Review: Her Mother's Keeper

<-- This looks like the wrong cover but it's not, I promise.
Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Nora Roberts
Format: Paperback (2 in 1)
Pages: Heck if I know...
Rating: 4 out of 10

Summary (Kept by Goodreads, edited by me...thanks for nothing): Gwen may have left Louisiana a starry-eyed innocent, but now she's returned successful and accomplished.

And with enough sense to deal with her mother's maddening boarder, Luke Powers. But once Gwen meets Luke, a man reputed to be an expert in both words and women, her composure disappears. Now she has stars in her eyes but isn't so innocent.

You know what? Two of these novels is actually far worse than one of them! If you are confused about what I mean, check out my review for From This Day. See what I mean now? This "novel" was exactly the same as the last. The guy still took what he wanted after knowing right from the beginning that he would and the whole time thinking that the main character is some innocent little flower. Of course, the girl needed the guy. I wanted to vomit. Again, destroying feminism. I just... I just can't with these novels. This was my second try with this author and it will sadly be the last. There is so much potential but I don't think I would survive another guy like this or girl like that.

The only redeeming quality (why it got a 4 not a 3 or lower) was because the guy was an author and was entertaining because of it. I connected with a character in this novel, who knew that was possible! The dialogue and plot was slightly better than that in From This Day.

Anyway, just no. No, thank you. Not again. No good for Kelsey. Bye.

Review: From This Day

Reviewer: Kelsey
Author: Nora Roberts
Format: Paperback
Pages: 216 (Are you sure Goodreads? It felt more like a novella.)
Rating: 3 out of 10**

Summary (From This Goodreads page): Like the lovely Vermont inn she managed, B. J. Clark was charming and old-fashioned. And she had no intention of allowing the new owner, hotel tycoon Taylor Reynolds, to modernize her beloved inn and destroy its uniqueness. Taylor lived a fast-paced, high-tech sophisticated life. But his fascination with this innocent enchantress made him long to live in B. J.'s arms from this day until forever.

What I think: Let me start off my saying that I don't have a problem with romance novels in general. This novel, though, really gets me going. The feminist in me wants to hit the author over the head with her own book. Here's why:

Did the main character have to be confused with a child at first? How many times do you want to talk about how innocent she looks? That's gross. Like for real. The guy is attracted to basically a teenager at the beginning, is that it? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

What else? You want more? How about the fact that he constantly get angry at her (later explained away)? How about the fact that he says he'll win her in the end? This sounds like a certain Robin Thicke song that got a lot of flack and, you know what, still ew! 

See, the end was the worst part. Of course it was! How could it not be when the guy knew what he wanted and got it? Even while reading this novel I was taking note of all the ew factors. Ask Kristen. I was complaining the whole time about how inappropriate it was. It really upset me (see the last five "ew's").

Basically: Ew...I don't know what to say except that women's rights may have been set back because of this novel. I would have rather he swooped in to save the damsel in distress while she wore a mini-skirt and five inch heels...No, maybe not. 

The novel was an easy enough read. I got a two in one book. My aunt gave it to me hand-me-down. I would not have spent money on it otherwise. Such a disappointment.

This is also the most harsh review I've ever written. I thought I got over this while on vacation but I guess I didn't. All that pent up anger is coming out now...

How about the author takes the books, rearranges some things, changes the characters a little bit, but keeps the plot and gives it back.