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Because You Despise Me
When Feldwebel Horst Stussel is murdered in Jake's brothel, local police chief CAPTAIN NICOLAS RENARD suspects Jake's involvement in the crime - but with an Allied invasion of North Africa mere days away, Jake and Renard must combine their wits, their cunning and their courage to defeat the Nazis for once and for all.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 31, 2021
Although the author is one of my auto-buys, this book just didn't quite work for me. It reads like a M-M second WW version of Casablanca but the murder/threat plotlines didn't quite gel/flow resulting in a rather confused read through most of the middle section of the book. There were a lot of characters ... and quite a few them have convoluted backstories tied to one another that aren't clarified until quite a way into the read. The HEA came rather precipitously but by then, I didn't feel much invested in Nico or Jake (much less the secondary characters) or their eventual fate. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
November 25, 2018
3.5 rounded up because I love this kind of story and Cook does it pretty well (she's excellent at ambiance). Good period. Don't assume this is just a ripoff of Casablanca.
May 4, 2017
I thought this book was amazing. I have been unable to finish books lately been getting bored half way though but 'Because you Despise Me' kept me hooked.
February 4, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
Because You Despise Me is an intense, though uneven, thriller with a flavoring of Casablanca. It’s something of a wartime romance, but this is equally balanced with spies, freedom fighters, and lost lovers. Jake and Nicolas are the primary focus of the book, though their romance is never given as much attention as I would have preferred. They work well together and if they are not a perfect couple, then they seem all the more realistic because of it.
Jake is a little harder to appreciate as his personality is somewhat less defined than Nicolas’. Jake spent a year as a captive of the Turks after Gallipoli and the torture he endured has clearly left its mark. He’s closed off and quick to take offense, but clever and brave when it matters. Nicolas is charmingly French and his languid approach to even the tensest of situations is rather delightful. His love for Jake is absolute and unflinching despite Jake’s reticence. The two often engage in quick-witted banter and their scenes together are the highlights of the book.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
Because You Despise Me is an intense, though uneven, thriller with a flavoring of Casablanca. It’s something of a wartime romance, but this is equally balanced with spies, freedom fighters, and lost lovers. Jake and Nicolas are the primary focus of the book, though their romance is never given as much attention as I would have preferred. They work well together and if they are not a perfect couple, then they seem all the more realistic because of it.
Jake is a little harder to appreciate as his personality is somewhat less defined than Nicolas’. Jake spent a year as a captive of the Turks after Gallipoli and the torture he endured has clearly left its mark. He’s closed off and quick to take offense, but clever and brave when it matters. Nicolas is charmingly French and his languid approach to even the tensest of situations is rather delightful. His love for Jake is absolute and unflinching despite Jake’s reticence. The two often engage in quick-witted banter and their scenes together are the highlights of the book.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
April 14, 2016
I have to be honest and say I really didn't enjoy this story. It dragged and I found it boring. The writing is actually ok but I found it hard going.
And yet if you like historicals then you might enjoy this.
I found it difficult to get into because I don't know much about the Vichy Government and North Africa during World War Two. I think it would have helped to have some small explanation about that in the appendix.
Secondly, the two main characters seemed to have some kind of backstory together and I felt as though I was missing some key aspects that would have helped me appreciate the story more. This wasn't helped by other characters who also had previous history with the main character.
Thirdly, all that glitters is not gold. This looked really interesting on NetGalley and sounded like something I would be interested in. I have picked up some excellent books from there but a lesson for me therefore is caveat emptor, (let the buyer beware) even though I am not strictly a buyer. Let the requester beware.
Good writing, but a hard slog to get into.
Anyway moving on!!
Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press vis NetGalley in exchange for a review.
And yet if you like historicals then you might enjoy this.
I found it difficult to get into because I don't know much about the Vichy Government and North Africa during World War Two. I think it would have helped to have some small explanation about that in the appendix.
Secondly, the two main characters seemed to have some kind of backstory together and I felt as though I was missing some key aspects that would have helped me appreciate the story more. This wasn't helped by other characters who also had previous history with the main character.
Thirdly, all that glitters is not gold. This looked really interesting on NetGalley and sounded like something I would be interested in. I have picked up some excellent books from there but a lesson for me therefore is caveat emptor, (let the buyer beware) even though I am not strictly a buyer. Let the requester beware.
Good writing, but a hard slog to get into.
Anyway moving on!!
Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press vis NetGalley in exchange for a review.
April 20, 2016
Okay so I want to start of this review by saying while I really like the premise of this story and I am huge fan of historical books, this book I honestly am unsure of how I feel about it at this point..
I had the hardest time getting into this story because there were so many parts that really just dragged for me. While there was some very good parts to this story too it just seemed like there were honestly more parts that were hard for me to get into. Now I really liked Jake and Renard's characters and I did like them together too very much! With this book you will get steam and action too!
Really liked the premise of this story and the characters but I am on the fence on what I feel about the story overall because of the parts that did drag a little for me overweighing that parts I loved..
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
I had the hardest time getting into this story because there were so many parts that really just dragged for me. While there was some very good parts to this story too it just seemed like there were honestly more parts that were hard for me to get into. Now I really liked Jake and Renard's characters and I did like them together too very much! With this book you will get steam and action too!
Really liked the premise of this story and the characters but I am on the fence on what I feel about the story overall because of the parts that did drag a little for me overweighing that parts I loved..
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
October 25, 2015
2010 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
January 5, 2016
I enjoy everything JS Cook writes.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews