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Rogue
For Maxine Williams, being married to Blake was an amazing adventure. Brilliant, charismatic, and wholly unpredictable, as an entrepreneur he had made millions and grabbed headlines. His only shortcoming was as a husband, and now they have worked out an odd but amicable divorce, and share three children they both adore. Blake gets to keep his globe-trotting lifestyle - dating a succession of beautiful, famous and very young women - while Maxine raises their kids in Manhattan and pursues her passion, working as a child psychiatrist. Then, everything changes...
Maxine finds a new love just as a tragedy transforms Blake from carefree playboy to compassionate, responsible grown-up. He wants Maxine in his life again - as a partner in a humanitarian project that could affect countless lives. But Maxine is on the cusp of a new life and almost certain that Blake, a.k.a. the Rogue, is a man capable of doing anything - except change...Or is he?
Maxine finds a new love just as a tragedy transforms Blake from carefree playboy to compassionate, responsible grown-up. He wants Maxine in his life again - as a partner in a humanitarian project that could affect countless lives. But Maxine is on the cusp of a new life and almost certain that Blake, a.k.a. the Rogue, is a man capable of doing anything - except change...Or is he?
512 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2008
662 people are currently reading
2910 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Steel
918 books16.9k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 445 reviews
October 22, 2008
This was one the books I had to read for my adult materials and services classes. I had to read books from genres I usually didn't read from in my leisure.
So...
Maxine was married to Blake, which dissolved when she found he was more devoted to his work than he was his family. Years later, she finds love with Dr. Charles West, whom she plans to marry. When Blake reappears in her life again, he seems to be a changed man, especially when he wants her to assist the survivors of a natural disaster(!) Blake offers her adventure, while Charles offers her stability. The ending is contrived and a true cop-out- after creating a nearly three hundred pages of mildly interesting characterization, it only takes two chapters for one character to completely change face. The reader may feel cheated when reading this book- the author forces a happy ending that is both unwarranted and illogical.
Spoiler Alert! Charles turns out to be a dick (but with little explanation), leaves Maxine at the alter in her wedding dress, and so she decides, "WTF, I'll just marry the ex since instead." The kids are all like "Yay!"
A perfect Lifetime ending. Now I know why I will never, ever read another of her books. Bleh.
So...
Maxine was married to Blake, which dissolved when she found he was more devoted to his work than he was his family. Years later, she finds love with Dr. Charles West, whom she plans to marry. When Blake reappears in her life again, he seems to be a changed man, especially when he wants her to assist the survivors of a natural disaster(!) Blake offers her adventure, while Charles offers her stability. The ending is contrived and a true cop-out- after creating a nearly three hundred pages of mildly interesting characterization, it only takes two chapters for one character to completely change face. The reader may feel cheated when reading this book- the author forces a happy ending that is both unwarranted and illogical.
Spoiler Alert! Charles turns out to be a dick (but with little explanation), leaves Maxine at the alter in her wedding dress, and so she decides, "WTF, I'll just marry the ex since instead." The kids are all like "Yay!"
A perfect Lifetime ending. Now I know why I will never, ever read another of her books. Bleh.
February 18, 2018
Dugo je nisam čitala (otkako je ne prevodim i nisam joj više urednik), pa sam htela da proverim kakav joj je sad kvalitet knjiga... :) Ova je sasvim pristojna... Utisak kvari ovo izdanje prepuno slovnih grešaka, s lošom lekturom i ponekom prevodilačkom nespretnošću... Ovo je za 3.5* :)
August 11, 2012
OMG If this is what Danielle Steel books are like usually, why do people bother? Crap, total crap.
Either that or her editor was drinking a lot.
Steel writes over and over that Maxine is a psychiatrist dedicated to her kids and career, a real homebody. Her ex earned a fortune in the dot.com boom, got out in time and made a bigger fortune. He wanted to enjoy it and go gallavanting around the world. Dedicated doctor stayed dedicated to career and kids (Can we say repetitive?). She divorced him. They're still friends though.
She meets new guy, a doctor, who does like her dedication to her career but not to her kids.
Meanwhile husband gets stuck in a Moroccan earthquake and finds a calling helping orphans. Max leaves new beau to help ex help orphans a week before her wedding. Guess who the dedicated doc ends up with?
This was trash, not lovely romantic "trash," but badly written, forgettable drivel.
I finished because it was like watching a car wreck. You know it's bad but you don't believe how bad til the car looks like an accordion.
Either that or her editor was drinking a lot.
Steel writes over and over that Maxine is a psychiatrist dedicated to her kids and career, a real homebody. Her ex earned a fortune in the dot.com boom, got out in time and made a bigger fortune. He wanted to enjoy it and go gallavanting around the world. Dedicated doctor stayed dedicated to career and kids (Can we say repetitive?). She divorced him. They're still friends though.
She meets new guy, a doctor, who does like her dedication to her career but not to her kids.
Meanwhile husband gets stuck in a Moroccan earthquake and finds a calling helping orphans. Max leaves new beau to help ex help orphans a week before her wedding. Guess who the dedicated doc ends up with?
This was trash, not lovely romantic "trash," but badly written, forgettable drivel.
I finished because it was like watching a car wreck. You know it's bad but you don't believe how bad til the car looks like an accordion.
February 26, 2011
A Booksquirm Book Club pick - and fortunately the first book voted off of the island. Our assignment was to read chapter 1. The following are my thoughts of the book based on that first chapter.
This chapter would have been shorter if the reader didn't have to experience daja vu while reading it. For example, on page 3 "she (Belinda) knew she would remember Blake and this moment for the rest of her life." And then on page 4 "It was a day and a moment that Belinda knew would be engraved in her mind forever." Apparently it was so memorable that Ms. Steel wanted to make sure her notation of it was remembered by her readers for the rest of their lives. At first I thought maybe this was an isolated incident, but then she harped on the fact that Blake had been absentee father for the kids, especially for Sam, which is evidenced on pages 11 and 26. Oh, and let's not forget this little gem on page 22 "Daphne & Jack both had Blake's almost jet-black hair" and then again on page 27 "She (Daphne) was a beautiful girl, with her mother's features and creamy skin, and her father's jet-black hair." Really, Ms. Steel, if you are going to harp on something could you at least be consistent? Is Blake's hair "almost" jet-black or is it actually jet-black because this detail is obviously important enough to mention twice in the same chapter. And you give me all these repetitive facts but then leave me with "All three of them went to Dalton, and Maxine loved the school." Great! Mom likes the school she sends all three of her kids... but wtf? It took me a Google search to find out why someone would think that just dropping the name of the school would mean that readers would know why it was significant. BTW, in case you are interested, tuition for 2010-11 was $35,300. For the love of all things holy, I'm hoping never to have to read another chapter of this book!
This chapter would have been shorter if the reader didn't have to experience daja vu while reading it. For example, on page 3 "she (Belinda) knew she would remember Blake and this moment for the rest of her life." And then on page 4 "It was a day and a moment that Belinda knew would be engraved in her mind forever." Apparently it was so memorable that Ms. Steel wanted to make sure her notation of it was remembered by her readers for the rest of their lives. At first I thought maybe this was an isolated incident, but then she harped on the fact that Blake had been absentee father for the kids, especially for Sam, which is evidenced on pages 11 and 26. Oh, and let's not forget this little gem on page 22 "Daphne & Jack both had Blake's almost jet-black hair" and then again on page 27 "She (Daphne) was a beautiful girl, with her mother's features and creamy skin, and her father's jet-black hair." Really, Ms. Steel, if you are going to harp on something could you at least be consistent? Is Blake's hair "almost" jet-black or is it actually jet-black because this detail is obviously important enough to mention twice in the same chapter. And you give me all these repetitive facts but then leave me with "All three of them went to Dalton, and Maxine loved the school." Great! Mom likes the school she sends all three of her kids... but wtf? It took me a Google search to find out why someone would think that just dropping the name of the school would mean that readers would know why it was significant. BTW, in case you are interested, tuition for 2010-11 was $35,300. For the love of all things holy, I'm hoping never to have to read another chapter of this book!
December 8, 2015
As I recall, the conversation with one of my more literate friends went like this:
Mike: “Have you ever read Danielle Steel?”
Me: “I... don't think so. She writes romances.”
Mike: “No. She writes literature. Her books cover the gamut of human experience. She's the best selling author in the world today.”
Me: “Oh. OK, I'l have to give her a try.”
Soon after, I came across one of Steel's books, “Rogue”. Always willing to have my assumptions proved wrong and anxious to find another great storyteller, I dove in.
Wow. Talk about bad. The reader is told that the title character is a great guy but something of a Peter Pan—he refuses to grow up. Told, mind you, not shown. And then... we're told again.
And again.
And again.
And... OK, you get the idea.
I've never seen so much repetition in a book. If each instance was clever or insightful, I might forgive her. Make that, any instance. But I couldn't finish this one. I barely made it through the first chapter.
Seriously, is this what sells in America these days? Now I'm depressed.
Mike: “Have you ever read Danielle Steel?”
Me: “I... don't think so. She writes romances.”
Mike: “No. She writes literature. Her books cover the gamut of human experience. She's the best selling author in the world today.”
Me: “Oh. OK, I'l have to give her a try.”
Soon after, I came across one of Steel's books, “Rogue”. Always willing to have my assumptions proved wrong and anxious to find another great storyteller, I dove in.
Wow. Talk about bad. The reader is told that the title character is a great guy but something of a Peter Pan—he refuses to grow up. Told, mind you, not shown. And then... we're told again.
And again.
And again.
And... OK, you get the idea.
I've never seen so much repetition in a book. If each instance was clever or insightful, I might forgive her. Make that, any instance. But I couldn't finish this one. I barely made it through the first chapter.
Seriously, is this what sells in America these days? Now I'm depressed.
January 12, 2016
This book....words can't describe how completely disappointing this book was. Danielle Steel loves to write books in which the main character is a total pushover and incapable of standing up to the jerks in their lives. This book was no exception. Its so frustrating to read about how aweful or unhappy the person is but yet they do nothing about it and are just resigned to their situation. Maxine, the main character in this book lets her bratty, disrespectful teenage daughter walk all over her and treat her like crap. Hello!! Discipline the child instead of just accepting its part of being a teenager. Her boyfriend/fiance is a completely jealous and controlling jerk from the moment she meets him---hated him! Her ex husband is a self centered douche and womanizer. Completely tacky and cheesy ending thrown in in the last paragraph that was just overall very disappointing and unrealistic. Not romantic at all. This book had too many details in all the wrong places that didn't even matter to the overall storyline. Not sure why I keep reading Steel's books as the last several I have have not impressed me much. Gave 2 stars simply because it was entertaining enough to finish but not necessarily good. Don't recommend.
June 28, 2009
I listened to this book on CD, and the voices were AWFUL! Some of the characters came off as being completely obnoxious, although I don't think they would have been if I'd read it. I just couldn't stand listening to Charles talk. He sounded like a snobby, dorky old man. And her kids voices were terrible too! Her son jack sounded like a pot-smoking dope. And her daughter was equally annoying.
Other than the reader, I think it was an OK book. It passed the time while I drove, and it was not like all the other Daniel Steel's, where everyone dies. It actually had a good ending. Not much substance though.
Other than the reader, I think it was an OK book. It passed the time while I drove, and it was not like all the other Daniel Steel's, where everyone dies. It actually had a good ending. Not much substance though.
July 8, 2009
Another "twinkie" book. A pleasant enough book to read at the beach. It didn't require any thinking and passed the time quickly enough. However, I did spend a large portion of the book wanting to shake the female protagonist 'til her shoes fell off for being so STUPID about a man she was planning to marry. But, in true DS fashion, everything was wrapped up with a nice bow at the end. Mild language and "intimacy." You won't suffer if you don't read this book.
February 6, 2013
A bit disappointing the female character is so weak in particular situations. Danielle Steele has written better and worse. 5 of 10 stars.
September 14, 2021
First time I read this author. Was a little surprised that I liked the book. Was so unsure if I would do it. Will probably check out the author's books a bit.
September 30, 2010
This is the first Daniel Steel that I've read, and I am quite disappointed.
I liked the concept, because it's fresh on my part. A diversion from my usual lawsuits, medical drama, mystery and fantasy things... This time I gambled on a romantic side.
The sweet part here is that Steel colored American family differently from what the "usual American family" is. In "Rogue", the divorced couple became friends, in fact, they seemed best friends. The premise there is "opposites do attract", a playful, childlike husband and a grown-up, committed wife. The marriage didn't work out not because of adultery or, they fell out of love nor they are financially unstable, but because they were growing up, have kids and became parents. The thing is, the husband, Blake, didn't. He hasn't been seen when he was needed the most. In other words, he is an invisible father and a husband.
It was actually well-written,
if only... Daniel Steel didn't overemphasize Blake's absences and irresponsibilities, his being playful and big name in the dot-com world. It sounds redundant already when she kept on repeating the details why Max let him go. I wanted to skips those instances, because it resulted into tedium.
if only... Daniel Steel crafted a different ending. It was really a slouch, the ending I mean. The reunion of the protagonists was a great and welcoming idea to the readers, but how it was written, I thought otherwise.
Over all, I want to read more Steel, but this time, hoping her words will be more interesting and her plot, more tight, unpredictable and rich.
I liked the concept, because it's fresh on my part. A diversion from my usual lawsuits, medical drama, mystery and fantasy things... This time I gambled on a romantic side.
The sweet part here is that Steel colored American family differently from what the "usual American family" is. In "Rogue", the divorced couple became friends, in fact, they seemed best friends. The premise there is "opposites do attract", a playful, childlike husband and a grown-up, committed wife. The marriage didn't work out not because of adultery or, they fell out of love nor they are financially unstable, but because they were growing up, have kids and became parents. The thing is, the husband, Blake, didn't. He hasn't been seen when he was needed the most. In other words, he is an invisible father and a husband.
It was actually well-written,
if only... Daniel Steel didn't overemphasize Blake's absences and irresponsibilities, his being playful and big name in the dot-com world. It sounds redundant already when she kept on repeating the details why Max let him go. I wanted to skips those instances, because it resulted into tedium.
if only... Daniel Steel crafted a different ending. It was really a slouch, the ending I mean. The reunion of the protagonists was a great and welcoming idea to the readers, but how it was written, I thought otherwise.
Over all, I want to read more Steel, but this time, hoping her words will be more interesting and her plot, more tight, unpredictable and rich.
November 28, 2012
Yup. It's official. Danielle Steel's writing style has not changed since I was in high school. I do not know why I thought her books were SO hot back then, but clearly my tastes have changed, so I am deleting the remaining books by her (Or are they really written by her? I smell a ghost writer.) off my list to read based on my read of this one.
This book was like a stone wheat cracker with light plain cream cheese on it. You know, very bland but if you added some pepper or Tabasco it would be edible. That's how this was.
What I enjoyed the MOST about this book was the writing about Maxine's work as a psychiatrist and her trip to Morocco to work with the earthquake victims. And that is literally it. And that is why it is getting two stars and not one.
Honestly, I don't know why she thought either Charles OR Blake were a catch. Charles seemed like a total control freak with serious anti-kid issues...obviously. Blake...wow, he's a playboy and a child trapped in a man's body since he hit the big time and all of a sudden he assists in an earthquake and NOW he's an amazing man with all this potential? And her children...OMG, spoiled brats! That one I DO agree with Charles on.
Spice up those sex scenes with more than just "they made love" or "they kissed" and maybe it'd be interesting.
This book was like a stone wheat cracker with light plain cream cheese on it. You know, very bland but if you added some pepper or Tabasco it would be edible. That's how this was.
What I enjoyed the MOST about this book was the writing about Maxine's work as a psychiatrist and her trip to Morocco to work with the earthquake victims. And that is literally it. And that is why it is getting two stars and not one.
Honestly, I don't know why she thought either Charles OR Blake were a catch. Charles seemed like a total control freak with serious anti-kid issues...obviously. Blake...wow, he's a playboy and a child trapped in a man's body since he hit the big time and all of a sudden he assists in an earthquake and NOW he's an amazing man with all this potential? And her children...OMG, spoiled brats! That one I DO agree with Charles on.
Spice up those sex scenes with more than just "they made love" or "they kissed" and maybe it'd be interesting.
October 13, 2012
"Never judge a book by its cover" is what comes to my mind when I think about Rogue. The gold letterings with a man on the front cover who is either crying or laughing (I really don't care!) is just made to impress making up to the reader for the rather lacklustre content inside.
After reading wonderful books by Danielle Steel, I was terribly disappointed with the book. The fact that Maxine is a meticulous and organised doctor while Blake is a carefree playboy is repeated about 20 times in the book with the rather obvious result that I ended sleeptalking to myself the exact lines that Steele used for them.
Although divorced, the ex-couple are great friends who are mostly in touch because of their three kids. Despite being a useless playboy, Blake is decribed by Maxine to be innocent and child like! (Oh just great!..even thats repeated 20 times...I counted!!) while Blake describes be to Maxine to be responsible!
Aargh, god even my review sounds boring and repeated!! Trust me, you might want to give this one a definite miss.
After reading wonderful books by Danielle Steel, I was terribly disappointed with the book. The fact that Maxine is a meticulous and organised doctor while Blake is a carefree playboy is repeated about 20 times in the book with the rather obvious result that I ended sleeptalking to myself the exact lines that Steele used for them.
Although divorced, the ex-couple are great friends who are mostly in touch because of their three kids. Despite being a useless playboy, Blake is decribed by Maxine to be innocent and child like! (Oh just great!..even thats repeated 20 times...I counted!!) while Blake describes be to Maxine to be responsible!
Aargh, god even my review sounds boring and repeated!! Trust me, you might want to give this one a definite miss.
March 19, 2015
ثاني رواية أقرؤها لدانيال ستيل. نبدأ بالعنوان. أعتقد أن المترجمة لم توفق في اختياره فالعنوان بالانجليزية لا يعني النذل تماما وانما "غير المسؤول". طبعا لا يمكن تسمية رواية بهذا الاسم لكن كان يمكن البحث عن مرادف مناسب. أعتقد أن عنوان "المهمل" مثلاً كان أنسب لوصف البطل.
كالعادة السرد سلس ووصف الشخصيات رائع والتفاصيل ممتعة رغم أنها لو تعمقت أكثر في شخصيات تشارلز وارابيلا وحتى الاطفال اكثر لكان أجمل.
أنقصت نجمة بسبب النهاية المتقعة جدا. المشكلة أن النهاية المتوقعة تُشعرالقارئ أنه قد خُدع وتجعله يخرج بانطباع سلبي عن الكاتب وتُشعره بالاستخفاف. الآن لا أشعر أنني راغبة بالقراءة لدانيال ستيل مرة أخرى! أو ربما أفعل عندما أشتاق لرواية خفيفة :)
كالعادة السرد سلس ووصف الشخصيات رائع والتفاصيل ممتعة رغم أنها لو تعمقت أكثر في شخصيات تشارلز وارابيلا وحتى الاطفال اكثر لكان أجمل.
أنقصت نجمة بسبب النهاية المتقعة جدا. المشكلة أن النهاية المتوقعة تُشعرالقارئ أنه قد خُدع وتجعله يخرج بانطباع سلبي عن الكاتب وتُشعره بالاستخفاف. الآن لا أشعر أنني راغبة بالقراءة لدانيال ستيل مرة أخرى! أو ربما أفعل عندما أشتاق لرواية خفيفة :)
March 9, 2014
Among all those bad reviews...honestly, I adored that novel....Danielle was successful to write it in a way that touched me on a personal level....and about that repitition in the difference in characters between Maxine and Blake, I found it more confirming and gets me deep inside Maxine feelings each time I pick the book to continue reading....I really like that book ....the way she described the characters and the hard times and choices everyone went through...so realistic and touching... In general, Danielle Steel is an awesome novelist
February 11, 2017
Sometimes you just need read a good story that takes through soft journey. This book just did that what a lovely story, plain and simple that brings a smile to your face ..
August 11, 2016
Title: Rogue
Series: Stand Alone
Author: Danielle Steel
Year Pub: 2008
POV: Third Person
Main Characters: Maxine Williams & Blake Williams
Setting: Mainly in New York
I found this book was well written and the characters were very well described. The major problem I had with this was that there was a lot of repetition.
Maxine and Blake have been divorced for 5 years, they have three kids together and they get along better now than when they were married.
Maxine is a Psychiatrist and between work and the kids she doesn't even get a chance to date…until Charles West.
Blake lives life to the fullest. He is super rich, travels all over the world and dates supermodels.
After an earthquake hits the city where he just bought his latest house, his outlook on life changes and he needs Maxine’s help…
July 18, 2014
After a couple of not so great Danielle Steel books, this one was actually really good :) It's one of her later ones, so maybe she has learned not to repeat everything and treat the reader as an idiot. I'm glad I read 'His Bright Light' before this as I'm guessing Maxine's job, as a psychiatrist for suicidal teens was because of what Steel herself went through with her son. For those of you that don't know, he tragically killed himself.
The plot was interesting, genral chick-lit stuff. Maxine and her family were great characters and I liked them all immensely. But I feel this made me biased towards Charles, I just kept thinking he was an arse but some of his concerns were legitimate. I was blinded by my love for the family!
The ending was totally over the top and ridiculous. Never would have happened in a million years. But it was a happy ending and I don't always need my books to be realistic. Best to be read by fans of chick-lit. I don't think you will like it if you are not already a fan of the genre.
The plot was interesting, genral chick-lit stuff. Maxine and her family were great characters and I liked them all immensely. But I feel this made me biased towards Charles, I just kept thinking he was an arse but some of his concerns were legitimate. I was blinded by my love for the family!
The ending was totally over the top and ridiculous. Never would have happened in a million years. But it was a happy ending and I don't always need my books to be realistic. Best to be read by fans of chick-lit. I don't think you will like it if you are not already a fan of the genre.
December 12, 2016
I got about half way through with this book and decided to not to. Steel couldn't get the "facts" straight. The x-husband (rogue) was loved by everyone, except sometimes the x wife, sometimes the kids, some random other people and the parents of the x wife. The x-wife… I wanted to like her, but i didn't. She presented herself as an authority figure in her area of work, but she comes off like a know it all and doesn't seem to work with her daughter much. Also, she starts dating a bachelor, but just calls him a friend, sending mixed signals to her kids. They start sleeping together, which she makes sound like a chore. What a bad message to send into the world! You don't do that because you feel obligated.
Terrible book, which is sad. I used to love this author but the more her books come out, the more screwed up they are.
Terrible book, which is sad. I used to love this author but the more her books come out, the more screwed up they are.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 28, 2010On me la mis dans les mains et j'avoue que je ris beaucoup :-) (rien que la photo de l'auteur sur la couverture vaut le détour :-D).
C'est bourré de clichés : il s'agit d'un couple où l'homme est beau, très riche, bronzé, charmeur, bref irrésistible. Il est marié à une femme docteur en psychiatrie ne vivant que pour son travail et ses enfants. Ils divorcent (forcément ;)). La famille de madame lui cherche un soupirant, tandis que monsieur consomme la chair fraiche en voyageant entre ses 36 maisons..
Je ne sais pas s'il faut rire ou pleurer en sachant le succès de la personne qui commet ces horreurs..
Note
- Pourquoi n'y a-t-il pas d'étoiles négatives ;)?
- Retourner très vite à la bibli pour oublier tout ça ;)
C'est bourré de clichés : il s'agit d'un couple où l'homme est beau, très riche, bronzé, charmeur, bref irrésistible. Il est marié à une femme docteur en psychiatrie ne vivant que pour son travail et ses enfants. Ils divorcent (forcément ;)). La famille de madame lui cherche un soupirant, tandis que monsieur consomme la chair fraiche en voyageant entre ses 36 maisons..
Je ne sais pas s'il faut rire ou pleurer en sachant le succès de la personne qui commet ces horreurs..
Note
- Pourquoi n'y a-t-il pas d'étoiles négatives ;)?
- Retourner très vite à la bibli pour oublier tout ça ;)
August 13, 2015
This book came highly recommended to me. However I found the writing style really repetitive and the plot itself lacking in any kind of interesting plot or climax at all. It didn't seem like a story that needed telling in any way, as for most of the book the annoying and unlikeable leading lady is perfectly happy and content with her life, so there's no real need to even continue reading because you don't really care what happens next.
It picks up a bit in the middle but I mostly just finished this book for the sake of finishing it.
It picks up a bit in the middle but I mostly just finished this book for the sake of finishing it.
January 2, 2020
This was my first Danielle Steele book and likely my last. The writing is so repetitive. If Ms. Steele didn’t feel the need to tell us that Maxine was a psychiatrist and Blake was a playboy every other page this book could’ve been half the length. There is no depth to any of the characters and honestly all of them were annoying. I have very little empathy for absentee fathers no matter how much they make and even less empathy for the women who excuse their behavior. There was nothing romantic about this story. It was just a glimpse into the drama filled lives of some privileged people.
August 13, 2009
Her "theme" in this one was teen suicide -- dreadful! Her hero is unreal; her protagonist is too dislikable and too "pat." The heroine is perhaps a bit naive. And, it seems that Danielle had a word count she wanted to meet -- repetition of facts just provided on previous pages (and paragraphs) were insulting to my intelligence -- how many times had i needed reminders of the facts?!?!? But, i did finish it so ....
May 23, 2018
As popular as Danielle Steel apparently is, this book did not make me a fan. I'd never read anything by her and thought it was time. I found the writing often repetitive and the storyline predictable. On top of that, I didn't like the premise of the book at all. Obviously by the many books Ms. Steel has successfully authored, I am in the minority with this view. But this is just not my idea of what a good book should be.
June 6, 2016
Think I'd like to re-read this one. I remember exactly where I read this. Who knows if I'll get to it ;)
December 30, 2015
Not near as good as she can write.
January 10, 2016
It's typical Danielle Steel. Easy to listen to on audio in the car. Nonsensical ending.
August 17, 2017
Banale, ripetitivo e pieno di luoghi comuni. Personaggi stereotipati e poco credibili. Un libro di oltre 500 pagine, dove in pratica non succede nulla! Tempo sprecato!
November 1, 2023
Reminder to never read another Danielle Steele book…
December 26, 2019
Not worth the read at all. Avoid it and save yourself being irritated by how lacking in depth this story is.
One of the most painfully hard to complete books I've ever read. For the first time ever in my reading life, I skipped pages. Few pages into the story and I became so bored and pissed about the repetition and the lack of suspense. There was no space available for the reader to think of what will come next because every detail was spelt out just like that.
She wouldn't stop repeating how much Blake adored his kids yet he was an absentee father. How after hitting the jackpot in his dotcom business he wouldn't stop running around the world chasing women and leaving the caring of the kids to their mother. Yet in the end they remarried each other.
I don't know why she decided to bring the Charles' character into the story and made him up to be a total asshole, totally humiliating him. One moment he's trying to get the kids to like him another moment he's irritated by them. And how can any man at all in his right frame of mind want to spend days with her new girlfriend on her ex's boat. I just couldn't understand that part of the story.
As for Maxine, ooh geez, I never was able to figure her out till the end. Because she was the one who was looking for a stable responsible man then after a disaster in Morocco which 'magically transformed' Blake's character, Maxine started catching feelings for a man she initially divorced because he was unstable. And she allowed her kids especially Daphne to walk all over her. Then there was Maxine's father who Maxine claimed liked Charles, but at the end of the story he said Charles would have bored Maxine to death. So all of a sudden Blake was the right man for the daughter although this same Maxine said her father didn't like Blake.
So Maxine gets jilted on her wedding day by an angry Charles who learnt that Maxine had spent the night with her ex husband a day to their wedding. So Blake and Maxine decide to remarry because they couldn't stop loving each other and it was best for the kids?
Oh Lawd, I'm even getting confused writing this review, it's such a badly written story that any book lover shouldn't bother picking up.
One of the most painfully hard to complete books I've ever read. For the first time ever in my reading life, I skipped pages. Few pages into the story and I became so bored and pissed about the repetition and the lack of suspense. There was no space available for the reader to think of what will come next because every detail was spelt out just like that.
She wouldn't stop repeating how much Blake adored his kids yet he was an absentee father. How after hitting the jackpot in his dotcom business he wouldn't stop running around the world chasing women and leaving the caring of the kids to their mother. Yet in the end they remarried each other.
I don't know why she decided to bring the Charles' character into the story and made him up to be a total asshole, totally humiliating him. One moment he's trying to get the kids to like him another moment he's irritated by them. And how can any man at all in his right frame of mind want to spend days with her new girlfriend on her ex's boat. I just couldn't understand that part of the story.
As for Maxine, ooh geez, I never was able to figure her out till the end. Because she was the one who was looking for a stable responsible man then after a disaster in Morocco which 'magically transformed' Blake's character, Maxine started catching feelings for a man she initially divorced because he was unstable. And she allowed her kids especially Daphne to walk all over her. Then there was Maxine's father who Maxine claimed liked Charles, but at the end of the story he said Charles would have bored Maxine to death. So all of a sudden Blake was the right man for the daughter although this same Maxine said her father didn't like Blake.
So Maxine gets jilted on her wedding day by an angry Charles who learnt that Maxine had spent the night with her ex husband a day to their wedding. So Blake and Maxine decide to remarry because they couldn't stop loving each other and it was best for the kids?
Oh Lawd, I'm even getting confused writing this review, it's such a badly written story that any book lover shouldn't bother picking up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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