Say You Love Me

Rating:
Summary: 5th book of the Malory Series
Review: First off, here is the series in sequence: 1. Love Only Once 2. Tender Rebel 3. Gentle Rogue 4. The Magic of You 5. Say You Love Me 6. The Present: The Malory Holiday Novel

I was really looking forward in reading Derek's story that I took this book with me in a long flight from L.A to Hong Kong. To my dismay, this book made me fall asleep more than I can count. The beginning was quite interesting, then things started to fall apart.... WHY? Here's why: I have notice that all books in this Malory series (except for the first one) contains lots of repetitive informations. There were times I had to skip parts wherein a Malory or two will start discussing the story or happenings of the previous books, sorta like a short summarization for those who have not read it. For readers like me who have read the series in sequence, It's useless info. and i won't lose anything to skip it... At first, this style of writing didn't seem to bother me but when I got to the third book of the series, the summarization of the first two books was getting to me. Imagine my restlessness when i was reading the 4th and the 5th book (which unfortunately happened to be Derek's story)! I skipped more parts in this book cuz I didn't need to read the summary of the 4 previous books which i have already read. All this useless (in my opinion) summarizations, overshadowed Derek and Kelsey's story. Ms. Lindsey should have concentrated on detailing their characters (esp. Kelsey) and building up their relationship with each other. This is the main reason why I rated this book quite low, there was sooo many summarizations of the previous books! No doubt, It was great to read UPDATES of the Malory characters in the previous books, i liked that part but i think there is no need to summarize each couple's story.

Derek and Kelsey's love story have some potentials... Their story was quite sad compared to the other Malory's yet I wasn't convince and drawn to them like I should. I really tried to like this book. In fact, I kept picking it up after putting it down for an hour or two... But even after skipping some parts, it still doesn't peak my interest. Derek's strong profile seemed to fade and Kelsey, being pictured as a strong level headed girl, also seemed weak and often times insecure & confuse. Perhaps it is the situation and the contradictory occurances that made this book so unconvincing or perhaps lack of detailing and building up... or perhaps it's simply the too many summarizations of the previous books that turned me off from this book. It's just too bad cuz Derek was one of my favorite Malory too. Oh well, there is many people who rated this book a 4 and 5 stars so perhaps you might like it more than I have. So pick it up and decide for yourself. PLUS, this book if part of the Malory series. If u started the series, you'll have to read this one too.

Rating:
Summary: Say You'll Write Something Better Next Time, JL!
Review: I am a huge JL fan. I love the Malory novels, especially "Tender Rebel" and "Gentle Rogue." That said, I thought that the fifth Malory novel, "Say You Love Me," while a quick read, was rather lackluster. I am actually surprised so many reviewers gave it 4 or 5 stars; it makes we wonder if we were even reading the same book, or if they were letting their love for the Malorys cloud their judgment.

In fact, I recall trying to read "Say" when it first came out in 1996. I think I read two chapters before giving up (and I LOVE Lindsey). Now, here I am, in 2004; knowing Jeremy finally has his own story, I decided to reread the entire Malory series before buying "A Loving Scoundrel." So that meant I actually had to finish "Say." Well, I did. Needless to say, I was not impressed.

"Say" revolves around Derek Malory, the illegitimate son of a Marquis, and a young rakehell, to boot. In a rather selfless act of compassion, he "saves" Kelsey Langton - a Lady in need of money to save her family from financial ruin - by buying her in a public auction at a brothel as his mistress. He deliberately outbids a sadistic lord intent on purchasing her for his own cruel sexual deviations.

An interesting start to a Malory novel. But, instead of being the usual light-hearted, witty romantic runaround that involves a lot of seduction and sensual banter (which define Malory novels), "Say" goes a different route. Derek doesn't have to seduce Kelsey - he's bought her, so she must comply. The banter is limited in this novel, probably because Kelsey is so accommodating and because the uncle that this Malory novel highlights is Jason, the dead-serious one. Worse, the novel has the darkest, most awful "bad guy" scene of any JL romance: Kelsey is kidnapped and taken to a house of horrors by the sadist, who intends to rape and torture her. This is THE most disturbing thing JL has written; in my mind, it belonged in a suspense thriller or horror story, not a romance novel. However, to top it off, this scene occurs in the middle of the novel; after Kelsey is rescued, JL spends about two sentences saying "Oh yeah, it was a pretty awful experience, so she spent a week in bed," before promptly forgetting about it. This is the type of incident that traumatizes people for life. Hello!

I also noticed that there was too much back-story to this book. Having read Malory books #1 through 4 in the last few weeks, back-to-back, I didn't appreciate the summarizations very much. I think it would have been a lot more fun if JL had written more about what Regina, Anthony, James, Warren, etc. have been up to now, rather than what had happened in novels I can reread anytime.

Finally, three other points: 1) The last half of the book revolves around why it would be scandalous if Kelsey and Derek marry (even James and Anthony, those scandalmongers, were naysaying a wedding); please, these are the Malorys - they relish scandal - so this plotline, knowing the family, seemed ridiculous. 2) What was the point to Kelsey having The Tragedy in her life? JL teased us readers with it, made it seem important, then let it flatline completely. So sad. 3) I actually finished the novel thinking it was still embarrasing for Kelsey to show her face among the Malorys, since everyone was so dead-set against her and the solution was so silly.

FYI: The Malory series includes 1) "Love Only Once" (Regina is compromised by bored rake Nicholas), 2) "Tender Rebel" (Roslynn must marry, and Anthony offers himself as groom), 3) "Gentle Rogue" (Georgina ends up as James' cabin boy aboard his ship), 4) "Magic of You" (Amy will make Warren marry her no matter what), 5) "Say You Love Me" (Derek buys Kelsey in an auction), 6) "The Present" (novella about the gypsy great-grandmother), and 7) "A Loving Scoundrel" (Jeremy lets a thief steal his heart).



Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER SUPREMELY WONDERFUL MALORY NOVEL!!!!
Review: I have to disagree with the low rating given to this story by other readers, because Ms Lindsey ensures that the hero Dereck is quite unique - he resembles his dad Jason, but he is not like his uncles James and Tony and his cousins-in law Nicholas Eden and Warren Anderson!!! Readers must use logic, after all, Ms Lindsey is quite correct/original because she she does not typecast her Malory men!!! why do other readers expect the same old personality-type like Nicholas, Tony and that exception and BEST Malory male: James? Heroes in the same series MUST BE UNIQUE TO ENSURE VARIETY!!! Dereck is absolutely perfect in his own way!And the beautiful Kelsey is my favourite herione after Georgina...My only disappointement is the fact that a little too much information on the previous couples in the Malory series. Dereck and Kelsey did not receive the type of attention readers should have expected!!!I adore the other couples whose previous respective relationships were magical! BUT THIS IS NOT THEIR STORY!!! Other than that, the novel was perfect...

Rating:
Summary: The Malory's are the best!
Review: I received all the Malory novels for Christmas, just as SAY YOU LOVE ME was released in hardcover. I read them all, and went out and bought this book, as I could not wait until she published it in paperback. I am a huge fan of family series, and this one is fabulous. I love all the male characters, and their feminine counterparts are extremely exciting as well. I especially love how Reggie's two uncles continually berate Nicholas, years after they were married. I wanted to add, for the reader in Rochester, NY, who submitted her review on Feb 12, that the order for the Mallory novels is as follows: LOVE ONLY ONCE, TENDER REBEL, GENTLE ROGUE, THE MAGIC OF YOU, SAY YOU LOVE ME, and THE PRESENT. Hope you all enjoy them as much as I have!

Rating:
Summary: Don't ask--just READ.
Review: I'm actually a little surprised that a few gave this book disapproving marks,but hey-to each his own. I really enjoyed this Malory novel,though. Derek may not be exactly like his uncles,but that's kind of a good thing since he represents something "different". I think he was amazingly sweet,but tough when he oughtta be.
The other Malory characters reprised their roles in this novel. Some of the dialogue they had were really funny-I was laughing my arse off. I love the companionship between Percy,Derek and Jeremy. <3 <3 <3

Rating:
Summary: malory's novels
Review: I've always love the Malory's novels. I love this one too, it was good, somewhat predictable and I think it could have been better. I also would love to know what happens to Jeremy Malory, where is his storie?

Rating:
Summary: Lindsey fizzles with this one
Review: If you're looking for a great Johanna Lindsey to read, look no farther. . . than your keeper shelf and re-read one of her older releases. Because Say You Love Me is not a keeper and will not be joining those other treasured Lindsey's in your collection.

Say You Love Me is the fifth in the Malory series. Perhaps that is why Johanna Lindsey spent so much time on various members of the Malory family and so little time on Derek Malory's actual relationship with heroine Kelsey Langton. This is problem one.

Johanna Lindsey writes some of the best alpha males around. Unfortunately, Johanna has written a kinder, gentler hero in this book, and it doesn't work. The blond hair was a tip-off, and in this case, blond is bland. This is problem two.

As for the story, here it is in a nutshell: Orphaned gentlewoman agrees to sell herself at auction to save her uncle and aunt's home and finance her sister's coming out. She is bought by kind-hearted hero to prevent a sadist from buying her first.

He doesn't know she is part of the gentry but falls in love anyway. Even though every other male in his family is scandalous and he himself is the bastard heir to the family title and fortune, he tries to conduct himself admirably to prevent scandal at every turn.

She begins to fall in love with him even though she knows nothing of the ways of mistress-ing and works hard to fool him so that he won't know she is a gentlewoman.

The drama comes from his rescuing her from the sadist who must have her. But the conflict comes from his wanting to marry her, which she won't do. She would protect her love and prevent the scandal of his marrying his mistress. Big yawn, made bigger because it probably wouldn't have been difficult to figure out she's really part of the gentry. But then, without this flimsy conflict, there wouldn't be much of a story.

Sorry, folks, but this is much ado about nothing. This is a family that thrives on scandal. His father's mistress is the housekeeper. The housekeeper is his mother. His father is getting a divorce. His uncles' exploits are well-known to readers of other books in the Malory series. My goodness, he is a bastard and was made heir to the family title! I just didn't buy it. This is problem three.

This book then, fails on several levels. The conflict is not credible. The hero and heroine are separate for too much of the story. And while beta males can be part of wonderful romances, this author should stick to what works best for her - the ultra-masculine, arrogant, darkly tortured alpha male.

Kelsey is far the more interesting of the two leads, and since most of us need a complex hero to connect with, the book does not satisfy at the most basic level either. Then too, the resolution to their dilemma is another let-down. When Derek discovers who Kelsey really is and Kelsey realizes what she did was for naught, this book went sailing across the room.

Family romances that are spread out over several books can be wonderful reading. Authors can utilize those family members and their relationships to illuminate and brighten the relationship of the lead characters. But mishandled, these secondary characters have a tendency to take over, which is what happens in Say You Love Me. Perhaps the author should have focused on the love between Derek's father and the housekeeper and made Derek and Kelsey secondary characters. Now, that would have been interesting.

Johanna Lindsey used to write two paperbacks a year. Now she writes one hardcover a year. Even die-hard fans of the Malory series won't like this one.

Those of you looking for some good reads by this author should try instead: Man of My Dreams, Once a Princess, or the politically incorrect Prisoner of My Desire.

TTFN, Laurie Likes Books

Publisher, All About Romance

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: One of the problems I had with this story is that we never knew or had insight to who Kelsey was. The author told us she and Derek got along and had chemistry but it was never illustrated to the reader. We knew Derek loved Kelsey but I had no idea why. Her personality did not shine through like Georgina's or Amy's or Reggie's. We got to know these women and had fun doing so. Kelsey came off as a tragic figure; a martyr, but she also lacked a spirit and love of life. Shoot, I didn't even know Kelsey's hair color into well into the book! C'mon Johanna, you need to play-up Kelsey in a future book to redeem yourself. ;)

Derek was putty in her hands (for some reason) and his devotion to her was seen nicely in the book. Its about time another Malory hero had blonde hair, I though the gypsies took over them all! LOL!

Rating:
Summary: where is jeremy' story?
Review: Say you love me is a great book as are the rest of the malory books, but I cant help wondering about Jeremy Malory and can't wait to get my hands on his story. Is Ms. Lindsey writting a book for him? If any one knows , let me know!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! Love those Malorys.
Review: The entire series seems to just keep getting better and better. Tender Rebel will always be my favorite, but I really liked this one too. I only wish that Kelsey's character had been more developed. She's almost overshadowed by the Malory clan and seems kind of silly at times. In fact, the story didn't really seem to pick up until James and Anthony became involved in the dialog. Even Nicholas Eden did alot to pull the story along. The involvement of all the surrounding characters was actually more interesting than the relationship between Derek Malory and Kelsey Langton, but that didn't bother me overly much because it was still a good story. The ending left me wanting to know more about Jason Malory and Molly. Not about where they might go from here, but about when they first met and were all living at Haverston. I'm also extremely interested in the hinted-at story between Melissa Malory and Thomas Ashton. It sounds like it could be quite a tale. My thanks to Lindsey. She's got quite a gift.