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Montgomery/Taggert: Publication order #11
The Awakening
Amanda Caulden led a sheltered life on her father's California ranch -- until the day Hank Montgomery stormed into town. A hot-blooded union organizer with a taste for ladies and fine champagne, he sensed the fire that smoldered beneath her prim, virtuous beauty...and he vowed to make her his.
Hank's assault on her orderly life made Amanda furious -- and all the more enticing. Slowly, he drew her into a world of sensuous pleasure: sumptuous meals and moonlit dances, carefree laughter and stolen kisses...gently stirring the sleeping embers of passion. But even as a fierce love rose between them, violent rebellion threatened to destroy the Caulden ranch -- and their lives!
348 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1988
243 people are currently reading
1663 people want to read
About the author
Jude Deveraux
200 books7,068 followersJude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
March 25, 2009
I loved this book so much. I wore out my copy (although I still have it at home on my keeper shelf). The story of Hank and Amanda will always touch my heart. I loved the setting of the 1920s which is such a great time period, but so woefully underutilized in romances. Hank was such a cool character, one of my favorite Montgomerys, and I love the whole lot, except for Gavin, may he rot in Hades. Amanda is young and sheltered, living the life her parents want for her, but she really comes into her own when Hank comes to town. I liked the side story about Amanda's fiance and the wild girl in town. I was glad that Jude gave us this secondary romance with the girl that usually doesn't get the happy ending in romance novels. This book is and will always be in my top 100 of all time of favorite books. Check out the story of Amanda and Hank's son, JT in another all time favorite, The Princess.
June 7, 2022
This is the 16th book in the Montgomery/Taggert family series. 1913 Kingman California. Dr. Henry(Hank) Reine Montgomery an economics professor asked to help with unions by the Governor starting with Caulden Ranches in Kingman. The family invited him to stay with them hoping to avoid a uinion. Amanda Caulden the beautiful intelligent highly educated daughter of Caulden was asked to entertain Hank. Her tutor and fiancé Taylor made an itinerary for her everyday to keep Dr. Montgomery entertained and occupied. Amanda was kept busy with these schedules everyday plus she ate very healthy food with Taylor at every meal. Her mother and father weren’t speaking to one another because her father found out her mother was a show girl dancer. She wasn’t speaking to him since he hired Taylor to keep Amanda in line and educating her. Amanda was so controlled by Taylor he would starve her if she displeased him and give her impossible tests she would stay up all night studying for. Hank could see she needed to be awakened to what was happening to her. He first started to tempt her with food and then broke the itinerary with Taylor’s list. She started to like some of the new things she was learning. He kissed her, she went to a dance and he took her rival from her school days too. Both women were forced to compete for his attention. Amanda drank too much and a young man who she knew from school asked her to dance but to make Hank jealous she asked to take a walk with her. He kissed her and he thought she was easy but she started saying no and fighting him. Hank found her in time and gave the young man a bloody nose. He took her home and she cried in his arms. He took her on a picnic and after he kissed her and they ended up making love at her request. He thought it was the best night of his life. But she was still under Taylor’s thumb. After spending a week with her Hank had it bad and had to get out of the same house as her. He rented rooms at the hotel in town. He posted a job for a linguist. She applied after her mother Grace encouraged her. She wanted Amanda to be happy and. Hank was the man to make her so. He gave her the job but couldn’t keep his concentration and mooned over her. Her rival was his secretary and she saw the sparks between them . She decided to go and talk to her fiancé/ tutor Taylor and stir him up to make trouble for Amanda. She talked to him and he for reason liked her even though he looked down on poor people. She knew he was poor by looking into his eyes and desperate as her. She ended up teaching him about love making. Meanwhile Amanda asked Hank to teach her about how ordinary people lived and how to dance. He kissed her showing her how to seduce Taylor and more. She looked at everything with new eyes and appreciation. She started eating meals with her father. She fired her personal maid as she criticized her one too many times. She broke off her engagement with Taylor after he tried to control her again. She went to work and Hank was confronted by a Union agitator who used violence to incite uprisings from workers. He was threatening her father. Hank told her not to let on who she was. She went home and confronted her father. He defended his position telling her all the things he did do for the workers. Hank came to the ranch and took Amanda to the fields to show her the true working conditions. They were apauling. She was so incensed she told her mother and then told her father off but he didn’t listen. The next day the union agitator came to ask for better working conditions and better wages but her father only agreed to some of them. Hank should have been there making the demands himself. Where was he? She looked through all the fields with her mom’s help. Next she went to Riva her rival and asked her to help too. They looked all over town and finally confronted the union agitator. He told them he was in a cabin in the mountains a few miles away. She got Hanks yellow roadster and drove it to the cabin. She drove like a bat out of hell. She found him and he had a bleeding arm. They union agitators knocked him out and he just woke up when she found him. They drove back to the ranch but got there too late. The union agitators started a riot and four people were trampled to death. Amanda and her mother left with Hank. Riva ended up with Taylor and H Caulden ended up alone and broke.
Grace was an author and had written romance suspense mystery books. She kept saying she wasn’t going to get into heaven it made me think she was Berni the ghost from Wishes.
Amanda was so programmed and controlled by Taylor it was almost like she was in a cult.
Hank grew up in Maine. I looked at the family tree for Montgomery/ Taggert and Hanks dad is James Montgomery and his mom is Laurel Worth. Ring and Madeline are his Uncle and Aunt. Jace Montgomery who married Nellie Grayson is his first cousin. Kane Taggert is also his cousin.
Grace was an author and had written romance suspense mystery books. She kept saying she wasn’t going to get into heaven it made me think she was Berni the ghost from Wishes.
Amanda was so programmed and controlled by Taylor it was almost like she was in a cult.
Hank grew up in Maine. I looked at the family tree for Montgomery/ Taggert and Hanks dad is James Montgomery and his mom is Laurel Worth. Ring and Madeline are his Uncle and Aunt. Jace Montgomery who married Nellie Grayson is his first cousin. Kane Taggert is also his cousin.
August 30, 2018
Leí esta novela allá por 1999; era difícil conseguir novelas de Jude en la biblioteca, y no sé cómo llegué a él, pero en su momento me volvió loca.
Lo he leído en estos años y ahora lo vi en mi biblioteca y decidí releerlo para hacerle un review. Siento que no le hago justicia y mi corazoncito de fan no permite que lo critique demasiado aunque mientras avanzaba el libro pensaba: "Noo" cada tanto.
¿Qué le faltó? Bueno, es una novela vieja, por lo tanto las escenas románticas son acotadas (debo admitir que hay una escena bastante subida de tono para la época... "Saboréame, Amanda" :3). Como siempre, Jude Deveraux resuelve la trama atropelladamente, uno de sus grandes errores como escritora. Me dejó con ganas de que se explayara más, de que fuera más extenso.
Es genial la evolución de los personajes y el humor suavecito de algunas oraciones, sobre todo las que hablan de los pensamientos de cada uno.
Me dieron ganas de releer la saga Montgomery de nuevo <3
Lo he leído en estos años y ahora lo vi en mi biblioteca y decidí releerlo para hacerle un review. Siento que no le hago justicia y mi corazoncito de fan no permite que lo critique demasiado aunque mientras avanzaba el libro pensaba: "Noo" cada tanto.
¿Qué le faltó? Bueno, es una novela vieja, por lo tanto las escenas románticas son acotadas (debo admitir que hay una escena bastante subida de tono para la época... "Saboréame, Amanda" :3). Como siempre, Jude Deveraux resuelve la trama atropelladamente, uno de sus grandes errores como escritora. Me dejó con ganas de que se explayara más, de que fuera más extenso.
Es genial la evolución de los personajes y el humor suavecito de algunas oraciones, sobre todo las que hablan de los pensamientos de cada uno.
Me dieron ganas de releer la saga Montgomery de nuevo <3
September 22, 2009
I like Jude Deveraux's style and while I have not (yet) read many of her books, the ones I have read are easy to devour. They just keep you reading. There are moments of light humor and characters that are easy to like.
The problem with this one, and the reason I could only give it 3 stars, was that I simply could not believe Amanda's predicament. I could sympathize with it, but try as I might, the explanations about why she had grown up to be such a reserved, emotionless, completely controlled woman were not satisfying. She was a normal child until 14 when suddenly her father hires a tutor who gives her schedules and expects her to be perfect. He tells her what to wear, what to eat (not much), and what to talk about at dinner. Her mother simply disappeared around the same time the tutor was hired and thereafter had little to do with her daughter. She shut herself up in her room and I guess just hoped her daughter would work things out on her own. Um...really? Her father's character made no sense at all. He didn't even like what his daughter was becoming but not only did he not fire the tutor, but he agreed to their engagement. If her father were more involved in this quashing of her spirit it might have made more sense...I can buy a 14-year-old girl wanting to please her father (or probably in this case, the quashing would have started at a much younger age). But she did all this for a tutor who never showed her an ounce of kindness or love.
So I guess I would say that I wanted to like this more than I did. It's definitely not going to put me off Jude Deveraux books, but I do hope the others are more like "Wishes" -- which was the first romance novel I ever read and still my favorite.
The problem with this one, and the reason I could only give it 3 stars, was that I simply could not believe Amanda's predicament. I could sympathize with it, but try as I might, the explanations about why she had grown up to be such a reserved, emotionless, completely controlled woman were not satisfying. She was a normal child until 14 when suddenly her father hires a tutor who gives her schedules and expects her to be perfect. He tells her what to wear, what to eat (not much), and what to talk about at dinner. Her mother simply disappeared around the same time the tutor was hired and thereafter had little to do with her daughter. She shut herself up in her room and I guess just hoped her daughter would work things out on her own. Um...really? Her father's character made no sense at all. He didn't even like what his daughter was becoming but not only did he not fire the tutor, but he agreed to their engagement. If her father were more involved in this quashing of her spirit it might have made more sense...I can buy a 14-year-old girl wanting to please her father (or probably in this case, the quashing would have started at a much younger age). But she did all this for a tutor who never showed her an ounce of kindness or love.
So I guess I would say that I wanted to like this more than I did. It's definitely not going to put me off Jude Deveraux books, but I do hope the others are more like "Wishes" -- which was the first romance novel I ever read and still my favorite.
December 22, 2016
Um tutor é contratado para educar uma garota de 14 anos e consegue distanciá-la dos pais e principalmente da mãe e ninguém, ninguém reage! Transformou a mocinha numa ser pouco emocional e sem reações.
Como assim?
O tutor, agora é o noivo dela, um homem robotizado sem um pingo de carisma e a heroína muito passiva, que convive com a mãe e não fala com ela porque ele a proibiu de falar com esta, porque exercia má influência!
Este, mesmo dizendo que amava, não manisfestava sentimentos e nem permitia que ela também os manifestasse. Planejava seu frugal cardápio, lições o dia inteiro e a deixava de castigo no quarto quando ela não conseguia seguir toda a planilha. E ela, pamonha, que era muito inteligente de cabeça, mas burrinha de sentimentos, se deixava levar e o considerava um homem mais adequado e honrado do mundo.
A mãe, ficou na dela, passiva e só depois que a filha se volta pra ela; contribui para alguma mudança de relacionamento entre elas.
Pois é, então Hank que é mulherengo de primeira, sente-se atraído por ela (Amanda)e embora a considere bela, mas inexpressiva consegue transformá-la.
O único personagem cativante é mocinho...
No princípio, como começa por ele, a história flui, e aí decai tristemente...
Não gostei...
Como assim?
O tutor, agora é o noivo dela, um homem robotizado sem um pingo de carisma e a heroína muito passiva, que convive com a mãe e não fala com ela porque ele a proibiu de falar com esta, porque exercia má influência!
Este, mesmo dizendo que amava, não manisfestava sentimentos e nem permitia que ela também os manifestasse. Planejava seu frugal cardápio, lições o dia inteiro e a deixava de castigo no quarto quando ela não conseguia seguir toda a planilha. E ela, pamonha, que era muito inteligente de cabeça, mas burrinha de sentimentos, se deixava levar e o considerava um homem mais adequado e honrado do mundo.
A mãe, ficou na dela, passiva e só depois que a filha se volta pra ela; contribui para alguma mudança de relacionamento entre elas.
Pois é, então Hank que é mulherengo de primeira, sente-se atraído por ela (Amanda)e embora a considere bela, mas inexpressiva consegue transformá-la.
O único personagem cativante é mocinho...
No princípio, como começa por ele, a história flui, e aí decai tristemente...
Não gostei...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2013
Yo no leí la saga Montgomery en orden. Este es uno de los libros que leí previo al inicio medieval y me gustó mucho, aunque es un clásico y no tiene , a mi juicio, nada demasiado relevante.
El Corsario es para mi, el mejor de todos, y los primeros medievalosos, los que mas me gustan. Aunque para ser honesta, yo no podría dejar la saga incompleta en la lectura. Se puede leer, como toda la saga, aisladamente, y por supuesto, es un lindo pasatiempo.
El Corsario es para mi, el mejor de todos, y los primeros medievalosos, los que mas me gustan. Aunque para ser honesta, yo no podría dejar la saga incompleta en la lectura. Se puede leer, como toda la saga, aisladamente, y por supuesto, es un lindo pasatiempo.
November 3, 2020
What is it about cold weather that makes me crave romance? Well, I got it in this book.
I love Jude Deveraux's writing style!! It was great for me because, with all of the stress of school, it was super easy to digest and enjoy. The plot of the book was well thought out and enjoyable.
There were a few aspects of the story that were not my favorite. For one, Hank seemed a little too domineering for my taste. He kept treating poor Amanda as if she was stupid and stuck up when she was probably one of the smartest people he could have ever met. And all of the stuff that he said about her being "his" made Amanda sound like a possession or a prize to be won. It just rubbed me the wrong way in several places in the book. I was also a bit miffed that Amanda was so absurdly naive. Sure it makes sense for the story, but it was really sad to see a person with so little knowledge about the world.
That being said, I enjoyed this story, and these characters, immensely. I will absolutely read more of her works in the future! 3.8 stars.
I love Jude Deveraux's writing style!! It was great for me because, with all of the stress of school, it was super easy to digest and enjoy. The plot of the book was well thought out and enjoyable.
There were a few aspects of the story that were not my favorite. For one, Hank seemed a little too domineering for my taste. He kept treating poor Amanda as if she was stupid and stuck up when she was probably one of the smartest people he could have ever met. And all of the stuff that he said about her being "his" made Amanda sound like a possession or a prize to be won. It just rubbed me the wrong way in several places in the book. I was also a bit miffed that Amanda was so absurdly naive. Sure it makes sense for the story, but it was really sad to see a person with so little knowledge about the world.
That being said, I enjoyed this story, and these characters, immensely. I will absolutely read more of her works in the future! 3.8 stars.
August 26, 2017
Supposedly copyright 1980, but my well read, dogearred copy is from 1988. JD goes all out in this one. Set in 1913 - a period of time ignored by other romance authors who believe all romance belongs in Regency, Victorian or contemporary settings (sorry, forgot about Westerns).
This is a Rapunzel type story about a young woman, Amanda, who's been sheltered & kept from the world by her emotionally abusive tutor. Her father's a rich ranch owner & her mother (whom she hasn't seen in 8 years even though she lives in the same house) is a former socialite who ran away from home when she was young & became a dancer (in tights, gasp).
Hank is a professor who organizes unions in his spare time. He loves fighting for the poor & oppressed & also likes sex.
This is a pretty incoherent review of the plot. The thing is, JD's imagination went overtime in this one & it's highly entertaining (IMO). High drama! The tutor is over the top evil. Hank is a typical Montgomery : handsome, physically perfect & an all around nice guy. Except to the heroine, who he hates at first. It takes him until chapter 6 to figure everything out. Amanda is sympathetic as an emotionally oppressed (& frequently starved) young woman.
The plot revolves around the early days of unions & the plight of the migrant worker, which Amanda & the reader find out in graphic detail.
I don't agree with Hank's seduction of Amanda, but he has a habit of having sex with nice young women, then can't figure out why they think he's going to marry them. Not really keeping with the times. He definitely would have had to marry Blythe when her father held a shotgun to his head! Of course this never happens.
We see Amanda again in "The Princess" where her son really does become a king & she dances with a queen (princess). Hank is the son of Laurel & Jamie Montgomery who appear in "Mountain Laurel" & "Eternity".
This is a Rapunzel type story about a young woman, Amanda, who's been sheltered & kept from the world by her emotionally abusive tutor. Her father's a rich ranch owner & her mother (whom she hasn't seen in 8 years even though she lives in the same house) is a former socialite who ran away from home when she was young & became a dancer (in tights, gasp).
Hank is a professor who organizes unions in his spare time. He loves fighting for the poor & oppressed & also likes sex.
This is a pretty incoherent review of the plot. The thing is, JD's imagination went overtime in this one & it's highly entertaining (IMO). High drama! The tutor is over the top evil. Hank is a typical Montgomery : handsome, physically perfect & an all around nice guy. Except to the heroine, who he hates at first. It takes him until chapter 6 to figure everything out. Amanda is sympathetic as an emotionally oppressed (& frequently starved) young woman.
The plot revolves around the early days of unions & the plight of the migrant worker, which Amanda & the reader find out in graphic detail.
I don't agree with Hank's seduction of Amanda, but he has a habit of having sex with nice young women, then can't figure out why they think he's going to marry them. Not really keeping with the times. He definitely would have had to marry Blythe when her father held a shotgun to his head! Of course this never happens.
We see Amanda again in "The Princess" where her son really does become a king & she dances with a queen (princess). Hank is the son of Laurel & Jamie Montgomery who appear in "Mountain Laurel" & "Eternity".
May 17, 2015
ugggh....
ok, this was not a great one for me and I normally love Jude's books. Knowing that this woman had to have every minute of her life planned out, what she wore, what she ate and when she used the toilet was beyond pissing me off, but then comes in the knight in shining armour so to speak Hank and of course, he hates it too and thinks she is just too pampered and spoiled. I just dont believe the love story here. I wasnt really enjoying the read and that they developed anything. Blah. I didnt like him and I dont like her.
ok, this was not a great one for me and I normally love Jude's books. Knowing that this woman had to have every minute of her life planned out, what she wore, what she ate and when she used the toilet was beyond pissing me off, but then comes in the knight in shining armour so to speak Hank and of course, he hates it too and thinks she is just too pampered and spoiled. I just dont believe the love story here. I wasnt really enjoying the read and that they developed anything. Blah. I didnt like him and I dont like her.
October 1, 2015
Haven't read this in a while and found myself without any library books so I grabbed this one off the shelf.
Jude Deveraux is my favorite author.
This book helped me to remember that.
I was constantly looking for moments to read and took advantage of my daughter's nightly reading time to flop down next to her and read.
Jude Deveraux is my favorite author.
This book helped me to remember that.
I was constantly looking for moments to read and took advantage of my daughter's nightly reading time to flop down next to her and read.
November 23, 2011
This book irritated me clear through. I am not a female activist or anything but it sure made me mad that she was so clueless to everything.
April 28, 2019
I haven't read this book in 10 years or more and had forgotten how much fun it is. Super glad I decided to pick it up again.
dropped
June 23, 2023Nenia made me put those on my tbr pile. Yes, ma'am! *salute*
January 21, 2021
3.5 ⭐ - An intriguing read, very entertaining - but not quite a 4* or a 4.5* rating.
Overall I enjoyed Awakening and the prose flowed smoothly making it extremely easy to read. I finished reading it in two days because it was hard to put down once I'd begun. The early 20th century setting was really nice and one I wish more authors would write about since it's severely under appreciated. It's an exciting time in many ways what with the advent of automobiles, electricity more or less a staple and education for women becoming more commonplace. Amidst an era like this we get to meet our extremely sheltered and controlled heroine Amanda who's been trained by her tutor/fiance Taylor to become the "perfect lady". And by that I mean a robot. Taylor would write down her daily schedule and she'd follow it to the T, with no room for human errors. It was kind of hard to get used to when I started reading the book but eventually it became an interesting plot point.
Watching her going from relying on the daily schedules to live out her days to actually doing things randomly on a whim was really fun. Hank kind of baffled me at first because he seemed to have all this aggression towards her right from the get go which really didn't make sense. I get that he's all about freedom and human's rights, but that was no reason to treat Amanda the way he did in the beginning. For all he's a college professor he sure had zero interests in anything REMOTELY intellectual in nature. At times I too found myself wondering if he'd bought the PhD or something like Amanda remarked at one point 🤣
But overall I think Hank and Amanda made an interesting pair. They had great chemistry I have to admit. Despite Hank's odd aggression towards her, as their chemistry grew and sizzled he mellowed out more and more and became a lot more considerate towards her. Loved the parts when he treated her sweetly and talked to her normally. The long drives in particular were very fun. I really do wish we got to see more of their interactions by the time they'd finally begun to acknowledge their feelings for each other.
The last part of the book was a blur of information - it was rushed to the point that all the sudden info dumping about the riot was rather overwhelming. Still, it was great to witness Amanda come to herself after watching the horrific state of the worker's camp at her dad's ranch. I loved reading about her helping out at the union and putting her smartness to good use.
A memorable read for sure, but not without some areas that left a lot to be desired. But that's not to say I didn't enjoy it because it was very entertaining 😃
Overall I enjoyed Awakening and the prose flowed smoothly making it extremely easy to read. I finished reading it in two days because it was hard to put down once I'd begun. The early 20th century setting was really nice and one I wish more authors would write about since it's severely under appreciated. It's an exciting time in many ways what with the advent of automobiles, electricity more or less a staple and education for women becoming more commonplace. Amidst an era like this we get to meet our extremely sheltered and controlled heroine Amanda who's been trained by her tutor/fiance Taylor to become the "perfect lady". And by that I mean a robot. Taylor would write down her daily schedule and she'd follow it to the T, with no room for human errors. It was kind of hard to get used to when I started reading the book but eventually it became an interesting plot point.
Watching her going from relying on the daily schedules to live out her days to actually doing things randomly on a whim was really fun. Hank kind of baffled me at first because he seemed to have all this aggression towards her right from the get go which really didn't make sense. I get that he's all about freedom and human's rights, but that was no reason to treat Amanda the way he did in the beginning. For all he's a college professor he sure had zero interests in anything REMOTELY intellectual in nature. At times I too found myself wondering if he'd bought the PhD or something like Amanda remarked at one point 🤣
But overall I think Hank and Amanda made an interesting pair. They had great chemistry I have to admit. Despite Hank's odd aggression towards her, as their chemistry grew and sizzled he mellowed out more and more and became a lot more considerate towards her. Loved the parts when he treated her sweetly and talked to her normally. The long drives in particular were very fun. I really do wish we got to see more of their interactions by the time they'd finally begun to acknowledge their feelings for each other.
The last part of the book was a blur of information - it was rushed to the point that all the sudden info dumping about the riot was rather overwhelming. Still, it was great to witness Amanda come to herself after watching the horrific state of the worker's camp at her dad's ranch. I loved reading about her helping out at the union and putting her smartness to good use.
A memorable read for sure, but not without some areas that left a lot to be desired. But that's not to say I didn't enjoy it because it was very entertaining 😃
June 3, 2024
This book was a wonderful step back in time. Set in the 1920 the era alone was full of interest.
Amanda has lived a sheltered life since her tutor arrived. Her entire day is lived by a schedule from what she is to wear to what she eats. Amanda finds comfort and a feeling of love in this schedule till the day Hank Montogermy arrives. With his arrival, Amanda's life gets turned upside down and she soon realizes the life she led isn't the life she wants.
Hank arrives at Caulden farm not just to escape the attention of a woman but to see what needs to be done to organize a Union. When he meets Amanda he thinks she is a cold woman without feelings until he realizes that her father and tutor have controlled her entire life. As he gets to know Amanda and starts introducing her to what life has to offer he soon realizes he may have just lost his heart.
Getting to see Amanda experience life was so much fun. I enjoyed seeing her find herself and what she enjoyed. I especially loved the parts where food was included. Who knew food could be so interesting. I enjoyed the sparks that flew between Hank and Amanda and that she wasn't afraid of him and would even yell back.
These two were so much fun to read about and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. Jude has a magical way of bringing characters and settings to life.
Amanda has lived a sheltered life since her tutor arrived. Her entire day is lived by a schedule from what she is to wear to what she eats. Amanda finds comfort and a feeling of love in this schedule till the day Hank Montogermy arrives. With his arrival, Amanda's life gets turned upside down and she soon realizes the life she led isn't the life she wants.
Hank arrives at Caulden farm not just to escape the attention of a woman but to see what needs to be done to organize a Union. When he meets Amanda he thinks she is a cold woman without feelings until he realizes that her father and tutor have controlled her entire life. As he gets to know Amanda and starts introducing her to what life has to offer he soon realizes he may have just lost his heart.
Getting to see Amanda experience life was so much fun. I enjoyed seeing her find herself and what she enjoyed. I especially loved the parts where food was included. Who knew food could be so interesting. I enjoyed the sparks that flew between Hank and Amanda and that she wasn't afraid of him and would even yell back.
These two were so much fun to read about and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. Jude has a magical way of bringing characters and settings to life.
May 25, 2017
Romance, food, dancing, food, education, food, unions, food.
I could simply say it's a Jude Deveraux of course 5 stars! But, there are readers who haven't experienced her writing. She is a wonderful author! Her subject matter spans centuries and many fields of interest...wrapped up with romance. This story is one of the Montegomery family...wealthy and champions of the down-trodden. Thank is a professor of economics and Amanda is a sheltered wealthy young woman. There story involves farm workers rights...Her becoming aware of injustice of her father's ranch. Hank draws her out of herself and teaches her to appreciate food and dancing.
I could simply say it's a Jude Deveraux of course 5 stars! But, there are readers who haven't experienced her writing. She is a wonderful author! Her subject matter spans centuries and many fields of interest...wrapped up with romance. This story is one of the Montegomery family...wealthy and champions of the down-trodden. Thank is a professor of economics and Amanda is a sheltered wealthy young woman. There story involves farm workers rights...Her becoming aware of injustice of her father's ranch. Hank draws her out of herself and teaches her to appreciate food and dancing.
September 30, 2018
I don't know much about the early 1900's but I believe women were still wearing long dresses, still under the jurisdiction of their men, and not yet able to vote, so it doesn't seem unbelievable that Amanda was kept so isolated from the age of 14 on. I was a bit disappointed in Hank Montgomery, who seemed angry most of the time and entirely too promiscuous the rest of the time. On the whole it is an excellent reporting of the early union days of the migrant workers and what they had to put up with and the way a repressed young woman becomes aware of the world around her outside her own home. Well done, Ms. Deveraux.
February 17, 2022
Another JD book from this series that is added to my fave list. As JD mentioned at the last part, the ranch happenings were close to a real scenario, it is good to get a glimpse of life in the early 1900s and the details in the book helped paint a more realistic picture.
I love Hank’s passion in life and love, him being the key to Amanda’s seeing the world as it is. Each of us may have been an Amanda one way or another, we are confined within our own world following a set of daily routines, blinded by what is really happening around us.
I love Hank’s passion in life and love, him being the key to Amanda’s seeing the world as it is. Each of us may have been an Amanda one way or another, we are confined within our own world following a set of daily routines, blinded by what is really happening around us.
October 26, 2018
Not my favorite book by this author however it was still great! I loved how the book was based off of historical events. However I struggled with Amanda throughout the book. I was not a fan of the oppressed, childlike character. I understand why and how it was necessary to the storyline but I wish Amanda could have come into herself earlier.
November 13, 2018
I had to keep telling myself this was 1913 when women didn't have many rights. And then, it is about the Union. In 1913 the Union was very useful for the workers. But today's Union is less useful and more for the heads of the Unions. I don't care for workers getting 2 & 3 retirements out of companies for retirement, plus their SS. Just doesn't seem right.
May 15, 2017
This one had a very unique plot.!
It will make u feel like it is it for real but then it feels like what will i know. This is something so out of league and that judgements cannot be passed.
Overall a good one and worth a read.!
It will make u feel like it is it for real but then it feels like what will i know. This is something so out of league and that judgements cannot be passed.
Overall a good one and worth a read.!
October 23, 2018
Good: the plot, the historical facts, the hero and heroine
Not so good: secondary romance could have been much more convincing, the old school behavior of the hero at times
Overall: really liked it, couldn’t stop reading
Not so good: secondary romance could have been much more convincing, the old school behavior of the hero at times
Overall: really liked it, couldn’t stop reading
June 12, 2021
Slightly different
This was slightly different from the usual romance. It covered a time in history I was less familiar with- the start of migrant unions in California. The author’s note was interesting. (Don’t read it until you finish the book!)
This was slightly different from the usual romance. It covered a time in history I was less familiar with- the start of migrant unions in California. The author’s note was interesting. (Don’t read it until you finish the book!)
November 28, 2021
It was a little slow at times, but I really enjoyed it! It was neat to learn at the end that the working conditions in the hop field were real, and so were the riot and many characters. Great romance.
February 1, 2022
Good book
Easy read, nice story. Haven't been able to 'get into' a book for a while as I'm finding everything repetitive and boring. Finished in 2 days and thankful I finally had something to read.
Easy read, nice story. Haven't been able to 'get into' a book for a while as I'm finding everything repetitive and boring. Finished in 2 days and thankful I finally had something to read.
February 10, 2023
Fantastic book.
I’ve read this book so many times and still love it. Amanda was in blinders on her life, she was given a schedule for every minute of her life. Loved how Hank opens up her eyes and they had so much chemistry. I highly recommend this book.
I’ve read this book so many times and still love it. Amanda was in blinders on her life, she was given a schedule for every minute of her life. Loved how Hank opens up her eyes and they had so much chemistry. I highly recommend this book.
July 20, 2024
I am so nervous about this book: both the social theme and the personages relationship really enraged me. As women in this society we face multiple challenges but in hindsight our female ancestors were saints that managed to survive.
March 24, 2025
can someone tell me why the f all of jude deveraux's books start with the best charachter development process, most entertaining sequences and promosing plot lines ever, and just when we hit the 40% mark all goes down the f ing drain??? they should do a study on that.
May 11, 2017
This was the first Jude Deveraux book I had ever read. I was 16 at the time and I absolutely loved it. Got me hooked on Jude Deveraux books especially the Montgomery/Taggert series.
December 8, 2017
I believe the first Deveraux I ever read, and I still have a soft spot for Deveraux's cram it all in gourmand style.
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