For me, it was If his Kiss is Wicked by Jo Goodman.  Based on the raving reviews, I expected something great.  It was just O.K.

You know, I did really enjoy that book but you're right - I was expecting to be so bowled over by it.  I also felt that way about Adele Ashworth's Stolen Charms.

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I didn't really care for "The Lover" or "Gabriel's Woman".  It wasn't the erotica content that bothered me, I just didn't really like the story lines and felt they could have been done better.  meh.

OMG!

I totally agree about Schone's The Lover & Gabriel's Woman. I wanted to gouge out my eye the storylines were so boring I just didnt feel a connection with any of the characters. these were much hyped books that fell way short of my expections.

:-(

For me it was Atonement. I thought it was going to be a great love story. Nope. For me it was a complete waste of time. lol

Mine was "Dangerous Games" by Lora Leigh.  I thought I would like a bit of B&D, but wasn't ready for the fact that the hero was also so into S&M - hurting and being hurt.  YUCK!  Even though we don't see him do any of that to the heroine, just knowing that he pays a ton of money to be in a club that lets him - and he has the whips and clamps to prove it! - was a huge turn-off.  As was when he threatened the heroine with a ball gag :(  Just not my thing, I guess.

Luckily, I had already gotten Leigh's next book in the series, "Hidden Agendas", so I went ahead and gave it a chance.  And *loved* it.  It was, to me, so much more romantic with a still *very* dominant hero.  I will definitely read the next in the series, "Killer Secrets", as it looks to be outside the club scene of DG as well.

Katrina

So far I'm loving Killer Secrets!  I try to make myself only read a few chapters a day to draw out the pleasure.  Ian, the hero, is definitely Alpha and likes submissive but it's not bad - and Kira pushes back and it works very well for the both of them...and for me!

You know, I felt the same way about If His Kiss is Wicked and Dangerous Games.  Unfortunately, I disliked Dangerous Games so much that I didn't even try Killer Secrets.  I gave them both away unread.

I also was not impressed with Adele Ashworth, but I am willing to give her another try.  I only read one of her books and I believe it was Stolen Charms. 

I also tried to read a highly recommended book by Nalini Singh called Slave to Sensation and I couldn't get into that one either.

For me it was Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. All her stories seem to take place at the same location (their stronghold) and the enemies are all the same. I also felt like the heroines were underdevolped, and the men stereotypes.

I ditto Adele Ashworth's Stolen Charms; after Winter Garden I was expecting great things, but it was slowmoving and lukewarm romance. 

On the other hand, I thought the Lover and Gabriel's Woman were great erotic thrillers (wouldn't call them romances exactly).  Also loved the Lady's Tutor.  Scandalous Lovers was disappointing, however. 

I did like IHKiW a lot, but it certainly wasn't my favorite Goodman, which made me feel it was overrated. Why everyone suddenly picked that one to fall in love with, I just don't know.

I was almost completely indifferent to Claiming the Courtesan and Untouched.  Was disappointed in The Serpent Prince. Am not being super thrilled by The Lady's Tutor.  Really like Lord of Scoundrels but again, not my favorite Chase. Not a big fan of Adele Ashworth.

Claiming the Courtesan was just o.k. and I ordered Untouched based on the good reviews.  Hope I'm not disappointed. 

Serpant Prince was also disappointing as were the 2 new Galen Foleys. 

Dark Lover was just ok to me.  I think the biggest letdown lately was Untouched by Anna Campbell.  God it was awful.

Sherri

At first I love JR Ward's books, but the last 2 have been very disappointing. I'm hoping the next one gets better. I really hate when good series go bad.

IA about JR Ward's heroines in her Black Dagger Brotherhood - they are all horrible!  The relationship between the brothers is the most interesting part of that series.

And I said Stolen Charms but I also meant to include Winter Garden in that as well.  Again, not that they weren't fine reads - just don't get the hype.

I LOVED Winter Garden (I thought it was her best to date).  How could you not like that one!

Passion by Lisa Valdez and The Bronze Horseman by ... can't remember off hand.  Just couldn't get in to these books; they were too long, too slow, and way tooooooooo much background.  I'm ont a big historical fan to begin with and I tried to read these as part of a book club and just couldn't finish; heck I barely started them. 

Geez.  I loved Passion too and am chomping at the bit to get Patience!  I guess everyone has her own taste.  If you don't like historical, why do you read them?  I don't like contemp, so I avoid them (making an exception for an occasional outstanding one). 

I guess some people connect with an author's writing and some don't. Winter Garden didn't do much for me either.

I guess what I loved about it was the hero, Thomas.  I go for the "tortured hero" type every time.  I loved his vulnerability with Madeline.  If you don't like that, maybe not your cup of tea. 

I went back and realized it wasn't Stolen Charms that I read by Adele Ashworth, it was Duke of Sin.  I wasn't that impressed with Duke of Sin. If her other books are better, I would be willing to give her another try.

Let me add:  the worst book I ever read -- "Adora" by Bertrice Small.  I was so disgusted I couldn't finish.  Heroine is a byzantine princess married off at age 8 to an Ottoman sultan old enough to be her grandpa. (She's actually a historical figure.) Marriage is consumated at 13.  She's repeatedly raped by the men in her life and we're asked to believe she enjoys it!  Uggh!

Claudia - I didn't say I didn't like Winter Garden.  I did enjoy it.  I just was expecting to be WOWED based on all the hype and I was not.

I was underwhelmed by Winter Garden, I did love Stolen Charms, tho.

At first I thought the heroine was a ditz, but then I saw past that.....Best line in a romance EVER, imo

I have to agree with Atonement. I couldn't get into it enough to finish reading it.