If I Had You

Rating:
Summary: Sexual Content: Rated G
Review: The upside to "If I Had You" is that the latest installment of the de Piaget saga is a relatively strong one. The downside is that its strength doesn't come into play until the last 180 pages of the novel. The first 250 pages of the book are redundant and exasperating, with misunderstandings and miscommunications being used far too often (and over silly things) to keep Anne and Robin apart.

There are several positive aspects to "If I Had You". Speculation that arose in "Another Chance to Dream" concerning Robin's heritage is laid to rest, making this novel worth reading for that aspect of it alone. The love relationship between the protagonists is heart-warming and endearing, and the story line contains Kurland's usual witticisms and humorous dialogue. The negative aspect of the book, and the reason I can't give it more than a 3, is that all of the aforementioned positive aspects occur in the last 180 pages.

"If I Had You" is an entertaining read, but there is no question that Kurland is capable of better.

(sexual content G = love scenes, but no description of consummations)

Rating:
Summary: Sexual Content: Rated G
Review: The upside to "If I Had You" is that the latest installment of the de Piaget saga is a relatively strong one. The downside is that its strength doesn't come into play until the last 180 pages of the novel. The first 250 pages of the book are redundant and exasperating, with misunderstandings and miscommunications being used far too often (and over silly things) to keep Anne and Robin apart.

There are several positive aspects to "If I Had You". Speculation that arose in "Another Chance to Dream" concerning Robin's heritage is laid to rest, making this novel worth reading for that aspect of it alone. The love relationship between the protagonists is heart-warming and endearing, and the story line contains Kurland's usual witticisms and humorous dialogue. The negative aspect of the book, and the reason I can't give it more than a 3, is that all of the aforementioned positive aspects occur in the last 180 pages.

"If I Had You" is an entertaining read, but there is no question that Kurland is capable of better.

(sexual content G = love scenes, but no description of consummations)

Rating:
Summary: Really 4 and one-half, but . . .
Review: This book is outstanding! I love the way Ms. Kurland uses humor, andthis is the first historical I've read in a long time where I didn'twant to smack either or both of the main characters for acting likenitwits. Anne and Robin certainly act like nitwits, but are so funnywhile doing so that for once it's easy to understand why they forgiveone another for acting this way....

Rating:
Summary: A good read...
Review: This book was excellent. These two people obviously care for each other, but think the other doesn't and so doesn't say anything. It just goes to show what childhood "trauma" can do to you.

The book is really great. There doesn't seem to be much left to describe it, if I don't want to sound redundant.

Rating:
Summary: More in the de Piaget Saga
Review: This is a very charming book, covering the courtship and marriage of Anne and Robin de Piaget, the parents of Kendrick from Stardust of Yesterday,(Robin is also the son of Rhys and Gwen from Another Chance to Dream and benefactor to the Christopher in "This is All I Ask"). It fills in some of the family history and also stands on its own as a sweet story about two people who love each other dearly but are reluctant to admit it. A very enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Not so good...
Review: This is the worst romance novel I have ever had the displeasure of reading.
I will write this review now to try deter you from buying this book and save you from hours of what can only be described as torture.
I'll do this while it is still fresh in my mind because I plan to forget it as soon possible.

Now, I've read a lot of romance novels, and this is the first time I've actually hated oneThere is a phrase the author uses at every possible opportunity. "By the saints". I started noting the number of times she used this, it was something like twenty times in eighteen pages. After that I stopped counting, but I can say with certainty that she used it every other page. (No exaggeration).

On to the second phrase- "She/he suspects". It was used enough times to fill an entire library.
"She suspected it wouldn't be long before she threw the book into the fireplace to take it's place among the rest of the firewood."

If it's possible to get past that, you have the poorly written characters to contend with.
The author focused entirely too much on Anne's disability throughout the story which detracted from the more important themes. (Again with the repetitiveness)
The hero of our story, Robin, bordered on being ridiculous and manic-depressive. Neither Anne nor Robin had any real depth or appeal. Instead of being caught up in the story, I was often reminded of how unrealistic and foolishly they had been written.

I should also point out that there is no physical love between the two except for three innocent kisses. (All in succession) I shy away from books that focus too much on sex, and have one love scene after another, but nonetheless I think it's important to have at least some sense of their physical connection. Even one not overly descriptive page would have sufficed. Although for some people this would not be a problem.

The climax is so laughable, and not because it's funny.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad but could be better
Review: To be honest this is my least favorite book of Kurlands so far, and I hate to say that because I really love her books! There was something lacking in it thats hard for me to explain so I'll just say that this is a good book to read if you want the dePiaget family history (plus I'll admit Robin's "wooing" of Anne is hysterical) but if you want to read some of her better works try Stardust of Yesterday or The More I see you.

Rating:
Summary: Plot Doesn't Hold an Interest
Review: Well, I bought this book for vacation and have to say that it was a disappointment. After 14 chapters I threw in the towel. I found the dialogue trite and it just didn't hold my interest.

Rating:
Summary: Plot Doesn't Hold an Interest
Review: Well, I bought this book for vacation and have to say that it was a disappointment. After 14 chapters I threw in the towel. I found the dialogue trite and it just didn't hold my interest.

Rating:
Summary: Ms. Kurland has a new fan!!
Review: Wonderful! I too started with one the subsequent books and am now backtracking. I love Ms. Kurland's writing. I am sorry I did not discover her sooner. So much lost time! I am looking forword to all of the books I have yet to read and all of the books she has yet to write!