I really enjoyed these characters. I absolutly loved Bess, with her unconventional looks and brains, and jsut how carefree and happy she is. I loved Alexi's yough demeanor, but he readily fell for Bess. I love how Bess is always getting herself into trouble, from pretending to be a hooker, to getting involved in that scene, and following Alexi around. When she witnessed the murder with Alex, wow that was intense. I love how Alex wanted a wife who he could tuck away in a corner and protect from everything he sees, and Bess is never going to be that way. I loved how he tells her that he loves her all the time, and she loves him but he can't believe her due to her many previous engagements. I love that Rachel is pregnant and Rachel from the beginning sees how Alex is falling for Bess. I love how protective Alex and Zack are of Rachel. Bess's party was great and how both Bess and Alex are just flirty by nature. I liked how Laex ran back to kiss Bess when he was supposed to just leave. Bess's need to always research and learn through Alex and Rosalie, and anyone. I loved how Bess was always put together and witty, but when Alex turns on the charm, she becomes a mess. I love seeing Mik with Griff, and how the family just keeps growing. I loved how Laex wanted to learn everything about her. I loved how their first time was after the murder when Alex realized she wouldn't let him hide the ugly things from his life and career, and he just wanted to protect her. The family dinner chapter as always was one of my favorites. I loved that Sydney was pregnat again, and how Rachel went into labor, and Bess just lended right in wit them. I love how Yuri asked the when they were going to give him more grandbabies. The part where Nick and Freddie hugged and Freddie told him she always though about having babies and Nick got all nervous was great, and how already he was fighting seeing her as just his cousin. I loved that Rachel and Zack had a girl. I loved the office sex, because Alex had just realized he wanted that big family with Bess, and he wanted everything with her, and he was sure that she would leave him like all the others, so he just had to take her. How Bess finally got the words out, but Alex still doesn't believe her. When Bess finds out that Rosalie was killed and they grieve, it was so sad because they both cared for her. I loved how after busting Jack, Alex was all ready to propose to Bess and then he saw her with Charlie and there was a big misunderstanding, and then Bess told him to leave, and of course they were both miserable. I loved how they finally got engaged and how Lori told Alexi that Bess was a matchmaker and she just wnated to help those guys find their true match. I loved the rainbow ring that Alex picked out because it's unconventinal like them, and bright like Bess. I feel like each story is my favorite, but each is a favorite for different reasons, Tash and Spence for family and second chances, Mik and Syndey for that passion and going against society, Rachel and Zack for fiery tempers and becoming best friends in a different way, and Alexi and Bess for fun and romance with a twist.
this is probably my least favorite of the series. unlike the others where the couples were so obviously different but worked together i just didn't feel like this couple meshed very well. first while I always like alex as a supporting character he's a little too much of a joke to be a hero that I really want to see. for three books his bimbo of the month has been a family joke and while I am a hopeless romantic I just don't respect him enough to root for him. bess was...interesting. she's so optimistic almost to the point of unrealisticness. she had no common sense which automatically knocks her out of my heroine checklist and even though she made it endearing it was almost painful to read about someone that naive. and the two of them together just didnt work he was too intense for her and she was too...not quite flaky but something alomg that line for him. there was zero trust on his side which inmy mind equals no relationship. because I wasn't too fond of the characters or their romance the rest of the book went downhill for me. the writing technically was as good as any but it lacked the flavor that roberts usually puts into her books. the whole thing lacked the depth I've come to love from robertsand that was highly disappointing esp for a book so late in the series. the plot did decent until near the end where it just kind of got glossed over to HEA without any really good resolution. the romantic development was subpar with a no we should take things slow beginning then straight into bed after two dates (and really does anyone in this family practice safe sex?) then it was like a montage of relationship activities until the end more than actual relationship development. the sex scenes were more raw and sexy than roberts normal writing which was for me this books saving grace but it lacked the edge I expect from her. a disappointment but on to the next
What do You think about Convincing Alex (1994)?
This is an older title that was reissued. I had no idea when I started it that it was a series or connected book. I now want to go back and read the other stories since this is book 4. This was a classic Nora Roberts with romance, intrigue, angst and some tears and even laughter along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and didn't want to stop. I kept turning the pages to find out what would happen next between Alex (or Alexi as he was also known) and Bess. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to find and read the others in the series.
—JoAnne
Il s’agit du quatrième tome de la célèbre saga : les Stanislaski de Nora Roberts.Ce tome est consacré à Alexi Stanislaski. Celui-ci est policier et se consacre entièrement à son travail ce qui lui a permis d’acquérir une solide réputation dans son métier. Au cours d’une enquête, il va faire la connaissance de Bess McNee, scénariste d’un soap à succès. Or, si Alexi est calme et posé, Bess est complètement déjantée et insouciante.Ainsi, l’auteur joue ici sur l’improbabilité du couple par leur antagonisme. Il en ressort beaucoup de dialogues et situations très drôles. L’humour est le principal ingrédient de cette romance.En effet, Bess va n’avoir de cesse que de mettre les nerfs et le self contrôle d’Alexi à l’épreuve : pour rendre ses personnages plus crédible, la jeune femme n’hésite pas à se mettre réellement dans leur peau et expérimenter leur vie. C’est comme ça qu’elle se retrouve plus d’une fois à risquer sa vie, par exemple en jouant les prostituées !Par ailleurs, ce tome bien que pouvant se lire indépendamment, s’intègre parfaitement dans la trame de la série. Ainsi, on assiste à la poursuite de la romance du tome précédent avec l’accouchement de Rachel et à la mise en place de la romance du tome suivant.C’est une histoire sympathique et drôle sur fond d’intrigue policière.
—Audel
I have read this story countless times. Actually this whole series. It is one of my favorite, probably because each story in it is so unique and yet fits in just right. When it comes dowb to it, each story goes back to the core, the value of a strong loving family.I'm glad Ms. Roberts had Rachels story before Alex. This is one of those times when even as the story stands on its own, the information from Rachel's makes it so much richer. The reader really gets a sense of who Alex is in that story. This then creates an excitment for Alexi.This is an excelent story for anyone 14+ and mature. I say this because of the mild sexual content and also the policevcase which is a big factor in the story.
—Peni
