Customer Reviews

Where Dreams Begin

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors. She manages to create memorable characters, interesting storylines, and sensual love scenes. This book was no exception.

I liked this novel because there were a few elements not usually included in this genre. First of all, Holly was married before and actually loved her husband. Usually, widowed women in these stories were abused, mistreated, neglected, etc. And while I don't mind those scenarios, this one was a nice change of pace.

Secondly, Holly has a 4 year old daughter. It seems to be very seldom that the heroine already has a child when she meets the hero. It added a very sweet, very touching element when Zachary forms a relationship with Rose (Holly's daughter). I actually teared up at a few of the interactions between Zachary and Rose. So sweet!

Lastly, instead of totally reforming Zachary, he reforms her. Instead of making him a straight-laced, boring "gentleman," he loosens her up and makes her into a more relaxed, fun character. Holly's propriety and social awareness is a bit annoying (but most likely very historically correct). Zachary adds spice to her life and shows her that love and passion are more important than public opinion.

This book is a keeper. I highly recommend it!

This is one of my favorite Kleypas novels simply because the romance seems pure and true; Holly and Zachary are characters that readers can relate to and want to see succeed, in this case, in falling in love. Zachary is the type of hero that I love to love; deep and brooding and ultimately vulnerable to love. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves romance and is looking to be introduced to Lisa Kleypas!

"Where Dreams Begin" is certainly not my favorite Kleypas, but the hero, Zachary Bronson, is truly one of her best. I was so taken with him from page one that even though the story didnt grip me as much as I wished, I wasnt disappointed. I will admit that Lady Holly's reluctance to love him was maddening and I felt that the ending was dragged out a bit. All in all, this wasnt my favorite, but Zachary's heady mix of pride, strength, gentleness, and pure sex appeal elevated this book to much more than mediocre.

this is the 2nd book ive read of this author and i have to say that im impressed... it is mostly about a guy full of insecurites and a widow who is afraid to love.... it talks mostly about how they both try to fight it and at the end how they regret it.... i cant seemed to put it down

The start of the book is sensual and poignant-an aristrocatic young widow escapes a stifling ball only to accidentally bump into a stranger that mistakes her for his mistress in the dark. They share an unbelievable kiss that both cannot forget and the story ensues from there. Unfortunately, Kleypas does not continue in this style until you are more than half way through the book. The middle is surprisingly slow and the chemistry between the hero and heroine is tepid, mostly due to the heroine's prudish upbringing and devotion to her deceased husband, which could have been convincing and heart-wrenching but came out as irritating and frustratingly boring for the reader, instead.

Following their unspoken knowledge of one another's identities, Holland accepts Zachery's daring proposal to live in his ostentatious mansion with his mother and sister in order to teach them the ways of the Ton and aristocracy-since they all come from a common background-and in return, Holland will receive an exorbitant amount of money that will secure the rest of her future and her little daughters'. Most of the book is devoted to this particular time frame, which had so much potential but kept falling short in terms of Holland and Zachery's relationship.

However, the ending of the book redeemed itself beyond my expectations. Kleypas continued with her sensual, gut-wrenching, tense writing style that she adopted in the beginning of the book as soon as Zachery's whole family attend their first ball, accompanying Holland ofcourse. Zachery's comments on Holland's "drab" colored dress sends her into a rage and dresses in a revealing red dress instead. From then on, the book is a deep evocative read that compensates its earlier dissapointment.

I do not regret buying this novel and it's worth reading it. Since this is my second Kleypas book, I am looking forward to reading her other novels and hope to see more of what I enjoyed in this romance.

Just read this book, good from beginning to end!

. . . and the "Golden Pen" award goes to Lisa Kleypas of Romanceville, USA. What a book! Found within these pages is everything I adore in romance reading -- lust, desire, passionate sex, and a satisfying storyline. I could not put this book down. When comparing all the books I have read over the last few years, this novel ranks up there in the top ten. Rarely do I rate a book the ultimate 10, but here I found perfection. Congratulations Lisa Kleypas!

Kleypas' character study is marvelous. I admired both significant players. Lady Holland Taylor is a strong, caring, aristocratic lady in every sense of the word. Mr. Zachary Bronson is a hooligan from the wrong side of the "tracks". Bronson is the kind of man your mama used to warn you about. Yet, with this author's golden touch our lovers blend beautifully.

Lisa Kleypas' secondary characters are delightful. Lady Taylor's daughter, Rose, drifted through the pages with innocent charm and humor. Furthermore, the author kept an abundance of social detail moving through the book. She covered everything from genteel etiquette to the living and working conditions of England's lower classes; yet, managed to offer these sordid facts using remarkable wit and insight.

Definitely keeper material. I will invite Lady Holly and Zach Bronson to join the select desert island book bag.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

Both main characters make this book worth reading. And, the supporting cast is truly supporting to the story. I loved Zachary because he was a warrior type man and WAS NOT like the men of the upper class aristocrats. He was not your usual romance novel hero and that made this story excellent. And, as usual, Ms Kleypas is very good at writing love scenes.

I love all Lisa Kleypas books, but this one I think is as grand as her other book Someone Watching Over Me (which was my favorite). This book was so romantic, I want to read it over and over and over again. It reminded me for some reason, of The King and I. He was rough around the edges,no manners, filthy rich, and the heroine was a true Lady, hired to make him a gentleman. I think it stands out all on its own, and seemed very original. I loved, loved, loved this book. It touches your heart with every page from page 1 to the last page.

Zachary Bronson was definitely uncouth. Ms. Kleypas created a hero that was imperfect but not immune to the affairs of the heart. It was a sweet and touching story of two people coming from two different worlds.