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Leap of Faith
In her fifty-second bestselling novel, Danielle Steel weaves a compelling story of the power of lies, the misuse of trust--and of one woman's triumph over a devastating betrayal.Marie-Ange Hawkins has the kind of childhood that most people dream of. Freedom, love, security in a beautiful old French château. But when Marie-Ange is just eleven, a tragic accident marks the end of her idyllic life. Orphaned and alone, she is sent to America, to live with her great-aunt on a farm in Iowa. Bitterly resented by the old woman, cut off from everything she has known and loved, Marie-Ange is forced to work tirelessly on the farm, dreaming only of the day she can return to her beloved Château de Marmouton.In Marie-Ange's isolated existence, only the friendship of a local boy, Billy Parker, offers comfort and hope. But her only wish is to gain an education--and escape. Then, just after her twenty-first birthday, an unexpected visitor brings startling news and an extraordinary the freedom to return to France, to Château de Marmouton. When she arrives in France, Marie-Ange learns that the château's new owner is Comte Bernard de Beauchamp, a dashing young widower who invites her into his home, then into his heart. But their magical life together, which soon includes marriage, children, and lavish homes, slowly takes an ominous turn. A mysterious woman tells Marie-Ange a shocking story, a story so chilling she doesn't want to believe it.Not even her dear friend Billy can help her now. He is thousands of miles away. And as the darkness gathers around her, Marie-Ange must find the faith and courage to take one, last desperate step to save her loved ones and herself.Danielle Steel's powerful novel is about being pulled into a place where nothing is what it seems. It is about being seduced and lied to and turned around, and wanting to believe the lies--until the moment comes, in one blinding instant, when survival and salvation depend on a final Leap of Faith: the only path to freedom, and life.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
560 people are currently reading
2862 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Steel
914 books16.8k 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.
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
February 5, 2017
This book was entirely too predictable and almost bored me to tears. I had guessed 90% of the storyline about 20 pages into the book. The main character was incredibly dull and really quite stupid to be honest! The only reason I managed to finish the book is because it was relatively fast paced so I just gritted my teeth and sped through it.
June 19, 2017
Actual rating: 1.5
This was the most predictable book I've ever read. from the first 50 pages, I knew exactly what was going to happen at the end and I was right...
This is my second Danielle Steel book, and I really hope her other books are better than this one, I really was irritated with the main character Marie-Ange she was so naive and stupid in ever aspect possible...
Summary: ( I hid half of the summary in case you still want to read this)
Marie-Ange Hawkins lived a happy life in France, until one day when both her parent and her only brother Robert were going to Paris and had an accident on the way and died on the road leaving her with only her caretaker Sophie.
Marie-Ange had no family other than her old aunt Carol from her father's side, whom her father always disliked, and since she was so young to be living on her own she was sent to Iowa in the USA to live on her aunt's farm.
And yes it turned out her father was right her aunt is horrible and treated her like a slave for 10 years, she even deprived her of food and didn't give her any money for her college even though she worked very hard on the farm.
I chose this picture of Mrs. Dubose from How to Kill a Mockingbird because they were both so mean.
During those years she becomes friends with Billy Parker and through the years they became inseparable, she taught him French and he was there for her from their first day in school until they graduated, he loves her so much but she won't marry him and break his heart because one day she want to go back to Paris where she grew up and wants to stay in Iowa and help his father.
This was the most predictable book I've ever read. from the first 50 pages, I knew exactly what was going to happen at the end and I was right...
This is my second Danielle Steel book, and I really hope her other books are better than this one, I really was irritated with the main character Marie-Ange she was so naive and stupid in ever aspect possible...
Summary: ( I hid half of the summary in case you still want to read this)
Marie-Ange Hawkins lived a happy life in France, until one day when both her parent and her only brother Robert were going to Paris and had an accident on the way and died on the road leaving her with only her caretaker Sophie.
Marie-Ange had no family other than her old aunt Carol from her father's side, whom her father always disliked, and since she was so young to be living on her own she was sent to Iowa in the USA to live on her aunt's farm.
And yes it turned out her father was right her aunt is horrible and treated her like a slave for 10 years, she even deprived her of food and didn't give her any money for her college even though she worked very hard on the farm.
I chose this picture of Mrs. Dubose from How to Kill a Mockingbird because they were both so mean.
During those years she becomes friends with Billy Parker and through the years they became inseparable, she taught him French and he was there for her from their first day in school until they graduated, he loves her so much but she won't marry him and break his heart because one day she want to go back to Paris where she grew up and wants to stay in Iowa and help his father.
November 21, 2017
RESEÑA COMPLETA EN EL BLOG: https://bookstwins.wordpress.com/2017...
El es primer libro que lee de Steel y no se sabía que esperar. Es muy corto y rápido de leer, es perfecto para pasar una tarde, y la verdad es que el final me dejó anodadada.
El es primer libro que lee de Steel y no se sabía que esperar. Es muy corto y rápido de leer, es perfecto para pasar una tarde, y la verdad es que el final me dejó anodadada.
December 3, 2019
2.5*
The story was not bad but the characters were far from great. I almost gave it 2 stars but the story was not completely bad. I hate writing negative reviews but this one was predictable and also make Marie-Ange was written way too naive and weak to the point of frustrating for the reader. This one annoyed me and I hate to say that. The bank had the backbone she didn’t. Might be dumb for a character in a book to annoy me so much but it did.
The story was not bad but the characters were far from great. I almost gave it 2 stars but the story was not completely bad. I hate writing negative reviews but this one was predictable and also make Marie-Ange was written way too naive and weak to the point of frustrating for the reader. This one annoyed me and I hate to say that. The bank had the backbone she didn’t. Might be dumb for a character in a book to annoy me so much but it did.
February 26, 2017
The book came with a very sudden plot twist and I liked how the author put the story together. There was a lesson to be learned which was basically don't trust strangers even if you think they're okay. However, the book was repetitive and it was in a rush so it wasn't described that well. Overall, it was a book that I enjoyed reading in my freetime.
August 16, 2011
Must be one of her worst books because it was very poorly written, not in the least absorbing and so utterly generic
August 18, 2011
I picked up the book last night, and just continued to read it till 3pm today. It was okay. The best thing about the book was the fast pace. I did not enjoy the static characters. I did not enjoy her repetition. I dislike the way Steel kept repeating most of the sentences.
Example, page 122:
"She loved the way he worried about her, and wanted to protect her ... she loved the protection he offered, his obvious concern. She was totally in love with him."
Really? I mean come one. I felt like I had some major reading disability and needed someone to spell it out to me in writing to get any, any emotion for the text.
I disliked, HRH's cold, convenient ending, I disliked Leap of Faith's generic, way predictable ending. I may have even had guessed the ending when I was only 1/3 into the book.
Example, page 122:
"She loved the way he worried about her, and wanted to protect her ... she loved the protection he offered, his obvious concern. She was totally in love with him."
Really? I mean come one. I felt like I had some major reading disability and needed someone to spell it out to me in writing to get any, any emotion for the text.
I disliked, HRH's cold, convenient ending, I disliked Leap of Faith's generic, way predictable ending. I may have even had guessed the ending when I was only 1/3 into the book.
June 29, 2023
Another fantastic Danielle steel book.
February 29, 2024
Reseña de Acto de Fe en el blog
Danielle Steel nos presenta una historia un tanto dramática, que aúna amor y tragedia bajo la vida de su personaje principal, Marie-Ange Hawkins.
Es una novela corta que presenta en su mayor parte la vida de Marie-Ange desde la muerte de sus padres y su hermano, viviendo en Iowa junto a su tía abuela y compartiendo sus anhelos y frustraciones junto a su amigo Billy.
Intempestivamente, la llegada de un abogado anunciándole su nueva situación económica cambia todo, y parte de sus sueños se hacen realidad, pero la felicidad nunca llega a ser constante y Marie-Ange aún debe pasar por muchas cosas.
La forma que Steel tiene de describir, tanto personajes como lugares, hace que la lectura sea amena, sin que se torne pesada en ningún momento.
Hay un punto negativo, sin embargo, el desenlace se da de un momento a otro, con mínimas pistas que nos llevan a reconocer lo que pasará pero que de todas maneras no llegan a prepararnos; aunque el final no quede descolgado, llega muy rápido y nos deja con la impresión de que falta algo más.
En una visión general, la historia resulta agradable y es muy buena para pasar un rato ameno de lectura.
Reseña completa en el blog: http://masalladelaspaginas.blogspot.c...
Danielle Steel nos presenta una historia un tanto dramática, que aúna amor y tragedia bajo la vida de su personaje principal, Marie-Ange Hawkins.
Es una novela corta que presenta en su mayor parte la vida de Marie-Ange desde la muerte de sus padres y su hermano, viviendo en Iowa junto a su tía abuela y compartiendo sus anhelos y frustraciones junto a su amigo Billy.
Intempestivamente, la llegada de un abogado anunciándole su nueva situación económica cambia todo, y parte de sus sueños se hacen realidad, pero la felicidad nunca llega a ser constante y Marie-Ange aún debe pasar por muchas cosas.
La forma que Steel tiene de describir, tanto personajes como lugares, hace que la lectura sea amena, sin que se torne pesada en ningún momento.
Hay un punto negativo, sin embargo, el desenlace se da de un momento a otro, con mínimas pistas que nos llevan a reconocer lo que pasará pero que de todas maneras no llegan a prepararnos; aunque el final no quede descolgado, llega muy rápido y nos deja con la impresión de que falta algo más.
En una visión general, la historia resulta agradable y es muy buena para pasar un rato ameno de lectura.
Reseña completa en el blog: http://masalladelaspaginas.blogspot.c...
August 10, 2011
If 2.5 stars were an option, I would have given this book that score. I did feel some sort of investment in the characters; however, it was very predictable. The tale was also rather anti-climactic. The woman has just thrown her two children into a net and has seen that they were fine. Despite the fact that she was scared, I do think that "leap of faith" is a bit of an overstatement. The ending did not seem to fit well with this very predictable tale. I was hoping to see a light at the end of the tunnel with Marie-Ange, and I do feel as though a bit more romanticism on Billy's part would have solved that dilemma. I was left with many unanswered questions: How will Billy respond to her children? What were the feelings of the youngsters? What happens to the lying scoundrel? How does leaping off a roof allow Marie-Ange to come to terms with the tragic loss of her parents and brother, the belittling by her great aunt, and the abuse by her husband?
October 8, 2010
OK--I like a Danielle Steel when there's some substance to the book; this one must have been written solely for the purpose of buying her some new jewelry or something. It's awful--read it in one hour. She just cranked this one out with her standard formula--sweet girl, bad things happen, then good things happen, the end.
March 16, 2013
i cried alot and loved it in so many ways ... its really hard to accept that someone u love so much has betrayed you i can really relate to that bt as marie-ange never lost faith so wont I. Im going through a very difficult time and it helped me somehow...
brilliantly written ! looking forward to read more of ur work !
brilliantly written ! looking forward to read more of ur work !
September 10, 2010
aaaaaaaaaaaawful. I've never read Danielle Steel before, and if this is any way representative, I never shall again.
June 9, 2016
I remember this one! Horrible elderly aunt in the country, treating her niece terribly. A kind of Cinderella comes good story. Liked it a lot.
October 28, 2022
I actually enjoyed that much more than I thought! It was written well and was going smoothly and super quick! The story was beautiful and I really liked how it was going through Marie-Ange's life, from kid to woman. Would definitely read more from Danielle.
March 10, 2018
This book was so bad, I'm actually feeling outraged. I took it on - well, faith (Hey! I can see why they chose the title right there!)- that a book this popular cannot possibly be so immature. I understand that for books in this genre, we've got to expect some pretty clear author-bias towards the main characters. That's okay, sometimes we just want a brainless bit of wish-fulfillment fluff where the heroine triumphs despite a tragic backstory and assorted villainy, and wins True Wuv.
But you actually have to let your readers get to know your character, before we can root for her. We are repeatedly told what a sparkling creature of light and "vivaciousness" the heroine is, without having a single shred of evidence to that effect. On that note, I must say that it takes some particular talent to so assiduously prevent one's characters from talking about or doing anything of interest whatsoever, and condensing anything with such potential into charming one-liners:
Um, I'd like to raise my hand here? What are their hopes and dreams and futures, et cetera et cetera? Because, you know, I still have no idea.
What do we have by way of conflict? In the first half of the book, it's the cold, penny-pinching and beauty-hating Aunt Carole who takes guardianship of Marie-Ange. Except - there's no conflict. Aunt Carole is mean, Marie-Ange is virtuous... full stop. What do we have by way of romance? Billy Parker and Marie-Ange are friends, Marie-Ange forbids him from taking it further... full stop.
When we find out somewhere later on that the reason Marie-Ange never heard from someone beloved to her (further building her case as the Poor Little Orphan-Girl with the Tragic Past) was that her aunt had been returning all of that person's letters for years - and get this - intercepting and throwing away all the letters Marie-Ange had sent that person, I actually laughed aloud. So, um, her aunt works in the postal service? Or she wheels her vindictive, crippled-in-both-body-and-soul self to intercept the heroine's mail, for no reason other than Pure Evilness? Right.
I'm not even going to go on to describe what happens in the second half of the book. I need time to get over this and heal.
So, in conclusion - it says right there in the Goodreads blurb that this story is a "compelling" story of the "power of lies" and "the misuse of trust" and oh, I FEEL THE TRUTH OF IT RIGHT HERE. Yes! I've experienced firsthand the power of the lie that this story is "compelling", and my trust that millions of people can't be wrong and Danielle Steel is a good author of romance. I shall indeed triumph over this devastating betrayal of good writing and go on to read hundreds of vastly superior chick-lit that I might actually get an afternoon's worth of entertainment from.
But you actually have to let your readers get to know your character, before we can root for her. We are repeatedly told what a sparkling creature of light and "vivaciousness" the heroine is, without having a single shred of evidence to that effect. On that note, I must say that it takes some particular talent to so assiduously prevent one's characters from talking about or doing anything of interest whatsoever, and condensing anything with such potential into charming one-liners:
"They sometimes spent hours by a small stream, sitting there and just talking to each other, about life, their families, their hopes and dreams and their futures."
Um, I'd like to raise my hand here? What are their hopes and dreams and futures, et cetera et cetera? Because, you know, I still have no idea.
What do we have by way of conflict? In the first half of the book, it's the cold, penny-pinching and beauty-hating Aunt Carole who takes guardianship of Marie-Ange. Except - there's no conflict. Aunt Carole is mean, Marie-Ange is virtuous... full stop. What do we have by way of romance? Billy Parker and Marie-Ange are friends, Marie-Ange forbids him from taking it further... full stop.
When we find out somewhere later on that the reason Marie-Ange never heard from someone beloved to her (further building her case as the Poor Little Orphan-Girl with the Tragic Past) was that her aunt had been returning all of that person's letters for years - and get this - intercepting and throwing away all the letters Marie-Ange had sent that person, I actually laughed aloud. So, um, her aunt works in the postal service? Or she wheels her vindictive, crippled-in-both-body-and-soul self to intercept the heroine's mail, for no reason other than Pure Evilness? Right.
I'm not even going to go on to describe what happens in the second half of the book. I need time to get over this and heal.
So, in conclusion - it says right there in the Goodreads blurb that this story is a "compelling" story of the "power of lies" and "the misuse of trust" and oh, I FEEL THE TRUTH OF IT RIGHT HERE. Yes! I've experienced firsthand the power of the lie that this story is "compelling", and my trust that millions of people can't be wrong and Danielle Steel is a good author of romance. I shall indeed triumph over this devastating betrayal of good writing and go on to read hundreds of vastly superior chick-lit that I might actually get an afternoon's worth of entertainment from.
October 13, 2013
I knew in an instant when I impulsively picked up this book , that I'd like this much. I meant it's about memorizing your house in the past. because I did that too..
my childhood house which was many miles away from where I lived now nor my life that I belong now.
also the moral value that packed in this story. I finished it in 3 hrs. a thin one yet full of sth to learn.
who do you choose? a country boy like Billy, honest and caring or Comte Bernard who was polished, attractive yet greedy and selfish?
I think I married someone like Billy. an honest man yet a little bit naive but enough for me. and I think Aunt Carol character here is not as mean as the writer tried to describe bcuz the detail of hardwork that Marie Ange had to do wasn't described so well.
the first time I witnessed the relationship betweeen Marie and Billy developed, I imagined Josh Hutcherson and Annasophia Robb in The Bridge to Therabitia movie. I even imagined Billy had Josh' face.
and then when the relatonship between Marie and Bernard developed then Marie realized who the man she's married truly was.. I felt like watching 'Education' movie again starring Carey Mulligan.
that's been so much true, the slice of life Danielle Steel told us in her piece of work and I found myself enganged in the story from the beginning until the end. I just skip the part I hate when one by one the true face of Mary Ange first husband discovered. total. I do hate that part. feel so much sorry for the heroine here and hating to imagine if that ever happened to me. which I wished never ever happened.
thin pages but had a deep impression in my reading experience. but then again D.S. left us with the kind of continue-that-for-your-self ending. I even had an idea to continue it myself just for my pleasure. but I didnt ;)
my childhood house which was many miles away from where I lived now nor my life that I belong now.
also the moral value that packed in this story. I finished it in 3 hrs. a thin one yet full of sth to learn.
who do you choose? a country boy like Billy, honest and caring or Comte Bernard who was polished, attractive yet greedy and selfish?
I think I married someone like Billy. an honest man yet a little bit naive but enough for me. and I think Aunt Carol character here is not as mean as the writer tried to describe bcuz the detail of hardwork that Marie Ange had to do wasn't described so well.
the first time I witnessed the relationship betweeen Marie and Billy developed, I imagined Josh Hutcherson and Annasophia Robb in The Bridge to Therabitia movie. I even imagined Billy had Josh' face.
and then when the relatonship between Marie and Bernard developed then Marie realized who the man she's married truly was.. I felt like watching 'Education' movie again starring Carey Mulligan.
that's been so much true, the slice of life Danielle Steel told us in her piece of work and I found myself enganged in the story from the beginning until the end. I just skip the part I hate when one by one the true face of Mary Ange first husband discovered. total. I do hate that part. feel so much sorry for the heroine here and hating to imagine if that ever happened to me. which I wished never ever happened.
thin pages but had a deep impression in my reading experience. but then again D.S. left us with the kind of continue-that-for-your-self ending. I even had an idea to continue it myself just for my pleasure. but I didnt ;)
February 4, 2023
4.5⭐⭐⭐ (tres estrellas porque Argentina Campeón)
Quería leer un libro rápido y corto, y en menos de 12 horas lo terminé.
"Acto de Fe" cuenta la historia de Marie-Agne una niña francesa que queda huérfana a los 11 años y es enviada a los Estados Unidos a vivir con su tía abuela, una señora muy pero muy amargada, a la granja donde creció su padre. Estando allí, conoce a Billy, al instante se vuelven amigos y, con el paso del tiempo, todo el mundo esperaba que por fin se casarán pero no sucedió, ya que Marie-Agne decide volver a Francia, a su hogar. Cuando llega a la que fue su casa en la niñez, conoce al nuevo propietario, Bernard, un conde viudo del cuál se enamora rápida y perdidamente. Pero las cosas no son como ella esperaba o como Bernard se las pintaba de color rosa, pronto descubre un oscuro secreto de su marido y nada es lo mismo para Marie-Agne.
Creo que siempre digo lo mismo, pero estoy amando profundamente la escritura de Danielle Steel, es maravilloso. El libro tiene solo 12 capitulos. Hasta el capítulo 7 pensé que iba a desarrollar un romance, pero al final no.
Mientras leía decía, "¿Que tanto más va a meter si solo quedan cinco capítulos para terminar?". Surprise surprise, metió todo, armó, destruyó y reconstruyó. Que joya de autora.
Me dieron ganas de pegarle muchas veces a Marie-Agne por lenta y ciega de amor, pero bueno cosas que pasan. Creo que eso sería lo único malo para recalcar.
En un momento pensé que la onda del libro iba a ser como la película "Un castillo para Navidad " (o algo así) de Netflix, pero nada nada que ver.
Quería leer un libro rápido y corto, y en menos de 12 horas lo terminé.
"Acto de Fe" cuenta la historia de Marie-Agne una niña francesa que queda huérfana a los 11 años y es enviada a los Estados Unidos a vivir con su tía abuela, una señora muy pero muy amargada, a la granja donde creció su padre. Estando allí, conoce a Billy, al instante se vuelven amigos y, con el paso del tiempo, todo el mundo esperaba que por fin se casarán pero no sucedió, ya que Marie-Agne decide volver a Francia, a su hogar. Cuando llega a la que fue su casa en la niñez, conoce al nuevo propietario, Bernard, un conde viudo del cuál se enamora rápida y perdidamente. Pero las cosas no son como ella esperaba o como Bernard se las pintaba de color rosa, pronto descubre un oscuro secreto de su marido y nada es lo mismo para Marie-Agne.
Creo que siempre digo lo mismo, pero estoy amando profundamente la escritura de Danielle Steel, es maravilloso. El libro tiene solo 12 capitulos. Hasta el capítulo 7 pensé que iba a desarrollar un romance, pero al final no.
Mientras leía decía, "¿Que tanto más va a meter si solo quedan cinco capítulos para terminar?". Surprise surprise, metió todo, armó, destruyó y reconstruyó. Que joya de autora.
Me dieron ganas de pegarle muchas veces a Marie-Agne por lenta y ciega de amor, pero bueno cosas que pasan. Creo que eso sería lo único malo para recalcar.
En un momento pensé que la onda del libro iba a ser como la película "Un castillo para Navidad " (o algo así) de Netflix, pero nada nada que ver.
July 27, 2013
Leap of Faith by Danielle Steel
Marie Onge has lost her parents and brother on their way to Paris to drop him off at school.
The old nanny was too old to care for her so they sent her to Iowa to live with her great aunt where she was a slave to the woman in a wheelchair.
She met Tom who was the foreman and he helped her from time to time.
She meets a boy in school who she teaches French to and he teaches her to write in the English way.
After the years and she is now 21 and he had given her a car to get back and forth to college she has to tell him the news the lawyer had just given her.
She was leaving for France with a promise she'd be home for Christmas. Billie had a local girlfriend but he really did love her.
She stopped to see the lawyer and she was paying Billie back for the car by giving him a Porsche.
She finds out the truth about Bernard who she meets living at her old house in France when she arrives and falls in love with him.
Lots of action.
Marie Onge has lost her parents and brother on their way to Paris to drop him off at school.
The old nanny was too old to care for her so they sent her to Iowa to live with her great aunt where she was a slave to the woman in a wheelchair.
She met Tom who was the foreman and he helped her from time to time.
She meets a boy in school who she teaches French to and he teaches her to write in the English way.
After the years and she is now 21 and he had given her a car to get back and forth to college she has to tell him the news the lawyer had just given her.
She was leaving for France with a promise she'd be home for Christmas. Billie had a local girlfriend but he really did love her.
She stopped to see the lawyer and she was paying Billie back for the car by giving him a Porsche.
She finds out the truth about Bernard who she meets living at her old house in France when she arrives and falls in love with him.
Lots of action.
June 14, 2015
This broke the usual Danielle Steel formula in a few ways. One being the protagonist is a young child when the story begins, another was the western setting and just the plot as a whole was different from the typical Steel blueprint. I almost wish this was longer, it sometimes felt like I was reading a synopsis or a book report instead of being absorbed in the story.
I won't even get into the improbable parts, or about how hard I laughed when
Nonethless I enjoyed this, super quick and easy read. Danielle Steel is a guilty pleasure of mine.
I won't even get into the improbable parts, or about how hard I laughed when
Nonethless I enjoyed this, super quick and easy read. Danielle Steel is a guilty pleasure of mine.
June 14, 2015
This book was too short to matter. I feel like it could have been a decent story if it was about 200 pages longer. As it is, there just wasn't enough time. A story spanning almost 15 years and two countries just cannot be told sufficiently, for me, in that short of time. None of the characters were fully fleshed out. None of the emotional stuff made an impact because there was no build up.
The entire thing fell totally flat for me.
The entire thing fell totally flat for me.
July 4, 2024
4-4.5
Was a delightfully unexpected read. It definitely felt fast paced at times, which I didn’t mind at all. The characters and plot were really decent. I was enthralled by the end of the first chapter after being gobsmacked. It made me want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
I did want to know more at the end, but it was left pretty open as to what could have happened next.
Overall, a good read from DS.
Was a delightfully unexpected read. It definitely felt fast paced at times, which I didn’t mind at all. The characters and plot were really decent. I was enthralled by the end of the first chapter after being gobsmacked. It made me want to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
I did want to know more at the end, but it was left pretty open as to what could have happened next.
Overall, a good read from DS.
February 10, 2012
Easy to read but, the concept of the story didn't fascinate me all too much.
February 7, 2024
It was okay, but I wanted more!
March 23, 2024
This book didn’t wow me, but there’s nothing inherently wrong with it either. It’s a fast paced book and a fast read - I haven’t read Danielle Steele since maybe middle school and this definitely felt a little old fashioned. But I loved the French scenery and Cinderella-esque vibe.
May 8, 2024
I really loved this story. It was very nostalgic to the types of books that made me fall in love with reading as a kid. I finished it in one sitting. Very special and I wish there was a sequel!🤍
October 4, 2017
Soy una gran fan de Danielle Steel; leo sus novelas desde hace mucho y me he enamorado de historias como El Largo Camino A Casa; Dulce y Amargo y El anillo. Siempre que quiero comprar algo para leer y estoy apurada elijo algo de Danielle Steel porque se que es una apuesta segura, sea la historia que sea sé con certeza que me va a gustar.
Pero honestamente esta historia en particular no me genero nada. Podría tranquilamente ser calificada como un NI; de hecho la trama es muy parecida a Asuntos del corazón. Tal vez si no hubiera leído tantas novelas suyas me habría gustado un poco más; pero como sé que es capaz de escribir historias complejas y de expresar tan bien la lucha interna de sentimientos que tiene una persona; me da la sensación que esta historia la escribió a las apuradas casi como para cumplir con la editorial o a quien sea que le debe explicaciones.
De todas maneras sigo siendo fan, me queda muuuucho material que leer para compensar este NI.
Pero honestamente esta historia en particular no me genero nada. Podría tranquilamente ser calificada como un NI; de hecho la trama es muy parecida a Asuntos del corazón. Tal vez si no hubiera leído tantas novelas suyas me habría gustado un poco más; pero como sé que es capaz de escribir historias complejas y de expresar tan bien la lucha interna de sentimientos que tiene una persona; me da la sensación que esta historia la escribió a las apuradas casi como para cumplir con la editorial o a quien sea que le debe explicaciones.
De todas maneras sigo siendo fan, me queda muuuucho material que leer para compensar este NI.
December 28, 2008
Ive had this book on my bookshelf for several years now. It was actually given to me by a woman in the waiting room for the OR when both our husbands were having surgery. She had finished it while waiting and passed it on to me. :)
I have never read a Danielle Steele book before. I have stayed away from them, as I had the impression of "fluffy romance". My grandmother used to love her!
So I picked this up 2 nights ago. It was a very quick read and I did enjoy it. However, I found it very, very predictable. It seems Ive heard this story many times before with mildly different characters and circumstances. The down on her luck girl, who finds herself the recipient of some good luck, which is then taken again from her.
I didnt think the book long enough to really develop the changes in Marie Ange's character. It kind of reminded me of a Lifetime movie. I did enjoy the book as a nice quick easy read. I just felt it was lacking some content. Im not sure if I will read this author again. I may give another a try. Any suggestions on which one?
I have never read a Danielle Steele book before. I have stayed away from them, as I had the impression of "fluffy romance". My grandmother used to love her!
So I picked this up 2 nights ago. It was a very quick read and I did enjoy it. However, I found it very, very predictable. It seems Ive heard this story many times before with mildly different characters and circumstances. The down on her luck girl, who finds herself the recipient of some good luck, which is then taken again from her.
I didnt think the book long enough to really develop the changes in Marie Ange's character. It kind of reminded me of a Lifetime movie. I did enjoy the book as a nice quick easy read. I just felt it was lacking some content. Im not sure if I will read this author again. I may give another a try. Any suggestions on which one?
November 14, 2007
It is so sad when a young child loses its parents and is left to people who don't care about him or her. Poor Marie-Ange was one such child who had a family who adored her. Then, when she lost her parents and her brother in one tragic car accident, she was left in the care of her great-aunt who was a horrible witch. Not a real witch, mind you, but a totally uncaring person. Marie-Ange was lucky to develop a wonderful relationship with Billy, although that's not likely to be the case in real life. The challenges Marie-Ange faced with her husband, Bernard, were unbelievable, but it's the kind of thing you see in movies sometimes.
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