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Until You
Paris in the spring is a city for lovers, but for Conor O'Neil and Miranda Beckman, the city is a place where the truth is always just out of reach. Miranda's life is in danger, and Conor will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means not letting her know he's working for the government. For her part, Miranda will do whatever it takes to keep Conor from learning the truth about her past. And yet, the one thing neither can lie about is the passion that blazes between them.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1997
228 people are currently reading
1601 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Marton
674 books540 followersI've been a writer, one way or another, all my life. Before I could read, I made up poems and my mom wrote them down for me. In elementary school, my teachers almost always let me write poems or stories instead of requiring me to do art projects. Always, I dreamed of becoming a published writer...and that dream came true! I write novels about sexy, powerful men and independent-minded women, and what happens when they find each other and fall in love. My books are sexy and romantic, and they've very often full of romantic suspense. I write the kinds of books I love to read, and I hope that makes my readers happy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
April 12, 2012
This was an absorbing story, but during most of it I felt kind of uncomfortable. By the end, I was really wishing I hadn't started it. It's much harsher and more graphic than Marton's usual style, and really big on slut-shaming. The sort of over-the-top old skool sexism that can be entertaining in a short Harlequin Presents really didn't work for me in a more serious format.
January 20, 2013
Full disclosure: I am an unpublished romance writer and have met Sandra Marton at the RWA National Conference. I was already a fan of her work, but now I am a fan of her as a person. However, this review only reflects my true reaction to UNTIL YOU.
If you get this book and expect a Presents story, you will be surprised. I got this book during a mad dash of free downloads. I love Sandra Marton's work for Harlequin and was expecting a read along those lines. Instead I got an 800 plus page Romantic Suspense with multiple viewpoints and a wonderful hero/heroine combination that made me root for them. This book showcased her writing talents as a Presents author in that the romance and attraction was beautifully written. I love her attention to detail. The gift of bringing all the senses into play even when the characters are just kissing. I haven't read a romantic suspense or an 800 plus page book in a long time, but this one had me mesmerized from the beginning. I couldn't put it down. Ms. Marton also handled a very sensitive subject deftly and with compassion for the heroine. And the hero. These characters were multi-dimensional and there was a slower build into the story which gave it such depth. If you want to have a page turning read with characters to root for, then get this book.
If you get this book and expect a Presents story, you will be surprised. I got this book during a mad dash of free downloads. I love Sandra Marton's work for Harlequin and was expecting a read along those lines. Instead I got an 800 plus page Romantic Suspense with multiple viewpoints and a wonderful hero/heroine combination that made me root for them. This book showcased her writing talents as a Presents author in that the romance and attraction was beautifully written. I love her attention to detail. The gift of bringing all the senses into play even when the characters are just kissing. I haven't read a romantic suspense or an 800 plus page book in a long time, but this one had me mesmerized from the beginning. I couldn't put it down. Ms. Marton also handled a very sensitive subject deftly and with compassion for the heroine. And the hero. These characters were multi-dimensional and there was a slower build into the story which gave it such depth. If you want to have a page turning read with characters to root for, then get this book.
November 20, 2013
When I started reading this I didn't really like Connor or Miranda, they didn't appear to have any redeeming qualities. On top of that Connor's instantaneous lust for Miranda (since he saw a picture that was painted of her when she was sixteen years old.) That was kind of creepy. She of course, ignores him the first time she meets him and treats him like an undesirable horn dog (which he was by the way). That just pushes Connor over the edge. What was disturbing most of all was their love-hate relationship. They were physically assaulting each other and the next thing you know he's kissing her and then she punching him. He didn't take no for an answer very well, but she never really freaked out. Kind of disturbing considering her background. Too many secrets were being kept. About 70% into the story everything changes and all the crazy people are now on their meds and being all sweet to each other. The truth comes out and not a moment to soon. (Just when I was about to file this under DNF.) Now you have a full blown love story. Their both out of their minds in love, but wait, he still hasn't told her the truth. Those pesky little sins of omissions drag you down every time. Then just when your HEA is on the horizon the evil one steals the spotlight. But all is not lost love will save the day. It had it's moments, though few and far between.
January 7, 2016
this has to be hands down the worst book ive ever read. the first 1/4 of the book is people talking about how bitchy miranda is. the next 1/2 is miranda showing us how bitchy she can be. then with absolutely no reason she flips the switch and is suddenly sweet and innocent and loving just in time for the finale which was to say the least a let down. character wise there was no one with any sort of redeeming qualities. miranda was bitchy for most of the book...not like cold keep people away bitchy but straight up wanna bitch slap her bitchy. by the time you find out why she acts like that you have no sympathy anymore. conor wasnt much better acting like a jerk towards her and he was so shallow. i lost count of how many times it was mentioned how much he couldnt stand her but kept getting drawn back because of her looks. their relationship was laughable 98% of the time they were sniping at each other, the other 2% was so saccharineit made you want to puke, and the first sex scene was pretty much a rape. i was curious about the plot twist which is the sole reason i kept reading but even that was incredibly disappointing. all of the crap leading up to the climax amd after two seconds and no description at all we skip to the epilogue. dont waste your time take it from me
November 1, 2012
This book, as some reviews state, did build slowly. But, there was just something about it that wouldn't allow me to give up or put it down. I was glad, because when it got going -it really got going. It was good story & character build up -which, when I got into the swinging part of the story, I appreciated. But it wasn't enough to give the story's twists and turns away and it was a relief for it to be unpredictable!
Conor the mysterious goverment man -he's straight cool sexy & almost knows it. And Miranda? Confident and and no non-sense sexy. I got a little frustrated by the back and forth dynamic of this pair -but it played well enough to make everything fit together well for the story.
Happy Reading!
Conor the mysterious goverment man -he's straight cool sexy & almost knows it. And Miranda? Confident and and no non-sense sexy. I got a little frustrated by the back and forth dynamic of this pair -but it played well enough to make everything fit together well for the story.
Happy Reading!
April 25, 2013
Ok, I struggled to come up with a rating for this book but finally decided on 3 Stars.
It was very long and honestly it could have been cut in half. The author's superfluous ramblings about nothing had me skipping pages upon pages to actually get to the story! I also didn't 'feel' the connection between the hero and heroine unitl the last few chapters. It just wasnt there.
Once the story did get going - which was three quarters of the way through the book, it was actually very interesting. The kidnap scene had me cringing and I almost put it down.
This could have been a great book had she cut out half of it and jut focussed on the actual story.
It was very long and honestly it could have been cut in half. The author's superfluous ramblings about nothing had me skipping pages upon pages to actually get to the story! I also didn't 'feel' the connection between the hero and heroine unitl the last few chapters. It just wasnt there.
Once the story did get going - which was three quarters of the way through the book, it was actually very interesting. The kidnap scene had me cringing and I almost put it down.
This could have been a great book had she cut out half of it and jut focussed on the actual story.
November 6, 2012
Sandra Marton has truly won my vote for 'author worth following'! This ebook: Until You is like no other in all good ways possible.
Peek Insights: Miranda experiences bad to disaster transitions throughout childhood and soon discovers as a young adult, she may never feel complete because everyone except for her seems to be in a relationship and happy.
Jean- Phillipe has even found his night and charming knight. Then comes in Conor... Is Conor secure enough to meet Miranda's expectations?
March 4, 2024
Great story
I just couldn't put it down. The mystery was unexpected and I just couldn't work it out before the end. The romance started tense (mainly due to her past), but the have an instant connection that ,eventually develops to more and he managed to slowly discover who she actually is and not the facade she shows the world. Poor Miranda is beautiful but she is miss treated and misjudged by most that encounter her. She is very weary of men in particular.... It was really good.
Totally worth reading and it's free on KU.
I just couldn't put it down. The mystery was unexpected and I just couldn't work it out before the end. The romance started tense (mainly due to her past), but the have an instant connection that ,eventually develops to more and he managed to slowly discover who she actually is and not the facade she shows the world. Poor Miranda is beautiful but she is miss treated and misjudged by most that encounter her. She is very weary of men in particular.... It was really good.
Totally worth reading and it's free on KU.
October 11, 2012
The first three quarters of this book flips from an intriguing opening to much ado about nothing. The hero and heroine do the I hate you/I need you routine a dozen times and we're introduced to lots of characters we don't need to know. Ultimately this story failed me on all levels: I never bought into the spunky heroine with no allies who becomes a Paris fashion model and spends most of the book being rescued by the hero, the political investigator hero who vacillates between calling her by her last name and "baby" when she's already established she hates the nickname, or her bad guy parents. The ending is one of those dramatic moments you'd see in a silent movie with the hero arriving seconds before the heroine is violated and murdered. Then again, maybe it's just me.
December 2, 2012
3.5 stars
Absorbing romantic suspense with likeable H/h, witty banter, good romance, good plot and well developed air of suspense even if it is predictable. All the characters are well portrayed. the storyline is quite intriguing & keeps the reader curious but the story is too long and seems to drag with a lot of ramifications.
Absorbing romantic suspense with likeable H/h, witty banter, good romance, good plot and well developed air of suspense even if it is predictable. All the characters are well portrayed. the storyline is quite intriguing & keeps the reader curious but the story is too long and seems to drag with a lot of ramifications.
May 11, 2019
Oh how I wanted to like this one! I feel like this author had a great story line....but just couldn't do it justice.
Miranda was such a spoiled bitch, even after finding out her background, I felt no sympathy for her. Which was absolutely awful, but damn. She was such a bitch....even after Conor saving her ass! Multiple times! This book just dragged on and on......and on......and on. It should have been shorter, hell it might have made the story flow better. I love a good plot twist.....and I thought it was a good one. Then when Miranda was finally kidnapped, I nearly eye-rolled my ass right out of my chair....and when the villain was finally revealed, I did another big eye roll. I guess at least I got some exercise? LOL
OH! And the constant flipping back and forth between character POV.....one paragraph is Conor, then next paragraph is Miranda (or another character)POV. wtf! No signal of any kind that POV was changing. I had to back track so many times to figure out what was up or down.
Miranda was such a spoiled bitch, even after finding out her background, I felt no sympathy for her. Which was absolutely awful, but damn. She was such a bitch....even after Conor saving her ass! Multiple times! This book just dragged on and on......and on......and on. It should have been shorter, hell it might have made the story flow better. I love a good plot twist.....and I thought it was a good one. Then when Miranda was finally kidnapped, I nearly eye-rolled my ass right out of my chair....and when the villain was finally revealed, I did another big eye roll. I guess at least I got some exercise? LOL
OH! And the constant flipping back and forth between character POV.....one paragraph is Conor, then next paragraph is Miranda (or another character)POV. wtf! No signal of any kind that POV was changing. I had to back track so many times to figure out what was up or down.
September 2, 2015
If you liked Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in "The Bodyguard" this book is definitely for you. Miranda Beckman is a breathtaking model estranged from her mother Eva Beckman Winthrop, a wealthy cosmetics company entrepreneur and her stepdad Hoyt Winthrop, an old money type being considered for a big government position. Someone has a score to settle with the Winthrops however and Miranda could become a sacrificial lamb.
Conor O'Neil is a crackerjack special ops kind of guy who used to be employed by one Harry Thurston of an ultra secret group called The Committee. Thurston asks O'Neil to pay a brief visit to the Winthrops and explain that Miranda's wild living in Paris will in no way affect Hoyt's being considered for the government post. However there's a loose end to be considered. The Winthrop's have received an anonymous note of a threatening nature that could be a prelude to a blackmail attempt, or even worse.
Conor is a divorced man who likes to keep his relationships with women superficial. He likes brief trysts and then quick goodbyes. He does not like to get emotionally involved.
However when it becomes apparent that Miranda is being stalked and her life is in danger Conor who had already become smitten by the model's beauty dives in head first.
Early on Miranda is cool to Conor's protective nature, insisting that she can take care of herself. However when the nature of the threats against her become more and more spine tingling she will soon do an about face.
This is a gritty suspense novel will keep you reading right to the end. It is a sensual story of what young love is like in the 21st century and I highly recommend it.
Conor O'Neil is a crackerjack special ops kind of guy who used to be employed by one Harry Thurston of an ultra secret group called The Committee. Thurston asks O'Neil to pay a brief visit to the Winthrops and explain that Miranda's wild living in Paris will in no way affect Hoyt's being considered for the government post. However there's a loose end to be considered. The Winthrop's have received an anonymous note of a threatening nature that could be a prelude to a blackmail attempt, or even worse.
Conor is a divorced man who likes to keep his relationships with women superficial. He likes brief trysts and then quick goodbyes. He does not like to get emotionally involved.
However when it becomes apparent that Miranda is being stalked and her life is in danger Conor who had already become smitten by the model's beauty dives in head first.
Early on Miranda is cool to Conor's protective nature, insisting that she can take care of herself. However when the nature of the threats against her become more and more spine tingling she will soon do an about face.
This is a gritty suspense novel will keep you reading right to the end. It is a sensual story of what young love is like in the 21st century and I highly recommend it.
February 19, 2013
I barely made it through this book. This is actually more of a 1.5 star review.
There were some very harsh topics discussed, but that wasn't the problem. I actually would have loved this story, had Miranda been a completely different character. The whole time I was trying to figure out just what Conor found so fascinating in the horrible character that was Miranda. There were no redeeming qualities. She was such a b*&%$ throughout the entire book and she had no redeeming qualities.
I get what the author was trying to do with the character. Disturbing backgrounds with closed off characters can work and work well. Especially if you see some of the endearing qualities beneath the closed off personality. There was none of that with Miranda. She was selfish, spoiled, and completely bratty the entire time. I kept wishing that Conor would go a completely different route and fall for Nita (how awesome would that have been).
Also, the 180 in Miranda's behavior at the 80-90% mark of this book just didn't work. She went from a complete and absolute un-trusting brat to a loveable un-trusting non-brat. Sorry, you have to build that into the character up front if you expect somebody to believe it. I didn't believe it and it didn't work. You have to give glimpses into a softer side, and that just didn't happen.
So, my review is basically this. I hated Miranda, I liked the plot line and Conor was just OK.
There were some very harsh topics discussed, but that wasn't the problem. I actually would have loved this story, had Miranda been a completely different character. The whole time I was trying to figure out just what Conor found so fascinating in the horrible character that was Miranda. There were no redeeming qualities. She was such a b*&%$ throughout the entire book and she had no redeeming qualities.
I get what the author was trying to do with the character. Disturbing backgrounds with closed off characters can work and work well. Especially if you see some of the endearing qualities beneath the closed off personality. There was none of that with Miranda. She was selfish, spoiled, and completely bratty the entire time. I kept wishing that Conor would go a completely different route and fall for Nita (how awesome would that have been).
Also, the 180 in Miranda's behavior at the 80-90% mark of this book just didn't work. She went from a complete and absolute un-trusting brat to a loveable un-trusting non-brat. Sorry, you have to build that into the character up front if you expect somebody to believe it. I didn't believe it and it didn't work. You have to give glimpses into a softer side, and that just didn't happen.
So, my review is basically this. I hated Miranda, I liked the plot line and Conor was just OK.
April 18, 2013
At first I was a little leary with the way this book starts off. There's a lot of exposition and honestly that was the most brilliant part for me. I loved that she fed us all this skewed information about Miranda before we ever REALLY meet her. She lies to the reader a lot and I liked that. I liked having to make up my own theories, my own mind, and decide for myself who was good, who was being honest and who just wasn't... For that Sandra Marton gets an A+
I also really enjoyed the back and forth between the hero and the heroine there was something very old Hollywood about that and I ate it up. I loved that the fighting often led into a heated embrace.
The backstory and the substory were well done ... except for the whole time there's all this building, all this lead up to the end and then we get there and... and ... and nothing. It just sort of ends really quickly, all tied up before it really actually is. That was a great dissapointment because this book could have really been something wonderful if the ending had been there.
Believe me I understand how an ending sometimes can just fizzle but this might have been a four-starrer for me if the ending would have gone off with a loud booming real finale.
But because it didn't I'm forced to give it only 2.5 stars.
This book wasn't a waste of time - by any means and I will more than likely try more of Sandra Marton's books but this one, for me, just wasn't quite everything I'd hoped it to be.
I also really enjoyed the back and forth between the hero and the heroine there was something very old Hollywood about that and I ate it up. I loved that the fighting often led into a heated embrace.
The backstory and the substory were well done ... except for the whole time there's all this building, all this lead up to the end and then we get there and... and ... and nothing. It just sort of ends really quickly, all tied up before it really actually is. That was a great dissapointment because this book could have really been something wonderful if the ending had been there.
Believe me I understand how an ending sometimes can just fizzle but this might have been a four-starrer for me if the ending would have gone off with a loud booming real finale.
But because it didn't I'm forced to give it only 2.5 stars.
This book wasn't a waste of time - by any means and I will more than likely try more of Sandra Marton's books but this one, for me, just wasn't quite everything I'd hoped it to be.
March 3, 2013
Will jot down some thoughts since I just finished this book. Will revise later.
It was free from Amazon, so I took my chance.
What a bummer.
What did O'Neil see in Beckman? There never was an "ah-ha" moment for me. He was apparently mesmerized by her beauty - well duh, she was a model. They both had one unattached parent and the other dead. Not enough to connect to each other. She resisted him and repeatedly told him to leave her alone. Wow, you continue to stalk me, but all of a sudden I feel love for you. Ridiculous. And I don't recall their age difference but it seems he is way too old for her. I just never felt like they truly connected; he was just always there to rescue her.
Not sure why the whole ex-husband was hush hush on Miranda's end...he married a minor. He was in the wrong so her mom gave him money to "make it go away". Doesn't make sense. And then ex-husband wanted to kill Miranda because the mother wouldn't take part in his cocaine exporting. You would think with their high powered connections they could have taken care of that.
Basically, none of it made sense and I feel like I wasted my time. I only continues reading because I wanted to see how the book ended.
It was free from Amazon, so I took my chance.
What a bummer.
What did O'Neil see in Beckman? There never was an "ah-ha" moment for me. He was apparently mesmerized by her beauty - well duh, she was a model. They both had one unattached parent and the other dead. Not enough to connect to each other. She resisted him and repeatedly told him to leave her alone. Wow, you continue to stalk me, but all of a sudden I feel love for you. Ridiculous. And I don't recall their age difference but it seems he is way too old for her. I just never felt like they truly connected; he was just always there to rescue her.
Not sure why the whole ex-husband was hush hush on Miranda's end...he married a minor. He was in the wrong so her mom gave him money to "make it go away". Doesn't make sense. And then ex-husband wanted to kill Miranda because the mother wouldn't take part in his cocaine exporting. You would think with their high powered connections they could have taken care of that.
Basically, none of it made sense and I feel like I wasted my time. I only continues reading because I wanted to see how the book ended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2013
This is FREE on Amazon and the blurb was pretty interesting so I thought, "why not"? I had high hopes.
The first chapters got my attention. Of course, after reading adult romance novels for the past weeks, Until You was a little breath of fresh air for me. But as much as I'd like to concentrate on the fact that the story and the characters really has some potential, it just wasn't enough to hold my attention and not make me want to just scan through the pages. And I'm a little ashamed to say that I did just scan through some parts and I think it says a lot that it doesn't seem like I missed out anything relevant to the story or the characters.
There's a lot there. If only there wasn't too much description and narratives which for me are totally unnecessary because it didn't help with the story that much anyway. Some scenes and conversations shouldn't be that long, it gets boring after a while.
Good thing it's free or I might shed some tears because of disappointment.
The first chapters got my attention. Of course, after reading adult romance novels for the past weeks, Until You was a little breath of fresh air for me. But as much as I'd like to concentrate on the fact that the story and the characters really has some potential, it just wasn't enough to hold my attention and not make me want to just scan through the pages. And I'm a little ashamed to say that I did just scan through some parts and I think it says a lot that it doesn't seem like I missed out anything relevant to the story or the characters.
There's a lot there. If only there wasn't too much description and narratives which for me are totally unnecessary because it didn't help with the story that much anyway. Some scenes and conversations shouldn't be that long, it gets boring after a while.
Good thing it's free or I might shed some tears because of disappointment.
October 4, 2015
Pretty much agree with most of the reviews. I think the overall aura of domineering-yet-the-smartest-being-on-earth hero, misunderstood-thought-to-be-loose-but-really-too-innocent-for-words heroine dates back to old Mills and Boon. It was kinda enjoyable reading in those days back when I used to read them because the tropes were fresh and unexpected. Now not so much. Even Harlequins have moved past that stage. It was well presented but too forceful hero who seems to regard her little better than a child as far as IQ is concerned and the confused heroine who actually seems to reinforce his impression by her actions take away from the fun of a romantic suspense thriller. The last scene was way beyond anything you expect in a romance and totally needlessly overdone.
I do admire Sandra Marton for her crisp, rapidfire writing but this just didn't click. If you aren't a diehard romance reader, and like off track books, you might like to read it.
I do admire Sandra Marton for her crisp, rapidfire writing but this just didn't click. If you aren't a diehard romance reader, and like off track books, you might like to read it.
September 7, 2012
Wow!
this book is intense. Miranda is one tough chick! from a cruel husband to a cold fish of a mother and an abusive step father.
this book made me sad, excited and lucky. it just shows you gain a lot more strength from people who truly love you.
it may have been intense and graphic, but the sad thing is, this things truly happen out there and it pays to be cautious.
i like books that a close to the truth and i admire authors who don't sugar coat the real stuff when writing contemporary, because comfort isn't always best.
this book is intense. Miranda is one tough chick! from a cruel husband to a cold fish of a mother and an abusive step father.
this book made me sad, excited and lucky. it just shows you gain a lot more strength from people who truly love you.
it may have been intense and graphic, but the sad thing is, this things truly happen out there and it pays to be cautious.
i like books that a close to the truth and i admire authors who don't sugar coat the real stuff when writing contemporary, because comfort isn't always best.
September 10, 2012
A gritty and enjoyable read. The heroine wasn't very likeable through most of the book, but was able to empathise with her as time wore on, when her background was explained. Hero was a "James Bond" type, a bit of a maverick, but not is a bad way. The final chapter wasn't a comfortable read and came to an abrupt end. However, after my initial thought of WTH, I realised that the author couldn't have finished in a better way. I'd definitely read this again.
December 6, 2012
I really enjoyed this book I felt very sorry for Miranda throughout the book and I was glad she finally found true love with Conor. I loved Conor's wittiness and his sarcastic manner I thought his character brought something to the book rather than him being cushy mushy and a pushover. I did begin to feel rather uncomfortable at the end I didn't like the "snuff" film idea and it was a bit graphic but otherwise loved this book :)
May 30, 2013
I've had this book for a long time and I just got around to reading it. Sorry I put it off for so long. It was a wonderful book and it had a little of everything in it. It was a great story about Conor and Miranda. I really enjoyed it
September 18, 2012
I had it recommended to me and I really enjoyed it, has many twists and surprises!
December 6, 2012
great read , It's also a free book
it kept my guess through the whole book almost
this is the first book by Author
and i will be reading more from her
it kept my guess through the whole book almost
this is the first book by Author
and i will be reading more from her
July 26, 2015
Let me start off by saying that I couldn't even finish this book. (I got a little over halfway through and had to stop.) There was nothing that drew me in, I didn't care what was happening or about any of the characters. I don't any of the characters had anything redeeming about them either.
The story was well written, but it didn't catch/keep my attention AT ALL. I'm not really sure why. Well...it was sorta boring, that might explain it. And there wasn't really much happening. Lots and lots of filler but nothing more. Miranda runs off with her true love, to only turn around the next day and want a divorce, she somehow becomes a model, a couple nasty notes get sent to her mother and herself. There's Conor, whose suppose to be helping but to me, he doesn't really seem to be much of anything. Very boring.
There were SO MANY stupid people in this book. Fist there's Miranda who runs off with this way older guy just because she's unhappy with her parents and magically in love with 'The Count'. Um, hello, all she had to do was last a little longer in school and then she would have been free of them. In the end, causing fewer issues. Sorry but any female who does something like this is just stupid in my book. Or when a guy wants to do something, usually sexual and you don't, the 'don't you love me' comment...yeah....no! Pathetic, sorry but I don't care how old you are. Common sense.
Then there's Conor. I'm not even sure what the hell to say about him. Professional? Um? No, I wouldn't consider him one of those. The fact that whenever he was around Miranda, not to include him just seeing her picture, was all sex, sex, sex! Of course I love a good sex scene or sexual encounter or whatever, but this was too much. I mean he's just constantly thinking of her with other guys and seeing her naked or close to it. He gets all upset after seeing her with Jean-whatever his name is and he's cursing and hitting things. Um...he had just met her. I just don't get it. Was she THAT pretty? She definitely didn't have anything good about her, appearance aside. That was just annoying. Or him constantly asking her about all the men she's slept with. I'm surprised he was able to get anything work wise done.
I didn't understand why everyone was always saying different things about Miranda. For ex: Her mother saying that she wanted Miranda to come home, but Miranda said the opposite. Her mother saying that she was paying Miranda an allowance so she could stay in France, which made no sense to me, considering she didn't like her daughter. Her ex saying that it was love at first sight, maybe for her but then turns around saying that Miranda had taken advantage of him. When at the beginning of the story, they're on the plane and he's getting physical with her. It was very confusing. Although that might have been explained if I could have finished. Oh well.
Another stupid person was Miranda's best friend...nope, I can't remember her name. She meets a guy, sleeps with him the first night and a week later is ready to move to a different country and live with him? Could you be any stupider? He gets a grant, which is totally 'legit' because she saw it when it arrived. Seriously?
I did notice on my kindle at Location 168, the author used the name Mary Alice instead of Mary Ellen. I never understand how the wrong name can get past by the editor?
"Try and remember that asking a Personal Assistant for coffee is a sexist act." How? Your an assistant aka a helper outer.
Why did it seem like Miranda's school file was lying like right in the head..ladies lap? I mean it'd been almost what? a decade since Miranda had last been to the school. The fact that Conor whips out some random badge saying that he was 'in charge' or something stupid like that, and the lady automatically starts telling him whatever he wants to know...very weird considering she never asked what it was he was supposedly in charge of. That scene made no sense to me.
Why does the main guy in books always seem to have broken their nose at some point?
Considering Miranda is a model, how tall is she? I would assume she's just your average kinda model, being at least 5'9 typically and really skinny. Not like in one of the special categories? Like the short models or plus size. But when she's standing next to Conor, who we're told is 6'2, her head only comes up to his shoulder? That makes her sound short.
It was pretty obvious to me right away that Jean-? was gay. No surprise there. Actually, how 'the world' thought him straight was the surprise, given the descriptions of his clothing.
What was with Conor constantly lying to Miranda about stuff? Like why he was there, who he was working for...everything? It's like she'd ask a simple question and he'd give her a 180 kinda answer.
Again giving Miranda's model status and a models height...why was she having to do some much reaching when she was looking for the chocolate the one night? That scene was really stupid. She comes out wearing some supposedly baggy sweat clothes and is doing all this stretching, trying to find chocolate, while Conor is sitting there watching as her top goes up an inch, then another inch, then another. Half a boob is hanging out. haha Move on already!
So if Eva and Miranda only spoke to each other on either's birthday, why bother even with that?
"And I can't help it if men come to the wrong conclusion." The fact that she would actually utter those words? Wow! I don't know if she's in denial or what but given how she acted throughout the story, IDK. Then being surprised that men considered her a tease? And she still seems clueless? I mean if you're stripping your clothes off while chatting with a guy you just met, what kinda conclusion would you expect?
Considering Miranda's 'under age' was brought up when she got married, how did Edouard not realize how old she was? I mean his cousin was going to the same school...in the same room.
What was with Conor constantly tucking his hands in his pockets? Even while sitting down? (Strange.) It makes me think back to some article or something I read/saw a few years back where it was implied that whenever a man put his hands in his pockets, it meant he was thinking about sex. I guess that would work with Conor then.
Another question in regards to Miranda's height issue...she was talking with her 'stalker' at the one party. Later, Conor wants her to describe what he looked like. Of course she can't though for some weird reason, especially given the fact that she had recognized him from the previous party. She starts off by saying that he was "tall", but "not as tall as you" (referring to Conor.) Um, again that makes her sound short. If he's taller then Miranda but shorter than Conor, and we can assume she's at least 5'8/5'9, saying he was 'tall' doesn't make sense, given the fact that they would be around the same height.
When Miranda is taking to the Eiffel Tower with her friend ?...what was she trying to show her? That was never explained. There were red flowers but?
The story was well written, but it didn't catch/keep my attention AT ALL. I'm not really sure why. Well...it was sorta boring, that might explain it. And there wasn't really much happening. Lots and lots of filler but nothing more. Miranda runs off with her true love, to only turn around the next day and want a divorce, she somehow becomes a model, a couple nasty notes get sent to her mother and herself. There's Conor, whose suppose to be helping but to me, he doesn't really seem to be much of anything. Very boring.
There were SO MANY stupid people in this book. Fist there's Miranda who runs off with this way older guy just because she's unhappy with her parents and magically in love with 'The Count'. Um, hello, all she had to do was last a little longer in school and then she would have been free of them. In the end, causing fewer issues. Sorry but any female who does something like this is just stupid in my book. Or when a guy wants to do something, usually sexual and you don't, the 'don't you love me' comment...yeah....no! Pathetic, sorry but I don't care how old you are. Common sense.
Then there's Conor. I'm not even sure what the hell to say about him. Professional? Um? No, I wouldn't consider him one of those. The fact that whenever he was around Miranda, not to include him just seeing her picture, was all sex, sex, sex! Of course I love a good sex scene or sexual encounter or whatever, but this was too much. I mean he's just constantly thinking of her with other guys and seeing her naked or close to it. He gets all upset after seeing her with Jean-whatever his name is and he's cursing and hitting things. Um...he had just met her. I just don't get it. Was she THAT pretty? She definitely didn't have anything good about her, appearance aside. That was just annoying. Or him constantly asking her about all the men she's slept with. I'm surprised he was able to get anything work wise done.
I didn't understand why everyone was always saying different things about Miranda. For ex: Her mother saying that she wanted Miranda to come home, but Miranda said the opposite. Her mother saying that she was paying Miranda an allowance so she could stay in France, which made no sense to me, considering she didn't like her daughter. Her ex saying that it was love at first sight, maybe for her but then turns around saying that Miranda had taken advantage of him. When at the beginning of the story, they're on the plane and he's getting physical with her. It was very confusing. Although that might have been explained if I could have finished. Oh well.
Another stupid person was Miranda's best friend...nope, I can't remember her name. She meets a guy, sleeps with him the first night and a week later is ready to move to a different country and live with him? Could you be any stupider? He gets a grant, which is totally 'legit' because she saw it when it arrived. Seriously?
I did notice on my kindle at Location 168, the author used the name Mary Alice instead of Mary Ellen. I never understand how the wrong name can get past by the editor?
"Try and remember that asking a Personal Assistant for coffee is a sexist act." How? Your an assistant aka a helper outer.
Why did it seem like Miranda's school file was lying like right in the head..ladies lap? I mean it'd been almost what? a decade since Miranda had last been to the school. The fact that Conor whips out some random badge saying that he was 'in charge' or something stupid like that, and the lady automatically starts telling him whatever he wants to know...very weird considering she never asked what it was he was supposedly in charge of. That scene made no sense to me.
Why does the main guy in books always seem to have broken their nose at some point?
Considering Miranda is a model, how tall is she? I would assume she's just your average kinda model, being at least 5'9 typically and really skinny. Not like in one of the special categories? Like the short models or plus size. But when she's standing next to Conor, who we're told is 6'2, her head only comes up to his shoulder? That makes her sound short.
It was pretty obvious to me right away that Jean-? was gay. No surprise there. Actually, how 'the world' thought him straight was the surprise, given the descriptions of his clothing.
What was with Conor constantly lying to Miranda about stuff? Like why he was there, who he was working for...everything? It's like she'd ask a simple question and he'd give her a 180 kinda answer.
Again giving Miranda's model status and a models height...why was she having to do some much reaching when she was looking for the chocolate the one night? That scene was really stupid. She comes out wearing some supposedly baggy sweat clothes and is doing all this stretching, trying to find chocolate, while Conor is sitting there watching as her top goes up an inch, then another inch, then another. Half a boob is hanging out. haha Move on already!
So if Eva and Miranda only spoke to each other on either's birthday, why bother even with that?
"And I can't help it if men come to the wrong conclusion." The fact that she would actually utter those words? Wow! I don't know if she's in denial or what but given how she acted throughout the story, IDK. Then being surprised that men considered her a tease? And she still seems clueless? I mean if you're stripping your clothes off while chatting with a guy you just met, what kinda conclusion would you expect?
Considering Miranda's 'under age' was brought up when she got married, how did Edouard not realize how old she was? I mean his cousin was going to the same school...in the same room.
What was with Conor constantly tucking his hands in his pockets? Even while sitting down? (Strange.) It makes me think back to some article or something I read/saw a few years back where it was implied that whenever a man put his hands in his pockets, it meant he was thinking about sex. I guess that would work with Conor then.
Another question in regards to Miranda's height issue...she was talking with her 'stalker' at the one party. Later, Conor wants her to describe what he looked like. Of course she can't though for some weird reason, especially given the fact that she had recognized him from the previous party. She starts off by saying that he was "tall", but "not as tall as you" (referring to Conor.) Um, again that makes her sound short. If he's taller then Miranda but shorter than Conor, and we can assume she's at least 5'8/5'9, saying he was 'tall' doesn't make sense, given the fact that they would be around the same height.
When Miranda is taking to the Eiffel Tower with her friend ?...what was she trying to show her? That was never explained. There were red flowers but?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2013
Basic Blurb: Paris in the spring is a city for lovers, but for Conor O'Neil and Miranda Beckman, the city is a place where the truth is always just out of reach. Miranda's life is in danger, and Conor will do whatever it takes to save her, even if it means not letting her know he's working for the government. For her part, Miranda will do whatever it takes to keep Conor from learning the truth about her past. And yet, the one thing neither can lie about is the passion that blazes between them.
Riley’s Review: Overall rating 6/10
Cover Rating: 9/10 – The cover is functional but could have given more hint to what the story is about.
Content Rating: 6/10
Out of the hundreds of books on my Kindle, I chose this book to read because I LOVED the cover art. The Eiffel Tower in the background, a man and a woman clinging to each other... It told me everything I needed to know to give the book a go.
However, I must say, the opening chapter almost ruined that for me. It is quite disturbing, to say the least, with a heavy taint of pedophilia and rape. But worse than that, it almost ruined France for me!
I wonder if my parental sensitivities might not have been so harmed had Miranda been 18 or 19 in the opening chapter rather than 17.
Moving eleven years ahead in time, we meet Conor, who refers to the lovely Mary Alice as a mix of Penthouse Centerfold and Innocent Schoolgirl, again ranking high on my creepometer. To add insult to injury, Conor basically fell in love (or is that lust) with a portrait of Miranda hanging in her mother’s home.
And while the creepometer did continue for quite some time, the book did pick up its pace and keep me interested right to the very end.
The plot line was quite good. Not hugely original but then how many romances are?
All the way through the book, I was wavering on what score I would give the book. At first, I thought it was just shy of a 5, due to a number of grammatical and editing errors littered throughout. I know some people forgive errors in a book they got for free, but I am still investing my time to read it and write a review, so if it has errors, I will comment on them.
As I got further in, I started to find more things I didn’t like and less that I did.
For starters, the erratic way the author changed view points. I’m all for multi-viewpoint books but it gets very confusing for the reader if the author changes viewpoints mid paragraph.
Then there was the predictability. From the minute Conor laid eyes on Miranda’s painting, I knew he’d sleep with her. I also knew, right from the opening chapter, who the bad guy was going to be, and that the mother was going to somehow be tied up in it. The only thing I didn’t see coming was the why.
Another thing I did not like was the conflict the author wrote between Miranda and Conor. I’m all for creating obstacles and stumbling blocks to a relationship but if Conor had of called me half the names he called Miranda, I would have taken out a restraining order and had him barred from coming near me. I also hated that Conor believed all the lies about Miranda and pretty much viewed her as a slut – and not only that but had the audacity to get pissy at her for being a slut when she didn’t owe him any explanations. I really did swing wildly between liking Conor and hating him completely.
I know there are some that didn’t like Miranda, but she was the only one whose story arc I really bought. I understood why she did things, and why she acted the way she did.
But Conor... He had no right at all to act like the ass he did.
I’m no prude (and write plenty of sex in my own stories) but there was something faintly disturbing about how much sex there was in the book – and it wasn’t the actual sex scenes that irritated me but the constant references to sex. Conor basically spent 90% of the book struggling to overcome an erection. Every time he was in Miranda’s presence, he got a hard on. I know guys think about sex a lot – more than women – but Conor was almost always horny. I started wondering when he was going to pass out from all that blood loss.
There is a lot of repetition in the book, particularly when the two main characters are having sex. About all Miranda manages to say is “Conor, oh God Conor”. She says it whether she’s having sex with him or being rescued by him. And occasionally, he flips it around and says it back to her. Would have liked to see a bit of mixing it up and less overuse of phrases.
I agree with others that the ending was far too rushed. It was like the drama and storyline built up over 439 pages and then the last three pages were tagged on the end. The resolution happened in less than two paragraphs. The hero rides in, saves the day and kills all the baddies in less time than it took me to spoon the last of my lunch into my mouth. And I really did not feel that any consequence (at least that I was satisfied with) came to Eva and Hoyt. They should have suffered far more than they did – at the very least, Miranda should have had the opportunity to confront them – to tell her mother that everything she believed about her all those years was not true. I really wanted her to throw that all back in her mother’s face. I was patently disappointed with the lack of tying up loose ends – and also, with how little Miranda did to save herself. It was definitely a case of white knight fever, with a liberal dose of damsel in distress.
Despite all my complaints, I still did like the book. Would probably read another book by Sandra Marton but would hope to see some better editing next time! Especially from someone who is supposedly a bestseller who was supposedly published by Harlequin. You’d think she could afford an editor if I can!
Riley’s Review: Overall rating 6/10
Cover Rating: 9/10 – The cover is functional but could have given more hint to what the story is about.
Content Rating: 6/10
Out of the hundreds of books on my Kindle, I chose this book to read because I LOVED the cover art. The Eiffel Tower in the background, a man and a woman clinging to each other... It told me everything I needed to know to give the book a go.
However, I must say, the opening chapter almost ruined that for me. It is quite disturbing, to say the least, with a heavy taint of pedophilia and rape. But worse than that, it almost ruined France for me!
I wonder if my parental sensitivities might not have been so harmed had Miranda been 18 or 19 in the opening chapter rather than 17.
Moving eleven years ahead in time, we meet Conor, who refers to the lovely Mary Alice as a mix of Penthouse Centerfold and Innocent Schoolgirl, again ranking high on my creepometer. To add insult to injury, Conor basically fell in love (or is that lust) with a portrait of Miranda hanging in her mother’s home.
And while the creepometer did continue for quite some time, the book did pick up its pace and keep me interested right to the very end.
The plot line was quite good. Not hugely original but then how many romances are?
All the way through the book, I was wavering on what score I would give the book. At first, I thought it was just shy of a 5, due to a number of grammatical and editing errors littered throughout. I know some people forgive errors in a book they got for free, but I am still investing my time to read it and write a review, so if it has errors, I will comment on them.
As I got further in, I started to find more things I didn’t like and less that I did.
For starters, the erratic way the author changed view points. I’m all for multi-viewpoint books but it gets very confusing for the reader if the author changes viewpoints mid paragraph.
Then there was the predictability. From the minute Conor laid eyes on Miranda’s painting, I knew he’d sleep with her. I also knew, right from the opening chapter, who the bad guy was going to be, and that the mother was going to somehow be tied up in it. The only thing I didn’t see coming was the why.
Another thing I did not like was the conflict the author wrote between Miranda and Conor. I’m all for creating obstacles and stumbling blocks to a relationship but if Conor had of called me half the names he called Miranda, I would have taken out a restraining order and had him barred from coming near me. I also hated that Conor believed all the lies about Miranda and pretty much viewed her as a slut – and not only that but had the audacity to get pissy at her for being a slut when she didn’t owe him any explanations. I really did swing wildly between liking Conor and hating him completely.
I know there are some that didn’t like Miranda, but she was the only one whose story arc I really bought. I understood why she did things, and why she acted the way she did.
But Conor... He had no right at all to act like the ass he did.
I’m no prude (and write plenty of sex in my own stories) but there was something faintly disturbing about how much sex there was in the book – and it wasn’t the actual sex scenes that irritated me but the constant references to sex. Conor basically spent 90% of the book struggling to overcome an erection. Every time he was in Miranda’s presence, he got a hard on. I know guys think about sex a lot – more than women – but Conor was almost always horny. I started wondering when he was going to pass out from all that blood loss.
There is a lot of repetition in the book, particularly when the two main characters are having sex. About all Miranda manages to say is “Conor, oh God Conor”. She says it whether she’s having sex with him or being rescued by him. And occasionally, he flips it around and says it back to her. Would have liked to see a bit of mixing it up and less overuse of phrases.
I agree with others that the ending was far too rushed. It was like the drama and storyline built up over 439 pages and then the last three pages were tagged on the end. The resolution happened in less than two paragraphs. The hero rides in, saves the day and kills all the baddies in less time than it took me to spoon the last of my lunch into my mouth. And I really did not feel that any consequence (at least that I was satisfied with) came to Eva and Hoyt. They should have suffered far more than they did – at the very least, Miranda should have had the opportunity to confront them – to tell her mother that everything she believed about her all those years was not true. I really wanted her to throw that all back in her mother’s face. I was patently disappointed with the lack of tying up loose ends – and also, with how little Miranda did to save herself. It was definitely a case of white knight fever, with a liberal dose of damsel in distress.
Despite all my complaints, I still did like the book. Would probably read another book by Sandra Marton but would hope to see some better editing next time! Especially from someone who is supposedly a bestseller who was supposedly published by Harlequin. You’d think she could afford an editor if I can!
February 18, 2018
This book was just OK for me — although I’m sure others think it’s fantastic! I just couldn’t get into this 900 page read. I felt like it could have been a 400 page book and been a better story?!? Many nights I fell asleep reading it, only to not want to pick it up again for days! I forced myself to finish it this afternoon just so I could get on to something I couldn’t put down! Not sure exactly what didn’t grab my attention because I feel like it had the potential to be a great story — it just didn’t do it for me!
Read
May 4, 2020DNF
February 4, 2021
I re-read this as I wanted something I knew was gripping but also a happy ever after
June 21, 2021
i did not lik<<<
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