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kle105's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
Jade endured what no women should ever endure, clawing her way back to the road and vowing to make the three boys pay for what they did to her. Her justice was pulled from her and everyone turned against her, even her own mother. The wealthy family who ran the town made the story go away.
She moves away to get her degree and begin her plan to exact revenge. While fate does some of the work for her, she also meets Dillon who she needs to help with her plan. Little did she know he may also help her let go of the past. This book was published back in 1991 and while some stereotypes of the southern town were present the story felt very current. Very moving and powerful story of survival, love and moving on.
Jade endured what no women should ever endure, clawing her way back to the road and vowing to make the three boys pay for what they did to her. Her justice was pulled from her and everyone turned against her, even her own mother. The wealthy family who ran the town made the story go away.
She moves away to get her degree and begin her plan to exact revenge. While fate does some of the work for her, she also meets Dillon who she needs to help with her plan. Little did she know he may also help her let go of the past. This book was published back in 1991 and while some stereotypes of the southern town were present the story felt very current. Very moving and powerful story of survival, love and moving on.
ccgwalt's review
4.0
Breath of Scandal was a tough book to get through. No one had it easy in this book, even the villains. Along with Brown's Slow Heat in Heaven I'd consider this almost Southern Gothic, except the story changes atmosphere during the parts of Jade's and Dillon's stories that take place elsewhere. Mixed in with the over-the-top meanness of some of the characters are very realistic portrayals of healing, especially for Jade. Her path was tough.
A few parts of the story felt forced, however. But mostly it was a very moving story.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Dick Hill. He also narrated Slow Heat in Heaven. He does a good job with the voices and accents for the most part. I think he females are a little breathy, but not bad. His timing is great, however, and he does an excellent job of getting across emotions and setting atmosphere.
A few parts of the story felt forced, however.
Spoiler
I can't imagine Jade not thinking about how people would react to Graham. She should have known Neal or someone would make trouble about that. Graham made Jade vulnerable.I listened to the audiobook narrated by Dick Hill. He also narrated Slow Heat in Heaven. He does a good job with the voices and accents for the most part. I think he females are a little breathy, but not bad. His timing is great, however, and he does an excellent job of getting across emotions and setting atmosphere.
canda's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
My mother recommended reading Sandra Brown when I asked for mystery and crime books to read. I happened upon this one and it did not disappoint. A crime novel where you know what happens but it’s the revenge that keeps you guessing. I loved the few twists, I didn't see coming. The characters were great, as were their stories. I love a good story where you feel what they feel, with all the emotions. This book did that for me. Great read!
sarahreadsinin's review
4.0
Most of the book was amazing
*minor spoilers*
This book reminded me a lot of The Count of Monte Cristo- a young person who is made to suffer, not due to their own actions, but due to their friends’ actions and then devotes much of their adult life to becoming successful enough to punish their former friends.
Comparing any novel to Monte Cristo is a huge compliment. This book has just so much good stuff- characters you love, hate, love to hate, a great plot, and lots of emotions. If it weren’t for the last 20-25% of the book, I would have given it 5 stars. Sandra Brown truly is adept at descriptions. I could picture so many things clearly happening.
We get into the last part of the book and there is a pretty graphic sex scene that is way too drawn out, in my opinion. It was sweet and emotional at first but then it felt awkward and uncomfortable. It very much took away from the book as a whole for me.
The other matter that made me downgrade to 4 stars was the rape scene near the start. If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, it will be difficult to read. If I had known that “event” in the book description was a rape, and I would have to read about it multiple times (the main character tells the staff at the hospital and submits a police report), I would have avoided the book.
I loved so much of the book, however, that I will try another book by this author and hope for less graphic intercourse descriptions.
*minor spoilers*
This book reminded me a lot of The Count of Monte Cristo- a young person who is made to suffer, not due to their own actions, but due to their friends’ actions and then devotes much of their adult life to becoming successful enough to punish their former friends.
Comparing any novel to Monte Cristo is a huge compliment. This book has just so much good stuff- characters you love, hate, love to hate, a great plot, and lots of emotions. If it weren’t for the last 20-25% of the book, I would have given it 5 stars. Sandra Brown truly is adept at descriptions. I could picture so many things clearly happening.
We get into the last part of the book and there is a pretty graphic sex scene that is way too drawn out, in my opinion. It was sweet and emotional at first but then it felt awkward and uncomfortable. It very much took away from the book as a whole for me.
The other matter that made me downgrade to 4 stars was the rape scene near the start. If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, it will be difficult to read. If I had known that “event” in the book description was a rape, and I would have to read about it multiple times (the main character tells the staff at the hospital and submits a police report), I would have avoided the book.
I loved so much of the book, however, that I will try another book by this author and hope for less graphic intercourse descriptions.
rmonty33's review
4.0
I can't even count the number of times I threw this book across the room! And that's the sign of a really good story!!
sydneyallen1989's review against another edition
2.0
I typically adore Sandra Brown's books. This one lost me after about 35%. I just couldn't get invested in the story. The characters weren't exactly likeable and the whole plot just seemed a bit immature for my liking.
As I said, Brown usually really does it for me. This was the first one I couldn't finish. Do yourself a favor and read "Envy", "Slow Heat in Heaven", or "Mean Streak" instead.
As I said, Brown usually really does it for me. This was the first one I couldn't finish. Do yourself a favor and read "Envy", "Slow Heat in Heaven", or "Mean Streak" instead.
destinugrainy's review against another edition
3.0
Jade Sperry dan Gary Parker adalah sepasang kekasih sekaligus dua siswa berprestasi di Palmetto. Keduanya sedang menantikan beasiswa yang akan membawa merekakeluar dari tempat itu. Di sisi lain, gairah asmara di antara keduanya semakin hebat, tetapi sebagai seorang Kristen yang taat, baik Gary maupun Jade saling menghormati kesucian mereka. Berbeda dengan Neal Patchett, anak orang terkaya di Palmetto, yang selalu mengumar nafsunya pada banyak perempuan. Neal sendiri tertarik untuk “menaklukkan” Jade yang selalu jual mahal padanya. Di suatu malam, Neal mendapatkan kesempatan itu. Bersama dua orang rekannya, Hutch Jolly dan Lamar Griffith, mereka memperkosa Jade. Jade berusaha mendapatkan keadilan dengan melaporkan perkosaan yang dialaminya pada yang berwajib. Sayangnya Sheriff Jolly berada di bawah pengaruh Ivan Patchett (ayah Neal), dan tentunya dia ingin melindungi anak laki-lakinya. Bahkan sahabat Jade sendiri, Donna Dee, mengkhianati persahabatan mereka dengan menyangkali kejadian itu.
Bukan hanya tidak mendapatkan keadilan, kematian Gary karena bunuh diri akibat mengetahui kondisi kekasihnya, membuat Jade memutuskan untuk meninggalkan Palmetto. Untungnya dia bisa memanfaatkan beasiswanya. Dengan bantuan Mitch (dosen di universitas tempat Jade kuliah) dan Cathy istrinya, Jade bisa melanjutkan hidupnya. Bersama anaknya, Graham, Jade mewujudkan ambisinya memperoleh hidup yang layak agar dia bisa kembali menuntut keadilan.
Nasib membawa Jade bertemu dengan Dillon Burke, insinyur andal dan jujur yang telah kehilanga anak dan istrinya. Dillon menjadi mandor yang menanganai proyek milik Jade yang berlokasi di Palmetto. Dillon pula yang bisa menyembuhkan luka masa lalu yang dialami oleh Jade, memperbaiki hatinya dari fisiknya yang takut akan sentuhan pria. Apalagi Dillon bisa merebut hati Graham. Sayangnya kepulangan Jade ke Palmetto tetap mendapatkan tantangan, khususnya dari orang-orang yang dulu mengkhianatinya.
Entah mengapa saya merasa tidak ada yang istimewa dari novel criminal suspense romance karya Sandra Brown kali ini. Alur ceritanya bisa ditebak, nyaris tidak ada misteri yang biasanya menyertai novel suspense Sandra Brown. Too much detail membuat kisah ini memakan tempat berlembar-lembar hingga jumlah halaman menjadi banyak. Sisi positifnya adalah tokoh Jade yang digambarkan sebagai perempuan tangguh, dan sangat menyanyangi anaknya meskipun dia sendiri tidak tahu siapa ayah dari anaknya.
Tiga bintang untuk Jade Sperry.
Bukan hanya tidak mendapatkan keadilan, kematian Gary karena bunuh diri akibat mengetahui kondisi kekasihnya, membuat Jade memutuskan untuk meninggalkan Palmetto. Untungnya dia bisa memanfaatkan beasiswanya. Dengan bantuan Mitch (dosen di universitas tempat Jade kuliah) dan Cathy istrinya, Jade bisa melanjutkan hidupnya. Bersama anaknya, Graham, Jade mewujudkan ambisinya memperoleh hidup yang layak agar dia bisa kembali menuntut keadilan.
Nasib membawa Jade bertemu dengan Dillon Burke, insinyur andal dan jujur yang telah kehilanga anak dan istrinya. Dillon menjadi mandor yang menanganai proyek milik Jade yang berlokasi di Palmetto. Dillon pula yang bisa menyembuhkan luka masa lalu yang dialami oleh Jade, memperbaiki hatinya dari fisiknya yang takut akan sentuhan pria. Apalagi Dillon bisa merebut hati Graham. Sayangnya kepulangan Jade ke Palmetto tetap mendapatkan tantangan, khususnya dari orang-orang yang dulu mengkhianatinya.
Entah mengapa saya merasa tidak ada yang istimewa dari novel criminal suspense romance karya Sandra Brown kali ini. Alur ceritanya bisa ditebak, nyaris tidak ada misteri yang biasanya menyertai novel suspense Sandra Brown. Too much detail membuat kisah ini memakan tempat berlembar-lembar hingga jumlah halaman menjadi banyak. Sisi positifnya adalah tokoh Jade yang digambarkan sebagai perempuan tangguh, dan sangat menyanyangi anaknya meskipun dia sendiri tidak tahu siapa ayah dari anaknya.
Tiga bintang untuk Jade Sperry.
ela_35's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book was fine, but there were some parts that dragged.
I liked Jade at the beginning because of how determined she was that the men who hurt her would get what’s coming for them. As the book went on I still liked her, but I didn’t like how she doesn’t actually do anything and in my opinion, they didn’t really get punished.
The first part of this book showed the past and what happened in both Jade and Dillon’s past. Some of those scenes were interesting, whereas others just seemed like they were getting in the way of reading the present day story.
The second part of this book was about what was happening when Jade goes back to Palmetto. It was fine, but I wanted to see more of Jade actually doing something to punish everyone who wronged her, which isn’t only the men who raped her. It felt like some of the people didn’t get punished at all (her so called friend), whereas others just had bad luck which doesn’t count.
I liked Dillon but I wanted to see more of his character as it seemed like he only appeared to pester Jade about her secrets. Also, Graham should have been shown more as he was old enough to have his own personality and opinions.
The conflict at the end was obvious and it was a bit annoying.
This book was fine, but I expected it to be better.
lazydream's review against another edition
2.0
Hmmm how do I say this without sounding like a douche. I am sorry to say it’s too complicated subject to write it this carelessly. Let me explain.
She gets raped, gang raped. Her boyfriend commits suicide without knowing the truth. Till here it was gripping. Extremely well written, then it went downhill. Everything literally falls into her lap. Like everything is pretty packed and given to her with a bow. If only life was that perfect.
She gets a cheap house for rent with a kickass couple who treats her like a daughter and free baby sitter. And she finds a job in a day. And she gets shit load of money from everyone. She gets a guy who loves her unconditionally without any chemistry. She gets psychological help but doesn’t really help her, hence the guy has to move away from pic. She gets a full scholarship and topper of the class, that I get it as she was always smart. But very conveniently she gets a kickass job and before she is 30, she is extremely successful. She pitches in a idea and everyone says “ok, let’s do it” and gets her preferred place and with unlimited funds. And she does everything she plans with minimal thinking, everything falls right into place.
There is a Sidney Sheldon book, I don’t exactly remember the name but it’s about woman who goes through something similar and gets extremely successful and lives upto 80 something. That book was extremely well written, this kind of a subject needs a Godfather kind of ending. Or the Sidney Sheldon kind of sweet package. I read the Mr. Sheldon book 20 years back and I still remember it. This one was hardly passable.
There was another story for few chapters which is extremely unnecessary. The character building was extremely pretentious and boring. Including the boyfriend, the guy in between and the guy later on. Her friend, her mother. Everyone were raging bitches. I skipped most of the sex. It was quite sad and not romantic and quite pathetic.
It was pretty disappointing read, but I still wanted to know how the book ended. Hence, finished it. Hence, 2 stars.
She gets raped, gang raped. Her boyfriend commits suicide without knowing the truth. Till here it was gripping. Extremely well written, then it went downhill. Everything literally falls into her lap. Like everything is pretty packed and given to her with a bow. If only life was that perfect.
She gets a cheap house for rent with a kickass couple who treats her like a daughter and free baby sitter. And she finds a job in a day. And she gets shit load of money from everyone. She gets a guy who loves her unconditionally without any chemistry. She gets psychological help but doesn’t really help her, hence the guy has to move away from pic. She gets a full scholarship and topper of the class, that I get it as she was always smart. But very conveniently she gets a kickass job and before she is 30, she is extremely successful. She pitches in a idea and everyone says “ok, let’s do it” and gets her preferred place and with unlimited funds. And she does everything she plans with minimal thinking, everything falls right into place.
There is a Sidney Sheldon book, I don’t exactly remember the name but it’s about woman who goes through something similar and gets extremely successful and lives upto 80 something. That book was extremely well written, this kind of a subject needs a Godfather kind of ending. Or the Sidney Sheldon kind of sweet package. I read the Mr. Sheldon book 20 years back and I still remember it. This one was hardly passable.
There was another story for few chapters which is extremely unnecessary. The character building was extremely pretentious and boring. Including the boyfriend, the guy in between and the guy later on. Her friend, her mother. Everyone were raging bitches. I skipped most of the sex. It was quite sad and not romantic and quite pathetic.
It was pretty disappointing read, but I still wanted to know how the book ended. Hence, finished it. Hence, 2 stars.
danixelle's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Hutch: "I would never do this, I don't know what came over me."
But you did do it dumbass. It is you
But you did do it dumbass. It is you