Helpful Score: 18
I couldn't put this book down - mainly because I wanted it finished and over with! The author seemed to say the same things over and over again! My first time reading an Anne Stuart book. Definately not a favorite author of mine!
Helpful Score: 14
A good, sexy thriller. Not a historical romance like some of Stuart's other work, but a contemporary romantic suspense. Still very good as I am always pleased by what she writes. Part of a series, in fact, the first in the series I think. Great characters, good dialogue, and believable romance. Steamy too!
Helpful Score: 12
Not my favorite; hero too cold and distant for my taste.
Helpful Score: 9
This was my first book by Anne Stuart and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like tortured, almost beyond redemption heroes, this book is for you.
Helpful Score: 8
One of my favorite Anne Stuart books. I loved the "hero" , good love story too. A keeper for me.
Helpful Score: 7
If you like Anne Stuart's books -- I do -- you'll love this one. A really dark, complex hero and great relationship development.
Helpful Score: 7
I had a hard time getting into this book. It just is not my type of book. If you like books by Anne Stuart, you will probably love this book.
Helpful Score: 5
This is about illegal arms dealing and is quite intense.
Helpful Score: 4
sexy, edgy, exceptionally well-plotted
Helpful Score: 4
Interesting mix of thriller and romance.
Helpful Score: 2
When Chloe Underwood gets a chance to make some extra money translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance. But she soon discovers that these people are not international food distributors, but illegal arms dealers. When they find out she knows too much they decide that she has to die. But one member of the group, Bastien Toussaint, drags Chloe away. Bastien is a secret agent working for "the committee". He and Chloe are soon hiding in Paris, and trying to get out of the country alive.
I always like a book with the "on the run" theme and this one is no exception. My problem with the story is actually the main characters. Chloe comes across as somewhat naive bordering on TSTL (too stupid to live). She keeps saying she can take care of herself, but we know there is no way she could get herself out of this mess without Bastien's help. Bastien is a bit too cold for my taste. Is he just a cold-blooded killer or is he one of the good guys? Actually, I'm still not sure. So, I give this one high marks for a plot that kept me turning the pages, but subtract a little bit for the characters. My rating: 4 Stars.
I always like a book with the "on the run" theme and this one is no exception. My problem with the story is actually the main characters. Chloe comes across as somewhat naive bordering on TSTL (too stupid to live). She keeps saying she can take care of herself, but we know there is no way she could get herself out of this mess without Bastien's help. Bastien is a bit too cold for my taste. Is he just a cold-blooded killer or is he one of the good guys? Actually, I'm still not sure. So, I give this one high marks for a plot that kept me turning the pages, but subtract a little bit for the characters. My rating: 4 Stars.
Helpful Score: 2
Something was missing for me in this story. I read it quickly, but it left me unmoved. It had elements that I usually like: initial antagonistic relationship, a morally gray character, unwillingly falling in love, etc. Very few of those elements felt like they actually worked in the story though. None of it clicked for me and I was left feeling cynical and disbelieving of the main character's ability to stay together for the long term.
Chloe's character didn't do the story any favors. She blew past naïve and ran straight into too stupid to live territory. She starts getting uncomfortable with the people she's supposed to be translating for but instead of bowing out and going back home she won't leave until she has to because of Bastien. This is after she tells herself that he's married, a womanizer, and that there's no way they could be together because she has personal rules against being with married men. It seemed inconsistent.
When they have sex for the first time, Chloe realizes that he used and degraded her and criticizes herself because she still wants more. I thought we'd get some deeper personal struggle with her fascination with Bastien and her willingness to be used. I was really looking forward to it! It never happened though... She just seemed to get over it and be willing to jump on him if he showed the smallest sign that he might be interested in doing it again. Everything Chloe did seemed to illustrate how idiotic she was. It did not endear her to me. After Hakim tortures her she still doesn't think she's in that much danger! It didn't seem possible that she could be so stupid. I guess I was supposed to attribute it to her age? That's rather hard to accept though. I don't think I've ever met a 23 year old that stupid before. The fact that she had lived on her own for 2 years in a foreign country makes it hard to believe that she hadn't acquired even the barest smidgen of street smarts.
Bastien had the potential to be very interesting. Unfortunately I never got more detail into his characterization. I was eager to see a character who was on the "good guy" side but who had been killing people for so long that he accepted the very real truth that in the end there's no real difference between the good guys and the bad guys. Unfortunately he was just... there. I wanted insight into what made him tick. I didn't really need an unhappy childhood with a crappy mom, but I wanted to see more of his journey down the road he chose. Does he regret what he lost? Would he do everything the same? I just wanted more of what made him who he was. Everything about him seemed to be told, not shown. We're told that Chloe fascinates him; we're told that he loves her. I didn't feel that I was shown any of that.
The whole story felt like it skimmed the surface of everything. I thought that the "bad guys" felt like caricatures. I thought Chloe would have to face some inner realization that in the end there's no real difference between Bastien and the "bad guys". She would just have to decide if it's something she can accept or not. No such thing here though. I was amused by Bastien's refusal to lie to Chloe. When she kept thinking that underneath it all he's just a good guy who doesn't really want to kill a woman and he kept telling her she was an idiot to believe that he'd only kill in self defense I had to laugh. I appreciated his cold honesty but I think that despite his repeated assurances that he could kill anyone Chloe still had a romanticized vision of him. I don't think she ever saw who he really was. That was disappointing.
Despite my problems with this book I still read it quickly. I was hooked on it even as I was deeply unhappy with the story being told. How confusing. I ended up giving it a higher grade than I originally planned because of the story's readability.
Chloe's character didn't do the story any favors. She blew past naïve and ran straight into too stupid to live territory. She starts getting uncomfortable with the people she's supposed to be translating for but instead of bowing out and going back home she won't leave until she has to because of Bastien. This is after she tells herself that he's married, a womanizer, and that there's no way they could be together because she has personal rules against being with married men. It seemed inconsistent.
When they have sex for the first time, Chloe realizes that he used and degraded her and criticizes herself because she still wants more. I thought we'd get some deeper personal struggle with her fascination with Bastien and her willingness to be used. I was really looking forward to it! It never happened though... She just seemed to get over it and be willing to jump on him if he showed the smallest sign that he might be interested in doing it again. Everything Chloe did seemed to illustrate how idiotic she was. It did not endear her to me. After Hakim tortures her she still doesn't think she's in that much danger! It didn't seem possible that she could be so stupid. I guess I was supposed to attribute it to her age? That's rather hard to accept though. I don't think I've ever met a 23 year old that stupid before. The fact that she had lived on her own for 2 years in a foreign country makes it hard to believe that she hadn't acquired even the barest smidgen of street smarts.
Bastien had the potential to be very interesting. Unfortunately I never got more detail into his characterization. I was eager to see a character who was on the "good guy" side but who had been killing people for so long that he accepted the very real truth that in the end there's no real difference between the good guys and the bad guys. Unfortunately he was just... there. I wanted insight into what made him tick. I didn't really need an unhappy childhood with a crappy mom, but I wanted to see more of his journey down the road he chose. Does he regret what he lost? Would he do everything the same? I just wanted more of what made him who he was. Everything about him seemed to be told, not shown. We're told that Chloe fascinates him; we're told that he loves her. I didn't feel that I was shown any of that.
The whole story felt like it skimmed the surface of everything. I thought that the "bad guys" felt like caricatures. I thought Chloe would have to face some inner realization that in the end there's no real difference between Bastien and the "bad guys". She would just have to decide if it's something she can accept or not. No such thing here though. I was amused by Bastien's refusal to lie to Chloe. When she kept thinking that underneath it all he's just a good guy who doesn't really want to kill a woman and he kept telling her she was an idiot to believe that he'd only kill in self defense I had to laugh. I appreciated his cold honesty but I think that despite his repeated assurances that he could kill anyone Chloe still had a romanticized vision of him. I don't think she ever saw who he really was. That was disappointing.
Despite my problems with this book I still read it quickly. I was hooked on it even as I was deeply unhappy with the story being told. How confusing. I ended up giving it a higher grade than I originally planned because of the story's readability.
Helpful Score: 2
I've enjoyed this 'ice' series by Anne Stuart. These aren't the typical lovey dovey type romances though. These men (and one woman) in this organization 'the committee' are cold and appear unfeeling. The woman, Chloe, needs the money so takes a translating job that her roommate passed on to her. She ends up knowing too much and has to die. The 'hero'does a forced rape scene which of course she ends up liking(but if this type of thing bothers you you might want to pass)to find out what she knows then actually watches her being tortured yet saves her several times during the story. I usually go for the lovey-dovey type HEA's but something about this series just appeals to me and Bastien is one of my faves and appears briefly in the other books I've read.
Helpful Score: 1
Chilling thriller with dangerous characters. Anne Stuart is a classic.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was very engaging, I could not put it down. This is the first book I've read by Anne Stuart. I will definitely be reading more by Ms. Stuart.
Helpful Score: 1
First book I've read by this author. Good read, great heros and chilling enemies!
Helpful Score: 1
The first I've read this author and I was impressed. Good story, action packed with romance. A much harder edged "romance" than most-I wasn't sure there was going to be a happy ending. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed the book. It's a very fast paced and unless you skip to the end, it keeps you wondering if the woman is going to get out of a very precarious situation alive.
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book, it very interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Helpful Score: 1
a good suspense. if you read anne stuart, don't miss this one by her!
I like this--liked the characters, the setting and the plot.
Helpful Score: 1
My first Anne Stuart book, it was OK.
Helpful Score: 1
I highly recommend this romantic suspense book. I just spent the last three hours finishing it because I couldn't put it down. I will be looking for more books by this author.
Helpful Score: 1
Good Stuart romantic thriller. Paris is the setting, Chloe the female protagonist looking for some excitement and Bastien the dark hero is the one to give it to her. Suspenseful, somewhat erotic and written with Stuart's usual finesse.
it was a slow read for me.
I picked up this book because I really liked Stuart's "Shadow Lover".
Although not as good as "Shadow Lover", at times I was annoyed with the female main character, it was still hard for me to put down.
I plan on reading the other books in this series so it was well worth the time.
Although not as good as "Shadow Lover", at times I was annoyed with the female main character, it was still hard for me to put down.
I plan on reading the other books in this series so it was well worth the time.
Great romantic suspense. I love Stuart's dysfunctional anti-heroes,
this book is a must read for Stuart fans.
this book is a must read for Stuart fans.
Slow starter, but picks up & is a good read.
Excitement,passion with a terrifying and seductive man..what an exceptionally well plotted tale...
Very fast-paced with lots of action. Can get a bit gruesome but seems pretty realistic. Great love scenes. I love Anne Stuart's style.
Scary!! And lots of fun. Enough romance to make it more enjoyable.
Not the best book, I've ever read. It was very slow going.
Chloe needs the extra money and agrees to go on a translating job for her friend. When she gets there, it doesn't take long for Bastien to think she's been planted there and for Chloe to figure out that the fruit they are talking about is really gun trading. Chloe finds herself falling for Bastien and then running for her life.
Chloe needs the extra money and agrees to go on a translating job for her friend. When she gets there, it doesn't take long for Bastien to think she's been planted there and for Chloe to figure out that the fruit they are talking about is really gun trading. Chloe finds herself falling for Bastien and then running for her life.
SHE WOULD GIVE ANYTHING FOR SOME EXCIMENT AND PASSION EVEN A LIITLE DANGER. BUT SHE REALLY?
A good, light mystery. Entertaining, and easily held my interest through to the end.
Very good suspense thriller
Wonderful! Very very wonderful.
I see what scene had some people so upset but I think it was totally in character for this hero. This is certainly one of the most tortured heroes I've seen to date. It won't be for everyone. If disturbing situations are distasteful to you you shouldn't read this book.
This book wasn't as polished as Linda Howard's books. I was pulled out of the story a few times by comments that could only have come from the author. If I were grading this as a teacher I would have to mark off for that but since I'm not I don't have to. I enjoyed it a lot and I don't care if it wasn't perfect.
I rate it an A with the qualification that it should be read at the right time of the month. :^D
This book wasn't as polished as Linda Howard's books. I was pulled out of the story a few times by comments that could only have come from the author. If I were grading this as a teacher I would have to mark off for that but since I'm not I don't have to. I enjoyed it a lot and I don't care if it wasn't perfect.
I rate it an A with the qualification that it should be read at the right time of the month. :^D
This was the first book I have read by this author. I will definitely be looking it others, as this one was excellent!
WONDERFUL BOOK! I enjoyed reading it.
Good story, read it while traveling one weekend.
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion...even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.
Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrfying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives....and would she live long enough to find out?
Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrfying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives....and would she live long enough to find out?
Chloe Underwood, living in Paris as a children's book translator, is looking for some excitement. She gets more than she bargains for after accepting a job of translator for a group of mysterious business men and women. One man in particular invades Chloe's every thought.
If you like soft porn and callous murder/intrigue you will like this book.
If you like soft porn and callous murder/intrigue you will like this book.
A thrilling story that has main character, Chloe, on an adventure involving passion and danger.
Very suspenseful!!
Great read!
Chloe Underwood, a young American translator living in Paris, agrees to take a weekend translating job for her roommate who wishes to spend the weekend with her boyfriend instead of working. Chloe agrees to take her place thinking she will enjoy beautiful surroundings, the pay is great, and she could use some excitement. She believes she is translating for a group of international grocers, but finds herself caught up in a web illegal arms dealers. They think she knows too much...she only knows she wants to go home. This book is like being on a roller coaster! A page turner to the very end!!
Great Trilogy!! Will be reading all of them =D
Very good, fast read.
Great book...lots of action and intrigue
Good book I little slow at times
Anne Stuart is one of my favorites. She has never disappointed me.
I absolutely hated this book! Our anti-hero, Bastien, the jaded undercover operative, is a complete asshole, a rapist and a murderer; all under the guise of being the good guy. Huh? Poor Chloe got involved by trying to help a friend out. Now she's running for her life with Bastien on her tail - to save her or to kill her, that is the question.
I've never liked the forced sex stories. In no way, shape or form is that romantic. I had to force myself to finish this book and he may have fallen in love but he's still an asshole, a rapist and a murderer. He has no redeeming characteristics at all.
I own a few other books in this series but if the next one is anything like this one, I won't be reading any further in this series.
I've never liked the forced sex stories. In no way, shape or form is that romantic. I had to force myself to finish this book and he may have fallen in love but he's still an asshole, a rapist and a murderer. He has no redeeming characteristics at all.
I own a few other books in this series but if the next one is anything like this one, I won't be reading any further in this series.
I used to love novels of romantic suspense when I was in high school. Things have really changed a lot since then! This story, set in France, is about a translator (young American damsel-in-distress) who is roped into translating at a mysterious business conference in a French chateau for the weekend. Things are not what they seem, and the group is really a group of international arms dealers who are ruthless killers and assassins. The hero, mysterious Bastien Toussaint, is also a paid hit-man for a rival group ("the Committee"). Once our heroine, Chloe, discovers what's afoot, she becomes the target of many assassins. Bastien, in between steamy sex scenes, tries to rescue Chloe from these ruthless caricatures of characters. The plot makes no sense. Why is everyone determined to kill Chloe? She really has no knowledge of what is going on. Why is Bastien, Mr. Ruthless macho-man heartless assassin, so willing to risk everything to keep Chloe safe? The plot is ludicrous, the sex super-steamy, but it's all totally unconvincing, in my opinion. This is the first in a series of 5 formulaic novels of "romantic suspense."
Awful. Awful. Awful. Read at your own peril.
This was a book I couldn't put down, and made me say up all night reading it. You just had to keep reading to see what was going to happen next.
Great read
Very good story!
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translater Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion...even a little danger.
The job was a killer. â Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion -- even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up. â Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives -- and would she live long enough to find out?
Both suspense novel and romance-- good combination by author Anne Stuart--
The job was a killer.
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion -- even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.
Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives -- and would she live long enough to find out?
The job was a killer.
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion -- even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.
Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives -- and would she live long enough to find out?
This job was a killer. Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion-even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up. Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows to much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives - and would she live long enough to find out? I loved this book so much I went to looking for her web site to she what else she has written. I want more of her books.
Great story with lots of drama.
Great Book
The job was a killer.
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion -- even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.
Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives -- and would she live long enough to find out?
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion -- even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.
Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives -- and would she live long enough to find out?
one of my all time favorites.
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. This taut romantic suspense novel from RITA Awardwinner Stuart (The Widow) delivers deliciously evil baddies and the type of disturbing male protagonist that only she can transform into a convincing love interest. Chloe Underwood, a 23-year-old American who regards herself as a disappointment to her high-achieving family, makes a meager living in Paris by translating children's books into English. After accepting a last-minute translating job in the French countryside, she discovers that rather than working for a consortium of food executives, she's stumbled upon a group of sadistic international arms dealers. Cold-blooded assassin Bastian Touissant, who was sent a year earlier by a nebulous "the ends justify the means" agency to infiltrate this shady group and try to stop its illegal activity, seems to blend right in. On meeting Chloe, Bastian isn't sure whether she's a spy, perhaps sent to kill him, or the innocent she appears to be. Despite his ruthlessness, Bastian can't resist saving Chloe's life (on multiple, graphic occasions) and attempting to send her back to her family in the U.S. Brilliant characterizations and a suitably moody ambience drive this dark tale of unlikely love. Agent, Jane Dystel. (May)
Starred Review. This taut romantic suspense novel from RITA Awardwinner Stuart (The Widow) delivers deliciously evil baddies and the type of disturbing male protagonist that only she can transform into a convincing love interest. Chloe Underwood, a 23-year-old American who regards herself as a disappointment to her high-achieving family, makes a meager living in Paris by translating children's books into English. After accepting a last-minute translating job in the French countryside, she discovers that rather than working for a consortium of food executives, she's stumbled upon a group of sadistic international arms dealers. Cold-blooded assassin Bastian Touissant, who was sent a year earlier by a nebulous "the ends justify the means" agency to infiltrate this shady group and try to stop its illegal activity, seems to blend right in. On meeting Chloe, Bastian isn't sure whether she's a spy, perhaps sent to kill him, or the innocent she appears to be. Despite his ruthlessness, Bastian can't resist saving Chloe's life (on multiple, graphic occasions) and attempting to send her back to her family in the U.S. Brilliant characterizations and a suitably moody ambience drive this dark tale of unlikely love. Agent, Jane Dystel. (May)
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion--even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up. Then by chance, Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she has ever met. What were his motives--and would she live long enough to find out?
back cover has a small tear that was repaired with clear scotch tape
Signed by the author.
