I dragged myself through this book last night. Finished it up in two sittings. I know Harlequin Presents are very "not every-day life" but this story was completely out there and I wonder what was going through the author's head as she wrote this story. The intimate scenes were delicious, but that's all it had going for it. The first half was very slow until they came together. The second half and the way it all fell in place at the end was just very bizarre. The hero borderlines being shoved onto my craptastic hero bookshelf, just for the way he treats the heroine. I don't know why he bothered me so much - I've encountered much, much worse heroes in bodice-rippers who I tolerate. This guy for some reason was just creepy to me. I adored the heroine for the first half - she was your typical spit-fire. But something happens to her in the 2nd half of the book and she's the simpering heroine that gets walked over. I'll give the author props though - this was one of the more creative story-lines I've read in a while... I honestly think this would've made a better novel than a quickie harlequin, the lack of space to elaborate on the characters and what was going through their heads is probably a big reason they come off the way they do. Rated: 1 star because I really didn't like it and don't plan on keeping the book. My Ratings: 5*****I loved this book, consider it an all time favorite 4**** Thoroughly enjoyed the book and will recommend it 3*** I liked it well enough, 2** Brain Candy - It was okay. Writing mediocre, will keep/re-read if part of a series 1* didn't like/possibly not finished. (less)