Customer Reviews

To Have and to Hold

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is my third Herring novel. The writing is good and the characters are well developed, but whoa-just when you think you know what is going to happen next with Dorian-watch out. The novel story goes from funny to being nice and romantic-then hot and steamy-then you don't know what is going to happen next. The main character is someone we can all relate to. She has been hurt and is a bit closed off and cautious about getting involved again. The people she meets are good people, but they have their own baggage, too. The novel was at times painful to read when Dorian faces some really painful pitfalls but as in all rollercoaster rides-the ride eventually stops and we end up smiling. Well done Herring.

Will they, or won't they?

I was pleasantly surprised that Herring managed to keep me going till the end after first contact had been managed and broken off. This one had an interesting--if not a little unsettling--psychological twist about it, and it's been a sweet, neat, and cute story to read.

But, I guess I was hoping for a bit more...antagonism, perhaps? There were certain issues in the book that I find could have easily been extended into more serious problems (and provide a whole lot more fun), and yet Herring chose to gloss over them in pursuit of other seemingly menial issues. The characters were all right for a story as short as this one, but would have lacked in complexity had it been extended.

Still...this book was meant to be a romantic interlude, and it is certainly that. I'd recommend it; just don't expect too much out of it...

This is my first Peggy Herring novel and it delivered some real entertainment. Dorian's story takes completely unexpected turns and it was diverting from beginning to end. Herring is not the most subtle author in the lesbian romance genre, at least of those I've read, but if you like it when two women get right down to business then you're going to like this book as much as I did. Oven mitts mandatory.

Very well written and sexy romance. Dorian is a well rounded, well adjusted person with a great sense of humor who has a good career as a civil engineer and fun group of co-workers. She meets 7 year old Abby while at a neighborhood job site and thru Abby her mother Lorraine whose partner Tess died when Abby was a baby. Dorian was previously burned in a relationship with Gina but is open to a new relationship with Abby. The chemistry between the three is a delight. One of my favorite characters is Mia who works in the same company as Dorian and is totally her own person.

This is one of the most realistic romances I have read - the plotting was well written and the characters actions believable. I found this a very true to life story. I love how the threads are resolved and only wish there was another 50 pages to see what the future holds.

Don't miss this feel good romance - it's just right!

from the publisher's website - It was hard to understand why a woman as attractive and likable as successful civil engineer Dorian Sandler would still be living single. Her friends think it's because she's clueless when it comes to picking up on the romantic signals women were always sending her way. But in reality, Dorian has yet to recover from a disastrous relationship that left her numb and empty inside.

Enter Lorraine Niles, a beautiful single mom with just the right tools to break down the wall around Dorian's heart. With Lorraine taking the lead, their friendship grows to intense passion, and Dorian begins to fall in love. But, by finally letting down her defenses, is she opening herself up to a devastating betrayal?

I would say it's an average read. Not bad, but some issues are never really resolved or wrapped up too quickly.

This is the first book by Herring that I've read, and it was an enjoyable read. Interesting characters with complex histories. There were times in the book where I wasn't quite sure who would end up with whom, that was a nice departure from other romance novels.

It's a very short romance, in term of pages, easily finished on my way to and from work. Just what I was looking for yesterday, a nice way to pass time.

The writing was at times awkward, but not too, and there was one curious shift in perspective towards the end. I was not really bothered by it, but I did notice it and keep wondering how that could have been avoided in order to stay consistent with the rest of the story.

Peggy Herring is one of the best writers of sex scenes in lesbian fiction. She's not scared to push the envelope and rarely has "tops" or "bottoms" in her writing (i.e., both women take charge at some point). She is also very good at interspersing these scenes throughout the book and not just dumping them into the last 20 pages or so. If you like stories like that, buy this book. If you don't, try Lori Lake, Saxon Bennett, or one of the other great lesbian fiction writers out there.

On the other hand, the story in this particular book was a little too far fetched... even for this genre. Dorian falls for someone who is emotionally unavailable, turns the head of a straight woman, and finds herself in a crazy situation. This doesn't even take into account her history with Gina... a married ex-lover who shows up at an extremely awkward time.

I spent an enjoyable afternoon reading this book on my deck. However, it's not the kind of story I'll think back on for the next few days. The characters were three-dimensional, but they weren't memorable. The book was better than three stars, but not quite four stars. Buy it, read it, and pass it on.