Customer Reviews

The Twelve-Month Mistress (Harlequin Presents)

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

 

 

The Twelve Month Mistress is an incredible love story.......passionate, sensual, and emotional, one I couldn't put down. It is one of Kate's finest! Her characters come to life in a way not to be missed. It will touch the heart of every woman who reads this truly amazing story of Joaquin and Cassie. I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy, Ramon's story.

Joaquin Alcolar is the oldest and only legitimate son of Juan Alcolar, a Spanish aristocrat. He has spent most of his life mistrusting relationships destroyed by his father's unfaithfulness. Joaquin is a "Lone Wolf". . Being in charge of his vineyard business has taught him how to wear a mask, not allowing him to show his true emotions Love is not in his vocabulary and he's never kept a mistress for more than a year.

Cassie is his current mistress and deeply loves Joaquin. However, she is afraid she will be sent packing and questions whether to stay or leave. She is quoted saying "is it worth staying in a situation that is just not making you happy?" She has a "hungry need for this man" and is vulnerable where he is concerned. Cassie loves and adores him and is putty in his hands. She has trouble being honest with Joaquin about her feelings and what she wants from the relationship. She's fearful of being cast out and rejected.
So when the end of the year approaches, she decides to leave, to keep hold of her pride.

Upon Cassie's leaving, Joaquin has an accident and Cassie is forced to return home to take care of him. From there, one complication after another and she is now back where she started, more confused and emotional..

Throughout the book, both characters explore their feelings concerning their relationship. Joaquin doesn't understand not always being in control, not knowing where he is headed nor why he feels so different about Cassie over his past mistresses. His emotions are out of control where she is concerned. He feels she is "his woman", what he owns he controls. He runs his life with discipline and nothing happens without his approval. This story is highly "charged" and one you won't be able to put down!

Since the other reviews were so positive, I thought it might be nice to have another perspective. I didn't hate this book, but frankly, I really didn't like it, either. In a word, it was boring. The couple was already together and the major conflict was that the characters had major communication problems. The reason I bought the book was because the amnesia part of the book sounded interesting (not that I haven't seen that plot device before), but it didn't actually happen until about half-way through. Honestly, the plot just wasn't that original, and the characters weren't loveable enough to save it. In fact, the female character was a bit of a door mat and that never changed.

Cassie knows that Joaquin Alcolar never keeps a mistress for more than a year. Her time is running out and she decides to leave before he kicks her out. But fate has other plans for the two of them, and Cassie and Joaquin are given more time...but is it time enough to let them trust the feelings they have for one another? Time enough for love?

As always Walker writes a passionate story that will keep you turning pages.