Customer Reviews

Remember When

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(39)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

Huh? Did I and the other reviewers read the same book? Did I miss an earlier edition that's really awful!

Because 'Remember When' is anything but.

The writing itself is, again, superb. Her prose and easy flow is what leads me back to Ms McNaught's name on the shelves again and again. But this novel is more than a simple pulp romance. It is so much more.

The long prologue detailing Cole & Diana's history is wonderful. Finally we get to see character exploration without sexual pressure. I applaud Ms McNaught's courage in devoting so much room to it - the publisher must've hated this bit! ;-) Ditto the dining room conversation that so many readers seem to find boring, ditto the pages devoted to Cal & Cole's touching relationship (previous reader who wanted more pages devoted to the hero... did you skip this bit?).

Some previous readers commented that 'Remember When' didn't have enough passion... ... no, it isn't passionate, but it is tender; ... it isn't passionate, but it is sweet; ... it isn't passionate, but it is subtle.

Some previous readers want to know when did the hero and the heroine started to fall in love - try not to skip the 1st 100 pages when she was 16 and he was the stable boy. That is when. Remember?

This novel is not the average romance. It has depth, it has subtlety, it has so much more.

PS/ and I definitely don't understand why people would prefer this novel to some perverse woman begging to be raped repeatedly in 'Whitney, My Love'.

I love Judith McNaught and my favorite from her has to be "Kingdom of Dreams". "Remember When" is wonderful and full of life. A very reaistic look into the rich and somewhat famous world of business and corruption. Cole and Diana were very real and of course, McNaught makes her men breathtaking...

Diana Foster is a young teenager when she meets and falls in love with the stableboy named Cole Harrison, an older boy in college. He is everything she dreams of, handsome, sweet and smart. But one problem, he is not rich like her and he is definately not meek like her other male friends by any means.

Cole can't help but fall in love with the young woman, but realizes he is too old for her and keeps his distance. They share a friendship that spans years until a horrible lie forces him to leave with the clothes on his back.

Years go by and they never see each other, both are older and much wiser. Cole has become a multi-millionaire businessman and is known for his cold tactics on getting what he wants until he once again sees her...Diana. She has beome a beautiful, but strong businesswoman with her own comapany that she has built after losing everything years before. A scandal has erupted throwing the two lost loves together again; forcing them to make a bargain that they both think is wise at the time, but turns out heartwrenching.

Love cannot be bought and sold like shares in the stock market like Cole had thought. It is all consuming and hurtful. He learns this when he realizes his "deal" with her becomes more than just a business proposition. More scandal, more damaging then any other before erupts and he must make a choice, save Diana or save himself...can true love remember when???

Remember When, compared to Judith McNaught's other novels, is not as exciting (it moves considerably more slowly in terms of the romance and passion), but neverthless it is a good read. (Aren't all of Ms. McNaught's novels?) The business talk is a bit tedious, and it is not as much of an emotional rollercoaster ride as her other novels. Remember When is simply a nice, sweet, tender, romantic story. Although Cole had a hard childhood, he is not as "disturbed" and "twisted" as Ms. McNaught's other heroes. Diana is a little too perfect to be believable, but she is an admirable and loveable heroine nonetheless. Remember When is a recommendable choice for someone who has been emotionally ripped to pieces by Whitney, My Love or Once and Always and is good if you just want some sweet lovin'.

I don't understand how anyone could give this book less than 5 stars. It is not written in Judith McNaught's typical style... couple meets, couple falls in love, misunderstandings occur where both think the other has wronged them, and then all works out... this was better! If you enjoyed 'Paradise' and its sequel 'Perfect', I guarantee you will love this one. 'Remember When' briefly mentions Matt Farrell from 'Paradise' and it is about a once nobody turned tycoon but it is not boring because there isn't so much strife between the main couple. I think it's better because of it. There is enough strife in real life. Cole meets Diana when he's a college student working as a stable hand and she a pampered but not stuck up daughter of a wealthy man. They have a great friendship from the beginning... and it only gets better. I love reading when a couple stands up to anybody for the other. If you don't like that then don't read it. This will remain in my keeper shelf.

I just had to read *Remember When* again after having it sit on my shelf for a while. This is honestly the best McNaught book I have read and one of the few books I can read over and over again and love it even more afterwards. There is none of the heartache found in other McNaught books, just simple, unquestioning love between Diana and Cole. It leaves you smiling throughout the story, especially in the first few chapters, and then sigh with contentment at the end :) *Remember When* is a simple, yet satisfying, romance novel with none of the stupid misunderstandings other couples find in such books as *Whitney, My Love* and *Almost Heaven*. Which means, the hero or heroine isn't dumb enough to ruin what he or she has. Diana and Cole aren't just a typical couple thrown together by lust; they actually LIKE each other, something lacking in most other romance novels. Cole is a wonderful hero, and Diana the perfect match for him :)

Not matter what Judith McNaught writes, you know it's going to be great. But not every book can be your favorite. If they were, they wouldn't be a favorite. I'm amazed by the way people describe some of these books in their reviews. Your favorite book tends to be the one that you picked up when you first started reading a certain author. For me, it was Paradise, for a lot of others it was Whitney, My Love.

That being said, I truly believe people are being extra harsh in reviewing this book. No, I don't think it's her best book, but it was a fun read. I was not disappointed in the characters or the story. I found them to be a great couple and I liked the events that took place. I love Judith's writing style, and the way she is able to take you into the character's realm whether that is medieval times or the present.

I think if you are looking for a good story that's fun to read, this would be a terrific option for you. If you want to read something that's more memorable, pick up Paradise or Perfect. If you like historical more, pick up her books Something Wonderful and Almost Perfect.

Just whatever you do, sit down and want to have fun with a book and let it do it's job and take you to these places.

Judith McNaught has entranced me once again. In Remember When, I was whisked away from reality to an elite society in Texas. This book is superb with the development of the characters and realism of the plot.
The characters are endearing and believable. Diana, the main character, matures from an innocent teenager to an independent business woman. Her love interest, Cole, transitions from a poor stable boy to a corporate millionaire. The secondary characters, which consist of Meredith's family is lovable and down to earth. Judith McNaught also appeals to the readers by showing that each character possesses a hidden quality that is revealed with the other character. Diana becomes carefree in the presence of Cole and Cole exposes his sensitive side to her.
Set in an upper class society, rich men dominate the business industry. McNaught illustrates how Cole and Diana overcome the class barrier; Cole, by becoming a rich and famous corporate leader and Diana is the CEO of her own magazine.
The use of time was effective because as the book transitions from the past to the present, the development of the characters became more personal. On the same page, the plot was intriguing with the use of time periods. I was anticipating the moment when Diana and Cole would meet again after their long separation. The sequence of events did not happen rapidly and moved at such a pace that was realistic. The couple did not fall in love at first sight, but gradually with time.

Remember When is a great romance novel, and the only one that can come close to it is Something Wonderful.

I love the way Cole and Diana's relationship was able to develop without sex being mentioned on every other page. This was a gentle romance that blossomed, and the readers were able to feel the strong emotions between Cole and Diana.

I especially loved the scene when Cole gave Diana a stuffed kitten for her Sweet Sixteen. It was nice to see that Diana wasn't so snobby that she would scoff at such a gift.

It was humorous when Diana compared Cole's lovemaking to Rosemary's Baby, and when Cole complained his ego was hurt.

Wonderful romance, the best contemporary I have ever read. This one is a keeper.

I have recently started reading Romance novels and found them to be extremely relaxing and entertaining. Although I understand some of the reader's issue with the book, I honestly couldn't put it down and find myself reading over specific sections over and over again. I enjoyed the Orchard Ball a great deal especially when Cole saved Diana from the jewelry auction. Of course, it is unreal that someone with that much money can be also young and handsome (we have to have something to dream about...) I wish there were more sections between Cole and Diana after they got married. Of all of the different authors I have read, I like the way Judith writes her conversations the best. They are always with humor and actually flows like people talking. I think I will go read this book again later.

How could anyone be this hateful to Judith McNaught! The characters are wonderful and keep you interested. Cole is a dark and handsome man who keeps you loving him because you know what he thought of Diana from their childhood. Diana is melted by every word that comes out of Cole's mouth, and who could blame her. He is a very sexy man. This book is great, and I recommend it to every reader.