Customer Reviews

The Pretenders

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Joan Wolf's first-person narrative has got to be the best technique ever employed by a romance writer. This book is another one of her winners. Both the hero and heroine are rich, likable characters, and I found the idea of them being friends before lovers interesting. It worked very well, and neither was the plot something we've all heard before. "The Pretenders" was a refreshing read. I'd recommend this if you are a reader that wants a good, non-angsty romance.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Joan Wolf's first person point-of-view romances, but this one is the best. Ms. Wolf takes a standard romantic trope - the sensible woman who nurtures the high-strung, arrogant hero - and gives it a new twist, showing us how both the hero and the heroine benefit from their alliance. Reeve needs Deb's practical social skills; in turn, he helps Deb cope with problems that she doesn't even realize she has.

I see that Ms. Wolf's next book reverts to the familiar third person p-o-v; I hope this is not a permanent change.

A light engaging story with believable characters and snappy dialog. Not a lot of tension or emotion, but overall a pleasant read.

The plot revolves around two long-time friends, Deb and Reeve, who pretend to be engaged in order to convince Reeve's trustee to release his inheritance. Of course the "pretend" engagement takes on a life of its own, and Deb and Reeve soon find themselves being forced down the aisle...

As a lover of authors like Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell - I found it wonderfully refreshing to discover a fairly modern romance novelist who writes with subtle wit and a keen sense of the period! A definite winner in my book!

This was the first Joan Wolf novel I have ever read and I couldn't put it down. Smart, funny and VERY well written. (I'm a magazine editor, believe me I know junk when I read it.) Wonderful characters and even better dialogue. The first person narrative is a interesting twist that works very well here. I can't wait to read more of Joan Wolf!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Joan Wolf's first person point-of-view romances, but this one is the best. Ms. Wolf takes a standard romantic trope - the sensible woman who nurtures the high-strung, arrogant hero - and gives it a new twist, showing us how both the hero and the heroine benefit from their alliance. Reeve needs Deb's practical social skills; in turn, he helps Deb cope with problems that she doesn't even realize she has.

I see that Ms. Wolf's next book reverts to the familiar third person p-o-v; I hope this is not a permanent change.

I just love love loved this book! The characters were so real and it was a delight watching them fall in love. Kudos to Wolf.

I love Joan Wolf books, and this is one of her greatests!! The hero is this book is so devastatingly handsome and sweet!! The heroin is wonderful..they mesh together perfectly! A job well done Ms.Wolf!

I have read all of Joan Wolf's books and this is one of the best so far I cant wait for the next one.

This was a nice story, but it lacked excitement, it was low key. I did not care for the first person narrative. I think this is what took away from the story - not knowing the thoughts and feelings of the other characters especially Reeve. Even the intimacy was on the low key side. I read a book once that the first intimacy shared by the main characters took 14 pages. It was fantastic! Wish I could remember the authors name so that I could read more of her books.