Customer Reviews

Until You

5 star:		(91)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I can surely say this is one of the very few sequels to a book that I was extremely happy with. This is the story of the Earl of Langford, Stephen Westmoreland. He is the brother of Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore, who is the hero in the first book, "Whitney, My Love". The heroine from "Until You" is Sheridan Bromleigh, she's an American who is sent to be an escort to Charise Lancaster. Charise is to marry a Lord Burleton when she arrives in London, a match made by her father. But on the way, she elopes with a stranger. Now Sheridan is frantic with worry over the predicament she's now in. Stephen comes to the pier to meet Charise Lancaster and to tell her of the unfortunate death of Lord Burleton. Sheridan is the woman he sees coming to him off the ship, so he assumes she is Charise. He blurts out what's happened and as she turns away, a cargo net hits her in the head. She wakes up 3 days later with no memory and everyone is calling her Charise Lancaster! The story is funny and witty and romantic. Many appearances are put in by Whitney and Clayton from "Whitney, My love" and from Nicki. Stephen reminds me of Clayton alot in this story. He is commanding and sexy. The problems he runs into with Sheridan remind me of the problems Clayton had with Whitney a little, that was my only complaint. The story was like a rollar-coaster of emotions. One time you're smiling, the next time you feel heartfelt sympathy for the characters. It keeps you turing the pages. Judith McNaught is a wonderful author who is new to me. She brings heartfelt emotion to her stories like no other. Many authors strive to attain what she has, but fall short. This is a wonderful example of her work. Also try her others from this family-The Westmorelands. "Whitney, My Love" which is first, then this book "Until You", and last, "Kingdom of Dreams"; which is the story of the first Westmorelands. Also, there is a short story for those interested in what happens to Nicki. It is in a book of short stories called "A Holiday of Love", the story is called "Miracles". There are also other stories in it by Jude Deveraux. Hope this helps anyone! =)

Judith McNaught's regency romances all have one thing in common: alpha males that for some reason or other are love cynics and misogynists whose lives change the minute they meet that one special woman who defy them with their wild spirits. McNaught novels have another thing in common: misunderstandings, misunderstandings, misunderstandings. It has so far been the McNaught signature in her novels, or at least in her regencies. Until You, the sequel to Whitney, My Love, isn't an exception to that formula. In Whitney, Stephen was a charming, flirtatious fellow who helped his brother and Whitney through their obstacles. He seemed so refreshing and so unlike McNaught's signature heroes that I couldn't wait to read Until You. However, I was disappointed to see that Stephen is pretty much like the other male protagonists in this effort. In this novel, Stephen becomes a callous, cynical type after he obtains various titles and inherits several estates from an uncle. He feels women only want him for his titles and wealth, but his life changes when he accidentally kills a man with his carriage and has the unfortunate responsibility of telling the man's fiancée what happened. But the man's fiancée suffers an accident at the pier where the ship docks and she loses her memory as a result. Stephen is instantly lustful for her. However, neither he nor the American beauty knows that she is actually the fiancée's chaperone. There are various twists throughout the novel.

It would have been great if Stephen had been a nice, uncomplicated man and Sheridan was the one who gave him a hard time for a change, kind of like A Kingdom of Dreams (except that Royce was the typical McNaught alpha male), but the author had other ideas. It seems to me that she only knows how to write one type of hero. Stephen here is completely different from the way he was in Whitney, My Love. He was good in the beginning though, when he was concerned for Sherry and wanted to be as accommodating as possible, but things take an unpleasant detour when the misunderstandings reach a head and he is as nasty as the other heroes in the other novels. The author tried to convince the reader that Sheridan was a spirited, no-nonsense heroine, but aside from a few scenes in which she puts Stephen in his place, she is nothing but a ninny to me who lets Stephen treat her like a common prostitute. The whole thing about her wanting him to forget about his mistress (though he'd obviously forgotten about her) during their second love scene left a bad taste in my mouth. Why couldn't she just tell him up front that she was unhappy about the mistress? That is where the "ninny" part comes in. Sherry made me roll my eyes almost as much as Stephen did. I came to the conclusion that these two characters were simply dumb. Anyway, despite those poor points, the novel did keep me riveted from cover to cover, just like all of the other McNaught novels. They made me feel emotions and kept me wanting to know whether they'd work things out in the end. Like other readers, I was upset that Stephen never uttered "I love you" in the novel. The author made it clear that he did in fact love Sherry, but the readers want to read those three little words anyway. His uttering "until you" instead of "I love you" wasn't good enough for me. As for the secondary characters, I was glad to see that all of the couples from the previous McNaught regencies were in this one and that they were Stephen's friends. Whitney and Clayton have secondary roles here and I was happy to read about them again. But since they are only secondary characters here, they don't show that spirit and passion that characterized them in Whitney, My Love. All in all, compared to the other novels, Until You is a middling read. It wasn't as emotionally driven as Once and Always and Something Wonderful and the protagonists weren't as memorable as the ones in Whitney, My Love and A Kingdom of Dreams. This is probably the last I'll read of the Westmorelands and I shall miss them. I do look forward to reading the novelette about Nicholas DuVille, one of my favorite characters of this series. I hope McNaught hadn't turned him into another "wounded soul" as well. I love the aforementioned heroes, but a little variety wouldn't hurt. I'll miss McNaught regencies and I'll give her contemporary efforts a whirl. She is one of my favorite romance authors and I must read all of her stuff.

I've read this book more than once and it's one of the few romances that's left an impression on me. It's my absolute favourite! I think what makes it SO good is the characters especially Stephen! He's my dream man! Judith McNaught does a wonderful job of making you fall in love with him and Sheridan. I loved every single part of the book, except when Stephen was angry with Sheridan because he thought she lied to him. By the way, that seems like kind of a trend with Judith Mcnaught, having the heroes think that the heroines are brilliant actresses who lied to them? Anyway, all I gotta say is do not pass this one up! It will make you laugh and cry, and if you like it read Whitney My Love too (although in my opinion it's not as good). However Stephen is so adorable in it!

I bought this book and Whitney at the same time, and I'm so glad that I did. As soon as I was finished with the first book I grabbed the second one. I loved each book about the same (although I loved 'Whitney, My Love' just a tinsy bit more). Judith McNaught writes the absolute best books. The character developmant in this book was above and beyond and I loved the fact that she gave us a little insight as to what Sheridan's childhood was like. If you kinda sorta like Judith's other books, you'll fall in love with Until You. (Although I have to wonder about the Westmorland brothers' tendency to mistrust their loved fiancees and to ... ahem... rape them)

Until you is the 3rd book of the Westmoreland series. A KINGDOM OF DREAM and WHITNEY, MY LOVE is the first two. I've read both books ( my first 2 of Judith McNaught) and I was very impressed. (AKOD is the best book I've read by far... but thats another review all together.) I enjoyed Stephen's (brother of Clay) character in W,ML. So naturally, I was excited and looking forward to read his story here in U.Y.. I am sad to say that the first time I read this book, I was somewhat disappointed. This book didn't have the spunk and excitement of the usual Judith McNaught's unpredictable twist. The story, however different seems simple and laid back. I also prefer the Stephen in W,ML. He was more toned with humor then. I understood why he treated Sheridan the way he did ( it was guilt at first, then when he acknowledge love, he felt that he was betrayed and the reader must consider his past experience too...) so I still find him a likable hero. He just gotten too serious. The heroine's character was kindda boring for me. Sheridan Bromleigh didn't draw any appeal or any effects to me whatsoever. Although, I didn't particularly hate her, yet I cannot draw myself to specially like her either. She just wasn't impressive as Jennifer in AKOD or as spunky as Tory in "ONCE & ALWAYS" or as any of JM's well designed Heroines (I have read all of her Historical Romance Novels). Sheridan's character and even her actions was simply too unpolished & unconvincing for me to really appreciate her. Somehow I feel that Stephen deserve a different heroine. I have this uncontentment feeling. She doesn't seem fit to be a Countess or one of the Westmoreland wife.

After I read this book the first time, I didn't write a review for it right away. I honestly didn't want to ruin JM's good image in my reviewer's page :-) Thank goodness I waited...I would have rated it a 2-3 stars then. However, after reading ONCE AND ALWAYS, SOMETHING WONDERFUL and ALMOST HEAVEN, I re-read UNTIL YOU because I remembered the secondary characters in this book are the heroes on the 3 books I mentioned above. What do you know, the 2nd timer seems much more fun. There's a new spark of interest due to the apperances of Victoria and Jason, Alexandra & Jordan. Oh dear Nicki too... Even the mention of Ian Thornton, Charity, the Duchess of Claremont & Dorothy made me smile. It's a delight to read updates of these characters especially the couples and the mention of their children. Perhaps you should read all three books before starting the Westmoreland Series... I find it more interesting if you know the secondary characters romance stories as well.

Overall, this book isn't too bad. It's just not one of JM best. IN MY OPINION, this is somewhat a flaw in comparison to AKOD, WML, SW, OaA and AH. If you are a JM's fan and have thoroughly enjoyed all her historical books, dont' expect too much when you read this one. Be warned that way it won't be too much of a disappointment. Enjoy it anyhow!

There are more than 100 reviews already for this book but I had to share my take on it because I was kind of disappointed with this one. It does not have the same depth as other McNaught stories. The book also seemed overcrowded with appearance of too many previous characters. After reading about them in intense stories I personally found it hard to accept them in merely supporting roles.

This was the first JM book I read. Barrowed it in the library and read it in 1 day. I couldn't and wouldn't put it down. The characters were great. The only set back was that the amnesia thing took too long. It could have been shorter. Until You is a great love story and it's funny as well. After reading this book I had to have it for myself. I didn't know that Until You is a sort of sequel from Whitney, My Love. I now own all the regency romance books of Judith McNaught. In 1½ weeks I read them all! Lost a lot of sleep but it was worth it! She's a great writer!

After reading "Whitney My Love", I had to read this book because I thought Stephan was so wonderful but the Stephan in WML is NOTHING like the Stephan in "Until You". I was so upset that the same loveable Stephan could become this jaded, cynical shell of his former self. My best friend warned me that he was different but I could not have imagined in a thousand years that he would be THAT different.

All in all, "Until You" is not a bad book although I think the amnesia story line made the book drag slightly and I am still amazed at how quickly Stephan could turn his back on Sherry. If you look at the whole book it is a very sweet love story that can make you laugh out loud, cry, and become very upset in the span of a few minutes. Not Judith's best work but a delightful story just the same.

This was the first book I read by Ms. McNaught,and I absolutely loved it- so much that I ran out to buy the other books (Whitney, My Love; Once and Always; A Kingdom of Dreams; Something Wonderful and Almost Heaven). I don't like her modern works, but Ms. McNaught really can write a historical romance.

Sheridan is a companion for a wealthy, spoiled American debutante who is coming to over to England to marry. Unfortunately, Stephen, who luckily becomes an Earl before this book (he's untitled in Whitney, My Love) runs over her husband to be, but as the debutant elopes with a man she meets on the ship, Sheridan is the one he meets at the peer. Before they can clear up the mix up, Sheridan is knocked unconcious by a falling crate, and she loses her memory. Stephen, feeling responsible, takes her to his home.

This book was excellent. The heroine is not an idiot, and there is a fair amount of humor in it. It is actually romantic too, so you do want the hero and the heroine to get togther. I would recomend this to anyone who likes historical romances, because it is one of the best ones I've ever read.

I must say, unlike some of the negative reviews about this book, I quite liked it. (Compared to 'Whitney, my Love' which I found a totally frustrating read!)

The beginning was fine, the middle, just so-so, then BANG, JM captures your attention and you're right back in the book. I really loved the last several chapters when Stephan thinks she's dumped him at the alter.
Truth is, Sheridan has found out that she is not who she thought she was. She was given someone else's identity all because she had lost her memory in a nasty accident, the moment she steps onto English soil. The person whose identity she had, now threatens her and she runs off terrified, thinking she's betrayed Stephen... and into another man's arm, or so Stephen thinks.
Stephan, as gorgeous as he is, has far too much pride, and is so damned pig-headed. He doesn't give Sheridan a chance to talk to him, when she tries to tell him the truth.
When he does stumbles upon the truth he goes to her, only to find out she's leaving England, and the grovelling that follows to win her back. Ah, I really loved it.
Stephan totally redeems himself in my book!!!

The 5 stars is for the last few chapters.