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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Lackluster and Lacking Appeal!, October 22, 2005
This review is from: Too Hot to Handle (Mass Market Paperback)
Cheryl Holt is known for her passionate love stories that almost always revolve around the most decadent of hero's. Her characterization almost always included a sassy, smart lady who knows her heart. Sadly, this is lacking in Ms. Holt's latest effort. The reader will be introduced to basically two different romances, two brothers, two sisters...happy endings for all...except perhaps for the reader.
Michael Farrow is Earl of Winchester and he makes a career of living life as recklessly as possible. He is about to make his first mistake. He is shopping for a new mistress when one applicant is introduced to him. He thinks she's there to apply for mistress when in fact she's actually there to apply for the post of governess to his two new wards. After this one misunderstanding you'd think that he'd stay clear of this obvious upright lady. But problem is he feels bad about the misunderstanding and sets out to make right this wrong. This is the first time he's ever felt compelled to fix things and it just doesn't sit well with him. Nor can he overlook the attraction that sparks between them. He's going to get Emily into his household one way or the other. After all he always gets what he wants.
Emily Barnett is responsible for her blind older sister, and her niece. She has no practical experience but sets out to win the position of governess to the Earl of Winchesters new wards. The fact that Michael has awakened the sensual feelings of attraction can't be ignored. For good or ill she will take whatever he's willing to give her. After all he won't marry her she's beneath his station in life. But the longer she spends time with him, the harder it is to remember why she can't love him on her own terms. Will Michael allow Emily into his heart or will he run the other way and away from the happiness that Emily promises.
Emily and Michael are singularly uninspiring as lead characters. Perhaps this is due to the fact that there truly wasn't any "tension" between the two. What Michael wanted...Michael got, not very romantic. The secondary storyline of Alex, Michael's brother with emotional and physical scars paired with Mary, Emily's blind sister was another attempt at drawing the reader in with the acceptance of loving a person regardless of their physical appeal. Alex though was so obnoxious that when he did finally warm up it was only to lukewarm. I would have like to have seen Emily and Mary both being portrayed as having a tad more self-confidence. Overall this was an okay read but not the strongest effort Ms. Holt has ever offered readers. I hope that her next effort is better and look forward to reading it.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not up to CH's normal standards, September 7, 2005
This review is from: Too Hot to Handle (Mass Market Paperback)
I found this book very difficult to finish because I was so tired of the characters. I am a great fan of stories with the hero beginning as a disolute rake and then reforming, however I like my heroes intelligent, and I'm afraid I found Micheal lacking.
Most rakes have redeeming qualities that draw their heroine to them. This was more like "oh wow, your cute and I like to kiss you.... so I must love you," on the heroine's part. I didn't believe ethier of the character's really cared about the other. In fact the most interesting character in the book, with the most honest feelings was Alex Micheal's brother. I felt there most more to be redeemed in him than his idiot brother.
I agree with a previous reviewer, go read Love Lessons if you want a hot, and entertaining read about a rake who is both sexy and intelligent.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
If I could give this 0 Stars I would!!!!! Worst Romance I have read!, October 19, 2005
This review is from: Too Hot to Handle (Mass Market Paperback)
Oh where oh where as Cheryl Holt's talent gone? The last several books have been so lackluster but this one by far is the worst I have read! I agree with the other reviewer who said this book was the worst read of 2005. I disagree with the reviewer who said the cover was the only good thing - this cover doesn't even look like it belongs to a regency historical but a cowboy contemporary.
I don't want to bore everyone with the details of the book just that the characters were all a bunch of idiots - not one was likeable.
I can't even believe that I finished this ridiculous book. Cheryl has been taken off my must buy list and now on my purchase with caution list.
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