I gave this book 3 stars because I was really disappointed in the climax. I read like a crazy woman to get to the big confrontation and then it just ended. There really wasn't a "battle"

I would still recommend reading this book, many parts of it were very entertaining, just don't stay up till nearly dawn trying to get to the ending!

- out to the country with a looooonnnngggg walk home!

This was ABSOLUTELY the worst book I've ever read in my entire life! It was horrible! I kept thinking it would get better, but it never did. I forced myself to finish it (I'd spent the money already) but even the last page was awful.

The characters are completely unbelievable. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the magic and witchcraft. That stuff is fine (actually, that's why I bought the book in the first place). It's how the characters are portrayed. Darci is an idiot. When Adam buys her some new clothes, she won't even hang them in the closet...she has to walk around with big moon-eyes showing them to total strangers. I mean, really, who does that? There are several instances when her reactions are just completely unbelievable...the stuff with the mind control (or "pushing" people to do what she wants) is okay and Deveraux explains it well. But Darci's life background just doesn't fit with this innocence thing.

And then there's all the coincidences...Darci's father falling for Adam's sister. Give me a break! That's just too creepy!

The average rating for this book so far is 2½ stars...that should tell you something. I wanted to buy another of Deveraux's books...but I don't think I ever will because I'm afraid it will be just as awful as this one and I'll feel that knife in the back again! I would have given this one zero stars...but that wasn't an option.

I haven't liked many of Jude Deveraux's recent novels, but I actually really enjoyed this one. Unlike "The Summerhouse", it really did include some romance. But just like "The Summerhouse" and "Remembrance," it didn't follow the usual romance story plot. I thought the story was very compelling and it truly kept my interest. As for the hero & heroine - I had no issues with them, but some other readers apparently did. I was more annoyed that she could eat all she wanted and not get fat than I was at any of her other actions. As for Adam, he seemed to be just like most of the other Montgomery heroes.

I think what was missing was the formula - there was no separation of the characters (except a little separation near the end) and no real conflict that tore them apart, only to have them brought back together when they realize how stupid they were. They were, for the most part, in love thoughout the whole novel and any conflict they had was with the other characters. I think I would actually label this as a sci-fi/fantasy type novel where there was some romance thrown in. However, you can usually expect Jude Deveraux to fall a little outside the norm.

I really enjoyed this novel, I found it to be a great read and worth my time. I wouldn't suggest reading it first in the line of novels by Jude Deveraux, but it was worth reading.