Customer Reviews

I Thee Wed

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After reading the hoards of flat reviews for Amanda Quick's _I Thee Wed_ I was expecting a horrendous book that had not even an inkling of Ms. Quick's obvious talent. I was certainly surprised to find that _I Thee Wed_ had the same flare that I've become accustomed to from Amanda Quick.

This book had me interested from the very first page! I don't usually become involved until at least two chapters have finished, but the very first page of this book started off with a bang. As always, Ms. Quick set forth a mystery that intrigued the mind and stirred the senses. Amid this mystery, Ms. Quick expertly tailored two characters that were both passionate, intricate and well developed.

Emma is delightful! She is self-reliant, resolute and determined. She also was not quite as flighty as some of Ms. Quick's other heroines. Don't get me wrong, I really love all of Ms. Quick's heroines, but Emma struck me as the most level-headed and capable of all.

Edison is a nice change from the usual brooding, dark heroes in Ms. Quick's books and seemed to have a devil-may-care twist to his personality. It was nice to see a man, who though haunted by his past, had overcome it and still held a love of life.

Their relationship, though not quite as passionate as some, has a fairy-tale-like quality that is sweet and endearing. I loved that Emma and Edison were able to conduct a deep relationship outside of the bedroom. All too often romance authors lead you to the misconception that sex is all there is to love. Ms. Quick has never used this device, she always has her characters communicate on other levels besides the carnal and Edison and Emma pull this off quite amiably. I thoroughly believed that they loved each other and I enjoyed their chemistry.

Once again, Ms. Quick alluded to a character from another of her books and I was elated! It's something she's only recently started and I hope she continues to do from now on.

All in all, I was more than satisfied with _I Thee Wed_. It held all the magic and mystery that has made me an Amanda Quick fan. Please, if you've read this book and didn't like it, try it again -- you must have missed something the first time. Also, if you're one of the readers out there discouraged by the bland reviews, give it a try with an open mind and you won't be disappointed.

The independent and plain-speaking Emma Greyson is a great gal, but her refreshing personality makes her role as a professional companion problematic. She has lost at least one post in the past and fears losing her present one. She needs money badly to support her sister as they are both orphans.

Enter the iconoclastic and fabulously wealthy Edison Stokes, who is on the hunt for a psychic potion and missing book from a secret mystical society he used to belong to. Turns out one villain has big plans for Emma, plans that make her a valuable assistant for Edison.

Edison therefore secretly hires Emma, and the pleasing, often funny, banter between Emma and Edison begins. A shocking development soon pushes their relationship deeper than either had intended. I Thee Wed is at its best when it focuses on their developing rapport. Author Amanda Quick is very good at creating entertaining dialogue.

I Thee Wed has well-drawn characters, humor, an engaging plot, and a believable love story (though I would have liked for it to have been more passionate), which makes for a pretty good read.

The only thing that took away from my enjoyment was the secret society storyline. It was not developed in a believable way so often took me out of the story. Vanza came across as a childish and simplistic society, when I'm sure Quick intended for it to have more substance behind it. As it was, I couldn't imagine why our hero had ever been a member of it. Furthermore, he certainly didn't act like anyone who had ever been a member of a mystical society-he did not have a spiritual bone in his body or spiritual insight in his mind.

This lack of credibility in the suspense portion did mar my enjoyment. I hope that Quick develops this portion of her stories more fully in the future.

Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. The conversaton kept you moving through it. The twist in the end was great. The only thing I didn't like was some of it was a bit predictable. Ohterwise a great read.

But gee, I wish these books were as good as they used to be. I just read Ravished and Dangerous again for the umpteenth time, and they are just SO much better. I agree with another reviewer. Bring back Harriet, Olivia (I think the meant Olympia) and Prudence. Those three are surely the finest heroines in all romantic fiction...ever. The wonderful men in their lives, Gideon, Jared and Sebastian were awesome as well. It just doesn't get any better than those three. It gets a LOT better than this latest book!! The characters LIVE in the older stories. They stay in your mind and your heart. The newer ones are flat, and I can't remember their names 10 minutes after I'm done. (A sad reality for all the Krentz books)

I agree with many others. Give Zamar (or whatever) a rest!!!

Come to think of it, I think I'll start Deception again. I still smile at Mrs Bird, even though I know this story by heart.

"I thee Wed" follows in the footsteps of other Quick disappointments. I enjoyed the early "R" and "S" titled Quick novels even though they were all cookie cutter images of each other. Starting in the "Deception" timeframe, I began to notice a decrease in my enjoyment. "ITW" continues this long decline. The plot follows the usual Quick recipe of a slightly eccentric lady, a wealthy member of the ton (though I question whether even money would grant an illegitamite man entry into the ton as in Quick's last 2 novels), elements of danger and a strong sense of familty. After reading "ITW", I wondered what was missing from the earlier novels so I re-read "Rendezvous". I found the missing ingredient was character development. The characters were not only more well formed but their dialogue was sharper. One reason for this is "Rendezvous" contains between 15% and 20% more words (my use of an OCR and some simple math leaves some room for error). This may not sound like much but an extra 50 pages of dialogue in a 250 page book provides a lot more insight into the characters. Another review referred to this book as writing by the numbers and that is my conclusion also. Ms. Quick/Krentz has sacrificed quality for quantity with the result her work no longer rise above the pack. Read her earlier "S" and "R" books while waiting for "ITW" to come out in paperback, then wait a bit longer until it shows up in the used book stores. There should be an adequate supply because this book is certainly not a "keeper".

I was prepared to be disappointed with the book after reading some of the reviews but was very pleasantly surprised to find that I throughly enjoyed it. I loved Emma who was funny and never at a loss for a witty repartee. She was, like most of Quick's heroines, a practical and self-sufficient person but not quite as quirky as some and therefore more believable. Edison was also a refreshing change from Quick's usual brooding, mysterious heroes and I liked his character. The interaction between the 2 main characters kept the story going along nicely.

After reading some of the more biting reviews on this page, I'd almost decided against buying I Thee Wed. Fortunately, I needed a book for my sister, on her birthday (which I would be able to read too) and picked this one. For those who have given this paperback 3 stars or bellow: FOR SHAME! I have to say that this is a brilliant book. A.Q has gotten back her spark and its evident in this latest piece of writing. Read this book. I guarantee you won't be disapointed!

I was a bit disapointed in 'With This Ring' but 'I Thee Wed' made up for it and then some I just loved this book. I keep up with all the Amanda Quick books and have only been disapointed once.

I am very fond of this particuarly book of hers I though it was very cool. I love Edison he has got to be one of her better male characters. I found the whole book to be quite good and interesting. I recommened it to anyone who just wants a good book full of suprises.

Charming story of a paid companion finding herself engaged and working for a wealthy and powerful member of the Ton. As they combine their abilities to track down a missing ancient book and secret recipe for an elixir, they have some exciting adventures along the path to true love. Perfect for light reading and escape. It is both interesting and easy to read, requring no special effort from the reader to suspend disbelief.