Perhaps because this novel was written in the 80s, I didn’t find this story romantic at all. Unlikable leads made this novel a chore to get through.

Shane is surely meant to be charming and carefree, but she strikes me more as immature and simple. Her constant uncontrollable bouts of laughter are not endearing.

Vance is supposedly a dark and brooding hero, but he strikes me more as a bad-tempered caveman. Their first intimate encounter was far from romantic despite Shane’s giggles insistence it was.

I love the characters Nora dreams up in her head. She gives them so much life. I feel like they are people i know personally everytime i finish one.

This is not a Christmas book. It is not even a book with much of a plot. It was written simply as a vehicle for carrying tantalizing and arousing sexual scenes from author to reader, along with a good dose of the Damsel in Distress trope and a bit of Mr. Right Wronged thrown in for good measure. There are animalistic sex scenes for those who like it rough and intense, and sweet love-making scenes for those who like to nurse their romantic.

I will say that Roberts is a great writer. She has the skill, she just put it to silly, brainless use rather than creating a brilliant work of literature as she likely could have.

Everything about this book is cliché. The scene, the background stories, the romance, the conflict, the pining away for each other--even the borderline near-rape scenes. Perhaps it's because this is my first Nora Roberts book, but I was surprised and disappointed in what I found between the covers of this dime store novel; especially since I was expecting a holiday read and instead found predictable eroticism.

At least it didn't try to play itself off of as Christian fiction. I'm fairly certain that, aside from Roberts' writing hypothetically dipping in quality, is just about the only thing that could have made this book even more disappointing. Hence two stars instead of just one. It could have been worse.

I went into this knowing it would likely not be quality writing, but I wanted a Christmas-y book to embrace the season. I got that for the most part. I could enjoy some of the general vibes of the story and have a few laughs.

The quality writing was DEFINITELY not there, though. Both characters are so wishy-washy, they instantly fall in love for no real reason, and the conflict resolution was never satisfactory. And why did Shane feel betrayed that he was a millionaire??? It makes absolutely no sense. And Vance loves her because she's not into material things, right? Oh but their big conflict at the end of the book is resolved when Vance pulls out tickets to Fiji and then Shane is happy to be with him again...???

And what was all the stuff about Shane "paleing" every time she was upset?

Also they introduced the friend of Shane's that runs the store at the beginning like they would be a recurring character, and they appeared another two times at most?

I don't regret reading it, but I wouldn't read it again.

If this keeps up, I'm going to have to revise my opinion of Nora Roberts books released in the 80s. I liked this book more than my rating is going to show—mainly because I half fell in love with Shane, myself. She's quirky and determined, but mostly I like her self-trust and ability to accept people and events as they are. Vance is kind of a turd, but he does grow on you so I'm not disgusted that Shane was attracted to him. Plus, I like that he's running (more or less) from an unusual past that both explains his gruffness and why Shane is just the woman for him.

So why the downgrade? Shane goes all stupid at the end of the novel, more or less contradicting all that we know about her to that point. It was frustrating and completely unnecessary that she forgot herself so much that she could let it affect the love she knows she has. Frustrating beyond belief and it doesn't help that her crisis is propelled by the very least appealing character of the book (and possibly of all Roberts' 80s novels). The book might have been shorter if Roberts had simply cut out the next-to-last chapter or three, but it would have been vastly improved as well. If it weren't an audiobook, I'd be tempted to perform the edit myself...

A note about Steamy: A couple of truly excellent sex scenes and not just because I find Shane so very appealing, viscerally.

Oh, where to start!? Written in 1984, this book is outlandishly dated. I slogged through a few pages, but when the MFC offered the MMC FIVE DOLLARS AN HOUR to renovate an old house, I couldn't take any more. ( later on,she upped her offer to six dollars, but it was too late) Neither character interested me in the least. DNF, and this goes straight on the donate box.

There was never a thought to deny him. She knew she was already his.

"I'm not an idealist, I simply don't automatically assume there's someone waiting to take advantage of me. I think you miss a lot more by not trusting people than you risk by trusting them."

This book was absolutely fantastic! Such a sweet and wonderful love story that took place around the holidays! The only thing I would change about it would be to make it longer, since I didn't want it to end!

A great book to read near Christmas time to really lighten your spirit and warm your heart!

so once again Nora Roberts has captivated me to the point where i'm not getting anything done! I loved the peacefulness that the setting as well as Shane's character brought and evoked, and i loved Vance's tough demeanor, with the kind heart hiding itself gor protection. I related with Shane's love for history and her tiny, seemily weak figure. I loved her spirit and how for the most part nothing brings her down. I loved how open she was and how she didn't give up when Vance acted so rude. Although i dont' agree with waering your heart on your sleeve at all times, i wish it could be that way but as Vance has learned, you can't. i loved their first time and the love and simplicity of the BLTS and fireplace. I loveed how VAnce proposed, with tickets to Fiji, just like she wanted. I related to Shane because she traded the small town for the big city, but realized peace and quiet is all she wanted, as well as love of course! I truly recommend this, for a great read, and a few lessons along the way!

If this book hadn't had some serious instalove (which I'm down with in a paranormal or fantasy, but not a contemporary), I would have rated it higher because I loved the heroine, I loved the reno aspect, and I loved how it angsted so good at the end

First impressions can't always be trusted and yet can be so powerful. When small town girl Shane meets Vance at the local store, she is immediately taken with him; however, no matter how affected Vance is, he rebuffs her at every turn. He has been burned once by a 'nice girl' and he has no desire to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Shane hires him for his carpentry skills as she is re-doing her Gran's home into a museum and gift shop. Little does she know that he is hardly the man she believes him to be.

Still, over time, the pair connects despite the lack of transparency.

When she finds out the truth about him, will she be able to forgive him for this transgression? Will love conquer all in this romance?

Recensie volgt @ The Bookbabe

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I do not believe that Nora writes bad books, just some are better than others.

This book is entertaining, but for me it showed it's age a bit, it was written in 1984. Nora has definately written a lot better stories. It has some funny moments and some cheesy ones.

If you are a die hard Nora fan, of course you have to buy it and read it at least once. Otherwise I recommend reading a friends copy or visiting your local library.