Patience
April 6, 2010
Historical Romance
Paperback, 360 Pages
Berkley
Reviewed by Kati
I love an old school romance. I love heaving bosoms and throbbing man parts and dictatorial men and shy, and slightly too silly to live heroines. And when I read Passion by Lisa Valdez, I remember thinking, “This romance is old school, in a really good way.” So, when Mandi emailed to say she had Valdez’s long awaited second book in the series, Patience, I immediately emailed to offer my services for a review.
Patience is sister to Passion, the heroine of the first book. She met Matthew Hawkmore, her new brother-in-law’s brother during the events of Passion. Matthew was engaged, but when a scandal related to his birth came to light, his fiancée split with him and he was left an untitled social pariah. His bitterness is extreme over his circumstances. And when he meets Patience, he begins to act out some of his anger on her. Or at least, that’s how it read to me. Matthew somehow divines that Patience has not just a submissive nature, but is an actual sexual submissive – although how he discovers this was never made clear in the book. I didn’t realize some men could just divine this information about a heroine without really knowing the woman. He begins a series of sexual acts with her that force her to submit to his will. The scenes read quite brutally to me, and I resented his treatment of her. While his acts never cross the line to physical violence, he plays cruel mental games with her that made me really resentful on her behalf. The truth is though, that clearly it doesn’t bother Patience, because like Pavlov’s dog, she goes back for more time and again, encouraging his behavior and his ridiculously vindictive and dictatorial actions. While the book does close with what I would term a relatively satisfying grovel from Matthew, it did not in my mind offset his earlier actions.
There is no doubt that Lisa Valdez has a fertile mind. Her sex scenes can be inventive and interesting to read. Her writing often crosses into the purple range, and her penchant for flowery and overwrought prose made this book one that brought inadvertent and regular laughter from me. Between a doormat of a heroine and a dictatorial (emphasis on the “dick”) hero, Patience was a complete miss for me. Although I have to be honest, it’s quite likely that I’ll pick up the third book. So I guess the question is, does that make me a glutton for punishment? You be the judge.
Rating: 1.5/5
Recent Reviews:
Babbling About Books and More – C
Dear Author – D
Leontine’s Book Realm – 4.5/5
Goodreads
Visit Kati at her blog, Katidom.
That is SO one of my hot buttons, the way you describe Matthew's behavior towards Patience. I can picture myself getting riled up – and not in a good way – about reading their sex scenes and fighting the urge to rip the book to shreds. Kati, the verdict is in: I don't intend to read this book. Well, maybe if I got a free copy. But I won't pay for it.
So totally get you on the glutton for punishment. I feel like that about Jill Myles' Succubus series. I'm so getting the 3rd book, though the heroine drives me batshit nuts cuz she's so idiotic.
Great review!
Sigh. I'm reading Passion (book 1) as we speak and am really loving it. Don't do this to me. I think I'm still going to have to get Patience when I finish Passion.
I have not reviewed it yet, I see my blog between the recent reviews list, but I only reviewed Passion.
And I loved Passion but have not finished Patience yet, but I do not have the same issues as Kati has with the story so far…
Oops…sorry about that Marissa!
Great review Kati. :)
Being cruel just for the sake of it and calling it "love" is also a hot button with me. It pushed me off the old skool romances for a long time when I stared running into the prevalent theme. I'll probably stay away from this series.
Great review Kati. :)
Being cruel just for the sake of it and calling it "love" is also a hot button with me. It pushed me off the old skool romances for a long time when I stared running into the prevalent theme. I'll probably stay away from this series.
Ive often been accused of being a glutton for punishment! lol Idk sometimes even if the book wasn't the best I find it hard not to continue with the series. MAYBE this was a hiccup?!?! Hopefully the next book will be better for you! :o)
Have a great day hun!!
Even with all the sex and talk of passion and thinking of passion and lust and using cellos in interesting ways and fond memories of sucking on cucumbers, I felt there was no real connection between Patience and Matthew. The sex acts were somewhat cold to me, unlike Passion and Mark who seemed to have this great bond and connection right from the start of boinking each other behind a screen in the museum.
. I love heaving bosoms and throbbing man parts and dictatorial men and shy, and slightly too silly to live heroines..
Lol, love that line :)
A miss, hm, I have seen other reviews, and I actually do think i would feel like you
Thanks for taking one for the team, lol. I'm happy to read the reviews on this one but I don't believe I will actually read the book.
I'm getting my head out of Outlander for a few minutes as I really wanted to read your review on PATIENCE ;) I can see where your issues lie and that this book just didn't deliver it for you because of it :( I never felt that Matthew wanted to take out his anger of his parentage on Patience and really enjoyed this story. Now I'm actually curious was erotic theme Primrose will have, if her story will have any, that is to say ;)
@Leontine – I read your review and thought it was really balanced. I was just so disappointed with this book because I can't take a physically stronger hero taking out his angst on the heroine. Although, she was pretty much lapping it up. Which also irritated me.
Like I said though, I'll be buying Primrose. I'm just too curious not to.
I was at the bookstore last night and almost picked up this book, but didn't. I had heard it contained D/s elements and wanted to check out some more reviews first. I'm super picky when it comes to D/s in books. I really love reading it, but I don't get into the hard core stuff or 'do it because it pleases me' heroes. I prefer it when it's focused on the 'us' first or even better, when the dom's primary goal is to please the sub. Based on this review and others I've checked out today, sounds like Matthew is a 'please me first' dude. While I can 'get' that relationship dynamic and how that can work for some subs, it doesn't work for me as a reader. Makes me want to tie up heroes like that give them a spanking for daring to be so selfish. lol
Thanks for the review, Kati!
Doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy, buy loved the review and your emphasis. :)
You know I lurve you to bits, and totally bow down to your opinion — BUT I WAITED HALF A DECADE FOR THIS BOOK. :(
I got teh sads now.
Oops, that was me up there, haha.
See how distraught I am?