If this keeps up, I'm going to have to revise my opinion of Nora Roberts books released in the 80s. I liked this book more than my rating is going to show—mainly because I half fell in love with Shane, myself. She's quirky and determined, but mostly I like her self-trust and ability to accept people and events as they are. Vance is kind of a turd, but he does grow on you so I'm not disgusted that Shane was attracted to him. Plus, I like that he's running (more or less) from an unusual past that both explains his gruffness and why Shane is just the woman for him.So why the downgrade? Shane goes all stupid at the end of the novel, more or less contradicting all that we know about her to that point. It was frustrating and completely unnecessary that she forgot herself so much that she could let it affect the love she knows she has. Frustrating beyond belief and it doesn't help that her crisis is propelled by the very least appealing character of the book (and possibly of all Roberts' 80s novels). The book might have been shorter if Roberts had simply cut out the next-to-last chapter or three, but it would have been vastly improved as well. If it weren't an audiobook, I'd be tempted to perform the edit myself...A note about Steamy: A couple of truly excellent sex scenes and not just because I find Shane so very appealing, viscerally.
You know what is the actual worst? When you find out that the guy you're dating, who you think is a penniless, out-of-work carpenter, is really a millionaire business executive. Right?!?! God, I can't tell you how many times that's happened to me. And every time it almost wrecks the relationship, because I'm all (sobbing): "How could you have betrayed me like this? How could you be so cruel?" Etc. Anyway it was nice to finally see this extremely common experience reflected in the plot of a romance novel. Basically, millionaire business executives, you have to stop masquerading as carpenters because we are not having it anymore.A couple of other cute things from this book were, first, the hilariously inaccurate statements the fem. protag. makes about the experience of teaching in the inner city (apparently she did it for four years, but I am like, girlfriend, based upon these statements you are making, there is no way so please just stop pretending), and second, the title, which as I'm sure every romance reader knows was the original title of Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which is just SO APT because First Impressions and P&P are practically twinsies.
What do You think about First Impressions (2006)?
A typical Nora Roberts book but a good summer read. Shane comes back to live in her grandmother's house after leaving her hometown to teach school. Now she wants the open her own antique shop and Civil War Museum. When she meets Vance Banning, a new comer to town she is immediately distracted by him but he is rude and wants nothing to do with her. After learning he is an out of work carpenter she hires him to make the necessary repairs to her house and they begin to know each other a little. Vance, having been "burned" by a woman he thought he loved is not interested in Shane but the opportunity to do carpentry does interest him.
—Brenda
*ACTUAL RATING: 2.5/5 stars*BOOK COVER/DESIGN: 8/10 stars. I love the book cover, however simple it may be. It adds up to that holiday feel. This book I have came with the bonus story, "Blithe Images." *GENERAL REVIEW/THOUGHTS: I actually liked this story. It was way better than Blithe Images. What only put me off about this story is their (view spoiler)[ little argument towards the end. The scene/s when Shane's mother suddenly shows up, the suspense was so built up, but when it was through her that Shane finds out about Vance's past (that he's a millionaire and all), she suddenly goes into a fit, which just absolutely kills the already built - up suspense. (hide spoiler)]
—Noelle
There was never a thought to deny him. She knew she was already his."I'm not an idealist, I simply don't automatically assume there's someone waiting to take advantage of me. I think you miss a lot more by not trusting people than you risk by trusting them."This book was absolutely fantastic! Such a sweet and wonderful love story that took place around the holidays! The only thing I would change about it would be to make it longer, since I didn't want it to end!A great book to read near Christmas time to really lighten your spirit and warm your heart!
—Branwen *Blaidd Drwg*
