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Where You Belong
After a childhood of parental neglect, Valentine Denning has finally found happiness through her career as a war photojournalist—and through the love of fellow photographer Tony Hampton. But when Tony is tragically cut down in Kosovo, Val learns that her relationship with him was not what she was led to believe. Healing from both physical and emotional wounds, she must find a way through new loves and more intimate dangers to put back together a life of integrity, truth, and trust. From the quiet solitude of an estate in southern France to the busy streets of London, New York, and Paris, Barbara Taylor Bradford takes readers into the heart of a woman longing to discover where she belongs. Alexandra O’Karma’s strong narration adds another layer of lush beauty to this moving story.
606 pages, Hardcover
First published March 14, 2000
165 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Taylor Bradford
279 books1,926 followersBarbara Taylor Bradford was a British-American best-selling novelist. Her debut novel, A Woman of Substance, was published in 1979 and sold over 30 million copies worldwide. She wrote 40 novels, all bestsellers in the United Kingdom and the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 14, 2014
I did not like this book at all. It never caught my attention and the only reason why I finished reading it was because I don't like to leave books incomplete. With this book I experience a feeling I never experience before: HATE TOWARDS THE MAIN CHARACTER. Valentine Denning, the main character, was a war photographer that had a very sad childhood since her mother never truly loved her; it is understandable that Valentine was hurt because of her mother's behavior towards her, but it is truly unnecessary that the author mentions it EVERY DAMN CHAPTER. Every chapter the author remind the reader how much Valentine hated her mother, she told the same story to all the rest of the characters. Also Valentine was a very immature character and her behavior was annoying and sometime irrelevant. The dialogue was lousy and the plot was very weak. The love story between Jake and Valentine had no passion and it was boring.
In conclusion I do not recommend this book at all.
In conclusion I do not recommend this book at all.
January 2, 2013
So atypical of Bradford's writing. The stories (including the side stories) start off nicely, but they seem to get lost. The main story rambles rather than being focused. In the end, to bring it to a close, the characters begin to act out of character and in unrelatable ways.
Even the trip to Mexico, which could have been a great turning point for Val, was rendered unnecessary. We all knew the artist had no chance since Val said her relationship with Jake was going to be "forever". She would never have allowed the artist to kiss her - despite her statement that it was over if Jake went back to Kosovo. Also, Bradford builds up the security of the mexican compound, but does nothing with it. Turning point from a cartel attack (leaving Val with some important exopse photos) might have been more realistic.
Bradford likewise builds up the danger from the abusive relationship, but misses the opportunity and finally takes the easy way out to end that story. Might have been more satifying to have the abuser go down shooting at Val and having her realize she wasn't as "burnt out" as she thought.
And what ever happened with Jake's leg? Bradford mentions it so many times, then lets that fade too...
A sad shadow of Barbara's usually tantalizing and rich writing with satisfying conclusions.
Even the trip to Mexico, which could have been a great turning point for Val, was rendered unnecessary. We all knew the artist had no chance since Val said her relationship with Jake was going to be "forever". She would never have allowed the artist to kiss her - despite her statement that it was over if Jake went back to Kosovo. Also, Bradford builds up the security of the mexican compound, but does nothing with it. Turning point from a cartel attack (leaving Val with some important exopse photos) might have been more realistic.
Bradford likewise builds up the danger from the abusive relationship, but misses the opportunity and finally takes the easy way out to end that story. Might have been more satifying to have the abuser go down shooting at Val and having her realize she wasn't as "burnt out" as she thought.
And what ever happened with Jake's leg? Bradford mentions it so many times, then lets that fade too...
A sad shadow of Barbara's usually tantalizing and rich writing with satisfying conclusions.
March 18, 2014
The plot was too slow for me and too scattered but I managed to turn the page, hoping that things got back on track. Personally, I felt that it didn't so be warned that this review has spoilers and is polluted with a toxic amount of sarcasm.
Basically the plot revolves around Val, a war photojournalist who was devastated after the death of her boyfriend, Tony when he was shot down during the fighting in Kosovo. Tony is an idiot who likes to run into open spaces where there is gun fire and Val follows because they're shagging. They also have their bff Jake, who follows them around and stares at Val longingly.
After Tony dies, Val and Jake were in grief but that quickly turned to resentment after finding out Tony was not the divorcee he claimed to be. In fact, nothing he claimed turned out to be true. His ex-wife who he claimed was the spawn of satan was actually a kind-hearted woman who was still married to him and was therefore his widow. Never mind that she knew about his numerous mistresses and didn't lift a finger to help any of those he had fooled. She was also cheating on him with some other guy friend.
In addition to issues with the now dead Tony, Val's estranged mother and brother make an appearance, desperate to contact her over her mother's failing health. Val's already disowned them both because her mother is an unemotional mentally unstable woman and her brother is spoilt. The novel and Val kept reminding readers repeatedly about her mother's evilness through the whole plot just in case we forget the true villains here. She was raised by her loving, good-hearted grand-parents who cursed out their son and their daughter-in-law to their graves.
Things happen, Jake and Val stay at Jake's rich friend's palace and meet the elderly caretakers. The caretaker's daughter arrived because her cop husband was abusive and murderous. Val stepped in to hide her when her husband started to search for her. This story line, which was the most interesting out of the 3 or 4 other ones intertwined in here, faded in and out of the plot like an afterthought.(As you can see..plot=scattered)
Jake confessed that his love for Val was not just platonic and even though Tony was barely under the ground for over a week, Val was convinced she had forgotten Tony and his treacherous ways. In fact, Jake was truly the one and they consummated their love with a passion that is beyond this Earth.
More things happened and Val finally agreed to meet her evil mother after some begging from her brother and Jake.
Val's mother offered her the family's million dollar business as successor but Val refused this because her mother was evil. Her brother obviously wanted the business for himself but couldn't inherit it over an unwritten superstitious tradition that only women can own the business.
More things happened, Val and Jake get separated after he went to cover a war. Val chose another assignment about an artist who liked orgies with his ex-wives because polygamy was illegal. He tried to add her to his collection but she suddenly remembered that she loved Jake and rushes off to see him.
At the end of the day Tony's widow marries the man she was having an affair with all throughout her marriage.The abusive french cop conveniently dies, leaving his widow to marry the man she stayed with for barely 2 months. Val found out she wasted money on airfare because Jake was about to fly out to see her. Val's brother married his girlfriend who was mentioned at least twice in the book. Everyone lived happily ever after except for Val's evil mother. I never found out the real reason why her mother was so emotionally detached except for a bogus story she made up and the fact that was mentally unstable.
Basically the plot revolves around Val, a war photojournalist who was devastated after the death of her boyfriend, Tony when he was shot down during the fighting in Kosovo. Tony is an idiot who likes to run into open spaces where there is gun fire and Val follows because they're shagging. They also have their bff Jake, who follows them around and stares at Val longingly.
After Tony dies, Val and Jake were in grief but that quickly turned to resentment after finding out Tony was not the divorcee he claimed to be. In fact, nothing he claimed turned out to be true. His ex-wife who he claimed was the spawn of satan was actually a kind-hearted woman who was still married to him and was therefore his widow. Never mind that she knew about his numerous mistresses and didn't lift a finger to help any of those he had fooled. She was also cheating on him with some other guy friend.
In addition to issues with the now dead Tony, Val's estranged mother and brother make an appearance, desperate to contact her over her mother's failing health. Val's already disowned them both because her mother is an unemotional mentally unstable woman and her brother is spoilt. The novel and Val kept reminding readers repeatedly about her mother's evilness through the whole plot just in case we forget the true villains here. She was raised by her loving, good-hearted grand-parents who cursed out their son and their daughter-in-law to their graves.
Things happen, Jake and Val stay at Jake's rich friend's palace and meet the elderly caretakers. The caretaker's daughter arrived because her cop husband was abusive and murderous. Val stepped in to hide her when her husband started to search for her. This story line, which was the most interesting out of the 3 or 4 other ones intertwined in here, faded in and out of the plot like an afterthought.(As you can see..plot=scattered)
Jake confessed that his love for Val was not just platonic and even though Tony was barely under the ground for over a week, Val was convinced she had forgotten Tony and his treacherous ways. In fact, Jake was truly the one and they consummated their love with a passion that is beyond this Earth.
More things happened and Val finally agreed to meet her evil mother after some begging from her brother and Jake.
Val's mother offered her the family's million dollar business as successor but Val refused this because her mother was evil. Her brother obviously wanted the business for himself but couldn't inherit it over an unwritten superstitious tradition that only women can own the business.
More things happened, Val and Jake get separated after he went to cover a war. Val chose another assignment about an artist who liked orgies with his ex-wives because polygamy was illegal. He tried to add her to his collection but she suddenly remembered that she loved Jake and rushes off to see him.
At the end of the day Tony's widow marries the man she was having an affair with all throughout her marriage.The abusive french cop conveniently dies, leaving his widow to marry the man she stayed with for barely 2 months. Val found out she wasted money on airfare because Jake was about to fly out to see her. Val's brother married his girlfriend who was mentioned at least twice in the book. Everyone lived happily ever after except for Val's evil mother. I never found out the real reason why her mother was so emotionally detached except for a bogus story she made up and the fact that was mentally unstable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2013
Silly characters I couldn't relate to, plot lines with no flow, descriptions become non sequiturs, overall a boring story too. A massive unnecessary chunk of book where everything was bucolic and dull, predictable boring dialogue, and then another huge ongoing chunk where mostly all the author does is complain about her mother. She says over and over to each character she meets how awful her mother is, and she tells the reader how awful her mother is, does not show examples. Oh, and a love story devoid of any depth or meaning.
I finally put this book where it belongs... in the trash.
I finally put this book where it belongs... in the trash.
October 4, 2010
Writing is strangely formal, more like reading a transcript than a novel. Too many extraneous; needless characters. Way too descriptive. There's little flow to the narrative. Overly long with too much build up and too little pay off. Don't think I'll read this author again.
June 3, 2022
Why do I keep trying? I so want to enjoy a Bradford book and I just can't. Never could get into the story.
May 8, 2018
I have enjoyed the books I have read previously by Barbara Taylor and this was no exception. Val Denning is a war photographer who generally goes on assignment with Tony, with whom she is romantically involved and Jake, a good friend of both of them. Her world falls apart when Tony, a risk taker, is killed when he gets too close to the fighting in Bosnia. She is also slightly injured and Jake who has a more serious injury.
She and Jake are eventually sent back to their home base in Paris and they meet up from time to time while they are recuperating. It is a great shock to Val when they are asked to go to London for a memorial service for Tony and she finds out that he had lied to her when he said he was divorced and wanted to marry her. Tony's wife, now his widow is the person organizing the service.
This all sets the scene for much introspection and Val eventually finds out that Fiona was always aware that Tony cheated on her and even knew about Val. Fiona holds no grudge against Val and as the months go on they become close friends.
Jake invites Val to go with him to the South of France to continue their rehabilitation where their friendship develops into a much deeper affection and attraction. Neither of them wants to return to the war front and they discuss a project for a coffee table book of photos of children they have taken. The best place to get it published is in New York so Val invites Jake to live with her in her New York apartment.
Her estranged mother and brother are in New York and against her better judgement, her brother convinces her to go to see her mother who has had two heart attacks. This brings Val more pain as she has always felt that her mother did not love her and favoured the brother.
How Val learns to cope with the pain of her mother's rejection and becomes reconciled with her brother follows in the next section and by the end of the book, all the threads come together and there is a very satisfying conclusion.
She and Jake are eventually sent back to their home base in Paris and they meet up from time to time while they are recuperating. It is a great shock to Val when they are asked to go to London for a memorial service for Tony and she finds out that he had lied to her when he said he was divorced and wanted to marry her. Tony's wife, now his widow is the person organizing the service.
This all sets the scene for much introspection and Val eventually finds out that Fiona was always aware that Tony cheated on her and even knew about Val. Fiona holds no grudge against Val and as the months go on they become close friends.
Jake invites Val to go with him to the South of France to continue their rehabilitation where their friendship develops into a much deeper affection and attraction. Neither of them wants to return to the war front and they discuss a project for a coffee table book of photos of children they have taken. The best place to get it published is in New York so Val invites Jake to live with her in her New York apartment.
Her estranged mother and brother are in New York and against her better judgement, her brother convinces her to go to see her mother who has had two heart attacks. This brings Val more pain as she has always felt that her mother did not love her and favoured the brother.
How Val learns to cope with the pain of her mother's rejection and becomes reconciled with her brother follows in the next section and by the end of the book, all the threads come together and there is a very satisfying conclusion.
April 7, 2012
I picked up this audio book at a library sale a year or two ago. I am so glad it was an audio book, otherwise I never would have finished reading it, but since I had insomnia tonight I opt to listen to an audio book. It was quite a boring book, even listening to it I almost didn't finish it. However I was hoping it would put me to sleep. It didn't...I have nothing to say about it that could be encouraging so won't say anything more.
January 31, 2017
I listened to the audio version of this book. I did not care for it. The concept that a woman becomes good friends with her husbands mistress just did not seem plausible to be. There were some interesting qualities to the book, the relationship between the mother/daughter. I also did not buy that the woman did not have a clue that the family business was worth billions. Really????
March 20, 2009
Just awful... I had to stop reading it midway through before it took away my sanity completely. I wish I could give -5 stars.
December 15, 2019
Certainly a bit dated (pub 1999) and while the story is truly enjoyable, main character Val Denning made me sigh a lot; her assumptions, neediness and anger she still nurtured even at the age of 31 about her terrible childhood--being totally ignored by her mother. Yes, we discover why near the end of the book but so many things colour Val's life and choice of career--war photographer in places like Kosovo--instead of the family business her mother ran--fancy creams and such.
In our current world calling a woman 'honey' or 'darling' is unacceptable and happens with frequency in Where You Belong but in the era, perfectly fine. Val is widely accepted by all journalists, camera men and fellow photographers, she's good at her job, personable and liked. As the book begins she is in a relationship with Tony Hampton, one of their trio, the third being Jake, all photographing the latest horrors in Kosovo, 1998. Bradford nails the setting and characters, all the mains plus a fabulous authentic supporting cast. At times the language seems stiff, dated but, again, we must be mindful of the era, the culture and society's values.
Terrible events unfold on this media mission and as a result, secrets are revealed to Val, Jake, Val's brother Donald, and more sub stories intersect with the main tale--Val discovering Tony was still married when he was killed, Jake's feelings for Val come to the fore, sub stories involve domestic abuse, Val's mother's explanation for not being motherly to her. So much happens in Where You Belong and Bradford skillfully peels back each character's flaws, strengths, inner demons to a satisfying ending. Val finally confronts her demons by the book's finish and comes to terms with them. She has fully grown up and finds the place where does really belong.
Ironically, and, sadly, much of what Bradford writes is still the same in our world, "Don't say these days like that, Val, there's nothing new about wife beating. It's always been with us. We just hear about it now...in the way we know more about everything, from wars and other disasters, to the infidelities of politicians. Chalk it up to the age we live in, the media age...Yup, the age of information...and misinformation." How spot on is that? page 172-173
In our current world calling a woman 'honey' or 'darling' is unacceptable and happens with frequency in Where You Belong but in the era, perfectly fine. Val is widely accepted by all journalists, camera men and fellow photographers, she's good at her job, personable and liked. As the book begins she is in a relationship with Tony Hampton, one of their trio, the third being Jake, all photographing the latest horrors in Kosovo, 1998. Bradford nails the setting and characters, all the mains plus a fabulous authentic supporting cast. At times the language seems stiff, dated but, again, we must be mindful of the era, the culture and society's values.
Terrible events unfold on this media mission and as a result, secrets are revealed to Val, Jake, Val's brother Donald, and more sub stories intersect with the main tale--Val discovering Tony was still married when he was killed, Jake's feelings for Val come to the fore, sub stories involve domestic abuse, Val's mother's explanation for not being motherly to her. So much happens in Where You Belong and Bradford skillfully peels back each character's flaws, strengths, inner demons to a satisfying ending. Val finally confronts her demons by the book's finish and comes to terms with them. She has fully grown up and finds the place where does really belong.
Ironically, and, sadly, much of what Bradford writes is still the same in our world, "Don't say these days like that, Val, there's nothing new about wife beating. It's always been with us. We just hear about it now...in the way we know more about everything, from wars and other disasters, to the infidelities of politicians. Chalk it up to the age we live in, the media age...Yup, the age of information...and misinformation." How spot on is that? page 172-173
July 11, 2021
Một cách khách quan, mình thấy cuốn này không hay tí nào. Tệ thật, vậy mà mình cũng cố hoàn thành, cố thuyết phục bản thân kiểu "biết đâu được".
Bốn, năm chương đầu khá hay và sẽ làm cho người đọc càng cao hứng trông chờ về nhịp điệu sau dần. Nhưng không! Bắt đầu xuất hiện những nhân vật không cần thiết, những chi tiết dư thừa (mình thậm chí chú ý những tiểu tiết này vì nghĩ nó có thể là một cú twist về sau), kết cấu câu chuyện bắt đầu rời rạc như một chiếc tàu lửa đi trật đường ray. Và điều khiến mình khó chịu nhất là việc lặp đi lặp lại nỗi đau thương dằn vặt về quá khứ của Val xuyên suốt từng chương một cách thái quá, để rồi đến đoạn kết lại chẳng còn mấy kết nối với cái quá khứ đó. Tình yêu của Val và Jake cũng chẳng đủ đam mê, sống động hay "đẹp" để đọng lại trong lòng độc giả.
Lẽ ra chuyến đi của Val đến Mexico và Jake trở lại Kosovo sẽ là một turning point, nụ hôn của Val với người hoạ sĩ sẽ dẫn dắt đến một điều gì đó khác biệt. Nhưng không, tất cả những tình tiết đó hoàn toàn không đặc biệt và chẳng dẫn đến điều gì.
Nếu bạn đã từng đọc qua những tác phẩm khác của Barbara Taylor, mình nghĩ đây sẽ là một nỗi thất vọng.
Bốn, năm chương đầu khá hay và sẽ làm cho người đọc càng cao hứng trông chờ về nhịp điệu sau dần. Nhưng không! Bắt đầu xuất hiện những nhân vật không cần thiết, những chi tiết dư thừa (mình thậm chí chú ý những tiểu tiết này vì nghĩ nó có thể là một cú twist về sau), kết cấu câu chuyện bắt đầu rời rạc như một chiếc tàu lửa đi trật đường ray. Và điều khiến mình khó chịu nhất là việc lặp đi lặp lại nỗi đau thương dằn vặt về quá khứ của Val xuyên suốt từng chương một cách thái quá, để rồi đến đoạn kết lại chẳng còn mấy kết nối với cái quá khứ đó. Tình yêu của Val và Jake cũng chẳng đủ đam mê, sống động hay "đẹp" để đọng lại trong lòng độc giả.
Lẽ ra chuyến đi của Val đến Mexico và Jake trở lại Kosovo sẽ là một turning point, nụ hôn của Val với người hoạ sĩ sẽ dẫn dắt đến một điều gì đó khác biệt. Nhưng không, tất cả những tình tiết đó hoàn toàn không đặc biệt và chẳng dẫn đến điều gì.
Nếu bạn đã từng đọc qua những tác phẩm khác của Barbara Taylor, mình nghĩ đây sẽ là một nỗi thất vọng.
December 28, 2021
This tells the story of Val Denning, who always tried to find a place to belong from her childhood! She was abandoned and separated from her brother to live with her grandparents growing up and then became a war photographer to find a place to belong! She had a lover and fiancé she was working with in Kosovo until he got killed! Whenever she recovered from her injuries she went to his memorial with her best friend only to discover that the man she had known and was going to marry had been living a double life and telling her a lie since he was married and was not going to get a divorce ever! So, she goes away on vacation of sorts to the summer retreat of her best friend, Jake Newberg, to escape everything and try to find another place to belong! The one thing she didn’t plan was that Jake had always wanted more than friendship! So she has to realize she might have a place to belong at last and he had always been there for her! Read this book to see what happens with their love story in the end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2024
Now this was a story of twists & a bit of turns! Valentine Denning is an experience photojournalist who delves into the harshness of war torn countries, showing the world the mayhem and death that have been challenging us for centuries. Val is in her prime and has fallen in love with a colleague who upon his untimely death finds out that he has been leading a double life! At Tony's funeral she encounters not his ex, but his widow and so the insecurities of Val's whole life come back to haunt her! Val loves Europe, as it has been her home since she was a teenager, with special ties to France and England; but her enigmatic mother and baby brother still live in America. Will Valentine ever find the security of a loving relationship? Well maybe with Jake and definitely not with her 'cold' mother! Ms Bradford certainly has a way with the English language, especially occasionally I was glad to have my olde trusty dictionary to look up the meanings of words I haven't heard used in a very long time and all in all, a very good read!
February 15, 2019
This book was just not good. The first four or five chapters were okay, but I could tell it wasn't moving very fast. and soon it went way off the rails. Plus, it was way too long and repetitive. Okay, I got it! Val had a bad childhood. You don't have to tell me on every page! Oh, and don't get me started on the sex scenes. Cringe worthy! I skipped over those completely. I don't know how on earth BTB is such a best selling author if this is her style. It seems so dated.
I have four more of Bradford's books on my To Read shelf most of which came from an Aunt who left me her books, but I'm going to try one more and if it's no better the others aren't even going to be opened.
I have four more of Bradford's books on my To Read shelf most of which came from an Aunt who left me her books, but I'm going to try one more and if it's no better the others aren't even going to be opened.
August 11, 2025
These are my notes to help me remember the storyline. Good book about Valentine Denning, who is a photojournalist working the war zones with two others - Tony Hampton who after years of working together and hearing he was getting a divorce, got involved with him until his death. it was at his funeral when she found out he wasn't divorced plus he had many mistress over the years. Meantime the third person in the group, Jake Newberg, whose marriage ended, told Val how he has cared for her ever since they first met. They get together, going to put together a table top book . . .and not go to any war zones again.
August 16, 2023
La historia no termino de atraparme, me costó unos 6 meses terminar este libro, ya que no sentía que haya algo en la trama que me haga querer seguir leyéndolo, sin embargo, tuvo buenas partes.
Me gustó la escritura de la autora a la hora de narrar el sentimiento de Val hacía su madre y su traumático recuerdo de su infancia, siento que fue una parte realista con la cuál se hace fácil identificarse. También me gustó el desarrollo de la historia de Val, Fiona y Tony.
El final fue un poco raro, siento que no me quedo con nada de este libro, pero aun así puede rescatar algunas partes.
Me gustó la escritura de la autora a la hora de narrar el sentimiento de Val hacía su madre y su traumático recuerdo de su infancia, siento que fue una parte realista con la cuál se hace fácil identificarse. También me gustó el desarrollo de la historia de Val, Fiona y Tony.
El final fue un poco raro, siento que no me quedo con nada de este libro, pero aun así puede rescatar algunas partes.
November 11, 2023
I enjoyed this book about Valentine or Val and Jake. They are both war photojournalist. When the book begins she is with another man, Tony. She learns after his death that Tony was married and that he was not really living with his wife. Then she goes to the south of France with her other best friend Jake. They have a great time.
Jake is writing a book about the wars and their effect on children and wives. He talks Val into helping him write the book and illustrate it with some of her pictures. They go to New York to meet with his publicist. They have a great time together.
Jake is writing a book about the wars and their effect on children and wives. He talks Val into helping him write the book and illustrate it with some of her pictures. They go to New York to meet with his publicist. They have a great time together.
May 11, 2018
How could you, Barbara Bradford?!
I'm a big fan of A Woman of Substance, amongst many other Bradford books, but I couldn't care for this book. I stopped on chapter 13, a third of the way. The concept is convoluted (a woman becomes good friends with her husband's mistress after a few lunches together), the apparent twist is dull, and the novel jumps everywhere. The WW2 setting only makes the setting more intangible, but I just kept getting bored!
I'm a big fan of A Woman of Substance, amongst many other Bradford books, but I couldn't care for this book. I stopped on chapter 13, a third of the way. The concept is convoluted (a woman becomes good friends with her husband's mistress after a few lunches together), the apparent twist is dull, and the novel jumps everywhere. The WW2 setting only makes the setting more intangible, but I just kept getting bored!
June 13, 2020
Meh. Predictable very light fiction about deep topics. I was very disappointed in her treatment of spousal abuse. The character is quite willing to leave her abusive husband, her family and meets new friends who wish her out of the country and give her a home a job. He conveniently dies. All her problems are so easily overcome with money. Now I remember why I stopped reading her books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2023
The story of Val, war photojournalist. Whilst in Kosovo along with her two closet friends gets shot. Tony is fatally injured, desperately hurt by his death and also from her cruel upbringing Val has much healing to do. Several interesting parts of this story are unfortunately dragged out with unnecessary padding - a short novel made long, however in all an enjoyable read.
October 1, 2018
I couldn't really find any point to this story line. I kept reading (against my better judgement) hoping to come to it, but it never materialized. I generally enjoy Bradford's books, but this one I felt was a big disappointment. I guess they all throw a stinker out there now and again. :)
June 4, 2019
Barbara Taylor Bradford writes wonderful romances and calming books. This is why I chose her now. 3 war photojournalists are very good friends and have traveled the world together. One is killed and the story continues including the grief, widow, unexpected secrets, and newly found friendships. I really enjoyed this book and especially was interested in the lives of the journalists. What a career. Good read....
February 17, 2022
A good book. Too many trailers at the end of the chapters and sub-chapters though, in my opinion. It ended up creating unnecessary and unfulfilled buildups. And the last scene at the hacienda could have been done without as well. All in all, a good solid novel that nicely fills up one's time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2017
Being just the reader here.. I always imagine myself in the situation (if it's a story of a woman of course), so this one here made me happy, repent and cry (not literally).. I love this one <3
August 22, 2017
A very insightful view for those debating on where to live or weather to leave.
September 28, 2017
I'm amazed this was even published. Kept waiting for some sign of substance, which never came. Sorry, Barb!
December 5, 2017
photo journalist in war zone heartbreak deception ok easy read
May 19, 2018
As usual, I enjoyed this book by Barbara Taylor Bradford.
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