| Title | : | Until You (Westmoreland, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0552143545 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780552143547 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 430 |
| Publication | : | First published September 1, 1994 |
For Miss Charise Lancaster, not over-gifted with intelligence, eloped with a stranger before she could meet her suitor. And Sheridan was left with the horrid task of telling Lord Burleton she had somehow misplaced his bride. As she gazed at the tall, confident man before her, her courage failed. She was doubly shocked when she heard his news. Lord Burleton, a drunkard and a wastrel, had been killed the night before. At which point fate took over. Sheridan was knocked unconscious on the quayside, and recovered to find herself in the handsome stranger's care, not knowing who she was.
It was to be the beginning of a dazzling, witty, dramatic, and romantic sequence of events in which every possible confusion was to take place.
Until You (Westmoreland, #3) Reviews
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This review contains spoilers -
I really enjoyed this story. I wasn’t sure what to expect after having just read Whitney, My Love which could have been entitled A Tale of Misunderstandings and People Who Are Too Bullheaded To Even Consider Talking Things Out, … but I digress.
Until You was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the storyline and thought Stephen was very charming before he became an ass—but he wasn’t too big an ass considering his bride had left him at the altar. He did wait several hours, hoping she would return. When she didn’t and when he learned where she had gone, he decided to put the past behind him and move on and under the circumstances, who could blame him? But honestly, we could see that he wasn’t really moving on with his life, he was merely going through the motions.
I liked Sherry and couldn’t fault her for being a runaway bride when she learned the truth of who she was. She was so ashamed of what she had learned, humiliated by the way she learned it and then toss into the mix that which Charise was threatening to do to her and the Westmoreland’s—well, what was a girl in her shoes to do, I ask you?
One of the things I most appreciated about this story was that Stephen, when presented with the facts, was willing to risk being humiliated once again and arranged to have Sherry brought to him so he could convince her to marry him. There wasn’t a lot of long, drawn out anguish (well, not compared to Whitney, My Love there wasn’t) and things were resolved relatively quickly. I loved the dramatic entrance of Stephen and Sherry as man and wife into the dowager duchess’s birthday ball, and the sweet and very funny reuniting of Sherry’s family – especially Stephen’s reaction to Rafe, who I believe is deserving of his very own story.
All in all this was, in my opinion, a great read. Not light and fluffy but not overly dark and torturous, either—which after reading Whitney, My Love was a welcome change of pace. -
sadly this felt like a chore to finish. i love judith's writing but her books are so formulaic that only her absolute best couples really stand out. and the past 2 i've read have had such silly/irritating conflicts that it's hard to root for the hero and heroine even if i like the stubborn rake and strong willed lady tropes.
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This is, without a doubt, one of the most ROMANTIC books I have ever read. I can’t remember another book that had me this captivated. Though I must admit that I’m in a bit of a fog as I sit here to write this review. I went into the beginning of Until You with semi-low expectations. After Kingdom of Dreams and Whitney My Love shot Judith McNaught into a favorite author spot, I was hesitant to read something of hers that would lessen my opinion of her skill. And this one had ratings (3.98 at the time) that just didn’t seem on the same level. As a result, I waited MONTHS to pick up this one. Why, oh why? This is in my top ten favorite books of all time.
Royce and Jennifer’s romance was epic. The imagery and passion absolutely blew me away. Then came Claymore and Whitney and their volatile, angsty, controversial relationship. How could the name Westmoreland continually evoke such a strong surge of emotion? And how can one author have such an incredible talent? I am absolutely floored. FLOORED! I fought back silly, sappy romantic tears because I wanted so badly for Stephen and Sherry to WIN in their utterly impossible relationship!!!!!
I won’t recap the story, as you can read the blurb. The amnesia was handled in a believable way, and Sherry’s utterly pitiful reaction to waking up after days of unconsciousness without any memories was heartbreaking. Imagine not knowing what your own face looks like! And Stephen’s compassion for her situation was an instant recipe for my devotion. He has become so jaded in respect to women. They throw themselves at him for money and title in the hopes that he will increase their social standing. No one cares for him as a person, and he is so obviously aware of it. As Sherry’s refreshingly innocent attitude begins to light him up, I was became absolutely captivated. Their romance is easy and beautiful to watch as it unfolds. Even the drama involved with the amnesia almost seems to fade into the background because I was lost in such a haze.
“If I had a hundred kingdoms, I would trade them all for you, my dearest love. I
was nothing until you.”
The ending, GOD!!! The ending!!!! I wonder how many days I will tear up just remembering, and how many times in my life I will reread just those pages, the most romantic words ever. Let me just say that holding hands will forever invoke much stronger emotions in me. Somehow, Ms. McNaught made it an erotic act, a touching act, and a way to communicate beyond words. Often I find a romantic but hard-assed hero hard to appreciate. He is either unbelievable or too much of a pansy. But Stephen Westmoreland is everything I want in a historical romance hero. Aside from the obvious looks and money, his emotions that he can’t express are so evident in his actions and looks…and the way this author has with words, I swear I could see the expressions on his face. He was in love with ME!!! I was Sherry, and I was THERE!!! And when he finally, FINALLY gives his all to her…and finally thinks “Until You,“ there aren’t words to describe how emotional a moment it is. Truly, this is a magical, beautiful story. This is topping my favorites shelf.
“The Earl and Countess of Langford!"
**SHIVERS** -
3.5. It sort of dragged in the middle but picked up again towards the end.
“Looking at you has been my favorite pastime from the moment you asked me to describe your face," he said solemnly, looking straight into her eyes.”
Happiness began to spread through Sheridan until it was so intense she ached from it. "I want to change your name," he said with a tender smile, "so there's no doubt who you are ever again, or who you belong to." He slid his hands up and down her arms, looking directly into her eyes. "I want the right to share your bed tonight and every night from this day onward. I want to make you moan in my arms again, and I want to wake up wrapped in yours."
He shifted his hands and cradled her cheeks, his thumbs brushing away two tears at the edges of her shimmering eyes. "Last of all, I want to hear you say 'I love you' every day of my life. If you aren't ready to agree to that last request right now, I would be willing to wait until tonight, when I believe you will. In return for all those concessions, I will grant you every wish that is within my power to grant you.”
“If I had a hundred kingdoms,
I would trade them all for you,
my dearest love.
I was nothing until you.”
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4 STARS
After recently going on a historical romance binge, I was shocked to discover that I have never read a Judith McNaught book. I know, I know! Quit judging me! But better late than never, right?
Also, my sincerest apologies to my OCD squad for reading book 3 first, but I can firmly attest to this being a standalone. I had no problems diving right into this world, even though it was clear that characters from the previous books have cameos in this one.
I'll admit the writing style took me a bit to get used to, but it never deterred me from enjoying this book. And boy did I enjoy it. The heroine was absolutely fantastic. A strong, sharp-witted female that has a good sense of self and doesn't bow down to any norms. I fell hard for Sherry right away.
Of course being the lover of the broken and broody heroes, Stephen was a hero that I enjoyed immensely as well. He can be a right stubborn ass at times, and I had moments where I wanted to slap him. But the character development was so good, that I loved him at his very worst. And he definitely had his moments here.
I'm a sucker for a memory loss trope, and this one was certainly delicious. My only quibble and what kept this from being a 5 star read for me, is that after Stephen's epic mess up at the end, I wanted him to grovel far more than he did. Sherry forgave him way too easily in my opinion. And while it was still satisfying, I just wanted...more.
And now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to binge on the rest of this author's books.
Find me on:
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5 STARS
“Looking at you has been my favorite pastime from the moment you asked me to describe your face.”
Another fabulously romantic story from Judith McNaught!!!! I am now completely addicted to her writing, and have just purchased four more of her paperbacks (since they aren’t available in ebook format)! I CAN’T GET ENOUGH of these characters. She has this incredible ability to spin a story into a hurricane of romantic bliss.
This story was very different from the first two books I read, but no less tumultuous, no less captivating. The characters were thick and juicy, the dialogue… masterful, and the imagery… perfection. I was truly taken back in time.
The story is actually a sequel to the book
Whitney, My Love. A continuation of the story but now focusing on the duke of Claymore’s brother Stephen Westmoreland, who has just inherited a large fortune and several titles from a distant uncle. And now, as the Earl of Langford, Stephen has solidified his place in the ton’s list of most eligible bachelors.
And his ego, has inflated right along with his titles. He is never lacking in female attentions. In fact, even their parents are throwing their daughters in his path, hoping for a offer of marriage. And he is finding himself less and less interested in the prospect, and more and more resigned to the attentions of his mistress. In fact, it is following a night in her company that he finds himself alone on the streets of London in the early morning hours, where fate throws an unsuspecting, and drunken Lord Burleton under the wheels of his carriage changing the course of his life forever.
Meanwhile, Lord Burleton’s betrothed was on her way to London, from America, where she was to wed him expediently upon her arrival. Miss Charise Lancaster, the spoiled heiress from Richmond, Virginia, however, had other plans. Having met a young man on board the ship, she had conveniently disappeared, and eloped, leaving her teacher and escort, Sheridan Bromleigh, along with her lady’s maid not only penniless in a foreign country, but also having to answer for her absence.
Feeling guilty for his involvement in Burleton’s death, Stephen feels it his responsibility to inform the fiancé of her beloved’s tragic death. So he waits at the pier for her ship. But as Miss Bromleigh departs the ship, intending to inform him of her employers disappearance, Stephen having assumed she was Miss Lancaster, promptly blurted out the news of Burleton’s death.
Stunned by this information, Sherry thanks him and turns to re-board the ship, only to be struck in the head by a large cargo net full of crates. She suffered a severe head injury and remained unconscious for three days… only to wake in Westmoreland’s mansion with no memory of who she was or where she came from.
All she knows of her past, is that everyone keeps referring to her as Miss Lancaster, and that she arrived in England in order to marry a young Lord. Remembering nothing of Burleton, she automatically assumes Stephen is her betrothed, and reluctant to upset her, Stephen is encouraged to play along.
“Either you’re extremely unobservant, my lord, or else you eyesight is afflicted.”
Caught completely off guard, Stephen said cautiously, “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I mean my hair,” she said miserably, pointing an accusing finger to whatever was concealed beneath the towel.
He remembered that her hair had been matted with blood, and assumed the wound to her scalp had bled even after Whitticomb had stitched it. “It will wash right out,” he assured her.
“Oh, I don’t think so,” she said ominously. “I already tried that.”
“I don’t understand..” he began.
“My hair is NOT brown —“ she clarified as she swept the towel away and picked up the offending tresses to illustrate the problem. “Look at it. It’s red!”
But sensing his discomfort around her, Sherry questions the prudence of her betrothal to him and keeps her distance. Meanwhile… Stephen finds this now apprehensive woman, a refreshing change to his previously hunted status.
The rest of the story unfolds into a whirlwind of hurt feelings and miscommunications, and the two find themselves unwillingly drawn to each other. Until… feelings of love will tear them apart.
“We could go on as we are, and if you don’t become disagreeable, and if we continue to like kissing one another, THEN we could be married.”
“A tempting suggestion,” Stephen lied politely, “but as it happens, I have a great deal more in mind than merely kissing you, and I am…. uncomfortably eager… to satisfy us both on that score.”
I didn’t know how this story was going to work for me at first. Stories involving amnesia usually don’t intrigue me that much. I am in the medical field, and find that true and complete amnesia is very rare without suffering other permanent brain function loss, so yes… reality taints my opinion of these stories. But for some reason, this one didn’t bother me.
I was completely enraptured by the story, from beginning to end. I loved the heroine. She was a sweet and adventurous girl, who was not impressed by titles or money, and was quite happy in her status is society. Her only aspiration was to find true love. She was a hopeless romantic that knew she would likely never find it.
“May I have the honor of the next dance?
While Stephen, being once spurned in love, had become bitter and cynical towards women in general. He had also resigned himself to the prospect of ever finding love in his life. And his attitude towards women was just abhorrent. In fact, towards then end, his cruel demeanor towards Sherry made me want to kill the guy. He was all Alpha male with a good bit of asshole mixed in. What’s not to love, right?
“I am insane about you, Lady Westmoreland.”
Judith McNaught has an unbelievable talent for igniting passion between her characters. And her ability to bring together these two fiery personalities was a perfect example of her incredible skill as a writer.
“If I had a hundred kingdoms, I would trade them all for you, my dearest love. I
was nothing until you.”
5 STARS -
Me ha gustado mucho la historia de Sheridan y Stephen, tanto porque me parecen muy buenos protagonistas como por la historia en sí.
Excepto los primeros capitulos en los que se cuenta un poco la historia de ambos protas y es quizás muy narrativo, el resto va muy fluido y engancha bastante.
Me ha parecido muy entretenido y muy romántico, asique lo recomiendo 100% -
Read as part of the BOTM challenge in HR book club (jilted at the altar theme)
This was my first McNaught, and I thought her writing was in general delightful. Her writing includes much sly wit and humor that I enjoyed. I can see why she is so well-loved by many HR readers.
I really loved the heroine in many ways. Sheridan is a resilient and strong heroine, a type that appeals to me greatly. She has a very unconventional upbringing as vagabond on the American frontier with her father and many colorful characters along the way. This part of the story was very well-drawn, and it was my favorite part. As she gets older, she goes to live with her aunt in a school, so she goes from wild and free to bottled up and restrained. The Hero was my problem with the story.
Stephen was awful., in my opinion. He had his moments in the beginning, but then started ruining them with ill-advised kisses (the heroine has amnesia), misconstruing intentions and just generally being an ass. I have little patience for a hero that thinks ill of his love interest because of one stupid chit's actions years ago that broke his heart, especially when he seemed to love and respect the women closest to him (his mother and sister-in-law). Still, I can forgive an ass if there's groveling, but this book featured approximately 0.3% groveling. It was basically nonexistent.
I thought, given the length of this book, it would have a good conclusion, one that didn't feel rushed. Well I was wrong there. It did feel rushed (see nonexistent groveling in previous paragraph, but not just for that reason), and I couldn't help thinking that Sheridan deserved something different and better for her. Here is my list of preferred HEAs for Sheridan. 1. Herself, because who needs a man when you're that awesome. 2. Rafe-he may have been perfect for her but we didn't see him when she was grown until the epilogue. 3. Nikki - liked him much better than the hero until his stunt at the end that was part of the hero's stunt.
I will consider other JM titles because I really enjoyed her style, but I will carefully check out reviews before deciding.
EDIT: Considering my aversion to the way this ended and the hero, I thought 2 stars was more accurate. One star for the writing and one for the heroine. -
What a meh, blah, ‘that’s it ?’ read from Judith McNaught. This book felt like it’d never really end and the steam is virtually nonexistent between the h/h. A real disappointment for this final installment in her Westmoreland series especially considering that the first two,
Whitney, My Love and
A Kingdom of Dreams, were 5 star keeper shelf reads.
The whole story centres around Sheridan Bromleigh, a lady’s companion from the US, who accompanies her charge Charise Lancaster (aka the spoiled brat harpy) to England to meet her fiancé. Things happen during the crossing and once Sheridan arrives in London she has an accident and loses her memory. Now if you don’t like memory loss stories and all the secrets and idiotic lying that go with it then don’t bother with this book because it can get very irritating considering that a lot of things could’ve been resolved quickly if someone had just told her what was going on. I found that the reader needed a lot of patience with the hero especially who made things so complicated and convoluted for nothing when a simple explanation would have sufficed moving the story along. So, while she’s convalescing at the hero’s place, Stephen Westmoreland (for those of you who read “Whitney My Love” this is Clayton’s brother), things happen all around her without her knowing even though she’s got the starring role so to speak. Stephen ends up telling her that he’s her fiancé that she came to meet (she thinks she’s Charise because that’s what she was told when she woke up) only because some nitwit doctor said it’d be better not to traumatize her with what really happened to her fiancé. And the complications really start.
Apart from the silly lies that just made things worse, I didn’t like the heroine or the hero. Sheridan needed a backbone and she needed to tell that bastard Stephen where to shove it because he didn’t deserve her. I have to give McNaught credit for making him a truly mean and selfish person because he really bugged me. There are moments when Sheridan does give him hell and you’re thinking, “freakin’ finally!”, but then she goes back to being a borderline doormat to his whims and you’re back to wondering why you’re continuing with this book :-/
The first real steam scene was absolutely horrible in terms of writing (it’s just a few short paragraphs of nothing when you’ve already read 300 pages waiting for something huge to happen) and how it happens –had it been better written and the hero been different it could have passed and he could have been forgiven. Stephen was a class A pig in dire need of a smack down. Sheridan got the shaft big time but stupid girl that she is she still holds out a kind of hope 8-/ At that point this became wall banger material. How many times does he have to treat you like crap before you walk away and how many times is the reader supposed to excuse it?!
As for Stephen, he’s a pompous ass who needed to be taken down a few notches. A hero like that needs a really strong firecracker of a heroine to give as good as she gets for the story to work I think otherwise he comes across as the irredeemable jerk and she’s the mealy mouthed dummy taking everything he dishes out and excusing way too much. All his I love you and tender moments where she “understands” just doesn’t cut it and I didn’t like him when normally I love the jerk hero. He reminded of that total loser Rolfe from Brenda Joyce’s
The Conqueror. Eesh, I can feel the hives breaking out already (**shudder shudder**).
Whitney and Clayton as well as Nikki from book two are all present but they’re very different from how they were in the previous story. Some of the side characters are funny like the two butlers while other characters like Sheridan’s family just felt like useless filler. There are about 15 pages if not more blabbing on about her childhood at the beginning which could’ve been easily reduced. The humor never really takes off with any of the characters either and that's too bad because there was some good potential.
The story may have been better if it were shorter/tighter, if the h/h were together and did something and if the heroine had more chutzpah which would’ve made the hero look less a - -holish. Even the ending (before the epilogue), that could’ve been quite emotional, just grated and made me dislike the heroine even more. So it has its moments but they’re too infrequent and the love story just falls flat which barely lets it eke out a 3 star rating for me. -
4 Stars
Overall Opinion
The Good: I liked the characters, I liked their banter, I liked their development of feelings, and I liked how the author incorporated the characters from the other books without it being overwhelming or necessary to follow along (since it’s been a minute since I read them 😅)!
The Not-So-Good: I was a little frustrated with the H sometimes not listening when the h said no. He would just keep kissing her and she eventually gave in. It honestly just made me a little uncomfortable, but it could’ve been a just me thing 🤷🏻♀️
The Bad: The ending. I felt like the epilogue could have been much, much later to give us some more closure. I know I’m greedy, but I hated that we didn’t really get to experience them as an actual couple!
Overall: This was enjoyable! Overall, I think I’m a fan of
Judith McNaught and her writing style. Yes, the overall pacing and theme was very similar to some of her other works — but! I think that all works for me. I liked it.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Sherry and Stephen’s story. Stephen is saddened to know that the drunken man he accidentally ran down with his carriage and killed was expecting a fiancé to come in from America the next day. He goes to meet the young girl and while he is discussing the tragedy, she gets hit in the head by a cargo net. When she wakes up, she doesn’t remember who she is or who Stephen is. So when the doctor tells Stephen not to upset Sherry with distressing news, he ends up going along with her assumption that he is her betrothed. There are some sweet moments, some secrets revealed and drama, and some sexy times…and they get a HEA ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between focusing mainly on Sherry and Stephen in 3rd person narrative (with a few short parts of focus on other characters)
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove:No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Stephen. I liked him. I appreciated how he came to care about the h. I definitely wanted to shake him though!
h (heroine) rating: 4.5 stars. Sherry. I really liked her. I liked how she was spirited, smart, and sweet.
Sadness level: Moderate. I shed some tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes, but not descriptive
Cheating: Not technically
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends in a good place and what I would call a HEA ending , but I wanted much more!
Safety: This one is probably Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences -
Review in a few.
I had issues with this reread. -
The beginning was WILD. But Sheridan and Stephen grew on my in that Judith McNaught way and I loved all the angst at the end!
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4,5 stars!
I loved Sherry and how brave, honest and adventurous she is. Even if her romantic mind sometimes was a little OTP she still amazed me!
Stephen couldn't recognize his own mind and feelings even if they slapted him in the face. Such a pigheaded male.... He still broke my heart when .
I loved how Whitney and Clayton were portrayed in the book as a married couple and tried to "help" things... -
I did enjoy this novel a lot but I disliked the early parts that focused on the hero with his mistress. That bitch Helene was so possessive. Damn, but I thought whores were supposed to know their place in Regency society. This one thought she had the right to question him about other women in his life, like impending fiancees. This is the first McNaught novel where the hero actually has sex with another woman after meeting the heroine. That was just so fucked up, especially when it was just some wretched "off scene quickie" that the hero used merely to satisfy the "urge".
I did love seeing cameos of sexy Duke Clayton and the beautiful Whitney. That was definitely a plus. One thing I did wonder about though, was how on earth Stephen ( the second born son ) could have a title of an Earl ? I wish someone could correct me but I believe that ALL titles are usually inherited by the first born son; the title of "Earl" in the family should be a courtesy title that's supposed to be handed down to the first born son the living duke. Therefore, Clayton's son should be the "Earl" or a marquess or something like that ...
I guess I shall research this when I can find some time. -
While this rating and review might seem harsh after my glowing-ish reviews of books one (glowing) and two (ish), I'm beginning to think my all-out love for KINGDOM OF DREAMS was a fluke. My rating of WHITNEY, MY LOVE was high despite the walking asshole of a hero and all because of the heroine, and in UNTIL YOU.. I just can't find it in myself to rate well for any of it.
Whatever magic and wonderfulness began with the first Westmoreland has clearly diluted itself over the generations as all subsequent heroes are judgey, stupid, blindfully ignorant, weak-willed (ironic considering how stubborn they are) poopheads. Where book two in the Westmoreland Dynasty Saga -- whatever this series is called -- was redeemed by Whitney's character, I found Sheridan just too perfect. Her backstory is littered with eccentric but overwhelmingly impressive accomplishments and then with the loss of her memory for the majority of the book it's kind of like.. why even bother setting her up like that? She could've been anyone. She literally became someone she wasn't, after all.
Stephen's circumstances, brother to book two's jackass hero, had great potential from what we saw in WHITNEY, MY LOVE but is conveniently given reason to become jackass hero 2.0 because of reasons that are.. I mean, I could've understood some of his broodiness over the circumstances with the first girl he loved, but it was taken way too far. And you'd think he would've fucking learned something after watching his brother almost destroy his own happiness and.. oh. I don't know. Give someone the benefit of the doubt? Not be a total ragemonster douchecanoe? Is my dislike for him coming across loud enough?
The problem, too, is McNaught gives these heroes moments of loveliness, sweetness, kindness. Brief moments but moments nonetheless. And so it's extra annoying when she throws them into situations where they could be compassionate, understanding, human beings.. and instead aren't.
I'll admit to liking what I thought was the ending -- except that I'm irritated by the fact that we never hear these two actually confront the misunderstandings, I guess we just assume it's done off page or because of their simultaneous realizations with other people, that we don't need that closure between them? except I needed it because he fucking lied too arrrrg and his trespasses were so much worse than hers because of how extravagantly and involved those lies were concocted and I just can't with the hypocrisy someone stop me from ranting oh wait yes I had a point let me stop and get to it -- until the author tacked on a hasty 'lets resolve everything still outstanding in one scene' epilogue that stops quite abruptly, which just further left me annoyed. That said, I've committed to planning a reread of KINGDOM OF DREAMS before the end of this year just to make sure that it is possible for me to love something this author has written in its entirety. And in the meantime I will wrap up this series by finishing the little novella that follows.. just to get it out of the way. -
1.5-2 stars
I don't know what it is with me and McNaught but I fear we are not meant to be. Book one must have been a fluke of wonderfulness. Then book two broke me. Now book three felt like it was written by a different author in terms of writing style and yet the shitty hero and annoying heroine situation felt strangely reminiscent of my feelings over Whitney My Love.
This story was a case of tennis, I was the spectator looking back and forth between each shot, often rolling eyes and getting generally more incredulous as the book progressed. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. If it was a Shakespearean farce, well then okay, but Shakespeare it was not.
Stephen was definitely similar in character to Clayton (aka The Rat Bastard). He drove me demented with the games, pretense and frank stupidity. Sherry was not herself shall we say (I'm laughing at myself here) and I just found her pretty wet/soppish/insipid. There was a lot of insta-ness hanging around.
I am resigning as reader of McNaught and hereby serve no notice. -
I liked this one but didn't love it.
I'm not sure exactly what didn't work for me in this romance, I'll have to think on this one and come back with a review. -
Got to say, if you hate miscommunication or misunderstanding as the bare bone of a plot, you gonna hate all of Judith McNaught's books.
But not me sirree. As only she could twist so much emotion out of me. So here, we got double mistaken identities and an amnesia trope thrown into the bunch. The perfect beginning to a romcom. But not JM. She's gonna milked it out and make it so angsty, you wish you could smack these two protagonists' heads together for assuming and not trusting each other.
Alas, here I am, after twisting fingers and prattling away to myself about how stupid these characters were, and yet still, I love them dearly. -
So I think I'm done with Judith McNaught....I tried. Kingdom of Dreams is seriously one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE books. But I find I'm just too sensitive a reader to truly enjoy anything else she's written. There always seems to be just one scene (or more) that takes the book I've been loving and truly enjoying and just flushing it all down the toilet. Too far to be recovered. I really was loving this one. Then THE SCENE. Ugh. So in the end, I liked it, but I still feel too sad about what occurred to really recover enough to give it a really high rating.
While I LOVED the description of the heroine and her complete back story, there are some things that took away my enjoyment. First, I'm not loving that in every JM book I've read the heroine has red hair. Now the first 2 books she had red/gold hair and in this one only red, but really. There are other hair colors. Also, in the past 2 books both heroines were somehow in close enough contact with Native Americans that they both learned to ride spirited horses and could pick up small objects off the ground while riding. This is freaking cool, I loved it the first time, but please stop making all your heroines the same. Recycled details make the story way less enjoyable.
Now for the scene...I am going to talk about it because if you are reading this, you might have a question if this is too much for you so I'm going to answer it. I'll put it in a spoiler. Let me just say I was really loving the book for the most part until this moment...
So even though we got the end of the story -which I did like- and it was a good ending, good conclusion, there just wasn't enough reparation for me. Instead of having that happy glowing feeling you get when you finish a book you love, I still had that yucky, twisted feeling that something was off/ not quite right because I needed more to make that feeling go away. For me it didn't. I can totally see how others would be happy with this story and how they would love it. For me, I'm just too sensitive. So from here on out I think I'm finished with JM. Kingdom of Dreams will forever live on in my heart as one of the best books out there, and from what I've read definitely her best book, but I just can't take any more heartbreak. I want to feel amazing when I finish a story, and I'm walking around in a funk because of the last 2 books of hers I picked up.
** Thanks to Fran for the recommendation! Sorry I didn't enjoy it as much as you did! -
Έχοντας διαβάσει το '' Whitney, my love'', ένα απογοητευτικό κατά την γνώμη μου αισθηματικό βιβλίο με δύο ανεγκέφαλους ήρωες που δημιουργούσαν προβλήματα και παρεξηγήσεις από το πουθενά και δεν μπορούσαν απλά να συζητήσουν σαν ενήλικες άνθρωποι, κρατούσα μικρό καλάθι για τη συγγραφέα. Παρόλα αυτά είπα να της δώσω μια δεύτερη ευκαιρία σαν καλός άνθρωπος που είμαι και ευτυχώς δεν απογοητεύτηκα. Το '' Όσα θυμάται ο έρωτας'' ήταν ένα από τα καλύτερα βιβλία του είδους που έχω διαβάσει με τελείως απρόβλεπτη πλοκή και δύο αξιαγάπητους πρωταγωνιστές. Ειδικά ο Στίβεν ήταν υπέροχος και καθόλου υπερβολικός στις αντιδράσεις του, όπως ο χοντράνθρωπος αδερφός του, Κλάιτον. Γενικά, το μόνο που με ενόχλησε στο βιβλίο ήταν η τόσο ενεργή παρουσία της Γουίτνεϊ και του Κλάιτον που ό, τι κι αν κάνουν, για μένα παραμένουν αντιπαθέστατοι!!! Ευτυχώς ήρθαν η Σέρινταν και ο Στίβεν με την αγάπη τους να δώσουν άλλο νόημα στις λέξεις '' until you''.
-
Until You by Judith McNaught is one of my favorite books by an author who would always remain as one of those that are unforgettable for me as a romance reader. For myself, authors like Judith McNaught remains as my go to authors when most books of today fails to satisfy me and hit all those spots that need to be petted and stroked when I pick up a romance to read.
Until You is the 3rd book in the Westmoreland saga and tells the story of Stephen David Elliott Westmoreland, Earl of Langford, Baron of Ellingwood, Fifth Viscount Hargrove, Viscount Ashbourne. Well, that was a handful if ever there was one. Stephen is the younger brother of Clayton Westmoreland, the much revered hero of Whitney, My Love, the book that saw Judith McNaught rise to stardom. All the books in the series are 5-star reads for me. However, for some reason, Stephen has always occupied a special spot in my heart, perhaps owing to the fact that he is a hero overlooked by many fans of the author.
Stephen finds himself in a fit of bad luck when an accident makes him responsible for informing the deceased’s fiancée that her intended had met an untimely demise. Unknown to him, Sheridan Bromleigh, the woman who was entrusted by the bride-to-be’s father to safely transport her from America into the hands of her betrothed finds herself in a bit of a fix with the bride having eloped with another man. Sick with fear that she would be imprisoned or worse, not knowing what had happened to the groom in question, Sheridan meets an accident that nearly ends her life, leaving her in the hands and of Stephen himself.
Stephen believes that the woman who has somehow invaded his very thoughts and desires is the fiancée of a dead man, whose death he holds himself responsible for. It doesn’t help matters when Sheridan wakes up with no memories whatsoever of how she got there and what had happened before. Stephen’s reluctant attraction to Sheridan is clouded by the fact that Sheridan is led to believe that Stephen is her intended husband. The fact that she cannot recall any memories of a man as Stephen makes her panicky, but the moments of tenderness that catches Stephen unawares as he unknowingly starts courting the woman he would take as his wife makes her believe in the connection that exists between them.
Truth comes to light at one of those hold your breaths moments and the sheer betrayal that Stephen feels and his ruthless reaction towards it is perhaps the reason why I love Until You so much. It is the way he reacts that gives the book the angst factor, that makes my throat close up, no matter how many times I read this story. Characters from other stories make their appearances, giving a helping hand in a romance that is fraught with tension. Stephen proves to be a hard nut to crack, but then again if he were that easy, I believe I wouldn’t have loved him half as much.
A classic for me, if ever there was one. Recommended!
Rating = 5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit,
www.maldivianbookreviewer.com -
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!
Stephen Westmoreland, Earl of Langford, is England's most desired bachelor. One night Lord Burleton, whose wedding is the very next night, accidentally steps in front of Stephens carriage causing his death. Though it was only an accident, Stephen is torn with guilt for what he's done. He learns that the only family of Lord Burleton is his fiance who is arriving by ship that very next day! Set to make things right, Stephen heads to the ship to inform Charise Lancaster that her fiance is dead.
When the supposed "Charise" becomes victim to a tragic accident and looses her memory Stephen takes her into his home and makes it his responsibility to ease her recovery. When he starts lusting after her his guilt only increases... HOW can he be lusting over the fiance of a man he killed??? What he doesn't know is that this young women is actually Sheridan Bromleigh! Charises chaperone who, before the tragic accident, was on her way to tell Lord Burleton that his beloved fiance actually ran off and eloped with another!
When Sherry wakes up with no memory everyone assumes she is Charise Lancaster. Since nobody wants to disrupt her recovery they let Sherry believe that she is engaged to Stephen. Once Sherry's memory comes back there is so much conflict it was making me crazy! Good crazy of course!
I was filled with a mixture of different emotions while reading Until You. There were times when I'd have a huge smile on my face and times where I wanted to cry! This is one of those stories that keeps you at the edge of your seat with anticipation on what's going to happen next! I will need to buy myself my own copy because it's one of those books I will enjoy reading over and over again. -
Did Lisa Kleypas read this book right before she wrote Devil in Disguise? 🤔
Unlike Devil in Disguise, this character reunion and amnesia troped book was actually really enjoyable (sorry, Lisa.)
Oh Sherry and Stephen. What a tangled, memory loss, manslaughtered web we weave.
This book is full of the Judith McNaught trials and angst that reminded me of Whitney, My Love. Those dang Westmorelands are some angsty heroes 😅 I’m always a little shocked at the audacity of these brothers and their anger. I was really frustrated with Clayton in his book and now Stephen in his book for being unnecessarily angry when everything goes to hell. But, like I said, they’re Westmorelands! That’s just what they do!
And there are a lot of Westmorelands in this book. And Nicki too!
It was sweet and feel goody to see Whitney and Clayton in this story. Usually I’m pretty meh about characters taking up so much time in other people’s books, like hello, didn’t you already have a book? Why am I devoting so much page time to you? But I still really love Clayton and Whitney and loved seeing them in love. Really, I needed some reassurances that they hadn’t actually killed each other in the future 😂😅😅😅 (THIS IS NOT A JOKE)
I liked this book but I gotta dock a star because I needed a more epic grovel from our Westmoreland angst hero and I felt like so many conversations our hero and heroine needed to have with each other, were instead had with other characters. Why were so many truths revealed with Sheridan talking to Nicki and Whitney and Stephen talking to Whitney and Charity? I would’ve preferred some real truth and vulnerability coming from conversations between our two lovers!
But. Still a solid read! Still better than Devil in Disguise 🥴 -
It was okay but I don't really like it as much as other JM books.
-
...And yet another winner from Judith McNaught.
On the whole this one was quite similar to Once and Always. I could see so many similarities between Victoria and Sherry. I don't know if any of you noticed, but both heroines had childhood sweethearts who come back to marry them after a long separation only to find them married to the hero (in Once and Always it was Andrew who came to marry Victoria and in Until You it was Rafe who arrived in England to make good on his promise to marry Sherry). I was a bit miffed about it cause Andrew and Rafe were both amazing men (maybe not as amazing as the heros but still). I don't know why Judith McNaught did that to them!
Anyway, Until You was lovely and definitely going in my favourites and I'm glad the book wasn't filled with endless misunderstandings and heartbreak. -
Una bonita historia de amor llena de pasión y sentimientos que me ha gustado recordar. Una lectura agradable, ligera, divertida, apasionante y con su toque correspondiente de suspense y humor.
Disfrutas de los bailes y vestidos de época, costumbres y vida de la alta sociedad Londinense, ya que está ambientada en la Inglaterra de principios del siglo XIX. Particularmente a mí me gusta mucho esa ambientación y la descripción de los detalles, lugares, costumbres, etc… perfectas.
He leído unas cuantas novelas de la autora y me encanta como escribe… con mucha ternura, sensualidad y sin excederse; y lo que me gusta también es que sus protagonistas son orgullosos, autoritarios y con mucho carácter, incluidas las féminas.
Sí, recomiendo esta novela a la gente que le gusten las típicas novelas clásicas de época porque disfrutaran de la pluma de Judith McNaught. -
![ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1572968006i/3840999._UX200_CR0,33,200,200_.jpg)
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book. This one's got 2 parts.
After my 2nd reading of the book...
Hihihi ... Right! I was kinda distracted by something else ... Hmm, yah, Stephen. I think I like him better than Clayton. I liked him him WML, though he's rather 'jaded' (really?) when it comes to women in his book, he's still lot better than Clayton. For one, he isn't a hypocrite and then, he's actually quite nice. I remember in the 1st reading I liked him tremendously and the ending was what made me gave it a 5 stars. Now, I have some problems with him. (2nd/3rd readings can be a problem, really) ... hmm *drifts away with some really distracting thoughts .....*
..... But I digress! Hmm, so I REALLY hate the talks of his mistress for the half of the book (again, nothing new, I hated it in LK's "Midnight Angel", I hate it here ... I'll hate it in any book I guess) but I like Stephen's POV regarding the affair because he's honest about it to a fault. I certainly understand that being a rather hefty catch for the matchmaking mamas, debutantees and all the other kinds of females, it can grate on one's nerves if one's being constantly harassed by the aforementioned individuals. I totally understood why he's jaded about women. Yah, when you're an Earl and have all the luck in wealth, goodlooks and spoiled with women around you, you're supposed to ... no, you're ENTITLED to feel a little jaded! (I'm not even sure where I'm going with this point except that I hate when men/heroes tend to think this way and act accordingly. Bleh!). So, I understand you Stephen (but I hate the way your shallow minded mistress thinks) ... Sorry, sorry but what I was getting at was everytime you kiss or see Sherry, your comparing her with your current mistress or past 'experiences' kinda really PISSES me off. Damn right! And also, your thoughts on making her your mistress, even though you know perfectly well it's not how things are done! I mean seriously what is this thing about 'getting whatever I want' with all these dukes and earls and whatever! Hmmmm ... So your own musings on your own moral assessments(?) are kinda correct. You do need a LIFE!
So, no more digressing. I like Stephen and Sherry. As a character, Sherry is interesting. So far I didn't think she's TSTL and hope I don't have to spend the entire book feeling sorry for her (see: WML aka Whitney's Ordeal). I really loved reading about her life in America; mostly about her childhood when she was living with her father. One thing, in the scene where her father takes her to her spinster aunt (Sherry's mother's elder sister) and they argue regarding Sherry's upbringing ... I had some thoughts like was her father interested in the aunt and was spurned by her, then married her mother? I dunno why the thought came but some of their words gave away something contemptuous yet some vaguely ... something I couldn't really quite identify!
Anyways, I loved reading about Dog Lies Sleeping and Raphael, the spanish guy. Sherry is a romantic at heart which makes her to take the ill-fated journey to England in secret hopes (with healthy influences of the romance novels she reads. Heh, who am I kidding here, she sounds just like me! :p) of meeting her own true love, as a companion to one spoiled heiress Charise. This heiress was supposed to be married to an English baron but she elopes with another man in the midst of the journey. In a twist of the high drama that never fails to rock any HR, just before they arrive in England, Stephen kills the baron in an accident. Then, he comes to receive the fiancee and give her the news. In more of that same twist, Sherry finds herself injured and with amnesia! And Stephen not knowing who she is, thinks she's the fiancee, tells her her name is Charise and is rather disgusted to find himself attracted to a dead man's finacee, someone he 'killed'. I wanted to roll my eyes with this thought of his but couldn't do that, because I liked it that no matter what, Stephen is trying to take the responsibilities where Sherry is concerned and not doing things his lout of a brother would've done, which would most certainy have ended in some sort of disaster!
It was funny to see the way after planning to 'marry her off' to avoid further inconveniences in order to stick to his 'most cherished' bachelorhood, Stephen ticking off men from the lists (brought by his mother and Whitney) of eligible bachelors. I really wanna see where this debacle leads to... :p
*************
Stephen Stephen Stephen, where do I start about you? Really, though you didn't beat Clayton's scores in oafishness, you came seriously close! These two men are so quick to judge people, they needed heroines who'd give them right hell and bring them to their knees. But, sadly, even Sherry who was quite rebelious, didn't amount to it. *sigh*
So, lots of things happened and Stephen asks Sherry that he wants her to have a season and meet other eligible bachelors and Sherry thinks he doesn't want her *misunderstanding*. Then Stephen, after getting the news of Charise's father's death, decides to propose Sherry. Sherry hears stuffs about Stephen's 'scintillating' lifestyle and current mistress at Almack's and she actually said things to him like 'in your face' but it didn't have the heat and spirit I expected; then Stephen, quite easily 'convinced' her to marry him. Then, surprise surprise, the real Charise learns about the betrothal and yes, she goes there to destroy everything for Sherry on her wedding day *gasps*. Sherry's memory returns at the same time *oh dear* and she runs outta house, scared and feeling terribly confused and alone. She goes to Nicki DuVille for help, whom you already know from WML as Whitney's friend and one of the suitors. Here, he was Sherry's suitor as well. Poor guy! But I'll get back to him later.
So, Stephen hears it all (truths and lies) from Charise, pays her to keep her mouth shut and waits for Sherry to return, who, of course, doesn't. Then starts the series of 'let's abuse the slut/actress/abuser of trust because I'm a moron and a hypocrite and I tend to think of others just as I myself am' event! Before this, I wanna mention that Whitney talks to Sherry about one of Stephen's many affairs with one married hussy with whom he thought he was in love with and was deceived in return. That woman didn't wanna marry a 'mere mister' (Stephen wasn't yet an Earl then), then marries an old marquess ... and you can guess what followed after. Many more misunderstandings, a duel and Stephen's becoming all jaded and toughen up! Whitney talks about all these in defense to Sherry's anger on Stephen being a rake. Though it was a mess, I didn't care much about the whole thing, let alone the defense part and it was so irritating that a naive Sherry didn't even understand what kind of 'friendship' Stephen had with the woman. What was your point Whitney because Stephen is a rake!
So, more high drama and misunderstanding ... Sherry takes the job of a governess in the Skeffington's house with Nicki's help. And, then every Thursday goes to the opera to get a glimpse of Stephen, poor girl! And Stephen, proving that he's just like his brother, starts seeing other women including the mistress, in hopes of forgetting her *no comments because I'm out of words*. He'd already convinced himself that Sherry has become Nicki's mistress. Whitney discovers Sherry and devices a plan with fellow cohorts Victoria and Alexandra, who are wives to Jason and Jordan respectively of the first two Sequels books. This story actually takes place 4 yrs after WML and 1st two Sequels heroes have already gotten married by this time.
Then, Whitney invites the Skeffingtons to her son Noel's birthday. And, you can guess, things go horribly wrong. First, Sherry misunderstands it all, then she was being manipulated by Whitney to be a part of this scheme. I say manipulation because I hated the way Whitney wheedled her to make Stephen talk to her at any cost. I mean it wasn't Sherry's fault entirely. What about Stephen? But, Sherry did just that and in the process got humiliated by him and lost her virginity, then got a proposal of being his mistress. When Sherry slapped him, it felt really good but I hoped for something more than a slap. He deserved that!
Ok, moving on, Sherry leaves with Julianna, Skeffington's eldest daughter, who's very intelligent and perceptive even at her young age. Then Charity Thornton, Sherry's onetime chaperone plays a vital role, which prompts Stephen to meet Nicki and have some misunderstandings sorted out through fisticuffs. *by this time, I was rather resigned* These two hatch another plan to bring Sherry out of her current employment so that Stephen can marry her. I liked the scene in front of the old church. And, I loved the wedding night scene, the meaning behind it. What I didn't like was Sherry's confusions and apprehensions on whether or not she'll have to compete with the mistress/share Stephen with her. I absolutely HATED it and that proved what an insensitive a$$ Stephen is. I sure as hell wouldn't wanna marry a man like him, if this is the thought I have to torture myself with on my wedding night!
So overall, though he was better than Clayton in some aspects, I really didn't think that Stephen honestly felt sorry for the hurtful things he'd done to Sherry. And also, he should've reassured Sherry that he's only hers, which he never did. I've already mentioned how I loathed the fact that he kept on comparing her with his mistress; he kept that up til the end. I'm not even sure (correct me if I'm wrong) that he said ILU back to her because, though the implication was there through his musings and so on but face to face, I didn't think he did, whereas Sherry said the words to him many times over. It was all about what she did to him, how she betrayed him! I also hated Whitney's lecture on how Westmoreland men conduct their lives and how they act when they want something etc etc. My verdict: Stay away from them, run for your life, well-being and dignity because most of the times, it's not worth it!
In the end, Sherry's dad Patrick and friend Raphael, both of whom were missing for 6 yrs, come back. They come to England together with her aunt Cornelia in search of her (by now they know she went missing but nothing else). And, whether I guessed right or not in my 1st post, it seems Cornelia and Patrick are getting married. And, Nicki, again loses another woman he might've thought of marrying. I wanna mention that I liked Nicki quite a lot. He's a very stable character (unstable ie: Clayton!), so far that's the expression I got from the description in 2 books. He's a notorious womanizer himself and comes from a very old and respected French family but ultimately, he's proven to be more of a gentleman than the two Westmoreland brothers. But, if I remember anything about his novella, he acted as a SOB with ... well, no more about him. I only remember that I wanted his story to be a full novel since I really liked it.
I'm gonna give this one a 3.5 star (5 star before) because, even though there were things I liked about this book, many other icky things just killed the fun for me! :/
PS: Did I mention I hated Clayton in this book as well? Yah, I did, since I read ample examples which indicated he hasn't changed a bit. -
Αναμφίβολα από αυτές τις ξεχωριστές ιστορίες αγάπης που στοχεύουν κατευθείαν στην καρδιά του αναγνώστη!
Δένεσαι με τους ήρωες από την πρώτη στιγμή!
Δικαιολογείς τα πάντα μια και ξέρεις όλες τις σκέψεις τους και στην πορεία όλα τα βιώματά τους...
Είναι αυτά που έχουν διαμορφώσει τις συμπεριφορές τους ,τους χαρακτήρες τους.
Είναι το πρόσωπο που θέλουν να φαίνεται προς τα έξω, και όχι ότι αισθάνονται.
Στίβεν και Σέρινταν, οι δυο ισχυρές και κεντρικές προσωπικότητες του βιβλίου, βρίσκονται μπροστά στα μάτια σας και σας προκαλούν να τις ανακαλύψετε!
Χάρις Λάνκαστερ η κακομαθημένη κληρονόμος ξεκινά ένα υπερατλαντικό ταξίδι από την Αμερική για να γνωρίσει στην Αγγλία τον μέλλοντα αριστοκράτη σύζυγό της, Λόρδο Μπάρλετον !Συνοδός της σε αυτό το μακρινό ταξίδι είναι η Σέρινταν Μπρομλάι.
Στην διάρκεια όμως του ταξιδιού η Χάρις ερωτεύεται και εγκαταλείπει το πλοίο.
Αυτή που βρίσκεται στη δυσάρεστη θέση να ενημερώσει το μέλλοντα σύζυγο της Χάρις, είναι η συνοδός της, η Σέρινταν...
Στίβεν Ντέιβιντ Έλιοτ Ουέστμορλαντ: Ο Κόμης του Λάγκφορντ! Ο αδερφός του γνωστού και αγαπημένου μας Κλέιτον!Είναι αυτός που περιμένει στην αποβάθρα για να ενημερώσει την Χάρις ότι ο αρραβωνιαστικός της δεν βρίσκεται στη ζωή...
Και το γαιτανάκι του ολέθρου και της καταστροφής ξεκινά!!!
Ετοιμαστείτε για μεγάλες συγκινήσεις, ανομολόγητες αλήθειες,κρυμμένα μυστικά και για έναν έρωτα κεραυνοβόλο!
Από την μια πλευρά της ζυγαριάς οι ενοχές, οι ανασφάλειες , ο φόβος , η προκατάληψη, οι τύψεις, βυθίζουν τους ήρωες της ιστορίας όλο και περισσότερο στον λήθαργο!
Το απόλυτο κενό , οι απορίες, η αβεβαιότητα και τα πρωτόγνωρα συναισθήματα από την άλλη, σηματοδοτούν ανεξίτηλα την αρχή μιας συγκλονιστικής σχέσης, με απρόβλεπτες συνέπειες.
Αμφιβολίες, ανησυ��ίες, οδηγίες και προειδοποιήσεις προσπαθούν να αλλοιώσουν κάθε δυνατό συναίσθημα!
Μα είναι αδύνατον...
Έρχεται με ταχύτητα τυφώνα!
<<Μισώ.. να φοβάμαι>>
<<Δε θα σ'αφήσω.Σου το υπόσχομαι>>
Σέρινταν μια γυναίκα ευάλωτη, ένας αξιοθαύμαστος συνδυασμός ψυχικής ευγένειας και σθένους.
Στίβεν,ο ψυχρός αδιάλλακτος και ακέραιος αριστοκράτης, χρειάζεται την καλοσύνη και την τρυφερότητα στη ζωή του, αλλά δεν το παραδέχεται ούτε στον ίδιο του τον εαυτό. Αυτό όμως που χρειάζεται περισσότερο από οτιδήποτε άλλο για να καταλάβει την διαφορά, εί��αι να κοιτάξει βαθιά μέσα στα σαγηνευτικά μάτια της Σέρινταν!Όταν το κάνει, βλέπει το κουράγιο, τη φλόγα , την γλυκύτητα και την ανεπιτήδευτη ζεστασιά της ..
Οι χάρτινες αντιστάσεις του κάμπτονται και αυξάνεται με ιλιγγιώδη ταχύτητα ο ερωτικός παλμός στερώντας τον από κάθε έλεγχο.
<<Το να σε κοιτώ έγινε η αγαπημένη μου ασχολία από τη στιγμή που μου ζήτησες να σου περιγράψω το πρόσωπό σου >>
<<Σ' ευχαριστώ. >>
<<Για ποιο πράγμα;>>
<<Που έμεινες όλη τη νύχτα μαζί μου. >>
Ορμητική θύελλα αισθήσεων που κόβει την ανάσα και προκαλεί μια πρωτόγνωρη απελπισία...
Απολαμβάνεις βήμα βήμα, το αίσθημα της ολοκληρωτικής κατάκτησης, νιώθεις έντονα την ερωτική αφύπνιση , τις πρωτοφανείς αντιδράσεις, τις απώλειες αυτοελέγχου καθώς και τις αναπάντεχες αποκαλύψεις που σκίζουν την καρδιά στα δύο.
Απόρριψη και εγωισμός μετά από τραγικές παρεξηγήσεις.
Δυσπιστία , πόνος , απελπισία, και θυμός!
<<Θέλησες να με δεις;>>
<<Ήρθα να σου πω ότι φεύγω .Δεν ήθελα να εξαφανιστώ και αυτή τη φορά όπως έκανα την προηγούμενη.Δεν δέχομαι την πρότασή σου. >>
<<Έχει καλώς .>> <<Ήθελες κάτι άλλο;>>.
<<Ναι υπάρχει και κάτι άλλο.>>
<<Τι;>>
<<Αυτό!>>
Τον χαστούκισε τόσο δυνατά που το κεφάλι του τινάχτηκε στο πλάι.
<<Είσαι ένα άκαρδο, άσπλαχνο τέρας.Νιώθω βρόμικη και μολυσμένη.Δεν θα μπορέσω να συγχωρήσω ποτέ την ίδια μου ηλιθιότητα ,που σε εμπιστεύτηκα και σ' αγάπησα!>>
Ένα καταπληκτικό δίδυμο που θα το λατρέψετε.
Δικαιολόγησα τον σκληρό και πληγωμένο Στίβεν.
Λάτρεψα απόλυτα τον περήφανο αλλά δίκαιο Στίβεν, που μόλις κατάλαβε τις λάθος εκτιμήσεις του, έτρεξε σαν τρελός να σώσει ότι μπορούσε!Ξέχασε εγωισμό , ξέχασε περηφάνια,ξέχασε τα πάντα .Η δικαίωση ήρθε για να μεθύσει τις αισθήσεις μου και να κάνει κατάληψη στο μυαλό των ηρώων αλλά και στο δικό μου.
<<Θέλω να σου αλλάξω το όνομα έτσι ώστε να μην υπάρξει ποτέ ξανά αμφιβολία για το ποια είσαι ή σε ποιον ανήκεις>>
<<Και περισσότερο από κάθετι άλλο , θέλω να σ'ακούσω να μου λες ''σ'αγαπώ'' κάθε μέρα της ζωής μου.Ως αντάλλαγμα σου εγγυώμαι την εκπλήρωση κάθε επιθυμίας σου που είναι στο χέρι μου να την κάνω πραγματικότητα .>>
Όλα για τη Σέρινταν που ήρθε στη ζωή του!
Η λύτρωση και η παράδοση άνευ όρων, του πιο σκληρού, του πιο περήφανου εργένη, μου έφερε δάκρυα στα μάτια και απανωτά ρίγη συγκίνησης. Τρεις μαγικές λεξούλες που έκλεισαν όλη του την αφοσίωση και έκαναν την μαγική διαφορά:
<<Μέχρι που ήρθες εσύ...!>>
Bonus του βιβλίου, οι ήρωες από το δεύτερο ζευγάρι της σειράς ,η λατρεμένη Γουίτνει μαζί με τον αξεπέραστο Κλέιτον, η μετέπειτα ζωή τους και φυσικά η σημαντική τους συμμετοχή σε αυτή την καταπληκτική ιστορία του Στίβεν και της Σέρινταν!
Μιλάμε πλέον για άλλο επίπεδο γραφής, για άλλο επίπεδο συναισθημάτων!
Δηλώνω ΜΑΓΕΜΕΝΗ και με τα τρία βιβλία της εκπληκτικής αυτής σειράς, το βασίλειο των ουρανών!
Μην τα προσπεράσετε για κανέναν απολύτως λόγο!!!
LOVE BOOKS-LOVE READ
https://lovebooksloveread.blogspot.co... -
This is my first book by Judith McNaught and true to its favorable ratings, it is a very good read. UNTIL YOU is something like the embodiment of a pure romance novel, in that the romance takes precedence over everything else; no murder, intrigue, dastardly villain marred the pages of this book, which of course, may imply that the plot drags, but I am thankful to say that it does not, until about 70% of the book.
The amnesia trope has been utilized to allow for greater romantic development between Stephen and Sheridan, as Stephen's guilt over almost killing the fiance (whom he thought was Sheridan) of a man he had run over with a carriage propelled him to take care of her. Sheridan, who could not remember anything about herself, is perfectly fine with falling in love with the cold and austere Stephen, who was in turn falling in love with her cheerful spirit and unaffected warmth.
The problem I had with the book began when a series of misunderstandings led Stephen to think Sheridan a conniving shrew who pretended to have amnesia just to get close to him. Sheridan, after hearing some very bad explanations of what she assumed to be Stephen's reasons for wanting to marry her, ran off at an inopportune time instead of confronting him. What it essentially led to was a game of blaming the other person, wallowing in self-misery, and causing friends and family emotional pain. Many authors believe that there has to be some big twist in the story, a reversal of fate that can potentially turn a comedy into a tragedy, in order to test the bonds of a couple's love. For this book, the conflict was resolved only when the misunderstandings were cleared, which prompts the question, why waste all those pages when the conclusion is really just a reversion to the pre-unhappy state?
Judith McNaught's writing is such that readers would be content to just read a wonderfully engaging tale of an unlikely man falling in love and turning a poor girl into Cinderella, but the additional misunderstandings in the end took too long to be resolved, with its resolution not being satisfactory compared to the scope of the romance in this story. To put it simply, after reading pages of a truly romantic and humorous story, I was left with a "That's it?" feeling, at the end of Stephen and Sheridan's reconciliation. I would still recommend this story as a superb romance, but perhaps some readers, unlike myself, can fight the urge to skip the last 30% of the book with its aggravating and silly misunderstandings. -
CNF 9/30/2018 @ 60%
1) Apparently "amnesia" gives me the heebie jeebies. I can't take kissing and getting touchy-feely with a woman who has no memory of who she is. I can't buy into a romance or relationship with a heroine who has lost her memory. Blech!
2) Problems aside from the yucky amnesia:
I don't think HR readers will disagree if I say that we have all seen the book where the hero's womenfolk have decided that he "needs" to get married and the womenfolk set about trying to make that happen. Even if there was no amnesia, this trope in this here book was unpalatable to me in it's execution. The lies, manipulation and meddling to try to bring the hero and the heroine together was wayyyy too heavy-handed for my taste into the life of an independent adult male who doesn't need to carry on the family title/lineage and has his own fortune. In other words, the hero is under no obligation for this (to me) unseemly meddling. It seems that hero's friends and family have "decided" that he needs to settle down. I have never seen such a deep conspiracy of family members and so-called friends to outright lie, manipulate to force the hero to marry and choose a candidate. Whats worse, they are pulling out the stops to engineer a union with a woman without a memory.
Double Yuck!
