Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught
Series: Sequels, #2
First Published 1988 by Pocket Books
Genre: Historical Romance
452 pages
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Buy: Book Depository, Amazon
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Alexandra Lawrence, an innocent country girl, and Jordan Townsende, the rich and powerful Duke of Hawthorne, have always had a stormy relationship. But when she is swept into the endlessly fascinating world of London society, free-spirited Alexandra becomes ensnared in a tangled web of jealousy, revenge, and overwhelming passion. But behind her husband’s cold, haughty mask, there lives a tender, vital, sensual man…the man Alexandra married. Now, she will fight for his very life and the rapturous bond they alone can share.
Review
I’ve been meaning to read some historical romance after finishing Only Enchanted by Mary Balogh, but my mood won’t cooperate. But surprise, surprise, last night I was able to read one from Judith McNaught. My aunt has been a fan of hers and I remember not a long time ago that she asked me to get a copy of her later works and then decided to keep a copy of my own. If you asked me before whether I like historical romance, my answer would be a flat no. I don’t have any interest or fascination with royalties; about kings, queens, dukes and whatsoever. I don’t know why, I remember girls at a young age loves to become a princess and all, but growing up, I don’t remember if I ever fantasized to become one. So I guess that alone is keeping me from reading anything that is related to royalty and something similar.
I’ve been working on being adventurous and trying something new with my reading preference but I’ve been having a hard time with this genre. But after reading Something Wonderful, I think I am slowly changing my mind about it and is starting to see this genre into a lighter side.
The opening of this story was something I didn’t imagine a historical romance will start. I don’t want to share as I don’t want to spoil the fun *wink. The first few chapters were surprisingly good, too good that I stayed so late last night just to finish this story, but my body didn’t cooperate and I only reached 76%.
A story where the guy is heartless with no emotion and womanizer being tamed by a woman or should I say, by then child is an already overused concept. The idea has been in a lot of books and movies but surprisingly, I am still enjoying what’s happening in this story. This supposed to be heartless Duke isn’t entirely heartless I think, because why would he even agreed to marrying her right? (Oops, spoiler hehe)
Btw, before I delve more about that, let me tell you first how the two of them meet. Jordan, the Duke of Hawthorne was on his way to his dowager’s home when he was ambushed by bandits and is almost killed until Alex came in clad with her armor and saved Jordan. Everything happened so fast until her mother came to his dowager’s house and demand him to marry her daughter Alex.
So you see? I was really surprised of his decision. He’s a manwhore, domineering, stoic, rude and any other negative description you can think of, he has them. After what he said to the dowager about his reasons of marrying her, I’m quite convinced even with that emotionless and rigid appearance, he’s a man with a kind heart.
I don’t know what to say anymore actually. I am certain I have a lot to say while I was still reading the book, but now, I kind of forgot haha. This one totally surprised me because after finishing it, I’m now excited to try other Judith McNaught ‘s stories again.
Characters
I always adore Alex, that was only on the first few chapters actually. She’s far from boring and is absolutely capable of taking good care of herself. I also love how intelligent she is and nothing can absolutely par with her sense of humor. You see, Jordan is a serious man and doesn’t smile, let alone laugh, but with Alex? She can absolutely do it with one eye close. But when she realized that she’s in love, she became like what her was mother before. She had a rough life growing up, but even with those hurtful experiences, she grew up as a nice and kind-hearted lady.
Jordan on the other hand, well, what can I say? I hate him. I really really hate him. I remember there were times that I almost fell for him. He’s my kind of fictional boyfriend actually, a brooding jerk and whatever bad boy image you can picture out, that’s him. But I just can’t tolerate his attitude. He can be too sweet yet too cold the next. And his trusting issues is just too much to bear. Can you believe he suspected Alex?! Well, I’ll tell you more about it in the conflict.
Thinking all about his actions, I know there’s a reason behind it all and why he’s acting like a total jerk. Just like Alex, he had a rough time growing up too. But dang! That alone is not enough to justify his actions towards Alex, who may I point out saved his life not just once but twice even after what hurtful things he said to her!
The conflict
A few days after their marriage, Jordan was nowhere to be found then a few months after declared dead. Yep, bummer. Sorry guys. So imagine the torture Alex had to endure after that. 15 months have passed then he suddenly came back from the dead. Jordan was certain someone wants him dead so he hired an investigator to expose the guy or guys. And my! I can’t believe he will ever believe that Alex would do such thing! It’s just… absurd. How could he?! I don’t want to rant more, but I have to tell you that’s the reason why I decided to give this one 4 stars instead of 5 stars. It’s just unacceptable. Jordan’s behavior was just ludicrous!
Yes, that’s it haha. Sorry for my outburst up there. Jordan’s just a pain in the ass.
Final Thoughts
Just like the female lead, I think Something Wonderful is an unconventional story. Unlike other historical romance that I read (which isn’t a lot), this one will not just make you fall in love but will absolutely stir your mind because of the mystery. Dang! Can you believe I even suspected one of my favorite characters?! Haha, I’m never really good with mystery I suppose.
If you want unconventional, then try Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught.
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Favorite Line/s
- There is no fire like passion, no shark like hatred, no torrent like greed – Buddha
- Something Wonderful had happened. This magnificent, handsome, complicated, sophisticated man was her promised gift from fate. He was hers to love.
Challenges
- 2017 New To Me
- 2017 Mount TBR Reading
- 2017 eBooks Reading
- 2017 You Read How Many Books?
- 2017 Review Writing
Other books in the series
Preview
About Judith McNaught
Image Source: Goodreads
Judith McNaught is a #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author, with more than forty million copies of her novels in print, in over eighty countries and more than thirty languages. She was also the first female executive producer at a CBS radio station. McNaught is credited with inventing the modern Regency Historical romance subgenre.
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