Review: Happy that I found it and was able to enjoy it
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 12, 2014
Updated since they changed the cover and titleThis book reminded me of older books I used to read, such as the old time Harlequin novels. In some ways in was very predictable, but still very good at the same time. I literally spent hours reading because I wanted to know what would happen next. In my opinion, sometimes authors follow a certain formula when writing a romance novel and often time I don't mind as long as they are able to pull it off. I think Jennifer McNare was able to pull it off. Like I said, it was somewhat like an old harlequin novel, which is good because I loved those books.Well let me say what I liked and didn't like about the book and maybe it can help someone decide if they want to read it or help the author in the future.What I liked:1) I honestly really liked that Ashleigh decided that she wanted Nicholas from day one and didn't back down.2) I liked that she was perceptive and didn't walk away since he was a jerk at every turn. She understood and saw the wall that he was trying to put up3) Nicholas was really a jerk, but I liked that he was always willing to accept that he made mistakes and that he was wrong on occasions. Always able to apologize when he was wrong.4) I liked his character as a caring individual who took care of his responsibilities and the people in his care. I wish it was explored a little more, but it was made obvious enough .5) I liked that the book was about them. Sometimes it's nice to not have someone trying to kill the hero or the heroine or have some other deep dark sub-plot that is also the focus of the book. It was just about the H/h working through their feelings. Just very simple, which is nice.What I didn't like:1) As I said it was predictable. At times I knew exactly what would happen next, but it still made me smile.2) Everyone was almost perfect.I think the story would have been better if everyone wasn't beautiful or handsome. Ashleigh because of her circumstance was taught everything, so she practically knew everything. She was the perfect rider, great poker player, great at chess and to top it off anything she was taught she picked that up perfectly too. At least Nicholas was flawed in his attitude and behavior, but with Ashleigh the only thing you could fault her with is being too nice and maybe naive. Maybe, it would have been even better if Ashleigh wasn't the most beautiful women in the world plus the most accomplished. I would have preferred to read that she was accomplished and had a beautiful personalty, that is why people are instantly drawn to her, rather than she is the most most beautiful woman on the plant. Just an opinion not anything big in my eyes.What might be a problem for some1) I think a lot of people might have a problem with Nicholas in this book. In truth, I have to wonder about him myself, but I think his actions despite the harshness of it sometimes shows that he was afraid more than anything else. I also believe that it would have been better if the author eased into him realizing the error of his ways and confronting his feelings for Ashleigh. Have him actually make it up to her, maybe an added chapter or two for that.Let me just say, I think I felt it for Ashleigh during Christmas, as bad as it was, it was a good. Nicholas was awful, but I think it worked perfectly. That is also why i think at the end a chapter or two could have been used to have Nicholas make things up to Ashleigh. Otherwise, I think it was good.I really hope that Brandon, Tiffany, and Alex get a story. I would love to see what happens with them! Please give them a story. At least one for Tiffany!