Customer Reviews

Silver Linings

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

 

 

I would start this review by saying this is one of the top three of my favourite JAKs...but then I stopped and realised I have 12 to 15 top three JAKS! Yes, she is a formula writer. If you don't care for the formula, then don't buy her. Simply enough. For those that appreciate her deft wit, her sharp repartee, there is no one like her. I adore her writings and think this is a one of her better ones.

Mattie Sharp stared down at the man dressed all in white, watching him die. When he uttered to "tell him reign in hell", she knew she'd stepped into the middle of something very bad. The "him" was Hugh Abbott, a man she has been trying to avoid for a year, a man she once offered to follow to the ends of the earth - or in this case to St. Gabriel's Island.

Hugh Abbott was her aunt's 'pet wolf'. He was a security expert and troubleshooter for the large multinational business her aunt inherited. Since her aunt adores Hugh's genes, she fixed him up with her niece, Ariel. Maddie watched the mismatched romance go down in flames, knowing from the first time she saw him her sister was all wrong for Hugh. Maddie stood by, waiting, knowing she was falling in love with him. When the expected breakup came, Maddie made her pitch. A candlelight dinner, a good bottle of wine, and a memorable night of lovemaking, in Maddie's mind, were the formula to Hugh's heart - or so she thought. Only, when the morning came for Hugh to leave for St. Gabriel's Isle, he refused to take Maddie. He tried to tell her it was bad timing. He was angry over the break up of his engagement with Ariel, but it came out all wrong, with him saying Maddie was "just not his type".

So hurt by the rejection, Maddie made sure she stayed away from Hugh. This was not easy, since her Aunt is determined to get Hugh in to the family, and is most willing to help play matchmaker. Hugh, once he got over the breakup with Ariel, saw he wanted Maddie, but she would not accept any letters or calls from him. To Maddie's aggravation, four times during the year, he conspired with her aunt to bring Maddie and him together. All four times, Maddie left town rather than face the man she now sees as a "big mistake".

When her aunt sent her to pick up a medieval sword from the Island of Purgatory - from the man who was at her feet dying - she figured it was an excuse to get Hugh and Maddie together. Her plane was due to land in St. Gabriel's, so to thwart the
matchmaking plans, she took another flight to Purgatory. Hugh is hot on her heels,and she is very glad for the comfort of his arms. Only, now they are running for their lives through the jungles. Despite their predicament, Hugh sees this as a chance to win Maddie back. However, Maddie is fed up with being "second place" to her beautiful and gifted sister, and is determined not to be hurt by Hugh again.

Maddie is charming, funny and warm; Hugh is a wonderfully droll 'throw-back'. They will win your heart. It's Jayne Ann Krentz are her very best.

I have long been a Jayne Ann Krentz fan, in all her psuedonyms, and I have to say I was extremely disappointed in this book. I realize that this book is a reissue, somehow it slipped by me the first time around, and I wish I had left it as missed. Ms. Krentz usually writes her contemp books located around the Seattle area with a strong man and an independant woman. I don't mind the repetition of plots becuase her writing is usually enjoyable to read. I found nothing redeamable in her wirting of this story. Hugh was a crass guy who just wasn't believable. No guy would act that stupid yet have the kind of pshycological insights Hugh had. I realize that was the point Ms. Krentz was trying to get across, that all middle class type guys aren't neanderthals (her word, not mine), but I think she was a little too "unsubtle" in this book. Most of the time I wanted to smack Mattie, and had no sympathic feeling for her at all...what a wuss. Sorry, to bash this book, since I don't like to do that normally, knowing that authors work hard to write, and can do a better job then I ever can, but I just didn't like this story.

I am a big fan of Krentz in all of her psuedonyms and this book was no exception. I especially appreciated that throughout the book Mattie sticks up for herself. Even though she loves Hugh he must prove himself worhy of that love. Also Mattie wont let him intimidate her into forgiving him or doing whatever he wants her to do. I love a character with a mind of her own.

Although I've read Ms. Krentz's books, under the nom de plume of Amanda Quick, I've just "discovered" her other works of written delight! This is another great read!

If you like Jayne Ann Krentz, you'll absolutely love Silver Linings. The story is fast paced with plenty of humour and fun. But the book's real charm lies in its romantic leads. Hugh is one of, if not the, best hero in Krentz's long line of strong, darkly handsome and elusivel dangerous men. He is the epitome of the Alpha male from top to toe, but underneath his neanderthal instincts lies a true and tender love for the heroine. Enter Maddy, who has been burned by Hugh before and is unwillingly to give him another chance to break her heart. Hugh is just was unwilling to accept her repeated rebuffs and orchestrates a grand scheme to get Maddy onto his turf. The novel is a constant struggle between two equally strong personalities as Hugh sets out to win back Maddy's heart and Maddy sets out to make sure this time its for keeps. Krentz is always marvelous at constructing a leading man who is both the heroine's enemy and her hero, her prize. The big bad wolf that needs to be tamed by the woman's loving heart. Hugh is wonderfully elemental and primitve. Very earthy in both his desires and his mindset, he challenges Maddy to step away from her civilized urban existence and take a walk on the wild side. And speaking of wild ... the bedroom scenes are very steamy but also extremely tasteful. This one is definately worth a look. Trust me, once you pick it up it'll be impossible to put it down!

Let me start off by saying I have read and will continue to read many JAK books. I like a good beach read and she generally churns out a good, if entirely predictable, product. That said, I seriously contemplated putting this one down about 1/4th of the way through because the hero was such a jerk. This is probably the 3rd or 4th product review on Amazon I have ever written in 10+ years buying from the site (which should tell you something). I don't need heros to be perfect, but this guy's dialogue was so incredibly obnoxious it was like fingernails on a blackboard. I know he's supposed to be irritating at first to set up tension, I just never got over the tension. I don't know why the heroine is attracted to him. The best you can say is that it's possible to come out of the book feeling like he cares about her (although love seems doubtful). I know many books have obstacles to overcome, but throughout this book the guy doesn't listen, is condescending, let me repeat 'doesn't listen' and rides roughshod over the heroine. It felt like he was trying to be Indiana Jones when Indy is being a bit of a jerk and minus all the non-jerk moments which make Indy great and minus all the stuff that makes Indy cool. I got to the end and liked everyone except the hero. This could have been a good book if even a shred of depth had been written into the hero's character. Otherwise he was just icky.

If you're new to JAK -- stick with "Absolutely Positively", "Perfect Partners" or "Trust Me". Save your money and skip this one.

Whatever name shes writing under, Krentz's books are among my favorite guilty pleasures. Formulaic - you bet! Do I care - nope! When I want a happy ending with fun verbal sparring, the unconventional heroine, the brooding alpha male, I know I can pick up a Krentz novel and be happy, no matter how many times I've read the story before. Except for this one.
SPOILER ALERT
It lost me when I found out that Mattie declared her love for Hugh and begged him to marry her THE DAY HER SISTER BROKE OFF THEIR ENGAGEMENT! Then she gets pissed because he said no. Really? I lost all respect for the character and had no idea why Hugh changed his mind.

This book probably thrills people who are into the type of romance where the two main characters already met before the start of the book and are now entangled in a bitter fight over past mistakes. I am not that type of person, and I really had a hard time getting through this book, despite being a major fan of Jayne Ann Krentz (I have collected 17 of her books written as Jayne Ann Krentz, 18 of her books written as Amanda Quick, and 4 of the ones written as Jayne Castle).

I got this book for my collection, but I don't think I'll be re-reading it anytime soon. The whole thing left me unsatisfied, so you can bet the next time I'm in the mood for a Jayne Ann Krentz book, I won't be reaching for Silver Linings. Might I suggest one of her other books, like The Golden Chance, Wildest Hearts, or Family Man instead? They are much more fulfilling reads, and I have probably read them each a hundred times already and look forward to a hundred more.

Overall, I would give the book by itself a 2, but since I know some people enjoy this kind of book, and the author is a spectacular writer and has many other books I know and love, I gave it a 3 instead. Just so you can decide whether or not this is the type of book you'd enjoy, I'm providing a synopsis of it at the end. Hope all this helps all you potential buyers!

SYNOPSIS: HE rejected her heart and soul, but took her body...

Mattie and Hugh were lovers for one night only, but that was the night after Mattie's sister, the flamboyant and gorgeous Ariel, ended the wedding engagement between her and Hugh. Worst of all, not only did Hugh run away the next morning, but Mattie made the mistake of mentioning the forbidden "L" word and begging him to take her with him. But Hugh boarded the plane that day alone, leaving a heart-broken Mattie to deal with his rejection.

NOW he must see that truly Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...

Hugh has since changed his mind and wants Mattie back. But Mattie doesn't want to give Hugh a second chance and is determined to avoid him, no matter what her matchmaking Aunt has to say about it. Unfortunately, Hugh and Charlotte are determined not to let her avoid him, and set out to ensure that Hugh and Mattie get together again. But the latest matchmaking scheme has gone all wrong. Instead of a romantic time in the islands alone, Hugh and Mattie have to deal with murder, dead bodies, and guerrillas seizing the entire island they happen to be on. Now Hugh has to get them both out alive, while somehow managing to mend Mattie's broken heart.

Nice, slightly naive and complexed heroine has met ex-hired soldier and has been rejected by him. The rest of the book tells of his dogged attempts at redemption (which he of course does but has to pass through fire first). The strength of the book lies in the characterization: a working class hero, not afraid to be vulgar and who is trying to find a suitable mate for his future (hopefully independent and moneyed) existence; a rather sweet, well-off city-girl who finds that after all falling madly in love is worth it all. Funny and quite realistic second roles (another ex-soldier turned painter and a "working woman").

A delightful story that is among her best. If you're a fan, don't miss this book. If you're not, start with this one, you'll soon understand the reason Krentz is one of the more popular romance/adventure writers.