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Anne's Reviews > Ransom
Ransom (Highlands' Lairds, #2)
by
by
Anne's review
bookshelves: read-in-2010, romance, kilts, kindle-app, read-in-2015, trashy-romance-novel
May 21, 2010
bookshelves: read-in-2010, romance, kilts, kindle-app, read-in-2015, trashy-romance-novel
Oh, crap. Did I really give this 5 stars the first time I read it?
Has this really been sitting on my favorites shelf?!
See? This is why it's dangerous to do rereads.
sigh
So, 5 years ago, I read this and thought it was A-MAZING.
Like, the bestest book evah! And I've been singing its praises ever since.
In fact, when I saw it was on sale a while back, I bought it!
Those of you who know me realize what a big deal that was. For those of you who don't? Let's just say...I'm cheap.Reallyreallyreally cheap!
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I guard my money like that shriveled-up hobbit thing from Lord of the Rings.
Anyway, I went into this expecting to feel...
And, instead, I felt more...
I'm not sure what happened here, but, this time around, I thought the dialogue was kinda clunky. Plus, there were several times I had to put it down, because it just wasn't holding my attention the way I had hoped.
And the romance was...WTF?
What the hell was I thinking when I read this originally?!
I sorta wanted to grab hold of my younger self, and ask her a few questions...
I don't mind when guys aren't perfect in romance novels. I like tough guys, snarky guys, even rude guys!
But you've gotta give me some reason to root for them.
This guy?
Ehhhhhhhh.
I'm not saying he was a villainous, horrible person!
Just...I didn't like him very much.
He was a cookie-cutter version of every emotionally retarded hero ever put on paper.
And I was not all that impressed.
I mean, it was still a decent book, and I was entertained enough to finish it, but I was pretty underwhelmed.
Thing is, I had such fond memories of this book! Ugh.
I think it's gonna take me a while to get over the disappointment.
sobs
Has this really been sitting on my favorites shelf?!
See? This is why it's dangerous to do rereads.
sigh
So, 5 years ago, I read this and thought it was A-MAZING.
Like, the bestest book evah! And I've been singing its praises ever since.
In fact, when I saw it was on sale a while back, I bought it!
Those of you who know me realize what a big deal that was. For those of you who don't? Let's just say...I'm cheap.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I guard my money like that shriveled-up hobbit thing from Lord of the Rings.
Anyway, I went into this expecting to feel...
And, instead, I felt more...
I'm not sure what happened here, but, this time around, I thought the dialogue was kinda clunky. Plus, there were several times I had to put it down, because it just wasn't holding my attention the way I had hoped.
And the romance was...WTF?
What the hell was I thinking when I read this originally?!
I sorta wanted to grab hold of my younger self, and ask her a few questions...
I don't mind when guys aren't perfect in romance novels. I like tough guys, snarky guys, even rude guys!
But you've gotta give me some reason to root for them.
This guy?
Ehhhhhhhh.
I'm not saying he was a villainous, horrible person!
Just...I didn't like him very much.
He was a cookie-cutter version of every emotionally retarded hero ever put on paper.
And I was not all that impressed.
I mean, it was still a decent book, and I was entertained enough to finish it, but I was pretty underwhelmed.
Thing is, I had such fond memories of this book! Ugh.
I think it's gonna take me a while to get over the disappointment.
sobs
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Ransom.
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Reading Progress
May 21, 2010
– Shelved
May 29, 2010
–
Started Reading
November 11, 2015
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 115 (115 new)
It was great! There wasn't much in the steam department, but the story and characters were just so darn good that I didn't care. In fact, I've requested two more of her 'top' books from the library. The Secret, which I think you've already read. It's the book that came before Ransom. And The Bride...which I just noticed YOU are currently reading! Bitch! LOL! Ya know, you COULD have mentioned this one the phone the other night! Never mind. I'm calling you later today, anyway. Grrrr. I finally got the new Sookie book in at the library, but I noticed that (once again) you ALREADY have it. Ah! So unfair! Seriously. You better answer your phone later!
I've found that particular books resonate more at particular times in one's life and not so much at others. It's only natural; we are constantly changing beings.I'll leave it at that before I start talking like Yoda, hmmm?
Ha! Yep. I really thought this one would hold up, though. It's not like there were any dated references, and it's a ROMANCE! *sniffle*
See?! Wow. Crazy how taste can change in the span of 5 years
I can definitely appreciate your use of Disney gifs, haha. I think I may check this book out.
Kat Stark wrote: "See?! Wow. Crazy how taste can change in the span of 5 years"I'm not sure what happened!? Did my taste change THAT much, or was I just easier to impress?
Crystal wrote: "I can definitely appreciate your use of Disney gifs, haha. I think I may check this book out."Yeah, yeah! Try it out, and let me know what you think!
Anne wrote: "Kat Stark wrote: "See?! Wow. Crazy how taste can change in the span of 5 years"I'm not sure what happened!? Did my taste change THAT much, or was I just easier to impress?"
It's partly having more books to compare with, too. When I was nine, I read a book written by a teenager. It was the cat's pajamas and I spent a large portion of my time dreaming up my own novel. I reread it when I was the same age as the author had been when it was written and it stank. I mean, I still *liked* it, but I could pick out so many more problems and that ruined the reading for me. Still a little tempted to buy a copy if I see it for nostalgic purposes.
Well, I could see the difference between childhood favs & adult favs. But it's only been 5 years! God. I'm getting old.
That always happens with me. XD I feel like a lot of books are more enjoyable in the moment, but once you reflect on what you read, or reread the book a few years later, you think you were of your rocker to give the book such a high rating.
Sometimes I think our tastes in books change as we read more and more because (at least for me) we read some really stellar novels and are constantly updating our idea of whats great. In high school I was always stealing my sister's & mom's Nora Roberts books and thought they were amazing. Now I question where my brain was at! Ha ha. I loved your review and LOVED your Frozen gifs :-) Always love reading your reviews!!!!
Yasmin wrote: "That always happens with me. XD I feel like a lot of books are more enjoyable in the moment, but once you reflect on what you read, or reread the book a few years later, you think you were of your ..."I'm thinking I should stop trying to recapture the moment with my old favorites. Too depressing! Ha!
Kristin wrote: "Sometimes I think our tastes in books change as we read more and more because (at least for me) we read some really stellar novels and are constantly updating our idea of whats great. In high schoo..."I think you pegged it. I hadn't read as many great romance novels (with kilts!) then, as I have now.
Hmmm. When you admit that sort of thing, it makes you feel a tad...goofy. Five years of reading has turned me into a Highland Lover connoisseur! Bwahahaha!
Anne wrote: "Well, I could see the difference between childhood favs & adult favs. But it's only been 5 years! God. I'm getting old."
Well, yeah, but it was five years difference for me. It took three years between Pride and Prejudice readings for me to like it. With a lot more book experience, I've change what I like to read.
Rea wrote: "Well, yeah, but it was five years difference for me. It took three years between Pride and Prejudice readings for me to like it. With a lot more book experience, I've change what I like to read. "Oh, wow! I didn't realize that you're 21. Ok, then I can see how 5 years would make a HUGE difference. In a few years, though? 5 years won't change you so much. The difference between 15 & 20 is MASSIVE! The difference between 35 & 40 is...a lifeless metabolism. ;)
![[Name Redacted]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1347082397p1/287915.jpg)
Ugh, I was going to gloat over your revelation of this book's inadequacies... But then you mentioned a lifeless metabolism and now I'm crying into my cat's fur.If it took till 35 for your metabolism to betray you, you're a lucky lady. *sob*
Hahaha! No. Sadly, the decline started when I turned 30, then declined even further at 35. Now, at 40, I no longer have a metabolism. Poof! Gone! I exercise and eat healthy not so that I can have a hot body, but just so that I can be mildly chubby. Bwahahaha!
I think my metabolism shut down when I was fifteen...
Love the review and gifs, Anne. Genius! And five years can make a big difference in how you feel about a book, even when you're older, especially if you've been reading a lot in a particular genre, whether it's romance, PNR, dystopian, whatever. What seemed fresh and amazing at first becomes, later, not so much.Also, I thought I had great metabolism (it was so easy to stay thin!) until I found out about three years ago that it was an overactive thyroid. Now that the thyroid problem is fixed, I get to deal with real life weight control issues. :p
Paul wrote: "I think my metabolism shut down when I was fifteen..."Aw, man! That sucks! I had a pretty good one till I had my last kid (32), and I never recovered. Which, looking back, isn't much to complain about. My girls eat their body weight in food every day, and I just sigh and smile to myself...heh.
*cackles, rubs hands together*
Just wait, ladies...your day is coming!
Tadiana � Night Owl� wrote: "Love the review and gifs, Anne. Genius! And five years can make a big difference in how you feel about a book, even when you're older, especially if you've been reading a lot in a particular genre,..."I have a friend who has the same thyroid condition. She eats whatever...whenever! Grrrr. I'm like, GET IT FIXED, ALREADY!
But, yeah, I think rereading something after you've slurped up more from that genre, can really have an impact. This was one of the first romances I had read about men in kilts, and I think I just fell in love with the idea. Which is fine, because it got me looking for more, you know? I'll always have fond memories of this one. :)
Heh, I had a similar reaction when I reread most of Garwood's novels this year, which I'd read ages ago, for memory-refreshment purposes before shelving. And though I didn't classify them as favourites at no time, my reaction at the motives that lead me to read them in the past was an appalled "Did I really read this . . . thingie?!"
Anne wrote: "Paul wrote: "I think my metabolism shut down when I was fifteen..."Aw, man! That sucks! I had a pretty good one till I had my last kid (32), and I never recovered. Which, looking back, isn't much..."
Ah, I was only kidding. Despite being mocked for being fat since I was about seven years old, looking back at my mum's album where she has a photograph of me on my birthday for every year of my life, I didn't actually start gaining weight until I was in my mid-twenties.
It's not all bad, though; I lost 14lb last month, so I just need to keep up the exercise and diet! (Actually, I don't have much choice about the diet part as that's doctor's orders since my kidney operation in February and nothing to do with my weight.)
Marquise wrote: "Heh, I had a similar reaction when I reread most of Garwood's novels this year, which I'd read ages ago, for memory-refreshment purposes before shelving. And though I didn't classify them as favour..."OMG! Yeeeeees. I feel like such a ding-a-ling! Ow could I have thought the way this guy was acting was even remotely sexy? I would have punched him in the throat!
Plus, the way this woman was excusing all of his actions just grated on my nerves. *shakes head*
Marquise wrote: "Heh, I had a similar reaction when I reread most of Garwood's novels this year, which I'd read ages ago, for memory-refreshment purposes before shelving. And though I didn't classify them as favour..."I loved her books when I first read them, but I know I'd never be able to go back to her medieval books now.
Paul wrote: "It's not all bad, though; I lost 14lb last month, so I just need to keep up the exercise and diet! (Actually, I don't have much choice about the diet part as that's doctor's orders since my kidney operation in February and nothing to do with my weight.) "Whoa! That's an incredible amount of weight loss!
*slow clap*
I'm sorry you have to have a kidney operation, though. Is it already scheduled, or do you have to hit your goal weight first?
Misfit wrote: "I loved her books when I first read them, but I know I'd never be able to go back to her medieval books now. "You're smart. I wish I had just let this one live on in my memory...
Anne wrote: "I'm sorry you have to have a kidney operation, though..."I've already had it, back in February. My 'diet' is actually just a list of food and drink I have to avoid to prevent having to have another one in the future. The fact that I'm losing weight on it's just a happy coincidence. :-)
One of my impressions did survive from the first read onto the reread: her heroes are all so similar that they seemed to be produced en masse, factory-like. I can hardly think of much to distinguish Alec from Duncan from Brodrick from Random Hottie Highlander Number Eleven. :)
Paul wrote: "Anne wrote: "I'm sorry you have to have a kidney operation, though..."I've already had it, back in February. My 'diet' is actually just a list of food and drink I have to avoid to prevent having ..."
That's good to hear! I'm glad everything is going well for you. A friend of mine's son had a kidney transplant (not that that's what you had) a few years ago, and I learned then that the kidneys are nothing to scoff at.
I'm attempting to get a bit healthier myself, so maybe we can keep each other encouraged?!
Anne wrote: "I'm attempting to get a bit healthier myself, so maybe we can keep each other encouraged..."Totally! I find listening to audiobooks while exercising encourages me to actually... you know.. do some. :-D
It's true that we don't really give our kidneys too much thought until they go wrong.
Marquise wrote: "One of my impressions did survive from the first read onto the reread: her heroes are all so similar that they seemed to be produced en masse, factory-like. I can hardly think of much to distinguis..."YES. Factory-like is a very good way to put it. I remember thinking, even back then, that the stories themselves were incredibly formulaic. I briefly thought about rereading the first book in the series, but came to my senses by the time I wrote this review.
Paul wrote: "Totally! I find listening to audiobooks while exercising encourages me to actually... you know.. do some. :-D"NO WAY! I do the same thing! I'm listening to Romeo and Juliet right now. I just turn the annoying lady's voice down, and do the aerobics to Shakespeare.
Anne wrote: "I briefly thought about rereading the first book in the series, but came to my senses by the time I wrote this review."A very good decision, Anne, you'd probably have experienced with the others the same as with this book. :)
Yep. I think I originally like the other book a bit less, so I can't imagine what I'd think now. :(
Sounds to me as though GR has turned you into a bitter, jaded shell of your former self.Let's consult with Tadiana, we may have the makings for a class action. I swear I never used to be this mean!
Me either! When I first started using this site (before it started using ME), I was a fresh-faced sweetheart. Now look at me! A bitter old crone...
Anne wrote: "Me either! When I first started using this site (before it started using ME), I was a fresh-faced sweetheart. Now look at me! A bitter old crone..."You better hope Sam doesn't see this thread. >_>
He doesn't read my reviews. He's too busy drinking dark beer, and scoffing at my comic book choices. I'm perfectly safe here. ;)
Oh, man, I have definitely gotten meaner since joining GR. I look at some of my initial ratings from a few years ago and I'm all, what was I thinking, giving that book 4 stars??It's all Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ' fault. *scowls and tries to think of a good theory of liability*
Marquise wrote: "Anne wrote: "I briefly thought about rereading the first book in the series, but came to my senses by the time I wrote this review."A very good decision, Anne, you'd probably have experienced wit..."
Granted Penman and Chadwick are writing historical fiction and not romances, but after reading their medieval novels, there's just no going back to all that loose flowing hair and heroines running around unattended.
The version I owned had both H and h's name misspelled - and in the same chapter. Lol.
I agree. My early ratings make me cringe when I remember that I actually sort of hated a book yet I rated it a four. But, I've learned snarking about bad books is fun. Bad influences, all of you.
Misfit wrote: "The version I owned had both H and h's name misspelled - and in the same chapter. Lol."But . . . don't you know that nothing spells true love like writing your beloved's name incorrectly through the bad vision brought about by rosy-tinted glasses?
*snigger*
Rea wrote: "I agree. My early ratings make me cringe when I remember that I actually sort of hated a book yet I rated it a four. But, I've learned snarking about bad books is fun. Bad influences, all of you."Careful though, my snarkiness got me on the meanie list :D
Marquise wrote: "Misfit wrote: "The version I owned had both H and h's name misspelled - and in the same chapter. Lol."But . . . don't you know that nothing spells true love like writing your beloved's name incor..."
JG's editors are not very sharp. I had one of her contemporaries where the heroine grabbed his label instead of his lapel :)
Soooo I might or might not have given this 5 stars and put it on my favorite shelf as well.I have reread it a couple of times but not recently.
Oh how I loathe the Disney and its princesses . . . until they are used in book reviews. Amaz-za-zing.
Cathryn wrote: "Soooo I might or might not have given this 5 stars and put it on my favorite shelf as well.I have reread it a couple of times but not recently."
Don't do it! Don't sully the memory! These ladies are right, the longer you're on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, the more flaws you find with books.
Kelly (and the Book Boar) wrote: "Oh how I loathe the Disney and its princesses . . . until they are used in book reviews. Amaz-za-zing."Right? Princesses make the bestest gifs!
I enjoyed it so much that I took it on vacation and reread it.