Customer Reviews

When I Fall in Love (De Piaget Family)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Those who have been waiting for Nicholas' story for years will be happy to hear that it has finally arrived! And it's everything that we've been waiting for. The Publisher's Weekly editor who wrote the editorial review above is missing out on the fact that many of us prefer books with more real romance and less action in bed! And this book has LOTS of romance.

For those readers who are new to Lynn's wonderfully romantic and well-written books, this is the background of the story...

Nicholas de Piaget was known as quite possibly the most perfect knight to ever exist, both in his own time, and in the centuries to follow. Rich, handsome, chivalrous, and romantic, he was supposed to be about as perfect as a woman could want.

Jennifer McKinnon, a 21st century violinist, has heard about Nicholas 13th century reputation from her in-laws, who happen to be the descendants of Nicholas' family. She's seen the remains of his castle... and some unsettling visions of what it had looked like when he lived, as well. Little does she know that she's about end up on his doorstep... and that this "perfect" knight is hiding a secret - one than could take her back to the home she so desperately wants to return to.

Or does she?

Lynn Kurland has once again taken us on a magical trip to the past for a delightful romance. Her ability to make these strong, virile, silent, heros fall in love with the sassy ladies from the future is fantastic. This one is no different and I loved every minute of it. I don't know if it is a fault or not but with all the time travelers it seems finding a hole in time is not so hard, and I hardily wish I had one of Jamie's maps. Although the three ghostly ancestors may have something to do with it.

Nicholas de Piaget is the brother of Robin and four other syblings. His grandmother is determined that at 28 he is getting old and needs a wife. She is inviting a multitude of medieval ladies to visit Artane in order for him to make a selection. He however is determined to escape the ladies and so he travels to his castle at Wyckham. Passing the abbey being built by an old enemy, Ledenham, he rescues a beautiful red-haired woman that is in the process of being burned at the stake. He immediately realizes she is from the future like his brother-in-law, Jake.

Jennifer McKinnon is the sister of Thomas, Megan and Victoria from other novels. She is a violinist. Having visited her sister Megan in England at Artane, where Megan lives with her husband the present Lord of Artane, Jen has gone site-seeing and has been led by the three ghosts into the old abbey where she is whisked off to the past. Jen has heard all the stories about Nicholas and his family. Meeting him lets her know he is still the perfect knight.

While both fight their feelings for each other, the beauty, peace and humor that dwell in any Kurland book surround us and them. The grandmother arrives with another batch of beauties and Nick decides the one he wants is Jennifer. But can he make her want him and the past more than the marvels of the future.

I adore these books and this one is exceptional. The story is wonderful and the ending had me laughing and crying. Do not miss this book, if you read one Kurland, read this one and you will be hooked

I was trying to wait and not read WIFL for at least a little while, since LK books come out only once a year. Waiting would have made the next one not seem so very far away. Anyway despite the best of intentions, that resolve lasted a few days, even writing this I haven't quite finished it yet but I couldn't wait to share my excitement.

Like a wonderfully, sinfully rich dessert (chocolate, of course), you'll want to savor every single word in this story. There are some great lines- that'll make you laugh, smile, even tear up a bit (must be contagious, Jennifer does quite a bit). In fact, I dare you to read it and not have a smile on your face for most of the book.

You get to re-visit the lovely, dashing de Piagets- the brave, arrogant, hilarious brothers who can't help but tease and bait each other so that they can brawl and have a go at each other in the lists. Montgomery thinks that Jennifer, like Jake before her, is from the land of Faery. (I would love to see Montgomery go to the future- just imagine his awe- lol) The meddling, matchmaking ghostly trio play a significant part in getting Jennifer with Nicky, as they had with Vicky and Connor, Megan and Gideon. {It was also fun to see Connor again- there's a funny scene in the beginning where Jennifer thinks someone has broken into her apartment and Connor goes to check it out, going into medieval bodyguard mode (Vicky often has to frisk him for weapons...)} And see Wyckham "first-hand" in the Future and the ever-broken/leaking-roof-ed past.

And of course the most chivalrous, handsome knight in shining armor of them all- Nicky?!?! Wonderful. :-D *Sigh* *Swoon* Patrick MacLeod had been my favorite LK hero but now I'm not so sure. Nick is just dreamy; what girl could help but fall in love with him? Like the songs goes, "when I fall in love, it will be completely....[and] forever." He is the epitome of a medieval knight yet sweet, sensitive, and dashingly charming at the same time. He's been a bit of a grump in the past- mooning over women he can't have- but that ends the moment he sees Jennifer. His heart is forever lost and he vows to do anything and everything in his power to keep her in his life. Jennifer falls quickly for Nicky but yearns for her family and music that she has left "behind" in the future. She must choose between having love, in the past, or living without him in the future but with her family. Tough choice but can she really refuse Nicholas de Piaget??

Overall a wonderfully romantic, funny, touching visit to the past (and some old friends from prior books). A FANTASTIC read. I don't have to read the end to know that I'll still be happy- and having trouble wiping the sappy smile off my face for awhile yet... see still here ;-) Curl up and enjoy; you DEFINITELY won't evereverever regret picking up one of Lynn's books. Sweet, satisfying romances don't get any better.

For some good background for those who haven't read any of Lynn's books, read the following for some good Nicky reading-
1) Another Chance to Dream (for Gwen and Rhys' story)
2) If I Had You (Robin and Anne)
3) Dreams of Stardust (Amanda and Jake)
and Much Ado in the Moonlight (Vicky and Connor) for some tidbits on Jennifer

PLUS the novella in the Christmas Cat (or it can also be found in Love Came Just in Time anthology) for Miles' story- where a fetching Future wench lands on his doorstep. Hopefully Montgomery's tale is in the works...

If you are used to the standard . . . plot, plot, steamy love scene, plot, steamy love scene . . . type of romance novel then Lynn Kurland is not for you. But if you just melt over a true "Love" story, read this one and any of her others for that matter. Nicholas' character has always been one of my favorites in this family tree and was happy to finally read his story. Jennifer is a great character and the time at Artane before the grandmother shows up is wonderful. No question, this is just a GREAT read.

I couldn't wait to get started on this story since I first met Nicholas in previous de Piaget's books. To me, he is the perfect knight in shining armour and I think LK delivered him perfectly. Jennifer on the other hand tended to be a bit whiny towards the end. Otherwise loved the book. This is what a love story should be all about.

The grandmother, loved the woman, was doubly entertaining in this book, what with her batches of 'suitable brides' for Nicholas. It was hysterical.
But all he wanted was Jennifer, despite the fact she was from another time. He was tormented by this, knowing the pain this would cause him if he admitted to his feelings and she left him, when she found a way back to the future.

Much as I loved this book, there could have been more angsty scenes between H/H. Especially since Nicholas hides a secret from Jennifer. He knows the way she can go back to future and keeps it from her. Surely, this could make up for the lack of loves scenes when she finds out?
Still, the story was breathtaking. I adore the de Piaget's and can't wait for LK next book on this family.

the woman cried way too much. She cried because she was overwhelmed, she cried because she was sad, she cried when she was happy, tired, or hurt. She even cried when she was kissed. I counted a stretch of 17 pages between crying. that was about it. And of course, the obligatory line of "I'm not a crier" was stated several times. Umm.. yeah, she was.

I LOVED this book. Like others have said, Lynn Kurland keeps to what really matters most: love. Romance, and true, deep adoration. I can only wish that one day I'll meet a man like those written in her books. (Just like I wish for the day when more books of her's come out. That, too.)

Lynn Kurland is one of my favorite authors. She perfects time-travel romance. She always leads the reader into another century where danger lurks and love awaits. Jennifer McKinnon and Nicholas DePiaget have both given up on love. Jennifer seems at first truly pathetic, low- lifes are always breaking into her apartment and all she has is her beloved violin and her family, until she falls through a time gate to the 13th century practically in Nicholas' lap. He saves her from this crazed witch hunter. Kurland makes up truly memorable and fun-loving characters. Nicholas is perfection, the ultimate dream guy =) REALLY DROOL-WORTHY, and I like strong brawny highlanders myself so that says something. I don't know why Jennifer after seeing and being near him would so desperately want to return back to her own time. All she'd be going back to is her violin...no love. Personally I'd choose Nicolas over a musical instrument any day. You will laugh until your sides hurt and there are tears pouring down your cheeks because you are laughing so hard. Read this excellent book, fall in love with the characters as I have, and enjoy a great read! Please don't miss out on a spectacular story.

The book is filled with cheesy sentimentality and trivial dialogue. Jennifer cries in every chapter, but then says that she is not a "crier". Nicholas is portrayed as a perfect knight, a warrior, but he acts like a love struck fool. There is no plot development, no character development, even the villans are pretty pathetic.

It took a whole of 50 pages for the characters to meet for the first time. They fell in love almost on the spot but went around in circles, for the first half of the book, to tell each other how they feel. There is a lot of sexual and emotional tension, but no relief.

Nicholas's brothers are everywhere. Everyone is a meddling, annoying and inserts themselves into the relationship between Jennifer and Nicholas.

The villains have a promising start, but meet a pretty pathetic end. Ledenham has a master plan to kidnap Jennifer and present her to the king as a witch. Well, he kidnaps her, but only because she decides to be brave and follow him because he stole her violin. What a fool. Instead of the conflict being resolved in a grand finale of epic fights and overflow of tension, he just trips on the violin case, falls on a sword and dies. Brigit is not being publically humiliated or cast away for being a scheming vile "wench", instead it is explained in a tiny paragraph that she is kicked out from the castle by Nicholas.

I've never read any other Kurland's books, but looks like she puts too much effort into the romantic aspect of the story, which comes out greatly overdone. The characters repeat themselves too much in every chapter. I had to skip through paragraphs and pages until a point was finally made or to get to the next plot progression.


I do not recommend this author and will not read any more of her books.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love the smutty novels.
But when I am looking for straight romance, Lynn Kurland is my go-to girl. I have read all of her romances, many more than once. The characters stick with me, the stories are beautiful, the medieval detail is nice (and makes me want to improve my skill with the sword)and I often find myself sighing. Sound good? Read them all!