panderkins's Reviews (279)

Enjoyed this very much and found it suspenseful. Catherine's character arc is the best part. I don't know why modern readers don't rate Henry James more highly on average. You either love him or hate him. Very subtle storyteller. The Portrait of a Lady is one of my favorite novels.

Can't handle child abuse stories.

I loved it. I love high society stuff especially if it's British. I didn't understand the ending. I think you have to read the first in the series to understand, and I didn't. So I was frustratingly befuddled but I am going to read #1. Great characters and interesting mystery.

Debunks myths and the WHI study as well as "alternative trearments" to the problems of menopause. For something more practical I read The New Menopause. With both read, now I feel prepared to embark on HRT and navigate the plethora of reluctant doctors out there.

There was nothing keeping them apart in the first 2/3rds except for this idea that Aiden couldn't commit. It is a weak point in the plot; it is all their lack of romance hinges on for so long. But I liked the book a lot overall. I like how someone called it "cozy," it's kinda Hallmarky. Nice premise, great characters and setting. Some other weaknesses in the writing are that it seemed like someone was humorously throwing something every other page in the beginning....I consider throwing a violent act but the author thinks it's funny somehow. Then she writes about 100 descriptions involving "one eyebrow raised..." The middle bogs down and also turns into erotica for about three chapters. If you like romance I highly recommend it. It would be a good movie.

The theme of "this person is a psychopath" was told like a cudgel in the first 4 chapters or so. Not subtle enough for a thriller. Interesting premise though.

Just dull. It's like every scene is painted like a Norman Rockwell and is about as interesting, which to me just isn't. Mary is annoying, none of the characters is enough to read 500 pages on.

This is such a unique, beautiful book. I felt like I was THERE strolling through, meditating in stillness on great works of art. Toward the end he got into stories about the artists, including Michelangelo, Alabama quilt makers and Van Gogh. I wish I had gone to the Met instead of the Museum of Modern Art on my NYC visit! Up in Maine we are in the research stages of extending a train that goes to Boston -- I have a bucket list dream now of continuing all the way down to New York and spending three days or so in this museum. I am really impressed with how effortlessly the author transported me there. As an artist I am also inspired to spend all day tomorrow painting and taking his advice on cultivating an art-loving mindset!