Book Review: The Laird Who Loved Me

Title: The Laird Who Loved Me
Author: Karen Hawkins
Series: MacLean Curse - Book #5
Publisher: Pocket Books
Release Date: August 25th 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4165-6026-5
Source: Owned (Paperback)
Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis
Handsome Alexander MacLean enjoyed his intoxicating flirtation with lovely Caitlyn Hurst...until she embarrassed him in front of the entire ton. Orchestrating Caitlyn's attendance at a fashionable house party, Alexander plots her downfall. But to his fury, her charm and wit thwart his plan to ruin her.

Her disastrous London season left Caitlyn filled with regret and determined to make things right with Alexander. She's delighted to find him at the house party to which she's unexpectedly invited - but it's clear that the sexy, arrogant Highlander hasn't forgiven her. So Caitlyn comes up with a bold scheme, proposing an unusual contest drawn from legend: each must complete a set of "mythic" tasks. If Caitlyn succeeds, Alexander promises to relent and forgive her previous rash behavior; if he succeeds she will join him in his bed! But can Caitlyn force Alexander to give up his quest for vengeance without giving up her heart in return?

 

My Thoughts

 

I absolutely love a good romance book and historical romance books at that and this book was no exception. I usually use a book in this genre as a pick me up after a really crappy day...or week and this book served it's purpose. I spent a matter of hours reading it, and the book left me in aura of belief that something like that could actually be out there.

 

The book was absolutely hilarious, the character's crazy antics were one that I haven't had the pleasure of reading about. Although this book is part of a series (number 5) this was the first of the series that I've read and I found that I don't really need to read the other ones to know what was going on previously. The novel hinted with the tale of the curse and mentioned small pieces of his families history but not enough to leave you clueless. The author gave you enough to get you through the book as a stand alone than leaving you clueless to read the series from the beginning.

 

I loved Caitlyn but I didn't like how all the men were attracted to her, really can anyone have that much charisma that they attract an entire room full of men? I liked her personality and spirit, how she never gave up and always was looking to prove people (Alexander) wrong. I didn't like Georgianna, But I felt like she didn't get a finish, unless I missed something. Sure she had a hand in the fight between Alexander and Dervishton over Caitlyn but was that it? yes she made Caitlyn feel two inches tall the night she left but Georgianna wanted to ruin Caitlyn and never missed an opportunity to nitpick about her and gossip - it felt like by the end of the book she didn't really try hard enough. I mean don't get me wrong I wanted Caitlyn to come out on top in the first place but after how nasty Georgianna was and wanting to go after Caitlyn because she was in love with Alexander it would have been nice to see Caitlyn knock her down a few pegs, if she had tried to ruin her like she had expressed.

 

I'm very glad that Alexander came back in the end because after everything they put each other through they really did deserve their happy ever after together. I even actually shed some tears at the end.

 

The end of the book hinted maybe abouther book with the next generation? Caitlyn and Alexander's Children, I think I would definitely read the rest of the series from start to finish.     

 

My Rating: 4.5/5

 

Goodreads: The Laird Who Loved Me

Author's Website: Karen Hawkins   



Book Review - Safe Haven

Title: Safe Haven
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Series:
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Release Date: September 14th 2010
ISBN: 978-0-446-54759
Source: Owned (Paperback)
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draw her into two reluctant relationships: one with her plainspoken neighbor, Jo; and another with Alex, a widowed store owner with two young children. Katie slowly begins to relax her guard, putting down roots in the community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.
But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts her. With Jo's support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards...and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

My Review

First off I have to say that I did see the movie, way before I got a chance to pick the book up and finally read it. With that being said like most instances books are way better than the movies and well this novel was no exception. It was definitely way better than the movie and I only wish now that I had gotten a chance to read the novel before hand.

This book was hard to put down and even when I had to put it down it was never far from reach. I liked the characters from the beginning with the exception of Kevin; Katie's husband. But who would like a man like that, character or not. The characters were relatively easy to relate to in their everyday lives. I could feel the fear that Katie felt with the way the author put it all into words. Spark's painted a setting that I could easily see the characters in. It was like watching a movie, a fantastic movie. The plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat and it was interesting to see gradually mentally insane Kevin got as the story unfolded, while the opposite happened to Katie, it was like they switched roles.

I'd have to say that out of the whole novel my favorite character was Jo, the spirit of Alex's deceased wife. I loved her personality and the way she helped Katie realize that she doesn't need to keep hiding in fear. It was very interesting in the end to know that she had all along just been a figment of Katie's imagination and it wasn't until the end that Katie put all the pieces together and realized it when she read the letter.

My Rating: 5/5

Goodreads: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Author's Website: Nicholas Sparks