Sleeping Beauty

by Judith Michael

Anne Garnett was a brilliant Los Angeles divorce lawyer -- tough, smart and untouchable. The vulnerable girl who had run away from her wealthy, influential family was hidden now behind the glossy facade of her high-powered career. Only the death of Anne's beloved grandfather could bring her back to the town he had built -- Tamarack, the Colorado playground of the rich and famous. Once there she would be drawn again into the tangled passions and fortunes of those who had betrayed her so long ago...

Embraced by a sister's love, challenged by a man who offers her everything she could want, Anne is confronted once more by Senator Vincent Chatham, the charismatic man who still waits to destroy her. But Anne is no longer a frightened girl. She is a proud, beautiful woman who must release the paralyzing pain of the past and discover her power to win...in a battle for family empire, honor, and the richest treasure of all...a deep, abiding love.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Chick Lit

640 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Judith Michael is the pen name of husband/wife team Judith Barnard (b. 1934) and Michael Fain (b. 1937).

Reviews

[Adriana Melo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Although the beginning was hard to get through with what happened between little Anne and uncle Vince I needed and wanted to find out what happened next.
It is very easy to fall in love with some of the characters including Gail, Leo, Eleanor and of course Anne. It was also easy to hate certain characters. I enjoyed reading about the stages Anne went through to grow into the independent woman she became and I had huge respect for Josh who was patient with Anne but never gave up.
I would have liked to see something terrible happen to Vince and how the relationship between Anne and her dad ended up but at is life, open ended. It was a great romance/drama without too much cheese.

[Ti Seta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly got a 4 because it was such a long book to read. It took a while to understand it. Otherwise it would have been around 3 - 3.5 stars. Simply because there were a few areas where it was rather slow and dull before a big or eventful occasion occurred. Ending was brilliant. It was one of the reasons why 4 stars would suit it entirely. It's one of those books that will leave an imprint on you. Make you see things through different perspectives/eyes. Makes you really sympathize with the main character as you read through her struggles. Just absolutely brilliant.

[Estela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia en la que, los traumas del pasado, marcan todo tu presente y tu futuro.

Después del gran acontecimiento que cambia radicalmente la vida de Anne, ésta decide abandonar a su familia a los quince años y ser dueña de su propia vida.

Veinticinco años después, con la muerte de su abuelo, Anne decide volver a retomar la relación con su familia, relación que se ve afectada por el acontecimiento pasado que marcósu vida.
Poco a poco va retomando la relación con sus familiares, desenmascarndo al monstruo y dejando de lado sus traumas.

"La bella durmiente" de Judith Michael, queda muy lejos del cuento de Disney. Esta novela cuenta la historia de la familia Chatham y como se va desarrollando su vida antes, durante y después de la desaparición de Anne.

Una novela que empieza con el sufrimiento de la protagonista, pero que termina con la felicidad de la misma 🙂

[Saharatos]

This book was really well writen. I enjoyed reading the changes that occurred over time, but it could be offensive to some people and should only be read by mature adults. The title does not really give the book justice. I almost didnt read it because I didnt like the title.

[Nicole Mckairnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

600+ pages and I still have no idea why this book is called Sleeping Beauty. Still a juicy plot tho!!

[Selwoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro fue una verdadera sorpresa. Lo encontré casi por casualidad, sentí que me pedía ser leído y le di la oportunidad. No esperaba mucho, sinceramente, pero el título me había llamado la atención.

Con un comienzo algo desordenado, intentando recoger retazos de información y muchísimos nombres desconocidos, quise saber más. El comienzo del segundo capítulo me tomó desprevenida; no puedo negar que me costó mucho retomar la lectura después de ese relato tan crudo.

Siento que, en rasgos generales, es una historia bien relatada y ordenada estratégicamente para provocar ciertas reacciones en el lector y que, de hecho, lo consiguió en mí. Fue una lectura que me permitió conectar mucho con sentimientos y emociones que pensé que había "aprendido a dominar" hace muchísimo tiempo (y por eso Anne se hizo tan querida a mí).

El desenlace me sorprendió negativamente por el ritmo que había adoptado la historia, y pensé que se iba a desarrollar por lo menos un poco más sobre el destino de la compañía familiar. Sin embargo, las últimas escenas remontaron bien y el discurso de Josh fue sinceramente hermoso. Sentí que eran exactamente las palabras que venía buscando.

En conclusión, me pareció un libro hermoso y súper digno de agregar a la biblioteca.

[Kimberly Harries · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a garage sale back when I was in 6th grade, because I thought it was actually about the fairy tale sleeping beauty lol. Ooooh how wrong I was lol. I got to the part that was "risque" (if you could say a rape scene is risque), got freaked out and vowed never to read that book again!
I decided, however, to read it when I was older and in high school lol, and it turned out to be a very intriguing book. Right up till the end anyway...everything was exciting and believable until I reached the last chapter. Kinda felt like the author was tired from a long day of coming up with the story, threw together a last chapter to finish it off, and called it a night.
Overall, I enjoyed it very much and would read it again.

[Susan Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a well-written book but a heavy read. I was stressed through the entire book. I read it many years ago and forgot, and read it again. I won't read it a third time (I frequently read my books repeatedly). There were multiple characters and I only liked Leo's family and Josh. I had mixed feelings about Anne. Most of Anne's family were either outright evil, cowards or unsupportive. I did not find the ending satisfactory in any respect. An epilogue several years in the future, may have helped.

The subject matter is very intense. I generally prefer books that make me smile and this one certainly did not.

[Tracey Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very long 635 page book but an enjoyable read and well written.
Found it hard to believe that this family of fairly intelligent people hadn't twigged to who was behind all the issues though!
Would have liked a short summary at the end giving an update on what had happened to everyone in the past 2 or 5yrs.
It's always weird reading books published 30yrs ago where they're still using fax machines, describing wearing 80s fashion & waiting for photos to be printed or slides and no mobile phones in use!
Would still recommend

[Carly Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally, I find romance novels really cheasy and predictable. But, his particular one has a lot of suspence within the story.

I knew what would happen with the story and could predict what characters would do and what would happen in the up and coming chapters and pages, but I wanted to see how the plot and story was going to be carried out. It was definetly one of those books that is a page turner and written in a way that will draw you back to the book until you reach the end.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this way too young from my mother’s bookshelf. (I was super into fairy tales as a kid and that title invited me to try this book) Let’s just say it messed up my head pretty good (but not as much as mom’s Sidney Sheldon books lol).

I ate up the angst and liked the bits of her life on her own. I like that it’s about picking yourself back up. But this book always makes me think about how parents should supervise their children’s reading 😂

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book 5 stars; however, I have to give it 4 because of some subject matter (child molestation) that should be implied and not explicitly detailed in the book. I know that is an integral part of the book, but I had to skim that portion because it was just too much for me. Other than this issue, this book was well written, kept a good pace, and held my attention until the end.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a number of Judith Michael's books and while somewhat predictable they are always entertaining. This one had enough conflict going on to keep me turning the pages. While considered by most to be romantic suspense, the romance part is not overdone so that it feels like the mystery is thrown in as an afterthought.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is mainly about a horrible subject that many people shy away from or don't go into details, but this author tackles it perfectly. The way the author writes the main character and how she ends up moving forward with her life after the horrendous event of her childhood is inspiring. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd read. I did skim a lot of the Vince scheming since I remembered it, but I loved Josh and Anne and appreciated how slowly the authors allowed the romance to develop. Yes, it's dated in lots of ways, but I am glad the authors were brave enough avoid euphemisms for sex (Nora Roberts). I think I'll check out other books by this husband and wife team.

[Melinda Weprin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice

*trigger* *spoiler* I will admit that I almost gave it up at the rape. However I'm glad I persisted as the writer is wonderful at wrapping up a storyline in a satisfactory way. Sometimes I almost forgot this was written in an age where technology wasn't as prevalent. It was quite interesting to realize that.

[Pat Girouard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am digging into used books I purchased this past summer. Judith Michael was a favorite author years ago. This story still has her wonderful writing style, interwoven characters, and social issues that are still in play today.

Only 3 stars because I hated the ending. It was rather like driving along and BAM - a dead end!

[Sammie Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous! I was a little intimidated by the length, but it was one of those books I could NOT put down! I loved the character building and the amount of time and effort the authors put in to establishing the world in which the characters lived!

If you love a good book filled with love, anger, disparity, hope, happiness....pick this book up, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

[Bj Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I like this book best of the Judith Michael books I have read. Just reread it and found it quite intriguing. I would prefer all loose ends taken care of at the end, but one can't have everything. I guess life is like that! I like their style in writing.

[Dlittle · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok read about a girl from a well to do family gets molested by uncle and tells family and then leaves. She goes to school and becomes attorney and then reunites with family. Uncle has become state senator and has hopes to become president.

[Lenny Husen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving and also entertaining, one of the best "Chick Lit" books I've read. This is a story about a woman who was raped when she was 13 and about her long road to success and recovery. A worthy, important topic and very well written.

[Rebecka McShannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't believe I have ever hated a character in a book more than the despicable monster in this story. The authors really nailed it. Difficult subject matter to read but one that sadly so many live with.

[Julie Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprising to find this dramatic book so interesting. I was a little disappointed by the ending. I would have liked to know more about how things will move forward after the confrontation. The heroine is my favorite type: not a whiner, action-oriented, and flawed.

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read this in such a long time! But, I loved it so much I've spent probably 10 years trying to find it again and finally did! (Couldn't remember the title or authors name!) Will definitely be re-reading soon.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alot of books that I have read start off bad and I wonder if I want to keep reading them. But I enjoyed this from beginning to end.

[Cws]

F Mic

[Paulina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing!

[Mell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book from my mom's shelf that I read a few years back. It has all the elements of a made-for-tv movie.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book :)

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning pulls you in then you want to continue to see what happens.
Once you get past the beginning the book seem drawn out.