Amita4ever's manga / #BBV :((75)

I didn't really feel a lot of romance in this one. It seemed like love-at-first-sight on the hero's part, and then he was out to provide EVERYTHING she needed to become a star. On the heroine's end, she was overwhelmed with his sudden and intense desire to include her in his dream, and then was determined to not fail him. It seemed more like respect than love, although they did end up in bed together. There was also an antagonist who never seemed to solidify and hints of clan disapproval that never came to pass. While the potential was there, none of the conflict and angst usually found in an romance with these elements present. It's not that it was a bad story, it just felt unfinished, like 'The End', maybe should have included 'Part 1’. That said it didn't leave you hanging. It just Wasn't completely satisfying because so many of the potential conflict elements were left unresolved..

Rather disappointed that there was unnecessary bed before vows, but other than that it was an exceptional romance.

"I never dreamed I'd do something that bold." No, let's write this more accurately. 'I never dreamed I'd do something that STUPID.' Seriously! I mean she's on a jet headed to Paris before she even asks his name! You can't avoid the idiodic beginning, it's intrigal to the plot, and after that it falls back on common stupidity, blind trust in the wrong person, and an illogical lack of interest. I mean, really, what husband in his right mind, when told his wife had a miscarriage, not only wouldn't go talk to her doctor, but would refuse the doctor's contact... although it's possible the contact was being refused on the hero's behalf. It isn't explained one way or the other, but don't you think the hero would want to seek that info out himself? He doesn't, and that's the big issue here. Evidently, once she reports she's pregnant, the hero's only information about his own wife passes through an extremely biased filter (although, in the hero's defense, considering how they met, you can't necessarily blame him for trusting his [honorably serving a generational post for years] source over his [only knew her for a few days on-the-spur-of-the-moment fling before he married her] wife). That, and when he does talk to her directly, she doesn't cut to the chase and address the issues (that we see), but then he doesn't trust a word she says anyways so it's a double impasse. Despite this, I really enjoyed the art, and because you get to read the hero's thoughts, you never quite give up on him (although your tempted). Of course it ends well. You just hope the lessons learned are permanent.

I'd have rated it a star higher if they hadn't climbed in bed. I loved the initial introduction where they explain their relationship - brother and sister with different dad AND a different mom... in other words, step sibs. It was funny and showed how close they were. I gave me higher hopes for this tale, but sadly it finally had to go down the common path. I did, however, enjoy the art.

This is one, strong, single-minded woman! Wow! There really isnt a lot of romance here - it's more like after his initial attraction, she makes herself unforgettable through sheer defiance. And I'm still not completely sure when she fell in love. Clearly there is attraction and it's very clear she respects him, but love? Obviously it flips at some point. I'm thinking when she learns her father's fate, she can finally stop fighting herself. The other thing I'm not sure about is how to judge the bed before vows. I don't like it, but its harder to condemn when dealing with the king of another culture who, we find out, has already decided you're his wife, even if he hasn't got around to telling you. In general, I enjoyed the story, even if it was drier than some, and I loved the art.

Honestly, I liked the art better than the story. You don't see much in the way of justice (although with the father I would have rather seen reconciliation, but with the way his character was depicted, that would likely be impossible). And of course it had bed before vows when I think the story would have been fine without it.

Not an exceptional romance, but it was nice to see the hero move from being rather arrogant and callous to someone caring and serious about being a good father. The heroine, likewise, had some overcoming to do, and it was good to see them come together. The thing that I thought was most disappointing was that the baby started by their fling was such an integral part of the story and their personal growth, that it was really disappointing to not get to meet her in the final panel. Also, one of the most graphic Harlequins I've ever seen; to the excess, IMO.

For a story centered on bed before vows, it was actually pretty nice. The heroine inspires the hero to move beyond a real dark spot (rather literal) in his life, and when she finds out she's pregnant, he steps up to do the right thing and returns the favor. It's pretty sweet. There was one episode of the 'other woman' having her say, which exacerbates the heroine's shaky self-image, but unlike many Harlequin heroines, she finds her courage and doesn't run, even when her situation goes from questionable (in her mind) to worse. But the hero pulls through with statements of love to make most any woman envious. I really did like it, despite it using one of my least favorite plot devices.

10 chaps [4*] - She was rich and pudgy, and almost married a gold digger. 10 years later she was poor and pretty and found herself working for the same man, now older, wiser and widowed. Sadly, they slip up once, but - of course - there is a happy ending.