Customer Reviews

Not the One (Arabesque)

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

 

 

Not The One is a good title because this book is Not the one. It is really not the best of the Thorn/Ward saga. I loved Jenny and Michael's story, Nathan and Daphne's story (Once and Again), Garret and Elise's story. But Nina and Matthew's story just leaves a lot to be desired. First it is unrealistic to me that a man with no children would have a vasectomy. Then add a woman who adores children and plans to have them to be OK with this is just beyond my comprehension. I also didn't like that the love scenes don't start til almost the end of the book. This definitely is not the best work from Ms. Savoy but I will continue to suport her just because she has some many other outstanding books under her belt.

With an intense attraction and constant thoughts of each other, Nina Ward and Dr. Matthew Peterson surrender to love. However, love is not all wine and roses;trouble arises that could tear their new found love to pieces.

Physical relationships with men have always been enough for Nina, she has built a wall around her heart when it comes to romance. That is until she meets the mysterious Dr. Matthew Peterson who ignites feelings inside her heart and body that she has never felt before. The absence of Nina's parents only adds to her feelings of inadequacy, and has spilled over into her personal relationships.

Dr. Peterson is a man that wants to be loved for who he is. He is a kind gentlemen who likes helping people and he especially has a soft spot for children and beautiful women. As a pediatrician, he has found an arena to satisfy his love for children. Yet, when it comes to women, he is not as successful. He has been hurt and used more times then he'd like to remember. When he first sees Nina he is enraptured , but he still distrusts his judgement so he automatically shies away from her. He thinks Nina is like all the other cold and calculating women that he has dealt with in the past.

NOT THE ONE by Deirdre Savoy, is the story of two very special people looking for someone to love and trust. This was an entertaining and romantic read and I would recommend it to others.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Nina is an up and coming literary agent. She loves children and is often in the presence of various nieces and nephews. She was babysitting her brother's children when one took sick and she had to call on Doctor Matthew Peterson to make a house call in Deirdre Savoy's latest romance novel, Not the One. A look, a touch and the electricity that this couple causes could be hazardous.

Nina would like children, but does not want to fall in love and get married. All she can envision is being left alone by a man and grow old and bitter like her mother and aunts. When her grandmother suffers a minor stroke, Nina decides that maybe the idea of getting married and having children is not so bad. In her mind, she would be making her grandmother happy by settling down and raising a family. She suggests to Dr. Peterson that they get married for six months. The marriage could kill two birds with one stone; he would get the five million dollars he inherited from his aunt and she would have someone to father her children. The plan seems easy, except for a rash decision Dr. Peterson made years prior and the fact that they refuse to admit they are in love with each other.

This couple's lack of communication is frustrating at times, but Ms. Savoy does a good job of mixing in humor and steamy sex scenes to compensate for the character's shortcomings. There were great secondary characters in cousin Yasmin, sister Frankie and Dr. Peterson's parents. For those who enjoy romance, this is a good one to pick up.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

Ms. Savoy has given us another story relating the Ward/Thorn saga. "Not the One" is Nathan Ward's sister, Nina's story. Nina is now ready to settle down and wants to become a mother. She only has to select the right man to become the perfect father to her children. Nina has had such a bad experience with men and with her boyfriend's infidelity, she wonders if there is a "Mister Right" out there. As she continues to look, a family friend, Dr. Matthew Peterson comes to her aid while she is babysitting little Justin Thorn, who suddenly becomes ill. Dr. Peterson comes to check out Justin, but not only Justin, he checks out Nina also. As time goes by, Nina and Matthew start dating after Nina takes time to consider him and wonders about Matthew -- is he or is he "Not the One?"

This story is not only about love, but it is about caring so deeply for someone that love overlooks some faults. Nina wants a baby and she also wants Matthew. Between the two, having a baby does not become a burden, but it becomes a fact. Love makes a family and there is enough love between Nina and Matthew to share with each other as well as with others. Nina realizes that giving birth to a baby will not make her a mother or not giving birth to a child will not make her less of a mother than if she adopts children and become a loving mother to children that really need her.

"Not the One" is a story about love and devotion between two people who does not let any obstacle come between them and what it takes to make a family.

I must admit I've not read a romance novel in years. I mean with all sincerity I've not read a paperback romance novel since my high school days. I'm surprised in how far they've come or am I just delighted to read a romance novel written by an African American woman who is able to express it like it is. I didn't feel Not the One was defined using some sort of magic formula so reading it was comfortable and I had normal emotions and feelings toward the characters. Of course some of my comfort in reading romance at this stage in life is dwells from the fact I can "relate" to the characters, I've experienced romance in my own life so I was impressed with the realism of the characters. Deirdre Savoy kept this book real to me.

Nina Ward strikes me as a typical woman of today. She's finally learned self-contentment but yet desires intimacy. When first introduced, Nina was involved in a mutually agreed upon relationship with Ron where sexual gratification was fulfilled and the wall surrounding her heart was protected. This worked for Nina, but not for Ron. On their last meeting date, he announced he had married and wished her the best of luck with her future. Not sure if she was heart broken over this announcement, life continued for her.

Matthew Peterson walked into Nina's life but she wasn't looking for a handsome young pediatrician to stroll her way. As a friend to Nina's family, he always seemed to be at family events and charity affairs and his eyes eventually fell to the attractive Nina. Yet, she paid him little to no attention other than to be polite. When she fell ill at a charity affair hosted by his mother, Matthew offered to see her home. Nina unwilling to let the sparks ignite, thought of ways to avoid his gaze and end this infatuation, but even the best-laid plans don't work out for the best she discovers. With the not so subtle encouragement of Nina's man crazy cousin Yasmin, and their sweet grandmother devising equally creative ways of uniting the two, a relationship built on friendship and trust developed.

What would a romance novel be without a happy ending, but you have to read to discover what an enduring relationship emerged between Matthew and Nina. There was compassion, patience, understanding, faith and friendship, which blossomed around all who came in contact with them. Not without difficulty, but with discovery of themselves and each other, romance was the one.

In "Not the One" Nina Ward and Dr. Matthew Peterson, meet, connect and then shy away from one another in this continuing saga of the Thorne/Ward series.

Nina (the sister of Nathan "Once and Again") is independent to a fault and refuses to rely on a man for her happiness. She's feisty and sexy, but believes she is incapable of truly giving and receiving love.

Dr. Matthew Peterson, is a compassionate pediatrician with a slow burning ache for Nina, but he's reluctant to pursue her because a secret keeps him from giving his all.

After giving in to something bordering obsession, Dr. Peterson decides to ask Nina to spend a little time together -- if only to be friends. However, those deep-rooted feelings begin to surface for both and "being just friends" won't cut it.

This was a touching story. Although, the love scenes happen almost at the end of the book, they are well worth the wait! Much respect, Ms. Savoy.

Nina Ward wants something from Matthew Peterson but unfortunately he's not the one to give it to her, or is he? Although, Matthew can't give Nina the one thing she wants most of all, maybe he can give her the one thing she needs most.....love. Before reading this book pick up "Always", "Once and Again", and "Midnight Magic".

Nina Ward wants a baby but with her not having a stable boyfriend she makes it hard on herself. Matthew Peterson has been looking at a small fortune but has condition he has to meet to get it. Between the two of them they have their reasons for the commitment but to everyone else they look to be in love.

The book brings toghether two caring people that fight between each other to see to it that what is determine between the two is done but to only fall into a love that is unforgetable.

Ms. Savoy pulls out everything as she brings you Nina and Matthew's story. Full with conflict, emotions, some happy scenes, and some scenes that make you want to cry.

A very good book with a twist but, in the end love will find a way.Pick up your copy today.

For the most part I really enjoyed this book. I have been a fan of Ms. Savoy since she came out with Spellbound. This book is not as good as Always, Once and Again, or Midnight Magic, but it is much better than Could it be Magic.

This is a good book, not a great book, but much better than a lot of others.