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Emma Harte Saga #3
To Be the Best
This story moves between Britain, America and Hong Hong, as Paula O'Neill, the favourite grandchild to whom Emma Harte entrusted the Harte retail empire, is confronted by a conspiracy that threatens to destroy her inheritance.
454 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
About the author
Barbara Taylor Bradford
218 books1,978 followersBarbara Taylor Bradford was a British-American novelist whose dramatic family sagas and stories of ambitious women made her one of the most commercially successful authors of modern popular fiction. Raised in Leeds, she developed an early love of reading and decided as a child that she would become a writer. After leaving school at sixteen, she began her career in journalism, first working in the typing pool of the Yorkshire Evening Post before becoming a reporter. In her early twenties she moved to London, where she built a successful career as a fashion editor for Woman's Own magazine and later wrote widely syndicated newspaper columns. Although she experimented with suspense fiction, her breakthrough came with the novel A Woman of Substance in 1979, a sweeping story of a determined young woman rising from poverty to great success. The novel became an international bestseller and launched a long series of novels featuring strong female protagonists who achieve success through perseverance, ambition, and business skill. Over the following decades she wrote forty novels translated into dozens of languages and sold in tens of millions of copies worldwide. Several of her books were adapted for television miniseries and films, further expanding her readership. Her work earned numerous honors, including appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her contribution to literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
May 23, 2020
The characters in this series are some of my all time favorites. I’ve read this series several times and I never get tired of spending time with them. I feel like I am part of the family and go through their challenges and rejoice in their triumphs right along with them.
September 27, 2011
Good book in the series about Emma Harte...but, I think Woman of Substance is the best of the series.
May 19, 2012
Memories of "Woman of Substance" led me to pick this one up from my mum's bookshelf, but after 50 pages I gave up. None of the characters had engaged me by then, and the plot didn't either. The lengthy and seemingly pointless detail about clothing and decor was still there though.
I enjoyed the first book about Emma Harte, but this one doesn't live up to her legacy unfortunately. I don't like writing negative reviews but in this case, I'm not worrying that my humble opinion will damage BTB's sales one iota!
I enjoyed the first book about Emma Harte, but this one doesn't live up to her legacy unfortunately. I don't like writing negative reviews but in this case, I'm not worrying that my humble opinion will damage BTB's sales one iota!
June 17, 2009
I was anxious and excited to pick up this book to continue the saga.
Still the first of the trilogy, A Woman of Substance, rings true as my favorite of them all.
I did enjoy this one though as well.
Still the first of the trilogy, A Woman of Substance, rings true as my favorite of them all.
I did enjoy this one though as well.
February 18, 2020
I just can’t put this series down. Onto the next one!
December 6, 2024
Way too much gliding across floors, way too much sex, way too many perfect people. Barbara Taylor Bradford comes across in her writing as extremely superficial. Skimmed through a LOT of this book. And please stop calling the children retarded...it's so cringey.
February 17, 2018
Lots of words
If you like scenery, fashion, and feelings descriptions, you will like this book. Predictable plotting by this third book in the saga.
If you like scenery, fashion, and feelings descriptions, you will like this book. Predictable plotting by this third book in the saga.
May 23, 2023
Not her best I don’t think but still interesting to continue with the family and their ups and downs, but it felt a bit contrived in parts.
February 11, 2019
I LOVE Barbara Taylor Bradford !
Read Woman of Substance and Hold the Dream, the first two books of the Emma Harte series. I think these two books are a MUST read before you read this book.
Starting the first few chapters of the book, was getting familiar with the characters again, and remembering their story, l had to think a little, but slowly it came together, and l was on track again.
The main characters l loved Paula and Shane, Mandy and Phillip, Emily and Winston, Anthony and Sara, Alexander, as well as Paula’s cousin Jonathan and his interesting wife Arabella.
Everything is all blissful in the Harte family in the beginning.
Paula inherited Harte’ s enterprise, and has great employees.
Then we get familiar with the characters, things turn, as any family saga develops, some situations happen you will have tears in your eyes, and also turns in great suspense.
We discover the true story of what happens to Anthony’s first wife, we learn of Alexander’s fatal illness, then the story of Maddy is happily married and pregnant, and takes an unexpected turn. Shane is devastated over one of his hotels.
So many dramas happening in the Harte family but overall Paula is the one who proves she is Emma Harte all over again.
FANTASTIC READING ! Could not put it down.
Read Woman of Substance and Hold the Dream, the first two books of the Emma Harte series. I think these two books are a MUST read before you read this book.
Starting the first few chapters of the book, was getting familiar with the characters again, and remembering their story, l had to think a little, but slowly it came together, and l was on track again.
The main characters l loved Paula and Shane, Mandy and Phillip, Emily and Winston, Anthony and Sara, Alexander, as well as Paula’s cousin Jonathan and his interesting wife Arabella.
Everything is all blissful in the Harte family in the beginning.
Paula inherited Harte’ s enterprise, and has great employees.
Then we get familiar with the characters, things turn, as any family saga develops, some situations happen you will have tears in your eyes, and also turns in great suspense.
We discover the true story of what happens to Anthony’s first wife, we learn of Alexander’s fatal illness, then the story of Maddy is happily married and pregnant, and takes an unexpected turn. Shane is devastated over one of his hotels.
So many dramas happening in the Harte family but overall Paula is the one who proves she is Emma Harte all over again.
FANTASTIC READING ! Could not put it down.
March 4, 2016
Suspense
I have to admit that when I started the book it did not capture my interest. Yet you need to become familiar with the characters in the book. It's mainly about Paula and Shane, Maddy and Phillip, Anthony and Sara, Alexander as well as Paula's cousin Jonathan and his wife Arabella., and more. Everything appears blissful at the beginning. Paula inherited Harte's enterprise, and she has a great team that works for her. Then, when we get familiar with the characters things take a turn, some of the things that will happen will have you in tears and suspense. We discover the true story of what happened to Anthony's first wife, we learn of Alexander's fatal illness, then the story of Maddy who is happily married and pregnant and takes an unexpected turn, Shane loses his hotel due to a fire, Jonathan is out to take Harte"s away from Paula. Very good read, recommend reading the book to the end.
I have to admit that when I started the book it did not capture my interest. Yet you need to become familiar with the characters in the book. It's mainly about Paula and Shane, Maddy and Phillip, Anthony and Sara, Alexander as well as Paula's cousin Jonathan and his wife Arabella., and more. Everything appears blissful at the beginning. Paula inherited Harte's enterprise, and she has a great team that works for her. Then, when we get familiar with the characters things take a turn, some of the things that will happen will have you in tears and suspense. We discover the true story of what happened to Anthony's first wife, we learn of Alexander's fatal illness, then the story of Maddy who is happily married and pregnant and takes an unexpected turn, Shane loses his hotel due to a fire, Jonathan is out to take Harte"s away from Paula. Very good read, recommend reading the book to the end.
Read
February 11, 2017LOVE THE ENTIRE SERIES
March 17, 2016
This is a continuation of the Emma Harte saga. Emma Harte was the matriarch of a large family
and she amassed a huge fortune with many companies including several upscale department
stores. When she passed away she gave her many grandchildren the companies she thought they
could manage. This book covers many of the grandchildren but is predominately about her granddaughter Paula who inherited the Harte Department stores and took the place of her grandmother as overseer of Emma's empire. Its a story of love, greed, tragedy, family loyalty and
success. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.
and she amassed a huge fortune with many companies including several upscale department
stores. When she passed away she gave her many grandchildren the companies she thought they
could manage. This book covers many of the grandchildren but is predominately about her granddaughter Paula who inherited the Harte Department stores and took the place of her grandmother as overseer of Emma's empire. Its a story of love, greed, tragedy, family loyalty and
success. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.
February 20, 2019
That was a weird read.
It has been at least five years since I read the book before this one on the series, and in the beginning I thought that was the reason why I was finding everything so strange. But it's not that.
I feel like this book is in a very different writing style, with a lot of time jumps and tangled plot lines.
It was hard to understand sometimes and I must say, the amount of ambiance descriptions drove me absolutely nuts. I was getting more and more irritated and had the put the book down sometimes, take some deep breaths, and try to focus before move on.The first two on the series are among my favorites books and I really hope that the next one follow more on that line!
It has been at least five years since I read the book before this one on the series, and in the beginning I thought that was the reason why I was finding everything so strange. But it's not that.
I feel like this book is in a very different writing style, with a lot of time jumps and tangled plot lines.
It was hard to understand sometimes and I must say, the amount of ambiance descriptions drove me absolutely nuts. I was getting more and more irritated and had the put the book down sometimes, take some deep breaths, and try to focus before move on.The first two on the series are among my favorites books and I really hope that the next one follow more on that line!
Read
December 4, 2023Sometime in the 80s I read A Woman of Substance, and I recall enjoying it a great deal. I think I hadn't read many sweeping sagas like that at the time.
Since then I've read a few more with uneven results. This one seemed to rack up the bad luck with tragedies right, left and center. Paula's ostrich policy for dealing with her cousins leads to what one might expect - surprising for such a savvy business woman who can do no wrong. This being said there's a lot of loud foreshadowing, so much is announced well in advance.
It seems I still have a book in the series on my TBR (which these days means in one of the many packing boxes stored since our move back to France).
Since then I've read a few more with uneven results. This one seemed to rack up the bad luck with tragedies right, left and center. Paula's ostrich policy for dealing with her cousins leads to what one might expect - surprising for such a savvy business woman who can do no wrong. This being said there's a lot of loud foreshadowing, so much is announced well in advance.
It seems I still have a book in the series on my TBR (which these days means in one of the many packing boxes stored since our move back to France).
September 12, 2021
The book plot was thin. Being a third installment in a series, I couldn't grasp the references to the earlier works, which undoubtedly the fans enjoyed. I also found descriptions overzealous and somewhat cheesy but again, I understand why women who love fashion and style would appreciate that. Notwithstanding, the book picked up a little in the end.
I would still want to read the first book...and experience the formidable Emma Harte first hand.
I would still want to read the first book...and experience the formidable Emma Harte first hand.
January 17, 2024
Confession: I gave up halfway through. The epic story of Emma Harte and her endless determination in A Woman of Substance (book 1) became boring and jet setting by the time we get to the feuding grandkids in To Be the Best (book 3). Paula, Emma’s grandchild and heir to Emma’s self made fortune is the most likable of the bunch, but even she’s a pale shadow of the real thing. I’ll give the other several books a go, but this one wasn’t for me.
June 16, 2009
Although this book is in the middle of the saga series, this is a great historical romance and family saga, when cousin marries cousins, all heirs in a family business. I'm also reading Hold the Dream, that I'll finish this weekend and will start Unexpected Blessings this weekend. I'll read the rest in between next year. This has lots of drama, passion and intrigue.
July 26, 2010
Third in the 'Woman of Substance' series. No doubt urged by the publishers, but little to say. A book of little substance, other than ultra-dull flashbacks to the previous novels. Fast-paced (if one skips the flashbacks) with characters who are flat and lacking emotion, just hard-headed and ambitious. The ending was better than the rest of the book, hence two stars rather than one.
August 23, 2011
I really liked this one that centered around Philip and his new wife. As well as Paula and Shane. I was sorry to see that Sandy (Alexander passed away). Glad to have an end to the murder that took place in Ireland though.
September 23, 2014
I'm sorta over the prolific abundance of detail in Bradford's writing and the romance novel genre but continue to be interested in the characters and how Emma's extended family continues her legacy. Light entertaining fast reads. On to #4 in the saga.
April 21, 2021
What a shock after enjoying the first two novels in this Emma Harte series. Pretentious, name dropping beyond belief, instructive in the most demeaning manner and without a stitch of an interesting plot. I tried twice to get into this book and gave up. Gag me.
January 27, 2024
Most of the book brought you up to date on all of the family member. There were 3 generation and lots of children and all the events in their lives. the last 100 pages we fun and the ending was one you were hoping for.
August 29, 2017
Could not hold my interest
September 9, 2017
I read this and the two proceeding books because i actually bought the fourth book not knowing it was a series. This book is really just ok. It's a little bit predictable and cheesy.
October 15, 2021
One of my first ‘grown up’ books when I was possibly anything but!
May 3, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it has been well written l am slowly reading them all and so far enjoyed this one the best
June 5, 2025
Some repetitive and overly convoluted bits. But ultimately continues the story beautifully.
February 24, 2023
It's a welcome joy to be back with the family of Emma Harte.
This books takes place eleven years after Emma's death. It focuses mainly on the power hitters of the grandchildren.
There is a lot of tragedy in this book which was extremely sad for me as I've come to love almost all of these characters. But throughout all these tragedies they all still stand strong within their family and their businesses. It was easily predictable to see which characters were going to experience these tragedies and I had hoped as I kept reading that I would be wrong.
There's one business venture that I was scared to know how it would turn out because it had the potential for a huge downfall.
Once again Barbara Taylor Bradford got me with this story. There was so much sadness but there was also immense joy for some. One character came back and I'm glad to their life beginning to crumble. I can't wait to start the next book so I can find out what happens. Excellent and enjoyable read.
This books takes place eleven years after Emma's death. It focuses mainly on the power hitters of the grandchildren.
There is a lot of tragedy in this book which was extremely sad for me as I've come to love almost all of these characters. But throughout all these tragedies they all still stand strong within their family and their businesses. It was easily predictable to see which characters were going to experience these tragedies and I had hoped as I kept reading that I would be wrong.
There's one business venture that I was scared to know how it would turn out because it had the potential for a huge downfall.
Once again Barbara Taylor Bradford got me with this story. There was so much sadness but there was also immense joy for some. One character came back and I'm glad to their life beginning to crumble. I can't wait to start the next book so I can find out what happens. Excellent and enjoyable read.
November 22, 2024
OMG what a dreadful book ...I have reached the halfway mark and am giving up!
There is zero of anything interesting in this book ...boring characters boring endless inane narrative descriptions of emotions clothing food scenery. Nothing actually happens ...there is no plot!
This is number three of Bradford's A Woman of Substance series. I read the original Woman of Substance about a year ago and loved it. Such a great story. Can't believe this is written by the same author. I read more of this drivel that I should have as I just expected something interesting would happen . Halfway through not one interesting thing has happened!
Avoid this novel at all costs! I have a few more novels by this author in my bookcase I think I will chuck them away!
There is zero of anything interesting in this book ...boring characters boring endless inane narrative descriptions of emotions clothing food scenery. Nothing actually happens ...there is no plot!
This is number three of Bradford's A Woman of Substance series. I read the original Woman of Substance about a year ago and loved it. Such a great story. Can't believe this is written by the same author. I read more of this drivel that I should have as I just expected something interesting would happen . Halfway through not one interesting thing has happened!
Avoid this novel at all costs! I have a few more novels by this author in my bookcase I think I will chuck them away!
July 22, 2021
To Be The Best, the third book in the Emma Harte saga continues with the trials and triumphs of Paula Fairley, now married to her cousin, Shane O'Neill. Barbara Taylor Bradford paints a colorful tapestry of the very rich, as Paula and her cousins jet around the world looking after their conglomerates and enjoying the rewards of the very wealthy. The characters in this saga are so vibrant and personable; I feel like they are old friends, and I'm experiencing their joys and heartaches with them; I always have a Kleenex box handy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews