Customer Reviews

Forbidden

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Not nearly as steamy as I would have thought - especially with the Duc being the most notible "lover" in all of France - but this man clearly falls in love at 39 for the first time in his life. The love between him and Daisy is so strong - you really feel for them as a couple and all the obsticles they must overcome to finally be together. But unlike other Johnson stories that have their share of hot moments - Johnson seemed to rely more on the intensity of their love - it was very sensual and very compelling. You just feel the love between this couple more than many other novels that I have read. I am looking forward to Silver Flame now - to read more about this great family of Daisy's.

After reading recommendations on Ms Johnson books, i purchased this one. First I was glad that this was not the usual engrossing romance, and that I could put away the book without a second thought just after 20 pages... Then I realized that was not a good property for this particular book -- it was so boring, and the language so unflowing, the plot so unintriquing, --- that I simply could not make myself finish or like this book.

I have read a lot of SJ books, but this one just didn't make me all hot and bothered, like some of her other work, in that sense it was pretty boring. The hero was so perfect in every respect and such a consummate lover, that I got bored reading about his 'skills'. In addition he never lost control..not even once. That was another let down.
If you are looking for something really steamy and worthwile, try her Brazen instead.

I have review serveral other Susan Johnson books and not gave them very high marks, but Forbidden is a book that deserves five stars. This book is a book that is filled with some very hot scenes, but still has a plot line. I loved the story of Daisy and The Duc and was sorry that it ended. This is my Favorite Susan Johnson book!

I agree with the other reviewers. The sex was hot but the storyline was boring. And really to keep going back to be beaten and hurt makes no sense to me.

...what a waste of money. Etienne and Daisy are two characters that are fully developed and are totally loveable but the storyline is not develop fully. I agree with another read and would say that this book could have been cut down by a few hundred pages. I love the way Etienne and Daisy appear as strong, independent characters, which I personally think is the best SJ characters ever but it just lack the fire and passion of her other books. But I love SJ so I will continue to read her book and hope she improves on this one.

I think this book is very wordy and could have been cut short by atleast a hundred pages. I really don't understand how some of the reviewers have praised the hero of this novel so much.
I think he is too perfect, too experienced(in matters of sex,of course.Seems to me he spent a major portion of his thirty nine years perfecting the art of sex), too rich, too controlled, too everything to be normal according to me. There should be atleast some shortcomings in a hero's character to make him more interesting.This guy has been there, done everything. And the references to his past sexual escapades are really not necessary.
If the author was trying to project Etienne as some sex god, she really overdid it!
There were too many secondary characters from her previous novels and too many scenes which were completely irrelevant and which bogged down the pace of the book.
I should have paid more attention to the title of the novel before purchasing it.

S.J. has really outdone herself with this book. It is my definite favorite. I would do ANYTHING to find an Etienne for myself. He is by far the best hero in a romantic novel. Daisy deserves everything that he gives her. I really like the series that this book is in and I only hope that I get to keep up more with the whole family in another book. If you read this S.J., I think that it is Justin's turn. Empress' sisters should be old enough for him soon. Worth every penny to buy it.

I have significant criticisms for this novel. First of all, Johnson is much too wordy; the novel could've easily been cut down by at least one-fourth (125 pages or so, of small print). Johnson's wordiness really slows down the pace of the novel, and if it weren't for the scattered, passionate love scenes, the reader would quickly lose interest. The plot drags on endlessly and only starts to pick up after the first 250 pages (halfway into the book); it truly grabs your attention only towards the end.

I also think Johnson's characterization of her heroine (Daisy) grows very weak as the novel progresses; she becomes a very fuzzy, inconsistent character. This is annoying because Daisy starts out with some admirable qualities that aren't often found in romantic heroines. With her initial independence and outspokenness, I expected her arguments to be stronger, and I expected her arguments to actually OCCUR, instead of every conflict being "resolved" by a silencing kiss from the hero (Etienne).

Thirdly, there is a "religious" domination sex scene between two secondary characters that I find incredibly offensive and perverted. I won't elaborate on this scene, except to say that it makes the plot even less appealing.

The positive aspects of this book are that the hero is well characterized throughout, the primary love scenes are VERY sensual and erotic, and some of the writing is quite beautiful. There is actual love and romance between the hero and heroine, and some poignant scenes elicit a genuine emotional response in the reader.

However, because this novel's flaws unfortunately equal its virtues, "Forbidden" ends up being an average read.

I was reading this one in the break room at work when I felt a pulsing down there. I couldn't stop squeezing my legs together to release the heat. What a book!!