Customer Reviews

Secrets of the Oasis (Harlequin Presents)

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

 

 

Secrets of the Oasis (Harlequin Presents)This is the follow up to another one of Abby Green's books--Breaking the Sheikh's Rules. However, unlike "Breaking the sheikh's rules, I didn't like this one very much. I think it's because the writer was not comfortable with the characters. The story lacked a cohesive emotional storyline but instead was emotionally choppy and disjointed (in terms of the underlying storyline that makes a good HP romance). I am a fan of Abby Green's books and wondered if she had someone else write this one. The hero appeared to be immature, selfish and I wasn't able to really make the jump toward liking him. I was not able to empathize with the heroine's point of view because she was never properly validated in her position/pain/viewpoint. I desperately hoped the book would somehow pick up--it appeared to want to--but it flopped. Sorry, but I'm leaning toward the reviewer who wasn't thrilled....giving it three stars because its Abby Green and so not the worst book you'll ever read.

I read a lot of the books and the male characters can start to run together because they are all so similar. That is not the case with this book. Well written and a quick read. Really enjoyed it.

I would really give it 3.5 stars. I found the hero to be the tortured alpha male in the extreme. He couldn't seem to get over himself and reach out and recognize and grab the happiness staring him in the face. Instead he pushed it away. I found myself liking the heroine far more. But the intimate scenes in this book were pretty hot. Nothing like having a hot wealthy Sheik who pursues the object of his affection with single mindedness. And is always hot and turned on by the mere thought of her. I liked that. Still I grew weary of the dragged out story line of his tortured emotions and his inability to get over himself. His lack of maturity to deal with himself as an adult man would. Despite his ability to make a 'disgusting amount of money' in the business world, he was disgustingly immature as a man...which was somewhat of a turn off that no amount of sex scenes could make better.
Broken men are not attractive, but Harlequin seems to love to write about these tortured alpha rich men and the women who love them.

it deserve one star because the story was interesting for the first ten pages. after that it lost the spark. the guy was a jerk but he tried to justified his attitude because he had aterrible childhood. his childhood is not the worst. children go through a lot worse than what he had to go through, more mean and more humiliating situation. the way the heroine treated the hero showed that she had some backbone. but still the hero did not made it up to the heroine.