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Tall, Dark & Dangerous #1
Prince Joe - Pangeran Joe
Pangeran Tedric dari Ustanzia menjadi sasaran pembunuhan para teroris saat berkunjung ke Amerika Serikat. Demi keselamatannya, kunjungan penting itu harus dibatalkan. Veronica St. John, konsultan media sang pangeran, tidak setuju. Oleh karena itu ia bersedia melatih Letnan Navy SEAL Joe Catalanotto---yang sangat mirip Tedric---untuk menyamar menjadi sang pangeran.
Awalnya Joe sama sekali tidak peduli pada gaya bicara dan berjalan Tedric yang harus dicontohnya; ia lebih peduli pada sistem pengamanan selama acara kunjungan. Namun tepat saat Veronica yakin dirinya gagal mengubah Joe, pria itu berhasil meniru Tedric dengan sukses.
Sekarang setelah pria itu menjelma menjadi Pangeran Tedric, Veronica ragu apakah ia telah jatuh cinta pada Joe sebagai sang pangeran atau sebagai diri pria itu sendiri...
Awalnya Joe sama sekali tidak peduli pada gaya bicara dan berjalan Tedric yang harus dicontohnya; ia lebih peduli pada sistem pengamanan selama acara kunjungan. Namun tepat saat Veronica yakin dirinya gagal mengubah Joe, pria itu berhasil meniru Tedric dengan sukses.
Sekarang setelah pria itu menjelma menjadi Pangeran Tedric, Veronica ragu apakah ia telah jatuh cinta pada Joe sebagai sang pangeran atau sebagai diri pria itu sendiri...
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
338 people are currently reading
2382 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Brockmann
250 books3,564 followersAfter childhood plans to become the captain of a starship didn’t pan out, Suzanne Brockmann took her fascination with military history, her respect for the men and women who serve, her reverence for diversity, and her love of storytelling, and explored brave new worlds as a bestselling romance author.
Over the past thirty years she has written sixty-three novels, including her award-winning Troubleshooters series about Navy SEAL heroes and the women—and sometimes men—who win their hearts. Her personal favorite is the one where her most popular character, gay FBI agent Jules Cassidy, wins his happily-ever-after and marries the man of his dreams. Called All Through the Night, this mainstream romance novel with a hero and a hero hit the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list. In 2007, Suz donated all of her earnings from this book, in perpetuity, to MassEquality, to help win and preserve equal marriage rights in Massachusetts.
In addition to writing books, Suz writes and produces indie movies and TV including the award-winning romantic comedy The Perfect Wedding. Her recent feature, Out of Body, is streaming on Amazon Prime.
In 2018, Suz was given the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from the Romance Writers of America. Her latest projects are Blame It on Rio (Tall, Dark & Dangerous # 14), available in print and e-book from Suzanne Brockmann Books, and Marriage of Inconvenience, a six-episode LBGTQ rom-com TV series, streaming on Dekkoo in April 2023.
Over the past thirty years she has written sixty-three novels, including her award-winning Troubleshooters series about Navy SEAL heroes and the women—and sometimes men—who win their hearts. Her personal favorite is the one where her most popular character, gay FBI agent Jules Cassidy, wins his happily-ever-after and marries the man of his dreams. Called All Through the Night, this mainstream romance novel with a hero and a hero hit the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list. In 2007, Suz donated all of her earnings from this book, in perpetuity, to MassEquality, to help win and preserve equal marriage rights in Massachusetts.
In addition to writing books, Suz writes and produces indie movies and TV including the award-winning romantic comedy The Perfect Wedding. Her recent feature, Out of Body, is streaming on Amazon Prime.
In 2018, Suz was given the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award from the Romance Writers of America. Her latest projects are Blame It on Rio (Tall, Dark & Dangerous # 14), available in print and e-book from Suzanne Brockmann Books, and Marriage of Inconvenience, a six-episode LBGTQ rom-com TV series, streaming on Dekkoo in April 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
June 20, 2021
Una lectura muy entretenida y que disfruté muchísimo. La pareja principal tiene mucha química y ese deseo contenido estuvo muy bien logrado por parte de la autora. Quizá mi único pero es que tanta inseguridad respecto de los sentimientos del otro se hubiera solucionado tan fácilmente si en vez de malinterpretar cada cosa que se decían, se hubieran sentado a conversar, pero en fin.
La parte de suspenso también estuvo bien, lo necesario para una novela que, en esencia, es romántica. Pero sí me faltó una resolución contra todos los responsables que estaban tras los ataques terroristas.
Quizá le hubiera dado más valoración de no ser por un desenlace que me supo muy precipitado. ¿Por qué casi todas las autoras se caen con esto? ¿Cuándo van a aprender que a sus lectoras les gusta saborear el final?
Reto #5 PopSugar 2019: Un libro escrito por un músico (ficción o no-ficción)
Respecto del reto, leí en la biografía de Suzanne Brockmann que, además de escritora consagrada del género romántico, es directora, vocalista y líder en un grupo a capella de la zona de Boston llamado “Serious Fun”.
La parte de suspenso también estuvo bien, lo necesario para una novela que, en esencia, es romántica. Pero sí me faltó una resolución contra todos los responsables que estaban tras los ataques terroristas.
Quizá le hubiera dado más valoración de no ser por un desenlace que me supo muy precipitado. ¿Por qué casi todas las autoras se caen con esto? ¿Cuándo van a aprender que a sus lectoras les gusta saborear el final?
Reto #5 PopSugar 2019: Un libro escrito por un músico (ficción o no-ficción)
Respecto del reto, leí en la biografía de Suzanne Brockmann que, además de escritora consagrada del género romántico, es directora, vocalista y líder en un grupo a capella de la zona de Boston llamado “Serious Fun”.
October 31, 2010
Opening line: "All of the major network news cameras were rolling as Tedric Cortere, crown prince of Ustanzia, entered the airport."
Prince Joe is the 1st from Brockmann’s 11 book Tall Dark and Dangerous series, its Troubleshooters ‘light’ and except for a couple of issues its very, very good. And damn but that Brockman can write a delicious hero because Prince Joe, well I fell a little (lot)in love with him. This SEAL was just arrogant, combat hardened and rough enough around the edges to catch my interest and then wrecked me when I realized he was a nice guy too (some might say even a prince) He’s sensitive, has insecurities and is even able to shed a tear. Of course he‘s also a pilot, diver, munitions expert, explosives guru, sharpshooter, mechanic, team leader, able to speak 8 languages and looks damn fine in (and out) of his dress whites *sigh* Now just where can I find a guy like that?
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this series, I’d heard good things but because it was written in 96 I thought it might be kind of dated (it isn’t) I’m also not one for the category romances but I found myself swept away here by the touching, suspenseful and often humorous story. I also appreciated Brockmann using proper military lingo, explaining it as we went along so that I felt a real connection to the characters.
of course our couple fall in love within days of meeting and through some great dialogue Brockman somehow had me believing it too. The love scenes are ‘soft’ yet also very satisfying and accept for the standard miscommunication/break-up towards the end I almost forgot I was reading category romance. There’s also a ton of exciting action and suspense with an ending that is just brilliant. Leaving me excited to continue on with the rest of these tall, dark and dangerous boys from SEAL team ten’s alpha squad.
As much as I enjoyed this I should also mention that I had a couple of issues. For some weird reason Brockman likes to invent countries (Why does she do this?) here I had to train myself so that every time I read her fake country of Ustanzia it became Estonia in my mind just so that I didn’t go nuts trying to imagine a country and people that don’t exist. Her characters also don’t swear, which is fine except that Joe substitutes “Jesus, Mary and Joseph” and always says it twice within the same page or paragraph which just seemed weird.
We meet Joe Catalanotto on leave, he’s relaxed, miles from anywhere and enjoying a days fishing with members of his team. All that changes in an instant as a chopper approaches their boat, drops a ladder and a voice announces to the Lieutenant “that his shore leave is over” Within 24hours Joe finds himself in Washington DC surrounded by dignitaries, military brass and one beautiful red headed media consultant.
Following an assassination attempt on the crown Prince of Ustanzia (Estonia) Veronica St John has just been given the seemingly impossible task of turning this rugged and stubborn New Jersey accented sailor into a Prince for the remainder of his US tour. Now while Joe may be the prince’s doppelganger it’s still going to be up to ‘Ronnie’ to teach him royal protocol, correct accent, background and the unique mannerisms needed to pull this off. (Think Miss Congeniality)
The attraction between our couple is immediate however Joe frustrates Veronica because he doesn’t seem to be taking the ‘job’ seriously. As the two grow closer Veronica begins to see that Joe is much more than he appears, willing to take a bullet for a man he not only doesn’t know but doesn’t like. Before long the “L” word is floating around with Joe feeling that he wouldn’t be good enough for her because of his blue collar background while Veronica tries not to fall in love with a man who will be away from home risking his life on a daily basis and enjoying it. Of course then theres also the small issue of the terrorists and the bulls eye on Joes chest.
Prince Joe is the 1st from Brockmann’s 11 book Tall Dark and Dangerous series, its Troubleshooters ‘light’ and except for a couple of issues its very, very good. And damn but that Brockman can write a delicious hero because Prince Joe, well I fell a little (lot)in love with him. This SEAL was just arrogant, combat hardened and rough enough around the edges to catch my interest and then wrecked me when I realized he was a nice guy too (some might say even a prince) He’s sensitive, has insecurities and is even able to shed a tear. Of course he‘s also a pilot, diver, munitions expert, explosives guru, sharpshooter, mechanic, team leader, able to speak 8 languages and looks damn fine in (and out) of his dress whites *sigh* Now just where can I find a guy like that?
I didn’t really know what to expect going into this series, I’d heard good things but because it was written in 96 I thought it might be kind of dated (it isn’t) I’m also not one for the category romances but I found myself swept away here by the touching, suspenseful and often humorous story. I also appreciated Brockmann using proper military lingo, explaining it as we went along so that I felt a real connection to the characters.
of course our couple fall in love within days of meeting and through some great dialogue Brockman somehow had me believing it too. The love scenes are ‘soft’ yet also very satisfying and accept for the standard miscommunication/break-up towards the end I almost forgot I was reading category romance. There’s also a ton of exciting action and suspense with an ending that is just brilliant. Leaving me excited to continue on with the rest of these tall, dark and dangerous boys from SEAL team ten’s alpha squad.
As much as I enjoyed this I should also mention that I had a couple of issues. For some weird reason Brockman likes to invent countries (Why does she do this?) here I had to train myself so that every time I read her fake country of Ustanzia it became Estonia in my mind just so that I didn’t go nuts trying to imagine a country and people that don’t exist. Her characters also don’t swear, which is fine except that Joe substitutes “Jesus, Mary and Joseph” and always says it twice within the same page or paragraph which just seemed weird.
We meet Joe Catalanotto on leave, he’s relaxed, miles from anywhere and enjoying a days fishing with members of his team. All that changes in an instant as a chopper approaches their boat, drops a ladder and a voice announces to the Lieutenant “that his shore leave is over” Within 24hours Joe finds himself in Washington DC surrounded by dignitaries, military brass and one beautiful red headed media consultant.
Following an assassination attempt on the crown Prince of Ustanzia (Estonia) Veronica St John has just been given the seemingly impossible task of turning this rugged and stubborn New Jersey accented sailor into a Prince for the remainder of his US tour. Now while Joe may be the prince’s doppelganger it’s still going to be up to ‘Ronnie’ to teach him royal protocol, correct accent, background and the unique mannerisms needed to pull this off. (Think Miss Congeniality)
The attraction between our couple is immediate however Joe frustrates Veronica because he doesn’t seem to be taking the ‘job’ seriously. As the two grow closer Veronica begins to see that Joe is much more than he appears, willing to take a bullet for a man he not only doesn’t know but doesn’t like. Before long the “L” word is floating around with Joe feeling that he wouldn’t be good enough for her because of his blue collar background while Veronica tries not to fall in love with a man who will be away from home risking his life on a daily basis and enjoying it. Of course then theres also the small issue of the terrorists and the bulls eye on Joes chest.
September 29, 2010
I tried a few times to get into this one, but I just couldn't relate with the whole romance part. Every time I found myself just enjoying the plot (which was actually interesting), it got bogged down with repetitive cliches on how hot the heroine is and how horny Joe is. The romance moved way too fast and the pacing of it threw me too. I wanted to love this one as I normally love Brockmann, but this one didn't work for me.
February 25, 2020
This is the first book I've a read by this author and I think I've found myself a new favorite author (yay me)!
I Loved this story!
Joe & Veronica's chemistry was amazing, and I loved that no matter how hard they fought their attraction they finally had to give in because it was bigger than the both of them.
There was incredible pressure on both Joe & Veronica to do their jobs and they both had different reasons for doing it, but in the end their reasons were both admirable.
I'm SO happy I found this series (thank you so much Buggy for you awesome review)!
..now onto Blue McCoy's story.
I Loved this story!
Joe & Veronica's chemistry was amazing, and I loved that no matter how hard they fought their attraction they finally had to give in because it was bigger than the both of them.
There was incredible pressure on both Joe & Veronica to do their jobs and they both had different reasons for doing it, but in the end their reasons were both admirable.
I'm SO happy I found this series (thank you so much Buggy for you awesome review)!
..now onto Blue McCoy's story.
December 3, 2019
Me ha gustado, aunque más que la historia en sí, ha sido la importancia del protagonista masculino la que me ha fascinado.
Por más que la trama se desarrolle a partir de un intento de asesinato de un príncipe y su consecuente protección a cargo de los Navy Seal, no puedo dejar de verla como un moderno cuento de Cenicienta, en realidad, de Ceniciento. La historia no llega a tener la seriedad correspondiente a ese tipo de novelas en las que participan cuerpos policiales, con atentados, asesinatos, y esas cosas. Más bien, es un telón de fondo para la historia de amor de los protagonistas, proporcionando una excusa y una ocasión.
La ambientación está bien documentada, sobre todo lo que respecta a los Navy Seal, aunque a veces la autora peca de un exceso de información que no es relevante para la historia en sí. De todas formas, me ha encantado conocer el modo de trabajar de este cuerpo de fuerzas especiales, y me ha parecido muy meritorio su trabajo. Hay, por otro lado, exceso de presentación de personajes, con sus nombres y apellidos, lo que me ha creado, en ocasiones, una sensación de caos. A pesar de todo, creo que este caos favorece de alguna manera a la historia, ya que te da la sensación de que entre tanta gente metiendo baza en la situación parece más fácil que todo explote en algún momento, y que el asesinato que se quiere perpetrar, se consume.
Y ahora, no puedo dejar de hablaros de Joe. No solo es el protagonista masculino de la historia, sino que es también el que lleva el peso de los sentimientos de la pareja, lo que me ha parecido precioso, pues en la mayoría de las novelas románticas que he leído, son ellas las que sufren, tienen miedo, luchan, tienen dudas... todo aquello que construye una historia. Aquí es Joe. Joe que es un Navy Seal, alto, fuerte, atractivo, seguro en la acción... y un hombre inseguro en el campo emocional y en la autoestima. La vida y la gente se encargó de hacerle ver que no valía para nada, hasta que un hombre, solo uno, creyó en él, y eso lo cambió todo. Sin embargo, en su fuero interno sigue viéndose como alguien que no vale la pena amar, sobre todo si de quien espera amor es una niña rica, casi una princesa.
Joe no es ningún chulo arrogante, y la autora ha sabido presentarlo con toda su vulnerabilidad, pero sin desmerecer como personaje. Son sus dudas y sus miedos los que mueven la relación, y mientras Verónica se va enamorando de él, el lector también, por su forma de tratarla, por el cariñoso apodo que le pone, por su delicadeza y ternura, y por el respeto que le profesa. Al mismo tiempo que la pasión entre ambos es intensa, siempre conociendo lo que él va sintiendo en todo momento.
Verónica es la mujer perfecta para Joe, a pesar de lo diferentes que son. Me ha gustado que no es una mujer pusilánime, y lo manifiesta en varias ocasiones difíciles en las que no se esconde, sino que las enfrenta con valor.
La autora escribe muy bien, con un estilo ágil y fluido. Me ha parecido un gran acierto el hecho de que haya hecho que Joe use el lenguaje propio de un obrero de Nueva York, lo que remarca aún más la diferencia con Verónica y con el mundo de la realeza en el que está a punto de entrar. Y, puesto que nos deja conocer, ya desde este primer libro, a algunos de los Seals que trabajan con Joe, con nombres que parecen encerrar grandes historias (Cowboy, Blue, Harvard...), estoy segura que seguiré buceando en este mundo nuevo y desconocido de los Navy Seals.
Por más que la trama se desarrolle a partir de un intento de asesinato de un príncipe y su consecuente protección a cargo de los Navy Seal, no puedo dejar de verla como un moderno cuento de Cenicienta, en realidad, de Ceniciento. La historia no llega a tener la seriedad correspondiente a ese tipo de novelas en las que participan cuerpos policiales, con atentados, asesinatos, y esas cosas. Más bien, es un telón de fondo para la historia de amor de los protagonistas, proporcionando una excusa y una ocasión.
La ambientación está bien documentada, sobre todo lo que respecta a los Navy Seal, aunque a veces la autora peca de un exceso de información que no es relevante para la historia en sí. De todas formas, me ha encantado conocer el modo de trabajar de este cuerpo de fuerzas especiales, y me ha parecido muy meritorio su trabajo. Hay, por otro lado, exceso de presentación de personajes, con sus nombres y apellidos, lo que me ha creado, en ocasiones, una sensación de caos. A pesar de todo, creo que este caos favorece de alguna manera a la historia, ya que te da la sensación de que entre tanta gente metiendo baza en la situación parece más fácil que todo explote en algún momento, y que el asesinato que se quiere perpetrar, se consume.
Y ahora, no puedo dejar de hablaros de Joe. No solo es el protagonista masculino de la historia, sino que es también el que lleva el peso de los sentimientos de la pareja, lo que me ha parecido precioso, pues en la mayoría de las novelas románticas que he leído, son ellas las que sufren, tienen miedo, luchan, tienen dudas... todo aquello que construye una historia. Aquí es Joe. Joe que es un Navy Seal, alto, fuerte, atractivo, seguro en la acción... y un hombre inseguro en el campo emocional y en la autoestima. La vida y la gente se encargó de hacerle ver que no valía para nada, hasta que un hombre, solo uno, creyó en él, y eso lo cambió todo. Sin embargo, en su fuero interno sigue viéndose como alguien que no vale la pena amar, sobre todo si de quien espera amor es una niña rica, casi una princesa.
Joe no es ningún chulo arrogante, y la autora ha sabido presentarlo con toda su vulnerabilidad, pero sin desmerecer como personaje. Son sus dudas y sus miedos los que mueven la relación, y mientras Verónica se va enamorando de él, el lector también, por su forma de tratarla, por el cariñoso apodo que le pone, por su delicadeza y ternura, y por el respeto que le profesa. Al mismo tiempo que la pasión entre ambos es intensa, siempre conociendo lo que él va sintiendo en todo momento.
Verónica es la mujer perfecta para Joe, a pesar de lo diferentes que son. Me ha gustado que no es una mujer pusilánime, y lo manifiesta en varias ocasiones difíciles en las que no se esconde, sino que las enfrenta con valor.
La autora escribe muy bien, con un estilo ágil y fluido. Me ha parecido un gran acierto el hecho de que haya hecho que Joe use el lenguaje propio de un obrero de Nueva York, lo que remarca aún más la diferencia con Verónica y con el mundo de la realeza en el que está a punto de entrar. Y, puesto que nos deja conocer, ya desde este primer libro, a algunos de los Seals que trabajan con Joe, con nombres que parecen encerrar grandes historias (Cowboy, Blue, Harvard...), estoy segura que seguiré buceando en este mundo nuevo y desconocido de los Navy Seals.
October 15, 2018
Well, I have some serious problems with this book. I really liked the main idea of the plot. And the first one third is quite good. But then I lost my interest and read the rest of the book mainly because it isn't bad enough to just leave it.
I believe the worse thing is Joe's attitude towards Veronica. He doesn't respect her job. He doesn't respect what she does. He doesn't respect her. He seriously believes that she thinks lesser about him, because he is from worse background than she is. Doesn't that makes her shallow? So, yeah, he thinks she is shallow and finds him stupid just because of a few words she said during a quarrel.
And he always knows better. Veronica is just a weak heroine.
Yeah, Joe always knows better. He knows what Veronica thinks, so he doesn't ask her about anything. The whole story is about them not talking about anything and thinking poorly about each other. He doesn't tell her about his abilities to fulfill the task and they dont't talk about their feelings and expectations. At about half of the book, both Veronica and Joe think about love and spending the whole life with each other. But till this time they didn't talk with each other about anything other than sex. And I seriously couldn't find any deeper feelings between them. After few days of not talking?! No kidding!
And the end doesn't solve anything, to me they are nearly in the same point they were before. I seriously don't think they would make it.
I believe the worse thing is Joe's attitude towards Veronica. He doesn't respect her job. He doesn't respect what she does. He doesn't respect her. He seriously believes that she thinks lesser about him, because he is from worse background than she is. Doesn't that makes her shallow? So, yeah, he thinks she is shallow and finds him stupid just because of a few words she said during a quarrel.
And he always knows better. Veronica is just a weak heroine.
Yeah, Joe always knows better. He knows what Veronica thinks, so he doesn't ask her about anything. The whole story is about them not talking about anything and thinking poorly about each other. He doesn't tell her about his abilities to fulfill the task and they dont't talk about their feelings and expectations. At about half of the book, both Veronica and Joe think about love and spending the whole life with each other. But till this time they didn't talk with each other about anything other than sex. And I seriously couldn't find any deeper feelings between them. After few days of not talking?! No kidding!
And the end doesn't solve anything, to me they are nearly in the same point they were before. I seriously don't think they would make it.
October 31, 2019
Joe and Veronica. Prince 'Ted' is an ass, but he is a prince and his country has newly discovered oil. So when he is almost assassinated, the US government is all set to keep him safe. Luckily 'Ted' knows of a Navy Seal who looks just like him and can take his place during the rest of his US relations tour. Veronica happens to be prince Ted's sister's, sister-in-law and is working to improve his media image. So it falls on her to instruct Navy Seal 'Joe' how to impersonate a stuck up prig of a prince.
Ronnie and Joe's, first meeting is anything but auspicious. Does Joe allay her bad first impression though? Nope. He plays it up to make himself look even worse. All of this sounds like the makings of a great story right? Wrong. Joe has a chip on his shoulder the size of the Titanic, and it sinks the story every time it seems to be getting good.
Veronica has a posh english accent and dresses conservatively, so she must be a snobby bitch right? That's what Joe assumes... over and over and over and over again. Super tiresome to the point of stupidity.
When it becomes emphatically and publicly obvious that he has been holding out information on himself that was important to Veronica doing her job well, does she get mad. No.... she is all oooh Joe.. you are so awesome...
Overall, Joe was patronizing to the 'little lady'. There was no real reason for it and he was even warned by a man he respects, that there was more to her than he should first assume. So essentially I couldn't see what Veronica saw in him other than he looked hot in his naval whites and was nice to dying children.
Does he apologize for being an asshole?
Safety is good.
Ronnie and Joe's, first meeting is anything but auspicious. Does Joe allay her bad first impression though? Nope. He plays it up to make himself look even worse. All of this sounds like the makings of a great story right? Wrong. Joe has a chip on his shoulder the size of the Titanic, and it sinks the story every time it seems to be getting good.
Veronica has a posh english accent and dresses conservatively, so she must be a snobby bitch right? That's what Joe assumes... over and over and over and over again. Super tiresome to the point of stupidity.
When it becomes emphatically and publicly obvious that he has been holding out information on himself that was important to Veronica doing her job well, does she get mad. No.... she is all oooh Joe.. you are so awesome...
Overall, Joe was patronizing to the 'little lady'. There was no real reason for it and he was even warned by a man he respects, that there was more to her than he should first assume. So essentially I couldn't see what Veronica saw in him other than he looked hot in his naval whites and was nice to dying children.
Does he apologize for being an asshole?
Safety is good.
October 31, 2015
3.5 stars
August 23, 2011
I felt bad because I really feel that a 1 star rating should come with a reason for that low rating. Suzanne Brockmann is a very popular author in the romance genre, and I am sure that my rating gets a lot of raised eyebrows. For me, this book is a fail. Why? I cannot stand the heroine! I tried my hardest to keep reading, but she annoyed me so much, and I didn't even want to be bothered. Honestly, I have a problem with Suzanne Brockmann's heroines in general. I find most of them fairly unlikable. I have a handful I do like, and Veronica is not one of them. Her snobbery, her disdainful way of treating Joe, who is a nice guy, way too nice for her, really got my goat. I like a proper, even stuffy heroine. But she was just plain offensive to me. With a romance book, I have to like the characters to want to see them get their happy ending. In this case, I wanted Joe to ditch Veronica and find a nice woman to fall in love with.
I realize I am an outlier with this book. Sometimes that happens. I have considered trying to reread this and see if I like it better the second time. But, I found it so off-putting, I'm not sure when that will ever happen, especially with my immense tbr pile (not to mention books I liked and want to reread).
My opinion, and certainly not the only one.
I realize I am an outlier with this book. Sometimes that happens. I have considered trying to reread this and see if I like it better the second time. But, I found it so off-putting, I'm not sure when that will ever happen, especially with my immense tbr pile (not to mention books I liked and want to reread).
My opinion, and certainly not the only one.
October 2, 2010
Normally I don’t like stories about princes and kings from fake countries –they tend to bug me especially with a contemporary setting because they come off as dumb but this book thankfully didn’t focus on that too much. For the most part it was a light romance with a dollop of suspense and some heartfelt moments scattered around.
Joe Catalanotto is a navy SEAL whose job is to impersonate the prince of Ustanzia who has had an assassination attempt on his life during an official tour to the US. Veronica St Jean is hired to teach Joe how to look and act like the prince and it’s no mean feat considering that he comes from the wrong side of the tracks. To Veronica’s surprise Joe is a quick study. As for their relationship, Joe pretty much wanted to jump her from the get-go and she found him attractive if boorish which of course he only did to get on her nerves. Slowly they both feel the pull, end up doing the horizontal and then start second guessing each other which brings the blossoming relationship to a virtual standstill for a few too many pages for my liking.
I loved Joe :) He’s this tough as nails alpha who has a believable soft side. I’m not a fan of the teary-eyed heroes but my heart just broke in pieces for poor Joe for how much he loved Veronica and wanted to be with her. He sort of reminded me of some of Lisa Marie Rice’s heroes from her Midnight series. He’s a great kisser and a champion whisperer. What I didn’t like about his character was that at times he saw himself a lowly second class working stiff compared to Veronica’s uppity high class character. Not only was the guy a navy SEAL but he was an expert in explosives, an engineer, a linguist and an officer. It didn’t make sense that he’d have feelings of being lower class given all he accomplished.
Veronia is a fairly decent heroine. She’s one of those prim and proper gals who just happens to fall for the guy that lets her know she can let it all hang out with him and she certainly does. Sometimes she over-thought her relationship with him which got irritating after a while but it did add to the emotional high points of the novel so I could over look that.
The book does get too formulaic at times and you think it’s going to veer towards the dumb but Brockmann catches herself in time to put it back on track. It’s not a brilliant story but it’s pretty good for the most part. Thankfully there isn’t an insane amount of focus on the suspense side and the bad guys and their story is kept to a minimum so it doesn’t feel like it’s taking too much time away from the love story.
It’s a pretty good, quickie romantic suspense story with some spicy steam and good characters.
Joe Catalanotto is a navy SEAL whose job is to impersonate the prince of Ustanzia who has had an assassination attempt on his life during an official tour to the US. Veronica St Jean is hired to teach Joe how to look and act like the prince and it’s no mean feat considering that he comes from the wrong side of the tracks. To Veronica’s surprise Joe is a quick study. As for their relationship, Joe pretty much wanted to jump her from the get-go and she found him attractive if boorish which of course he only did to get on her nerves. Slowly they both feel the pull, end up doing the horizontal and then start second guessing each other which brings the blossoming relationship to a virtual standstill for a few too many pages for my liking.
I loved Joe :) He’s this tough as nails alpha who has a believable soft side. I’m not a fan of the teary-eyed heroes but my heart just broke in pieces for poor Joe for how much he loved Veronica and wanted to be with her. He sort of reminded me of some of Lisa Marie Rice’s heroes from her Midnight series. He’s a great kisser and a champion whisperer. What I didn’t like about his character was that at times he saw himself a lowly second class working stiff compared to Veronica’s uppity high class character. Not only was the guy a navy SEAL but he was an expert in explosives, an engineer, a linguist and an officer. It didn’t make sense that he’d have feelings of being lower class given all he accomplished.
Veronia is a fairly decent heroine. She’s one of those prim and proper gals who just happens to fall for the guy that lets her know she can let it all hang out with him and she certainly does. Sometimes she over-thought her relationship with him which got irritating after a while but it did add to the emotional high points of the novel so I could over look that.
The book does get too formulaic at times and you think it’s going to veer towards the dumb but Brockmann catches herself in time to put it back on track. It’s not a brilliant story but it’s pretty good for the most part. Thankfully there isn’t an insane amount of focus on the suspense side and the bad guys and their story is kept to a minimum so it doesn’t feel like it’s taking too much time away from the love story.
It’s a pretty good, quickie romantic suspense story with some spicy steam and good characters.
September 10, 2010
Neat concept but thoughts and actions ruined it for me.
I loved the two main characters and the storyline, but the book should have been about 1/2 of the length. The author filled the story with endless ruminations within the characters' minds. They both kept assuming the wrong things about the words the other said. CAUTION SPOILERS: For example, he asks her to marry him, she says no because they are from two different worlds. He thinks she means he is too low class for her, but what she really meant was she didn't want to live with the fear that his work as a Navy Seal would keep putting his life in danger. So, he leaves her thinking the wrong thing. A second example is at a social function, she comes up to him and asks him to dance. He says stay the hell away from me (because his role is to be a target for a shooter and he wants her safe, which she should know), but she walks away thinking he doesn't like her, which was false. There were additional wrong assumptions causing conflicts which ruined the book for me. Sexual content: mild.
I loved the two main characters and the storyline, but the book should have been about 1/2 of the length. The author filled the story with endless ruminations within the characters' minds. They both kept assuming the wrong things about the words the other said. CAUTION SPOILERS: For example, he asks her to marry him, she says no because they are from two different worlds. He thinks she means he is too low class for her, but what she really meant was she didn't want to live with the fear that his work as a Navy Seal would keep putting his life in danger. So, he leaves her thinking the wrong thing. A second example is at a social function, she comes up to him and asks him to dance. He says stay the hell away from me (because his role is to be a target for a shooter and he wants her safe, which she should know), but she walks away thinking he doesn't like her, which was false. There were additional wrong assumptions causing conflicts which ruined the book for me. Sexual content: mild.
December 1, 2017
This was a good story/setup. However, it was marred by most of romantic issues stemming from assumptions and lack of communication. Really people - just talk!
November 13, 2018
La verdad es que esperaba más del libro. Joe me ha encantado pero ella nada.
July 30, 2018
Libro sencillo, entretenido con momentos de humor y acción, es como un "teleflin"esperaba que este SEAL fuera más cabezón y me sorprendió lo rápido que se rindió al amor.
Eso si a mi me falta un epílogo.
Eso si a mi me falta un epílogo.
August 7, 2015
que me gustan a mi estos maromos
December 3, 2021
4 Sterne. Richtig gute Mischung aus Romance und Spannung, aber mit deutlichem Schwerpunkt auf der Liebesgeschichte.
- Joe und Veronica müssen sehr eng zusammenarbeiten, um aus ihm den Doppelgänger eines europäischen Prinzen zu machen. Wie sie dabei gegenseitige Vorurteile abbauen, echte Gespräche führen und sich näherkommen, war RICHTIG gut.
- sehr schöne Verknüpfung von Emotion und Annäherung. Die entstehenden innigen Gefühle machen den körperlichen Kontakt später dann umso schöner.
- Von Faxgeräten bis zum Discman (oder wars sogar ein Walkman?) – ich hab zwischendurch immer wieder gekichert an Stellen, die das Alter des Buchs verraten.
- In einigen Situationen wird Veronica von den anwesenden Männern (Politiker, Militärs) „übern Mund fahren“. Erst war ich davon sehr genervt, realistisch ist es allemal. Aber immerhin zwischen Joe und Veronica wird es dann gut thematisiert.
- Die Spannungselemente rund um das versuchte Attentat auf den Prinzen bleiben die Geschichte über eher am Rande, tragen dann aber zu einem spannenden Höhepunkt bei.
- Joe und Veronica müssen sehr eng zusammenarbeiten, um aus ihm den Doppelgänger eines europäischen Prinzen zu machen. Wie sie dabei gegenseitige Vorurteile abbauen, echte Gespräche führen und sich näherkommen, war RICHTIG gut.
- sehr schöne Verknüpfung von Emotion und Annäherung. Die entstehenden innigen Gefühle machen den körperlichen Kontakt später dann umso schöner.
- Von Faxgeräten bis zum Discman (oder wars sogar ein Walkman?) – ich hab zwischendurch immer wieder gekichert an Stellen, die das Alter des Buchs verraten.
- In einigen Situationen wird Veronica von den anwesenden Männern (Politiker, Militärs) „übern Mund fahren“. Erst war ich davon sehr genervt, realistisch ist es allemal. Aber immerhin zwischen Joe und Veronica wird es dann gut thematisiert.
- Die Spannungselemente rund um das versuchte Attentat auf den Prinzen bleiben die Geschichte über eher am Rande, tragen dann aber zu einem spannenden Höhepunkt bei.
May 1, 2017
Casi podría darle 4⭐️.
La historia es dulce, con sorpresas, drama, un gran argumento y unos personajes increíbles pero Y SIEMPRE TENGO UN PERO y como siempre también es para el personaje femenino.
Odio, terriblemente, las típicas mujeres que se quejan de "yo no voy a cambiar mi vida ni mis sueños por nadie y menos por un hombre" pero entonces ellas son las mismas que le exigen al hombre que dicen amar, que deje de hacer lo que hace, un trabajo que ama hacer. Sí, es peligroso, pero ES SU SUEÑO, así que ¿por que lo tuyo vale más que lo de el? Y esto, es lo que hizo la señorita Veronica, protagonista de esta historia, una mujer de la alta sociedad que se creía que un Navy Seal era un paleto de pueblo que no sabía ni cómo usar los cubiertos. Eso fue otra cosa que odié, estupidos prejuicios. Ella, la que insistió en visitar un hospital para niños enfermos terminales porque quería hacer algo por la gente, sabiendo que el trabajo de Joe también salva un montón de vidas, aún así le daba igual y lo que importaba era ella y lo mando a cagar. PUES NO! Dios que indignación tengo con está mujer.
Al margen de estas cosas la historia en si fue muy bonita. La puesta en escena de Joe, el resto del equipo y su compenetración, la visita al hospital y Joe que me hicieron llorar un montón, y el final (incluso con mi indignación hacia Veronica) fue muy bonito.
Ahora mismo, y teniendo en cuenta la cantidad de años que tendrá esta historia, no es de lo mejorcito que he leído pero me ha gustado mucho!
La historia es dulce, con sorpresas, drama, un gran argumento y unos personajes increíbles pero Y SIEMPRE TENGO UN PERO y como siempre también es para el personaje femenino.
Odio, terriblemente, las típicas mujeres que se quejan de "yo no voy a cambiar mi vida ni mis sueños por nadie y menos por un hombre" pero entonces ellas son las mismas que le exigen al hombre que dicen amar, que deje de hacer lo que hace, un trabajo que ama hacer. Sí, es peligroso, pero ES SU SUEÑO, así que ¿por que lo tuyo vale más que lo de el? Y esto, es lo que hizo la señorita Veronica, protagonista de esta historia, una mujer de la alta sociedad que se creía que un Navy Seal era un paleto de pueblo que no sabía ni cómo usar los cubiertos. Eso fue otra cosa que odié, estupidos prejuicios. Ella, la que insistió en visitar un hospital para niños enfermos terminales porque quería hacer algo por la gente, sabiendo que el trabajo de Joe también salva un montón de vidas, aún así le daba igual y lo que importaba era ella y lo mando a cagar. PUES NO! Dios que indignación tengo con está mujer.
Al margen de estas cosas la historia en si fue muy bonita. La puesta en escena de Joe, el resto del equipo y su compenetración, la visita al hospital y Joe que me hicieron llorar un montón, y el final (incluso con mi indignación hacia Veronica) fue muy bonito.
Ahora mismo, y teniendo en cuenta la cantidad de años que tendrá esta historia, no es de lo mejorcito que he leído pero me ha gustado mucho!
March 11, 2015
Ame a Joe, me encanto totalmente este personaje y toda la historia!
May 24, 2019
Una de las mejores ideas que he tenido para salir de la sequía "lecturil" en la que estaba atrapada ha sido empezar a releer libros que en su día me encantaron. En este caso, Suzanne Brockmann es una autora que me encanta porque, en mi opinión, describe las historias románticas de acción/suspense como pocas. Consigue atraparme escena tras escena y me cuesta dejar de leer. Adoro a la mayoría de sus personajes. Es una lástima que las editoriales hayan hecho tantas aberraciones con sus libros: publicación de sagas con títulos salteados, las han dejado a medias, tiene libros que solo encuentras en papel o solo en digital...; en fin, tengo un batiburrillo de libros de esta autora...
En cuanto a la novela, pues me ha encantado releerla ya que me ha sorprendido que no ha sido como la recordaba.
Me ha gustado bastante la trama, como va desarrollándose sin prisa pero sin pausa; el perfil de los personajes y, como leí en su momento la serie entera y sé lo que va a pasar, me ha encantado recordarlos. No sé por qué, en mi mente tenía una imagen de él, Joe, más mayor de lo que es realmente y he congeniado un poco más con ella, Veronica, ya que no guardaba un buen recuerdo. Joe es dulce, amable, leal y encantador. Un hombre de honor. Con Veronica he tenido mis más y mis menos, porque en algunas ocasiones me ha parecido un poco veleta, y no he entendido algunas de sus salidas de tono, aunque he llegado a comprender varias de las dudas que tiene.
He decidido releer la saga entera y estoy emocionada porque los libros 2, 3 y 6 los recuerdo como mis preferidos, ¿seguirá siendo así? (seguro que el sexto sí, ya que lo habré leído unas cinco o seis veces y es de mis novelas "top" jajajaja).
Bueno, que si queréis una novela con una pizca de humor, varias dosis de acción y un montón de amor, amistad y compañerismo, no dejéis escapar a Suzanne Brockman y su serie Altos, oscuros y peligrosos.
Mi puntuación, un 8.
En cuanto a la novela, pues me ha encantado releerla ya que me ha sorprendido que no ha sido como la recordaba.
Me ha gustado bastante la trama, como va desarrollándose sin prisa pero sin pausa; el perfil de los personajes y, como leí en su momento la serie entera y sé lo que va a pasar, me ha encantado recordarlos. No sé por qué, en mi mente tenía una imagen de él, Joe, más mayor de lo que es realmente y he congeniado un poco más con ella, Veronica, ya que no guardaba un buen recuerdo. Joe es dulce, amable, leal y encantador. Un hombre de honor. Con Veronica he tenido mis más y mis menos, porque en algunas ocasiones me ha parecido un poco veleta, y no he entendido algunas de sus salidas de tono, aunque he llegado a comprender varias de las dudas que tiene.
He decidido releer la saga entera y estoy emocionada porque los libros 2, 3 y 6 los recuerdo como mis preferidos, ¿seguirá siendo así? (seguro que el sexto sí, ya que lo habré leído unas cinco o seis veces y es de mis novelas "top" jajajaja).
Bueno, que si queréis una novela con una pizca de humor, varias dosis de acción y un montón de amor, amistad y compañerismo, no dejéis escapar a Suzanne Brockman y su serie Altos, oscuros y peligrosos.
Mi puntuación, un 8.
March 26, 2019
Pangeran Tedric dari Ustanzia ini memang nyebelin luar dalam. Joe Catalanotto alias Joe Cat gak peduli dengan hidup si pangeran ini. Joe makin sebal saat dirinya ditunjuk utk menyamar menjadi si Tedric ini gara-gara mukanya mirip banget dgn si pangeran kemayu ini. Tapi batal kesel karena konsultan si pangeran, Veronica St. John yg cantik akan melatih Letnan Navy SEAL yg bengal ini dlm waktu 3 bulan. Yihaaaa.....
Awalnya Joe sama sekali tidak peduli pada gaya bicara dan berjalan Tedric yang harus dicontohnya. Veronica a.k.a Ronnie frustrasi mengajari Joe yg ndableg ini. Joe ini murid paling kurang ajar dan tidak bisa diarahkan utk serius sama sekali. Tepat saat Veronica yakin dirinya gagal mengubah Joe, pria itu berhasil meniru Tedric dengan sukses.
Saat keduanya makin dekat, Ronnie mulai menyadari Joe di luar penampilannya, bersedia mengambil resiko menerima peluru untuk seorang pria yang tidak hanya dia tidak kenal tetapi juga tidak dia sukai. Joe merasa bahwa dia tidak akan cukup baik untuk Ronnie karena latar belakangnya sementara Veronica mencoba untuk tidak jatuh cinta dengan seorang pria yang akan jauh dari rumah, mempertaruhkan hidupnya setiap hari dan menikmatinya. Dia tidak tahu apakah sanggup mendampingi seorang Navy SEAL yang harus selalu siap menghadapi bahaya.
Saya suka dgn relationship mereka, di awal-awal cerita lebih mirip kucing dan anjing yg suka berantem. Tapi belakangan, chemistry mereka makin membara, apalagi pas adegan Joe ngintip Ronnie menari, dan belakangan Ronnie menari sensual utk Joe. That's very memorable scenes for me.
Awalnya Joe sama sekali tidak peduli pada gaya bicara dan berjalan Tedric yang harus dicontohnya. Veronica a.k.a Ronnie frustrasi mengajari Joe yg ndableg ini. Joe ini murid paling kurang ajar dan tidak bisa diarahkan utk serius sama sekali. Tepat saat Veronica yakin dirinya gagal mengubah Joe, pria itu berhasil meniru Tedric dengan sukses.
Saat keduanya makin dekat, Ronnie mulai menyadari Joe di luar penampilannya, bersedia mengambil resiko menerima peluru untuk seorang pria yang tidak hanya dia tidak kenal tetapi juga tidak dia sukai. Joe merasa bahwa dia tidak akan cukup baik untuk Ronnie karena latar belakangnya sementara Veronica mencoba untuk tidak jatuh cinta dengan seorang pria yang akan jauh dari rumah, mempertaruhkan hidupnya setiap hari dan menikmatinya. Dia tidak tahu apakah sanggup mendampingi seorang Navy SEAL yang harus selalu siap menghadapi bahaya.
Saya suka dgn relationship mereka, di awal-awal cerita lebih mirip kucing dan anjing yg suka berantem. Tapi belakangan, chemistry mereka makin membara, apalagi pas adegan Joe ngintip Ronnie menari, dan belakangan Ronnie menari sensual utk Joe. That's very memorable scenes for me.
June 13, 2018
5 Prince Joe Stars
Normally I mention the narration at the end but D – A – N – M it needs to be mentioned first. Ashley Adlon brought every character a voice and even some with ACCENTS!! And she freaking NAILED it. No joke. I loved this book because she had me so engaged. The storyline was there for sure but Ashley slays this book in all the best ways.
I went in knowing it was an older romance, meaning it was writing over 20 years ago and I immediately felt like it was a Harlequin I would just pluck off my grandma’s shelf and devour.
These are the romance’s I fell in love with, has the story been done before sure, with more flair sure. But if you take it down to the time the book was written and how it makes you feel I was so in love with Joe! He was this tough seal yacked off his one day leave and shoved into this passion he didn’t want to be in but because of respect, he volunteered in the end to do the job.
And Veronica, she was the strong stoic type who sure some might say got walked over, but really she just lied in wait until she could manipulate the situation. I loved that she was so ambitious and skeptical.
I loved that Joe wore his heart on his sleeve; he was this strong man until he fell in love. Who doesn’t love a story like that?
I loved it as you can tell and if you just go in thinking I am going to be entertained and enjoy a good love story you will love it as much as I did I am sure of it.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Normally I mention the narration at the end but D – A – N – M it needs to be mentioned first. Ashley Adlon brought every character a voice and even some with ACCENTS!! And she freaking NAILED it. No joke. I loved this book because she had me so engaged. The storyline was there for sure but Ashley slays this book in all the best ways.
I went in knowing it was an older romance, meaning it was writing over 20 years ago and I immediately felt like it was a Harlequin I would just pluck off my grandma’s shelf and devour.
These are the romance’s I fell in love with, has the story been done before sure, with more flair sure. But if you take it down to the time the book was written and how it makes you feel I was so in love with Joe! He was this tough seal yacked off his one day leave and shoved into this passion he didn’t want to be in but because of respect, he volunteered in the end to do the job.
And Veronica, she was the strong stoic type who sure some might say got walked over, but really she just lied in wait until she could manipulate the situation. I loved that she was so ambitious and skeptical.
I loved that Joe wore his heart on his sleeve; he was this strong man until he fell in love. Who doesn’t love a story like that?
I loved it as you can tell and if you just go in thinking I am going to be entertained and enjoy a good love story you will love it as much as I did I am sure of it.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
December 20, 2015
Quanto ao que não gostei, não tive grande paciência para as indecisões amorosas do Joe e da Veronica e dos seus males entendidos. Outra coisa que me fez confusão é ler estes livros que são contemporâneos mas que já têm 20 anos e ver como tanto mudou em duas décadas. Aquando do lançamento deste livro (1996) aqui fala-se em faxes, pagers e ainda é mencionado o presidente dos USA, o Bill Clinton! Apenas faz confusão porque hoje em dia sabemos que ninguém usa fax, as gerações mais jovens nem sabem o que é um pager e muito menos quem é o Bill Clinton. Mas a culpa disto é da Harlequin que edita livros do século passado! As últimas cenas finais com o Joe a fazer o acto heróico do século também era desnecessária mas enfim, deu para perceber a ideia do herói salvar a donzela em apuros.
O que me fez impressão foi a menção a grupos terroristas e temos de ter em atenção que na altura em que o livro foi publicado (1996) ainda nem tinha acontecido os ataques às torres gémeas e hoje em dia o terrorismo é um assunto mediático. Dá que pensar.
http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
O que me fez impressão foi a menção a grupos terroristas e temos de ter em atenção que na altura em que o livro foi publicado (1996) ainda nem tinha acontecido os ataques às torres gémeas e hoje em dia o terrorismo é um assunto mediático. Dá que pensar.
http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
November 8, 2010
This was a rather nice, fairytale-type romance. Navy SEAL meets PR consultant. Navy SEAL given ample opportunity to demonstrate bravery, plus a unique array of skills ranging from languages to climbing. Navy SEAL and PR consultant fall in love, but predictable misunderstanding happen. Etc. Etc.
It was rather formulaic, but well enough written that it was still enjoyable, and I'll go back for more with the rest of the series. The made-up country thing and spoilt prince were a tad hokey, but the author carried it off ok. The hero and heroine were both very likeable so I don't feel like I wasted my time reading it.
3 stars
March 26, 2014
Just read it again. As I decided to indulge in reading the whole TDD series in the right order this time, and without waiting months between each book.
I liked this one very much, probably more than in my memories.
It's not really realistic in more than a few places, but it just worked fine. I felt the attraction and budding feelings between Joe and Veronica, their mutual misunderstanding on their relationship did not seem overplayed.
And for a short book, I felt the characters had some depths.
In a way, it's very Cinderella like, in others not at all, but it seems a bit like a fairy tale romance.
A very solid 4 to 5 stars (yeah, I'm hesitating to upgrade it)
I liked this one very much, probably more than in my memories.
It's not really realistic in more than a few places, but it just worked fine. I felt the attraction and budding feelings between Joe and Veronica, their mutual misunderstanding on their relationship did not seem overplayed.
And for a short book, I felt the characters had some depths.
In a way, it's very Cinderella like, in others not at all, but it seems a bit like a fairy tale romance.
A very solid 4 to 5 stars (yeah, I'm hesitating to upgrade it)
April 9, 2011
Liked this better on the reread. Joe Cat is a good character.
This one was pretty implausible. I generally don't like when authors make up European countries just so they can have a princess in their story but what are you going to do? The story was okay. The take down scenes on the boat were pretty good if I remember correctly. I read this a long time ago. I like Joe Cat a lot in future stories in the series and you really ought to read it if you're going to read the series since this is the start. Just know they get better from here.
This one was pretty implausible. I generally don't like when authors make up European countries just so they can have a princess in their story but what are you going to do? The story was okay. The take down scenes on the boat were pretty good if I remember correctly. I read this a long time ago. I like Joe Cat a lot in future stories in the series and you really ought to read it if you're going to read the series since this is the start. Just know they get better from here.
March 16, 2009
I didn't like Veronica at all. She was annoying. I wanted much better for Joe because he was a good guy.
June 16, 2016
Actual Rating: 1.5 Stars
This is truly a disappointing reading experience, and the honest truth is that it could have been a really great romantic suspense. There were a lot of moments that came close to making up for all the things I didn't like about this book, but not quite enough to satisfy me.
Prince Joe is what I would call a potentially promising premise ruined by an entirely too one-tracked, unerring focus on a frustratingly clichéd romance. I had already done a good amount of ranting earlier in a reading update post, so I don't want to rehash all my same grievances. But it's hard for me not to feel a little let down when I'd been so looking forward to reading this series.
When I first picked up this book, I'd skim-read the first chapter and found the writing serviceable. In fact, despite doing into this book knowing that it would be more romance than suspense, based on the book's official summary blurb, I hadn't really expected to get what I ended up getting from this book. The first two or three chapters of set-up and the last few chapters of concluding the main suspense conflict were the best chapters in the book--they managed to focus less on the absurdly clichéd love story and it made things easier to bear.
So even going into the book, I'd been expecting more.
Instead, as I'd stated in my reading update post, I got bombarded with tacky monologues from both sides of our romantic coupling, ruminating about love and lust and how Veronica and Joe make each other feel and see things differently than they've ever felt before about other lust or love interests in the past. And this entire time, very little is focused on the actual suspense aspects of the book: the fact that Joe needs to learn how to become Prince Tedric and Veronica is the consultant hired to help him.
But after a hundred pages into the book, I was already able to name several stereotypical category romance devices that are used WAY too generously in books of this genre. They make my eyes practically roll out of my head.
• Veronica trips on a hallway rug, thus requiring Joe to catch her fall and hold her close. This fulfills the "clumsy heroine" device that is supposed to serve as an endearing trait for most.
• Veronica lets her hair down and dances sexily to relieve stress when she thinks no one's watching. Except that Joe is watching (creepy...). This fulfills the "there's a sexy vixen hiding underneath that strong, no-nonsense exterior" device to make the heroine a bit more desirable to men.
• Veronica falls asleep on a couch and Joe is unable to awaken her. This fulfills the "tired and exhausted heroine needs to be princess carried to bed" device. It speaks for itself.
I can name several other devices carelessly thrown into this book for the sake of building a "special, meant to be romance" for our couple. Veronica is apparently more innocent that she lets on, being almost virginal--in fact, she might as well be virginal because there is no mention of any other romantic relationships in her past or sexual experiences.
And Joe is Mr. Perfect who is apparently able to do anything and everything, and he is right at least 99% of the time. With his perfect perfectness, there's not even any need for Veronica to play consultant because apparently he's a good mimic and doesn't need to do any preparation to become Prince Tedric. And he's better at security matters than the law enforcement agency responsible for security matters.
Let's just do everything Joe's way. He's never wrong.
The only other 1% of the time that Joe is wrong is when he's being his reverse snob self and jumping to conclusions and assumptions. As I'd mentioned in my reading update, Veronica and Joe are two of THE most frustrating protagonists if only because they're stubbornly stuck on what they believe to be true of other people. Rather than learning about others and getting to know other people by asking questions and getting to know them, they just go right ahead and make up their own opinions without facts.
Anyway, if I have to go on, I might upset myself all over again.
If we focus a little less on the romance and more on the action and suspense, the book might be a decent, average read; much more balanced and less aggravating. What little I read of the SEAL operations and the rescue missions and even the pre-planning phases of Operation Make Joe into Prince Tedric--the stuff that came before Veronica and Joe met--were actually not so bad.
It's just a shame that everything seemed to just start rolling downhill as soon as the "Meet Cute" happens and the book becomes so obsessed with the romance that we forget that there are more pressing matters at hand.
Again, for a look at some previous thoughts while I was reading the book, see my reading progress update | Ani's Book Abyss.
***
2016 Reading Challenges:
• Goodreads Reading Challenge
• BookLikes Reading Challenge
• Reading Assignment Challenge
• Bookish Resolutions Challenge
• Mount TBR Challenge
This is truly a disappointing reading experience, and the honest truth is that it could have been a really great romantic suspense. There were a lot of moments that came close to making up for all the things I didn't like about this book, but not quite enough to satisfy me.
Prince Joe is what I would call a potentially promising premise ruined by an entirely too one-tracked, unerring focus on a frustratingly clichéd romance. I had already done a good amount of ranting earlier in a reading update post, so I don't want to rehash all my same grievances. But it's hard for me not to feel a little let down when I'd been so looking forward to reading this series.
When I first picked up this book, I'd skim-read the first chapter and found the writing serviceable. In fact, despite doing into this book knowing that it would be more romance than suspense, based on the book's official summary blurb, I hadn't really expected to get what I ended up getting from this book. The first two or three chapters of set-up and the last few chapters of concluding the main suspense conflict were the best chapters in the book--they managed to focus less on the absurdly clichéd love story and it made things easier to bear.
So even going into the book, I'd been expecting more.
Instead, as I'd stated in my reading update post, I got bombarded with tacky monologues from both sides of our romantic coupling, ruminating about love and lust and how Veronica and Joe make each other feel and see things differently than they've ever felt before about other lust or love interests in the past. And this entire time, very little is focused on the actual suspense aspects of the book: the fact that Joe needs to learn how to become Prince Tedric and Veronica is the consultant hired to help him.
But after a hundred pages into the book, I was already able to name several stereotypical category romance devices that are used WAY too generously in books of this genre. They make my eyes practically roll out of my head.
• Veronica trips on a hallway rug, thus requiring Joe to catch her fall and hold her close. This fulfills the "clumsy heroine" device that is supposed to serve as an endearing trait for most.
• Veronica lets her hair down and dances sexily to relieve stress when she thinks no one's watching. Except that Joe is watching (creepy...). This fulfills the "there's a sexy vixen hiding underneath that strong, no-nonsense exterior" device to make the heroine a bit more desirable to men.
• Veronica falls asleep on a couch and Joe is unable to awaken her. This fulfills the "tired and exhausted heroine needs to be princess carried to bed" device. It speaks for itself.
I can name several other devices carelessly thrown into this book for the sake of building a "special, meant to be romance" for our couple. Veronica is apparently more innocent that she lets on, being almost virginal--in fact, she might as well be virginal because there is no mention of any other romantic relationships in her past or sexual experiences.
And Joe is Mr. Perfect who is apparently able to do anything and everything, and he is right at least 99% of the time. With his perfect perfectness, there's not even any need for Veronica to play consultant because apparently he's a good mimic and doesn't need to do any preparation to become Prince Tedric. And he's better at security matters than the law enforcement agency responsible for security matters.
Let's just do everything Joe's way. He's never wrong.
The only other 1% of the time that Joe is wrong is when he's being his reverse snob self and jumping to conclusions and assumptions. As I'd mentioned in my reading update, Veronica and Joe are two of THE most frustrating protagonists if only because they're stubbornly stuck on what they believe to be true of other people. Rather than learning about others and getting to know other people by asking questions and getting to know them, they just go right ahead and make up their own opinions without facts.
Anyway, if I have to go on, I might upset myself all over again.
If we focus a little less on the romance and more on the action and suspense, the book might be a decent, average read; much more balanced and less aggravating. What little I read of the SEAL operations and the rescue missions and even the pre-planning phases of Operation Make Joe into Prince Tedric--the stuff that came before Veronica and Joe met--were actually not so bad.
It's just a shame that everything seemed to just start rolling downhill as soon as the "Meet Cute" happens and the book becomes so obsessed with the romance that we forget that there are more pressing matters at hand.
Again, for a look at some previous thoughts while I was reading the book, see my reading progress update | Ani's Book Abyss.
***
2016 Reading Challenges:
• Goodreads Reading Challenge
• BookLikes Reading Challenge
• Reading Assignment Challenge
• Bookish Resolutions Challenge
• Mount TBR Challenge
April 25, 2021
The first book in Suzanne Brockmann's Tall, Dark and Dangerous series is still one of the best. Navy SEAL Joe Catalanotto looks enough like Crown Prince Tederic of the small European country of Ustanza to be his brother -- which is key when Joe goes undercover as Tederic to stop his assassination by a terrorist organization. He's assisted by PR expert Veronica Saint John, whose BFF (and sister-in-law) is Tederic's sister. But can Joe and Veronica concentrate on the mission when they're falling in love?
This book is the perfect mix of romance and suspense, featuring two characters who are used to being alone learning to come together. The novel relies on the 'misunderstandings' trope a little too much, but otherwise it's nearly perfect.
This book is the perfect mix of romance and suspense, featuring two characters who are used to being alone learning to come together. The novel relies on the 'misunderstandings' trope a little too much, but otherwise it's nearly perfect.
July 7, 2025
the plot was really interesting but the way the story went
was quite lame. it was going to be a 4 star read for me but the ending made me feel like the writer was too lazy to properly wrap everything up.
was quite lame. it was going to be a 4 star read for me but the ending made me feel like the writer was too lazy to properly wrap everything up.
November 9, 2022
Suzanne Brockmann’s first SEAL romance from 1996
In the midst of a well-earned leave, fishing off the coast of California with his friends, Navy SEAL Lieutenant Joe Catalanotto ("Joe Cat") is scooped up by a military chopper and rushed to a secret assignment in Washington, DC before he has a chance to clean up and change.
When Joe is presented to British PR consultant, Veronica St John, she is anything but impressed with the grungy, unshaven beach bum in front of her. He has been chosen to step in as a double for Prince Tedric of Ustanzia, whom he resembles to a striking degree, and complete the prince's goodwill tour of the USA, both to protect Tedric from an assassination plot and help catch the terrorists behind it.
Though he's intensely attracted to the stuffy but gorgeous Veronica, Joe is disgusted with the assignment because he loathes Tedric. Several years before, Tedric's stubborn, uncooperative egotism resulted in a member of the SEAL team Joe leads being seriously wounded during a mission to rescue Tedric from a firestorm in Baghdad. But Joe always puts country first, and he sets aside his personal animosity to follow his orders.
Veronica informs Joe that she will supervise his physical makeover and personally train him in Tedric's speech patterns and mannerisms, an enormous task that has to be accomplished in a mere three days. Veronica is highly doubtful it can be achieved, but Joe is confidently unconcerned, and his seemingly uncaring attitude outrages Veronica.
Managing the insufferably arrogant and demanding Tedric's tour has been a nightmare assignment that Veronica only agreed to because he's the brother of her best friend. But polishing the rough-hewn Navy SEAL into a reasonable imitation of a European monarch in such a short time period makes handling Tedric himself seem like a stroll in the park in comparison. Joe will need to be as talented as an Academy Award-winning actor to pull this off--and she'll need the skill of a Stanislavski, and the patience of a saint, to coach him.
This is where it all started with Suzanne Brockmann's long history of writing exciting contemporary romance novels featuring sexy, Navy SEAL heroes. I originally read this book when it first came out in 1996, and I have re-read it multiple times over the years. It is amazing how well it has stood the test of time. (Though also very sad that terrorism is such a continuing "torn from the headlines" source of plots in popular fiction.)
Joe is a marvelous hero, and Veronica is his match in backbone, intelligence and drive. Theirs is not an "insta-love," but grows gradually as they experience the revelation of each other's true character under adversity. The romance plot is emotionally intense, sexually exciting, and frequently extremely poignant. The action-adventure plot is thrilling. In particular, the climax of the book makes full use of Joe's bravery and prowess as a SEAL. Of all the SEAL books in this series, I think this climax is hands-down the most enthralling.
It's not essential to read the (currently) 13 books in Brockmann's Tall, Dark and Dangerous series in order, but it greatly adds to one's enjoyment to do so. Each book sets up the book that immediately follows it, introducing the SEAL who will be the hero of the next book, along with pertinent backstory. (One fun, notable exception: The hero of #13 King’s Ransom is an important subcharacter in #3 Frisco’s Kid.) This is the order in which this series was first released:
1) Prince Joe, June 1996
2) Forever Blue, October 1996
3) Frisco's Kid, January 1997
4) Everyday, Average Jones, August 1998
5) Harvard's Education, October 1998
6) It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, December 1998 (Note: 2010 audiobook is titled Hawken's Heart)
7) The Admiral's Bride, November 1999
8) Identity: Unknown, January 2000
9) Get Lucky, March 2000
10) Taylor's Temptation, July 2001
11) Night Watch, September 2003
12) SEAL Camp, May, 2018
13) King’s Ransom, December, 2020
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Action/Adventure Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
In the midst of a well-earned leave, fishing off the coast of California with his friends, Navy SEAL Lieutenant Joe Catalanotto ("Joe Cat") is scooped up by a military chopper and rushed to a secret assignment in Washington, DC before he has a chance to clean up and change.
When Joe is presented to British PR consultant, Veronica St John, she is anything but impressed with the grungy, unshaven beach bum in front of her. He has been chosen to step in as a double for Prince Tedric of Ustanzia, whom he resembles to a striking degree, and complete the prince's goodwill tour of the USA, both to protect Tedric from an assassination plot and help catch the terrorists behind it.
Though he's intensely attracted to the stuffy but gorgeous Veronica, Joe is disgusted with the assignment because he loathes Tedric. Several years before, Tedric's stubborn, uncooperative egotism resulted in a member of the SEAL team Joe leads being seriously wounded during a mission to rescue Tedric from a firestorm in Baghdad. But Joe always puts country first, and he sets aside his personal animosity to follow his orders.
Veronica informs Joe that she will supervise his physical makeover and personally train him in Tedric's speech patterns and mannerisms, an enormous task that has to be accomplished in a mere three days. Veronica is highly doubtful it can be achieved, but Joe is confidently unconcerned, and his seemingly uncaring attitude outrages Veronica.
Managing the insufferably arrogant and demanding Tedric's tour has been a nightmare assignment that Veronica only agreed to because he's the brother of her best friend. But polishing the rough-hewn Navy SEAL into a reasonable imitation of a European monarch in such a short time period makes handling Tedric himself seem like a stroll in the park in comparison. Joe will need to be as talented as an Academy Award-winning actor to pull this off--and she'll need the skill of a Stanislavski, and the patience of a saint, to coach him.
This is where it all started with Suzanne Brockmann's long history of writing exciting contemporary romance novels featuring sexy, Navy SEAL heroes. I originally read this book when it first came out in 1996, and I have re-read it multiple times over the years. It is amazing how well it has stood the test of time. (Though also very sad that terrorism is such a continuing "torn from the headlines" source of plots in popular fiction.)
Joe is a marvelous hero, and Veronica is his match in backbone, intelligence and drive. Theirs is not an "insta-love," but grows gradually as they experience the revelation of each other's true character under adversity. The romance plot is emotionally intense, sexually exciting, and frequently extremely poignant. The action-adventure plot is thrilling. In particular, the climax of the book makes full use of Joe's bravery and prowess as a SEAL. Of all the SEAL books in this series, I think this climax is hands-down the most enthralling.
It's not essential to read the (currently) 13 books in Brockmann's Tall, Dark and Dangerous series in order, but it greatly adds to one's enjoyment to do so. Each book sets up the book that immediately follows it, introducing the SEAL who will be the hero of the next book, along with pertinent backstory. (One fun, notable exception: The hero of #13 King’s Ransom is an important subcharacter in #3 Frisco’s Kid.) This is the order in which this series was first released:
1) Prince Joe, June 1996
2) Forever Blue, October 1996
3) Frisco's Kid, January 1997
4) Everyday, Average Jones, August 1998
5) Harvard's Education, October 1998
6) It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, December 1998 (Note: 2010 audiobook is titled Hawken's Heart)
7) The Admiral's Bride, November 1999
8) Identity: Unknown, January 2000
9) Get Lucky, March 2000
10) Taylor's Temptation, July 2001
11) Night Watch, September 2003
12) SEAL Camp, May, 2018
13) King’s Ransom, December, 2020
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Action/Adventure Plot: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
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