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49 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
enjoyable and satisfying, July 29, 2004
On the basis that I've rather enjoyed the last two romance novels by Teresa Medeiros, she's almost become an "I-have-to-read-her-latest" with me. And halfway into the first chapter, I knew that my instincts to read "Yours Until Dawn" at once was sound: it was a good and worthwhile read. The plot may be a much used one, but Ms Medeiros' take on this old storyline was enjoyable, satisfying and almost unique.
Handsome beyond permission, charming and exceedingly rich, Gabriel Fairchild was, once, a much sought after bachelor. But that was before he was blinded and scarred in battle, and before he was abandoned by both his family and the young woman he adored. Now, the proud and bitter young man lives in darkness and seclusion at his country estate, alone (save for his servants), and taking out his anger on harmless pieces of furniture and china. But all that changes when his father hires a new nurse to help him cope with his blindness. Prim and capable Samantha Wickersham knew that she had her work cut out for her. After all it cannot be easy for a young and vital young man, used to leading an active life, to have to cope with blindness. But she hadn't counted on the amount of anger and bitterness that Gabriel would feel. Or that he had put all good manners and civilized behaviour behind him and was now leading the life of an arrogant barbarian. But if Gabriel thought that he could chase his latest nurse away with bad manners and curses, he didn't know Samantha at all. Determined to help Gabriel cope with his blindness and to show him that he can still lead a full and vital life, Samantha vows not to allow Gabriel to get the better of her. And so the battle of wills begins. Who will win? The arrogant and bitter young lord or his patient and determined nurse?
The storyline of "Yours Until Dawn" is actually a much used one -- a young nurse appears to help the wounded beast-hero, and in the process tames and wins his heart. And while "Yours Until Dawn" doesn't depart very much from this basic format, what I liked about it, aside from Ms Meideiros' clever way of engaging my interest from the very beginning and making me care for both Gabriel and Samantha and for their happily ever-after ending, was the fact that the authour took the time and effort to map out the clash of wills between Gabriel and Samantha and to chart the developing romance between the two in a credible and believable manner. That's what made "Yours Until Dawn" a stellar read. Magical, passionate and touching (though not in a cringingly syrupy way) , "Yours Until Dawn" was a very enjoyable and satisfying read, and truly worthy of a 5 star rating.
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32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
What the heck happened?, July 17, 2007
Gabriel was blinded in battle while fighting for his country and becomes a bitter man living as a hermit with his servants. Samantha becomes his nurse to try to help him cope with his blindness. They fight and bicker, but most of the time it's enduring. Both characters have moments of amusing childishness and annoying selfishness but the story is solid and there are some really sweet moments. Watching Gabriel struggle with his blindness and seeing the unbelievable patience Samantha had with him was heartwarming.
Yours Until Dawn had such wonderful promises. For over three-fourths of the book I was hanging onto every sentence, every word, just waiting to see what would happen. Then, complete and utter disappointment.
Up until around page 259 this book had a 4.5 star rating written all over it. Then it seem to just abruptly end and become a completely different story with a different plot and different characters with the same name. Samantha's surprise didn't make any sense whatsoever. It was all pointless.
Gabriel's "recovery", while good news, was disappointing. I felt as if the author had to 'fix' him before a real relationship could form with him and Samantha. I felt as if that implied there was something wrong with him to start with. His parents had treated him like an invalid and they never did completely accept his blindness, but they were the most doting parents when everything worked out! It just felt hollow.
Samantha. Good grief. The most horrible woman I have ever read. Selfish and cruel and way too bossy. She had "too little, too late" written all over her and I felt that Gabriel was a complete idiot for staying with her. She loved him, left him, then loved him, and left him. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the beta heroes. The all-around nice guys who aren't domineering and cruel but in the end Gabriel seem whipped. He didn't even get angry when he found out her little secret. But his letter to her at the end was very well written and so very sweet. I just wished it had been written for someone else.
I understand rabid fans will not like critical reviews and will most likely give this a low rating, but trust me. If you MUST read this book, then please stop at the weak 'plot-twist' and just make up your own ending.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow! My first book by this author, and it will not be my last!, January 5, 2006
I've been an avid reader of romance since I was thirteen. (No, it wasn't all THAT long ago, but long enough!) That being said, I've read a LOT of books, and I've seen the whole spectrum from the stinkers to the sensational. Lately, I was starting to despair of ever reading a good romance again, as I seemed to be finding only the stinkers.
Then I read this book, and it blew me away! It had me wondering why on earth it took me so many years to discover this author. She was absolutely amazing! When I read the back cover description, I thought this would just be another "Beauty and the Beast" story, but it was so much more than that. A truly talented author is one who can take an old plot and make it fresh and interesting. Medeiros does it in this winner.
Both the hero and the heroine were people you could cheer for. Samantha had just the right balance of the "tough love" with Gabriel while still knowing when the soft touch was needed. And while he was a suffering hero, he was so much more than just the stereotypical handsome brooding man. Many men in his situation end up being so annoying that you want to smack them one. With Gabriel, he had just enough angst without being overly melancholic--he didn't stay stuck in his sorrow for long. I really felt like I knew the characters. I felt their emotions deeply, and got tears in my eyes when they were torn apart.
And the secondary characters were wonderful as well. The author made them well-rounded, loveable people without focusing so much on them that they distracted from the main plot.
While I could see the plot twist coming before it was revealed (I'm not going to give it away), it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book at all.
I devoured this novel in a day. For a speedreader who reads 200+ novels a year, finding a "can't put it down" book is rare. But I had to stay up late until the wee hours finishing this. I knew I'd never sleep until it was done.
This was the kind of book that you can't stop reading, yet you'll feel sad when it's over, simply because there's nothing more to read. It's also a book that you'll close and immediately press to your heart with a smile on your face before putting it on your keeper shelf. I don't give out many five star ratings (I find far more books that I don't like than ones I like), but this book really earned it. I will be looking for more books by this author, as she is wonderful - right up there with Mary Jo Putney, Jacquie D'alessandro, and Mary Balogh.
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