Customer Reviews

Wildest Hearts

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Annie and Oliver stole my heart!! This is my favourite JAK novel, and I have read it several times, just because these characters are so warm, funny and loving.

Annie Lyncroft equated Oliver Rain to a panther taken on human form, so she knew she was treading on dangerous ground when she approached him with a business proposal. Her genius brother had disappeared mysterious, and is feared dead. Annie is not equipped to step into his shoes and run the firm, because it is built around her brother's electronic inventions. Oliver is a high powered businessman, friend of her brother, so she goes to Oliver with an offer that would save her brother's firm, until he can be found. A marriage on convenience. Marry her, give the business investors knowledge that Oliver Rain was there backing her brother's firm as part of the family.

Only a marriage on convenience is not convenient when both Annie and Oliver were deeply attracted to each other from first meeting. Oliver is taken off balance by the offer, only because he was slowly, calculating working to corner Annie so she would accept a marriage offer from him. Not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Oliver quickly agrees to Annie's terms.

Oliver is a quite Alpha/Gamma male, a panther on the prowl and Annie soon learns making deals with the devil can mean paying a high price. And Oliver is making a clear a marriage of convenience is the first condition to be tossed out the window.

JAK is on beam, at her best, with Annie and Oliver just endearing characters, with a Quirky manservant/bodyguard tossed in called Bolt. The writing is dazzling!

JAK just does not get any better than this.

This book was Krentz at her hilarious, witty best. Even the murder-mystery subplot (which is not Krentz's strong suit) was suspenseful and well written this time around.

The only complaint I have with this otherwise stellar book is that the heroine was too understanding of the hero's shortcomings. There were a couple of stunts he pulled that would have caused any sane, independent woman to hightail it out of there. Nevertheless, you can only get so mad at a Krentz heroine, because in the end she always manages to bring the hero to heel.

Some might think that the characters in "Wildest Hearts" are boring and cliché, but JAK is known for her particular style of characterization, which obviously works considering the large JAK following. In "Wildest Hearts," Oliver Rain and Annie Lyncroft exhibit JAK characterization at its best. Oliver like so many of JAK's heroes is aloof, controlled, business savvy and sexy. Annie is an original. She is also intensely loyal. Unlike so many romance novels which focus on the "lovely" and "beautiful" virginal "miss," JAK waxes less on the physical and more on the sexual and romantic tension between the protagonists. Among my favourite JAK books are the ones published by Pocket Books. A lot of these books have Seattle as a backdrop. Those who know Seattle know that it's full of quirky out-of-the-box people. This unique backdrop is evident throughout "Wildest Hearts." Note for instance, Ella Presswood, Melvin Finch et al. JAK even has Oliver doing yoga. Characterization aside, "Wildest Hearts" is a great story. It moves smoothly without superfluous side stories, and even includes elements of suspense. For those who consider themselves loyal JAK fans, "Wildest Hearts" is a sure winner!

This was the first conetemporary romance that I read where I actually *related* to the heroine. She was smart and sassy and even had insecurities (gasp!). After reading this book I became much more interested in contemporary romances for just that reason - it's nice to read a love story that seems (somewhat) real occasionally (or at least has characters that have concerns like mine - more concerned with mixing career and family than with worrying that Daddy will hitch them up with a bad guy). It was also refreshing to be familiar with the setting of the book. I love books set in England (read them all the time!) - but it adds to the reality of the book if you have actually been to the places the characters discuss.

I heard that this was Krentz's best novel and it was great! Oliver was such a unique character and he just melted for Annie. While Annie was a bit outrageous (discussing their sex life problems with ex-boyfriends????), she was the perfect complement to Oliver's coldness.

Krentz leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling after her novels (like Julie Garwood). You can't miss this one!

Witty, well-written romance/suspense novel. The plot revolves around a mystery that while a little far fetched, is still enjoyable. The story is suspenseful (for a romance novel), and I have to admit that I was completely surprised at the end when the true villain was revealed. The main characters in the book are well developed and surprisingly human, and like real people they possess both good traits and bad. The dialog is snappy and flows smoothly, and there are none of those long descriptive passages that make you want to start skimming.

Annie Lyncroft becomes the sole owner of a high-tech electronics company after her brother's plane disappears off the Alaskan coast. It isn't long before the vultures start to circle and the company's creditors are pressuring Annie to sell. Annie needs to stalls for time, she is sure that her brother is still alive and she intends on keeping the company safe until he returns. She approaches Oliver Rain (her brother's former employer) and proposes an outlandish scheme. A marriage of convenience. If they were to marry, Oliver would legally be entitled to half of her share of the company, and he could run it until her brother is rescued. Surprisingly Oliver agrees, but he agrees on his own terms.

Wildest Hearts is a great contemporary romance. The characters are wonderful, colorful and engaging. Krentz did a superb job of presenting this story.

Annie Lyncroft does what few modern women would have the guts to do which is propose marriage to a man.....a marriage of convenience. Annie is a slightly quirky character who is fun and easy going.

Oliver Rain is a man surrounded by mystery. His personality is cold,hard and smooth. Oliver is a very controlling man and strangely methodic.

The relationship between Annie and Oliver surges out of control as the suspense and drama build in the story. Annie and Oliver search for clues surrounding her brother's disappearance while trying to save Lyncroft Unlimited.

Annie enjoys thawing Oliver's icy heart while Oliver struggles to maintain control. Wildest Heart's is a wonderful story thats even better the second time.

Jayne Ann Krentz is probably my favorite author and this is my favorite of her books to date. All of the characters are likeable and interesting and Oliver Rain is a fascinating, sexy hero. I have all of her books but if I could only keep one, this would be it

I have not read a Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick book I haven't loved. Just about every book has scenes that are laugh out loud funny. I am a fan for life. Now if I could only find some of her Stephanie James books!

This one I have read & reread many times. I love the interaction between characters. Definitely worth buying...