What do you think?
Rate this book
Viking I #1
The Reluctant Viking: A Hilarious Time Travel Romance with a Sexy Viking Warrior
“Sandra Hill writes stories that tickle the funnybone and touch the heart.”
—Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author New York Times bestseller Sandra Hill specializes in sexy and hilarious historical romance novels featuring magnificently studly Norsemen—and The Reluctant Viking is one of her most unforgettable heroes yet! Fans of Monica McCarthy and Hannah Howell will howl at this time travel love story that transports a modern woman back to a Medieval era of comely damsels and lusty alpha males…and into the arms of a Viking warrior who looks disturbingly like her husband of ten centuries later. Bestselling author Karen Marie Moning is a confirmed Sandra Hill fan, calling her books, “Wickedly funny, deliciously sexy,” and The Reluctant Viking is ideal reading for anyone who likes her romance sexy, fun, and outrageous…and her heroes buff, barbarous, and scorching hot.
—Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author New York Times bestseller Sandra Hill specializes in sexy and hilarious historical romance novels featuring magnificently studly Norsemen—and The Reluctant Viking is one of her most unforgettable heroes yet! Fans of Monica McCarthy and Hannah Howell will howl at this time travel love story that transports a modern woman back to a Medieval era of comely damsels and lusty alpha males…and into the arms of a Viking warrior who looks disturbingly like her husband of ten centuries later. Bestselling author Karen Marie Moning is a confirmed Sandra Hill fan, calling her books, “Wickedly funny, deliciously sexy,” and The Reluctant Viking is ideal reading for anyone who likes her romance sexy, fun, and outrageous…and her heroes buff, barbarous, and scorching hot.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1994
121 people are currently reading
2009 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Hill
92 books1,313 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. She is the wife of a stockbroker and the mother of four sons.
This biography was provided by the author or their representative.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
June 11, 2010
I didn't have high hopes for this book and I am still disappointed. I just wanted a bit of brain candy. This book seemed perfect: time travel, Vikings, lusty romance. What more could a girl want? Somehow, Hill failed to deliver on almost all counts. The lusty romance mostly delivered, but the Vikings were just jerks with weapons and the time travel was beyond stupid.
Like I said, though, I didn't expect much. I would've given it two or maybe two and a half stars for those qualities if it weren't for the explicit anti-feminist argument of the book. Rather than describe the book or summarize, let me list the lessons this book provides:
1) Women cannot have it all (job, marriage, kids, happiness, good looks).
2) Men can have it all--as long as their wives aren't also trying to have it all.
3) It is entirely up to the women to keep their marriages going.
4) Fancy lingerie and rudimentary birth control can lead to a mini-feminist revolution in pre-Norman invasion Britain.
5) All problems can be solved by sex.
6) Sex with honey is hot (and not nearly as sticky as I'd feared it would be).
7) To reiterate: Women really, truly cannot have it all (and, since they cannot have it all, they should sacrifice their careers and pander to their husbands' egos).
8) And again: Men can (and should) have it all--relatedly, the best husbands are those who love their sons, are sexy, and keep their wives in their place.
Even when I'm reading for fun, reading something I expect to be trashy, I can't turn off my feminist brain that much.
Like I said, though, I didn't expect much. I would've given it two or maybe two and a half stars for those qualities if it weren't for the explicit anti-feminist argument of the book. Rather than describe the book or summarize, let me list the lessons this book provides:
1) Women cannot have it all (job, marriage, kids, happiness, good looks).
2) Men can have it all--as long as their wives aren't also trying to have it all.
3) It is entirely up to the women to keep their marriages going.
4) Fancy lingerie and rudimentary birth control can lead to a mini-feminist revolution in pre-Norman invasion Britain.
5) All problems can be solved by sex.
6) Sex with honey is hot (and not nearly as sticky as I'd feared it would be).
7) To reiterate: Women really, truly cannot have it all (and, since they cannot have it all, they should sacrifice their careers and pander to their husbands' egos).
8) And again: Men can (and should) have it all--relatedly, the best husbands are those who love their sons, are sexy, and keep their wives in their place.
Even when I'm reading for fun, reading something I expect to be trashy, I can't turn off my feminist brain that much.
August 25, 2022
I've read a couple of Sandra Hill books in the past, and they're usually silly, fun, ridiculous, and oftentimes laugh-out-loud funny. This book was absolutely none of those things.
Every year I read a trashy romance novel for Christmas, because it's Christmas, so why not? This is the first year I had to force myself to read the book the whole way through.
The Reluctant Viking was boring and really, really long. Nothing happened for the first half of the novel, and the protagonists were all equally irritating and/or forgettable.
I'm also usually ok with suspending my feminist sensibilities for an escapist bodice-ripper, but this one just went way too far. Asshole Viking, I get, but he's meant to be the same person as the protagonist's modern-day husband. How many violent outbursts, public shamings, and inappropriate/unwanted sexual advances is this woman willing to endure before she sees him for the giant red flag he is?
Ultimately, the moral of the story appears to be that women should just stay in their lanes. Don't even think about running successful businesses, daring to cut your hair, or earning more money than your husbands, ladies. It's important that they don't feel emasculated by our success, because if they are, they'll just leave us, and it'll apparently be our own fault. Heaven forbid the husband should be forced to examine any of his poor behaviours, am I right, ladies?
Sandra Hill is worth a punt for the romance genre, but this is not the one to start with. It's an old book, so I'm willing to forgive a lot of the parts that didn't sit well with me, as I know her characterisations have changed a lot. This was first written in 1994, and boy does it show.
Every year I read a trashy romance novel for Christmas, because it's Christmas, so why not? This is the first year I had to force myself to read the book the whole way through.
The Reluctant Viking was boring and really, really long. Nothing happened for the first half of the novel, and the protagonists were all equally irritating and/or forgettable.
I'm also usually ok with suspending my feminist sensibilities for an escapist bodice-ripper, but this one just went way too far. Asshole Viking, I get, but he's meant to be the same person as the protagonist's modern-day husband. How many violent outbursts, public shamings, and inappropriate/unwanted sexual advances is this woman willing to endure before she sees him for the giant red flag he is?
Ultimately, the moral of the story appears to be that women should just stay in their lanes. Don't even think about running successful businesses, daring to cut your hair, or earning more money than your husbands, ladies. It's important that they don't feel emasculated by our success, because if they are, they'll just leave us, and it'll apparently be our own fault. Heaven forbid the husband should be forced to examine any of his poor behaviours, am I right, ladies?
Sandra Hill is worth a punt for the romance genre, but this is not the one to start with. It's an old book, so I'm willing to forgive a lot of the parts that didn't sit well with me, as I know her characterisations have changed a lot. This was first written in 1994, and boy does it show.
November 22, 2010
Since I can't give it half a star, I went with the lowest star possible...
Unfortunately, I didn't finish this book. I borrowed it from a friend who raved about it saying: "So funny, I laughed practically the whole time!" or "I wouldn't mind going back to the Viking era and be ravished by them" or "Hunka-hunka!"
After pushing myself to read at least the first 12 chapters (well sometimes the beginning of books are slow then the pace picks up mid-way...) all I could say was that that's time that I won't get back again.
I really really tried not to read the other reviews already posted here, so that I could go in with a blank slate and judge for myself... But boy was I wrong!! After almost strangling my friend for this book, I read the other reviews here, thing that I really should have done in the first place.
True that I've heard a lot of good things about the author, but this book really just practically killed any enthusiasm that I had to read other books that she wrote. I normally try to find something positive about any book, but I really couldn't do it with this one.
For a woman who was supposedly accomplished enough to have a very successful company of her own, a made woman in her own right, bows to a Neanderthal who treats her worse than vermin? When I started seeing this pattern, I really just got pissed off... I honestly didn't have the patience to even try to understand her victim-complex and sympathize with her....
Sorry guys, but I wouldn't exactly recommend this book, and for those that actually finished it and liked it, kudos for you! I honestly will welcome any positive thought about this one, because I came out with none.
Unfortunately, I didn't finish this book. I borrowed it from a friend who raved about it saying: "So funny, I laughed practically the whole time!" or "I wouldn't mind going back to the Viking era and be ravished by them" or "Hunka-hunka!"
After pushing myself to read at least the first 12 chapters (well sometimes the beginning of books are slow then the pace picks up mid-way...) all I could say was that that's time that I won't get back again.
I really really tried not to read the other reviews already posted here, so that I could go in with a blank slate and judge for myself... But boy was I wrong!! After almost strangling my friend for this book, I read the other reviews here, thing that I really should have done in the first place.
True that I've heard a lot of good things about the author, but this book really just practically killed any enthusiasm that I had to read other books that she wrote. I normally try to find something positive about any book, but I really couldn't do it with this one.
For a woman who was supposedly accomplished enough to have a very successful company of her own, a made woman in her own right, bows to a Neanderthal who treats her worse than vermin? When I started seeing this pattern, I really just got pissed off... I honestly didn't have the patience to even try to understand her victim-complex and sympathize with her....
Sorry guys, but I wouldn't exactly recommend this book, and for those that actually finished it and liked it, kudos for you! I honestly will welcome any positive thought about this one, because I came out with none.
February 4, 2012
People that read this book need to keep in mind that Vikings and the time of the Viking was not all women's lib, and puppy dogs and rainbows! There were wars all the time, the men COULD NOT show weakness or else they (and all they loved and cherished) were dead and burned to the ground! The point to this book was to remember what is really and truly important before it's gone! You might not get a second chance. That being said I thought this was a Great book! Funny, quick witted, and sexy! I like Thork way better than Jack, but other than that I wouldn't change a thing!
October 20, 2010
This was bad. And it wasn’t even funny haha bad. It was just bad bad.
Jack Jordan, Ruby Jordan’s husband of 20 years has just walked out on her. Feeling overwhelmed, she sits down to listen to one of the motivational tapes her husband often listens to for work and she falls asleep. When she wakes up she discovers that she’s been transported back in time from 1994 to a Viking encampment in the year 925. She’s obviously surprised but pleased to discover that her backwards journey through time has shaved 20 years off her body and erased the stretch marks she earned during her pregnancies with her two sons. (So jealous!)
One of the first people she meets is Thork, a hot Viking who looks exactly like her twentieth century husband, Jack. Ruby instantly decides this must be fate giving her a second chance with Jack so she sets out to win Thork’s love.
Unfortunately, Thork is a chauvinist pig and a first class jerk. And due to a previous commitment to his squad of fighting jomsvikings, he is neither permitted nor interested in falling in love, let alone a marriage. Even by the standards of other asshole alphas of his ilk, Thork sets himself above the others with repeated rude comments, and instances of cruel, unusual and embarrassing punishment exacted against Ruby. And after he first invites Ruby to spend the night with him and she refuses, saying that she isn’t interested in becoming another notch on his bedpost and that she won’t give herself to him without a proper commitment, he punishes her by flaunting his sexual escapades with other women. Ruby seethes with jealousy over this, but she still pines for him. And why? It appalls me that a supposed modern woman would tolerate this kind of behavior.
But then again, Ruby is one of those unfortunate romance novel heroines who seems to be a few clowns short of a circus. In spite of owning a successful lingerie company in the twentieth century, Ruby lacks greatly in the category of common sense. In typical clichéd American style, she enters 925 with guns blazing and loudly and petulantly announces to anyone who will listen that she is from the future and that this is all a dream. She repeatedly encourages the other Viking women to “be their own women” and to find ways to be independent from their men. Meanwhile, she broods over Thork even though he treats her like a second-class citizen. She also comes to realize that the reason her twentieth century husband left her in the first place was because it isn’t possible for a woman to hold down a career AND be a good wife and mother. Um, really? As someone who works outside of the home out of necessity, this irked me. And on some level I can agree that it perhaps isn’t likely that most of us can give 110% to both our families AND our jobs; however, this doesn’t mean finding a healthy balance is impossible. Speaking from experience, I know it isn’t and I work with countless other wives and mothers who would say the same thing. The way it was presented in this book was too June Cleaver and I found it offensive.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. I’ve heard she is known for writing humorous romances and from perusing other reviews, it appears this book is considered by many to be a weak link. And I can see why because there were a lot of things that perhaps could have been funny if they hadn’t been overshadowed by Thork’s huge ego. Instead of laughing, I was gagging. For example:
--Vikings speak somewhat like Yoda. “Ordered he was to guard you at all times.” It got annoying after awhile.
--Vikings like country music. Ruby taught herself to play her son’s guitar in the twentieth century which of course prepared her to play a Viking lute while singing “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks (and a few others) to thunderous applause.
--Vikings like panties. After being forced to strip down to nothing but her black, sheer, lace bra and panties on her first day in 925, she is approached by the king’s mistress and some other Viking women who desire naughty underwear of their own.
--Vikings like jogging. The first time Ruby goes jogging, Thork thinks she’s trying to escape so he takes away all her clothing and locks her in a barn (see cruel and unusual punishment). After awhile, Ruby earns the trust of the kings mistress, an athletic woman in her own right, and the two start a jogging regimen. Ruby=Jane Fonda.
--Vikings don’t think high heels are sexy. And I’m embarrassed on Ruby’s behalf that she thought asking the blacksmith to make her a custom pair of wooden high heels was a good seduction idea.
--Vikings have creative curse words. My favorite examples include “Holy Valhalla!” and “Freya’s bloody flux!” Haha, gross.
--Vikings like nymphomaniacs. True story.
I am so glad to be done with this book. I can’t resist a good humorous romance so maybe once the awful aftertaste from this book is gone I might try another by this author but it probably won’t be for awhile.
Jack Jordan, Ruby Jordan’s husband of 20 years has just walked out on her. Feeling overwhelmed, she sits down to listen to one of the motivational tapes her husband often listens to for work and she falls asleep. When she wakes up she discovers that she’s been transported back in time from 1994 to a Viking encampment in the year 925. She’s obviously surprised but pleased to discover that her backwards journey through time has shaved 20 years off her body and erased the stretch marks she earned during her pregnancies with her two sons. (So jealous!)
One of the first people she meets is Thork, a hot Viking who looks exactly like her twentieth century husband, Jack. Ruby instantly decides this must be fate giving her a second chance with Jack so she sets out to win Thork’s love.
Unfortunately, Thork is a chauvinist pig and a first class jerk. And due to a previous commitment to his squad of fighting jomsvikings, he is neither permitted nor interested in falling in love, let alone a marriage. Even by the standards of other asshole alphas of his ilk, Thork sets himself above the others with repeated rude comments, and instances of cruel, unusual and embarrassing punishment exacted against Ruby. And after he first invites Ruby to spend the night with him and she refuses, saying that she isn’t interested in becoming another notch on his bedpost and that she won’t give herself to him without a proper commitment, he punishes her by flaunting his sexual escapades with other women. Ruby seethes with jealousy over this, but she still pines for him. And why? It appalls me that a supposed modern woman would tolerate this kind of behavior.
But then again, Ruby is one of those unfortunate romance novel heroines who seems to be a few clowns short of a circus. In spite of owning a successful lingerie company in the twentieth century, Ruby lacks greatly in the category of common sense. In typical clichéd American style, she enters 925 with guns blazing and loudly and petulantly announces to anyone who will listen that she is from the future and that this is all a dream. She repeatedly encourages the other Viking women to “be their own women” and to find ways to be independent from their men. Meanwhile, she broods over Thork even though he treats her like a second-class citizen. She also comes to realize that the reason her twentieth century husband left her in the first place was because it isn’t possible for a woman to hold down a career AND be a good wife and mother. Um, really? As someone who works outside of the home out of necessity, this irked me. And on some level I can agree that it perhaps isn’t likely that most of us can give 110% to both our families AND our jobs; however, this doesn’t mean finding a healthy balance is impossible. Speaking from experience, I know it isn’t and I work with countless other wives and mothers who would say the same thing. The way it was presented in this book was too June Cleaver and I found it offensive.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. I’ve heard she is known for writing humorous romances and from perusing other reviews, it appears this book is considered by many to be a weak link. And I can see why because there were a lot of things that perhaps could have been funny if they hadn’t been overshadowed by Thork’s huge ego. Instead of laughing, I was gagging. For example:
--Vikings speak somewhat like Yoda. “Ordered he was to guard you at all times.” It got annoying after awhile.
--Vikings like country music. Ruby taught herself to play her son’s guitar in the twentieth century which of course prepared her to play a Viking lute while singing “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks (and a few others) to thunderous applause.
--Vikings like panties. After being forced to strip down to nothing but her black, sheer, lace bra and panties on her first day in 925, she is approached by the king’s mistress and some other Viking women who desire naughty underwear of their own.
--Vikings like jogging. The first time Ruby goes jogging, Thork thinks she’s trying to escape so he takes away all her clothing and locks her in a barn (see cruel and unusual punishment). After awhile, Ruby earns the trust of the kings mistress, an athletic woman in her own right, and the two start a jogging regimen. Ruby=Jane Fonda.
--Vikings don’t think high heels are sexy. And I’m embarrassed on Ruby’s behalf that she thought asking the blacksmith to make her a custom pair of wooden high heels was a good seduction idea.
--Vikings have creative curse words. My favorite examples include “Holy Valhalla!” and “Freya’s bloody flux!” Haha, gross.
--Vikings like nymphomaniacs. True story.
I am so glad to be done with this book. I can’t resist a good humorous romance so maybe once the awful aftertaste from this book is gone I might try another by this author but it probably won’t be for awhile.
June 4, 2018
It's been a minute since I've allowed myself to really get into a good "viking" romance story only because most of the storylines revolving around this specific genre tend to sound rather trite with all of its chauvinistic monotony (which, depending on what type of mood I'm in, I do like).
There is something extra special about this book, though, that I found to be different from other the other books I've read in this genre. The fact that the main characters were married in their current life and then when our heroine travels to the past and sees a viking who not only looks like her husband, but has many of his characteristics, adds to a great plot. There are so many facets and layers to this story that I really enjoyed and honestly, I'm a sucker (or a masochist) when it comes to romance books where the hero does not immediately love the heroine and there's almost like a hate/love relationship (no, none of that sadistic stuff), but the genuine dislike that both (or maybe just with the hero towards the heroine) have for each other. What really attracts me about these type of books, depending on the writer, is the dialogue between the hero and heroine. It is usually filled with a lot of subtle flirting, obvious reluctant attraction, a pinch of humor and always always always heavy sexual tension. I usually find more entertainment from these type of books instead of just a sappy love story where the guy acts like a lovesick moron throughout the whole book (gag).
Okay. Rant over.
So this book is a great read and I seriously recommend it if you like steamy historical viking romance that includes time travel, male chauvinism at its finest and yes...a little lovey-dovey sappiness that I outwardly cringe to, but makes my heart melt (traitorous muscular organ that it is).
Happy Reading!!!
There is something extra special about this book, though, that I found to be different from other the other books I've read in this genre. The fact that the main characters were married in their current life and then when our heroine travels to the past and sees a viking who not only looks like her husband, but has many of his characteristics, adds to a great plot. There are so many facets and layers to this story that I really enjoyed and honestly, I'm a sucker (or a masochist) when it comes to romance books where the hero does not immediately love the heroine and there's almost like a hate/love relationship (no, none of that sadistic stuff), but the genuine dislike that both (or maybe just with the hero towards the heroine) have for each other. What really attracts me about these type of books, depending on the writer, is the dialogue between the hero and heroine. It is usually filled with a lot of subtle flirting, obvious reluctant attraction, a pinch of humor and always always always heavy sexual tension. I usually find more entertainment from these type of books instead of just a sappy love story where the guy acts like a lovesick moron throughout the whole book (gag).
Okay. Rant over.
So this book is a great read and I seriously recommend it if you like steamy historical viking romance that includes time travel, male chauvinism at its finest and yes...a little lovey-dovey sappiness that I outwardly cringe to, but makes my heart melt (traitorous muscular organ that it is).
Happy Reading!!!
Read
August 14, 2015
This modern day woman's husband leaves her and she wakes up in Viking central in the 790's where there is a Viking who looks just like her husband and he has two illegitimate children that look just like hers. So what does she do ? She tells him she is his wife and those are their kids, even when they threaten her death. Ok it does't stop there, she goes on to tall all the village the evil king and stubbornly breaks rules insisting she can because she is his wife. WTH ? She knows this isn't him that she is in a time warp thing but she wants him to say he is her husband before she'll bed him. WTH ? This is the stupidest written woman I think I've ever read. Why have they not cut off her head ? I want them to, please do it !
I am quitting I have to or
June 15, 2014
5 killer-viking stars!!
Why oh why have I been putting reading these books off for oh so long!?
One of the best books I've read! This included time-travelling and I was definitely on for one heck of a ride!! And this will not end like you expect.. no, sirree!!
Time-travel Romance is one of my favorite genres.. and, more so, this is not your typical time-travel novels.
I felt more with it. I kept predicting things to come; and be surprised at almost every turn!
My Jack/ Thork
Yeah, baby, I know you're my Thork ;)
Anywhoooo...
It was a wow read for me; and I'm already hooked and coming back for more!
November 24, 2024
Mungkin aku salah urutan baca buku ini setelah buku 2 nya yang lebih menohok.
Problem utamaku dengan buku ini adalah :
- tidak bisa menjalin koneksi dengan karakter hero utamanya yang bak paku payung dan heroine utama tipe angkot yang selalu pepet2 gigih. Satu-satunya poin yang kusuka dalam buku ini adalah kreatifitas Ruby dalam menciptakan segala benda-benda ajaib di abad 10 yang bikin ngakak. OMG kondom handmade bersulam? Lingerie abad 10? Ngikik gelundungan.
- konfliknya maksa banget
- ending anti klimaks dan bikin baper.
Problem utamaku dengan buku ini adalah :
- tidak bisa menjalin koneksi dengan karakter hero utamanya yang bak paku payung dan heroine utama tipe angkot yang selalu pepet2 gigih. Satu-satunya poin yang kusuka dalam buku ini adalah kreatifitas Ruby dalam menciptakan segala benda-benda ajaib di abad 10 yang bikin ngakak. OMG kondom handmade bersulam? Lingerie abad 10? Ngikik gelundungan.
- konfliknya maksa banget
- ending anti klimaks dan bikin baper.
February 6, 2012
This book made me laugh out loud so many times I lost track. The characters are likeable and Ruby the lead female is just a crazy mess, which makes her so endearing. You find yourself relating to her and her desperation to try anything to keep her life together.
Ruby is your typical 21st century business woman who started up her own lingerie company and is trying to juggle marriage, children and work. However she finds that her marriage is falling apart and does not realize how bad it is until her husband decides to leave her. In her state of sudden despair at finding her life falling apart she sits down in her husband’s study to listen to one of his many motivational CD's and somehow finds herself swept back into time and on a Viking vessel. To make matters worse she’s in her 21st century clothes and the head Viking looks just like her husband Jack. Is this a Dream or Reality?
In this story Ruby is basically given a do over where she can hopefully figure out where she went wrong in her relationship with Jack, and figure out what it really takes to hold a family and a marriage together.
I enjoyed this book so much that I will be looking into more of Sandra Hill’s Viking series.
Ruby is your typical 21st century business woman who started up her own lingerie company and is trying to juggle marriage, children and work. However she finds that her marriage is falling apart and does not realize how bad it is until her husband decides to leave her. In her state of sudden despair at finding her life falling apart she sits down in her husband’s study to listen to one of his many motivational CD's and somehow finds herself swept back into time and on a Viking vessel. To make matters worse she’s in her 21st century clothes and the head Viking looks just like her husband Jack. Is this a Dream or Reality?
In this story Ruby is basically given a do over where she can hopefully figure out where she went wrong in her relationship with Jack, and figure out what it really takes to hold a family and a marriage together.
I enjoyed this book so much that I will be looking into more of Sandra Hill’s Viking series.
September 25, 2017
Keunggulan novel ini terletak pada kecerdasan author yg menciptakan "gegar budaya" dari abad 21 ke zaman Viking di abad 10. Banyak hal-hal kocak yg terjadi, seperti membuat kondom, lingerie, mencukur bulu kaki hingga pembicaraan orgasme dan pencegahan kehamilan yg sudah biasa di abad masa kini, tetapi menimbulkan kehebohan super bahaya laten yg mengancam tradisi yg sudah berlangsung berabad-abad.
Tetapi sangat-sangat disayangkan saya tidak menyukai karakter para tokoh utamanya, Ruby dan Thork/Jack. Terlepas dari kreativitas Ruby yg luar biasa dan sering mengundang tawa dan kemandiriannya utk membuka usaha sendiri, saya melihat sosok Ruby ini agak mengenaskan krn terlalu ngotot dan berusaha terlalu berlebihan utk Thork/Jack melampaui yg seharusnya layak mereka dapatkan. Walau saya paham alasan kenapa Thork selalu menolak pernikahannya dgn Ruby, tapi agak ngeselin juga krn mereka akhirnya menikah juga krn tuntutan keadaan, jadi bukan krn kesadaran sepenuhnya dari Thork utk seumur hidupnya bersama Ruby. Lagipula, upaya dan usaha Ruby selalu dimentahkan oleh keras kepalanya Thork dgn berbagai tingkah polah yg makin membuat saya dongkol dan yakin Thork (seperti yg dikatakan Ruby) 100% pria bajingan.
Dan satu lagi, Ruby "terlalu lemah" dalam menghadapi gempuran seksual dari Thork/Jack. Yg bikin penilaian saya makin merosot, semakin mendekati akhir, semangat juang Ruby makin pudar sedangkan aliran air matanya makin naik seperti air pasang, yah... begitulah nasib wanita yg mencintai pria bajingan spt Thork.
Hal-hal diatas membuat hati saya "terbelah" juga utk memberikan rating 3 atau 4 stars. Dari segi plot cerita, sudah melampaui lumayan, tapi di progress karakter, saya tidak melihat kemajuan, yg terasa justru makin mengalami kemunduran.
Tetapi sangat-sangat disayangkan saya tidak menyukai karakter para tokoh utamanya, Ruby dan Thork/Jack. Terlepas dari kreativitas Ruby yg luar biasa dan sering mengundang tawa dan kemandiriannya utk membuka usaha sendiri, saya melihat sosok Ruby ini agak mengenaskan krn terlalu ngotot dan berusaha terlalu berlebihan utk Thork/Jack melampaui yg seharusnya layak mereka dapatkan. Walau saya paham alasan kenapa Thork selalu menolak pernikahannya dgn Ruby, tapi agak ngeselin juga krn mereka akhirnya menikah juga krn tuntutan keadaan, jadi bukan krn kesadaran sepenuhnya dari Thork utk seumur hidupnya bersama Ruby. Lagipula, upaya dan usaha Ruby selalu dimentahkan oleh keras kepalanya Thork dgn berbagai tingkah polah yg makin membuat saya dongkol dan yakin Thork (seperti yg dikatakan Ruby) 100% pria bajingan.
Dan satu lagi, Ruby "terlalu lemah" dalam menghadapi gempuran seksual dari Thork/Jack. Yg bikin penilaian saya makin merosot, semakin mendekati akhir, semangat juang Ruby makin pudar sedangkan aliran air matanya makin naik seperti air pasang, yah... begitulah nasib wanita yg mencintai pria bajingan spt Thork.
Hal-hal diatas membuat hati saya "terbelah" juga utk memberikan rating 3 atau 4 stars. Dari segi plot cerita, sudah melampaui lumayan, tapi di progress karakter, saya tidak melihat kemajuan, yg terasa justru makin mengalami kemunduran.
April 6, 2025
Cheating
DNF @ 22% because the author just couldn’t keep the male lead’s dick in his pants. Does the female lead get some from someone else, of course not. The female lead gets to be blames and take on the responsibility for her failing marriage. F you Sandra Hill!
DNF @ 22% because the author just couldn’t keep the male lead’s dick in his pants. Does the female lead get some from someone else, of course not. The female lead gets to be blames and take on the responsibility for her failing marriage. F you Sandra Hill!
June 30, 2019
#141 - 2019 RC
Genre: Historical Romance
Genre: Historical Romance
August 22, 2017
I found this book in my book collection. I don't remember where or when I got it but I bet I've had it for 10 years. My copy was published in 2007 but has the earlier year of 1994 listed. I'm sure I've never read it.
I typically get my reading material from the library and I've had as many as about 30-40 books out at one time. Now that I have less than 10 I've decided to focus more on my collection and catch up on reading the books I have and never read. I didn't realize how many of them there are.
I would have realized what I was in for if I had been paying attention when I skimmed the summary on the back cover. The hero's name is... Thork. Thor + fork = Thork? This + dork = Thork? First there was his name then there was the bit it states that the hero's body "put Arnold Schwarzenegger to shame." By then it felt like the author was playing a joke on the reader. According to the info about the author at the back she does like to add elements of humor to the stories she writes so...
I made it to about page 44 and gave up. The book is clichéd (woman goes back in time to a time when men were men with flowing hair and shirtless) and outdated and maybe the whole book is just a big joke by the author who is not taking it all that seriously. I don't mind humor but it seems she's mocking the story, the reader, winking at the reader because we both know the book is ludicrous.
I tried to go along with it and try to see the humor and go along for the ride but I just couldn't. I prefer romances to be a bit more serious (at least not making the hero's name a joke), less clichéd, less outdated.
This book, though I didn't like it, is still better than the other romance I tried to read earlier by Heather Graham called Golden Surrender. At least this has an element of humor that some might like. Golden Surrender doesn't have that, it's just clichéd and outdated.
So, a romance novel that's not a lost cause because of the iffy humor and might suit you if you can get past the hero being named Thork.
I typically get my reading material from the library and I've had as many as about 30-40 books out at one time. Now that I have less than 10 I've decided to focus more on my collection and catch up on reading the books I have and never read. I didn't realize how many of them there are.
I would have realized what I was in for if I had been paying attention when I skimmed the summary on the back cover. The hero's name is... Thork. Thor + fork = Thork? This + dork = Thork? First there was his name then there was the bit it states that the hero's body "put Arnold Schwarzenegger to shame." By then it felt like the author was playing a joke on the reader. According to the info about the author at the back she does like to add elements of humor to the stories she writes so...
I made it to about page 44 and gave up. The book is clichéd (woman goes back in time to a time when men were men with flowing hair and shirtless) and outdated and maybe the whole book is just a big joke by the author who is not taking it all that seriously. I don't mind humor but it seems she's mocking the story, the reader, winking at the reader because we both know the book is ludicrous.
I tried to go along with it and try to see the humor and go along for the ride but I just couldn't. I prefer romances to be a bit more serious (at least not making the hero's name a joke), less clichéd, less outdated.
This book, though I didn't like it, is still better than the other romance I tried to read earlier by Heather Graham called Golden Surrender. At least this has an element of humor that some might like. Golden Surrender doesn't have that, it's just clichéd and outdated.
So, a romance novel that's not a lost cause because of the iffy humor and might suit you if you can get past the hero being named Thork.
April 13, 2022
This was a solid 2.5 stars. It was basically just stupid and unbelievable. A woman falls asleep listening to a motivation tape and wakes up 20 years younger in the age of vikings. Nothing that follows is remotely believable. I did make it through and finish the book.
July 16, 2016
*Deep Sigh* Wow! What a story! I’m still bewildered. Everything fit, everything was as it should be! I grumbled a bit about male chauvinistic pigs during the story, but sadly it’s normal for that time, although reading this book opened my eyes. I always thought woman didn’t have any rights during the Dark Ages. This book proved me wrong! I didn’t know Viking women could be self independent. And the male Vikings were not always the barbarians I thought them to be. They got their own rules and were a lot more emancipated than I thought
I love to Ruby and always wonder what she’ll do next. She has just the right mix of courage and humor for me and doesn’t act like a dumb blond. My type of girl ^^ She doesn’t hesitate to point out the right’s and wrongs, even when a sane person would keep her mouth shot . She’s also able to adapt quite well for an emancipated American women of the 20th century sent to live between barbaric Vikings. Although some things simply give her and me the creeps
The only thing that I didn’t like much was the Jack / Thork swap. Okay, at first she thinks it’s a dream, but if someone looks like 21 years in your dream, how could it be possible that your married for 20 years? Especially if you don’t look a day older than 18 ^^. So it’s no wonder that he thinks your crazy and a liar. I get the why now, after finishing the book, but I still prefer to see that the story would have been different on this aspect.
And the ending… It was so bittersweet! When I think about it, even now, I have to brush away a tear. You can imagine how much I was bawling while reading . I totally didn’t expect that to happen! And no, it’s too beautiful so I won’t tell a thing , you’ll just have to read it yourself. Keep tissues at hand!
Overall rating 5 hearts. This book totally deserves those 5 hearts. Everything fit, nothing annoyed me, except for the lack of woman rights, but that is a common thing in the Middle Ages and only possible to solve with a time machine and a lot of strong woman . The ending was superb, so I recommend this book for everyone who loves time travel and Vikings!
I love to Ruby and always wonder what she’ll do next. She has just the right mix of courage and humor for me and doesn’t act like a dumb blond. My type of girl ^^ She doesn’t hesitate to point out the right’s and wrongs, even when a sane person would keep her mouth shot . She’s also able to adapt quite well for an emancipated American women of the 20th century sent to live between barbaric Vikings. Although some things simply give her and me the creeps
The only thing that I didn’t like much was the Jack / Thork swap. Okay, at first she thinks it’s a dream, but if someone looks like 21 years in your dream, how could it be possible that your married for 20 years? Especially if you don’t look a day older than 18 ^^. So it’s no wonder that he thinks your crazy and a liar. I get the why now, after finishing the book, but I still prefer to see that the story would have been different on this aspect.
And the ending… It was so bittersweet! When I think about it, even now, I have to brush away a tear. You can imagine how much I was bawling while reading . I totally didn’t expect that to happen! And no, it’s too beautiful so I won’t tell a thing , you’ll just have to read it yourself. Keep tissues at hand!
Overall rating 5 hearts. This book totally deserves those 5 hearts. Everything fit, nothing annoyed me, except for the lack of woman rights, but that is a common thing in the Middle Ages and only possible to solve with a time machine and a lot of strong woman . The ending was superb, so I recommend this book for everyone who loves time travel and Vikings!
July 21, 2008
I almost always read romance novels exclusively for the hilarity I find in lines such as "Thork's lips brushed her eyes shut and swept like a whisper across her cheek, to the edge of her lips, then teasingly away toward her ear. The wet tip of his tongue traced its narrow whorls then delved inside. In and out it plunged until Ruby arched against him, unable to stand the intense pleasure he had set throbbing in her center."
This is one of Sandra Hill's bizarre fascinations: ear sex? I'm on the Sandra Hill mailing list, because her interest in vikings and navy seals has reached an interesting peak... time-traveling navy seals who become vikings, or else time-traveling vikings who become navy seals. And then they ravage unsuspecting but well-deserving women/men. It's just as hilarious as it sounds, I swear to you.
This book still wasn't nearly as hilarious as Hill's "Truly, Madly Viking".
This is one of Sandra Hill's bizarre fascinations: ear sex? I'm on the Sandra Hill mailing list, because her interest in vikings and navy seals has reached an interesting peak... time-traveling navy seals who become vikings, or else time-traveling vikings who become navy seals. And then they ravage unsuspecting but well-deserving women/men. It's just as hilarious as it sounds, I swear to you.
This book still wasn't nearly as hilarious as Hill's "Truly, Madly Viking".
December 6, 2011
PHENOMENAL start to a GREAT, WICKED AWESOME, SO-GOOD-I'M-IN-LOVEEEEE, series. This book made me fall in love with cave-men hahahahhh I love Sandra Hill's Viking series to death!!!! Actually, any book by her is satisfactory and gorge-worthy! This was a superb read, I loved Ruby and Thork and wish wish wished there was more of them. If there was a sequel with just the two of them again I would happily, greedily, giddily swallow it up with relish! KYAHHHHHHHHHHHXD I've read this book numerous times now and it's still as awesome and fantastical as it was the first time;) Avid fan of Sandra Hill FOREVER!!!!
June 5, 2014
I am rather peeved at whomever recommended this to me. Notably awful. Even for a viking time travel romance novel. The love interest is a viking version of her estranged dorkface husband whose tender wittle ego was damaged when they had to use her salary to pay the bills. The heroine is irritating, the hero is a jackass, and the book is as bad and as dated as the cover art. Bonus: Unpleasantly violent! Not recommended.
April 7, 2023
Kinda drug on a wee bit and honestly i wanted to slap both of them at one point or another. Overall enjoyable read with an unexpected ending.
June 16, 2016
The idea of time travel was really intriguing but the main heroine ruined it.
She whines and acts immature the entire story.
I have no choice but to put the book down half way through.
She whines and acts immature the entire story.
I have no choice but to put the book down half way through.
October 21, 2017
uhmm la verdad es que la historia deja mucho que desear, no te aburre, pero tampoco te dan ganas de volver a leerlo, porque simplemente los protagonistas no te atrapan con su historia de amor, algunas partes me parecen ridículas sobre todo las partes de ella, que dice una y otra vez que va pasar de él, pero termina siempre volviendo a él y rogándole y él no llena el papel de protagonista, me pareció alguien no deseable...
March 27, 2012
In the year 2011, Ruby is a wife to Jack and a mother to her two sons. Her failing marriage puts her into a deep sleep, and she enters a world of Ancient Vikings. Then there was he, a Viking warrior with a striking resemblance to her husband Jack, named Thork. There in the ancient times, Ruby is determined to not lose Thork (she believed to be her husband Jack) for the second time. She intended to make her relationship with Thork work. So soon, a tragic event came about, driving Ruby back into the year 2011 again. Ruby then realizes that her experience in the Ancient Viking world is a second chance, making her realize what she had done wrong in her marriage to Jack.
As much fun as I had while reading this book, I can't decide whether I liked it or not. Thork and Ruby's bickering back and forth is both childish and enjoyable. Ruby has a great sense of humor, and by making Thork, a hardcore Viking warrior, laugh out loud, she makes me laugh as well. I find their relationship so precious. It was great while it lasted.
Character-wise, I really like Ruby. She is a very strong heroine. I really liked Thork too. Of course, I can't say the same for Jack because he isn't in the book too often. I'm still not convince that Thork and Jack are the same. If that is what the author intended, I didn't really see the connection there. There are qualities Thork possesses that makes him more likable than Jack, and I'll just leave it at that.
So, I give this book 3.5-ish stars for its beautiful hero and heroine, and an interesting plot that was not fully explored.
As much fun as I had while reading this book, I can't decide whether I liked it or not. Thork and Ruby's bickering back and forth is both childish and enjoyable. Ruby has a great sense of humor, and by making Thork, a hardcore Viking warrior, laugh out loud, she makes me laugh as well. I find their relationship so precious. It was great while it lasted.
Character-wise, I really like Ruby. She is a very strong heroine. I really liked Thork too. Of course, I can't say the same for Jack because he isn't in the book too often. I'm still not convince that Thork and Jack are the same. If that is what the author intended, I didn't really see the connection there. There are qualities Thork possesses that makes him more likable than Jack, and I'll just leave it at that.
So, I give this book 3.5-ish stars for its beautiful hero and heroine, and an interesting plot that was not fully explored.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2015
I sometimes enjoy time travel romance. By all means, you cannot expect them to be what they don’t pretend to be. Besides Outlander, that is exceptional. Furthermore, there are better and worse plots and The Reluctant Viking is not particularly good. I enjoyed better Sandra Hill’s Viking II series, when Vikings come to the future and meet Navy Seals. Creative, entertaining and fun for a light reading.
October 2, 2019
I would have given this book 2 stars but for the touching ending. I did not like Ruby. I did not like Thork. I absolutely loved Jack. I read Raine and Selik’s book first without realizing that there was one about her parents, so I already knew some of what this one was about beforehand. Still, I didn’t like that Ruby repeatedly made a doormat of herself to get Thork’s attention—regardless of the fact that she was actually married to Jack and despite his horrendous treatment of her. I hated how Thork was cruel to Ruby. He also repeatedly flaunted the fact that he was sleeping with other women (both the widow and the one in the Jórvík palace). He was openly sexually “affectionate” with the widow a few times right in front of Ruby, too. Dar slapped Ruby and she held no grudge. Maybe that’d fly with medieval women but Ruby was a modern woman in medieval times.
July 22, 2013
I never thought a book would affect me so much, but this one has. It hits so close to home; unfortunately, it's too late for me, unlike Ruby. I actual cried at the beginning and end.
While the modern scenes tore me apart, the past scenes were enjoyable like most of the novels I read. I can't believe the other reviews that tear this book apart for feminist reasons; I feel they misinterpreted. The character is strong and remains strong even when giving some of her career because she realizes she had to balance her life. And yes the relationship is emotionally hard on her, but to cry mistreatment is to not take in the entire story and situation.
While the modern scenes tore me apart, the past scenes were enjoyable like most of the novels I read. I can't believe the other reviews that tear this book apart for feminist reasons; I feel they misinterpreted. The character is strong and remains strong even when giving some of her career because she realizes she had to balance her life. And yes the relationship is emotionally hard on her, but to cry mistreatment is to not take in the entire story and situation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2012
I gave this book a 2 star rating simply because I could force myself to finish it. :-(
I liked many of the secondary characters, but I didn't like Thork, and I liked Ruby even less. I am not a big fan of adultery, and that's simply what this was on Ruby's part, no matter how else someone wants to paint the siuation (even if it was a dream).
Additionally, she gave little thought to her kids that were 'left' to her knowledge in the future.
The secondary characters were mostly likeable, so that got a star.
I read a lot of books, but this one left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
I liked many of the secondary characters, but I didn't like Thork, and I liked Ruby even less. I am not a big fan of adultery, and that's simply what this was on Ruby's part, no matter how else someone wants to paint the siuation (even if it was a dream).
Additionally, she gave little thought to her kids that were 'left' to her knowledge in the future.
The secondary characters were mostly likeable, so that got a star.
I read a lot of books, but this one left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
October 18, 2011
At first, I wasn't sure how to feel about this book. I felt like smashing it against the wall a few times when Thork was being a "Dork" with Ruby. But the more I read, the more I loved the story. The end was a big surprise since you don't expect the good guys to die, but we still got our happy ending. Sandra Hill is a fantastic writer, I love her humor while she brings us facts as close to the truth as you can get!
February 9, 2016
This is not typically a book I would have picked for myself to read. One of my coworkers enjoyed it and lent it to me to read. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by this book, I did find it a little wordy. There are times when you are reading this story and you mind wonders off because of what they are talking about is boring or doesn't not directly effect the main character. Other then that I did enjoy the read it makes you wonder if soulmates exist!
June 2, 2011
I'm so glad I've read some of her other books, because this one, quite frankly, sucked. The whole anti-strong accomplished woman because women need to bow down and kiss the asses of their manly overlords was such crap.
The other books by her, that I've read are fun and pretty good. This one, not so much!
The other books by her, that I've read are fun and pretty good. This one, not so much!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews