Customer Reviews

Something About Her

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

 

 

I LOVED this book. It was a high-speed ride with swoops and turns and dives -- I think I was even hanging upside down at one point. And I honestly had no idea how the author was going to pull off a Happily-Ever-After ending.

Romance writers make a tacit contract with their readers that includes a promise that everything will turn out well, the girl will get the guy, and the reader will be able to close with the book with a happy sigh.

It's a FIRM contract, and it's a big reason we read romances: we *know* they are safe. No matter how much the author may frighten us in the middle of the book, everything will turn out OK in the end. A romance writer who tricks the reader by writing any other ending won't get a second chance.

But we love it when a writer makes us worry that maybe *this* time will be the exception, and SOMETHING ABOUT HER had me convinced there was no possible way to pull off the Happily-Ever-After. This is the one of the best examples I've seen recently of an author raising the stakes to the point where the main character absolutely MUST get what she wants, and raising the conflict to the point where there appears to be no possible way she will.

Definitely worth reading!

Blythe is a woman torn by her husband's absence and infidelity. From the opening page, there is an inner strength about her that drew me into the story. She's uncertain of her ability to reach out and connect with anyone, and that is a vulnerability so many women can understand. The fact that she does reach out to a precocious and lovable young girl is proof of her resilience.

Too bad for her the little girl is daughter to her husband's cousin! But what a quality character he is-and their first meeting! It tickled me-a perfect mishap. I think a single dad is one of the most tender characters, and Ruesch did Michael Ashton very well. Within the regency setting, he had the age-old conflict of obligation and saving face. His obvious[to the reader, anyway] attraction to Blythe sort of breaks your heart a little.

Ruesch took Regency London and played it to the fullest in this wonderful new story. The cast of characters compliments the growing romance and adds the conflict needed to keep the reader turning the pages. This is an historical romance, classic in its telling and definitely worth reading. I give it a four and a half martinis. I'll be looking for more from Jeannie Ruesch in the future...especially since I'll get to hear Adam's story next.

Betty

Although my romance novel preferences rarely include Historical Romance, I'm delighted I sidetracked to read Ms. Ruesch's debut novel. I agree with an earlier reviewer - the situation was tense toward the book's conclusion - how in the world would Regency London society permit Blythe and Michael's happily ever after? Several unexpected twists and reversals later I was rewarded with a very satisfying conclusion. The compelling plot and beautifully defined characters made for an engaging, fast paced read. Captivating debut novel. I look forward to Book 2.

I liked the fact these two fell in love and loved each other. The author did a good job putting twists in their way so it wasn't smooth sailing from the first page but it was written very well. I found myself physically reacting to some of the scenes with a gasp, chill bumps, tightening in my chest. That is rare with most authors. I, too, didn't have the ending figured out. What the author did do was keep everyone in character, so the ending was just right. It flowed. Scenes were not written just to complicate the story and then quickly workout because the author typed. This was a well thought out storyline.

Yep, loved this book.