Midnight Resolutions [Mass Market Paperback]

Random observation: the author liked the word "chicky." Rose, the main character mentions a waiter calls her that, but so does her employer, a countess. I've referred to people as chicks on occasion, but never Chicky. A New York thing?

I selected this book, because I saw another review -- elsewhere. I'd say where, but the last time I did, that portion of my review got removed. The reviewer felt the heroine had some likability problems, but the premise still seemed interesting to me.

Um, the heroine had some likability problems.

Actually, at the beginning and in the end I liked her a lot. The author, and this is my first experience with Ms. O'Reilly, made Rose's issues seem believable, so it was fairly easy to sympathize with her and understand why she was a perfectionist with issues bonding and why she wanted a man with a big ... paycheck. One of the things she does in pursuit of a man with a large ... wallet, which causes issues with the hero, Ian, has been done 8,000,000 times, but it was it was in character.

Anyhow, I very much enjoyed the beginning of the book. Rose and Ian meeting was romantic and very well-written. I was sold on reading the rest. The author seems to have a skill for writing dialog that is modern and fun without sacrificing intelligence. There was a b-plot with another couple, friends of Ian, that crackled and Ian's interactions with these friends seemed natural and fun. However, and unfortunately, after the meet cute it took a while for the Ian and Rose to have chemistry again. The secondary romance, after a couple scenes, also got lost in the shuffle -- the payoff was discussed, but after a thwarted love scene we never went back to them.

Another plot introduced and then neglected had to do with Rose's countess and her tempted-to-philander husband. This was wrapped up almost as an afterthought. The characterization of the countess also seemed to be inconsistent -- in the beginning she told Rose to have a fling with Ian and then return to trying to land a wealthy pediatrician, and shortly after and for no good reason, she became supportive of the Ian relationship.

The book, at least as it pertains to Rose and Ian, did get back on track, but the middle of the book just didn't work that well for me. Again, the temporary lack of chemistry.

I will say that I appreciate that Ms. O'Reilly paid of the dog needing a home storyline, because to forget about that would have been a deal-breaker. There was little time devoted to this, Rose's frequent visits to a pet shop window, but the scenes were very evocative and touching. (I'll skip the lecture on pet shops.) This, along with the terrific opening, and ultimately satisfying ending, makes me know Kathleen O'Reilly has talent.

Ultimately, the category of the book makes the length pretty set in stone, but there the ambition of the author and the number of subplots asked for more room to explore.

3 stars.

The only thing nice I can say about this book is that it started out with a good premise.

I love O'Reilly's books, but this is just not good. The heroine is completely unlikable. Her issues have issues. Why the hero put up with her and all her issues is beyond me.

The only reason I finished this book is because I kept thinking it would get better. Do yourself a favor and skip it. Or better yet, read some of O'Reilly's older books.

At first I really didn't like the herione in "Midnight Resolutions" by Kathleen O'Reilly. And as much as I didn't like "Rose" I like "Ian that much more. However, as the story progressed, you learn more about Rose. Yes, she's a damaged and flawed person, but I understood her flaws and recognized where the damage came from. As for the hero? Ian Cumberland is one of the most full-blooded, interesting, sexy heros I read in a VERY long time. Frankly, I loved this book. Highly reccomended.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 3 reviews  3.0 out of 5 stars