Monday, September 03, 2007

Fool Like Me

Have you ever purchased a book and left it on your book shelf to collect dust, all while purchasing other books and devouring them within seconds (and been left severely disappointed)?

Two years ago I purchased Judith McNaught's PARADISE. I didn't read it. Not even close. I put it away...on the bottom of my TBR trunk and left it there. I never thought of it. I'd pick it up every now and then. I even started reading it once and immediately put it down because I didn't have the patience to learn about the heroine's childhood.

I read it this weekend. I give you all permission to kick me. HARD. VERY HARD!!!

I chose to read Julia Quinn's IT'S IN HIS KISS before Judith McNaught's PARADISE.

Again, I ask you to KICK ME!!!

Readers, let me tell you...the title says it all. The novel is pure paradise. Never have characters felt more alive and real. A review will simply not do it justice.

Meredith Bancroft is an heiress with a domineering overprotective father. Matt Farrell is your typical boy from the wrong side of the tracks. They meet one night and fall in love instantly. What follows is Meredith giving her virginity to Matt on the first night, getting pregnant and marrying him within six weeks. The marriage is later destroyed through lies, deceit and manipulation. 11 years go by and they meet again, this time Matt is a millionaire and....

Well, I'll leave it at that. It may sound like your typical "poor boy falls in love with rich girl" story, but it's not. It's so much more and I beg you to read it, if you already haven't.

Read it. Trust me. Just read it. You won't be sorry!!!

19 comments:

Holly said...

I can't believe you're just now read this. haha

I agree this was a fabulous book. I think it's probably my favorite McNaught.

romancelover said...

McNaught is amazing...I wish she would go back to good old fashioned romance though.

Unknown said...

Already read it, D. Very good book indeed. Very good as is several other books by her. Welcome back! --Keishon

Lori said...

I haven't read this one, but I've loved every McNaught I've read. Putting this on the list...

ReneeW said...

What a wonderful book. I should really reread this. Aren't you glad you finally read it? Some of her older stuff was incredible.

romancelover said...

It's great to be back blogging. Can't wait to catch up on everyone's blogs. I'm so behind. Glad to be back to this community!!! :)

Stacy~ said...

Read it years ago, and it's remained on my keeper shelf for when I want to reminsce about the good old days when McNaught rocked my world.

Kristie (J) said...

I read this one years ago when I was just starting to branch out into contemporaries. I really enjoyed it, but probably didn't appreciate it the way I would today. I should give it another read. I do remember it being almost painful in Matt and Meredith's misconceptions.

Dev said...

Well, it's in my tbr pile ~ I've got a few McNaught's in my pile that I haven't started yet. I must confess, I haven't read a McNaught yet. Guess I'll have to change that soon.

romancelover said...

DEV - READ THIS BOOK! READ THIS BOOK and anything else written by McNaught in the 70s and 80s. I hear the recent stuff is crap, but who knows?!?!

Holly said...

Her recent stuff still has that McNaught polish (unlike Linda Howard's new stuff) but no, it's not as good as her old stuff.

sybil said...

Never read it. But I might have it here... somewhere...

Kate Diamond said...

I've never read any McNaught. Does this mean I should be kicked, soundly?

Gigi said...

Better late than never :) I have to agree that her newer stuff can't hold a candle to her older books.

Mina Wolf said...

That book was so good I still cry when I read it. Perfect is a pretty good read as well.

Kookie said...

I read this more than ten years ago and it started my JM addiction. I still reread it at least once a year, still cry when I do.

Instead of kicking you, I'm telling you to start reading all those McNaughts, girl! :o)

Anonymous said...

I love McNaught - Paradise is one of her best contemporaries, but her historicals are 100% better. Pick up "Almost Heaven" or "Kingdom of Dreams" if you have not read them yet. They are fantastic! (PS: "It's In His Kiss" was the first Quinn I ever read and I was not impressed. Later I gave "The Viscount Who Loved Me" a try and it was MUCH better!)

Rachel said...

I'm always on the lookout for a good book. Thanks for the recommendation - I'll be sure to check it out!

Holly said...

Where are you? I thought you were coming back to blogland....