Customer Reviews

Dream Lover

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

For Virginia Henley, these love scenes are a little tame. However, those same scenes may be too descriptive or unconventional for readers who aren't used to her style. I like the way the love story started. I think they both must have fallen in love at first sight. My main wish is that Sean had kidnapped Emerald before her wedding. I know her marriage was an unhappy one that had nothing to do with love, but this book would have been just as good without the adultery aspect. The characters were likeable. Though some very sad events occur, it's a very good book.

I thought this book was terrible. The hero is a jerk, the heroine is a fool, and the plot made little, if any, sense. Many of the scenes were contrived and left me thinking I was reading a romance novel from the 70s. Beating women, forced sex, you name it, it's here. I'm looking for a little more escapist fiction than this novel offers.

Unless you want to be totally turn off by Henley's books, keep away from this one. This was the book that made me turn to other writers. It was a great disappointment, especially after reading 'Tempted' and other better ones. I am still wondering if i should read any more Henley books. This book is too depressing for words!!!!

This truly is by far the BEST BOOK Virginia Henley has written. In her other novels (which i truly love) the hero is so easy to fall in love with. However, in this novel it is harder to love the hero-Sean and so very easy to love Emerald- Clearly she grows and matures into a woman throughout the course of this novel. When I think of Amber and Joseph and Shamus and Kathleen- I cry. Although the novel ends beautifully with Sean and Emerald together- My heart is still broken over the many lost loves. I could write forever about this book and I am undone by the emotions, spirituality, actions, and sexuality of Sean Emerald Amber Joseph Kathleen and Shamus. This novel is different from your others because the woman is not a shy coy maiden who has to be coaxed into love. Emerald's heart overflows with unrestrained love and passion while Sean keeps a part of himself locked away and later realizes his eternal love for Emerald

Disappointed! Dismayed! Letdown and possibly downright mad that I spent 25 cents for this book. Well, I'm not really mad over the cost, but thoroughly disappointed in the lack of historical references, the lack of passion by the characters and the lack of willpower, strength, tenacity found in the majority of Henley's heroines. This heroine was a dishrag, much like her mother. And yes, I understand that woman had few choices and little if any power or control over their lives, however, this particular heroine was too typical of an average woman in that situation; when I read, I don't want average! A historical romance novel is supposed to educate or enlighten you on historical references or occurrences during that particular time in history and the romance occurs usually while the two are at 'each other's throats' and battling wills (as Henley's characters are known to do). Not so in 'Dream Lover'. I cannot say that I disliked the characters, however, I never felt sympathy, joy, or anger when the characters supposedly felt that way. I didn't particular care about the outcome of the relationship or the ending of the novel. I don't consider this Henley novel a 'historical romance', romance maybe, but definitely not historical and definitely not typical of Henley!!

Lord William Montague is irate to learn that his spouse is having an affair with Welshman Joseph O'Toole. In the eighteenth century, an English nobleman does no accept that his wife is sharing sex with some else. William throws his spouse out into the street without a pence, kills her lover, and has his sibling, Sean, arrested and convicted of the murder. Sean's penalty is to spend life on a prison ship. After five years at sea under harsh conditions, Sean escapes. He plans to enact revenge by striking back at William. ....... Sean places his plan in motion by kidnapping William's daughter, Emma. He follows that up by planting evidence of treason by William and his brother. Sean then completes his preliminary phase by financially bankrupting his sworn enemy. The only flaw in Sean's plan is Emma. When the half-Irish lass was called Emerald, he loved her. Now that William has remade her into a staid English lady, he wants to hate her with all his heart. Instead he loves her and she loves him back. This leaves Sean caught between his obsession and his desire. ...... The reigning monarch of sensual historical romance, Virginia Henley, demonstrates why she is one of the best, if not the best, writer of this sub-genre. Her latest work, DREAM LOVER, is an absolutely dream of a reading experience due to a fantastic story line. The historical backdrop of eighteenth century Wales and England has the usual authentic Henley stamp. The two lead protagonists are a delightful pair struggling with family problems interfering with their love. With more books like this one and others like her previous historical masterpieces, will lead readers to rename the sub-genre as the Henley historical. .......Harriet Klausner

I remember liking Virginia Henley's books, but I don't remember them being so dark. The main character was bent on revenge throughout most of the book and it was a little depressing. I can understand his reasons but it just wasn't fun to watch (read about ) him manipulate a young woman who had nothing to do with his unfortunate circumstances. Thank goodness it was a happy ending, but it wasn't always a fun ride.

This is the third Henley novel I have read, and I have yet to find one in comparison to the first one I read, "A Year and a Day". I was disappointed in this book, I found the main character Sean, too unbelievable at times--going around thinking in his head he is the prince of darkness? PLEASE! I felt the sex scenes were borderline porn, and they were written in for the sake of....? Even though I got this secondhand at a bookstore I felt robbed, I will be taking this one back to exchange for a different one, thats for sure. Im almost ready to swear off Virginia Henley, if I can't find one that compares to "A Year and a Day" soon.

This was my first Virginia Henley book. The story line was so graphic and shocking at times I realize it was a love it or hate it book. I loved it. Sean goes through some pretty heart stopping experiences that is so well written that it put me in the mind of some movie fick that makes you flinch because of some unexpected sene. The human emotion runs high in this book and I read it in one day.

I often read the reviews of books I want to buy and books I already have to gauge if the avg person is thinking what I thought and it helps me to buy the next book based on are we are we thinking alike. This was a perfect example. I realize if you are not up for steamy, grapic, and intense story lines then this author is maybe not for you, but if you like it discriptive and full of human emotion not only is this the story for you but you will probley like most of her books.

I've read many books but this one was just sad it had potential with the plot but the main characters couldn't keep their hands off each other they din't even to talk much with each other all they did together was... well you get my point. The scenes of passion were also very graphic.