Rating: 
Summary: Blah ze ending to a somewhat interesting story
Review: Yes, I am hooked on the writing talents of Judith Barnard and Michael Fain. Yet as I make my way through their books I find Certain Smile to have left me hanging. I rather enjoyed becoming aquainted with the main characters, Li and Miranda. Theirs is a romance that springboards from a reality close to home: they are of seasoned ages, he a professional, she a budding professional, both having children, both at a point in thier lives where taking chances on the unusual (dating strangers in a foreign land) is not all too ridiculous. Mostly, I enjoy the pictures the authors drew for me of a land I've not had the privilage of visiting. It inspired me to be more inquisitive of the culture. However, beyond these few basics which kept me reading, I was disappointed in the outcome of the relationship. Miranda's character, in the end, showed lack of maturaty inconsistent with the tenor of the relationship as it was developed throughout the story. Additionally, a bit of the storyline was next to unbelievable... the wheelings and underhanded dealings of Li's son... but that along with the romance is what makes this all fanasy. And fantasy is the escape I enjoy in my free time reading!
Rating: 
Summary: A Certain Smile
Review: I was fascinated with this book! It was an interesting story with interesting characters who may not have always been predictible, but that was OK. If it weren't for the tragedy of the ending, I would probably have given this story 5 stars. I do prefer a happy ending, but occasionally life doesn't come out the way we hope or expect. Whether or not we agree with the decision the authors made for the lovers to go their separate ways without further contact, maybe it was looked at as the only way the couple could handle the absence of one another and get on with their lives.
Rating: 
Summary: AWFUL STORY
Review: I could not finish this book, let alone get past page 25. The story was too slow to develop, quite boring. I found it very disturbing that a Chinese man would befriend/stalk a stranger at the airport. Neither character was very interesting. It doesn't make sense that he would show so much interest in Miranda, to show her around the country. The fact that Li was being followed didn't add anything for me. I wish I could give it NO stars but I am forced to give it ONE star.
Rating: 
Summary: Not one of their best works.
Review: Bestselling husband and wife author-team Judith Michael has situated this familiar midlife, "coming of age" tale in a truly unique location. Colorful descriptions of Chinese culture and atmosphere will certainly infect some readers with the travel bug. But, while Miranda's character is well-developed and likable, Li's borders on stereotypical, and at times the threats to their relationship seem artificial. The ending also seems somewhat weak and wishy-washy for such a promising storyline. Not to give away the ending, but after 10 days of knowing each other, Miranda and Li struggle with the implausible -- one page has her staying in China (what about her kids in the US?) and the next page has him leaving China and moving to the US. Make up your minds! Unfortunately this is not one of the authors' best works, but it is entertaining if you are interested in Chinese culture and people. -Sharon Galligar Chance
Rating:
Summary: The ending destroyed the book
Review: I read all those pages about a person who was supposedly coming to be her own person, developing self-confidence and courage. I read about this great love that was so special. Then the ending. You won't come to America and live in my house, in my town, with my children, and my parents who won't like you. Then I don't want us to call, or write, or ever contact each other again. So much for that special relationship. My memory went back to the section where she'd had short relationships with men that she kept seeing and sleeping with even though she felt nothing. I guess this ten day fling really fits that pattern and wasn't love at all on Miranda's part. I liked Li's character far more than Miranda's. His character stayed more consistent throughout the book. I have yet to read a book with two authors that had a consistent character flow throughout the book. There are always scenes when the character does something totally different than what you've been led to expect from the previous material. I doubt that I will invest more in a Judith Michaels' book. I felt so cheated after the last chapter. Miranda had made friends and professional contacts and could have had a good life in China. Li did not have that support if he had chosen to go to America. I read a lot, and anyone who thinks life if perfect in America, and terrible elsewhere is wearing blinders. There is good and bad in every political situation where people have any freedom whatsoever.
Rating:
Summary: Great story, disappointing romance
Review: Fashion designer Miranda Graham is lost and struggling in Beijing when assistance comes in the form of Chinese businessman Yuan Li. The descriptions of China are wonderful and the people are interesting. The story, while having implausible moments (would you really go out with a perfect stranger in a foreign country if you were shy and scared?), flowed well. Li was not a very well defined character and came out a bit stereotypical, but my main problem with this story was its unsatisfying and wishy-washy ending. I respect difficult decisions like this, but these characters could have come up with something better.
Rating:
Summary: Unsatisfied, but could here be hope in a sequel someday...
Review: I like this author's past works, but this book was not very good. It is very stereotypical of Asians and as a Asian myself, its almost offensive. Its a negative portrayal of Asians and totally unnecessary. Plus the woman in the book is argumentative, too sensitive, close minded and racist. The descriptions of China were very good, however. Maybe the authors can redeem themselves by writing a sequel which addresses these problems and everyone lives happily ever after?
Rating:
Summary: They Need to Try Again
Review: One of the worst for this writing team. Where's the beginnning, middle and especially the end of this book...
Rating:
Summary: A Certain Smile
Review: Like most of the reviewers, I agree that this was not the best work by the husband and wife team. I was greatly disappointed. It seems like I waited a long time for a new Judith Michael book to be released and this one was not worth the wait. The characters were flat, the story line implausible and the ending contrived. I wish I read the reviews before I bought the book!
Rating:
Summary: Did the authors use a trip to China as a business expense?
Review: I usually like the writing team of "Judith Michael", but this was absymal. It really seemed to me that all they wanted to do was take a trip to China and write it off as a business expense for "research". Not to give away the ending, but after 10 days of knowing each other, the principal characters struggled with the implausible--one page she was staying in China (what about her kids in the US?) and the next page he was leaving China and moving to the US. The ending was utterly unsatisfying.
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