Review: 3.5 Would have Rated it Higher if Romance was More Believable
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 07 26, 2012
Nightmare in the Woods was suspenseful with an equal focus on romance. Tess, suffering at the hands of a madman (Larry), barely escapes to a cabin in the woods where she meets John. Once John understands the situation he takes it upon himself to protect Tess while aiding the police in Larry's capture.  Meanwhile John and Tess fall in love.I liked Tess and John- despite Tess's horrible experience the author made her both fragile and strong. Never whiny or too much like the "damsel in distress". John was a take charge kind of guy in some aspects of his life but nice.  I liked that they matured as individuals throughout the story; made me really want to root for the two of them.However... based on how evil and vile the villain was...how Tess was tortured for over a week... and the fact that Larry was forever on the hunt to track Tess down and make her pay for leaving him, I found it a bit far-fetched that the romance would happen so quickly.  The progression from protector to lover was within a week or two of meeting. Not even 40% into the book and they were already talking about love. I also found it a little too pat how Tess just fit right into John's world and that there was only one snafu to the perfect relationship (I won't spoil it).If one were to take Larry out of the plot there would be no meat to the story at all.  A little better than okay, so 3.5 stars for me. I would read another of Fineman's work.