[.uk] Annie Lash (ISBN 0446603031)

WOW!!!:
This book is perhaps the most satisfying, wonderful romance/adventure novel I've ever read. I cried and laughed and . . . finished the book in one day! When I tried to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking about it and just had to keep reading. The depiction of life in the time of Thomas Jefferson seemed so real. The characters were perfect. The plot moves along briskly leaving the reader to constantly speculate on the next turn it will take. If this had been a play, when the last words were uttered, it would have received a standing ovation.

Excellent!:
This has to be one of my favorite Dorothy Garlock stories, outside of the With Hope series. This story is full of exciting twists and turns, with a very spirited and independent female character. There are two very touching and emotional love stories within these pages, that will keep you intrigued to find out what's happening next. At the conclusion of this story, another romance is developing between Maggie and Light... you'll find them next in the follow-up book, ALMOST EDEN.

Not good:
I love Dorothy Garlock's books but this one just didn't make it with me. The male character wasn't nice to anyone, especially Annie Lash. The story was disjointed and at times unbelievable. Maybe the 1700's just isn't the time period for me although I did like Wild Sweet Wilderness by the same author.

Not my idea of a romantic hero:
I have read several of Dorothy Garlock's books and expected this to be an enjoyable read. While Garlock is an entertaining writer and the story is very exciting with all of its twists and turns, I found this particular story very unenjoyable because the hero was such a brute. The hero, Jefferson, is so physically attracted to the heroine that he attempts to rape her fairly early on in the story. Yet all of the "good" characters that Annie trusts seem to think this guy is so wonderful and the author certainly otherwise portrays him as one of the "good" guys. Why would such a strong willed, intelligent heroine fall for a lout who mauled her roughly in the woods and would have successfuly raped her is someone hadn't come along. Usually this is the type of guy the heroine is miraculously saved from by the "good" male lead - she doesn't usually fall in love with him a few chapters down the road. I couldn't finish this book - I just didn't care about such a mean hero enough to find out what happens. This author has written much better books.

Not so good:
According to the ratings, I thought this book would be better than it actually was. This was my first Dorothy Garlock read. There were some scenes that were good, a handful of nervous, page-turning moments. In all honesty, however, the side characters' romance was much more interesting than Annie Lash's and Jefferson's. The side characters stories were more interesting and more believable. Annie Lash and Jefferson go from not liking each other, and her seeming to actually hate him, to them being madly in love with each other. This happened during one page and I actually went back and reread the page because I felt like "did I miss something here... you two just hated each other, now you're madly in love." Also, the end of the book was just that--it ended. Basically, all the strife going on between the characters was suddenly over. SHe was all upset almost the entire book because Jefferson was going to some trial that was dangerous. Then all of a sudden, he declares that he's not going, they're getting married, he's made the arrangements, and then the book is over. Felt like the author was bored of the book and just wanted to tie it all up and be done. I would not recommend this book.