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The Enchantment
Emmaline Harris is a beautiful and brilliant Wall Street financier in the nineteenth century - until the crash of 1893 wipes her out completely. Without friends, family, or money, she takes a risk and joins Dr. Larence Digby in his search for the treasure-filled lost city of Cibola. Emmaline is used to getting her own way, but Larence has ideas of his own. Chasing impossible dreams, Larence is pursued by a deep secret that he has shared with no one. And Emmaline is contemptuous of Larence's ideals, despising the man for revealing her weakness. Somehow, in a world of enchantment, each will have to learn to believe - to trust the other with their lives, their secrets, and their hearts.
404 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1992
20 people are currently reading
13898 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Hannah
142 books290k followersKristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People's Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. In 2018,
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
October 18, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
September 16, 2019
2,5 Stars
An unusual historical romance taking place between 1893 Gilded Age New York and the wilds of New Mexico, where the protagonists embark on an archaeological quest to discover a lost magical city.
The originality of having a hardened and experienced heroine paired with an inexperienced and dreamy hero made for a nice and refreshing change within the genre, though while I appreciated the smooth writing and the imaginative plot, I instead found the narration quite repetitious most of the time, especially in the central section and in the dialogues, and thought that the emotional connection between the leads was somehow subdued and didn’t always leap from the pages. I for once didn’t mind the unexpected supernatural undertones (which I usually don’t care for) as I thought they suited the plot revolving around the folklore and myths surrounding their expedition, but if averagely enjoyable, the story as a whole wasn’t able to inspire more than a mild interest in me.
March 9, 2011
This was a very atypical romance. Larence is not the alpha male, brash, arrogant, brawny type hero. He's a virginal nerd who has a bad limp. I loved him to death. He was the most wonderful man who believed in dreams and had his head in the clouds. He had a heart as big as Texas, which he did a terrible job of protecting. He was brilliant and cerebral, and had the traits of those kinds of people, being somewhat forgetful and oblivious at times. He was so adorable to me.
He was the only man who could have cracked the shell that hard as nails Emmaline had around her heart. She grew up poor and would do just about anything to prevent going back to that. She had no problem sleeping with men if that would advance her career endeavors. She would sleep with business clients to get secrets she could use to make more money on the stock market. Although she wasn't what you'd consider a typical woman for the Victorian period, she was realistic to me. There have always been women who lived outside of the expectations that were established for them in society. I didn't want to like her for the above reasons, but she grew on me. I fell in love with her because Larence fell for her.
This unlikely couple go out into the New Mexico wilderness to search for the famed city of Cibola. I love those kinds of stories, and teamed with this beautiful love story, this book was irresistible for me.
If you like atypical heroes and heroines, and can enjoy a beta hero who wears his heart on his sleeve and doesn't let go of his dreams, you'll love The Enchantment.
He was the only man who could have cracked the shell that hard as nails Emmaline had around her heart. She grew up poor and would do just about anything to prevent going back to that. She had no problem sleeping with men if that would advance her career endeavors. She would sleep with business clients to get secrets she could use to make more money on the stock market. Although she wasn't what you'd consider a typical woman for the Victorian period, she was realistic to me. There have always been women who lived outside of the expectations that were established for them in society. I didn't want to like her for the above reasons, but she grew on me. I fell in love with her because Larence fell for her.
This unlikely couple go out into the New Mexico wilderness to search for the famed city of Cibola. I love those kinds of stories, and teamed with this beautiful love story, this book was irresistible for me.
If you like atypical heroes and heroines, and can enjoy a beta hero who wears his heart on his sleeve and doesn't let go of his dreams, you'll love The Enchantment.
July 15, 2015
The Enchantment by Kristin Hannah is a story of two broken people on a quest of treasure and romance. Emmaline Hatter, aka the Mad Hatter of Wall Street, has lost everything in the economic crash of 1893. Larence Digby, a crippled professor at Columbia University, has dreamed his entire life of finding the lost Native American city of Cibola. Before the economic crash, Emmaline donated $10,000 to Larence's expedition as an owed favor to a mutual friend. Realizing that this already funded expedition is all she has left, Emmaline sets out on the journey with Larence through the desert of New Mexico in search of this lost city that will, if found, restore all of her fortune and then some. To Larence, this expedition is his life's work; the treasures he hopes to find there represent more than simple monetary value and he is determine to convince Emmaline of this before they reach the city he is confident he can find.
Pros:
• I was very impressed that Kristin Hannah could make what would seem like a very boring trip through the desert interesting. The story never dragged and kept me turning page after page.
• Both main characters were very complex with multiple layers of hurt and mistrust they had to help each other dig their way out from.
• The emotions, for the most part, felt very real.
Cons:
• Normally having a story told from two points of view isn't a problem; however, in this book Kristin Hannah hops back and forth from paragraph to paragraph without some type of break between the two perspectives. It was a little confusing at first and simply annoying after I got used to it.
• I was really loving this story and thinking that I would end up giving it a 4 or 5 star rating. Then, about 2/3 of the way in it turned away from the great adventure and into more of a Harlequin romance novel. It crashed and burned pretty quickly for me after that.
Pros:
• I was very impressed that Kristin Hannah could make what would seem like a very boring trip through the desert interesting. The story never dragged and kept me turning page after page.
• Both main characters were very complex with multiple layers of hurt and mistrust they had to help each other dig their way out from.
• The emotions, for the most part, felt very real.
Cons:
• Normally having a story told from two points of view isn't a problem; however, in this book Kristin Hannah hops back and forth from paragraph to paragraph without some type of break between the two perspectives. It was a little confusing at first and simply annoying after I got used to it.
• I was really loving this story and thinking that I would end up giving it a 4 or 5 star rating. Then, about 2/3 of the way in it turned away from the great adventure and into more of a Harlequin romance novel. It crashed and burned pretty quickly for me after that.
October 14, 2022
The Enchantment is an adventure with humor. As Emma and Larence seek to find a lost city of gold in New Mexico. Larence what to make history and Emma wants the gold. There is some resistance involved by those who seek to protect the secrets of the city. Of course, a love interest develops between Emma and Larence and there are some steamy scenes between them. One of here better early books.
April 3, 2011
4.5 stars
Don’t judge this book by its cover!
Underneath what is undeniably a bland and uninspiring cover lies a wonderfully different and utterly enjoyable romance. The Enchantment is unlike any romance I have read to date, with its cover to cover adventure, bumbling but wonderful beta hero, historical New Mexico setting and Native American legend. I really enjoyed it.
This is not a book that has garnered much attention here on Goodreads, and that’s such a shame, because it really is worth reading. Were it not for Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress"’s wonderful and appealing review, I would likely never have discovered it myself, and I’m so glad I did (thanks so much, Danielle!).
Dr. Larence Digby’s dream has always been to locate the lost city of Cibola, and he believes he has the information necessary to find the legendary hidden city - he just needs financial backing. When a mutual friend arranges the professor’s introduction at a gathering of possible benefactors, he is not altogether surprised to find the door slammed in his face. Larence has always had trouble understanding society’s rules.
Wall Street financier Emmaline Harris is having a bad night. Forced into hosting this fundraising party and with the butler a no-show, she opens the door to an idiot who proceeds to drench her, ruin her Aubusson rug and break her Meissen vase. If that’s not bad enough, she discovers that the ‘idiot’ she expelled from her home is none other than the guest of honour.
Dr. Digby is determined not to let the misunderstanding affect his presentation to the guests. This is the moment he has been working towards for half his life, and it is essential he make a good impression and gain backing for his dream to finally become a reality. When he faces the room after finishing his presentation to find every single guest asleep, Larence is devastated to realise he’s blown his one chance.
On waking, Emmaline, never one to admit defeat, is determined to turn the disaster into a success and funds Dr. Digby’s expedition herself, handing him a cheque for $10,000. Little does she know that this investment is all she will have to cling to when the stock market crashes and Emmaline loses everything.
With the money already spent, Emmaline has no alternative but to join Larence on his quest in the hopes of discovering the treasure-filled city so that she may rebuild her financial security. With Emma indignantly stuck on the back of a donkey, they begin a perilous journey through the New Mexican desert and these most unlikely partners gradually realise each other’s value.
The Enchantment makes wonderful use of humour and also vividly depicts their travails across the desert, where they encounter danger in the face of isolation, sandstorms and Indians who are determined to protect the mythical, magical Cibola. This is one of the best adventure romances I have had the pleasure of reading.
Emmaline is a prickly and unlikeable character, but the author does a wonderful job of stripping away her defences as she faces unimaginable conditions, and making her a sympathetic character the reader will come to love – something that seems very unlikely at the start of the journey.
Larence starts off as something of a caricature, but the author settles into his characterisation and he becomes wonderful leading man. Although he is the farthest thing from an alpha male you are likely to find, he becomes a hero in his own right and I absolutely adored his character.
The love story is believable and touching, as these two opposites find something in the other that has been missing for all their life. Their HEA seems destined to remain out of reach as both Emma and Larence are unable to compromise on their very different values and ideals, and they will have you on the edge of your seat to the very end.
If you like adventure with your romance, an endearing beta hero, unusual locations, or are just in the mood for something different, you should definitely give The Enchantment a try – it has something for everyone and is a wonderful book.
Don’t judge this book by its cover!
Underneath what is undeniably a bland and uninspiring cover lies a wonderfully different and utterly enjoyable romance. The Enchantment is unlike any romance I have read to date, with its cover to cover adventure, bumbling but wonderful beta hero, historical New Mexico setting and Native American legend. I really enjoyed it.
This is not a book that has garnered much attention here on Goodreads, and that’s such a shame, because it really is worth reading. Were it not for Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress"’s wonderful and appealing review, I would likely never have discovered it myself, and I’m so glad I did (thanks so much, Danielle!).
Dr. Larence Digby’s dream has always been to locate the lost city of Cibola, and he believes he has the information necessary to find the legendary hidden city - he just needs financial backing. When a mutual friend arranges the professor’s introduction at a gathering of possible benefactors, he is not altogether surprised to find the door slammed in his face. Larence has always had trouble understanding society’s rules.
Wall Street financier Emmaline Harris is having a bad night. Forced into hosting this fundraising party and with the butler a no-show, she opens the door to an idiot who proceeds to drench her, ruin her Aubusson rug and break her Meissen vase. If that’s not bad enough, she discovers that the ‘idiot’ she expelled from her home is none other than the guest of honour.
Dr. Digby is determined not to let the misunderstanding affect his presentation to the guests. This is the moment he has been working towards for half his life, and it is essential he make a good impression and gain backing for his dream to finally become a reality. When he faces the room after finishing his presentation to find every single guest asleep, Larence is devastated to realise he’s blown his one chance.
On waking, Emmaline, never one to admit defeat, is determined to turn the disaster into a success and funds Dr. Digby’s expedition herself, handing him a cheque for $10,000. Little does she know that this investment is all she will have to cling to when the stock market crashes and Emmaline loses everything.
With the money already spent, Emmaline has no alternative but to join Larence on his quest in the hopes of discovering the treasure-filled city so that she may rebuild her financial security. With Emma indignantly stuck on the back of a donkey, they begin a perilous journey through the New Mexican desert and these most unlikely partners gradually realise each other’s value.
The Enchantment makes wonderful use of humour and also vividly depicts their travails across the desert, where they encounter danger in the face of isolation, sandstorms and Indians who are determined to protect the mythical, magical Cibola. This is one of the best adventure romances I have had the pleasure of reading.
Emmaline is a prickly and unlikeable character, but the author does a wonderful job of stripping away her defences as she faces unimaginable conditions, and making her a sympathetic character the reader will come to love – something that seems very unlikely at the start of the journey.
Larence starts off as something of a caricature, but the author settles into his characterisation and he becomes wonderful leading man. Although he is the farthest thing from an alpha male you are likely to find, he becomes a hero in his own right and I absolutely adored his character.
The love story is believable and touching, as these two opposites find something in the other that has been missing for all their life. Their HEA seems destined to remain out of reach as both Emma and Larence are unable to compromise on their very different values and ideals, and they will have you on the edge of your seat to the very end.
If you like adventure with your romance, an endearing beta hero, unusual locations, or are just in the mood for something different, you should definitely give The Enchantment a try – it has something for everyone and is a wonderful book.
May 20, 2022
I love Kristin Hannah's writing but this one was not for me. I struggled through it but wouldn't recommend it to anyone that loves her later writing. It didn't even seem like it was written by the same person.
August 26, 2021
So my goal is to read everything Kristin Hannah wrote. However, starting from her first book, A HANDFUL OF HEAVEN, wasn't possible. The cheapest copy available on Amazon is almost $70. My husband collects books and he hasn't found it much cheaper anywhere else. So. . . on to book #2, THE ENCHANTMENT.
Her style has evolved, but it's evident this is Kristin Hannah from the get-go. She has the deep characters and phenomenal settings, as always. It's a little heavier on the side-stories than her writing has now, but even that is classic Hannah.
Wall-street maven Emmaline has just gone bust. Her hard-earned journey out of poverty just came to an abrupt end when the market takes a downturn in 1893. (Who even knew there was a crash in 1893?) One of her last acts as a rich women was to fund a research excursion to New Mexico for Larence Digby, a intelligent, but folly-filled scientist at Columbia University who believes in a city of gold hidden for centuries in the mesa-strewn landscape. When hard times hit Emma, she decides to recoup what she can from his expedition.
A long and arduous trip across the unforgiving landscape by two unlikely companions starts out badly and goes downhill from there. It's a trip that tests both their mettle, but mostly Emma's, since she isn't looking at the world through rose-colored glasses like the fanciful Larence. (Yes, it's really spelled that way.)
How the journey unravels both travelers gives insight into both their pasts, neither good, and their compensations for said pasts. His was to take the high road. Hers to take the one with the most money.
I won't spoil the ending, but I thought it was well worth the read. Of course, Hannah adds lots of time-sensitive details about clothing, plants, and culture that enrich the story to my mind.
I had a hard time acquiring this book as well, but if you can get it, it's worth the bucks to see the near-beginning of an illustrious writer's career.
Her style has evolved, but it's evident this is Kristin Hannah from the get-go. She has the deep characters and phenomenal settings, as always. It's a little heavier on the side-stories than her writing has now, but even that is classic Hannah.
Wall-street maven Emmaline has just gone bust. Her hard-earned journey out of poverty just came to an abrupt end when the market takes a downturn in 1893. (Who even knew there was a crash in 1893?) One of her last acts as a rich women was to fund a research excursion to New Mexico for Larence Digby, a intelligent, but folly-filled scientist at Columbia University who believes in a city of gold hidden for centuries in the mesa-strewn landscape. When hard times hit Emma, she decides to recoup what she can from his expedition.
A long and arduous trip across the unforgiving landscape by two unlikely companions starts out badly and goes downhill from there. It's a trip that tests both their mettle, but mostly Emma's, since she isn't looking at the world through rose-colored glasses like the fanciful Larence. (Yes, it's really spelled that way.)
How the journey unravels both travelers gives insight into both their pasts, neither good, and their compensations for said pasts. His was to take the high road. Hers to take the one with the most money.
I won't spoil the ending, but I thought it was well worth the read. Of course, Hannah adds lots of time-sensitive details about clothing, plants, and culture that enrich the story to my mind.
I had a hard time acquiring this book as well, but if you can get it, it's worth the bucks to see the near-beginning of an illustrious writer's career.
October 19, 2012
Wow... Such a beautiful story.
I know a lot of people didn't like the heroine. But as imperfect as she may be, she had, honest to God, good reasons for them.
So no I didn't hate her. I felt sorry for the woman who grew up bitter because of the hand life had dealt her. She stood up on her own two feet, without anyone's help, and by God, she was entitled to her bitterness, and her belief that money solved everything. Love hadn't saved her, but her practicality had. Her coldness, her cunningness is the only way she knew how to survive. She only had money to save her, and so while she may have known the hero for a couple of weeks, a life time of belief can't be overturned. So maybe the sweet virginal hero shouldn't have had to put up with her, but he did, the gorgeous, sweet man did, and he was the only one who could have helped her. With his smiles and laughter, and childish joy for life.
So just to repeat myself, it was a beautiful story. But it probably isn't for everyone.
I know a lot of people didn't like the heroine. But as imperfect as she may be, she had, honest to God, good reasons for them.
So no I didn't hate her. I felt sorry for the woman who grew up bitter because of the hand life had dealt her. She stood up on her own two feet, without anyone's help, and by God, she was entitled to her bitterness, and her belief that money solved everything. Love hadn't saved her, but her practicality had. Her coldness, her cunningness is the only way she knew how to survive. She only had money to save her, and so while she may have known the hero for a couple of weeks, a life time of belief can't be overturned. So maybe the sweet virginal hero shouldn't have had to put up with her, but he did, the gorgeous, sweet man did, and he was the only one who could have helped her. With his smiles and laughter, and childish joy for life.
So just to repeat myself, it was a beautiful story. But it probably isn't for everyone.
August 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It is what I call a "virgin and hunk" book except the guy is the virgin in this book. Take a wealthy snobby self centered woman and a nurdy college professor and see what happens as she goes with him to fulfill his dream. There are part that are funny, sad and "hot". This is Kristin Hannah's second book. I would say it is a great story of self reflection and discovery. What would you do for true love?
October 5, 2024
What to expect in this book:
-Unlikely heroes
-Historical romance
-1890s setting
-Hardened heroine and dreamy hero
-Gilded age of New York
-Adventurous
Thoughts
This is my 23rd book by Kristin Hannah and one that is no longer in print. Thank you to my sweet friend @bookedoutmaria for gifting this to me! As the second of Kristin Hannah's books, this is a historical romance that takes place in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Emmaline Hatter is a Wall Street financier and has made quite a name for herself, until she becomes desolate. In an effort to save herself from poverty, she follows the only investment she has left, Professor Larence Digby on his quest to find the lost city of Cibola. While Larence is full of dreams, Emma seems to only dream of money and security. The two must come together to survive in the deserts of New Mexico to search for this place of enchantment. But can Emma let Larence in? And can Larence learn to trust that Emma will not leave?
Despite this being the most heinous book cover I have ever seen (I hate historical romance covers--so cringey!) this book ended up being much more delightful than I would have imagined. I really enjoyed the role reversal with Emma being a powerful woman of her time period and Larence being a weaker or beta male. While I am not usually a fan of adventurous books, this reminded me a little bit of the story line of Outerbanks, but in a 1990s told romance novel. I found myself rooted for the characters and despite needed suspension of belief toward the end did really enjoy this book.
Comparatively, her older books will never be as good as the newer contemporary and historical fiction novels, but I am continually amazed at Kristin Hannah's ability to write a female protagonist and can definitely say that she has only improved with time. I cannot believe I only have one book left of hers to read that is still in print! As always, if KH is a new to you author, my favorites are The Nightingale, Firefly Lane, and The Women.
-Unlikely heroes
-Historical romance
-1890s setting
-Hardened heroine and dreamy hero
-Gilded age of New York
-Adventurous
Thoughts
This is my 23rd book by Kristin Hannah and one that is no longer in print. Thank you to my sweet friend @bookedoutmaria for gifting this to me! As the second of Kristin Hannah's books, this is a historical romance that takes place in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Emmaline Hatter is a Wall Street financier and has made quite a name for herself, until she becomes desolate. In an effort to save herself from poverty, she follows the only investment she has left, Professor Larence Digby on his quest to find the lost city of Cibola. While Larence is full of dreams, Emma seems to only dream of money and security. The two must come together to survive in the deserts of New Mexico to search for this place of enchantment. But can Emma let Larence in? And can Larence learn to trust that Emma will not leave?
Despite this being the most heinous book cover I have ever seen (I hate historical romance covers--so cringey!) this book ended up being much more delightful than I would have imagined. I really enjoyed the role reversal with Emma being a powerful woman of her time period and Larence being a weaker or beta male. While I am not usually a fan of adventurous books, this reminded me a little bit of the story line of Outerbanks, but in a 1990s told romance novel. I found myself rooted for the characters and despite needed suspension of belief toward the end did really enjoy this book.
Comparatively, her older books will never be as good as the newer contemporary and historical fiction novels, but I am continually amazed at Kristin Hannah's ability to write a female protagonist and can definitely say that she has only improved with time. I cannot believe I only have one book left of hers to read that is still in print! As always, if KH is a new to you author, my favorites are The Nightingale, Firefly Lane, and The Women.
May 31, 2019
Not my usual genre of choice. Read for an Alphabet reading challenge for a Title starting with E. I don’t count The or A at the start of titles. Also fits in the category for New Mexico in my Read around the States reading challenge. I have read Kristin Hannah before but this is one of her earlier novels. It had a good storyline, Emmaline Hunter was the Mad Hatter of Wall Street, New York, an investment banker in the late 1800s. She invested in Dr Digby to find the Lost city of Cibola, just before the stock market crashed. Left penny less, she decides to accompany him on the expedition in order to bring back some treasure and start her fortune all over again. The pair travel by train and horseback to try and find the Lost city.
February 17, 2023
The moment she saw her father dead on the kitchen table was the day the little girl in the heroine died. She and her mother were forced onto the streets where the cold and the hunger nearly killed the heroine and was the death of her mother. She's vowed to never feel that weak and vulnerable again. The heroine now is a cold, ruthless and selfish woman who thinks of nothing by numbers and wealth. Everything is a business transaction, something bought and sold and her life has no room for stupidity like love. It's only when she's called in for a favor that she even entertains the hero in her home and from that first meeting she came away with the fact that he was a stupid, slop with no respectability. He rambles his way through a presentable to attract funds for his expedition but at the end of it, only the heroine is awake. She gives him his 10 thousand dollars in exchange for half of the treasures he finds. He baulks at the notion that she will own history but foolish man seemed to think she will change her mind. It's the very next day that he world comes crashing down around her. Her stocks plummet, her debts are called in and she is broke. Her lover will not marry her because he thinks she is cold and heartless and she's given her last 10 thousand away to a fool. Now, she's determined to get it back.
The hero is not the typical adventurous type but all his life he'd dreamt of the magical lost city and in his heart he knows he's going to find it. Despite the crippling pain in his ankle, the fact he's a virgin and the fact that he's known no real affection in life since his parents died, he is at heart a very chipper and happy go lucky man. He sees the positive in life and he takes the time to appreciate everything life has to offer. He knows the heroine is a little cold and unfeeling but he doesn't care. He treats her with the same enthusiasm as he treats everything and he's thrilled to death to share his adventure with someone, no matter how unenthusiastic she may be. Their journey starts off badly as he leaves her bags at the station. Then they only have one bed to share, then she realizes their trip into the desert does not come with a wagon or any creature comforts she had grown accustomed to. But despite her complaining there is only a few times when he puts his foot down and it's in those moments that he can see the vulnerability inside this beautiful woman. He can see something in her that he's felt all too keenly within himself-loneliness and fear. He comes to love her quite quickly and enjoy every moment with her by his side.
The heroine's life has turned to shit and she truly believes she is in hell. She begins to lose herself on the trail, the walls start to crumble even though she fights to keep them up. She comes to rely upon the hero who is so much more than an fool professor with a sickly attitude towards the happy. She comes to see him as a man and more, she sees him as a source of comfort and strength. The journey is hard and filled with peril but they have each other and when it comes time to venture into the magical city, they do so hand in hand. Within the walls of gold, the hero's limp disappears and the heroine's heart is filled with happiness and laughter. But there is still the problem of her lack of fortune. When he finds out she still means to take treasure from the sacred place, they argue and she leaves.... only to have the entrance seal behind her. Now they heroine must realize what is important in life else she lose the one person who means the world to her.
Oooooo, this was a good one. I could tell from the first chapter that this was going to be a winner and my golly I was not disappointed. The humor, the chemistry and the adventure swept me away into the magical quest and I only came up for air once it was finished. I will start with the hero because I can't tell you how much I loved this guy. He was not the alpha male. He was charmingly inept when it comes to social graces and everything he knows, he's learned from a book. He was endearing in his habit to ramble when the passion for history overtook him and his outlook on life was inspiring with it's positivity. He didn't let his crippled ankle get the best of him and he was determined to find the city of his dreams at any cost. But it was those moments of vulnerability that truly took my heart. He had his insecurities though I don't think the heroine saw them until he allowed her to see them. He lived with his protective grandmother who didn't think he could ever be normal and the pain in his ankle is constant but he was thirty for life. He's never been with a woman he doesn't think such a goddess like the heroine could ever look at him with anything but disgust. And at the beginning, she did. The heroine may have been cold and ruthless but you understood why she was how she was when she spoke about her past. She fought hard to get everything she has and now she's determined save herself again. She complained a lot on the journey but I- and the hero- found it funny most days. They have a chemistry and a connection that was beyond words and I adored their journey together. The way they learned to rely on one another and find comfort in the company of another human being. This book was heartwarming, funny and the plot was exciting and mysterious. I am in love with this book and if you like great character development, old Indian magic and opposite attract love stories, you will love this book too.
The hero is not the typical adventurous type but all his life he'd dreamt of the magical lost city and in his heart he knows he's going to find it. Despite the crippling pain in his ankle, the fact he's a virgin and the fact that he's known no real affection in life since his parents died, he is at heart a very chipper and happy go lucky man. He sees the positive in life and he takes the time to appreciate everything life has to offer. He knows the heroine is a little cold and unfeeling but he doesn't care. He treats her with the same enthusiasm as he treats everything and he's thrilled to death to share his adventure with someone, no matter how unenthusiastic she may be. Their journey starts off badly as he leaves her bags at the station. Then they only have one bed to share, then she realizes their trip into the desert does not come with a wagon or any creature comforts she had grown accustomed to. But despite her complaining there is only a few times when he puts his foot down and it's in those moments that he can see the vulnerability inside this beautiful woman. He can see something in her that he's felt all too keenly within himself-loneliness and fear. He comes to love her quite quickly and enjoy every moment with her by his side.
The heroine's life has turned to shit and she truly believes she is in hell. She begins to lose herself on the trail, the walls start to crumble even though she fights to keep them up. She comes to rely upon the hero who is so much more than an fool professor with a sickly attitude towards the happy. She comes to see him as a man and more, she sees him as a source of comfort and strength. The journey is hard and filled with peril but they have each other and when it comes time to venture into the magical city, they do so hand in hand. Within the walls of gold, the hero's limp disappears and the heroine's heart is filled with happiness and laughter. But there is still the problem of her lack of fortune. When he finds out she still means to take treasure from the sacred place, they argue and she leaves.... only to have the entrance seal behind her. Now they heroine must realize what is important in life else she lose the one person who means the world to her.
Oooooo, this was a good one. I could tell from the first chapter that this was going to be a winner and my golly I was not disappointed. The humor, the chemistry and the adventure swept me away into the magical quest and I only came up for air once it was finished. I will start with the hero because I can't tell you how much I loved this guy. He was not the alpha male. He was charmingly inept when it comes to social graces and everything he knows, he's learned from a book. He was endearing in his habit to ramble when the passion for history overtook him and his outlook on life was inspiring with it's positivity. He didn't let his crippled ankle get the best of him and he was determined to find the city of his dreams at any cost. But it was those moments of vulnerability that truly took my heart. He had his insecurities though I don't think the heroine saw them until he allowed her to see them. He lived with his protective grandmother who didn't think he could ever be normal and the pain in his ankle is constant but he was thirty for life. He's never been with a woman he doesn't think such a goddess like the heroine could ever look at him with anything but disgust. And at the beginning, she did. The heroine may have been cold and ruthless but you understood why she was how she was when she spoke about her past. She fought hard to get everything she has and now she's determined save herself again. She complained a lot on the journey but I- and the hero- found it funny most days. They have a chemistry and a connection that was beyond words and I adored their journey together. The way they learned to rely on one another and find comfort in the company of another human being. This book was heartwarming, funny and the plot was exciting and mysterious. I am in love with this book and if you like great character development, old Indian magic and opposite attract love stories, you will love this book too.
May 1, 2020
Although a bit predictable, especially toward the end, I really enjoyed this story!!
January 8, 2023
3.5 stars
October 11, 2022
Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors. This was one of her very first books, and it while it is an engaging and enjoyable story, it lacks the depth and complexity of her later works. I would give it 3.5 stars, if that were an option.
Emmaline Hatter is a cold, lonely, but very rich woman. Money is her security against the poverty she knew as a child in a NY tenement. Her mother died of illness when Emmaline was only 12 and was buried in a pauper's grave. Her father committed suicide soon after, on Christmas Day, leaving Emmaline to fend for herself. She trained herself to type and got a job in a brokerage company, working her way up the ladder and finding great financial success.
Unfortunately, the stock market crash of 1893 renders her penniless. Her only hope of recouping money to begin again lies in a donation she made to a starry eyed professor who claims to know the location of a lost city full of gold and treasure. When she goes to get her money back, it has all been spent to finance the expedition. Emma ends up going along with the handsome dreamer to find the lost city and retrieve her half of the gold.
The journey is filled with romance, adventure, mystery, and more than a little humor. There is also a clear moral to the story, as Emmaline struggles to break the walls she has built around her heart and discover what really matters in life.
Emmaline Hatter is a cold, lonely, but very rich woman. Money is her security against the poverty she knew as a child in a NY tenement. Her mother died of illness when Emmaline was only 12 and was buried in a pauper's grave. Her father committed suicide soon after, on Christmas Day, leaving Emmaline to fend for herself. She trained herself to type and got a job in a brokerage company, working her way up the ladder and finding great financial success.
Unfortunately, the stock market crash of 1893 renders her penniless. Her only hope of recouping money to begin again lies in a donation she made to a starry eyed professor who claims to know the location of a lost city full of gold and treasure. When she goes to get her money back, it has all been spent to finance the expedition. Emma ends up going along with the handsome dreamer to find the lost city and retrieve her half of the gold.
The journey is filled with romance, adventure, mystery, and more than a little humor. There is also a clear moral to the story, as Emmaline struggles to break the walls she has built around her heart and discover what really matters in life.
July 6, 2008
THE EHCHANTMENT - VG
Hannah, Kristin - Standalone
Emmaline Hatter was a beautiful, brilliant, and rich Wall Street financier in the nineteenth century until the crash of 1893 wiped her out completely. Desperate to recoup her losses, she joins Dr. Larence Digby in his search for the legendary lost city of Cibola, rumored to be rich in gold. Emmaline was used to getting her own way, but Larence was not about to give up control of his expedition to a woman. Somehow, in a world of enchantment, each would have to learn to believe -- to trust the other with their lives, their secrets, and their hearts...
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about a stock-market crash, a professor, a hidden city and that it's okay to feel.
Hannah, Kristin - Standalone
Emmaline Hatter was a beautiful, brilliant, and rich Wall Street financier in the nineteenth century until the crash of 1893 wiped her out completely. Desperate to recoup her losses, she joins Dr. Larence Digby in his search for the legendary lost city of Cibola, rumored to be rich in gold. Emmaline was used to getting her own way, but Larence was not about to give up control of his expedition to a woman. Somehow, in a world of enchantment, each would have to learn to believe -- to trust the other with their lives, their secrets, and their hearts...
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about a stock-market crash, a professor, a hidden city and that it's okay to feel.
July 8, 2019
I was so disappointed in this book. It started out very interesting, then turned into a harlequin romance, then just fizzled. Kristen Hannah is a wonderful storyteller, but this one didn’t cut it for me.
August 7, 2021
I'm guessing I chose this book after deciding to read Kristin Hannah's books in order, as I've done with other authors I've enjoyed reading. It started off well enough but devolved into a formulaic, cliché, bodice-ripper. Not for me.
November 29, 2021
I am a fan of Kristin Hannah, but Enchantment left me cold. I tried for two weeks to read it, but it just couldn't catch my interest. This is the first book in my memory that I did not finish. I am ashamed to admit it, but it's true. I hope it is me and than many of you enjoyed it.
May 2, 2011
Wow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82utG7...
Yes,the hero is so fluffy I could die!
Give him to me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82utG7...
Yes,the hero is so fluffy I could die!
Give him to me!
February 21, 2022
Not the best book you can tell it is from her early days of writing I really had a hard time getting into the book I am super glad her writing style has changed
January 28, 2023
“That which seeks to remain hidden will not be found…‘The real map is in here.’ He patted his heart.” Professor of history Dr. Larence Digby, “a lonely, inexperienced cripple, had fallen head over heels for a self-confident, independent, breathtakingly beautiful woman who had the face of a Madonna, the brain of a railroad tycoon, and the body of a high-priced whore.” But “nothing in his ivory-towered life had prepared him to assume the role of romantic hero…”
Wall Street financier Emmaline “Mad Hatter,” lost everything in the crash of 1893. “Had a vengeful God given her the moneyed life on Eighth Avenue, only to snatch the goodness away at the last moment and plunge her back into the coldest darkness she’d ever known?...It fit so well with her perception of the Almighty.” But when she meets Larence, she discovers that “God, in His infinite wisdom, had believed in her even when she’d stopped believing in Him. And He’d given her a second chance. For once, He’d answered her prayers.”
She marvels at the way Larence “refashioned his pain into something he could live with: a dream. From the darkness of despair, he’d found hope…he’d created it. Within himself…She’d discarded dreaming as a frivolous waste of time. But never once had she considered the price to her soul of such practicality…Maybe it was dreaming, and believing in dreams. That made life wonderful, instead of merely bearable.”
When confronted with the choice between love, money, and dreams, Emma and Larence discover, “It takes much gold to fill an empty soul. And only a drop of magic…Books invite us to other worlds, fuel our dreams, fill our senses.” Kristin Hannah’s The Enchantment is “Unbelievable. Unthinkable. Undeniable…Like a fire that starts as a single flame, the [story] took hold and built into a raging inferno of hope.”
Wall Street financier Emmaline “Mad Hatter,” lost everything in the crash of 1893. “Had a vengeful God given her the moneyed life on Eighth Avenue, only to snatch the goodness away at the last moment and plunge her back into the coldest darkness she’d ever known?...It fit so well with her perception of the Almighty.” But when she meets Larence, she discovers that “God, in His infinite wisdom, had believed in her even when she’d stopped believing in Him. And He’d given her a second chance. For once, He’d answered her prayers.”
She marvels at the way Larence “refashioned his pain into something he could live with: a dream. From the darkness of despair, he’d found hope…he’d created it. Within himself…She’d discarded dreaming as a frivolous waste of time. But never once had she considered the price to her soul of such practicality…Maybe it was dreaming, and believing in dreams. That made life wonderful, instead of merely bearable.”
When confronted with the choice between love, money, and dreams, Emma and Larence discover, “It takes much gold to fill an empty soul. And only a drop of magic…Books invite us to other worlds, fuel our dreams, fill our senses.” Kristin Hannah’s The Enchantment is “Unbelievable. Unthinkable. Undeniable…Like a fire that starts as a single flame, the [story] took hold and built into a raging inferno of hope.”
August 10, 2025
What does it take for a person to truly change?
The basic elements of this story are not terrible and create a pleasant-enough read. Emma invests in Dr. Larence Digby's vision quest to find the fabled, lost city of Cibola and, shortly thereafter, financial crisis turns her life upside down. She determines to rescind her investment, leading her to accompany Dr. Digby on his journey.
With considerable different backgrounds - and the fears, lifestyles and personalities curated by those differences - Emma and Digby don't agree on much with regard to life or the ideal outcome of their mission.
As expected, (this is a romance novel, after all) love seems to conquer all and, quite suddenly near the end of their journey, the two fall hopelessly in love...but there's ultimately trouble in paradise. (This is a romance novel, after all.)
The end of the story requires both characters to do some intense soul-searching and evaluate what is most important about their lives. Whether the outcome is acceptable, believable or contrived probably depends on how much you allow yourself to believe in love *and* magic.
I didn't love Emma's character. I can understand where a strong, independent (and sexually liberated!) woman would appeal to a late-20th century romance audience...but accepting all of these things from a woman in late-19th century America, roughly 25 years before women even had the right to *vote* in this country, made this more fairy tale than 'actually possible' for me.
The basic elements of this story are not terrible and create a pleasant-enough read. Emma invests in Dr. Larence Digby's vision quest to find the fabled, lost city of Cibola and, shortly thereafter, financial crisis turns her life upside down. She determines to rescind her investment, leading her to accompany Dr. Digby on his journey.
With considerable different backgrounds - and the fears, lifestyles and personalities curated by those differences - Emma and Digby don't agree on much with regard to life or the ideal outcome of their mission.
As expected, (this is a romance novel, after all) love seems to conquer all and, quite suddenly near the end of their journey, the two fall hopelessly in love...but there's ultimately trouble in paradise. (This is a romance novel, after all.)
The end of the story requires both characters to do some intense soul-searching and evaluate what is most important about their lives. Whether the outcome is acceptable, believable or contrived probably depends on how much you allow yourself to believe in love *and* magic.
I didn't love Emma's character. I can understand where a strong, independent (and sexually liberated!) woman would appeal to a late-20th century romance audience...but accepting all of these things from a woman in late-19th century America, roughly 25 years before women even had the right to *vote* in this country, made this more fairy tale than 'actually possible' for me.
September 23, 2023
I chose this book to read because I'd read and enjoyed a previous Kristin Hannah book and, also, the story line sounded interesting. There is a sort of Indiana Jones appeal to the book and the author actually has snakes in a threatening situation, with the main character saying, "Oh God, not snakes . . . " I had to give an eye roll to that little theft. The story of a professor's search for a long lost and forgotten aboriginal city of gold streets and silver-coated door frames is interesting enough, complete with deadly warnings by natives to stay away, pursue this at your own risk. His search is for the sake of discovery, preservation, and the pride of the descendents of the city's people in New Mexico. He is accompanied by the trip's patron, whose interests are monetary gain and ego satisfaction, directly in conflict with the professor's higher standards. I finished it for the sake of the quest. It is not well written, very repetitive of the characters' flaws and personal conflicts, and then it deteriorates into a completely unbelievable romance which takes up too much text with too little purpose to the telling of the story. Hannah can do better, so I was disappointed with this effort, and I don't recommend it unless you are a Harlequin fan.
August 11, 2023
3.6 stars. Fanciful and fun read. The heat and dryness is palpable. A few spots where the reader has to take a leap of faith. Like looking up in a novel how to rescue a kidnap victim (eye-roll). The kidnapping had me perplexed for much of the novel so it was dangling in my mind. The imminent danger was not there. The last 25 pages redeemed the whole book and drew it all together. The framework of her future epic novels is here with a little less angst over being unloved and deeper multi-dimensional characters to come in the future. The beauty of her writing is evident even this early in her career.
“…it takes much gold to fill an empty soul. And only a drop of magic.” (p380)
Book 2 on journey to read all of KH books from the beginning
“…it takes much gold to fill an empty soul. And only a drop of magic.” (p380)
Book 2 on journey to read all of KH books from the beginning
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2024
I am still on my quest to read all of Kristin Hannah’s backlist, thanks to the encouragement of @thebookclubmom. I now have two more titles plus her new book left.
I think I would categorize The Enchantment as Historical Romance. It takes place in 1893 when the stock market crashed and Emmaline Hatter, a Wall Street financier lost all her money. However, her last investment was in a professor and his search for the lost city of Cibola. The lost city is rumored to be somewhere in the desert of New Mexico and is filled with gold. Emmaline decides to go on the expedition to hopefully find gold and secure her financial future. However she has a major obstacle in her way, the enduring professor. This is a cute and very predictable enemies to lovers romance and I give it 🌵🌵🌵.
I think I would categorize The Enchantment as Historical Romance. It takes place in 1893 when the stock market crashed and Emmaline Hatter, a Wall Street financier lost all her money. However, her last investment was in a professor and his search for the lost city of Cibola. The lost city is rumored to be somewhere in the desert of New Mexico and is filled with gold. Emmaline decides to go on the expedition to hopefully find gold and secure her financial future. However she has a major obstacle in her way, the enduring professor. This is a cute and very predictable enemies to lovers romance and I give it 🌵🌵🌵.
April 1, 2024
This is an early book by this author. We're in NYC, 1893. Emmaline Hatter is a financial lady-(unusual for the times) and hosts a fundraiser as a favor to friend Michael Jameson, Pres. of Columbia College. Prof Larence Digby needs money for an expedition to find 7 lost cities of ancient Rome. He's a bit of an oddball and a cripple. He takes $10K from Emma and then the economy crashes and she's in a bad spot. So, she goes with Digby to try and get her money back. The story unfolds with the odd relationship between Digby and Emma. They trek to New Mexico and have to deal with Indians and snakes, etc. You can kind of figure out where the relationship is heading but at the end of the day, these 2 characters struggle from adverse childhood experiences, which we now call ACES.
June 24, 2023
Kristin Hannah has developed as a writer. This book is bullshit
Emmaline Hatter was a beautiful, brilliant, and rich Wall Street financier in the nineteenth century until the crash of 1893 wiped her out completely. Desperate to recoup her losses, she joins Dr. Larence Digby in his search for the legendary lost city of Cibola, rumored to be rich in gold. Emmaline was used to getting her own way, but Larence was not about to give up control of his expedition to a woman. Somehow, in a world of enchantment, each would have to learn to believe -- to trust the other with their lives, their secrets, and their hearts .
Emmaline Hatter was a beautiful, brilliant, and rich Wall Street financier in the nineteenth century until the crash of 1893 wiped her out completely. Desperate to recoup her losses, she joins Dr. Larence Digby in his search for the legendary lost city of Cibola, rumored to be rich in gold. Emmaline was used to getting her own way, but Larence was not about to give up control of his expedition to a woman. Somehow, in a world of enchantment, each would have to learn to believe -- to trust the other with their lives, their secrets, and their hearts .
November 5, 2024
It was okay. The writing did not read like other Kristan Hannah books I've read, it lacked interest and it just didn't keep me from not wanting to stop reading. The plot was kind of interesting and s
but about 3/4 of the way through there was lots of intimacy which afterawhile that got tedious itself. I was disappointed with this book but I know she has other books that are better than this so I will keep reading this author.
but about 3/4 of the way through there was lots of intimacy which afterawhile that got tedious itself. I was disappointed with this book but I know she has other books that are better than this so I will keep reading this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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