO JM LETTING HER KNOW HOW DEEPLY THIS BOOK TOUCHED ME. AND SUBSEQUENTLY, ALL OF HER BOOKS HAVE HAD THE SAME RESULTS.

In ALMOST HEAVEN, Judith McNaught created a courageous yet vulnerable heroine (Elizabeth, Countess of Havenhurst) & a distant yet longing-to-be-loved hero (Ian Thornton, Marquess of Kensington), added with some of J.M's usual spices of misunderstandings & complicated twisters - which made this book one of the most exhilirating story I've read by far.

I won't dilly-dally on summarizing the story for new readers since the Amazon Editorial Book Description, Synopsis & other book reviewers here did a pretty good job in covering those details. However, I'd like to add just how much I enjoyed ALL the secondary characters. To name a few of my favorites: Ian's charming yet nosy great aunts, Horstene & Charity. His heartwarming grandfather (Duke of Stanhope) - Ian's eventual acceptance & forgiveness towards him and the old mans reaction to his long awaited grandson will truly quench your heart. Ian's honorable Uncle, Duncan & the ever high almighty Ms. Lucinda Throckmorton-Jones, oh and don't u dare call her otherwise (geez! lol) . But most of all, I favored Jordan & Alexandra (Duke & Duchess of Hawthorne). They are both the H/H in Judith McNaught's "SOMETHING WONDERFUL", which I read and is also one of my top favs book. It was a delight to read updates of Jordan & Alexandra together with the Dowager Duchess of Hawthorne as well as Roddy Castair. I suggest you read S.W. first then this book. ALMOST HEAVEN is sorta like a sequel to that (Although in S.W, Elizabeth & Ian wasn't mentioned at all). But I think it will spark an additional interest if you know the romance of the secondary characters here in A.H.. You will appreciate their apprearances more.

I know there are couple of readers here in Amazon who complained about Elizabeth's "decision" when she believed her half brother (Robert) & doubted Ian. Thing is, she really didn't know Ian all that much compared to his half brother, who she knew all her life. Also, Robert have always been nice to her. He never mistreated her nor abused her. In fact, he did take care of her in some ways however misguided it might have been. So I think Elizabeth's initial response to Robert's tales was more realistic. Mostly, Fear & anger towards Ian then doubts & confusions follows. However, don't be discourage as Judith McNaught once again overturned this bad choice into an amusing & sighing conclusion that will leave you smirking and thinking about it for hours afterwards. Overall, this book is exuberant & riveting. A must READ & A must HAVE in your collection - As I sure do.