Customer Reviews

First Impressions

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was a reread for me. I do not believe that Nora writes bad books, just some are better than others. This is not one of them. The story is of a small town girl, Shane Abbott. She teaches in the big city for 4 years and then comes home to her small town after her grandmother passes away. Her grandmother leaves her the house. Shane decides to convert it into a civil war museum and antique store.
Along a path and through the woods is the Old Farley place. A shack of a house that is currently being converted by the new guy in town. No one knows much about Vance Banning, but it is rumored that he is an out of work carpenter.
After a brief introduction Vance is rude and stand offish to Shane. They come to a truce of sorts and Shane to offers him a job working on the repairs on her house. He accepts.
The thing is he is not quite an unemployed carpenter.
This book is entertaining. But for me it showed it's age a bit, it was written in 1984. Nora has definately written a lot better stories. It has some funny moments. And some cheesy ones.
If you are a die hard Nora fan, of course you have to buy it and read it at least once. Otherwise I recommend reading a friends copy or visiting your local library.

I enjoyed this novel much more than the other reviewer. Vance Banning, the wealthy president of a large construction firm, feels burned out and buys a cabin in a secluded area for a long vacation. His neighbor is lovely Shane Abbott, who thinks he is an out-of-work carpenter. Shane feels sorry for him and keeps trying to find paying work for him! Very cute story.
Excerpt from the back of the book:
"Wealthy Vance Banning needed a rest from the rat race and from gold-digging women, so he settled in a rural retreat and said he was an out-of-work carpenter. Vance was certain that would stop his beautiful neighbor from getting too friendly! But he had no idea how persistent Shane Abbott could be when it came to giving a helping hand-or a loving heart."

Shane Abbott has inherited her great-grandmother's house and decides to turn part of it into a combination antique store/museum. The house needs a lot of work and she decides to hire her next door neighbor, Vance Banning, to do the work because she thinks he is a carpenter. Initially Vance tries to avoid Shane, but there's an attraction between the two of them he can't resist and he reluctantly agrees to help. Vance is increasingly attracted to Shane and she makes it clear that she is attracted to him, but Vance has been keeping some secrets from Shane and wonders how he can tell her the truth about himself and his past. As Shane wonders what is going on with Vance, her less than loving mother reappears in her life and further threatens the relationship between Vance and Shane. Vance can only hope that the love between the two of them will hold up through all their troubles.

"First Impressions" was the first book by Nora Roberts that I've read and, while it had it's moments, I didn't really like it. Shane is a spunky enough heroine, determined to make a success of her new business. She's a well-developed and well-written character, a bit flawed but lovable, especially with her tendency to giggle at the wrong time. But Vance is not well developed at all. Roberts tries, but Vance's struggles with his business success aren't very compelling. Shane's mother, Anne, has no redeeming qualities at all. She's a cardboard character and comes across like a villain in a Disney cartoon. The romance between Vance and Shane moves quickly, too quickly; within a week of meeting him Shane says she's in love with Vance and going to marry him. There's a nice scene in the book when Shane's car gets stuck in the mud and Vance helps her to get it out. It was funny and romantic and the book could have used more scenes like that. The final conflict between Vance and Shane is too contrived as Vance had plenty of time and opportunities to tell Shane about himself.

"First Impressions" was not very impressive.

A great, fun read. Nora Roberts does a wonderful job breathing real life into her characters. They are interesting, have interesting professions and/or positions and play well to us commoners' fantasies. They have intelligence, spirit, good sense of humor and totally engage the reader. For some reason, I almost felt like this story ended too soon. It felt like there should have been more. Of, course, I NEVER like to see a good book end. It's almost like a friend moved far away. I'm still hoping Nora will turn "Three Fates" into a trilogy as good as "Born in Fire", "Born in Ice", "Born in Shame". I anxiously await her next novel.

The title didn't disappoint. It truly was a story about how first impressions can mislead and what to do about it. Fall in love maybe?
How Shannon and Vance get there is the fun part. If you are interested in a soothing story at holiday time to calm your nerves after a day of shopping you will enjoy this romance.

This book was highly enjoyed by my mom. It was one of her Christmas gifts. I really am happy that I ordered it. This is one of our favorite authors.

I could not believe I had never read this book. I thought I owned all of Nora Roberts books.
It was funny in away that she does not write in her newer books. I forgot that was one of the things I liked about Nora Roberts books.

Nora Roberts books are always good reads. No matter the genre, no matter whether she writes as Nora Roberts or as J.D. Robb, she's a terrific writer.

I love Nora Roberts and this book did not disappoint.

Vance was a man running from his responsibilities and looking for a way to get past the issues his first wife left him with.

Shane was a woman who was looking for a place to finally fit in and a man who could love her for who she was.

Together they fall in love and discover that they need what the other person can bring them. The characters are different but that is part of the attraction. I definitely recommend it!

This was probably one of the most boring books Ms. Roberts has written. Normally I enjoy her books (LOVED "The Gift") However, I found this to be to drawn out, predictable, and not exciting to say the least. The most exciting part was when the mother came to town and even that was not all that exciting. Took me too long to get through and will not be a reread for me.