Helpful Score: 3
The first book I read from this author. I was hooked on McNaught after that! 5 stars!
Helpful Score: 3
I read this when I was a teenager as one of my first romance novels. Since, I've read it multiple times and love it more every time. Great book, great epic love story that revolves around first love, loss and finding love again after secrets and betrayal. Perfect, the kind of sequel, is quite good also.
Helpful Score: 2
I just LOVED this book! This is the first book in three where the characters overlap. "Perfect" is second (Loved it!!) and "Every Breath you Take" is the third one. It was just as awesome as the other two.
Helpful Score: 1
This was the first book I read from this author and LOVED it! I couldn't put it down!
This was a wonderful book, and it is now one of my favorite books.
Shirley E. (luvantiques) -
Helpful Score: 1
A really good story by Judith McNaught. Matthew Farrell and Meredith Bancroft marry, divorce and spend years apart, all because of her father's self-centered belief that he, and only he, knows what is best for her. How they get back together makes for an engrossing read.
I should begin by saying that my rating of this book isn't entirely fair. By that I mean that I read "Perfect" by Judith McNaught before I read this one because I didn't realize it came in a series. I LOVED "Perfect" so I was a little a disappointed in this book.
This book is really good. Judith McNaught is a terrific writer. I enjoy her style, character development, and plot advancement (most of the time). The main characters of this book are wonderful. They are well rounded and easy to get to know. Some of the secondary characters are not so well done. Their plot lines happen quickly and with little depth. This book is really long and Matt and Meredith's story is so indepth I expect a better, deeper story line to develop within other character relationships. However at times it seemed like the relationship was only formed because it was expected to in order for all the characters to get a happily ever after. 'Some one got together with some one else -the end' without a reason or explaination as to why or how. Also Meredith's father is portrayed as the bad guy through 94% of the book, but at the end it seemed as if Judith was trying to force people to like him. That bothered me and I never did like him. I believe it is the sloppy secondary character development that made this book seem like something was missing. I can't really pinpoint it exactly, but I just feel like something was off with this book.
After stating all that, I still think it's a good read. Matt and Meredith's story consumes 95% of the book which makes the areas that are lacking easier to overlook. It's a creative story that really draws the reader in and allows him/her to enjoy a good love story.
This book is really good. Judith McNaught is a terrific writer. I enjoy her style, character development, and plot advancement (most of the time). The main characters of this book are wonderful. They are well rounded and easy to get to know. Some of the secondary characters are not so well done. Their plot lines happen quickly and with little depth. This book is really long and Matt and Meredith's story is so indepth I expect a better, deeper story line to develop within other character relationships. However at times it seemed like the relationship was only formed because it was expected to in order for all the characters to get a happily ever after. 'Some one got together with some one else -the end' without a reason or explaination as to why or how. Also Meredith's father is portrayed as the bad guy through 94% of the book, but at the end it seemed as if Judith was trying to force people to like him. That bothered me and I never did like him. I believe it is the sloppy secondary character development that made this book seem like something was missing. I can't really pinpoint it exactly, but I just feel like something was off with this book.
After stating all that, I still think it's a good read. Matt and Meredith's story consumes 95% of the book which makes the areas that are lacking easier to overlook. It's a creative story that really draws the reader in and allows him/her to enjoy a good love story.
Excellent book - couldn't put it down!!!
Ruthless corporate raider Matt Farrell is poised to move in on the legendary department store empire owned by the Bancroft family. Matt, once a scruffy kid and cool sophisticated Meredith Bancroft had a brief, ill-fated marriage sparked with thrilling sensuality--he was the outsider who dared to rock her country club world it ended in bitter betrayal. Now, locked in a battle that should be all business, dangerous temptations and bitttersweet memories are stirring their hearts. Riviting a can't put down book.
Love anything she writesvery good
Meredith Bancroft, a serenely beautiful blonde, and Matthew Farrell, an intense, magnetic tycoon, are both haunted by their once-in-a-lifetime love...betrayed in a conflict of heartache and pain. When the Bancroft family empire is threatened by a hostile takeover attempt, Meredith is forced to turn to Matt. As tensions build between them, bittersweet, poignant memories rise to the surface, leaving them both uncertain, restless...and falling in love again...
very good book, one i would read twice
A classic, comtemporary romance, this can be a tear jerker. Very good read.
This is one of my personal best reads and follow it with "Perfect" by Judith McNaught.
Matt Farrell had come a long way from the poor kid of Indiana's steel mills. A long way from the country club where, feeling like an outsider, he had dared to fall in love with a beautiful blonde named Meredith Bancroft, and known a once in a lifetime passion and betrayal that still haunted his memory...Now world leaders courted him, the media watched his every move, and he was ready to move in on the Bancroft empire...
Wonderful "wrong side of the tracks" romance. Starts out very slow. I almost gave up after 50 pages. But then the story takes off and is worth the wait.
Danielle L. (DanielleFM) -
couldn't put it down great story line!
I would love to live some of these characters lives. Exciting, passionate & well written.
Great Read!
A great read!
Great book. I accidentally purchased twice. Loved reading it a second time.
Meredith Bancroft, a serenely beautiful blonde, and Matthew Farrel, and intense magnetic tycook are both haunted by their once in a lifetime love..betrayed in a conflict of heartache and pain. When the Brancroft family empire is threatened by a hostile takeover attempt, Meredith is forced to turn to Matt. As tensions build between them, bittersweet, poignant memories rise to the surface, leaving them both uncertain, restless..and fallingin love again.
Great read!
very good, but long saga about love and all the drama that comes with it.
AWESOME BOOK! I JUST LOVE JUDITH MCNAUGHT!
Good story, kept me wanting to read more.
A long saga about 2 star crossed lovers who marry young, but are forced to divorce by circumstances. Years later their paths cross again with fireworks following. Typical Mcnaught.
I love Judith McNaught stories and this is as wonderful as her others. I realized I had read it years ago after starting it and I still kept reading- because it was so good. The story is sweet, romantic, and sappy.
Another great book from McNaught.
Great book. They meet and fall in love and break up. Now it is 11 years later.
Lots of great charters and a bit of mystry.
Lots of great charters and a bit of mystry.
Merideth and Mathew had an ilfated marriage. They are destined to meet again as he tries to take over her families firm. Memories return will they trust again?
One of her best books! Be sure to read the next book "Perfect" with the same people.
This book is one of my favorites. Highly recommended! Perfect and Every Breath You Take are related to this story and are also wonderful reads.
Absolutely loved it! Will read more of her stuff. Holds your interest as it spans many years. Wonderful!
From Publishers Weekly
Two strong-willed characters maintain 11 years of unwarranted hostility based on a series of misunderstandings in this engaging romance, which was a BOMC main selection in cloth and spent 11 weeks on PW 's hardcover bestseller list.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Heiress to a famous department store fortune, Meredith Bancroft chafes under the strict supervision of her interfering father. When she meets ambitious, handsome steelworker Matt Farrell, Meredith is ripe for the picking, and trouble brews on both sides of the tracks when she becomes pregnant at 18. Mcnaught's skillful treatment of Meredith, the self-styled ugly duckling and poor little rich girl, will pique readers' interest and engage their sympathy. This interest is sorely tested, however, as Meredith's relationship with Matt strains the imagination. Paradise is Mcnaught's hardcover debut, and romance fans of Danielle Steel and Janet Dailey who enjoy a stylish, improbable, fast-paced story will probably welcome Mcnaught to the ranks.
- Lydia Burruel Johnson, Mesa P.L., Ariz. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Two strong-willed characters maintain 11 years of unwarranted hostility based on a series of misunderstandings in this engaging romance, which was a BOMC main selection in cloth and spent 11 weeks on PW 's hardcover bestseller list.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Heiress to a famous department store fortune, Meredith Bancroft chafes under the strict supervision of her interfering father. When she meets ambitious, handsome steelworker Matt Farrell, Meredith is ripe for the picking, and trouble brews on both sides of the tracks when she becomes pregnant at 18. Mcnaught's skillful treatment of Meredith, the self-styled ugly duckling and poor little rich girl, will pique readers' interest and engage their sympathy. This interest is sorely tested, however, as Meredith's relationship with Matt strains the imagination. Paradise is Mcnaught's hardcover debut, and romance fans of Danielle Steel and Janet Dailey who enjoy a stylish, improbable, fast-paced story will probably welcome Mcnaught to the ranks.
- Lydia Burruel Johnson, Mesa P.L., Ariz. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Wonderful Read
Corporate raider Matthew Farrell had come a long way from the poor,scruffy kid of Indiana's steel mills.A long way from the country club where,feeling like an outsider,he had dared to fall in love with a beautiful blonde named Meredith Bancroft,and known a once -in-a lifetime passion and betrayal that still haunted his memory.... Now world leader courted him,the media watched his every move,and he was ready to move in on the Bancroft empire.
A cool,poised executive in her family's legndary department store chain,Meredith had once defied her father for the sexually magnetic,intense Matt Farrell-and their brief,ill fated marriage was the disastrous outcome. Now as the Bancroft firm is threatened by a hostile takeover,Meredith is forced to confront Matrt. As tensions build between them,bittersweet memories rise to the surface,leaving them suspicious,restless,and uncertain.Will they be able to believe in each other-and grasp the tender miracle that is before them.
A cool,poised executive in her family's legndary department store chain,Meredith had once defied her father for the sexually magnetic,intense Matt Farrell-and their brief,ill fated marriage was the disastrous outcome. Now as the Bancroft firm is threatened by a hostile takeover,Meredith is forced to confront Matrt. As tensions build between them,bittersweet memories rise to the surface,leaving them suspicious,restless,and uncertain.Will they be able to believe in each other-and grasp the tender miracle that is before them.
Easier to read large paperback, keeps you turning pages!
