Roberta D. (pinkgirlie1977) reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Absolutely fabulous!!!!!! As I write this review it is the end of the year, and I have to say that of the 80 books I read this year, THIS was my absolute favorite book. I found it utterly enchanting, highly romantic, and totally sexy. Zachary Bronson is now my most favorite Kleypas hero of all time, and I found his wickedness positively delightful. If you like your romances both hot and sweet, I highly suggest this book!!!
Helpful Score: 4
Grade: B
Holly Taylor was widowed at a young age when her husband died unexpectedly of a fever. Holly has grieved for three years. Even though she is still grieving, because hers was a love match, she attends a ball to reinsert herself into society. Unexpectedly while taking some air, a man mistakes her for his lover and steals a kiss. Holly is shocked, yet surprised at what this stranger awakens in her. The stranger is Zachary Bronson, a self made millionaire in search of a wife to gain him entre into London's most prestigious sitting rooms. When Zachary sets his sights on something, nothing can stop him and he sets his sights on Holly.
Where Dreams Begin is not my favorite book by Lisa Kleypas. I graded this book a B which is a favorable grade, yet there where things about this book that drove me crazy but Kleypas's writing and her ability to draw me in kept me from giving this book a lower grade.
My major problem was Holly. I liked her but sometimes her behavior was wishy-washy and inconsistent. She had already experienced love with her first husband and is hesitant to love again for fear of losing it. Could she survive the loss twice in one lifetime?
Zachary is the best part of the book for me. He is the ideal man, self sufficient, sensual, protective and willing to put his needs aside for Holly's. Wow. What a man! I enjoyed seeing him slowly fall in love with Holly over the course of the story. This is the strength of the book to me, the fact that Simon and Holly fall in love slowly and the discovery of their mutual love.
Holly Taylor was widowed at a young age when her husband died unexpectedly of a fever. Holly has grieved for three years. Even though she is still grieving, because hers was a love match, she attends a ball to reinsert herself into society. Unexpectedly while taking some air, a man mistakes her for his lover and steals a kiss. Holly is shocked, yet surprised at what this stranger awakens in her. The stranger is Zachary Bronson, a self made millionaire in search of a wife to gain him entre into London's most prestigious sitting rooms. When Zachary sets his sights on something, nothing can stop him and he sets his sights on Holly.
Where Dreams Begin is not my favorite book by Lisa Kleypas. I graded this book a B which is a favorable grade, yet there where things about this book that drove me crazy but Kleypas's writing and her ability to draw me in kept me from giving this book a lower grade.
My major problem was Holly. I liked her but sometimes her behavior was wishy-washy and inconsistent. She had already experienced love with her first husband and is hesitant to love again for fear of losing it. Could she survive the loss twice in one lifetime?
Zachary is the best part of the book for me. He is the ideal man, self sufficient, sensual, protective and willing to put his needs aside for Holly's. Wow. What a man! I enjoyed seeing him slowly fall in love with Holly over the course of the story. This is the strength of the book to me, the fact that Simon and Holly fall in love slowly and the discovery of their mutual love.
Helpful Score: 2
I just finished reading "When Strangers Marry" and I can't help but feel the two main characters are very similar here. It seems like there Kleypas uses illness as a way of bonding or as a tragic past a lot. So if you are okay with that reoccuring theme, then you would probably like this. For me, it took away some of the enjoyment.
The book was good though. I enjoyed Zach and Holly. They more a little more serious than I expected and less bantering. I didn't think I would like ruthless Zach but Kleypas did a good job of showing another side to him. I loved the scenes between Zach and Rose (Holly's daughter). Zach's family was great although his mother kind of got on my nerves with the way she felt like Zach was shooting for the impossible by wanting Holly.
The end seemed to drag a little. Kind of like there was nowhere else to go with the story but Kleyplas felt like she needed to fulfill the page obligation to her publisher.
I liked the class commentary in the story as though, especially when Zach tries to help people that are not the upper class by not giving a handout but by providing means to help themselves.
Interesting read. Decent.
The book was good though. I enjoyed Zach and Holly. They more a little more serious than I expected and less bantering. I didn't think I would like ruthless Zach but Kleypas did a good job of showing another side to him. I loved the scenes between Zach and Rose (Holly's daughter). Zach's family was great although his mother kind of got on my nerves with the way she felt like Zach was shooting for the impossible by wanting Holly.
The end seemed to drag a little. Kind of like there was nowhere else to go with the story but Kleyplas felt like she needed to fulfill the page obligation to her publisher.
I liked the class commentary in the story as though, especially when Zach tries to help people that are not the upper class by not giving a handout but by providing means to help themselves.
Interesting read. Decent.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Helpful Score: 2
Lady Holland Taylor is a widow who has grieved for her young husband for three years. Now that it is time to join society, she attends a ball. Looking for a quiet room to get away from the crowd, she is suddenly grabbed by a man who believing she is his lover, steals a kiss.
Zachary Bronson started out dirt poor, but has built and empire. He is untitled and needs a wife to help him gain the respect of the ton. After meeting Holly, he invites her to his home where he offers her the job of teaching his sister and himself what they need to know to be accepted in society. Of course, he also wants get to know Holly better and make her his wife.
This story kept me glued to the pages. Holly is very much afraid to try love again after the devastating loss of her first husband. Zach is the kind of hero I love...tough, smart and sexy. He is willing to put his needs aside for Holly and her young daughter, Rose. My rating: 5 Stars.
Zachary Bronson started out dirt poor, but has built and empire. He is untitled and needs a wife to help him gain the respect of the ton. After meeting Holly, he invites her to his home where he offers her the job of teaching his sister and himself what they need to know to be accepted in society. Of course, he also wants get to know Holly better and make her his wife.
This story kept me glued to the pages. Holly is very much afraid to try love again after the devastating loss of her first husband. Zach is the kind of hero I love...tough, smart and sexy. He is willing to put his needs aside for Holly and her young daughter, Rose. My rating: 5 Stars.
Heidi D. (heidilogic) reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was some nice brain candy, but it was a little slow at times. Zachary Bronsen is a super rich hunk and Holly is a widow with a cute little kid. She moves in with him because "he makes her an offer she can't refuse," *waggles eyebrows* but it's all purely based around work... rrright. Of course they love each other at first sight but it takes the whole darn book for them to really figure out the details and get things straight. But that's what makes it romantic I guess.
I have to admit that a lot of my disappointment in the book was with the ending. This was a nice read, but I was ready for it to be done at the second to last chapter and was peeved when there was this whole story line to finish still. I wont go into detail, cause that might ruin it for some, but it did nothing for me. I liked it enough that I would recommend it if you have nothing to read and want something that's quick and eventually quite steamy. But if your looking for something stellar, I would look somewhere else.
I have to admit that a lot of my disappointment in the book was with the ending. This was a nice read, but I was ready for it to be done at the second to last chapter and was peeved when there was this whole story line to finish still. I wont go into detail, cause that might ruin it for some, but it did nothing for me. I liked it enough that I would recommend it if you have nothing to read and want something that's quick and eventually quite steamy. But if your looking for something stellar, I would look somewhere else.
Helpful Score: 2
I'm not a huge Lisa Kleypas fan but I like the Wallflower series. In this book a self made man who wants the respect of the ton asks a society lady to tutor him to fit in better. She is a widow and feels like a burden on her husbands family. She takes the offer and moves in with her child. It has Anna and the King of Siam (King and I) overtones. They fall in love but it is difficult because they are so different.
Helpful Score: 2
A fun read, L. Kleypas's characters are well thought out, fiesty and flirty. The female lead, Holly is smart and sexy, and holds her own against her love intrest, Zachary. There is plenty of intrigue, historic details crossed signals and of course lots o' FLIRTING and more that makes the book a great way to pass an afternoon.
Helpful Score: 1
I've read a few books since I read this one. I put it in my "keeper" pile because it is a good story and I liked the characters. However now that a week or two has lapsed, I really don't remember the book or the characters very well. I think a test of a good book is in part, how memorable the characters and the story are.
I love the hero who is damaged and feels like he doesn't deserve love because of his past. This one is a bit difficult because the main "damage" is that he is of the lower class and works for a living. It's difficult to see that as a good reason for people to be apart. And it makes the main conflict a bit weak.
That said, Zachary is very memorable and I really like the way he treats Holly and her daughter. He is very romantic and their love story is well paced.
I love the hero who is damaged and feels like he doesn't deserve love because of his past. This one is a bit difficult because the main "damage" is that he is of the lower class and works for a living. It's difficult to see that as a good reason for people to be apart. And it makes the main conflict a bit weak.
That said, Zachary is very memorable and I really like the way he treats Holly and her daughter. He is very romantic and their love story is well paced.
Sherri H. (mamadoodle) -
One of the best books I've read this year.
If you like historical romance this is a great read, I did not want to lay it down.
Good book, as can be expected from this author. I do prefer her series books though.
A great book.
Eleanor G. (Memom) - , reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 441 more book reviews
I thought this was a great book. The story was wonderful,
Connie P. (Activegram149) reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 809 more book reviews
A really good story. Show the difference in classes in Victorian England. Also how the heroine finally did what she wanted & not what society dictated.
I had never read this author so I just thumbed through and started about half way in. It's very emotional in the end, and very charming. I'm anxious to start another of hers.
Vicki J. (Vickilyn) reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 137 more book reviews
Victorian London, a world of seemingly effortless beauty and grace that is governed by the strict rules of ettiquette and behavior....where a single forbidden kiss can force a woman to chose between society's demands----and her own heart's desire.
Zachary Bronson has built an empire of wealth and power -- now he needed a wife to help secure his position in society...and warm his bed in private.But not just any woman will do for a man whom all of London knows is not a gentleman. Then he unexpectedly swept Lady Holly Taylor into his arms for an unasked for -- but very alluring -- kiss, and suddenly he knew he had found a woman whose fierce passions matched his own.
Lady Holly Taylor was beautiful, generous, and, as a widow, destined to spend her life playing by society's rules, even when they went against her bolder instincts. But Zachary's kiss had aroused her, and though the shocking offer he made didn't include marriage, she was compelled to risk everything and follow him to the place where dreams begin.
Lady Holly Taylor was beautiful, generous, and, as a widow, destined to spend her life playing by society's rules, even when they went against her bolder instincts. But Zachary's kiss had aroused her, and though the shocking offer he made didn't include marriage, she was compelled to risk everything and follow him to the place where dreams begin.
Laura E. (lauramsellis) reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 331 more book reviews
Zachary Bronson has built an empire of wealth and power -- now he needed a wife to help secure his position in society...and warm his bed in private.But not just any woman will do for a man whom all of London knows is not a gentleman. Then he unexpectedly swept Lady Holly Taylor into his arms for an unasked for -- but very alluring -- kiss, and suddenly he knew he had found a woman whose fierce passions matched his own.
Lady Holly Taylor was beautiful, generous, and, as a widow, destined to spend her life playing by society's rules, even when they went against her bolder instincts. But Zachary's kiss had aroused her, and though the shocking offer he made didn't include marriage, she was compelled to risk everything and follow him to the place where dreams begin.
Lady Holly Taylor was beautiful, generous, and, as a widow, destined to spend her life playing by society's rules, even when they went against her bolder instincts. But Zachary's kiss had aroused her, and though the shocking offer he made didn't include marriage, she was compelled to risk everything and follow him to the place where dreams begin.
Yvonne B. (ybbasque) reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 33 more book reviews
Zachary has built an empire of wealth and power. All he needs is a wife to secure his position in society. Holly has always played by societies rules but her passion for Zachary threatens to disrupt her respectable life.
Maria P. (BklynMom) - , reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 541 more book reviews
Nice reworking of the uninterested bride theme set in Regency England.
Sandi P. (DakotaDreams) reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 178 more book reviews
Very nice meaty historical romance, good story, great characters and has a nice plot.
Lisa Kleypas is quite a writer! Good story!
Wonderful book, you won't be dissappointed.
Emily B. (koreanprincess24) reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 136 more book reviews
A little slow in the being but I did get into the book and I was able to read the book. I love her as an author and again she has wrotten a good book.
Zachary Bronson has built an empire of wealth and power -- now he needed a wife to help secure his position in society...and warm his bed in private.But not just any woman will do for a man whom all of London knows is not a gentleman. Then he unexpectedly swept Lady Holly Taylor into his arms for an unasked for -- but very alluring -- kiss, and suddenly he knew he had found a woman whose fierce passions matched his own.
Lady Holly Taylor was beautiful, generous, and, as a widow, destined to spend her life playing by society's rules, even when they went against her bolder instincts. But Zachary's kiss had aroused her, and though the shocking offer he made didn't include marriage, she was compelled to risk everything and follow him to the place where dreams begin.
Lady Holly Taylor was beautiful, generous, and, as a widow, destined to spend her life playing by society's rules, even when they went against her bolder instincts. But Zachary's kiss had aroused her, and though the shocking offer he made didn't include marriage, she was compelled to risk everything and follow him to the place where dreams begin.
Loved it!
Heather Y. (Heathery) - , reviewed Where Dreams Begin (Avon Historical Romance) on + 81 more book reviews
This is a used book recieved in trade...its not brand new. There is some wear to it.
